July/August 2015 by Montana Dog Magazine

Jasmine Highlights: Has drastically improved since she has been here at the shelter Staff has worked a lot with her to make her comfortable – but hates her kennel (so this often makes for a bad first impression) Does not present well in her kennel, so I recommend anyone interested to ask to be introduced to her out in the play yard. Loves toys ~ very proud to show you her toys Good Walker Loves cuddles and belly scratches Has the cutest wiggly butt and smile

Jasmine HAS BEEN AT THE SHELTER FOR a YEAR!! `Hi, I’m Jasmine! I’m a three year old Pitbull mix searching for my forever home. I’ve been at the shelter for over a year and still haven’t found someone to take me home. Don’t get me wrong, the staff at The Lewis and Clark Humane Society have been really nice to me and are doing everything to help me find a home, and believe me when I say they have tried EVERYTHING, including making me the star of their adoption events and waiving my adoption fee! I have celebrated my birthday with these guys, worked hard to overcome my fear of strangers, and have even learned some commands while here at the shelter! I am slowly learning how to get along with other dogs (I am not a fan of cats however) and I’ve been hoping that someone will notice all of the things I have achieved and give me a chance to become part of the family. I have lots of energy and so badly want a family to play and hang out with! I love toys (kongs are my absolute favorite!) but my favorite thing is just being with the people I love! I am always so happy to see the staff and volunteers every day, I love going for walks with them, and just sitting down relaxing with them. Please, can you give me a second chance at a forever home? Inquire more at:

Lewis and Clark Humane Society, Helena, MT 406-442-1660 ext 107

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July / August2015

Gregorie - Adoptable at Bitter Root Humane Association Hamilton, Montana 406-363-5311 monTana dOg MagazineÂŠ

In this Issue... Activities Health & Wellness 06 - Lake & Stream Safety Tips 07 - Hot Summer Cool Down Ideas

08/09 - Top 5 Picks for Montana

Water Activities this Summer

10 - Dog Food Recalls, Under

standing the Basics about Liver Failure

Dog Lifestyle

12 - Would Your Wallet Benefit

from Pet Insurance?

Simple Ear Care for your Dog

13 - Dog Massage is Gaining Popularity

14 - Acuscope for Alternative Pain Therapy

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July / August2015

15 - Dog Park Etiquette 16 - Road Trip Tips for Summer 17 - Feature Dog Breed 18 - Montana Adoption Spot Light

From the Editor's Corner.....

monTana

dOgâ&#x201E;˘

FOUNDER & EDITOR Trish DeVall CONTRIBUTING WRITERS IN THIS ISSUE Trish DeVall Belinda Hendrickson, PhD

This is Brodie one of my pack members I wanted to share with you. He will be 9 this year. Brodie was rescued from the South Los Angeles Animal Shelter in 2010.

Our contributors are people who have been in the pet/dog industry for multiple years. Some come from; dog rescues, pet supply companies, manufacturers, pet nutritionists and soon veterinarians. monTana dOg Magazine is currently looking for more contributors. We are looking for active dog enthusiasts who can offer fun, unique and entertaining articles about dogs. For more information about what we are looking for and what we can offer contact us at montdogmag@gmail.com WWW.MONTDOGMAG.COM Permissions: No content of monTana dOg Magazine shall be reproduced or replicated in whole or in part without the prior permission of the editor. Copyright 2015

Advertise: If you are interested in advertising with monTana dOg Magazine please contact us at montdogmag@gmail.com or you can take a look at our media kit online at www.montdogmag.com. We look forward to working with you.

Submissions: monTana dOg Magazine welcomes any submissions of articles or photography. Submissions to monTana dOg Magazine constitute permission to use material at its sole discretion, in whole or in part, without compensation to the material owner. Please email submissions to montdogmag@gmail.com

Memberships: There is not a traditional subscription fee for our magazine. monTana dOg Magazine can be purchased in print and/ or digitally per issue through our website. To find out more information please visit www.montdogmag.com

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Front Cover Dog: Australian Shepherd Uluru Owner: Becky, Great Falls, MT Photo By: Autumn Tigart Autumn June Photography Great Falls, MT www.autumnjunephotography.com

All information provided in this magazine is strictly for educational purposes only. monTana dOg Magazine does not claim to diagnose, treat or cure any illness and is not intended to replace your veterinarian with our articles.

monTana dOg MagazineÂŠ

Activities

DOG DAY’S OF SUMMER LAKE & STREAM SAFETY TIPS

By: Trish DeVall

on’t we all love to take our dogs to the lake or creek on a hot Montana summer day? If you’re like most of us when the temperature starts climbing, you are headed to the lake, or maybe on the way to get some fishing in at the nearest river. Whatever your water plans are, here are a few safety tips on taking your dog with you.

