Modern Dog Summer 2011

The lifestyle magazine for modern dogs and their companions SUMMER 2011

BOOT CAMP Reform School

Does Your Dog Make You Feel Guilty?

for Dogs

Ease your conscience p 105

15 Great iPhone Apps

Rose McGowan

Vintage Dog

On rescue & her love affair with the Boston Terrier

Dogs & Jealousy

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

Antique Canine-Curios

The Cancer Diet Fighting Back with Food SUM

moderndogmagazine.com DISPLAY UNTIL SEPT 11 CDN$5.95 US$4.95

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DIY COLLARS & TREATS CROSS-BORDER RESCUE “BREEDIST” DOGS THE PEMBROKE WELSH CORGI

Small Dog Syndrome E MORGROOVY GIVEAWAYS!

WHO’S YOUR DADDY? MAGNIFICENT MUTTS P 60

SUMMER 2011

VOL 10

NO 2

66 88

PHOTO KHAREN HILL

FEATURES 22

On Dog Training Who’s training whom? BY WILLIAM

23

Surf’s Up Sweet ideas for summer fun.

PHOTO TANYA KING

CREED

88 It All Started With a Little Bug Actress Rose McGowan on her unplanned love affair Doggone Smart Apps

with the Boston Terrier. An exclusive interview.

15 great iPhone apps for dog lovers.

BY MARY-JO DIONNE 32 Doggie Boot Camp: Reform School For

Dogs 105 Does Your Dog Make You Feel Guilty?

Awakening the kindly drill sergeant in you.

Ease your conscience with these easy to implement

BY STEVE DUNO tips. BY JENNIFER MESSER 30

38

We’re Giving It Away!

Three months of amazing giveaways are up for grabs.

44 Vintage Dog

Woofstock festival founder Marlene Cook shares her

favourites from her remarkable collection of antique canine-curios. BY ROSE FROSEK 48 From California, With Love

A cross-border rescue mission rehomes death-row dogs. BY COREY VAN’T HAAFF 54

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The Genesis Awards Celebrating the organization that celebrates the media that celebrates animals. BY MARY-JO DIONNE

THE GOODS 43

Sweet Summer Scores Keep it cool with these seasonal must-haves.

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Best Buys Fab finds under $25.

Jealousy 121 Dogs and the green-eyed monster. BY STANLEY COREN

Who’s Your Daddy?

Magnificent mutts. Try guessing the unusual parentage of these striking mixed-breeds.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY TANYA KING 26

Freestylin’

A canine-freestyle newbie and her “exuberant” dog test their skill—and the instructor’s patience.

Hardcore Players Toys to love “furever.”

BREED PROFILE

BY SARA LIMA

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SUMMER 2011

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi

By Appointment to Her Majesty the Queen.

BY MARIAN BUECHERT

LIVING

43 BODY AND SOUL 66 Meet My Personal Trainer—Rex

Canine Cancer Support

Poolside Pooches

Cranberry to the Rescue

68 Canine Conditioning Equipment

First Aid for Lawns

The Band Perry’s Double Dog Dare

70 Go Organic

Shave and a Haircut?

Timely Health Updates

Hot Wheels

72 The Doctor’s In

Tips for treating arthritis.

74

The Cancer Diet Fighting back with food.

BY ELIZABETH PASK AND LAURA SCOTT

43 REGULAR FEATURES 6 Editor’s Letter 8 Contributors 10 Our Readers Write 14 The Scoop 23 Calendar of Events 24 Smile! Photo Contest 129 Marketplace

COVER LOOK

Actress and Boston Terrier advocate Rose McGowan with her rescued Pomeranian, Sasquatch.

Photographed by Kharen Hill.

Hair by Cole Herrara. Makeup by Sarah Uslan.

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SUMMER 2011

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

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Modern Dog’s Cutest Couples Our favourite Cutest Couple photo submissions.

53

D.I.Y Eat Hot dog, cool treat. Whip up these sweet or savoury pupsicles in mere minutes.

95

Small Dog Syndrome Dealing with a Napoleon complex.

96

Listen: NEema + Elsa

Your summer soundtrack: an up-and-coming singer/ songwriter’s tribute to her dog.

99

More Embarrassing Moments Your dog did what? Cringe-worthy canine escapades.

100

D.I.Y. Craft: Barkin’ Blooms Embellish your dog’s collar with a bloom. It’s a snap!

BY ROSE FROESEK

BY COLLEEN SAFFORD

102 An Insider’s Guide to Dog-friendly

Seattle

Hotels, parks, even bars—we did some sleuthing for

the inside scoop on Seattle’s top dog-friendly stops.

110

“Breedist” Dogs Can a dog dislike a certain breed?

110

Fireworks Fear Calming and desensitizing dogs terrorized by fireworks and thunder.

112

Wading Through Water Worries Teaching water-reluctant dogs to swim.

114

Art Attack Melissa Ferreira’s “pets,” sculpted of paper and other repurposed material, delight. BY MARNI WEDIN

117

Connie’s Book Club Curl up with a good dog and good book. Editor-in- Chief Connie Wilson’s selection of summer beach-bag worthy reads.

123

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

136

Last Lick : A Monkey to Love An adoption story.

BY INGER MARTENS

BY NICOLE WILDE

BY TEOTI ANDERSON

BY MONICA COLLINS

BY NATASHA NIKKEL

In USA: MODERN DOG (ISSN 1703-812X) Volume 10, Issue 2. 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 TANYA KING

E D ITO R ’S LE T T E R

A

s many of you know, there’s a new dog in my life: Penny, a Wirehaired Dachshund, a rescue of around six years of age, not to mention my very first “small” dog. Always having had big dogs, I’ve found my small dog to be quite a different experience. I still get out for my thrice-daily dog walks, but Penny needs to be coaxed out if it’s rainy or cold. If we happen to miss a walk, she isn’t jumping out of her skin as my previous dog, Kaya, a rambunctious Weimaraner/Pointer cross, who passed on at the ripe old age of 16, would have been. Comparing Kaya’s hyperactivity, separation anxiety, and excitable barking with Penny’s low exercise requirements and quiet demeanour makes them seem polar opposites; however, now that I’ve had Penny for six months, I’m noticing some similarities between how they react to and around me. It was my daughters who first voiced it, saying that Penny seemed to have a growing need to be close to me. I attributed this to anxieties resulting from her past life as a kenneled breeder’s dog, but could this foreshadow separation anxiety issues or other developing problems arising from a “nervous” personality? Or—yikes—could I somehow be creating this behaviour?

As I sat contemplating these thoughts, a book entitled Your Dog Is Your Mirror by veteran dog trainer Kevin Behan crossed my desk, capturing my attention. Unlike the alpha/dominance model espoused by the likes of Cesar Milan, or the positive reinforcement approach that uses rewards to effect desired behaviour, Kevin proposes a new training modality based on his belief that a dog’s behaviour is driven by our emotion. He believes that dogs don’t respond based on what their owners say or do, but rather to what they feel. Thereby, as our emotional mirrors, our dogs offer insight into unresolved issues and ourselves. Further, Kevin proposes that

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dogs’ cognition is a function of emotion, particularly the emotion that forms the group consciousness within a pack, whether a wolf pack or human/dog pack. He believes that much of the problematic behaviour that develops in dogs can be resolved through this new model of understanding dog cognition.

His theory, developed over 30 years of training (oftentimes involving the rehabilitation of aggressive dogs) opens the door to a whole new world of communication and understanding between species, and, really, a whole new understanding of ourselves. Reallife examples drawn from three decades of dog training bolster this revolutionary philosophy.

I found it a fascinating read, one that has certainly gotten me thinking. I think the insights I’ve gained from it will assist me in all my relationships, both canine and human. If you’ve ever thought your dog mirrors you, you’ll definitely want to delve into this book.

In fact, I was so taken with Kevin’s approach, that we’re introducing him as a new Modern Dog blogger. Be sure to check out his blog, “The Emotional Dog,” on moderndogmagazine.com.

In keeping with this exploration of dogs and emotion is Dr. Stanley Coren’s fascinating look at dogs and jealousy on page 54 of this issue. From there, flip to page 95 for advice on dealing with Small Dog Syndrome. Try your hand at guessing the parentage of the unusual mixed breeds in “Whose Your Daddy?” then browse on over to “Vintage Dog” (page 44), in which Woofstock festival founder Marlene Cook shares her favourites from her antique canine curios collection.

And that’s not the half of it. The lovely spitfire, Rose McGowan, known for her indie movies and her love of Boston Terriers, invites us into her gorgeous LA home for an exclusive photo shoot and talks dog-love, rescue, and Marilyn Manson. Plus, we’ve got three months of great giveaways, a cross-border rescue recount, and, inspired by the recent royal nuptials, we profiled the Queen’s favourite breed, that low-to-the-ground charmer, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

This issue is just jam-packed with goodness in celebration of summer, from the best iPhone apps for dogs lovers to fun DIY projects (pupsicles, anyone?) and “barking bloom” collars that can be whipped up in a snap (page 100), and so much more. Have a wonderful summer, everyone. Here’s to the dog days!

Constance Wilson Publisher and Editor-in-Chief What I’ve learned from a life in dogs is that nature conforms to the power of desire.—Kevin Behan, Your Dog is Your Mirror

C O N TRIBUT OR S SUMMER 2011

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VOL 10

NO 2

Publisher

Modern Dog Inc. Editor-in-Chief

Connie Wilson

Kathryn MacNaughton was a girl that liked art. In fact, she liked it so much that she decided to make art for a living. She’s now a happy artist living in Toronto. Her mixed media work combines collage with hand-drawn elements, and she’s inspired by imagery from her collection of vintage magazines. Words and symbols are important elements in her art, which is often a reflection of the subconscious mind. She shares that “the characters I create are a way of unleashing my true self.” From this assertion and her illustration for Modern Dog in this issue (page 82), could we infer that she has a sublimated desire to try her hand at canine freestyle dance?

The choice of the verbage “unleashing” certainly seems to hint so.

Editor

Jennifer Nosek Contributing Editor

Marian Buechert Creative Director

Jennifer Nosek

Circulation Manager

Jessica Nosek

Publication Clerks Supervisor

Omar Duran Rojas

Design & Production

Maxine Matishak

Design & Production Assistant

Vanessa Dong

Sales & Marketing

Sara Lima

Sales & Marketing Intern

Amanda McNair

Editorial Assistant

Karin Maxey

Accounting and Subscription Services Assistant

Celine Benipayo Controller

Tomasin Cuthbert trained as a theatre designer at Nottingham Trent University and the Bristol Old Vic theatre school, and has worked as a designer and illustrator for the last six years. She lives in Bristol, England, with her boyfriend, Olly, her dog, Alfie, and her two chickens, Ethel and Rosie. As well as doing design and illustration, Tomasin is a portrait painter, painting people and dogs, and runs Soap Soup Theatre (soapsouptheatre.com), a puppetry company making unique and beautiful work for all ages. See Tomasin’s illustration of reform-school-bound dogs on page 32 of this issue.

Cecilia de Roca Chan Web Consultant

Dave Egan

Tech Consultant

Mario Rea

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 10, Issue 2.

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 10, Issue 2. 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

David Jacobson, a regular Modern Dog contributor, is a cartoonist living in midcoastal Maine. Aside from Modern Dog, his work has appeared in such notable publications as the New Yorker and USA Today. He also drew a daily social satire cartoon for the Gannett newspapers for over 18 years, has illustrated children’s books and created greeting cards, and was syndicated with United Media.

Originally from New York, he and his wife moved to Maine in 2003, where they joined forces with Willie, the best Golden Retriever ever. David’s love of dogs makes drawing the Cartoon Caption Contest (page 17) a true pleasure.

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

Copyright 2011 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 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities.

Bark Back! OUR

R E ADE R S W RI T E

unknown breed I have fallen in love with.

Kimberly M. Wang: Love the piece on Maggie Q. Hooray for her animal welfare efforts and thanks Modern Dog for the informative profile!

Dog Pack Snacks: I read the article today on moderndogmagazine.com about the Art of Correctly Greeting a Dog, and wanted to share. I walk shelter dogs all the time and take them out in public for socialization. I wish I could wear a summary of this article around my neck.

EMAIL ENDEARMENTS

Heather Winter: I just discovered your magazine at the vet’s office this morning. I’m going to subscribe. I think it’s fabulous!

Just want to thank you for the article on Pit Bulls. For readers who are interested, there is a great book called Oogy by Larry Levin that tackles this subject, authored by a man who rescued a Pit Bull that was used as a bait dog. Thanks for bringing this subject to the forefront. It is needed.—Christine Volpini What a nice surprise to find out I was a winner of the Neater Feeder in your winter 2010 Giveaways contest! I haven’t won anything in a LONG time. I was overdue!—Edwina Lango

Michelle Lyn Duckworth: L-O-V-E this issue!

Candis Reber: Modern Dog is so refreshing and inspiring! A magazine that has no problem glorifying mutts and promoting adoption over breeding is in a league of its own. You guys rock!

Lindsay Curry: Thanks for supporting Best Friends Animal Society—I already “liked” your page, but what a great thing for you to do!

[We donated $5000 to Best Friends opon reaching 10,000 Facebook fans—Ed.]

FANS ON FACEBOOK Smoky Mountain Dog Bakery: Thanks for the pet-themed Valentine’s e-cards. My kids loved it…so did my gal.

April Fahr: All of us at HugABull are a-buzz about our love for your magazine! Your article about Pit Bulls was spot-on. Thank you for helping to educate.

Kelly Weber: Got my copy of Modern Dog today! I love this magazine!!

Kuuipo Ceridon: My week is so much better now that I have my spring issue of Modern Dog! Amy Tick: Sitting here reading my issue during the American Idol commercials.

Lois Steinmann: I love all of the pictures! Dogs and their peeps.

So much love. Dog people are the best.

Sara Gibson: Just got my Spring issue in the mail, and I am loving the “No Dogs for Sale?” piece. I am so bringing this up with my city council!

Holly Miller: I love, love, love this magazine! This issue was the best: Pit Bulls, Vets Without Borders, and, of course, Glee!

Here’s a suggestion for a breed profile—the Leonberger, a fairly

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HEARTS AND MINDS A-TWITTER @HugABull We’ve always loved @ModernDogMag, but this article on Pit Bulls took our adoration to a new level. *SWOON* @MindyBeckett Just got my @ModernDogMag in the mail.

What a great pick-me-up on an otherwise dismal day! Time to read it to my Pugs. @Teresa_M Kicked my own ass at the gym today. Going to feel it tomorrow. Now relaxing with the new issue of @ ModernDogMag. @thegreenmutt Everyone cool that owns a dog should follow @ ModernDogMag

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Become a fan/follow Modern Dog! Go to facebook. com/moderndogmagazine & twitter.com/moderndogmag and win awesome stuff! Besides behind-the-scenes peeks at what we’re up to in the MD offices, the latest breaking stories, contest announcements, and fun updates on the coolest events, we do Facebook- and Twitter-exclusive giveaways.

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STUFF WE LOVE Modern Dog staffers’ picks of the litter

1 These awesome poop-bag canisters feature illustrations by Nate Williams and house fifty

100-percent biodegradable bags made from GMO-free corn starch and vegetable oil that compost in as little as 40 days. A poop-bag solution that matches my environmental attitude and my keen sense of cool.—Jessica (from $10, olivegreendog.com)

BP

2 Two things I love: dinnertime and Doca’s Y feeder. Perfect in it’s simplicity, the stainless steel bowl is nestled in a bright orange, red, white, or black powder-coated metal stand with rubber non-skid feet, designed and made in Chicago.—Doxie Esther ($30, docapet.com)

3 My Neo is a picky dog that doesn’t like just anything, so I had been looking for a unique and fun tag for him. I finally came across this 26 bars and a Band charm, featuring the famous Paul Frank monkey. Perfect!—Omar ($12, 26barsandaband.com)

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4 Classic and elegant, words that describe my dogs and my new “Chelsea” bed from Jax and Bones. The timeless pattern blends effortlessly with the rest of my décor while the Sustainafill fiber filling makes it a comfortable and eco-friendly nest.—Sara ($139, jaxandbones.com)

5 If you’re a scatterbrain like me and would lose your head if it wasn’t attached, you’ve had

that “where are my dog’s vaccination records/toothbrush/dog tags?!” type of experience. I love the Pet Keeper because it keeps all my best friend’s essentials in one place.—Amanda ($80, petkeeper.com)

6 My Miniature Poodle, Timmy, will dream sweet dreams in his new environmentally friendly

PoochPlanet DreamBoat bed. The ultra-plush interior is velvety soft and the side walls wrap around him like loving arms.—Cecilia ($30, poochplanet.com)

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7 Beyond cute, the Sing wallet is made from durable, animal-friendly synthetic leather available in an array of colours. 100% Canadian, I heart Espe for their environmentally-friendly practices and pretty products.—Karin ($28, espe.ca)

8 My reversible Santorini tote goes from fun beach vacay to busy-bee urban life. Its chic print, water-resistant fabric, and spacious size can accommodate any dog lover’s day-to-day life, so there’s no reason to leave Fido’s gear behind!—Celine ($125, bluebloodliving.com)

9 Now that we’ve installed our new Paw Seasons pet gate we can keep our office door open

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wide letting the warm summer breezes in whilst keeping our office dogs safely ensconced inside.—Connie ($90, pawseasons.com)

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10 As summer heats up, so does my cooking with the help of Ladybird Hot Sauce. Inspired

by rescue dog Ladybird, this hot sauce is surprisingly mellow but still delivers a kick. Most comfortable at a backyard barbecue but elegant when it needs to be (I can relate), it’s available in three different flavours, with five percent of all profits donated to the ASPCA.—Maxine “Hot and Saucy” Matishak ($6, ladybirdandfriends.com)

11 Paco Collar’s handcrafted Mini Niz collar offers serious style and hardware for little dogs desirous of a look that’s not delicate. The 3/4″ wide leather, encircled with a solid row of pyramid studs, tapers at the buckle for comfort. Love.—Doxie Rose ($60, pacocollars.com)

12 Have royal fever? Indulge your need to know every detail of palace life with Noble Hounds

and Dear Companions, a charming look at the canine portraits inside the archives of the Royal Photograph Collection at Windsor Castle. From peeks at Pekes to glimpses of Greyhounds, royal hounds abound in these rarely seen photos.—Marian ($15, royalcollection.org.uk)

13 Oh, tangerine! This vibrant orange leather collar adorned with German glass stones hand-

BM

painted with a peacock-pattern is pawfect for my little lady. The collar comes in different colours and matching leads are also available.—Vanessa ($70, hartmanandrose.com)

14 How to even begin to describe the awesomeness of these cards? Hand-painted by the husband and wife duo behind stationary and greeting-card line Dear Hancock, they make a Shih Tzu in a Unicorn tee look like the most natural thing, as though she could have been sandwiched between you and banger Chris Crady in your junior high yearbook.—Jennifer ($4, dearhancock.com)

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CANINE NEWS AND REVIEWS

Rebel with a Canine Cause

Ever since her mother’s remarriage provided her with two toddler half-sisters cum models that could be outfitted in tutus and accessorized with shotguns, Charity de Meer has been capturing the moment from her unique perspective. De Meer’s latest collection is Pet Project, a portrait series featuring favourite shoes paired with faithful canine companions against raw urban backgrounds. Featured photographs are available for purchase at the Jonathan Adler New York City and Miami retail locations, or commission one of your own through De Meer’s site, rebelglam.com.

