Modern Dog Spring 2010

The lifestyle magazine for modern dogs and their companions

Think Dog Victoria Stilwell on reward-based training + new tricks for old dogs

Publications Agreement Number 40743013 Return Mail Dept, 202–343 Railway St., Vancouver, BC V6A 1A4

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SPR 10

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Canine CancerFighting Super Foods How to make your own backyard agility course

10 More “People” Foods

Fab Finds

spr i n g 2 0 1 0

natural flea fighter The German Shepherd Vets without Borders Fast and healthy treat recipes

Vaccination Boosters, titers: 101 what’s essential and what’s not

Is your dog depressed?

Baby Dogs! Adorable, adoptable puppies p58

Try it. We Double Dog Dare You! Whether it is our pet beds, Throvers, Mess Mats, pillows or aprons, you can say goodbye to stains, odor and bacteria. Nothing penetrates Crypton’s patented barrier technology.

Welcome to the world of Crypton, where life is cleaner and greener.

Call 1.800.crypton or visit cryptonfabric.com

Š 2010 Crypton, Inc. All rights reserved. Crypton and the red planet logo are registered trademarks of Crypton, Inc.

SPRING 2010

VOL 9

NO 1

58 FEATURES

PHOTO TANYA KING

32

Road Trip! Man and Dog Hit the Road Have Border Collie, will travel. BY GARRY SOWERBY

38

Shadowed by a Coyote The joys of wild walks are, alas, not without their perils. BY PATRICIA KOMAR

42

Not Just Another Pretty Face Lu Parker on winning Miss USA, making a difference, and living with a monkey. BY MARY-JO DIONNE

46

DIY Eat Easy, healthy treats for all the pets in your household.

48

From Disaster to Dogtopia How Heidi Ganahl, founder and CEO of the world’s largest franchise of dog care camps, overcame personal tragedy to triumph with Camp Bow Wow.

BY COREY VAN’T HAAFF

58

Depressed Dogs Can a dog really be depressed? The case of former French president Jacque Chirac and his sad dog, Sumo. BY STANLEY COREN

60

Little Dreamers It’s all baby dogs! Adorable, adoptable puppies seek forever homes. PHOTOGRAPHED BY TANYA KING

68

10 More People Foods for Dogs Healthy additions to your dog’s diet. From your dinner plate to your dog’s bowl.

BY LAURA SCOTT AND ELIZABETH PASK

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PHOTO FROM DOGSCAPING (BOWTIE PRESS; 2009)

78

107

Think Dog Victoria Stilwell on taking the leap, reward-based training, and new tricks for old dogs.

BY MARY-JO DIONNE

84

The Dogs of Todos Santos, Guatemala Veterinarians without Borders help a community in need. BY JENNIFER MESSER

96

Big Hearts in Bella Bella Two animal aid agencies combine forces to help dogs in a remote Canadian town. BY CONNIE WILSON

116

The Animal-loving Transformation of Carol Leifer On Celebrity Apprentice, Elaine Benes, and not being an animal person. BY MARY-JO DIONNE

THE GOODS 37

Great Dog Stuff: $10 or Less Barking good buys.

53

Flower Power Fab floral finds.

93

Answering the Call of Doodie When the “going” get tough…

FASHION COLLECTION

Visit us at the Interzoo 2010, Hall 5

F reedom

on the L eash Made in Germany

· www.flexi.de

BREED PROFILE 28

The German Shepherd The comeback kid. BY MARIAN

BUECHERT

64

My Best Friend’s Workout

64

Loco for Coconut

64

Herb for Health: Calendula

66

A Step-by-Step Guide to Clean Ears

66

Revenge of the Mutts: EqualOpportunity Dog Shows

66

Sanity Saver

66

Natural Flea Control

66

5 Signs of Fear

70

The Doctor’s In: The Vaccine Controversy

72

Can “Superfoods” Fight Canine Cancer?

PHOTO GR ACE CHON

BODY AND SOUL

42

LIVING 12

Stuff We Love Modern Dog staffers’ picks of the litter.

23

Pup Profiles Meet this issue’s gallery of smiling dogs, sharing their likes and dislikes, from Cheetos to the garden hose.

83

Dogs Gone Viral Top dog videos. BY TIA

BY LAURA SCOTT AND ELIZABETH PASK

37 REGULAR FEATURES 6 8 10 14 24 26 124 135

Editor’s Letter Contributors Our Readers Write The Scoop Calendar of Events Smile! Photo Contest Marketplace Giveaways

COVER LOOK It’s Me or the Dog’s Victoria Stilwell and her sweet chocolate Lab, Sadie.

Photographed by Zach Wolfe. Styling, Jenni Bedel.

Hair and makeup, Kiki Finley.

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MIHALJ

95

Fun Things To Do With Your Dog’s Photo Dig into that digital forest of photos and put those pics to good use. BY MELISSA BARR

100

DIY Craft Silence is golden. Make your dog a cool tag silencer with this fun pet project.

103

Art Attack Profile in style: Elaine Brewer White brings signature humour to her joyous sculptures. BY MARNI WEDIN

107

Connie’s Book Club Curl up with a good dog and good book.

111

Ask Dog Lady Dog Lady delves into your most dogged dilemmas.

119

Training Help is Here!

Our experts tackle your most daunting dog training problems.

136

Last Lick How to make your own backyard agility course.

BY ROSE FROSEK

In USA: MODERN DOG (ISSN 1703-812X) Volume 9, Issue 1. 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.

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PHOTO L IN DS EY DON OVAN

ED ITO R ’S LE T T E R

A

fter sixteen wonderful and crazy years together, I said a final farewell to my dog, Kaya. As difficult as it was to make the decision to help her cross over, I know I did the right thing. I could have prolonged her life by a month or two, but, with her increasing health and mobility issues, this borrowed time would have been for my benefit, not hers. Still, it was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made. My beloved best friend, loyal companion, and constant sidekick—she was always by my side and now that she’s gone I feel as if a part of me is missing. It’s been two months since her passing, and her bark still wakes me in the night. When I realize it was merely a dream, grief consumes me.

When I think back on my life with Kaya, it certainly was not without its trials. Kaya’s hyperactivity, willfulness, separation anxiety, boundless energy, and hi-jinx more than tried my patience and often left me wondering why I was “blessed” with such a difficult dog. Believe me, there were plenty of times when I felt she was way more than I could handle. But we stuck it out and made it work.

When I returned to the city, leaving a failed relationship, my country lifestyle, and social network behind me, Kaya was there, a reason to stabilize my life. She helped me overcome the trepidation I felt in starting yet another new chapter in my life. I was worried that my country dog wouldn’t settle into a city lifestyle, but rather, the opposite happened.

We moved into an area just a few blocks from a popular dog beach, and Kaya became pals with the local doggie crowd, playing tag, swimming, and cavorting with her new playmates, while I was welcomed into a different social network from the one left behind, that of devoted pup parents.

Sometimes we wonder why we’re dealt the cards we’re dealt, but I believe there is always a master plan. In retrospect, I see that Kaya was the catalyst that caused me to accomplish an unfulfilled personal goal: starting my own business. Realizing there were so many dog lovers—like me—looking for solutions and resources, I

6 moderndog

S PR ING 2010

decided there was no better time to start a publication that would cater to us “dog people” and, hence, Modern Dog was born. Best of all, as the boss, I got to make the rules, the first one being, “Dogs Welcome.” Thus, Kaya came to work with me every day, resolving the separation anxiety problem that she never outgrew.

She was a special, unique, and crazy dog who meant the world to me and who, throughout her life, gave me countless examples of just about every problem a dog owner could ever face, always inspiring me with article ideas for the magazine. In her final hour, the last and most difficult despite all our other trials and tribulations, I had to say goodbye, not to “just a dog,” but a canine child, friend, and confidante. My girl. I will always, always miss her.

There’s the saying, “when one door closes another opens” and that’s the philosophy I’ve chosen to hold on to. And so, our spring issue, in celebration of new beginnings, features adorable, adoptable puppies (page 58). Just try and not smile! We have inspiring, famous faces galore, from funny-woman Carol Leifer and her pack of rescue pups to this issue’s cover girl, Victoria Stilwell of CBS’s It’s Me or the Dog, renowned for her “Think Dog” mantra and reward-based positive training methods (page 78). And that’s not to mention Twilight’s Rachelle Lefevre and CSI: NY’s Emmanuelle Vaugier out in support of Best Friends, plus rescue crusader and one-woman force to be reckoned with, Lu Parker (page 42).

But my very favourite part of this issue is regular Modern Dog contributor Jennifer Messer’s account of her work in Guatemala with Vets without Borders. It’s a fascinating glimpse into another culture as well as the difficulties and rewards of international aid work. And that’s just the beginning. We help with all manner of training and behavioural issues, offer up great recipes and fun crafts, provide health and wellness advice with “Can ‘Superfoods’ Fight Canine Cancer?” and “10 More People Foods for Dogs” (page 68) and much, much more!

Wishing you a happy, healthy, and prosperous spring season,

Constance Wilson Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. –ROGER CARAS

CO N T R IB UT OR S SPRING 2010

VOL 9

s

NO 1

Publisher

Modern Dog Inc. Editor-in-Chief

Connie Wilson Editor

Jennifer Nosek Contributing Editor

Marian Buechert Creative Director

Jennifer Nosek Circulation Manager

Jessica Nosek Administration and Circulation Assistant

Jonathon Brown Design & Production

Carolyn Howse Design & Production Assistant

Maxine Matishak Design Intern

Vanessa Dong

Grace Chon is one of Los Angeles’ most sought-after pet photographers and has been voted Best Pet Photographer in LA two years in a row. She combines her background as an award-winning art director with her photography, creating modern, editorial-style portraits of pets and their people. Her clients include celebrities, magazines, publishing companies, and TV shows. On weekends, Grace volunteers her time photographing homeless dogs to help them find their forever homes, making her the perfect photographer for our shoot with journalist and rescue crusader Lu Parker (page 42). See more of Grace’s work at shinepetphotos.com.

Sales & Marketing

Annica Tong, Tia Mihalj, Lillian Wei Editorial Assistant

Karin Sinkevicius Editorial Intern

Melissa Barr Accounting and Subscription Services Assistant

Celine Benipayo Controller

Cecilia de Roca Chan Web Consultant

Dave Egan Donations Program Liaison

Jessica Nosek Okanagan Representative

Jytte Wilson Subscription inquiries call (800) 417-6289 Advertising inquiries call (866) 734-3131 In Canada: MODERN DOG (ISSN 1703-812X) Volume 9, Issue 1.

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 9, Issue 1. 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 (604) 734-3031 OR TOLL FREE (866) 734-3031

FAX

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.

Garry Sowerby, who makes his Modern Dog debut with this spring issue, executed a record-setting drive around the world in 1980 and went on to break another three world records in longdistance driving. As founder of Odyssey International Limited, Garry has been creating and implementing international driving adventures for 31 years. A member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada, Garry is a columnist for the Halifax Herald newspaper, Wheelbase Communications News Service and the author of Sowerby’s Road… Adventures of a Driven Mind. For his first article for Modern Dog, Garry wrote on—what else?—a road trip taken with a trusty canine co-pilot (p 32).

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Copyright 2010 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. One-year subscription prices: Canada $18CAD, U.S.A. $15USD, 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 PAP Registration No. 11049 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Publications Assistance Program and the Canada Magazine Fund towards our mailing and editorial costs.

Cert no. SW-COC-000952

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Visit www.bamboopet.com to find a store near you! www.bamboopet.com (877) 224-PETS Product design is TM & ©2008 Munchkin, Inc. 16689 Schoenborn St., North Hills CA 91343, USA. Munchkin and Bamboo are trademarks of Munchkin, Inc. Made in China. ARM & HAMMER, The ARM & HAMMER logo and the distinctive trade dress are trademarks of Church & Dwight Co., Inc. www.armandhammer.com. Used under license by Munchkin, Inc.

Bark Back! OUR

R E AD E RS W RI T E

PHOTO CON TES T W IN N ER N IKE

Fan mail

100% Pure—and Mixed-breed—Love I have subscribed to Modern Dog for roughly two years now and have just received the Winter 2009/10 issue in the mail today. I am the happy owner of a three-year-old Schipperke named Suki. The two of us have competed in dog shows for fun, and I have actually been looked down upon and labeled a “purebred supremacist” by some because of it (Can’t we all just get along? The purebreds and mixes play fine, so why can’t the owners?). Many people do not realize that just because I enjoy the world of purebred dogs does not mean I dislike mixed breeds. Last issue, I was a little disappointed by the immense amount of pro mixed-breed articles and titles and lack of purebreds, because I was worried that my favourite magazine was beginning to hate the purebred owners such as myself. It was an immense relief to see “Best in Show” and “100% Pure Love” in this issue. It’s nice to see a good blend of both purebreds and mixes. Keep up the good work.

Hilary, by email

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SP RING 2010

My daughter gave me a subscription to Modern Dog as a gift for my birthday and, each time it arrives, I just can’t put it down. Thank you for so many interesting articles.

I was so taken with the article on Dog Town in Utah [“We’ll always have Utah;” Summer 09] that I want so much to go there and visit. I love dogs. They are my livelihood and their love keeps me going each day. Always a welcoming committee when I come home and it makes one feel all warm inside.

Shirley Boddy, by email

Overseas Endearments I am absolutely thrilled to have found your magazine in my local newsagent in Kent, England. Your articles make for very interesting and informative reading and I have already logged on to many of the websites selling some amazing doggie stuff. I have two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and my sister-in-law has a French Bulldog, so I have passed on your magazine to her. I know she will love it as much as I do.

Caroline Wilkins, Kent, UK

Sweet Tweets From Twitter… @firepolish: Got a free issue at HugABull fundraiser and am def going to subscribe. Great content and gorgeous bullies featured.

Love you! @MLLabradoodles: Reading through some of @ModernDogMag’s articles online—they always have such great information! @DrYoung: We love Modern Dog magazine, as do our clients.

[On Twitter? Follow us! twitter.com/moderndogmag –Ed.]

Write to us!

Modern Dog welcomes correspondence from all readers. Address letters to Modern Dog Letters, 202–343 Railway St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1A4, Canada, or email us at letters@moderndogmagazine.com. If correspondence is by email, please tell us where you are writing from.

All letters are subject to editing.

s HOT SPOTS s POST SURGICAL SITES s MINOR WOUNDS

s GRANULOMAS s INSECT BITES s AND MORE

JKL== N< CFM< Df[\ie ;f^ jkX]]\ijË g`Zbj f] k_\ c`kk\i

( OMG! My search to be set apart from the rest of the pack is over, thanks to these purses from Fuzzy Nation. My favourites are Stella and Puli-Oooo, who sport features like silver sequins, fur pufflettes, and beaded and leather straps. They will satisfy your craving for fashion and canine companionship (not to mention turn some jealous admirers’ heads). –Tia (from $100, fuzzynation.com) ) I’m definitely moving up the office social ladder with this rug by my desk, which the office dogs can’t help but stop to sniff, roll on, and try to eat! While I can’t say much for its taste, I love its bright, braided colours and super-cute bone-shaped design. –Melissa ($13, doggievogue.com)

$

* Gold dog tags show my devotion to my bestie with partial proceeds going to the ASPCA. –Jessica ($20, heartuback.com)

+ You can’t help but melt hearts with this cute and comfy tee. It comes in a sweet box, making it the perfect gift for you or for your Pug-loving friends. –Celine ($24, klydestreetboutique.com)

, Make your dog’s coat radiant by adding some Biologic Vet’s BioFATS to her dinner. In a little over a month, you’ll see the difference. The precise ratios of Omega 3-6-9 fatty acids will also help relieve skin irritations, allergies, and joint discomfort. –Connie ($30, biologicvet.net)

- If, like me, you’re prone to bad hair days, you need some good, reasonably priced shears for regular home grooming (Oh, the mats and tangles. Sigh.) The ConairPro Yellow Dog line keeps me from being confused with a Puli. –Longhaired Miniature Dachshund Rose ($10, available at pet supply stores)

,

. My dogs are tough on toys. Most objects, once consigned to their tender mercies, don’t last more than a couple of days. So I was curious to see how the Dura Doggie Disc would stand up. Result: two months and still going strong. The Disc is a chewable, throwable, bendable toy that flies like a UFO and doubles as a water dish on hot days. Dura indeed! –Marian ($15, duradoggiedisc.com)

#

/ Spring is in the air, and on my hands! Sweet orange and calendula is blossoming from my palms and fingertips with the Dog Walkers Hand Cream by PalDog. Plus, it’s enriched with mango seed butter, organic sunflower seed oil, and aloe vera to hydrate to the MAX! –Maxine “Soft Hands” Matishak ($10, paldog.com) 0 The Gingko-leaf-patterned fabric of this Smucci handmade hardwood bed will make your dog think he is sleeping in a forest. The cushion is soft and the cover removable for easy washing.–Lillian ($411, smucci.biz)

"

(' Since my dog Neo seems intent on making his “mark” in the office, I was in need of some help.

I highly recommend Oscar Newman’s comfy but stylish belly bands (a soft band of cloth that fastens around your dog’s abdomen) to prevent constant carpet cleanup. –Omar ($64, oscarnewman.com) (( I love the pretty, plush “My Agility Set” toy by Oscar Newman. It stores easily in the accompany-

ing carry case and comes with weave poles, jumps, a tunnel, and dumb-bell—enough to keep my little pup on his paws, even when it’s raining outside. –Karin ($75, oscarnewman.com)

() I simply adore Pawsitively Yummy’s gourmet, organic, all-natural Cheesy Love treats. –Miniature Dachshund Esther ($5, pawsyummy.com)

(* My dogs are currently dining from Harry Barker’s lovely pastel-hued Windsor “DOG” dishes. The high-fired restaurant-quality ceramic bowls are lead and cadmium-free, as well as dishwasher and microwave-safe. –Jennifer ($14, harrybarker.com)

(+ It’s time to get up close and personalize! Luxe Design’s line of “Make it Your Own” jewelry allows you to personalize sterling silver or 14-karat gold charms with your dog’s name, initials, zodiac sign, and birthstone to best represent your furry companion! –Annica (from $39, luxe-design.com)

!

CANINE NEWS AND REVIEWS

Scooby Doo, Where Are You? It’s not the same without a pet, and the new Sacramento SPCA ad campaign, created pro bono

by Glass McClure, an advertising firm out of Sacramento, proves it showing large, bright images of iconic cartoons—without their key characters. Snoopy’s red dog house stands abandoned, Garfield’s food dish is full and forgotten, and Shaggy clutches a box of Scooby Snacks with no one to share them with.

The ads, which only feature the text “It’s not

A void is left without pets in our lives.

the same without a pet. Adopt one.,” rely

World Woof Tour

mostly on the viewer’s instinc-

Oscar the dog goes around the world in 80+ days

without Snoopy, Garfield, Scooby,

Oscar, a South African shelter pup, went from a living nightmare to living the dream. The day before he was to be euthanized, Oscar was rescued by Joanne Lefson, who couldn’t believe that dogs as perfect as Oscar could be in such a terrible situation. Five years later, to spread the word of perfect shelter dogs like Oscar, Lefson sold her house to finance a trip and took Oscar traveling. Twentynine countries, $400,000, and six months later, their “World Woof Tour” was complete, and Oscar had been everywhere from the back of a camel in the desert to the Great Wall of China—where, reportedly, he peed. Along the way, he and his owner stopped at 50 charity-run rescues and

tive reaction—imagining a world or the pets who await you at home. It is a bid to raise shelter adoption awareness, to show how big a void is left without pets in our lives, and it certainly accomplishes the task.

The Sacramento SPCA is currently seeking a sponsor to take the ads national in an on-going bid to raise awareness for the important work of animal shelters and of many, many animals in need of a home. —Melissa Barr

visited 15,000 shelter dogs. “I wanted to change perceptions of shelter dogs being old, abused, and disturbed animals.

Nothing could be further from the truth,” Lefson said, and

That’s right, March 3rd is

What if Cats and Dogs

she proved it. Just one look at Oscar grinning outside the

Had Opposable Thumbs? Day, one of the most

Incan Ruins or ziplining through Costa Rica, and we know

important holidays of the year. Sit back and think about

it, too. Check out worldwooftour.com for photos, an interactive map of all the stops they made, as well as Oscar’s blog and videos. —Melissa Barr

14 moderndog

SP RING 2010

the chaos your furry friends could cause if only they hadn’t been shafted by evolution.

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Mine, a devastating documentary about efforts to reunite

Though he’s maintaining his usual silence on the subject, we suspect Snoopy is sporting his trademark ear-to-ear grin at the news that he’s top dog in US pop culture. According to a poll sponsored by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and AOL’s PawNation.com, the Peanuts pooch flew his doghouse to the number-one spot in the Cartoon Dog category, then shot

owners with their lost pets in

down all other

the wake of Hurricane Katrina,

best-in-category

certainly isn’t easy to watch,

winners to triumph

but for all that, it is impos-

overall.

sible to look away. With its

The poll invited

heartstring-tugging subject

dog lovers to vote

matter, Mine won the Audience

for their favourite

Awards at both the SXSW Film

hound in ten areas

Festival and the San Francisco Documentary Festival. Using the personal tales of survivors, rescue workers, and families who came forward to adopt the displaced animals, Mine unfolds as impartially as it can, refusing to take the side of either the survivors or the

Survivors fight for the return of their pets.

dogs’ new families. Instead, it turns the story into a criticism of governments who do not include animals in their evacuation procedure. From Gloria, the elderly woman who had to be forcefully pulled away from her dog, Murphy, to Mr. Cavalier, whose first action upon returning to his ruined home is to build his Bandit a dog house to come home to should they be reunited, this documentary breaks your heart again and again and leaves you with a strong desire to change the world, or just go home and cuddle your dog. —Melissa Barr

Who you callin’ short?!

According to US researchers, Dachshunds, Basset Hounds,

of popular culture, such as cartoons, TV, literature, mascots, and art. Other notable results included children’s favourite Clifford the Big Red Dog defeating oldtimers Old Yeller, White Fang, and Big Red in the Literary Dogs section, and McGruff, the National Crime Prevention Bloodhound, garnering more votes than presidential hopefuls Bo Obama, Fala Roosevelt, Buddy Clinton, and Checkers Nixon in the Famous Dog election. Most-loved mutt movie was the Collie classic Lassie. Complete poll results can be found on the akc.org site. —Marian Buechert

Gym Buddies Your dog may not be the best free-weight spotter, but he can hit the gym with you The dilemma: to walk, or not to walk the dog in favour of an after-work workout. The solution: do both. At new San Francisco

Corgis, and other short-legged dogs may be the result of a

gym Fit Bernal

genetic quirk occurring some time after modern dog breeds

Fit, aptly

began to evolve from wolves. One particular gene split in

located in the

half and this extra wolf gene is thought to affect develop-

Bernal Heights

ment before birth, resulting

neighbourhood,

in puppies born with curved,

Fido is just

stunted leg bones and

another patron.

short legs. This is a special

In fact, the

type of dwarfism that has

gym has won

generated nearly 20 breeds of stubby-legged dogs. The discovery of this gene may also lead to further research into dwarfism in humans.

