Seacoast Bark Magazine April May 2023

Flip-Flop and I are really enjoying the longer days and looking forward to longer walks on the beach, road trips for sightseeing and outdoor time with our friends…both 2-legged and 4-legged! Though it was a relatively easy winter, we sure are happy spring is here and summer is right around the corner! Bet you all are too…enjoy!!!

Cheers + Chow

Walter’s Words of Wisdom

By Walter Eugene Davis Senior Helpers – Stratham, NH

A Bit About Articine

“Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity.”

~ Hippocrates~

Hey folks, Spring is here! The days are longer, the sun brighter, and I am dreaming of laying in the middle of the lawn soaking it all up. What about you?

Recently I sat down with one of my very good friends, Robin Marcotte, to talk about his organization that brings the arts and medicine together. I found it quite fascinating and thought you would too! This is my first interview, so please cut me a little slack!

Robin…what is Articine?

Hi Walter! Thanks for interviewing us! Articine is a 501c3 non-profit located in Newfields, NH. Our mission is to tell stories through performances and workshops that integrate the arts and medicine to inspire healthcare providers to deliver more empathetic and effective patient care. It was created in May 2020 by three co-founders: Robin Marcotte (a physical theater artist and professor), Amanda Whitworth (a dancer and professor) and Bobby Kelly (a family physician).

What prompted you to start the organization?

In our professional careers, we've always known that the arts have the ability to help foster empathy. Much of my (Robin) and Amanda's professional work was already about health challenges in our communities. We had the idea to use healthcare as a tool to promote healing.

Tell me about your programs?

We have two main programs at Articine. One is our Performances and Impact Workshops. With these we perform a physical theater work about a health issue to a variety of audiences. Immediately after the performance, we engage the viewers in a workshop about the subject material. Current productions are The Anxiety Piece, about generalized anxiety and Shadows, about marriage and addiction. We're in the process of creating our first short film, Dottie, about a woman with dementia.

The second program is our Healthcare Resiliency Program - a stress/trauma mitigation product for healthcare workers. This program uses practical, high quality and efficient guided experiences via smart devices to help healthcare workers complete their stress response cycle and help relieve the stress that we all know our healthcare workers feel every day. We employ artists from around the country to create 3-5 minute video experiences for healthcare professionals.

Who benefits from your programs?

Our primary audience is healthcare professionals, although our material is accessible to all audiences! We perform at medical conferences, residency programs, retreats and special events. Additionally, the performances are very flexible as far as location! They can be performed outside, in conference rooms, galleries, and of course, theaters.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

If anyone is interested in learning more about Articine's programming, please feel free to reach out to us at info@articine.org. Also, check out our website for trailers of our productions (www.articine.org)! I'm told our four-legged friends highly approve of the performances. Thank you, Walter it was a pleasure talking with you.

Well, what do you think? I had a blast spending time with Robin and learning something new!

Enjoy the signs of spring. It’s natures way of saying – Let’s Party! See you this summer, and I will have more words of wisdom for you!

Walter Eugene

Making a Difference...

At Senior Helpers we are blessed to make a difference in the lives of our clients, their families, and our team every day. We lead with our hearts helping those in need. Extending our capable hands to lighten the load. Whether it be a medication reminder, preparing a meal, an escort to a doctor’s appointment or a good game of Rummy, the Senior Helpers Team changes lives one client at a time.

Fondly…Dwight & Gayle Davis, our special team & Walter too!

Senior Helpers provides in-home, non-medical care offering tailored services ranging from companion care for those who need daily assistance to in-depth specialized care for those with dementia, Parkinson’s, ALS, MS, and other chronic diseases. We have worked with clients ranging in age from 25 -104. Senior Helpers has received many accolades since opening its doors in 2014: Best of the Seacoast for Home Health Care, Provider Circle of Excellence, National Employer of Choice, Business Excellence Award for Healthcare, and top 200 Influential Business Leaders in N.H.

Stratham, NH – (603) 583-4580

www.seniorhelpers.com/nh/se-new-hampshire

Robin & Amanda

Robin, Walter & Bobby

Amanda & Robin Performing

The Retired Lady

By Nancy Dewar

Though the average age of retirement in the US is 65, this special lady worked a few years beyond and retired at 70…in people years, that is! Lady, a beautiful English Labrador, worked for ten years as a dedicated guide dog to her beloved human, Jean Shiner of Exeter. As is with most professions, proper training was essential before Lady embarked on her important career.