Attention pups in need across North America: help is on the way! The folks at Best Friends Animal Society have teamed up with a convoy of volunteers throughout the US and Canada for their Pup My Ride program, providing chauffeur services to dogs at risk. As part of their Puppies Aren’t Products campaign, Best Friends has partnered with rescue organizations to save dogs that have been rejected by puppy mills or who will likely be overlooked in overcrowded shelters. Pup My Ride convoys transport the dogs to areas where they have a better chance of finding their forever home. To date, over 4000 dogs have been saved from certain death and relocated to areas where they have the best possible chance of being adopted.

Want to help but don’t have a dog-eared school bus idling curbside? Text puppy to 90999 to donate $5 (US only) to the cause or buy Pup My Ride gear and 100 percent of the proceeds will go to directly to funding the program.

Pets on Furniture Well, we know you’ve got a pet. And we’re assuming you’ve also got furniture.

What do you get when you put the two together?

A charming weekly compendium of pictures of pets on furniture. Every Monday, desiretoinspire.net posts followers’ photo submissions of their pets on their furniture. Design-y yet homey, this blog is a perfect Monday distraction for those who love both their dogs and design.

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Hotdog? Not anymore Love taking Fido along for the ride but worry about rising temperatures in your car? Fear no more, Hotdog is here! This dashboard temperature monitor from criminalisticsinc.com detects the temperature inside your car and if it exceeds your programmed setting, the Hotdog system will automatically open your electronic windows, honk your horn, and alarm on the provided personal pager from up to a mile away. While leaving your furry friend in the car isn’t ideal, at least now he can radio in for backup.

ILLUSTRATION JESS GOLDEN

Pup My Ride

THE SCOOP

House-and Dog-Sitting The Find:

British textile artist and illustrator Jo Chambers’ quirky pen and ink portraits capture the individuality of her canine subjects with style and humour. Simply email photos and, if you’d like your friend to be accessorized, information on your pet’s personality so Chambers can dream up fitting accoutrements, like porkpie hats or pearls, to match.

From $120 at studio-legohead.com.

Swap accommodation for pet-sitting services

Planning a getaway but worried about whom to entrust with your dog? TrustedHouseSitters.com matches up those looking for free accommodation while on vacation with those in search of house-and pet-sitting services. The site does background and police checks on their sitters, who range from animal rescue centre staff, attorneys, dog trainers, and vets to police officers, all offering up their services gratis in exchange for a place to stay.

Read reviews from past stays and do your own check on your chosen sitter’s pet experience via references, photos, and video profiles. You can surf potential sitters before purchasing a membership to see if any are up your alley, but all contact information is protected and available to members only. Choose a $15/month fee or $60 for a 12 month membership, or, alternatively, potential house/ pet-sitters interested in a free place to stay in exchange for their services pay $30 for a 3-month or $60 for a 12-month membership.

Start planning your next getaway. Trusted House Sitters is offering Modern Dog readers a 50% discount on the Home Owner Membership. Simply enter “moderndog” in the promo-code box.

Classic Danish (Dog) Design Design house Rosendahl recently released the latest in the stable of famed Kay Bojesen toys, this one particularly appealing to us—the Dachshund. Bojesen’s Dachshund

Modern Dog Poll Results 48% of readers make assumptions about others based on the size of their dogs.

was created in accord with Bojesen’s original drawings and maintains the same iconic smiling lines as his other toys. In short, it’s pretty much the coolest thing going for any dog-loving design buff.

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Modern Dog Poll Do you think dogs should be allowed in restaurants?

Go to moderndogmagazine.com to vote.

SU MMER 2011

THE SCOOP Owney the Lonely Help the United States Postal Service commemorate Owney, a stray dog who wandered into a New York postal office in the late nineteenth century and unwittingly became the beloved canine mascot and good luck charm of the Railway Mail Service. © COPYRIGHT USPS 2011

Owney was drawn to the mail and followed it onto mail wagons, and eventually onto mail trains where he travelled with it across the US, collecting tags and medals from each of his stops along the way. After his death in 1897, postal workers raised funds to have his body preserved. Since 1993, Owney has been in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Postal Museum, which will host the First-Dayof-Issue dedication ceremony on July 27, the same day Owney’s commemorative first-class 44-cent forever stamp goes on sale.

Modern Dog’s Cartoon Caption Contest CALLING ALL WITTY WRITERS OR WRITERS AT HEART:

and the winner

from the Spring issue is: “!@#$%%&^!!”

SUBMITTED BY SYLVIE DAMIEN

C A R T O O N © 2011 B Y D A V I D J A C O B S O N

C A R T O O N © 2011 B Y D A V I D J A C O B S O N

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

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

Runner-up Captions: “At the 21st annual Daddy and Me Dog Convention, Julius and his faithfuldog, Cassius, participate in a trust exercise.”

SUBMITTED BY TRACI LAWRENCE

“At the last second, Dan remembered Max did not have opposable thumbs.”

SUBMITTED BY SHANNAN LINDINI

moderndogmagazine.com

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THE SCOOP Embrace Your Inner Bitch

Surf

Want to know what we’ll be wearing this summer? Royal Bitch Couture, a made-inCalifornia line of staples like fitted cotton tees, stripey t-shirt dresses, French terry hoodies, and low-rise sweat pants. Not only are they soft, comfy, and perfectly cut, 50 percent of proceeds are donated to shelters and spay and neuter organizations across the US. The line, already a celebrity favourite with the tees making appearances on shows like Dancing with the Stars—and its motto of “HELPING P.E.T.S (Prevent Euthanasia Through Spaying)—was founded by philanthropic entrepreneur Shane O’Neil, who expects to donate somewhere near the $50,000 mark this year.

Cool Dog Blog

On one hand, Dr. V’s blog, Pawcurious.com is a hilarious romp through the veterinarian world in a series of amusing stories which frequently take the quirky form of video diary entries starring Animal Doctor Barbie. On the other hand, it’s a heartbreaking tribute to dogs that have come and gone and left Dr. V’s life forever changed. For anyone who has ever lost their Best Dog Ever, Dr. V is a kindred spirit.

Homeless Pets Get a Helping Hand A whopping 3.5 million homeless Americans have dogs Support homeless pets and their human counterparts through Pets of the Homeless, a non-profit organization that provides pet food and vet care to the homeless and less fortunate in communities across North America. In some parts of Canada and the US, up to 24 percent of homeless people have pets that not only provide companionship, but protection and warmth. For most of these people, homelessness is temporary; however, finding sanctuary proves difficult with a dog or cat in tow since most shelters, motels, and halfway houses have strict “no pets” policies in place. Pets of the Homeless set up collection sites at local businesses, and the donations are delivered to participating food banks and soup kitchens.

In addition, grants are available for licensed veterinarians and nonprofit homeless shelters that will provide care and sanctuary. They also work with shelters to provide crates so that those with pets don’t have to make the heartbreaking choice between a roof over their head or their dog. To learn how you can help and for a list of donation sites, visit petsofthehomeless.org.

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Get a Leg Up on Fashion Are you and your best bud looking to reinvent yourselves? Check out milestostyle.com to find your hip new style. Each entry is dedicated to a specific look—nerd chic; sailor stripes; ironic “guilty pleasure” tees (that would be you, Jersey Shore jersey knit)—featuring pieces for both you and your dog, making it a cinch to update your style while coordinating with your dog—and not in a bad way.

barkandfitz.com

Love your dog.

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THE SCOOP If your dog was a famous person, who would your dog be and why? A sampling of the many funny answers…

My Pug, Lola, would be Mrs. Doubtfire.—Kellee Koga-Welsh

Steve Carell signs on to Dogs of Babel If dogs could talk, they’d tell us the secrets of the universe. Or so Steve Carell’s character is hoping in the upcoming flick, The Dogs of Babel, based on the novel of the same name by Carolyn Parkhurst. Seems this is a bit of a passion project; not only is Carell starring, he will be co-producing the film. Babel focuses on Paul Iverson, a linguistics professor who returns home one day to find his wife dead in their backyard. Unwilling to accept that it was an accident, grief-stricken Paul endeavors to teach the family dog—the only witness to his wife’s death—how to talk in hopes of revealing the truth about the tragedy. Set to be released in 2013, The Dogs of Babel will, with luck, showcase Carell’s comedic talents to underscore the bittersweet moments that can come out of loss, as well as a bond between man and dog that goes far beyond the ordinary.

Petals for Pets

Send someone flowers.

Order a pet-inspired bouquet through flowersandfancies.com’s PetalsForPets program and not only will you be brightening someone’s day with a puppy made out of chrysanthemums, but you’ll also be promoting animal welfare. 20 percent of proceeds from the PetalsForPets program go directly to the Baltimore Humane Society.

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Rufio is a Neapolitan Mastiff.

He would be Robert Redford because he is still cute but slightly wrinkly!—Kathryn Russ Dunlap My Chi-Weenie was named Buffy because she looked like Sarah Michelle Gellar and was petite but fast!

—Deborah Peterson Milne

My Schipperke would be Oprah: overweight, yet still glamorous.—Amy Rossie My Chihuahua, Baxter, would be Napoleon because he certainly has little man syndrome.— Shana Robertson Evans My Pug, Abby, would have been Pierre Elliot Trudeau in a past life... Suave, debonair, charms everyone, and isn’t afraid to say “Just watch me” and do pirouettes in the presence of the Queen of England.—Leslye Brown My brown Lab would be Whoopi. She is very comical and likes to pass gas. My black Lab would be The Situation. She is a buff dog that likes to tan.—Tammy Babcock

I have four dogs. So...The Three Stooges and my German Shepherd has been a real jerk today, so Charlie Sheen.—Virginia Philo Kauri would be Jack Nicholson, he’s a ladies man with a killer smile and slightly devilish.—Renata Sotnikow-Ross My little, goofy male Maltese would be Joey from Friends.

— Rachael Carlson My Dober-girl, Elke, would be Lara Croft. She’s athletic and super smart at figuring out stuff.—Amanda Weig

My Yorkie, Brandi, would be Criss Angel—here one minute, can’t find her the next.—Donna Thiessen Al Capone. My dog is short and stocky, likes to play a little too rough, and doesn’t let any big dogs pick on him.—Abbie Sizer My Glen of Imaal Terrier would be the A&W bear because he’s shaggy, pretty jolly, and has a big butt. That counts as a “famous person,” right?—Grace Rock

PHOTO EYDIS EINARSDOTTIR

We asked:

on dogs

On Dog Training

By William Creed

I

think admitting your dog has trained you in anything is something one should keep private. Accordingly, most of my conversations regarding education and my dog revolve around my teaching her a trick or two. This is

mostly not true, though she does humour me by submitting herself to my encouragements.

Mostly it’s my dog who has trained me to respond to her individual sounds or actions, such as whining to tell me I need to feed her and the pawing at the door to go out. She also bullies me for playtime, car rides, food scraps, and to sleep on top of me. She determines when I need to get up in the morning, and is pretty good at signaling it’s time for me to go to bed. However, recently she taught me something new that will enhance my life.

I’m sure you’ve heard of various relaxing techniques from the experts. There are umpteen books written on how to meditate, activate, cogitate, conjugate, and educate oneself into a state of total peace and relaxation. They all claim to put our troubles and fears at bay while allowing ourselves to relax in peace. Mayo Clinic tells us that practicing relaxation techniques can achieve better heart rate, lower blood pressure, and reduced muscle tension.

If my dog had fingers she might have written a note about this long ago. As it is, I learned the Dog Relaxation Technique by simply observing her demonstrations. It’s just another lesson from her in the Human-See-HumanDo School of Education. So, here it is, free of charge: Lie down, and about three seconds later, inhale deeply then exhale as if it were the last breath of life.

When you do it the “dog way” you will feel a total relaxation spread over your mind and body. Dogs do it every time they lay down—I think they have been passing it on from parent to puppy. You can even do it while standing or sitting, though you’re missing a percentage of the benefit. Don’t believe me? Try it now. Breath in……now exhale. See? I’m sorta excited about what I may be taught next. n

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! e l i Sm

Modern Dog’s Photo Contest WĹnners!

Pearls

Molly

Rhett Flame Cazen

Maddox

Rizzo

Ben

Georgie Burns

Sadie

Secret

Bonnie Bleu

Aj

Chubby Petey Leo

Teddy

Lucia Gillie

Boagie

Clara

Max & Marley

Murphy

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 Modern Dog magazine. 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.

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E BREED MEET TH

i g r o C h s l e W e k o r b Queen m e h T Pe y t s e j a ent to Her M

By Appointm

By Marian Buechert

L I Z A 4©2011/ D E B O R A H S A M U E L

Photographs by Deborah Samuel

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“Royal Warrants are a mark of recognition to individuals or companies who have supplied goods or services for at least five years to HM The Queen…. Warrants have always been regarded as demonstrating excellence and quality, and are highly prized.”—The Royal Warrant Holders Association

W

hen Dookie the Pembroke Welsh Corgi entered King George VI’s household in 1933, a gift to the then-Princess Elizabeth, he inspired a lifelong bond between the future queen and the breed that has spanned almost 80 years and, while not officially recognized with a royal warrant (after all—warrants are issued only to tradespeople! Sniff!), has certainly fixed the royal seal of approval on the Corgi.

Her Majesty prizes her Corgis so highly, in fact, that they are permitted the run of the palace, providing companionship for the queen during her daily activities, and appearing in many photos of Her Majesty and the royal family. The queen, it is said, prepares food for her dogs with her own hands and feeds them herself.

Surprisingly, the Corgi’s roots lie not in marble halls and gilded bedchambers but in the mud-and-manure-caked corrals and dirt-floored huts of 12th-century Wales. Setting aside the charming but unlikely folktale of children finding puppies left by fairies in the woods, the true story of the Pembroke Corgi’s background is almost as hard to pin down. As with many ancient working breeds, there is little direct evidence in word or picture to prove how the Corgi came to be; unlike the pets of aristocrats, working dogs were largely undocumented and tended to be lumped together as “curs”—not a derogatory term in those times, but simply used to distinguish ordinary canines from dogs of high breeding.

Dwarf dogs they were, bred low but fast to work cattle and other livestock.

One theory is that the name corgi derives from cur; another that the name was a blending of the Welsh cor (dwarf) and ci (dog). Dwarf dogs they were, bred low but fast to work cattle and other livestock, and to kill rats in home and stable.

The Pembroke’s northern cousin, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, is likely the older of the two breeds, but whether the Cardigan is an ancestor of the Pembroke, or whether the breeds evolved separately from very different canine ancestry, is debatable. Whatever the case, the two Corgis are similar in appearance to a casual observer, but do have distinct characteristics.

The Pembroke is shorter and trimmer, with upright, pointed ears and a sharp muzzle contributing to a “fox-like” face. The Cardigan is sturdier in body and head, with larger, more rounded ears sitting lower on the head. It also sports a long, bushy tail, while the Pembroke’s tail should be very short. The more popular of the two at 27th ranking in American Kennel Club registrations vs 86th for the Cardigan, the Pembroke must be red, fawn, sable, or black and tan, with optional white markings. The Cardigan may be any colour except white.

The Pembroke Corgi should be double-coated, with a thick, soft undercoat and coarser guard hairs on the outside. Some Pembrokes, known as “fluffies,” are born with an extra-long and soft coat. This does not mean the dog cannot be a wonderful companion, but it is considered a serious fault in a show or breeding dog, and fluffies should not be sold as rare (i.e., high-priced) individuals.

The two Corgis share a heritage of farm duties, but the Pembroke is said to be livemoderndogmagazine.com

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LIZA 3©2011/DEBORAH SAMUEL; LIZA 2©2011/DEBORAH SAMUEL

Pembroke Welsh Corgi AKC Ranking: #27 in popularity Size: Short but stocky —10 to 12 inches Grooming: Moderate Activity level: Moderate

If you like the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, check out:

Heritage: Herding US Rescue: Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America pembrokecorgi.org Canadian Rescue: Pembroke Welsh Corgi Association (Canada) pembrokewelshcorgis.ca

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

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Charismatic Corgi cross Swedish Vallhund

CARDIGAN WELSH CORGI, SWEDISH VALLHUND- MARY BLOOM © AKC, CORGI CROSS - PHOTO CONTEST ENTRY BELLA

Profile:

lier and busier. Deborah S. Harper, author of The New Complete Pembroke Welsh Corgi (Howell; 1979), writes: “…the [Pembroke] Corgi is an energetic dog, full of life, quick in movement and mind….Yet, while a Corgi is always ready for the task at hand… he does not indulge in tiresome perpetual motion.” In his Why We Love the Dogs We Do (Free Press; 1998), Stanley Coren includes Corgis in the “Clever Dogs” group, and writes: “These intelligent dogs have a work ethic and willingness to learn that make them the easiest breeds to train….[they] are Most Popular most often successful when complex Dogs in the U.S. activities have to be learned.”

According to AKC 2010 Many Corgis will show a tendency to registration statistics herd and guard—not surprising consider- [1] Labrador Retriever ing their heritage—but which may lead [2] German Shepherd Dog to behaviour problems if not controlled [3] Yorkshire Terrier and channeled through socialization [4] Beagle and training. Gossip has it that even the [5] Golden Retriever queen has difficulty with her nippy dogs [6] Bulldog on occasion.

[7] Boxer The breed is generally sturdy and [8] Dachshund healthy, typically living up to 15 years.

[9] Poodle As in many other breeds, hip dyspla[10] Shih Tzu sia, progressive retinal atrophy (an eye [27] Pembroke Welsh Corgi abnormality), and von Willebrand’s disease (VWD; a blood clotting disorder) are genetic issues being addressed by responsible breeders. While most Corgis can run, jump, and twist well enough to herd cattle or compete in agility, some are afflicted with disc (back) problems and those dogs will need to lead quieter lives. As stated on the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of Canada website: “Keeping your Corgi fit and in good weight will help avoid many health problems.”

Although hobnobbing with bluebloods may be all in a day’s work for some Pembroke Welsh Corgis, sadly, none has ever been granted the title of prince. Yet, the cur dog with humble roots may still be laughing all the way to Buckingham Palace, as the Prince of Wales is merely a king in waiting, while the Corgi was long ago crowned as monarch over the queen’s heart—By Appointment to Her Majesty. n

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Doggie Boot Camp: Reform school for dogs Awakening the kindly drill sergeant in you

By Steve Duno Illustration Tomasin Cuthbert

T

hey dealt with Freddy’s barking problem by closing the drapes, and his housetraining predicament by using pee pads and installing a doggie door. Freddy’s furniture chewing was stopped by removing the chairs, sofa, and coffee table from the living room. His nipping during pedicures got passed off to the groomer. Then came his digging and running away, followed by growling whenever dishes or toys were touched. Freddy’s bad behaviours began to leak out of every crack, and his owners had finally run out of quick fixes.

Of the thousands of dogs I have worked with, only a handful were what I’d call “perfect,” or without behavioural flaw. The rest, though lovable, have had niggling shortcomings that, if anything, defined who they were and made them all the more fascinating. Usually their shortcomings were curable or manageable, and taken in stride by the owners. But when a dog’s issues begin to mount and overwhelm its owner’s ability to cope, a comprehensive new strategy is often needed to save the owner’s sanity and, sometimes, the dog’s life.

Think of it as a “doggie boot camp,” whereby the dog’s issues, rather than being addressed piecemeal, are instead dealt with farther up the behavioural stream. More often than not, bad behaviours are symptomatic of a larger issue; one related to the dog’s self-perception, its environment and history, and the way it is treated by its owners.

Ruining a Good Thing The sweetest dog in the world can turn into a nightmare through neglect, abuse, spoiling, fear, coddling, humanizing, or other detrimental inputs. Fail to teach your dog properly, or neglect its needs, and watch a multitude of misbehaviours pop up. Trying to cure these “a la carte” instead of addressing the root causes is, well, much like bailing out a boat with a drill.

