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health notes
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Sammamish Animal Sanctuary
calendar pups
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happy tails
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match.dog
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inspiring
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m a r k e t p l a c e
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flips + flops
Park Side Credit Union
k9’s + wines 22. food for thought 20. work like a dog 22. weddings Kayla & Sam McAnally
Artisans, Eateries, Merchants
Publisher’s Note Merriam-Webster defines “loyalty” as “having or showing complete and constant support for someone or something.” Some say that dog loyalty stems from their pack behavior. Because dogs want to bond with a group, they instinctually show loyalty to those who are or who could be part of their pack. Anyhoo…all dog lovers know and cherish the loyalty of their canine companions.
notes
And speaking of loyalty, I want to recognize and truly thank those advertisers who have been on board with 406 Bark in every issue since day No. 1. You’ve been tremendously loyal to the magazine, and I’m proud to have you as part of our pack! Thank you for having faith in our first issue (sight unseen) and for consistently staying with us. I cherish your loyalty and am very grateful for your support.
Nancy
Cheers + Chow…
publisher Nancy Dewar
nancy@snazzyjazzypet.com 603.498.3237
design Mrs. and Mr. Design
info@mrsandmrpublishing.com
thanks to our contributors… Carsyn Beach Joanie Bechtle Diana Sheffield Ann Straub Lauren Waldenberg Diane Ward photographers Daley McDaniel Photography Marianne Wiest Photography Shawn McGaff Published by 406 Bark LLC six times a year. PO Box 5566, Whitefish, MT 59937 Copyright © 2017 406 Bark LLC 406 Bark is distributed at stores & businesses in: Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Bigfork and every point in between. Visit our website to learn more about us. www.406Bark.com
Interested in advertising with us? Have a good story idea or a suggestion on a great animal or person to feature? Please email Nancy Dewar/Publisher nancy@snazzyjazzypet.com (603) 498-3237
Wally & Michelle Wilkinson Frontier Builders (Whitefish)
Lynnie Evans Pawsitively Perfect (Pet Grooming & Daycare; Evergreen)
Dollar Rent a Car Hwy. 2 West (Columbia Falls) (5 Minutes from Airport)
Dr. Jim Thompson Whitefish Animal Hospital (Whitefish)
Wes Hart Hart Jewelers (Whitefish)
Dr. Rick Myers Countryside Animal Clinic (Kalispell)
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rescue
A Dream Come True By Nancy Dewar Photography by Shawn McGaff
30 miles east of Seattle in the lovely town of Sammamish there is a wonderful rescue farm. The Sammamish Animal Sanctuary is a non-profit where formerly abused or homeless animals are cared for and loved by many as they live out the rest of their lives. The farm began simply because Diane Gockel loves animals and has been rescuing creatures of all kinds ever since she was a little girl. What started as a family farm has evolved into a community treasure…one that is now touching the lives of people all over the world! Diane and her husband Don purchased the farm 17 years ago and were delighted to get out of congested and busy Bellevue, where they had lived for many years. The first rescue animals to arrive were goats. Diane was volunteering for a local goat rescue organization and would bring the babies home to foster, bottle feed and then return them to the rescue group. She laughed and said, “Sometimes I fell in love with them. Like every time. And then I’d keep them!” Cows, horses, mini-donkeys, alpacas, pigs, bunnies and other creatures in need followed; and the Sammamish Animal Sanctuary is now home to over 40 loved animals! In the early days, people walking by would stop and look at the animals in the pasture. That gave Diane the idea to put up a sign with pictures of the animals and their names so folks would know who they
were looking at! “It was fun. I could hear kids coming up the road saying…there’s Cowboy.” She then put up a second sign; “Come In & Look at the Animals.”
People accepted the invitation and came on in! Diane explained that this was great not only for the people, but also for the animals. “The animals arrived very scared, and we worked hard to build their trust. People visiting was good for them. Mothers would come by with their children. Cocktail parties would come by, and we’d invite them to have a glass of wine with us!” Not only had the Gockel’s welcomed amazing creatures in need into their lives, but they were now also welcoming total strangers into their lives! Originally, the Gockel’s put up a few small barns on the property. As more animals arrived, they needed a bigger barn and
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contacted Barn Pros, an innovative company that provides beautifully designed highvalue buildings that combine the efficiency of a packaged kit with the craftsmanship of a custom design. Jeff Knoth, founder of Barn Pros, had built their original barns years ago. The new barn has 4 large stalls, a walkway through the middle for visitors and a special area (complete with a picnic table and more) for people to gather.
As more people visited the farm, many started asking how they could help support it. Diane explained, “That is how and why we started the 501c3 non-profit a few years ago.” Since then, she has put up more signs… where to park, visitor guidelines, etc. I asked Diane if anyone can come on it. “Yep, people just wander in and out. We don’t know most of them. But it’s so much more fun to share this. I wouldn’t get near the joy I get if I kept the gates closed!”
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The farm is hands-on and kids mingle with the animals in the pastures. Children and the miniature horses love the birthday party events. The kids brush them, braid their manes and adorn the little horses with ribbons and bows, as well as take them for walks. It’s a lovefest on all fronts! Regarding its handson aspect, one mother told Diane, “After visiting the farm, my kids just don’t get why they can’t go into the animal cages at the zoo!” A few years ago, Diane began writing children’s books about some of the animals on the farm. They are written from the animal’s point of view and tell their own personal rescue story. Diane said, “The purpose of the books is to give the animals an authentic voice about their own story.” The stories are now being shared world-wide via “Skype in the Classroom / Microsoft in Education.” This platform enables educators to have their kids participate in virtual field trips. Diane has read her wonderful books to children in China, Mexico, Europe, Eastern Europe, India, South America and more. She ends the reading with a “video introduction” of the animals. She also reads at area schools, and children often come to the farm to read to the animals (telling them ‘their’ story!).
“Our farm started off all about the animals. Now it’s also about the people who visit the farm. Just like the animals, they have a story too. We see joy on their faces. There’s no competition here…just a wonderful experience we can share together.” Diane told me about a recent touching story. She ran into a woman on the farm who had just lost her mother. The woman said to her, “I just needed to be here in my happy place.” I asked Diane about some of the special rescue stories. “They all are special, as are the beloved animals. We take in other peoples’ unwanted animals. At one point, they were something no one wanted. This is their forever home. They will live out the rest of their lives here. All of the animals are part of our family.”