She spent her first 18 months with her devoted puppy raisers, who donated their time and love to housebreak her and teach her basic commands and manners. Puppy raisers have to be commended for their selflessness. Imagine having a little one around for 18 months and then graciously relinquishing them to head on to their next chapter in life.

Lady completed her professional training at the Guide Dog Foundation located in Smithtown, New York, where she spent three months learning the intricacies of her new job. Jean then joined Lady on campus for their in-person team training. Jean explained, “Getting a guide dog is similar to learning how to drive. Drivers have the skills but need to practice. It’s the same with dogs. They need to learn the specific cues and get more comfortable with their new human.”

Jean and Lady’s training included footwork, turns, traveling together into the city, riding public transportation, going to

a mall and more; together experiencing different situations they would encounter in real life. “It’s a bit exhausting when you first get a new dog because of the learning curve. You are learning a new dog, and they are getting to know you…both working together to develop trust.”

Jean, who has been blind since birth, got her first dog when she was 24 and has had one for nearly 40 years except for a brief hiatus when she had to wait for a broken ankle to heal following a bicycle accident while riding tandem with her husband Vic. She said that all of her dogs had special quirks. “Lady loved to find seats and benches when we were out and about. She would stop and I’d have to tell her… no, we’re not going to sit down now! My new dog Brook sometimes just stops on her own in front of familiar places…like Sea Dog Brewing Company!”

Jean and Vic have been together for over 20 years after meeting on a bike trip in Massachusetts. Though Vic didn’t grow up with dogs, he wasn’t the least bit fazed when he joined Jean’s household which included two kids, a family dog and a guide dog! They have called Exeter their home since 2005.

When Lady turned ten, Jean felt that it was time to let her retire. “She was picking up some quirks, getting some noise sensitivity and it was hard on her working in the heat of summer. It was time for her to simply enjoy life,” Jean said with a tender smile. Lady was well known in the community and among their church congregation. Fellow church members Peg and Rich Aaronian often had Lady come for sleepovers when Jean and Vic went out of town, and without their actual request, eventually became Lady’s designated new family!

Peg laughed when she said, “Jean just kept telling everyone that when Lady retired, she was going to live with us! So, of course

Lady Chilling

we were delighted and welcomed her with open arms!” Rich had recently retired following a wonderful 49-year teaching career at Phillips Exeter Academy. The Aaronians had planned to do some traveling upon retirement, but it was 2020 and life had come to a bit of a halt…so getting a dog was an unexpected gift! Lady’s retirement in June of 2020 was celebrated with an outdoor going away party complete with refreshments and lots of other dogs who played the day away.

Both Peg and Rich marvel at how easily Lady adjusted and fit into her new life. “She was so well trained, as her job had been keeping her eyes on Jean to keep her safe. She’s so smart. She knows left and right. We tell her to wait and she does! And she’s so polite. She waits for us to go through the door before she will,” Rich explained. “She’s also very regimented and has a clock in her. She comes to us at 11:00 for her daily glucosamine pill and dinner is at 5:00…so around 4:00 she just starts staring at us and waiting!”

I laughed when Peg and Rich told me the story of Lady and the Ted Lasso show. She had been trained to come with a whistle which was always followed by a treat. One night there was whistling on the Ted Lasso show, and Lady came bounding into the room, wagging and waiting for her treat!

While with Jean, Lady knew she was off-the-clock the minute her vest came off. Now she is off-theclock full time and fully enjoying retirement. After breakfast she usually will grab a toy and at night will bounce a ball and chase it one time…simply to get a treat! “She loves to sniff (because now she can) which makes walks take forever. Peg says sniffing is dogs way of Googling! When we stop to talk to friends, she just lays down and patiently waits. And she loves to go to the park or go birding with me,” Rich said.

Other benefits of welcoming a well-trained retired guide dog into your home? They come fully trained! Lady doesn’t eat people food. She doesn’t get on the furniture. She doesn’t bark; not even when neighborhood dogs are barking. She was trained to ignore them.