—Melissa Barr

PHOTO JEAN PEDIGO

a PETA Proggy

award for Most Progressive Fitness Center 2009. While you work out, your dog can socialize in the supervised doggie lounge or, if you pre-schedule, take part in a group walk.

The community-minded gym is minus a parking garage, encouraging members to walk to and from the gym, an initiative your newly buff and endorphin-happy dog will surely appreciate. fitbernalfit.com —Karin Sinkevicius

16 moderndog

SP RING 2010

PEANUTS: © UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE, INC.

Doc Explores Battle Over Katrina Dogs

Top of the Pops

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Hjg[

Cool Keys We thought we’d toss all the cats

Top Dog Sites

and cat lovers a bone with this one (to say nothing of the butterfly aficionados out there). These cool keys will ensure you never again

You’ve always instinctively known whether you’re a dog or a cat person (dog, clearly), but now, you can find out what other pets you are fated to fall for at this site, which uses astrological alignments on the day you were born to predict which pets you’d get along with best. Be warned, though, some prospective pets are too exotic to be legal (or just too plain creepy. Snakes? No thank you!).

key is for what. $11, statkey

fumble through your whole key ring trying to decipher which company.com (Special for Modern Dog readers: Enter code MDM2010 for a 20% discount on three or more keys!)

The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too. ~Samuel Butler, Notebooks, 1912

LOL Dogs ihasahotdog.com Following on the phenomenal web appeal of icanhascheezburger.com, is ihasahotdog.com. It’s difficult to look through this site and remember that the dog in the pictures probably aren’t thinking the things in their captions. From the sweet to the racy to the utterly absurd, this site features dogs in various states of epiphany, and it’s impossible to look through them and keep a straight face. Whether you burst out laughing or tear up, this site has a wide range of emotional impact, and most importantly, adorable doggie picture.

Dog Watcher automatedredemption.com/ flavorcountry/dogblog Some people “people watch.” Jon Sung of San Francisco wanders the streets and “dog watches,” taking photographs of the dogs he encounters who have been left tied to things.

It’s a strange conceit for a blog (and, for the record, we don’t endorse leaving your dog tied up and unattended), but there is something oddly charming about this collection of photos.

Whether for Jon’s quirky captioning or the many examples of patience and loyalty exhibited by the dogs who just sit and wait, secure in the knowledge that their people must come back for them, this blog is definitely worth a look.

PHO TO S STEV E COHN

LOL

Written in the Stars johnhayes.biz/pet-horoscope/ astrology-pets.html

Star-studded benefit for Best Friends CSI: NY’s Emanuelle Vaugier recently hosted a benefit for Best Friends Animal Society in her Hollywood home. Guests

Inspiration dogspired.com

sipped Grey Goose cocktails while getting behind important

Following dog news can be overwhelming with so many tragic stories of neglect and abuse, so it’s a welcome relief to see a site like this one, that goes out of its way to offer inspirational and sweet stories accompanied by uplifting dog photos (look for the dog touching noses with a dolphin). Though it can be easy to overlook instances of heroism when faced with a surfeit of heartbreak, this site carefully points them out, telling inspiring, dog-centric stories of triumph.

initiative. The guest list was star-studded, with Twilight’s

Best Friends’ efforts, such as their “No More Homeless Pets” Rachelle Lefevre, spokesperson for Best Friends’ “Puppies Aren’t Products” campaign in attendance along with her boyfriend, The Tudors’ dreamy Jamie Thomas King. Both wore “Puppy Mills Bite” tees, from which $5 of every sale goes to the “Puppies Aren’t Products” campaign. Get yours at FleasPlease.com. —Rose Frosek

moderndogmagazine.com

17

J>; I9EEF 6 ) % ( Slum Dogs of India (Merrell; 2009). Explore life on the streets in India with this gorgeous, evocative photojournal. In a moving tribute to the tenacious spirit of street dogs, Eloise Leyden experiences the streets, alleys, and beaches of India through the eyes of the homeless dogs who live there. Proceeds of each sale go toward the Tree of Life for Animals, a clinic dedicated to vaccinating, © Multiverse Labs, Inc.

sterilizing, and treating the homeless dogs and other animals that live in India’s streets.

A Sketch a Day Keeps the Doldrums Away For former Disney animator Jim George, creating lovable characters was all part of a day’s work. Turns out

( S Get your dog a Twitter account. What, you thought social networking was just for people? Not anymore.

The twitterscape is alive with

that’s a hard habit to break. Though no longer with

the pitter-patter of puppy paws

Disney, he’s still “drawn” (ahem) to animation and lov-

as more and more dogs are

able characters—and what characters are more lovable

signing up and recording their

than dogs? George, who draws one dog daily and posts

daily triumphs and tragedies (@HuggaPugglebull: “I just caught

it on his site, drawthedog.com, has put out a call for

Mom’s Roomba pushing my treat dispensing ball down the hall

inspiration. Submit a story about your dog and, if it’s

and sucking up all my delicious treats!! Horrors!” ) for everyone

selected, your pup will be sketched out on screen. Not

to read. Find fellow doggie friends at dogswhotwitter.com.

only is George making everyday dogs famous, he’s out

0MWXIR

to help the underdog while he’s at it. His “Rescue Me” cartoon was created for free use by rescue organiza-

Bring a little of the

tions for fundraising purposes. —Karin Sinkevicius

outdoors inside with Dog Gone Classical Music: Mozart, a CD that mixes

From Runaway to Runway

Mozart with the sounds of nature in a surprisingly winning combo. Aimed at reducing stress, fear, and separation anxiety in dogs,

Homeless hounds from the

this CD also helps soothe the troubled human mind—at least,

world’s largest no-kill shel-

it definitely makes us feel more serene and calm. Whether it

ter, New York’s North Shore

helps dogs achieve a state of Zen is still up for debate, but we

Animal League America,

sure love it.

will have a chance to strut their stuff when they hit the runway at the Second Annual FIT Pet Fashion Show on April 12. The show will feature fashion and accessories designed and created by students of the Pet Product Design and Market-

Modern Dog Poll Results If money were no object, 38%

would clone their dog before the end of his/her life.

ing Program at State University of New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, a non-credit course that aids in pet-product line and business development. Students from the school’s Special Events Marketing class will stage the show, following in the pawprints of last year’s success. —Karin Sinkevicius

18 moderndog

SP RING 2010

Modern Dog Poll If possible, would you alter your dog’s DNA so he could talk?

Go to moderndogmagazine.com to vote.

J>; I9EEF Third Eye Blind

Calling all witty writers or writers at heart

Best $5 gag gift ever

create a caption for this cartoon and submit your entry at moderndogmagazine.com/cartooncaption.

CAR TOON Š 2 009 BY DAVID JACOBS ON

The top four most comic captions will be published in the next issue and will each win a one-year subscription to Modern Dog!

And the winner

Touted as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;fun and enchanting way of covering your petâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rear while boosting their confidence,â&#x20AC;? Rear Gear is not your average dog charm. Designed to hook onto Fidoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tail, thus disguising his least desirable part with, say, a cartoon cupcake, biohazard symbol, or 1st-place ribbon, Rear Gear definitely lives up to its slogan: â&#x20AC;&#x153;No More Mr. Brown Eye.â&#x20AC;? While weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not sure this Lauren Shumaker, a 23-year-old product will actually boost your engineering student from Portland, Oregon, and her hand-made novelty dogâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s confidence, we think it product Rear Gear. stands a fair chance at opening some pretty interesting conversational doors at the dog park. reargearstore.com â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Jessica Nosek

Odd Spots Amazing Dog Technology

from the Winter issue is:

A mere sampling of the odd but interesting products found CARTO O N Š 2009 BY DAVID JACOBSON

on petgadgets.com: The HotDog is a special alarm system for your car. If you DO leave your dog inside (for the record, NOT recommended), the system monitors the temperature, and if it gets too hot, it rolls down windows, and honks your horn to get help. Also comes with an optional pager that pages you over and over again (for that single person

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Runner-up Captions: ´<RX SXOOHG PH RYHU EHFDXVH \RX WKRXJKW , ZDV VSHHGLQJ" $ZZ WKDW¡V QRW WUXH DQG \RX NQRZ LW <RX¡UH MXVW PDG EHFDXVH , XVHG WR KXPS \RXU OHJ WKDW¡V WKH 5($/ UHDVRQ LVQ¡W LW"¾ SUBMITTED BY BRIDGET LEE

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20 moderndog

SP RING 2010

still using a pager out there).

So awesome. The Stink-Finder uses ultraviolet light to ďŹ nd and eliminate STINKS. How amazing is that?! It works on vomit and feces.

The nightlight-shaped Comfort Zone plugs into an electrical socket and releases pheromones that calm and soothe dogs.

In the kinda-strange-but-fun category is the Chatterbowl. Record your voice and every time your dog drinks, it hears you talk to him, apparently easing separation anxietyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;or scaring the pants off your dog (presuming heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wearing pants).

There Are No Coincidences 6ROLG *ROG UHFHQWO\ KDG D YHQGRU ERRWK DW D ODUJH PXOWL GD\ GRJ VKRZ 7KH Ă&#x20AC; UVW GD\ DQ angry woman came to our booth. She had been attending a national conference for her breed.

The speaker had made the audience aware of possible federal legislation. Only two SHWV ZRXOG EH DOORZHG SHU IDPLO\ 7KH ODG\ KDG Ă&#x20AC; YH GRJV ´:KLFK RI P\ WKUHH GRJV DP , expected to kill?â&#x20AC;? she asked.

Seems as though the federal government said that dogs are dirty and the amount of food ´ZDVWHGÂľ RQ GRJV FRXOG EH VHQW WR XQGHUGHYHORSHG FRXQWULHV RI WKH ZRUOG My Great Danes arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t dirty. They are bathed at least once a month with our Super 6HQ *HOOH 6KDPSRR IRU VHQVLWLYH VNLQ FRQFHQWUDWH 7KHQ WKH\ DUH FRQGLWLRQHG ZLWK RXU Solid Gold jojoba rinse (6-1 concentrate.) Jojoba is the only oil that penetrates three layers of skin and rebuilds cell tissue. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t rinse off. Can be used daily for dry itchy skin.

Some ladies pay $100 an hour for such SPA treatment. ,Q LQ 0LDPL )ORULGD D FODVV DFWLRQ VXLW ZDV Ă&#x20AC; OHG DJDLQVW VHYHUDO PDMRU SHW IRRG PDQXIDFWXULQJ FRPSDQLHV 7KH VXLW DOOHJHG WKDW WKH SHW IRRGV ZHUH QRW KHDOWK\ DQG VDIH HYHQ WKRXJK WKHVH FRP panies frequently advertised that their food was healthy and safe. Solid Gold was not involved.

2QH FRPSDQ\ VRXUFHG LWV LQJUHGLHQWV IURP &KLQD DQG VKLSSHG KHUH 7KHQ WKH LQJUHGLHQWV ZHUH PDQXIDF WXUHG KHUH 7KH\ DGYHUWLVHG WKDW WKHLU IRRG ZDV PDGH LQ WKH 8 6 7KLV LV GHFHSWLRQ SHRSOH GRQ¡W FDUH ZKHUH WKH PDFKLQHU\ LV WKH\ ZDQW WR NQRZ ZKHUH WKH IRRG LV JURZQ )LQDOO\ LQ WKLV FRPSDQ\ VDLG LW ZRXOG VRXUFH WKH ingredients from the U.S. 6RPH GRJ IRRG FRPSDQLHV XVH SHDQXW KXOOV DV D FKHDS Ă&#x20AC; OOHU 0DQ\ KXOOV FRQWDLQ D IXQJXV WKDW FDXVHV HDU LQIHFWLRQV ,I WKLV KDSSHQV VSHQG Â&#x201E; DW WKH PDUNHW IRU DSSOH FLGHU YLQHJDU 3XW LW RQ D FRWWRQ EDOO VTXHH]H RXW WKH H[FHVV DQG FOHDQ RXW WKH HDU $ IXQJXV LV DQ DONDOL DSSOH FLGHU YLQHJDU LV DQ DFLG ,I WKHUH LV D FXW GLOXWH WKH YLQHJDU VR LW ZRQ¡W VWLQJ 7KHQ SXW LQ WZR VTXLUWV RI 6ROLG *ROG (DU &DUH ZLWK &RPIUH\ &RPIUH\ ZRUNV LQ D VWUDQJH ZD\ ,W FDXVHV WKH FHOOV WR PXOWLSO\ ZLWK VXFK UDSLGLW\ WKDW WKH FHOOV DFWXDOO\ LPSORGH XSRQ WKHPVHOYHV DQG NLOO WKHPVHOYHV ,W DOVR ZRUNV RQ IXQJXV LQIHFWLRQ EHWZHHQ WKH WRHV %XW XVH YLQHJDU Ă&#x20AC; UVW You can order from us directly if your local store doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t carry them.

6R LI \RX ZDQW D KHDOWK\ GRJ IRRG IHHG 6ROLG *ROG ,W LV WKH EHVW GRJ IRRG LQ WKH ZRUOG IRU \RXU ´IXU SHUVRQ ¾ 1RZ DERXW FRLQFLGHQFHV ,W ZDV RYHU \HDUV DJR WKDW IDUPHU )OHPLQJ LQ 6FRWODQG ZDV ZDONLQJ DORQJ ZLWK *ROGLH KLV *ROGHQ 5HWULHYHU 6XGGHQO\ *ROGLH VWRSSHG DQG OLVWHQHG $ FKLOG¡V YRLFH FRXOG EH KHDUG VFUHDPLQJ )DUPHU )OHPLQJ UDQ WRZDUG WKH ULYHU $ ER\ DERXW \HDUV ROG ZDV EHLQJ VZHSW GRZQVWUHDP 7KH ER\ JUDEEHG DQ RYHUKDQJLQJ WUHH )OHPLQJ WROG *ROGLH WR ´JR JHW KLP¾ EXW WKH ER\ ZRXOGQ¡W OHW JR RI WKH EUDQFK )OHPLQJ XQFRLOHG KLV URSH WKDW KH KDG EHHQ FDUU\LQJ DQG SXW LQ WKH *ROGLH¡V PRXWK DQG FRPPDQGHG *ROGLH DJDLQ 7KLV WLPH WKH ER\ ZUDSSHG WKH URSH DURXQG KLV ZDLVW DQG OHW JR )OHPLQJ SXOOHG IURP WKH IURQW DQG *ROGLH SXVKHG IURP WKH UHDU 7KH\ ODQGHG RQ VKRUH 7KHQ WKH ER\ ZHQW KRPH 7KH QH[W GD\ D FRDFK DQG IRXU KRUVHV SXOOHG XS WR )OHPLQJ¡V KRXVH 7KH JHQWOHPHQ ZDQWHG WR JLYH )OHPLQJ D UHZDUG %XW )OHPLQJ GHFOLQHG 7KHQ WKH ULFK PDQ SURSRVHG WKDW KH ZRXOG SD\ WKH WXLWLRQ RI )OHPLQJ¡V VRQ IRU WKH VDPH SULYDWH VFKRRO DV KLV VRQ ZHQW WR VR KH FRXOG JHW D JRRG HGXFDWLRQ )OHPLQJ JODGO\ DFFHSWHG (YHQWXDOO\ WKH IDUPHU¡V VRQ ZHQW WR 6W 0DU\¡V 0HGLFDO 6FKRRO DQG EHFDPH 'U )OHPLQJ ZKR developed penicillin.

0DQ\ \HDUV ODWHU WKH ULFK PDQ¡V VRQ EHFDPH YHU\ LOO ZLWK D GHDGO\ LQIHFWLRQ ,W ZDV WKH SHQLFLOOLQ WKDW VDYHG his life.

You know the river boy who eventually became famous. His name is Winston Churchill.

There are no coincidences. â&#x20AC;&#x153; Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been told that this could very well be one of those Urban Legends, however, it is still a cute story nonetheless.â&#x20AC;?

Solid Gold is the only dog food company that is a member of the Organic Trade Association, the American Nutraceutical Association, the Medicinal Food Association, Nutraceutical Foods Association and the Life Extension Association.

For a catalog or store near you call or email us at: (619) 258-7356 or (619) 258-1914 (M-F 10-5 PST) or E-mail us at sarah@solidgoldhealth.com or www.solidgoldhealth.com Solid Gold Health Products for Pets, the Holistic Animal Nutrition Center 1331 N. Cuyamaca El Cajon, CA 92020

1 in 5 Dogs Have Pain from Arthritis

Is Your Dog Suffering?

Relieves joint pain PLUS benefits other critical systems of the body with its unique ingredients Contains powerful antioxidants Peanut butter flavored chewable tablets for easy administration Joint Re-Leaf is produced in a GMP Certified Lab in the U.S.A.

ORDER TODAY AT:

www.JointRe-leaf.com or call 1-888-674-6315

Pup Profiles “I’m a Modern Dog!”

Murphy Murphy is always up to no good! He likes to lay on the couch, dig holes in the backyard, and bark at the mailman. He’s also very loveable and likes to cuddle and lick your face!

Gracie Mae Body of a dog, soul of a cat. Gracie Mae dreams of owning a kitten farm and of world peace.

Sweet Little Sweet is the protector of her person, sticking to her side like glue when she was going through chemo and radiation.

She likes chicken and raw carrots.

Carrie Carrie Girl loves walks through the woods, snuggling on the bed in the morning, and watching sports with her daddy on the couch. She also loves sardines.

And paté. And stealthily putting her head on the pillow.

Payton

“Miss Hoo’s” all-time favourite things to do are play tug and do agility. And she’s a real smarty—she knows over 75 commands. She especially digs bacon and would rather not be left alone.

Maggie

Marty He’s a Marty Party Pants doin’ his Marty party dance. This slightly wonky, but very personable Pug loves people, food, and toys. He may party hard, but appreciates a good nap and sunbathing.

Maisie Enthusiastic two-year-old Border Collie Maisie loves playing and the outdoors.

Add a garden hose and she’s in heaven.

Is your dog modern? Want to see your pup profiled in the pages of Modern Dog? Enter online at moderndogmagazine.com/photocontest or email us at doggieprofile@moderndogmagazine.com with a highresolution photo and your doggie data for a shot at stardom! Featured dogs will be chosen by the Modern Dog editorial staff. Assignment of rights applies; see full details at moderndogmagazine.com/photosubmission.

It is claimed that “Moods” is the sweetest dog on the planet. She’s into popcorn and white cheddar cheese Cheetos.

“Muffaroonie” resides in Atlanta and is pretty into exercising.

Penny Penny’s likes include sleeping, cuddling, natural dried duck, chicken fillets, and paw massages. She dislikes ferrets and cold weather.

moderndogmagazine.com

23

CALENDAR

HEG>C< >CID HEG>C<

Get out your date book! Hot, not-to-be missed events

March 9 Cats are expert at

28

it. Dogs have raised it to an art form. Let’s give the nap some due respect—curl up beside your best pal and nap guilt-free today in honour of National Napping Day.

19

Carter and Molly, a pair of adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, make their debut at Titanic, the interactive museum attraction in Branson, Missouri (titanicbranson.com).

Honouring the dogs who perished in the 1912 disaster, Carter and Molly are the museum’s new mascots.

The starstudded 24th annual Genesis Awards (humanesociety.org/ genesis awards), celebrating news and entertainment media efforts to raise awareness of animal issues, takes place today in (where else?)

Los Angeles.

2 Fresh air, exercise, and heroism. Raise money to help the fight against both human and canine cancer PHOTO ANN BELSITO in the 17th Annual American Cancer Society’s Bark for Life dog walk in Riverside Park, New York. If you live outside the New York area, check for similar dog walks in your community—or start your own!

PHOTO LONG PHOTOGRAPHY

April 20–26 It’s national Turn Off the TV Week, your dog’s favourite time of the year. Turn off the tube, put down that remote, and hit the dog park!

24

Bulldogs are Beautiful Day. We’re not really sure they need a day of their own (after all, who doesn’t fall instantly for their droopy, tragic little faces?) but we’re behind it nonetheless. We can only hope a Don’t Bug Pugs Day is in the works.

The last Saturday in April is World Vet Day. Working tirelessly to keep the dogs we love healthy, and happy, vets deserve a little bit of love themselves, so let them know how much they are appreciated with a card, or a phone call today.

24 moderndog

SP RING 2010

May Cue 31 days of celebration—it’s National Pet Month.

20

24

International Guide Dog Day gives us the opportunity to think about the crucial work of guide dogs in assisting the blind and sight-impaired. The first guide dog schools were set up after the First World War in an effort to assist soldiers who had been blinded in the trenches, but there have mentions of guide dogs as far back as the mid16th century. Consider making a donation to Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind (guidedogs.ca) or Guide Dogs of America (guidedogsofamerica. org).

8 As they say, preparedness is the key to success, so on Animal Disaster Preparedness Day, take the time to review safety procedures and make sure your dog is included in them. And if you don’t have one already, make a canine first aid kit. For instructions, go to moderndogmagazine.com/articles/diy-first-aid-kit.

15

Good design meets a good cause.

At the San Francisco Petchitecture Gala, bid on unique pet habitats designed by top San Francisco architects and designers to © THEPETPHOTOGRAPHER.COM raise money for Pets Are Wonderful Support, an organization that helps seniors and those incapacitated with illness keep their dogs or pairs those without a canine with a companion dog.

moderndog photo contest wÄąnners!

hb^aZ Max

Hunny

Stitch

Trooper

Sarah

Prince Doggie

Riggs Gymboree

Champ Jack

26 moderndog

SP RING 2010

Maisy

Spencer

Timmie

Murphy Joe Ziggy

Dutch & Anastasia

Nissa Fiona

e Bruno

Wobbles Johnnie Think your dog ought to grace the pages of Modern Dog?

Hayley Winston The Walker Pugs Gus

Send us photos of your picture-perfect pooch! The winning entries will be published in the Summer 10 issue. Send photos to: Modern Dog Photo Contest, Suite 202, 343 Railway St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6A 1A4. Submitted photographs are property of Modern Dog and will not be returned. Please include your name, dogâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name and breed, address and contact info, including telephone number.

Please send 4 x 6 print photographs or enter online at moderndogmagazine. com. Assignment of rights applies; see full details at moderndogmagazine.com/ photosubmission.

moderndogmagazine.com

27

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28 moderndog

SP RING 2010

â&#x20AC;&#x153;O

kay, kid, hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the scene. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re the fallen heroâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;you were everybodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favourite guy, decorated for bravery in every war since WWI, police and rescue work, assistant to the blind, protector of the family, rugged, athletic, handsome, good breeding, a movie and TV starâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the whole nine yards. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But that was yesterdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s news. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re downâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;really down. Your success attracted the wrong kind of people and they took you under. You lost your health, your temper, your reputation. There were rumours of people hurt, even killed. Stories that you were so crippled you couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t walk. You got bad press. You got people crossing the street to avoid meeting you. Things donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t look bright. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But lucky for you, you still got good people in your cornerâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; people who stood by you all these years. You got a chance to get back on top and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re determined to take it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now: lights, cameraâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;action!â&#x20AC;?

