Modern Dog Summer 2008 by Modern Dog Magazine

The lifestyle magazine for modern dogs and their companions SUMMER 2008

Get Outside!

Free Stuff 18 ways

50+ ideas for summer fun

to make your dog

Dog Camp Rex packs

smile

Play

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his bags

Beauty Inspired By Beast MORE COOL FINDS UNDER $20 SUMMER

moderndogmagazine.com DISPLAY UNTIL SEPT 08 CDN$5.95 US$4.95

The Best Toys

Doggie Styles

Essential Summer Gear

THE FRENCHIE STUFF WE LOVE DRESS YOUR DOG ASK DOG LADY

Dr Dog Canine Cancer

Crusaders Lisa Edelstein & Wolf E

74470 56842

CLAIRE THOMAS

____________________________

www.clairethomaspet.com

SUMMER 2008

FEATURES 29 Just a Spoonful of Sugar

An interview with Broadway’s darling, Ashley Brown.

BY MARNI WEDIN

32 Dog Camp

Canine kids head for summer camp, bonfires and all.

BY SANDY ROBINS

43 The Scoop on Poop

Innovative new products take the “ew” out of poo.

BY BRIELLE MORGAN

44 Dr. Dog

Turns out dogs are playing an integral role in the crusade against cancer.

BY STANLEY COREN

49 18 Awesome Activities Ideas for summer fun.

BY ELIZABETH KEMP

50 Making House Calls PHOTO LINDSEY DONOVAN

On the phone with House, M.D.’s Lisa Edelstein.

BY MARY-JO DIONNE

56 The Modern Dog’s Guide to Portland Where to shop, eat, stay, and play.

BY ELIZABETH GARDINER

60 Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way Caring for your dogs after you’re gone.

BY COREY VAN’T HAAFF

78 Xtreme Dogs

Canine athletes take it to the limit.

87 Small Dogs, Big Business

Two “entrepupneurs” trade the rat race for dog days.

BY KATYA IRWIN

96 Diary of a Human-grade Literalist

Beauty inspired by beast: Modern Dog staffer Brielle Morgan tries out the latest dog products—on herself.

BY BRIELLE MORGAN

103

STYLE 41 Dress Your Dog

Solving fashion crises one dog at a time.

55 Doggie Styles

Stylin’ summer stuff.

64 Dog Days PHOTOGRAPHED BY LINDSEY DONOVAN

93 More Cool Finds Under $20

Budget bargains low in cost and high in style.

132

Beauty Shop

Our roundup of great grooming products.

WE think their meals should be made with the same care as your meals. We’re funny that way. For twenty years, we’ve cooked complete

“A man’s soul can be judged by the way he treats his dog.” – Charles Doran

{

and balanced recipes for Spot’s Stew. Only all-natural butcher -quality meat, chicken or wild salmon along with farm -fresh vegetables and

grains are used for optimal nutrition and digestibility. Then we add vitamins and minerals, not fillers or by - products. There are no compromises in anything with the Halo name on it. Halo. The care we owe them. TM

LIVING 12 Stuff We Love Modern Dog staffer’s picks of the litter.

16 Dog Trick! Teach your dog to wag his tail on cue. BY ANDREA ARDEN

27 Smile!

The modern dog photo contest.

84 Obey Your Thirst

Forget regular old water, dog drinks have gone high tech.

95 Art Attack

Profile in style: Photographer Jim Dratfield. BY MARNI WEDIN

101 Play! The coolest, toughest, fun-est toys out there. PHOTO JIM DRATFIELD

103 Connie’s Book Club

34 BREED PROFILE 36 The French Bulldog

Cross-channel charmer. BY MARIAN BUECHERT

BODY AND SOUL 70 Herbs for Health

Wellness-boosting foods for Fido.

73 Colour Me Happy Colour therapy for canines. BY ELIZABETH KEMP

74 The Doctor’s In

Dogs eat the darndest things! From swallowed socks to garbage can snacking, Dr. Betsy Brevitz weighs in with an ounce of prevention. Animal Communicator Joy Turner connects pets and their people.

4 moderndog SUMMER 2008

107 Ask Dog Lady

Dog Lady delves into your most dogged dilemmas.

BY MONICA COLLINS

PHOTO CANINEGENIUS.COM

111 The Party

101

76 Ask an Animal Psychic

Modern Dog Editor-in-Chief’s book selections for just-can’t-put-it-down reading.

Cool down your hot dogs with a round of poochie popsicles.

113 D.I.Y. Make your own canine first aid kit. BY ELIZABETH KEMP

115 The Fab Five

Top trainers answer your questions.

136 Last Lick

REGULAR FEATURES 6 8 10 14 20 23 120 130 134

Editor’s Letter Contributors Our Readers Write The Scoop Pup Profiles Calendar Marketplace Giveaways Horoscopes

COVER LOOK Actress Lisa Edelstein and her 17-year-old rescue dog, Wolf E., photographed by Eydis Einarsdottir. Hair by Randy Stodghill for Exclusive Artists; Makeup by Miriam Vukich for Exclusive Artists; Styling by Kevin Watroba for Exclusive Artists. Lisa’s blouse, Rebecca Taylor; jeans, Antik Denim. In USA: MODERN DOG (ISSN 1703-812X) Volume 7, Issue 2. Published quarterly by Modern Dog Inc. at 357 Martin St., Suite C, PO Box 1419, Blaine, WA 98231-1419. Periodicals postage paid at Blaine, WA and additional offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Modern Dog, PO Box 310402, Newington, CT 06131-0402

Mom, let’s say good-bye to animal by-products. Feed me BLUE. Most dog foods contain animal by-products and things you’d never feed your family. You’ll be surprised to know that many leading dog food brands use animal by-products, corn gluten and artificial preservatives while BLUETM uses only the finest natural ingredients — the kind you feed your own family. Plus, only BLUE contains LifeSource® Bits for an extra measure of protection. Learn the truth about what’s in your dog’s food at www.BlueForDogs.com.

Is your brand as healthy as BLUE? Your Brand

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

BLUE

Deboned Chicken, Fish or Lamb is the FIRST Ingredient Wholesome Whole Grains Garden Veggies & Fruit LifeSource® Bits All Natural* NO ANIMAL BY-PRODUCTS NO CORN, WHEAT OR SOY PROTEIN GLUTEN-FREE *Fortified with vitamins and minerals.

Compare the ingredients of your dog’s food to BLUE™ at www.BlueForDogs.com. Be TRUE. Feed BLUE.™

PHOTO LI N DS E Y DO N O V A N

E D ITO R ’S LE T T E R

e all have our favoured ways of recharging. When I feel mentally frazzled and need some down time, I take my dog, Kaya, for a walk. Somehow tuning into nature brings everything back into perspective and helps me reconnect with what’s truly important. I’ve clocked countless hours walking the sea wall or forest trails with Kaya by my side. When Kaya was a pup, I certainly didn’t have a choice. When you’ve got a rambunctious Pointer/Weimaraner cross bouncing off the walls (or sometimes eating the walls), there’s no getting away from two seriously long walks a day. Minimum. Which I readily admit at times felt like a task. But in one of life’s many reversals, my eagerness to get outside for a “nature fix” often supersedes hers now that she’s gotten older, slower, and rather arthritic. On our walks, I find myself reflecting on the many magical moments we have shared solely because of her insistence to get us outdoors. Though getting up at 5 am to stand shivering while she devours grass to ease an upset stomach or getting out of a snug, cozy bed to take her out for a midnight emergency bathroom break isn’t my idea of fun, it has been these times, when least expected, that I received some amazing gifts: a sunrise so spectacular words would only minimize its majesty; the clear, sweet song of a robin’s call breaking the early morning stillness; or a shooting star coursing across the vastness of the night sky. Annoyance forgotten, I became totally present and, in so doing, connected with my spirit and life around me. For this gift, I thank my dog, for she has unwittingly brought me to this wonderful place of consciousness. I truly believe our dogs help open the doors to enlightenment.

6 moderndog SUMMER 2008

And speaking of doors, it’s that time of the year when we physically throw them open to revel in the joys of summer. It’s time to get out the barbeque, go for a swim, play ball, or relax with friends, both two- and four-legged. This issue is chock full of ideas for summer fun with your dog. For suggestions on how to make your dog’s summer special, turn to “18 Awesome Activites” (p. 49). Or flip to page 32—“Dog Camp” will have you packing Fido’s (and perhaps your) bags in preparation for outdoor romps and campfire cookouts. If you’re seeking a great vacation destination, why not visit Portland, Oregon? We’ve researched the best pup-friendly places to shop, eat, stay, and play (p. 56). Or teach your dog a cool new trick (p. 16); find the latest rough and ready play toys (p.101), or get inspired by the “Xtreme Dogs” featured on page 78. This issue’s beautiful, talented cover girl, Lisa Edelstein, may be best known as Dr. Lisa Cuddy on Fox’s hit series House, M.D., but she’s a star in our books for her animal rescue role-modeling. Read all about her work on House, her 17-year-old (!) rescue dog, Wolf E, and her involvement in Best Friends Animal Society on p. 50. For canine health and wellness, check out Body and Soul’s “Herbs for Health,” “Canine Colour Therapy” and veterinary advice. If you’re more concerned with outer beauty, turn to “Diary of a Human-Grade Literalist” in which our own Brielle Morgan weighs in on the latest canine beauty products—by testing them on herself. From training problems (The Fab 5) to personal problems (Ask Dog Lady), to the aforementioned grooming problems, we’ve got you covered. Enjoy and have a great summer! Love,

Constance Wilson, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

When you are present in this moment, You break the continuity of your story, Of past and future. Then true intelligence arises, And also love. The only way love can come into your life Is not through form, but through That inner spaciousness that is Presence. Love has no form. —Eckhart Tolle, Findhorn Retreat: Stillness Amidst the World

C ON T R IBUT OR S SUMMER 2008 Publisher

Sandy Robins is an award-winning pet-

Editor-in-Chief

lifestyle expert and current winner of the HSUS’ Pets for Life Award. She hosts Pets on the Go on syndicated radio show Pet Talk with Harrison Forbes and also writes on pet travel for MSNBC.com. Her work appears regularly on MSN.com, as well as in national and international publications. Sandy lives in southern California and is a besotted pet-parent to a spoilt menagerie and “auntie” to every dog on the block. Her most passionate passion is spreading the word that adopted animals make wonderful lifelong friends. In this issue, Sandy explores canine camps offering dogs—and sometimes their owners, too—a romping good time (page 33).

Editor

VOL 7

NO 2

Modern Dog Inc. Connie Wilson Jennifer Nosek

Contributing Editor

Marian Buechert

Creative Director

Jennifer Nosek

Circulation Manager

Jessica Nosek

Design & Production

Carolyn Howse

Manager, Advertising/Sales

Brielle Morgan

Marketing & Administration

Elizabeth Kemp

Sales & Marketing Subscription Services & Accounting Assistant Controller

Photographer Lindsey Donovan is known for her unique documentation of popular culture and finding the “soul” in her subjects. She frequently combines her love for animals with her love of photography, working on the annual BC SPCA calendar as well as for their Paws for a Cause event. Recently, Lindsey photographed the impressive group of cantering canines at the High Run Agility Centre for Modern Dog’s “Running Naked” (Spring 08). In this issue, Lindsey captures the Irwins, a couple who put it all on the line for their labour of love, their just-opened dog daycare, though it seems where dogs are concerned, it’s never all work and no play (page 87).

•

Elizabeth Gardiner Ariel Castillo Cecilia de Roca Chan

Web Consultant

Dave Egan

Web Design Intern

Maggie Chok

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 7, 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 7, Issue 2. Published quarterly by Modern Dog Inc. at 357 Martin St., Suite C, PO Box 1419, Blaine, WA 98231-1419. Periodicals postage paid at Blaine, WA and additional offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Modern Dog, PO Box 310402, Newington, CT 06131-0402 PHONE (

604) 734-3131 (866) 734-3131

OR TOLL FREE

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

The publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, images, photographs or other materials.

Icelandic photographer Eydis S. Luna Einarsdottir received a B.A. in photography at Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California, and has been inseparable from her camera since. She has lived and worked in New York and California but now resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, in a home she shares with her partner and their 16-year-old cat. Eydis has shot three of the most popular Modern Dog fashion shoots ever (Fall 07, Winter 07/08, and Spring 08) and most recently traveled to LA to shoot this issue’s cover girl, Lisa Edelstein, with her dog Wolf E. at their Hollywood home (page 50).

8 moderndog SUMMER 2008

By accepting and publishing advertising the publisher in no way recommends, guarantees or endorses the quality of services or products within those advertisements. Copyright 2008 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. Oneyear subscription prices: Canada $18CAD, U.S.A. $15USD, foreign $45USD. Subscription orders and customer service inquiries should be sent to Modern Dog Subscription Services, Suite 202–343 Railway St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6A 1A4

PRINTED IN CANADA

www.moderndogmagazine.com Publications Mail Agreement Number 40743013 PAP Registration No. 11049 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Publications Assistance Program and the Canada Magazine Fund towards our mailing and editorial costs.

OU R RE A D E R S W R IT E Love for Angels So glad to see an article about Angel’s Gate (Spring 08). My Dad used to volunteer there and they took in his sick cat when my Dad passed away. It’s great to see them get this kind of exposure, getting the word out about this wonderful place for animals. Thanks for giving them the love and attention they deserve. Patricia Caltagirone, Garden City, NY

TAZ, A CHIHUAHUA MIX, BY MEGAN BROTHE RS , MA S S IL L O N , O H

Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?

We heart dogs—regardless of pedigree With every issue, I become more and more impressed with Modern Dog magazine! It really stands out from other canine publications. As the owner of a miniature Schnoodle, I especially love the representation of mixed breeds within your pages. It was wonderful to see the Puggle and Goldendoodle mixes in your “Spring Semester” fashion segment (Spring 08). Please keep showcasing these beautifully unconventional breeds! Andrea Barclay, Stouffville, ON

A miracle—I purchased your mag and my training problem was one of The Fab Five training questions! Thank you sooooooooo much. I will feed her by hand. She is 13 and I hope it is not too late. By email

You like us! You really do! After reading your magazine and becoming a subscriber, I did not think I could enjoy your magazine any more than I already do, but with each new issue I receive, it only gets better and better. I read every article and advertisement and am thoroughly delighted. Thank you for all your efforts, hard work, and the top quality magazine. Please keep up the good work. Joanne Gerosa, by email n I just wanted to tell you all that I look forward to every issue of Modern Dog. I breed Newfoundland dogs and I knit dog sweaters from their wool, so I like the fashion updates, as well as the very well written articles and beautiful photography. Thank you! Julie Jenkins, by email

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

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STUFF WE LOVE

Modern Dog staffers’ picks of the litter

1 Cute, comfortable, and cozy are my three operative words. Add “cave” to that list of descriptors and you’ve got a serious contender for best bed, at least for dogs that like to be well covered. I love this thing. —Esther, Miniature Dachshund and fuss pot ($130, lexielew.com)

2 I absolutely love these dog feeders made out of authentic reclaimed wooden wine boxes from prestigious

European, Chilean, or Californian vineyards. Not only are they chic looking, but earth friendly! –Lisi ($175, whineranddiner.net)

3 Cute, comprehensive, and timely, Eco Dog gives us alternatives to everyday dog products that contain chemicals, preservatives, and artificial ingredients. All-natural dog treats, shampoo, flea repellent, and household cleaning solutions are among the recipes and projects presented in this useful book. It’s nicely designed, too!—Carolyn ($17, chroniclebooks.com)

4 Doggies down under have been licking their chops over ZiwiPeak’s jerky treats. Now my dogs have given the New Zealand goodies a Canadian paws-up. Ingredients include minimum 85 percent lamb and lamb liver, fish oil, and parsley for sweet breath.—Marian ($6, ziwipeak.com)

5 My dog, Olly, has yet to reach that old, farting, arthritic stage but I’ve spent enough time with Kaya, Connie’s dog, to know what’s coming (gulp). To this end, I’ve introduced Olly to Vetraceuticals Daily Canine Health System, nutritional supplements that fight everything bad (i.e. cancer, arthritis, bad breath, flatulence) and promote all things good (high energy levels, lustrous coat, long lives). It’s fast, easy and worth it, if for no other reason than to offset the devastating effects of elderly canine flatulence. —Brielle ($30, vetra411.com)

6 Show your passion with an organic cotton dog tee—adoption’s always in fashion! –Kaya ($25, readmypaws.com) 7 Fetch? Please. We’re talking amateur, conformist, and so 1990s. If you really wanna show off your smarts, check

out Nina Ottosson’s dog puzzles. With a design that’s simple yet treat-inclusive, these puzzles require some major paw-eye coordination. Plus, people get such a kick out of watching me, whether I’m nosing triggers, sliding panels, or simply standing there with a stunned expression on my face. —Oliver ($21, pawlickers.com)

8 The Buddy Belt harness looks great and fits perfectly. It’s both comfortable and easy to put on, but most importantly, it protects your pulling dog from chocking himself and injuring his neck.—Ariel ($19, buddy-belts.com)

9 Kaya and I both love to wear Pixie Glass Works’ aromatherapy pendants. Fill these durable, one-of-a-kind handblown art-glass pieces with essential oils. Their spill-proof design traps the oil inside, allowing the healing essence to slowly diffuse throughout the day. Fill your own pendant with Pixie’s custom-blended oils such as “Goddess,” while high-strung dogs like Kaya benefit from the calming synergy of “Relax.” —Connie ($20, pixieglass.com)

10 Beach bum, jet setter, yummy mummy, weekend warrior—this moisture- and odour-resistant bag from Crypton with “material dog” print is the ultimate carryall for those on the go. – Jessy ($45, cryptonfabric.com) 11 When this hand-crafted custom appliqué pillow arrived, I was stunned—not only is the artistry amazing but the resemblance to Esther is uncanny. A truly amazing work of art and a wonderful gift sure to thrill any dog lover. —Jennifer ($229, bestfriendsstudios.com)

12 I’m bringing the mini backpack back. The Woof Pack, handmade from discarded leather apparel from

ReFIND Originals, is the perfect dog treat/wallet/key holder for walks—and prevents the dreaded “purse in the poo” mishap. —Liz ($62, refindoriginals.com)

& *

12 moderndog SU MMER 2008

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CANINE NEWS AND REVIEWS

Rover Takes Manhattan Looking for an excuse to visit the Big Apple this August? Look no further. Fashion goes to the dogs with New York Pet Fashion Week. Combining les chiens and chic, Pet Fashion Week features avant-garde pet styling, cutting-edge canine fashion shows, a kick-off party, and an industry symposium and trade show. If you’re part of the pet industry, it’s an event not to be missed. After all, hanging right next

PHOTO BY NATHAN SHANAHAN

to your “I Y NY” t-shirt are your “I Y dogs” and “I Y fashion” tees, right? August 23-24, industry only petfashionweek.com

Dog apparel by Fab Dog Human apparel by Jonathan Joseph Peters Styling by Annemarie Aldrich

Take Your Dog to Work…

PHOTO CONTEST WINNER CHICO

...on the annual day dedicated to just that. Friday, June 20 is Pet Sitters International’s Take Your Dog to Work Day. At Modern Dog we’re all about taking our dogs to work, so it’s only natural that MD is the official publication of the celebration. The idea behind Take Your Dog to Work Day is that your dog (well behaved, natch) can serve as an ambassador for his species and that dogless co-workers, duly impressed, will consider adding a dog to their household—by adopting a homeless shelter dog. Noble, right? Plus, you get to bring your dog to work! But remember, no slacking lest your workplace performance be upstaged by Rex. That brownnoser. petsit.com/tydtwd

14 moderndog SU MMER 2008

For a chance to see your hard working hound in the Fall 08 issue of Modern Dog, email a photo of your dog on the job to woof@moderndogmagazine. com. Modern Dog—giving new meaning to the phrase “working like a dog.”