1 2 3 4 5

. Have a first-aid kit on hand. Not only will this help you with cuts or scrapes, it will help your dog too.

Having a small first-aid kit that contains the basics will help in most dog related situations like cut paw pads or stickers.

. Consider a Life Jacket. If you are planning of playing on deeper waters or water that is flowing, a life jacket is a good idea. They will help keep your dogs body above water. . Watch out for glass or metal. If your trip includes going to a heavily trafficked area keep a look out for

any sharp objects. Nails, glass and/or metal bottle caps are typical in these areas and can leave your dog with cuts and scrapes that can get infected.

. Stagnant water dangers. As the temperatures rise, the water will become still. Keep your dog away from any non-moving waters to avoid the risk of amoebae or coming into contact with other dangerous bacteria.

. Blue-green algae dangers. Hot weather adds a boost of energy to the bloom of blue-green algae. This type of algae is toxic to dogs and can be fatal, so keep your dog far away from any of these algae.

ll done playing in the water for the day? Take these steps next for extra precautions.

6 7 8

. Dry your dog’s ears.

It’s a good idea to always dry wet ears especially if it is a large breed dog with floppy ears. Damp ears can cause issues with bacterial growth, along with ear aches or infection.

. Get your dog dry. After a day of fun in the lake or stream it’s best to make sure that Fido is dry for the ride home. If you have access to fresh water, rinse the fur well and dry. This will help prevent any areas that may become hot spots or other skin issues. . Check your dogs body head to end of tail. Before getting in the car for the drive home make

sure to brush through fur, check ears and between toes for any ticks and/or foxtail grass blades. These can become extremely dangerous as foxtails can migrate through the skin and harm internal organs.

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July / August2015

Activities

MONTANA STYLE Are you running out of cool-down DIY’s for your dog this summer? We’ve picked some great ideas from cool treats to cool interactive games.

Hydration: Making sure that your dog stays hydrated is important during the summer months.

Using an ice tray fill 3/4 full of chicken or beef broth, or you can substitute with coconut water for added hydration. Next place a small piece of freeze dried liver or meat treat. Top off with broth to fill. Put in freezer until fully frozen. Give one or two treat cubes for a tasty cool down treat.

Frozen Pumpkin Ice Cream for Dogs from

love-my-puppy-dog.com

Ingredients: 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice 1 cup milk, low or fat free 1 (1.5 oz) Sugar Free Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) Instructions: Whisk the vanilla pudding mix, pumpkin pie spice, and milk all together until completely dissolved. Approx. 2 minutes. Fold, in the pumpkin puree to the above mixture. Scoop pumpkin pudding into small paper cups or plastic Popsicle molds. Place your pumpkin mixture into the freezer and let freeze completely for about 3 hours. Once frozen remove the Pumpkin Ice Cream from the freezer and let stand on counter for about 5 minutes for easy removal. Then release from the cups or mold and serve. You can store your frozen pumpkin Ice Cream for up to 3 months in the freezer or for 1 week in the refrigerator.

Games: 3.

Splashing around in a kiddie pool is always fun. Your dog can enjoy fresh cool water while his/her body cools down from the hot temperatures. These pools are pretty inexpensive and can be found at your local hardware store.

Do you have a river walk in your area? These short trails can be fun for your dog. They incorporate easy hiking and a water source for your dog to cool down in. They also provide interaction with other people and dogs for added social time.

monTana dOg Magazine©

Activities

Top 5 Picks for Montana Water Activities this Summer By: Trish DeVall

With the above average temperatures here in Montana this summer, it’s always a great time when you add water to your dog time. We’ve come up with a few fun activities that you can try to beat the heat and stay cool in the hot months. It doesn’t matter if you have a 5 pound dog or a 100 pound dog for these activities.

Lakes and Streams: What’s not to love about the lakes in Montana? In the mid months of summer the lake temperatures rise to a comforting degree.

