Modern Dog Winter 2009

The lifestyle magazine for modern dogs and their companions WINTER 2009/10

DIY Pet Projects Healthy biscuit

Bark of the Wild Ancient Breed

recipes + cool crafts

Saved from Near Extinction

Smile!

Improve your

Great Dog Stuff: $20 or less

dog’s dental health

Best in Show Junior handlers

PublicationsAgreement AgreementNumber Number40743013 40743013 Return ReturnMail MailDept, Dept,202–343 202–343Railway RailwaySt., St.,Vancouver, Vancouver,BC BCV6A V6A1A4 1A4 Publications

Supplements for Dogs

What your dog needs and why

Blind Border Collie Inspires Sweet Charity Help Dogs in Need p.144 moderndogmagazine.com Display unTil Mar 10 CDN$5.95 US$4.95

take on Westminster

+

Dancing with the Stars’ Julianne Hough and her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Lexi

How to break up dog fights The Cairn Terrier PuP ProbioTiCs CanCer Care ChemiCal-free PesT ProTeCTion sToP obsessive liCking fido’s guide To The 2010 olymPiC hosT CiTy

47

Perfect Gifts

for all the dogs—and dog people—in your life

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Has bad hair days Tries to intimidate large dogs Can’t stop licking his paws

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• Promotes healing of affected areas through rest • Deters unwanted behavior Purchase Anti-Lick Strip Prevent™ TOdAy online or from a pet store nearest you!

WINTER 2009/10

vol 8

no 4

64

photo tanya king

Features 34

The Grand Saint Bernard Pass Exploring this storied route through the Alps and the dogs that traversed the dangerous pass to rescue wayward travelers. By Patricia Komar

40 Pup Potluck

Party like a rock star. Celebrity event planner Jes Gordon’s tips for a fabulous dog-friendly gathering. photo the lonesome puppy (chronicle books)

44 Love is Blind

A blind Border Collie with can-do spirit inspires everyone he meets. By Corey Van’t Haaff 56 The Senator and the Service Dog

How a politician, an Iraq vet, and a very special dog named Tuesday are changing politics, one companion at a time. By Kaitlin Fontana 60 Buffy Loves Lieverd

Tale of a small-town romance.

By Eric hemming Nelson

64 100% Pure Love

The counterpoint to our fall photo editorial “Mutts Love Got To Do With It?” It’s all purebred, all adoptable, and all love. Photographed by Tanya King 84 Julianne Hough

The multi-talented Dancing with the Stars’ star and her lovely little lady Lexi. by mary-jo dionne 88 Reducing Your Eco-Pawprint

Reduce your dog’s carbon pawprint and save money, too. What could be better than that?

88 The Russian Prime Minister’s Dog

Russia’s First Lady appears to be Koni—a black Lab. by stanley coren

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113

96 Bark of the Wild

An ancient breed of Inuit sled dog is saved from nearextinction. By Matthew Kruchak 100 Best in Show

The top junior handlers and their dogs battle nerves, ennui, and clouds of hairspray at the largest and most prestigious dog show in the US, Westminster.

Photographed By Stacey Pittman

105 The Modern Dog’s Guide to Vancouver, BC

Where to shop, eat, play, and stay.

By Karin Sinkevicius

THE GOODS 38 Bargain Buys

Cool finds under $20.

50 The Ultimutt Gift Guide

Perfect suggestions for all the dogs—and dog people— on your list.

87 Spahhhh

Top product picks for the happy, healthy, and well-groomed.

BreeD PrOFiLe 28

The Cairn Terrier Courage, heart, brain.

By marian BuecHert

BODY anD sOuL 70

Make those resolutions stick!

Lose weight, get more exercise, and make the most of your time with your dog.

Help for the Obsessive-Compulsive Canine Stop that licking!

113 own po o

ch

es

80

The Doctor’s In The straight scoop on eye goop, plus hot spot help.

our T y

Colour Your World But Think Green Ensure a safe home makeover with dog-friendly paint.

af

Cancer Care Tumours targeted by new treatment.

Do

DIY Grooming Nail it! Easy steps for at-home pawdicures.

Te

78

cu

Supplements for Dogs?

Do dogs need nutritional supplements? If so, which ones?

phoTo

74

cr

Chemical-free Pest Protection

s:

The Digital Assistant

g

72

pho To iris kü rs chn e r

Probiotics for Pups Good for the gut probiotic picks.

LivinG 12

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

23

Pup Profiles: Dog of the Week Meet this issue’s gallery of smiling dogs who share their likes and dislikes, from lasagna to long walks.

32

DIY Eat Recipes for healthy and super-tasty biscuits your hungry pup will devour.

94

DIY Pet Project Get crafty. Make your own felted wool slippers—complete with pawprint appliqué, of course.

109 Smile!

Products to improve dental health.

reGuLar Features 6 8 10 14 25 26 128 141

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

cOver LOOk Actress, Dancing with the Stars alum, and country music sensation Julianne Hough and her sweet Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Lexi.

Photographed

by Alison Dyer.

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34

111 Art Attack Profile in style: Artist J.T. Yost gets down with anthropomorphic “peculiar” portraits and traditional oils alike.

113 Connie’s Book Club Editor-in-chief Connie Wilson’s round-up of the best children’s books about dogs.

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

123 Mother of the Year Farm dog adopts baby pig. (Get ready for it, this is ridiculously cute.)

125 Training Help is Here! Ask an Expert Our Fab Five answer your most pressing training questions.

144 Lend a Paw to Those in Need Seven wonderful charities worthy of your support.

In USA: MODERN DOG (ISSN 1703-812X) Volume 8, Issue 4. 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 Lindsey Donovan

e ditor ’s l e t t e r

M

y dog, Kaya, recently had her 16th birthday, which means she is now well over one hundred in “people years.” Although she’s having difficulty getting up on her own and, once on her feet, totters along, looking frail, ready to fall over should she be jostled, she still enjoys getting out for walks, and mealtime continues to be a much-anticipated event. I know I don’t have that much time left with her and I struggle to get used to the idea that it won’t be long before my constant canine companion (and beloved friend) is no longer by my side. As I contemplate the life we’ve shared together, I remember my heart melting when I first saw her, an incredibly beautiful, velvety soft, chocolate-brown puppy. As adorable as she was, I was reluctant to shoulder the responsibility and commitment of a new puppy, especially with a divorce to work through. But falling prey to my daughters’ pleas to have a dog, that little velvet puppy found herself part of our family and soon wormed her way into our lives, bringing us together and helping us through a very difficult time.

As she grew into an adolescent dog, her hyperactivity, separation anxiety, and boundless energy would more than try my patience while her willfulness, escape-artist tactics, and hi-jinx always kept me seemingly one step behind. I could write a book on her escapades—and, in a manner of speaking, I did. Kaya became the catalyst for the creation of Modern Dog magazine, as well as its mascot.

My daughters, Jennifer and Jessica, joined me and, working together as a team, we have, over the past eight years, brought Modern Dog from a regional publication to an extremely successful, internationally distributed magazine.

My Kaya is just one example of how dogs can impact and positively change lives. I’ve heard so many tender and inspiring true-life stories on this subject, I thought it time we gave our readers an opportunity to tell their “tails” via a writing contest—the best entries will be published in our Summer 2010 issue. The contest details are outlined on page 76 or online at moderndogmagazine.com/bestshortstory. I can’t wait to hear from you and read your stories.

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There’s certainly no shortage of inspirational stories in the winter issue. On page 64, we’re introduced to a spirited blind Border Collie who inspires all he meets. On page 56, find out how a politician, an Iraq vet, and a service dog named Tuesday are working to pair vets suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder with service dogs. And on page 100, we get a fascinating, behind-the-scenes look at junior handlers and their dogs at Westminster, remaining poised under pressure despite the limelight.

Get a peek into the busy and exciting life of our lovely and talented dancing and singing cover girl, Julianne Hough (page 84), and learn how her little dog, Lexi, is just like her. Make cute and cozy pawprint slippers (page 94) and whip up healthy (and tasty!) biscuits your dog will drool over (page 32). And that’s just the beginning.

There’s loads of information on health and wellness, from supplements—what your dog needs and why—to probiotics for dogs, a solution for obsessive-compulsive licking, a space-age natural way to repel fleas and ticks, how to break up a dog fight, and so much more. We have expert advice on how to make your New Year‘s resolutions—from losing weight to getting more exercise—actually stick this time. We’ve also rounded up perfect gifts for everyone and every dog on your list (page 50). And, since the season is all about children (both human and canine), check out my selection of wonderful children’s book in which dogs are the star subjects (page 113). Plus, with the 2010 Olympics being hosted in Vancouver, BC, we’d be remiss not to include a guide to the best dog-friendly parks, hotels, shops, and stores in this beautiful and gracious westcoast city.

Wishing you a very merry holiday season and much love, peace, and happiness for the New Year!

Constance Wilson Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

Thought subsides when you pet your dog or you have a purring cat on your chest. Even just watching an animal can take you out of your mind. It is more deeply connected with the source of life than most humans and that rootedness in Being transmits itself to you. Millions of people who otherwise would be completely lost in the conceptual reality of their mind are kept sane by living with an animal.

—Eckhart Tolle, from his Findhorn Retreat, Stillness Amidst the World

c on tribut o r s winter 2 0 0 9 / 1 0

•

vol 8

no 4

Publisher

Modern Dog Inc. Editor-in-Chief

Connie Wilson Editor

Jennifer Nosek Contributing Editor

Marian Buechert Creative Director

Jennifer Nosek

Circulation Manager

Jessica Nosek

Circulation Intern

Lauren Marghetti Design & Production

Carolyn Howse

Design & Production Assistant

Stacey Pittman is a photographer and freelance photo editor in New York City. She currently works with Men’s Fitness magazine and SPIN, and previously was the photo editor for Radar magazine.

Her work was recently displayed in “Wild Things! Photography for Animal Lovers” at Stricola Gallery. Her best friend is her Pit Bull mix, Billie, who sleeps in the bed and loves belly rubs. This issue marks Stacey’s Modern Dog debut with her photo editorial of young, junior handler Westminster hopefuls (page 100). “Being backstage at the Westminster dog show is complete madness,” says Stacey. “Dogs are everywhere and I love it! The best thing about getting to know the junior handlers was seeing how much they cared for their dogs and how much time and energy they put into training them. They never seemed annoyed, even though there is a lot of sitting around, waiting, and general boredom, which is usually a bad combo for kids.” See more of Stacey’s photography at staceypictures.com.

Maxine Matishak Design Intern

Vanessa Dong Sales & Marketing

Annica Tong, Tia Mihalj, Lillian Wei Editorial Assistant

Karin Sinkevicius Editorial Intern

Kaitlin Fontana Subscription Services & Accounting Assistant

Ariel Castillo Controller

Cecilia de Roca Chan Web Consultant

Dave Egan

Administration & Circulation Assistant

Omar Duran Rojas

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 8, Issue 4.

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 8, Issue 4. 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.

Being AmeriCanadian, west coast born and Ontario bred, has made contributor Tia Mihalj a weird balance of city-slicking womanabout-town/homeschooled homesteader/lover of tiny Dachshunds.

Making her second appearance in Modern Dog for her artwork (see her illustration in this issue on page 74) and her fifth appearance in the masthead, she is a Jack/master of all trades around the office and there’s nothing she can’t do. She has been known to say her most valuable office skill is dog whispering to her little canine office buddies and using her special gift to teach them amazing tricks for treats. To see more of Tia’s work, go to her house in downtown Vancouver, BC and you’ll probably end up leaving after a bottle of wine with a armful of free drawings.

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Copyright 2009/10 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

Bark Back! o ur

r e ad e r s w ri t e

Gone, but not forgotten

Pup Pup Hooray

Just a quick note to tell you how much I enjoyed the essay “To Lost Friends and Fallen Comrades” (Fall 09). It was the most beautiful and endearing expression of the feelings associated with having dogs in our lives while knowing that one day we will lose them. I will keep it in my heart forever. I would also like to thank you for the great effort the magazine puts into helping homeless shelter dogs; they are truly the best and most deserving. Please keep up the wonderful work!

Chris Halloran, Langley, WA

This is us “barking back”…in a positive way! Moose was one of Modern Dog’s “Pup Profiles.”

We just wanted to say thank you so much for it! We have had a bit of a rough go at life lately and this was the one thing that gave us a boost. We so needed it. I am truly in love with Moose and she, no matter what else is going on in life, makes me smile every day...she is the most amazing goof. I’ve attached a photo of just how awesomely happy she is.

Jade and Moose Rita Zaworski, by email

n A thank you to Ms. Frosek for such a beautiful, articulate piece (“To Lost Friends...”) in the current issue. My Beagle, Pushkin, was the light of my life. His passing was devastating to my family. When I read her article, Ms. Frosek broke my heart all over again, but it also reminded me that there are so many of us who truly understand the lesson of compassion that comes to us through the animals in our life. And, as she says, all the sadness we experience in losing our four-legged angels is worth it; Pushkin remains at the center of who I am and what I do. Inspired by him and hoping to help others, I created a website where people can share their stories, using letter writing as a way of coping with loss (letterstopushkin.com). Again, my thanks to Ms. Frosek and to Modern Dog for giving us this article.

Sharon Discorfano, Oro Valley, AZ

Holly Plus 8 I have three dogs and five cats. I was wondering if you have or would consider writing an article that discusses when 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 than the love for animals. Am I making a mistake? I simply do not have an answer when I say to my self, “Why do I need another dog?”

Holly Schmaltz, Calgary, AB

“My family thinks I’m crazy.”

[When does one know when it is time to be happy with what they have? That’s a very good question, Holly. We’ll be tackling this very topic in the Spring, 2010 issue. Stay tuned!—Ed.]

Rock Your

Dog Out

Rock n’ Roll Themed T-Shirts for your four legged rock star.

100% Certified Organic Cotton.

Eco-friendly, stylish and comfortable.

Rock on by at www.rocknrollk9.com

100% Organic 10 moderndog

winter 2009/ 10

@ ! #

STUFF WE LOVE

BQ

$ %

Modern Dog staffers’ picks of the litter

1 I’m crazy for this white leather collar (blue on the inside) with gold studs and Swarovski crystals.

–Esther “I have a thing for white leather” Nosek ($170, dpts.jp)

2 “Rock the goth cross if you dare.” This striking Gwen Gear collar makes a statement while making me feel at one with my mom who also wears a cross around her neck. Available in either a black and silver or dark coffee and green.—Kaya ($33, gwengear.com)

BP

3 I really love the idea of this mat. It’s easy to clean, attractive (it comes in six colours!) and it saves your hardwood floors from potential water damage! –Vanessa ($39, orvis.com)

4 These super-cute, finely crafted dog breed key chains (or zipper pulls) made by Japanese craftsmen

^

skilled in ancient 3D leather techniques are impossible to resist. With oodles of breeds to choose from, they make a practical and tasteful gift for yourself or a friend. –Connie ($14, vancausa.com)

5 The well-designed Humble Paw Pet Carrier from Pet Flys offers an airline-approved haven for your small dog, during in-cabin travel and at other times. Yorkie Lexi gives it four paws up! –Ariel ($110, petflys.ca).

6 Crumps Naturals are my dog-whispering secret weapon. Their 100% baked-beef liver is how I entice all the office dogs over to my desk to stay. Watch out Cesar Milan, Tia’s in town! –Tia ($5, crumps.ca)

7

BO

What’s that you’re chewing, Rex? It’s antler, my deer! Fortunately, no deer are harmed or even farmed to provide the raw material for Buckarooz—the antlers are naturally shed by wild deer and gathered up to become a delicious, unprocessed treat for urbane hounds to enjoy. High in calcium and phosphorus, the antlers are odourless and non-staining. —Marian ($6, freerangedogchews.com)

8 This super soft, machine-washable blanket (fleece on one side/sweet printed cotton on the other) keeps me snuggly warm even when it’s chilly.—Miniature Dachshund Rose ($28, aroostudio.com)

9 Each bracelet charm is a handcrafted miniature work of art. Perfected with meticulous care and attention to detail, Rembrandt Charms’ charms are available in thousands of styles in both silver and gold. –Lillian (from $12, rembrandtcharms.com)

&

10 Function meets fashion. Teach good manners and provide a safe space without defiling your décor.

My dog, Neo, loves to get cozy in his Eicrate. –Omar ($330, gopetdesign.com)

11 Cat + Dog = Love. Maxine + this quirky pillow from Julia Pott = Delighted.–Maxine “Mathematics” Matishak ($20, juliapott.etsy.com)

BN

12 Handmade with love, Sweet Dream Tee’s latest collection features canine caricatures of urban hounds (choose between a Yorkie, Chihuahua, Boston Terrier, Pug, and Bulldog) sittin’ pretty in a tiara.

Celebrity-coveted Deborah Wardell’s comfy, 100% cotton tees are pieces of wearable, tattoo-inspired art adorned with Swarovski crystals for sparkle and a smile. –Karin ($100, sweetdreamtees.com)

13 My dog, Leo, loves the collars and leashes from Ruff Stuff Designs. The leather is soft and sturdy, the colour combinations are fun and flirty, and the designs are unique and polished. Perfect for my jet set pet! –Lauren ($45 collar/$70 leash, ruffstuffdesigns.com) 14

Brrrrrrrrrrr! The wet and cold season is upon us. Keep your furry friend warm and dry with Ruffwear’s Sun Shower Rain Jacket. With complete waterproof protection, taped watertight seams, and reflective trim, what else can a dog ask for this winter? –Annica ($75, ruffwear.com)

15 Here comes the hotstepper! I’m the pawprints gangster! Put a spring in your step with dog-themed Keds. –Jessica Ini Kamoze Nosek ($68, zazzle.com/edentities)

*

BL BM (

CANINE NEWS AND REVIEWS

Homeless pets given leg up by famous friend In another award-worthy role, two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank will serve as ambassador for this year’s ambitious, North America-wide Iams Home 4 the Holidays (IH4TH) pet adoption drive. Between October 1, 2009, and January 4, 2010, they hope to home a staggering 1.5 million homeless pets.

One of the largest efforts of its kind, IH4TH began in 1999 and has placed over 3.2 million pets since its inception—1.2 million of them last year alone, with celebrity endorsement helping to get the word out.

“Over the years I’ve adopted three dogs, three cats, and a bird,” says Swank. “And every day when I look at my two rescued dogs, Karoo and Rumi, I know they’re thankful that I’ve adopted them into my family, and I’m just as thankful they’ve adopted me.”

Swank’s sentiments echo those of IH4TH founding partner, the Helen Woodward Animal Center, a private, non-profit organization that believes “people help animals and animals help people.”

We couldn’t agree more.

To learn more about pet adoption or to find a participating animal shelter in IH4TH, visit iamshome4theholidays.com.— Karin Sinkevicius

The 411 on the 1-800 Pet Poison Hotline For 24/7 advice throughtout North America on poison cases in all species, call 1-800-213-6680. The call will connect you to a board-certified staff of veterinary toxicologists and internal medicine and emergency critical-care specialists, as well as doctors of pharmacy for a cost of $35, including follow-up consultations. petpoisonhelpline.com 14 moderndog

winter 2009/ 10

A Doggie Dossier As attached to your iPhone as to your four-legged best bud?

You’ll dig the Pet Dossier, an iPhone and iPod touch app from YepYup. The Pet Dossier app stores a detailed record of your pet’s vitals for impromptu vet visits, a crossborder trip, or easy sharing with dog walkers, groomers, family, and friends. Available through the Apple App store. yepyup.com

© 2009 P&G

iams.com

I am beautiful on the inside.

I am more than just a dog.

I am an

Iams dog

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THE SCOOP Fun Facts

Did you know?

*

The earliest European images of dogs are found in cave paintings dating back 12,000 years ago in Spain.

No Dog Left Behind Pet soup kitchens aim to keep families together, in good times and bad

2.0

* 10

Dog nose prints are as unique as a human’s finger prints and can be used to accurately identify them. The Canadian and American Kennel Clubs accept nose prints as unique ID.

10

*

The average body temperature for a dog is 101 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 to 39.2 Celsius), whereas the average human body temperature is 98.6 °F (37.0 °C)

2.0

*

Dogs do sweat—but not much. The sweat glands they use for thermoregulation are between the pads of their paws.

*

Dogs’ eyes have a light-reflecting layer behind the retina called the tapetum lucidum (Latin for “bright tapestry”), allowing them to see better than we do in dim light. This mirror-like layer also explains the strange shine or glow in a dog’s eyes at night.

In this era of recession, foreclosures and cutbacks, pet owners—like everyone else—find themselves scrambling to provide not only for their own brood, but for their four-legged family members, as well. When in dire need, people sometimes turn to soup kitchens and food programs to help fill the void, and now, thanks to a couple of conscientious organizations, there’s somewhere to take your pooch to eat when the going gets tough.

In Berlin, Germany, where the unemployment rate has soared to 13 percent and there are 100,000 registered dogs, organizer Claudia Hollm created Tiertafel (which translates roughly to “Animal Dining Table”) with the idea

Cooking with Dog Dishes up a Deliciously Hilarious Diversion There are more cooking shows out there than you can

that people in need should still be able to provide the basics to those nearest and dearest to them. The idea was so successful that the Tiertafel program—which also caters to other pets, including cats and birds—has spread to 19 locations, with 30 more in the planning stages.

Here in North America, a similar program called

shake a wooden spoon at, but only one with a host that

Daffy’s Pet Soup Kitchen was formed as an extension of

has four legs and a collar: Cooking with Dog is a YouTube

Georgia’s SOS Club. Named for a stray who finally found

show dedicated to preparing Japanese dishes. And while

a forever home along with treatment and special food for

Francis the Poodle is a hands-off chef (supplying just the

his diabetes, Daffy’s depends on donations of food and

“voiceover” and some amazing expressions), he luckily has

supplies and is itself spreading to the other 49 states.

a sidekick, his owner, who does all the prep that involves, y’know, having thumbs. youtube.com/cookingwithdog —Kaitlin Fontana

Just like their human equivalent, these organizations depend heavily on the contributions of donors, volunteers, and supporters. To get involved with a Daffy’s Pet Soup Kitchen in your area, check out

16 moderndog

daffyspetsoupkitchen.com. winter 2009/ 10

THE SCOOP

Surf

Top Dog Sites Become an educated animal activist http://hslf.typepad.com/political_ animal/ They say if you don’t vote, you can’t complain. This blog, which details the goings on in government in relation to animal rights and policy making, makes you aware of what’s happening in the Capitol. That way, you’ll know who’s best representing your and your furry friends’ interests in Washington. Blogger Michael Markarian is a lobbyist for humane causes, so watch out—his insider insight might make an activist of you.