Starting Over

Once a dog has learned to be a problem, the best way to diminish the symptoms and get your dog back onto an even keel is to back up the clock, so to speak, or “reboot” the dog. It’s not training; it’s retraining. The good

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Your dog is a dog, not a surrogate child. Instead of trying to turn her into a proxy person, turn yourself into a proxy dog.

news is that most dogs, because of their adaptable nature, can and do respond to “boot camp” well, and even become enamoured of the new template.

Owners of dogs with multiple issues often think they do not have the skills or time to modify them. In some cases, particularly with profound aggression or serious phobic disorders, they might be right, and should seek out the help of a trained behaviourist.

But with regard to a dog who is simply “leaking from the cracks,” so to speak—with misbehaviour due to incorrect owner cues, or from a lack of structure or training—most owners can modify this type of assertive dog on their own. Yes, you can be your dog’s very own benevolent drill sergeant, and run a successful doggie boot camp.

Owners, Too As many of your dog’s issues are owner-generated, the boot camp mentality must apply to you as well. Without a change in your own behaviour, expectations, and attitude, your dog will end up with a dishonourable discharge.

Before attempting a “reboot” of your misbehaving pooch, be sure to do your own reboot, by embracing these basic owner preconditions: • Commit to changing your dog’s behaviour, and realize that it will take longer than it does on television.

• Know that your dog is a dog, not a surrogate child. Instead of trying to turn her into a proxy person, turn yourself into a proxy dog.

• Consider the difference between reacting to your dog’s behaviour, and initiating your dog’s behaviour.

• Commit to rules and a steadfast routine, no matter what.

• Accept that your dog can and must understand consequences. No trust fund babies here.

• Don’t fear resistance from your dog. All dogs naturally resist changes in routine, however beneficial, so be steadfast.

• Understand the difference between distraction, which only delays bad behaviour, and true rehabilitation, which replaces bad behaviour. Though a mannerly dog may want to do one thing, it chooses to do another because that is what you want her to do. This is the essence of authentic training.

• Commit to providing your dog with regular training each

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day, as well as ample socialization, exercise, and environmental enrichment. No dog gets better by staying home alone for ten hours a day.

Once you have embraced the above owner reforms, it’s time to commit to a solid ten weeks of loving, regimented change.

Anything less won’t stick in your dog’s head.

Back to Basics Attention and privilege must no longer be free for the taking.

This can be difficult for some owners to accept, as giving gratis attention to a dog can often be therapeutic. But for a pushy, misbehaving pooch, there can be no more free lunch. This new quid pro quo attitude teaches that whatever she desires must come from you, and be earned by her.

As you would with a puppy or untrained dog, apply these fundamental rules to your pet: • Mete out access to spaces, toys, and attention, as these define privilege and rank. You decide what (or who) she gets to play with and where she goes. If she is behaving, reward. If not, hold off.

• If your dog isn’t being supervised by you or another person, she should be restricted to a crate, dog run, or some other area where she can’t get into trouble. When her behaviour improves, she can earn back her independence.

• To reboot your position as CEO, work on leadership. Teach “wait” at doors and on rugs. Feed her after you, discourage begging, demand a courteous walk, work the “off” command, and practice basic obedience drills several times each day.

Make training sessions fast and upbeat, and quit as soon as you make progress. Also, practice an attitude of calm indifference—instead of yelling, praise quietly, without excess “backslapping.” And, like yelling, frenetic baby talk is also never helpful!

• Exercise her, but avoid tug-o-war or chase games, which teach her to vie with you. While walking her, consider it your walk, not hers. You decide when to stop or start.

• You should manage social interactions, not her.

• If her housetraining is faulty, crate train her. Pee pads only teach that it’s okay to pee inside, so forget them. u

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ILLUSTRATION TOMASIN CUTHBERT

For a pushy, misbehaving pooch, there can be no more free lunch.

• Use a short leash in the home to reinforce behaviours.

Also, work a long-lead recall every day to teach “Come here,” the hardest command to master. Teach her to perform down/stays in the home and tether her indoors if need be for short periods, with you there, to teach self-control and focus. Down/stays and supervised tethering teach her that she doesn’t always need to control everyone else’s business.

• Be keenly observant of your dog to cut off impending bad behaviours at the pass.

• Develop a positive “cult of personality” with your dog. If she thinks you are an influential rock star, she’ll want to please you.

Be confident—even haughty. Stoking her desire to please is the key to good behaviour.

• Distrust the power of treats.

Though good for initiating behaviours, they can soon outstrip you as the prime motivating force, and create a pushy cookie monster. Praise, and the cult of personality should become the bulwarks of your authority.

Lastly, forget “ignoring” as a solution to problems. The idea that a dog will stop doing something if she doesn’t receive attention for it is just not true. For example, with regard to jumping on people, turning away from a jumping dog is interpreted by the dog as a submissive response, exactly what a assertive dog wants to happen. The next person who walks into the home will get jumped on.

Ignoring bad behaviours does nothing to address the root cause

of the digression, namely that the dog is expressing a pushy, undisciplined attitude. Deal with that and you’ll solve bad behaviours.

The Magic of Routine Once you begin to make headway, you must maintain the routine. Dogs respect and crave it, so don’t disappoint. Schedule feedings, walks, training, play time—make her anticipate what’s coming. That anticipation will act as a positive motivator and a tool for focus. Dogs who never look forward to anything, or who initiate all actions, become taciturn over time; they brood, and in doing so court bad behaviour. By being predictable and reliable, you will help your rebooted dog anticipate each day.

After sticking to the boot camp mentality for ten weeks, back off a bit; give her more autonomy and see what happens.

But never surrender your new-found rock star status; keep expecting her to earn your attention and love. Keep training, managing, and leading. If you do, your dog should graduate boot camp with flying colours and become all that she’s always wanted to be. n

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Modern Dog’s Cutest Couples We asked for your cutest couple photos and were absolutely thrilled with the sweet, funny, and, yes, very cute, submissions. Herewith, a selection of some of our favourites.

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! Calvin & Gingey @ Andrea & friend # Caitlyn & Nutmeg $ Jessica & Chuppy % Roscoe & friend ^ Courtenay & Edward & Natalie & Kingston * Misti & Mr. Anderson ( Gracie & Sophie BL Emily & Kyra BM Joel & friend BN Susie & Blue BO Willy & Will’o BP *Facebook-Favourite Winner* David & Elvis

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What’s better than a quality, natural, eco-friendly yoga mat?

A custom printed version of same. The mat pictured here is Editor-in-Chief Connie Wilson’s, featuring a reproduction of Lisa Grazi0tto’s painting of Connie’s dog, Kaya. What could be better than that? $85, yogamatic.com Be water-safe. The Safety Turtle sensor attaches to your dog’s collar and sounds an alarm at the wireless base station the instant your dog falls or ventures into the water. $235, safetyturtle.com

Wish you were here! Bring home a bag of corn- and soyfree memories your dog will devour. $9, polkadog.com

Custom cool on a budget. Turn your favourite image of Fido like this illustration by Jess Golden into a protective skin, available for a for a whole array of devices, from Blackberrys to the new iPad. $15-$30 gelaskins.com

Sweet Summer Scores

A colourful tribute to the Mayan heritage of the artists who make them, this hand-woven, colour-fast collection of bright collars and leashes offers a ton of winning designs. Our faves include “foolish fish” and “starry day.” From $24, tailwags.com

Stylish, affordable finds from Crate & Barrel: easy-clean “Woof” dog placemat, $3, and nautical rope toys, $20 for four, crateandbarrel.com

Poochie will look swell in a meticulously handcrafted leather collar from venerable London-based Hennessy & Sons. $79, dogcollarsbygraham.com Usher in the dog days with a classic Adirondack chair made especially for your dog. Sit back in your matching lounger, relax, and enjoy the graceful, timeless styling—just what the dogtor ordered. $129, chair; $49, cushion, thecompanystore.com

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Vintage Dog

By Rose Frosek

Marlene Cook has been a collector ever since she can remember. Even at the age of fourteen, she’d spend lunch hours and weekends scouring thrift shops for interesting treasures, which she’d stash in vintage wine baskets under her bed. Well before she got her first dog, her attention was captured by antique canine curios, the seminal moment occuring when she came across a tintype photo of a Pit Bull on a chair at an antique sale. She has now amassed more than 2000 photo images of dogs.

This teenage interest in antiquing stayed with Marlene through college and post-graduation gigs at CBC, Global TV, and Citytv as a graphic artist, eventually leading her to start the Toronto, Ontario-based Sunday Antique Market at St. Lawrence, where most of her canine collectibles seen on these pages were found. By this time, Marlene had not one but two dogs, Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers Barkley and Sydney, and it was her experiences running the dog-friendly Sunday Antique Market that made her realize how very few places people could go with their dogs.

This spurred her to found Woofstock, North America’s largest outdoor festival for dogs, which made its debut in 2003 in the Distillery District in downtown Toronto. It was instantly clear that Marlene was on to something. Hordes of people and their dogs turned out for the event. It didn’t take long for Woofstock to outgrow its initial venue and the show moved to the historic St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood. Woofstock has now tripled in size, boasting over 200 vendors and a quarter of a million people attending the show every June.

Barkley has passed on, but Sydney, now thirteen and a half, has been joined by one-year-old Wheaten Terrier puppy Addison.

Her dogs still fuel plenty of activity for the always dog-inspired Marlene, who continues to add to her vintage dog collection despite the demands of a very busy schedule.

We asked Marlene to share some of the favourites from her amazing collection. Her most treasured pieces are seen on the following pages.

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Stuffed dogs, circa 1940s - 1950s “I collect many early stuffed dogs. Most of the older dogs are made of mohair and are stuffed with straw. Two of the dogs in the photo are from Steiff, a German manufacturer of teddy bears and other stuffed animals.

The other toy is a Merrythought Toy made in England.”

Early French Bulldog Child’s Toy, circa 1890 “One of my favourite pieces. Made in Nice, France, this French Bulldog toy was also known as Nicois, Growler, or Nodder because of the actions it performs. It has wheels on the bottom and a pull up chain on the top of the leash. When you pull the chain, the dog opens its mouth and makes a yap/bark. The head moves when pulled and it has brown glass eyes. Both my dogs are afraid of it because of the sound it makes.”

PHOTOS SEVENSTOCK PHOTOGRAPHY

Carte de Viste Photo of a young girl and her dog, pre-1870 “These photos were a prominent form of early photography before 1870.

I love early photos showing how important dogs were in the family more than 140 years ago.”

Cabinet Photo of a man with his children and his dog, late 1800 s “This photo emphasizes how important dogs were to their owner over 100 years ago. The photo was taken in Orillia, Ontario by a photographer named Wright.”

Coloured Postcard, circa 1960s “I like the kitschy side of dog collectibles. Pal is looking at Max finishing his dog biscuits in his bowl and Daisy is probably looking at her trainer.”

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PHOTOS SEVENSTOCK PHOTOGRAPHY

Original turn-of-last-century advertising sign for Greensmith’s Derby Dog Biscuits “One of the most colourful and beautifully done pieces in my collection.”

We Just Finished A Post Graduate Course comic postcard, 1950s “I collect comical postcards from the 1940s to the 1960s. I enjoy them as much as some of the postcards from the early 1900s.”

Dog care pamphlet, 1940s “This 12-page booklet on dog care was published by Toronto Elevators Limited, the manufacturers of Master Dog Foods. Nicely illustrated with drawings by Audrey R. Watts.”

Bookends, circa 1940s “I love antiquarian books on dogs. I have many doggie bookends to prop up the books.

The book shown is a part of the Beautiful Joe series, which was a popular series of books featuring a dog named Beautiful Joe.”

Royal Doulton terrier china dog licking his dish “I collect different terriers because my breed, Wheaten Terriers, did not exist in Canada and the US until the 1940s and was not recognized by the American Kennel Club until the 1970s.”

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China perfume lamp with glass eyes, circa 1930s “This is a very interesting piece. Before the days of room fresheners, people had perfume lamps. You would drop a few drops of perfume on the bulb and the scent would disperse through the holes on the top. You don’t find too many dog perfume lamps especially with eyes that light up when turned on.”

Marx Brothers Photo of Harpo as a Dog Catcher, 1932 “This photo is from the Marx Brothers movie Horse Feathers.”

Painting of Three Dogs, 1870s “I collect early paintings of dogs. I did not realize until I purchased this painting from the 1870s that the artist was not naively painting a folk art version of dogs, but that dogs themselves looked quite different at that time in history.”

The Dog: Management in Health, Treatment in Disease, pre-1900 “An early dog pamphlet from the chief surgeon at The New York Veterinary Hospital. It predates 1900.”

Vintage dog bowl, circa 1940s “This is one of my favourite vintage dog bowls because it has a terrier on the front. I have many, many dog bowls, dating from the 1900s to the 1950s.”

Beautiful Woman With Pug, turn of the last century “Pugs are very popular today and they were very popular before the turn of the century when this photo was taken.”

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CANADA Vancouver, BC

5

From

California,

With Love 5

By Corey Van’t Haaff Illustration Vanessa Dong Photos Cindy Fanzega

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amaDog didn’t have a hope in hell. The Shepherdcross was being surrendered to one of the six Los Angeles City shelters. She was led in on a piece of rope, still lactating from a recent birth. Her hip bones stuck out far enough to indicate severe hunger. The folks surrendering her said they didn’t know whether or not she would be good with kids, so the shelter staff relegated her to an isolation building, where dogs are never seen by the public and have zero hope of adoption.

“She was probably one of the saddest-looking dogs I’d ever seen,” says Diane Valine, an LA city shelter worker who volunteers to rescue dogs from California and transport them to rescue groups in other areas, including A Better Life Dog Rescue (ABL) near Vancouver. She called Jan Olson, founder of ABL, who said: “Send the dog here.”

“They found her a good home and, on Christmas Day, her new parents took her on the ferry to Vancouver Island and she got to run on the beach. MamaDog went from hell to heaven,” says Valine.

The situation in California is desperate. By some estimates, hundreds, if not thousands, of dogs are euthanized weekly, many abandoned due to the effects of the economy there. Many dogs are healthy; some a bit worse for wear. Brenda Barnette, LA city shelter head, encourages volunteers to find ways to get the dogs from the shelters into homes, and Valine now works with Olson and ABL to transport dogs about every six weeks.

These are dogs, Valine says, that would surely be euthanized due to overcrowding. She chooses very adoptable dogs that have been in the shelter a while, so their time is running out, but says when she finds a particularly needy case and tells ABL about it, they always say, “send it along.”

When I heard about this California connection, I called ABL. Soon, I was committed to being part of a very special convoy that will be the literal difference between life and death for a truckload of dogs.

Monday, February 28, 2011 5:50 a.m. My alarm goes off but I’m already awake, lying in bed with my four dogs. I tell them my plans for the day; transporting dogs slated for euthanasia. I have heard stories of families facing foreclosure and abandoning their homes—and dogs. Understaffed shelters are unable to properly feed dogs. As happy as I am that I will be part of a group saving dogs on this day, I am sad for the hundreds that won’t be so lucky. My four dogs don’t understand this, but I do, all too well.

8:36 Crossing the border is easy and fast. The guard only wants to know what we will be doing and how long we will be gone.

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Olson, an airline pilot (the seventh female pilot ever hired by Air Canada, she says), started ABL as a private charitable organization in 2006.

“I had a career, marriage, no kids, and I wanted to do something important,” she says. “From foster to forever has taken as short as three hours to as long as 18 months. All our dogs are in foster or permanent homes; we don’t have a shelter.”

ABL saves dogs from within British Columbia, but also helps with smaller dogs from California, as these smaller dogs have an easier time finding homes in Canada. So far, ABL has placed 800 dogs.

The journey in photos. Top row: precious cargo. 2nd row: Team Rescue. The author is seen at top right. Bottom row: En route and upon arrival in Canada before being sent to their new homes.

Pointing to the eight empty cages we brought with us to transport the dogs, we say we are volunteers and within minutes, we are on Interstate 5. Past Bellingham, it starts to snow. At home, when it snows, I would cancel my appointments and stay inside, afraid to drive, yet there isn’t a bone in my body that wants to go back home. There are 30 dogs who have made it this far and I owe it to them to drive through my fear and bring them home.

9:16 We arrive at exit 232 and pull into the parking lot of the Fairfield Marriott. Olson and another volunteer park their vans and we check the number of cages to see how many dogs will need to double up. Olson explains that once the dogs arrive they’ll need water, a pee break, and to stretch their legs, but we can only bring out three dogs at any given time in order to maintain control and safety.

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10:38 I can barely contain myself as the large white transport van arrives. My heart wants to grab all the dogs and take them home, but I can’t, of course. All the dogs have been spoken for, either by permanent forever homes or by very capable and loving foster homes.

The 30 in the van range from a tiny puppy, just weeks old, to nine large-breed dogs, but most of the rescuees are—or resemble—Chihuahuas. The dog cages are piled high and to me, the dogs look sad and tired. I think about what their lives have been like: each stuck in a kennel at an overcrowded shelter, most abandoned or surrendered by a family that had fallen on hard times, most scared but showing incredible bravery being put into yet another cage for a 20-hour journey.

The driver, English John, as he is known, does this as a full-time volunteer, getting donations from the Heigl Foundation and others to cover his out-of-pocket expenses. He has branded himself as EJ Rescue, and has driven more than 3,200 dogs for many different rescue groups. He tells me that rescue is now his life and he never wants to do anything else.

For every rescue volunteer, there is one dog that has touched his or her heart in a special way. For English John, it was a two-month-old teacup Yorkshire Terrier named Scrappy that he rescued himself.

“Scrappy stood out, as he was so beautiful with his crooked neck; his head went to one side. He couldn’t straighten up,” John says.

“He was about to be euthanized; the girl had him in her hands and was going to the euthanasia table and I said ‘give him to me now.’” A volunteer with yet another rescue group met English John and Scrappy and ultimately convinced him to let the dog live with her.

“I learned you can’t keep hold of every dog, even if you love it.

You have to let it go to a good home.”

11:40 It takes more than an hour to transfer all the dogs from their California crates to their Canada crates. These dogs are so lovely, so needy, so animated, and so very enthusiastic about every touch. Each dog registers with me in some way: Jack, a

“I learned you can’t keep hold of every dog, even if you love it.You have to let it go to a good home.” starving Beagle cross with a deformed leg and mouth who steals my heart, and the black and white Pit Bull who can’t stop kissing me. I can’t walk away from that much love, but it’s time to drive away, the large dogs heading for destinations far inland, the rest to coastal Vancouver.

(how could I?) but because, as English John says, it isn’t possible to keep every dog we fall in love with and I, for better or worse, have been blessed to fall in love with almost every dog I meet. n

12:49 p.m. We cross through the border back into Canada without a hitch, mainly because Olson is well prepared for all the border rules and inspections.

Olson’s home plays host to the next stage of the rescue: feeding, watering, and defleaing the dogs before introducing them to their new owners. It’s a hectic process.

We lug the cages into the garage, close the door, and let the dogs out into containment pens. Dogs get cuddled while being matched with their rabies tags and photoidentity sheets. It appears frantic, feverish, and frenetic to me, but to Olson, this is a process that works. The dogs are a bit hyper—and hungry—but then they start to relax. Within a half hour, you see each dog’s personality: the bullies, the submissives, the explorers, and the kissers. My job, I decide, is to hold the dogs that need holding. Jack is in my arms, along with two Chihuahuas. Spencer, a scraggly white fellow, comes by often and jumps up for a kiss, which I readily return.