Last summer 2 horses arrived from a kill pen. They were really beat up with gashes on their bodies. One was extremely depressed and acted like it had lost all hope. The other was an ornery,
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rescue dominant, very sick mare. The depressed one has now found her spirit, and Diane recently rode the dominant mare bareback with a bitless bridal. “That’s how far she’s come with love and trust. Once she knew she had love, affection and a purpose, she changed completely.” Diane also told me about a mom and baby donkey they saved. The mom arrived lethargic and scared. Neither Diane nor her volunteers could get near either one of them. Eight months later she’s now joyfully running circles in the pasture with her little one. And they now follow everyone around the farm!
And we can’t leave out Cowboy, a 2,000-pound Jersey steer. Last January Diane rescued a 10-day-old calf whose mom had collapsed and couldn’t nurse. “Knowing the mom was going to die, I offered to take the calf. The man wouldn’t surrender it, so I ended up paying $1,000 for the calf and bottle fed the little guy 2 times a day for 2 months. We named him Toby. Cowboy would just stare at Toby over the fence. Now they’re in the same pasture, side by side, all the time. Cowboy provides shade for Toby and constantly grooms his buddy. When Cowboy lies down, Toby reciprocates…licking & nibbling his big, best friend.”
Diane shared many more wonderful, heart-felt stories. Our conversation was so inspiring. I loved her ending comment, “I’m very grateful we can provide this place for our community. I’m humbled and people appreciate it so. It really brings the community together, and I’m so grateful for the committed volunteers that help on the farm and share our love of animals.” Diane said her motto in life is “Be your purpose. This certainly isn’t something everyone would do, but it truly is my purpose.” And dreams do come true! When the new “big barn” was put up, Diane’s Mother gave her a picture that she had drawn as a child. It’s now hanging proudly in their lovefilled barn. “I drew a picture when I was 12 of a barn I wanted to have some day. When our new barn was done, my Mother pulled out my old drawing. It was spooky how it looks so similar to what we now have… paddocks and all.” www.scrsammamish.com
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Note: Diane’s children’s books are available on Amazon. Search under author’s name (Diane Gockel).
A big thanks to Barn Pros for suggesting this story! For 25 years, they’ve been providing pre-engineered building packages to clients across the US & Canada that offer the look & feel of a custom design without the custom price…delivered in weeks. Each package includes fully engineered, state-stamped blue prints; eliminating the need to hire an architect & engineer with a direct cost savings for clients. Buildings may be personalized with a wide selection of option packages & accessories. (www.BarnPros.com)
out and about
Our National Bark Ranger
Photo by NPS/Jacob W. Frank
Brenda Westwood
fun things to
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Help Support Local Rescue Groups
About Remi Edland by Linda Hendrickson
Adorable Dog PAW-traits
We love the bright, whimsical style of local artist Linda Hendrickson! Combining her love of animals, nature and color, she uses bold techniques to capture endearing “critter” personalities on canvas. Three of her larger than life pet portraits were selected to brighten the walls of the DuPont/Nemours Children’s Hospital in Delaware. To commission a portrait of your pet, contact The Walking Man Frame Shop & Gallery in Whitefish (406-863-2787).
The Healing Power of Horses
Horses truly are healers and can help people move through life’s challenges with more clarity and confidence. The field of equine assisted therapy and coaching is rapidly growing. Somehow, horses have a way of helping draw out challenges that need to be addressed. They are like a mirror, reflecting back what we need to see about ourselves. Brenda Westwood of Kila offers this amazing coaching method as a Certified Practitioner of the Equine Gestalt
Learn Animal Massage
Coaching Method®. You can learn more about equine therapy and Brenda via her website. (www.HorseSenseHealing.com)
Glacier National BARK Ranger
After another summer of record breaking visitation numbers at Glacier National Park, we’d like to thank Gracie, the Park’s first-ever “BARK Ranger” for her first summer of doggone good hard work! Gracie’s primary job is to herd the sheep and goats away from Logan Pass and other high-traffic areas to keep both the animals and visitors safe. Before Gracie arrived, park rangers performed this job by waving their hands, shouting and blaring sirens. Due to natural predator prey instincts, the wild animals think Gracie is a wolf; not a dog. Hence, Gracie works roughly two shifts per week so that the wildlife doesn’t get too used to her. A big WOOF to Gracie, her handler Ranger Mark Biel and to the Glacier National Park Conservancy which provided the funding to launch this project.
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Massage for Animals
Why does massage feel so good to animals? The same reason it feels so good to humans! It relaxes constrictions and increases blood circulation. Massage can calm a tense animal or energize one that is lethargic. The benefits are many and can be done easily by oneself. There are several techniques that can be learned by anyone. To learn more about animal massage, Kaye Cloud in Whitefish is a great teacher! (406-862-3737)
We Live in Dog’s Country
Not only are we lucky to live in Montana…God’s Country…but also to live in Dog’s Country! Yep, there seems to be lots of wagging tails everywhere one goes. To commemorate “Dog’s Country,” John Browning, owner of Whitefish-based Browning Creative, designed a special T-shirt. A percentage from each shirt sold is donated to local rescue groups, and his first donation was recently given to the Flathead County Animal Shelter. The shirts come in 5 colors and may be purchased online. (www.amazon.com/dp/B073654FNW)
out and about
Self-Cooling Pet Bowls Memory Foam Dog Bed Photo by Casper
Welcome to Our World
Find Your Perfect PAWtner
Find Your Perfect PAWtner
There’s a neat website (now in beta testing) that matches people and rescue dogs in a manner similar to dating websites! Founded by Mary Ann Zeman of Connecticut, How I Met My Dog matches humans and dogs in over 30 areas of compatibility and considers behavior and lifestyle, over breed. Mary Ann often wondered, “Why should finding the right dog be so random? If every dog is different, shouldn’t we be choosing our dogs on more meaningful criteria than breed description or love at first sight? With so many matching sites helping humans find their soulmates, shouldn’t there be one that helps people meet their canine soulmates?” The website currently serves 6 New England states plus NY, NJ and PA; with plans to roll out nationally soon. (www.HowIMetMyDog.com)
Snooze in Comfort
Since dogs spend over half of their lives sleeping, they certainly deserve a comfy, wonderful bed! The Dog Bed by Casper (known for its outstanding sleep products for humans) was created following the development of 110 prototypes, 460 hours of lab testing and 11-months of dog sleep studies…resulting in a combined pressure-relieving memory foam and durable support foam to create a bed that any Fido is sure to love! Their customer reviews are outstanding. They even offer a 100-Night Trial (with free returns). As their website states, “That’s almost 2 dog years! Sleep on it, lounge on it, drool on it. If your pup doesn’t love the dog mattress, we’ll give you a full refund.” (www.Casper.com)
Really Cool Pet Bowls
Magisso, an innovative Finnish design company, has created a truly remarkable new line of dining bowls for pets. Known as the Happy
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Pet Project Pet Bowls, they are made of ceramic and keep food & water cool for hours, limiting bacterial contamination. To activate the natural cooling (which lasts for hours), simply soak the bowl in cold water for 60 seconds. These bowls received a 2017 European Product Design Award, an event which honors the best in product design globally. The Magisso pet bowls may be purchased online at Frontgate. (www.Frontgate.com)
Welcome to Our World
Animal lovers will get a chuckle out of these fun doormats created by The Cheeky Doormat. And friends (who know them well) are certain to chuckle when they arrive at their door… knowing they will soon be greeted by lots of dogs and/or cats! They also offer custom design. How about this idea - “Welcome to (your pet’s name here) House!” (www.Etsy.com/shop/TheCheekyDoormat)
Kitten Care… A Purrr-fect Start By Dr. Carsyn Beach, DVM, Countryside Animal Clinic
health notes
Charles Dickens once said, “What greater gift than the love of a cat?” Very little in life can be topped by a happily-kneading, purring cat resting on your chest. Attaining this happy, loving cat can be a process, and it can be difficult to correct if this process is not started on the right track. It is important to realize that cats do not respond to force, but do respond to praise and other positive reinforcement.