Get some puppy love—from a renowned journalist http://www.nytimes.com/ 2009/07/22/garden/pupblog.html Written by seasoned political reporter and New York Times Managing Editor Jill Abramson, the Puppy Diaries is a weekly column following Abramson’s family and their newest member, Scout.

While it initially drew some criticism from colleagues who were surprised at Abramson’s interest in such an “unserious” topic, the diaries are a touching and insightful look into Abramson’s renewed world wonder through Scout’s presence.

A Daily Dose of a Comical Canine www.dogeatdoug.com This oft-updated web comic, now in newspaper syndication, details the lives of Sophie the chocolate Lab, and a baby named Doug. They share a love/hate relationship that is equal parts Mutts and Calvin and Hobbes. And like another classic strip, Peanuts, the adults in this world are incidental—they’re only seen from the neck down. All the better to focus on the blooming floor-level friendship of Sophie and Doug, we say.

Reduce your carbon paw print http://blog.raiseagreendog.com/ Living green can be a daunting task for us, never mind our pup counterparts.

This site is full of easy to follow, common wisdom and links to safe, green products and services. Dog mom Leslie May imparts years of green living tips, and the blog—written by adopted pooch Johann—is a great source of up-to-theminute knowledge for green dogs and their humans.

A Pet Project of Patient Proportions Giving new meaning to the term “teacup breed” is Chie Hayano’s adorable book Cute Dogs: Craft Your Own Pooches (Vertical; 2009), which teaches you how to make miniscule felt, fur, and fleece fidos (and their accessories, from bowls to chairs to clothes) from scratch. Not for the faint-of-heart casual crafter, Hayano’s entirely realistic, insanely detailed mini-pooches come out small enough to sit on the palm of your hand.

Hayano has made a long career of creating stuffed animals that are popular in her native Japan—the book was first published there in 2001. Her petite pooch obsession, however, started much earlier than that.

“When I think about it,” Hayano says in the book’s preface, “all my favourite stories that I read when I was a child always featured a tiny little character, hiding in the main character’s pocket or in the corner of the room. That kind of magical and mysterious, exciting feeling is what I get when I make these mini stuffed animals.”

Hayano has a gift for the teeny, for sure, but with a little patience, some practice, and a copy of Cute Dogs, you could make some mini-magic, too. —Kaitlin Fontana

Tired of being known only as Barky’s mom?

Make your next dog park play-date more official with personalized pup calling cards.

On the front is an image of your pooch and their name, and on the back, your photo and contact info. Printed on 100% recycled card stock, each set comes with a free carrying case. Get socializing! Set of 25 for $15, cardstore.com moderndogmagazine.com

17

THE SCOOP The Power of Pink

WATCH

Animal Planet’s hit show is back with a new season of Underdog to Wonderdog slated

Standing up for women (and their dogs)

for early January. Watch a homeless dog go from rags to riches with the help of the Doggie Wonder Team (which includes MD regular contributor Andrea Arden!). In each episode, a down on his luck stray get a complete makeover, including training, grooming, housing, and a new forever home. Reality TV at it’s doggone finest. animal.discovery.com/tv/ underdog-to-wonderdog/

R E A D In Why Dogs are Better than Cats (Andrews McMeel Publishing; 2009), New York Times best-selling author Bradley Trevor Grieve pairs up with award-win-

When Terry Downs was a police officer with the Royal

ning photographer Rachael Hale to

Canadian Mounted Police, she saw a lot of violence

explore the long-time—nay, epic—

towards and victimization of women, and met many

clash between dogs and cats. But

women stuck in unsafe situations, unwilling to leave

lest you love your tabby as much

for the sake of their kids and dogs. Being a proud and active dog owner, Downs realized that her desire to help women rise above their circumstances and her love of dogs could be combined through an organization that helped women empower themselves and their pooches with self-defense techniques, dog (and human) training, exercise, education, and a sense of community.

“Pink Dogs” operates under the principle that a woman and

A woman and her dog are a formidable team.

as your terrier, fear not: Grieve’s not condemning felines, but rather celebrating canines. Paired with Hale’s beautiful, funny and stirring images, the book is a musthave for dog lovers and cat cuddlers alike.

D O Snoop around Colleen Webster’s site

withsmudgeinyard.com, a fascinating collection of old snapshots including (wo)man’s best friend. Collected over many

her dog are a formidable team—

years of flea market and antique

together they are able to ward off attackers, protect

shop scouring, the photographs

and raise a healthy family, enjoy the outdoors safely,

are sometimes sweet, sometimes

and find inspiration for life and career. Through af-

sad, but the dogs “always had

fordable seminars taking place across Canada, Downs’

something interesting to say,

organization hopes to create a unique network of women empowered—by their own abilities and com-

and often something about us— the humans in the pictures.”

panionship with their dogs and with one another—to leave situations in which they are endangered and to start anew. Underlying the organization’s mandate is a commitment to breast cancer causes (hence the “pink” in Pink Dogs); Downs donates a portion of proceeds from Pink Dogs merchandise to breast cancer re-

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

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

search and awareness. The Pink Dogs motto says it all: “Healthy Women. Healthy Dogs.” To learn more about Pink Dogs, or to request a seminar in your area, go to pinkdogs.ca.—Kaitlin Fontana

Modern Dog Poll Does your dog sleep in your bed?

Go to moderndogmagazine.com to vote.

18 moderndog

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THE SCOOP Cruise on, Canine Lovers

Calling all witty writers or writers at heart

Dog Lubbers Take to the High Seas

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

Calling all salty dogs: it’s that

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

time of year again. The postholidays melt down and frigid temperatures spell v-a-c-a-ti-o-n like nothing else. Can’t afford a post-Christmas vacay?

Cartoo n © 2009 by Da vid Ja co bs o n

Expense it! If this sound to good to be true, think again.

If you’re in the pet business, why not welcome 2010 with a Pet Pro Cruise from Baltimore to the Bahamas? This January, sail the open seas with likeminded individuals and network with other pet pros. Enjoy eight days of cruise life (Buffets!

Captain’s cocktail parties! Grooming seminars!) while networking.

For those not in the pet in-

Frigid temperatures spell v-a-c-a-t-i-o-n.

dustry, try Cruisin’ for Critters, a five-night Royal Caribbean cruise from Tampa to the Western Caribbean in April. $50 of each ticket sold goes to the Georgia SPCA and Foxy Doxy

And the winner

Dachshund Rescue (only 100 rooms available with donation,

from the Fall issue is:

so hurry!). Enjoy seminars at sea on topics such as Animal First Aid and Disaster Planning, and then spend the rest of your time relaxing on the pool deck, cocktail in hand, patting yourself on the back for being such a selfless individual.

Cartoon © 2009 by David Jacobson

The only sinker is that your four-legged assistant has to stay

”..and we can use one of the sleeves to cover up your tail!”

Submitted by Dawn Babich

home. barkleigh.com and cruisesinc.com/thuman –Jessica Nosek

Attention crafters: your handmade items could help shelter animals find homes It’s hard to visit a shelter without feeling like you want to take everybody home. It’s impossible to do so, but thanks to an initiative at New York’s Animal Care and Control (ACC), there is more you can do. Nearly a decade ago, the ACC began asking volunteers for homemade beds and toys to help make shelter

Runner-up Captions:

stays more comfortable

“I still think that people at your 20th high school reunion will be able to tell that I’m a dog!”

The effect was instanta-

Submitted by Karen Baumstark

“I prefer pink...it brings out the color in my tongue!”

Submitted by Lori Engl

“You’re a wonderful Mom, but I do wear the pants in this family and I say that the polka dot shirt will look just fine with these striped pants.”

Submitted by LeAnne Fuller

20 moderndog

for the animals there. neous, and lasting: the newly relaxed and happy dogs and cats were much more likely to be adopted, and upon adoption, adapted to their new homes more smoothly with their familiar beds and toys in tow.

Contact your local shelter to see if they’re interested in your comfortable creations and to get info on cage and crate sizes. For patterns, instructions, and additional info, visit nycacc.org/cagecomforters.htm.

winter 2009/ 10

barkandfitz.com

Love your dog.

From all natural foods and baked treats to dog gear, Bark & Fitz has scoured the globe for what we believe are the most durable, entertaining, stylish and nutritious products you will find for you and your dog.

For more information or a store location nearest you, please visit barkandfitz.com

Pup Profiles “I’m a Modern Dog!”

Barkley “Wee Pups’” favourite pastimes are scheming, licking toes, and more scheming. His favourite foods are duck biscuits and cherry tomatoes that roll on the floor.

Askari & Aruba Aruba and Askari, his blind girlfriend, love long, afternoon dates in the park.

Cooper

Coopie’s fave things include rotisserie chicken, apples, and visiting his cousin Lisa. He resides in Maspeth, New york, and his friends call him Boo Boo.

Emmett a.k.a Sleepydo

Marley A free-spirited kind of dog, Marley loves to hit the road and feel the wind in his hair. This guy is born to be wild.

Jed After a rousing round of bird chasing, Jed likes to power up with cheese, scrambled eggs, and hamburgers.

When he’s not taking his main squeeze, yuki, out on the town, Emmett likes to blog, cycle, and volunteer.

Maverick James

Ruby A lady of luxury, Ruby spends her time relaxing by the pool and enjoying the finest tuna.

Millie “I can’t stand it when my cousin takes my bones. No one steals from Miss Millie Tuscarora!”

Surfs up! Maverick James loves to ride the waves and impress his g-pa and g-ma. After a long day at the beach, he likes to snuggle up with his favourite toy, BoJangles.

moderndogmagazine.com

23

Discover the new enhanced line of quality ity dog foods from Nutrience utrien utri ence en ce

At Nutrience, we believe in honest nutrition for every stage of your dog’s life. That’s why we produce our dry food in small batches in our very own state-of-the-art facility, with stringent quality controls and regular feeding trials. Plus, we only use the finest ingredients like chicken, fish, brown rice and flaxseed. So you get dog food of unparalleled quality with no by-products, no fillers, no artificial flavours and no compromise.

AVAILABLE ONLY WHERE QUALITY PET FOODS ARE SOLD. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR DOG AND CAT FOODS, PLEASE VISIT Nutrience is a registered trademark of Rolf C. Hagen Inc. © 2009

www.nutrience.com

Winter Warm-Up

CALENDAR

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

Home for the Holidays. December through January 3rd, the San Francisco Macy’s store holds their annual Holiday Windows event, put on in conjunction with the SF SPCA. Throughout the festive season, their window display will feature adoptable dogs, cats, and kittens.

Last year’s event raised awareness, as well as over $50,000—and 200 animals got the best Christmas gift ever: a forever home.

Smile! February is Pet Dental Health month. Now is the time to get Rover’s January 14th is National Dress Up Your Pet Day.

teeth checked at the vet and to implement a daily brushing regimen (it’s not as much work as it sounds). A little effort now could save your dog (and your wallet) a lot of discomfort down the road.

In case you didn’t quite get your fix on October 31st, now’s your time to shine again.

Manhattan goes to the dogs.

The 134th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, America’s one and only champions-only dog show, takes place February 15 and 16 in New York City. Book a room at the storied Hotel Pennsylvania located across the street from all the thrilling dog-show action at Madison Square Garden and catch a peek at some of the canine contenders close-up. Many handlers, owners, and their competing champions stay at the hotel (you’ll even find a dog-treadmill in the lower lobby). Can’t attend in person?

Tune in to USA Network and root for your Best in Show fave from your living room. westminsterkennelclub.com; hotelpenn.com Dream of training your dog to unearth truffles? Get inspired to make desire reality—head to the fifth

Oregon Truffle Festival January 29-31 to catch demonstrations of

annual

trained truffle dogs foraging for the culinary delicacy,

Spay Day! On February 23, take part in an international effort to provide spay/neuter services and to promote fixing pets as an effective and humane means of

then sample the fruits of the dogs’ labour at the Grand

decreasing the euthanasia of homeless animals in shelters. Get

Truffle Dinner. oregontrufflefestival.com

involved! hsus.org/spayday

moderndogmagazine.com

25

smile!

moderndog photo contest wÄąnners!

Sprocket

Chelsea Noser

Karma Bago

Greta

Ewok 26 moderndog

winter 2009/ 10

Taz

Scarlett

Lola, Munchie, Tuffy

Sharky

Shadow

Barkley Kuna Jack

Goose Case & Tokyo

Sidney

Gauger Cloey

Abbey

Polly Pocket

Delaney, Chandler, Hannah Buddy & Shadow

Abbey

Think your dog ought to grace the pages of Modern Dog? Send us photos of your picture-perfect pooch! The winning entries will be published in the Spring 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, dog’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

f d pro e e r b

ile

r e i r r e rain b T , t r n a e r Courage, h i a C e h T

by Marian buechert

28 moderndog

winter 2009/ 10

DOG & CAT

foundational essentials

“I

What these dogs looked like was considered of no consequence as long as they could do the job required. “These early terriers were highly prized and bred for their working ability, not appearance. Such characteristics as courage, tenacity and intelligence…were sought generation after generation,” reads the Cairn Terrier Club of America website.

The Scottish terriers were valued highly enough that King James I of England (who was Scottish by birth), saw them as fit to be a royal gift and sent a pack of them to France for that purpose in 1625.

The windswept Scottish landscape was marked by piles of rocks known as cairns, under which the quarry would often seek shelter. The dogs scrambling over and through the cairns were known variously as todhunters (tod is the Gaelic word for fox), or Scotch, Highland, or Skye terriers. Since the emphasis was on working ability and not physical characteristics, puppies within a litter could be long-backed or short, have any length

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Advertisement: BiologicVET - “Supplement the love: Fats & Vites” Publication: Modern Dog Magazine, Summer 2009 Size: 1/2 vert (3.25" x 9.625")

f I only had a brain, a heart, the nerve…” sing the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion in the classic film, The Wizard of Oz. It takes a plucky young Kansas girl and her equally spunky dog, Toto, to teach the trio about quick thinking, love, and courage. To Cairn Terrier owners everywhere, it comes as no surprise that the little dog who stood by Dorothy’s side with brains, heart, and nerve was a Cairn.

Hundreds of years ago, farmers and lairds in the rugged north of Scotland were already breeding small terriers to hunt otter, fox, badger, and other ground-dwelling animals. With rough terrain, brutal weather conditions, and fierce prey to contend with, the terriers’ lives were anything but a yellow brick road. The dogs favoured by the Scots were compact, robust specimens with coarse weather-proof coats and, above all, the “gameness” or courage to go into tight, dark spaces underground or between tumbled rocks and face animals that were fighting for their lives.

of coat of any colour, and ears of various shapes, and the varieties of terrier were freely interbred. It was only later, when fanciers sought a way to distinguish each breed from among the other Scottish terriers, that Cairn Terrier became the official name of the rough-coated, short-backed variety.

The modern American Kennel Club standard for the Cairn specifies a size of 9.5 to 10 inches and a weight of 13 to 14 lbs. The low-maintenance double coat (long and harsh on the outside, soft and fluffy underneath) can be any colour except white; common colours include grey, in shades from silver to dark, black, red, and wheaten, as well as brindle variations on these colours. When choosing a puppy, owners had best be prepared to live with any colour, as it is near impossible to predict adult colour based on puppy coat. Dark “points”—face, ears, and tail tip—are optional but considered attractive. With his perky upright ears, bright eyes, and shaggy facial hair, the Cairn is said to have a foxy expression.

Members of this breed are hardy and long-lived (14 to 15 years), suffering few health complications. Some puppies may suffer from “lion jaw” (craniomandibular osteopathy), a non-cancerous thickening of the bones of the jaw or leg that usually resolves itself by the time the dog is fully grown.

To match his no-fuss appearance, the Cairn’s personality is sensible, alert, cheerful, and confident but not belligerent. Because they were originally kept to hunt in packs, Cairns are not scrappy towards other dogs. They enjoy children and can usually tolerate some accidental rough handling from youngsters (though children should always be supervised around any dog). The breed does carry an independent streak, however, and training them not to chase squirrels or anything else that runs away will be a Herculean task. Because of this, Cairns should be walked on leash or exercised in fenced areas only.

A sturdy physique and can-do attitude makes the Cairn a willing participant in any activity his owners may enjoy, from formal agility or obedience trials to hiking in the great outdoors or lunching with friends at the local sidewalk bistro.

In her book, A New Owner’s Guide to Cairn Terriers (TFH; 2004), Sandra Murray writes: “Cairn Terriers have proven to be one of the most adaptable breeds, thriving equally as well in an apartment as on a rural acreage.” Cairns, of course, are supremely happy following their instincts at earthdog trials, where they use their keen senses to locate and confront prey underground (note that no animals are harmed during these trials). As Murray explains: “No other activity you will ever engage in with your Cairn will equal that total, concentrated effort and sheer joy your dog AKC Ranking: #49 in popularity experiences in the hunt.” [For more Size: Small — 9.5 to 10 inches on earthdog trials, see “Can You Dig Grooming: Low to moderate It?” at moderndogmagazine.com/ earthdogs] Activity level: High Though the average Cairn Terrier Heritage: Hunting may never be called upon to chase US Rescue: Cairn Rescue USA flying monkeys, face down a wicked www.cairnrescueusa.com witch, or unmask a fraudulent wizCanadian Rescue: Cairn Terrier Club of Canada ard, he or she is sure to equal Toto cairnterrierclub.ca/rescue.htm as an “Oz-some” companion on all your adventures. n

Cairns thrive equally well in an apartment as on a rural acreage.

Profile:

Cairn Terrier

30 moderndog

winter 2009/ 10

Give your dog a belly rub on the inside.

When your dog feels good, you know it. But when his digestive system is out of balance, it can lead to intestinal problems such as diarrhea. FortiFlora® is the proven nutritional supplement with probiotics and guaranteed levels of live, active cultures to help restore intestinal flora. FortiFlora tastes great and it’s easy to use too—just sprinkle it on your dog’s food. Because when you take care of your dog’s belly, you’re taking care of your dog.

FortiFlora is available exclusively through your veterinarian. For more information, call 1-800-879-1266 or visit www.fortiflora.com/md, where you can also download a $5 rebate form.

FortiFlora

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eat

D.I.Y.

Healthy, super tasty biscuits your hungry pup will love.

5 Place the biscuits on a sheet or baking pan covered with parchment paper.

Bake in a preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden brown.

Tip:

Tender Tummy Biscuits

Sherlock’s Minnesota Biscuits Celebrate the passing of Minnesota Senator Al Franken’s Service Dogs for Veterans Act with this tasty, dog-approved treat.

How can you tell when wild rice is done? When cooked correctly, it will be supple, but not limp.

Recipe 3 cups all-purpose flour 1/3 cup cracked wheat 1 Tbsp brewer’s yeast 1 cup peanut oil 1/2 cup blackstrap molasses 1/3 cup water 1 cup wild rice, cooked and cooled 1 cup liver, fried, cooled, and chopped into 1/2-inch chunks

32 moderndog

winter 2009/ 10

1 Preheat oven to 375°F. 2 Place flour, cracked wheat, and brewer’s yeast in a large bowl, mixing with your hands or a wire whisk to loosely blend the dry ingredients.

3 Add the peanut oil, molasses, and water to the dry ingredients, mixing with a sturdy spoon until the dough is pliable. Add the wild rice and chopped liver, stirring only to mix.

4 Place the dough on a floured work surface and roll out or pat down to a thickness of 1/2 inch. Use a pizza cutter to slice horizontally and vertically through the dough to create cube shapes. As always, your biscuits’ size should be determined by your dog’s jaw span.

Great for recovering from holiday over-indulgence (or just plain old general overindulgence, for that matter). Use free-range chicken if at all possible.

Recipe 1 cup brewed chamomile tea 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup whole wheat flour 1 cup cooked white rice 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped 1/2 cup cottage cheese 1 cup chicken, skinned, boiled, and chopped to 1/2-inch cubes 1 Preheat oven to 375°F. 2 Brew a cup of chamomile tea, and allow it to cool to room temperature.

(It’s never a good idea to use hot liquids when mixing dough.)

illustration jess golden

This recipe can be challenging because it has a low flour percentage. This means that the high-gluten flour portion of the ingredient list is smaller than in most other biscuits. Because it has less gluten, the dough won’t come together as easily. For this recipe, I always remind myself that the dough should hold together but have a texture and consistency closer to fudge than putty. Even when the dough is completely mixed, it may still be a little tacky. If needed,use extra flour on your work surface to avoid sticking.

3 Place the flours, rice, and parsley in a large bowl, using your hands or a wire whisk to gently mix the dry ingredients.

4 Add the cottage cheese and brewed tea to the dry ingredients, stirring with a sturdy spoon until the dough becomes pliable. Add the diced chicken cubes and stir until they are evenly mixed into the dough, taking care not to over mix.

5 Place the dough on a floured surface and roll out or pat down to a thickness of 1/2 inch. Using a pizza cutter, make horizontal and vertical slices through the dough to form cube shapes. The size of the cubes will be determined by the size of your dog’s jaw.

6 Place the biscuits on a baking sheet or pan covered with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden brown.

Tip: Here are a couple of things to keep in mind when working with meat:

Always add the diced chicken to the dough last so that you don’t puree the pieces during the mixing and makeup process;

Don’t forget to store the finished biscuits in the refrigerator or freezer until your pet has finished them off.

Chamomile This flower has long been celebrated for its soothing properties. It’s thought to calm upset stomachs and promote drowsiness. In fact, chamomile tea is sometimes called nighty-night tea or sleepy tea because of its sleep-inducing ability. Experts say chamomile tea can also boost the immune system and fight infections associated with colds.