2:30 I am exhausted, dirty, sweaty, and too sad for words. I am sad because 30 dogs lived today, but hundreds will die.

I am sad because there are too few Jan Olsons and too many homeless dogs. I am sad because I can’t seem to give my own four dogs enough love to make up for all the dogs that don’t get any.

The next day Olson emails me that all the dogs are with their new families and that Jack went to one of her longest-term foster homes. Jack, she says, will be well-fed and fattened up in no time, and will be much loved there. I cry when I read this, not because I feel sorry for Jack

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The Everyday Walk, Reinvented Dogs like to walk, but they LOVE to run. Get your dogs the exercise they crave with the Springer bicycle attachment. Simple to use. Safe for you and your dog. Works with most bikes, most dogs. Use code MODERN for 10% discount at checkout at SpringerAmerica.com.

See our new video!

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nutrition

eat D.I.Y.

Beat the heat. Whip up these quick frozen treats for your dog and his canine pals with food you have on hand. All you need is 5 minutes, a few ingredients, and a freezer.

Poochie Pupsicles BASIC RECIPE 1 ripe banana 4 cups orange juice 1/2 cup plain yogurt

Puree all ingredients in a blender—or simply mash the banana by hand and combine with the juice and yogourt—then pour into a popsicle mold, freeze, and serve to your favourite hot dogs.

VARIATIONS Switch up your fruit. Try subbing in: Blueberries Strawberries Peach Watermelon Or mix in some peanut butter.

You can also vary the juice you use. Try pineapple juice or apple juice; just check to be sure the juice you use is all-natural and has no added sugar.

Modern Dog pup-approved combinations include: watermelon, strawberry, pinapple juice, and yogurt peanut butter, banana, apple juice, and yogurt

Savoury Pupsicles Homemade (no salt) chicken-broth pops

Feeling lazy?

Simply cube some Watermelon, chuck it in a Ziplock baggie, and toss it in to the freezer for a natural, onthe-go “freezie” you and your dog can share.

Tip Don’t have a popsicle mold? Freeze in small

Tupperware or empty single-serving yogurt containers.

Run the container under warm water to release the frozen pupsicle.

Had barbequed chicken for dinner? Don’t chuck the carcass! Throw it in a large pot, cover with water, and let it simmer for an hour and a half. Cool, then pick the meat off, discarding the bone but keeping the cartilage, meat, and broth.

Left over cooked carrots and/or peas? Mash them up and mix them in! Pour the chicken broth into your popsicle mold (save whatever’s leftover as a tasty addition to your dog’s next few meals) and freeze. Best served outside.

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JEALOUSY Dogs and the Green-Eyed Monster

By Stanley Coren

I

was just outside of Dawson City talking with a dogsled racer named Peter. He was getting ready to harness his dogs and they were milling around in a friendly, excited manner. I reached over to pet a handsome, blue-eyed Siberian Husky, but stopped when Peter warned me “If you pet one, you have to pet them all. They get really jealous. If they think that one of them is getting more of anything, affection, food, or whatever, they turn into green-eyed monsters.”

Jealousy and envy are common emotions in social settings.

You might say it’s the art of counting the other person’s blessings instead of your own. In all social situations, there are inequities and some individuals come out better than others when it comes to rewards.

Scientists tend to separate emotions into two categories: primary and secondary. Primary emotions, such as fear, anger, disgust, joy, and surprise, are considered to be universal. Secondary emotions—guilt, shame, jealousy, and envy—are thought to require more complex cognitive processes. For example, in the case of envy, you have to actively pay attention to what the other individual is getting and compare it to what you are getting for your efforts. Although jealousy and envy appear among primates such as chimpanzees and baboons, the argument has been made that these secondary emotions are unlikely to occur in an animal like the dog, because they involve self-awareness at a level which experts did not believe dogs possess. However, people who live around dogs and interact with them, such as Peter, often observe it in their pets.

One commonly observed manifestation of jealousy in dogs revolves around the complex relationship between a mother dog, her puppies, and her owner. Unlike humans, a canine mother does not maintain the maternal instinct for her offspring for the remainder of her life. As soon as the puppies are able to survive on their own, her maternal instinct for the current litter wanes and is certainly lost by the time she next goes into heat. Young puppies are, of course, very cute and cuddly, so it is natural for them to receive a lot of affection from the people in the house.

More knowledgeable owners may try to treat all of the dogs with

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The dog that was not rewarded showed clear signs of stress or annoyance when its partner got the treat. equal care and attention, but usually this is to no avail. The mother dog sees her owner’s attention being diverted away from her and toward the puppies, and becomes jealous. She may begin ignoring the pups and trying to exclude them from the maternal nest. This can escalate to the point where she might actually become aggressive toward the pups or even toward her owner.

I don’t know why behavioural scientists tend to ignore such common observations. It is well accepted that dogs have a broad range of emotions. Dogs are certainly social animals, and jealousy and envy are triggered by social interactions. Dogs also have the same hormone, oxytocin, which has been shown to be involved in both expressions of love and jealousy in experiments involving humans. With this in mind Friederike Range of the University of Vienna decided to experimentally test if dogs showed jealousy and envy.

Range set up a situation in which two dogs performed the same task, but one was rewarded and the other was not. The dogs involved were pet dogs, and these had all learned the simple trick of shaking hands. Thus, at the command “Shake hands,” the dog extended its paw and put it in a person’s hand. For the test, the dogs were arranged in pairs, seated beside one another. Both dogs in each pair were individually asked to “shake hands,” but only one dog received a reward, either a bit of bread or some sausage.

In this set-up, one might expect that if dogs do experience jealousy or envy, they might respond to this unfair distribution of rewards by refusing to continue

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to obey the command. That is exactly what happened. The dog that was not being rewarded soon stopped doing the task. Furthermore, the dog that was not rewarded showed clear signs of stress or annoyance when its partner got the treat.

Some people might protest that this does not really show jealousy. After all, many people claim that dogs are

extremely tolerant and do not evaluate the world on the basis of winners and losers. According to them, the behaviour of the dog who is not rewarded should eventually disappear due to the process that learning theorists call extinction, which simply means that rewarded behaviours become stronger and more frequent while unrewarded behaviors disappear or are extinguished. To make sure that the experiment was really showing that it was the interaction between the dogs that was important, rather than just the frustration of not being rewarded, a similar experiment was conducted where the dogs performed the task without a partner but also without any rewards for

his exertions. Under these circumstances, the unrewarded dog continued to present its paw for a much longer time, and did not show the same signs of frustration and annoyance.

Jealousy and envy in dogs is not quite as complex as it is in human beings, however. When human beings are involved in competitive social situations, every aspect of the reward is carefully scrutinized to try to determine who is getting the most and the best outcome. Dogs do not view this situation under the same kind of microscope.

This can be seen when the experimenters changed the situation in a subtle way.

Now, again, we have two dogs sitting side by side with each being asked in turn to “shake hands.” Both dogs are rewarded for this activity, however, one dog is getting a very desirable treat, a piece of sausage, while the other dog is getting a less desirable treat, a piece of bread.

In human beings, this might be the equivalent of two workers in a corporation who both worked equally well and who both received promotions. However, one was rewarded with a new posh corner office, while the other got a smaller, more austere one down the hall. Both worked and were rewarded, but one got the bigger prize, so it is reasonable to expect that the less favoured individual might feel jealous and envious.

In the dogs’ case, however, both continued to work and seemed to be quite happy with the situation. Thus, the dogs evaluated the simple receipt of the reward for work done, not the nature of the reward. Getting or not getting a reward for efforts expended is a matter

of fairness. Receiving the same reward for the same effort is a matter of equity. Dogs clearly respond to what they consider to be fair or unfair, but have not yet developed a sense of equity. Because of this, it is clear that the jealousy that we see in dogs is of a simpler nature.

Discovering that dogs have jealousy and envy as humans do makes it clear that they are closer to us emotionally then we may have thought before. They share not only our more positive emotional responses, such as joy, love, and loyalty, but also delve into the darker side of emotions as well.

Dr. Range finds something very positive about these results, saying, “This kind of behaviour, namely reacting to others receiving rewards, may represent an earlier stage in the evolution of the kinds of cooperative behaviours that we see in humans and other primates.”

Meanwhile, until our canine friends develop those higher cooperative behaviours, remember that they are keeping a keen eye on who gets their just rewards and who doesn’t. So, if you are living with or interacting with more than one dog, you might want to make sure that each of them gets a pat and a treat at the same time, just to keep them from turning into green-eyed monsters. n

“In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn’t merely train him to become semihuman. The point of it is to open oneself up to the possibility of becoming partly a dog.”

—Edward Hoagland

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Photographed

by Tanya King

Meet Mac,

a 30-pound mixed-breed charmer. Can you guess his parentage?

Turn the page upside down to see if you’re right.

Mac is a Border Collie/Shih Tzu mix.

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Meet Karma Can you guess her mix?

Collar: jenniebgoode.com

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Karma is Wirehaired Jack Russell Terrier/Blue Merle Border Collie mix.

Meet Kiri

Can you guess the two breeds that make up her parentage? This sweet girl is currently in the shelter system awaiting her forever home. For information go to petfinder.com/ petdetail/18309365.

Kiri is a German Shepherd/Terrier cross.

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Meet ZuZu

Can you guess which two breeds make up her mix?

Turn the page upside down to find out.

Collar: jenniebgoode.com

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ZuZu is a Miniature Schnauzer/Australian Cattle Dog (a.k.a Blue Heeler) cross.

Meet Shadow He’s a cross of four different breeds. To see which ones, turn the page upside down.

Collar: beltsdirect.com

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Shadow is a German Shepherd, Husky, Border Collie, and Doberman cross.

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Meet Tiggy

He’s a combination of a whopping seven breeds. Any guesses as to which?

Collar: hotdogsalldressed.com

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Tiggy is a Maltese, Husky, Pomeranian, Shih Tzu, Poodle, Dachshund, and Irish Terrier mix.

body &soul Poolside Pooches Stop dog drownings

Dog Walking Next Big Fitness Craze?

Meet my personal trainer—Rex

A new study led by a Michigan State University researcher shows people who walked their dogs were 34 percent more likely to meet federal benchmarks on physical activity.

“Walking is the most accessible form of physical activity available to people,” said epidemiologist Mathew Reeves. “What we wanted to know was if dog owners who walked their dogs were getting more physical activity or if the dog-walking was simply a substitute for other forms of activity.”

What they discovered is that dog walking had a positive affect on the overall physical activity of owners, bringing them closer than those without regular dog-walk dates to the 150 minutes of activity per week that the Public health benchmark calls for.

Score another for dog people!

Canine Cancer Support For those with dogs and cats fighting cancer, the Riedel & Cody Fund, a new non-profit organization, offers hope through mentoring, support, and shared information, as well as financial help via grants and fundraising efforts. Jill Rappaport of NBC’s TODAY show is the face of the foundation. Find out more at cancerpets.org.

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With the summer season upon us, a shocking statistic floats to the surface: 170,000 dogs, cats, and other small companion animals drown every year. That’s approximately one in every 1,000 pets.

To help prevent such senseless accidents, install a ramp in your pool or to your boat or floating dock. A lightweight, durable, and easily installed ramp, such as Skamper Ramp (skamper-ramp.com), will ensure your pooch can easily exit the water.

Cranberry to the Rescue!

UTIs. They’re the bane of many women’s existence, but did you know your dog can get them too? That’s right, just like humans, dogs can suffer from urinary tract infections, and as with people, female dogs are more susceptible to the dreaded affliction. Most UTIs in dogs occur when the Escherichia-coli bacteria builds up in the dog’s bladder as a result of dirty drinking water, infrequent urination, or use of antibiotics. While a UTI definitely requires the attention of a dog-health professional, this bothersome affliction can frequently be prevented. In both people and dogs, cranberries are the most commonly used natural option to prevent UTIs since the berry contains proanthocyanidins (PACs), which prevent the bacteria from attaching to the urinary tract. The benefits don’t stop there. The PACs found in cranberries are also anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and antioxidant. But don’t break out the cran cocktail just yet; juice contains too much sugar for Fido. Instead, opt for dog-friendly supplements that pack all the cranberry punch without the tooth-rotting sugar rush. Look for cranberry extract packaged especially for dogs in the form of powder to be mixed into your pup’s dinner, pills, and even cranberryenriched treats.

body &soul The Band Perry’s Double Dog Dare Campaign The Find: First Aid for Lawns

Out, out damn spot

Say goodbye to those pesky yellow spots in your lawn. Allnatural Rascal Spots (rascalspots.com) rejuvenates existing burnt out spots caused by dog urine and prevents new ones from forming. Kid- and dog-safe!

Canine Conditioning Equipment Getting fit just got more fun for dogs Spend some quality time bonding with your dog while meeting her exercise needs with the FitPAWS Donut, the latest in canine conditioning equipment. The FitPAWS Donut engages major muscle groups as well as the smaller ones up and down your dog’s spine for an indoor workout that doesn’t require room—a great solution for when outdoor temperatures are too extreme or just plain too yucky to venture out. In five to ten minutes a day, the interactive training program works on your dog’s strength, balance, and flexibility by requiring your dog to adjust to the shifting air within the Donut. We may not always get to the gym, but with FitPaws our canine companions don’t have the same excuse.

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The Grammy-nominated dog lovers and country-music-star siblings that make up The Band Perry recently took a break from their spring tour with Tim McGraw to team up with Purina Dog Chow for their Double Dog Dare campaign. The brand asked the public to submit their dares online, then chose and executed three winning suggestions. The winning dares?

• After losing her 22-year-old son during his deployment to Iraq, Susan McClamrock of Concord, N.C. dared Dog Chow to make a donation to Carolina Patriot Retrievers, which will fund the training of several service dogs that will be given to wounded veterans to assist in their recoveries. $25,000 was donated March 29 in Charlotte, N.C. • Donnie Genton of Memphis, IN dared the brand to organize a playful dog wash with The Band Perry to benefit a local shelter. The charity dog wash took place in Tampa, FL, on April 29 with all proceeds benefitting The Humane Society of Tampa Bay. • Lauren Doek of Houston, TX issued the dare to create a dog-friendly family fun walk to benefit The American Legion and BARC (the City of Houston’s Animal Shelter and Adoption Center). The charity walk was held on May 14 in Houston.

Too Hot For Spot?

Is it too hot to leave your dog in the car?

Find out in a glance with Too Hot For Spot (toohotforspot.com), a thermometer that static-clings to your car window letting you know the temperature within your vehicle and what the safe zone is.

*

On a 80° (27° C) day, temperatures in a parked car can reach 120° (49° C) in ten minutes.

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body &soul Shave and a Haircut?

GO ORGANIC

You eat organic, why shouldn’t your dog?

Organicdogsandcats.com provides pet parents with an allinclusive, one-stop shopping resource focused on offering products you can feel good about giving to your dog. They carry everything from organic food, toys, and treats to beds, clothing, and supplements, as well as gifts, all at great price points. Check out the rainforest green or sienna eco-friendly futon, just $39.

Now that the dog days of summer are finally upon us, you might be thinking it’s time for Rover to pull a Demi Moore and go bare up top, but despite the easy up keep, you might want to reconsider a summertime buzz cut. Since dogs don’t sweat, their skin doesn’t need to be exposed to keep cool; rather, they use other methods, such as panting, to regulate their temperature. In fact, some hair is beneficial since it protects their skin from the elements and acts as a thermal barrier, keeping heat out and the cool in (sort of like a fourlegged thermos). So save your dog the embarrassment of a new do, and opt for other, less dramatic cooling alternatives, like cooling mats, kiddie pools, frozen treats, shade, and most importantly, plenty of fresh water.

Timely Health Updates Share and keep tabs on updates affecting your dog’s health by installing the Pet Health and Safety Widget on your website or blog. An effort of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the widget provides timely public health information to assist in managing pets’ health by providing the most current news and updates from the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine.

Go to fda.gov/PetHealthWidget to get the code.

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Hot Wheels

Get mobile! Designed in collaboration with veterinary orthopedic surgeons, the Best Friend Mobility customizable dog-wheelchair (bestfriendmobility.org) gives your mobilitychallenged best friend the ability to pursue a normal life of play and social interaction. Backed by a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee, the wheelchairs are available in five fully adjustable sizes for dogs less than 15 pounds to those up to 175.

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

TREATING ARTHRITIS Arthritis is common among dogs—so common that it may seem as though every other dog is on some treatment for it. Still, many people don’t understand the range of treatments and how they work.

The most common form of arthritis is degenerative joint disease (DJD), which is caused by a breakdown of the cartilage in one or more joints. DJD can’t be cured, but the pain can be relieved by the following treatments.

Lifestyle changes. Weight loss and regular, low-impact exercise are key treatments for dogs with arthritis. Excess weight places extra strain on the joints and makes it more difficult for a dog to move comfortably. Regular, mild-to-moderate exercise—such as leash walks or swimming—is excellent therapy for arthritic dogs, both physically and mentally. Daily exercise that is not so strenuous as to cause limping is best. Two or more shorter walks per day are better than one long walk. Avoid exercise that involves sudden stops, starts, and pivots, such as playing fetch.

Slippery floors can be treacherous for arthritic dogs. Consider putting down carpet runners on slick floors.

Stairs are often difficult for dogs with arthritis. Set up your dog’s bed and eating area on the first floor so he doesn’t have to climb stairs as often. A firm mattress-type dog bed will cushion arthritic joints. Small dogs can be carried on stairs, and large dogs can be supported with a sling.

The Doc

Joint supplements. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are nutrients that cartilage cells use to repair themselves.

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Roughly half of dogs with arthritis seem to be in less pain when they take glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate supplements. These supplements can be used along with an anti-inflammatory (although giving both together will make it impossible to determine which one is producing results). The usual dose is 20 mg of glucosamine and 16 mg of chondroitin sulfate per pound of bodyweight per day. In other words, a 50-pound dog would get 1,000 mg of glucosamine and 800 mg of chondroitin sulfate per day. If your dog shows no improvement after taking the supplements for six weeks, then you may as well stop giving them; they don’t work for all dogs.

Adequan is the brand name of a compound called polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG). Adequan helps the cartilage in the hip joints produce more lubricating fluid, which makes movement less painful. The injections (which are given in the thigh muscle, not in the joints themselves) work well for some dogs but not for others. The injections are usually given twice a week for four weeks, then once a week for four weeks, then once every two to four weeks as needed. If Adequan worked for your dog, you would see significant improvement after four weeks.

Anti-inflammatory medications. These can be used either intermittently (after strenuous exercise) or daily (when a dog has difficulty climbing stairs or walking) to relieve the pain of arthritis. Buffered or enteric-coated aspirin, Rimadyl,

EtoGesic, Metacam, Previcox, and Deramaxx are the antiinflammatories used most commonly in dogs. Ask your veterinarian for an appropriate dose. Always give anti-inflammatories with a meal to lessen the chances of stomach irritation. Never give a dog two different anti-inflammatory medications (such as Rimadyl and aspirin) simultaneously. If your dog vomits, loses her appetite, or has diarrhea after you start giving an antiinflammatory, stop giving it and call your vet. Never give a dog ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) or naproxen (Aleve), as these can be toxic to dogs in relatively low doses. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) doesn’t work well as a pain reliever for dogs.

Acupuncture. Acupuncture increases blood circulation and the release of natural pain-killing substances by the body.

For that reason it can be helpful in treating chronic pain in dogs, such as that from arthritis. Acupuncture treatments are given once a week for six weeks, and once every two to four weeks after that. The treatments are not painful—in fact, many dogs seem to find them relaxing. If no improvement is seen within the first four to six weeks, then acupuncture is unlikely to help your dog (it works in about 50 percent of dogs with arthritis). Your vet can refer you to a veterinary acupuncturist.