After Lady’s retirement, Jean welcomed her new guide dog, Brook, into their home; and Lady often visits…going to her old usual places in the house and is all over Brook. But then she is happy to go back home with Peg and Rich, who adore her. “We got a loving dog who was perfectly trained and who is so adaptable. What surprised us the most is that we have a non-swimming Labrador! When we go to the beach, she simply wades in the tide pools or lays down in a few inches of water…that’s it!” But hey, I guess when one is retired after years of dedicated work, it’s their turn to call the shots…and the Aaronian’s wholeheartedly agree! Lady is most certainly…a retired lucky lady.

“We got a loving dog who was perfectly trained and who is so adaptable.”

Lady & Brook

Jean, Peg, Lady & Brook with Friends Micah & Charlie

Lady with her Hedgehog

fun things to bark About

The Mane Event

NEER North (New England Equine Rescue) is a West Newbury, MA based 501c3 non-profit. Their mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome horses, donkeys and ponies in the New England area whose lives are at risk. They work with horse owners to help them avoid crisis situations, network with other rescues and educate the public about equine abuse and rescue. Their annual fundraising endeavor, The Mane Event & Annual Auction, will be held on Saturday, May 20th, at Coolidge Hall at the Topsfield Fair Grounds. This fun in-person event is sure to get lots of boots stomping! If you are interested in donating auction items (such as experiences, retail gift certificates, special wines, themed baskets, etc.), please email events@neernorth.org. Visit their website for tickets and more information on The Mane Event. This is a great way to get the word out about your products and services while supporting their mission of saving equines in need! (NeerNorth.org)

Fosters Homes Needed

If you’re looking to share some love and kindness this Spring, why not consider becoming a foster parent to a dog in need? Non-profit New England Lab Rescue has an abundance of rescued Labs and Lab mixes that are in dire need of short-term parenting until they find their fur-ever homes. Founded in 2010 by Maine- and Cape Cod-based Heather Labbe, NELR has found loving homes for over 3,000 dogs since its inception. Many of these dogs were living in overcrowded shelters down South and were scheduled for euthanasia. NELR does not have an actual facility, but rather places the dogs in well vetted, caring foster homes. To learn more about fostering, visit their website. And also, know that their requirements are pretty easy to meet if you’re a real dog lover! They include:

- Must own a comfy couch

- Must like walks

- Must like car rides

- Must laugh at funny antics

- Must like to play ball

- Must be patient and kind

- Must be forgiving of spills/accidents

- Must love snuggling

(NewEnglandLabRescue.com)

Mary Martin NEER Founder

Stewie Vuitton…Our Local Celebrity

Every year Cadbury Chocolates holds an annual “Cadbury Bunny Tryouts,” a competition that invites pet owners nationwide to submit photos of their pet wearing bunny ears for a shot a starring in Cadbury’s Easter ad campaign. This year’s contest added a twist…it was all about rescue pets. And we are so proud of our big (little) local celebrity Stewie Vuitton for making it into the Top 10 Finalists out of thousands of entries! As a miniature therapy horse from Lifting Spirits Miniature Therapy Horses (based in Andover, MA), Stewie and his fellow miniature pals bring incredible joy to people of all ages throughout the Boston area with visits to nursing homes, children’s centers, schools and so much more.

He also brought a lot of hoopla to the local media, garnering coverage recently from CBS Boston, Boston 25, WHDH TV and even some national coverage on Yahoo! Precious Stewie, who stands 23” tall and suffers from dwarfism, came in second in a crowded field that included not only bunnies but also dogs, sheep, guinea pigs, ducks and cats. This year’s winner was Crash, a cat from Boise, Idaho. But in our minds…Stewie is the real winner because of all the JOY he spreads to many! Kudos to Stewie and his Mom Toni Hadad, founder of Lifting Spirits. Visit their website to learn more or to support this worthwhile organization.