From the book K-9 Nation Biscuit Book: Baking for Your Best Friend by Klecko. Published

by Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2009. © MSH Press.

Used by permission.

moderndogmagazine.com

33

The Grand Saint Bernard Pass

By Patricia Komar

34 moderndog

winter 2009/ 10

photo © Iris Kürschner , powerpr ess.ch

T

he year was 1897.

A young boy, travelling a road between Italy and Switzerland, encountered harsh conditions: cold, wind, snow, ice, and ultimately—The Pass, where glaciers cover mountain peaks; where nature’s elements can be unrelenting and spare not a soul. The boy fell into an icy crevice. His body, 12 years young, began to freeze. Nearby, in a warm hospice, a sturdy, muscular dog with a short muzzle, black nose, wide nostrils and a red and white coat covering a broad chest strong enough to push through snow, was alerted and the search began.

For centuries, the Grand Saint Bernard Pass, altitude of 2470 metres (8113 ft), has been a preferred route for those crossing the Alps between Martigny, Switzerland, and Aosta, Italy. Once it was seen as a place of evil, where hordes of brigands waited for victims and the “white death” consumed exhausted travellers disoriented by blizzards or buried by avalanches.

In 1050, Bernard de Menthon, Archdeacon of Aosto, built a refuge at the pass to aid travellers. He entrusted this hospice to a community of monks who were to be assisted by dogs bred, raised, and trained to this noble purpose.

This summer, I’m in Saas Fee, Switzerland, studying at the European Graduate School (EGS). I’ve met a few locals and begin inquiring about the pass. Tobias Zurbriggen, My quest takes me owner of Hotel Allalin, tells me, “My wife and I on a bus winding ski to the pass in the wintertime. We have to ski down a mountain, with seal skins.” Dr. Paolo Knill, rector of EGS passing sleepy says, “When I was in the Swiss Army, we had to villages with names climb to the very famous pass. When we reached like Saas Balen and the top, we came to the monastery where the Saas Almagel. monks gave us food and beds upon which we slept.” I discover it was also a route for Napoleon in May of 1800, who took 40,000 men across, none of whom perished. I hear stories of dogs and rescues.

On this particular morning, I sit on my balcony watching shadows of clouds pass across glaciers of the highest Swiss mountain range, the Mischabel group. I wonder about the young boy crossing the Saint Bernard Pass. I want to find this perilous pass where dogs and monks rescued travellers, where heroic dogs were honoured with the name, Saint Bernard dogs.

My quest takes me on a bus winding down a mountain, passing sleepy villages with names like Saas Balen and Saas Almagel. Signs point the way to Zermatt, where you can get a good look at the Matterhorn. I arrive in the town of Visp in time to catch the train to Martigny. Orchards of pears and nectarines line the tracks. Vineyards cover hillsides like patchwork quilts. A bus takes me through a tunnel onto the Route du Grand St. Bernard. In the town of Orsieres, I see a red bus called the “Saint-Bernard Express;” on the sides are large pictures of St. Bernard dogs.

“The St. Bernard Express” fills up—even dogs are allowed! At my feet lies a large, white, wolf-like dog. A Wire-haired Dachshund near the front barks as another dog

The “it” sling

by KOKO COUTURE

The “it” way to stroll around together in style...

moderndogmagazine.com

35

enters. We’re on our way, climbing higher and higher in the large red bus. No breathless hiking or climbing on my part.

Altitude: 2120 metres. We pass cows, remnants of old stone bridges. 2270 metres: above the timberline. I spot marmots running across the glacier. Rocky outcroppings and creeks meandering down meadows. The road narrows, cliff on one side, the edge marked with rocks painted white with a black stripe.

Finally, around the bend, I get my first glimpse of the historic site: two white buildings and the original road. I’m first off the bus. I hike up the road travelled by Romans and by Napoleon. Three huge St. Bernards come bounding out of nowhere and disappear down by the lake. I wonder what it was like for the frightened young boy to see such a huge animal coming to his rescue?

I pull open the heavy wooden doors of the hospice, walk down a long, silent hallway and stand utterly still, in awe of a 17th century church built in the ornamental baroque style.

But I’m looking for the dogs. Ah! Across the street I find the museum where I see objects left behind by those travelling the pass, Gallic coins, Roman coins, Bronze Age weapons. Down the hall I find the inside quarters for the dogs, names on each kennel. I sense the admiration and respect given to the Saint Bernards for their devotion to saving lives.

The dogs served as trackers, uncovering traces in fresh snow or fog, and as avalanche rescue dogs, watchdogs, and protectors of the hospice’s guests. Bandits once attempted to rob the safe but were

36 moderndog

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ph oto from top lef t: Iris Kür sch ner; par tic ia k om ar ; Iri s K ürsch ner

Nearby, in a warm hospice, a sturdy muscular dog was alerted and the search began.

directed instead to the dogs and were frightened away. The Saints sniffed out stranded or lost travellers overcome by darkness, their lanterns blown out by winter winds. The dogs led them back to the trail and then to the hospice. If a dog couldn’t bring an injured or dying person back, he would return alone then gesture, alerting the monks someone was in need of help.

Barry (1800-1814), the most famous Saint Bernard, lived at the hospice for twelve years, and assisted in saving over 40 lives. Barry once returned with a shawl tied to his collar. The S.O.S. recognized, help was sent, and the man was found and brought to the hospice, where he recovered.

When Barry reached the age of 12, one of the monks took him to Bern, where he lived for two more years before dying of old age. His body, preserved, can be seen at the Natural History Museum of Bern. Today, almost two hundred years later, tradition still requires that the hospice always have a Saint Bernard named Barry.

I pay six francs to enter a large fenced area, where six puppies roll around, tugging toys with each other amidst tunnels and baskets. In other kennels, I see larger Saint Bernards and mobility equipment for training and exercise. In the center of all this activity is a table on which sits the

largest St. Bernard I’ve ever seen. A little girl of about 5 years old, patch on one eye, lovingly pets his paw.

In the puppy pen, I find Anja Ebener, head of communications for The Barry Foundation. “We took over the famous hospice breeding center in 2005, since the canons had to concentrate on their work with humans,” she says. “The Saint Bernard is more than an animal. It’s a symbol for hospitality, for love, and for Switzerland. All the legends about their past are very fascinating—you seem to feel them when on the Great Saint Bernard Pass.”

From legend to fact, the stories praise the saint-like qualities of the big dogs. The tale of the boy who crossed the Alps in 1897 is a true one with a happy ending. Nearly frozen, he was found by the searching St. Bernard.

The dog licked the sleeping boy’s face to wake him, pulled him out of the crevice, gestured to the boy to climb on his back, and returned to the hospice. This was the last documented rescue made by a dog at the hospice.

It was just one of 2000 rescues made over a 200-year span.

Although the giant dogs of the St. Bernard Pass no longer lead monks on missions of mercy in the snowy Alps, a visit to the pass is a pilgrimage of sorts, an homage to the members of this selfless breed that willingly laid down their lives to save ours. n

In January 2005, the Barry Foundation took over the breeding kennel from the Great Saint Bernard Pass Hospice together with the kennel’s famous Saint Bernard dogs. Their mission is to ensure the survival of the famous, legendary Saint Bernard breed, preserve the typical hospice dog, and keep the dogs in their place of origin on the Great Saint Bernard Pass. These dogs are both a cultural asset and a symbol of the friendship between man and dog. For more information go to fondation-barry.ch.

*

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Carried Away Ten lucky readers will win a Port-A-Poo Poop Bag Holder. It clips to your leash for a hands-free way to carry waste. For contest details, go to page 143. See portapoo.com for more product info.

Take longer walks.

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Enjoy Longer Walks. We won’t jerk your chain.

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moderndogmagazine.com

37

Elephants, hippos, and bears, oh my! Eco Plush

fun, convenient, portable, and 100% recyclable Slurpabowls water bowls fold flat to attach to your leash or slip in your pocket or purse. $12 for a 6-pack. farfetchedinc.com

toys are as earth-friendly (100% recycled stuffing and a natural wool exterior) as they are cute. $6, aspenpet.com

While we’re not placing bets, it’s likely your dog’s grapple with this luchador is going to be a victory. Lucha Squeak Toy, $18, bowhausnyc.com

s y u b n i a g r a B

More Cool Dog Stuff Under $20

Sweet tweets. The enticing (and fun!) Bird Ball chirps as it flys by fido in a game of fetch. Compatible with tennis ball launchers, each purchase supports the United Dog of America foundation. $9, birdballtoy.com

A “hole” lotta fun! The durable Dogsavers flying Disc smells just like Lifesavers. $7, mammothpet.com

Potty time. Train your pup to ring this doggie doorbell when he has to “go.” $17, poochie-pets.com

Protect paws from salt, sleet, ice, and snow with Pawz natural rubber dog boots. $13-19 for a 12-pack, pawzdogboots.com

finally, high-quality squeakers with fascinatingly weird (and nonirritating!) sounds—and personality, to boot. $12, mymascot.com

38 moderndog

winter 2009/ 10

The Dura Doggie Disc is the perfect fetch toy for aggressive chewers.

Plus, it can double as a food or water dish during extended outdoor activities. $15, duradoggiedisc.com

Another fab find from an indiecrafter on Etsy: hand-drawn Silly Dog Magnets will add a dose of fun to your fridge. $9, sillydogmagnets.com

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moderndogmagazine.com

39

pho to do ris a n s e l mo

pup potluck

With clients like Madonna, Sean “Diddy” Combs, and Elton John, Jes Gordon knows a thing or two about putting together magical events.

And as the proud parent of two dogs, Hurricane and Ruckus, she also understands the specific requirements for pulling off a successful canineinclusive gathering. Here, Jes shares her tips for an unforgettable dog-friendly bash that’s low on fuss and muss, but big on style and fun.

Celebrity event designer and planner Jes Gordon’s tips for a fabulous, dog-friendly gathering The Plan Organizing a wintertime soiree, but can’t imagine throwing it without your furry best friend present? Plan a Winter Warm-Up party for your loved ones and their dogs by throwing a “pups welcome” potluck. A potluck is perfect for a low-key party with the dogs—less attention focused on food preparation and more time spent with your party animal and friends!

Invitations

“Dogs are my favourite people.”

Create eye-catching (but easy and affordable) invitations by cutting out a snowflake or pawprint out of paper, or using simple origami techniques found on Google.

Master the technique (or try to) and create something seasonal

40 moderndog

winter 2009/ 10

and wintery like a snowflake, a bird… or a puppy dog?

Not so crafty? Evites are awesome, too. You can even create your very own website with iWeb (apple.com/ilife/iweb) or any other self-starter web kit to do your own virtual invitation, but with a twist.

When designing the invitations, try to incorporate the colour palette you plan on using at the dinner. This way, when you request items such as cupcakes, desserts, and drinks, your guests can keep the colour scheme in mind when they decide what to bring.

Make sure you include each guest’s meal assignment (the usual: entrée, side, dessert…) so you’re not left to nosh only on the ubiquitous green bean casserole. Ask your guests to bring both a human-friendly and a dog-friendly dish.

Décor and Design Dogma Add some bling with inexpensive lights. Use all one colour, like white lights or a soft amber tone to create a warm, intimate glow—but ditch the candles on any low lying surface; wagging tails and fire are a less than stellar combination. A great idea is to come up with a simple colour palette, re-imagined with winter hues like chocolate brown and copper.

Do your best to keep the tempting wafts of food as far away as possible from the actual event and avoid using scented candles or diffusers. The scent of baking pies, roasting sirloin, and evergreen candles can send your dog into odour overload.

Create cool, dog-friendly seating by unscrewing the legs from a dining table, and draping the tabletop with a great printed cloth. Sit on comfy floor cushions, but also offer lowslung chairs. Do keep in mind, though, that food should not be left unattended on lowered tables where canine guests are wont to help themselves.

Menu n Suggest dishes that are human and dog-friendly, but prepare a batch of dog-only munchies beforehand, too.

Use wholewheat flour, cut the oil or replace it with applesauce, and do not add any sugar, salt, cream, or spices. n Serve plain cuts of beef (like top sirloin, brisket, or pot roast) that are lean enough to share with your pups.

A Few Delicious, Dog-friendly Ideas

n Mashed sweet potatoes n Mini pupcakes made with applesauce, carob, or banana n The human guests can enjoy some hot mulled cider, but dogs ought to stick with water for the evening. If they want something to warm their bellies, serve up some lowsodium chicken broth.

In addition to dishes your guests bring, some more ideas for the non-four-legged guests: n A seasonal soup made from butternut squash or pumpkin garnished with roasted pepitas, or a homemade chicken noodle soup n Sweet and spicy pecans n Cinnamon swirl or pumpkin spice cupcakes Avoid any mishaps by separating the human treats from the doggie treats. Serve on different trays and completely different tables or counters, if possible. Get your craft on and create some cool place cards that people can write on, describing their signature dish.

Hostess with the Mostest n Gift all of your guests—both human and dog—with cuddly matching chenille or cashmere scarves to wear on chilly winter days. n Lay down fluffy rugs, overstuffed chairs, and floor pillows to create a cozy lounging space around the fireplace.

There’s nothing better to do after a big meal than to relax

with your best friends on oversized doggie beds by the fire, telling stories, and of course, chewing the fat (not literally!). n A great parting gift/favour is a self-published custom book you can create online at websites like LuLu (lulu.com). Create a beautiful, fully bound hard or soft cover book with photos of the past that are special and meaningful to you. Or use photos from your fabulous party and send it afterwards. It’s a photo album turned coffee table book and they only cost about $30 - $50 to produce. moderndogmagazine.com

41

Above: Protect your couch with a machine-washable throw.

Left: Remember to watch food left on low-lying surfaces.

Food for Dogs to Avoid n Alcohol n Avocado n Bones (from fish, poultry, or other meats) n Chocolate n Coffee and tea n Fat trimmings n Grapes and raisins n Macadamia nuts n Mushrooms n Onions, garlic, chives n Persimmons, plums n Potato leaves and stems n Raw eggs n Raw fish n Salt n Sugary foods and drinks n Xylitol and other artificial sweeteners n Yeast dough

For more tips on how to throw the most memorable parties—regardless of budget— check out Jes’ first book, Party Like a Rock Star…The Celebrity Party Planner’s Tips and Tricks for Throwing an Unforgettable Bash, (Globe Pequot Press; 2009).

42 moderndog

n No loud music. Our canine buddies have sensitive hearing. n Hang the list of doggie no-no foods, as well as the local animal clinic contact info, on the fridge. n Keep some extra leashes handy, in case some of your guests forget theirs. n Protect your nice floors. ScotchGard your carpet or make a temporary carpet by throwing an area rug over your existing one. Hardwood floors can withstand a house full of dogs for a short while, but excess urine can warp the wood so keep plenty of rag towels and cleanser available. n Small children should be shown how to behave around their furry guests. Dogs tend to be on the defense at events and if a child is grabbing at them, even a kidfriendly dog may retaliate. n Stock up on chew toys and treats. There must be an abundance of these to avoid a competition or fights over the good stuff. n It’s likely best to only invite dogs that are spayed or neutered. n Hide all of your plush accessories that mean a lot to you (or were really expensive!) like pillows and throws. Replace them with outdoor pillows that are made out of tougher, more durable fabric. n Hydration! Don’t skimp on the water. Have water bowls everywhere. When pups get nervous they dehydrate just like humans.

Source aspca.org

*

Other Sug“jes”tions

winter 2009/ 10

n If you’re not too keen on the idea of standing out in the chilly winter weather while your dog does his thing, you may want to consider an indoor potty. They range in price from about $40 to hundreds for a more deluxe version but, for some, the price is worth it!

French Luxury Pet Furniture ďż˝

Remarkable french reproductions traditionally handcrafted for the ultimate comfort of your pets.

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An All-Natural Solution to Stinky, Itchy and Irritated Ears With an easy to use, no mess applicator, antibacterial, antimicrobial Ear Clear cleanses and soothes irritated and inflamed ears. The gentle, all-natural serum contains arnica and chaparral to decrease pain and organic comfrey and calendula to reduce swelling.

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To place an order call toll free 1-866-HAPPY-20 e-mail sales@happytailsspa.com www.happytailsspa.com

moderndogmagazine.com

43

Love is Blind A blind Border Collie challenges preconceptions of (so-called) disabilities.

By Corey Van’t Haaff Photos by Sally Hull

“Love is blind; friendship closes its eyes.”—Friedrich Nietzsche

W

hen a little boy named Leo came home from school, he couldn’t stop talking about the wonderful Border Collie that had visited his class that day. Despite being blind, Riddle could run and play and even fetch. Leo formed an immediate bond with Riddle, and wrapped his arms around the dog’s neck for the class photo.

The Collie’s accomplishments held special meaning for the boy, because, like Riddle, Leo is also blind.

Riddle’s story is not one of disability. Lack of sight hasn’t slowed Riddle down at all: he races his canine companions through fields and can catch a ball—or a Frisbee—like any other dog.

“That’s the thing,” says Sally Hull of Hull’s Haven Border Collie Rescue in Teulon, Manitoba, and Riddle’s owner.

“He doesn’t know he has any challenges. It’s why we’re so blown away by it. Once we got him, we treated him like any other dog; no special privileges.”

Hull first became involved with rescuing dogs two-and-a half years ago. She had already acquired her first Border Collie, Frodo, and fallen in love with the breed. With Frodo in flyball, she met some breeders and other people involved with dog rescue.

“My inspiration was my friend Shahna, who died last year of breast cancer,” Hull explains. “She had told me about the dogs in the [US] and the gassing pounds. I started doing fundraising for her. I totally believed in her cause. I thought maybe, just maybe, I could do this.”

While Hull was still in Winnipeg, she was contacted by a woman who said she had a blind six-month-old Border Collie puppy.

“She was a single mom and didn’t have the time to spend. She asked if I could help. I said I would do an assessment and take a look.”

The pup arrived in the back seat of a car. When Hull opened the car door, she was greeted by a cowering, snarling ten-month-old dog.

“He wasn’t going anywhere,” says Hull. When the dog refused to exit the vehicle, she thought, “Oh my God, what did I get myself into?”

She tried forcing the dog out of the car but he wouldn’t move. Hull hooked a leash onto his harness and dragged him out, where he just lay by the side of the road.

“By the time I got him into his crate, I left him for three hours to decompress. I would chat with him so he could hear my voice. For the first few days, around his bone

“We treated him like any other dog; no special privileges.”

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45

or food, he would show his teeth. He wasn’t bad with the other dogs, but getting him outside meant dragging him out and back. Then, on day three, he walked out on his own, high stepping like a horse, feeling for the stairs. Once he got the hang of it, he was running without hesitation,” she says.

And it wasn’t just stairs the dog mastered quickly.

Hull recalls Riddle’s first experience with water. Hull had taken him to the dog park where there was a pond. He jumped in and started swimming, with Hull letting him hear her voice, so he knew where she was.

“The dog boggles the mind,” she says.

Riddle, her vet told her, was born without eyes.

The vet made her initial visit to Hull’s home to avoid any further trauma to Riddle in those first few days.

“I had hoped she would find a viable eye back there.

There was nothing there. One eye is almost completely closed; the other eye is pink flesh. She said not to sew it shut as it wasn’t bothering him and his tear ducts worked.”

Hull wasn’t the only one who could easily see that Riddle wasn’t held back by his lack of sight. When Hull and Riddle visited a daycare with another of her dogs, Jack, she let the kids watch the two canines chase a ball. Riddle caught it while Jack just let the ball bounce off of his head. Hull then asked the children which dog was blind. They chose Jack.

“When I said it was Riddle, they were stunned,” she says. “Just because he has a disability, doesn’t make him any less. If he wants something bad enough, nothing stands in his way.”

A typical day for Riddle starts with a long walk with Hull’s 12 other dogs (11 belong to her and her business partners, one is a foster dog). Riddle attends fundraisers and often visits with kids.

“We’re trying to teach him not to launch [jump up]. It’s kind of funny. You can tell he is about to do it. He tilts his head to the side—it’s his Stevie Wonder look—and puts his beak up in the air toward the sky and tilts his head back and forth from side to side and goes from foot to foot, listening. He loves kids so much, he wants to jump on them. We’re working on finessing.” 3

“If he wants something bad enough, nothing stands in his way.”

46 moderndog

winter 2009/ 10

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Hull is in the beginning stages of discussing a working partnership with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB).

“We want to promote awareness about people and animals with disabilities. Riddle was going to be killed as useless. But he can do anything other dogs can do. We want to raise awareness for rescue, too.”

Hull says she has never looked back on her decision to bring Riddle into her home, believing he was placed in her path for a reason—to teach people lessons.

She says Riddle has taught her to recognize what she herself is capable of. Hull and her business partners are almost finished building a boarding kennel on her property. Ruff House Boarding and Training Centre will be a huge facility based in her 70-acre parcel, with several large pens where dogs can hang out together,

and a 3,200-square-foot training centre and play area. There will be agility equipment and lots of individual attention.

Of course, there will also be a separate building a bit farther away to house rescue dogs and help them prepare for their forever homes.

“Riddle is raising awareness about rescue. When we have raised enough money for the rescue centre, we will build it. We will have a rescue centre, especially for quarantined dogs. It’s all because of Riddle.”

“He has taught us so much. There are some things that are hard to explain. People see him and their first reaction is ‘poor dog.’ It really irritates me. He’s a thriving, happy dog. All who meet him walk away with a big grin. Riddle is full of joy all the time and we feel really blessed.” n

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49

moderndog

Gift Guide PeRFeCT SUGGeSTIONS FOR ALL THe DOGS–AND DOG PeOPLe–ON YOUR LIST

The World Traveler

$10

We’ll always have Paris. Evoke the city

{editor’s pick}

of love with an Eiffel Tower charm. diva-dog.com

$16

Proclaim your love of dog to customs

officials everywhere with a dog-print passport wallet. fluffshop.com

$11

$11

From Russia with love.