Physical therapy. Therapists in many areas of the country now provide post-surgical rehabilitation, hydrotherapy, and massage for dogs. These treatments increase blood circulation and joint flexibility. Most dogs love to be touched, and such treatments often make them feel better both mentally and physically. Your vet or a veterinary orthopedic surgeon can refer you to physical therapists who work with dogs.

Excerpted from Hound Health Handbook © 2004, 2009 by Urbanhound, LLC Used by permission of Workman Publishing Co., Inc. New York All Rights Reserved Available wherever books are sold.

Did you know?

Not just for carving and smashing, pumpkin is also a super addition to your dog’s diet. Chock full of vitamins and a great source of fiber, it satisfies their hunger, is low in calories, and aids in digestion. For dogs packing a few extra pounds, it’s a great addition to a weight-loss regimen—just replace a bit of their food with a bit of pumpkin for a full tummy and reduced calorie intake. Make adding some pumpkin easy: pick up a can of Fruitables Pumpkin SuperBlends or Nummy Tum-Tum’s 100 percent organic pure pumpkin, both made especially for dogs. moderndogmagazine.com

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The Cancer Diet: Fighting Back with Food

BY ELIZABETH PASK AND LAURA SCOTT

ILLUSTRATION JESS GOLDEN

C

ancer. It’s about the scariest word a pet owner can hear.

There are many different types of cancers. Some cancers will have tumours and others are cancers of the blood that do not have visible growths. Not all tumours are malignant; some are benign and are simply a tumour that can be surgically removed and your dog will recover fully. Other types of cancer are more insidious and cannot easily be treated.

Fortunately, there are now treatment options for most canine cancers and those treatments are improving all the time.

Thirty years ago, we never would have considered that a dog could survive a cancer diagnosis. Now, we are faced with the challenges of supporting a dog both during and after treatment.

As a dog owner, one vital thing you can do is to feed a diet (homemade or commercial) that will provide your dog with the nutritional weapons needed to fight the cancer. The research on exactly what should be fed and what supplements work best is still being conducted, however, we can give some guidelines on what foods may be helpful for dogs fighting cancer.

Feeding the Dog with Cancer Many dogs with cancer are affected by cancer cachexia. Cachexia is a metabolic condition during which the dog experiences weight loss, loss of appetite, fatigue, and impaired immune function.

Cancer cachexia has three phases. In the first phase, there are nonvisible, biochemical changes in the dog’s body. In the second phase, there are clinical signs (weight loss, anorexia, etc.), and in the third phase, there is a severe loss of body fat and muscle mass, which results in debilitating lethargy. Cachexia is a huge challenge in treating dogs with cancer because in some cases it is actually the cause of death, not the cancer itself. Cancer cachexia causes a change in the way the dog’s body metabolises carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

These changes result in poor use of energy by the dog, and increased energy use by the cancer.

Carbohydrates Tumour cells get their energy from glucose in the bloodstream of the dog. The tumour metabolizes this glucose for energy and it creates lactate as a by-product. The dog’s body must then convert this excess lactate back into glucose. Unfortunately, this is not an efficient system, so the dog ends up using more energy than it is making. Simple carbohydrates (like pasta or bread) are the source of glucose that the tumour uses. In order to minimize the energy available to the tumour, it is important to limit and carefully select carbohydrate sources so that we feed the dog and not the tumour. Look for foods with a low glycemic index. Lower-glucose carbohydrates include fruit (i.e., apples, berries, bananas), honey, peas, oatmeal, and brown rice.

Protein Both the dog and the tumour need protein. As the dog’s body tries to meet its need for protein, the tumour will attempt to meet its need for protein, as well. This results in a decrease in the amount of protein that is available for maintaining muscle mass in the dog and an increase in protein being made by the liver. This protein deficit leads to muscle wasting, poor immunity, and delayed wound healing. To ensure the dog has enough building blocks to make muscle and other proteins, we need to feed a food with a high percentage of the calories coming from good-quality protein.

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It is important to limit and carefully select carbohydrate sources.

Fat Much of the weight loss in dogs with cancer cachexia is from a loss of body fat. Dogs with cachexia have a reduced appetite and so they don’t eat as much. There are changes in the dog’s metabolism that cause a decrease in the production of new fat, consequently their body will start to use up the fat stores. The loss of fat stores is a poor prognosis for any animal with cancer. Fat stores allow the body to survive short term fasts when the dog is not feeling well.

Adding the right types of fat, such as omega fatty acids, to the diet can help prevent cancer cachexia.

Supplements A walk down the supplement aisle in your local pet store will probably leave you feeling a bit bewildered. There are a lot of choices out there, and many make promises that seem too good to be true.

Unfortunately, there are no supplements that will cure cancer but there has been research into some which may help limit tumour growth.

Vitamin D has been shown experimentally to inhibit cell growth, promote cell death, and cause cell differentiation.

These are all important in the prevention of cancer. Vitamin D has been shown to prevent colorectal neoplasia (unwanted cell growth). There is less clear data to show that Vitamin D is effective against all cancer types, but it does have potential.

Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin and it is possible to feed too much and cause a toxic effect. Dogs should not get more than 10,000 IU per kilogram of food.

Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) CLA is a naturally occurring fat found in dairy products such as butter and full-fat milk or cream.

It has been shown in rodent studies to help prevent cancer growth.

Supplementation in one dog with mammary cancer (breast cancer) has shown promising results; however, it has not been widely used in dogs.

Green tea

Omega fatty acids (PUFA’s) A number of studies have demonstrated that the omega3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA) may prevent the growth and development of some tumours and may help to prevent cancer cachexia. They also improve the immune system. These fatty acids are found in fish oils.

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Green tea polyphenols such as EGCG have been shown to have an anticancer effect. Many studies have shown that EGCG may enhance the body’s ability to prevent cancer. It has the ability to cause cancer cell suicide (apoptosis). The two main challenges that we have with EGCG is that it has a very short half-life in the body so you have to drink a lot of it, and it doesn’t work in all animals or people. There are no studies showing the effect of EGCG in dogs with cancer. However, most scientists agree that it is unlikely to cause harm and it may help.

The best dose of green tea for dogs is unknown. Studies have shown that a dose of 2000mg/kg (i.e., 60g/day for a Labrador) of EGCG was lethal in rats. In other studies with dogs, a dose of 500 mg EGCG preparation/kg was given to dogs after a meal u

Dogs that are obese have an increased risk of developing cancer. in a divided dose caused no adverse reactions. This same dose caused the dogs to be sick when it was administered to fasted dogs as a single bolus dose. So the maximum dose you should feed your dog is 500mg/kg and it should be fed on a full stomach. An important note about EGCG is that it can interfere with some chemotherapy drugs, so discuss using this with your veterinarian before you feed it to your dog undergoing cancer treatment.

How to Pick a Food for your Dog with Cancer When choosing a food for your dog with cancer, you want to pick something that is highly palatable and has lots of kcal/cup of food. A sick dog doesn’t need to eat as much in order to meet its energy needs. Look for a diet where 30-50 percent of the calories come from a good quality protein source, 50-60 percent of the calories come from fat, and the rest of the calories come from carbohydrates. There are commercially prepared foods available for dogs on cancer treatment but you will need to ask your veterinarian to order them for you.

You may also want to add some supplements to your dog’s diet. It is important to discuss these with the vet who is treating your dog’s cancer to ensure there aren’t any interactions with any of the medications or treatments. Your dog may also need a few more calories than they normally do, so keep a careful eye on their weight.

Preventing Cancer There is no way to prevent cancer entirely, but one of the risk factors that you can control is your dog’s weight. Multiple studies have shown that dogs that are obese have an increased risk of developing cancer. Aim to keep your dog at a body condition score of 2.5/5 or 4.5/9. Keeping your dog’s paws out of the cookie jar and keeping him or her fit can help them to lead a longer, healthier life. n

Lots of people talk to animals...Not very many listen, though...That’s the problem.—Benjamin Hoff, The Tao of Pooh

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Freestylin’ A canine-freestyle newbie and her “exuberant” dog test their skill—and the instructor’s patience

By Sara Lima Illustration Kathryn MacNaughton

T

he first image that materialized in my mind when I was asked to report on canine freestyle dancing was that of Bobby Hill, underachieving son on the King of the Hill TV series, waltzing with a cartoon Westie.

For those of you familiar with the show and said character’s lack of grace, you’ll understand my apprehension at prancing about with my 105-pound Boxer/American Bulldog mix, Cash, as my dance partner.

Nonetheless, I was game, my love for everything dog-related forcing me to ignore the silliness I considered inherent to the sport. I wasn’t the only one with misgivings as to my participation, however. Once I agreed to be Modern Dog’s dancing Diane Sawyer, our editor made it abundantly clear that my purpose in undertaking this task was not mockery but unbiased reporting.

What can I say? She knows me well. It was with this admonition that Cash and I signed up for our first canine freestyle dance lesson.

Just as most of my family and friends did, you may be asking yourselves, “what is freestyle dog dance?” According to the World Canine Freestyle Organization, musical freestyle is “a choreographed musical program performed by handlers and their dogs.” These carefully composed routines demonstrate obedience, skill, creativity, athleticism, and, most importantly, a deep connection between handler and dog. (Outlandish fashion sense is also frequently on display).

Widely—though contentiously—thought to have originated in British Columbia in the late 80s, canine freestyle dancing started off as just that—dancing with your dog to music. Once the movement began to gain steam, other forms of dog dance started to develop, such as dressage, the form of freestyle Cash and I are trying. Also known as heelwork-to-music, dressage is a technical

version of the sport that was originally designed to create more structure in the training and to prevent people from advancing to more difficult steps too early. Basic dressage requires that the dog can heel, whereas more advanced levels call for much more complex moves, such as one requiring the dog to balance on its hind legs and take four steps forward, then four steps back, followed by four steps to the right and then four steps to the left, essentially making the sign of a cross, all in time to the music.

Master-level competitors are instructors who themselves compete in the ring.

As we made preparations for our first day of class, visions of top hats, sequins, and intricately choreographed routines set to 90s hip-hop danced about in my head. Cash and I didn’t want to show up overdressed and make a bad impression, though, so we erred on the side of caution and left our bejewelled vests and sparkling fedoras at home, instead opting for casual athletic attire. And thank goodness. As we entered the gymnasium filled with dancing dog talent, I was suddenly overcome by a wave of ineptitude. These dogs were incredible. All of my assumptions and preconceptions were catapulted out the window as I took in the scene before me: handlers and performers in perfect sync, moving together rhythmically to classical music. Cash peered up at me with the same look of trepidation that was doubtless written on my face. What had we gotten ourselves into?

Before I was able to fully grasp our predicament or properly introduce ourselves to our instructor and classmates, Cash completely unravelled. Erupting into a torrent of violent barks and whines, he pulled maniacally on his leash, trying to break free of his shackles. It appeared that being surrounded by so many unfamiliar dogs was too much for him to handle. The other participants, both human and canine, kindly ignored his loud outbursts

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and continued on with their routines.

The instructor approached us and asked how much training Cash had; I stammered embarrassedly that he had none—obedience isn’t his bag. I suddenly found myself imagining the both of us seated in separate corners of the classroom sporting dunce caps. Once it became clear his tantrum was distracting the others, we decided he would take a quick stroll around the block with my co-handler while I stayed behind to observe.

This brief reprieve from mayhem offered me the chance to get to know the other handlers and their dogs. One by one, they each politely noted that Cash was a pretty pup, and were shocked to learn that his exuberant energy was contained within the body of a seven-year-old. Though perhaps their surprise at his age ought not to have been complimentary, driving as it was at his unhinged-ness, I couldn’t help but burst with pride at his handsome exterior and his ability to hide his age well (my dog, the George Clooney of canines!).

All of the handlers were happy to discuss their dogs’ history and experience with the sport. For the most part, the dogs in this particular class had been competing in freestyle since puppyhood, and, with the average dog’s age hovering around seven, they certainly weren’t beginners. I felt reassured that Cash was not a hopeless case; just a late starter. Plus, most of the canine performers were herding breeds: Border Collies, a Belgian Malinois, and an Australian Kelpie. The only non-herding breed, other than my miscreant, was a tiny Yorkie named Corabelle who seemed to have no trouble keeping up with her larger counterparts. While most of the dogs “bowed” after a performance, Corabelle “curtsied.” Enchanting, I promise you.

One couple in particular that caught my attention: Ali, the Kelpie, and her handler, Lydia. Working with Ali wasn’t Lydia’s first foray into the freestyle world; originally she began her dog dancing career with two Doberman Pinschers. Eventually it became clear that the dogs’ size wasn’t suited to her small frame, so in 2005, Lydia’s family welcomed Ali to their home and the twosome have been dancing together ever since.

When asked what attracted her to freestyle, Lydia admitted that the anonymity of performing in costume helped liberate her of her inhibitions.

“Having a dog as a dance partner and putting on a wig and costume frees me to do things I wouldn’t normally do as myself,” Lydia shared. One of her favourite aspects of freestyle is performing at care homes, noting “the residents love the dogs and light up when they see the dogs moving to music.” I could certainly relate; Ali’s perfectly timed two-step had me wondering whether she was meant to be bipedal rather than on all fours.

It became very clear these dogs were advanced, not only in

their freestyle moves but in general obedience—not my pack’s regular crowd. I was amazed at their knack for concentration and astonished by the restrained praise bestowed upon them when a new step or move was executed correctly. These dancing dogs were obviously key players in a competitive and fast growing sport.

After his brief time-out, we brought Cash back in for one last attempt at a graceful debut. Despite our initial setbacks, we decided to throw caution to the wind and try our hand at the most basic move, a crawl. I managed to get Cash’s attention long enough for him to sit and then lie down, the position required for a crawl. I found myself down on my hands and knees, begging for compliance to save both our egos. I slowly crawled backwards, goading him to follow along with excited encouragement. Eureka! He followed me without the promise of delectable treats or food, correctly performing his first freestyle dance move. I couldn’t resist—we fell victim to our excitement, rolling carelessly in unrestrained delight, celebrating his colossal accomplishment.

Beaming with pride, we moved to the back room of the gym to rejoice privately, completely satisfied with our slow-moving progress. As we approached the back door, we were confronted by a perfectly coifed Poodle who ensnared Cash with her prim stance. I explained to the proud owner through a tight, nervous smile that he was friendly, hoping against hope he wouldn’t get too friendly. I breathed a sigh of relief as he jubilantly galloped back towards the other dogs, thankful that he was finally showing some restraint. But alas, the Poodle’s attraction proved to be too much, and, to my horror, my “world’s handsomest dog” lifted his leg and marked the wall in the senior’s center. We came so close to leaving with a semblance of pride. I can only surmise that it wasn’t meant to be.

Don’t take our initial failure as giving up; we’re going to give freestyle dressage another try, but this time at home. There are a variety of options available to pairs like us, too distracted by the opportunity for play to concentrate on the task at hand.

You’ll find resources both online and through the multitude of freestyle organizations across North America that will provide instruction and tips to get you and your four-legged dancer off to a great start. For our initial at-home sessions, we’re going to try OnlineDogCoach.com; it’s free, easy, and will spare us both the humiliation and disappointment of having to compare ourselves to more talented dogs (and handlers!). Then again, we will have to endure the humiliating snickers from the unwilling spectators, both human and canine, who will be forced to watch our paltry performances from the living room sofa.

We may never be Baryshnikov and Pavlova performing at the Bolshoi, but by Dog, we’re trying. n

The only nonherding breed, other than my miscreant, was a tiny Yorkie named Corabelle.

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It All Started With a Little Bug

Actress Rose McGowan on her unplanned love affair with the Boston Terrier

By Mary-Jo Dionne

Photographed by Kharen Hill Hair by Cole Herrera; Makeup by Sarah Uslan

There’s an old adage that goes something like: “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.”

Whether you’re a believer or not, you get the idea. Our intentions are oftentimes rendered irrelevant by fate—like the seemingly insignificant act of taking one road and not another. Or, in the case of actress Rose McGowan who, by simply choosing to run a quick errand at a Los Angeles mall, happened upon the new friend that would ultimately change the trajectory of her life’s focus.

Best known for playing the character Paige Matthews in the hit series Charmed as well as for her contributions to independant cinemas, particularly as Cherry Darling in the Planet Terror segment of the Tarantino/ Rodriguez juggernaut, Grindhouse, the name Rose McGowan has graced “sexiest people” lists more than once.

And while she has been linked romantically to an internationally acclaimed musician, a Hollywood director, and a beefy men’s health magazine editor, she will be the first to admit the love of her life actually had four legs. Her name was Bug. And they met the night Rose’s plan included nothing more than a quick stop at the mall.

MD: You are currently based in LA, and back-and-forth to New York. But I understand you were born in Florence, Italy. When did your family move to the United States?

RM: We moved here when I was about nine years old. The first place we lived was Colorado, which is so amazing.

MD: Your dad is an artist of Irish descent and your mom is a writer of French descent. How did being raised in a multi-cultural environment by two such presumably right-brain people shape you as a performer?

RM: Well, I had no desire to be an artist. Or anything freelance, for that matter. I remember being small and making myself that promise. I found it unsettling, the uncertainty of what the next job would be. I promised myself that would not be my life. And yet, now here I am.

MD: While you have appeared on the covers of Seventeen, Maxim, and FHM—not to mention Modern Dog—one of your earliest appearances was in Italy’s Vogue Bambini. How old were you when you hit the pages of Kid Vogue?

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RM: I guess I was about five years old. I was in ads for a children’s brand with my sister Daisy, who had blond ringlets and big blue eyes. I had dark hair, which they cut off. They put me in overalls, and they had me handing her flowers. So I was the boy. Which annoyed me to no end.

MD: Were you always an animal person?

RM: Always. They were absolutely always a part of my life. When I was living with my mom in Oregon, she had cats. And I would hold kitten races. Not anything that was cruel or hurtful for them. My mom’s cat, Miss Prickles, had had kittens. So I would get the neighbourhood kids together to place bets and then we’d have these little kittens race to the finish line.

MD: That’s quite industrious, really. When did you become passionate about dogs?

RM: I was getting ready to start working on my second movie, I believe it was. It was the evening before we started shooting. And I happened to walk by this horribly depressing pet store in Beverly Centre. Thankfully, this place is not there now. I could see this dog… her eyes were going in different directions. Her little paws were going through the cage. She was sitting in urine. It was awful. And before I knew it, I had a Boston Terrier.

I named her Bug. Bug was the love of my life. I know you can hear the waver in my voice right now, but…Bug died about five months ago. I was doing the new Conan the Barbarian movie and it was so stressful. I just wasn’t sure whether she was going to make it. But she held on for three more weeks after I got back. She almost made it to 14 years old.

MD: I’m so sorry. That’s heart wrenching. Was Bug an only child?

RM: No, I got her Fester as a friend. I actually got him from the same place. I sort of looked at it as high-price rescue. And even though Bug was the one with all these horrible medical issues, in the end Fester died quite unexpectedly. Turns out, he had a brain tumour. I would’ve moved mountains to save him. To save them both. It’s funny… well, actually, no it’s not funny…but I spent well over $250,000 on surgeries and procedures. I would buy my olive oil at the 99-cent store, just so I could afford the medical bills. Bug was so accident-prone too. She was allergic to bees, which she would try to go after and catch in her mouth, so I always had to carry an epipen.

MD: Who are your dog kids now?