Hose or Sprinkler: Sprinklers are always a fun time with your dog. There are

multiple sprinkle types to keep your dog interested. Not only is this activity an interactive game, but it makes for a great cool down exercise.

Backyard Pools: In Montana backyard in-ground pools are not really the norm. Grabbing a kiddie pool from the local hardware store however can be a blast of fun for your dog. Make sure that if you have a small dog, you pay attention to the water depth to make sure that your dog stays safe. Bath time: Summer bath time can be closely related to sprinkle and hose time, but there’s that one added item, soap. Whether your dog likes baths or not, bath time is a great interactive activity for you and your dog to get a little soapy. Frozen Cool Off Games: If the temperature is still climbing and you’re running out of ideas to cool off your dog, there are always the options of frozen treats and games.

1. Fill an ice tray with chicken or beef broth for a quite cool down. 2. There are several doggie treats that are similar to ice cream and frozen yogurt on the market. 3. If you have extra freezer room fill a bucket with water and add your dogs favorite toys to it. After being frozen take outside and let your dog lick the ice till the toys melt out of the ice.

Health

Montana Teams of the HOPE Animal Assistance Crisis K-9 TEAMS

How can HOPE help you? 1. Emotional Relief Organizations Our teams are trained and certified to provide emotional comfort and support to people affected by crises and disasters

Dog Product & Food Recalls 7/14/2015 - Carnivore Meat Co. Vital Essentials Frozen Beef Tripe Patties & Frozen Tripe Nibblets Reason: Listeria found in two batches 6/04/2015 - Racheal Ray Nutrish Wet Food for Cats Reason: Elevated levels of Vitamin D 5/15/2015 - OC Raw Dog Turkey & Produce Raw Frozen Canine Reason: May contain Salmonella 4/22/2015 - Nylabone Chew Bones Reason: May contain Salmonella *For more information visit the FDA website

Apple Carrot Nibbles Ingredients: • 1 cup rice flour • 1 cup rolled oats • 1 tsp cinnamon • 1/2 cup applesauce, unsweetened • 1/2 cup finely grated carrot (see note) • 2 eggs • 3 tbsp molasses

2. Emergency Responders: HOPE is prepared to lend assistance to First Response Agencies by sending Certified Animal-Assisted Crisis Response Teams where you need them most. Types of Incidents: Death Notifications School Incidents Suicides Accidental Deaths Structure Fires Wild Fire Base Camps Line of Duty Deaths Multi-Casualty Incidents 3. Schools, Hospitals, Chaplains: HOPE is prepared to lend assistance to schools and school districts, hospitals, pastoral services, and other community institutions when our services would be beneficial soon after a traumatic event.

The HOPE Mission: To provide comfort and encouragement through animal-assisted support to individuals affected by crises and disasters To call in the Comfort Dogs, call: 877-HOPE-K9s

Cookie Recipe Instructions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 ° F 2. In a medium bowl, stir together the rice flour, rolled oats, and cinnamon. 3. In a small bowl, combine the applesauce, grated carrot, eggs, and molasses. 4. Make a well in the medium bowl and pour in the applesauce mixture. 5. Mix thoroughly until well combined. 6. Lightly spray a baking sheetwith cooking spray or line with parchment paper. 7. Drop teaspoon sized clusters on the baking sheet. 8. Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Storing & Yield: These wheat free dog treats will last in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. They will be good in the freezer for 4 months. The yield is approximately 70 teaspoon sized treats. You can make them larger for a larger breed dog, just be sure to bake them an additional 5-10 minutes.

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July / August2015

Provided By: http://www.dogtreatkitchen.com/

Health

Liver Function Understanding the Basics of Liver Disease What is the liver and what is its purpose The canine liver is a major organ that is responsible for the filtration of everything that is consumed by the body. This can be anything from foods to toxins, vitamins and minerals. It removes toxins from the blood system. The liver plays a major role in all body functions in some way or another, and is responsible for cleaning the entire body.