Sweet and squeaky matryoshka doll, hamishmcbeth.com

Avoid problems at the immigration counter with a doggie passport, perfect for keeping track of your dog’s vaccination records. wagn4u.com

$70

Travel stress-free with Sherpa’s “Guaranteed On Board” program. Before your travel day, fill out the travel form at flygob.com to ensure flight compliancy then print your Guaranteed On Board Certificate and bring with you to the airport to present to the boarding agent. If you’re denied boarding due to your carrier, Sherpa will refund you the total flight and airline pet travel fee. Plus, the bags are cute and roomy. sherpapetgroup.com

$34

If your heart belongs across the pond, wag the British flag with a Union Jack retractable leash.

26barsandaband.com

The Homebody

$12

Your dogs won’t be barkin’ if they’re warm and cozy in some cutie bunny slippers. klydestreetboutique.com

$44

hibernating to good use—knit Pups a sweater to keep warm in should you eventually venture out-of-doors.

Style Hounds Knit Kit (includes Merino wool and vintage buttons), stylehoundshandknits.com

50 moderndog

$10

Craft night. Put your time

winter 2009/ 10

$27

Gain insight into your canine couch mate.

Read Alexandra Horowitz’s acclaimed new book Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know (Scribner; 09)

Now Fido, too, can use the remote, talk on the phone, and have a snack while ensconced in a warm and cuddly blanket with sleeves. It’s about time! snuggiefordogs.com

moderndog Gift Guide

The Outdoors Enthusiast $18

Protect delicate ears on long winter walks

with Canis Wears’ Sorex hat, a polar fleece toque with ear pockets and secure chin strap. caniswear.com

$66

Dog Chewz NYC’s

fleece-lined plaid coat with

$46-$58

$10-$18

This machine washable, sporty double layer fleece jacket will keep Rex toasty warm all winter long.

Sizes XS-XL. rcpets.com

Velcro closures and harnessstyle leash-hook provides cold-weather protection for smaller outdoors enthusiasts. dogchewz.com

Pop up this collapsible bowl from PopWare for Pets for on-the-go hydration. popwareforpets.com

$60

Work hard, play hard with the lightweight, flexible, durable,

$11

all-weather DT Harness.

Go nuts

Available in four sizes. deantylerproducts.com

with a cute, boiled-

wool squirrel toy

from Jax and Bones.

Naturally dyed with non-toxic dyes and it’s squeaky, too! gingerpuplane.com

$28/$8

Layer Spindrift’s ripstop nylon Off Road booties with their polar fleece socks to keep paws warm and dry. spindriftdog.com

$25

Climb every mountain. Hand made in

$50-$80

EzyDog’s sturdy, well-fit Summit Backpack with messenger-style packs, harness chest plate, and reflective trim let’s Rover pull his own weight on hikes. ezydog.com

{editor’s pick}

$23-$32

Keep small dogs warm on winter walks with a

bold-hued Puffer Jacket. unitedk9s.com

the USA from post-consumer recycled climbing rope, these leashes are not only rugged, they’re green, too! mountaindogproducts.com

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51

moderndog Gift Guide

The Princess $68

$100

Put on your pawty dress. Weddings, barkmitzvahs, laundry day…the Sweet Sorbet dress adds a touch of tulle and a pouf of pleasure to any occasion. oneluckydogcouture.com

Time to shine! Sparkle all winter

$4

long with this Swarovski crystal tassel charm. diamonddogs.us

A pretty bow is the perfect finishing touch for every princess pup’s ensemble. hotbows.com

The Comedian {SPLURGE}

$590-$960

Whether in genuine leather or faux for the eco-conscious Fido, Pet Interiors’ chic, handmade Bowl bed is just the thing for modern mutts intent on lounging. pet-interiors.de

{editor’s pick}

$12

Following on the heels of the classic Humunga Tongue is new entry Humunga Stache. The durable rubber ball is fun for fetching, and the attached moustache entertains you and passers by. Just don’t be surprised when your dog uses “the classic handlebark” to go indognito when he’s done something wrong. moodypet.com

$1

Bad breath might not be funny but cinnamon-flavoured Dog Breath Gum (for people, not dogs) is. reddoghouse.com

$12

The grumpy in-law, cocky playboy, mean boss, the flirty ex—get back at them all with these squeaky toys from Doggie Goodie. We may not be able to chew them out, but our dogs can! doggiegoodie.com

52 moderndog

winter 2009/ 10

$12

Does Rex have a (funny) bone? Keep witty dogs organized with the Onion’s desk calendar. store.theonion.com

$8

The penultimate comic prop. Every funny dog needs a rubber chicken. Original Wild Chicken Henrietta latex dog toy, charmingpetproducts.com

moderndog Gift Guide

The Foodie {editor’s pick}

$13

Add a touch of the South of France to your dog’s playtime with this stuffable, non-toxic artichoke toy.

How gourmet! planetdog.com

$6

Five-star snack. The meat in these dehydrated, allmeat Charcuterie treats comes from livestock humanely raised on sustainable, familyowned US ranches.

Plus, they’re free of any preservatives, additives or grains. spotpettreats.com

$16

See Ya Later Ranch is a dog lover’s delight.

Delicious, nuanced wines pay homage to the much loved dogs of the vineyard’s original owner. sylranch.com

$14

Okay, so this isn’t for the dogs but rather for those two-legged compatriots that enjoy an award-winning sipper.

Bonus: Mutt Lynch’s wonderful dog-themed labels. muttlynchwinery.com

{STEAL}

$6

Have a cookie monster on your list? This

$29

bone-shaped cookie cutter is perfect for making cookies of all kinds (including both the chocolate chip and liver varieties). annclark.com

$10

$11-$37

Kitchen cover-up. Keep unsightly liver splatters off your clothes with an iconic William Wegman “doodle dog”-patterned apron made of Crypton stain-resistant fabric. cryptonfabrics.com

These clean and bright food and water dishes made of melamine with removable stainless steel bowls come in sizes small to XL. kakadupet.com

After overindulging,

tame the flatulence with Fart Busters, a “fart-free” enzyme-enhanced, all natural free-range chicken treat. barkstix.com

$15

Get up to some culinary capers with recipes such as “Pawlickin’ Chicken” and “Liver Alone.” Organic Dog Biscuit Cookbook kit (comes with three cookie cutters), bubbarose.com

$5

Custom-made for the canine gourmet (gourmand?), a Dog’s Life Real Dogs 100% natural grain-free jerky treats packaging can be personalized with your dog’s photo. adogslife.net

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53

moderndog Gift Guide

The Activist $42

Bite back at the puppy mill industry with the Fleas Knees’ Puppy Mills Bite tee. Five dollars from every tee goes to Best Friends Animal Society’s Puppies Aren’t Products campaign. fleasplease.com

$20-50

Give peace a chance with this

cheery peace sign emblazoned collar. hotdogsalldressed.com

$40-$80

Look good, feel great.

These hand-beaded collars are made in Kenya

by Maasai women, creating employment opportunities and thereby fighting poverty. thekenyancollection.com

The Romantic {STEAL}

$7,300

$8

Fit for royalty (Louis the XIV, to be exact). A replica of the facades of la Place Vendome fitted with 24 carat gold gilded handles and legs and luxurious velvet, this canine apartment features sleeping quarters on the lower level and upholstered draws and chest on the second floor. puppydeparis.fr

Eternal love. For dreams of walking paw in paw along the beach at sunset, I Do D-ring charm. foufoudog.com

$29

Fine dining.

Nickel-plated porcelain elevates a dog bowl from plain to posh. unleashedlife.com

54 moderndog

$28

State the obvious. Help promote shelter dog adoption with a totally radical raglan tee.15% of proceeds are donated to Paws 4 You Rescue. yuppypuppyboutique.com

winter 2009/ 10

$14

Ooh la la.

Sweet little squares of peanut butter all wrapped up in a yogurt coating bow from Petit Four Legs, handmade using natural ingredients. petitfourlegs.com

$16

Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May. Add a touch of whimsy

with elasticized leather, mother of pearl, and rose quartz neckwear. doshadog.com

Unleash

your athletes in 2010.

See Ya Later Ranch is a winery of Vincor Canada, Official Wine Supplier of the 2010 Winter Games / est une vinerie de Vincor Canada, fournisseur officiel de vin des Jeux d’hiver de 2010.

sylranch.com

Please drink responsibly

The Senator and the Service Dog How a politician, an Iraq vet, and a very special dog named Tuesday are changing politics, one companion at a time.

By Kaitlin Fontana

“A

ny time you run a political campaign you have good days and you have bad days,” says Minnesota’s Democratic Senator Al Franken. He should know—the former comedian, radio personality, and writer for Saturday Night Live fought a long, hard fight against Republican incumbent Norm Coleman, including a series of statewide recounts (which ultimately found Franken ahead by 225 votes) and a Supreme Court battle. He finally emerged victorious and was sworn in this July—eight months after the votes were first cast.

But when Senator Franken talks of good days and bad days on the campaign trail, he speaks in this case of losing a dear friend. “Without question,” Franken recalls, “The worst day of our campaign was the day about two years ago when we had to put down our black Lab, Kirby.”

Along with the Franken family, Kirby had made the journey from a small apartment in New York City back to Al’s home state when he commenced his bid for Senate. Kirby had cancer, and it had

56 moderndog

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metastasized throughout his body. To lose their old pal at such an important juncture had a profound effect on the then wouldbe Senator. “Like almost every Lab I know, he was the sweetest, gentlest guy,” Franken says. “A heart on four legs.”

Franken’s background, politically speaking, is very different from most of his colleagues in the Senate. While he is a sharp political mind, and has written brilliant and biting books on the subject (recommended: Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right), he did not enter politics in a traditional manner, and in fact spent his youth writing brilliant and biting comedy, mostly on Saturday Night Live. This fact rarely escaped his opponent—during the campaign, Coleman’s team dug up several pieces of Franken’s satire, one of which was published in Playboy magazine, and held these up as reasons not to elect.

There was one facet of Franken, however, that Coleman’s team could never skewer: his commitment to America’s military. As a comedian, Franken had been a vocal and fervent supporter of the troops. He also went on several USO tours, and during these met and befriended many soldiers. Since 1999, Franken has toured to Germany, Italy, Kosovo and Bosnia, and to Iraq and Afghanistan four times. “The trips are always tremendous fun,” Franken says, “but [they are] also very moving and sometimes wrenching.”

In addition to these, he also visited wounded soldiers in Iraq and at the Walter Reed and Bethesda recovery facilities.

There’s an old saying: “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.” It would be an opportune meeting marrying his USO skills and love of dogs that would come to make up Senator Franken’s lucky first moments in office. This past January, months before he was finally sworn in, still-just-Al Franken would visit Washington, DC for President Obama’s Inauguration. At an official event, he met an Iraq war vet. That veteran, Captain Luis Montalvan, had an interesting plus-one guest: his service dog, Tuesday. Like Kirby (and many other service dogs), Tuesday was a Lab. Franken struck up a conversation with Montalvan.

“Candidate Franken was very attentive,” recalls Montalvan.

For his part, the two-tour veteran spoke passionately about Tuesday, and the benefits of bringing service dogs and veterans

NEW!

“Without question,” Franken recalls, “The worst day of our campaign was the day about two years ago when we had to put down our black Lab, Kirby.”

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together. People tend to think of service dogs as strictly guide dogs—leading the blind and hard of hearing safely around the world. But Captain Montalvan made it clear that Tuesday, who had been provided to him by a non-profit organization, was much more than that. Before Tuesday, Captain Montalvan had struggled with pain and brain injury, and with the effects of post-traumatic disorder. As an intelligence officer, he’d been singled out for assassination, was badly beaten, and stabbed. When he first returned home, he was so traumatized by his experience that he had developed agoraphobia and could not leave his house.

Tuesday, he says, makes all the difference. She helps him physically, by picking up objects, reminding him to take his pills (and ensuring they get taken) and by navigating and aiding him

around the house and out of doors. But more keenly, Tuesday is a great psychological aid: she wakes him from nightmares, helps calm insomnia and eases panic attacks by sensing changes in Montalvan’s breathing. Put more succinctly by Captain Montalvan himself, “Tuesday is a happy being that is with me all the time.”

Senator Franken was moved by Montalvan’s story, but the nature of politics is that a conversation at an event where press and colleagues are present doesn’t necessarily mean there will be action. So when Franken called Captain Montalvan at home a week later, the veteran was shocked. “When this famous person is calling, you think that something might happen.”

And something did. Still unconfirmed as Senator, Franken met with Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota. Facility founder Al

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Peters and his staff educated Franken on the costs, training and veterinary care associated with service dogs. With their help and resources, Franken was able to begin thinking about legislation. When he was sworn in this summer, he wasted little time. The Franken-Isakson Service Dogs for Veterans Act was passed by the Senate in July. Notably, the act was co-sponsored by Senator Johnny Isakson (R-G.A.), making it a rare aisle-crossing bill. (Isakson’s ailing mother had a companion animal.) The bill’s passing signifies

*

Free StuFF

Cookie Monster Ten lucky readers will win a gift pack from Want a Cookie, including Cheddar Cheese, Peanut Butter, and Pacific Salmon flavoured ovenbaked, low-fat, wheat-free, gourmet dog cookies. For contest details, go to page 143. See wantacookie.ca for more product info.

Barking Great Gift Baskets One lucky reader will win both a “For the Dog” and a “For the Dog’s Human” gift basket! One is chock-full of treats and toys for your dog, and the other is filled with dog-inspired goodies for you. Flip to page 143 for contest details; visit doglovergiftbaskets.com for more product info.

When Franken called Captain Montalvan at home a week later, the veteran was shocked. further steps towards a pilot program that would make service dogs like Tuesday available to veterans like Montalvan. “The Deptartment of Veteran’s Affairs does not do enough,” Montalvan says. “This is one important step.” Further down the line, Montalvan would like to see more education on service dogs and the Americans with Disabilities act, so that he and Tuesday get treated like equals no matter where they go. In the meantime, Montalvan pledges to remain a voice for the rights of veterans and their service dogs. “It’s been such an amazing change between [before Tuesday] and now, it’s almost a duty to tell people about it.”

For his part, Senator Franken looks upon his success with the act as the beginning of a long, hard-earned career working for the people of Minnesota. “Next is health care,” the Senator says. “We have to reform our system, and I know we will.

My solution: more dogs.” n

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Buffy Loves Lieverd Tale of a small town romance

By Eric Hemming Nelson Illustration by Rachel Gordon

C

rofton, B.C. A Vancouver Island winter hangs heavy with gray, swollen, low-slung clouds.

On a good day it is not raining. But whether rain, oppressively overcast skies, or a bleak sun and raw sea wind abound, doggie must be walked.

Actually, the discipline is a sanity-saving enterprise for any three-month house sitting stint in the small community of Crofton, a few kilometers northeast of Duncan on the island’s southern coast. At least once a day, usually in the afternoon, you don rain gear and off you go, walking or being walked by Buffy, the neighbourhood’s barky terrier “terrorist.” The spirited and mischievous Airedale belongs to newly retired residents Bruce and Gayle Marshall, formerly of St. Albert, Alberta, who, at the moment, happen to be on a three-month golf and beach stroll under Mexico’s almost non-stop sun.

The daily route takes you down to the picturesque sea walk, passing the camping and trailer park where the old copper smelter used to be and out onto the little spit of tide-prone gravel to the dock at the end. Somewhere on the spit you hope Buffy will accomplish her more serious business, so the high tide will wash it away and you won’t have to pick it up in a pocket plastic bag.

Then it’s along the recently built and bank-hugging boardwalk to the gazebo and government marina, near the Salt Spring Island ferry dock, and up the hill along Joan Avenue toward the post office and Arnie’s Crofton Foods at the end. On the way you pass the under renovation 104-yearold Crofton Hotel, allegedly the oldest hotel on Vancouver Island. It is here that Buffy’s new boyfriend lives, with the building owner and master, Richard Smith.

The object of her attention is a beautiful, mostly-black German Shepherd by the name of Lieverd, which means “Honey” or “Sweetheart” in the Dutch language. Even though you have met Lieverd several times and know he is a gentle creature, his dark look does not suggest endearment.

Each new encounter is an exercise in will, as you extend your gloved hand toward the black face and piercing eyes for a quick little pet. 3

The object of her attention is a beautiful, mostlyblack German Shepherd.

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Buffy couldn’t be happier, however, dancing and jumping around and generally flirting with the tough-looking pooch.

One day, you come in search of master and dog but they are not there. However, a block or so up the street you spy a big black head rising above another individual on a park bench in front of the combined coffee shop and book store. Drawing closer, you think it may be Lieverd sitting more than a head higher than his seat mate on the far end of the bench. But it is not Richard beside him. The other half is occupied by a hunched senior citizen who seems humiliated that he must share the bench with a dog.

She has called the authorities to report a big black dog sitting on a bench where, she thinks, only humans or cats should park.

Unaware, Richard is in the coffee shop yarning with friends. Somewhere nearby a biddy with nothing better to do has already called the authorities to report a big black dog sitting on a bench where, she thinks, only humans or cats should park.

Even though Buffy is straining the leash to say hello, you are still not sure it is Richard’s dog. So you ask the seatsharing octogenarian, “Excuse me, is that Lieverd?”

The fellow pretends he does not hear you. He may be selectively deaf. Closer, and louder, you repeat the query. “Uh, excuse me! Is that Lieverd?!”

Disgruntled, and self-consciously glancing sideways to avoid looking at you, he mumbles: “I don’t know who he is.” n

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WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND In ancient Egypt, Bastet was worshipped as a cat god. The cats have never forgotten this.

After the last Solid Gold dog food ad was published, Alexander, the Great, - or Alexander, the So-So, many people questioned the information. Did Queen Hatshepsut of Egypt (1470 B.C.) really send her boats up the Mississippi River to look for minerals – particularly tin and copper?

The ad went on to say that dogs are 11% trace minerals and only 4% vitamins. If you don’t give the trace minerals, the vitamins don’t work. Solid Gold Sea Meal has one type of kelp and 18 types of sea algae. Sea vegetation is always necessary for Oriental dogs, Arctic dogs, as well as dogs from England, Scotland and Ireland-spaniels, terriers and retrievers. Water dogs (labs and poodles) must have sea vegetation. They also must be fed a fish-based dog food to support the DNA of the body. This sea vegetation and fish – based dog food were fed to these dogs for hundreds of years. We are holistic healers, so we know this! You must support the DNA of the dog’s body. The #1 allergy of dogs is soybean (sometimes called lecithin) #2 is wheat and #3 is corn. These ingredients cause dogs to chew at the root of the tail and lick their feet. Some dogs will also get ear infections. The grains in Solid Gold Hund-N-Flocken are amaranth, millet and barley. Barley is the anti-aging grain. Our grain-free dog food is Barking at the Moon.

Our Solid Gold Hund-N-Flocken, dog food, (means dog food flakes in German) is a top seller in Germany. Many sales contracts for exporting European dogs state that if you don’t feed the Solid Gold Hund-N-Flocken and the Solid Gold Sea Meal, they will not guarantee the health of the dog.

In the United States, many guard dogs for government buildings, police dogs, cadaver dogs, arson and drug sniffing dogs are fed Hund-N-Flocken. Our bags are vacuum/hermetically sealed for freshness. No other dog food company does this. These dogs hunt by scent. Our dog food doesn’t use any artificial preservatives, which would interfere with their sense of smell.

Sea Meal is the powder which is always feed with our dog food. It supports the immune, enzyme and hormone (anti-aging) system of the body. It grows coats and intensifies coat color.

Solid Gold never uses sunflower oil which the Swedish National Cancer Institute says increases the risk of cancer by 69%.

Dr. Karen Halligan DVM warns dog owners not to feed avocados which may contribute to diabetes, epilepsy, pancreatitis or skin problems. Solid Gold doesn’t use them. Solid Gold does not use peas either, peas give dogs gas.

Last year, the news warned against using peanut butter due to salmonella poisoning. Solid Gold doesn’t use peanut butter.

Now people are warned against the hidden ingredient, acetaminophen, in dog food. Two years ago, some pain medications were pulled off the shelves. The acetaminophen ingredient caused 56,000 people to go to the hospital with liver failure, 200 died. Now, some dog food companies are putting it in their dog food. It may artificially raise the protein. Look up - http://petfoodtracker.blogspot.com/2007/06/acetominiphen-update-in-at-least-6.html to find out which dog foods uses acetominophen.

Solid Gold doesn’t use it.

When you open our bags, open the top, scoop out what you want and close with bag clips. We don’t recommend empting out the bag into another container. The act of pouring exposes the food to air and you can lose the preservation.

About Queen Hatshepsut, the Egyptian camels were used to carry heavy loads. But some accidentally got loose. So when the Spanish conquistadors came 3000 years later, they found camels in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. (Sorry, Columbus) During the Civil War, the South used camels to carry loads. In the westward push, pioneers found camel bones and Egyptian relics in the Grand Canyon area. During January 09, construction workers in Mesa, AZ were digging up the area and found camel bones.

They were building a new WalMart.

Seagulls are called this because they fly to the sea. They don’t fly to the bay because they would be called bagels.

Solid Gold dog food and Solid Gold Sea Meal are available at local animal supply stores or call us at (619)258-7356, Monday thru Friday 10 am to 5 pm, Pacific standard time, for their locations or to place a direct order.

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 dane@solidgoldhealth.com or www.solidgoldhealth.com Solid Gold Health Products for Pets, the Holistic Animal Nutrition Center 1331 N. Cuyamaca El Cajon, CA 92020

100% Pure Love photographed by tanya king

Many people are surprised to learn there are lots of purebred dogs languishing in shelters and rescues. Most shelters are overrun with sweet dogs of all sorts dying for a family to call their own. Canine homelessness does not discriminate; no matter what kind of dog you’re looking for, you can find him or her in a shelter or rescue—even purebreds of all ilk. For that matter, you can even find purebred puppies (though the charms of adult and senior dogs are not to be overlooked—no puppy training, for one!). If you are considering a new four-legged family member, why not check out your local shelters, pounds, and rescue groups? Who knows, your canine soul mate could be there waiting for you.

The dogs on the following pages are from shelters and rescue groups around Vancouver, BC, but check petfinder.com for pups—purebred and otherwise—in your area, looking for a place to call home and a person to love.

