contents
8.
animal lover's profile
Alissa Bournival
Woofing It Up Kittery
rescue 12. bark about 14. work like a dog 10.
In-Dog-Neat-O Mobile Grooming
k9’s + wines 18. 406 bark list 19. society tails 20. local celebs 22. let's pawty 24. weddings 16.
Mollie & Alex Buttrick
food for thought 26. happy tails 28. match.dog 29. inspiring 30. marketplace 25.
Artisans, Eateries, Merchants
31.
flips + flops
A Lifestyle Magazine for Animal Lovers
6.
29
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seacoastBARK
6
notes
seacoastBARK A Lifestyle Magazine for Animal Lovers
publisher Nancy Dewar
nancy@snazzyjazzypet.com 603.498.3237
design Mrs. and Mr. Design
info@mrsandmrpublishing.com
director of sales & marketing
Publisher’s Note Thanks so much for checking out the first issue of Seacoast Bark! Along with our shared love of the beautiful place we live, many of us also share an enormous love for animals. This special connection is a gift to be celebrated; and our mission is to present interesting, heartfelt and positive stories that celebrate this connection. The magazine wouldn’t be possible without the support of our new marketing partners. I extend an enormous “THANK YOU” to the businesses that came on board. We truly appreciate your support, and I urge our readers to support these wonderful local businesses!
Cheers + Chow…
Nancy
A big thanks to our new PAW-tners…
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BlakeLee Greene bntgreene@comcast.net (978) 317-5846
thanks to our contributors… JoAnn Actis-Grande Lynne & Stephen Bottomley Lee Anne McCarthy Dawn Price Linda Quinn photographers Andrew Warren Photography Belinda Orr Brooke Whicher Photography Published by Bark Media Group LLC six times a year. Hampton, NH Copyright © 2018 Bark Media Group LLC Seacoast Bark is distributed at stores & businesses in: Portsmouth, Exeter, Rye, North Hampton, Hampton, Hampton Falls, Greenland, Stratham, Seabrook, Kittery, Newburyport & everywhere in between!
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
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animal lover's profile
A Big Heart… Looking Out for Hearts of All Sizes
By Nancy Dewar
Big gifts often come in small packages. Alissa Bournival has had, and continues to have, lots of big gifts in her life; namely, lots of little Chihuahuas! I knew that Alissa must be a big dog lover, as her pooches were a familiar sight in Bournival Jeep’s TV commercials for years. They are well-known to many on the Seacoast; their precious faces having peered into many living rooms! What I didn’t know is how truly BIG of a dog-lover she is! Meeting Alissa was a treat. She exudes kindness and warmth…and has many wonderful stories about her dogs and those she finds homes for. It all began serendipitously on her way to work years ago. She noticed a dog lying in the road, pulled over and put the dog in her car. After getting to the dealership, she called the number on the dog’s tag. It had been disconnected, so she contacted the Rye police. They knew of the dog and called its owners, who promised to pick it up in a few hours. A few hours turned into a week and still no owners. In the meantime, Alissa had taken the pup to the vet, had it groomed and placed it with a wonderful family in Maine. As (bad) luck would have it, the owners eventually contacted her and wanted the dog back. “Absolutely not! No.” She informed the Rye police and they said she had no choice. “In hindsight, I wish I
had said that the dog had run away. But I’m too honest. After that, word got out and people started contacting me or simply dropped dogs off at the dealership. I guess that’s when I began collecting dogs!” Over the years Alissa has found homes for many dogs…all carefully vetted by her. She also has provided for vet care for many.
Though she grew up with Goldens and German Shepherds, somehow Chihuahuas wove their way into her heart. Alissa laughed and said, “I love Chihuahuas because they’re little, which means I can have more of them!” From there she rattled off the names of all the Chihuahuas in her life, and it was hard to keep up! She and her husband, Dick, loved many little ones over the years. Her first Chihuahua, Pancho, was only with her for a year. Sadly, she was hit by
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a car; a dog-lover’s nightmare. Her next pack members lived long, loved lives. Cisco arrived first. Alissa thought he should have a buddy. She came upon three adorable “puppy mill” Chihuahuas, and of course, got all three…Angel, Poko and Pepe.
This fearsome-foursome were the TV stars known by many and were inseparable. They would pile on one big dog bed… if they weren’t in bed with Alissa and Dick! They loved to swim and joyfully participated in Alissa’s “Chihuahua Races” in the pool. They were also working dogs, as they went to the dealership daily where they were loved by the entire team. Dog birthdays were celebrated with party hats, singing and birthday cake. They also were seasoned travelers, often accompanying their parents on weekend getaways to The Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth and other wonderful places.
Dick Bournival with Chewy lost
Cisco
in
March
2016,
and the rest of her pack crossed over to the Rainbow Bridge a year later; all three within five weeks. I can’t imagine such consolidated, enormous loss. But as animal people know, there are many more out there that need love.
Alissa contacted Al-1 Dog Rescue in Texas. And in heart-felt Alissa fashion and compassion, she asked for “the most abused dog; the one no one else will want.” They sent her a bunch of photos and one immediately grabbed her heart. “He was missing one eye and covered with burn marks.” You can figure out the rest. The pup was quickly on a plane to New Hampshire, and she named him Scrappy. A few months ago, another big gift in a little package joined her pack, Bebe…an adorable red Chihuahua who now also has the life of Riley. Scrappy and Bebe are
still learning their routines. Some days they go to work with Alissa. If they stay home, they have a companion looking after them. If you’re not a total dog lover, this might sound a bit over the top. But if you are, you totally get it!
Alissa told me, “I never had kids. My dogs are my kids. I even cook for them… turkey, ground beef, steak, veggies. Their favorite meal is Thanksgiving!” Her Chihuahua Chow recipe is easy, nutritious and delicious…a great everyday meal for dogs of all sizes.
She believes that dogs live longer if they have three key things: love, medical care and lots of attention. Alissa has not only given all her dogs these three key things; she has given many other rescues in need of a home the same and continues to do so. Our little part of the (dog) world here on the Seacoast is, undoubtedly, better off with this amazing woman looking out for so many special dogs. Thank you, Alissa…you’re truly an inspiration.
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Chihuahua Chow Recipe Ingredients 1 ½ C brown rice I T spoon olive oil 3 lbs. ground turkey 3 C baby spinach freshly chopped 2 shredded carrots 1 zucchini shredded ½ C sugar snap peas or regular peas Shredded cheese Directions
Cook rice in 3 cups water or follow package directions. Heat olive oil in pan & cook ground turkey approximately 3-5 minutes till done. Stir in all veggies & rice. Heat mixture thoroughly & season with a tad of garlic powder. Top with shredded cheese when serving.
animal lover's profile
Alissa
WOOFING IT UP IN KITTERY let’s take a ride
When dogs hear their humans say, “Let’s take a ride,” tails
get wagging! If you’re in the mood for a day-trip, a jaunt to Kittery is the place to go! Settled in 1623 and incorporated in 1647, Kittery is Maine’s oldest town. Though largely known for the outlet malls, Kittery Foreside (located in the heart of town) is totally worth exploring. This quaint, historic area offers fun shops, art galleries, cozy coffee cafes and an array of great eateries and pubs! Following a stroll through town, head out to Fort Foster located on Garrish Island in Kittery Point (via Route 103). It’s a beautiful winding drive along the Piscataqua River. Dogs are welcome to run leash-free prior to the park’s official opening on May 5th. Another great place to walk your dog is Rogers Park. It has 25+ acres with scenic walking trails along picturesque Spruce Creek. And speaking of “woofing it up,” be sure to visit some of our favorite Kittery restaurants and watering holes. Not only do they serve fabulous food and brews, but the owners are all
big dog lovers!