(MiniTherapyHorses.net)

NHSPCA Annual Paws Walk

Get ready for a most BARK-tacular day! This year’s Paws Walk is Sunday, June 4! Join fellow dog-lovers at Stratham Hill Park and help save

community fundraiser and helps save the lives of thousands of animals each year – all because of you! Walking at Paws Walk will help raise critical funds that provide lifesaving care for pets in-need. And be sure to stay for the festivities. The event will be held from 10:00 – 2:00, with the “Walk” starting noon. Visit their website for more information or to register online. This annual event is definitely one not to be missed! (nhspca.org)

Sweet Paws Pride Party

It’s a PAW-rty! Join Sweet Paws Rescue outside of the Riverwalk Brewing Co. in Newburyport for their annual Pride Pawrty on June 4th from noon - 4:00 pm. Dress in your favorite rainbow outfits (pups & peeps), take some pics in their fun photo station and enjoy some tunes! Riverwalk Brewing will be open and serving inside. As always, the event is dog- and family-friendly, so come one… come all! And don’t miss the Mutt Strutt Contest at 2:00 outside next to the picnic tables. There will also be an agility course and free parking! For more details visit the Sweet Paws Rescue Facebook page.

Photos by Casa Creatives Photography

"How I Me T My True Love"

love stories about real dogs + their humans

By Connor Slein - Financial Advisor at Edward Jones

obi the Dog…A Story of

Calm in Chaos

I did not grow up with dogs. In fact, I spent most of my childhood afraid of them. While running cross- country in the seventh grade, I will never forget the Doberman off a leash snarling at me. We had cousins with an overly protective Lab that was far from welcoming. My best friend in middle school had a Beagle ("Bagel") that would howl for 20 minutes after I rang their doorbell. Dogs weren't my favorite.

Fast forward many years. Born and raised in Salem, NH, I took a chance on a job after college in Indianapolis. I spent 5 amazing years in Indy and eventually met my wife Sophia there. Sophia grew up with dogs. A work promotion in July of 2019 gave us the opportunity to move to Columbus, Ohio. Sophia and I packed our bags and moved to a city that neither of us had even been to. Big chance No. 2. Between July of 2019 and March of 2020, I was on the road 5 days a week; and we were busy planning our October 2020 wedding. After being on her own almost 5 days a week, Sophia planted the seed…she wanted to adopt a dog. Absolutely not!

If you're reading this, there's a month and a date that everyone can see what happens next: a pandemic shut the world down in March of 2020. We don't need to re-live it, so I'll skip straight to it. In a period of extreme uncertainty, we were in a state of adapt and survive. Fortunately, our jobs were intact, but stress levels were far higher than normal. In a world that seemed to be crumbling – Sophia saw an opportunity. She told me whatever is happening we can still do good. She made a compelling case to rescue a puppy. I was still a no. But in April of 2020, we "compromised" and adopted a two-year old dog. Big chance No. 3.

Enter Obi stage right! He is a Beagle/Australian Shepherd mix and rescuing him has been the best decision Sophia and I have ever made. At first, he was nothing short of a madman. In the early days in Columbus, we would walk him 10+ miles a day and he'd still be bouncing off the walls of our tiny apartment. Obi was anything but calm; "madman" would be the only accurate description. I went from on the road 5 days a week to completely working from home. My world was flipped upside down. Obi and I would walk 2-3 times a day and he almost broke me. It took every-

thing I had to keep this pup running. Obi mercifully grew out of his puppy energy when we bought our first house in Columbus in April of 2021.

As the saying goes, the only constant in life is change. Things were changing at work and an idea began brewing to move back to New England. In June of 2021, we began planning. In July of 2022, Exeter, NH became home. Big chance No 4.

Sophia and I are incredibly thankful for Obi. He has been our constant source of pure, unconditional happiness through the stress of a pandemic, job changes, our COVID wedding saga, two moves (one across the country) and many other life changes.

I am a list person, and to put a bow on our story, here is a list of just a few reasons we love Obi and why he is our calm in the chaos of life:

• Obi is happy to see us. Always.

• Obi legitimately smiles and pants when he's happy.

• Obi stops to smell the roses on walks (and pees on them, too).

• Obi snuggles on the couch with us every night.

• Obi won't win any IQ tests but is SO happy.

• Obi gets along with 99% of other dogs.

• Obi has the funniest, crooked bottom teeth.

• Obi (against all odds) can be off leash.

• Obi has beautiful, crazy eyes.