RM: After Fester died, I adopted Happy, from a rescue called Boston Brigade. His name was Colt, and that is so not a Boston Terrier name in any way. I got him because I knew Bug wanted to

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“I’ll be damned if I’m going to be an actor with a dog that can fit in my purse, named Tina. So I renamed her Sasquatch.”

die, and it was like she didn’t want to leave me without knowing I would be taken care of. It gave her peace, or something.

The great thing is, in the city of West Hollywood, there’s a new ordinance that says pet stores can only sell rescues. And after Bug died, Happy was really depressed. I happened to go into this awesome store called Spot on La Cienega in LA, to pick up treats. And I saw this thing…it looked like an ewok, or…I don’t even know how to describe what it looked like. Turns out she had been a hoarder’s dog. She was only three pounds, and 90 percent of her fur was missing. She was so infested with fleas she had no red blood cells left, so she had needed a number of blood transfusions.

The next thing I knew, I’m leaving with this mini-Pomeranian. Her name was Tina. And I’ll be damned if I’m going to be an actor with a dog that can fit in my purse, named Tina. So I renamed her Sasquatch. She’s six pounds now. She and Happy are quite the team.

MD: Your dogs each have such an amazing story. In what ways do you support the rescue movement today?

RM: This may sound weird, but I actually troll the Internet for dogs that need surgeries that might otherwise be unaffordable.

And I help out in any way I can. So I donate a lot to the ASPCA. I’m also a big supporter of Boston Brigade and the Boston Terrier

Rescue Network. For my birthday every year, my friends know that when they come to my party, all 20 or 30 of them have to each show me a receipt that proves they’ve made a donation to Boston Terrier rescue. It’s mandatory. Even if they only donate $5, every little bit helps.

MD: Can you tell us what it is about Boston Terriers that means so much to you?

RM: It all started with Bug. I’ve become obsessed. Overall, Boston Terrier owners are obsessed. People come up to me all the time with tears in their eyes when they see me with mine. “Oh, that reminds me of the Boston Terrier I had as a child.” They really are the American Gentleman.

MD: You’ve said you “fell into acting.” What’s the story there?

RM: I’d gone down to LA to look at colleges. I stayed with a friend who, as they say, had a friend who is this amazing producer. She told me there was a director who was looking for a very specific look for a project he was working on and was I interested in acting? She was very persistent. The funny thing is, growing up I had had a huge crush on Napoleon….

MJD: Like you had pin-ups of Napoleon on your wall, torn out of Tiger Beat?

RM: Yeah, not the most normal crush but, yes, Napoleon.

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At the time I was visiting my friend in LA, I was trying to save enough money to go on a pilgrimage to Paris to visit the Chateau de Malmaison, where Josephine had lived. So I asked her: How much? And sure enough, taking the job would get me to Paris.

Afterwards, I went back to Seattle, and was told I had to go to this thing called Sundance, and I didn’t know what that was. I had been nominated for an Independent Spirit Award.

It all just sort of happened. You know, unlike a lot of actors, I was born without that whole “dying to be famous” thing. Short of having a Pomeranian that fits in a purse, I don’t really fit the cliché. When people ask me how to break into acting, I can honestly tell them, I have no idea.

MD: What did you learn working with screen legend Brian De Palma in The Black Dahlia?

RM: He and I got along like white on rice. I am obsessed with classic film, and he was very animated when talking about it. He’s a very shy man, a lot of directors are. But yes, I wanted to bow down, he’s just that good. It was four days of work, and we shot in Bulgaria. Yes, a lot of those old Hollywood scenes, set in the 1930s, were shot in Bulgaria.

MD: You dated a high-profile, sometimes controversial, figure: Brian Warner, better known as musician Marilyn Manson. Can you give us a peak into what he is like as a person when the make-up is off and the camera is not on?

RM: Which was always, when he wasn’t performing. You know, you love who you love, and he was the smartest and funniest person I’ve ever met. I knew it when I overheard him once, talking in the hallway: “Fester, I’m your new step-dad.”

We would stay in at night, and I would order jadeite online from

Martha Stewart and he would paint watercolours. He painted a few pieces of the dogs that I still have.

MD: What do you tell people who are in the market for a new dog about why they should consider rescue vs buy?

RM: That [rescue] dog will love you for all time. I adopted Happy when he was nine years old. Sure, it will bring on heartbreak sooner. The idea that somebody could have a dog and just dump it after all of those years…. It angers me so much when people treat them like old clothes. Mutts are amazing. Every breed is amazing. And almost every breed has its own rescue group too.

MD: It sounds like you have some exciting projects coming up, with the 2011 release of Conan the Barbarian.

Can you tell us a bit about that?

RM: My character’s name is Marique.

It’s my third role that was originally written for a man. Thankfully, they changed it to a woman. I think it works better.

Steven Lang, from Avatar, plays my dad in the movie, and we added a lot of pathos to the role. The world that was created for this film is a fantastic world, unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I’m so over-the-top excited about it. I enjoyed myself immensely.

MD: You’ve managed to keep very busy in an industry that can be fickle. You still leave time for taking on passion projects, like animal rescue. What is it you are most proud of as a woman today?

RM: I took two years off because of a major illness in the family. So many people get caught up in a panic about taking time off, worried they’ll be forgotten about. The reality is, this is my one life. I stick to my convictions, for better or worse. And I beat the drum for rescue. n

“It angers me so much when people treat them like old clothes. Mutts are amazing. Every breed is amazing.”

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ASK AN EXPERT

Small Dog Syndrome

Ask Colleen Safford

Q:

My Yorkie, April, is perfectly well behaved—most of the time. But the moment she sees a big dog, she barks her head off and charges, whether she’s off-leash or on. Why does she do this and how do I get her to stop?

—Tired of Bluffing in Bloomington

A:

Small dog. Big mouth. Are our blustery, pint-sized pooches the product of nature, nurture, or a bit of both? Perhaps it’s a genetically ingrained Napolean complex. Or could it be that April has developed SDS as a result of social experiences and parenting?

Small breeds are known for developing what trainers call Small Dog Syndrome (SDS). Small dogs are often allowed to exhibit undesired behaviour because it’s viewed as less of a nuisance and less dangerous than if it were displayed by their larger canine cousins.

For example, the bite that April delivers to a Mastiff will yield far less damage than the reverse. People would never stand for a Mastiff racing around off-leash barking at others. People would panic: grab their dogs and children and run for their lives! April’s barking is less scary and has likely been somewhat tolerated. This means she’s practiced the behaviour again and again, forming this undesired habit.

SDS also develops when a well-intentioned parent “protects” their dog from the world. They may not allow their tiny dog to socialize with dogs larger in size for fear they will be hurt. Instead of allowing the dog to play, they sit with him in their lap or race in and swoop up the pup each time a bigger dog comes near. By doing so, they deprive their dog of important socialization with his surroundings and other dogs, creating a dog that is unsure, fearful, and anxious.

Often early signs of SDS are laughed off, ignored, or even reinforced. Perhaps April started giving a few small barks early and received some attention for it: “April, don’t pick that fight!” Maybe you picked her up and told her, “Shh…it’s okay.” Alternatively, if punishment was used—“Shh, APRIL KNOCK IT OFF”—she may have made an association that things get scary when big dogs come near. April thinks, “I get upset and mom totally loses it too!”

Regardless of the cause of her behaviour, for her safety (and the safety of others), we need April to act peacefully around others larger than her.

Operation Sweet Lil’ Dog First, April must always be on leash outdoors during your training period. You will never prevent her from practicing this behaviour if she can dart off and run up to a larger dog. Right now and until you have this better controlled, April cannot have off-leash

play time in areas where she may be tempted to confront a larger dog.

Second, April needs to learn to feel happy and confident when in proximity to larger dogs. Determine the distance away from other dogs where April can remain calm. 10 feet? 30 feet? A block?

Once you’ve determined your distance, your job is to reliably and consistently feed April her most wished-for treats (rapid-fire feeding of treats the entire time she sees the dog.) or engage her with her favourite toy while the large dog is in sight (at 10-30 feet or whatever it may be). Talk to her in a happy “you are the best dog” voice. Over time, April will learn that the presence of big dogs means good things for her.

Once the dog is out of sight, food and games stop. You return to normal. Repeat this each and every time a large dog is within view. Gradually decrease the distance between April and other dogs. April’s comfort predicts the speed of this. Meaning, work ONLY at distances where April can look at a dog, but still focus on you and her treats or game without barking. If you are consistent, you will progress to being able to pass by other dogs without an explosion. This is possible, but it wholly rests on your shoulders to work consistently with April. A big part of being consistent is being prepared. Never leave the house without April’s favourite toys and treats.

Never punish April if she does bark during this process. Just realize that you are pushing her a bit too fast and need to take it a bit slower. Remain calm and just move on.

Because timing and consistency is so important, I always recommend working with a reward-based, gentle trainer. It’s good to have a coach in kicking-off this process. Check out apdt.com for a trainer in your area.

A must-buy for you and April: a fantastic book by Dr. Patricia McConnell called The Cautious Canine (patriciamcconnell.com). n As host of The Family Pet on Pet Life Radio, dog trainer Colleen Safford raises awareness on pet-child safety, and understanding dog body language. Colleen’s companies, NY Walk & Train and Far Fetched Acres, have been voted “Best of NY”

by New York Magazine. Colleen receives daily training from her toddler children and is proudly owned by her rescued Boxer(ish).

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listen

NEeMA + Elsa Your new summer soundtrack: an up-and-coming singer/songwriter’s tribute to her dog

N

EeMA, a Canadian singer-songwriter of Egyptian and Lebanese descent, is making waves with her sophomore release, “Watching You Think.” Acclaimed by none other than Leonard Cohen, who even illustrated an image of the singer for her new album, she’s picking up some serious accolades, earning acknowledgments from the likes of The Wall Street Journal, Paste magazine, and the Huffington Post. The Examiner perhaps described her sound best, calling it “a mixture of sun-shiny 70s optimism, folk-rock-gypsy rhythms, and NEeMA’s sometimes sing-songy, sometimes keen-as-a-needle voice.”

Our favourite track, of course, is “Elsa’s Lullaby,” a tribute to her dog, a former stray she took in from the cold streets of Northern Canada. The accompanying video is completely disarming, shot to look like old, grainy, 8mm home video, mixing footage of NEeMA playing with Elsa on the streets of Montreal and in their old apartment, and intertwining it with tour and studio shots. The song grew out of a conversation with a young girl who asked NEeMA if she had any songs about her beautiful dog. She didn’t at the time, but she’s got a winning one now. We asked her a few questions.

MD: How did the song about come about?

NEema: I was on tour across Canada and Elsa was with me. A little girl fell in love with her and said, “you must have so many songs about your dog!” I didn’t have any at the time. The poem the song is based on emerged as a result.

MD: Any interesting or funny stories from the video shoot?

NEema: Watching Elsa cautiously tiptoe into the coffee shop (she was apprehensive knowing she normally has to wait outside). Running ahead on the mountain whistling and calling for Elsa to keep up, only to find I had been running like a madwoman screaming to myself. The entire Montreal portion was filmed during a weekend that was so cold the government had put out warnings not to go outside— there I was, lying in the snow, having it thrown in my face, spending hours and hours in thirty-below weather. The closing shot of the video was filmed at around 3 am in Wekweti, a small, isolated First Nation’s community in Northern Canada, in June when the sun doesn’t set. I was walking around filming the community, and at the end, I set up a tripod outside our house so I could get Elsa and me together on camera.

MD: Does the fact that you call Elsa “the love of your life” inspire jealousy in any of your two-legged companions?

NEema: A former partner might have been jealous. I don’t think he was serious but he alluded to it a couple of times.

MD: Leonard Cohen is a huge supporter of yours. How did you become friends?

NEema: We bumped into each other one day in Montreal and a friendship formed from there.

MD: Lessons learned from your dog?

NEema: So many. But the main one? How to love again.

As an online comment read, we “love a woman who dances with her dog.” Watch the video at video.aol.com/video/elsas-lullaby/3621014827 and ready yourself to embrace your new summer soundtrack. n

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Embarrassing Moments Your dog did what?

Cringe-worthy canine escapades

kitchen to dry his hair with a hair dryer. I was kneeling on the floor and as I lifted his tail to dry underneath, it was like pulling the lever of a slot machine. Diarrhea shot out and landed on the legs of my jeans. Without thinking, I let out a scream and pulled my pants off. It was then that I remembered that the window curtains facing the street were pulled open and I was on full display.

I dropped to the floor and yelled for my husband to save me by coming to close the curtains.—Sharon Galanis nI

W

e participated in a Bring Your Dog to the Ballpark event at Shea Stadium for a NY Mets game. It was a fundraiser for the North Shore Animal League. My husband and I, two friends, and our two Labs attended. Prior to the game, everyone was invited to walk around the outskirts of the field with their dogs. The second our black Lab, Elvis, saw the beautiful green grass he pulled with all his strength to go and christen the field with a giant poop. The heckling from the fans was merciless. As we rounded the field, we were passing the visiting team’s dugout (the Braves) and our second Lab, Bay, took an enormous poop right in front of the players, to the delight of all Mets fans in view. Needless to say, we have never gone to another game with our dogs.—Barbara Rodriguez Wally the Schnoodle fancies himself as a ferocious watchdog.

Anyone who walks down his street without permission or who, horror of horrors, should come to his door, is given the Royal Whatfor—from the comfort of his wingback chair at the living room window. On one occasion, the doorbell rang and Wally launched into his usual barking tirade. As I was opening the door, having lost patience with the junkyard dawg wannabe, I bellowed “Oh, Wally, shut up!” only to be met face to embarrassed face with the courier delivery man, the nametag “Wally” on his uniform.—Fraser Petrick

n

Our Afghan Hound, Beau, was prone to bouts of diarrhea. I had just bathed him after yet another episode. I took him in the

n

invited some friends over to watch the San Francisco Giants vs. Texas Rangers World Series Game 3 at my house. With a total of five guests in tow, my boyfriend and I proceed down the hallway only to find granny panties and dental-floss thongs strewn all over. I was completely embarrassed, but mostly mortified by 1) how many panties were laying out and 2) the condition they were in. My granny panties had become crotch-less panties and my thongs looked like shredded ribbon. Turns out my boyfriend forgot to close the door to our closet and, since my hamper is the collapsible type, my two Doxies jumped the hamper and went to town. Game 3 was a loss for the Giants, so to this day all the guests remember is that my dogs scattered my panties all over the living room. One even jokingly remarked that it was because of my butchered Rally thong that we lost Game 3 of the World Series. Sad, but true.—NP

n Moon,

my tri Sheltie, worked with me at a small nursing home.

She loved to play with the resident cat. One day during mass, we heard a strange sound, like someone strangling. We ran to the chapel thinking a resident was choking only to see the dog and cat sharing in Holy Communion! Moon would run around the table, pause to bark, and the cat would throw a host on the floor for her to eat. It was “one for me, one for Moon.” The priest was frozen, mouth open, in total horror, drawing in strangled breaths, and wheezing out, “Caaaaaat ….. doooooooog ….. caaaaaaat ….. dooooooog……” The residents were laughing so hard that tears were on many cheeks. Fortunately, I did not lose my job— or my dog—but from then on, when the priest was in the building, the dog and cat were in lock-up.—Jane McLaren

Submit your embarrassing moment (maximum 150 words) to embarrassingmoments@moderndogmagazine. com. Chosen entries will appear in Modern Dog. Entries will be subject to editing.

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D.I.Y.

Everything’s Coming Up Roses. And Peonies, Camellias, Daisies, Magnolias….

Embellish Your Dog’s Collar with a Bloom. It’s a Snap!

By Rose Froesek/ Photos Tanya King

Your dog will be a hit with a silk-flower-adorned collar. The flourish charms, whether at an impromptu backyard barbeque or a more formal affair, like a wedding (every wedding party needs a flower dog). The embellishment is temporary; affixed with a simple snap, the flower can be removed or changed at whim. Choose any flower you fancy, or pick according to your state’s or province’s official flower. Just don’t go with Arizona’s state flower, the giant cactus! And though the dogwood, the flower of both North Carolina and British Columbia, seems very apropos, the silk version will prove near-impossible to find at your local craft or dollar store. Our favourites? Classic roses (New York), camellias (Alabama), or friendly daisies. Get out a needle and some thread; this project’s a snap!

{ How-To }

Thimble

Needle + Thread

Silk Flower

Metal Snap

Step 1 Use an upholstery needle and thimble to stitch half of a snap to the collar. A fabric collar with be easier to sew through than a leather collar, but any collar will do, provided you can push the needle through.

Step 2 Tip: Snap on more than just silk flowers.

Adorn your dog’s collar with a flag for Fourth of July or Canada Day celebrations.

Stitch the other half of the snap to the base of a fabric flower.

Those with a flat fabric bottom are easiest to work with. If your flower has a plastic base and stem, snip off the stem and sew through a couple of petals as close as possible to the plastic base.

Fight Big Black Dog Syndrome with Flowers Finally, your adeptness with accessories does real good

While you’re at it, why not whip up an extra flowered collar for your local shelter? Sad fact: dogs are judged by colour of their fur. 54 percent of shelters report that their inmates suffer from Big Black Dog Syndrome, and that these poor souls are often left behind while their lighter coloured compatriots are adopted. Language alone has stigmatized them—“black dog” is a common euphemism for depression—but the biggest problem they face is standing out to overwhelmed would-be adopters.

Black dogs tend to blend into the background in shelters and are therefore often simply overlooked.

But shelters have reported an increase when their black dogs are accessorized, and if a simple bandana can make a difference, imagine the kind of attention a Barking Bloom collar could attract. The presence of tags, blankets, and toys all make a difference, too, so if you have extras kicking about, they’d likely make welcome donations. Get crafting!

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PHOTOS TANYA KING

Barkin’ Blooms

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AN INSIDER’S GUIDE TO

DOG-FRIENDLY

SEATTLE

Forget Nirvana, grunge, and coffee. When we think Seattle, we think dogs, and we’re not alone. Hotels, parks, even bars—we did some sleuthing for the inside scoop on Seattle’s top dog-friendly stops.

Where to Stay

Old world grandeur and hospitality await you at the magnificent Fairmont Olympic Seattle. Trees lit up with twinkling lights line the horseshoe driveway of this historic property. Inside, the spacious and highceilinged lobby and lovely rooms make for a dream stay. Dog sightings in the lobby are testament to the hotel’s pet-friendly status and hotel staff is very welcoming and accommodating of guests with a 40-pound maximum four-legged companion in tow. A $40 per stay cleaning fee applies, tempered by the luxe goodies that greet your dog: a cozy pet pillow, bowls, bottled water, and yummy treats.

Dog walking services are available through the concierge, but with a location that’s easy strolling distance from the waterfront, Pike Fairmont Seattle - Executive Suite Place Market, and the shops downtown, you’ll likely find yourself wanting to do the walking yourself. Rooms start at $249 per night.

If you’re looking for an affordable, hip hotel located in a cool and central part of the city, look no further. Ace Seattle’s Belltown location is perfect for those who want to be nestled in between interesting boutiques and bars and restaurants

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aplenty. Complete with informed and friendly staff, comfortable beds, and minimalist design, this is where the cool kids stay.

Room rates are kept low with option of shared or private bath.

Need another reason to stay? The Pet Policy at the Ace is exactly as it should be: “The policy is.... we don’t really have a policy.

We accept pets and don’t charge for them.” Rooms start at $99 a night.

Stop for a Microbrew

The Seattle Weekly recently published a list of tried, tested, and truly dog-friendly bars. Keep it on the low down. Making the grade: The Leary Traveler; Beveridge Place Pub; Shorty’s; Beach Café. Plus, the number one pick of the bunch, Norm’s Eatery and Ale House. Stop for a drink—and dinner. At Norm’s you can bring your dog right into the restaurant.