Dog Days you say? You can curse the Romans when your lawn chair, parked in the kiddy pool, isn’t offering you any relief from the sultry “dog days” of summer. Although we can’t actually blame them for the heat, they did coin the term, and if it makes you feel better to point a finger, so be it. The expression “dog days” is derived from Sirius, the dog star, so named for the God Osiris whose head in pictograms resembles a dog. The ancient Romans observed that Sirius rose just before or at sunrise for 40 consecutive days during the summer months. It was said that when Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, rose in conjunction with the sun, it increased the amount of heat being emitted, making the days both stars were shining the hottest of the season. Though modern science has found that the addition of Sirius to the day sky has very little effect on the earth’s actual temperature, the term “dog days” endures. Today, the caniculares dies, or days of the dogs, only occur in the northern hemisphere and usually fall between July and September, depending on latitude and climate. In Roman times, a brown dog would be sacrificed to appease the rage of Sirius in hopes of more moderate temperatures. We recommend a more pleasant and undeniably less barbaric option involving cold beer, a rooftop patio, and very little clothing.—Elizabeth Kemp

THE SCOOP DOG TRICK

5 Easy Steps to Teach Your Dog to Wag His Tail By Andrea Arden

Is Poochie the next Picasso? Doggie DNA = MoMA-worthy Art

enetic science has a new application, that of generating conversation-starting abstract art. DNA 11 is a company offering portraits derived from your or your dog’s DNA sample. Adrian Salamunovic and his partner Nazim Ahmed started the company in 2005 from a small apartment, armed with just $2000 and an idea. Today, they have thousands of clients around the world and millions in revenue. Their DNA portraits have appeared at the Sundance Film Festival and on CSI:NY, featured as a clue in one of their episodes. Absolut Vodka has commissioned work and The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) features DNA 11 art in their New York and Tokyo museum stores. If you’d like to add your living room to this illustrious list, the process is quite simple. Select the portrait size and the palette from over a million possible colour combinations. Two to four people or pets can be combined on a single canvas. An easy to use Q-tip-based collection kit is then sent to you to swab the inside of your and/or your dog’s mouth. Simply send back the DNA collection kit and await your truly-modern art masterpiece, arguably the ultimate (or ultimutt) in portraiture. Prices range from $390 to $1200 and up. dna11.com

Modern Dog Poll n n

Celebrity Most Likely to Marry their Dog Jessica Simpson n Pamela Anderson Paris Hilton n Britney Spears

Go to moderndogmagazine.com to vote. 16 moderndog SU MMER 2008

One of the easiest tricks for just about any dog to learn is to wag her tail on cue. A wagging tail is often a dog’s way of expressing her enthusiasm, so this trick is likely to please your dog as much as you. No matter the length of your dog’s tail (even a little nub will do), you can add this to your dog’s trick repertoire as a way to communicate and have fun together. This trick exemplifies why gentle, motivation-based training is the fastest route to success. You aren’t likely to have much success with this trick if you try to force your dog to do it. Instead, use the things your dog most wants, whether a favourite toy, treat or praise, to get her to wag her tail. Step 1: Use a happy tone of voice (with most dogs, the sillier the better) to get your dog’s tail wagging, then say “yes” or use your clicker. Now offer her a tiny treat or toss her a toy to play with. Step 2: Choose a fun cue word or phrase such as “Wag it!” or “Are you a happy dog?” When you are confident your dog is about to wag her tail, say the cue word or phrase right before she does, then say “yes” or click, and reward. Step 3: Repeat during brief training sessions of about three to five minutes. It shouldn’t take too many repetitions for your dog to react to your chosen cue word or phrase with a happy wag, knowing she is about to get something wonderful. Step 4: Practice in many different environments and mix things up a bit by asking your dog to show off some of the other tricks you’ve taught her so you both stay motivated. Step 5: If your dog has a longer tail and tends to wag it enthusiastically, you can even turn this into two tricks by teaching her to wag her tail in a big circle like a helicopter (a cue phrase like “What does a helicopter do?” can be cute). Get your dog very excited and when you see her tail start to circle say “yes” or click, then treat. When you are confident you can get the tail circling, say your cue phrase right before so the two become associated. n

THE SCOOP Vending Machine…For Dogs Leashes and treats and poo bags, oh my! It happens to even the most diligent dog guardians: You get to the park, only to realize you’ve forgotten something. Having herself faced such frustration, dog lover and entrepreneur Carlotta Lennox came up with a solution for these “doh!” moments—a pet-focused vending machine stocked full of “clean-up” supplies, toys, treats, and water. The Hey Buddy! machine is brightly coloured (fire engine red to appeal to the workingdog Dalmatian demographic), convenient, and easily accessible, so long as you have opposable thumbs. It’s a veritable mini pet-store at the park. Several years of research and park-trotting ‘round Miami lead to the patent and placement of the first Hey Buddy! machine in Dallas, Texas, at the ideally named Bark Park Central dog park. Since the inaugural unveiling, six more Hey Buddy! machines have been placed at dog parks, dog washes, pet-friendly high-rises, and shopping malls in Texas, Florida, Arkansas, and Georgia, with more to come. Bummed that there isn’t one in your hood? Hey Buddy! offers franchising opportunities so you and Rex can not only be best friends, but business partners, too. heybuddyvending.com —Elizabeth Kemp

Top Dog’s Blog Our very own Editor-in-Chief, Connie Wilson, now has her very own blog. For video highlights from her morning walk to the dog park with Kaya, embarrassing staff photos, breaking Modern Dog news (Connie dancing on Ellen) and mini-crises such as the discovery of a resident tick, among other newsworthy subjects, visit Connie’s Blog on moderndogmagazine.com. We love reading your comments, so please do drop by and say hi.

Chemical-free Flea and Tick Prevention Kill and repel fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes with this all-natural recipe. The Flea and Tick remedy we provided in the Spring 08 issue omitted the necessary carrier oil from the recipe. A carrier oil is needed to dilute the essential oils to prevent dermal irritation. Be flea free with this corrected recipe!

Flea be Gone! • Peppermint Oil (Mentha piperita) • Cinnamon Leaf (not Cinnamon

Bark) oil (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) • Lemon Grass Oil (Cymbopogon

citratus) • Clove Oil (Syzygium aromaticum) • Thyme Oil (Thymus vulgaris CT

linalool) • A carrier oil, such as sweet almond

or jojoba In a small jar fitted with an eye-dropper lid, add 15mls (1/2 oz) of a carrier oil, one drop each of Thyme, Cinnamon Leaf and Clove, and four drops each of Peppermint and Lemon Grass. Shake well before applying drops to your dog’s neck and back, parting your dog’s hair so that the solution is applied to the skin. Use five drops per ten lbs of body weight. Do not apply to puppies under 12 weeks of age. Apply as frequently as every two weeks. Alternately, six drops of Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), four drops of Peppermint, and two drops of Lavender (Lavandula augustifolia) in 15 mls of a carrier oil can also be used to effectively repel fleas and ticks.

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THE SCOOP Academy Awards Canine Hollywood dogs no longer have to play second fiddle to their two-legged companion when stepping out for a red carpet event. Lara Alameddine and Daniel Dubiecki, husband-and wife duo and design team behind the A-listers go-to doggie line Little Lily, have created a canine couture collection inspired by this year’s Oscars fashions. From a red carpet vantage point, Lara choose her four favourite looks and, within 48 hours, had them recreated for our furry friends. Your dog can now mimic George Clooney’s suave style in a doggie-fitted re-creation of George’s Armani tux or channel Jennifer Garner’s smoldering look in a version of her Oscar de la Renta gown. Also available are two Marchesa dress lookalikes, one based on Anne Hathaway’s screen siren-worthy all-red ensemble, the other a dead-ringer for Jessica Alba’s classic Hollywood style. littlelily.com

Actress Anne Hathaway, dressed in Marchesa, arrives at the 80th annual Academy Awards

Because landfills are so 20th Century… When life gives you dog poo, make organic fertilizer. At least that’s what NatureMill would have us do. And why not? Unlike traditional backyard composting, NatureMill’s pet-friendly composter (made from recycled and recyclable materials) requires next to no effort. Essentially, all you have to do is drop in the poo, along with any other organic materials, such as kitchen scraps like coffee grounds, dairy, veggie peelings, fish or meat. The computerized composter takes care of the rest for you through a quiet, odour-free process of mixing, moisturizing, and heating. Approximately two weeks later, 70 percent of the initial waste has disappeared into thin air while the remaining 30 percent has gone from greasy bacon to flower food. Hurrah! It’s equipped to handle up to 120 lb of waste per month so if you have a Great Dane (with great big, er, deposits), it’s no worries! The composter fits easily under your kitchen sink (though the pet-friendly model is recommended for your patio because of the poo factor) and requires only a standard electrical outlet, making the NatureMill decidedly non-lifestyle-cramping. Plus, NatureMill uses only 5kwh of energy per month—less than a garbage truck would burn in fuel to haul the same waste. All in all, for $399, the whiz kids behind this San Francisco-born invention have given us a great alternative to contributing to the landfill. Both your conscience and the environment will cheer. naturemill.com —Brielle Morgan

18 moderndog SU MMER 2008

REUTERS/CARLO S BA RRIA

Oscar-inspired looks for pups with red-carpet aspirations.

THE SCOOP

Modern Dog Pup Profiles

Scooter

Koko Bean

Beau

Henry

Chanel

Chloe

Age: 13 Breed: Dalmatian Hometown: New York City, NY Nicknames: Scooter-Booder; BooHead; Honey Angel Likes: Belly rubs; tennis balls Dislikes: Baths; animal shelters (I was adopted from one in Dallas, TX) Favourite pastimes: Any time spent with Mom; watching Mom cook; watching Mom get ready for work; napping in the sun Favourite foods: Vienna sausages

Age: Three and a half Breed: Yorkie Hometown: Minneapolis, MN Nicknames: Henny; Babbas; “the baby”; Babalu; Lew Likes: Burying himself in the bed covers; lying in the sun; belly rubs; giving kisses in the morning Favourite pastimes: Chewing bones on Dad’s lap; playing ball; taking naps with Mom; long walks Favourite foods: His meaty dog food; bacon bones; bananas; and, every once in a while, one of Dad’s Cheetos

Age: 14 weeks Breed: Pomeranian Hometown: Monticello, MN Nickname: Koko Puff; Beanz Likes: Playing hide and seek with his big brother, Kasper Boo Bear Dislikes: Baths; bedtime; when we chase him while he’s running away with our stuff! Favourite pastimes: Stealing Barbie dolls and dragging them around by their hair Favourite foods: Cousin Dawn’s homemade dog jerky; anything he can run under the table with

Age: Three Breed: Maltese Hometown: Rancho Palos Verdes, CA Nicknames: Nells; Muffin Likes: Lounging in the sun; chewing on pant legs; being rubbed Dislikes: The mailman; swimming; baths Favourite pastime: Getting everyone’s attention! Favourite foods: Chicken; pizza; pasta; and any human food

Is your dog modern? Want to see your pup profiled in the pages of Modern Dog? Email us at doggieprofile@moderndogmagazine.com with a high-resolution photo (minimum 4 megapixel) and the above doggie data for a shot at stardom!

20 moderndog SU MMER 2008

Age: Three and a half Breed: Pit Bull/Shar Pei/Spare Parts Hometown: San Francisco, CA Nicknames: BeauDog; Mama’s Little Monkey Boy Likes: Retrieving tennis balls ‘til his mom’s arm nearly falls off; chasing squirrels; swimming/body surfing in the San Francisco Bay; riding co-pilot in his mom’s car Dislikes: Any and all vegetables; being left at home Favourite pastimes: Coaxing humans into belly rubs; cuddling Favourite food: Mom’s homemade liver brownies

Age: 18 months Breed: English Bulldog Hometown: Olathe, KS Nicknames: Chlo-Chlo-Ruff-Ruff; babygirl; puppy-poo Likes: Car rides; baths; belly rubs; puppy massages Dislikes: Bedtime and not getting attention Favourite pastime: Tug-of-war with her brother, Dexter; cuddling with Mommy and Daddy; chasing the kitties Favourite foods: Organic trout and potato; homemade doggie treats; amd the occassional fuzzball

By submitting photographic images to Modern Dog, you grant Modern Dog a perpetual, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, publish, distribute, and otherwise exercise all copyright and publicity rights with respect to those photographic images at its sole discretion, including storing it on Modern Dog servers and incorporating it in other works in any media now known or later developed including, without limitation, published books. If you do not wish to grant Modern Dog these rights, it is suggested that you do not submit photographic images. Modern Dog reserves the right to select, edit and arrange submissions, and to remove images from the Modern Dog website at any time at its sole discretion.

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CALENDARsummer events

June

June 7- 8 3

Make your hippie hound happy: Head to Toronto, ON, for Woofstock, the largest outdoor festival for dogs. Be sure to drop by Modern Dog’s festival headquarters and say hi (last year we were making free popcorn!) at this celebration of all things canine. woofstock.ca

June 8 Where else can Rover receive a blessing the same day he tries out an agility course? Lancaster, MA’s Whisker Walk is a funfilled day that raises money for multiple animal shelters and rescue groups throughout New England. whiskerwalk.org

June 22 Pets on the playground, pets in the pool, Pets in the Park! Join animal lovers of all sorts at Edmonton Humane Society’s biggest fundraising event of the year. edmontonhumanesociety.com

June 7 1

Put on those blue suede shoes, grab your hound dog, and pay tribute to the king at the Elvis Look-a-Like Parade during the 2008 Elvis Presley Festival in Tupelo, MS. tupeloelvisfestival.com/index.html

June 28 1

n Dog starting to look like a hog? Take him for a jog. Be part of the 21st Annual Dog N Jog in Kansas City, MO, and raise money for the no-kill shelter of the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City. hsgkc.org

n Join the 2500 dog lovers marching with their mutts at the Big Dog Parade and Canine Festival in Santa Barbara, CA. Don’t be fooled, dogs of all sizes are welcome at this, the U.S.’s largest dog parade. bigdogs.com

June 14 Grab Poochie and groove out to local bands in Battleship Park at the 7th annual Paw Jam in Wilmington, NC. pawjam.net

June 20 5

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n Dust off that top hat and spend an evening at the Black Tie & Tails Gala in Reisterstown, MD, in benefit of the Baltimore humane society. This is the hottest party in town for the coolest dogs in the city and the people who love them. baltimorehumane.org

And you thought you worked hard. Bring Fido to the office and give new meaning to the expression “working like a dog” (i.e. sleeping under the photocopier) on Take Your Dog to Work Day, the annual day dedicated to shelter dogs and making offices all over North America a little more canine-friendly. petsit.com/tydtwd

Bra, head to Imperial Beach, CA to see Spot surf during the Loews Coronado Bay Resort Surf Dog Competition, the nation’s largest surfing competition for man’s best friend. Canine counterparts are invited to hang 10 (or is that 20?) in support of Loews Hotels’ Good Neighbor policy. loewssurfdog.com

July July 1

Happy Canada Day, all you canine Canucks!

July 4 Wag the flag. Celebrate the stars and stripes—it’s Independence Day!

July 5 Brush out that socially-acceptable fur and bring your dog to the Telluride Colorado Conference Center for the annual Fur Ball. With music, gourmet dog treats, pet photography and more in benefit of the Second Chance Humane Society, we‘re sure PETA would approve. Call 970-6262273 for more details.

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To learn more about our incredible dog and cat foods, please visit www.nutrience.com. Available only where quality pet foods are sold.

CALENDAR summer events July 12 No dog is too sassy or high-brow, too scrappy or muttly for Poochapalooza. Help the folks in Marysville, WA, raise money for the city’s first off-leash dog park at this dog-centric festival. poochapalooza.org

August

August 7-10 He may not be able to leap over tall buildings in a single bound, but your super dog is still pretty darn super. Find out how he compares to the champs at the National Agility Championships in Sussex, NB. Not up to the competition? The over 500 talented dogs and handlers make for pretty good spectator sport as well. aacnationals.ca

August 16 Because Your Dog is Worth It Too! The

July 12-13 1

Watch the Puget Sound Dock Dogs catch big air at the Meet Me at Mill Creek Festival in Mill Creek, WA, or bring your own su-paw-star and give it a go. Added bonus: the event helps raise awareness for the American College of Internal Veterinary Medicine’s Chase Away K9 Cancer organization. pugetsounddockdogs.org

name says it all. Join L’Oreal staff, 5000 supporters, and all their four-legged best friends in Cranbury, NJ, for a fun-filled day benefiting the Susan G. Komen foundation in its fight to cure breast cancer. yourdogisworthittoo.com

August 23-24 5

The shows at Bryant Park have nothing on New York Pet Fashion Week. This industry-only symposium and trade show highlights the most cutting-edge canine couture, avant garde grooming techniques, and latest pet lifestyle innovations. Get next season’s trends straight from the runway, so you and Versace can strut your stuff like the pros. petfashionweek.com

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Created to educate, entertain, and celebrate the connection between humans and animals, the Animal Planet Expo is a great alternative to the dog park this summer. Head to Salt Lake City, UT, to see the highflying Frisbee dogs or meet one of Animal Planets celebrity dog experts. Can’t make it? Go to animal.discovery.com/features/ expo/expo.html for other North American tour venues and dates.

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moderndog photo contest wınners!

smile!

Bud

Desai

Gumbo

Jackson

Izzy

Elizabeth & Stopper

Winston Bailey

Lilo Belle

Winston Think your dog ought to grace the pages of Modern Dog? Send us photos of your picture-perfect pooch! The winning entries will be published in the Fall 08 issue. Send photos to: Modern Dog Photo Contest, Suite 202, 343 Railway St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6A 1A4. Submitted photographs are property of Modern Dog and will not be returned. Please include your name, dog’s name and breed, address and contact info, including telephone number. Please send 4 x 6 print photographs or enter online at moderndogmagazine.com. By submitting photographic images to Modern Dog, you grant Modern Dog a perpetual, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, publish, distribute, and otherwise exercise all copyright and publicity rights with respect to those photographic images at its sole discretion, including storing it on Modern Dog servers and incorporating it in other works in any media now known or later developed including, without limitation, published books. If you do not wish to grant Modern Dog these rights, it is suggested that you do not submit photographic images. Modern Dog reserves the right to select, edit and arrange submissions, and to remove images from the Modern Dog website at any time at its sole discretion.

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MAGINE LANDING YOUR DREAM JOB

right after graduating from university; then imagine being launched into Broadway stardom just two years after that. Sound surreal, amazing…maybe supercalifragilisticexpialidocious? Not if you’re Ashley Brown, who stepped off the campus of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music straight into a touring production of On the Record and from there into the starring role of Belle in Beauty and the Beast. Currently, she is headlining Disney’s hit revival of Mary Poppins. Behind this Broadway star stands the love of her life, Eddie Brown, a spunky 18-month-old French Bulldog, whose love of the theatre graces everyone he meets. We caught up with the very talented, ridiculously busy Brown to find out what her beloved Eddie thinks about her stage success. MD: How’s Eddie handling your Broadway success? AB: He loves it, are you kidding! He loves everybody. My fans even ask about Eddie Brown. MD: The cast and crew must just adore him. AB: At his birthday party, they made baked goods for him. Usually if it’s anybody’s birthday, we always sing happy

Just a Spoonful of Sugar An interview with Ashley Brown, Broadway’s darling. By Marni Wedin Photograph by Joan Marcus

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birthday and eat cake. More people showed up to Eddie Brown’s birthday then for anybody else. He got so many presents. There were 40 people in the hallway singing Happy Birthday to a dog. MD: Does Eddie Brown ever give you acting notes? AB: (laughs) He sings with me. I wish you could hear it. When he was a puppy, I was in my dressing room, warming up as normal and he started singing. I said to my dresser, can you hear that? From now on, he sings everything in my warm-up. MD: Besides singing talent, are there other character traits you and Eddie share? AB: (laughs) Not that I know. MD: What’s it like playing Mary Poppins? AB: It’s amazing. You know, I watched the movie so many times when I was little. To be in the shoes of Julie Andrews, opening a show on Broadway, I dreamt of this my whole life. It’s not an everyday happening for somebody. I get to fly, I get to sing, dance, and it’s just amazing. MD: Do you think Eddie aspires to take to the stage or the movies one day? AB: (laughs) I really do think, and this is going to sound clichéd, because every mom thinks their kid’s the cutest and yes, by the way, I called him my kid. This dog is so photogenic, it’s ridiculous. He’s always look-

ing at the camera. I’ve trained him enough that he’s a great dog—he sits, he stays and all that. But to actually be in movies, he’d have to be really trained. But, you know, I bet he could do it. He was sitting and staying when he was just six months old. I think modeling, though, would be the first thing he would try. MD: What have you learned from Eddie? AB: Unconditional love. People thought I was crazy because I got him right after we opened Mary Poppins. He makes me laugh. He doesn’t care who I am. That’s what I love about him. Being Mary Poppins sometimes I feel like, especially in the beginning, you’re around a lot of press, a lot of pressure, other actors. Which is all fantastic, but it was nice to just come home and be with him. We just have such a great time. He has a great personality and does the most ridiculous things. I think he’s lit up the whole theatre. Everybody says that when we leave, they don’t know what they’re going to do. He’s made the theatre a big home for everybody. MD: If you and Eddie could co-star in something, what would it be? AB: (laughs) I think someone needs to write a show for us. He is quite the catch. I will just ride on his shirt tails because he’s obviously the star. Maybe he’ll let me join him. n

“I dreamt of this my whole life. It’s not an everyday happening for somebody.”