• Obi loves us unconditionally.

So, take a chance. Rescue a dog. You deserve it and so do they!

Note: For financial advice & planning, contact Connor Slein at Edward Jones via phone at (603) 898-2106.

Connor, Sophia & Obi

MeeT Melanie Amarosa owner of Happiness 4 Dogs

A bit about your business?

Happiness 4 Dogs started as a Canine Massage business, I started incorporating energy work into the sessions and now offer Reiki and Animal Energy® Level 1. Reiki works with the chakras (energy centers in the body) and Animal Energy works with the energetic body. By balancing and clearing non-beneficial energy, we can help animals heal from a physical, emotional and energetic standpoint. I developed the Serenity Ceremony as a way to honor our animal companions at the end of their life. Serenity Ceremony brings harmony and comfort to the process of saying goodbye to your pet. It focuses on supporting the owner and their animal companion.

and developed issues with her knees, a cervical spinal issue, loss of hearing and decreased vision, I wanted to find a way to help keep her comfortable and to maintain her quality of life. She is now 13 ½ years old and still has her puppy- like zest for life. We have traveled this journey together, and we have learned a lot along the way. Happiness 4 Dogs was started to share my skills with canines and their fami-

Serenity Ceremony came to be from my own dogs aging and seeing what my friends were going through with their older dogs. I wanted a way to help animal companions and their humans when that dreaded day comes.

Favorite part of your job?

cannot thank you enough for the session. You helped to clear things for my living animals. I have seen immediate improvements in them. You were able to connect with my pup that recently passed and were able to provide me with much needed answers. I am so grateful for your amazing work.”

Being there to help animals and their humans to connect and to find comfort is the best part of my job.

A bit about your dogs?

Emma came to me when she was five months old. Together we have grown and learned a lot, from training techniques to health care. She has been my greatest mentor. She loves to greet you with a toy in her mouth and makes the happiest noises.

Where areas do you serve?

I live in Brentwood, NH with my husband and our three dogs: Emma, Dash and Nefertiti. Canine Massages are usually done in the home where the dog is most comfortable. Energy work can be done remotely or in person and is available for all animal companions. In-person appointments are local to the Seacoast area or by special arrangement for areas farther away.

How did you get into your profession?

Happiness 4 Dogs was inspired by my dog Emma (a.k.a. Happiness). As she started to age

Stories from clients about the changes in their animal companions after a massage or energy session or about the comfort a Serenity Ceremony brought them. When thinking about this work, the one word that comes to mind is honor. It is an honor to be able to help bring comfort to others.

Least favorite part?

Self-promotion is the hardest part of being a small business owner…that and technology!

Special stories or special dogs you’ve worked with?

Angie was referred to me by a friend. She and her dogs had gone through major life changes, and this is her testimony “Melanie, I

Dash arrived at four months old…skinny, nervous, with aggression and submissive wetting issues. He had a scar on his muzzle from being attacked by other dogs. Dash is smart, willing to learn and has great capacity to love those in his immediate circle. He is my adventure buddy.

Nefi is an Afghan Hound and the apple of my husband’s eye! She is sweet and kind but hasn’t yet managed to convince the rabbits and chipmunks that she just wants to play.

Note: To learn more about Melanie’s services or to book an appointment, text her at (603) 988-6477 or visit her website.

(www.Happiness4Dogs.com)

Emma & Melanie

Melanie & Dash

We Dig Dirt… Mulch…and More!

If you’re tired of spending countless hours trying to maintain your garden and landscaping, Knowle’s Tree Service & OUTTA MY TREE wicked good mulch can help you out!

We offer a wide range of high-quality mulch products in different colors to perfectly match your home’s aesthetics. Our premium mulch will not only enhance the look of your landscaping but also help to retain moisture and suppress weeds, saving you time and money in the long run.

We also offer topsoil, super loam, stone & stone dust, gravel and decorative stone, making it easy to create a stunning outdoor space. Our knowledgeable staff is on-hand to answer any questions and help you find the perfect products for your project. Plus… we offer convenient delivery options so you can skip the hassle of loading and transporting heavy bags by yourself.