(facing page)

Suzie-Q Breed: Shih Tzu Gender: Female/Spayed Age: Adult Organization: Cross Our Paws Rescue Contact: crossourpawsrescue.com Give her water for swimming, a cat for snuggling, or a lap for lounging, and Suzie-Q is in seventh heaven. This adorable little sweetie loves to empty her toy box—toys don’t belong in a box, you know! She gets on very well with other dogs, and is fully housetrained. Suzie-Q seeks an adults-only home.

Suzi-Q wears a Flea Bag & Co pastel, mod-print bandana. fleabag.ca

Minnie Breed: Papillon Gender: Female Age: Puppy Organization: Little Paws Rescue Contact: littlepawsrescue.net This wee charmer and her sister, Twiggy, were born after their pregnant mom was rescued from a puppy mill situation. Little Minnie has a sassy personality and is very affectionate—human laps are indeed comfy. She enjoys walks and absolutely everything interests her. Though her name is Minnie, her tongue isn’t; it’s quite long and peeks out of her mouth.

She is an absolute doll.

Minnie wears a Paris Erotica pale pink faux fur stole. pariero-ny.com

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Crusoe Breed: Labrador Retriever Gender: Male/Neutered Age: Adult Organization: Vancouver Animal Shelter Contact: petfinder.com/ shelters/BC08.html This is one beautiful, fun, alreadytrained dog. Happy-go-lucky Crusoe is athletic, but not hyper; he likes to romp, but enjoys relaxing, too. He knows basic commands, is good on-leash, likes other dogs, and is keen on playing fetch. Crusoe barks from kennel stress, but is quiet and happy on walks. He awaits his “forever family”—could it be yours?

Crusoe wears a Mod Dog plaid scarf with vintage button. moddog.ca

Kaylee Breed: Miniature Smooth Dachshund Gender: Female Age: Puppy Organization: Dachshund & Small Dog Rescue Contact: petfinder.com/shelters/ BC95.html People are great! Dogs are great! Squeaky toys are great!

Enthusiastic Kaylee loves napping in a sunny spot when she’s not busy exploring all the wonderful things out there in the big wide world. She is affectionate, and also quite the starlet—she’ll always pose for the camera.

Kaylee is housetrained, and will be spayed. A home with older children is best.

Kaylee wears a RoadWagz collar and tie with Pet Head crested, terrycloth wrist bands. roadwagz.com/petheadshop.com

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Malibu Breed: German Shorthaired Pointer Gender: Female/Spayed Age: Adult Organization: Cross Our Paws Rescue Contact: crossourpawsrescue.com Sweet Malibu, or Loulou for short, has energy to burn. She’ll swim for hours, and her favourite pastime is—you guessed it—pointing and flushing birds out of the bush. She’ll even point out flies in the house! Loulou needs an exceptionally active, breed-savvy home and several hours of off-leash exercise every day. This loving dog has separation anxiety—she just wants to be with her people—but if you’ve got the time and energy, smart, affectionate, and athletic Loulou could be just the dog for you!

Malibu wears a Fetchers and Fighters sparkly blue leather collar featuring a snap system that secures the loose end of the collar. fetchersandfighters.com

Dumpling Breed: Beagle Gender: Female/Spayed Age: Young Adult Organization: Vancouver Animal Shelter Contact: petfinder.com/shelters/ BC08.html Happy, cuddly and wiggly best describe our little Dumpling. She loves everything: adults, children, walks, chasing balls, and snacks (of course!). Beagles are pack animals, and true to her breed, she wants to be with other dogs.

Dumpling is gentle and sweet, but requires lots of physical activity and social contact.

Dumpling wears a RoadWagz tuxedo dickie with attached gold bowtie and rhinestone buttons. roadwagz.com

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body &soul

Probiotics for Pups Live bacteria that are thought to have a beneficial effect on gastrointestinal health

Make those resolutions stick!

How is that all those best-laid plans and good intentions fall to the wayside approximately half past noon, January 3rd? To help us kick-start the new year and put some of those resolutions into action, we asked Dr. Ian Newby-Clark, a professor of psychology specializing in self-change and habits, for a few tips.

illustration jess golden

Interested in probiotics for your dog? Here are a few that have good ingredients and good labeling: VETRI-PROBIOTIC BD for dogs (Bowel Defense Formula) http://www.vetriscience.com/vetri-probiotic-bd.php FortiFlora Canine Nutritional Supplement http://www.purinaveterinarydiets.com/ CanineProductDetail.aspx?prod=244 Probiotic Miracle probiotic powder supplement for pets https://probioticsfordogs. com/index.html

Turns out we’re overly enthusiastic about this self-betterment thing. “First off, you should pick one resolution. And only one. People often set themselves up for failure by being too ambitious,” Newby-Clark says. Duly chastened, we nevertheless put forward the following five goals. Just make sure you focus on only one!

Party Survival Guide Tip

Resolution #1: Spend more quality time with Rover (aside from the usual rushed walks) This goal needs to be more specific; what will happen?

You know to never give your pup bones from the table, but dinner guests are another matter. Ensure your evening doesn’t end with a trip to the vet—inform them that cooked bones, particularly small ones, can splinter and the shards could cause choking as well as blockage or injury to your dog’s gastrointestinal tract.

Tricks? Visiting other dogs? Just hanging out? When will this happen? How often? A goal is more easily achieved if there is a concrete plan for achieving it.

Resolution #2: Get more exercise—both of us It can often be pretty hard to start a new exercise habit. Making a “mini-plan” can often help. What kind of exercise? How long and how often? If you tell yourself something like, “When I get home from work, I will put on my jogging gear,” you will find it much easier to get going. Simple but extremely effective.

Resolution #3: Bone up on training Be sure to pick times when you aren’t too mentally tired. Will-power is a limited resource and a good training session requires a good amount of self-control. So, don’t try a training session after a tough day at work. Make sure that you—and your dog—are fresh.

Resolution #4: Drop a few pounds Again, specificity is key. Realism is also key. People’s health goals (I can’t say for dogs) are often rather ambitious.

Perhaps consult with the family doctor (and vet) about reasonable goals and how they can be achieved.

Resolution #5: Give back What a great idea! No sophisticated suggestions for this one. Just the obvious: Pick something close to your heart.

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Help for the ObsessiveCompulsive Canine Prevent licking, chewing and biting with the Anti-Lick Strip, a medical-grade adhesive bandage that deters the behaviour through active, all-natural ingredients. nurturedpets.com

Wholistic Canine Complete

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Recommended by leading holistic vets.

Simply sprinkle a single dose of Wholistic Canine Complete™ on your pet’s regular meal. Our carefully selected natural, certified organic, and USA-grown ingredients will provide your dog support for vibrant health, a stronger immune system, gorgeous skin & coat, and more!

Order the best today!

Available at fine pet stores, online or toll-free. Check for our other dog, cat, horse and bird formulas, as well.

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body &soul The Digital Assistant: DaysAgo First developed to keep track of the shelf life of fridge food, this award-winning little time saver—or rather food saver—is the perfect little personal assistant. With the touch of a button, the DaysAgo digital day counter starts counting to let you know how many days that can of dog food’s been open, or when it’s time for heartworm or flea medication again. The battery-operated DaysAgo comes in a variety of colours, is easily reset, and provides three different ways to affix itself to products and surfaces. howmanydaysago.com.

Dog-approved Enviro tip

Take eco action with EcoTraction Environmentallyfriendly EcoTraction will save your dog’s paws and health— and your lawn—from salt damage, while providing natural traction on slippery surfaces. ecotraction.com

Clean and Green Tip Why not replace your regular cleaners with Earthpawz nontoxic line, specifically targeted to banish dog dirt and slobber? The biodegradable and hypoallergenic products are 100 percent pet-safe; walls, windows, and carpets can be pawed, licked, and rubbed against without fear of chemical residue. Choose from Dirty Dog Floor Cleaner & Mud Remover, Doggie Slobber Window & Glass Cleaner, and Doggie Grime Wall & Baseboard Cleaner. earthpawz.com

In Remembrance Gone, but not forgotten. Your best pal will always be close to your heart with this hand crafted, rhodium-plated, sterling silver Fire Hydrant necklace that holds ashes. pacificurns.com

Natural Product Pick

Chemical-free pest protection

= Practice Safe Snacking Before you get all snack-tacular sharing the spoils of the hors d’oeuvre tray with your canine pal, keep in mind that, for a 20 pound dog, one ounce of cheese (approximately a one square inch cube) is about the equivalent of 1.5 hamburgers/1.5 chocolate bars.

Source: Hill’s Pet Nutrition

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Given what we now know about chemicals and environmental impact, there’s no doubt that the products made to keep pests off your pooch are often full of harmful ingredients hazardous not only to your dog, but also to the environment, you, and your children.

There are natural products out there, but even these need frequent application to be effective. Enter Shoo!TAG, an alternative to flea collars and sprays that uses no chemicals; in fact, it uses no substances of any kind. Instead, Shoo!TAG utilizes principles of physics and computer technology to harness the bio-energetic field that surrounds your pet (and all living things), and to broadcast a shoo-fly frequency barrier around him. Sound a little sci-fi? Maybe so. But users swear by them, and the product was developed by a team of scientists and quantum physicians.

Just take it out of the package, attach it to your dog’s collar, and go. Need further proof? The company’s fastest growing line of products are the made-for-human variety. shootag.com

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body &soul Sorting Out Supplements

By Laura Scott and Elizabeth Pask Illustration by Tia Mihalj

Fish or canola oil for skin and coat Glucosamine, MSM, and chondroiton for joints

Valerian, chamomile or L-theanine for calming

H

as Fido’s coat lost its youthful luster? Or is he having trouble negotiating the step up to the couch because his back is stiff? For many of us, our dogs are cherished members of our family and, as such, we strive to give them the best life possible. We provide walks, love and affection, regular health care, and good nutrition to our four-legged family members. But what happens when all of these don’t appear to be enough? The answer may lie in some common supplements available for our dogs.

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Skin and Coat Supplements Dry flaky skin or excessive hair loss is a common complaint for many dogs. For most breeds, a healthy dog should have soft fur that is neither greasy nor dry. It is important to note that dogs with normally fine fur (such as Poodles) will not have an excessive shine to their coat the same way dogs with coarser fur (such as Labrador Retrievers) do.

In order to maintain a healthy skin and coat, our dogs require omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These fats are also

called essential fatty acids (EFAs) and they may be included in your dog’s normal diet. However, when your dog does not get enough of these or they are not in the right balance, the skin and coat begin to suffer. Essential fatty acids are required by the body to maintain the integrity of the cell membrane. Skin cells have a high rate of turnover and they may require more of these fats than other parts of the body.

The optimal dose and ratio of fatty acids are still being researched, but the current recommendation is a ratio of 2-5 times

Common Omega-3 Supplements and How Much You Should Feed Type of Oil

Omega-3 per gram oil (mg) Amount per day mL/kg body weight # tablespoons for a 10-kg dog *** Do not exceed

Fish Oil

Flax Canola Seed Oil Oil

Soy Oil

Fish Oil Capsule

Flax Oil Capsule

150

570

80

70

300

500

1.2

0.3

2.2

2.5

0.6

0.4

more omega-6 than omega-3. Canola oil and soybean 0.8 0.2 1.5 1.7 0.4 0.2 oil are good sources of a balanced omega fatty acid 3.3 0.9 6.3 7.1 1.7 1.0 supplement. However, since omega-6 fatty acids are ***1 Tablespoon = 15mL fairly common in your dog’s normal diet, you may wish to just supplement omega-3 fatty acids. In that active dog, a dog with known joint problems, or a breed prone to case, flaxseed oil or wild salmon oil are good choices. joint issues, you may want to begin supplements while your dog is The recommended level of omega-3 supplementation is 175 young and before they show any signs of problems. mg/kg body weight. If you figure in that soybean oil is 7 percent Most joint supplements contain glucosamine HCL (note: gluomega-3 fatty acid, you would need to feed 2.5 mL of oil per kg of cosamine sulfate is less digestible), MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), body weight. So, for a 20-kg dog, you would feed 50 mL of oil per and chondroiton. These are naturally occurring nutrients that the day. body produces and which can be added to the diet.

While this is only a starting dose which you may As dogs age, or if they experience physical stress need to increase for your dog, there are some pos(such as injury), the need for these nutrients may sible hazards in oversupplementing omega-3 fatty exceed the body’s ability to supply them. There acids, such as a decreased ability for blood to clot, may also be other ingredients in the supplement vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and hives. Therefore, which may or may not be beneficial, but they are omega-3 fatty acids should not exceed 4 percent of unlikely to cause harm. your dog’s daily caloric intake, or 500mg/kg body The recommended dose will depend on your weight or 4 tablespoons oil/cup of food. Remember, dog, but a good estimate is 1000 – 1500mg/day too, these fats are high in calories, so you may need glucosamine HCL, 1000mg/day for MSM, and 800 to adjust the rest of your dog’s diet to keep him or – 200mg/day chondroiton for dogs between 25 – her from putting on extra pounds.

50kg. For dogs between 10 – 25 kg, give half the dose mentioned above and for dogs less than 10 kg, quarter it.

Joint Supplements Stiffness, especially upon waking, is one of the main clues that your dog may have arthritic activity in his joints. Fortunately, there Anti-Anxiety Supplements are a number of supplements available to help improve the health Just like us, sometimes dogs experience stress. Whether this is the of the joint and cartilage. Supplements for joint health take time stress of moving to a new home, welcoming a new family memto work, so it is always best to start early. If you have a highly ber, thunder storms, or car rides, for some dogs this stress appears

When your dog does not get enough essential fatty acids, the coat and skin begin to suffer.

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Tell us your story!

Calling All Aspiring Writers: It’s Modern Dog’s First Ever Writing Contest Do you have a dog-centric story to share? If so, we want to hear about it! Here’s your chance for literary fame and glory. Submit your creative nonfiction story, whether heartwarming, dramatic, humourous, or simply a happily-ever-after “tail.” We’ll share the winning entries with the world: winning stories will be published in the upcoming Summer 2010 edition of Modern Dog.

{

Here’s how to enter:

}

*

Must be creative nonfiction (personal essay, memoir, humour writing, biography)

*

Submitted work must be original and not previously published

* *

Must be no more than 800 words in length

* *

Entries must be received by March 10, 2010

Entries must be submitted electronically via moderndogmagazine.com/yourstorycontest Entry fee of $15 in the US/$18 in Canada includes free one-year subscription to Modern Dog

*

For the complete rules, including instructions on how to submit your story, please go to moderndogmagazine. com/yourstorycontest

We look forward to reading your stories!

overwhelming. Though many anxious or excessively nervous dogs respond well to behaviour modification alone, sometimes behaviour modification can be helped with some anti-anxiety supplements. We are not suggesting that anxiety supplements should replace therapy of this kind Calming supplements often contain herbal sedatives such as valerian or chamomile. Because these supplements are sedatives, it is important that you do not give more than necessary. The dose of valerian is 2 mg/kg body weight and for chamomile, it is 4mg/kg body weight. Other supplements contain L theanine, which is one of the active components of tea and thought to be a calming agent. The dose of theanine is 1mg/kg body weight.

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A Note of Caution Remember that not all human supplements are safe for dogs. In a retrospective study, it was reported that 47 dogs had accidentally ingested a supplement containing guarana and ma huang, herbal supplements that are natural sources of caffeine and ephedrine (commonly referred to as speed). The outcome of this was disastrous: 17 percent of the dogs died or were euthanized, and all of the dogs displayed clinical signs of toxicosis.

When choosing a supplement for your dog, it is best to consult your vet to ensure it is safe and is not going to interact with any medications your dog may currently be taking. If your dog is going to have an adverse reaction, it will usually occur within 72 hours after the introduction of the supplement. So monitor your pet closely when you are giving a new supplement.

With most supplements it will take about 6 – 8 weeks to see a change in your dog’s condition, so be patient and wait to see a result.

Feeding supplements can be a valuable tool to enhance your dog’s diet and help him or her maintain optimal health. The best way to keep your dog as healthy as possible is to provide high-quality nutrition with supplements as necessary, long walks, playing time, and snuggling on the couch. n

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body &soul Colour Your World, But Think Green Giving Rover’s room a makeover? Think twice about the paint

DIY: Nail It! Vets recommend that you clip your dog’s nails every two to four weeks—both for her well-being (longer nails can cause pain and discomfort) and yours (long nails mean scratching, of companions, furniture, and floors).

It’s not as tough as you think, but your dog might make a big fuss if she’s not used to lots of contact with that area.

It’s good to get pups into the idea early, by spending a lot of time using soothing tones while massaging and touching their paws and nails. If you’re at all worried, take your dog to a vet to be clipped. But if you think you can handle it, here’s a step-by-step guide.

You’ve probably given some thought as to how to green up your dog’s life: food, toys, grooming products, collars and leashes... but have you thought about paint? Should a home makeover project be in the works, be sure to choose a paint free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chemicals that are used to help paint stick, dry quickly, and to achieve certain colours, but which can give off strong odours and may be toxic. Benjamin Moore’s Natura line uses alternative colorants and ingredients for quality paint without harmful side effects. Not only that, but since it’s VOC-free, it’s also virtually odourless, so you and Fido (with his acute sense of smell) won’t be breathing in that new-paint smell, no matter which of the 3300 colours you choose.

1

Position your dog in a comfortable, well-lit area.

Putting her favourite bed under a lamp might be a good start.

Cancer Care

2

Firmly hold pup’s paw and squeeze gently to separate the nails from each other.

Mast cell tumours, the second most common tumours in

3

4

Tumours targeted by new treatment dogs, primarily affect the skin but may spread to other areas

Using high-grade clippers, clip only the tip of the nail at a 45-degree angle. Avoid the quick, a vein which runs down the nail’s centre.

and systems of the body if untreated. Surgical removal is the

There is a groove that runs down the inside of your dog’s nail; where this groove is deepest at the tip is where the quick ends. If you accidentally clip the quick, you might see a bit of blood. Clot it with styptic powder.

ther surgery. Earlier this year, the US Food and Drug Adminis-

Don’t forget the dewclaws—they’re right behind the foot near the ankle. Some dogs don’t have dewclaws, so don’t worry if you can’t find them.

supply. Potential side effects include diar-

5

When you’re done, file the nails to get rid of any rough edges.

6

Give your pup lots of praise and a treat so the next time will be just as easy!

usual first line of defence, but when tumours recur or spread to the lymph nodes, vets will soon have an alternative to furtration approved a new drug that specifically targets mast cell tumours. Palladia (toceranib phosphate), developed by Pfizer Animal Health, attacks tumours by killing malignant cells and cutting off the tumour’s blood rhea, loss of appetite, vomiting, weight loss, and lethargy, so dogs on the drug must be closely monitored by owners and vets. Palladia will be available in 2010.—Marian Buechert

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

the Straight Scoop on eye Goop All dogs produce eye secretions, also known as tears, sleep, or eye gook. So what’s the difference between normal eye secretions and secretions that indicate illness?

Normal eye discharge is clear. As it dries, however, natural pigments turn the secretions a rusty brown to blackish colour. So clear, brownish, or blackish eye gook is normal for a dog and isn’t usually a sign of illness. eye discharge that is yellowish to e greenish is a sign of eye irritation or infection. Depending on the dog’s age, medical history, and other symptoms, possible causes include (1) irritation caused by swimming; shampoo or flea spray in the eyes; or pollen-type alleraller gies; (2) a bacterial, viral, or fungal eye infection or upper-respiratory infection; (3) inward-growing eyelasheyelash es; or (4) the onset of an eye disease such as dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) or glaucoma.

If your dog has yellowish or greenish eye discharge and her eyes also seem uncomfortable (if she’s rubbing them or squinting, or if her eyes or eyelids seem swollen), call your vet immediately.

If you’re bathing your dog and you get shampoo in her eyes, flush them immediately with plain saline eyewash or plain water. Call your vet if your dog’s eyes seem uncomfortable even after you’ve flushed them.

If your dog has yellowish or greenish eye discharge but otherwise seems comfortable and well, rinse the eyes with a sterile plain eyewash from the drugstore. Squirt copious amounts of the eyewash into each, and gently wipe away the discharge with a clean tissue. Do this two or three times a day for a day or two.

If the discharge goes away and doesn’t recur, the irritation has passed. If it doesn’t go away or flares up again quickly, make an appointment with your vet to find out the underlying cause.

The Doctor

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Q: What are hot spots, and what causes them?

A: “Hot spot” is the common name for what veterinary medical books call acute moist dermatitis or pyotraumatic dermatitis. It’s a red, oozing, hairless, angry-looking sore that seems to pop up overnight on a dog’s skin.

Thick-coated, long-haired breeds (such as Golden Retrievers, Newfoundlands, German Shepherds, and Bernese Mountain Dogs) are particularly susceptible. Hot spots develop when something causes such severe itching or irritation that a dog scratches and licks his skin raw. Often, this licking and scratching goes on at night or while the people in the house are at work or school, so the sudden appearance of the raw, oozing wound can come as a shock to the dog owner. The most common cause of hot spots is flea-bite allergy. Other allergies, other parasites, a chemical irritant, or a skin infection are other possible causes.

Hot spots are treated by clipping the hair down to the skin at least one inch all around the sore, so the sore can be washed with an antibacterial solution (such as Betadine or chlorhexidine) and exposed to the air. Oral antibiotics for the skin infection, a soothing spray or ointment, and corticosteroids tablets to relieve the extreme itch may also be required. A dog may need to wear an elizabethan collar or a foot bandage to keep him from inflicting further damage to the area while it heals. n 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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Julianne and Lexi relax at home.

The multi-talented

Julianne Hough and her lovely little lady Lexi.

By Mary-Jo Dionne Photographed by Alison Dyer

F

or most people, the idea of being 21 years old conjures carefree images of little-to-no responsibility, staying out until late each night and sleeping in until late each morning, and nonchalantly throwing around lofty ideas of what you plan to accomplish “someday.” Ohhh, someday I’ll be a famous dancer.

Someday, I’ll be an award-winning singer. Someday, I’ll be a star on a hit TV series.