The first important question to consider is whether you want your kitten to be indoor, outdoor or both. Outdoor cats tend to have a shorter lifespan, due to vehicle trauma, inclement weather and predators. Indoor cats can be at risk for obesity and behavior problems due to boredom, however, there are easy methods to prevent both issues early-on, including environmental enrichment and play. Before bringing your new kitten home, be sure you have kitten-proofed the house. Kittens love string, but can accidentally ingest it, leading to life-threatening intestine blockage. Tie up blind and shade cords to avoid the temptation for your kitten. Otherwise, kitten-proofing the home is like baby-proofing, though be sure to remove easily-accessible poisons such as lilies (a few leaves can cause kidney failure), Tylenol (one can kill a cat), rodent poisons and glow sticks. PetPoisonHelpline.com has excellent petproofing pages.
Litter Boxes Be sure you have an adequate and appropriate litter box. The American Association of Feline Practitioners recommends having one more litter box than the number of cats you own to avoid potential aversion and subsequent accidents. A deep litter box with enough room for your cat to stand and turn around in is key, ideally about 33 inches by 15 inches. In a recent study, it was found that most cats prefer non-scented clumping litter, ideally kept about 2” deep. Keep the litter box in a quiet area (no scary noises, keep away from
the laundry or furnace room), make sure it is easily accessible and scoop it out daily. Cats are fastidiously clean and may choose a cleaner place to eliminate outside the litter box if said litter box is dirty. Washing the box weekly with a mild dish detergent is also recommended.
Scratching Posts and Cat Trees Cats need a place to scratch, as this is their way of marking their territory. Scratching posts offer places for your kitten to mark while leaving your furniture and flooring undamaged. Cats also like to climb and watch over their domiciles, so getting a cat tree that is also a scratching post is ideal. Felines are social creatures, so keep this post in a location you are usually in or by a window. If your kitten has already started scratching, try to find a post made of the material she prefers such as carpet, cardboard or sisal. Be sure there are many vertical surfaces if your kitten likes chair legs or the corners or edge of couches, or use more horizontal surfaces if your kitten prefers scratching the floors. To entice your kitten to use the scratching post, feed her on or near it or try using catnip. To deter inappropriate scratching, cover inappropriate surfaces with double-sided sticky tape, aluminum foil, sandpaper or carpet runners with points up. Introductions to Other Pets and Children Keep your kitten isolated from other pets on first arrival to your home. Introducing your kitten to other pets in the household requires some time,
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and in the case of some resident cats it can take several months for total acceptance of the kitten. Keep the kitten in its own room initially, and feed her on one side of the door and the other pets on the other side, then eventually replace the closed door with a gate. When your kitten finally meets the other pets, keep her on a leash so she can’t annoy the resident pets, and try to hold introductions on neutral territory.
Introductions to children are just as critical to get right the first time. Children tend to want to smother kittens, but this may lead to the child getting bitten or scratched, leading to a dislike of felines. Before bringing the kitten home, discuss proper cat handling with children, including pointing out that kittens are not toys. Children can play with the kitten so long as they have adult supervision to be sure play is always appropriate. Training and Playing From 8 to 12 weeks of age your kitten is most trainable and most adaptable to change. Socializing your kitten, especially during this time, is critical for her to become a healthy, happy cat. Train your kitten to a crate (see IndoorPet. OSU.edu), and take her on plenty of car rides to meet other people, other cats, dogs and children.
Handle your kitten for short sessions several times a day to get her used to all-over touching. Be gentle, and don’t make any sudden movements. The ideal session time is after play or whenever your kitten is sleepy in order to only engage the learning part of the brain. Rub
Introductions to children are just as critical to get right the first time. Children tend to want to smother kittens, but this may lead to the child getting bitten or scratched, leading to a dislike of felines. times daily. If your kitten eats too fast, try hiding her food throughout the house to keep her busy and increase her activity, but be sure the food is out of everyone else’s reach. It is also recommended to feed your kitten to cat a mixed diet of half canned food and half dry, which helps in case your feline develops kidney disease later in life. With kidney disease, cats have a hard time staying well-hydrated, and canned food helps supplement their water intake.
the outer surfaces of her teeth, lift her lips, handle her feet and rub her inner ears with your fingers. These desensitizations will help prepare your kitten for grooming in future, such as nail trims, brushing and dental care. To prepare for nail trims, gradually increase pressure from petting of the feet to gently squeezing the toes in order to extend the claws. Once your kitten is comfortable with this step, start to trim the tips of the nails off, and go slowly. You may need to trim only one paw a day. Do some cuddle or game time after these sessions to keep her happy.
Nutrition Each pet in the house should have her own bowls for water and food. The best bowl tends to be stainless steel, though glass is also acceptable. A quality kitten food is necessary for healthy growth until about 1 year of age. Cats often do not regulate themselves well when food is left out all day, resulting in obesity and possible diabetes. The gold standard is to feed your kitten a measured amount two to three
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Getting off to a purr-fect start helps keep your relationship with your kitten strong and happy for the entirety of her life.