Knowle dogs working

old Dogs Go to Helen

By Nancy Dewar

Originally, I thought this was going to be an article about rescue. But the more I learned about Helen St. Pierre and her non-profit Old Dogs Go to Helen, I realized it really is a story about a true animal lover…and a different definition of rescue than most of us think of. Helen doesn’t rescue dogs to help find them new homes. She provides a home for older dogs still living in shelters that need a warm and loving place to spend their final days. Instead of living in a noisy shelter, the dogs that come to Helen for what she calls “hospice care,” are smothered in love and kindness with all their needs taken care of. In addition to shelters, sometime her resident pups come from owner surrenders when their parents are no longer able to care for them.

To love animals fiercely enough to help them with their end of life, requires a very special human being. Helen grew up outside of London and moved to Boston at the age of 14 with her Mother and brother. Though she didn’t really grow up with dogs, they did get what Helen called “a divorce” dog when her parents separated; a Beagle named Cookie. Helen laughed when she told me, “That was the only time I would ever hear my Mother swear…when Cookie ran away!” Ahh…a typical Beagle!

Helen has been training dogs for 21 years and owns No Monkey Business Dog Training located in Concord, New Hampshire. She has always been involved with animals in a myriad of ways since she was a young adult. Pet sitting, dog daycare, volunteering at shelters; you name it and Helen has probably done it! She believes her love of animals is innate and is simply in her genes. “I discovered that my great grandmother had bred collies, and when I was little, I played with stuffed animals; no dolls for me!”

The St. Pierre family – which includes her amazing husband Jake and two young daughters plus their own menagerie, which we’ll get to later – live on several acres in Epsom, New Hampshire. They moved from their home in Bow as they needed more living space for all the dogs. The pups used to share the living room in their Bow home, which was a bit difficult with little ones walking barefoot throughout the house. Their new home has a large second living room where the dogs are close to the family, have snuggly living space and yet is separate from the family living area. They also have a direct door to an enclosed outside area.

After Helen had lost her 15-year-old senior dog Merlin, she got a call from Pope Memorial SPCA of Concord about an old dog that needed a home. That kind of was the beginning of her mission of helping the seniors. “When I spoke to rescues, I’d always say…give me the dog that is the oldest, grossest; a dog that no one else is going to want. So, now we take in senior, hospice or special needs homeless dogs

all the time. It’s something that Jake and I are extremely passionate about.”

The average number of love-bugs at Helen and Jake’s home at one time is around 12, with the maximum of one large dog, as they want the little ones to be comfortable and calm…and enjoy their quality of life without the fear of large dogs. “We’ve received owner surrenders and shelter dogs covered in tumors. Some weeks we get no requests; others we might have ten dogs that need a home. We’re always getting requests,” Helen explained. “Since we are like a hospice for dogs, we take those that need a home whether they have a week or a few years to live. One dog, Lucille, was only with us for a week, and we had Gus for just four months before losing him to cancer.”

I asked her how she and her family handle all of the loss. “I think I’m still figuring that out,” Helen reflected. “The more that you take on, the more loss you have. Last month we had one to two deaths each week. Death isn’t discussed much in our society. We put it off and

Since we are like a hospice for dogs, we take those that need a home whether they have a week or a few years to live.

try to avoid it. Many people keep their animals alive longer than they should; for themselves, not for the animal’s quality of life. I’m really trying to educate the general public about what death is and isn’t. It’s not about giving your dog more time on this earth. It’s about giving these animals an amazing life while they are here.” All of the special dogs that live out their lives at Helen’s are cremated and buried on their property; honoring their dignity to the very end.

Helen explained that the care is primarily a family thing. She and Jake do the feeding, cleaning and loving; and they have a small group of volunteers that sometimes help them out. On top of their special residents, the family also has two family Collies, a Cattle dog, a Scottish Deerhound, seven cats, two parrots and will soon be welcoming some new goats and ducks!

Old Dogs Go to Helen became a 501c nonprofit in 2022, and one of their greatest needs is funding and supplies. Chewy gift cards are like gold!!! They work with veterinarians all over the state and some

vets will help with special pricing or offer pro bono services. Their average weekly cost is about $2,500 per week for the revolving care of the dogs, and this doesn’t include emergencies or surgeries. Basic ongoing care includes blood work, urine analysis, meds, follow-up appointments, etc. And, most dogs are on special diets which are more expensive.