The story of the German Shepherd Dog (GSD) has all the mak-

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HA WKE YE1Š2010/ DEB ORAH SAM UEL

The world of GSDs became riddled with controversy. ings of a blockbuster film: a meteoric rise from obscurity to dizzying heights of achievement and fame, a tragic slide into misfortune and notoriety, and a courageous fight for redemption.

Sadly, this is no script and the true taleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s conclusion has yet to be written: by real people and real dogs who are still working toward a happy ending.

The story opens in late 19th-century Germany with the man who is credited with molding the original GSD, Max von Stephanitz. Taking the best dogs of several shepherd types, Stephanitz focused on creating the breed that is now described in the American Kennel Club (AKC) Standard as â&#x20AC;&#x153;a working animal with an incorruptible character combined with body and gait suitable for the arduous work that constitutes its primary purpose.â&#x20AC;?

By breeding to strict standards of character, trainability, and physical ability, Stephanitz and his followers changed the humble sheep herding dogs into the Deutsche Schäferhunde (literally, German Sheepdog), a multi-talented working breed that proved itself in almost every field of endeavour open to dogs.

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29

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At the same time, the breed’s appearance became standardized to the German Shepherd we know today: a large, rugged dog with a wolfish head and erect ears and a thick double coat of medium length. The colour is usually reddish-brown with black markings, including a black mask and “saddle,” or sable, where the hairs are a lighter colour such as grey or gold, tipped in black. Solid black is also acceptable, but pale, washed-out colours are generally frowned upon.

In 1925, the GSD became the most popular breed in the US, due partly, no doubt, to the heroic exploits of the movie stars Rin Tin Tin and Strongheart, both classic GSDs in looks and onscreen personas (and both of whom have stars on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame). Since the 1920s, when the GSD began to dominate the popularity polls, the breed has only dropped out of the AKC Top Ten for a few years surrounding the Second World War, a time when anything “German” was unpatriotic. For the past fifty years, the GSD has been in the top four breeds, a standing unmatched by other breeds. German Shepherds have been the treasured companions of presidents (Franklin D. Roosevelt, Herbert Hoover, JFK), performers (Jake Gyllenhaal, Shania Twain), writers (Robert Ludlum, Maurice Sendak), and other celebrities (Gene Roddenberry, Picasso).

Unfortunately, demand for the GSD made it an obvious target for people who wanted to make an easy dollar by breeding and selling the popular pups and who had no knowledge of or interest in genetics, health, or temperament. Dogs poorly bred and raised began to give the breed a reputation for being hyperactive, vicious, and unhealthy. The stigma of hip dysplasia (an inherited condition where the hip joint fails and the dog becomes crippled) has become firmly affixed to the GSD’s reputation in the minds of the general public, although the disease actually occurs in many breeds, not just the German Shepherd.

Under siege from rampant overbreeding and image problems, the world of GSDs became riddled with controversy and various groups separated themselves from the mainstream to pursue their own ideas of the perfect dog. The Shiloh Shepherd was developed from the GSD in the past few decades as a “larger, sounder, and more traditional” dog, as was the King Shepherd. Allwhite German Shepherds, disqualified from AKC shows, maintain a staunch following and have their own registries and rescue associations. Breeders of working dogs often scorn show dogs and dogs of German bloodlines may be touted as the only “true” GSDs. Meanwhile, AKC and CKC breeders cling to their position as defenders of the “official” German Shepherd Dog in North America.

A lesser dog would have gone down under this assault, but the GSD has earned the love and loyalty of legions of passionate AKC Ranking: JO QPQVMBSJUZ fans who will not abandon their breed, one which they are conSize: -BSHF± UP JODIFT vinced is still the noblest all-around working dog in existence.

Today, dedicated breeders continue with the task of eliminating Grooming: .PEFSBUF genetic health problems and unstable temperaments to ensure Activity level: )JHI that one of the most popular breeds in the world can still claim Heritage: )FSEJOH BOE HVBSEJOH to be one of the finest.

US Rescue: "NFSJDBO (FSNBO 4IFQIFSE 3FTDVF At 110 years old, the German Shepherd—star, hero, legend— "TTPDJBUJPO agsra.com is fighting for a comeback. Go for it, kid; we’re all rooting for you. Q Canadian Rescue: (FSNBO 4IFQIFSE H AWKE YE 8© 201 0/DE BO RA H SAMUEL

The GSD has earned the love and loyalty of legions of passionate fans.

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30 moderndog

SP RING 2010

I am beautiful on the inside.

I am more than just a dog.

Introducing Iams with PreBiotics

PreBiotics PreB Pr eBio ioti t cs

W

hen my eldest daughter announces she is moving to Toronto, the wife and I look at each other with tears in our eyes. Sure, we’re happy that Lucy is going to make her big break from her hometown, Halifax, Nova Scotia, find new friends, check out the big town and, hopefully, launch herself into a career, but we are going to miss her terribly.

Still, for me, there’s one bright light in Lucy’s pilgrimage to the big city.

Lucy’s Border Collie, Comet, is 11 years old and visits us on a regular basis, sometimes for days on end. She and I have a somewhat special relationship and I can switch on her beady sheep-herding stare with just a look. It must be the string of cat stories I lay on her or that I play the fool with her on a maximum continuous basis. Comet even gets to bark once in a while when she is under my watchful eye.

Since Lucy is dead set against putting “the Commie” in a cage and packing her into the inhospitable belly of an aircraft, someone—like me—must drive Comet the 1,800 kilometres to her new home.

Shades of the 70s cult movie Goin’ Down the Road flash through my mind. But instead of two Maritimers on a road trip to a new life in Upper Canada, it will be Man and Beast—a Newfoundland-bred, wide-eyed Border Collie, that is.

Lucy’s rules for the road trip are specific, overprotective-mommy stuff.

“Comet eats morning and night, one cup of her low-cal food for each meal. Avoid giving her any scraps or treats she isn’t used to, just in case of car-sickness. Don’t EVER leave her in the car. Even if it’s in the shade or the window is open. Remember that she will roll in poop given the chance, and it happens in the blink of an eye. Also remember that, in a lot of woods, there are bear traps, even close to the highway, so don’t let her go in the woods.”

And finally the big one, “PLEASE make sure she wears her seatbelt!”

The right car, a family car, with plenty of room for the pile of stuff the moving van “forgot” is obviously a necessity. I manage to borrow a new Hyundai Elantra Touring; easy on fuel, sporty handling, and a fun-to-drive attitude.

When we are ready to leave I ask Comet, “Do you want to go in the car?”

Atten-tion! She’s at the door, ready. No packing, no second thought. Just out to the car in a shot. With no idea she’s leaving behind absolutely everything she has known for the past 11 years, and no choice in the matter, she blithely races out to circle the parked car. One of Comet’s favourite things is to “go round.” Say “go round” and she will find something to circle. A house, a car in the driveway, a backyard, Sir Charles Tupper school down the street. Comet will have to find new things in Toronto to “go round.”

Comet enthusiastically jumps in the Hyundai with the same “let’s go!” attitude as if she were going to the park, the corner store, or to Timbuktu.

“Let’s ride and talk about some cats.”

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Road trips take on a new life with a furry friend. An en route visit with a crony evolves into a picnic lunch on the banks of the Saint John River instead of inside his sister’s cozy restaurant.

Now I know what those grassy areas surrounding service centers are really for. I never thought about them before but find myself scouting them out like I check out paved parking lots with a freshly detailed ride. No bear traps in there either!

I’ve driven from Halifax to Toronto a hundred times and have a second sense of where I will be when, but this time I’m always running late because of that “what’s next” look Comet is so good at.

The highlight of Comet’s trip is a stay at one of Montreal’s finest boutique hotels, Hotel Le Germain. I had contacted them about their pet policy and was assured Comet was more than welcome. We arrive and she struts through the trendy lobby on her lead, an uncommon occurrence with me. The front desk manager greets her in French and Comet scores big with a perfect tilted head I-can-almost-talk-but-not-French look.

In our room, two dog bowls await along with a welcome letter and a bag of doggie treats. I read her our welcome note wishing us a pleasant stay, then recall Lucy’s rule # 47. “Don’t leave her in a hotel room because there is a very good chance she will bark like mad.” Hmmmm. So we hoof off to get an order of sushi, then return to our cushy hotel room and watch a hockey game on TV. Coaxing her into the faux-velvet doggie bed seems more like a

game. Hey, a Newfoundland-bred Border Collie and an uptown Montreal doggie bed are about as compatible as Comet and all those cats we talk about.

I turn the lights off early. Comet is stretched out behind the armchair. In the morning, I find her sprawled in the doggie bed and can hardly wake her up. Another score for the Hotel Le Germain.

At checkout in the morning, Comet is the centre of attention again. More cocked-headperky-ear looks and when the valet arrives with the car, she is at the door, ready to ride.

“Let’s go on. Tell me another cat story.”

I’m feeling a little blue when we arrive in Toronto later that day. Lucy is waiting with open arms. Comet sniffs out her new back yard, sites her territory out front, and I eventually head for the Hyundai.

Comet looks at Lucy, at me, back at Lucy, then starts to follow her granddad. I point back to Lucy and she obediently responds. I walk to the car but can’t turn around for one last look.

I won’t be able to see Comet anyway. My eyes are full of tears. Q

In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn’t merely try to train him to be semi human. The point of it is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog. ~Edward Hoagland

unleashedlife.com 4 1 7 . 8 6 9 . 8 1 8 1

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ILLUSTRATION RACHEL GORDON

Instead of two Maritimers on a road trip to a new life in Upper Canada, it will be Man and Beast.

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Quality Pet Accessories

to buy online or for your nearest stockist

Iris, Suds and Lola love their Flare collection. They happily lounge on their bed and blanket and enjoy a meal with their bowls and feeding mat.

www.HamishMcBeth.com _]IT ]YTa introduces the complete collection of pet and home accessories

Visit us at yepyup.com to see our unique collections. Each collection includes: hanging pet organizer, bowls, feeding mat, storage jar, collars, leashes, charm, pet beds, throw blanket, and throw pillows.

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36 moderndog

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$8

This sweet, soft, little strawberry is the perfect toy to curl up with after an exhausting day of digging in the garden. licksandgiggles boutique.com

$5

$6

Squirrels are an acquired

taste, and you can make sure this one appeals to your dog’s unique standards by making it yourself. Ensure the amount of stuffing is up to snuff and that it crinkles or squeaks just the way your dog likes it. dogstuff.com

$4

Cute and curly, these soft, stuffed animals will keep your small dog or puppy entertained for hours!

Whether snuggling up with their Mini Curly for a nap or trying to tear it to pieces, little dogs will love these adorable toys. animaloutfittersonline.com

$10

Carry poop handsfree with the Porta-Poo. It clips to your leash to hold the bag, so you don’t have to. portapoo.com

$7

Perfect for picky eaters, this all-natural, all-fish treat is tasty and nutritious, plus a portion of online purchases is donated to the Lange Foundation, a no-kill shelter that runs purely on donations. salmonpaws.com

Orbee-Tuff’s stuffable Raspberry is a “berry” good chew toy for small chompers. planetdog.com

s y u b d o o G g Barkin

Great Dog Stuff: $10or Less In fashion-friendly blue, green, or red, the Handi Treat makes it easy to keep a supply of snacks close at hand. Keep treats fresh and clean and easily reward good behaviour with its unique squeeze design. doggievogue.com

$10

$5

Pocket a Squishy Pet Bowl for on-the-go drinks

or kibble. Available in three sizes. guyotdesigns.com

$10

Team Jacob. So maybe Edward’s got those dreamy vampire eyes and that glittery skin thing going on, but there’s a lot to be said for Jacob as well.

Besides his ripped abs and tendency toward shirtless-ness, there’s the fact that dogs probably identify more with Jacob’s wolfy side than Edward’s vampire-tendency to attack animals and suck out all their blood. Don’t worry, though, if your dog’s Team Edward, they’ve got a shirt for that, too. purecountrypetboutique.com

$10

Finally. An English major/dog lover’s dream: a whole deck of genius literary luminaries (or at least, their puppy counterparts), cleverly and carefully drawn with charming biographies listing all their best works (Scents and Sensibilities; The Tell Tale Heart Worm). chetart.etsy.com

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SHADOWED cz!b!Dpzpuf

By Patricia Komar illustration by Yuta Onoda

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runo caught the coyote’s scent. His nose punched the air, his hackles stood up, his tail erect. Without warning, he bolted full speed to the end of his 19-foot retractable leash, jerking to a stop. Tabu followed, the Cairn Terrier in her awakening as she snarled like a feral animal. Through the foggy morning air, I could barely make out their silhouettes. I dug my heels into the trail trying to hold them back. Like a wild stallion, Bruno, my Border Collie-Lab, reared in the darkness. Tabu darted under Bruno’s legs. Both circled me. The tangled leashes wouldn’t retract. We were in trouble.

I spotted the lone coyote, crouching, watching. Then it ran straight for Tabu. Barking, growling, snarling filled the air. I grabbed the leashes with gloved hands and pulled. I’m not giving up, I thought. That wicked coyote’s not gonna get my little dog. Unexpectedly, the coyote froze, deadly close to the chaotic mess of tangled dogs. He’s waiting for the rest of the pack!

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I remembered the flashlight in my pocket, pulled it out and hit the switch. The beam illuminated the wildness in the coyote’s face. I saw the part of him that kills to survive and I was scared. I gave the flashlight a heave. Blinding light hurled end over end up into the fog, then plummeted down like a great prehistoric bird attacking the coyote. The coyote’s legs sprung, releasing the killer, then—flash—gone. It disappeared into the fog as though it had never been.

Bruno and Tabu floundered like fish thrown on a beach. My eyes searched for wild silhouettes as I untangled the mess. Then we hightailed it out of there.

For urban dog walkers, the search for ultimate trails or off-leash areas may take us into spaces shared with wilderness creatures such as the coyote (Latin: Canis latrans, meaning barking dog). The dog-like canid closely resembles a German Shepherd and as an adult can weigh between 8 and 23 kgs. (18-50 lbs). With long pointed ears, tapering muzzle, black nose, bushy tail, and a coat varying from grizzled grey to rust to yellowish tan, with outer hairs tipped in black, the coyote can be seen trotting with his body turned to the side or loping at speeds of up to 64 kilometres (40 miles) per hour. The coyote relies on its well-developed hearing and acute sense of smell more so than its eyesight, which is used primarily The beam to detect movement. illuminated Cloaked in native legends, the coyote, we are told, scattered stars in the heaven, knew the path to the spirit the wildness world, could call down lightning, and could see into the in the coyote’s past and future. Named coyotl by the Aztec, coyotes have face. survived since pre-Columbian times. Today, as urban and suburban dwellers, they dart like ghosts behind bushes, buildings, and parked cars, using their intelligence to adapt to city life, even teaching their young skills needed to cross busy streets.

Active in the early morning and late evening, coyotes are secretive and timid. They live like dark shadows of the city—until emergency sirens are sounded. Yelps, howls, and baying accompany ambulances in coyote concerts resembling Bach fugues. A quick series of yelps followed by falsetto howls are heard coming from the south side of town, answered by north-side coyotes and counterpoint yips from the east side. Known for their playfulness, they will bow to ask other coyotes to join them; crouching on forelimbs, bum in the air, tail wagging. However, a playful-looking coyote just may be a wily one with intentions of enticing a domestic dog into a deadly situation.

Kelly Morris, owner of K-9 Social Club, Inc. of Port Moody, British Columbia, says, “It’s the famous coyote set-up. In most cases, the female does the dance—plays coy, then runs away with your dog chasing. Then the coyote pack falls in from behind.”

Morris recalls a frightful night with Marty, her Sheltie, at that time, just shy of a year old.

“It was one of those cold, cold winter nights, kind of foggy, pitch dark. We were going to Lafarge Lake Park in Coquitlam expecting to meet our dog gang—a bunch of owners with their dogs. We always met under guise of darkness on soccer fields—no off-leash areas then.

“Marty, in anticipation of meeting his friends, wasn’t waiting and went bouncing up the hill. He stopped at the top of a little knoll. His ears perked up. I could see by his body language that he clearly saw what he figured were his friends. There were no other cars,

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so I knew his friends weren’t there yet. I called him back. He didn’t come. I ran up the knoll, just 30 seconds behind him.

“At the top, I saw Marty, totally circled by eight or nine coyotes, and he was in the middle bouncing around, waiting for them to come and play. He didn’t recognize that they weren’t his friends. They never made a sound ever, not even once. They were quietly circling him. Then I could see Marty was becoming a little confused. He didn’t know why they weren’t coming in to wrestle or play the way dogs do.

“My eyes were scanning and my mind processing where everything was, what I was going to do. I yelled a couple more times—more to let the coyotes know, I’m here, I’m not going away, and I’m big! I’m a force to be reckoned with! Then I just went in with the flashlight and they disappeared.

“Marty came running up to me and sat down at my feet. He looked kind of cowed, kind of scared. I don’t think it was from the coyotes. I think it was from me yelling. He didn’t understand.

“Then I went home and drank a lot of red wine and dubbed Marty, Dances with Coyotes.”

Jessica Simpson’s Maltipoo, Daisy, wasn’t so lucky. The singer’s little dog was snatched by a coyote in September, 2009, and was never seen again.

Simpson wrote “My heart is broken because a coyote took They never my precious Daisy right in front of our eyes. HORROR!” made a sound In the city, coyotes will live in abandoned lots or parks, feeding primarily on rats and mice and keeping those popever, not even ulations in check. Coyotes are opportunistic and will feed once. They on garbage and handouts, if these resources are available. were quietly Feeding coyotes makes them less fearful of and more dancircling him. gerous to humans and their canine companions. In British Columbia, it’s a crime to feed coyotes and can result in a fine between $345 and $50,000 and a six-month prison sentence.

Phil Dubrulle, Coordinator of the Co-Existing with Coyotes Program for the Stanley Park Ecology Society in Vancouver, BC, says, “Coyotes sometimes prey upon small dogs. Small dogs have even been taken directly off the leash.” Dubrulle encourages people to harass coyotes. He says, “Shout in a low, deep voice, ‘Go away!’ Make yourself look big. By harassing a coyote that shows no fear of people or follows your dog, you send it a message that they’ve been recognized and that they need to keep their distance.”

Now, as I walk my dogs in twilight hours, I look ahead and I look behind. My miner’s headlamp often catches something following us; two blue orbs floating in the mist. I remember Morris’ warning: “In order to survive, coyotes must kill or eat something that someone else has killed.”

So I walk big. I talk big. I pull Bruno and Tabu close, fearful I’m shadowed by coyotes. Q

*

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Not Just Another Pretty Face -V 1BSLFS PO XJOOJOH .JTT 64" NBLJOH B EJGGFSFODF BOE MJWJOH XJUI B NPOLFZ

By Mary-Jo Dionne Photographs by Grace Chon

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A

s a runner, I call every dog I meet “Monkey.” Big and burly or petite and wee, they’re all “Monkey.” So when I met the dog sitting with his human-mom at the table behind mine at Best Friends’ Animal Society’s Lintroller Party in Hollywood, I naturally greeted him with my usual: “Hey, Monkey!” What I didn’t know was that I was meeting with a real Monkey: Monkey Parker, the adopted canine-kid of Lu Parker, who first garnered global attention when she was crowned Miss USA in 1994. In chatting with Parker, it didn’t take long for my fascination with her to grow, and not simply because she was internationally ranked for wearing a bikini well. (Contrary to what my mother thinks, I’m actually not so superficial that I select my friends based on good looks.) Rather, my friend-crush developed when I learned that this pageant winner turned Emmy Award-winning journalist is a crusader blazing a rescue awareness path through Los Angeles. Along with high-profile boyfriend, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, she is gaining something of a reputation for changing the face of animal welfare. And that face belongs to one survivor in particular, whose name just happens to be Monkey. For real.

MJ: You’re originally from South Carolina, and you’ve joked about being raised in a barn. What kind of animals did you have growing up?

LP: My step-father lived on a plantation. Lots of land. We had horses, dogs, cats. We had piglets named Mork and Mindy. I was always saving animals. Even when they didn’t live, we knew we gave it a chance. Ultimately, animals were just a part of my life. I even did my homework sitting on top of my horse. That’s where I was most comfortable. I loved it.

MJ: There’s a difference between having animals, loving animals, and advocating for animals. You fall into the last category.

What drives you?

LP: It’s what I’m supposed to be doing. After I won Miss USA, in the Miss Universe pageant, they asked what my mission in life was. And I don’t think I knew at that time. I was young. It came to me later. Sometimes a door opens and before you know it, you’re going 90 miles an hour. When I go to bed at night, I look at Monkey all comfortable and I can’t help but think of all the dogs in shelters.

“I look at Monkey all comfortable and I can’t help but think of all the dogs in shelters.”

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MJ: Can you tell us how Monkey came into your life?

LP: In the news business, people tell you: “You travel, you can’t have a dog.”

But I always wanted one. Then, about three years ago, I felt like it was time. So I started going around to shelters and, well, it was like when you decide you’re going to go out looking for a boyfriend. You know there’s lots out there, but you don’t connect with anyone in particular. So I decided: I’m going to stop looking, and he will come in to my life.

Then one day, I’m in my office at KTLA, and they air a pet segment every morning. I heard them all sort of saying “awwww…” and I turned around and saw this face on the camera. I was like: “He’s beautiful!” And he really wasn’t beautiful. He’d been run over, his head was shaved, he looked pathetic. But I ran to the studio, because I had to meet this dog. He was just getting off the set. And when I met him, he looked right into my eyes, and I was like: “This just might be the dog!” I visited him at the vet’s where he was staying later that day. And it was done. There was no going back.

MJ: When people hear that five million animals are euthanized in America every year, it’s hard to grasp. But when you see one dog like Monkey, you get it.

LP: That’s why I take him everywhere with me. Any time I am going to be around people in a high-visibility capacity, he’s with me.

MJ: You have a goal for 2010 that involves the development of a new nonprofit organization in LA. Can you tell us about it?

LP: We’re still working on the name.

We like the idea of the name including more than animals. It’s about animals, the environment, kids, and even celebrities coming together.

My initial goal is to help positively remake the image of LA’s shelters. I want to make them a happy place. I want to get kids involved in painting them, in creating murals. Shelters right now are dark.

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“My initial goal is to help positively remake the image of LA’s shelters.

I want to make them a happy place.”