RESOURCES Indoor Pet Initiative (OSU): training and information for healthy indoor cats
Poisons: ASPCA (888-426-4435 if emergency) or PetPoisonHelpline.com
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Dr. Carsyn Beach, Countryside Animal Clinic
Setting aside time to play each day keeps your kitten lean and maintains a healthy bond between you and your kitten. Only initiate play when your kitten is calm, quiet and behaving appropriately. Do not wake your kitten up to play, as interrupting her sleep may disturb her growth. Stop play immediately if your kitten becomes too rough (biting, scratching) and walk away. If your kitten bites with certain types of petting, avoid those methods and try to find other ways to give her attention. Do NOT use hands, fingers or other body parts as toys or your kitten will learn to bite them. Playing with fun toys, such as wands with ribbon attached or other toys that can move, are great ways to keep your kitten fit and using her prey drive on inanimate objects. Store her favorite toys between sessions to keep them fun.
Health It is important for your kitten’s health to take her in to your veterinarian as soon as you get her home. This ensures an appropriate vaccination protocol and testing regimen for your kitten. Spaying and neutering of your kitten is generally recommended at around 4 to 5 months of age.
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great local goods
The
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great gear + goods to go fetch… Let’s Snooze
Glacier K9 Resort & Spa
is a distinctive resort hotel for pets, catering exclusively to the care of dogs & cats. It’s the area’s premier pet care facility, located between Kalispell & Whitefish on 24 acres off of Highway 93 & only 4 miles north of Costco. In addition to boarding, grooming & daycare, their upscale boutique offers a fabulous array of unique pet products…beds, toys, collars & leads, accessories & more…as well as fun products for pet-parents & a great selection of quality pet food lines for those with discerning taste. Owners Christie & Jake Becker have raised the bar in The Valley in terms of outstanding pet care & boutique merchandise. If you’re an animal lover, you’ll absolutely love their boutique!
Pendleton Tall Tail Pet Products
3945 HWY 93 N – Kalispell – (406) 755-3647 (www.glacierk9.com)
Cycle Dog
Let’s Eat
Let’s Play
Barkworthies
West Paw Design
Petcurean Premium Pet Food
Let’s Get Dressed Cycle Dog
Let’s Tell Tall Tails
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Doggie Dayz 2017
August 20th was an extraordinarily fun day for many dogs & their humans here in the Valley! Paws to Play held their annual “Doggie Dayz� event at Woodland Park in Kalispell to raise money for the new off-leash dog park which will be located at Begg Park in South Kalispell off Airport Road. Dogs competed in a variety of contests including Best Tricks, Cutest, Best Costume & more. The day ended with a Puppy Pool Party...a pawsitive blast for all the pups.
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society tails
Happenings & Events Around the Valley
local celebs
Calendar Pups
Paws to Play dog park, in conjunction with Park Side Credit Union (a.k.a. Bark-Side Credit Union!), will be offering a 2018 calendar featuring cute canines from the Flathead Valley! If you are interested in having your dog as a “calendar canine-date,” please visit Park Side Credit Union’s Facebook page and post your pup’s picture, reference “calendar pup” and include your contact information. Following are a few lucky pups that have been selected for the 2018 calendar! (www.facebook.com/Park-Side-Credit-Union)
Name Belle McKee…a 6-year old Sheltie/Golden Retriever
Parents CJ McKee & Kristen Peterson of Whitefish
My favorite tail When our cat was missing in the neighborhood and we called his name in a worried tone, Belle barked each time we called his name. We told Belle to go look for him and she did. Once he came back on his own, Belle herded him back to the house. Well, as much as a cat can be herded, that is. Best tricks High-five, whisper & leading us to the treat cabinet
Fur-vorite hang-outs The woods & trails
What makes me wag Walks & car rides
Best friends Skadi…our daughter's dog
Best traits Loyal, talkative, cuddly & sweet
Not-so-best traits Barky, barky, barky & won't fetch
Will be voted (“what”) by fellow pups at the new Paws to Play dog park Belle will be voted “Most Beautiful” by her fellow pups at the new dog park!
Our favorite tail I was scrolling through Facebook when a post from Mission Valley Animal Shelter appeared with pictures of a sweet puppy named Celine Dion and her siblings. My husband had lost his 2 Dachshunds a few years ago and had been talking about getting another. All of our dogs have been rescue dogs and there was just something about this sweet face. I gave in, filled out the adoption paperwork and waited nervously for a reply. I received the call on March 31st and surprised John with a trip to Ronan on April Fool’s Day. No joke, he got a new baby we named Maya. They're inseparable.
Name Maya…a Dachshund/mini Aussie mix
Parents John & Shannon Kvaalen of Marion
Best tricks Maya doesn't know any tricks. She does have us trained really well though. She rolls on her back so we will rub her belly.
Fur-vorite hang-outs Maya loves to be outdoors. Whether she's driving the boat, running around the yard or hanging out in the camper…she's happy.
What makes me wag Maya gets the most excited when John walks into the room. It doesn't matter if he was gone all day at work or if he just disappeared for a minute. Best friends Her best 4-legged friend is Minnie, her Min Pin Chihuahua sister. Best traits Maya' s best trait is her AWESOME ears.
Not-so-best traits Her not-so-best trait is her bathroom habit of pooping under the couch. Will be voted (“what”) by fellow pups at the new Paws to Play dog park Will be voted “Most Adorable” by fellow pups! Maya will earn this accolade because she is so cute. She has big brown eyes and straight-up awesome ears with crimped hair that blows in the breeze. She also has a patch of
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hair on her chest shaped like a heart, unless you stretch it out, then it's the Batman symbol. Seriously, just look at her.
By Josh Kroll – VP of Marketing; Park Side Credit Union
The word culture can be defined as “a way of thinking, behaving or working that exists in a place or organization (such as a business,)” and in this sense the idea of workplace culture is often proposed as a more accurate indicator of success than such things as policy, procedure or even strategy. At Park Side Credit Union, we have worked hard to create a “Culture of YES!” and realize that the tone must always be set from the top down, either for the good or to the detriment of the organization. Our leaders believe in the Park Side brand and know that when we live it well, our members and employees benefit. Employees at Park Side are encouraged to be interesting and engaging, take pleasure in creativity and possess a dedication to perfection. Similar to the way any behavioral change is effectively taught, even if it’s as simple as a roll-over command, the expectations must be clearly defined and often illustrated for everyone to achieve the same goals. We get there by forming and nurturing a strong culture. Due to the nature of our business, Park Side Credit Union will always be associated with personal emotions, and we’ll continue to work hard to make sure that the prevailing feeling is both positive and optimistic.