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Dog Camp Canine kids head for summer camp, bonfires and all. BY SANDY ROBINS Illustration by Jess Golden

getting their owners. Sevier harnesses them in and off Tennessee finds two Pugs, Mingus they go without a backward glance. and Stella, waiting outside Dizzy’s In Vancouver, British Columbia, the story is the Dog Wash and Corner Store on the same. Sophie a yellow Labrador also knows she’s corner of Heather Place and Dogwood Street with their going on a doggie vacation. She can pick up on the “mom” Janet Shands. They are jumping up and down vibes at home—that along with the fact that there are excitedly because they know what suitcases at the front door. She refuses being here means; they are waitto leave the window, waiting for the ing for the Almost Home Pet Farm familiar sound of the white Camp The dogs rush to shuttle that’s going to take them Good Dog van to arrive. With any board the bus and luck, some of her doggie pals will also to doggie camp for a week of fun while Shands is out of town. be there during this visit. climb on to the Across the continent, in Dog camps are springing up all over seats, totally forgetPortland, Oregon, a yellow North America. Gone are the days of ting their owners. Labrador Retriever named Maddie sending your pet to a sterile boardis standing with her pet parent ing kennel facility while you are out Barbara Beath at the Gabriel Park of town. Nowadays, choices abound, Dog Park on the corner of SW 45th Avenue and SW from stylish pet hotels to camp environments that have Vermont Street. There are other people and their pets been likened to vacation resorts, offering canine guests waiting, too. When a little yellow school bus comes home-away-from-home comforts and lots of activities around the corner, all the dogs strain on their leashes. to ensure that they won’t suffer from separation anxiThe doors swing open and out steps Sam Sevier, camp ety and miss their people. counselor from the Double Dog Ranch. The dogs rush Maddie is one lucky dog; she gets to go to camp to board the bus and climb on to the seats, totally forthree to four times a year. “The moment she sees that ONDAY MORNING IN NASHVILLE,

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yellow school bus, she knows where she’s going and totally forgets about me. It’s like I no longer exist,” says Beath. “She just loves it. When she comes home, she sleeps for about two weeks. Partly because she’s exhausted and also I think she’s sulking and bitter because she had to leave. Home is so boring by comparison.” “It’s all about free play under supervision,” explains Sevier who, along with his wife Lorinda Gayl, take on the role of surrogate pet parents at the Double Dog Ranch. “People ask how often we let the dogs out and are amazed when I say only once; they’re out all day. We only bring them in at night to sleep.” Anything goes at the Almost Home Pet Farm, too. “Of course there are some rules,” explains Rita Hogan, “but basically dogs are invited to share my home and sleep wherever they would curl up if they were in their own homes.” Pugs Mingus and Stella choose to curl up on Hogan’s bed and that’s just fine with her—just so long as another very large guest named Hudson isn’t also staying. “He also opts for the bed, leaving very little space for other canines let alone me!” says Hogan. She prides herself on running a totally

holistic canine vacation experience. “There is non-toxic paint on our walls and I use organic cleaning materials. Dogs bring their own food but we like to suggest a holistic dog food diet, too.” Many dog camps, such as Vancouver’s Camp Good Dog, also offer training courses. “If any of our guests have behavioural issues that need correcting, I work with them during their stay,” explains Deborah Wolfe. “For example, if someone complains that their dog keeps jumping up on them for attention, I train the dog to sit if it wants to be petted. When the owners show up, I simply give them a lesson on how to maintain this behaviour. Problem solved. Dogs are usually very willing and fast learners.” No matter where they are situated, all these camp facilities offer canine guests the opportunity to enjoy romping in several acres of beautiful countryside with a swimming pond and wonderful locations to dig, sniff, and get down and dirty. “Often city life doesn’t give dogs the opportunity to be dogs,” explains Wolfe. “I have lots of campers that come once a week or for a couple of days even if their owner’s aren’t travelling anywhere themselves.” When Lisa Crippen of Portland, Oregon, had hip surgery she sent her Doberman,

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ILLUS TRA TIO N JE S S GO L DE N

They enjoy nights around a campfire and curl up and go to sleep together.

Beaumont, to the Double Dog Ranch to ensure that he got proper exercise on a daily basis. “It was difficult for me to take him for regular walks,” explained Crippen. “So he got to go to camp and hang out with doggie playmates. As a result, I didn’t have to feel guilty watching him staring longingly at the front door waiting to go out. When we came to fetch him, he came up to say ‘hello’ and then ran right back to play with his friends.” Because not all tourist attractions are pet-friendly, visitors who are traveling with their pets are also checking their dogs in to a camp facility while they go off for a few days to do some touristy things. “This way, dog owners know their pets are in good hands and simultaneously having lots of fun,” says Joseph James owner of The Dog Adventure Camp in Columbia Gorge in Stevenson, Washington. He has many dogs from Britain and Europe visiting while their owners visit the gorge and other popular sights in the area. “Many of the hotels in the vicinity of our camp are beginning to tell guests about the types of facilities that are available to pets, and tourists are taking advantage and letting their pets off leash to have a mini vacation of their own.” For any dog owner who thinks that their dog is having too much fun without them, there are also facilities that take people, too. At Camp Gone to the Dogs, dogs and their pet parents get to spend a week doing a range of outdoor activities together at various locations in Vermont. They enjoy nights around a campfire and curl up and go to sleep together. This year, the fall camps take place in Stowe, Vermont, in August and September and campers can sign on for a range of fun doggie pastimes, such as lure coursing, flyball, agility, tracking, herding, and dock diving. Camp Dogwood in Chicago, Illinois, also caters to dogs and their people with action-packed weekend camps that cater to canines of all ages and sizes. Apart from dog sports, campers can also participate in various art and craft workshops, such as the dog-themed take on a classic camp-craft, paw sandcastings. The choice of accommodation ranges from log cabins

to tents and if you don’t enjoy roughing it, there are warm comfortable beds at nearby off-site hotels. Back in Canada, Dog Paddling Adventures in Richmond Hill, Ontario, offers lots of organized outdoor adventures giving dogs a chance to hang out in a pack while their owners meet and mingle. “We offer excursions all over Canada,” explains Kathryn Howell. “The adventures are designed to match the seasons. There’s skijoring (cross-country skiing with your dog) and snowshoeing excursions in the

winter, canoeing and paddling adventures in the summer months, and wonderful hikes during spring and fall. Unlike when the neighbours sent little Timmy to camp, it’s doubtful you’ll have to worry about Rex making friends or writing postcards detailing his debilitating homesickness. And it’s not necessary to have had any prior camp experience or practice in any of the activities offered. Whether you choose to accompany your four-legged charge or send him off for some fun on his own, a doggone good time is guaranteed. n

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BR E E D P RO F I LE

The French Bulldog Cross-channel charmer By Marian Buechert

36 moderndog SU MMER 2008

COLLARS

LEADS

CARRIERS

ORGET THE BATTLES OF AGINCOURT, TRAFALGAR, AND

Waterloo, and the violent debate over whether croissants or crumpets constitute the superior breakfast. It’s time to turn the page on the international incident that arose when those four Liverpudlean lads forced their oh-so Anglo tongues around “Michelle, ma belle.” The longstanding rivalry between the British and the French has come to a perfect détente in the sweet, petite French Bulldog. Like shortbread enrobé in chocolate, the stocky, charming dogs with the distinctive bat ears are a case of something wonderful originating in Britain and then given a bit of élan—French flair. In the early 19th century, British fanciers experimented with breeding a toy-sized Bulldog, a variation that proved popular with the artisan class, particularly the lace-makers of Nottingham. When the Industrial Revolution brought hard times to these artisans, many of them moved to France, taking their miniature Bulldogs with them. The French embraced the little dogs, crossed them with various other breeds, most likely Spanish bulldogs and terriers, and began calling them les Bouledogues Francais. Once the Brits had puzzled out that this meant “French Bulldog,” they were not amused. “There is only one Bulldog and he is British!” was the outraged reaction. Despite this opposition,

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LADIES OF THE NIGHT OFTEN POSED FOR RISQUÉ POSTCARDS WITH THEIR FRENCH BULLDOGS. the name stuck and Frenchies thrived. By the turn of the 20th century, they were la mode on both sides of the Channel and across the Atlantic in the United States, where the newly formed French Bulldog Club of America (FBCA) held its posh 1898 show at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. The Frenchie was at home in all social spheres, from the streets of Paris, where ladies of the night often posed for risqué postcards with their French Bulldogs, to the decks of the Titanic; one unfortunate Frenchie perished with the famous ship, no doubt little consoled by the fact that he was insured for the then-enormous sum of $750. After the First World War, the breed’s popularity dropped dramatically, and through the middle part of the 20th century, it was considered almost a rare breed. Today, with many people looking for small, shorted-haired, personable dogs that can fit into an urban lifestyle, the French Bulldog is making an astonishing comeback, leaping from 76th to 34th position in American Kennel Club (AKC) registrations over the past ten years. As Frenchies are seen on the arms of celebrities such as Reese Witherspoon,

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burley.com

38 moderndog SU MMER 2008

Leonardo DiCaprio, and Nathan Lane, their popularity can only increase. Websites devoted to the breed abound, and include one called frogdog.org. Favoured colours include brindle (which can be so dark as to seem almost black), fawn or cream, white, and brindle and white. Frenchies should not be more than 28 pounds and, although they would happily convince their owners otherwise, should not be fed so much that they carry excess weight. The face of a Frenchie should be her fortune: round, intelligent eyes, a wrinkled forehead, and large, erect ears set off the extremely short nose and wide, square jaw. The hind legs are longer than the fore, which gives the breed a slightly roached back, and a naturally short and often “screwed” tail should complete the overall silhouette. The only function of today’s French Bulldog is that of love sponge and comfortable companion and, as such, she should be as the AKC standard describes: “well behaved, adaptable…active, alert, and playful, but not unduly boistrous.” Generally very social with both human and canine friends, she is sometimes a clown and glories in being the centre of attention. Before rushing out to join the ranks of those won over by the endearing expression and affectionate personality of the Frenchie, prospective owners must recognize that this breed is subject to a number of physical and health challenges. Because they have big heads, wide shoulders, and narrow pelvises, Frenchies can rarely give birth naturally; Caesarean births are the norm. This means that the puppies are usually expensive com-

pared to some other breeds and that owners should never consider breeding their dogs without a serious commitment of money plus expert knowledge. The owner who wants to breed Sweetums just so that he can have cute puppies around should realize that none of the puppies might survive and he might lose Sweetums as well. Like all short-faced dogs, Frenchies are particularly sensitive to heat and cold and must not be expected to exercise strenuously under those conditions. The breed is prone to juvenile eye cataracts and premature vertebral disc degeneration, as well as skin irritations between the facial wrinkles and impacted anal glands at, um, the other end. The FBCA includes excellent health information on their website (frenchbulldogclub.org) in a page titled “A Letter to my Vet.” Snorting, wheezing, flatulence, and other natural noises are a part of the breed’s normal physiology, but the true French Bulldog lover will not be put off by any of this. In her book French Bulldog, Muriel P. Lee writes: “When I bought my first Frenchie, my breeder said ‘When you buy a Frenchie, you ask, Does he snore? Does he fart? If the answer is yes to both, you have a good dog.’” Picture the English Bulldog as the iconic British breed and the idea of a “French” Bulldog may seem like a load of tommy-rot. Yet, like the genius who first paired French fries with English cod to create that pinnacle of plebian gastronomy, fish n’ chips, we should revel in this unlikely cross-cultural partnership and declare, “Vive le Bouledogue Francais!” n

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Dress Your Dog

Help! I need a look that says: “Into the wild.”

“Wag the dog.”

“Hawaii 5-oh”

So, okay, this isn’t exactly a clothing item but we all know it’s really about the gear. wagwear.com

Bikini beach party! funnyfur.com Stars-and-stripes tie: When business and patriotism meet. poochoutfitters.com

Surfs up! Throw on your tie-dyed “2 Big Sur w Love” tee, grab your board, and hit the beach. bullywareny.com

Over hill or dale, Muttluks boots keep paws protected. muttluks.com Be both extreme and extremely safe in Ruff Wear’s reflective K-9 Float Coat lifejacket. ruffwear.com

For warm ups and cool downs, a lightweight track jacket is indispensable. sassypup.net

Lightweight, breathable, water-resistant, reflective—a high performance jacket for high performance dogs. zentekclothing.com

Let your leanings be known with a political tee. kwigy-bo.com

Show your true colours with a red, white, and blue Shag-a-loo collar. articoproducts.com

Chill when it’s chilly in a hemp terry “surfer” hoodie. wagwear.com

Protection is a must. Epi-Pet sunscreen spray for dogs. epi-pet.com

Ditto. Get where you’re going with this Travel Pod car seat/ carrier. hamishmcbeth.com

Call it like you see it. “Beach bum” handmade, light-weight tag. fetchingtags.net

Campaign for change with a “Wag More Bark Less” bumper sticker. agathaandlouise.com

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by Patricia Komar Photographed by Lindsey Donovan

42 moderndog SU MMER 2008

The Scoop on

poop

Innovative new products take the “ew” out of poo. By Brielle Morgan

NARGUABLY, SH*T HAPPENS—AND MUCH LESS DISCREETLY

where our dogs are concerned. In recognition and perhaps in celebration of this fact, some very practical—and, in some cases, wildly imaginative—poop products are flooding the market. Moreover, lots of companies are making the jump from brown to green; with an array of environmentally-friendly alternatives to the old plastic-bag routine, our dogs’ dumps don’t have to end up in the dump. But whether you’re eager to set an environmentallyfriendly example with Rover’s poop protocol or simply looking for a substitute for the squishy pick-up, the following list proves at least one thing…the detested pick-up is fertile inventor fodder.

Better Bags Overwhelmed landfills and endangered wildlife = big problems. While not the perfect solution, biodegradable plastics are certainly a step in the right direction. Max & Co makes a biodegradable bag with d2w additive, which enables the bags to start degrading into CO2 and H2O after twelve months. And for those hard-to-findpoops, K9bags’ cute and compact dispenser, equipped with biodegradable bags, hand sanitizer, and an L.E.D. flashlight, will have you feeling like a CSI poop specialist. maxnco.com; k9bags.com

Backyard Business Instead of trashing your dog’s doodie, send it back to Mother Earth. Doggie Dooley’s pet waste disposal system “works like a miniature septic tank, utilizing enzyme and bacteria action to automatically reduce dog waste to a ground absorbing liquid.” How cool is that? doggiedooley.com

Penthouse Poopy Got an apartment-dwelling elderly dog and/or a pee-happy puppy? You should get a canine potty! If you’re picturing your scruffy mutt sitting on the porcelain with his favourite camo pants around his ankles and the Sunday Times crossword in his lap, well, that’s funny. However, your dog will likely feel more comfortable doing his business on a portable dog potty from PupGear. With antibacterial odour control, paw-friendly synthetic grass and a design that permits instant drainage, this potty’s got it goin’ on. Also worth checking out is Royal Hound’s potty, “the throne,” featuring minimalist design and removable catch tray. pupgearcorporation.com; royalhound.com

Full Service Feces Can’t stomach the idea of picking up after your dog? Companies like The Pet Butler will do the dirty work for you. Simply go to the petbutler.com, enter your zip code and find out whether you live in one of the 1500 towns they service. This is an excellent service for people with physical conditions that make poop pick-up difficult. Or the lazy and squeamish.

It’s My Poop in a Box My Scoopbox advocates doo-ing it in style. Seems this company channeled all their favourite childhood games (origami, cat’s cradle, and kick the can) to come up with a poop-snaring, collapsible, biodegradable box on a string. Their invention takes bending, touching and plastic out of the picture. Intrigued? Visit myscoopbox.com/demo2.php to check out a demo video. See also skooperbox.com for no-touch poop-scoopage.

Operation Bowel Movement Consisting of a leash, collar, harness, droppings device, droppings pouch, and a pack, the Super Catcher makes pooping less an average occurrence than a full-scale production. And if you can successfully implement the TWENTY-SIX usage instructions on the site, this baby makes for an awesome party trick (I particularly liked being harnessed.). fellowlike.com.tw/en/

Cool Stool Harboring a secret desire to either: a) graffiti the world or b) bring back the teased bang with a vengeance? If so, consider satisfying your raging need to spray something with a round of environmentally-friendly poop spraying. With Poop Freeze’s unique CFC-free product, you simply spray your dog’s poop, wait ten seconds for it to, er, crust and then scoop it up, mess-free! poopfreeze.com n

moderndogmagazine.com

DR. DOG Turns out dogs are playing an integral role in the crusade against cancer. By Stanley Coren Illustration by Michelle Hayden-Marsan

LROY HAS JUST DISCOVERED ANOTHER CASE OF BLADDER CANCER. SCORNING THE USUAL

diagnostic paraphernalia, he used only his excellent sense of smell. Elroy did not finish medical school, received only three weeks of training, and is neither an oncologist nor a laboratory technician. In fact, he is a dog—a chocolate-coloured Labrador Retriever— who is part of an unusual but valuable task force attacking the problem of human cancer. In this fight, dogs play a number of different roles; some, like Elroy, directly involved with patient care, and some behind the scenes. Because of dogs like these, Bruce Black in Toronto still walks on two legs, while Arlene Goldberg in Chicago has been cured of her potentially fatal cancer; in Bruce’s case it was work done with dogs that helped him, while in Arlene’s case it was work done by dogs that saved her life. Let’s consider Bruce’s case first. Traditionally, research on cancer has been done using rats and mice. Unfortunately, scientists have found that many drugs that help cure artificially induced cancer in rodents don’t work as well with humans. For this reason, in 2003, the National Cancer Institute began the Comparative Oncology Program, which designs trials involving dogs with naturally occurring cancers. Dogs are a good choice, since cancer is the leading cause of diseaserelated death in dogs older than age two. Also, dogs and people develop the same kinds of cancer including melanoma, lymphoma, and bladder, mouth, sinus, and prostate cancer. The most frequent bone cancer in pet dogs is osteosarcoma, which is the same cancer that strikes human teenagers like Bruce. A look down a microscope shows that cancer cells from a teenager with osteosarcoma are identical to bone cancer cells from a Golden Retriever. Dogs are genetically closer to people than mice and canine DNA has already been mapped. Thus, we know that the gene that causes brown eyes in people is the same gene that causes brown eyes in a dog. Purebred dogs have an extra advantage. Humans, much like “mutt” dogs, breed randomly, while the breeding of pedigreed dogs is controlled and their DNA remains

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relatively consistent. In humans, searching for cancer-causing genes is like trying to listen to a radio that’s out of tune with lots of static. In purebred dogs, a lot of that background interference is removed, allowing scientists to pinpoint a particular cancer-related gene—much like tuning in a radio. Evolution designed both dogs and humans to live long enough to successfully reproduce and rear their children. Unfortunately after we have reproduced it seems that evolution has no concerns about how rapidly we fall apart. This makes us poorly equipped to resist or repair damage that accumulates in our bodies—damage that can eventually unbalance cells enough to result in cancer. In the distant past, neither dogs nor humans normally lived long enough to become afflicted with age-related cancers. Dogs and humans also share environmental risk factors for cancers. Unlike lab rats or mice, pet dogs live in our homes, breathe the same indoor air that we do, drink the same water, and are exposed to the same living conditions as their human owners. Lab rats don’t get cancer, they are artificially given cancer. In the Comparative Oncology Program studies on dogs, the cancers are naturally occurring, and because of that, they serve as environmental watch dogs to identify cancer-producing substances in our lives. For example, mesothelioma is a form of cancer resulting from contact with asbestos. In humans, symptoms may not appear until 30 years after exposure. In dogs,

46 moderndog SU MMER 2008

however, the time between exposure and diagnosis is much shorter—less than eight years. This means that the appearance of mesothelioma in a pet dog can alert people to look for and remove any remaining environmental sources of asbestos. Furthermore, careful monitoring of the dog’s owners can lead to earlier diagnosis of the cancer, when it is still curable.

Arlene’s case is quite different. She owes her life directly to her Cocker Spaniel, Duffy. Dogs have already proven their value as early warning systems. Between 1975 and 1995, the incidence of bladder cancer in dogs in North America increased sixfold for no apparent reason. Since terriers appeared to be most affected, researchers interviewed the owners of Scottish Terriers with bladder cancer. Researchers found that dogs whose owners had used phenoxy acid herbicides on their lawns were more than five times more likely to have cancer. Scientists also found that diet could have a protective effect, since Scotties that ate green leafy vegetables three times a week showed a 90 percent reduction in their risk of cancer. The human implications are obvious. Researchers at the Animal Medical Center and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York have developed a vaccine that works for melanoma.