Take the Bus…With Your Dog (large or small). Really.

Do some sightseeing with your dog— on the city bus. They don’t say the west coast is laid back for nothin’.

Seattle’s Metro buses (the yellow and green ones) are canine-friendly. Service animals for persons with disabilities ride without charge, as do small dogs that will fit in their owners’ laps. Large dogs pay the same fare as their owners but may not occupy a seat; they should ride on the floor of the coach next to their owner. Dog admittance is subject to driver discretion, so if there are already other dogs riding, it is possible, though rare, that you will be refused service. Note that Sound Transit buses (the blue and white express freeway buses) only allow service dogs and small dogs in carriers.

Tip: If you’ll be transferring, be sure to get a transfer for your big dog, too, so you don’t have to pay your dog’s fare twice.

Shop

A Seattle favourite, Immortal Dog (1712 S Jackson St.) is a cute and colourful boutique filled with carefully selected items, from treats to toys to grooming products. Owner Nicole is only too happy to help you make the best decision for your best bud. Her handmade biscuits are a must try.

INSIDER TIPS

Modern Dog readers dish their favourite Seattle parks, pit stops, and more.

The Pension Nichols Bed & Breakfast just right above the Pike market is dog-friendly and the staff always has their own dogs hanging out in the living room that will greet you each time you come in—it’s such a home away from home! The Immortal Dog store is locally owned and carries wonderful products.—Molly Meredith Marymoor Park—one of the largest off-leash parks [40 acres!] in the state!

—Maggie Mae

Norm’s Eatery and Alehouse in Seattle... dining with your dog is a glorious thing.

© Benjamin Benschneider

—Janine Anderson Outside of Seattle in Sammamish is a great place called Beaver Lake Park. It has a lake, great places to hike through the woods, open areas for play, and a great fenced dog park (one for big dogs and one for small). My dog always Kubota Gardens loves going there! Another place we love is Kubota Gardens in Seattle. It’s a beautiful Japanese garden with lots of walking paths that allow leashed dogs. We take photography hikes with our dog through this park a lot.—Samantha Camp Beveridge Place Pub in West Seattle is dog friendly. Green Lake Park is a great place to socialize dogs, plus there are lots of patios to eat and drink at around the lake. Queen Anne Avenue: dog bowls in front of every store. Hotel Max: cute, affordable dog-friendly boutique hotel. Olympic Sculpture Park (right) and Myrtle Edwards Park are beautiful places to walk your dogs on the waterfront.—Jamie Pflughoeft

Seattle Art Museum Olympic Sculpture Park

I second Norms. So tasty. Hounds Abound is a great doggie daycare and Zoe and Zak in Greenwood is an awesome local pet supply who delivers for free.

—Stephanie Pease

I love this, though I hate sharing some inside spots, especially dog-friendly bars as they end up getting packed, like Norms and Beveridge. Marymoor Park is great— the Disneyland of dog parks. Discovery Park is great for on leash walks.—Brooke Azumi Ditto on Marymoor Park along with Magnuson Park in Sand Way area near the University.—Dawn Muse

I like taking my Dobermans to Nordstrom. And south of Seattle, in Kent [an outlying suburb of

Norm’s Eatery and Ale House

Seattle] Morrill Meadows dog park just opened. It has a big and small dog areas. In Belltown [a Seattle neighbourhood], Regrade dog park is also fun. Lot of nice people there.—Mike Kulawiak The Edmonds off-leash dog park (about 20 minutes north of Seattle) is one of the only saltwater-beach dog parks in the state. You can watch the ferries come and go from the dock and gaze across Puget Sound to the Olympic Mountains. So beautiful! There are also hundreds of beautiful trails to hike with your dog in the Cascade Mountains, less than an hour from Seattle. Dogs do have to be leashed though.—YouDidWhatWithYourWeiner.com moderndogmagazine.com

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ASK AN EXPERT

Should you feel guilty?

Ask Jennifer Messer

Q:

My Dobie cross, Max, is two years old and has a ton of energy. My older Beagle, Mischa, not so much. I walk them both in the morning before work and then again when I get home, and give them comfy beds and toys and lots of love, but I still constantly feel guilty that they are under-stimulated. Obviously, my dogs—Max especially—would love to be out doing more: romping through the woods, playing with other dogs.

Neither of them act out, but I’ll see Max lying on his bed, not sleeping, with what looks to me to be a rather dejected expression. Is my guilt warranted?—Worried in Worcester

A:

Your instinct is spot on. Walks are great for mental stimulation and answering p-mail, but won’t cut it as exercise for a young, healthy Dobie like Max—especially if you are walking at senior Beagle pace. Give yourself a pat on the back for clueing into Max’s subtle sign of restlessness before any behaviour problems develop. A few small tweaks to the daily routine should wipe that sorry expression off his face and absolve your guilty conscience.

Every dog, regardless of age and breed, needs three types of stimulation: intellectual, social, and physical. The amount and proportion of each vary tremendously from dog to dog, so it is not surprising that two walks a day and lots of lovin’ work well for your senior Beagle but leave Max wanting.

It sounds like there is no shortage of social attention in your boys’ lives, so you can check that category off for both of them, though adding doggie buddies would make their social lives even richer.

Given that the Beagle MO is to inhale as many new smells as possible, two long walks a day for an older fella probably provides plenty of intellectual stimulation to process during down time. But additional brain drain activity is probably a good antidote for doggie Alzheimer’s, and will help keep your young’un, Max, too mentally fatigued to look for trouble. Anything that makes them think hard is good for them. It doesn’t have to be complicated, just engaging… kind of like canine sudoku. One of my favorite stand-by’s is good old hide and seek. Have them practice sit and down stays while you hide their favourite toys around the house, releasing them on search missions that pay handfuls of kibble for each successful retrieve. It is an easy way

to stretch the dinner bowl of kibble from a one minute feast into a half-hour of problem solving. Another fun option is to keep a trick of the month on the go that you hack away at for 10 minutes here and there. Not only will it work their noggins well, but it gives you great party tricks for guests. And don’t underestimate the mental stimulation involved in basic everyday communication: requests and feedback keep them mindful of the rules, and mentally engaged in the world around them.

For physical exercise you’ll probably need to crank it up a few notches for Max without imposing anything too strenuous on Mischa. The safest way to exercise dogs is at their own pace, so off-leash parks, fetch, and swimming, where Max can burn off his two-year-old energy and Mischa can engage in whatever gear suits him, are good choices for exercising them together. My Beagle, Bender, and my Pit Bull, Charlotte, have very different exercise needs. Bender lives to sniff and eat, so I toss a handful of kibble across the lawn and then play Frisbee with retrieve-aholic Charlotte, while Bender canvasses the grass for every last morsel. He never misses a crumb, and both are merrily fatigued within 20 minutes.

Dog rearing is like parenting: sometimes there is a bit of guesswork in figuring out just what is needed to meet individual needs. When Max flops down on his bed and snores like an old man instead of looking hard done by, you’ll know you’ve got the recipe just right. n

Jennifer Messer is a veterinarian working in Ottawa, Ontario. She has an honours BA in psychology from McGill University and a DVM from the Ontario Veterinary College, and is author of The Kinder Puppy Course available at pavski.ca. She is owned by her Pit Bull, Charlotte, and her Beagle, Mr. F. Bender.

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TONY CHANG/ CHANG PHOTOGRAPHY

The Genesis Awards Celebrating the organization that celebrates the media that celebrates animals.

By Mary-Jo Dionne

T

here are a lot of reasons I like writing for Modern Dog magazine. As someone who frequently is tasked—much to my pleasure—with interviewing our cover dog-lover each issue, I’ve had the opportunity to meet some amazing people: from Oscar winners to talk show hosts, and a wealth of big-hearted animal do-gooders in between. What better topic to discuss, and thereby unify us, than our mutual love and respect for dogs? Over the years, as my relationship with the great people at the magazine has grown closer, the incredible experiences I have had land in my lap are almost too vast to count.

However, perhaps nothing is more thrilling for a canineobsessed scribe than to dart to LA to cover the year’s most talkedabout animal event. Founded by the late Broadway star Gretchen Wyler in 1986, the Genesis Awards celebrate the media that celebrates animals. Every year, the largest animal advocacy group in the world, the Humane Society of the United States, led by its charismatic president and CEO, Wayne Pacelle—a John-John look-alike if ever there was one—conducts an up-close examination of what is being done in the way of furthering animal issues awareness. The Golden Globes of the animal wellness world, Genesis Awards applaud the best in categories such as Feature Film, Feature Documentary, Dramatic Series, and Talk Show, with

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a plethora of recognition in between. Nominees are drawn from every style and genre, ranging from the very dramatic Law and Order SVU and the debate-provoking Dr. Phil, to the adorable How to Train Your Dragon and the hilarious Colbert Report. If a film, program, documentary, or printed piece is speaking on behalf of someone with four legs, wings, or gills, raising awareness, the Genesis Awards wants not only to know about it, but to salute it as well.

While the topics tackled by the nominees can be grim to say the least—the puppy mills atrocity, cruelty in farming methods, the dangers of exotic animals as domestic pets—like any Hollywood production, the scene is one of glamour, glitz, fans, photographers, and an awfully long red carpet. All told, the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in LA’s Century City is abuzz.

The air is thick with anticipation as, one-by-one, celebrities with a track record for making us laugh and making us cry reveal themselves as celebrities who also make us think. The warm feeling that washes over me when I realize someone I’ve long admired in matters of the arts is someone I can now admire in matters of the heart is, admittedly, my favourite part of the evening. As cast members stroll by from hits like The Mentalist, Bones, Glee, Modern Family, and Sex and the City, their presence

Glee’s Charlotte Ross

The ballroom, filled to near-capacity with over 800 animallovers, offers guests a palpable feeling of, well, goodness.

becomes a collective declaration that as a society we are blessed to have a growing number of intelligent people in the spotlight.

From my vantage point on the red carpet, shoulder to shoulder with fellow media cohorts, I am able to engage in chats with some impressive animal advocates. When I tell Hot in Cleveland’s Wendie Malick (flanked by cast mates Valerie Bertinelli and Jane Leeves) how refreshing it is to learn that so many familiar faces are actively involved in the animal welfare awareness movement, she laughs in agreement and says it succinctly: “Oh, yes! I am a woman who loves her dogs” Bertinelli tells me the evening has her really wishing she’d brought her cats. And actor James Cromwell, who introduces himself as “Jamie” (cute!), admits that, while he doesn’t have a pet at home, the event is a favourite because “it’s a show that actually has a message.” Here, here, Jamie!

Before the presentation of the awards has even begun, my fabulous date and husband, Chad, and I are hopped up on a giddy dose of optimism. The ballroom, filled to near-capacity with over 800 animal-lovers, offers guests a palpable feeling of, well, goodness.

Hollywood red carpet aside, it’s an event that is less about ego and more about—at the risk of sounding clichéd—changing the world.

No sooner does Chad admit to being overwhelmed by the power for change he feels is present, than he—like a schoolboy with a rock idol—bumps into the Sea Shepherd himself, Greenpeace-alum Paul Watson. They discuss topics ranging from the environment and the possible extinction of Blue Fin tuna, to Paul’s role in the documentary Sharkwater. Such is the beauty of the Genesis Awards, where “small talk” is anything but.

Kristin Davis, recipient of this year’s Wyler Award; The Hills’ Stephanie Pratt with Dusty, the dog that plays the shape-shifting canine-form of True Blood character Sam Merlotte; actress and television personality Olivia Munn and Simon Helberg (The Big Bang Theory) present an award. True Blood’s Carrie Preston accepts an award on behalf of the series. Singer and past Modern Dog cover dog-lover Leona Lewis and actor Michael Vartan (Hawthorne; Alias) present an award; animal activist and award-presenter Betty White; Debbie and Danny Trejo (Machete).

DAVIS, PRATT, PRESTON, WHITE - TONY CHANG/ CHANG PHOTOGRAPHY

LEWIS & VARTAN, TREJO, MUNN & HELBERG - TIM LONG/ LONG PHOTOGRAPHY

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While the meal was, to coin a phrase, to die for, happily nothing actually had to die for it. A cruelty-free culinary creation by celebrated chef Tal Ronnen, famed for catering Ellen and Portia’s vegan wedding, provided happy guests an animal-friendly threecourse meal.

But the night wasn’t all bubbly cocktails, delicious fare, and up-close encounters with high-profile personalities (although, for what it’s worth, the highlights for me were the quick hug I managed to get from Rico Rodriguez, aka Modern Family’s Manny Delgado and learning that Kristin Davis is as sweet in real life as she is as Sex and the City’s Charlotte). There were, after all, awards to hand out. While enchanting presenters included the likes of singer Leona Lewis, Hitchcock star, Tippi Hedren, and the young actor Atticus Shaffer, the duo who stole the show was former Mary Tyler Moore co-stars Betty White and Ed Asner, who admitted to having 120 years of show biz experience between them. And likely just as many years of animal-loving experience between them as well. What can I say? That’s just the kind of people you see walking the red carpet at the Genesis Awards. n

The Winners The Wyler Award: Kristin Davis, in recognition for the work she is doing to bring attention to the plight of orphaned African elephants.

Feature Film: How to Train your Dragon, DreamWorks Animation.

Feature Documentary: The Elephant in the Living Room, NightFly Entertainment.

Sid Caesar Comedy Award: The Colbert Report for “Zoos” and “Bullfighting,” Comedy Central.

Dramatic Series: True Blood for “Hitting the Ground,” HBO. TV News Magazine: Nightline for “Got milk?” ABC. News Feature: KTLA for “Dogfighting,” “Hatchery Hell,” and “Puppy Mills.”

Morning News Show: The Early Show for “Shark Victims,” CBS. Talk Show: The Oprah Winfrey Show for “Oprah’s Earth Day Mom Swap—An Eye-Opening Intervention” and “Ultimate Amazing Animals.”

TV Documentary: My Child is a Monkey, National Geographic Channel.

Reality Series: Last Chance Highway for “The Great Escape,” Animal Planet.

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ASK AN EXPERT Ask Inger Martens

Q:

My dog seems to like some breeds and hate others. Is my dog a breedist? Is that even possible?—Egalitarian in Elgin

A:

Like with people, it’s true some dogs dig each other and some just don’t. However, it’s more of an age, temperament, or sometimes, a socialization issue, than anything else. Breedist?

No, although sometimes it may appear that way. I have seen it all: German Shepherds that are sweet and demure and Chihuahuas who could benefit from anger management classes. The main point to note, my lovely dog owners, is that the way you train, socialize, and manage the exercise needs of your pooch will determine your dog’s success at social events.

Dominant dogs usually have high energy and prey drives, and they can come in all sizes. Other dogs can react to their energy in either a proactive way (wanting to play and party) or a reactive way (barking back), and the way you handle it determines the outcome.

Yes, some breeds can have common “wired for sound energies” that many owners can find challenging to handle. The mixology and the chemistry (love/hate) have less to do with your dog being a breedist and actually have more to do with you, the dog owner, being perceptive. Being a little more attentive to the age of the dog that is coming toward you while on a walk and communicating with other dog owners prior to approaching one another can have the most amazing “peace pipe” effect on a potentially hairy situation. Just “paws” for a minute and assess the situation, is what I always say. Walking by a dog that your dog does not like where both dogs appear to be out of control at the end of the leash, is enough to make anyone drink!

If life gets rough, your energy flow can show your dog a different way. With just a tail wag and a nod you can avert the whole disagreement and heel thyself over to the sunny side of the street.

Ah, there are SO many factors that make up the canine cocktail of love. Happy walking! n Inger Martens is a celebrity dog trainer and behavioral expert. An author, television and radio personality, she has been dubbed “Best Dog Trainer in LA” by Los Angeles Magazine. She is currently excited to announce her new online resource for dog owners, pawsforaminute.com.

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Breedist Dogs and Fireworks Fear

Ask Nicole Wilde

Q:

My Giant Schnauzer, Luka, is absolutely terrified by fireworks and thunder. Is there anything I can do to either desensitize her or to calm her down? Is there anything I shouldn’t do?—Giant Lover in Lubbock

A:

First, provide Luka with a “safe area” such as her crate (leave the door open and let her make the choice) or the bathroom. Many dogs ride out storms in the bathtub or near the toilet since both are grounded, which may protect them from being shocked by the static electricity in the air. You can also counteract static with a Storm Defender cape (stormdefender.com), or by wiping Luka down with a non-toxic dryer sheet.

Body wraps can also help, as they calm dogs via uniform pressure in the same way that swaddling infants soothes them. Place a small t-shirt on Luka and gather the material with a rubber band over her back (avoid the spine) so it fits snugly, or purchase a ready-made wrap such as the Thundershirt (thundershirt.com).

Associate wearing the wrap with treats or games so it doesn’t become associated only with frightening events.

You can try desensitizing Luka to the scary sounds by using sound desensitization CDs (e.g., calmaudio.com). Play the track constantly at a low enough volume that Luka hears it but doesn’t react; then gradually and incrementally make it louder. This may not entirely solve the thunderstorm issue, though, since barometric pressure and lightning are also involved. Another type of recording that is useful via its calming effect is soft, slow classical music.

Through a Dog’s Ear produces psycho-acoustically designed CDs for this purpose (throughadogsear.com).

A persistent myth exists that you should not comfort your dog during fear-producing events. This is untrue. What you shouldn’t do is seem worried yourself—that might raise Luka’s anxiety level.

Calmly sit with her, lay a hand on her, pet in soothing strokes, and see whether she relaxes. Some dogs will settle, while others are calmer when ignored. Many do better with another dog present.

You could also try playing with Luka before the storm/fireworks, and see whether she’ll continue playing through the event.

My book, Help for Your Fearful Dog (phantompub.com), discusses other therapies such as flower essences, Ttouch, and Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP), which are worth trying. But since Luka’s anxiety is extreme, you might also want to discuss shortacting drugs with your veterinarian. n Nicole Wilde is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer who lectures worldwide on canine behaviour. She is the author of nine books, including Help for Your Fearful Dog and Don’t Leave Me! Step-by-Step Help for Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety (phantompub.com). She can be found at facebook.com/NicoleWildeAuthor, twitter. com/NicoleWilde, and on her Wilde About Dogs blog, wildewmn.wordpress.com.

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ASK AN EXPERT

Dogs that don’t like water

Ask Teoti Anderson

Q:

I would love to take my German Shepherd, Spencer, to the dog beach but he absolutely refuses to go in the water.

Does he not know how to swim? Is he scared of the water? I would like to teach him to like the water so he can wear off some energy swimming. Any suggestions?—Landlocked in LA

A:

Not all dogs love the water, or know how to swim. Some take to it better than others. Some will sink like rocks As he works up to getting his paws wet, make sure his rewards without a life vest! If Spencer refuses to go in the water, it is are worth his progress. For example, does he like to play tug? The likely that he is afraid. first time he gets in the water, click, move away from the water You want exercise to be a fun experience for him, so don’t and play a short game of tug. You move away from the water as scare him worse by forcing him into the water. Does he have any part of the reward—adding distance between him and the water is doggie friends that enjoy swimming? Some dogs can be inspired also a relief for him. to start splashing by watching other dogs enjoyYour goals are to go slowly and make every ing the water. step a positive one. I can’t promise you that your You can work with Spencer to help him feel Not all dogs love German Shepherd will turn into a water-loving more comfortable in the water. Start slowly at Labrador. But you can at least work on his fear the water or know of the water, and that’s a very positive thing. And the beach, at a distance from the water where how to swim. he is relaxed and comfortable. Bring his favorite it could be that, someday, Spencer will join the treats and a clicker, or you can use a verbal ranks of dogs who love to swim! n marker, “Yes.” Every time he looks at the water, Teoti Anderson, CPDT, owns Pawsitive Results (getpawsitiveresults.com), and is click (or “Yes!”) and immediately treat. If he moves toward the the past president of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. She is the author of Your water, click and treat. Gradually shape him to move closer and Outta Control Puppy, Super Simple Guide to Housetraining, Quick and Easy Crate closer. Make sure your sessions are very short.