Some causes of liver disease There are multiple causes for canine liver disease and there is not just one diagnosis. Here are just a few of the common concerns that may lead to liver disease: • Genetics and inherited traits • Parasites • Viruses • Bacterial Infections • Some Pharmaceuticals • Toxins that have been ingested [contaminated foods or environmental toxins]

Commonly in the early stages of canine liver disease there will be no visible signs to see. As the liver disease progresses the following symptoms may occur: • Weight Loss • Increased Fluid Consumption • Lethargic Behavior • Loss of Appetite • Swollen or Bloated Abdomen • Bleeding Problems Your veterinarian will assist you if you feel that your canine may be suffering from liver disease. A physical exam and blood panel with help determine if your dog has canine liver disease. There are many treatments that your vet will go over at time of diagnoses. The liver can heal itself if the disease is found early enough, don’t panic if you find that your dog has canine liver disease. There are basic treatments such as changing dietary needs and supplementing with vitamins and minerals, herbal treatments and homeopathic remedies.

Essential Oil Recipe Anxiety This aromatherapy recipe is effective for calming dogs that have separation anxiety, noise anxiety, or fear of new places, people, or things. You need: • 1/2 oz. (15 ml) base oil (e.g. olive oil, sweet almond oil, fractionated coconut oil) • 3 drops Valerian • 3 drops Lavender • 2 drops Clary Sage • 2 drops Sweet Marjoram Use this blend topically on your dog. Rub 2 to 3 drops of the essential oil blend between your hands and apply it on the edge of your dog’s ears, between the toes, on his inner thighs, or under his “armpits”.

monTana dOg Magazine©

ALPINE APOTHECARY Integrating traditional pharmacy with natural medicine

Different Sized Dogs need Different Medication Doses A compounding pharmacy can make the exact dose your dog needs in a flavor they love!

WOULD YOUR WALLET BENEFIT FROM PET INSURANCE? Health insurance is a ‘hot’ topic in today’s society. What about pet insurance? Would your budget benefit from a pet insurance policy? Most people wouldn’t give it a second thought saying, “no we don’t need that”. But the question is how many people know pet insurance actually exists and could save you money? Pet insurance is designed much like human health insurance. It’s probably a wise decision if you often adopt your pets or don’t know much about their history. Let’s face it; pet can be expensive with health related items like; vaccines, rabies, spay/ neuter, senior wellness and even those costly surgeries later in life. There are literally dozens of pet insurance companies out there, including a basic plan provided by the ASPCA. Just like human insurance there are different tiers to choose from like a comprehensive plan, everyday care plan or even an emergency plan. These become cost effective either way you look at it, covering your wallet and limiting out of pocket spending. Having the peace of mind that you can afford the health care you need for your dog in times of need is priceless. With having pet insurance you don’t have to focus on vet bills vs. care given, you can get the care your dog absolutely needs. Most pet health insurance is a reimbursement of the vet bills that you pay. Most will not drop your pet for multiple claims throughout the year. Each year starts a fresh benefit cycle, and commonly you can use your own vet clinic.

No compounding pharmacy in your

Downfalls can be that the insurance company’s can make the decision of your premium and deductable based on your dog’s age, size and breed.

area of Montana? Give us a call! No shipping charges on all our compounded prescriptions, for your dog or you!

www.MTApothecary.com

406.862.7434 6475 Hwy 93 South Whitefish, MT 59937

Simple Ear Care for your Dog Basic ear care for your dog is important in all life stages. Whether you are starting with a puppy or have adopted an adult or senior, it is important to know basic routine ear care. As with any dog routine, grooming time will become important, ears are no different. Having clean ears can make your dog comfortable and less susceptible to having ear infections. The canine ear canal has many twists and turns making any dirt or debris hard to get out on its own. When cleaning the ear use a soft cotton ball or tissue damp with canine ear cleaner, hydrogen peroxide or mineral oil. Make a few swipes around the inner ear, not to harm the ear drum. You can repeat this cycle once a month for general cleaning. For more active water dogs, or dogs that may have ear issues already you may need to repeat more frequently. There are several natural ingredient canine ear cleaners on the market at your local pet boutique or pet store. If you feel that there is a problem with your dogs ears please contact your veterinarian.

Scan to see all the services we offer!