It uses DNA from mice or humans to trigger an anticancer immune response in dogs. The key ingredient is tyrosinase, an enzyme associated with the black pigment found in melanoma cells. Injected into a dog, the tyrosinase changes into a protein that is seen as foreign because it is from a different species. The immune system responds by attacking the tyrosinase found in the melanoma, breaking it down. In four clinical tests, the drug quadrupled the average survival time of dogs with the disease, eradicated some cancers, and had few side effects. It is already licensed for animal use and, based on the canine data, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted permission to begin human trials. All of this brings us back to Bruce and the osteosarcoma discovered on his leg. Twenty-five years ago, such a diagnosis meant amputation of the leg and, without effective drugs to attack the tumours, almost certain death. Today, the situation is a happier one. Research, much of it done on Golden Retrievers by Stephen Withrow and his colleagues at Colorado State University, has shown that chemotherapy delivered directly into an artery can convert an inoperable tumour into an operable one. Amputation can be avoided by chipping out the diseased bone tissue and replacing it with a bone graft and metal implant, which is why Bruce still can walk on his own two legs. Arlene’s case is quite different. She owes her life directly to her Cocker Spaniel, Duffy, who developed an annoy-

ing habit of jumping up on her and sniffing and nipping at a mole on the back of her neck. He was so persistent that Arlene mentioned it to her doctor. He removed the mole and had a biopsy done. A few days later Arlene was back in the hospital to have the surrounding skin removed since the mole turned out to be a virulent form of melanoma which could have killed her if it had metastasized. For many years there have been anecdotal reports of dogs who detected cancer in their owners. Recent controlled studies confirm that dogs can detect cancer as well, or better, than traditional medical screening techniques. Carolyn Willis of Amersham Hospital in England and her associates demonstrated that dogs can be trained to recognize bladder cancer. They used sets of six urine samples belonging to patients who were either healthy or suffered from some other disease, plus a sample from a patient with bladder cancer. Neither the researchers doing the testing nor the six dogs had any way of knowing in advance which sample was cancerous until after the dogs made their choices. In one instance, the dogs kept identifying a sample that medical staff had asserted was cancer-free. “The trainers just couldn’t train the dogs past this particular sample at all,” Willis said. “They were really getting quite desperate that this wasn’t going to work. Because the dogs consistently went for that one sample, we went back and conferred with a specialist.” Andy Cook, one of the trainers, describes what happened next. “The hospital had seen our dogs’ work and had confidence in them, so they sent it [the sample] off for further tests. They were completely blown away when it came back that this patient actually did have undiagnosed bladder cancer.” Willis reported another instance where a dog detected cancer that had been missed by a doctor. “One of the three breast cancers, which we’ve had picked up by dogs, turned out to be a very, very small focus of malignancy, undetectable unless screened. This was removed, and the dog immediately lost interest. But three months later, it began sniffing, snuffling and becoming agitated again when sitting on her lap. So, she shot

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Doggie Paw Delites are baked using only the highest quality natural human grade ingredients. (No preservatives or additives.)

back to the hospital, and lo and behold, they had missed a tiny bit of cancer!” Some dogs seem to spontaneously recognize cancer. However, recent work shows how quickly and effectively dogs can be trained to do this. Michael McCulloch of the Pine Street Foundation in San Anselmo, California, and his colleagues needed only three weeks of training to teach five pet dogs to detect lung or breast cancer by sniffing the breath of participants. The trial itself involved 86 cancer patients and 83 healthy patients. The dogs sniffed breath samples captured in special tubes and were trained to sit down in front of a test station with the cancerous sample. The results were spectacular, showing that dogs can detect breast and lung cancers with an average of better than 90 percent accuracy. A trained dog has the potential of screening more than 12,000 people for cancer in its lifetime, making the investment of time to produce cancer-detecting dogs good economics as well as good medicine. Perhaps sometime in the future, that “lab test” that you get for possible cancer may well come in the form of some educated sniffing by a Labrador Retriever like Elroy! n

FREE STUFF

Roo Your Do Having a bad hair day? Comb those kinks and flatten the flyaways with a grooming set from Hamish McBeth. 12 furry friends will win a complete grooming package with storage bag. For contest details, see page 130. hamishmcbeth.com

Loo, Loo, Skip to My Loo

Order online at www.doggiepawdelites.com 48 moderndog SU MMER 2008

Urban dogs rejoice! One lucky city-dweller will win a Mini Pet Loo, a dog’s own in-apartment private john. Dogs, this is perfect for those unfortunate times when your human can’t get her shoes on fast enough. The lawn-toilette has the natural feel of grass and contains waste in an easy-to-clean designated area. For contest details, turn to page 130. thepetloo.ca

Make Your Dog Smile!

18 Awesome Activities to do with your dog this summer—they ain’t called the dog days for nothing

From the doghouse to penthouse: Pamper your pooch at Vancouver, BC’s Opus hotel. Their “A Dog’s (Bed And) Breakfast package” includes a night in a chic guestroom and breakfast for two, plus doggie treats, toys, plush pet bed, and—what else—a copy of Modern Dog. opushotel.com

Pack your bags for “Sweet Willy,” the world’s biggest wooden Beagle/guesthouse at the Dog Bark Park Inn in Cottonwood, ID. dogparkbarkinn.com

Hang at The Black Dog Café in Martha’s Vineyard and see who of the who’s who of Hollywood is vacationing on the island this summer. Sadly, Rover will have to wait outside with the rest of the puparazzi. theblackdog,com

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Arrange a private tour and tasting for you and your dogs at Mutt Lynch Winery in Healdsburg, CA. They’ll even host puppy showers or “Bark” Mitzvahs. muttlynchwinery.com

Fancy a frolic? Everyone likes long walks on the beach. Visit the mile-long pristine Huntington Dog Beach on the Californian coast. dogbeach.org

Take advantage of Midwest Airline’s Premium Pet Program and earn points for free flights for you and Fido so you can get the heck out of Fargo and cargo. midwestairlines.com

Sing Three Dog Night’s Summer in the City; cue Rover to join in on the chorus. “and babe don’t you know it’s a pity…oww-oWW!” Take this on the road and you may just be able to finance your summer vacation—when people pay you to stop.

For irresistible retro kitsch, there’s no surpassing the iconic 1950s Superdawg DriveIn. Order two Superdawgs and share with your furry co-pilot. 6363 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL superdawg.com

Road trip! Map out the 30-plus monuments across North America that honour police dogs and hit the road in tribute. cpwda.com/k9_monuments.htm

Grab some dogs of the all-beef variety and a six’er of Bowser Beer and throw a barbeque for friends of all number of legs. 3busydogs.com

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Just because he’s got four legs doesn’t mean you can’t ship him off to camp like other parents. dogcamp.com

Tell your dog to “take a hike”—and join him. Check out hikewithyourdog.com to find a tail-friendly trail.

Help Rexy shed that winter weight. Grab a Furminator and get to business on that cold-weather coat. furminator.com Visit the Charles M. Schulz museum in Santa Rosa, California and pay your respects to Snoopy. You may even discover your inner cartoonist at one of their summer workshops. Your Beagle is welcome on the grounds but will have to wait out the rest of the tour. schulzmuseum.org

Take him out to the ball game. Bring Barker to a Planet Dog-sponsored Portland Sea Dogs’ home game on Sunday, August 3, when fourlegged baseball fans are welcomed in the stands. seadogs. com/promotions.html

by Elizabeth Kemp

Work with your dog to reach a new level of calm and trust at the Lang Institute for canine massage. dogmassage.com

Get crafty. Make Fifi a new toy with your own two hands. Silly Dog Toys: 12 Easy Projects That Will Make Your Dog Smile by Michael Spears is full of fun and easy ideas, complete with easyto-follow instructions. thedogdesigner.com

Hit the pavement for a good cause. Walk for canine cancer in the sixth annual Smiling Blue Skies’ fundraiser for the Ontario Veterinary Colleges Pet Trust for Canine Cancer. pawsforacause.ca

moderndogmagazine.com

Making House Calls On the phone with House, M.D ’s Lisa Edelstein by Mary-Jo Dionne

Photographed by Eydis Einarsdottir

HALTER D RESS, H OLLY M ORGAN.

Hair by Randy Stodghill for Exclusive Artists; Makeup by Miriam Vukich for Exclusive Artists Styling by Kevin Watroba for Exclusive Artists

’M NOT FEELING WELL WHEN I ANSWER THE PHONE .

It’s that season, I suppose. The one that can leave you talking through your nose—freezing with unexplained shivers in one stuffed breath, and sweating like a UFC fighter in the next. Basically, it’s a day that reminds me how grateful I am to have a work-fromhome gig that sees mismatched Old Navy pajamas and a Lululemon headband as formalwear. When I answer, however, it’s Lisa Edelstein—better known as Dean of Medicine Dr. Lisa Cuddy, on David Shore’s awardwinning medical drama House, M.D. And while I am tempted to ask this endocrinologist-posing thespian what she suggests I do for my cold, I have to remind myself that her convincing portrayal of the Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital administrator is just that: a portrayal. Because, turns out, there’s a whole lot more to Lisa Edelstein than serving as foil to the he-said-what?! Dr. Gregory House, played by Hugh Laurie. From her introduction to television in the early 1990s as the nightlife-savvy Lisa E on MTV’s Awake on the Wild Side and early appearances in comedy classics like Seinfeld, to bigger roles in programs like The West Wing, Ally McBeal, and The Practice, Edelstein’s career has been climbing in the right direction for the last decade and a half. But as she talks to me from her century-old

home in Los Angeles, I learn that intelligently written scripts aren’t the only things sprawled around her house. There is also a dog and cat. And more than a fair share of yoga mats. MD: Congratulations on your huge success on House as Dr. Lisa Cuddy. What’s it like for you as an actor to land a regular role on such a well-respected show? LE: Well, it’s a dream of course. It’s what every actor yearns for. And I am so aware of that. MD: What is it about House that makes it such a crowd-pleaser? LE: It’s so smart. So many shows dumb things down, and House just isn’t like that. MD: How would you describe the relationship between your character and Dr. Gregory House? LE: It’s a very adult relationship. They have a history. And they have a future. And there’s this romantic tension between them…. MD: What’s the dynamic of the cast when the cameras are not rolling? And what’s it like to work with Hugh Laurie? LE: Hugh is a really hard worker. Sooo focused. So when he’s on set, he’s working. But every once in a while he’ll say or do something that’s just so silly I laugh until I cry. And Robert Sean Leonard [playing James

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52 moderndog SU MMER 2008

(LEFT FACING PAGE) STRIPED DRESS, LOVE, SEX, MONEY. (RIGHT) BLUE FLORAL DRESS, E CO S KIN .

“It’s a dream of course. It’s what every actor yearns for. And I am so aware of that.” Wilson] … oh, he’s so droll… I don’t get to do as many scenes with Jennifer, Jesse, and Omar [Jennifer Morrison, Jesse Spencer, and Omar Epps who play Allison Cameron, Robert Chase, and Eric Foreman, respectively], but they’re great. MD: The writing is so crazy intelligent. How far in advance of taping do you receive a script? LE: We get scripts the day before. MD: And does it feel like Christmas? LE: It does. But sometimes not a good Christmas….I’m like a 12-year-old kid, I want to be on every page! MD: Can you tell me about the pets you have at home right now? LE: Right now I have two. Bug, the cat, and Wolf E. I had two others, Sandwich and Bumpa, but they both passed away within the last two years. MD: That must’ve been such a rough time. LE: Yes, it was. You know, a dog is such a good friend. We spend so much

time trying to protect them from death, and ultimately, we will fail. It’s the way it goes. And yet, I am always so afraid I am going to die before my dogs. Like, who would take care of them? MD: But you still have Bug and Wolf E. LE: Yes. And the funny thing is, Wolf E is the one who has had the most problems and yet he’s still around. He’s got Alzheimer’s, brain damage, you name it….I’ve got yoga mats all over my house

because he can’t walk on the hardwoods any more. They’re like shredded all over the place and people think it’s some kind of interior design statement. MD: How old is he? LE: He’s 17 now. MD: Even though you’re a busy actress on a hit series, you still have time to be actively involved in animal rescue. What got you into rescue to begin with? LE: I had adopted a cat from the pound

Rock Your

Dog Out

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100% Organic moderndogmagazine.com

and eventually another cat came my way... And then, I was living with some roommates and one of the girls had a four-month-old puppy. This one day, I was out in the yard with the dog, trying to cool her off with the sprinkler and she ran out on the road and got hit by a car. I rushed her to the vet’s. That created this incredible relationship between the two of us. I just felt so responsible. When the dog came home, she was a mess. The vet wanted me to leave her in the cage all the time and even let her pee on herself, like never to move her. But she would let me know that she needed to pee, and I would reach down and lift her up, like by making an L-shape with my arms and carrying her like a tray outside,

54 moderndog SU MMER 2008

holding her under her ribs. My roommate just didn’t have the tools to handle the dog’s situation. So when my roommate left, I kept the dog. That was Sandwich. She lived to be 13. MD: I understand you volunteer with Best Friends Animal Society. What is it about Best Friends that you respect so much? LE: Well, I’ve been to the Sanctuary [Best Friends Sanctuary, Utah]. It’s a beautiful place. Incredibly well organized. Extraordinary. Everything is for the animals. MD: How do you stomach the recent trend we are seeing of pet store dogs being toted around like accessories? LE: Oh, it’s so bad for the dogs. And just the whole idea of buying dogs at all. There are so many dogs in need of being rescued. MD: If you knew someone—say one of our readers—in the market for a dog, what reasons would you give them to go the route of rescue? LE: You can get exactly what it is you’re looking for at a shelter as you would at a pet store. People think that they’re going to know more about the history of the dog if they get it from a dog store, but that is often not the case. They think they’re going to get a problem dog from a shelter. You know, Cesar Milan trained my dogs for me ten years ago… but he actually trained me. It’s often not the dog that’s the problem, but the owner. It’s the people who need to be trained. n Lisa Edelstein volunteers with Best Friends Animal Society, which helps thousands of special needs animals. For more information, visit bestfriends.org.

BLOUSE, REBECCA TAYLOR; JEANS, AN TIK DE N IM. WO L F E ’S CO L L A R, THE WA GGIN G TA IL , S A N TA MO N ICA , CA .

“A dog is such a good friend.”

A classic windbreaker (with drawstring hood that rolls up into the back of the collar) is a straight-up necessity. Also fulfills hipster quotient if you’re more of into the K-way-style appeal than actually repelling rain. bellaluccacollection.com

A fresh alternative to the “My Grandma thinks I’m cute” tee. shirtylicious.com

If your style is more sweet and discreet than loudly proud, Forbidden Fruit Jewelry’s custom photo necklaces are a must. forbiddenfruit jewelry.com

Support the fight against cancer with a striking sterling silver and yellow cubic zirconia “Live Strong” charm. Partial proceeds go to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. andrealevinejewelry.com

doggie styles

These classic leather collar adorned with stones are the ultimate in old-world luxury. hartman androse.com

THE COOLEST FINDS FOR YOUR CANINE CUTIE.

Lounge in style on a handcrafted cherry wood and “C & T” logo leather dog bed. petlovecnt.com Is your gym bag lacking personalized (and practical) flair? Mark your territory with a photo tag from petluggagetag.com

These cute collars make for excellent camouflage when playing garden variety hide-nseek. bowchies.com

Essentially a poop scarecrow, these lawn signs remind people of their parental “doo-ties.” yuckos.com

Sunglasses? Check. Cute bikini? Check. Beach Gift Box for Fido complete with canine sunscreen? Check! arfdog.com

Is your dog more Popeye than pirate? Consider these sailor-inspired braided collars from Mascot. mymascot.com

moderndogmagazine.com

the modern dog’s guide to

portland >where to shop, eat, stay, and play. By Elizabeth Gardiner • Illustration by Keith Warren Greiman

Sniffed out: the city’s best ideas for a full day of doggie nirvana. Herewith, Portland’s top dog-friendly hotels, restaurants, shops, and outdoor spots. but it offers top of the line canine care, too. Their entire third floor is set aside for pets and their human companions. Even a doggie menu is offered, with the gourmet selection available through room service (mmm…Beef Liver and Bacon Balls). But it doesn’t stop there—in-house services of doggie massages, acupuncture, and even a pet psychic are available. Be sure to check out the hotel’s blog archive, where the employees give great insider tips on how to enjoy the city. hoteldeluxeportland.com

>st ay Benson Hotel 309 Southwest Broadway (503) 228-2000 Located in the heart of downtown Portland, the Benson Hotel offers modern classic accommodations in a historical building. Their Benson Buddies pet-friendly package includes a take-home portable water container and treats, plus a Tempurpedic-style doggie bed for in-room use. But best of all? No size limitations. bensonhotel.com

Hotel Monaco

Ace Hotel

1022 SW Stark St. (503) 228-2277 If you and Buster love to time travel but can’t decide between the past and the future, Ace’s cool vintage/modern style will definitely appeal. This pet-friendly hotel has an array of stunningly designed rooms, each with a different theme and filled with pieces by local artists. There’s neither additional fees for bringing along your four-legged family nor size limitations. acehotel.com/portland

506 S.W. Washington St. (503) 222-0001 Hotel Monaco is the place for travellers looking to be pampered along with their pets. The hotel lives by the maxim “Art lives within.” Not only does this chic hotel offer top-quality amenities for humans, Art (a cheerful, blonde…Labrador), the Director of Pet Relations, will ensure your dog receives the proper spoiling she deserves. Hotel Monaco also offers dog walking services, and has an in-house pet masseuse and pet psychic. No additional fees just for having four legs nor size limitations apply. monaco-portland.com

Hotel De Luxe 729 SW 15th Ave. (866) 895-2094 To step into Hotel De Luxe is to be transported to Hollywood’s golden age. One could be excused for expecting Humphrey Bogart to step through the doors and order a dirty martini at the hotel bar, the Driftwood Room. Not only has it been ranked one of Condé Nast Traveler’s “Reader’s Choice Top 100 U.S. Hotels”

>eat/Drink Tin Shed Café 1438 NE Alberta St. (503) 288-6966 The Tin Shed Café receives raves from local Portlanders as the breakfast spot. Their patio/garden area is perfect for brunch with your canine companion—they even offer a chomp-licious menu for dogs, so while you order up a delicious serving of egg-and-tofu scramble served with fresh house-baked buttermilk biscuit, your dog can enjoy his Kibbles-N-Bits breakfast (rice, garlic, and free-range hamburger)! tinshedgardencafe.com moderndogmagazine.com

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>play

>shop Green Dog Pet Supply

Lucky Labrador Brew Pub

915 SE Hawthorne Blvd; 7675 SW Capitol Hwy; 1945 NW Quimby St. (503) 236-3555 Portland is well known for its multitude of tasty micro-breweries but Lucky Labrador Brew Pubs up the competition, combining Portland’s love of beer with its love of dogs. With three different locations, the Lucky Labs are great places to hang out with your dog on a patio while sipping a handcrafted ale. luckylab.com

4605 NE Fremont St. (503) 528-1800 Portland is all about green living, so why not help Fido reduce his ecological pawprint? The folks at Green Dog Pet Supply have made it their mission to offer their clients a variety of fantastic, fun, and, of course, eco-friendly products, from recycled items to organic and holistic foods to durable, sustainable products. Even the shop itself was constructed to be as energy efficient and environmentally-friendly as possible. greendogpetsupply.com

The RuffHouse (503) 841-5103 Feeling guilty about having to leave Buddy at doggie daycare? Not if you call the RuffHouse. Depending on the weather, Lupin Morgan and a gang of dogs head out for off-leash excursions which can include hiking and swimming. With pickup services included in the fee, why not let your dog enjoy the great Oregon outdoors while you engage in some not-sodog-friendly activities? theruffhouse.biz

Gabriel Park

SW 45th Ave. and Vermont St. With almost a hundred acres, Gabriel park in south-west Portland is hailed as the hot spot for dogs. This off-leash dog park even offers complimentary poop bags and water bowls.