Caribbean-influenced eats, local beer & tropical drinks
Appetizers, burgers, fish & more… and a dog-friendly patio
10 Shapleigh Road Mon-Thurs 11:30 am-9pm Fri & Sat 11:30 am-10 pm Sunday 10 am-4 pm
Meet Oakley…
70 Wallingford Square Kitchen 11 am-10 pm Bar 11 am-12:30 am
a 7-year-old Shepherd/Lab mix who loves to snuggle, swim & hide bones...loved by Blue Mermaid owners Karen & Scott Logan.
Meet Pepper… a Yorkie-Poo who’s a Momma’sboy & loves to cuddle & go on adventures…loved by Rudders owners Jackie & Jeff Kilty.
Handcrafted beers from the finest ingredients
10 Shapleigh Road Wed-Sat Noon-7 pm Sunday Noon-5 pm
Meet Katie…
a 4 ½-year-old yellow Lab who loves to chill…loved by Tributary owners Galen & Tod Mott.
Meet Perdy…
An Aussie/Shepherd/Lab who loves to swim, camp & snuggle…loved by Bridget Daley, Manager of Rudders.
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rescue
All ROADS Lead to HOME
By Nancy Dewar - Photography by Belinda Orr
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rescue 26 weeks a year Greg Mahle arrives in New England with his semi-trailer filled with Southern dogs on their way to their new adopted families. Over 55,000 lucky pups have been delivered to their new families in just 12 years thanks to Greg’s non-profit Rescue Road Trips, whose tagline is “Saving Lives 4-Paws at a Time.” His bi-weekly schedule is down pat, save for weather interferences. He leaves his home in Ohio early Monday morning and arrives in Houston on Wednesday afternoon where he picks up his first pack of dogs. On Thursday he makes his way across the Gulf states, stopping at various planned rescue organizations along the way, with his last pick-up in Birmingham, Alabama, the half-way point in terms of miles. With all scheduled dogs now on board, Greg and his co-driver, head to New England on Thursday night and drive straight through till they reach their first stop in Allentown, Pennsylvania on Friday night, where the first group of dogs are welcomed by their new families. After another night on the road, pups are greeted with glee early Saturday morning in Westport, Massachusetts; and then they continue with stops in Rhode Island and Connecticut before making their way West with more stops in New York and New Jersey before heading back to Ohio.
“It’s kind of like a bus route visiting mostly the same cities. And it’s like being on a bus where everyone on it is like a lottery winner!” Rescue groups have found Greg through word-ofmouth and, of course, Facebook. Many of the groups are regulars. As some dwindle off, others come on board. One of Greg’s favorites is the Houston Shaggy Dog Rescue that was founded by Kathy Wetmore. “She’s the real deal. I can’t say enough about Kathy. I’d do anything in the world for Shaggy Dog.” The normal load for each journey is around 65 dogs. All pick-ups are prearranged with the rescue groups, as the adoptions have already occurred. The groups call Rescue Road Trips and give them all the information. Greg explained, “It’s like buying an airline ticket for yourself. You know where you’re starting and where you’re going to end up.” Over the years a group of “Angel Volunteers” evolved to help with the dogs’ journey. These amazing people greet the truck when it arrives at the prearranged stops to help walk, feed and simply love the dogs. “The
volunteers are so integral. The dogs are happy to get out of the trailer; and when the dog come out for their family, the family falls in love instantly.”
Rescue Road Trips is truly a labor of love. “Dogs are the reason I’m doing this. When I look into the dog’s eyes, I’m hooked and pretty much done. I can’t change the problems of the world or even the problems in our country, but I can help change a dog’s life,” Greg commented. All of this began quite serendipitously. Greg’s sister founded the Connecticut-based Labs4Rescue. Years ago, he received a call from her in the middle of the night. She had a woman bringing some rescues to her, but the woman was too tired to drive any longer. So, Greg met this total stranger on the interstate in the middle of the night and drove a minivan filled with rescues to Connecticut. The woman called him again a few weeks later asking for help again.
Greg and his family eventually decided to start their own rescue and borrowed their neighbor’s minivan for the first few runs. They then rented vans from Enterprise until they were told that they didn’t fit their business model, as they were putting 4,000 miles on a van each trip! Funds were squeezed together to buy their first used van. A few more were purchased, they graduated to a box truck and then to a few pick-up trucks and trailers. The last trailer was literally held together with duct tape. They bought their current custom outfitted semi-truck and trailer about a year ago. “It was baby steps along the way.” Back in the day, Greg would take a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter with him. That was breakfast, lunch and dinner. Though the organization has grown with support since becoming a 501-C3 non-profit, it certainly isn’t easy. Greg laughed as he told me, “People think what I do is romantic. It’s not romantic, but I love it. It’s roughing it. One of our old trailers leaked so badly I’d go to bed wrapped in a wet blanket.”
Greg, his wife Adella and his Mother-In-Law Debbie (along with a few other committed assistants) have put their hearts and souls into bringing rescue dogs home. “None of this was ever planned. It’s been a day at a time and a week at a time. And a lot of blood, sweat and tears.” One difficult time, in particular, stands out to Greg. He was getting ready to go on a run and Adella told him she was off to the grocery store. He told her, “You
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can’t. Our credit card is maxed out.” When she replied that she’d write a check, he said, “You can’t. There’s no money in the account.” She then said she’d simply get some cash from their money-cup. “You can’t. It’s gone.” Adella replied, “You have to go on this run. When you get home, we’ll figure how to do this differently.” They’d spent every penny they had to make this work.
While on the road Greg eats, sleeps and hangs with the dogs. “They are everything in the world to me…it’s me and them.” He used to be in the restaurant business and says what he now does is similar, in that 50% of the dining experience is when the plate hits the table. “The same is true when a dog comes out of the trailer. I need them fluffy and happy at this critical moment…when his new family first sets eyes on the dog.”
What’s remarkable is that something truly changes in the trailer on the night before the dogs reach their destination. Greg said, “The dogs know something is going to happen and change…though I’m not sure if they know what. They are filled with anticipation and wide-eyed. They don’t sleep a lot. It’s like they know something good is going to happen.” And thanks to Greg and Adella Mahle, GREAT things happen for many, many dogs and families. “We do want to make a difference. We don’t have a lot of money in the bank, but we have lots of love in our kitchen and in this house and in that trailer. The emails I get are over the top. The children that get their first dog won’t remember me, but at 80 they will remember their first dog.” A few other things Greg said really stuck with me. “I’m just a regular guy that wants to help dogs. I’ve got two hands to help them. If there’s a cause you believe in, put your hands to work, and you’ll be a much happier person. Focus on the little victories. And it’s okay to cry. We do our job, and we do it well. It’s our job to love our dogs. Give them your hearts, and they give the same back.” Ah… such wisdom…thank you, Greg and Adella! To learn more about Rescue Road Trips or to offer support with donations, please visit their website at www.RescueRoadTrips.com.
out and about
Quincy
Paws for Wine Fundraiser
Canine Cupboard’s Bill Girard & Calvin
Hoodies by GearDeco
fun things to
Holly of Quinn’s Cafe
bark
ABOUT April 29th Fundraising Event
Shop Dog Pup-Date
For 14 1/2 years, customers of the Canine Cupboard in downtown Portsmouth were joyfully greeted by shop-dog Quincy, a handsome yellow Lab. Sadly, owners Bill and Maribeth Girard lost Quincy last May. There’s now a new young pup to welcome you to the store. Rescued from Georgia, Calvin is a Labrador/Great Dane mix with enormous paws already! He’s learning his new ‘job’ as Chief Toy Tester and Treat Taster quite well. Stop in with your pooch to meet Calvin. Tails will wag, and all dogs are welcomed with a free treat!