Health

DOG MASSAGE IS GAINING POPULARITY By: Trish DeVall

As alternative therapies gain traction in our society for people, there is much to gain for using similar alternatives for our pets. Dog owners are taking a step back and seeing that alternative therapies work and they are wanting the same benefits for their pets. Some of these therapies can be simple physical therapy, light therapy, water therapy and the use of alternative supplements. Massage is known to be the oldest form of natural healing. Massage has been around for people for centuries, and today it is commonly seen for our pets, anything from horses to dogs to cats, even zoo animals are receiving these great benefits. Our animals are reaping the benefits of a better, more relaxed life. As with any profession, it’s a great idea to make sure that your therapist is a certified massage therapist and has the credentials to practice massage on your animals. Typical school curriculums encompass much more than just massaging a dog. These schools focus on the learning of the skeletal structure, muscular structure, connective tissue structure and neurological structure and function. There are several different massage techniques that can be used to help your dog with healing depending on the health of the dog. •

Compression, which spreads the muscle fibers and increases circulation to the body.

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Effleurage, which is a pre-muscle movement for deeper massage work to come.

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Petrissage, is where the skin is raised in a harmless pinching motion.

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Friction, effects the deeper muscles and helps to stretch the muscle fibers.

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Percussion, these are short tapping motions that helps increase muscle contractions.

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Vibration, primarily to loosen tissue and joints.

Your massage therapist should also do an assessment of your dog prior to treatment. This may include such things as simple palpations, observing the gait of your dog, your dogs conformation and observation of your dog in a natural environment.

Health

ACUSCOPE FOR ALTERNATIVE PAIN THERAPY

What is Acuscope Therapy?

By: Trish DeVall

Commonly called Electro-Acuscope/Myopulse Therapy, this alternative pain therapy has been around for several decades. There are several practitioner fields that are using this device from human sport injury management to veterinary practice. This treatment has shown success in the treatment of horses and small animals. The electro currents that are provided from the Acuscope machine mimic the living cell tissue in the body to help maintain its function. Cells in the body all contain energy to consume nutrients and sustain and repair themselves so that the body remains healthy. When the body cells become damaged or some type of trauma occurs there is a break in the energy flow between the body cells. When this occurs there becomes a level of pain involved. At this point if the body shows an inability to heal itself fully the Acuscope is introduced for treatments. The Acuscope has the capability of giving feedback and shows therapeutic functions so the locations of damaged tissue can be found and treated. This alternative therapy is mainly designed for pain relief and to improve any soft tissue functions along with range of motion. This therapy is not known to heal, but rather it is a modality that helps the body heal itself by assisting the body with circulation of blood and oxygen. Using this alternative therapy, sessions can take 10-30 minutes per treatment. Depending on the severity of the animalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s condition will determine the amount of sessions that will be needed. For more chronic conditions it may take several treatments to see beneficial results.

There have been numerous success stories with canine athletes with neuromuscular conditions such as; field trial dogs, agility dogs, fly ball dogs, and racing dogs. Here are some of the most common conditions which have been worked on by the Acuscope;

Arthritic Conditions

Check Ligaments Epilepsy Pulled Ligaments Joint Inflammation Muscle Spasms Old Age Syndrome Osteochondritis Pinched Nerves Pulled Muscles Traumatic Injury

D E T S I TW H S A E L the finer things for your pet EST. 2014

312 Dewey Ave., Eureka, MT 406.297.0191 www.twistedleashpet.com 14 â&#x20AC;˘ July / August2015

This type of treatment has also been used for; Disc Disease, Hip Dysplasia, Nerve Paralysis and Spinal Damage. Acuscope/Myopulse Therapy is considered a complimentary therapy to traditional veterinary procedures to help with a quicker recovery time for the animals.

Lifestyle

DOG PARK ETIQUETTE Is there such a thing as dog park etiquette? Yes, there is. There are some rules to follow when in public spaces with your dog, even though these places are build for dogs. Here are some basic guidelines to follow while at a dog park. • If you are in a populated area, make sure that your dog is current on vaccinations • When you get to the park look for any posted signs that may contain specific rules for the park • Observe the dogs in the park to see if there are any potential behavior problems • Make sure you clean up after your dogs potty breaks • If you have a young, an older dog or otherwise weak dog make sure that he/she is not being bullied or attacked by other dogs • Make sure to observe the people and dogs around you

PRODUCT REVIEW Pooch Party Packs, a Missoula, Montana based company have launched their subscription dog supply boxes. We are happy to review this great new Montana based company. They were kind enough to send us a Pooch Party Pack for one of our dogs. While Faith was unsure of the box at first, when opened she seemed interested in the contents. We specified that the dog receiving the box was a medium sized dog weighing roughly 45-50 pounds. They personalized the contents for her size.