Paragon 1309 NW Hoyt St. at 13th (503) 833-5060 Paragon is a great example of the best culinary-Portland has to offer. This American bistro creates delish food made with fresh and local ingredients, plus they have an amazing selection of cocktails. The owners and managers are all dog enthusiasts and will welcome your pup if he joins you for dinner. Dogs are even offered their own personal water bowls and gourmet treats from a local “barkery.” paragonrestaurant.com

Urban Fauna 235 NW Park Ave. (503) 223-4602 The Pearl district is one of Portland’s trendiest neighbourhoods, full of chic galleries, restaurants, and boutiques, including the resident Urban Fauna shop, catering to the hip Pearl district canine crowd. This boutique/groomer/daycare not only offers the latest lavish products but also provides obedience classes. urbanfauna.com

Bone-Jour Gour-mutt Dog Bakery and Boutique

Lexi Dog Boutique and Social House

107-5656 Hood St., West Linn (503) 557-2328 This cute little boutique is full of jolly puns and delicious homemade dog treats. All the goodies in this French-inspired bakery are made with the highest quality ingredients and are baked fresh daily with no salt, sugar, corn, soy, wheat, or preservatives. The recipes have even been given the thumbs up by two local veterinarians, so Poochie can indulge with clear conscience. bonejourdogbakery.com

416 NW 10th Ave. (503) 243-6200 Word on the street is that Lexi knows how to throw a party. This chic boutique and social house is always hosting an array of dog events. Birthday coming up? Let Lexi Dog host a birthday pawty for you and up to eight of your canine friends. Or simply drop by to shop or hang out while your owner runs some errands. lexidog.com

Council Crest Park

SW Council Crest Dr. This vast park is situated on Portland’s highest peak, 1073 feet above sea level. Not only do they have a great off-leash area for dogs to socialize, but the view is phenomenal.

moderndogmagazine.com

Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way Caring for your dogs after you’re gone By Corey Van’t Haaff Photo by Brooke Jacobs

60 moderndog SU MMER 2008

OTEL MAGNATE AND SO-CALLED QUEEN OF MEAN LEONA HELMSLEY LEFT

a $12 million trust fund for her white Maltese, Trouble, in her will. Little Trouble gets to continue to live at the Helmsley estate, and upon his death, is to be buried beside Leona in her mausoleum. Oprah Winfrey, it has been reported, has some similar multi-million dollar bequest in her own will to ensure her beloved pooches are cared for after her death. I’m certainly not a millionaire, but I suspect I love my dogs as much as these women love theirs. My dogs are the centre of my life and I owe them a duty of care when I’m gone. I want them to be treated as well as they are now; to be lavished with love and attention, and to receive excellent veterinary care. But I’m not sure I’m your typical dog owner. I’m 47, divorced, no kids, three dogs, and a house. If I were to die tomorrow, my dogs couldn’t stay in my home alone and without a spouse or family; it wouldn’t be a case of status quo sans me. I’m young enough to be having the time of my life still, yet old enough to know that death is inevitable. And that brings me back to my dogs. What on earth would happen to them if I were gone? This whole thought process led to one ultimate conclusion: I had to provide for my dogs’ welfare upon my death, and to do that, I had to make a will. Since you cannot leave money in a will directly to an animal (beneficiaries of a will must be human or legal entities like a charity), I was left with few choices. I could leave the money to someone I trusted and pray that they would take care of my girls, but this option offered me no way to guarantee that my wishes would be carried out. Instead, I created a trust fund designed to care for my dogs after my death. It’s not a complicated or particularly large trust. After my death, my assets and home will be liquidated, my stocks and car will be sold, and all the proceeds from this sale will be put into the Freda Fund, named after the first dog I owned during my adult life. Naming the trust after Freda was a way to honour this dog, now long dead, who gave me one of the most fulfilling relationships I’ve ever had. Trust funds can have as little as one trustee, or as many as you like. The benefit of a single trustee is ease of making decisions, as all decisions are innately unanimous. A single trustee, however, may not be the best choice for a pet welfare trust. “Multiple trustees can be desirable because they are less likely to make inappropriate decisions. There’s more oversight,” said Rhonda Murray, a lawyer practicing in Maple Ridge, BC. “If your dog is your beneficiary—and you have only one person in charge of a lot of money—your dog can’t speak up for itself. It’s in the dog’s best interests to have more than one person making decisions about, and overseeing, its care.” My trust has five trustees, each one chosen because of their respect for me and their sincere desire to ensure my wishes are carried out. These people are well aware of how I treat my dogs and how I want them to be cared for after my passing and until their own deaths.

PH O TO BR OO K E JAC OB S.C OM

I’m certainly not a millionaire, but I suspect I love my dogs as much as Oprah loves hers.

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For the trust to be legally recognized, however, the courts typically require the remainder of the trust fund to revert to a human beneficiary or other recognized legal entity, such as a registered charity, upon the death of the pet. This is because trusts ordinarily and ultimately require a beneficiary that is a legal entity. I made sure my will addressed this by stipulating that, once all my dogs are gone, the remaining funds will be given to a dog charity that is close to my heart. Because I wanted to allow the trustees some flexibility in the event that another dog-related cause had a more immediate need for some money, I gave them some discretion in how the money would be awarded. One of my trustees who also acts as a trustee for another pet trust fund was able to donate some of that fund to help animals affected by Hurricane Katrina because that trust had some flexibility built in. Murray cautioned that owners should not attempt to create trusts in their wills without legal guidance. “This is a matter for a professional solicitor to address and create for them. Trusts are recognized in Canada and the US, but there doesn’t seem to be any legal provision for trust funds for animals. Despite this, pet trusts seem to be acceptable, as courts in Canada and the US have recognized such trusts as valid.” In most cases, you are free to choose how you want your estate disposed of, though, if you simply cut out your family, your will can be challenged and a court may overrule your will. When it comes to pets, a trust fund may be the best protection you have against such a challenge. Which brings me to the next issue I needed to deal with. I wanted to make sure that no one in my extended family would challenge my will and possibly divert money that I wanted to be used exclusively for my dogs. I spoke to my father and older sister and told them of my plans. They fully supported my decision and believed that

my wishes should be carried out. My little sister, a trustee as well as a co-executor of my will, was totally on board. But I still don’t want any hurt feelings. I am certain that no one in my family is relying on receiving an inheritance, and most know that, in fact, they will not be getting anything. It’s pretty easy in my case, as I have no children and my dogs, really, are my babies. “If you have a family and still leave your estate to the dog, is that a symptom of an underlying conflict?” asked psychologist Owen James of Tri-city Psychology Services in Port Moody, BC. “If it is, ideally, you’d like to resolve that before the grim reaper comes.” Nothing is lost, he said, by telling family members in advance of your wishes to leave some or all of your assets to your dogs. If you don’t do this, they are faced with the shock of finding out after the event, and may oppose the will. The problem, he said, is that some people might view leaving money to the dogs as hatred of your relatives or some spiteful action against them. This is especially true if there is an existing conflict in the family. “The manner in which you tell them is to explain your great love for your animals. First and foremost, position it as an endowment to the dogs, not as a punishment to them. A receptive family will respect their relative’s wishes.” In my case, there’s no unresolved issue or underlying hostility. I work hard for what I have and I do it so that my dogs and I can have a comfortable lifestyle and enjoy ourselves. I am sure some of my friends thought I was nuts when I bought the girls matching turtleneck Argyle sweaters, when Esmerelda, my oldest, received a pair of dog sunglasses, and when Tallula and Clara got matching leopard-print leashes and collars, just because. It boils down to one thing—it’s my money and therefore I want to protect my decision to spend it how I wish, in my life and after my death. And it’s definitely going to the dogs. n

moderndogmagazine.com

Farley, a Labradoodle, wears a “I’m a Modern Dog” bandana. Model Liz, an Irish/ German Canadian, wears a UGA Bulldog Tee, Chip and Pepper. (chipandpepper.com)

dog days PHOTOGRAPHED BY LINDSEY DONOVAN

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Johnnie Rotten, a Silky Terrier/Chihuahua cross, wears his own bandana.

moderndogmagazine.com

Trouvé, a Griffon, wears a “Sun Spot Daisy Daze” collar, Dublin Dog, available at the Dog and Hydrant. (thedogandhydrant.com) Brushed stainless steel bowl, Wetnoz. (wetnoz.com)

Bentley, a German Shepherd/Labrador cross, wears a red, white & blue feather collar from High Maintenance Bitch, Seattle WA.

moderndogmagazine.com

Roxanne, a mixed breed, wears a floral “J Lo” hat, Barking Baby; and her own collar. (barkingbaby.com)

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Olga, a Golden Retriever/German Shepherd cross puppy, wears a hand-smocked “Lucy” dress, Oscar Newman. (oscarnewman.com)

body &soul

Herbs for Health by Elizabeth Gardiner

Seeking natural remedies to some common canine ailments? Try these herbal cures, four pharmaceutical-free ways to good health—from relief for a troubled tummy to calming a nervous disposition. For stress and anxiety, Bach’s Rescue Remedy is often recommended for both human and canine stress and anxiety. Created by Dr Edward Bach in the 1900s, the sworn-by calming blend is a mix of cherry plum, star-of-Bethlehem, rockrose, clematis, and impatiens. Digestive aide slippery elm (Ulmus fulva) is one of the most commonly recommended herbs for digestive troubles. Its soothing mucilage properties promote healing of irritation and aid in smoothing the digestive tract. It is considered especially helpful for ulcers. For arthritis, yucca root contains steroidal saponins and is considered a great pain reliever and anti-inflammatory. It is often recommended for arthritis because it reduces swelling of soft tissue and increases circulation in damaged tissue. For allergies, horsetail (Equisetum arvense) has a high silica content which aides in the health of skin, bones, fur, and claws. Horsetail is also useful in treating urinary tract infections. Herbal remedies can come in the form of liquids (teas, infusions, and extracts), ointments, dried, oils, and capsules. It’s important to remember that reaction to the herbs can vary, so it’s always a good idea to be alert to any side effects that might occur. In some dogs, herbal medicine may be quite effective while in others, not at all. It is also advisable to talk with your veterinarian before administering remedies.

I L L U S T R AT I ON J E S S G O LD EN

Onlynaturalpet.com is a great source for herbal blends. For more on botanical medicine, see the Veterinary Botanical Medical Association’s site, vbma.org.

Tension Tamers 1. Mozart may do it for you, but it’s Schoenberger for your dog. At the request of Guide Dogs for the Blind, composer Thomas Schoenberger has recorded songs to sooth Scooter’s soul. thomasschoenberger.com 2. While deep tissue work should be reserved for professionals, there is nothing stopping you from calming Cody’s nerves with a little light massage. Using soft slow strokes, gently massage behind the ears, under the chin, over the nose, down the shoulder, and back along the spine and shoulder blades. Don’t be surprised if, when you are done, someone is fast asleep. 3. Channel your Chihuahua’s chi by stimulating acupressure points along your friend’s meridian to enhance circulation,

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remove energy blockages, and release endorphins. Visit animalacupressure.com for an overview of the practice. 4. Your pup already practices yoga every day, why not join him? Reclaim your four-leggedness and stimulate the pranic flow by working with your dog to stretch and de-stress. For poses and more information, go to dogadog.com. 5. Promote a sense of peace by rubbing blended essential oils into the palms of your hands and letting Winston sniff. Remember, less is more with the canine nose. Don’t force the experience; he’ll smell if he’s interested and if it’s pleasant for him. For a tension-releasing tincture, try a blend of lavender, peppermint, and valerian.

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body &soul Colour Me Happy! Colour therapy for canines

Is your dog down? Turn them blues into orange and cheer him up!

OLOUR THERAPY, ALSO CALLED CHROMOTHERAPY, IS THE

use of colour to stimulate or calm the energy centers in a being. Light is a form of energy and colour is light that differs in wavelength and frequency. The spectrum of colours that humans can see consists of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. In the holistic practice of colour therapy, each of these colours represents a spot along the spine, called a chakra. Each of these chakras stores and distributes energy throughout the body and is associated with a particular organ or system. When you are healthy, the chakras are considered balanced; an imbalance occurs with illness or physical or emotional upset. Colour therapy is used to bring balance back to the body by exposing it to the colours that are weak or imbalanced. While it is a popular misconception that dogs are colour blind, they actually have dichromatic vision. The colour spectrum dogs see is similar to that seen by a person with red-green colour blindness. A dog’s world is primarily made up of yellows, blues, and grey, and is brighter and less detailed than a human’s. And while a dog will not see “red” as we see it, the equivalent colour he sees will affect the same chakra as “red” does in humans, so wrapping your gassy pup in a orange blanket may help soothe his digestive system or exposing him to the cooler colours in the spectrum may calm some of that nervous energy when strangers come to visit.

I LLU ST R A T I O N B Y J ESS G O LD EN

by Elizabeth Kemp

Red: The colour of life. Red is said to increase the pulse rate and is used to support the circulatory system and combat anemia, asthma, skin diseases, and chronic coughs.

Orange: Symbolizes the rising sun and is used to treat depression, pessimism, arteriosclerosis, loss of appetite, and to calm the digestive system.

Yellow: The brightest of all colours, yellow is used to fight glandular and lymphatic diseases and strengthen the nervous system.

Green: The middle chakra, green has a stabilizing effect and is the colour of concentration. Green is used to treat bronchitis, inflammation of the joints, eye diseases, and diabetes.

Blue: The colour of peace and infinity, blue is said to relieve headaches, migraines and stomach and muscle cramps and to positively affect all pain.

The Dog’s View

Indigo: A cool colour with a sedative effect, indigo is used to treat eye, ear, and nose problems, as well as mental issues and addiction.

The Human’s View

Violet: A meditative colour that is used to calm and relax 700

600

500 Wavelength

400

muscles, organs, and the nervous system, and is particularly useful for problems with the lymphatic system and spleen.

Mark Plonsky, PhD; University of Wisconsin

moderndogmagazine.com

body &soul The Doctor’s In Eating the Inedible Q: We use old socks to play tug-of-war with our Lab puppy, and a friend of ours says it’s dangerous. Is it? A: Yes, chewing on socks can be dangerous. If your puppy chewed up and swallowed part of a sock when you weren’t around, it could become stuck in his esophagus, stomach, or intestines, causing major medical problems and potentially requiring abdominal surgery. Many dog owners feel that dogs—or their dog in particular— can eat “anything” without ill effects, but, unfortunately, that’s not true. The medical term for an inedible object trapped in a dog’s digestive tract is a “foreign-body obstruction,” and removing such objects is one of the more common surgeries veterinarians perform. Most vets keep a mental “I Can’t Believe He Ate the Whole Thing” list of objects they’ve removed from dogs’ digestive tracts. Here are some of the more common ones: Pantyhose, underwear, socks; Dog toys; Children’s toys; Diapers, disposable and cloth; Corncobs; Apples; Rocks; Wooden grilling skewers, teriyaki sticks; Bones; Sticks, wood; Plastic food packaging. And that’s just a small sample. The strangest foreign-body case I’ve ever seen concerned a six-month-old Lab who had surgery to remove a 2-inch diameter rock from his small intestine and then, ten days later, ate a C battery that also got stuck in his intestine. He had to have a second surgery, in which about a foot of intestine was removed, along with the battery. He did, fortunately, recover from this double whammy of dietary indiscretion. Symptoms of foreign-body obstruction depend on where the object is lodged and whether the obstruction is total or partial. Dogs with an object stuck in their esophagus often will gulp or cough and they may not want to eat or drink. If a dog has a foreign body in his stomach, he will usually vomit, but the vomiting may not be continuous and the dog may still be able to eat

I LLU ST R A T I O N B Y JE SS G O LDE N

Dr. Betsy Brevitz tackles common veterinary vexations

and drink. An obstruction of the small intestine is often very painful, and the dog may vomit and refuse food and water. Vets diagnose foreign bodies from their owner’s knowledge of the missing or frequently chewed objects; feeling an unusual mass in the esophagus or intestines (objects in the stomach usually can’t be felt); and x-rays, barium x-rays, or ultrasound. Using an endoscope (a tiny video camera on a long, flexible tube), vets can sometimes retrieve objects from the esophagus or gently push them into the stomach, where they can either pass on their own or be surgically removed more safely than from the esophagus. Foreign-body obstructions in the stomach and small intestine must be surgically removed. The prognosis in all cases depends on how long the object has been stuck, how severely damaged the area is where it was lodged, and whether infection or other complicating factors are present. Cloth, rope, and string-like objects are particularly dangerous because they can partially pass through the intestines and then saw through them when one end gets stuck and the intestines keep contracting against it. Cloth and stringy things also can be more difficult to detect than denser objects because they are harder to feel and liquid digestive-tract contents may continue to pass around and through them. To avoid these problems, use careful prevention. Throw away any dog toys your dog can chew apart, or any that are small enough for him to swallow. Keep your garbage and dirty laundry under lock and key if your dog has a taste for them. Make sure your dog can’t swipe corncobs or teriyaki sticks at backyard cook-outs. Be especially cautious with puppies, which are

The Doctor

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notorious for eating things they shouldn’t. And if you suspect your dog may have eaten something inedible, call your vet immediately.

Garbage-Can Poisoning

You know that leafy greens and fresh, clean water are as necessary to a dog’s healthy daily diet as they are to yours

Q: My dog ate some moldy

Dog-Wa is a holistic herbal supplement that provides fresh, whole greens in a form dogs can easily digest

A: Most dogs that get into the garbage will vomit or have diarrhea for a couple of days and get better, but occasionally a dog will eat some spoiled food that essentially poisons them. Mold toxins or bacterial poisons in the food can cause tremors, seizures, and shock (dangerously low blood pressure and poor blood circulation), as well as vomiting and diarrhea. If they are not treated quickly, some of these dogs will die. To treat “garbage-can poisoning,” vets give a dog anti-seizure medication, IV fluids, and antibiotics. The dog remains in hospital until the tremors or seizure and shock are gone. Awareness of the potential for garbagecan poisoning is key to preventing it from happening to your dog. Never give her any food that may even be a little spoiled. If it’s not fresh enough for you to eat, it’s not fresh enough for her to eat either. Do whatever it takes to prevent your dog from getting into garbage cans. And if she ever has an upset stomach and also just seems very sick—having trouble standing up, looking weak, shaking, or acting strange—call your vet or emergency clinic immediately. n Excerpted from Hound Health Handbook Copyright © 2004 by Urbanhound, LLC Used by permission of

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cottage cheese I’d thrown in the garbage. I thought it was no big deal at first, but then she started shaking all over, collapsed, and wound up in the hospital. What happened?

moderndogmagazine.com Dog-Wa_FFsurvivalguide_Mar2008.i1 1

4/15/08 3:13:14 PM

ask the animal psychic Animal communicator Joy Turner connects people with their pets.

In 2006, I was suffering heavily from post-traumatic stress disorder following a sexual assault in my own home and had truly come to the end of my rope. Somehow all of my childhood traumas, issues with codependency, and a true crisis of faith bubbled up in the wake of this, and I could see no way out. During this time, a friend asked me to babysit his Basset Hound for eight days and I was hooked. I adopted Louie, a two-year-old Basset Hound/Husky mix a week after returning my friend’s Basset. Through Louie, I was slowly released from my post-traumatic stress. It was as if this dog and only this dog had been meant for me, and it was the start of one of the truest loves I have ever felt. He saved my life—and I saved his. I am the executive director of a small museum in Staten Island, New York, so I sometimes work evenings, long hours, or weekends. I am also a 29-year-old single woman, living a 12-hour drive from my nearest family member, and I began to feel terribly guilty leaving Louie alone. So Louie and I drove 14 hours each way to South Carolina and back to pick up our new little goof-ball, Joey, a three-year-old Basset Hound/ Carolina Dog mix (I think). The three of us have now been

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settled for six months now, and I can’t help but wonder about a few things. First, I worry that Joey sometimes feels neglected. Louie and I have an incredible bond, forged out of a lot of pain and hard work, and I can tell Joey picks up on that. I want him to know how much I love him as I sometimes think he feels left out. Also, he is aggressive toward un-neutered male dogs and can really do damage to our home while I am gone. I would like to know what I can do to help him with that. As for Louie, I hold and snuggle him every moment I can in gratitude for what he has been to me, and sometimes, like now, I cry into his sweet fur, knowing he will not always be there with me. Though I work hard to enjoy the present, I think it’s perhaps normal to feel this way when something or someone has so profoundly impacted your life. As his various health problems continue to develop out of nowhere, I find myself increasingly wanting to know if he knows how dearly I love him. I’d also like to know that I am doing as much as I can to care for this beautiful gift—these TWO beautiful gifts—that God has given me. They truly are my innocence restored, and that to me is priceless. —Emily, Staten Island, NY

I LLU ST R A T I O N BY JE SS G O LDE N

body &soul Emily, Louie and Joey think they are a perfect pair. Louie absolutely recognizes the special bond between the two of you. He knows how much you love him and feels the same about you. He is continually grateful for finding you, though he is concerned about you missing him before he is gone. He thinks this creates unnecessary stress in your life. He wants you to know that even when his body is eventually gone, he will always be with you in Spirit. He absolutely guarantees that with all his heart and soul. He thinks you are doing a very wonderful job of caring for him. He says, “After all, you gave him his life. How much better can it get than that?” He also likes to joke. He doesn’t care about his health issues; he considers them to be just the way it is and feels they don’t really affect him, just his body. He does love Joey and would like you to bring Joey more into the “inner circle.” He loves having someone who stays with him and he wants to thank you for getting Joey. Joey is very impressed that you both drove so far to get him. He thinks this shows great dedication. He also wants you to know he feels loved and cherished. However, there are times when he is somewhat sad about the vast

difference in the depth of love you feel for him, though he understands why. He sees his role, at least in part, as to support Louie and he thinks he does a great job of it. Joey wants you to know, though, that he wouldn’t mind if things were more even, although he doesn’t expect they will be equal. As for his aggression, he thinks he has to fight intact male dogs to keep himself and Louie safe. He sees them as a threat. Tearing up the house stems from a feeling of anxiety resulting from not knowing what to do when you’re gone. You might suggest to him that Louie can be in charge when you’re out. I have suggested this to him but he needs you to tell him that’s alright. Both issues seem to come from his past. His present feels very definite and defined to him but his past feels very nebulous and there were issues with distrust, both of which can cause feelings of anxiety. These issues can be addressed by either homeopathy or flower essences. Thank you for letting me help you.