But Julianne Hough isn’t “most people.” A two-time professional dance champion on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, Julianne is not only an Emmy-nominated choreographer, but a twice-crowned Academy of Country Music Award winner as Top New Female Vocalist and Top New Artist for her self-titled debut album.

While her increasingly crowded mantel is impressive to be sure, for Julianne the biggest thrill comes from quality time with a very special friend. At the end of the day, swaying across the dance floor in the arms of A-list hotties like Joey MacIntyre, Indy car racer Helio Castroneves, or comedian Adam Carolla just doesn’t hold a candle to hanging out with Lexi, her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

MD: Where are you from originally?

JH: I’m from Utah. When I was 18, I graduated from high school and I was either going to go to college or move to LA. I decided to go to LA and go for it!

MD: Have you always known you were meant to be an entertainer?

JH: Ever since I was little, I wanted to be an entertainer. My whole family wanted to be the center of attention! We were always in front of the camera. We would make videos, put on plays… I can’t imagine doing anything else besides singing, dancing, or acting!

MD: And have you always known you were meant to be a dog person?

JH: Yes. I’ve had dogs my entire life. I love them so much, but I never took one on as my own until I got Lexi. When I got Lexi, she became everything to me. She is like my daughter.

MD: What has the experience of being on Dancing with the Stars for the last five seasons meant to you?

JH: It’s opened up so many doors. It’s been so fulfilling. It has also given me so many opportunities and great exposure. The show is a lot of fun!

MD: How does working on an album differ from working on a dance routine?

JH: Being on Dancing with the Stars, you are focused on your partner and not yourself. Working on an album—I am working on my second album now—you are focused on bettering yourself. On my first album, I was learning. Now, on the second album, I get to focus on who I am. On the show, I am the teacher. I like to learn rather than teach. I like to be the one who learns and grows. I guess that’s the difference.

MD: Would you ever try canine freestyle dancing—choreographed dance routines for people and dogs?

JH: I have never thought about it! But I dance with Lexi

“She’s a tomboy— she loves to run and is very athletic. But she is also a pris… just like me!”

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85

all the time. She is my partner. I teach her tricks and I tell her to dance and she jumps and does turns.

MD: The last five years have, no doubt, been a whirlwind for you, from your stint on Dancing with the Stars, to opening for George Strait on tour, to everything in between. If you had to pick, what single moment stands out as the brightest highlight so far?

JH: Winning Top New Female Vocalist and Top New Artist was amazing! I always wanted to be in music and since those awards are fan-voted, my acceptance into the country music industry was probably the biggest highlight so far.

MD: You’re 21 years old. Given all you’ve already accomplished, what more do you hope to tackle and achieve in your career?

JH: I hope to keep doing what I’m doing. I’m having a blast being on the road and I’ve got a couple of projects coming up that I’m excited to start. I want to keep on the entertainment side and grow as an artist, actor, and dancer.

MD: You come from a large family.

How many brothers and sisters do you have?

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JH: In my immediate family, there are five kids. But all together—with half- and step-brothers and sisters—there are fourteen of us. The perk of having a big family is knowing you have people who love you all around the country.

MD: You don’t have fourteen kids, but you do have Lexi. How did you come to have Lexi in your life?

JH: I’ve always wanted a dog, but I didn’t know what I wanted or if I could take care of one. When I was on tour with [singer] Brad Paisley, he had a Cavalier King Charles and I fell in love with the breed. My sister was also looking for a dog, and [the breeder] told me that they had a runt from the litter, but they didn’t know if I would want a runt. They sent me photos and I loved her. Her name was Princess, but I didn’t love that name.

My middle name is Alexandra, so I came up with Lexi. I would be so lonely without her. She is my saviour.

MD: What is her best personality trait?

JH: Like most dogs, she loves you no matter what. She is very intuitive. She knows what I need and if I’m having a good day or a bad day. She is so loveable and so sweet, but also very independent

and extremely smart.

MD: What is the most over-the-top purchase you have ever made for Lexi?

JH: I always give her the best dog food and shampoos and conditioners. I’ve also bought her a couple of travel bags. I don’t go crazy, but I do buy her clothes.

MD: Describe your ideal day spent with Lexi.

JH: Probably just staying home and playing in the back yard. Behind my yard is a huge farm with open fields and hay and grass. She loves to run around there.

There is a pond there as well. She is a great swimmer.

MD: They say dogs are a reflection of their owners. How are you and Lexi alike?

JH: We are identical. Her birthday is a day after mine. She is loving, caring, and independent. She will only come to you when she wants to. She loves you and wants to be with you, but only on her terms. She’s a tomboy—she loves to run and is very athletic. But she is also a pris…just like me!

MD: Who would play Lexi in the movie of her life?

JH: Lexi. She’s already famous. n

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87

Reducing Your Eco-Pawprint David Suzuki’s “Queen of Green,” Lindsay Coulter, gives us a crash course in minimizing our (and our pets’) environmental impact

“I

have a distinct memory of saying to my family ‘one day David Suzuki and I will be like this’ and crossed my fingers. I was about nine years old,” says Lindsay Coulter, also known as the “Queen of Green” for the David Suzuki Foundation. “I didn’t understand his job exactly, but I knew he loved nature and that he was working to save the planet.

“Fast forward and here I am,” says Coulter. “I work on nature conservation campaigns and, as the Queen of Green, provide commentary on everyday green living and lifestyle topics. I really love my job…and my dog, Harper. He’s an SPCA special or, as I like to say, a Lab crossed with a truck.”

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Given Lindsay’s perfect pedigree, we asked her to give us some pointers on how, as dog guardians, we can become more environmentally friendly. Here, she offers easy-to-implement changes that will not only reduce your eco-pawprint, but will also improve your—and your dog’s—health.

MD: Three things pet lovers can do to “green” our lives and homes?

Lindsay: One: Detox your home. Our indoor air quality is sometimes five times as polluted as outdoor air quality. If you are using conventional cleaning products, you are exposing yourself and your family to a slew of cancer-causing chemicals. You can start reducing your

exposure to toxic chemicals by making your own cheap and effective cleaners.

Making your own laundry soap from a few simple ingredients of soap flakes, Borax, and washing soda will save you a ton of money and will only cost you a dollar a litre. And ditch the smelly dryer sheets! Get away from using synthetic fragrance. They can increase the incidence of asthma, irritate the skin, and many include chemicals that are known carcinogens, like the formaldehyde in many air fresheners.

Two: Go on a “plastic diet.” Choose dog toys out of natural fabric like wool, natural rubber, organic cotton, or hemp.

Or a simple sniff test will suffice if you’re checking out plastic toys. Those made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) often stink and may have additives like lead, cadmium, or phthalates, a cheap plasticizer that disrupts hormones. Vinyl chloride is also a known human carcinogen.

Three: No matter how big or small our dogs, most of us pick up dog doo about twice a day. I once reused my plastic shopping bags for this dirty job, but nowadays, it’s rare for one of those to make it into my home. Switch to biodegradable and compostable poop bags. Better yet, the greenest option is to compost your dog poop, keeping it out of the landfill all together. For example, City of Vancouver dogs generate about 26,000 pounds of dog poop per year, most of which ends up in

“Go on a Plastic Diet. ”

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“It’s important to source your food as close to home as possible.” the landfill. Many resources exist online showing you how to build your own backyard composter—like City Farmer (cityfarmer.org/petwaste.html). Also check with your city or town to see how they prefer you dispose of it. Some recommend flushing.

MD: We all know that the consumption of meat has a hefty impact on the planet. Do you espouse a vegetarian diet for dogs?

Lindsay: Although I’ve been a vegetarian for 17 years, my dog is not. But whether kibble, raw, or other, it’s important to source your food as close to home as possible. It’s a great way to support your local economy and keep the Queen of Green food miles in check. And Shampoo Recipe if you’re not sure where To 3/4 cup of distilled water, something is made or add 1/4 cup of tea tree or how they source their eucalyptus liquid castile ingredients, don’t be soap*. Add a few drops of afraid to ask. As conessential oils like citronella, peppermint, lavender, or sumers we often forget rosemary. that we are, in fact, voting with our dollar. If Check out more tried, tested, you’re unsure or you’d and true recipes at queenoflike your local grocer green.ca, including a list of natural solutions to tackle or pet store to supply everything from red wine on something else, just ask. your favorite skirt to Fido’s You’ll be pleasantly suraccidents on the carpet. prised! *Dr. Bronners is the most common MD: Number one brand and is made from organic, fairtrade ingredients and is not tested on thing dog guardians animals. should do to reduce their environmental impact?

Lindsay: At the David Suzuki Foundation, we focus on four areas: how you get around (transportation), the food you eat, the energy you use, and the public action you take. The key would be to start with what you love; that way people tend to stick with a challenge and follow through. If you’re the athletic type or you want to save money fast, start taking transit to work or jump on a bike.

Embracing Meatless Mondays is another option for the foodies or cooks in the family. Visit davidsuzuki.org to learn about more simple activities you as an individual can do that together make a huge impact! n

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89

The Russian Prime Minister’s Dog

By Stanley Coren

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any politicians rely on the companionship of a dog to provide them with social and psychological support. Most people know about Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his Scottish Terrier, Fala; George Bush Senior and his Springer Spaniel, Millie; Lyndon Johnson and his Beagles, Him and Her; as well as George W. Bush and his Scottish Terriers, Barney and Ms Beasly. But in addition to the part that pet dogs can play in the personal life of politicians, sometimes they become symbols of a political regime or are deliberately used by their masters to create an impression or to achieve a political goal.

Consider, as an example, the case of Vladimir Putin and his dog Koni (pronounced as Connie). Putin served as the elected president of Russia for eight years and is now his nation’s prime minister. Koni is a black Labrador Retriever. She was given to Putin

by General of the Army, Sergey Shoigu. Koni actually has a hereditary association with politics since she was born in a government center in Noginsk that breeds dogs for search and rescue work. More importantly, her ancestry can be traced back to dogs owned by Leonid Brezhnev, the one-time General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Her full name is Koni Paulgrave and, perhaps demonstrating a twisted sense of humor, Putin has claimed that his black dog Koni was named after the former U.S. secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice.

Although Putin is very popular with the Russian people, his policies have raised tensions between Russia and the West on a number of issues. Many of his harshest statements and actions have been addressed toward the U.S. and Britain. He also has a reputation for suppressing and dealing harshly with his internal political opponents. Many who know Putin personally claim that he has strong negative reactions to criticism, including outbursts of anger or bouts of depression.

At one press conference in Moscow, Putin was asked about his moodiness in response to criticism. He replied: “As far as bad moods go, of course I have them like any other person, but in those cases I try to consult with my dog Koni—she gives me good advice.”

Putin clearly is quite fond of Koni, she’s often seen in public with him, attending staff meetings, and is frequently present Facing page when he greets visiting world leaders. Sometimes, when she Russian President Vladimir Putin and the is not permitted to be with him, Koni gets quite annoyed. The first woman cosmonaut in officially sponsored newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta reported space, Valentina Tereshkova, watch Putin’s dog, Koni, an incident in 2003 when TV and press reporters travelled to at the presidential Sochi to attend a discussion of current issues with the presiresidence of Novo-Ogaryovo. dent. Koni was present, but when it came time to start the

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“As far as bad moods go, of course I have them like any other person, but in those cases I try to consult with my dog Koni—she gives me good advice.”

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meeting, Putin’s security guards tried to stop Koni from following him. She refused to cooperate and as Putin and a group of journalists started down the staircase, Koni rushed towards them. Some were startled and backed away; however, Koni was only interested in Putin, and stopped in front of him, barking loudly. This caused the president of REN TV, Irena Lesnevsky, to loudly ask everyone else present, “So who else here can so bark at the president?”

A year later Koni again escaped from her keepers at a children’s New Year party at the State Kremlin Palace. Dodging security guards and hundreds of children, she dashed through the crowd and managed to join Putin on stage while he was in the middle of giving a speech to the media, politicians, and the public. Koni’s escapes often appear to be motivated by a desire to be around Putin; however, the Russian press has suggested that it might also be the case that Koni has learned that when representatives of the media are around, there is often an abundance of food present. She probably has also learned that, under such conditions, people may be willing to give her some of that food as a treat.

This situation has bothered Putin to the point that he commented on his website: “Sometimes, Koni leaves a room full of journalists with a very pleased expression on her face and biscuit crumbs around her mouth...Please don’t feed my dog!”

Koni, however, does not need the assistance of journalists to get her treats.

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Recently, Putin hosted a gathering at his Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow. The purpose was to discuss with leaders of his United Russia party some ways to help the local food industry. A special tea service had been prepared to close the meeting. Since Koni was not invited into the meeting room, she made her way into the room where the food was on the table and began to snack on the collection of pastries, biscuits, and jellied desserts that had been prepared for the dignitaries. One of Putin’s astonished bodyguards summarized the situation simply: “Koni ate everything!”

The problem of keeping track of Koni’s whereabouts seemed to be on Putin’s mind when he attended a presentation about the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), developed by the Russian army in response to the American GPS system that allows accurate location of anything carrying a special transmitter. Putin’s first question to the technical personnel was, “Can I use it on my dog?” Some months later a satellitetracking collar able to detect the canine’s every step was presented to him. This was the first such collar ever produced in Russia, and it allows 21 satellites in stationary orbit to track Koni. Whether this will keep her out of trouble is unknown.

Putin has used Koni’s presence politically, although his motivations are

sometimes obscure. When former U.S. President George W. Bush visited Putin’s residence, Koni was there to greet him.

Putin was reported to have remarked to the visiting President that Koni is “bigger, tougher, stronger, faster, and meaner, than Barney” [Bush’s Scottish Terrier]. There is no record of what Bush said in response, although he was observed smiling.

Putin has apparently also used Koni in an attempt to intimidate one diplomat during difficult negotiations over energy supplies.

Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, apparently has a fear of dogs because she was severely bitten by one when she was young. Putin was aware of this fact since he had already met Merkel several times when she was in opposition and leader of the conservative Christian Democrats.

Some people suspect that Putin wanted to gain some form of psychological edge over Merkel during the complex discussions. When they met at the presidential residence, Putin invited Koni to join them.

Koni entered in her usual active and dominant manner and immediately went over to Merkel, who flinched uncomfortably at the dog’s approach. Merkel then nervously, or perhaps wishfully, commented in Russian, “Now the dog is going to eat the journalists.” However, it seemed to some of those who knew Merkel well that what she actually meant was “I hope that the dog isn’t going to eat me!” n

“So who else here can so bark at the president?”

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craft

petproject

D.I.Y.

Make your own felted wool slippers–complete with pawprint appliqué, of course

To Make Slippers Cutting out Using template A (or using the inner soles as a template and adding 3/8˝/1 cm around), cut two pairs of soles from the dark gray felt. (Each sole is a double layer of felt.)

Using template B, cut two uppers in dark gray felt.

Using template C, cut one large circle and four small circles for each shoe from light gray felt.

Appliqué Pin felt circles to each upper as shown in photo to make a pawprint shape. Then stitch in place using short, straight stitches and matching thread, as shown.

Pawprint Slippers These slippers are easy to make and fun to wear.

For a variation, embroider the pawprint shape on each slipper instead of using appliqué. Be sure to complete any embroidery or appliqué on the upper part of the slipper before you sew it in place, remembering to leave at least 3/8˝ (1 cm) free around the edge for the seams.

Seams Easing in fullness around toes, baste each upper to one layer of felt for each slipper.

Place each inner sole between the two layers of the felt for each slipper.

Using a single strand of dark gray yarn, sew the upper to the double-layered sole, and then stitch around the back part of each sole to complete. Remove basting.

Measurements Medium: to fit women’s sizes 6 1/2–7 1/2. Trace and cut slightly larger/smaller for bigger/smaller shoe sizes.

Sole & Upper These templates are 25 percent of actual size; enlarge to 400 percent on a photocopier for correct size.

Pawprint Enlarge to 400 percent on a photocopier for a template for the main circle. Enlarge to 150 percent on a photocopier for small circles.

*

For an already-to-size downloadable template, go to moderndogmagazine.com/pawprintslipper

A B SOLE The template is 25% of the actual size; enlarge to 400% on a photocopier for the correct size.

UPPER This template is 25% of the actual size; enlarge to 400% on a photocopier for correct size.

Materials • 5 pieces of dark gray felt, each 113/4˝ (30 cm) by 9 1/4˝ (23.5 cm) • Piece of light gray felt, 113/4˝ (30 cm) by 91/4˝ (23.5 cm), and matching sewing thread • 1 skein (11 yd/10 m) of tapestry wool needlepoint yarn in dark gray • Pair of inner soles (size 6 1/2 -7 1/2)

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C

PAW PRINT Enlarge to 400% on a photocopier for template for main circle. Enlarge to 150% on a photocopier for small circles.

From Simple Gifts For Dog Lovers by Catherine Tough. Published by Martingale & Company, 2007. © Coats Crafts UK. Used by Permission.

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bark of the wild Kings of the Frozen North

By Matthew Kruchak Photographs by Aaron Kruchak

W

hen Genevieve Montcombroux was growing up in Paris, she dreamed of living in Canada’s North. Some called it a childhood fantasy, but at the age of 10, Montcombroux knew it would happen the moment she picked up Boreal, a book by French ethnologist and explorer Paul-Emile Victor.

It wasn’t the beauty of the barren landscape that called her. It wasn’t the ancient lives the Inuit lived that intrigued her. It was the broad-shouldered Inuit sled dogs that pawed their way into her imagination. Montcombroux wanted to glide across the frozen tundra, the frigid winds whipping her

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face as the mighty dogs powered toward the snowy horizon.

She asked her family if she could get one of the northern canines for their Parisian home. “No,” she was told.

Although Montcombroux never did get a sled dog for a pet, her ambition never died and her willingness to dream helped the ancient breed rebound from the brink of extinction.

When Montcombroux grew up and left Paris, her aspiration to keep Inuit dogs never trailed too far behind. She moved to London to improve her English, where she met and married a man named Michael Montcombroux, who

became a teacher and had dreams of Canada as well. Michael’s father had traveled on business and the stories he told his son about the country never left his memory.

By the late 1960s, the couple and their two young children decided to move to the country that had long captivated their imaginations. They settled in northern Saskatchewan, but it wasn’t until Montcombroux visited Churchill, Manitoba, that she first looked into the almond-shaped eyes of a Canadian Inuit canine.

“These are the dogs I have dreamed about,” she thought.

It was a monumental moment.

Montcombroux was able to touch their stiff and perfectly straight coats that are made up of two parts, a soft undercoat that insulates and outer guard hairs that protect. Because Canadian Inuit dogs were never bred for show, but rather for work ethic and strength, their coats come in a variety of colours—from all-white and pitch-black to steely grey and earthy cinnamon.

For centuries the eerie, guttural howl of the Canadian Inuit dog has been heard across the Arctic. When the ancients traversed the Bering Strait land bridge over 4,000 years ago, it was the dogs that led the way, pulling sleds and carrying supplies. These

dogs weren’t—and aren’t—the slender, long-legged Siberian huskies bred for speed that most people associate with sled dogs.

Canadian Inuit dogs are the workhorses of the north: bred for power, trained to hunt, and acclimatized to the hostile northern environment.

The Inuit people relied on their dogs for their next meal as much as the canines depended on their human companions for theirs. When a bear or caribou was sighted, the hunter let half his team off harness. The dogs surrounded the bear, frightening it so it couldn’t flee.

The dogs kept the animal occupied long enough for the hunter and the rest of the team to catch up and close enough for the hunter to make the kill.

The dogs also sniffed out breathing holes in the ice, where there were bound to be seals rising from the icy water. When a hole in the ice was found, the hunter stopped his team far enough from the hole so they wouldn’t startle the seal, and crawled to the opening in the ice to harpoon their prey. The dogs sat back, knowing a meal was near.

Thanks to Michael’s job as a teacher, the Montcombroux family had the opportunity to live in several northern communities.

During the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Inuit people were mov-

For centuries the eerie, guttural howl of the Canadian Inuit dog has been heard across the Arctic.

Hugo, the red eight-year-old male, and Sukkalika, a nine-year-old female. (facing page) Genevieve Montcombroux rubs her chin on Kissimi, a seven-year-old female’s, nose as Lulik, a nine-yearold female looks on.

“I’m a cheerleader of sorts for those in the Arctic who might want to keep traditional working Inuit sled dogs.”

Top: Genevieve and Michael Montcombroux stand in front of one of their pens. Inside is Upingak, a nine-yearold female (left), and Talleyrand, a six-year-old male.

Above: Lulik, a nine-yearold female.

Left: Pidgajok, a 10-year-old male affectionately called Piggy, runs down a path on the Montcombroux’s property.

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ing into settlements and their long-isolated cultures were being exposed to southern influences. The Inuit way of life was changing, and so was life for their dogs.

Canines from southern Canada were crossed with Inuit dogs. Many Inuit people stopped hunting and abandoned their teams, but it was the introduction of the snowmobile that caused the canine population in the north to decline rapidly.

Dog power was no competition for these speedy new machines. Before European contact, in the central region of the Arctic and along the east coast, Inuit families kept an average of two to five dogs. Each canine ate as much as a person, and the same food. So the snowmobile was attractive to the Inuit when it first arrived: it was fast and wasn’t fueled by seal meat. But there were downsides.

“With snow machines, they can get to the flow edge in half an hour, unless they get lost,” Montcombroux says. “Well, dogs always come home. The snow machine doesn’t know how to come home, even with a GPS unit, and it can break down.”

William Carpenter, a biologist with the government of the Northwest Territories, says that the Canadian Inuit dog population went from an estimated 20,000 canines in the 1920s to fewer than 200 by the 1970s.

As a witness to their decline, Carpenter felt he had to do something to save Canada’s only remaining purebred indigenous dog. Along with John McGrath, a government economic development officer, Carpenter established the Eskimo Dog Research Foundation in 1974.

“It totally consumed my life, my family, my time, my energies, and all my life resources,” Carpenter says. “I did the work simply because it needed doing.”

By 1976, the breeding program had thirty dogs and a few years later, 250 canines had been given to Inuit wanting to return to their traditional Arctic lifestyle. Other dogs were given to prospecting and mining camps to protect workers from polar bear attacks.