Doggone Great Hoodies
We love the custom Seacoast Bark hoodies we recently got from GearDeco in Hampton. These classic weather-washed vintage sweatshirts can be decorated in Weathered White or Destroyed Denim embroidery to say what you want… like the name of your business or perhaps the
name of your special pup! No minimum or-
der means you can get as few, or as many, as you need. You may order directly at www.GearDeco.com.
Paws for Wine
Help raise funds for animals in need by raising a wine glass at the March 28th Paws for Wine event at LaBelle Winery located in Amherst, New Hampshire. Sponsored by the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire, proceeds will help deserving pets and the people who love them live better lives. Advance tickets are needed and can be purchased online at www.rescueleague.org. In addition to fine wine and hors de oeuvres, there will also be a guest appearance from a special furry friend!
Food & Fashion
If you’re looking for fabulous homemade dog treats and some unique fashion, stop by Quinn’s
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Canine Cafe located at The Tannery in Newburyport on Thursdays for “Berner Fashion Thursday.” Owner Quinn Soine’s adorable Bernese Mountain dog, Holly, dons a new special tutu every week. Holly is sure to make you smile, and the treats are doggone great!
Tails2Trails Dog Walk
The Cocheco Valley Humane Society’s annual fundraising event, Tails2Trails Dog Walk & 5K Run, will be held on Saturday, April 29th in downtown Dover. The 5K road race begins at 11:00. The dog walk, a shorter jaunt through Henry Law Park, begins at noon. All participants need to pre-register per the details on their website. Even if you don’t participate, this is a fun event for peeps and pups. There will be a variety of pet-related vendors, and charming downtown Dover is worth exploring. (cvhsonline.org)
out and about
New England Pet Expo
Fortune Cookie Cat Toys
Riley – Museum of Fine Arts Boston
BrewDog Pawsome Perks Image by PA
Play. Shop. Learn. Adopt.
On May 5th & 6th, hit the road to Lowell, MA to attend the admission-free Annual New England Pet Expo at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell. Be sure to bring your dog (on a leash) to this fun pet-centric event. In addition to vendors, demonstrations and grrrrrr-eat people & dog watching, there will also be events your dog can participate in. Dress your pup up for the costume contest. Start practicing now to fine-tune your ‘Pet/Owner Musical Chairs’ skills. There also will be a large rescue area where your pooch can find their new fur-ever friend. (www.newenglandpetexpo.com)
The Fine Art of Sniffing
A new member joined the staff of The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston last year. Riley, a Weimaraner puppy, came on board to learn to sniff out insects that might harm artwork. Riley’s owner, Nicki Luongo (who is the museum’s Di-
rector of Protective Services), is training him to sniff for pests before any potential infestations occur. Weimaraner’s are often used as bomb- or drug-sniffing dogs and can work for long hours without getting bored. Ten years ago, several art museums in England became infested with “clothes moths,” and many exhibits became lunch for those bugs. Riley’s new job is still an experiment. Time will tell if it’s successful. However, knowing the incredible, innate talents that dogs possess, we bet it will be. Happy sniffing and whiffing, Riley…and pay extra close attention to those Paw-cassos!
Confucius Says Meow
If you’re looking for a fun, unique gift for your cat (or cat-loving’ friend), we’ve come up with a purr-fect one! These handmade fleece fortune cookies toys are chalk full of enticing fresh organic catnip…every cat’s dream treat. They come as a set of four, packed in a classic Chi-
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nese food box, with a variety of sayings. Your future is fishy. May you climb to greatness. Your litter box will always be clean! (www.uncommongoods.com)
Pawsome Perks
Scotland-based craft beer company BrewDog offers their 900+ employees around the world a totally pawsome job perk…a one-week paid leave when they welcome a new dog or puppy into their home! It’s part of their plan to “be the best company to work for, ever.” With this benefit, they seem to be right on target. They totally understand the difficulty of managing work responsibilities when one brings a new puppy or rescue home. To alleviate the stress, their employees can now take advantage of this new “Pawternity” or “Mutternity” leave. What a great concept. Kudos to BrewDog, who now has a brewing facility in Columbus, Ohio and plans for expanding into Nashville. (www.brewdog.com)
work like a dog
Work Where Hair Is Everywhere By Nancy Dewar
Nancy Massett
Growing up, our dog got one professional hair cut a year (their “summer” cut) and possibly a few home baths. But I’ve been part of the get-them-groomed pack for years, with cuts and blow-dries for my dogs every 6 to 8 weeks. Recently, my dear friend Nancy Massett, owner of In-Dog-Neat-O Mobile Grooming, asked if I could help her as her assistant had bailed. “Sure. It will be fun to see what you do.” Well, I saw first-hand how Nancy truly “works like a dog,” and it was quite an eye opener! She picked me up at 7:00 a.m. on a cold, snowy day. Nancy said our schedule was light; only 9 dogs. “Only nine? Yikes!”
We arrived at her first client’s home where I met their three adorable little pups…Tootsie, Cinco & Sunny. After loving goodbyes from Mom and Dad, off to the van we went. Two stayed on the floor, and we plopped Tootsie into the tub securing her with a short lead so she wouldn’t jump out. Since the dog was tiny, my job was to simply keep her happy. “Oh, this is going to be easy,” I thought. And it did start out that way, but as the day went on we progressed to bigger and bigger and hairier dogs. After Tootsie was thoroughly soaked, Nancy gave her a Blueberry facial (yes, Blueberry) followed by a Citrus butt rub! “What…a Citrus butt rub???” She explained that Citrus helps eliminate tough, unpleasant smells. “Oh my!” Next came the full-body wash with a nice smelling Honey/Almond dog shampoo followed by a thorough rinsing. Soaking, sopping little Tootsie now looked tinier than ever! Before placing her on the grooming table, she got a quick blow dry to get the major water off.
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Jorja loved by Nancy Massett (Exeter)
meet some of nancy's clients!
JJ & Lucy loved by Norm Silberdick (Hampton)
Charlie loved by Corrine & Jameson Cassidy (Stratham)
Next came the real blow dry, and I learned that it’s easier to dry one’s own hair than a dog’s. There truly is a technique that isn’t that easy! The initial dry begins with an all-over blowing about 6” from the dog to get more water off. Next you work small sections close-up to get the undercoat dry. It takes fur-ever and the ‘back & forth flick of the wrist’ motion is paramount…and not easy to master, though Nancy made it look easy as I bumbled along.