This past October, we adopted a six-year-old Blenheim Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. She had been rescued from a puppy mill/dog auction in Ohio, where she had been crated and bred for six years. She came to us with heart murmurs, no teeth, and a timid but extremely loving and affectionate

nature. We also have a seven-year-old Ruby Cavalier named Lucy who has been with us since she was a puppy. Bonnie is a total joy. In my quest to empathize and provide her with what she most needs and seeks, I often try to “see” what her life was like and how she feels about life with us now. Can you help me? She has been described by our vet as having a somewhat “flat” effect, which would not seem surprising to me. Is this indicative of post traumatic stress disorder and/or cognitive limits? She isn’t interested in housebreaking but she has her definite opinions and is always ready for a cuddle. I adore her. Thanks for any insight you can offer. —Marcia, Boston, MA

is because she had to shut down emotionally and mentally in order to survive. She was kept in conditions that were terrible and she attributes her new and vastly improved life to you. When I talk with her, she is very intelligent; there is no mental issue that I can find, though she does suffer from all the mistreatment she had before you. This can take a long time to overcome. In my experience, things like homeopathy or flower essences can go a very long way in helping release all those pent-up energies. The other thing that Bonnie shows me is that she is often afraid to let herself feel all the joy she has with you because she fears that if she gives in to it and it is removed, she will die inside. My suggestion is to tell her every day that she will always be with you. She is safe with you and can allow herself to feel anything she would like to feel. She feels like she has been spayed so another thing you can tell her is that she can never go back to a place like that because they would not take her—she can never have any more puppies. That brings her quite a bit of relief. I have told her all these things but she would benefit from their repetition. n

She had to shut down emotionally and mentally in order to survive.

Marcia, Bonnie let me know how excited she is to have such a wonderful home. She tells me it is nothing like she has ever known before and she can’t believe her extraordinary luck at landing with you. Before you, she says her life was being in a very small cell with only food and water (and not always very good food or water), and being bred every possible time. The “flat” effect your vet describes

Do you have a question for the Animal Psychic? Submit your question and a recent photo of your dog to animalpsychic@moderndogmagazine.com. Please also include your background information (ages, history, names, and where you live) to enable the psychic to make a connection.

moderndogmagazine.com

Xtreme Dogs By Marian Buechert

Summertime and the living may be easy, but it’s never laid back for the dogs who chase the ultimutt thrill through cool canine sports. Pooches who would rather shoot the curl than curl up on the couch or who think nothing of leaping 28 feet over water to retrieve their toys are radical dawgs, indeed. From dock diving to disc chasing, these dogs and their owners make the most of the warm months to compete in their favourite sports. And if your dog’s athletic abilities run more to extreme drooling, don’t despair, because these sports are as much fun to watch as to participate in, and chances are good that you and Slurpee can catch an event near home this summer.

78 moderndog SU MMER 2008

DockDogs Photos by Steven Lankford

Higher, faster, longer… the dogs of the docks know this means “get that toy!” whatever it takes. The crowdpleaseing, fast-growing sport of dock jumping includes three types of events to test their determination; all involve the dog racing down a wooden dock at top speed, then jumping over and into water to retrieve their love object. In the Extreme Vertical competition, dogs leap ever higher to get the toy, while the Big Air event measures their horizontal air time as they jump off the dock.

(above) Dock Dogs National Championships, Minnesota, 2007.

P H O TO S TE VE N LA NK FOR D

Speed Retrieve is a race against the clock to make the fastest retrieve in the water. Although the sport is particularly popular with dogs of retriever ancestry, all breeds, sizes, and ages are welcome to compete; the current world record holder for Big Air is a Greyhound-cross named Country.

(right) Handler Ruth Krueger and her dog Jade.

moderndogmagazine.com

PROMOTE AND MAINTAIN – MOBILITY AND AGILITY IDEAL FOR ACTIVE AND AGING PETS Scientifically backed and veterinarian recommended Available from veterinary clinics

Forrest Gump, a former “Super Dog” and top competitor in agility and flyball, is still competing at the age of 14, largely due to being on Sasha’s Blend for the last 3 years. It makes a world of difference! Thanks! Sheilagh Sargent

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US customers call 1-866-261-0925 or email: erik@interpath.net.au

FIGHTING HUMAN AND ANIMAL CANCERS Join our noncompetitive dog walk-a-thon.

Sunday, May 4, 2008 Riverside Park, NYC • West 108th Street and Riverside Drive To register, call 1.800.ACS.2345 or visit www.cancer.org/nydogswalk.

80 moderndog SU MMER 2008

Xtreme DiscDogs Photos by Steven Donahue

You may have seen dogs and owners playing with flying discs at the beach or in a park, but competitive disc dogs take this everyday sport to a whole new level, accurately catching discs at distances over 200 ft and often making incredible leaps and twists high in the air to make their grab. What started as a wildly popular half-time show for pro sports events is now a pro sport itself, covered by sports media and ESPN. Disc sports include Toss and Fetch, an event where the goal is for the dog to make the most catches and retrieves within a certain time limit, with extra points for long distance and mid-air snatches, and Freestyle, where owners must demonstrate a variety of throwing styles and dogs perform acrobatic catches, all in time to music.

Donna Schoech and her Australian Shepherd/Border Collie mix, Ladybug, (a.k.a. “Bug”) in competition.

moderndogmagazine.com

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P H O T O S LO E WS CO R O NADO BAY R E SO R T

“If every dog had an ocean, across the USA, then every dog would be surfing like Californ-i-ay…”

Xtreme Surfing Dogs Yes, we do wish they all could be California grrrls. Still, for the lucky dogs who live on the wet side of life or get to visit the beach on vacation, surfing is where it’s at. With a pair of baggies (for the guys) or ultra-skimpy bikini (for the gals) and your trusty egg (board) by your side, you’ll be set for the Loews Surf Dog Competition at Coronado Bay, southern Californa (where else?). The 2007 competition saw almost 50 beach hounds being judged on confidence, length of ride, and overall ability. Proceeds from the event go to local charities and surfer dudes and wahines as well as those who prefer to keep their toes on the dry sand can enjoy mutt massages, puppy portraits, and snacks prepared by the chefs of Loews Hotels. Jack Russell Terrier Zoey surfs with his owners, Scott and Tyler Chandler. Scott, his eight-year-old daughter, Tyler, and Zoey are the 2006 and 2007 Tandem Surfing Champions.

Teevan McManus, owner of the Coronado Surfing Academy at Loews Coronado Bay Resort, heads to the beach for a surf-dog lesson.

French bulldog Miles dons doggie board shorts from Lucky Dog Boutique.

moderndogmagazine.com

For the refined canine, try a Barkundy or Sauvignon Bark from Bark Vineyards. These full-bodied, nonalcoholic sippers have a fragrant, meaty bouquet your dog will adore. barkvineyards.com Java Du Mutt’s delish, caffeine-free latte is made with human-grade ingredients and comes in chicken and beef flavours. javadumutt.com

18 months of research went into Cott Beverage’s new fortified dog water. Health improving flavours include peanut butter, spearmint, lemon grass, and parsley. To your health! fortifido.com

Packed with electrolytes, vitamins and minerals, K9 Quenchers stop dehydration and revitalize your sporty dog on the go. k9-quencher.com

Obey Your Thirst Summertime can be extra hot for hairy friends—both Uncle Fred and Fido feel the heat. But since dogs can’t sweat, they’re especially prone to dehydration and overheating. To the rescue? Innovative new products to get your dog lapping up some extra fluids come the dog days of summer.

Stay hydrated with Wetbone’s purified, vitamin-enriched water. The convenient 16 oz re-sealable pouch features a built-in bowl. wetbonecompany.com

For good health and good breath, dilute a little Dog-Wa, a leafy green supplement, into your dog’s water to guarantee he’s got all the nutrients he needs. dog-wa.com

A sixer of Bowser beer means that this year Toto won’t be the only one sans-drink at the family picnic. Made from filtered water, pure malt barley, and infused with beef extract, these fun drinks are almost as tasty as your own brew. 3busydogs.com

84 moderndog SU MMER 2008

Yög-hund is a healthy frozen yogurt especially for dogs. In peanut butter, banana, and blueberry-vanilla flavours, it’s a cool and refreshing treat on extra-hot days. yoghund.com

DoggyJava is a healthy, refreshing, paw-lickin’ blend of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants. doggyjava.com

Aqua Pure Breed’s refreshing mineral spring water comes in a convenient package. Just slip it in your purse and you and Rex are off! aquapurebreed.com

Petsecure insurance products are available for residents of Canada only.

Katya and Nigel Irwin swapped the rat race for dog days, putting their professional careers on hold to become “entrepupneurs.” Today, they couldn’t be happier

By Katya Irwin

Photographed by Lindsey Donovan

Small Dogs Big Business moderndogmagazine.com

P H O TO S LINDSE Y DO NO VAN

T ALL BEGAN WITH A SQUIGGLY

Chihuahua-cross puppy named Lexy. At just four pounds, her teeth were as threatening as fingernail clippings, and yet she had the attitude of a Great Dane. In no time, this feisty little puppy we dubbed Lex Luther managed to yap and squirm her way into our hearts. In case you haven’t guessed by the moniker, Lexy came with a crate-full of baggage. She had separation anxiety, was highly strung, and was difficult to train. We immersed ourselves in lessons, intensive training, reading dog books, and watching DVDs, and soon became experts in how to “speak” dog. Somewhere along the line, an obsession was born. I had grown up surrounded by pets—dogs, cats, rabbits, hedgehogs, snakes, and lizards—and yet this experience was a sort of turning point. A subscription to Modern Dog ensued. Photos of Lexy plastered a wall next to my desk. Lunchtime walks to local pet stores became a regular pastime. Fast forward one year and we find my husband and I signing the lease on a 1,600-squarefoot building in Metro Vancouver to open up a doggie daycare exclusively for small dogs, Small Paws Doggie Daycare. Just how did we get here? Let’s go back to the beginning. Six months after getting Lexy, we got our second Chihuahua, Mika, who was also pampered with designer garb, regularly brushed teeth, organic treats, and plenty of walks. Just one thing was missing. We’d moved into a new community

development called UniverCity, a suburb perched atop Burnaby Mountain in the suburbs of Vancouver. Thousands of people had already moved into the area, many of them young couples with comfortable incomes lured in by the views, forested landscape, and woodsy hiking trails. Dogs click down the paved sidewalks from morning to night, their owners stopping to chat and gossip along the way. And yet, despite all this paw traffic, the community is lacking a patch of grass for dogs to run off-leash. My dogs needed some good puppy pals. I had fantasized about starting up a business of my own but hadn’t really given it serious thought. The start-up costs were an issue, for one, and then there was also the fact that Nigel and I already had our careers on track. I was working full-time at a major newspaper and Nigel was mid-way through a carpentry apprenticeship. My jet-setting career has carried me around the world, first working as a travel writer and editor of travel magazines in England and then glossy women’s magazines in Australia, where I met and married my husband. I wasn’t about to give it all up. I can’t pinpoint the exact moment we decided to become “entrepupneurs.” We’d talked whimsically about going into business, and we both love dogs, so I ordered a book online titled All About Dog Daycare… A Blueprint for Success by Robin K. Bennett to get some more information. Winter was upon us, and Nigel complained about working outdoors in the rain.

Signing the lease to our shop was a woozy experience, and the days that followed were filled with worry.

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Many of you may be in the same predicament. You love dogs, you know there is a need for a particular service, and have an itch to leave the rat race behind. You believe in the pet industry and know there’s potential to earn a lot of money. So how does a dream evolve into a fullfledged, money-making business? The first challenge we encountered involved finding our location. We knew the general area we wanted to target but there was little out there that matched the size, visual aspects, and city zoning requirements. Finally, we chanced upon a great location at a busy intersection on a commuter road. Signing the lease to our shop was a woozy experience, and the days that followed were filled with worry. My “to do” list was pages long. In addition to the daycare, we wanted to offer a boutique selling leashes, clothing, toys, and healthy treats. I didn’t know anything about how to order merchandise, and our budget was looking intimidating. A friend in the industry recommended wholesalepet.com in the U.S., and we ordered many products online, shipping them to a U.S. mailbox and importing them across the border. Other items were ordered from local distributors, and we tried to buy locally as much as possible for items like holistic remedy creams, treats, and clothing items. When we finally moved into our shop, the physical labour began. Nigel’s carpentry experience came in handy and saved us thousands in construction costs. We also recruited my dad and friends to help pull up carpets, scrape floors, repaint, and build walls and fences. My skills and connections as a writer were put to use writing press releases and promotional material. We recruited a friend to create our website and a work colleague to design our logo and promotional products. Those final days before opening our doors we were pulling all-nighters just to get the shop ready. Ten days wasn’t enough time to do the construction and we found ourselves scrambling. I mucked in, learning all about mudding, sanding, and decorating. Meanwhile, I was still working full-time at the paper. I have since cut my days back to three night shifts a week, while working every spare moment in the shop. It’s busy, but working at the shop is a real pleasure. moderndogmagazine.com

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90 moderndog SU MMER 2008

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To pay for this endeavour, we took out a substantial interest-free loan from a family member plus a line of credit from the bank. Our initial costs included gutting the shop and decorating, purchasing the goods for our boutique and stocking our office supplies. Our advertising spend at the beginning was minimal, focusing on free local listings on websites and flyer mailout to homes in the vicinity, plus some free promotion in a local paper. We also hosted free doggie meetups for small dogs. We’ll be revving up our advertising now to include more online advertising targeting local dog owners as well as cross-border visitors who may be travelling to Vancouver with their dogs. This first year, we’ll be concentrating on building our clientele and working out how to better suit their needs. We already offer a number of free services included in the price of daycare, such as a video or photo of the dog playing emailed to the dog owner, free walks, one-on-one basic training, and a report card at the end of the day. We also offer overnight boarding in our homes for small groups of dogs. Future plans include organizing more events such as fashion shows, wine and cheese parties, and Halloween dress-up contests. We’ll also be hiring a groomer and installing professional grooming facilities into the back room, plus offering puppy school on weekends. So many ideas, so little time. It can be nerve-wracking when things don’t go your way. We’ve overcome a number of hurdles along the way, including city zoning issues, a ballooning budget, and issues involving finding liability insurance. But now, as Nigel and I sit at the front desk watching Mika and Lexy chase after a ball with their new buddies, we remember why we got into this business in the first place—for the love of dogs. n

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Getting Started • How will you promote or advertise your business? Direct mail? Media coverage? Posters? Advertising in magazines or the local papers? Online? • You’ll need to purchase both content and liability insurance, in case a dog is injured or the shop is robbed. We require every dog owner to sign a liability form as part of their registration, which confirms their dog is healthy, has had their shots, etc. • Your location must be in a high-traffic area in an area where lots of commuters live. Zoning and noise bylaws pose challenges. An outdoor area would be an asset, and then there’s the issues you may not have even thought of: drainage, dog waste disposal, and type of flooring. • You’ll need a good website with photos, prices, location, and contact information. • An effective outdoor sign and colourful, fun interior design will draw people in and leave a lasting impression. • Recruit friends and family with expertise to get things off the ground. • Make sure you know the financial ins and outs of the business, and how many dogs it would take to break even.

moderndogmagazine.com

92 moderndog SU MMER 2008

Tag it. Graphic Jazzy Tags are available in a range of colours. $14 (with engraving and shipping included in the price), jazzytags.com

With a retro print like Jack Russell Roast you can finally say you collect Pup Art. Find your favorite print in the wide range of dog breeds available. $20, 1cutepooch.com Snap all your dog’s tags to this essential accessory and spread the word! $9, lolaandfoxy.com

Wash up after a day in the park with Herban Essentials Pet Towelettes, perfect for quick clean up of both you and Poochie. $15, herbanessentials.com

The Kool Collar is cool indeed. Fill with either a gel pack or ice to keep your dog from overheating during hot summer days. $16, koolcollar4dogs.com

Cool Finds Under $20

Lasso a trio of these Get happy! Make a statement with Happy Muzzle’s cute fabric muzzles. Keep your dog looking friendly, not scary. $20, doginthecity.net

great looking vintagestyle dog toys made of “cowboy” barkcloth fabric. $20, retropup.com

Go dog, go. These bright and colourful Zuka Dog travel bowls are just the thing for thirsty dogs on the move. $12, itzadog.com

moderndogmagazine.com

Introducing

the Bella Lucca Collection

Designer Clothing Tailored for the Sophisticated Dog

Coats ~ Harnesses ~ Carriers ~ Special Occasion available online or at the finest pet boutiques

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www.bellaluccacollection.com 94 moderndog SU MMER 2008

art attack

by Marni Wedin

Profile in Style: Jim Dratfield

HOTOGRAPHER

Jim Dratfield HAS BEEN CAPTURING

what he describes as “the most profound and pure relationship between human and pet” for 15 years. He has taken over one thousand portraits and boasts a celebrity client list that includes the pets of Jennifer Aniston, Charlize Theron, Laura Dern, Henry Kissinger, and Elton John. Dratfield credits his success with being true to his love of animals, a truth that is reflected in each of his photos. Inspired by the honesty of dogs and the wonderment they inspire, Dratfield’s work evokes a sense of familiarity; you feel as if you’ve known the dogs in his photos for a lifetime. There’s a classic cinematic quality to his photographs, with each picture telling a unique story. Dratfield grew up in New Jersey. With his father working in the film industry, it’s no surprise his first camera was a Super 8. To this day, he only shoots film and works with a master printer who develops and prints all of his film, as has been his practice since honing his craft at UCLA in California and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. Before venturing into professional photography, Dratfield worked as an actor and a waiter. Just how does an actor/waiter

ends up as one of North America’s foremost pet photographers? Dratfield believes that “people love to help you when you’re authentic and doing what you love.” Nine books later—with a tenth on the way—and a multitude of A-list clients, Dratfield epitomizes the successful artist. It’s a success built on the understanding of the importance of the bond between people and their pets. Dratfield knows how precious our relationships with our pets are and how important it is “to immortalize them, their picture and their personality,” himself having lost two cherished dogs, Caleb and Kuma. Six weeks before Caleb unexpectedly passed away, Dratfield took a photo that definitively captured his spirit. It’s this photo that he is most proud of. The sad truism, when it comes to our dogs, is that we will, in all likelihood, outlive them; to have a photograph that captures their spirits can provide great comfort and be vital to moving on. For Dratfield, it’s his love of animals and the ability to provide a treasured portrait that drives his work. Dratfield is based in New York, but travels often and can arrange commissions in your area. Sittings take two to five hours and start at $1000. For more information, go to petography.com.