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real pawtners
A Culture of YES
dogs and wine
K9’s + Wines
Walla Walla… a great place for wine & wags
Leonetti Cellars Photo: Leonetti Cellars
By Nancy Dewar
If you are a dog-lover who also happens to love wine, consider a getaway to Walla Walla, Washington. This charming town of just over 30,000 people offers wonderful shops, galleries, fantastic dining…plus over 140 vineyards in the valley, many of which are pup-friendly. It’s a mere 6 ½-hour drive from the Flathead (“mere,” because that’s not a long drive to most Montanans!), and there are numerous accommodations that welcome dogs. Walla Walla means “many waters,” which succinctly describes the area’s many rivers and aquifers. The area’s early Native American inhabitants were followed by French fur trappers, Oregon Trail pioneers and Victorian wheat barons. Walla Walla has a long history of winemaking that goes back to 1859 when settler A. B. Roberts established one of the first grape nurseries. This nursery contained eighty European grape varietals that had been imported from Champoeg, Oregon (now a ghost town in the Willamette Valley). Most of the grapes were wiped out by a major freeze in 1863-64, which ultimately led to planting the grapes at higher elevations years later.
Leonetti Cellars Photo: Leonetti Cellars The wine industry reemerged in 1977 with the opening of Leonetti Cellars, the first of a wave of commercial wineries. The region became recognized as an American Viticultural Area in 1984 (AVA; a designated wine grape-growing region distinguishable by geographic features defined by federal agencies), covering 60 acres of planted vineyards and including just four wineries.
Reininger Winery Today there are nearly 322,794 acres of planted vineyards in the AVA and the area is recognized as a flourishing wine region. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah have earned Walla Walla national acclaim. Other grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese are also produced in the valley. There are four distinct areas to visit: Westside, Eastside, Southside and Downtown wineries. A 2016 New York Times article described Walla Walla as “Napa in blue jeans!” The website Wines Northwest has a list of over 30 dog-friendly wineries. However, I suggest contacting each vineyard directly as you plan your canine-wine-tour. The annual Fall Release Weekend is November 3rd-5th. Participating tasting rooms, wine libraries and cellars hold special tastings, host live music and more! Another great event is the annual Holiday Barrel Tasting; December 1st-3rd. Winemakers offer tasting samples of future releases directly from the barrels. Downtown Walla Walla is decorated for the holidays and offers a bounty of food, music and art.
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The area is big into dogs! There are many dogfriendly parks including (off-leash) Fort Walla Walla Dog Park and Bennington Lake, located east of downtown with nice views of the Blue Mountains. Dunham Cellars offers two wines that celebrate a few members of their pack: 3-Legged Red and 4-Legged White. Last June the Balboa Winery hosted their 5th annual “Best in Show,” an event to raise money for the Blue Mountain Humane Society where dogs compete in categories such as “Golden Oldie,” “Looks Most Like Owner” and more! A trip to Walla Walla is fun getaway for some great wine…with your canine!
Sadie & Mayse, Greeting Committee at Dunham Cellars.
Photos: Dunham Cellars.
(www.wallawallawine.com) (www.wallawalla.org) (www.winesnw.com/walla.html#Dog-Friendly)
By Ann Straub, Owner of The Holistic Pet Nutrition Center - Kalispell
Several documentaries have been released that provide sobering accounts of the once-trusted human food industry. Each leaves the viewer with an overwhelming message: the foods we eat are making us sick. So where does our pets’ food come from? Commercial pet food often consists of the unacceptable leftovers of the human food industry, including spoiled meat, grains and vegetables. If the "acceptable" food is making us sick, then how is the "unacceptable" food affecting our beloved pets? Thankfully, some pet food companies have risen to our call for safer and healthier pet foods. If you are a pet parent, the Netflix documentary “Pet Fooled” is for you. You will learn the secrets behind the pet food industry and your pet will thank you with their health. You’ll also learn that our pets should NOT be eating the same food for every meal. It is imperative to change proteins, feeding styles and dog food brands regularly. Dogs are carnivores, requiring both intact proteins (ones that have not been denatured by cooking) and some whole food, vegetable-based vitamin complexes. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means their nutrients MUST come directly from muscle meat, organ meat and bones. They have little use for grains or vegetables. Both species also depend on a large volume of fresh water to properly digest the food they eat. One of the best things you can add to your pets’ diet is raw goat’s milk. It’s a superfood acceptable for all mammals that provides 200 pre and probiotics, has anti-inflammatory properties, acts as an antihistamine and contains CLA - a cancer fighting fat. It has proven to be game changing for pets with allergies. The Holistic Pet Nutrition Center has made it our primary mission to research, select and offer the best and healthiest foods for your pets.
The benefits of feeding nutritionally appropriate foods include: Fewer allergy symptoms
“Goat’s Milk 101”
Additional Answers ‘Raw Goat’s Milk’ is a true superfood. It’s made from grass-fed raw goat’s milk which is fermented, making it nature’s most nourishing food. It is a whole-food product that can be used as a complete food source for any mammal and contains naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, probiotics, enzymes & fatty acids. It boosts immunity, provides gut health with over 200 pre-biotics & pro-biotics, decreases inflammation, reduces allergy symptoms & aids in overall health. You can add it to any food to make a healthy impact on any animal…or simply serve it straight up! And they LOVE IT.