There’s this feeling they are bad places. Even the collars around the dogs’ necks, where their identification hangs, are chain-link.

The main reason shelters use them is because they are inexpensive.

I want to raise money so that they don’t ever use those chains again. Because with those chains on, for example, Pit Bulls look horrible. Those chains even look bad on a Chihuahua! It really impacts their image. It’s a small change in the way a shelter and a rescue dog are marketed.

MJ: It’s the tiny things that can create massive change. It’s the tipping point.

LP: It is. Antonio and I were visiting the South LA shelter recently and there were huge piles of dirty blankets and towels, and we asked what was wrong, and their response was that they were backed up because the shelter only had an apartment-sized washer and dryer. So we arranged for them to have an industrialsized washer and dryer installed.

We’re coordinating with engineering students in designing a gated area—where garbage cans are currently stored—and transforming it into a grassy meet-and-greet area. So instead of meeting your new dog surrounded by barking dogs, you’re in this peaceful area. One of the things I’d like to do with my non-profit is raise funds to get that done.

So I want to focus on small things like that, to help make LA a model in the shelter system. It’s all in Monkey’s honour.

MJ: You’re juggling a lot simply with the work obligations that come from being a journalist. How is it possible you find time to do what you do for animals?

LP: Passion definitely gets me out of bed each day. Sometimes I wake up and am like: “Ohhhh, I have way too much to do!”

But as my mom always says: “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” Staying focused and looking at the positive…. It’s all about looking at the bright side and knowing you can get it done. And if it gets to be too overwhelming, I just sort of back off a little bit.

MJ: I love talking to an over-achiever who admits they get overwhelmed sometimes.

LP: Well, if someone doesn’t get overwhelmed, they probably have three assistants.

MJ: What have you learned about life from rescuing Monkey?

LP: I have learned to pay attention. Monkey pays attention. He knows when I am happy. He knows when I am sad. I think sometimes we get so busy we forget to pay attention to our friends and our families and our communities. Monkey really listens, he really watches. He really knows how to just be there. Q

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nutrition

D.I.Y.

eat

Easy, healthy treats for all the pets in your household

Many of us have several pets, sometimes of several different species. So when it comes to whipping up a healthy treat for snack time, why not multitask? These treats are loved by dogs—and also cats, turtles, ferrets, lizards, and even people. Bon appetit!

Beef Tartare

Beef Meatballs

These little meatballs are generally a success. They are easy to feed to your dog and don’t require too much chewing. You can give them throughout the day if your pet is only eating a little at a time. They are a little fatty so don’t give them to patients suffering from pancreatic or gastrointestinal disease.

Suitable for: dog, cat, ferret, turtle, lizard, human Preparation time Medium: 15–45 minutes Ingredients ½ cup (125 g) cooked meat (yesterday’s roast, without the bones, works well) Chopped parsley and sage ½ cup (125 ml) stock 2 Tbsp (30 g) flour 4 Tbsp (60 g) dried breadcrumbs 1 egg Extra flour 1 Tbsp (14 g) olive oil

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Fish Stock Suitable for: dog, cat Method Mince the meat finely.

Mix in saucepan with flour, herbs, and stock. Stir over medium heat until thick.

Allow to cool, then form teaspoon-sized amounts into balls.

Roll in flour. Dip into the beaten egg.

Roll in breadcrumbs.

Fry in a little olive oil.

Preparation time Long: over 45 minutes

Serve When cooled.

Method Add everything to a pot and add enough water to cover the bones with room to spare.

You will need to add a few cups extra if you use prawn heads.

Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for half an hour.

Strain and store in freezer.

Tip These little meatballs are easy to transport and are great to take along as treats for your dog if you are going out together. Cats also love them, especially if you add a little fresh grated parmesan to the breadcrumbs.

Ingredients 2 cups (500 g) fish bones and trimmings or prawn heads Parsley Slice of lemon 2 cloves garlic 1 tsp salt

Serve This stock can be served over dry food or used to make Fish Agar Cubes (see following page).

Fish Agar Cubes Suitable for: dog, cat, turtle Preparation time Long: over 45 minutes Ingredients 2 cups (500 ml) fish stock (see previous page for recipe) 1/3 cup (75 g) tinned tuna in spring water 4 tsp agar-agar powder (available at your local health-food store or Asian supermarket) Method Heat the fish stock and agar-agar powder together. Bring to a boil. Stir frequently to encourage the agar-agar to dissolve.

Once the agar-agar has dissolved, add the tuna and mix thoroughly.

Allow to cool. Pour onto a flat, shallow tray to a depth of 1 cm. Leave to set.

Cut into cubes.

Serve For cats, offer a sample or two to become accustomed to the treat. Fill a small heavy dish with water and add a few agar-agar treats. Watch your cat go fishing. (Some dogs enjoy this, too!)

Beef Tartare Suitable for: cat, dog, ferret, lizard, turtle Preparation time Medium: 15-45 minutes Ingredients 11 oz (300 g) lean beef steak 1 bacon rasher 1/4 zucchini 1/4 celery stick 1 garlic clove 1 tsp olive oil 1/2 peeled apple Method Slice the beef and the bacon very finely.

Then slice it again until it almost resembles a mince.

Mince the vegetables the same way.

Grate the apple.

Mix the meat, vegetables, apple, and olive oil together by hand.

Mould into shape with a cup-sized serving dish.

Serve Raw at room temperature.

*

From the book Nibble Munch Chomp: The Art and Science of Feeding your Pet by Dr. Sasha Herbert. Published by JoJo Publishing in conjunction with Lort Smith Animal Hospital. Used by permission.

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from disaster to dogtopia Heidi Ganahl, founder and CEO of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest franchise of dog-care camps, overcame personal tragedy to triumph with Camp Bow Wow

By Corey Vanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Haaff Photographs by Kim Cook

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eidi Ganahl’s life was unfolding perfectly. She and her husband of two years, Bion, were happy and in love, living in Colorado with their two dogs, Mick and Winnie. In the building next door to her dad’s business was the first dog daycare in the western United States and both Heidi and Bion were smitten.

“It was the coolest thing,” she remembers. “We had no money but we built a business plan because we wanted to open a doggie daycare business. We were young and hopeful.”

In fact, the two were looking for a building and financing just before Bion’s birthday in 1994. As a birthday gift, Bion received a fun flight in a stunt airplane, but during the flight’s final moment, the plane crashed, killing him.

“It was a complete change of life. I was devastated, a mess,” Ganahl says. “It was pretty bleak that first year, but I had the dogs to keep me going and was raising a pup for the handicapped assistance program. I had a large settlement from the crash and no job and needed something to keep me motivated.”

That something turned out to be a toofast marriage followed by an equally fast pregnancy.

“I went to my ten-year high school reunion and reconnected with an old friend. We started hanging out but I wasn’t in the right frame of mind,” she says, adding that she gave birth to her daughter, Tori, and divorced within a year. “It got pretty ugly after that. I got into a six-year custody battle with his mom and used up most of my settlement fighting that.”

In 2002, her brother sat her down for a heart-to-heart talk and told her she had lost the passion she and Bion had once

H

had around their business plan for a dog daycare. He encouraged her to re-visit it.

With only $80,000 left from her settlement, Ganahl opened her first Camp Bow Wow location in Denver.

“Both my brother and I worked there.

He was responsible for the day-to-day and I did the marketing and got the dogs in the door. It took off quickly,” she says.

Her dream was to own three or four daycares, but that changed when one of her clients, a field director for Mrs. Field’s, mentioned franchising.

“No one did that in the pet industry. I got a line of credit and launched the franchise part of the business. My first sale was to a client of the original camp. I kept my nose to the grindstone and pushed forward.

I had no idea how big this would get.”

Today, there are 200 Camp Bow Wow franchises in the USA and Canada; Ganahl added Home Buddies in-home pet care early in 2009 and has sold 50 such franchises.

She credits her focus on the safety, health, and happiness of the dogs as a major factor in her success.

“The training we provide is a lot more sophisticated than you think. There’s customer service, accounting, dog behaviour, disease management, and health issues when you’re boarding 50 to 100 dogs a day. With a franchise, you can learn from other people’s mistakes. You’re not starting from scratch.”

Camp Bow Wow even has a real estate division, called FranProp, which helps franchisees throughout the zoning process, including leasing negotiations, bidding, and construction management.

“It’s a fun brand and concept,” she explains. “It’s a fun environment for the dogs. There’s all-day play and they stay in

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their cabins at night. There are four or five play areas where we divide dogs by size and temperament. It’s a concept where a dog can be a dog. We are not foo-foo.”

Camp Bow Wow also has certified camp counselors who are expert in disease management and canine behaviours. Ganahl

says she gets comments all the time about how wonderful the staff are. Clients are well aware that dog health and safety is a primary focus for everyone who works at a camp. “[For campers,] there’s a strict interview process where we assess socialization. Owners can even log on to the website [campbowwowusa.com] and watch their dogs at play.”

Looking back, Ganahl says when it comes to all things dogrelated, the Camp Bow Wow concept is still pretty close to the one she and Bion developed what seems like a lifetime ago. She maintains their vision for the camp, but has added the franchise component, as it made such good business sense and allowed her to expand into Home Buddies. Some Camp Bow Wow locations now offer grooming, retail sales, and other dog services.

She is most proud of the opportunity to help all dogs through the work of Camp Bow Wow’s charity division, Bow Wow Buddies Foundation, which has a global reach.

“We partnered with Cesar Millan to help stop pet overpopulation, we work with shelters assisting them with fostering, and we partnered with an animal welfare group in Greece to create an animal welfare society there.”

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info@une-vie-de-chateau.com

* “TAKE AN HOUR A DAY TO WORK ON YOUR OWN DREAM AND VISION.” Perhaps at the top of her charitable endeavours list is the work Ganahl supports in cancer research. After Orie, one of her beloved dogs, died of the disease, Ganahl turned her anger into a determination to fight cancer by supporting the Colorado State University research team seeking a cure for cancer in animals.

Through her charity, Ganahl funds the Camp Bow Wow Fellow, providing the salary for a PhD to do research in this field.

Ganahl has packed a lot into her life so far, but isn’t nearly done. In January, 2009, she remarried (it took a long time to find the right guy, she says) and had a second daughter, named Hollie. Two more dogs, Scout and Raider, round out her family, although there’s always room for one foster dog.

She says she has learned much, not just about running a business or raising a family, but about staying true to her passion and following what her gut tells her.

“Others will try to veer you off,” she says, “so you’ve really got to follow your heart and gut. I wouldn’t have started Camp Bow Wow if I had listened to everybody. It’s important to take baby steps and not start a huge business, but to take an hour a day to work on your own dream and vision.”

Most importantly, she says you have to learn to forgive yourself. She admits to making mistakes in handling her business and finances and even some of her life choices.

“I know how short life can be. You’ve got to learn to live life to the fullest. It’s what dogs teach us,” she says. “They have a warm heart and they love unconditionally and they are innocent even when they behave badly. They have no intent to hurt. They set an example for us on how to live life.” Q

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One lucky winner will win a Le Dauphin handcrafted, uber-luxurious small-dog bed from Une Vie De Chateau. Inspired by Louis XVI, this beautiful salon piece adds a touch of royalty to any décor.

For contest details, see page 135. For more info, go to une-vie-dechateau.com.

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Daisy May. This daisy-adorned Ultrasuede harness is breathable, comfy and crystallized— subtle Swarovski accents add sparkle. $60, susanlancidesigns.com The cute, cotton Katie collar provides a pop of fun floral perfect for spring. $20, pupperazi.com

Dog ID’s handpainted stainless steel designer dog tags are fun and bright, with engraving included in the price. $15, dogids.com

Treat the Dog Mom in your life (Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 9th—mark your calendars!) to a petal pretty Spring Sunshine Canine Flower Garden gift basket filled with flower tug toys, a flowerpot plush toy, chicken dumbbell treats, and flower lollipop rawhides. $40, doglovergiftbaskets.com

FlowerPower Fab floral finds

Easily handle incontinence or put a stop to marking messes with Li’l Britches belly bands and diapers. $14, mylilbritches.com

Everything’s coming up roses. Bookie & Belle’s

leather bloom will slide onto any 1” collar or leash for instant flower power. $16, bookieandbelle.com

Soft and crinkly Flower Baby toys have a squeaker, plus the flower stem is stretchy, allowing the flower to be pulled out from the pot. Fun! Perfect for puppies and small to medium breed dogs. $10, foufoudog.com

Rex will be sitting pretty on the dreamy

Capistrano pillow bed

from Madison Avenue Mutts. From $160, madisonavenuemutts.com

Available in dozens of different collar colour and charm combinations, Hotdogs All Dressed handcrafted leather collars are both divine and durable and will decorate your dog whether he’s small enough to fit in your purse or the size of a small horse! From $22, hotdogsalldressed.com

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Depressed Dogs Can a dog really be depressed? The case of former French president Jaques Chirac and his sad dog, Sumo.

By Stanley Coren Illustration by Jess Golden

T

this resulted in the dog being sent away to live on a farm. he French public was somewhat shocked Can a dog really be depressed? Karen Overall, a veterito learn that their former president, Jacques narian and psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania, Chirac and his little white dog, Sumo, had believes that dogs can suffer from most of the same psyended their relationship on a violent note. chological problems that humans do.

Sumo was originally a gift to Chirac’s wife, Bernadette, “The dog’s brain is similar in structure to the human from their grandson, Martin, but the first lady said her brain, and it operates using similar neurochemical processhusband “adopted him immediately and he became his es,” she says. “Like humans, dogs are social animals that dog.” The Maltese Terrier was named after Chirac’s favorcan feel stress and respond to their environments emotionite sport, sumo wrestling. He accompanied Chirac everyally. The dog is so similar to humans in its where and appeared to be a happy and mental conditions and emotions that studying friendly companion until his owner lost The terrier anxiety, stress, aggression, and depression the French presidency to Nicolas Sarkozy apparently found in dogs may shed light on how to deal with and the Chiracs moved out of the official that down-sizing these psychological problems in people.” residence. The story released to the press to an apartment on The idea that depression may be similar was that the dog became depressed after the Quai Voltaire in humans and dogs is supported by the fact leaving the Élysée palace and, despite was unbearable. that, in people, the clinical condition can be treatment, Sumo’s behaviour had become due to an imbalance of vital chemicals in unpredictable and aggressive. their brain. Serotonin, a hormone that serves Bernadette Chirac told a Paris newsas a neurotransmitter, plays an important role in causing paper that Sumo was used to roaming the large gardens of mood changes and emotional swings. Evidence suggests the palace and could not adjust when the Chiracs moved that too little serotonin can cause depression. Veterinarians into the spacious Paris apartment formerly owned by the have been successful in treating depression in dogs using family of the late Lebanese prime minister, Rafiq Hariri. the same drugs used to deal with serotonin imbalances in The terrier apparently found that down-sizing to an apartpeople, including Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft. Pharmaceutical ment on the Quai Voltaire was unbearable and, according companies have made this easier by producing beefto Mrs. Chirac, severe depression has turned him from an flavored, chewable versions of these drugs specifically for innocent white fluff-ball into a ferocious and unpredictable dogs, and these are sold under a variety of brand names. biter of ex-presidents. Twice, he bit Chirac hard enough The symptoms of depression in dogs resemble those in that medical attention was required. The relationship humans. One common observation in depressed people is between Chirac and his dog had clearly deteriorated and

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Is your dog depressed?

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he may become stressed and depressed.

Psychologists suggest that this may actually be an adaptive bit of behaviour, since by shutting down and reducing typical behaviours, the dog may avoid some stressful interactions.

Sometimes, when two or more dogs are having a tough time living together, the situation might be exacerbated by human intervention; dogs must be given the opportunity to communicate with one another (even if it takes the form of snaps and growls) if they are to work things out.

Humans stepping in to intervene can prolong the tension.

On the flip side, it is also possible that the dog is stressed because of too much attention from a human. It is possible for a dog to be suffocated with good intentions or by an overly controlling owner. A dog can feel pressure from excesses in affection, too much time spent training, or nonstop recreational demands. Dogs need quiet, comfortable, downtime to relax.

However, one of the most common causes of depression in dogs is simply change. Dogs like predictability. They are happiest in a familiar environment with familiar people and a regular routine that can be anticipated. Any change can be stressful, and the result of that stress can be depression. Even minor changes, such as the shift in routine that occurs when summer ends and family members return to school or regular work schedules and activities shift from outdoors to indoors, could serve as a source of depression. Obviously, in Sumo’s case, there were changes in his residence and routines which may have been factors.

A variety of behavioral treatments can be used to combat depression in dogs.

As in the case of use of pharmaceuticals, these treatments are based on our experience with humans who have the same psychological problem. Increased exercise, which is known to help depressed people, also helps depressed dogs.

Increased social interaction and play, and perhaps the addition of another dog to

However, one of the most common causes of depression in dogs is simply change.

IL US TR ATION JES S GOL DEN

During one of these, the individual feels threatened and often becomes desperate to escape the current situation. This may cause him or her to lash out angrily at those around them. In dogs, this shows up as episodes of unpredictable aggression, such as the biting of a former president of France, in Sumo’s case.

What causes depression in dogs? Although changes in brain chemistry may trigger canine depression, looking at the dog’s current situation and environment is often more useful. The three main causes of depression in dogs are loss, stress, and change.

Canines are social animals and when a dog loses an individual that is important in her life, she may become depressed. The loss of a family member through death or departure from the household may be the cause. This is why one consequence of a divorce is often a depressed pet. If a family member becomes sick and their condition reduces or restricts their contact with the dog, this can have similar effects. The loss need not be human, however. If the dog lives in a household that includes other pets and one of those other animals sudSigns of depression can include: denly disappears, this ~ increased aggression, anxiousness, or restlessness may be the source of ~ lack of appetite or constipation the dog’s depression. ~ disinterest in playing Stress is another ~ moving more slowly than usual potential trigger for depression. If a dog ~ sleeping more than usual is living with some~ dramatic weight loss one he does not like ~ drinking less water than normal or trust, whether this ~ abnormal shedding is a human family Of course, if your dog exhibits any worrisome symptoms, member or another take her to your vet for a check up. animal in the house, slowed movement and reduced activity.

Depressed dogs seem to be dragging their feet during daily activities. They show a lack of motivation to do much of anything, including activities they previously enjoyed, such as going for walks or playing with toys. It is not unusual for a depressed dog to sleep excessively as well.

Depressed dogs often show changes in eating patterns. The dog seems to demonstrate a loss of appetite, eating less and drinking less. This often results in appreciable weight loss. Sometimes depression is accompanied by atypical amounts of shedding.

However, all of these symptoms can also be due to various physical problems, so when they appear in your dog, a medical check-up is a good idea.

Psychological changes in mood and temperament are the most common symptoms of clinical depression. Bouts of restless and anxious behaviour may appear. The dog may act in a needy and demanding manner. Furthermore, your pet may now appear to be bothered by minor events and changes that were not problems before. Approximately 20 to 30 percent of human patients with major depressive disorders have panic attacks.

the family to provide continued or renewed social support and companionship, can often improve the dog’s condition dramatically. However, since depression may be the result of events going on in the environment, sometimes the best therapy is to change the situation or move the dog to a new environment.

An important part of the dog’s environment is the emotional tone in the household. Dogs have been bred to be empathic and responsive to human moods. This means that when family members are stressed, dogs sense it and often become anxious themselves. If this goes on long enough, it may lead to a deep depression for the dog. This may well have happened in Sumo’s case, since Jacques Chirac left office under a cloud of suspicion. There were charges of election fund fraud, secret slush funds kept in

Japanese bank accounts, and misuse of public funds stemming well back into the 1990s when Chirac was mayor of Paris. There had been a continuous stream of hearings and court actions, and these must have had a depressing and distressing effect on Chirac, since he is now no longer protected by the political immunity that he had as the president of France. Thus, Sumo’s depression may well have been his response to the negative emotional climate that he found himself living in when the family left the presidential palace and moved to their city apartment. This seems to be partly confirmed by the fact that after the dog was moved to a farm owned by Chirac family friends, his symptoms seem to have subsided and Sumo hasn’t attacked or snapped at anyone since leaving Paris. Q

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY TANYA KING

-ITTLE

We can’t say it often enough—no matter what kind of dog your looking for, you can find her (or him) within the shelter system. Yes, even puppies. The following pups are from Vancouver, BC-based rescue groups, but no matter where you’re located you can find a new best friend by simply dropping by your local shelter or logging on to petfinder.com. (For the uninitiated, simply put in the age, gender, and breed you desire along with your geographic location and an absolutely staggering number of adoption candidates will be generated.) Modern Dog’s adorable Rose (see page 95 for photo) was a Petfinder find and we still can’t believe our good fortune.

Legend Breed: German Shepherd/Boxer/ Border Collie mix Gender: Male Age: 3 months Organization: S.A.R.A. Society (Save Animals Through Rescue & Adoption) Contact: sarasociety.com Legend just loves cats! He never tires (though they might!) of pinning them down and giving them a good wash, whether they need it or not. He also enjoys carousing with other dogs, but people are his favourite playmates.

Legend is crate-trained for overnight, but still needs regular visits outdoors during the day.

He is a bit nervous near busy streets, but he’s building his confidence almost daily. Legend has a big appetite for life—and for food!

Legend wears a gold sandstone and brown leather Dosha Dog Pebble collar.

%REAMERS

Grace Breed: Pit Bull Gender: Female Age: 3 or 4 months Organization: Bully Buddies Contact: bullybuddies.net Grace is the epitome of cuddle bug. She’s very good with other dogs, especially those that want to play. Grace and her squeaky toy are inseparable, and fetch is a favourite game. She is quick to learn and already knows “sit,” “lay down,” and “shake a paw.”

Grace is housetrained, but, being a puppy, she still needs to be taken out often. Once she falls in love with you, Grace will be yours forever.

Grace wears a turquoise and white leather Dosha Dog Pebble collar.

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Heidi Breed: Shih Tzu/Yorkshire Terrier mix Gender: Female Age: 4 1/2 months Organization: 1atatime Rescue Society Contact: 1atatimerescue. petfinder.com Heidi likes to dance on her hind legs with her human friends, and is quite happy to wear doggie clothes. She just melts when getting a tummy rub, and is extremely loving. She’ll jump onto laps for cuddles. However, “Mischief” is Heidi’s middle name. She’ll investigate open cupboards or doors, pull tissues out of pockets, chew on anything handy, and sneak food from her canine buddies. She’ll keep you entertained—and on your toes—with her funny antics.

Heidi wears an Auburn Leather light pink rolled-leather collar.

Ladybug Breed: Chihuahua/Terrier mix Gender: Female Age: 4 months Organization: Dhana Metta Rescue Society Contact: dhanametta. wordpress.com Playful and spirited, Ladybug is very curious and will avoid naps, even when she can barely keep her eyes open. This tiny girl loves to snuggle in the crook of your neck, and she gives lots of kisses. Bug knows some basic commands and she walks well on leash. She adores other dogs, will play-wrestle even with bigger canines, and likes to awaken sleeping dogs by jumping on them as an enticement to play hide-and-seek. And no tiny toys, please, as she prefers ones that are at least double her size!