She then combed Tootsie, cut her hair, trimmed her nails and then onto the next two pups with the same routine. We returned the three to their proud parents and drove on to meet the next client.
I must admit I don’t remember all the dogs and stops that day. It became a furry blur! The ones that still stand out seem to be the long-coated hairy ones, as my first thought upon seeing them was, “Oh no, it’s going to take forever to dry them.” Some of the big and older dogs needed help getting into the tub, so we lifted them up…and lifted them down. Some would try to shake the water off their coats the entire bath time, ensuring that we were also thoroughly soaked. We went from wet and cold to hot and sweaty as we dried them.
Boka loved by Krystal Anthony (Hampton Falls)
I kept counting the remaining number of dogs in my head and glancing at the clock. The day was getting blurrier and blurrier, not only in terms of the stops we made, but also because the snow was really coming down. Charlie the Goldendoodle was our last dog. Hurrah!!! Except not really, as his house was at the top of a hill; and here we were in a 9,000-pound van without 4-wheel drive. We made it up okay, and Charlie was adorable and a champ. Leaving was another story, as we backed down the drive literally inch by inch hoping not to slide into Stratham Heights Road with blind curves in each direction.
Bos’n loved by Bob Fitzmaurice (Rye)
By mid-morning I’d gotten the routine down. Into the house to meet the client. Out to the van with the pups. Up to the tub. Get wet. Down to the grooming table. Time to sweat. Brush, comb, clip, snip and then back into the house! Over and over again with a quick break to eat the (by then fur-covered) sandwiches we’d pick up along the way. Hampton, North Hampton, Exeter, Kingston, Greenland, Stratham…you name it, we went there!
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“So, what did you think?” Nancy asked. “Wow, my hat is truly off to you. I had no idea how physically and mentally exhausting your job is,” I responded. She then said that today was easy as we had all good dogs. “Easy? You’ve got to be kidding!” Now don’t get me wrong. I met wonderful creatures and people that day. But when I arrived home 9 hours later, I was one whipped pup. My hair looked like hell. My face was smudged with mascara. All I wanted to do was take a shower, shampoo and dry my own hair (which takes only 5 minutes)…and sit down with a glass of wine! Believe me, I’ve a huge new appreciation for professional groomers! Kudos to all.
Note: You can learn more about Nancy Massett at her website: www.indogneatonh.com.
dogs and wine
K9’s + Wine A Dog-Centric Vineyard Focused on Rescue By JoAnn Actis-Grande - Photography by Anita Nowacka
Sonoma County’s Mutt Lynch Winery is truly all about dogs and, of course, spectacular wines! Owners Chris and Brenda Lynch met through their love of wine and dogs, which led them to opening their own winery in 1995. Their business motto is: Apply Dog Logic to Life—Eat Well, Be Loved, Get Petted, Sleep A Lot, Dream of a Leash-Free World (a fun quip from the whimsical artist Sark). When the Lynch’s started their winery 20 years ago, they wanted to support animal welfare groups largely because of their rescue dog Patch, an ex-racing Greyhound from New Zealand who served as their canine ambassador throughout his years.
Mutt Lynch Winery donates a portion of all sales to a number of animal rescue organizations. Nationally they support Adopt-A-Pet.com, North America's largest non-profit pet adoption website with 9,000 rescue organizations posting their pets for adoption, as well as a few others dear to their heart. They also provide support to 70+ California-based rescue groups and to numerous others in communities throughout the country. Their “Barking Good Wine” instore display encourages every customer to “Support your local animal shelter.” Chris is the winery’s top dog of marketing, while Brenda is the winemaker - one of a rare breed (less than 10% of winemakers in California are women). She has received over 150 medals in the last five years for her
wines. Mutt Lynch wines are recognized both for their humorous and “dog-centric” labels and award-winning quality (Unleashed Chardonnay, Fou Fou le Blanc Sauvignon Blanc, Chateau d’Og Cabernet Sauvignon, Portrait of a Mutt Zinfandel, Merlot Over and Play Dead Merlot) and its limited production, vineyard designate series Canis Major and mbf (Man’s Best Friend).
Known for “everything dog,” Mutt Lynch hosts “yappy hours” with a nominal cover charge slated for rescues as well as ugly holiday sweater contests and Halloween parties for dogs. Customers can also reserve seating areas for pup birthdays and “bark mitzvahs.” Members of their wine club, Club Mutt, receive a selection of bottles plus a special dog toy or gourmet treat with each shipment. They offer three levels of membership that will wag any wine-lover’s tail; Big Dog, Little Dog and Best in Show!
San Francisco’s Bay Woof magazine named Mutt Lynch the 2016 “Beast of the Bay” winner for the dog friendliest winery. So if you happen to visit Sonoma, be sure to stop by Mutt Lynch where you’ll meet all sorts of interesting peeps and pooches…plus taste some pretty doggone good wines. Or if you’re gnawing to get your hands on a bottle right away, you may purchase directly from their website. Cheers!
Mutt Lynch Winery“Tasting Room On The Green” 9050 Windsor Road, Windsor, California Varietals included in the mbf series are www.muttlynchwinery.com Chardonnay, Petite Sirah, Primitivo, Zinfandel and Charbono – a unique red grape that is planted on less than 100 acres of land in Portsmouth resident JoAnn Actis-Grande is the California. Luckily for Mutt Lynch it thrives wine editor for Taste of the Seacoast, writes on near the Lynch’s home in Calistoga. The mbf wine & travel for Coastal Home and writes the series has won over 16 medals to date, the ‘Let’s Talk Wine’ – a weekly column for Seacoast most recent being Double Gold from the 2014 Media Group. JoAnn is an avid traveler who visits San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition great wine regions all over the world. She can be for its 2009 Perotti Vineyard mbf Petite Sirah. reached at j.actisgrande@gmail.com.
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great local goods
THE SEACOAST BARK LIST
great gear + goods to go fetch… Canine Cupboard,
Portsmouth’s Original Store for Dogs, is celebrating their 17th year in business as the area’s premier store for dogs. Owners Bill and Maribeth Girard work diligently to research and procure quality products, at fair prices, that both you and your pet can enjoy. Product selection is thoughtfully and carefully chosen to provide loyal customers and visitors a variety of premium holistic pet foods, treats, supplements, quality collars & leashes, toys, bedding, coats, outdoor gear and more. Canine Cupboard proudly partners with small independent companies from New England and across the US. Many of their preferred vendors are eco-friendly, only source their raw materials from US-based suppliers and create products with your pet’s health, safety and the environment in mind. They only offer products they truly believe in…and offer friendly, knowledgeable and caring service. Conveniently located on historic State Street, the store is just around the corner from Market Square in the heart of downtown Portsmouth. Stop by and be sure to bring
your dog.
Named One of the 10 Best Pet Stores in New Hampshire by “Best Things New Hampshire” July 2017. 220 State Street, Portsmouth, NH - 603-431-0082 - caninecupboard.com
let's get pampered...
let's accessorize...
Shake Organic Pet Purr-fect for eco-focused pups & kitties… made in NH with 100% certified organic ingredients.
Preston Ribbons Collars & leashes made in Ipswich, MA…offering pawsitively fun designs for coastal-loving dogs.
let's play...
let's eat... Rawz 100% rendered-free, meal-free ingredients…high protein, low carb, low fat; the next best thing to feeding raw. Fluff & Tuff Ultra-plush durable toys…so your dog can play with a variety of other animals.