The thick, muscular Inuit dogs are exuberant and friendly, but they have an aggressive side as well. They like to fight. The pack is organized much like that of wolves, with an alpha male, or boss dog, and an alpha female. After that, the dogs take their places in the chain of command.

“And to get their place, they have to fight,” Montcombroux says.

The dogs attack each other’s thick manes, biting the neck and trying to overturn their opponent. The boss dog is normally a combination of the oldest, strongest, and

most cunning, and wins the position by defeating the other dogs.

Their combative nature makes the breed unsuitable as house pets, and the fact that they’d rather be outdoors even when it’s -32 F, which is beach weather to these hardy dogs.

“It’s like Florida for them,” Montcombroux says.

By the mid-1980s, Carpenter’s canine program was facing funding difficulties. So Montcombroux got involved. She and Michael were moving south to Winnipeg, Manitoba, and decided to take a pair of dogs to the city with them.

The couple bought 640 acres of forested land north of Winnipeg and, in 1988, they began breeding the dogs. That year, Montcombroux started an organization called Friends of the Inuit Dogs and put out a newsletter to network with breeders and others interested in the unique canines.

In 1997, she met Sue Hamilton, who had brought three Canadian Inuit dogs from the Arctic back to her Connecticut home. Hamilton, along with Montcombroux, formed Inuit Sled Dog International

(inuitsleddoginternational.com) and Hamilton became editor of the Fan Hitch journal.

They never saw their involvement as dictating the direction the breed should lead.

“I see my involvement as being a resource for others, a way to put people in touch with each other and a cheerleader of sorts for those in the Arctic who might want to keep traditional working Inuit sled dogs,” Hamilton says.

There are now a number of established breeding programs in the Arctic and Montcombroux feels that the Canadian Inuit dog is no longer in danger of extinction. After 30 litters, with an average of four to eight puppies, Montcombroux feels she has done her job.

“I had felt that although we were in the south and we weren’t Inuit, if we kept the numbers of purebred dogs up, one day the Inuit would become interested again,” she says. “I think the dogs led me on a very interesting path and if I made a difference, all the better, and I just wouldn’t do it any differently.” n

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Best in Show The top junior handlers and their dogs battle nerves, ennui, and clouds of hairspray at the largest and most prestigious dog show in the US, Westminster.

Photographed by Stacey Pittman Text by Jaime Lowe

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or your average pet owner, getting a dog means a few extra chores—walks, poop patrol, and maybe a bath once a month. Not for these teens; their dogs are their livelihood. They travel the country as junior handlers, hoping to win at least ten shows so they can qualify for the Big Dance: The Westminster Kennel Club. Junior handling has been a tradition at Westminster since 1934, but it isn’t all blow-outs, dog perms and chilling with man’s best friend. These teens take their task seriously, as seriously; as one can take a Poodle with butt pom-poms.

We talked with a handful of the 10- to 18-year-old competitors who took Westminster by storm, galloping with their canine sidekicks, guiding them with stern tail pulls, jaw alignment, and, of course, lots of love and even more Aqua Net.

>>

Hayley

12 years old Dog: Chanel, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel “In the past year, I’ve noticed that, when I win, it’s because of the number four. Four is somewhere in my entry number. In dog shows, you have to be smooth. I also take ballet and it really helps me with my poise.”

<<

Alaina 17 years old Dog: Ruben, Irish Setter “I’ve been doing this for seven years.

When I was younger, I used to watch Westminster. Once in Memphis, Ruben got away in the middle of the show and ran into the lake. Every year, we both get groomed. He takes about an hour and a half which is way longer than me.”

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<<

Alex 16 years old Dog: Harley, Longhaired Dachshund “Westminster is just another dog show.

I don’t care if I win or lose, there’s always another show. He’s laid back, relaxed and the perfect little dog. Most juniors, we’re friends, but it’s cutthroat. Everyone wants to win. I dirt bike and drag race when I’m home. I’ve wanted to be on the SWAT team since I was 2, either that or a mechanic. I have nine dogs and the Rottweiler is my favorite.”

Reegan

<<

12 years old Dog: Gomaz, Miniature Wirehaired Dachshund.

“I got involved when my grandpa had shoulder surgery, and he wasn’t able to show. We couldn’t just abandon the dogs and their training, so he got my sister and I involved.

Sometimes we just need to relax a little. Once, me and all of my girl friends walked all the way to Times Square in our banquet dresses, just to eat McDonalds.”

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>> <<

The final round of Junior Showmanship. When Juniors show, they are actually being judged on their performance as handlers, as opposed to their dogs being judged.

Backstage at Westminster, junior handlers brush and blow dry. Junior handlers are responsible for grooming their own dogs.

<<

Junior handlers and their dogs await their turn in front of the judges. Both the stands and floor are packed.

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vancouver

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the modern dog’s guide to >where to shop, eat, stay, and play.

By Karin Sinkevicius

Sniffed out: the city’s best ideas for a full day of doggie nirvana.

Herewith, the top dog-friendly hotels, restaurants, shops, and outdoor spots in Vancouver—home of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Go leash-free, save for the occasional onleash and no-dog trails, around streams, near the entrance, and when crossing paths with horses. metrovancouver.org

The Rex Dog Hotel + Spa 760 Terminal Ave. (604) 696-5166 Sleepovers have never been this much fun: the Rex dog hotel is complete with play areas, an on-site spa for pampering, a small dog-specific area, and even a water park. A family-owned and operated facility, you can rest assured Fido will be in good hands. rexvancouver.com

>pl ay Hadden Park

1

1905 Ogden Ave. Nestled near Vancouver’s Maritime Museum, a short stroll from the beautiful people sunning themselves at Kits beach, lies popular Hadden Park, offering offleash access to the waters of English Bay and a gorgeous view of the downtown core. http://vancouver.ca/parks/info/ dogparks/index.htm

The Doghouse

Spanish Bank Beach Park 4801 NW Marine Dr. Dogs can splash in the surf in the designated off-leash area on this miles-long stretch of sand dotted with volleyball nets and concessions. http://vancouver.ca/ parks/info/dogparks/index.htm

5

Stanley Park 2000 W. Georgia St. Take in the ocean and Vancouver skyline while walking your dog along the 8.8 kilometer seawall that borders the city’s most famous park, and finish with an off-leash romp in the dog run (big dogs allowed if run is empty) located near the Shuffleboard Court area. http://vancouver. ca/parks/info/dogparks/index.htm

Pacific Spirit Regional Park North to South: W 16th Ave. Take one of the many trails and revel in the towering trees and peaceful environs of the magnificent 763-hectare Pacific Spirit Regional Park, which adjoins the University of British Columbia campus.

All dogs: 2425 Manitoba St. (604) 708-6100 Small dogs only: 105-1833 Anderson St. (604) 737-7500 Also run by the Rex’s proprietors, The Doghouse is a supervised daycare offering attentive staff, walks, cozy beds and, of course, canine playmates. The Anderson St. location is for small dogs only (16 inches tall and under) and is perfectly situated for dropping your dog en route to a little Granville Island shopping, while the Manitoba Street location is all sizes welcome and offers a splash pool. thedoghouse.ca

DogCity 3458 W. Broadway (604) 733-0012 If you plan to hit the shops, why not drop your dog at DogCity, offering overnight boarding, hiking on the north shore, dog walks, and even training programs. dogcity.ca moderndogmagazine.com

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Pacific Palisades Hotel 1277 Robson St. (800) 663-1815 Situated on Robson Street, Vancouver’s shopping destination, the Pacific Palisades welcomes your dog with a dog bowl, treat, and “Pet Inside” door hanger for a $25 per pet, per day, fee.

The Palisades also features a pet-friendly tower, so notify at the time of booking. pacificpalisadeshotel.com

Fairmont Waterfront 900 Canada Place Way (866) 540-4509

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 900 West Georgia St. (866) 540-4452

>s tay Opus

Fairmont Chateau Whistler

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322 Davie St., Yaletown (604) 642-6787 Nestled in the heart of Vancouver’s trendy Yaletown district is the über-hip and super pup-friendly boutique hotel, Opus. It offers a Lifestyle Concierge service and sink-side L’Occitane amenities for you, and daycare and walking services for your pooch of any size, who is allowed to stay at no additional cost. opushotel.com/vancouver

Loden Vancouver 1177 Melville St. (877) 225-6336 A lavish retreat on the water’s edge in Coal Harbour, the Loden is a pooch paradise with a welcome package that includes a bed, doggie dishes, and biscuits. Book in advance for services such as a vacation photo album, a day at Pawsh Dog Spa, and specialized menu options for your dog of any size, who will incur a $35 fee for the stay. lodenvancouver.com

4599 Chateau Blvd, Whistler (800) 606-8244 Choose from one of three dog-friendly Fairmont locations. All have a “Pets Are People Too!” program offering welcome mats, dishes, treats, toys, and information on pet activities around Vancouver.

Fees vary from $25/night at Hotel Vancouver to a $35 one-time charge at the Waterfront, but dogs of any size are welcome at all three properties. Travelling dog-less? Get your fix at either the Hotel Vancouver or Waterfront property: as part of the Fairmont “K9 Ambassadors” program you’ll be greeted by Mavis, Beau, or Holly, resident Rovers guests are invited to take for a walk. fairmont.com

5

True Carnivores 5961 West Blvd.

(604) 267-3647 Meet Rex’s raw food needs at True Carnivores, which caters to “companion carnivores” with an excellent array of hormone- and preservative-free humangrade raw foods, as well as treats, tummy tonics, and natural remedies, in addition to other doggie goodies. truecarnivores.com

5

Bow Wow Haus

5

Adara 4122 Village Green, Whistler (866) 50 ADARA A two-hour drive from Vancouver is Whistler, BC, home of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, not to mention two world-class ski hills. Whistler’s Adara hotel puts a modern spin on nature’s

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> eat

1340 Davie St. (604) 682-1899 Hit this downtown dog store for healthy food and cool gear. Choose from locally made dog treats, raw food, and all-natural kibble for your picky eater—and snap up a new collar on your way out. bowwowhaus.ca

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beauty with “floating” fireplaces and natural elements integrated in its boutique hotel design. Rex is welcome to stay free of charge, and pet sitting and walking services are available while you hit the slopes. adarahotel.com

Three Dog Bakery 4548 West 10th St. (604) 737-3647 Stop by Three Dog Bakery for oven-baked and all-natural tasty treats, from cookies to cakes, at this little franchise boutique with a big heart: it supports the Gracie Foundation for neglected and abused dogs. threedogvancouver.com

Pet Food N’More

Fetch 5617 West Blvd. (604) 879-3647 104-120 West 16th St., North Vancouver (604) 986-8332 Fido is sure to find either location of this “dog’s dog store” fetching, stocked as it is with a well-curated selection of premium pet products from food to functional fashion. Or book him an appointment for a “grooming getaway” with one of the doggie stylists on staff at their popular dog Spaws. fetchstore.ca

1

3699 West 10th Ave. (604) 731-5907 3244 Oak St. (604) 730-9674 #745 – 333 Brooksbank Ave., North Vancouver (604) 980-0669 For over 20 years, the family-run Pet Food N’More has offered a wide variety of food, treats, and tantalizing toys in a low-key environment with knowledgeable staff. They’re also proud sponsors of The Canadian Guide Dogs for The Blind. petfoodnmore.com

>s hop Barking Babies

here, with exclusive Tokyo fashions and an extensive collection of the hottest fashions, accessories, carriers, beds, and tasty treats to keep your hound, well, hip. barkingbabies.com

5

1188 Homer St. (604) 647-2275 This chic Yaletown boutique is the foremost purveyor of “lifestyles for the hip and canine.” Canine couture abounds

Bark & Fitz

Dog & Hydrant

1

561 Cardero St. (604) 568-6096 Discover the Bark & Fitz “fitzosophy” towards healthy pets at this sleek offshoot of the east-coast chain with an impressive stock of holistic foods and stylish gear in posh Coal Harbour digs. barkandfitz.com

Waterworkz Paw Spa 3831 Still Creek Ave, Burnaby (604) 435-0002 Located in a suburb of Vancouver, this Warm Water Wellness Center’s mission is “to facilitate the physical, emotional and spiritual healing of dogs and their human companions.” The soothing, spalike space offers rehabilitation for you and your canine companion with trained Warm Water Exercise facilitator Tanya Morin-VanderHammen. waterworkzpawspa.com

1

1146 Pacific Blvd.

(604) 633-3845 For the pawfect souvenir, get your pooch’s photo snapped by Dog & Hydrant’s owner and celeb-dog photographer, Tanya King, then browse the boutique stocked with natural food and treats, sweet toys, beds, and other essentials. thedogandhydrant.com

Woof!

1

1905 West 1st Ave. (604) 568-4212 Post-romp at the Hadden Park off-leash dog beach, stop by this Kitsilano boutique, stocked with premium foods and toys, for a U-wash or a makeover from the official groomers of the 2009 World Police and Fire Games. woofdogshoppe.com

Mestiso’s Pet Spa & Supplies 3087 Oak St. (604) 738-0033 Mestiso’s offers great grooming for dog’s of all sizes, as well as canine massage therapy for calming nervous temperaments and soothing arthritis and joint pain, hydrotherapy, and an array of essentials, from quality foods including raw meals to accessories and even inspired gifts.n For more dog-friendly venues, go to moderndogmagazine.com/cityguides/ vancouver.

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The Nutri-Vet fingerbrush kit from Benedent comes with a dishwasher-safe fingerbrush (a special dog toothbrush that fits on your finger) to keep teeth clean and breath fresh. benedent.com

vet-approved dental spray that balances the chemistry of your pet’s mouth and keeps teeth clean and healthy without side effects. lebalab.com

A vet-recommended pet toothpaste that contains Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a natural, vitamin-like substance that acts as an antioxidant to protect and maintain healthy gums and teeth. dentaclean.com

The design of this triple-headed toothbrush makes brushing easier on your wrists (clean all three sides in one stroke), and shortens the process so pets don’t have to sit still quite as long. Comes with all-natural, vanilla-flavoured toothpaste. cainandablecollection.com

Pro-Den PlaqueOff is an all-natural, seaweed-based granular additive that can be mixed in with wet or dry food to reduce and prevent bad

breath, plaque, and tartar accumulation. (There’s a

Smile!

human version, too.) international-dental.com

Products to improve your dog’s dental health

Nutri Dog all-natural dental chews help reduce plaque and freshen breath. Potatobased, they come in a unique “tri-pronged” shape that helps prevent gulping and choking. nutridogchews.com

The number one ingredient in the easily digestible Terrabone dental chew is USDA-certified organic brown rice, plus it contains no animal by-products, wheat, gluten, corn, or soy. completenaturalnutrition.com

Sanos, a dental barrier professionally applied by your vet, dries rapidly to create a sealant on your dog’s sub-gingival gum line, helping to keep the mouth clean and healthy and helping prevent the need for tooth extraction as your pet ages. allaccem.com

Mammoth pet flossy chews are rope toys with an added benefit—aside from promoting fun, they promote dental hygiene; the rope fibers on each end act as “doggie floss,” getting between teeth and helping to keep them clean. mammothpet.com

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art attack

by Marni Wedin

JT Yost,

True Original present a few concepts for clients to choose from.

For as long as Brooklyn, New York artist JT Yost can rememYost honed his talent while attending art school at Virginia ber, he’s been interested in animals and drawing. An incredibly Commonwealth University, where he was exposed to many genres diverse artist, his work ranges from the joyfully absurd with his and ideas, but he only learned to work with oils a few years so called “peculiar” portraits to the regally conago.

His father-in-law, Burton Silversmith, also servative of his traditional portraits. No matter “I’ve always thought a renowned portrait artist, taught Yost oil techwhat genre he’s working in, what’s paramount to animal heads on human nique. Yost is also a published comic book artist Yost is that his work evokes a strong narrative. bodies are hilarious. and recipient of the prestigious Xeric Award, a Yost loves comic books and admits his pecuSome people love it, huge honor for indie comic artists. liar portraits are highly influenced by them. He while others find it remembers that as a teenager he drew a series of completely disturbing.” Around the same time Yost discovered his penchant for peculiar pet portraits, he also realized comic strips based on a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde sort his passion for animal welfare. “[My] artwork is a of dog. vehicle for getting information out,” he says. He works so that he The first time Yost drew an animal’s head onto a human body, can support animal welfare agencies by donating partial proceeds though, was during middle school. Yost recalls, “For some reason, from his portraits. A vegan since 1992, he feels that meat producI’ve always thought animal heads on human bodies are hilarious. tion isn’t kind to animals and hopes that through his work he can Some people love it, while others find it completely disturbing.” create more awareness for animal welfare and rights. “My art is Yost works with watercolors, inks, and archival rag paper for a way for me to use my work to inform people. Informed people his peculiar portraits while his traditional portraits are just that: make better decisions.” traditional oils on canvas.

To commission a peculiar or traditional portrait, visit Yost’s site, Working primarily from photos, Yost says the inspiration for www.jtyost.com for information. Prices begin at $350. Yost also both types of portraits can come from “the expression on a dog’s offers hand-carved, oil-painted prints of several dog breeds. Prices face or the way its head is facing.” From there, he’ll sketch and for those begin at $60. n moderndogmagazine.com

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endlesspawsibilities.ca 250-881-5135

Above: From Who Wants To Be A Poodle—I Don’t Above Left: From The Dog Who Belonged To No One

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

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CONNIE WILSON’S FAVOURITE DOG-THEMED CHILDREN’S BOOKS

Who Wants To Be A Poodle—I Don’t (Candlewick Press, 2009)

By Lauren Child The graphics, patterns, and colours of this delightful collage-style book will fascinate and entertain children while they empathize with the plight of poor little Trixie Twinkle Toes, a pampered, poofy Poodle who yearns to be a real dog, splashing about in puddles, catching sticks, and being Dangerous and Daring. Totally misunderstood by her mistress who can’t understand what her little dog’s antics are trying to convey, it takes Trixie’s heroic escapade to finally make the glamorous Verity Brule realize just what her little dog has been trying to tell her all along.

The Dog Who Belonged To No One (Abrams Books, 2008)

By Amy Hest New York Times bestselling author Amy Hest and talented illustrator Amy Bates have teamed up to bring us the heartwarming story of a little girl in need of a friend and the small stray dog who finds her. The lovely, autumntoned illustrations bring the story to life while the happily-ever-after ending makes for a sweet-dreams bedtime story that will no doubt be read aloud time and again.

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The Lonesome Puppy (Chronicle Books, 1999)

By Yoshitomo Nara Acclaimed Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara has developed a cult-like worldwide following; The Lonesome Puppy, his first children’s book, continues to delight his fans and charm new ones. The book concerns a puppy that was “SO BIG” no one noticed him—until a tenacious little girl climbs high enough to meet him and a friendship is forged. The sweet story is dedicated to physically challenged children everywhere, no doubt a comment on the veil of invisibility often experienced by the disabled. This lovely book will appeal to children and adults alike.

Ten Little Puppies (Accord Publishing, 2009)

By Marian and Jim Harris Ten Little Puppies, the silly sequel to Ten Little Dinosaurs, which sold over two million copies, is sure to delight the young—and young at heart. With sing-song lyrics like “Ten little puppies jumping on a bed, one fell off and bumped his head…” this book will captivate kids, teaching them to count while learning about activities such as rock climbing, surfing, and skiing, all through the antics of the accident-prone but darling ten little puppies. The jiggling googley eyes that are affixed to the back cover pop through each page, bringing to life the ten different breeds featured in this fun book. A glossary of the featured breeds at the back of the book will further educate young dog lovers. n

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Bothered and bewildered?

Crazed and confused?

If your doggie dilemma has you down in the dumps…

ask dog lady Q

Dear Dog Lady, I have been seeing a wonderful woman who owns a sevenyear-old Beagle, Scout. She loves the dog and pampers it.

That’s fine. However, I have recently been spending the night. She has an unlatched crate the dog starts out in early in the night but sometime later in the night, the dog makes herself comfortable in the bed and tends to like the pillows. Ugh. My girl now locks the crate but later at night Scout howls and cries. She puts the dog outside the bedroom and closes the door. The dog then elects to crap on the carpet. I understand the dog has some anxiety about being separated, but a dog on my pillow is absolutely intolerable.

What do you suggest?

—Brett, Cincinnati, OH

A

Brett, something’s gotta give. This is a classic case of crossing boundaries—yours, Scout’s, and your girlfriend’s.

You have obviously expressed your displeasure with a dog in the bed.

And if Scout knows how to hog the pillows, the Beagle has been a bedbug before you came onto the scene, which means the lovely new lady in your life is caught in the middle.

She wants to please you but she also has Scout, who needs to live contentedly.

You probably think it’s crazy for Dog Lady to use the relative pronoun “who” instead of “that” to refer to Scout. Such is the way your wonderful woman probably thinks of her dog—as a creature not quite human but with pressing needs, wants, and desires she must accommodate— same as you. If you had a dog, you would understand.

This is a classic case of crossing boundaries— yours, Scout’s, and your girlfriend’s.

Instead of being demanding during this dicey time, try to be as considerate as you possibly can. You have every right to ask that Scout not be allowed on the bed at night. However, for every concession she makes, be prepared to give back. Why not officially suggest the dog stay latched and crated in the bedroom on some nights?

Dogs actually become quite accustomed to and peaceful in their crates.

A few nights could be a continuing drag as Beagles tend to howl when they’re displeased, but you and your girlfriend should not give in. You both must be

prepared for a little rattling of your own cages. Endure. Kiss and hug and canoodle as if there were no background noise.

Everybody has to learn how to live with each other. And Scout must cope with being crated—either in the bedroom or behind the bedroom door—when you’re in residence.

As much as the dog irks you, please, do not be resentful of Scout—even though it’s very easy to despise the yowler.

Actually, you should admire your girlfriend’s choice to keep a dog, which is an indication of her loving nature. In time, with patience as well as proper treats, toys, and attention paid (you should take many walks as a threesome), Scout should calm down. So will your relationship.