Bug wears a Canini green leather collar.

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Bella Breed: Border Collie/Sheltie mix Gender: Female Age: 6 months Organization: S.A.R.A. Society (Save Animals Through Rescue & Adoption) Contact: sarasociety.com For a puppy, Bella has a remarkably calm and good-natured disposition. One look in her eyes and you’ll understand what “puppy-dog look” means. Bella likes to play with socks, slippers, and real dog toys, too. She knows “sit,” and will try to get your attention with a cute whining noise.

Her coat is soft to the touch, and she has a long tail that just wags and wags in happiness.

Bella wears a rhinestone and pink leather Rouge New York collar.

Bentley Breed: Shih Tzu/Yorkshire Terrier mix Gender: Male Age: 4-1/2 months old Organization: 1atatime Rescue Society Contact: 1atatimerescue.petfinder.com Tiny but fearless is wee Bentley. He has the softest eyes, but he’s not scared of anything. Bentley enjoys walkies, but beware!

Flowers are in danger—Bentley is a digger.

But he’s quick to understand outside potty time. Bentley is not keen on baths, and makes himself “large” so he won’t fit into his doggie tub. He hides treats in corners or under blankets, and would love to play with kitties. Bentley wears a studded white leather Departures collar.

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body &soul

Healthy Hound Herb for Health

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is an easy-to-grow herb with loads of health benefits for your dog through internal and external applications.

Try...

* *

Planting calendula and picking the blossoms. Or head to your local health food store to buy it dried.

*

Using a calendula salve (this can be bought or made) on external injuries to speed healing and prevent bacterial growth.

My Best Friend’s Workout

Adding fresh or dried calendula to your dog’s dinner for improved digestion, and yeast- and fungal-infection prevention. Simply throw some fresh or dried flower heads, either whole, chopped, or ground, into your dog’s regular meal. Add up to one teaspoon dried or one tablespoon fresh flower petals per 20 pounds of body weight per day.

Tired of choosing between a workout and taking the dog for a walk? Combine your efforts with My Best Friend’s Workout DVD from fitness trainer Tricia Murphy Madden. The routine, which includes segments that can be done with dogs of any size or breed, offers a total body workout that includes cardiovascular, strength, and interval training to meet your physical fitness needs while involving your dog in the process. Fun! mybestfriendsworkout.com —Karin Sinkevicius

*

Brewing calendula tea and using it as a highly effective wash and healing agent for wounds, stings, hot spots, and rashes.

Natural Product Pick

*

Soaking your dog’s toothbrush with calendula tea before brushing to help prevent gum disease.

Go loco for coco—coconut, that is. Benefits range from promoting weight loss by increasing your dog’s metabolism, reducing allergic reactions, and improving skin and coat conditions. CocoTherapy, the latest from Oscar Newman, offers a quick and tasty way to get this antioxidant-rich source of medium chain fatty acids (the beneficial Lauric acid) into your dog’s diet. Choose between the coconut chips and virgin coconut oil. Both can be fed as food-toppers or treats and are 100 percent pure organic coconut with no preservatives or additives, and an excellent source of dietary fiber. cocotherapy.com —Karin Sinkevicius

Revenge of the Mutts: Have a mixed breed dog?

Check out the Mixed Breed Dog Club of America, which allows all the mighty mutts out there to participate in conformation, obedience, and rally competitions specifically for spayed or neutered mixed breeds. mbdca.tripod.com 64 moderndog

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body &soul

A Step-by-Step Guide to Clean Ears If your dog is of the long-haired variety, an avid swimmer, or a breed disposed to ear infections—such as Cockers, Retrievers and Terriers—his or her ear canals should be cleaned once every two weeks. Here’s our DIY guide to at-home ear care.

Know Your Dog

1. Choose a small room where your squirmy dog can be confined and, if possible, keep an assistant or muzzle on hand to aid the process.

1 Cowering/lowered stance

2. Have on hand an ear cleaning solution (we like Epi-Pet Ear Cleaner or Happytails’ Ear Aid), cotton balls, and a flashlight. Avoid solutions containing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.

5 Signs of Fear 2 Dilated pupils and a turned gaze so the whites of the eyes show 3 Raised hackles 4 Tail tucked under or, alternatively, frantic wagging 5 Panting

Sanity Saver Protect your door from your dog with Doggieshield. The lightweight, acrylic board easily affixes to any door with Velcro and nylon (without leaving permanent marks behind) and withstands scratches from small to large breeds. doorstrap.com

Control the fleas your pup is exposed to this spring by treating your lawn with beneficial nematodes. These microscopic roundworms, existing naturally in soil around the world, seek out flea larvae and kill them, reducing the flea population in your yard and, hence, on your dog. Available at garden centers, organic nurseries, and some pet stores.

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3. Hold your dog’s ear flap in one hand and squirt approximately 1 tsp (for small dogs) to 1 tbsp (for large dogs) of solution into the ear canal (follow instructions on ear-cleaning solution packaging). Release the flap immediately and massage the base of the ear for a few seconds to distribute the solution and loosen the wax. Allow Fido to shake out the excess liquid and repeat on the opposite ear.

4. Wipe out the wax from the first ear flap using a cotton ball and employing a vertical scooping action and clean out the creases.

Use the flashlight to illuminate any build-up you might have missed, ensure the canal is dry, and then repeat the process on the opposite ear.

Clean vertically and avoid pushing anything (e.g., cotton ball or your finger) in horizontally towards the dog’s head; this will damage the ear drum.

5. Have a vet or groomer show you the first time which hair needs to be plucked, and always avoid the hairs at the edge of the ear canal as this area is full of nerve endings.

The Fountain of Woofth Good news for us dog lovers. According to celebrity dermatologist Jessica Wu, having pets helps fight off the inevitable signs of aging. While speaking to your favourite furry friend, your blood pressure drops and your face relaxes, especially around the eyes, which softens crow’s feet. All in all, a great argument (if you needed one) for adding another furry pack member to your family. —Melissa Barr

Cleaning up poop never looked so good! Hold your cash, cards, 100% biodegradable Perfect Poop Pickup Pouches, and your Ipood—oops, Ipod—all in one place with this pretty BowZer Buddy. $16.95 (includes two refill rolls), bowzerbuddy.com

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body &soul 10 More People Food for Dogs

By Laura Scott and Elizabeth Pask

3

Popcorn that has been air popped with no butter or salt is a great lowcalorie treat for your dog. Popcorn contains potassium as well as the bone-building minerals phosphorous, magnesium, and calcium. So snuggle up and share that popcorn with your furry friend next time you watch a movie.

Upset tummy? White rice easily digestible.

4 Are you looking for more ways to add a bit of excitement to your dog’s mealtime? Or are you looking for new ideas for tasty treats?

Well look no further! Here are ten more people foods that will give you just what you’re looking for and will help boost your dog’s nutrition.

1

Rice is good to feed when your dog has an upset tummy and needs a bland meal. There are a variety of different types of rice. Brown rice is a little higher in protein

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and a little lower in fat when compared to white rice. White or instant rice is an easily digestible carbohydrate which makes it a good source of energy when your dog has an upset tummy or if you are feeding an older dog.

2

Squash, like pumpkin, can be added to bulk up his stool and is a good source of betacarotene (provitamin A). Hint: remove the seeds and then slice and freeze the squash to make it a fun, crunchy snack for your dog.

Lean meat (chicken, beef, or pork) with no visible fat and no added sauces or seasonings can be a great training treat or can add a bit of good-quality extra protein to your dog’s diet. Lean meat is an excellent, balanced source of amino acids, the building blocks of muscle in your dog’s body. Meat is also a great source of B vitamins (Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic acid, Pyridoxine, and Cobalamine). These vitamins are involved in energy metabolism in the body.

5

Liver is available freeze-dried in most pet stores and it is a great training treat. You can also buy it fresh in the grocery store to feed at home. Fresh liver can be cooked and then baked to make your own liver treats. Liver is an excellent source of B vitamins (Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic acid, and Folic acid), Vitamin A, and Vitamin K. It is also a great source of iron. Warning: Too much liver may be toxic to dogs because of its high vitamin A content. Therefore, it is best to limit the amount of liver fed to your dog to not more than 1 g of fresh liver/Kg body weight per day.

8

Parsley has long been thought to improve doggie breath, so next time you are baking treats for your dog, try adding a few tablespoons of chopped parsley for added flavour and colour. Parsley can also be a good source of calcium, potassium, and beta-carotene.

9

Peanut butter is a healthy, high-protein treat for dogs. Try smearing some inside or on one of your dog’s toys, or let him lick out the container when it’s almost finished.

6

Pineapple can be a special treat for your dog. Pineapple contains mostly sugar but it also contains calcium and potassium. Frozen pineapple can be a fun summer treat for your dog.

7

Cottage cheese is high in protein and calcium and it’s fairly bland, so it can be a good way to add some extra protein to your dog’s diet.

Cottage cheese is a dairy product and some dogs don’t do well with dairy, so make sure you start with just a small amount.

10

Peas can be added right to your dog’s food, frozen or thawed. Peas are a good source of the B vitamin Thiamin, phosphorous, and potassium.

*

The foods listed above should be fed as an extra treat in addition to or as part of a balanced diet.

Extra foods shouldn’t make up more than 25 percent of your dog’s diet. Just be sure to try out new foods one at a time until you’re certain that they don’t upset your dog’s stomach. Q Laura Scott holds a Master’s degree in animal nutrition. She lives with two Golden Retrievers, a 12-year-old couch potato and 2-year-old who loves training and competing in dog sports. Liz Pask is a PhD candidate studying nutritional toxicology. She has two Labrador Retrievers who train and compete in a variety of sports.

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body &soul The Doctor’s In Dr. Betsy Brevitz tackles common veterinary vexations

The Vaccine Controversy Q: Do adult dogs need vaccine boosters every year? currently available vaccines against parvo, distemper, and infectious hepatitis remained effective for at least seven years in more than 90 percent of dogs. change in thinking among veterinarians, one that merits a detailed Rabies is a separate issue. Schultz’s data indicated that the explanation. Giving dogs yearly vaccine boosters against the Big rabies vaccine is effective for at least three year (not seven years) Three viral diseases—distemper, parvo, and infectious hepatitis— in 85 percent of dogs (rather than 90 percent). In addition, rabies was accepted veterinary practice until the late 1990s. Why? is a public-health issue for people as well as for animals, and Because exactly how long the vaccines states regulate how often cats and dogs must receive a rabies protected the dogs against those diseasbooster. The frequency ranges from every year to every three es was unclear. Vaccine manufacturers years, depending on how prevalent rabies is among wildlife in typically tested their products’ effectivethat state. ness under laboratory conditions to a Vaccines against kennel cough, Lyme disease, and leptospirosis year or two post-vaccination, and then are also exceptions. Those diseases are bacterial (or partly bactestopped testing. Veterinarians wanted rial, in the case of kennel cough), and vaccines against bacteria to be certain dogs remained protected, are protective for only 6 to 12 months, so dogs who need those and the vaccines themselves were convaccines need them at least once a year. sidered perfectly safe, so we adopted In 2006, the American Animal Hospital a practice of giving Association, whose members include more than boosters every year.

Then our convicOur conviction 6,000 companion-animal practices in the United tion that dog and cat that dog and cat States and Canada, released its canine vaccine guidelines. Those guidelines recommend giving vaccines were absolutely safe was rocked. In the vaccines were booster vaccines against distemper, infectious late 1990s, it was discovered that vaccinations had absolutely safe hepatitis, and parvo every three years or even less caused malignant tumors at the injection sites in often, at the veterinarian’s discretion. To date, howa small number of cats (estimated at 1 or 2 per was rocked. ever, the American Veterinary Medical Association 10,000 vaccinated cats). Although this vaccine/can(AVMA), with a membership of more than 76,000 cer connection was seen only in cats, not in dogs, veterinarians, has not endorsed any specific vaccine intervals. The veterinarians and animal owners alike began to question the moreAVMA’s position is that individual veterinarians should set their is-better philosophy of vaccine boosters. own vaccine protocols based on local and individual risk factors.

Researchers started compiling statistics on the long-term effecIn the real world of small-animal practice, that is just what vettiveness of vaccines. The data came mainly from vaccine manufacerinarians are doing. Some still recommend boosters every year. turers’ tests, measurements of antibody titers in vaccinated dogs, Some advise annual blood tests to check antibody levels, or titers, and natural disease outbreaks, rather than new “challenge” studies against distemper and parvo, followed by boosters if the titers are in which vaccinated dogs were deliberately exposed to viruses to too low to be considered protective. (The correlation between an see whether they would become ill. One influential report by vetantibody titer and what would happen if the dog encountered the erinary researcher R. D. Schultz, published in 2000, stated that the

A: No, they don’t. That short-and-sweet answer reflects a major

The Doctor

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VaryBerry™

virus in the real world isn’t exact.) Others give boosters or check antibody levels every three years. Antibody tests are more expensive than vaccines, so some dog owners choose to skip the blood test and simply give their dog the shot.

If you’re uncomfortable with your vet’s vaccine policy, ask for the reasons behind it and whether the practice offers any alternatives to the usual protocol. If you’re not satisfied with the explanations you get, you’ll probably be happier finding a vet whose thinking about vaccines is closer to your own.

Some things have not changed during this shift in thinking about vaccines. It’s still recommended that puppies receive a series of vaccines, followed by boosters when they’re one year old. Adult dogs whose vaccine history is unknown, such as those adopted from shelters, should either have their antibody titers checked or receive booster vaccines twice, three weeks apart, against distemper, parvo, and infectious hepatitis. And all dogs should be on heartworm prevention and have a physical exam once a year so that illnesses can be detected and treated sooner rather than later. Q Excerpted from Hound Health Handbook Copyright © 2004 by Urbanhound, LLC Used by permission of Workman Publishing Co., Inc. New York All Rights Reserved.

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body &soul Can “Superfoods” Fight Canine Cancer?

By Laura Scott and Elizabeth Pask their DNA and are less likely to become cancerous.

The second way that foods may prevent cancer is by acting as an anti-inflammatory. Chronic inflammation is damaging to cells and, like oxidative damage, it can cause otherwise normal cells to change and become cancerous. Avoiding chronic inflammation with an anti-inflammatory prevents cells from changing and becoming cancerous.

Finally, some of the chemical compounds in foods can actually act on cells and affect how they work. Some chemical compounds act within the cell to suppress growth or to encourage normal cell death.

Blueberries

C

ancer: it’s one of the scariest words a pet owner can hear and, unfortunately, it seems like we’re hearing it more and more often lately.

Everyone would like to be able to prevent cancer and, while there aren’t any guaranteed preventatives yet, there are some common foods that show great promise in preventing cancer. Since many times we are unaware that our dog has cancer until it’s too late for all but the most radical treatments, feeding a diet that helps to prevent cancer or slow cancer’s progression is a good way to guard against this horrible disease.

Cancers are simply cells that grow where they shouldn’t and cells that don’t die like they should. In a normal body, there are millions of cells and these cells naturally have a lifecycle. They grow and they die and are replaced with new cells.

When a cancer occurs, instead of one

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Blueberries, which belong to the genus Vaccinium, have long been a staple in North American diets, but it wasn’t until cell dying and being replaced by another recently that scientists and researchers cell, you get a bunch of new cells grownoticed that people consuming diets rich ing. Some cancers are very minor, a small in these berries tended to have lower tumour that grows in one spot and doesn’t incidence of some cancers. Blueberries spread. Cancers like this can often be contain vitamins A, C, E, folic acid, beta surgically removed and they don’t return. carotene, and the minerals calcium and More serious cancers are ones that spread selenium. However, it is the naturally (or metastasize). occurring chemicals called There are three potential flavanoids and catechins Blueberries are contained in blueberries ways that cancer prevenbelieved to help that are thought to provide tatives work. The first is through acting as an the main anticancer benprevent cell antioxidant. Normal body efit. Blueberries have been membrane metabolism produces freeproven to induce cancer damage. radicals, which cause oxicell death in experiments dative damage to cells. This using breast, colon, and damage can result in changprostate cancer cells, and es in the cell which allow them to either may also cause an increase in the cell’s grow more than they normally would, or natural defence mechanisms. One study not die as they should. Antioxidants work conducted on rats found that, when the to prevent this damage from occurring animals were fed a diet made with fruit so that cells do not undergo changes to and fruit juice containing blueberries the

animals had significantly fewer tumours following treatment with a known carcinogen. In addition, a study conducted on humans noted that when patients with Barrett’s Esophagus (a condition that leads to esophageal cancer) consumed 32–45g of blueberries a day, the patients were significantly less likely to have their condition proceed to esophageal cancer.

In dogs, there is little evidence associated with blueberry consumption inhibiting cancer. However, when sled dogs were fed a diet containing approximately 2 percent blueberries (about 20g), the researchers found that the dogs had a much lower level of exercise-induced muscle damage.

The flavanoids and catechins contained in the blueberries are believed to help prevent cell membrane damage caused by extensive exercise.

Adding omega 3 fatty acids to the diet can help prevent proliferation of cancer cells.

Green Tea Tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world. There are several types of tea but the most popular in North America is from the plant Camellia sinensis. White tea is made by drying and crushing the leaves of this plant. Green tea is made by steaming, drying, and toasting (firing) the leaves. Black tea (most common in North America), is made by fermenting green tea leaves.

Green tea contains catechins, including epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG, which makes up about 13 percent of green tea.

Much of the scientific evidence suggests that regular consumption of green tea is needed to obtain the maximum benefit.

The optimal dose for humans is thought

to be about 1.5 litres of tea a day. This would amount to 20 g of tea leaves a day or 2.6 g of EGCG. Consumption of EGCG has been shown to prevent growth in human breast, lung, colon, and prostate cancer cells.

However, a recent study in dogs found that daily dosing of 0.2–1.0g of purified EGCG resulted in significant weight loss, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, as well as signs of liver toxicity in the high-dose group. In the low-dose group, dogs had diarrhea and vomiting and had far fewer signs of toxicity.

Currently green tea is being added to some dog treats on the market even though it is unclear whether green tea is safe for dogs to consume, but, most likely, this green tea is not added at a high enough amount to cause problems. If you are feeding green tea to your dog, err on the side of caution and limit the amount of green tea to less than 15 mg of EGCG/ kg body weight.

Turmeric Turmeric is one of the most promising cancer prevention foods and can be found in your spice rack. The active compound in turmeric (Curcuma longa) is curcumin.

Curcumin has been shown to act in a number of ways to prevent the growth or spread of cancer cells for many different types of cancer. It works as an anti-inflammatory, as an antioxidant, and by encouraging cancer cell death. A dose of 80 mg/ kg body weight was effective in preventing induced cancer in guinea pigs. While this may not be directly relatable to dogs, it does show that only a small amount should be required. Although there are no studies in dogs that show a clear cancer preventative function, there are many studies done in other species and with cells that clearly demonstrate curcumin’s efficacy against cancer cells.

Fish Oil Fish oil is a great source of omega 3 fatty acids, which work as an anti-inflammatory. A number of studies in animals (mostly mice) have demonstrated that adding omega 3 fatty acids to the diet can help prevent proliferation of cancer cells.

Since fish oils have also shown to be beneficial for improved coat, this is a great food to include in your dog’s diet. Fish oil can affect some immune properties, but ensuring that your dog is getting adequate Vitamin E prevents this.

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Fresh Vegetables Providing an anticancer boost may be as easy as feeding fresh vegetables. A study with Scottish Terriers showed that consumption of vegetables three or more times a week significantly reduced the risk of developing a specific type of carcinoma.

This may not mean that eating vegetables prevents all cancers, but it’s very promising evidence. As most vegetables are safe for dogs to eat, they are an easy and pleasant way to boost cancer resistance.

The next meal you feed to your dog add some sweet potato, spinach, or broccoli.

It’ll be a tasty treat for them and may even help keep them healthy!

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Although we have identified some specific foods that are showing promise as cancer preventatives for our dogs, there are also some very general things you can do that may help. In people, it has clearly been demonstrated that obesity is a major risk factor for cancer. Keeping Fido in good shape is an excellent way to help him stay healthier. A fit dog should have an hourglass figure with a waist that’s easy to see and ribs that are easy to feel.

The link between diet and some types of cancer has been well established in humans, rats, and mice. The evidence in dogs is less, but there are some things that we can do that may help prevent the incidence and invasiveness of cancer in dogs. Q

Blueberry Cookies for Fido 2 1/4 cups whole wheat flour 1/2 cup skim milk powder 1 egg 1/2 cup frozen blueberries (or berries of your choice) 6 Tbsp canola oil Approximately 1/2 cup cold water Preheat oven to 3500F. Mix all ingredients except water. Add enough water to make the dough form into a ball. Roll out the ball of dough with a rolling pin and cut it into your dog’s favourite shape. Bake on parchment paper for 30–35 min. Cookies should be crunchy.

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Think Dog Victoria Stilwell

on taking the leap, reward-based training, and new tricks for old dogs

By Mary-Jo Dionne Photographed by Zach Wolfe Styling, Jenni Bedel Hair and Makeup, Kiki Finley

I

t is not lost on me that while I am on the phone with Victoria Stilwell, chances are that countless people are simultaneously watching her on their TVs. As the much-adored host of Animal Planet’s hit series It’s Me Or The Dog and judge on CBS’s Greatest American Dog, Victoria Stilwell is fast becoming a household name in over 40 countries. Originally from Wimbledon, England, Stilwell has, in recent years, become one of the world’s most recognized and respected dog trainers. In addition to her on-air work, her highly-acclaimed books It’s Me or the Dog: How to Have the Perfect Pet (Hyperion; 2007) and Fat Dog Slim: How to Have a Healthy, Happy Pet (HarperCollins; 2007) strengthen both her positive reinforcement message and her fan base alike.

All told, this one-time actor—who boasts gigs performed on the stages of London’s esteemed West End—is today a mindbogglingly popular dog guru whose star continues to rise. Evidence of this was a recent People’s Choice Award nomination for It’s Me Or The Dog as Best Animal Show.

Any suspicion, however, that fame has gone to her dog-loving head can quickly be quashed. Actively committed to promoting animal welfare issues, she’s been affiliated with a wealth of rescue groups internationally: Paws Atlanta, Stray from the Heart (NYC), Hong Kong Dog Rescue, Greyhound Rescue of West England, the ASPCA, the Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project, and Jana Kohl and the Waterside Action Group. Simply put, her passion for all things canine is the real deal.

MD: Have you always been a dog person?