Etta Says Chews Made with 100% all natural ingredients from verified farms across the USA.
Wooly Wonkz Eco-friendly soft wool toys made in Nepal…fun, sustainable, good for your pet & good for our planet.
West Paw Design Your pups will love Zogoflex ® toys… USA Made, non-toxic, crazy durable, gentle on teeth and they float. 18 www.seacoastbark.com
HAPPENINGS & EVENTS AROUND THE SEACOAST Auction for the Animals Photos by Andrew Warren Photography
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society tails
The 2017 Auction for the Animals, held in November at Wentworth by the Sea in New Castle, was an outstanding success. 300 of the Seacoast’s most generous animal lovers attended to support the work of the NHSPCA. Over $250,000 was raised for the animals, which will provide warm beds, full bellies, safe shelter and loving care in addition to a more comprehensive animal enrichment program. (www.nhspca.org)
local celebs
LITTLE DOGS DOING BIG THINGS By Nancy Dewar Photography by Robert Hare Photography - www.RobertHarePhotography.com
Leon and Jimmy are well known by many in Newburyport. These adorable Dachshunds, strolling around town with their Dad Steve DiNunzio, are a familiar sight. However, Leon actually “wheels” around town with the help of his cart, though he has no idea that this isn’t normal. Jimmy was Steve’s first Dachshund. He got him as a puppy 14 years ago when he stopped in a pet store to find a buddy for his Min Pin Harley. It was love at first sight, and it was then Steve became a big fan of this feisty breed. They simply have incredible
personalities! Leon arrived 2 years later. A pet store Steve had previously visited called late one night to let him know that they were closing, and he could have Leon if he got him first thing in the morning. Without a second thought, Leon arrived the next day; and he and Jimmy became fast, deep and inseparable friends. Unfortunately, when Leon was 5, he slipped a disk that suddenly ruptured, leaving him essentially paralyzed. The vet told Steve they could either let him go or do surgery, which offered a 50/50 chance of success. Steve opted for surgery, which Leon came through. Though his pain was gone, his back legs barely worked. But this didn’t stop this brave little guy.
Leon was outfitted with a custom pair of wheels that attach to his back legs. They were created by Eddie’s Wheels, a company based
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in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, that has been perfecting their revolutionary designs for over 18 years. Leon’s rehab involved a tremendous amount of therapy including 6 months of hydro-therapy as well as a series of physical therapy sessions at Portsmouth Veterinary Referral Hospital and Tails of Rye in Rye, New Hampshire. All told, Steve has spent over $10,000 between Leon’s surgery and therapy. But as Steve says, “Leon is priceless, as is his spirit.”
Leon and Jimmy are never separated. “The two are always together. Jimmy’s the big brother. He’s the protector.” Though Leon uses his wheels to stroll outside, he rarely wears them in the house. He does have a bit of mobility. Steve explained, “He stumbles around a bit like a drunken sailor.” He can eat standing up…leaning against the large Dachshund statue placed strategically by his bowl. He plays fetch in the house when
wearing his wheels, and through exercise is in great shape. In fact, Leon is now on his second pair of wheels, with the new cart being 1 ½” wider due to his muscle growth on his front end!
Steve and his boys usually walk the same route through downtown Newburyport. Children and adults of all ages flock to them; and often returning tourists exclaim, “We remember Leon and Jimmy!” The dogs definitely have their favorite stores to visit… the ones that give out treats. Soak and The Black Dog are at the top of their list, and they also enjoy strolling through the Farmer’s Market on Sundays at The Tannery during the warm weather…probably because there’s lots of great food whiffs. Speaking of food, Steve once saw Jimmy with his two paws on a window box pulling out a piece of pizza he had sniffed out! “From then on, he always stopped at that window box on State Street hoping to find more pizza!”
website (www.leonandjimmy.com), with the tagline “Little Dogs Doing Big Things.” I asked Steve if he thinks Leon knows he’s different from other dogs. Steve replied, “No, I don’t think he feels like he’s any different. He embraces his wheels.” What we all can learn from the wonderful and brave spirit of dogs is priceless…especially from this little pair. These two little local celebs will be getting even more exposure this summer. Steve is launching a fun line of kids’ T-shirts featuring whimsical illustrations of Leon and Jimmy. Andy Smith, a local artist, is doing the designs and Steve hopes to sell them via a vendor cart on Inn Street. A portion from each sale will be donated to the Newburyport Education Foundation. He also will be launching a Leon and Jimmy
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Note: Sadly, Jimmy suddenly and unexpectedly left us on January 17th. His Dad, Steve DiNunzio, told me, “Maybe Leon can carry the torch, and the memory of Jimmy’s bright personality can be carried on through the Leon and Jimmy T-shirts. People of all walks of life…young and old, locals or visitors, always took a minute to meet Leon and Jimmy…even Governor Charlie Baker took a minute to say hello.” Jimmy was 14-years-young. He lived a remarkable life filled with love and gave enormous love back to many.
Doggone Grrrrr…eat Entertaining Luscious Lamb…
let's pawty
Recipes by Ristorante Massimo “Authentic Italian Food Is More Than Our Passion… It’s Our Life’s Work.”
Rack of Lamb
Ingredients 1 rack of lamb Kosher salt & freshly ground pepper 2T extra-virgin olive oil 2T coarsely chopped fresh rosemary 1T chopped fresh thyme plus 4 springs 10 cloves of garlic; smashed
Lamb Wellington Ingredients 4 2-lb. lamb loins 2T butter or oil 3C finely chopped mushrooms 2-3 sticks rosemary; leaves pulled off & finely chopped 3 shallots finely chopped (or ½ large onion) 2 cloves garlic crushed 1T Dijon mustard 4 sheets pre-rolled flaky puff pastry 1 egg beaten with 1T milk or cream
Stir in mustard & season with S&P.
Directions
Gently place each loin on a piece of pastry.
Preheat oven to 450 Heat butter over mediumlow heat. Add mushrooms, rosemary, shallots & garlic. Cook 20 minutes, stirring often, till all ingredients are soft & liquid has evaporated.
Meanwhile, heat oil in frying pan with high heat. Trim fat off loins, pat dry with paper towel & season with S&P. Put loins (2 at a time) in pan to brown on all side (about 30 seconds in pan). Roll out pastry on floured counter top to be about ¾ thickness of standard sheet. Press some of mushroom mixture in a layer around the outside of each of the lamb loins.
Brush pastry edges with egg mixture & press ends firmly together to seal. Place the roll seam-side down on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Brush all over with egg mixture & score a series of light cuts in a crisscross all over the top using sharp knife. Bake for 12 minutes & allow to rest for 8-10 minutes before slicing.
59 Penhallow – Portsmouth (603) 436-4000 www.RistoranteMassimo.com
Saffron Sauce
Note: This sauce is delicious on both lamb recipes!
Season lamb with S&P.
Ingredients 1 small onion chopped very thinly 1 garlic clove chopped very thinly 1C cream 1/2C white wine (good quality chardonnay) 1 saffron thread (available at Trader Joe’s) 1T clarified butter
Heat oil in 12” cast-iron skillet over medium high heat.
Directions
Melt butter in pan & add onion.