In the box there were 3 individually wrapped cookies from Pawsitively Gourmet - an Englewood Colorado based company, a 4th of July inspired bandana from Dog Gone Stylish, a Starbucks inspired plush toy and a bottle of deodorizing touch-up spray from Organic Oscar. Faith thoroughly enjoyed the squeak toy once it was unwrapped. When subscribing to the Pooch Party Packs you will be asked to specify the size of your dog, then you will be asked to choose a monthly plan. There are three choices; $34.99 per pack for 1 month, $31.99 per pack for 3 months and $29.99 per pack for 6 months. Plus they offer FREE shipping. Plans do automatically renew and you can cancel at any time. You can even “gift” a pack to someone else. How cool is that! monTana dOg Magazine©

Lifestyle

Road Trip Tips for Summer Belinda Hendrickson, PhD Before you hit the road with your Montana dog: Research your destination for dog friendly cities. Seattle, Key West and San Diego are known for being dog friendly. Consult the city’s website, chamber of commerce and visitor center websites. Many visitor’s guides at your library may also note whether or not the area is dog friendly. Be sure there are dog friendly activities such as hiking, beaches for dog fanciers, walking tours, etc. It’s no fun for your dog to be locked up all day while you are out enjoying all the sights. National Parks may restrict dogs to general areas and require that they always be kept on a leash. Some parks, such as Montana’s Glacier National Park, only allow dogs in developed areas and even specifies the length of the leash to be used. Zion National Park allows dogs in developed areas and on one specific hiking trail. When determining where to go, plan regular stops to allow your dog to stretch his or her legs and take a potty break. While you may be able to drive 1,000 miles without more than a stop or two for gas, give yourself plenty of time to let your pet out to stretch his or her legs, take a potty break and grab a bite/drink. Be considerate of where your pup goes potty as many rest areas have dog walk areas and carry plenty of bags for cleaning up afterwards. Pet accommodations vary widely from inexpensive national chain motels to decadent Las Vegas casinos. Pet policies vary as well. Call ahead to ensure your reservation includes your pet and ask for details about whether or not there is a pet deposit, if it is refundable or non-refundable and if there are any restrictions such as crating your dog when you aren’t in your room. Resources for finding pet friendly accommodations include travel websites, roadside assistance companies and travel guides. Identify emergency veterinarians along your planned route and your final destination. Ask your vet for recommendations as well as checking the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) website for affiliated pet hospitals. AAHA accredited hospitals must meet AAHA standards and typically offer full emergency and surgical services as well as specialists. Packing Pack a file with your pet’s current health information including microchip information, vaccination history and if you are crossing state line’s a health certificate from your veterinarian.

Make sure the microchip information is up-to-date and that I.D. and rabies tags are current and firmly attached. As tags can fall off, you might want to consider a collar with the pet’s name and your cell phone number woven into the material. You should pack a leash (reflective leashes can be helpful when walking your dog in the hotel parking lot.) Include a water dish, a favorite toy or two, bedding or a blanket, any medication and a first aid kit that includes tweezers, hydrogen peroxide, antibiotic cream, an elastic bandage and an anti-fungal shampoo. Of course you also need to pack your dog’s food in case it isn’t available where you are going. Vehicle pet safety Your dog should not be loose in your vehicle. Remember that if an accident happens or even if you just have to stop suddenly, your dog can become a projectile and can be fatally injured as well as injuring passengers. Pet restraints run the gamut of harnesses that attach to seat belts to aircraft approved crates. Properly secured airline approved crates (hard plastic crates) offer the most protection for both you and your dog, as well as containing any accidents. With your research complete and supplies all packed, you and your Montana dog can enjoy a trip together with a minimum of fuss and lots of great memories for both. Have a great summer!

Featured Dog Breed

Golden Retriever All about the Gold… Here are some fun facts about this issue’s featured dog breed.

Goldens come in an array of colors, as long as the coat contains gold. The male golden will be larger in size, both in height and weight. The golden’s fur coat contains what’s called an undercoat, meaning there are two layers of fur. The undercoat is responsible for keeping the dog cool when it is warm and warm when it is cool. These dogs have a marvelous temperament. They are friendly and family orientated. They also LOVE to talk to their people. One of the many personality traits we have come to adore. The golden’s life span can range from 10-15 years of age.

montana adoption spotlight Special Needs:

Moe has come a long way. He is protective of his area and he does need more leash training BUT he loves to fetch, and snorts while he plays. He has shared a life with a dog and may be too much for small children. Moe does well with basic commands and enjoys human contact.