“People love to help you when you are authentic and doing what you love.”

moderndogmagazine.com

Diary of a Human-grade Literalist Beauty inspired by beast: our Brielle Morgan tries out the latest dog products—on herself. by Brielle Morgan Illustration by Allison Nitch

S A SINGLE-AND-SEARCHING

girl, I’m always looking for ways to, er, get hotter. Personal strategies to date have involved lots of ball sports, flat irons, and sporadic bursts of quasi-exercise on the living room floor (i.e., twenty random push-ups fueled by lots of grunting). Despite these efforts, I find myself sans that “special someone.” Where am I going wrong? Like many people in need of inspiration, I turn to my dog. When it comes to the ladies, Oliver is consistently confident in his approach and the chick-mutts seem to dig him. Observation leads me to believe that his shiny black, freshly-washed coat might have something to do with his success. Hmm. Human-grade dog products, you say? And, suddenly, I have a new tactic. If all these self-enhancing products can help Oliver to smell better, look better, score better…well, it’s worth a shot.

Day One Inspired by one of my gorgeous-haired coworker and her personal endorsement of Fuzzyard’s Jojoba and Basil organic dog shampoo, I decided to work from the top down. Shea Pet’s Green Tea & Sea Kelp shampoo appealed to me for its organic ingredients and the company’s fair trade policies are a huge bonus. Post shampooing, my thick hair feels really light and smells date-ready. Am very pleased. I’ve even opted to pass on the flat iron as the Shea Butter conditioner worked really well. I’m frizz-free for a change. Next I dipped into Olly’s stash of 100% Natural For Pets Invisible Boot, which protects paws from salt, ice, heat, and cold. Ooh, I like this stuff. Makes my hands feel really soft. Later, I’m introduced by a friend to a potential suitor. We shake hands and I’m almost positive he held on for a few seconds (note his meaningful departure from the standard two-second

handshake). Perhaps there’s something to this little project after all.

Day Two Stepping out of the shower, I spritz on Sexy Beast’s unisex canine cologne. The name in itself instills a ridiculous and rather primal sort of self-confidence. Moving on, I apply a coat of Colour Paw’s Premium Pet Nail Polish in Tigerlily. Pretty! Though I do think Olly’s black fur sets it off better than my glaring white skin. A few hours later I’m cruising the produce section of the local farmer’s market. I spot a cute guy by the field tomatoes and summon the courage. He smells me coming—I can tell by the way he glances in the mirror over his shoulder—and, well, he doesn’t scurry immediately over to the cucumbers so I’ll take that as a positive. I grab a tomato, hold it up to my face and spin it just so: a bold invitation for him to check out

moderndogmagazine.com

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my nails should he dare. He dares. I bail. There’s always tomorrow.

Day Three If ever there was a time for extremism, it’s now. Nodding encouragingly to myself, I fasten the pink wig from Wiggles Wigs for Dogs to my brunette ponytail. A little flair can’t hurt, right? A trip to the corner store teaches me that pink gets noticed. True, it’s tough to tell whether the looks are incredulous or encouraging. Nonetheless, props go to Ruth Regina for creating a wig that’s equally hot on a Pomeranian or a Canadian.

Day Four Today a much-awaited accessory arrived from Pup-pup Designs. I take to the streets sporting a red collar personalized with four letters (O-L-L-Y) and a vintage dog head button that I popped into the collar’s grommets. Instantly I’m getting second glances. On the bus, one 50-plus woman weighs in with “nice collar.” Her blunt yet seemingly sincere comment spawns a casual conversation and, while she’s nice and all, I can’t quite see us spending Sunday mornings in bed together. Still, I’m smart enough to realize these ladies have nephews. Potential yet. Later on, I ask my beautiful, wonderful, understanding best friend if she wouldn’t mind testing a product she’s better equipped for. “Yeah, sure,” she says. My next question: have you shaved lately? She cocks her (generous) eyebrow suspiciously and I pull out the Furminator. Regretfully I can’t say how this awesome tool fares when challenged with human hair removal but I do encourage you to be gentle when combing sensitive areas. The Furminator, when wielded as groomerstyle weaponry, is effective—and sharp.

Day Five A date! Well, sort of. The cute guy from down the block finally asked me out for post-work drinks. Before leaving the office, I pop into the washroom to freshen up. I spray a little Healing Dog’s Sleeping Dog Spray, intended to create a calm, soothing space for your dog, and am happily overcome by a feeling of zen-like centeredness. Next, I rub a little bit of Sir Shadow’s delicious-smelling Organic Coconut Oil behind my ear. Some people use this product as a canine supplement or hotspot treatment; I wear it with an aim to sexy up any would-be hugging. The evening starts out wonderfully: lots of meaningful eye contact and he even compliments my still frizz-free hair. The would-be hug even became an actuality—and, yes, it was lovely. Nevertheless, the end of the night saw me hoofing it home on my own. Humph. I blame the wig.

Conclusions

FF O % 0 GET O1RDERING FROM WHEN

D001 ode M rder. c o prom our o Enter placing y n e wh

Okay, so I’m still single. But five days ago I was minus one seriously extended handshake and my hair couldn’t flaunt fair-trade associations. There’s something to this canine-inspired makeover and I’m going to keep it up. Wish me luck! Interested in hosting your own dog/ human makeover party? The following websites are a great place to start sourcing human-grade goodies: fuzzyard.com; sheapet.com; natural4pets.com; sbstyle.com; wigglesdogwigs.com; collarsandleashes.com; furminator.com; retropup.com; shadowsbeautypalace.com. Can you say bow wow? n (Attention prospective suitors: To see what Brielle Morgan really looks like, go to moderndogmagazine.com/theteam)

FREE STUFF Pop Art Pup What do Twiggy, Marilyn Monroe, (insert your dog’s name here), and Campbell Soup all have in common? Pop Art portraits, friends. One muttly model will win a custom portrait from Barking Babies, making momma very proud. For contest details, see page 130. barkingbabies.com

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Indulge both of your loves, Poochie and sushi, with these mouth-wateringly cute faux-food toys. Choose from plush tuna, salmon, or uni maki for a squeak in every bite. sushipups.com

These colourful tiki toys exude Polynesian charm and, when squeezed, chant a very catchy tribal dance song we’ll call “ooga booga.” We can’t stop playing with these. hipdoggie.com

Challenge your dog’s intellect with these durable, chewable, configurable puzzles that can also be stuffed with tasty treats. Genius! caninegenius.com

Mmmm, BBQ! If your dog’s craving some sweet meat but you’re watching his waistline, treat him to the next best thing—a super realistic squeaker toy. furpetssake.com

Keep Snuffy fit, engaged, and entertained while you discover just how much fun this interactive sport of agility can be with this adjustable Tire Jump, part of Jakks Pacific’s AKC agility line. jakkspacific.com

Practice your swing while exercising Fido. The Doggie Driver launches balls up to 100 yards and boasts hands-free pickup. Father’s Day gift, anyone? hyper-products.com

Form marries function in Rita, Otis and Claude’s new stuffable ball, available in eyecandy colour combos. Made of durable rubber, it also floats to enable hours of seaside fun. otisandclaude.com

Fill the fun Squirt Ball with ice water so that Tippy gets a refreshing squirt of cool water with every bite. dogtoys.com

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Shilo, a lovable golden retriever, has acquired years of personal experiences, observations and “issues.” Befriended by a wise old Basset, he discovers the lore of ancient wolves, the history of the dog & the deeper significance of his love for his human family – and their love for him. He shares his new insights through humorous e-mails to his net pal, Max. Certain to delight animal lovers of all ages • Illustrated • Now on Sale

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Publishing

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CONNIE WILSON’S SELECTIONS FOR SOME GREAT SUMMER READING.

Wolf Empire: An Intimate Portrait of a Species (Lyons Press, 2007) By Scott Ian Barry Given that today’s domestic dog is descended from wolves that were tamed 100,000 years ago, Scott Barry’s Wolf Empire will be of interest to many a dog lover. Having observed 35 wolves, primarily in the Canadian wilderness, Barry here documents their behaviours and personalities with words and stunning photographs in this outstanding coffee table book. Each titled image (“Tag, You’re It!” “Hail To The Chief” “Something Pungent This Way Comes”) is accompanied by a short story that exemplifies Barry’s keen knowledge of and love for wolves. Wolf Empire offers remarkable insight into its subject, sadly so greatly misunderstood and maligned, and reveals the important role wolves play in maintaining balance in our ecosystem. Dog lovers will come away with the added benefit of having light shed on the mystifying wolf-like behaviours our dogs continue to exhibit today.

<< Dog Days

(Andrews McMeel, 2007) By Gandee Vasan “Innocent.” “Pert.” “Wired.” “Worried.” These are some of the captions accompanying the award-winning photographs of the variety of breeds represented in this beautifully bound coffee-table book. Acclaimed for his ability to capture the canine temperament, Vasan has captured complex and diverse expressions of his canine subjects in a way that is bound to bring a smile of recognition.

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Tell Me Where It Hurts: A Day of Humor, Healing, and Hope in my Life as an Animal Surgeon (Broadway Books, 2008) By Dr. Nick Trout If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes in a busy veterinary practice, Tell Me Where It Hurts is for you. The book follows Dr. Trout, staff surgeon at Angell Animal Medical Center, through 24 hours of ministering to his furry patients. This real-life drama proves difficult to put down; each page has one marvelling at the heartrending decisions this remarkable vet makes numerous times a day in caring for his charges—and oft-times their demanding owners. Writing with wit, humour, and compassion, Dr. Trout wields the skill and knowledge we hope our own vets possess. You’ll also learn just how much pet care has progressed in terms of organ transplants, joint replacements, and cancer care and the controversies and complexities surrounding them. Importantly, this special book clearly illuminates the remarkable bond people share with their animal companions.

My Dog Is a Genius: How to Improve your Dog’s Intelligence (Octopus, 2008) By David Taylor, D.V.M Think your dog is a genius? Find out just how smart he is with this delightful, educational, and easy-to-use book. Beginning with some basic information on how a dog’s mind works and moving on to the canine character, physiology, and senses, as well as information on the duties specific breeds were created to perform, a lot of ground is covered. You’ll then delve into tests you can try out on your own dog in order to determine level of intelligence. If it seems that Fido was shortchanged in the brains department, no worries, there’s a chapter on how to make your dog smarter, which includes information on the importance of a good diet, training techniques, plus fun games and tricks. Even the aging dog’s mind is considered with ways to help you keep Fifi at the top of her game. Well laid out with simple explanations and easy-to-follow diagrams and tables, this interesting book will help you get to know and understand your furry friend’s capabilities and have fun doing it.

104 moderndog SUMMER 2008

Ask Your Animal: Resolving Animal Behavioral Issues through Intuitive Communication (New World Library, 2008) By Marta Williams Armed with a master’s degree in biology, Marta Williams worked for many years as a wildlife biologist and environmental scientist and, like most, believed that the ability to communicate intuitively with animals was pure science fiction. Yet, hearing of a woman who taught people to talk with animals sparked Williams’ interest. Using her scientific background, she conducted her own experiments in animal communication only to conclude that the ability is indeed real, spurring Williams to devote her life to helping people recognize and develop their ability to communicate intuitively. In Ask Your Animal you will learn how to intuitively hear and be heard by animals (even from afar), assist shelter animals and other animals in distress, find lost animals, deal with animal death, and work to create harmony and balance within your home as well as between humans and the natural world. If you believe that we’re all connected by a universal field of energy, then it’s not much of a stretch to believe that we can tap into that energy to communicate mentally with others, regardless of distance or species. This book is a great resource to help you get there. If you find this book enlightening, you’ll also want to read Williams’ preceding two books, Learning Their Language and Beyond Words.

French Bulldogs: Lightweights Littermates (Stewart, Tabori and Chang, 2007) By Sharon Montrose In the latest addition to her Lightweights Littermates series, Montrose offers an irresistible collection of photographs capturing the first few months of French Bulldog puppyhood. She trains her keen lens on seven litters, ranging in age from four to nine weeks and the end result is gorgeous photos of pretty much the cutest subject imaginable: French Bulldog puppies in all their newborn appeal. Strike any thoughts of cutesiness from your mind, though; the artful composition and minimal backdrops call to mind an art book. Yet, you’ll still wish you could pick up one of these Frenchie babies for a cuddle. n

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

ask dog lady Dear Readers, Dogs weave into our lives and, often, they serve as the brokers of change. Here are three letters exploring different aspects of how dogs play poignant, significant roles in romantic relationships.

Dear Dog Lady, Help! My husband and I fight over our dog sleeping in our bed! My husband agreed not to let our dog, Bugsy, sleep in our bed anymore after we moved into our new home, and he’s kept his promise, somewhat. I have walked into our bedroom and caught him breaking the rules. I usually get angry and get Bugsy down and then we fight about it. I love my dog but can’t stand sleeping in his hair!!! My husband and I fight about this constantly. We are moving again and I will not have the dog on our bed or, if I’m lucky, even in our bedroom period. He thinks I’m cruel. Who’s right here? How can I get my sanity back? —Aimee, Toronto, ON

Aimee, good gracious, it sounds as if you’re talking about the dread “other woman” rather than the family pet. You’re going to resent

Bugsy more and more as your husband and you continue to fight about sleeping arrangements for the dog. So cease and desist with a truce-inducing heart-to-heart conversation. Your peace offering will be to allow Bugsy a sleeping space in the bedroom. C’mon, you can deal with this concession. To sweeten the deal, throw in a new dog bed as part of the bargain. Say you’ll buy Bugsy a bed all his own so there’s no possible excuse for your husband to accuse you of cruelty. Once the dog becomes used to his luxe lounger, he will want to go there all the time if there is consistent training from both of you to direct Bugsy to his special sleeping pad. (Treats scattered at bedtime will help a lot.) In exchange, your husband must promise not to allow the dog to sleep on your marital bed. You have to convince hubby—in a nice way—that your sanity is being compromised so he clearly understands how important this is for you. You can stress you dearly love the dog but your devotion is severely compromised by the hair of the dog.

Dear Dog Lady, I am in love. I always hoped for a day when I would find someone to come home to; someone to love unconditionally

and share my life with. I finally found this someone, but it isn’t my boyfriend, Rick. Rather, it’s his dog, Bella, a Boxer who has stolen my heart. Here is the problem: My feelings for Rick have cooled. While I think he is an OK guy, I don’t think he is the guy for me. Rick is boring, kind of sedentary, and getting on my nerves with his nonstop chatter and whining. To be honest, he is driving me crazy. Normally, I wouldn’t have a problem ending the relationship yet I think about losing Bella in the process and my heart breaks. Bella has become my constant companion. Bella and I have our daily routine of jogs around the neighborhood. We meet our friends at the dog park. Every evening we have playtime in the backyard. After our daily activities, Bella climbs onto the couch and puts her head in my lap to go to sleep. (Rick doesn’t like her on the couch or drooling on his lap.) Now there’s added wrinkle: Several months ago Rick mentioned it would be nice to get Bella a little brother. At the time I was enthusiastic. Last weekend, however, he put a deposit down on a puppy. While the puppy is adorable, I am scared that I will become even more attached (if that is possible) and it will be impossible to walk away from Rick. moderndogmagazine.com

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108 moderndog SUMMER 2008

ask dog lady Furthermore, I am concerned that if and when I break up with Rick, Bella and the puppy won’t get enough exercise and attention with only Rick taking care of them. What to do? Do I discourage Rick from getting the puppy? Do I break up and negotiate for visitation with Bella? Do I wait it out and see if Rick and I can get out of this rut? Do I try to get over my feelings for Bella and just walk away? How do I do this? — Elle, Austin, TX Elle, your letter is remarkably expressive but your situation is complicated and thorny. Dog Lady wishes you and Bella could make a clean break together. However, Rick owns the dog—even as the dog owns you. Since you have one foot out the door, do not bring another puppy into this household together. You’re getting ready to bail out and troubled couples should deal with their own problems before they bring a new baby into the world or dog into the house. It sounds as if your soul is being sapped by this relationship. Dogs may be the glue to bring humans together but staying in this liaison because of Bella would be to waste your life. People can fritter away years while waiting for other people to change. Don’t get caught in such a nasty trap. Step up bravely and tell Rick you’re unhappy and want a trial separation. Try to confide this in a caring way since you have an agenda: you want to end up as friends because you want to be with Bella, your life partner. Once you’ve had the human conversation, go for the dog talk. In very sweet tones, remind him of all you do for Bella. Ask him if you can continue to walk her, take her to the dog park and have a few overnights. Rick’s heart doesn’t sound as if it rests in you or the dog. Lead him around to agree that Bella might be happier with your continuing care. Propose a generous visitation schedule allowing you to see Bella often. Even offer to take custody of her for a couple of months. Naturally you realize a “couple of months” will probably stretch out much longer. Dog-indifferent people like Rick tend to forget about canine comforts. Stress to him the sharing situation will keep you connected as friends—even as you know full well the connection to Bella is what you care about most of all.

Dear Dog Lady, I am writing to you as a very stressed out person. My boyfriend Tim and I have been together a little more than a year. I am 29, he is 41. Just before he broke up with his ex, he bought a puppy with her. This happened right before he started seeing me. Sam, the dog, is a purebred Border Collie. For the first month of our relationship, Tim slept over almost every night. His ex was still caring for Sam during this time. When I began going to Tim’s house, Sam was there. The dog was cute, but, truthfully, I didn’t notice much because I was so into the newness of the relationship. moderndogmagazine.com

109

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Tim’s ex then took Sam for awhile. The dog was gone for a month and, I have to say, it was probably the most intimate month Tim and I had. He told me he loved me and he seemed fine without Sam. Then, the ex called and asked Tim to take back the dog. Tim briefly talked to me about it and I said “OK.” Actually, I was more concerned with the ex and her manipulations than I was about the dog. Sam came back and everything changed. He’s a working, herding dog. Having him around is like having a four-year-old kid constantly underfoot. I resent this situation more than I can say. I want to have kids some day, not now. I am a responsible person. I also like dogs although I’ve never had one on my own. Am I so wrong for wanting to focus on us right now and not on a dog? Also, Tim is extremely affectionate with Sam. Honestly, it makes me jealous, which I know is so absurd. Tim is slow to change, slow to motivate, and this dog is an excuse for his inertia with his career and with me. Sam takes up tons of time and energy. Is it wrong for me not to want to devote this to Sam right now? I think Sam is smart as hell and great but, all things considered, I wish he were on a farm so he could herd sheep. Tim knows the dog ties us down and is a drain, but he believes he has a responsibility and there is no turning back. I try with this dog but I don’t enjoy it. I don’t want to break up with Tim, but I am unhappy. I want to be firm when I talk to him about this. Any help or advice would be wonderful. —Amanda, Princeton, NJ

“Am I so wrong for wanting to focus on us right now and not on a dog?”

Amanda, Dog Lady loves dogs more than she can say but she understands people come first. Your anger is with Tim, a man who probably jumped into a relationship with you much too quickly after ditching his “ex.” Honey, there, there. Please allow Dog Lady to hold your hand and empathize because she’s been there: you’re the rebound girl. As such, you enjoyed the burst of slam-dunk passion at the beginning and now you suffer the slow dribble of consequences toward inevitable defeat. The Border Collie, Sam, further herds you into a pen of distress. You’re either going to continue to steam over Sam or you can get on with your life. The dog is non-negotiable and anything you say against Sam will be held against you. Whether Tim uses Sam to avoid you, he sure doesn’t use you to avoid Sam. He enjoys the dog because Sam is guileless and doesn’t demand deep emotional stuff. For Tim, flocks of sheep and a farm in the country are a whole lot easier to provide to his dog than a human commitment to you. Be firm, talk to him all you want, but prepare for a loss.

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

110 moderndog SUMMER 2008

The Party If play-date entertaining is the last thing on your mind, cool down them hot dogs with a round of poochie popsicles. What to do when the temperature’s record-breaking and your dog’s threatening to melt into a puddle? Why not suggest Mopsy

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and canine crew dog-paddle ‘round the pup pool before repairing to the shade of her favourite tree with cool and refreshing poochie popsicles? Thus, ample time is saved for fanning yourself and watching Oprah. Amen.

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2 oz (50 g) cabbage, shredded

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3 1/2 fl oz (100 ml) apple juice

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hide chew sticks. Freeze and feed to cool

3 1/2 fl oz (100 ml) cranberry juice

1. Place the chicken pieces in a large

canines on hot summer days.