Training, and Puppy Care and Training.

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art attack

by Marni Wedin

Melissa Ferreira

For artist and art educator Melissa Ferreira, a self-professed wanderer, creativity comes in many forms. She’s a seeker of new expressions who is led first and foremost by her keen intuition— and sometimes led in unforeseen directions.

“My decisions could seem radical to those with more traditional lifestyles,” she says of her decision to move to France from her native United States at the age of 45, after divorcing her husband of 19 years.

The pain of her marriage break-up also led her to begin sculpting dogs, which she sees as inspirational.

“My attention was better spent on dogs because their unconditional love, steadiness, and gratefulness seemed like the best place to put my energy,” she explains.

Ferreira describes her sculptures as “cute and ugly representations of dogs.” The bulk of the materials she uses can be found laying around anyone’s home: paper, old bags, glue, flour paste, and pencils. This is a concrete choice. Ferreira wants to ensure that her creativity “isn’t a slave to having access to the

right materials.”

Her inspiration comes from books and neighbourhood dogs.

It could be the tilt of the head or a certain posture that motivates her to create. Just like a child will see an animal shape in the clouds, Ferreira will sometimes see the shape of a dog in, say, a chocolate box, and begins a construction from there. Much of her work starts with pure improvisation.

Ferreira first attended the University of Massachusetts with the intent to work in sociology or psychology, but soon realized she could serve others through art. She then honed her skills at the Rhode Island School of Design, where she returns yearly to teach.

Ferreira also teaches in the town she now calls home, PontAven, France.

“I live in my own little bubble and am really happy there,” she says. “My art sustains me. I’m not driven by external gratifications like awards. I don’t even think to apply.”

Commissions begin at $400. Visit melissaferreira.net for more details. n

“Their unconditional love, steadiness, and gratefulness seemed like the best place to put my energy.”

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Above and above right: from Dogphoria © 2011, Fastpencil Premiere

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

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CONNIE WILSON’S SELECTION OF FANTASTIC SUMMER READS.

One Good Dog (St. Martin’s; 2010)

By Susan Wilson This captivating New York Times-bestselling novel deals with redemption and second chances, in intertwining narratives, the first from the point of view of Adam, an arrogant, hard-nosed businessman whose stress-induced violent act causes him to lose everything of importance to him, including his job, house, daughter, and social-climbing wife. He finds himself unemployed and single, reduced to bussing tables in a homeless shelter, where he must serve out a community service sentence which forces him to associate with a class of people he had long gone out of his way to avoid. The second narrative is from the perspective of Chance, a Pit Bull mix bred and trained to fight, who escapes and finds himself on the streets and on a direct path into Adam’s life. You’ll find yourself moved to both tears and laughter by the ensuing life-affirming story in which Adam and Chance each end up saving the other in ways neither could have expected.

A Dog’s Purpose (Forge; 2010)

By W. Bruce Cameron A Dog’s Purpose is a transfixing recount of a dog’s lives as his spirit travels through four incarnations in order to find his true purpose in life. This remarkable story, written from a dog’s point of view, offers not only a heartwarming, poignant, and often humorous look at life, but also a commentary on human relationships. Those of us who have lost dogs will find comfort in the book’s message of “the love between us and our dogs never dies, our true friends are always with us, and that every creature on Earth is born with a purpose.” An enchanting, utterly believable, impossible-to-put-down book, and, for those aching from the loss of a dear dog’s passing, a possible salve to ease the pain.

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Cherished: 21 Writers on Animals They Have Loved and Lost (New World Library; 2011)

By Barbara Abercrombie When Barbara Abercrombie’s beloved horse died, she blogged about her loss and grief. She received many comments, including a suggestion there be an anthology of such pieces recounting the love and loss of an animal.

Abercrombie realized that this was the type of book she’d want to read, and who better than an animal lover to tackle the subject with understanding and share grief? Thus, Cherished was born, a compilation of essays from such notable authors as Anne Lamott, Jane Smiley, Jacqueline Winspear, Carolyn See, and Mark Doty, who describe with insight, humour, and tenderness, the lasting influence of their own adored pets. Each thought-provoking essay illustrates how pets adapt to our lives, help us deal with difficulties, and how our lives change for the better because of them, ultimately conveying larger truths about life itself.

Cherished is a book any animal lover will…well, cherish.

Notably, all royalties from this book will be donated to Best Friends Animal Society.

Emily and Einstein (St. Martin’s; 2011)

By Linda Francis Lee This unconventional story of love, loss, perseverance, and second chances begins as Emily Barlow’s idyllic New York life is thrown into chaos when her husband dies in a car accident. Previously unshakeable and always in control, she finds herself reeling when she learns that her marriage was built on a foundation of lies, while an overbearing mother-in-law tries to evict her from her apartment and an estranged sister arrives on her doorstep. Solace is sought through Einstein, a cranky, homely, little dog that she adopts after nursing him back to health from injuries sustained the same night Emily’s husband died. The dog seems strangely familiar and knows things about Emily and the apartment that just don’t add up and he seems determined to help her reconcile her past and help her

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start anew. Will he succeed? Will she let him? And what’s in it for him? Find out in this heartwarming page-turner about how a woman and her dog each help the other win their second chance.

Dogphoria (Fastpencil Premiere; 2011)

By Jim Dratfield Jim Dratfield, author of eleven fine-art photography books and pet photographer of choice for celebrities such as Jennifer Anniston, Barbara Walters, Elton John, and Henry Kissinger, to name a few, offers his latest book, Dogphoria. It does not disappoint; Dratfield’s photographs continue to delight. Each of his captivating canine-themed images in this lovely photo-book incorporates the artist’s unique sepia-tone film style and is accompanied by a thought-provoking quotation. A beautiful gift for yourself or a loved one.

Ever By My Side (Random House, 2011)

By Nick Trout In this intimate and heartwarming memoir, veterinarian and New York Times bestselling author Nick Trout tells us how his father nurtured his dream to become a vet and how the pets he has had throughout his life have shaped him into the man he is today, teaching him such life lessons as the importance of friendship, loyalty, and resilience. His father’s encouragement certainly paid off; Nick is both a Diplomat of the American and European Colleges of Veterinary Surgeons and staff surgeon at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston.

Throughout Nick’s warm reflections, he brings us into his family and the behind-the-scenes world of veterinary medicine where the pets, irresistible characters integral to the plot itself, steal our hearts and remind us of the lengths we will go for them. This is a thoughtful, tender, and captivating read that celebrates the bonds we have with our pets while reinforcing the important roles they play in our lives.

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On the “tuff” scale, this Triceratops nails an 8 for dogs rough on toys. Large itself, this durable plush toy is great for big dogs who like to wrestle with their plushies. $50, vipproducts.com

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Hardcore Players Toys to love “furever” Perfect for larger breeds and power chewers, the Extreme KONG is Kong’s most durable toy, made of a super-strong, black rubber compound. Treat-stuffable and available in five sizes. $7-$27, kongcompany.com

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

ask dog lady

by Monica Collins

Q

Dear Dog Lady, When my nephew and his fiancée went on vacation, they left their pet parrot, Maya, with me.

They said it would be easy as pie to take care of this bird but it’s been terrible for me and for Sherman, my West Highland White Terrier.

I believe Maya’s squawks torment Sherman because he follows me around constantly with his ears at half-mast. He tried climbing up to swat or attack the cage and I had to move it higher. Also, the bird has disrupted my life. I gave a dinner party last weekend and the screeching bird drove us all crazy. My nephew seems to think I will take care of chatterbox Maya whenever he and his fiancée are out of town I’m the only relative nearby. I am going to have to tell him “no.” Do I blame it on the dog?—Patrick, Boulder, CO

A

The dog will never know what’s fair and fowl. Your terrier with the flattened ears

can’t understand when blame is unjustly pinned on him. So, sure, fault the dear dog. But why not do the brave thing and blame it on yourself? Tell your nephew you love him, he’s family, but Maya is foul. She disrupts your household and you must ask him to find another place to park the bird.

You want these two dogs to get along for your own romantic purposes, but it obviously isn’t going to happen easily or quickly.

Dear Dog Lady, My girlfriend and I each have dogs, but the dogs have gotten into two huge fights—one resulting in my hand being bitten really badly. The dogs cannot be near each other.

They both have dog friends, but, for some reason, they just didn’t like one another the first few times they met. This kind of limits the time my girlfriend and I can spend with one another as we always have to go

back to let our dogs out. We live on opposite sides of the city. It would just be much better if we could all spend time together. Any insight?

—Mike, Wilmington, NC You may be forcing a double date not of the dogs’ choosing. The canine world is unabashedly social, with all sorts of signals and alliances. And there are just some dogs that don’t like each other—for whatever mysterious reason, such as a wayward smell, a bad wag, whatever. You want these two dogs to get along for your own romantic purposes, but it obviously isn’t going to happen easily or quickly.

For now, you and your girlfriend should walk the dogs outdoors together.

Carry treats to reward each pet for good behaviour. Make it a fun time with lots of praise. Go to a park, for instance, where you can let them off-leash together. Dogs get along much better outdoors than indoors where competition kicks in over space and food. After weeks and months of walking outdoors without incident, you can slowly introduce them to the indoors, but always back off from forced merriment if they show any signs of fear or aggres-

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ask dog lady sion—especially over food.

You rushed too much doggy togetherness too soon. And, sure, all this four-legged foreplay may put a crimp in the smooth course of romance but, remember, if it’s meant to be, you and your girl will manage to make it work.

Dear Dog Lady, When my ex-husband and I got a dissolution of our marriage, our dog, Twix, ended up always being with the kids. We worked out “every other week” custody, so Twix travels along with the kids. The children always have their dog (the consistent presence) no matter where they are staying. Each parent also gets to have time with Twix. Do you think Twix will suffer from bouncing back and forth?—Leslie, Rochester, MN This enlightened arrangement makes eminent good sense for dealing with a dog— and the kids—of divorce. This is a painful time and everybody is wounded, missing the old ways, and courageously trying to fit into a new life. You and your ex-husband put aside selfishness and vindictiveness to consider the innocents in the brave new order. Congratulations for thinking way outside the box.

By attaching Twix to the visitation schedule of the kids in the custody agreement, nobody ever feels alone. Just as you have beds for the kids, you can have a dog bed for Twix in two houses. Make sure his food is the same variety at both places. You and your ex-husband should also agree to use the same veterinarian so Twix gets consistent care.

Dear Dog Lady, My adorable almost-three-yearold Yorkshire Terrier, Charlie, has decided he no longer wants to run (or even walk) up and down the steps in our house. Until recently, he would climb the steps many times a day.

From what I can tell he hasn’t been injured—he walks and runs just fine.

But he won’t even attempt to climb the stairs. He simply sits at the bottom (or the top) and cries until we scoop him up and bring him up (or down) in our arms. (Months ago, long before this behaviour started, he took a spill down the stairs, but he seemed to recover just fine.) This isn’t life or death, but it is getting annoying. Any ideas?—Charlie’s Crutch, Lewisville, TX Dear Crutch, Basically, Charlie needs a rug.

Sweethearts can skid and slip on shiny wood or hard floors (with tile or linoleum).

This is painful enough to root them in place.

Rugs will give Charlie the grip he needs.

You want him to hang on. You also want to take him to your veterinarian for a checkup.

When dogs suddenly show new and different behaviour or fears, there could be an organic reason for the skittishness. Perhaps Charlie hurt himself more severely than you knew when he fell down the stairs.

Assuming he’s fine, then as long as you carry him anywhere, Charlie becomes accustomed to his conveyance. Dog Lady can hear him now: “Yip, yap, pick me up.

Carry me onward, up that mountain of stairs.” Charlie will treat you as his Yak as long as you let him.

Dear Dog Lady, I read somewhere that dogs can detect colon cancer better than a colonoscopy. I’ve also read articles that dogs can sense other cancers such as melanoma, bladder, lung, ovarian, and breast. They diagnose by sniffing human breath. Our Shepherdmix, Crunchmaster Funk (Crunchy), sometimes stares at me. I have to admit this spooks me a little because Crunchy looks at me with such intensity I imagine he smells cancer and is trying to tell me I’m sick. I admit I’m a bit of a hypochondriac but how do I stop thinking this way?

What does Crunchy smell? —Karen, Downey, CA

The pheromone of worry. Crunchy might smell your fear. He also sniffs the various essences of you as well as any stray cat dander you might carry on your pants leg. Crunchy is infatuated with eau’d’you.

Otherwise, he’s not trained to be a cancer sniffing dog. Or a drug sniffing dog. Or a corpse sniffing dog. Or a bomb sniffing dog.

Right? The dogs that sniff for seizures or diseases such as cancer are trained to do so— the same way other “sniffers” are expertly schooled. According to the news story from The Associated Press, the colon cancer sensitive dog lives in Japan and works with a researcher. The process of training is quite expensive, so cancer sniffing dogs will not take the place of colonoscopies any time soon. If you have any question about your health, you really should see your doctor, not your dog.

And please don’t imagine Crunchy is telling you the worst when he stares at you. He could be saying, “Take me out.” Or “Feed me!” Or “Did anyone ever tell you you’re the most gorgeous creature in the neighborhood?”

Dear Dog Lady, I adopted a Maltese pup about a year and a half ago. The people I got him from recognized that they had not bonded with him and Freddie was spending too much time in a dog cage. Freddie and I bonded almost immediately. He still follows me around the house and generally doesn’t let me out of his sight.

When I leave him alone (nearly every day for a little while or longer), he cries. Sometimes I can hear him howling when I pull into the garage. My concern is that I am planning a trip to China and I really am worried about how he will do when I am gone for 17 days. He will be staying with my cousin who has a small dog that Freddie is best friends with. Do you have any suggestions on how I can prepare Freddie for my leaving?—Rosemary, Gresham, OR moderndogmagazine.com

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ask dog lady Here’s a line to remember about dogs: “Distraction is the mother of reinvention.” Make sure your Maltese has plenty of healthy chewies (bully sticks are great) and indestructible toys (say, a Kong stuffed with peanut butter) when you’re not home.

Also, give Freddie a vigorous walk before you leave. When you come back home or when you walk out, do not acknowledge him. This might seem heartless but ignorance is bliss for dogs with separation anxiety. They make a big deal because we make a big deal. Ignore him coming and going. It will seem strange at first but your feigned obliviousness will help Freddie calm down and detach.

Now, about China, go and don’t look back. Certainly, your cousin and her dog will keep Freddie amused. Leave her with stuff to distract him—particularly his food—and Freddie will be in fine fettle, especially with a dog pal. Dogs love us; other dogs keep them grounded.

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Dear Dog Lady, We rescued a small Jack Russell/West Highland White Terrier mix two years ago. He was either one or two years old, so now he’s either three or four. We just love him. When we got him, he had full-blown heartworm, was very thin, and had a puncture in one of his eyes. He is now at a good weight and healthy as can be.

One thing I’m concerned about Toby is that I notice he cries during his sleep. Sometimes it turns into yelping. It was happening all the time when we first brought him home and still happens, but not as much. My heart breaks to hear him cry. I always gently pat him and let him know everything is okay when he’s in this state.

If you have any suggestions for us to help him with his nightmares, I would appreciate it. I hate to think of what his life was like before he came to live with us to cause these. —Suzie, Olathe, KS You have a Jack Russell/Westie mix? Lucky you, for rescuing an angel! Now, don’t worry when your angel yelps in his sleep.

He’s not suffering; he’s dreaming as dogs dream. It’s perfectly normal. Indeed, Toby could be chasing a squirrel in his subconscious, or galloping through a field of heather back in the old country (British Isles for Westies and Jacks), or cornering a rodent, a cat, or an imaginary varmint. Your heart shouldn’t break but should feel glad that Toby is having a deep dream and he is peaceful enough to fall soundly asleep. Your patting him only wakes him to the real world, which isn’t such a bad thing, but it interrupts the furious subconscious activity. n

Ask Dog Lady has a fan page on Facebook.Write a question or comment on the Wall. Or email askdoglady@gmail.com.

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lastlick: an adoption story

A Monkey to Love

By Natasha Nikkel / Illustration by Vanessa Dong

“I have a dog. And it’s coming home with me.”

It was our seventh wedding anniversary and these were not exactly the words I was longing to hear from my husband. I naively thought he was calling on his drive home from a late-night class to remind me how wonderful he thought I was, or to declare that, after seven years, he was still itch-less in our relationship. Besides that, we already had two dogs. They were best buds: a perfect pair. I didn’t want a third-wheel dog.

I paused a minute to take it all in, then launched into a barrage of questions. “What breed? Boy or girl? Did it come to you? How big?

How old? Was it wearing a collar?”

My husband casually responded, “Girl. Maybe some Shar Pei. No collar. I bribed her to get in the car with a granola bar. She looked really lost.”

All I could think was, “Shar Pei? They don’t even have a snuggly coat.” I pictured a hideous dog with prickly fur. So much for anniversary celebrations. It was late anyway, so I went bed, rudely ignoring our overnight guest before she even arrived.

The next morning, I stumbled out to the kitchen where my ever-chipper-morning-person husband was already enjoying breakfast. He gave me a sheepish smile and glanced toward the back door. I peeked out to see the pup sitting on the deck, peering over our yard as if she were a queen.

“Oh, she’s adorable! Nothing like you said!” I flung the back door wide open. She came trotting in, sat down, and leaned all her body weight against my leg, staring up at me from underneath the most wrinkly forehead I’ve ever seen. As I leaned down to stroke her, I couldn’t help but notice the many small bug bites on her stomach, the frailty with which she carried herself, or the strong stench radiating from her coat. This little pup had been on the streets for a while.

My heart melted, but only for an instant. I thought about the two dogs we already had. They were both seniors and I wanted them to spend their golden years in peace. This little girl was clearly a pup and she had energy to boot.

“I don’t think we can keep her. It’s just not a good fit.” My husband agreed; our loyalty lay with our furry old boys.

We posted flyers in the area, hoping someone would claim her. After a day or two with no response, we knew we had to step up our search for a home. I had spent some time volunteering at an animal shelter, so I knew just who to call.

I was a touch disappointed when I found out the shelter was completely full. They asked us if we could act as a foster family while she awaited adoption. We agreed. We spent the next week grooming her, taking her to be spayed and vaccinated, and hand-feeding her, as she struggled to regulate her own chewing.

It wasn’t long before we realized we needed to call her something besides “little pup.” One morning while she was climbing all over our older dogs, we laughed and told her what a crazy little monkey she was. She paused her play and cocked her head in delight.

Monkey. Monkey. Monkey. The more we said it, the more she wagged her tail. And the more we said it, the more it just seemed right.

When the following weekend rolled around, it was time to meet with the animal shelter and take Monkey to her first mobile adoption. I grabbed her leash with some hesitation. My mind kept wondering if this would be the last time I saw her. I turned to my husband, “Soooo… are you sure about this?” We stood in silence.

As it turns out, Monkey found her forever home the first day of mobile adoptions. It was with her foster family. n

136 moderndog

SUMMER 2011

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