Dear Dog Lady, I’ve got a great dog. He’s a one-year-old Cocker Spaniel, rescued from a high-kill shelter along the Gulf Coast. He’s housebroken, knows a few tricks, and doesn’t piddle in the house when excited (as Cockers are, apparently, wont to do).

The only problem? He really, really likes underwear. In the past week, he’s chewed up (not swallowed, thank goodness!) three pair of ladies’ underwear that were awaiting laundering. moderndogmagazine.com

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ask dog lady

Love Your Dog, Butter Your Dog! FAIR TRADE ORGANIC SHEA BUTTER FOR YOU AND YOUR PET!

In the scheme of things, I realize I should be grateful because dirty underpants are his only vice. And yes, I realize that throwing said underpants directly in the washing machine isn’t that big of a deal. But I continually ponder: Why is he so fascinated with my underwear? Is there anything I can do to help him kick this habit?

He doesn’t touch anything else in the house! (I also have a great live-in, housebroken boyfriend, whose dirty undergarments are left untouched by said Cocker Spaniel.) —Amy, Chicago, IL Dear Amy, savouring and chewing over your dainties is as close to you as your dog is ever going to get without becoming you.

Crazy love makes no sense. Just understand your underpants hold scents that are the essence of you—a dear dog’s delight.

Why should your well-behaved Cocker Spaniel chomp into your boyfriend’s briefs when he can chow down on yummy panties containing secrets of the goddess who rescued him?

You know what you have to do to rescue your underpants.

Because he could well swallow some fabric or elastic, don’t leave these around for your Cocker to chew. There will come a time when the material will stick in his gut and only an emergency medical intervention will save him. In place of the panties, give him appropriate chew toys so he works through his adolescent munching issues. And make sure you train him about what is and isn’t proper to chew. Meanwhile, consider his undergarment delectation as a sublime compliment from a creature irrationally devoted to you.

Crazy love makes no sense.

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Dear Dog Lady, We have two German Shepherds. Xena is 16 months and Boss is 10 months. A new neighbour has moved in with his nine-week-old pup. Xena now will not stop running/walking/sniffing up and down the fence, even if the pup is on the other side of her yard.

Xena is ignoring us completely. Why is she so obsessed with this new dog? —Barb, Orange, Australia Oh, Barb, if Dog Lady could translate dog obsessions, she would be more famous than Crocodile Dundee, Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, “The Thorn Birds,” and all the dingoes Down Under.

Xena must be fascinated with the smells and sounds of the new kid on the block. You? You’re so yesterday; ditto Boss. The nine-week-old pup is hot, new, and awesome. Why not arrange a meeting to “tear down this wall” and allow the dogs to nose each other. After that summit, Xena should be less obsessed.

Dear Dog Lady, I have a lovely five-year-old Irish Setter named Bungy. I am a fine wine collector and frequently open a bottle for my tasting pleasure. After one glass (honest), I usually seal the bottle with a specialty cork to ensure the wine retains its qualities. I have recently noticed that some of the bottles appear to be losing volume and

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ask dog lady Enjoy active living with your dog

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coincidentally (or not!) that Bungy has been acting strangely—on occasion trying to hump my leg when I come home from work.

Is it possible that a dog can manipulate the pouring levers on specialty corks? If it is possible, would you recommend that I take Bungy for counseling? I love him to bits but can’t stand the thought of him having a dependency. —Enrico, Ottawa, ON Enrico, you scamp. In vino non veritas.

Dog Lady doesn’t know whether to take this with a grain of seriousness or dismiss your query as claptrap. Because you write so originally—and because there may be the slimmest possibility you didn’t seal and store the bottle—Bungy might actually be slurping your fine wine. If so, shame on you for being a loony enabler.

You and Bungy should go for counseling together by walking in the great outdoors, sober. This is a dependency Dog Lady can definitely handle.

Dear Dog Lady, I have Samantha, an 18-month-old West Highland White Terrier. I’m at my wit’s end with her eating habits. She seems to eat late evening and she only eats treats. I have been purchasing different types of dry food that she doesn’t eat. I was told to try her on raw chicken which I don’t think is a good idea, seeing as she never was fed that before.

Can you give me some advice? —Karlene, Mississauga, ON Karlene, lighten up and cook the chicken— unless you have done your research about an unprocessed diet and have decided to feed Samantha raw foods.

Like your adorable dog, Dog Lady would lap up an all-treat diet too: doughnuts in the morning, doughnuts in the evening, and doughnuts at supper time. But such a repast is not practical for the heart, girth, and soul.

Select healthy foods—a sturdy kibble with a teaspoon of cooked meat on top, for example—to give Samantha, and feed her twice a day at set times. If she doesn’t eat, pick up the bowl and try again at the next mealtime. She’s a young dog and, if she’s been to the doctor and gotten a clean bill

of health, she’s a healthy dog. And dear Samantha is a very smart dog. This Westie is a yeasty beastie. She has you eating out of the pads of her paws.

Dear Dog Lady, My boyfriend has a 12-year-old black Cocker Spaniel, Frisky. He is a grumpy one (the dog) and he always falls sick and refuses to eat at least two days a week. We are worried because although we have changed his food now and then, his condition did not improve. At times he won’t even eat his favourite treats. What should we do?

—Nana, Kuala Lumpur Nana, memorize this basic rule to being a responsible dog custodian: Whenever the dog seems down in the dumps, under the weather, low at the paw, or whatever you call a malaise in yours or any country around the world, bring the dog in for a check-up with an accredited animal doctor.

After the medical professional has ruled out any pathological malady, you can deal with your dog’s particular crisis. Frisky is fidgety, finicky, fickle. And he has every excuse for being a bit of a pill because Frisky is elderly. Apologies to you and, of course, to Frisky for being so blunt about it, but 12 years old is, lamentably, geriatric in Dog Land. Doesn’t mean Frisky can’t walk, play, or chase the tennis ball. You can fire up engines by encouraging your dog—and your boyfriend—to move around.

Dog Lady is not a doctor, nor does she play one on the pages of this fabulous magazine. But she knows from years of experience that you can’t keep switching any dog’s food. The changes could churn up Frisky’s tummy. Also, you must feed the dog at set times each day (twice daily; in the morning and evening is usually just right). And you must not freak out if Frisky doesn’t eat occasionally. Maybe you’re feeding too much food. As for the treats, don’t lard him with goodies. By withholding yummies for a day or two, you give the “special” treats more value.

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

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Mother of the Year

P H O T OGR A P H BY AN I M A L P R E S S / B A R C R O F T M E D I A L T D

Farm dog adopts baby pig as one of her own Surrogate mom Katjinga, an eight-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback, took on motherly duties for Paulinchen, a tiny Vietnamese pot-bellied pig, after the little grunter was rejected by her mother. Cold and shaking, Paulinchen was luckily discovered moments from death by Roland Adam, 54, and placed in the care of the family dog who gladly accepted her as one of her own. Thankfully for the two-week old mini porker, Katjinga fell in love with her at first sight and saved the piggyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bacon. Katjinga had recently finished with a litter of her own and even started lactating again, providing milk for the baby pig. The two animals live together on a 20-acre farm in Hoerstel, Germany. The pair of breeding pigs run wild on Rolandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s land and the sow had given birth to a litter of five in the forest. Poor Paulinchen had been abandoned by the rest of her family and was close to death when she was discovered in the woods by Roland, who brought her home to Katjinga. The unlikely relationship has made the wrinkly pig a genuine sausage dog.

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From top Runt-of-the-litter piglet nuzzles up to her new mom.

Katjinga checks up on her little one.

Motherly love. Rhodesian Ridgeback provides milk for tiny piglet.

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Training Trials?

Ask an Expert

Our Fab Five answer your most pressing training

questions

Ask Ian Dunbar

Q:

Kyle, my 9-year-old Dalmatian, has no interest in playing with other dogs or with me at the off-leash park. He only wants to scan the perimeter to look for garbage to eat, which invariably causes gastric distress. All efforts to involve him in other activities have failed. Please help make park time fun! —Ignored in Ilford

A:

It would seem that Kyle is disinterested in you in the dog park. Or let’s put it a little more gently…when in the dog park, he is more interested in garbage than you. Hmmm! I guess, that doesn’t sound too good either. But, first we have to acknowledge the truth before we can change things. side to your yard. He should play reliably in your yard before So, why does Kyle have little interest in you? Maybe he loves playing on public property (on-leash or on a long line), and you at home but whenever given the opportunity to visit the dog should be reliable on leash before you let him off leash. Once he park, he simply would rather engage in his hobbies—sniffing and is sufficiently reliable to be let off leash, follow truffling for garbage. Or maybe Kyle’s dog-park him around and give him non-stop feedback behaviour is no different from his behaviour at He simply would home. Maybe he is independent there, too, but rather engage in his vis-a-vis acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. Don’t just ignore him and let him do his of course, does not spend any time scanning hobbies—sniffing own thing, otherwise his hobby will continue for garbage because there isn’t any. and truffling for to be a distraction to training and the beginRegardless of the above, teach and engage garbage. ning of the end of your off-leash relationship.

Kyle in a mutually enjoyable training hobby/ Consequently, I would also suggest you activity/game, first at home, then on leash, teach Kyle some basic relationship skills, especially attention and and, finally, off leash in the dog park. He needs an activity that settling down next to you for extended periods at home and peridepends on your presence and participation rather than his presodically during walks. Since he is an adult dog, I would use allent activity that excludes you. Additionally, I suggest that you or-none reward training techniques before expecting lure/reward very quickly teach him NEVER to pick up any animal or vegtraining techniques to have any effect. Check out the clips on etable matter. There are just too many poisonous things in the www.dogstardaily.com or buy a copy of our latest video—SIRIUS environment: mushrooms, oodles of poisonous plants, poisoned Adult Dog Training. Let’s get to it… time to rekindle this relationrats, leaked antifreeze, etc. ship. n Possible joint activities include: fetch, tug ‘o war, follow the leader, hide ‘n seek, and—my all-time favourite—doggy dancDr. Ian Dunbar is a veterinarian, animal behaviourist, dog trainer, and author ing. All of these activities will get Kyle to focus on you. All may of several books and DVDs. He is the Founder of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers be taught at home. All are training games with numerous short (apdt.com) and co-creator of dogSTARdaily.com—a daily magazine for dog owners. training interludes integrated within each game. And, of course, To submit a training question, email training@moderndogmagazine.com.

Kyle should play reliably indoors before you take the game out-

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Ask an Expert Ask Delores Wall

Q:

I’d like to start fostering dogs on occasion. How can I warm my own pup, Shaggy, up to the idea? She’s good with other dogs, but I want to make sure she doesn’t feel put out by the addition of some temporary housemates. —Full house in Phoenix

A:

I commend you for thinking of your dog Shaggy before fostering other dogs in your home. It can be a fun time for your dog with a new playmate, while helping give a new leash

on life to a dog who needs a forever home.

Before bringing “Foster” home, it would be very helpful for Shaggy to know her basic training, especially come, sit/stay, and go to your mat. She should also have a safe place where she can be if you are away in another area of the house, or have left the house for a short period of time. Using crates can be very helpful.

Have one of Shaggy’s dog friends come for a visit and see how she behaves with a dog she is already happy around. Start the meeting outside and bring them in with Shaggy entering first. Don’t leave the two of them alone together, and never leave any dog alone with a child.

Do a feeding time while she has her best friend over. Have both dogs on leash and keep their dishes far apart from each other. This can give you a fair indication of Shaggy’s behaviour around another dog(s) when there is food present and in her own home.

Now it’s “foster-time.” For the best scenario, have Shaggy meet Foster, both on leash, on neutral territory. Have a second person handle the other dog to make it easier as well.

Keep leashes loose to lower stress and aggression. This will help with the introduction and give you a good idea as to how they get along. Not every foster dog will be suitable in every home.

Keep yourself relaxed. Be clear that you are the leader, always through positive methods, and enjoy the satisfaction of helping one more dog get ready for his new home. n 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.

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Ask Teoti Anderson

Q:

My rescued dog of a year occasionally pees on my other dog’s bed. Twice I’ve returned home to find her lying in my other dog’s bed after wetting it. She has her own nice bed which she doesn’t pee on. What’s going on here and how can I stop her from doing this?

—Peeved in Pittsburg

A:

If people are stressed or upset, we can talk things through. We can make ourselves feel better by yelling, crying … or eating ice cream. Dogs? They pee.

Are you catching your dog in the act?

Are you 100 percent certain it’s her? Or are you coming home just to find her lying on a wet bed? First, determine the true culprit.

Next, rule out any physical problems. Whenever a dog is peeing in an unusual place, it’s best to take her to the veterinarian to make sure it isn’t a physical issue, like a urinary tract infection.

If the vet gives her a clean bill of health, there could be several reasons why your dog is peeing on the other dog’s bed.

She could She could be trying to claim it as hers. Maybe one dog peed on the bed be trying to at one time, and now the other dog is claim it as simply peeing in the same spot. Dogs hers! also pee because they’re stressed, like during thunderstorms or when left alone. The rescued dog may also have learned the behaviour in her previous home. For example, if she was kept in a small room that had a bed in it and she was not given sufficient potty breaks, she learned to eliminate on beds, because she didn’t have a choice.

There could be other reasons, but the real issue is to stop the peeing! Limit your dog’s access to the beds to times when you can supervise her. Clean the bed with an enzymatic cleaner specifically made for pet messes.

Start housetraining from scratch. You need to teach her that you only want her to eliminate outside. Supervise her closely, give her more frequent potty breaks, and reward her every time she eliminates outside. As she progresses, slowly increase her freedom and access again to the beds. n 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 Nicole Wilde

Q:

My dog, Sam, a seven-year-old rescue I adopted one year ago, follows me around everywhere. He even waits outside the bathroom door. Is his attachment to me indicative of some sort of issue? I should mention he doesn’t have separation anxiety—though he’d obviously like to accompany me everywhere. —Shadowed by Sam

A:

I have to smile as I think about all the women who would love to be shadowed by a male who doesn’t want to let them out of his sight! And yet there is something to be said for standing on one’s own two feet—er, four paws.

When you say Sam doesn’t have separation anxiety I assume you’re referring to whining, barking, destruction, or other classic signs of stress when you’re gone. Great! But there are subtle forms as well. Let’s imagine for a moment that Sam is not a dog, but a young child. What would you think if that child followed you constantly from room to room, unwilling to be separated from you, even momentarily? Naturally, you’d be concerned.

Many dogs follow their owners from room to room, but if Sam is anxious when you’re home but not in his immediate proximity, that is cause for concern. Chronic low-level stress is unhealthy for Sam, not to mention for you, should you want to take a long bath or a nap without him by your side.

But first things first: If the behaviour has only started recently, Sam should have a full senior veterinary exam, as sudden needy behaviour is often indicative of a physical ailment. Assuming illness has been ruled out, begin to introduce brief periods of “alone time” for Sam that include activities such as excavating a wellstuffed Kong or gnawing on a favourite chew toy. Accompany these chill-out sessions with music such as that on the “Through a Dog’s Ear” CDs, which have been proven to relax nervous dogs.

(Alternately, choose slow, soft classical music with minimal instrumentation.) You might also want to have a DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) diffuser in the area. Pair the music and chew toys with your presence first, and continue to pair them with togetherness time periodically, so as not to associate those things only with your absences. (The DAP diffuser, which will also help to relax Sam, should be left plugged in at all times.)

Togetherness is wonderful, but distance makes the heart grow fonder. Short, pleasant separations in the household will be good for you both. n 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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Ask an Expert Ask Jennifer Messer

Q:

A friend of mine was walking her dog when a terrier-cross bee-lined towards them, attacking poor Bedlam. Being a typical Beagle, he didn’t fight back—just screamed the whole time she was clamped onto his face. Eventually, they pulled her off, and Bedlam was left with pretty bad punctures. He is recovering fine, but it sounds like he could have ended up dead if the fight wasn’t stopped.

I’ve never had to break up a fight, and don’t know when I should try to, or that I even could.

Any tips? —Apprehensive in Alberta

A:

regrip—you won’t have much time, but if you both pull fast during a regrip you can split up the sort of situation Bedlam was in.

Shouting and clapping your hands will sometimes do the trick, but this won’t have much effect in more serious fights—the very ones that need intervention. Failing that, a bucket of cold water or spray from a hose often shocks warriors out of battle.

However, most fights don’t take place with cold water on hand.

Citronella spray can work, too—but you have to get in a bit closer to use it. And an airhorn may startle dogs out of fisticuffs; at the very least it will attract attention, and hopefully some help!

Gladly. Not all fights are created equal. In fact, most spats between well-socialized dogs do not require any intervention at all. Like human arguments with shoving and swearing, spats can appear nasty even though neither party intends serious harm. Dogs with a long and broad socialization history, and who have a good track record of no damage during scuffles, are pretty sure bets for being able to resolve their own disputes safely.

At the other end of the spectrum are attacks like Bedlam’s, Risky where there is a clear aggressor, and a victim who is being seriAs soon as you move into biting range, you are at greater risk of ously injured. Sometimes the victim will try to fight back, and a injury. You can try placing an object between the dogs—even a two-way fight will ensue. You are right—without intervention, piece of cardboard or netting can buy time to get hold of leashes attacks like his can end up being fatal. and move them apart. If the dogs are off leash, then they can be Somewhere between these two extremes are grabbed and lifted off each other by the hind legs or fights between dogs that might do each other harm, tail—but be warned—dogs can twist quite quickly to Without and warrant some level of intervention. It can be bite! Grabbing the jewels of an intact male is highly intervention, effective… if you are up to the task. And trying to tough to determine if and when they do, but here attacks like are some rules of thumb: (1) Dogs who tend to slip leashes under their waists is another solution for this can end up off leash dogs, but, again, even an Olympic athlete get more and more riled up the longer they scrap, who won’t walk away, or who have done physical cannot react quickly enough to avoid a bite attempt. being fatal. harm in the past, definitely warrant a break-up. (2) Fights between dogs of extreme size difference or two females in Very Risky heat should raise intervention alarm bells. (3) Any fight involving Finally, it is very risky to grab collars—they are so close to teeth! a fighting breed should be stopped unless both dogs are known to For locked-on dogs, twisting the collar cuts off their air supbe safe scrappers. Fights involving these breeds have a much highply, and they will eventually release. Another high-risk option er risk of serious injury—these dogs have trouble reading social for those Bedlam situations is a break stick, a short stick that is signals, and often have their own “rule book.” inserted from the side between the jaws, and wedged in until the Intervention always carries the risk of injury, but there are safer attacker lets go. This is sometimes the only way to get a fighting and riskier methods for meddling. Here are some options. breed to release his grip. However, this requires expertise.

Breaking up fights is a risky business, but knowing a little bit about judging when and how to intervene can only make the Pretty Safe prospect safer for you. n Any method that allows you to break up the fight while keeping your distance is pretty safe. If you can get a hold of leashes Jennifer Messer is a veterinarian working in Ottawa, Ontario. She has an honours BA in without being near jaws, you may be able to pull the combatants psychology from McGill University and a DVM from the Ontario Veterinary College, and apart. If one dog is locked onto the other, you and a helper will is author of The Kinder Puppy Course available at pavski.ca. She is owned by her Pit have to keep the leashes both taut until the locked dog tries to Bull, Charlotte, and her Beagle, Mr. F. Bender.

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Feeding Fido

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TO ENTER: To enter, 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 “Run, Rover, Run,” “Carried Away,” “Cookie Monster,” “Barking Great Gift Baskets,” “Jet Set Pet,” “That’s One Smart Bed!,” or “Be One with Dog” to Modern Dog, 202–343 Railway St, Vancouver, BC CANADA V6A 1A4, by February 28, 2010. Winners will be notified by March 31, 2010.

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SWEET CHARITy

Lend a Paw to Those in Need Pass on the latté and instead give a couple of dollars to one of these worthy organizations. Or, in lieu of a material gift, donate in the name of a friend who has everything. A few bucks can go a long way!

Give the gift of an orphan pet Help Best Friends achieve their laudable goal of No More Homeless Pets with a one-time $25 sponsorship of an animal.

Scroll through tons (and tons) of dog photos and bios to choose whom you’d like to sponsor. If it’s a gift, an e-card will be sent to the recipient.

You can also sponsor animals from bunnies to barnyard pals to kitties, should Aunt Edna be more of a (gasp) cat person. bestfriends.org/gift

144 moderndog

Ensure the golden years are, well, golden Sadly, after a lifetime of devotion, many critically ill, special needs, and senior pets are abandoned at overburdened shelters where, proving largely unadoptable, they await euthanasia. Fortunately, there are a few kind souls labouring to aid this sad situation and Susan Marino of Angel’s Gate is one, opening her home to those in need and providing hospice care and love. Financial sup-

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port is always needed; you may designate your donation for specific needs, animals, or projects should you wish to support a particular facet of their work. angelsgate.org

Save lives Muttshack specializes in mass pet evacuations and rescues necessitated by natural disasters. They offered disaster response during Hurricane Katrina, Gustav, Ike and many others, saving thousands of animals and even relocating entire shelters threatened by disaster. Donate or become a member to support their good work. muttshack.org

Search and ye shall find the good feelings that come with doing good Enabling a wonderful partnership, the Search Dog Foundation recruits rescue dogs, trains them, and pairs them with firefighters (at no cost to the fire department).

These dogs, with their new lease on life, become part of the first response, finding people buried alive in the wreckage of disasters, and thereby offering them a second chance, too. There are many ways to help: sponsor a dog,

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Push boundaries Demonstrate compassion without borders: a $100 donation covers the expense of rescuing one dog from death row in a high-kill Mexican animal control center. cwob.org/donatedog.html

Support service dog training Make a difference in the life of someone with a disability— help raise and sponsor the training of guide dogs for the blind with a donation to this venerable, charitable organization. guidedog.org

Get down with the spay/neuter effort It’s desperate out there.

5,000,000 (yes, five million) animals are euthanized annually in the United States. Help Wiregrass Alliance’s effort to diminish that number by tackling pet overpopulation through their grassroots spay/ neuter efforts. Sponsor a spay or neuter ($65/$55, respectively) for a family that can’t afford the procedure otherwise. wiregrassspayneuter.org

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