Fewer health concerns (cancer, arthritis, kidney failure, diabetes) Improved digestion Increased immunity Feed less food; less gas & less feces Fewer veterinarian visits Weight management Healthier skin & less shedding Cleaner teeth, healthier gums & fresher breath Reduced behavioral problems Ann Straub is a former biology teacher & researcher with degrees in Biology, Education & Wildlife Biology. She blended her passion for the science of speciesappropriate pet food with her love of teaching to create The Holistic Pet Nutrition Center (with locations in Kalispell & Missoula). Ann thoroughly researches pet foods available on the market & only allows the best ones to be sold in her stores. She loves designing pet diets to meet specific health goals & is available for private consultations in the local shop or by phone. (www.thehpnc.com)
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food for thought
(dog) Food for Thought pet nutrition 101
work like a dog
Meet Baily Boy, Boo Boo & Mini Moo… By Nancy Dewar
Ever since I moved to Whitefish, seeing the STAT Restoration van cruising around always brought a big smile to my face and often a chuckle. Why? The three little fluffy heads peeking out the window or looking over the dashboard! These three little Pomeranians have a very big job supervising their Dad, Chris Rice, every day on the job. Literally…they accompany him to work every day. It was fun to finally meet Chris and his pups. Chris has owned Kalispell-based STAT Restoration and Murphy’s Carpet Cleaning for 25 years. It is the largest restoration company in Montana, and they service homes and businesses throughout the Flathead and in Lake County. Chris, who was born in Kalispell, told me, “We went from one to ten vans and now employ 10-plus people.” If one adds the Poms to the employee roster, that would bring them to 13-plus! Chris’ “working pack” includes 12-year old Bailey Boy, 6-year old Boo Boo and Mini Moo, the black Pom who is 3 and the only girl. He also has Maxi Boy, a Boston Terrier, who prefers staying at home with Mom rather than going to work. Chris laughing told me, “They are
experts when it comes to sniffing out animal urine on carpet…just kidding!” But Murphy’s Carpet Cleaning is an expert in this area…just in case you need this service, as many pet owners do! Chris (a big, tall guy) can easily scoop the three Poms into his arms. “I grew up with cats and big dogs. Now I’m into small dogs, and I love them all. I get anxiety when I’m not around them.” However, his dogs are with him most of the time. In addition to their work schedule, they also accompany Chris camping, love to go on motorcycle rides with their Dad (tucked into his shirt) and are, perhaps, even more spoiled than my dog. Baily Boy, Boo Boo, Mini Moo and Maxi Boy eat steak, chicken and other wonderful homemade ‘people food.’ Meat-Lovers pizza is one of their favorites, and they race around the house in glee when it’s delivered! They are also totally loyal to Chris. Once he inadvertently left the car door open at a gas station, filled up and took off. About five miles down the road, he realized
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Bailey Boy was missing and sped back to the gas station to find his little one sitting by the pump barking at cars going by.
I asked Chris what job titles he would assign to his pack. “They’re all watch dogs.” What is the toughest part of their job and their favorite part? “The toughest part is waiting in the van for Daddy. Their favorite part is lunch time… chicken and steak!” Chris’ Poms are absolutely precious. The entire time we chatted, they never took their eyes off their Dad! Pomeranians are descendants of the Spitz dog, named for the Pomerania region in Germany and Poland. Spitz is a dog type describing several breeds that share common ancestry and traits (thick and dense fur, pointed ears and muzzles and puffy curled tails). They are known for hunting, herding and pulling sleds. However, Baily Boy, Boo Boo and Mini Moo are known here in the Valley as the STATpack…the precious pups that accompany STAT Restoration’s Chris Rice, their wonderful Dad, to work every day!
Weddings to Woof About
Weddings to Woof About …
Kayla & Sam McAnally...
Parker & Bonnie Photography by Marianne Wiest Photography (www.MarianneWiest.com) Sponsored by McGough + Co., Whitefish
Who are you?
Kayla & Sam McAnally and Parker…our ring bearing dog & Bonnie…our flower girl.
How did you meet?
We actually met online. I think at a certain age you just get tired of the bar scene and/or casual dating and get curious about online as a medium to possibly meet someone. This was the case for both of us, and we are happy to be one of the success stories of finding someone online.
The proposal?
Sam proposed to me while on a hike in Glacier National Park. We were walking around Lake McDonald, and he suggested we walk out to this little point to take some pictures. When I turned around after taking some shots of the lake, he was on one knee and asked me to marry him!
What is love?
Love is the conscious decision of committing to someone and making them a priority despite whatever their flaws may be or whatever challenges you may face together. While there are good feelings associated with love, to me… true love is an action and a decision rather than a feeling. It is this type of love that will last a lifetime and get you through the inevitable hard times that come with any marriage.
What do you love most about your dogs?
We love how loyal and fun-loving our dogs are. They are always up for any adventure as long as it is with us. We also love how affectionate they are. Bonnie, especially, is one of the most cuddly and affectionate dogs we have ever had, which is funny given her size.
What was your favorite part of your wedding…your dogs’ favorite part? My favorite part was that it was an all-day affair
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so we got to spend quality time with so many of our guests. The formal wedding was at 9 a.m. We had breakfast food instead of traditional wedding food as well as a mimosa bar and made-to-order Caesars. We also had Kouignaman (a Breton cake) instead of a wedding cake which was a major crowd pleaser. After some dancing and yard games, we took a short break and everyone came back for a casual BBQ that lasted from the afternoon well into the night. It was such a great time! Our dogs’ favorite part was the endless opportunities to get fed throughout the entire day.
Who helped with your wedding?
We got married at McGough Mountain, a beautiful venue in Whitefish. Marianne Wiest did the amazing photography, and Mum’s Floral did the bouquets. We did the table floral arrangements ourselves and used FiftyFlowers. com. Oso Catering from Columbia Falls did a fabulous job with the food.
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happy tails
Giving Pets a Second Chance By Dr. Joanie Bechtle – Whitefish Animal Hospital
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I’ll admit right off,
the first dog that I acquired as an adult was not a shelter pet. I had recently graduated from college and gotten married. My husband and I were strolling through the Bozeman mall when, of course, I had to take a quick “look” in the pet store. A tiny white puffball caught my eye. I picked her up, and long story short, my American Eskimo pup Sheba came home to live with me that day. She was “the” dog- you know, the one that you give your heart to and there will never be one quite like it again. She has been gone now for over 13 years, and since that time I have had many other pets, most of whom have come from shelters, including our Eskimo dog Noah who is almost 13 years old now. My relationship with Noah, I believe, is another like Sheba. I used to think there could not be two, but I have since changed my mind- there can be. According to the Humane Society of the United States, each day 70,000 puppies and kittens are born compared to 10,000 human births. That equates to 15 dogs and 45 cats per human! Now I realize that we all love animals or we would not be reading this magazine, but are each of us prepared to take that number of animals home, every day? I’m pretty sure we aren’t. Since we can’t care for that many animals, approximately 7.6 million animals end up in shelters nationwide each year. Pets can end up in shelters for a variety of reasons: they escape their enclosure, they may be born strays, or they may be surrendered by their owners for a variety of reasons. Some pets may have special requirements or may be older pets. Many are puppies or young pets. Of those that enter shelters, 25% are surprisingly purebred. Sadly, an estimated 3 million companion animals are euthanized each year in shelters even though approximately two-thirds are healthy and adoptable. There just are not enough homes out there to provide for this number of pets. Humane organizations spend (on average) $2.5 billion on care for shelter pets, while animal control agencies also spend over $800 million yearly.