Add lamb fat-side down & cook (using tongs to flip & sear the bottom & sides) until browned; about 10 minutes.
When onion is translucent add garlic & stir.
Turn lamb fat-side up in skillet & scatter herbs over top.
Keep 1T of cream on-hand & add the rest to the pan.
Directions
Preheat oven to 450.
Add garlic to skillet & transfer to oven. Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted in center of meat reads 130-degrees for medium rare; about 10 minutes.
Add wine & let simmer.
Reduce sauce till desired consistency. Dissolve saffron thread in the remained 1T of cream & add to sauce. S&P to taste.
Let cool for 5 minutes before slicing into chops & serving.
Of course Massimo considers Italian food an art form! He was born in Pontecorvo, Italy and grew up surrounded by fresh, Italian cuisine. Massimo’s family moved to the North Shore of Boston when he was five. To this day his large, loving family still harvests their tomatoes and make their own sauces…an annual event hosted by his wonderful, 88-year-old Mother.
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pawty accessories for peeps
Have Fun Drinking
Wheaton Stripe Table Runner
Bad Dog Tumblers
(www.PotteryBarn.com)
(www.UncommonGoods.com)
Serve with Simple Style
pawty accessories for pups
Party Attire
Water-Proof Agua Fresca Oilcloth Collar (www.ShopMimiGreen.com)
The Element Bamboo Cheese Board (www.ShopMiko.com)
Serving Palette with Bowls
(www.UncommonGoods.com)
Opening Day Party Attire (www.Petco.com)
Slurp In Style The Cubby Bowl Non-Toxic, 100% Recycled Glass
(www.PawNosh.com)
Almost Time for an Anchors-Away Party Fun Collars by Upcountry – Visit Canine Cupboard in Portsmouth
Massimo’s Mia
A big thanks to restaurateur Massimo Morgia for sponsoring this article! Ristorante Massimo offers world-class Italian cuisine with dishes from all regions of Italy—using New England culinary delicacies to deliciously transform timeless Italian favorites. Massimo is not only passionate about food, but also dogs! He is the proud Papa of 2-year old Mia, an adorable Maltese / Shih Tzu. Massimo pampers this precious fluff-of-fur as much as he does his guests! And how fun is this? Massimo taught Mia how to spell her name with foam letters! She retrieves the M, I & A when asked! Massimo may begin teaching Mia Italian soon! “Bravo cane.” Good dog!
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weddings to woof about
Mollie & Alex Buttrick and Rosie… our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Photography by Brooke Whicher Photography www.BrookeWhicherPhotography.com
Who are you? We both attended the University of New
Hampshire. We never actually met officially until I was waitressing on Cape Cod the summer of 2008. While I was working, I recognized Alex from a class we had together a few years earlier. He and his friends came to the restaurant. I wasn’t their waitress, but he apparently recognized me, as well. He decided to strike up a conversation with me, and we ended up meeting up when we returned to UNH the fall of our senior year. And here we are today!
The proposal?
Alex and I had just come home from buying our first Christmas tree together. He hid a Christmas ornament at the bottom of the ornament bag for me to find that said,
“Mollie, will you marry me?” When I found it, he bent down on one knee with a ring and proposed!
What is love?
Love is when you can sit with someone in complete silence and you still feel comfortable and connected with them. Even if both of you are silent, you’re still communicating together. The same goes for the love we have for Rosie!
What do you love most about your dog?
We love how her butt wiggles when she’s excited to see us…even if it’s only been 10 minutes since she last laid eyes on us.
What was your favorite part of your wedding…your dog’s favorite part?
Our favorite part of the wedding was how
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small and intimate it was. It was low-key, the weather was perfect and it was totally “us.” Rosie’s favorite part of the wedding was making an appearance at our photo shoot. Although she was only with us for a short time, she managed to find a dead bird and ate it between pictures.!
Anything Extra?
We were married on August 26, 2017 at the Moffatt-Ladd House & Garden in Portsmouth and had our reception at the 100 Club in Portsmouth. We haven’t had our honeymoon yet but are hoping to go somewhere warm like Costa Rica, Aruba or Hawaii. We had a great team to help us. Brooke Whicher, from Newburyport, was our photographer. The Beach Pea Baking Co. made our amazing cake and Jo Amorino of Hair Excitement in Durham was our hair stylist.
(dog) FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Making Healthy Diet Choices food for thought
By Dawn Price, Registered Dietitian Owner of The Natural Dog - Newburyport
As the pet food industry continues to grow, so does consumer confusion regarding what to feed their pets.
Pet food manufacturers have
overwhelmed the market with thousands of commercial products, each one claiming to be better than the next. The terms natural, organic and holistic have been inaccurately and over used to the point that the true definition of these terms is no longer clear. To make matters worse, deciphering the ingredient panel of a pet food label is nearly impossible for the consumer. This confusion and misinformation has resulted in heightened frustration when trying to decide what to feed.
The pet food industry is largely compiled of cereal manufacturers and has saturated the market with mostly grain based products. Unfortunately, even though dogs and cats do not have a nutritional requirement for carbohydrates, the average carbohydrate content in an exclusively fed kibble diet typically exceeds 60%. If fed a predominately grain based diet problems may arise such as food sensitivities, dry skin, dull coat and even low-grade inflammatory processes, diabetes and obesity.
Dogs and cats are carnivores. Cats are obligate carnivores and dogs are scavenging carnivores. Both thrive on a meat-based diet. In addition, neither have a requirement for carbohydrates. Dogs and cats are designed to eat and digest raw meat. Their teeth are used for slicing through and swallowing chunks of meat rather than chewing or grinding vegetables
and grains. Their short digestive tracts efficiently digest meats, whereas large quantities of carbohydrates pass through undigested. Therefore, choosing the most biologically appropriate diet can significantly impact their overall health.
When shopping for pet food, cost determines quality of a food. It costs a kibble manufacturer a lot less money to use grains than expensive meats. There are numerous premium kibble choices that include high quality meats on the market today. If feeding kibble, choose one that has meat as the first ingredient and avoid excessive carbohydrates, fillers and poor-quality grains. There are also better options than kibble such as canned meat diets, dehydrated meals, frozen and fresh meat diets. These options are more nutritious than a highly processed kibble. If feeding kibble, supplementing with one of these options will increase the nutritional content of the diet. In addition to supplementing with or feeding a meat-based diet, rotation and variety are also good nutritional practices. Rotating your pet’s diet and offering a variety of foods over time will help prevent food sensitivities and will also increase gut integrity which will help optimize digestive health. Every dog and cat is different, so when rotating and offering new foods, it is wise to start slowly until you know how your pet will handle these changes. Typically, over time, most dogs and cats are able to rotate and accept new foods quite easily.
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Even when making good food choices, and especially when feeding a processed diet, it is always a good idea to add supplements to optimize the diet. Aside from providing each dog or cat supplements based on their individual needs, a few beneficial ones include probiotics, digestive enzymes and omega-3 fatty acids. Adding things like goat milk, bone broth and fish oil are good ways to help with digestion, improve joint health, decrease inflammation and strengthen the immune system. Today there is an abundance of information and an overwhelming number of products to choose from. When feeding your pet choose biologically appropriate foods, feed fresh non-processed foods, add whole food supplements, offer a wide variety and rotate the diet often. These basic nutrition principles are the foundation of providing a healthy diet improving the overall well being of your pet.