VS: We were never allowed to have dogs, growing up. The reason was that my parents weren’t dog lovers. Where I did get my love of dogs from was my grandmother, who bred Beagles. She was a very responsible breeder. She didn’t do it for money, it was all about love for the breed. She was a passionate dog person. She grew up in a wealthy family and her brothers were a lot older than she was, so she basically spent all of her time with her dogs and the chauffeurs in the early

1900s. Dogs became her friends.

MD: It’s interesting that this intense love for dogs ended up skipping a generation.

VS: Yes. My mother will admit that. But it has.

MD: When did you realize that dogs would be part of your career?

VS: I didn’t realize it until I moved to Manhattan in 1999.

Before that, I’d always been an actor, and dog training was sort of my second income. As an actor, you always have to have a way to provide for yourself, so training was my survival job. Then, I started to become a lot more involved in rescue and I started to see that I was happier training dogs than I was going to casting. I would go to an audition and feel terrible when I came out and then I would go to a training session and feel fantastic.

MD: When you think about the difference between those two audiences—one a panel of entertainment professionals and the other a panel of the most unconditional species on the planet— it makes sense.

VS: You’re so right. And I think something or someone was pointing the way for me: Go! The transition for me was, “Shall I jump in with two feet and do this full time?” And I did, and I haven’t looked back. Now it’s grown into something so big I could never really have imagined it.

MD: It’s that idea of “Leap, and the net will appear.”

What is it like for you, given your history as an actor, to be able to merge your two skillsets as entertainer and dog trainer into one on-air personality?

VS: I think my acting background made it a lot easier.

Acting made me a better observer of body language, gave me an understanding of pitch, and how I use my body to communicate with dogs. It made me more aware. The thing that was really hard, being on-air, is that when I train, timing is really important. But then, when you have a camera on you, you have to learn how to train a dog in front of a camera. And that was difficult. That required some learning. It may look easy on TV, but it was pretty tough.

“I started to see that I was happier training dogs than I was going to casting.”

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“I prefer knowing a dog follows me around because it wants to, not because it fears what’s going to happen if it doesn’t.”

MD: The things that look the easiest, often do so because they are being handled by a professional. Ellen DeGeneres makes comedy look easy. An NFL star makes football look easy. So you’re obviously doing something right.

VS: Yeah!

MD: In terms of your philosophy when it comes to training dogs, you very much believe in the concept of “Think dog.” Can you tell us what that means?

VS: I really believe that in order to understand your dog better, to train your dog better, you need to think about how your dog sees the world, then use that knowledge. We so often don’t think about what the dog’s experience is in the environment around them. So many behaviour problems stem from environmental cues. Whether it be from people or situations or events or places, it’s really important to get down on the dog’s level and feel what it must be like for a dog.

MD: Especially now when the tendency is to humanize dogs.

We dress them up, we call them our kids, we come to the relationship expecting them to be little humans.

VS: Exactly. The amount of people I meet who treat their dogs like children! And I’m not saying that’s wrong, because many of the principles I use for training dogs have been used for training children, but I think we have to celebrate their “dogdom” as well.

MD: Methods from trainer to trainer are the subject of great debate. Why is it that you believe positive reinforcement contributes more to a dog’s overall self-confidence?

VS: I believe we should teach a dog to cooperate with us. I believe that we achieve a lot more if we give a dog a good life experience. I prefer knowing a dog follows me around because it wants to, not because it fears what’s going to happen if it doesn’t.

I want my dog to behave well because it wants to behave well.

I think that it’s a great human weakness to believe in punitive training methods, and I believe it does great psychological damage to the dog. We’re the ones with the bigger brain, so instead of punishing the dog into behaving, can we not come up with something that gives the dog confidence? I think it’s cowardly as well.

Anyone can train a dog by yanking a dog’s collar and putting it over on its side.

MD: It’s reminiscent of schoolyard bullying, in some ways.

VS: It really is. I think it creates in our dogs a great uncertainty.

We know so much more about dogs now: The way the brain works and the fact that they feel real emotion.

MD: What have you got for dogs?

VS: I have a chocolate lab, Sadie. She’s seven years old.

MD: Can you teach an old dog new tricks?

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VS: Yes. Obviously the brain isn’t functioning as fast, and actually the science shows that the brain of an older dog is about 25 percent smaller than the brain of a younger dog.

The cells start dying off, so the messages don’t get around as quickly. It might take a bit more time and patience, but you can teach an old dog new tricks.

MD: What do you believe makes the relationship between a human and a dog so unique and so cherished?

VS: In many ways, we are so similar.

Dogs desire play and we humans like to play, too. Sports and games. In a very basic way, we’re very alike. There’s no difference between the emotional brain of a dog and of a human. We’re wired the same way. Even though our thinking brain is much more complex, we have similar emotional experiences. We both feel fear, we both feel excitement, we both feel jealousy. And when we stroke a dog, similar hormones are given off, like oxytocin for example. Dogs love the feelings of calm and love, just as we do. So chemically and emotionally, we are very similar.

MD: You’re very active in puppy mills awareness. As much media as there’s been on the subject, people are still buying dogs from pet stores. What do you want people to know about puppy mills?

VS: They really need to know that in buying from a pet store, you’re making the problem worse. It’s supply and demand and if demand is high, they’ll keep supplying. I think people know it’s out there, but they don’t want to open their eyes. That’s what really upsets me.

If they’d ever actually go to a puppy mill and see the horrible conditions, they’d see the bitches that spend their entire lives in small cages.

It’s everybody’s problem. The way we’re going to get this changed is legislation. In every state. And until that changes, these farmers are going to keep getting rich. The farmers count on the “awww-factor,” that we’re going to go into these pet stores and see these puppies and go “awww” and buy them. And we have to stop. Q

“You need to think about how your dog sees the world, then use that knowledge.”

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Dogs Gone Viral

IDE 9D< K>9:DH

by Tia Mihalj Welcome to the weird, wonderful world of

homegrown dog videos. From the inspiring to the hilarious to the just plain strange, these videos will make you smile—and perhaps inspire you to court your own YouTube fame with a video posting of your own. (Just check out the number of views these videos have received.)

And now for some professional footage...

>> Go to moderndogmagazine.com/funnyvideos to watch.

Canine cuts a rug

When life gives you lemons…

This former service dog turned surfing dog (or surfice dog, if you will) raises money for a disabled friend. The heartstringtugging video, which follows the dog’s training from puppyhood, is about overcoming obstacles. Have tissue handy— this one’s a tearjerker.

Portland, Oregon, take you over. The pink parasol she totes is a very nice touch.

Unlikely BFFs. Dog VS mirror

This clip of a dog playing with his reflection is really far funnier than it ought to be. Aren’t puppies the darndest?

We love you, too, Mishka.

Check out this spicy merengue. A dancing dog busts some serious moves on the floor in this mind-blowing video, putting our dance moves to shame.

Amazing footage of two of our all time favorites: polar bears and dogs! You’ll melt over the friendship founded in the snow.

Someone call Letterman: Mishka is a talking Husky—with heart. She proves what we’ve all known all along: dogs not only understand us, but they love us, too! Now if we could teach our dogs to tell us before they use our carpets as a potty.

The odd couple

Perambulating Pug

Dog VS toilet

If you love Pugs pushing strollers and the Pacific Northwest, this is the video for you. Get into the ambient music and let the magic of this Pug out and about in

The Jaws musical score sets the scene for the attack in Dog vs Toilet. It looks like the dog wins. The owner, clearly, is the loser.

Definitely time for a bath after this.

Nine-year-old Bulldog Bugsy watches after this zoo’s orphaned animals, including Malone, an impossibly adorable little Orangutan.

Watch for the 0:25 second mark when Bugsy gives Malone a kiss. Q

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The Dogs of Todos Santos, Guatemala Veterinarians without Borders help a community in need

PHO TO DR ENID STILES DVM

By Jennifer Messer

ovember 2, 2009: 5 am The alarm clock rings before sunrise. I dress quickly in our dimly lit, unheated room where it is just bright enough to see my own breath hanging in the frigid air. There’s little time for restful sleep between the noise of late night musical festivities, dogs fighting in the streets, and the crowing of roosters at dawn. Mornings are uncomfortably rushed. The building we are using for surgery today is a half-hour hike away, and we need to get an early start to make the most of the few hours of midday warmth and sunshine, so breakfast is a brief 10-minute pit stop at the local tienda for hot coffee and pan frances (white breadrolls).

The veterinary team I joined here two days ago has almost completed the vaccine and neuter clinics for this visit and has just started spaying the females. My jaw

N

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drops as I enter our makeshift surgery room—it looks like something out of a war movie: tin-covered walls, a dusty floor, poor lighting, and no central heat. Benita, a local villager who has been hired to translate for us, takes patient histories and helps the villagers sign consent forms.

My first patient of the day is Chaquira, a small, slightly foxy-looking mixed breed. “You are a lucky little perra (dog),” I tell her, feeling a healthy layer of muscle and fat over her ribcage. Without veterinary care or regular meals, most of the dogs in this mountain village are thin, flearidden, and carry a host of greedy, calorie-robbing internal parasites. Chaquira looks remarkably well cared-for—her body weight is normal, her coat is shiny, and her eyes sparkle. I am secretly relieved at her apparent good health; the work environment looks like enough of a challenge for today.

Surgery in a rustic, high-altitude setting is an exercise in creativity, to say the least. In place of multi-beam surgical lighting, we have simple headlamps; instead of fully adjustable surgical tables, we have wooden desks propped up with bricks, and with no fluid pumps on site, we hang the bags by rope or nail, and our diligent technicians count drip rates manually.

A little pressure cooker serves as our autoclave for sterilizing instruments, and a butane camping stove boils water for scrubbing, filling hot water bottles, and warming IV fluids. I take a long look around while scrubbing in and realize what a feat it is to be running a very basic yet functional operating room in such a remote area. I dry my hands and glove up; Chaquira is on the table and ready for surgery.

Not long into her spay, I am disturbed by the amount of bleeding. Small vessels that should be clotting quickly on their own aren’t, and I’m spending precious time clamping them all off. Dr. Kuzminsky, who led the first team here in January, explains that the oozing I am seeing is not unusual and there is suspicion that either blood parasites or chronic malnutrition are causing mild clotting problems.

I sigh at this unwelcome news—surgery and anesthesia reduce body temperature quickly, so with no central heat-

ing and only hot water bottles to keep our patients warm, we need to work quickly to prevent hypothermia. I carry on, juggling the need to control bleeding while minimizing surgical time.

I find myself unusually deep in concentration performing a procedure that is normally effortless.

I notice the strange silence between me and my technician, a blunt reminder that monitoring a patient in these conditions leaves no room for the leisurely chit-chat that routine surgery typically allows. At home, the dogs are kept under general anesthesia by gas, and their vital signs are tracked with sophisticated monitoring equipment, much like in a human hospital. Alarms ring if breathing or heart rates go beyond the normal range—a terrific safety measure to back up skilled observation and direct patient monitoring—and gas levels can be adjusted quickly and easily as needed. Anne-Marie, my technician, has none of these luxuries. She is keeping Chaquira under general anesthesia with IV drugs instead of inhaled gas, and adjusting her drug rate based on continuous monitoring. Not a minute goes by without an evaluation of heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, and other indicators of how deeply “asleep” her patient is. Even with meticulous monitoring, Chaquira

PHOTO MELANIE PELLETIER

“Without veterinary care or regular meals, most of the dogs in this mountain village are thin, flea-ridden, and carry a host of greedy, calorie-robbing internal parasites.”

A bird’s eye view of Todos Santos captured from the Las Letras hiking path. (facing page) The author takes a short break from carrying medical supplies through town on a cool, misty afternoon.

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PHOT O T R ACY COR N IS H

(left) Shortly after arrival in Guatemala, the team meets up in Huehuetenango, Gravol in hand, ready to brave the winding “chicken bus” ride up to Todos Santos.

PHO TO E RIN SK ILLEN

PHOTO ERIN SKILLEN

gets a bit too deep about halfway through the spay, and Anne-Marie has to assist her breathing for five minutes and administer a special drug to increase her heart rate.

Nonetheless, I am able to carry on with the surgery virtually uninterrupted; Veterinarians without Borders (VWB) only takes on technicians who are highly skilled and very experienced, and I have full confidence in Anne-Marie.

In just over an hour, the spay is done and we move Chaquira to the recovery area where she is bundled in blankets and hot water bottles in front of the propane space heater. I sit with her as the anesthetic drugs slowly wear off, my back sore from hunching and my stomach grumbling for lunch. Before the sense of deprivation gets the better of me, I stroke Chaquira gently, and appease myself with a My jaw drops reminder of why I am here as I enter our on this difficult but compelling project. makeshift surgery In 2007, when VWB room—it looks like was first contacted, the dog something out of a population in this remote war movie.

Mayan village was out of control. Pet dogs, kept mostly for protection from intruders, other dogs, and wildlife, were breeding with each other and with strays. Dogs had become the main reservoir of rabies and some of the strays were aggressive towards people. Tourists were afraid to walk the streets and the community was living in fear.

Efforts to reduce the stray dog population by mass poisoning had been unsuccessful. Pet dogs were inadvertently baited, strays were not reliably targeted, and poisoned dogs died a slow and excruciating death. The people of Todos There is lots of demand for the canine health clinics where rabies vaccinations, deworming, Santos wanted a humane and sustainable solution, and and general health care advice are provided.

VWB was eager to help them build a culturally suitable program to reduce the risk of rabies and keep their dog population in check. The first phase of the project focused on rabies vaccination, neutering, and establishing whether females could be safely spayed in such challenging conditions. Surgery proved to be rigorous, but feasible, so a key goal of this second phase was to sterilize as many female dogs as possible.

Lunch arrives, and we alternate between filling our bellies with rice, beans, and soothingly warm tortillas, and keeping a close eye on our patients in the recovery area.

We are 8,000 feet high in the mountains, nestled in a steep valley between two towering mountain ranges. Weather changes dramatically throughout the day, and by mid-afternoon, when the western mountains suddenly cast cool shadows upon us, we want our patients settled in at home by a warm kitchen fire.

At 2 pm, the Mendozas, Chaquira’s family, return and Benita talks to them about the special care she will need. In this indigenous Mayan culture, dog ownership does not mean what it does in Canada or the United States.

Pet dogs sleep outdoors, and aren’t fed much more than the occasional tor(above) Testicle size is carefully measured to decide whethtilla. They roam the village freely and scavenge most of their food. Without er the dog is a good candidate for chemical sterilization (the method of neutering preferred by Todos Santerians) with specific homecare instructions, many of our patients would succumb to Esterilsol . Dogs with testicles that are too small or too hypothermia and malnutrition, so Benita gently explains how important it large cannot be chemically neutered.

TM

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PHOTO ERIN SKILLEN

photographers.

PH OTO JE NNIFER M ESSE R

is that Chaquira stay indoors overnight on a thick blanket near the warm kitchen fire, and that she be fed some protein for the first few days. Most families can afford to provide eggs but, for some, providing chicken is a struggle—it means less for themselves that week.

Benita is able to acknowledge and empathize with the hardships of her fellow villagers, and she is able to encourage owners to do the best they can for their dogs without appearing insensitive or culturally inappropriate.

Mrs. Mendoza says she can provide Chaquira with eggs and chicken, as they have done well with their crops this season, and she thanks us for our help. Tia, her youngest, shyly hands me a picture she has drawn of all the animals at home. She points out the dogs: Chaquira, Mecca, and Princessa, and tells me how she especially loves them.

Just as the Mendozas head off with Chaquira securely in their arms, three children arrive to pick up another patient, Paloma.

Roberto, Paloma’s surgeon, glances over their heads for a moment, then turns back to them looking concerned. “Donde estan tus padres?” he asks. The eldest replies matter-of-factly that their parents are busy drying the corn. It is a struggle for some of the villagers to take time off to come to our clinic. The Todosanteros are quite poor, and work very hard to support themselves. A trickle of tourists, many seeking the intricately hand-woven garments the village women are renowned for, brings some money into the community, but the villagers sustain themselves mostly by growing crops and maintaining a small number of chickens and pigs for eggs and meat.

Paloma’s family lives a 45-minute hike up the mountains, much too far for her to walk so soon after surgery, and the children are not strong enough to carry her all that way themselves.

It is tempting to call a tuk-tuk (three(top right) Puppy wheeled taxi), just as it is tempting to send Ernesto is too young to be neutered, but will dogs home with nutritious food and bring in benefit from rabies more sophisticated drugs and equipment that vaccination and parasite control. would make surgery easier and safer, but we don’t; the short-term heroics would come (right) A little wiggle and a big cheer as at the cost of long-term success. We have we show off our stepped in to help solve a crisis, but with the groovy scrub tops for

PHOTO ERIN SKILLEN

(above) Spay surgery is done in teams of three: a surgeon, a technician who monitors the patient and controls anesthesia, and a spare technician or veterinarian to get drugs, instruments, and provide an extra hand when needed.

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the foliage of both provide shade for the firm intention of stepping aside as soon thriving squash below them. At the end of as we are able to leave a culturally suitthe pathway, we reach the Duarte home, able and sustainable solution in our place. where I see two women weaving busily With the dog population now under temon backstrap looms and enjoy the faint porary control, it will be easier to secure smell of burned wood coming from the government help to maintain the program, chuj (sweatbath). but we must be careful to do our work We have come to check on Luna, who in a way that the Guatemalan veterinarhas been lethargic and refusing food since ians who will eventually replace us can surgery two days ago. Luna is resting sustain. comfortably in the kitchen. She is a bit Roberto furrows his brow, adding quiet, but her incision looks good and her “adults at discharge” to the daily debriefgums are moist and pink—I am happy ing agenda, then smiles warmly at the with her overall appearance. The family children as he laces his hiking boots and says that she has been turning her nose bundles Paloma in a warm blanket. He up at tortillas and demonstrate her disingrabs a cell phone in case he has trouble terest with a fresh one off the stove, but finding his way back and tells us he’ll see quickly point out that she perked up this us at dinner. morning with a warm bowl of sopa de Most of the team stays on site for a few pollo (chicken soup) and is actually doing more hours doing discharges, cleaning much better now. instruments, and preparing kits for the The rest of our housecalls are equally next day, while a couple of us run though uneventful; the occasional dog needs the list of housecalls for patients who are some additional pain medication or incirecovering slowly and need a bit of extra sion bandaging, but most just need a little TLC or medication. Despite the remote extra food and warmth, something that location and the poverty, cell phones are villagers are not accustomed ubiquitous and allow clients to get in touch with There’s little time to providing for them.

With rounds done and kits us easily if they have any for restful sleep packed, we have an hour or concerns. We pack a small between the noise so to spare for a cold shower drug kit, stethoscope, and of late night musiand laundry before supperthermometer, and go over cal festivities, dogs time. Normally we congrethe call list with Andres, fighting in the gate at a local restaurant for our guide. There are no streets, and the supper, but this evening is addresses in Todos Santos, crowing of roosters a special occasion: we have so housecalls are typically at dawn. been invited to dinner by long, adventurous hikes the mayor’s office. When we with our trusty tri-lingual arrive, I am relieved to see that we have translator (English-Spanish-Mam), who not come under-dressed. Back home, such asks for directions from villagers to locate an invitation would surely call for formal our patients and helps us communicate attire, but here, clean, warm clothes were once we find them. the right pick—no one raises an eyebrow.

Walking through the village and visitThe mayor’s representatives, all wearing ing homes provides a fascinating glimpse dark half-length chaps atop their trousers into Mayan culture. This community is and black leather jackets, clothing worn one of the few places in Guatemala where only by certain men in the community traditional clothing is still worn. Men dress who are of distinguished rank, welcome in striped red pants, dark blue chaps, and us as their honoured guests. shirts with large, elaborately embroidered “Salud!” one of the officials belts out collars, and women wear long, dark skirts soon after we are seated, holding his glass with strikingly vibrant, ornately woven in the air. We join in his toast: “To the blouses, often carrying babies swaddled people and dogs of Todos Santos!” and snuggly in a huipil over their backs. are treated to a simple but hearty meal of We turn onto a narrow path between tamales, potatoes, frijoles, and, of course, two fields of mixed crops where tall corncorn tortillas, while we review where we stalks act as scaffolding for beans, and

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PHOTO ER IN S KIL L EN

Nalda picks a sunny spot to rest on while she waits for her prespay examination.

stand with this daring and vital project.

The community is very pleased with our help so far. Villagers have noticed a big drop in the number of aggressive dogs roaming the streets since the project began, and there is hope that, over time, this will help with tourism and economic development, especially once other aspects of this complex problem are addressed. The mayor is impressed with the results of our work and has committed to even greater support of the project next year: a driver and truck for transporting equipment and some patients, storage facilities, and a suitable central location for clinics.

The positive feedback is tremendously reinforcing and well-timed, given the hard work still ahead; there are several underlying problems that will need to be addressed for longterm success.

Poor waste management is sustaining a stray dog population that will not go away until their food source does. Strays are drawn to the slaughterhouse, the market, and the dump where they scavenge leftovers. The mayor is ready to work on these problems and would like us to assist him in developing a responsible pet ownership program, one of our past recommendations for this community, so that pet dogs will not need to scavenge for survival. He and our team leader agree that resolving these fundamental problems will require involvement beyond those of us at the table, including cooperation with government, Guatemalan veterinarians, and nongovernmental organizations.

This is a tall orderâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;but it looks like help and support is on the way. A University of Guelph engineering professor who is a member of Engineers Without Borders, has offered to help troubleshoot the complex waste management issues, and the Guatemalan veterinarian in charge of rabies control who visited us on site expressed great interest in helping support the project. In fact, she has already begun networking to stimulate participation from the Guatemalan veterinary community.

The welfare of both the strays and the owned dogs will need to be taken into consideration when waste becomes unavailable as a food source, so a fair amount of planning and coordination between these various organizations and the community will be needed. The solutions will be complex, yet there is a sense of optimism brewing among us. We are energized by the air of accomplishment, and tempted to continue socializing late into the

Poor waste management is sustaining a stray dog population.

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evening. But with an early morning ahead of us, we wish our kind hosts a buenas noches and hike back up to Las Ruinas, our rented home, to call it a night.

Despite exhaustion I cannot sleep. My bed feels empty—I’m used to cuddling up with my two dogs. I lay awake thinking of my girls back home, snoozing on the sofa by the warm fireplace, with full bellies and no worries in the world. It is hard for each of us here to accept the vast cultural differences in pet ownership, to reconcile how someone can care about a dog yet leave her to scavenge her meals.

Then I think of Tia’s drawing, of the worried faces of villagers when they leave their dogs for surgery, and the affection they display when reunited, and wonder

if despite our very different ways of caring, our love for our dogs might, in fact, be much the same.