What can you and I do to help with this staggering pet overpopulation problem? Of course the number one solution is to spay or neuter your dog or cat as soon as your veterinarian feels it is safe to do so. This will prevent accidental breeding, decrease aggressive tendencies in some dogs, and makes many pets more tractable and less likely to roam. It can also decrease the risk of certain infections and cancers as your pet ages. Secondly, when it is time to add a furry member to your family, contact your local humane society or animal control agency. If you are looking for a specific breed and cannot find one there, you can look to the numerous breed rescue sites that may have adoptable pets waiting for homes. If you are not able to adopt,
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assisting these local organizations financially can be a big help to the pets there.
I was surprised to learn that only 22% of dogs and only 2% of cats entering shelters are reunited with their owners. Having a microchip placed in your pet can increase these odds slightly to 52% return for dogs and 38% for cats. Microchips are not GPS trackers but do contain information that can be used by vets and shelters to help locate an owner. The main reason that pets that are microchipped do not get returned to their owners is that only 58% of microchips are registered into the national database by the pet’s owners. If you have a pet who is microchipped but may not yet be registered, call your local veterinarian for instructions on how to register your pet. Animals make all of our lives better in the end. We all know it. As the famous quote from Chief Seattle so perfectly depicts, “What is man without the beasts? For if all the beasts were gone, man would die of great loneliness of the spirit,” If each of us can help out in one way or another to help improve these statistics, we should. We can make a difference. Pets sitting in shelters all over the country thank us! Here are a few of the sweet faces who have been adopted by employees of Whitefish Animal Hospital.
Dr. Joanie Bechtle – Whitefish Animal Hospital 2.
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"How I Met My True Love"
real love stories from real dogs
Lauren & Buddy match.dog
By Lauren Waldenberg
(Lauren, a native of Kalispell, is currently working on her Masters in Architecture at MSU in Bozeman.)
Early Christmas morning I excitedly sprang out of my bed as any 9-year-old does, ready for all the magic that the day would bring. I immediately ran to wake up my parents and older brothers to get the celebrations under way. Being teenagers at the time, my brothers were a little slower hopping out of bed than me. The sun was barely rising above the snowy fields outside, but luckily for me, I was blessed with two incredible big brothers who were used to playing along. After just a few moments insisting that they really did need to wake up, and that, no, it was not 3 a.m., they rolled out of bed too.
We all headed upstairs to grab Santa cookies and hot cocoa, our usual present-opening snacks. After what seemed like ages, my dad had put on his Christmas sweater, found the video camera and gave the usual spiel as to what our family was up to today… in case the reindeer ears and matching PJs my mom and I were sporting did not already give it away. Finally, we were ready to head to the tree. On a typical Christmas, we would sort out whose gifts were whose and open stockings first. This year, though, it was different. Moments after getting downstairs, my parents smiled and said, “LC, we have a special present you get to open first.” That sounded right up my alley, so I ran quickly over to the large, light pink, striped gift bag they were pointing to. My dad was already camera-ready as I looked down and saw the coziest stuffed animal in the world. It was just the one I had wanted. I pulled it out smiling, only slightly confused that they had put one rather small item in such an oversized bag. As I was beginning to thank them, I noticed the tissue paper in the bag begin to move slightly. Surprised, I reached back down and lifted the paper out to find the most wonderful gift ever. “A PUPPY!!” I could not believe it. The sweet fluff ball, that just barely filled the palms of my hands, was looking back at me. For my young self, this little guy was a dream come true. I looked up at my family to see them all grinning (almost) as much as me. When my brother asked, “What are you going to name the little buddy?” I thought for a minute, wanting the best name for my new best friend. Without hesitation, I happily stated, “His name is Buddy!” And since that moment, he has been just that. The greatest Buddy any girl could ever have!
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+ their humans
inspiring
Live Life with a Wag Inspiring thoughts & stories from our readers…
Sheep Farming in Montana By Diane Ward – Whitefish
When I think of where I am and who I am, a sheep farmer living in Montana in these retirement years of my life, I realize that none of it would have happened if it weren’t for my dogs, past and present.
After spending time living in Yorkshire, England in 1975 and 1976, walking in the Dales and watching shepherds whistle to their dogs who would then bring the sheep from high hillsides back to the fold, I was enamored with the beauty of what I saw - man and dog working together and a flock tenderly cared for. These thoughts stayed with me and Border Collies became part of my life when we returned home.
Years later (when our children were grown and on their own), a flock of sheep and some horses joined the family. Encouraged by a friend who had started going to sheepdog
trials with her Border Collie, and helped by several kind shepherds in the North Carolina mountains, my dogs (Kate & Skye) and I started to compete, too. I should add that I was mostly helped by another good friend who let me keep my sheep and horses at her farm where we had wonderful fields in which to train and learn. Quite a few years later, while I still had Katie and Skye, my husband and I retired and took everyone – us, dogs and horses- to Whitefish where one of our daughters’ lives. Here we were able to buy our own 20-acre farm. The Katahdin hair sheep were sold and Merino wool sheep were purchased. I sold a Hummel collection and Meissen china to pay for them!
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Sheepdog trials went by the wayside and a new endeavor, raising sheep for their fine wool, took its place. It’s been 11 years since we made that move. We’ve added a new breed of sheep, Cormos, to the Merino flock. Cormo wool is even finer than Merino. The dogs, now Finn and Ruby, help move the sheep to their fields, hold them for meds and coat changes (they wear coats to keep their wool free of burrs and hay) and help with lambing. It would be hard to run the farm without them.
And while it is so hard to say goodbye to the old friends who, like Skye, started us on this road of sheep farming, somehow there is in us the capacity to love and train another. Finn has more natural instinct and talent than I deserve and often amazes me. “Now where did he learn that?” I often find myself thinking. Young Ruby is coming along and will take a little time off to have some pups in September. After that, we’ll see...
- the
406 bark~It place -
marketplace for artisans, eateries, merchants & more
Hart Jewelers
McGarry’s Roadhouse
Eat good food. Drink good wine. Celebrate good friends… and your 4-legged friends are WELCOME on our patio…where you can SIT, STAY & share wonderful “tails” with friends.