Dawn Price has a BS in Nutrition & is a Registered Dietitian. She worked for many years as a dietitian at Massachusetts General Hospital & Lawrence General Hospital. She decided to pursue her passion for animal nutrition & joined the sales team of a large pet food distributor. She was promoted to Sales Manager & was responsible for covering New England & Canadian territories providing nutrition seminars to retail stores & veterinarians. Dawn was also the instructor of Canine & Feline Nutrition at North Shore Community College for many years. She opened her store, The Natural Dog, in 2005.
happy tails
Searching for
Miss Muffet By Lynne & Stephen Bottomley - Rye, NH
It was a perfect summer day. Not a cloud in the sky. We had to drop our Bernese Mountain dog, Muffet, off at the vets for some minor surgery. Stephen with Cubby, Bitty Bug & Muffet.
That meant she couldn’t have any breakfast; and looking into those sad eyes alternating between us and her brother and sister gorging themselves, was torture. We dropped her off at 8 a.m. and told her we’d be back in a couple of hours to pick her up. Little did we know that a couple of hours, due to a lack of judgement on the part of a vet tech, would turn into thirteen days of sheer hell. A few hours later we received a call from our vet stating that Muffet had gotten loose, and they were trying to catch her. As it turned out, a vet tech decided (on her own and against protocol) to remove Muffet’s leash in hopes that it would help her to go to the bathroom. When she was told by her boss to put the leash back on, Muffet panicked and escaped the recovery pen via an unlocked gate. And so began Muffet’s 2-week sojourn ranging between the salt marshes in Hampton Falls and the rest area on I-95 in Salisbury. We were beside ourselves. Initial efforts to catch her failed. As it turned out, all involved had done exactly what should not have been done. A bunch of unfamiliar people racing after a dog still under the last influences of anesthesia, yelling her name served only to panic poor Muffet even more and send her into flight mode.
We were instructed to make up posters with Muffet’s picture, description and our contact information. It’s hard to estimate how many posters we had printed over those two weeks, but it’s safe to assume that Staples in Seabrook had one of their best grossing months ever in their print department! Between us, the staff at the veterinarian’s and friends like Holly Tennent and Karla Ayers, we had posters on telephone poles, store fronts and anywhere else we could post them between Hampton and Salisbury. One individual who lived in the area stated there were so many posters he thought Muffet was running for governor! Half way through the ordeal we contacted Lisa Nazarenko’s Lost Pet Tracking Dogs outfit in Maine. She sent Rich and Emma Burns and two of their best tracking dogs down to help. They led us through the
26 www.seacoastbark.com
salt marshes of Seabrook all the way to a rest area in Salisbury. Their tracking even took us through the Seabrook Nuclear Plant, where we were approached by security and asked what we were doing in a restricted area. As soon as we mentioned Muffet, he stated that they had heard of our missing dog and were monitoring their security cameras. He then politely, yet sternly, suggested we leave the restricted area immediately. Rich and Emma were incredible. While we didn’t find Muffet, we did get an idea of where she had been and met a wonderful young couple who have become good friends. Were it not for the advice of a close friend to call the NHSPCA and ask for their detective, Steve Sprowl, there is no telling how this ordeal may have ended up. For the next thirteen days, Steve and his wife Sha searched with us, put out traps with
happy tails
Lynne with Muffet when found.
We made Muffet our only priority and spent our days putting up posters, chasing down leads and setting traps. us, chased down leads and were there to support two exhausted and worried doggie parents. We made Muffet our only priority and spent our days putting up posters, chasing down leads and setting traps. Day in and day out we searched, and Steve Sprowl was right there with us. He gave us good advice and hope. He kept us going.
While it was an experience we wouldn’t wish on anyone, it was not without it’s lighter moments. Our traps and cameras never caught Muffet. Yet, we did manage to video a fox, a few racoons and corral two skunks and one very irritated cat. It seems McDonald’s cheeseburgers and French fries are quite popular in the animal world!
Then there’s the two old veterans who reside somewhere near Route 1 in Hampton. The two of them, both in wheelchairs, would take turns playing a game of chicken with traffic. Several times on our way home to grab a couple hours
Day 11…surviving by eating crabs & grass.
of sleep, we would see them. One would watch and the other would wait until the last minute and then wheel himself across a busy Route 1 causing traffic to stop quickly; and if a car came too close, they would serenade the driver with a one finger salute! In the middle of this whole ordeal, we had to deal with Stephen having a kidney stone. Thanks to Exeter Hospital, one of the funniest male nurses you’d ever want to meet and a few meds, we were back out checking our traps a few hours later. In the end, as Steve Sprowl said happened often, Muffet circled back and her 13-day sojourn ended three buildings south of the one she escaped from. We received a call at 4 am on a Sunday morning from the owners of Brentwood Antiques, who we had spoken with just the afternoon before, telling us they had Muffet in their kitchen, that she was fine and waiting for us to come pick her up. We were as ecstatic as Muffet when she saw us. As it turned out, she was okay; some weight loss but no major medical issues.
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Our thanks to the Facebook community which gave a renewed faith that there are still a whole lot of good caring people out there, to all those who put up posters, searched and prayed for Muffet and especially to the NHSPCA’s detective Steve Sprowl and his wife Sha, without whom we would never have made it through this ordeal.
match.dog
"HOW I MET MY TRUE LOVE" love stories about real dogs + their humans
Good Juju Bad Juju By Linda Quinn, Owner of Home RENEWED…
A Consignment Shop, Hampton, NH
Let me start by saying my husband and I have been blessed to have been parents to some wonderful furry kids over the years. Jonesy and Curly, our first pets together (kitty litter mates), followed by Boo (Cairn Terrier), Shelby (English Springer Spaniel), Roxy (Beagle), Luna and Bella (Puerto Rican Beagle transplants), Sonia (Beagle) and the most recent addition Juju (Jack Russel/hound/ who knows what else) mix. Now we share the house (and bed) with Bella, Sonia and Juju.
Serendipity has had a way of bringing the perfect pet into our lives at some not-soperfect times! We started looking for a companion for our Bella, because she lost her two housemates, Roxy and Luna within a couple of months of each other. Having never been without her sister (Luna), and having never been alone before; she would throw herself against the door when I tried to leave the house in the morning. And then we found our Sonia who was being given up by her family because they were concerned for their toddler. Sonia threw herself down on my husband’s feet, jumped in the car and never looked back on her family of five years. Bella, now 14, and Sonia, now 10, became fast friends from day one; and Sonia still throws herself on my husband’s feet when he sits down. Soul mates! One day, realizing that Bella was getting older and less active, and Sonia was now in need of a playmate, I decided to check out a posting on Facebook from Canine Commitment of New England (caninecommit.org) about a tiny girl from Mississippi named Whitney. At the time she was being fostered and was around 10 pounds. A tiny little thing whose expression called to me (as most of them do). The dogs and I drove to Manchester to go see her; she was skittish and clearly
not well socialized…but adorable. I Facetimed with my husband so he could see her bouncing from couch to couch. And yes, I could see the look on his face, but I did my best to ignore it. Whitney was soon on her way to her new home, and Sonia had her new playmate.