It will still be a few years before we outsiders can step away from Todos Santos knowing that the local people are in charge of their own solutions, and the road to success will probably be much like the village roads themselves: rugged and steep. But I know that we will get there. With continued hard work and careful planning, the wish for improved health and wellbeing of this charming community will surely come true. Q

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celebrating the media... celebrating animals The 24th Genesis Awards Saturday, March 20, 2010 Join us as we celebrate all animals, with a special tribute to dogs, at the 24th Genesis Awards at the International Ballroom of The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Each year, The Genesis Awards honors outstanding individuals in the major news and entertainment media whose artistry and journalistic integrity has raised public awareness of animal issues.

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to do with your dog photos

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Big Hearts in Bella Bella Two animal aid agencies combine forces to help dogs in a remote Canadian town

By Connie Wilson Photographed by Jeremiah Armstrong

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I

t’s funny that one telephone call can lead to a shift in perception, but that’s what recently happened to me when I received a call from Toronto’s Michelle Cliffe of the World Society for Protection of Animals (WSPA). We set up a meeting and, over a cup of coffee, Cliffe told me about the invaluable animal welfare work that WSPA instigates worldwide, and of her particular enthusiasm for a project they were about to undertake: assisting Big Heart Rescue with an animal wellness clinic in the northerly First Nations community of Bella Bella. She suggested I join them. On impulse, I found myself on a plane the next day along with Cliffe and Josie Kitson, also from WSPA, as well as photographer Jeremiah Armstrong, bound for the picturesque and remote community of Bella Bella.

It was enlightening. I had read newspaper stories of packs of dogs roaming wild in native communities, largely uncared-for and diseased; stories of overpopulation problems caused by unneutered dogs roaming freely and of culling by way of shotgun to keep the animal population in check. Instead, what I found in

Bella Bella were happy, largely healthy, well-adjusted dogs, loved by their families and the community as a whole. Granted, I didn’t see any dogs carried around in designer bags or wearing expensive collars; rather, I was reminded of how dogs were commonly treated when I was a child—provided with a dog house in unfenced yards, and allowed to freely roam the neighbourhood. Strolling the streets in Bella Bella, I’d see dogs flopped down in a sunny spot on the side of the road having a little snooze, or stopping by the local café in hopes of a hand out, or merely meandering down the road to say “hi” to their doggie pals. As these dogs spend most of their time outside, most have incredibly thick coats, providing them with the insulation needed, especially in winter, to ward off chill. Everyone I spoke to seemed to know the names of all the dogs and to whom they belonged.

Different cultures have differing views on animals, the roles they play in their respective societies, and the treatment they receive. One thing, however, should remain constant: the provision of adequate food, water, shelter, and health care. This makes for happy animals, and as Cliffe says, “Happy animals make for happy people.” WSPA and organizations such as Big Heart Rescue focus on providing vet services to communities like Bella Bella, because in such a remote area, a visit to the veterinarian can mean flying an animal out by plane. WSPA and Big Heart organize clinics, bringing veterinary services to the community to help keep dogs and cats healthy.

At the Bella Bella airport to greet us was Gail Moerkerken, founder and coordinator of Big Heart Rescue, along with her team of volunteers. If you’re lucky enough be on the receiving end of a hug from Moerkerken, you’ll understand why her rescue group is called Big Heart; she is a bottomless well of love for animals and has a seemingly limitless capacity to help others. On the drive to Bella Bella’s school, where a makeshift clinic was being set up in the science lab, I got to hear her story and why she started Big Heart Rescue.

Ironically, it began in this same community nearly 13 years ago, when a friend found a dog in desperate need of medical attention. The dog was suffering from distemper, the deadly and highly infectious disease that, if left untreated, usually leads to the death of the animal. The friend couldn’t bear to just leave the dog to die, so she called Moerkerken asking what she should do. Unsure herself, Moerkerken couldn’t find anyone to call to action and, knowing the dog was slipping away, opted to take matters into her own hands.

Enlisting the assistance of Pacific Coastal Airlines, the dog was flown to Vancouver and was soon receiving veterinary care. Sadly, though everything medically possible was done for Spirit (as they chose to call the dog), the illness took its toll and Spirit passed on. But Spirit did not die in vain. She became the catalyst for the inception of Big Heart Rescue, a charity committed to providing service and resources for dogs like Spirit and the communities they live in.

Fast forward 13 years, and distemper has been eradicated from Bella Bella. As well, the community has been provided with regularly flown-in vet services, including vaccinations, de-worming, flea treatment, and, importantly, spay/neuter clinics—a commendable achievement indeed, especially when considering the enormous effort—and cost—such an undertaking requires.

I was reminded of how dogs were commonly treated when I was a child.

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Q With chapters all over the world, The World Society for the Protection of Animals has been promoting animal welfare for more than 25 years.

Their work is concentrated in regions of the world where few, if any, measures exist to protect animals.

WSPA’s vision is of a world where animal welfare matters, and animal cruelty ends. wspa.ca; wspa.us; wspa-international.org

Q Big Heart Rescue is a volunteer-run, non-profit charity working within B.C., with a special focus on remote First Nations Reserves. They are dedicated to improving the lives of companion animals by providing loving foster/adoptive homes and medical support for those who find themselves homeless, abused, neglected, or in need of medical assistance. bigheartrescue.com

It’s not until you actually see a mobile clinic in action that you realize what an expensive endeavour it is. It’s like a MASH hospital.

There are vets, vet techs, and rescue workers who all play a vital role in organizing and running the clinic. Supplies, medicine, and transport are all required. The bulk of the cost is raised through charitable events, fund-raising drives, and grants, plus there is the essential support of sponsors such as Pacific Coastal Air, which flies the medical supplies and clinic team to their destination. In the case of this recent clinic, WSPA stepped in to cover the costs associated with the clinic and to help raise public awareness of the need for such initiatives in remote communities.

Over the next day and half, more than 62 dogs and cats were provided with vaccinations, medical check-ups, de-worming, flea treatment, basic wound care and, for some, a (Clockwise from shave and a haircut. top left) The WSPA It was a fascinating two days and a wonand Big Heart team arrive on the Bella derful reminder that there are many, many, Bella airstrip. amazing organizations run by inspired—and Michelle Cliffe of inspiring—individuals and that there are WSPA greets a freemyriad ways to contribute to the greater good, roaming local dog. both in your own community and afar. Q A vet and vet tech perform a check up.

Local teenagers out for a dog walk.

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To see more photos, go to moderndogmagazine.com/bellabella

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petproject

D.I.Y.

craft

Silence is golden. Make your dog a cool-looking tag silencer.

Fig A

Fig C

Fig B

Sit. Make it!

1. Enlarge the templates [for more template options, go to moderndogmagazine.com/tagsilencertemplates]. Cut them out and set aside. (Note that each silencer has a front and back).

2. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, use the iron to apply the paper-backed fusible web to one side of the craft felt. Don’t peel the paper away. When the fabric is cool, trace around the templates—including a front and back for each—onto the fusible web’s paper backing. Cut out the designs from the felt.

3. Remove the paper from the back of the felt, and use the iron to adhere the shapes to pieces of the cotton fabric. Cut away any excess fabric, trimming it to the shape of the felt.

Tag Silencers Go Fetch!

Paper and pencil Scissors Paper-backed fusible web Iron Craft felt in assorted colours Cotton fabric in assorted colours and patterns Sewing machine Thread Needle Small snaps Embroidery needle Embroidery floss Finished size: each approximately 2 ½ x 3 inches (6.5 x 7.5 cm)

4. Use the paper-backed fusible web to apply felt appliqués as desired to the front of the tag.

5. Use the sewing machine to zigzag around the appliqués. You can also zigzag stripes on the cat’s face.

Embroider French knots (Figure a) for sesame seeds on the top of the burger bun. Zigzag around the top edges of the front and back of each shape.

Front

7. Sew a snap onto the tab of the back piece and to the front of the silencer.

Back

Cheeseburger

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6. With cotton sides facing, lay the front and back for each silencer together. Use the zigzag stitch around the side edges to sew the front to the back. Leave the tops open so you can slip in the tags later.

8. Using the embroidery floss, work the blanket stitch (Figure b) around the edge of each piece. To hide the stitching for the snap on the front of the tab, embroider a dot over the stitches using the satin stitch (Figure c).

From You Lucky Dog: More Than 30 Craft Projects to Unleash Your Pup’s Personality Published by Lark Books © 2009. Used by permission.

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by Marni Wedin

Elaine Brewer-White

University of Calgary and ceramics from the Emily Carr College of It’s no surprise that sculptor Elaine Brewer-White Art and Design. is inspired by “colour, joy, and being in the moment”—her Brewer-White loves sculpting dogs because “they express work embodies those three elements and each piece is a tangible what’s noble about humanity: honesty, loyalty, and a wacky reminder of the love and joy that dogs bring into our lives. Like sense of play.” Working with clay, she makes each dogs, who have this amazing ability to reflect our piece one of a kind. She starts by sketching her greatest traits back to us, Brewer-White’s sculptures uncannily express this same level of intimacy. They Humour can’t subject from information gathered via conversations are snapshots of humanity at its best. help but seep and photos. Once she’s happy with the drawing, Brewer-White lives in Langley, BC, in a “really, into her work. she begins sculpting. All of her work is built hollow. Before the sculpture goes into the kiln to dry, normal vinyl-sided neighbourhood” with her family she sends a photo of the piece to her clients for and her rescue Shepherd-Collie cross, Dooley. Also a approval. After the sculpture has been fired in the kiln for two trained theatrical improviser, she has taught comedy and improv, days, Brewer-White begins the painting process using acrylics and still performs from time to time. For her, humour is ingrained, and a process called underpainting to achieve a life-like look and not intentional, and can’t help but seep into her work. capture the spirit of her subject. When you look at her sculptures, Enthralled with art since she was a young child, Brewer-White you’re instantly transported to her subject’s world. For a moment, would watch her mother paint watercolour landscapes in her you forget that you’re gazing at a piece of clay. backyard. Her first sculpture was a plasticine mosaic of a clown Brewer-White’s work tells a story. It places you in the present at a circus—quite prophetic as she’s married to Gordon White, an and allows you to feel the joy animals create for us. actor/physical comedian who tours with the Cirque du Soleil as a To commission a piece, visit ebrewerwhite.com. Prices begin clown. For Brewer, her life calling was never “a question of what at $600. Q I will be, just how will I do it.” Brewer studied drawing at the

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Above and above left: from Dogs in Vogue: A Century of Canine Chic © 2009 Little, Brown

Connie’s Book Club Curl up with a good dog and a good book

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CONNIE WILSON’S DOG-THEMED BOOK PICKS

Dogs in Vogue: A Century of Canine Chic -JUUMF #SPXO

#Z +VEJUI 8BUU Dog-loving fashionistas will be delighted by Judith Watt’s captivating celebration of nearly a century of canine style. Containing a irresistible selection of Vogue fashion photos and illustrations featuring our canine friends, Dogs in Vogue provides undeniable visual proof that our love affair with the canine species dates back far further than our current 21st century obsession. Extraordinary photos by the likes of Weber, Beaton, and Testino (to name but a few) that capture the world’s most stylish women and men alongside their coiffed and pampered pets grace the pages of this fascinating book. Lady Diana Cooper, Cindy Crawford, Elizabeth Taylor, Yves Saint Laurent, Manolo Blahnick, Marc Jacobs—they’re all here, with their dogs, of course. If you love dogs and fashion, Dogs in Vogue is for you.

Move Over Rover: What To Name Your New Pup When the Ordinary Just Won’t Do $MBSLTPO 1PUUFS

#Z ,ZSB ,JSLXPPE If you or someone you know is adding a dog to the family mix, Move Over Rover is the musthave naming guide to choosing a handle for the new canine kid. Gone are traditional names like Spot, Fluffy, or Fido, replaced by unique and, some might say, more meaningful monikers. According to Kirkwood, the key to finding the perfect name befitting a dog’s individuality is to first determine his temperament by answering the 24 questions listed in the book’s Personality Test. You can then deduce if your dog is The Cheerleader, The 9-to-5er, The Don, The Lone Ranger, The Wallflower, The Couch Potato, The Jock, or The Diva/Pretty Boy. Once you’ve determined your pup’s personality, the corresponding names and their meanings will provide the inspiration you need to select just the right name. With nearly one thousand names (and their meanings) along with recipes, photography tips, and other dog-relevant information, this book is both useful AND fun.

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Dogscaping: Creating the Perfect Backyard & Garden For You and Your Dog #PXUJF

#Z 5PN #BSUIFM If you’re looking to create the perfect backyard and garden, one that both you AND your dog can enjoy, then Dogscaping is the resource for you.

Whether you’re reclaiming a dug-up garden, looking for ways to hide the dog-worn path along your yard’s perimeter, turn a yellow lawn back to green, interested in building a dog pond or digging pit, or looking to find the perfect dog-safe, hardy landscaping features and plants, this book tells you how.

Avid naturalist Barthel provides well-laid-out advice and tips embellished with plenty of colour photographs and illustrations, and even recipes made with the bountiful vegetable crop that you’ll finally be able to grow!

Am I Boring My Dog? And 99 Other Things Every Dog Wishes You Knew "MQIB

#Z &EJF +BSPMJN Jarolim grew up in a non-pet household and considered herself missing the caninecaretaking gene—that is, until her dog-rescuing friend convinced her otherwise. Since her conversion, Jarolim has written a book geared to the canine clueless (as she was) in order to assist them in achieving a happy and healthy dog-inclusive household. Focusing on the relationship between one person and one dog, Am I Boring My Dog? provides sound advice and basic information for those contemplating getting a dog, those who have just gotten a dog, and those who want to do better by their dog. From answering questions such as “How do I know if I’ll be good at dog care?” “What’s the best age at which to get a dog?” and “Mixed breed or pure bred?” to providing information on pet insurance, food, health, grooming, training, traveling, and more, this helpful and entertaining book teaches the importance of being your dog’s leader while providing the important basics first-time dog parents need to have under their belts.

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51 Puppy Tricks: Step-by-Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond with your Puppy 2VBSSZ

#Z ,ZSB 4VOEBODF BOE +BEJF Teaching your new pup tricks is a fun way of training her to listen and learn while you spend quality time together in an activity that will not only impress your friends, but help you build a strong bond. Internationally acclaimed stunt-dog trainer Kyra Sundance shows you how to use positive reinforcement methods in simple steps that will produce a joyful, willing, and eager-to-learn puppy.

Sundance’s instructions are easy to follow, while the dynamic photographs illustrate the trick in detail, giving you all the tools you need to have fun teaching your puppy tricks.

How I, Nicky Flynn, Finally Got A Life (And A Dog) "NVMFU

#Z "SU $PSSJWFBV With his mother and father going through a messy divorce, Nicky Flynn finds himself without friends, in a new school, and in a strange city. Things seem even more out of control when his mom brings home Reggie, a large German Shepherd from the animal shelter that, as a former seeing eye dog, thinks it’s his job to drag Nicky around the neighbourhood as though he were a blind master. With his mother increasingly preoccupied, Nicky begrudgingly assumes the responsibility of looking after Reggie; however, as Nicky’s life becomes ever more complicated, he realizes that Reggie has somehow become his new best friend and perhaps the only one he can truly rely on. With a believable and engrossing story, Nicky Flynn will help younger readers to understand and deal with their own emotions and feelings when changes in their lives seem unfair and out of their control, while emphasizing the power of the unconditional companionship dogs provide.

Animal Manifesto: Six Reasons for Expanding Our Compassion Footprint /FX 8PSME -JCSBSZ

#Z .BSD #FLPGG Dr. Marc Bekoff has spent years studying animal behaviour, proving that animals share our biological heritage and our emotional and moral complexities. Animal Manifesto, his latest book, is a call for action to “raise our consciousnesses about the lives of our fellow animals and change the current paradigm.” His six principles are 1/ that all animals share the Earth and we must coexist; 2/ animals can think and feel; 3/ animals have and deserve compassion; 4/ connection breeds caring, alienation breeds disrespect; 5/ our world is not compassionate to animals; and 6/ acting compassionately helps all beings and our world. Bekoff tells us that practicing these “reasons” will help us to expand our compassion footprint and influence others to do the same. His findings and optimistic conclusions in Animal Manifesto inspire and gently lead us to begin taking steps to make the world a better place for all inhabitants of this planet. Q

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2010 Hullâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Haven

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Only $22.99 Cdn FREE SHIPPING to Canada and the U.S.

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Riddle is a rescued border collie, born without eyes.

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Xjb [f^ cX[p Dear Dog Lady, My divorce attorney has a small, shaggy dog named Lilliput that first reminded me of a mop head scooting along the floor.

I can’t remember what kind of dog it is. In the beginning, I resented this animal being allowed to sit in on meetings. I thought it was very unprofessional. Now, I couldn’t bear to be without Lilliput being somewhere in the room (sometimes on my lap) while I go over the grim details of my broken marriage and what kind of financial settlement I want. I am also thinking of getting a dog as I move in to a new place and begin my single life after 33 years of dogless marriage. The kids are all grown. Can you recommend a kind of dog that would be a good match for a newly single 58-year-old woman?

—Colleen, Cambridge, MA

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Oh, Colleen, consider the old expression that acquiring a dog may be the only opportunity a human ever has to choose a relative. Fie on Dog Lady to exert her opinion about what could be the most important choice in your postdivorce life. Only you can answer the questions and make the choice about your new roommate. Small or large? Purebred or mutt? Older dog or puppy? Shaggy or

8

short hair? Shelter or rescue? You have many decisions to make before you settle down with your new four-legged roomie.

Just know this: It will be a lot of work.

There is no such thing as a dog that doesn’t want to be walked. Some dogs need more exercise than others; all require you to get off the couch and put one foot in front of the other every day. In your current condition, that requirement is a boon because walking the dog will carry

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It is great you have made this decision to keep a dog. Lilliput’s silent, supportive presence put you in the mood. Now, gird yourself for the work ahead. Dog Lady never wants to scare anybody from bringing home a dog. Still, any potential pet owner must understand the relationship

is like a marriage in which divorce is not an option. You have to enter into it with the eyes wide open about the challenges ahead.

Dear Dog Lady, My Pug, Otis, tends to be overweight. I have tried cutting back on his food and walking him a lot and I also give him “light” dog food. He just doesn’t lose weight and everyone who sees him remarks on how “fat” he is. Being my baby, I don’t think he is that fat, I think he is pretty muscular, very strong, and a hefty build. Do you have any suggestions?—Judi, Chicago, IL Dear Judi, think of how we rationalize our own heft: “Sure, I’m a few pounds overweight. It’s okay, I’m just big-boned.”

Sounds like you’re making the same excuses for Otis.

Keep Otis on a regimen, with no table scraps. Be mindful that your resolve can unravel in an instant when a sweet Pug’s mug stares up at you with those adorable pop eyes pleading: “Oh, Judi, please give me a scrap from your chicken dinner.

Maybe two scraps. Or three.”

On a small dog such as Otis, excess pounds—even three or four—cause physical problems. Go to the veterinarian and have your dog thoroughly checked before

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BRING YOUR DOG

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A FESTIVAL FOR DOGS!

The St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood (Front & Jarvis) Toronto

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The world with less cancer and more birthdays gets closer at every Bark for Life event. There, hand-in-leash, dogs, volunteers and survivors inspire the crowd. Join Bark for Life with your dog today.

Take the ďŹ rst step at RelayForLife.org/NYCBark or call 1.800.227.2345.

Together weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll stay well, get well, ďŹ nd cures and ďŹ ght back.

Xjb [f^ cX[p beginning any weight loss campaign. Find out from your vet what your dog’s ideal weight should be—hefty build or not.

Try not to pay any mind to people who remark rudely about your dog’s fat. Such needless disrespect drives Dog Lady bonkers.

The next time someone makes a crack about Otis’ poundage, lightheartedly inquire of the gossipy meddler: “And you would be the canine corpulence cop?”

Dear Dog Lady, My wife and I recently separated, and I have left our dog with my wife for the time being. My dog, Roxy, means the world to me.

When I moved out of our home and into a new place, I missed my dog more than my wife.

The separation was due to marital problems but I feel like the one who suffers is the dog. Or am I making more of this than it is? It hurts me not to be with Roxy. I had to get my wife to agree to equal custody of our dog until we could decide on what we were going to do about our relationship. That may seem foolish but I really care for my dog.

My wife has requested that I make arrangements to pick up Roxy.

Additionally, I have the adoption papers on our dog and all of her medical records. Every document is in my name, even her microchip.

I have legal right to my dog, but I know my wife loves and cares for her as much as I do. My wife and I don’t seem like we are going to get back together, and I want the dog to be with me 24/7. Is that wrong? Or am I being selfish??—Chris, Anaheim, CA

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Dear Chris, please take care of you and don’t worry too much about Roxy. As long as the dog is in a place where she’s being walked and fed, she’ll be fine. Dogs are amazingly adaptable.

In these matters of the heart one is never selfish to seek a new path to peacefulness. You miss your dog more than your wife— nothing really wrong with that, although we all aspire to a relationship that puts everything in perspective.

And you seem to have settled immediate issues of custody, which is good. Now you and your estranged wife have to sit down and hammer out the rest of the details concerning the dog. What kind of a time period will you share—two weeks on and two weeks off? How will you split veterinarian bills? What food and amenities will each of you give to Roxy?

Some people are aghast when Dog Lady suggests that dog custody arrangements must be worked out with the same thoughtful deliberation as child-custody sharing. But, people, please, don’t go into a swivet. When considering the fate of a dependent living creature, we must all be sensitive and kind. Dog Lady suggests you don’t drag out these arrangements but take care of things right away. And, please, don’t use Roxy as a bargaining chip. The dog has to get on with her life, too, and adjust to the new conditions.

Because she is well-loved by both of you, Roxy should do fine. You too, believe it or not.

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Xjb [f^ cX[p Dear Dog Lady, I have a vivacious Border Collie named Jack, who loves to play and exercise. While I love that he’s playful, I wish that he was more affectionate. What can I do to make Jack more affectionate to me?— Jessica, Cleveland, OH Dear Jessica, unfortunately, Jack won’t notice if you put on a sexy negligee and a classic love ballad —like “Unchained Melody’’ by the Righteous Brothers—to grab his attention.

And your dog won’t allow you to hug him until he’s good and ready. In this respect, isn’t it funny how dogs ape humans? Some dogs want to smother you in exuberant leaps and licks; others keep their distance, doling out affection discreetly and distinctly.

Independent, single-minded dogs such as Border Collies, Scottish Terriers, and Jack Russells give love in their own time, at their own pace. Pity the fool who tries to force themselves on a canine who isn’t in the mood for snuggling because you really get a firm “no,” with a turned head and a blank stare. As with humans, the more you approach them for affection, the more they back away if they’re not so inclined to be mushy.

Instead of demanding the love, make a fun game instead. Throw a ball or play hide and seek with a stick or a toy. Take Jack to a wonderful park or wildlife trail and walk with him on the leash. After spending time like this, your Border Collie might be so relaxed that he will roll over and allow you to snuggle—a little.