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

saucepan with the carrots. Add the

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Freezing Instructions

2 carrots, sliced

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3 1/2 pints (2 liters) cold water

ingredients together in a jug. Pour the

2 Tbsp corn flour, diluted in

punch, or the chicken soup, into popsicle

3 1/2 fl oz (100 ml) cold water

molds or ice cube trays. If you want,

Recipe and photos courtesy of Pup Snacks: 35 Delicious and Healthy Recipes to Bark Home About by Stephanie Mehanna (Octopus Publishing Group, 2007)

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*D.I.Y. Make your own

Canine First Aid Kit By Elizabeth Kemp

earing up for a road trip down the coast or just

Furry Friend First Aid Kit

furry friend. This cool cat packed

1. A dog first aid book. We like The First Aid Companion for Dogs and Cats (Amy D. Shojai, Rodale, 2001). It’s a little hefty but it covers everything from allergic reactions to removing wax from fur.

hers in an old Snoopy lunch box,

2. Latex gloves

but any durable, preferably water-

3. Emergency contact numbers. The digits for your vet, the closest animal emergency hospital, and the poison control hotline.

heading to the beach for

the day? Take your cue from the Girl Scouts and always be prepared with a custom First Aid Kit for your

proof, case will do. If your dog is into extreme water sports (page 78), consider using a dry bag, available at most outdoor sports stores such as Mountain Equipment

4. Tweezers (flat slant tip) and Scissors (dull ended). Avoid pointed ends lest you do more damage than good.

a standard doggie kit. Keep in

5. Special tweezers for tick removal. These are designed to remove the imbedded head, which, if left in, can lead to infection.

mind not everything that works on

6. Cotton balls

humans is suitable for Rover and

7. Gauze Pads, Squares and Roll. For wounds—sticky bandages don’t work so well on fur.

Co-op (mec.ca). The following are the basics for

never administer human drugs or prescriptions to your dog without first checking with your vet.

8. Disinfectant, such as Hibitane. 9. Wound cream. To speed healing and minimize scarring try a product such as CanineAid, a soothing cream that eases discomfort and can be used on cuts, wounds, and irritations. (epicareltd.com) 10. Saline solution. Can be used to clean wounds or flush sand out of eyes. Contact solution will work in a pinch.

11. Antihistamine. May be used to calm itchiness, swelling, and hives caused by bee stings or insect bites but, as with any medication, please consult a vet first as dosage will vary depending on your pup’s size. 12. Hydrogen Peroxide. While this is not recommended to clean wounds, it can be used to induce vomiting in case of accidental ingestion. Check with your vet before administering; in some circumstances vomiting may not be encouraged. 13. Bulb Syringe or Small Turkey Baster. Use to flush wounds or eyes or for administering medicine. 14. Antibacterial Wipes or skin soap. 15. Skin & Paw Cream. I love Bag Balm—it works on my feet as well as Rover’s! (bagbalm.com) 16. Rectal Thermometer. A dog’s average temperature is 38°C or 101°F. 17. Petroleum Jelly. For use with the above. Just trying to be considerate. It’s also useful to have an old blanket and some towels with you when traveling, as well as a second lead, some extra dog food, a flashlight, and matches. I’m the kind of girl who knows where all the exits are, as well as the lifejacket-to-passenger ratio, so this list could go on, but the above basics should have you covered until you can seek professional medical assistance. Safe travels! n

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TRAINING TRIALS?

Ask an Expert The Fab Five answer your questions

Ask

Ian Dunbar

If my dog is attacked at the dog park, what should I do? —Tracey, Austin, TX

dogs with your hands or feet. Even though dogs may have rare but very dangerous. When they occur, there good bite inhibition towards each other, they may or may is usually a considerable size difference between the two not have developed sufficient bite inhibition toward people dogs—the attacker is large and the victim small—and the depending on the degree of puppyhood play with humans. attack is usually eerily silent, rapid, and often predatory. Often Standard dog park procedure is for as many people as posboth the attacker and the victim are un-socialized. Sometimes sible to quickly approach and circle the dogs (to prevent other the attacker picks up and carries and shakes the victim. This is dogs joining in the fray) while shouting, “Sit! Sit! Sit!” and a dire emergency: scream blue murder! Create as much noise then praising the dogs as soon as they stop fighting. as possible to convince other people to shout and help chase Breaking up dogfights is never without potential danger to down the dog and get him to release the victim. I once chased people so the best strategy is to never let your dog get into a down a neighbour’s German Shepherd to rescue a Pekingnese. fight. Prevent the desire to fight by thoroughly socializing your Sadly, the Peke died three days later. dog during puppyhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Routinely Dog fights, on the other hand are extremecondition your dog to enjoy the proximity of ly common but rarely dangerous. Dog fights other dogs. Never let your dog eyeball, lunge Do not try to occur between all dogs but most usually towards, or vocalize at other dogs. Simply separate the between male dogs less than two years of ask your dog to sit and shush and look at dogs with your age. Most people assume one dog is a domiyou. Three basic obedience commands—Sit, hands or feet. nant bully and the other an innocent victim Shush, and Watch Me—will go a long way to but more usually both dogs are under-socialprevent your dog from getting into trouble. ized and lack confidence and social savvy. Frequently, the two If your dog sits and shushes, he cannot bark and lunge, dogs will eyeball each other and the tension will progressively and if he looks at you he cannot eyeball and amp up the other escalate as each dog is incited by the others reactivity. The dog. But more importantly, if your dog sits and looks at you, resulting dogfight is often noisy and protracted, however, few he presents the aura of a calm and confident dog, one that of these altercations necessitate a trip to the veterinary clinic. has a much more important mission (paying attention to you) The dogs are reactive but not dangerous because, during pupthan being concerned with the growly silliness of other dogs. pyhood, they both developed bite inhibition and learned to Basically, you are training your dog to emulate the behavior of settle differences via Marquis of Dogsberry Fighting Rules: a true Top Dog. Remember, calm and confident dogs are selonly biting the other dog from the neck forwards (scuff and dom picked on, but under-socialized insecure dogs are attacksoft part of neck, muzzle, head, and ears) and never puncturbait. My wife teaches dogs to Watch and Wag whenever under ing the skin. Learning bite inhibition and socially acceptable pressure from other dogs; to pay attention to her and to wag stereotypical fighting patterns are the most important reasons their tails. It is surprisingly difficult for other dogs to pick an for dogs to attend off-leash puppy and adolescent classes. argument with a waggly rear end. For more tips, see The best, safest, and most effective way to break up a dog dogstardaily.com/training/adult-dog-training-2-years. n fight is by pushing a “pig board” (a 36” x 30” piece of plyDr. Ian Dunbar is a veterinarian, animal behaviourist, dog trainer, and author wood with a handle in the top) between the two dogs. Maybe of several books and DVDs. He is the Founder of the Association of Pet Dog this should be standard equipment for all dog parks, boarding, Trainers (apdt.com) and co-creator of dogSTARdaily.com—a daily magazine and day care facilities. Certainly do not try to separate the for dog owners. UNPROVOKED ATTACKS ARE ACTUALLY EXTREMELY

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115

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Ask an Expert Ask

Q: A:

Pamela Reid How can you avoid your dog being skunked three times in one month??? —Chris, Timmins, ON

THE SIMPLE ANSWER? KEEP AWAY FROM SKUNKS! THE

fact that many dogs don’t learn to avoid skunks after a single harrowing experience is one of the great mysteries of life. After all, the situation is set up perfectly for learning: the stimulus (the skunk) has a very distinctive appearance and the consequence (the spray) is truly horrible. The skunk relies on its contrasting black and white colouration to tell predators “don’t mess with me or you’ll be sorry.” Presumably, our dogs’ relatives, the foxes, coyotes, and wolves, get the message without repeated smelly encounters, but dogs seem to miss the lesson and keep going back for more. There’s no question that dogs abhor the initial smell: a skunked dog frantically rubs and rolls on the ground to rid itself of the scent. It may be that dogs get so few opportunities to hunt that they are just too excited to remember the lesson— they see something to chase and don’t even take note of the tell-tale white stripe. I’ve known a few dogs that learned to give skunks a wide berth after a few mishaps, so perhaps it simply takes more repetition than it does for their wild counterparts. But I’ve also known dogs that never figure it out. It is possible, however, to stack the deck in your favour. Avoid venturing out with your dog at night or in the early morning, when skunks are most active. Teach your dog a really reliable recall so you have a chance to call him off should you sight a skunk in time. If you have a habitual offender, you can try conditioning your dog to avoid skunks by associating the sight of a skunk model with something truly traumatic, possibly a blast from a loud air horn or a spray of citronella in the face. Do consult with a professional trainer before trying this, though. Using a model means the dog won’t be wildly excited and so he may be able to learn the link between black and white and the sky falling in. And then you hope he retains that learning when faced with a real skunk. However, if you and your dog share your home with a black and white cat, this approach may not be a good idea. Your final option? Buy stocks in doggie perfume. n

Dogs seem to miss the lesson and keep going back for more.

Pamela Reid, PhD, is a certified applied animal behaviourist and author of Excelerated Learning: Explaining (in Plain English) How Dogs Learn and How Best to Teach Them. She heads the Animal Behavior Center at the ASPCA and lives in New Jersey with her dogs Eejit, Fidget, and Grifter.

Ask

Q: A:

Teoti Anderson My dog’s play-biting is too hard. How do I get him to soften his mouth? —Mara, San Diego, CA

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN TWO CANINE FRIENDS PLAY

together? They can look like they’re trying to kill each other! They clash teeth, chew on each other’s necks, and chomp down on legs. That’s how dogs play. What dogs don’t realize is that humans are a lot more delicate than their canine playmates. Teaching a dog to not bite down hard on people is called “bite inhibition” and it’s one of the most important things for your dog to learn. Forget all those old-fashioned techniques, such as pushing your fingers down your dog’s throat, yelling at him, or popping him under the chin. If you try those methods, you could actually be teaching your dog to come back at you harder. After all, that’s how dogs play, right? Your dog may figure you’ve finally caught on to the game. Should you significantly frighten your dog into not biting down hard, you may solve the problem for you but what about a child? Or Grandma? Instead, try this: When your dog makes contact with his teeth on your skin, yelp like you’re really hurt. Act wounded. Then completely withdraw all attention from your dog. Don’t make eye contact, don’t lecture him, don’t give him any attention at all. Should he get riled up (some dogs can get excited when you suddenly withdraw), just leave the room. Count to ten, then immediately find a toy your dog is allowed to chew on. Give it to your dog and praise him for chewing on the toy instead of you. You should repeat this consistently, every time his teeth touch your skin, even just a little bit. You’ll be teaching your dog that humans are fragile and he needs to be very careful with them. When he bites down on you, playtime stops. But when he chews on other things, it makes you very happy. Keep in mind, if your dog is especially mouthy it’s best to avoid roughhousing games. That goes for everyone in your family, too. If Dad gets the dog all riled up and mouthing hard, he’s teaching him that’s how to play with everyone, not just Dad. Your dog will not understand that Dad enjoys the rough game but that it scares the neighbourhood kids. Make sure everyone is consistent in teaching your dog bite inhibition. He’ll end up with a much softer mouth—and many more people playmates! n Teoti Anderson, CPDT, owns Pawsitive Results, LLC (getpawsitiveresults.com), and is the past president of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. She is the author of Your Outta Control Puppy, Super Simple Guide to Housetraining, Quick and Easy Crate Training, and Puppy Care and Training.

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Ask an Expert

Ask

Jennifer Messer

Help! My otherwise perfect terrier mix, Dervish, goes berserk as soon as we’re about to go in the yard to play Frisbee. She spins in circles, hooting and whining, trampling my older dog and freaking out the cats. How can I tone this down?—Julie, Denver, CO

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I THINK OUR DOGS WERE TWINS SEPARATED AT BIRTH.

See Charlotte, the Pit-cross in my photo? She used to shriek so loudly when she thought frisbee was in the cards that it nearly deafened me. I have experienced your angst. And I can offer you something even better than empathy—a training solution. Dervish’s “going berserk” is an emotional reaction to the expectation of a frisbee game. She has learned that certain unique behaviours of yours, which we’ll call clues, predict frisbee. Through a learning mechanism called classical conditioning, these “clues” have come to bring out the same feelings as the frisbee game itself. It is the doggie equivalent of kids jumping up and down screaming “yippee” when you announce an upcoming visit to the amusement park. And, like children, it is very hard for dogs to contain emotional responses. The best solution to your problem is to make it impossible for Dervish to know when a game of frisbee is in the works. Figure out how she can “tell” that you are about to play her favourite game, and eliminate all these clues. If, for example, you take out special gloves or rummage through the bottom of the closet for her frisbee as a prelude to the game, then you need to scrap these hints. Keep the frisbee and gloves in the garden shed, or in a bin just outside the back door. This way Dervish will have no idea that it is game time until she is already outside with you. Even with the paraphernalia moved outdoors, there will still come a point in the “pre-frisbee” period when she realizes that the fun is about to ensue. To help her contain her excitement while you change shoes, put on gloves, and get her toy, simply ask her to lie down—with her chin glued to the ground— and stay. You’ll need to teach her how to do this in advance, but once she is good at it you can use this command to keep her still and quiet, even in moments of extreme excitement. These strategies will go a long way in toning down your whirling Dervish! n

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118 moderndog SUMMER 2008

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 curriculum consultant for Montessaurus Puppy School. She is owned by her Pit Bull, Charlotte, and her Beagle, Mr. F. Bender.

Ask an Expert

Ask

Nicole Wilde

Why does my dog tilt his head when I talk to him? Is he concentrating, trying to figure out what I’m saying? —Ashley, Albany, NY

WHEN CONSIDERING THIS QUESTION, YOU MAY HAVE

cocked your head and thought, Hmm, I wonder why they do that! We humans tend to give a tilt of the head when we are pondering possibilities, when we are confused or unbelieving, or when we hear an unusual noise. It’s not so different for dogs. Years ago, I thought it would be cute to teach my dog, Mojo, to tilt his head on cue. The problem was how to elicit that physical movement in the first place. I tried various sounds: “Bzzt”—No good. “Pssst”—Nothing. “Meeerrooowww”—Success! Apparently my cat imitation was good enough (or maybe bad enough) to cause him to cock his head as if to say, “What the heck was that?” When a dog cocks his head, he is trying to gather information. The motion may be in response to an unusual sound or something the dog sees but does not recognize. After all, animals are hard-wired to respond to sounds and other stimuli that could signal impending harm. That momentary tilt of the head is the physical gesture that goes along with the mental processing of information. A head tilt is sometimes seen in response to something that is said to a dog. We may think our dogs are desperately trying to understand what we are saying, and in a way, it may be true. It’s not that our dogs are trying to ferret out words in English, but are perhaps trying to decipher the intention of the words or what is expected. The very tone of the voice can elicit the reaction as well. In short, a tilt of the head signifies curiosity, processing of information, and the fact that dogs are very intelligent, inquisitive creatures! n

The very tone of the voice can elecit the reaction.

Nicole Wilde holds a B.A. Degree with a heavy emphasis on psychology. She is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT) who specializes in behaviour issues, and a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). Nicole is the author of six canine-related books including Help for Your Fearful Dog and So You Want to be a Dog Trainer. To submit a training question, email training@moderndogmagazine.com.

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Actions speak louder than BARKS.

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TO ENTER: For the giveaways listed above, log on to moderndogmagazine.com and click on “Giveaways” or send a postcard with your name, address, age, email address, and daytime phone number to “Quench Your Thirst,” “Charmed, I’m Sure,” “Hip Hounds,” “Roo Your Do,” “Loo, Loo, Skip to my Loo,” or “Pop Art Pup,” Modern Dog, 202–343 Railway St, Vancouver, BC CANADA V6A 1A4, by August 31, 2008. Winners will be notified by September 30, 2008. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Contests are open to legal Canadian and US residents 18 and older

as of date of entry. The decisions of the judges are final. Prizes are not transferable to any other person and may not be substituted for any other prize. The odds of winning depend on the number of entries received. The selection of the reviewed items for giveaways is based solely on the discretion of the editors. Income and other taxes, if any, are the sole responsibility of the winner(s). The approximate retail values of the prizes are: Aqua Pure Breed Water – USD 80; Lovepaw Apollo charm – USD 55; Pet Revolution Modern Lounge – CAD 110; Hamish McBeth grooming set – CAN 42; Mini Pet Loo – CAD 350; and Pop Art portrait from Barking Babies – 750. Subject to all national and provincial/federal and state, and local laws and regulations. Void in Puerto Rico, and where prohibited. All entries become the property of Modern Dog Inc. and will not be acknowledged or returned. Winners may be required to sign an Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability/Publicity release, which may be returned within 30 days from notification, or an alternate winner may be chosen. Acceptance of a prize constitutes consent to use a winner’s name and likeness for editorial, advertising, and publicity purposes without further compensation, except where prohibited. For the names of the winners, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to “Modern Dog Contests” at the address listed above after September 30, 2008.

We Support Rescue Organizations! Modern Dog believes in supporting the efforts of rescue organizations and their volunteers. We do not accept advertising dollars from known puppy mills and our Donation Program was designed solely to help raise rescue dollars. We believe that When it comes to providing consistent, competitive, and quality end-to-end print services, we’ve discovered that distance is irrelevant. Our investment in technology, adherence to strict processes, and competitive pricing have proven time and time again to be exactly what our out-of-town

surrendered dogs deserve “forever homes” regardless of age, breed, or lineage. If you are a member of a rescue organization

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130 moderndog SUMMER 2008

donations@moderndogmagazine.com.

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AUGUST 23-24 2008 PETFASHIONWEEK.COM

Horoscopes By Esther Louisa Rose, Psychic of the Stars • Illustrations by Kathy Weller

Cancer (June 21 to July 22) The next few months promise a howling good time to all canines under the Cancer sign. No sitand-stays for you, it’s all leaps, bounds, stick fetching and flinging off stinky swamp water onto passersby. Yahoo.

Leo (July 23 to Aug 22) Wasn’t it Oscar Wilde that said “all of us are in the gutter, but some of us are drinking puddle water?” Perhaps not, but that, my friend, about sums up your approach to life. And it’s a good one.

Virgo (Aug 23 to Sept 22) Jogging? Seriously. You’d rather catch some zz’s and watch Alf reruns. Which are obviously elevated pursuits, right along with the pursuit of leisure and the cat. No one better accuse you of being low minded.

Libra (Sept 23 to Oct 22) Libra, your sign is the scale, and it looks like you might be tipping it. Lace up those Poochey Shoos and hit pavement. It’s time to ramp up those walks and work on that canine cardio. The payoff? Better naps.

134 moderndog SUMMER 2008

Scorpio (Oct 23 to Nov 21) They can’t tie you up, you’re a dog on the move and no one can keep a good dog down for long. Lucky for you, you’ve got a co-conspirator with a driver’s license and a liberal attitude towards leashes. Can you say Road Trip?

Sagittarius (Nov 22 to Dec 21) Fortune smiles upon you, Sag. The dog house of your dreams is in your immediate future (radiant-heated floors and all). All your past perseverance is paying off—the fire hydrant of your dreams is about to be delivered. Praise be to Dog.

Capricorn (Dec 22 to Jan 19) You’re the belle of the off-leash beach, the dudical dog on park circuit. No BBQ is complete without you under foot; no hot dog goes uneaten without you drooling. You know your role, revel in it.

Aquarius (Jan 20 to Feb 18) No one can say you’re not friendly. Your tail thumping borders on ecstatic and that toothy grin may, by some, be described as manically, um, cheery. Why bother to try and contain your emotion when letting it all hang out is so darn endearing?

Pisces (Feb 19 to March 20) You’ve always been one for fads (pUggs, anyone?) but the Southpaw Beach Diet? No robust dog can survive on distilled puddle water and sunshine alone. Embrace your figure and hit the beach already.

Aries (March 21 to Apr 19) Move over Lassie, there’s a new dog in town and she’s four-steppin’ her way into the hearts of everyone she encounters. One flash of those pearly whites and doors open. Hollywoof, here you come!

Taurus (Apr 20 to May 20) Tenacious Taurus, you’re right where you want to be. This is your season so kick up your paws and enjoy. Creative endeavours, friends, and financial gain are all favoured this quarter. Roll in it.

Gemini (May 21 to June 20) You’ve been honing your tactical moves with strategic games of chess and are now ready to unleash your master plan for nabbing the Sunday roast. Strike while the element of surprise is on your side.

lastlick

Photographed by Lindsey Donovan

Sam, a yellow Lab cross, wears a black and white Damask collar, Bowchies. (bowchies.com) Trouvé, a Griffon, wears a “Sun Spot Daisy Daze” collar, Dublin Dog, available at the Dog and Hydrant. (thedogandhydrant.com)

Trouvé, a Griffon, wears a “Sun Spot Daisy Daze” collar, Dublin Dog, available at the Dog and Hydrant. (thedogandhydrant.com)

Esther, a Miniature Dachshund, wears a paw print “Hanky Panky” bandana, Muff’n’Puff Stuff. (muffnpuffstuff.com)

Roxanne, a mixed breed, wears a floral “J Lo” hat, Barking Baby; and her own collar. (barkingbaby.com)

136 moderndog SUMMER 2008

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