Find out more at

The Bitter Root Humane Association in Hamilton, Mt 59840 406-363-5311

ROXY Roxy is still waiting for a home of her own. Roxy was not socialized well as a puppy and will do best as an only dog for now. Roxy LOVES everyone and needs a family that wants her to be with them, indoors and out. Roxy loves to run and play so she needs a yard, but a fenced one would be best since she can easily get distracted by birds, etc. Contact Lynette (406) 270-7072 or email: lynette@polsonfitness.com

His name is Scout, he is a 4 year old Black Shepherd who was an owner turn in, they had to move and could not take him with. Scout initially came from a shelter in Guatemala. He has a good disposition, energetic which is so sad to see because he has a congenital spinal injury and has lost a lot of mobility in his back legs and it pains me to watch him walk. But with limited activity and a place to settle down he would be great. He has a lot of anxiety here in a shelter but I am sure in a home he would calm down A LOT! He doesn’t like cold baths but prefers them luke warm! Uncertain about cats and he doesn’t show his friendly side with dogs here as well. He would need some TLC in grooming, and it seems he has never been bathed before.

Eudora would excel with one on one training. Loves the exercise and strong willed but from what we see she would turn into an amazing dog. Eudora loves her sister Peanut (so if you are looking for a duo ask us!) Find out more at

The Bitter Root Humane Association in Hamilton, Mt 59840 406-363-5311

Life Savers Animal Rescue

Piper is a 2.5 years old spayed Boxer/Mastiff. She has come a long way since arriving and overcome many challenges but her journey is incomplete. Piper needs an experienced family able to commit to her training and confidence building. She is playful and loves attention. Piper would do best in a home with no small children and no cats.

Mission Valley Animal Shelter in Polson 406-883-5312 or mvas@ronan.net

Does your shelter or rescue have an adoptable dog? We want to help! Rocky is a 10 month old (we were told purebred) Boxer. He is current on vaccinations, neutered and microchipped. He is being trained to heel on leash. He is very energetic and loves to play. He can jump high. He was raised with cats, but is rough with them and likes to chase. He can also be rough with small dogs, not to hurt them, but he is strong and doesn’t realize it. He can be protective of you if he sees a stranger, so it’s important to introduce him to people. He likes to take walks on leash. He is very smart. 4 Paws Rescue, Cardwell, Montana 59721 or by calling Misty: (406)439-1405.

Hi I’m Blue, I seem to have a troubled past dealing with other animals and uncertain of strangers. I love riding in the car, running in the woods, and being brushed! My name is Blue and I would be a great companion with just you and me! Find out more at

The Bitter Root Humane Association in Hamilton, Mt 59840 406-363-5311

Here you can place your adoptable dog for free! We want to do what’s right and help as many dogs find there forever homes as possible. Contact us today to see how we can help you. montdogmag@gmail.com Subject: Adoptable Dogs

community dog calendar

PAWS TO PLAY ~ A Dog Park for Kalispell, MT Thursday! Fest Thursday, July 23at 5:00pm - 8:00pm Join us on Second Avenue East between 1st and 2nd Streets East in front of The Museum at Central School. http://www.pawstoplay.org/

Fund Raiser, ends Sept. 18, 2015 Northwest Humane Society Find out more at; http://greatfishchallenge.org/nonprofits/humane-society-of-nw-montana/

Off-Leash Dog Parks in Montana Billings High Sierra Dog Park Wicks Ln and High Sierra Blvd BozemanCanine Beach Dog Park (at Bozeman Pond) 700-550 N. Fowler Snowfill Park Off Leash Dog Area 2956 McIlhattan Road (Hedvig’s Trail)

Kalispell, Montana

Dog Park (at Softball Complex) Highland Blvd and Ellis St MissoulaFort Missoula Canine Campus Fort Missoula Rd. west of the horseshoe pits Jacob’s Island Bark Park Van Buren and 5th along Clark Fork River WhitefishHugh Rogers Wag Dog Park 2nd St Armory Park complex Kalispell- Coming Soon monTana dOg Magazine©