Dinner starting at 5 p.m. Tues. – Sat. 510 Wisconsin Avenue - Whitefish (406) 862-6223 www.mcgarrysroadhouse.com
Pawsitively Perfect
Your Ulti-mutt Stop for Biscuits, Baths & Bedtime Professional Dog Grooming Boarding & Dog Daycare Lynnie Evans / Owner Certified Pet Care Technician 2960 US Highway 2 East - Evergreen 406-756-PAWS (7297) www.pawsitivelypetskalispell.net
PAW-FRIENDLY PATIO The Only Authentic Pit BBQ Restaurant in Whitefish!
Open Daily from 7 a.m. Breakfast - Dine-In - Take-Out - Catering Classic Home-Cooked BBQ Craft Beers & Wine 102 Wisconsin Avenue - Whitefish (406) 863-9895 www.piggybackbbq.com
Evergreen Compounding Pharmacy
Wes Hart – Master Goldsmith Chauncey – Design Assistant
Getting Engaged? Montana Sapphires are the NEW Diamond! Stop by to see our collection of gorgeous sapphire rings. Or we can create a custom design especially for you. 711 Spokane Avenue - Whitefish (406) 862-6252 www.HartJewelersWhitefish.com
Protecting your home and Environment
Veterinary Compounding
If you don’t have a cat, we’ll get the mouse…and any other pesty creatures in your house!
Custom Compound Prescriptions for Dogs, Cats, Horses & Other Livestock
Professional technician offering fast, efficient & expert service throughout Flathead Valley. Eco-friendly products available.
Working together with your veterinarian to help make medication a treat for your pets.
2640 Highway 2 East - Kalispell (406) 257-2083
evergreencompoundingpharmacy.com
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Colby Brousseau (406) 261-8078 ProGuardPestSolutions.com
- the
406 bark~It place -
marketplace for artisans, eateries, merchants & more
Ten Spoon Vineyard
Dogs Welcome… and nice kids too! VISIT OUR TASTING ROOM Thursday – Saturday 4-9 pm
Live Music Friday & Saturday 4175 Rattlesnake Drive - Missoula (406) 549-8703 www.tenspoon.com Theresa@tenspoon.com
Road Trips are Best… When Shared with Best Friends! That’s why ALL of our rental cars, SUV’s & vans are DOG-FRIENDLY. 5506 Highway 2 West – Columbia Falls Five Minutes from Airport Free Shuttle Service (406) 892-0009
Pets-Plus
We Love YOUR Animals Like Our Own
In-Home Pet & Property Care
Judy Cockrell September 7th
Dog Walking - Transportation and Play Time!
Olivia Stark October 5th
Join us for our upcoming Whitefish Gallery Nights Exhibits 305 Baker Avenue, Whitefish (406) 863-2787 www.thewalkingmanframeshop.com
We travel to YOUR home to take care of your dogs, cats, birds, livestock, aquatics, yards & plants. We make sure everything is secure & everyone is happy! 10% Off For New Clients
Connie & Dennis Gomez Kalispell - (406) 257-7155 petspluskalispell@gmail.com First Aide Certified, Bonded & Insured, Est. 1997
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Downtown Whitefish, Mountain, River & Lakeside Vacation Rentals Ask us for a complimentary rental projection for your property. 533 East Second Street – Whitefish (800) 870-1292 www.WhitefishEscapes.com
MALLOY’S MOBILE DETAILING
Fall Car Clean-Ups Hair Removal Experts
Our “pumice pet stone” loosens hair from deep down in carpet fibers & upholstery. This is the most effective method for pet hair removal. We’re experts with paw prints too!
Mobile Car Wash & Mobile Car Detailing Servicing Cars, Boats & RV’s Mobile Oil & Filter Changes “Our work is an art form as much as it is a trade.” Serving the Flathead Valley (406) 249-5533 www.MalloysDetailing.com
doggy thoughts
flips + flops By Flip-Flop
Photos: Oddity Mall
Editor’s Note: These are simply musings from Flip-Flop, an exuberant & opinionated shaggy dog. They are not any sort of product endorsement or a “dis” by this publication or any member of our editorial team. Just a bit about stuff she likes (Flips) and stuff she doesn’t (Flops)!
Not-Fun “dog” Cleaning Product
Fun “dog” Cleaning Product
OMG…the Woof Washer 360 is totally NOT a fun dog cleaning product. Actually, it’s downright scary to me! I can’t imagine having this water-spraying, hula-hoop shaped wand going over my body to “bath me in less than a minute, getting those even hard-to-reach areas.” Yikes. If the “As Seen on TV” logo doesn’t sound an alarm bell right away, the photos on their website of dogs getting washed will. Not one is smiling. In fact, every dog looks totally miserable! (www.WoofWasher360.com)
Photo: Vat 19
I discovered these fun dog mops at Oddity Mall, one of my favorite websites for crazy gadgets. These are a total “flip” to me. Of course, I love them…as I love anything to do with shaggy dogs! (www.OddityMall.com)
Photo: Woof Washer 360
Scary Cat Pillow
How crazy are these cat pillows? They attach to your car's headrest using an elastic cord and get placed in just the right spot to be used as a neck pillow or head rest. Nice features and benefits for long road trips, for sure. But think they would look better as simple cloth pillows that complement a car’s décor package… instead of frightening felines with too-big beady eyes.
Silly Cat Pillow
I love this Meownt Rushmore Cat Pillow! Of course. Since I love cats (though most don’t love me), it’s fun to see a few elevated to the stature of a national memorial. Think I’m going to order this pillow and name my new friends: Tiger-Cat Washington, Just-aTabby Jefferson, Funny-Feline Roosevelt and Top-Hat-Cat Lincoln. (www.vat19.com/item/meownt-rushmore-pillow)
(www.odditymall.com/cat-headrest-pillows)
Photo: Oddity Mall
A Tolerable Howl-oween Costume
Photo: iStock/Thinkstock
We know that many peeps love to dress us pups up for Howl-oween. You just can’t help yourselves! If you must make your dog into something else, I think that “less is best,” and this Sherlock Bones costume is very easy to do…and tolerable from a canine’s perspective.
An Intolerable Howl-oween Costume
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Dressing us up as Sherlock Bones or other well-known people is okay. Well, kind of. But dressing us up as another pet is simply an insult. Especially as a Chia Pet. We are dogs, for God’s sake…and very proud of our species. Please, please, please no Chia Pet Howl-oween costumes – ever! Photo: iStock/Thinkstock volume
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