Whitney, now known as Juju (good or bad…given the day), promptly ate her way through our down comforters, our woodwork and a brand new down filled sofa and loveseat. Attracted to feathers of any kind, one day we found out why. You see, Juju had been living by herself in the woods of Mississippi. She was found by a kind-hearted hunter named Bradley and had lived finding food when and how she could. One day when she was in our yard, she caught a sparrow flying through the air. Survival instinct is strong even with a full belly and a loving family to protect you. So, we fixed the woodwork, bought new bedding and chew-
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proof furniture…all because a 10-pound pup stole our hearts, as they all have in their own ways. And by the way, the sparrow was fine!
Juju When Found Down South
Note: If you have a dog who enjoys chewing furniture, you can find quality ‘gently-used’ furnishings at Linda’s store in Hampton. (HomeRENEWED; www.HomeRenewed.net)
inspiring
LIVE LIFE WITH A WAG
Inspiring thoughts & stories from our readers… By Lee Anne McCarthy – Hampton Falls
Animal Lover, Equestrian & Reiki Master Sometimes we are so lucky to find the perfect dog. When we bought our house in the country, our realtor mentioned that her niece’s dog had just had a litter of puppies and we might want to take a look. Instantly, we fell in love with a sweet little black ball of fuzz that kept crawling into our laps. Seven weeks later we came home with our buddy Bosley. He was a black Lab mixed with German Shorthaired Pointer and was the sweetest and smartest dog. His training was remarkably easy. He loved to please and the little pieces of dried up hot dog didn't hurt either!
Bosley loved to chase tennis balls. He also loved the water. One day while in Florida, we looked out to find him swimming alongside a manatee. Wow…what a sight to see! They swam the whole length of the beach together. Then Bosley came in, shook the water off his fur and just sat there. I think even he was amazed at what just happened!
A few years after we got Bosley, we decided to add to our pet-family again and got a cute brown German Shorthaired pup we named Hogie. He’s a character. He learned his commands easily, copying what Bos did
to get a treat. We spent a lot of time in the woods and fields letting him do his pointer thing, and the two dogs became fast friends. Hogie loved to be with me all the time, even when I was horseback riding. He got the nickname of "riding instructor" because he would stay in the ring and be right at the horse’s inside leg while we were practicing dressage.
Bosley and Hogie were inseparable. They each had a dog bed, but both would cuddle up in one bed. Often you couldn't even tell there were two dogs there. I loved laying by the fire with them after a day out in the cool weather. To me there is no better way to relax. As time went on, we saw that Bosley was getting tired easily. His beautiful black face was getting some distinguished looking gray patches. We noticed he was dragging his back feet in an odd way. He still wanted to run and play, but it was getting increasingly difficult. When we brought him to the vet, we found out that he had a problem in his back that was causing him to lose the feeling in his hind legs. We could see he was getting frustrated and ended up getting him a set of wheels. Old Bosley came back and was able to join us on walks again.
Unfortunately, his improvement was short lived. One cold September day he went outside and just laid in the grass. He wouldn't get up. Our vet came and told us there was nothing more we could do for him. I’m sure you all know those dreaded words and the sinking feeling you feel in your heart. Time to say goodbye...and thank you for all the love and joy you’ve brought into our lives. I sat on the floor with his head in my lap, just rubbing his beautiful body, and my husband kept petting his head and asking him for a kiss. Bosley loved to kiss....especially my husband, Jay. When Jay bent down to give him a kiss goodbye...Bosley licked all the tears off his face…a good and loyal friend to the end. We moped around for months after Bosley’s passing, but then one day we came across another little black bundle of fur we named Millie. We brought her home, and she put the spark back in our hearts and lives. Bosley is gone, but never forgotten; and I feel like our hearts will just keep growing to make room for the love we have for each new pet that enters. In the beginning I said we were lucky to find the perfect dog...but every dog is perfect in their own way, and we are so grateful for each and every one of them.
Photos: Lee Anne with Bosley, Bosley at the Beach, Jay with Hoagie & Bosley
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-the SEACOAST
BARK~IT place-
marketplace for artisans, eateries, merchants & more
All Pets Need a Good Home!
THE BEACH DOG
Doggie Daycare, Grooming & Love
10-Year Supporting Sponsor of the NHSPCA
Give Your Dog A Bone! Marine Veteran Adam Roberts with Archer…a handsome Italian/English Mastiff mix. Both are big fans of Joe’s! “They have the best subs in town.”
We take care of your dog as if they are one of our own with unconditional love & supervised safety.
We Offer All-Natural Knuckle Bones & USDA Marrow Bones
Keep your furry family safe. Call Pam for a complimentary “Please Rescue Our Pets” window cling.
Full-Service Open-Play Daycare COMPLIMENTARY Pick-Up & Drop Off Service Professional Grooming
Deli - Lunch & Soup - Baked Goods Black Angus Beef & All Natural Chicken Beer & Wine
Pam Bailey RE/MAX On the Move Cell: (603) 770-0369 Office: (603) 964-3300
96 Newburyport Turnpike Newburyport (978) 499-1881 www.TheBeachDogDaycare.com
Joe’s Meat Shoppe 229 Atlantic Avenue - North Hampton (603) 964-6152 www.JoesMeatShoppe.com
doggy thoughts
FLIPS + FLOPS By Flip-Flop
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)!
Wet Dogs
It’s spring and mud is everywhere. I recently found a product that makes it easy for peeps to clean our wet, muddy paws… the Paw Plunger. This gadget cleans them before we track through the house. Simply add warm water & dip each paw for a gentle, stress-free wash. Except for the bristles, I’m not sure how this is much different than a pail of water. Perhaps I love it cause the model is so darn cute…kind of looks like me! (www.pawplunger.com)
Flip-Flop
Dry Dogs
By The Grommet
Fun Feline Feeder
The Dr. Catsby Whisker Relief cat bowl offers the ulti-mutt design for fine, stress-free dining for felines! It’s wide with shallow sides, designed so whiskers won’t touch the edge of the bowl…thus eliminating whisker fatigue. Yes, you heard me right! Cat whiskers are like sensory antenaes and, apparently, can suffer overload when they come into contact with too many objects. Think this bowl is a total FLIP for felines! (www.drcatsby.com)
When it’s time to dry a soggy-doggy, I’m not sure why folks don’t just do it the good old-fashioned way. You know, with a big old towel…rubbed all over our fur. However, some crazy human seems to think a unique blowdryer-for-dogs might offer a better way. Check out this “Dog House Dryer” concept that is in the development stage. Yikes…I don’t think so!
Dumb Feline Feeder
This enclosed feeding dome may be great for cats as it prevents canine siblings from getting to their food. However, I don’t think it’s great at all, as there is nothing more fun for a dog... than tweaking & teasing their feline friend…by stealing their stinky cat food. From a dog’s perspective, this is a total FLOP. (www.feed-safe.com)
By Dr. Catsby
Fun Game
This is a great new spin on dominoes. Who wouldn’t love sitting down & matching colorful illustrations of adorable dogs? I think it would be way more fun than simply matching boring dots. And, of course, the winner would be the top-dog…just like me!
Dumb Game
World War Flea is a new card game on Kickstarter where cats and dogs join forces to defeat an army of evil fleas. I’ve a few thoughts on this one. First, I have a hard time imagining cats and dogs ever joining forces. Secondly, who would want to play a game based on fleas? And lastly, the mention of any world war is a total FLOP to me.
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