There is no doubt that Helen St. Pierre is an animal lover with an enormous heart. “My animals, not just the dogs, don’t just enrich my life, they GIVE me life.” I think one of the posts Helen wrote on her Facebook says it all, as well as a follower’s reply:

“My whole heart is in this work. They may not have long, but they have me, and I have them.” To which a follower responded, “Can you image all of the pups that are up there and all of the conversations they must have about you and all you do for them? All the love they have for you? The welcoming committee you will have… you’ll need a stadium to fill it. You are doing God’s work.”

No one could say that better! Kudos and enormous thanks to Helen and her family.

(OldDogsGoToHelen.com)

“My whole heart is in this work. They may not have long, but they have me, and I have them.”

Meet Some Special Seacoast Pups…

Here are some of our readers’ adorable dogs. If you’d like your pup’s picture in an upcoming issue, send an email with “Local Tails” in the subject line to: nancy@SnazzyJazzyPet.com. All breeds welcome!

Dylan - Rollinsford

Jonah - Dover

Ember - Farmington

Moose - Hampton

Amélie - North Hampton

Doggone Grrrrr…eat dog treats!

Sponsored by Ristorante Massimo

Red, White & Blueberry

Celebrate Memorial Day with… Dog “Ice Cream”

This dog-friendly “ice cream” is by far one of the easiest treats you could make for your pups! If you substitute plain yogurt with vanilla yogurt…it’s perfect for people too!

Ingredients

½ - 1 C plain unsweetened yogurt

Chopped strawberries & blueberries

Directions

Mix all together in a bowl

Freeze for 3 hours & serve

Can also be frozen in ice cube trays for individual treats

We’re So Happy It’s Almost Summer!

Summer is almost here, and my incredible staff and I are thrilled to be welcoming familiar and new faces to the restaurant. We invite you to enjoy our world-class Italian cuisine in one of our charming, intimate dining areas: our wonderful wine bar at Upstairs at Massimo’s or our cozy downstairs main dining room at Ristorante Massimo.

Depending upon your mood, enjoy a formal dining experience at Ristorante Massimo or a lighter fare with a more vibrant atmosphere at Upstairs at Massimo’s. In either, you’ll discover the same authentic homemade Italian cuisine accompanied by exceptional service and hospitality.

I started Ristorante Massimo almost 30 years ago and never tire of creating and treating our guests to unique and authentic Italian food. When I’m not at the restaurant working with our wonderful staff or meeting our cherished guests, I’m usually home giving love and bellyrubs to my two very special pups…Mia & Logan…the loves of my life!

Cheers & Saluti to All…Massimo

Logan

Mia

f LI p S + f L op S

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 “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)!

-Flop

Odd Summer Product

This Pawcet Dog Drinking Fountain makes no sense to me. I guess you attach it to a hose and then train us dogs to press on it to get a spurt of cool water! Why in the world wouldn’t just a fresh bowl of water suffice? Sometimes I think humans overthink things!

(TractorSupply.com)

Clever Summer Product

Here’s a great way to easily keep your pups and kiddos cool this summer. This collapsible pool from Camping World is easy to set up, take down and move around for camping or visiting friends this summer. Plus, it’s not an eye sore like the bright blue plastic pools. This is on my summer wish list for sure!

(CampingWorld.com)

Cool Flip Flops

The FlipSideFlipFlops Etsy shop is a real flip! They offer custom imprints on the bottom of flip flops so your message is imprinted in the sand as you walk. What a great idea. Personalize a pair with your name, perhaps a paw print or maybe the date of the big wedding day. A fun gift idea if you’re looking for something unique.

(www.etsy.com/shop/FlipSideFlipFlops)

Crazy Dog Sandals

Okay, I know the pavement gets hot in the summer, and it can be tough on our paws…but there must be a better looking shoe style for pups than this Besufy Pet Sandal Breathable Anti-Skid Dog Sandal. Even the name is bad…ha ha! Perhaps little dogs would think these are fashionable. But big dogs? Probably not. I’d rather just go out early or late to miss the heat…with no shoes on.

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