Dear Dog Lady, I thought my dog and his dog walker had something special but then I found this note on my front steps that must have fallen out of the walker’s pocket: “Dear Nick, thank you for being so attentive with Dexter and putting up with my notes and questions. Kristin.”

I feel jealous. Should I talk to the walker about his attention to other dogs besides my Blarney?—Kate, New York, NY Dear Kate, you want the walker to be an equal-opportunity attention-giver who doesn’t favour one dog over another because you do not want him to put Blarney’s needs behind

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another poo-pill’s. You should emulate “Kristin” and leave little appreciative thanks for the walker whenever you can.

Dear Dog Lady, I have a four-year-old Chihuahua named Mia. She has always been very socialized. She used to be fine when other dogs were around.

However, lately, she goes insane. She barks and tries to pull away. She even does this if they are in another car, way on the other side of the field. I am at a loss about at what to do since she has been socialized and it came on all of a sudden. Any suggestions?

—Alecia, Vancouver, BC Dear Alecia, contact your friends with dogs and make some play dates for Mia. Walk her with other dogs. Whenever dogs exercise together on leash or at the dog park, they are better disposed to get along. It sounds as if she was socialized early and then opportunities to sniff nice with others were dropped.

Dear Dog Lady, I have a nonsocialized five-year-old Lhasa Apso. I made a bad mistake by not socializing her young and am paying the price now. How do I get her to quit barking at someone coming near or into the house? And how do I get her to not yip at another dog that comes up to her. Where do I start?

—Bonnie, Plymouth, MA Dear Bonnie, you need to begin a course of behaviour training with your dog. Basically, you have to be in charge of your little Lhasa so your intervention immediately stops her from making a scene. Do you have a dog park nearby? You might take her there in the mornings to sniff and be sniffed. It’s a first step and an important one. Your dog is still relatively young so there’s hope she can become a dog-friendly dog before too long.

Dog Lady praises you for admitting you made a mistake by not socializing your dog from the very beginning. All dog keepers should be so honest about the ways they might have flubbed training.

Visit askdoglady.com to ask a question or make a comment.

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The Animal-Loving Transformation of

Carol Leifer â&#x20AC;Ś on Celebrity Apprentice, Elaine Benes, and not being an animal person. By Mary-Jo Dionne

Carol and her partner, Lori (left), with their son, Bruno, and pack of rescue dogs.

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Each friend represents a world in us. A world possibly not born until they arrive. And it is only by this meeting that a new world is born. —Anaïs Nin

A

s a self-professed canine-ista, I’ve been blessed in merging my career as a writer with my passion for animals. Along the way, my good fortune has been amply compounded by encounters with that caliber of person who renders me starstruck. Oscar-winners, Emmy-winners— dog-lovers all. However, at no time was this more the case than during my recent conversation with season three Celebrity Apprentice candidate Carol Leifer. While, admittedly, the name may not be instantly recognizable, the projects to which she has contributed are. From Saturday Night Live to the Oscars to Seinfeld, as a writer, Carol Leifer has not only been-there-done-that, she holds the honour of being rumoured to be the real-life inspiration behind the character Elaine Benes, Jerry Seinfeld’s quirky friend-who-is-a-girl: “It’s a slim connection,” she dispels the myth. “I dated Jerry many years ago. And we stayed friends. But I like to think I’m a better dancer than Elaine.”

As a performer, she’s graced the legendary stages of Carson, Letterman, and even opened for Sinatra. But with her first book, When You Lie About Your Age, The Terrorists Win (Villard; 2010) now in soft cover, Leifer recently took a short hiatus from the writers’ room and headed for the boardroom to face off against other well-knowns in Donald Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice. While the comedy buff in me was in career-awe, it was the animal activist in me who allout swooned.

MD: What inspired you to take on a role with Celebrity Apprentice?

CL: I work tirelessly for animal rescue and to know that I would have a one in 14 chance of winning $250,000 for my chosen charity… I knew I had to do this—pardon the pun—doggedly. Especially in this economy. To be able to have the potential to raise that kind of money.

MD: Your chosen cause was the North Shore Animal League. Can you tell us why?

CL: I do benefits for a lot of different rescue groups because I am so passionate about the cause: in my book, I have an essay called “Five Lessons of Animal Adoption,” and I will do readings at benefits here in Beverly Hills. But I grew up on Long Island, so I wanted to pick my hometown animal shelter.

They’re a great organization—one of the largest nokill animal rescue group in the world.

MD: Have you always been an animal person?

CL: I haven’t, no. I wasn’t an animal person at all. I didn’t have any pets growing up. When I met my partner, she had a dog and two cats and, at first, it was a little bit of a deal-breaker. Just from being with my partner, she made me so much of an animal person. So much so that I’ve become vegan and we have seven dogs. It’s really so interesting to me that through this relationship, my love of animals was born.

MD: Was the schedule on the Celebrity Apprentice as grueling as it seems?

CL: Thirty times worse! I went into this as a fan and I could tell that they worked hard. But it’s not until you get there that you see how insane the hours are. You are literally working from the 5am call until midnight. The whole experience was a great people experiment. And my hunch is that they do this purposely—the time element wears you down and your emotions are at the surface all the time because you’re working so hard.

MD: You have seven canine-kids and one human-kid, Bruno. What kind of lessons do you think having canine siblings is teaching your son?

CL: We adopted Bruno three years ago, and he’s known nothing but a houseful of dogs, so it’s second nature to him. He’s growing up in an environment where animals aren’t second-class citizens.

He’s learning about love and caring and especially, in his toddler years, he’s learning to be gentle.

We’re really proud. He has an amazing instinct for animals. He really gets it. He’s almost four years old and he’s already an animal person. Q

PHO TO HE ATH ERGRE ENPHO TOGRAPHY.CO M

“I knew I had to do this—pardon the pun— doggedly.”

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TRAINING TRIALS?

Ask an Expert

Our Fab Five answer your most pressing training

questions

Ask Victoria Stilwell

Q:

I have three dogs and five cats. Is it time to stop adding to the family? I love all my pets very much and I want to be fair and provide a stable, healthy environment for each of them. My family thinks that I am crazy and so do most people that I encounter. So am I? When does one know when it is time to be happy with what they have? I am not sure what drives me to add to my family other then the love for animals. I do not have an answer when I say to my self: “Why do I need another dog?”

—Holly Plus 8

A:

tion. I’m not suggesting that you must have a good answer to the The short answer is that it depends on your specific situquestion, “Why do I need another dog?” as the joy and camaraation. As is the case with most training and behaviour derie our pets give us is a magical and unscientific formula. As a questions, I would need to gather a lot of information in order to responsible pet owner, however, you must always remember that, really understand your individual situation before I could suggest though we may feel the need to love and care for every animal what may be the right number of pets in your household. Do all that comes along, it may not always result in what’s best for the of your animals get along with each other (for the most part)? Do pet. Of course, a lot of these situations involve people who volunyou have enough time to give each one the affection, exercise, teer at rescue shelters and see the immense need and attention each one needs and deserves? for more quality forever homes, but even then, Are they currently living fulfilled, contented Be sure you’re it’s not always in the best interest of the animal lives? Do you physically have enough room doing it for the for any more pets? Can you afford more pets right reasons, and to come to your home if you’re not ready to provide the best possible living environment. In my financially? Do any of your current pets have not because you case, though I’d fostered hundreds of dogs and behaviour issues that need addressing before selfishly crave cats for years and had always wanted to have adding more animals into the mix? Are there the unconditional my very own dog, I only brought my beloved any local laws restricting the number of pets Sadie into my life two years ago because, until allowed in your household? devotion. then, I knew that the travel requirements of my Once you’ve answered all of those questions job meant that I would be doing my pet a disservice. and feel that you still have room and time to care for more pets, Assuming you’re providing a physically and mentally stimulatI don’t see any reason not to adopt more—just be sure you’re ing, safe, nurturing environment for all of your pets, I don’t think doing it for the right reasons, and not because you selfishly crave you’re crazy for having eight pets. Bringing any more into the mix the unconditional devotion that dogs (and some cats!) provide. is a question only you have the information necessary to answer Which brings me to another point of consideration: dogs versus correctly. Q cats. While cats are absolutely social animals who thrive on and need human love and affection, most dogs are generally higher maintenance—mostly because they depend more on their owners As the host of It’s Me or the Dog on Animal Planet, celebrity dog trainer Victoria Stilwell has been able to share her insight and passion for positive, reward-based for regular exercise and stimulation. dog training. She is the author of two best-selling books, It’s Me or the Dog: How If your urge to add to your pack is rooted in a personal desire to Have the Perfect Pet and Fat Dog Slim: How to Have a Healthy, Happy Pet, and for more companionship but doesn’t put the general welfare of has recently launched positively.com, an online positive reinforcement training the animal first, it may be time to take another look at your situaresource.

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Ask an Expert Ask Nicole Wilde

Ask Teoti Anderson

Q:

Q:

Why oh why does my dog stop, drop, and roll the moment there is something stinky or generally unsavory on the carpet/grass/sidewalk? —Grossed Out in Gainesville

A:

We’re all grossed out when we see our dogs happily rolling and squirming around in something disgusting, like another dog’s poo.

But as repulsive as it is to humans, “scent rolling” is an entirely natural canine behaviour.

There are two main theories as to why dogs scent roll, both stemming from the behaviour of the dog’s wild cousin, the wolf. The first premise holds that wolves roll in dead animals and other oh-so-tantalizing matter to mask their own scent; this allows them to sneak up on prey while smelling more like, say, Bambi than a wolf. The second theory goes that wolves roll in dead animal guts in order to bring the scent back to the pack. It’d be like me rolling in pizza from the new place in town to let my husband know it’s there.

The target of scent rolling is not always something stinky.

I’ve seen captive wolves roll on perfume-scented socks that were offered for enrichment purposes. At the sanctuary where I worked, wolves would scent roll on my head after I’d coloured my hair. One large black wolf even used to scent roll on small cups of Frosty Paws (ice cream for dogs)! Although he had no reason to mask his scent, or to let the rest of the “pack” know there was Frosty Paws about, instinct prevailed.

“Scent rolling” Because scent rolling is instincis an entirely tual, chances are you’re not going natural canine to be able to extinguish the actual behaviour. urge—but you can deal with the behaviour. Whenever your dog is on leash, be vigilant if he pulls you excitedly toward something, or begins to assume that ready-to-roll posture. Use the leash to pull him away gently if necessary. Work on conditioning strong responses to cues for attention and recall, as well as a solid emergency freeze; those things will help whether he’s on leash or off. Q Nicole Wilde is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer who teaches seminars worldwide on canine behaviour topics. She is on the faculty and advisory board of the Companion Animal Sciences Institute, and is the author of eight canine-related books, including Help for Your Fearful Dog and So You Want to be a Dog Trainer (phantompub.com).

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How can I accustom my dog, Jackie O, to the presence of my neighbours’ cats?

She is totally obsessed. She doesn’t seem to realize that, as a wee thing, she’d likely be the loser in any resultant altercation. Can’t we all just get along? —Seeking Peace in Pittsburg

A:

Size doesn’t matter! Dogs are predators. It’s natural for them to want to chase “prey.” When dealing with instinct, it can be hard to change behaviour. Here are some tips to help you keep

peace in the neighbourhood: Manage the situation carefully. If the cats are getting in your fenced yard, go out before Jackie and make sure the cats are not paying a visit first. Outside the yard, keep Jackie dog on leash to ensure she cannot chase the cats.

Teach Jackie to do something that, when she does it, she can’t chase cats Size doesn’t at the same time— down, come, even matter. roll over or play dead.

Teach Jackie “leave it.” Have treats in both hands. Put one hand behind your back. Hold the other hand under your dog’s muzzle, show her the treats and quickly make a fist, hiding the treats. Say, “Leave it” in a friendly voice.

Wait and say nothing. Jackie may lick or paw at your hand. The second she moves away from your hand, click (or use “Yes”).

Bring your other hand around from behind your back and give her one of those treats as a reward.

Repeat until Jackie consistently moves away from the treat when hearing “Leave it.” Then, switch hands.

Start dropping the treats and covering them with your foot, saying, “Leave it.” (Moving items are more tempting!) When she moves away from the covered treat, click and give her a treat.

Continue with low-value items, like her least favourite toy.

Gradually work up to higher-value items.

You may need to consult a reward-based professional trainer to help you, especially if Jackie is truly obsessed. She will be safer, and the cats will thank you! Q Teoti Anderson, CPDT, owns Pawsitive Results, LLC (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.

Ask an Expert Ask Delores Wall

Q:

I bring my Chihuahua, Josie, to work and, if sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s off leash, she charges and barks at anybody encountered in the hallways.

She similarly greets all couriers entering the office. Why on earth does she do this? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not attack barking. Is she simply exuberant?

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Bothered by Barking in Bacon Hill

A:

Josie is one of those lucky dogs that are allowed to go to work with their owners. It can be a wonderful experience for all while things run smoothly.

However, it becomes a problem for everyone concerned when Josie decides that she needs to charge and bark at anyone.

Chihuahuas, by nature, can often be protective and territorial, especially if they have not been socialized well and in a positive manner as a young pup. On her own, she may have learned that charging and barking makes people go away.

The simplest solution would be to have a playpen or barrier area away from reception with self-rewarding toys that you can stuff food into and her favourite teddy bear to keep her busy.

Of course, this does not address the problem in the hallways.

To change her behaviour, use special treats or toys that Josie really likes and associate them with good things when sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the hallway with you and when couriers are entering., Working this into your daily routine at the office can take dedicated energy on your part Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to use a leash, especially in the learning stages, so that she cannot charge away out of control. Relax the leash so thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no tension on her collar or harness, and give her small yummy tidbits while approaching a staff member a few steps at a time. Associate the person with the wonderful reward. Repeat many times until she is happy to meet the person. Then have the staff person toss treats and begin approaching you and Josie. This needs to be done over a period of days and weeks. Do the same with others she may not know well.

When youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re especially busy, keep Josie in a playpen or small kennel in your office area so that she canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t rush out and challenge visitors and undo the behavioural changes you are trying to create. Q Delores Wall, CPDT, behaviour specialist, trainer, mentor, founder of DogSmart Training Inc. and Trainer Apprenticeship Programs (www.dogsmart.ca), Vancouver, Canada, is a devoted advocate of training through positive methods for reliable results.

For wholesal e inquiries please ca ll or e-mail

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Ask an Expert Ask Jennifer Messer

Q:

My dog, Charlie, is on the smaller side and I’m often worried for her safety at the off-leash park. How can I determine other dogs’ intentions towards her from a distance? And how does one distinguish between fighting and play fighting?

—Safety first in Fresno

A:

You are right on the mark to be a bit apprehensive about taking your small dog to the off-leash park. In domesticating dogs, we created many treasures—a wide range of behaviours and physiques that helps make them superb companions and workmates—but we also produced some problems, one of which has to do with tremendous size differences. Nature never intended Red Flags for a Great Dane to be able to communicate effectively (or forDogs that are not moving, are eyeballing others, and are NOT putnicate for that matter, but that poses a whole different kind of ting out play signals like the ones outlined above are risky busiproblem!) with a Chihuahua. A little dog that darts off “squealing” ness until you know them VERY well. (prolonged high-pitched barks) can trigger predatory behaviour Lack of reciprocity: dogs who have a very unbalanced play in a much bigger dog, making it especially important for compact style, chasing and wrestling from on top but resenting any chasing canines like Charlie to be confident and socially savvy. This is one or tackling by others, are a bit of a question mark until you get to of the reasons we include a broad mix of breeds in puppy classes: know them. hopefully Charlie learned as a youngster how to hobnob smoothly Dogs of size who get overly excited by smaller dogs when they with the big guys. Determining the intentions of another dog run and squeal are NOT good playmates for your girl. With dogs towards your own from a distance is much like trying to predict like this, there is increased risk of Charlie being attacked. how two people will get along based only on eye contact from Charlie’s good social skills and your careful scouting are only across a room; in other words, pretty unreliable. half of the equation for optimal safety. The other However, sizing up the social scene before waltzing half of the recipe is making sure Charlie’s obedience A litte dog into the park with your pint-sized gal is definitely a skills are up to snuff in case something goes awry. A can trigger worthwhile precaution, as watching the dogs interact reliable “wait” and “come” will help you immobilize predatory with each other will help you hedge your bets on and retrieve her at will if you suddenly don’t like the whether it is a safe group of dogs to introduce her to. behaviour in a looks of the doggie dynamics. This is a good safety Here are the top three green and red flags to look out much bigger skill for any dog, but especially important for the for in the dogs you are sizing up: vertically challenged. If you want to reduce the big dog. dog/little dog risks even further, some parks have a segregated area for the smaller ones. This virtually Green Flags eliminates the minimal, but quite unpredictable, chance of her Getting along with a variety of other dogs without frequent fights being mistaken for a bunny by a dog many times her size. There that need breaking up or that cause injury. is nothing wrong with limiting her off-leash play to dogs of a Play-fighting with a variety of dogs: bouncing, deking, wide-arc smaller size range, so long as you keep in mind that her comfort tail wagging, or a goofy open mouth with a tongue flailing about level with larger dogs might gradually wane.

WHILE the dogs wrestle, bite, bark, or growl. Real fights look quite Knowing how to prepare her for the social demands of the dog different: there is very tense body language along with the snappark, and what to scout for when you are there, will go a long ping, growling, or biting; no bouncing about and goofing around. way towards keeping Charlie safe while reaping the huge social Dogs that play fight a lot tend to have very safe, well-controlled and exercise benefits that the off-leash park has to offer. Q mouths; if they do get into a REAL fight they aren’t likely to do much damage.

Jennifer Messer is a veterinarian working in Ottawa, Ontario. She has an honours BA Self-handicapping: clearly holding back and toning it down in psychology from McGill University and a DVM from the Ontario Veterinary College, with younger, frail, or smaller dogs, much like a respectable golfer and is author of The Kinder Puppy Course available at pavski.ca. She is owned by evens the playing field by handicapping herself at the outset. her Pit Bull, Charlotte, and her Beagle, Mr. F. Bender.

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Sorting Out

SUPPLEMENTS

Has Fido’s coat lost its youthful luster? Or is he having trouble negotiating the step up to the couch because his back is stiff? We provide walks, love and affection, regular health care, and good nutrition for our dogs. But what happens when all of these don’t appear to be enough? The answer may lie in supplements.

When your dog does not get enough essential fatty acids, the coat and skin begin to suffer. In order to maintain a healthy skin and coat, our dogs require omega-3 and omega6 fatty acids. These fats are also called essential fatty acids (EFAs) Stiffness, especially upon waking, is one of the main clues that your dog may have arthritic activity in his joints.

Fortunately, there are a number of supplements available to help improve the health of the joint and cartilage.

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Dog Photography 101 Taking great pictures of your furry friends can be challenging. Even with the most cooperative subject, you must take other elements into consideration to turn an average snapshot into a captivating photo.

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“Doodle All the Day” Giveaway from page 40. Six readers will win a Doodle Dog pillow from Crypton.

“The Little Prince” Giveaway from page 51. One reader will win a “Le Dauphin” Little Sofa Louis XVI small dog bed from Une Vie De Chateau.

“Sweet Relief” Giveaway from page 51. Five readers will win a threemonth supply of Canine Joint Re-Leaf supplements from Joint Re-Leaf.

“Big, Bold, and Beautiful” Giveaway from page 75. Five readers will win a martingale side-release collar and leash set from Roverdog8 Productions.

“Fabulous Flexi” Giveaway from page 75. Five readers will win a retractable leash from Flexi’s new Fashion collection.

TO ENTER: For the giveaways listed above, log on to moderndogmagazine.com and click on “Giveaways” or send a postcard with your name, address, age, email address, and daytime phone number to “Doodle All the Day,” “The Little Prince,” “Sweet Relief,” “Big, Bold, and Beautiful,” or “Fabulous Flexi” to Modern Dog, 202–343 Railway St, Vancouver, BC CANADA V6A 1A4, by May 31, 2010. Winners will be notified by June 30, 2010.

Photographs by Shaina Fishman

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Contests are open to legal Canadian and US residents 18 and older as of date of entry. The decisions of the judges are final. Prizes are not transferable to any other person and may not be substituted for any other prize. The odds of winning depend on the number of entries received. The selection of the reviewed items for giveaways is based solely on the discretion of the editors. Income and other taxes, if any, are the sole responsibility of the winner(s).

The approximate retail values of the prizes are: Crypton – USD 40; Une Vie De Chateau – USD 640; Joint Re-Leaf – USD 90; Roverdog8 – USD 72-95; Flexi – USD 42. Subject to all national and provincial/federal and state, and local laws and regulations. Void in Puerto Rico, and where prohibited. All entries become the property of Modern Dog Inc. and will not be acknowledged or returned. Winners may be required to sign an Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability/Publicity release, which may be returned within 30 days from notification, or an alternate winner may be chosen.

Acceptance of a prize constitutes consent to use a winner’s name and likeness for editorial, advertising, and publicity purposes without further compensation, except where prohibited. For the names of the winners, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to “Modern Dog Contests” at the address listed above after June 30, 2010.

What dogs mean to us—and what we mean to them “Fascinating...

[Coren’s] affection

and vast knowledge are on full display in this engaging collection that

will leave his fans

hankering for further

installments.”

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135

How to…

Make your own

Backyard

Agility Course

Try out agility in the comfort of your own yard without investing a lot of time, energy, or money. You can set up a fun agility course—jumps, weaves, a pause table, tire jump, even a tunnel—with a just a few dollars and items found in your basement or sourced from yard sales.

Just remember that safety must always come first: don’t ever ask your dog to climb something that is unstable or jump something that could injure him. Jumps must give way if your dog hits them and anything that your dog climbs must be designed to support his weight.

1. Set up jumps using broom handles or lengths of dowelling from the hardware store balanced atop cinder blocks.

1

2. Search for old ski poles at yard sales or flea markets. Stick them in the ground in a row and use them as your weave poles.

4

3. Use cinder blocks for the dogwalk. Cut a strip of plywood 6 to 12 feet long to place on the cinder blocks. Though it won’t be very high, your budding Super Dog can practice walking across it.

2

4. Look for a sturdy, low-to-the-ground wooden end table or coffee table at a yard sale to use as a pause table. If you want to get fancy, glue AstroTurf to the top.

5. Purchase a children’s nylon play tunnel for around $20. These inexpensive, collapsible tunnels are prefect for backyard agility courses. A quick online search yielded a 5’ Disney “Princess” tunnel for $23.67 at Wal-Mart. Or go for the plainer primarycoloured versions at either Target or Toys R Us for just under $30.

3 136 moderndog

6. Hang a hula-hoop from a tree and use it for the tire jump. Using rope, hang the hoop at an appropriate level for your dog; a good rule of thumb is to suspend the top of the hoop 6” higher than the standing height of your dog. Be sure to hold the hoop as your dog goes through it.

s pr ing 2010

5

ill ustrations Va nessa don g

by Rose Frosek

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