contents 16.
society tails
18.
fun things to bark about
20.
rescue
22.
22
pawsitive notes 8. animal lover's profile 6.
24.
work like a dog
26.
food for thought
28.
Dr. Zeff
words of wisdom 14. match.dog 10.
animal lover's profile
Grace
30. 31.
let's pawty
Ristorante Massimo
marketplace
Artisans, Eateries, Merchants
flips + flops
seacoastbarkmagazine.com 3
publisher Nancy Dewar
nancy@snazzyjazzypet.com 603.498.3237
design Mrs. and Mr. Design
info@mrsandmrpublishing.com
director of sales & marketing BlakeLee Greene bntgreene@comcast.net (978) 317-5846
thanks to our contributors‌ Margot Kopp - Dawn Price - Ellen Ratner Published by Bark Media Group LLC six times a year. Hampton, NH Copyright Š 2019 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, Rowley, Ipswich & 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
notes
Publisher’s Note We’re 1 ½ years into publishing Seacoast Bark (that’s 10 ½ in dog years!), and I want to thank all our ardent readers and supportive marketing partners; i.e. our advertisers! Since this is a complimentary magazine, it is made paws-ible because of our advertisers. It’s interesting that about 80% of our partners have nothing to do with the pet category, though our magazine produces results for them as animal-lovers buy all kinds of goods and services. People actively pick up the magazine, as they want to read the articles. And, we often hear, “I love reading the ads, as they have animals in them!” Because of the success of Seacoast Bark, we’re thrilled to be launching Boston Bark this fall! It will be a separate magazine, though we will be able to share some articles among both. Our mission is to spread good, happy news…and support animal rescue groups and organizations. We can’t wait to start BARKING in Boston too! A big thanks to ALL…for being part of our very special pack!
Cheers + Chow…
Nancy
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seacoastbarkmagazine.com 5
pawsitive notes
Dogs Unite Us Around a Common Cause…
Our Love of Dogs
By Nancy Dewar
Randy with Sophie & Kobe
Randy Price, anchor of WCVB Channel 5’s early morning newscast, is well-known not only for his recognizable TV personality (EyeOpener is New England's most watched morning news program) but also for the endless support he gives to numerous organizations. He works non-stop to raise awareness and millions of dollars for causes important to him and his viewers - autism, veteran's, Scouting, substance abuse, LGBT issues and animal welfare. He’s closely aligned with the MSPCA, the Animal Rescue League of Boston, Merrimack Valley Feline Rescue, the New England Cocker Spaniel Rescue group and many others.
I met Randy on a beautiful summer day at Fort Foster in Kittery Point, Maine. He arrived with his loyal and beloved sidekicks, Kobe (a 2-year-old Dobie) and Sophie (a 2-year-old Springer Spaniel). We sat on a bench looking out at postcard-perfect Pepperrell Cove and Whaleback Lighthouse with Kobe and Sophie tucked under the bench where they waited patiently for nearly two hours. Randy’s face lights up when talking about animal welfare. “If I do a story on abused animals, I hear from an endless number of people. If there is a story about abused kids, people don’t generally reach out; they don’t feel like they have a shared role in it. But with animals, they’re different.” “People think of me as a dog person, but my love of animals started with cats,” Randy explained. “I grew up in Baton Rouge, and my maternal grandmother nurtured feral cats. She was a carefree spirit who truly loved animals. You’d go to her home and there were cats everywhere!” He said his Mother was “very fussy” so they didn’t have cats but did have dogs growing up. They were res-
cues; not pure breeds. “I called them Cocker Spaniels as they all had long, fluffy ears; and I named them all the same: Rusty 1, Rusty 2, Rusty 3!”
Randy and his husband, Mark Steffen, have had a “fabulous marriage” for 42 years. They lived in Boston when they first arrived in New England and have resided in Kittery Point for the last 28 years. Randy laughed while recounting the Boston of then and now. “Boston has changed so. We lived on Boylston Street years ago. Now I go back to the old neighborhood and think ‘OMG, where have I been?’ I don’t recognize anything. We had some friends who lived at the edge of the South End on Chandler Street, and we thought they were pioneers!”
When I asked how they ended up in Kittery, Randy said it was pure serendipity. “We had a weekend house in Ogunquit. One day we were going to the mall, but it was early. So, we decided to take a drive down this road we saw…Haley Road, thinking ‘Let’s find out what Kittery is all about.’ We ended up at Cutts Island, and it felt like yesteryear.” They subsequently bought land on the old
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Thaxter farm from family members related to Celia Thaxter, an American writer who resided on the Isles of Shoals in New Hampshire in the 1800’s. “There was an 1800’s barn on the property, and we built a new home.” Since their initial landing in Kittery, Randy and Mark have built and renovated three homes. They recently purchased a home in Palmetto Bluff, South Carolina, where they’ll live when Randy retires, though plan to still spend summers in Maine. When asked about life outside of TV world, Randy said, “We’re home bodies. We love our animals, the garden and tend to stay home.” Staying home now is with just two pups, though for many years they had more than a dozen dogs at one time! When Randy and Mark got together, they got their first Cocker Spaniel (an actual one this time!). Years later, Randy got another one for Mark at Christmas. When they discovered, by coincidence, that their new black and tan Cocker had a wonderful pedigree (the heart of showing dogs), they were encouraged by a long-time family breeder on Cape Cod to
pawsitive notes
Kobe & Sophie Snoozing
Randy at One of Many Fundraising Events
get in the show ring! That never happened, but they did find a wonderful handler to do that. Hence, the beginning of their life with show dogs.
One thing led to another and then they had had more dogs to show, as they started breeding. Randy and Mark eventually ended up with a brown Cocker who they named Rudy (Randy’s father’s nickname). Of their many champions, Rudy was the most remarkable and a famous dog in the history of show dogs. “He was at Westminster many times and sired over 80 champions. He was awesome; so sweet. Rudy had a 10- to 11-year show career, which is long and rare.” People often discuss breeding versus rescue. Randy expounded on this. “A lot of people in the rescue world hate breeders. I’ve never felt guilty for being part of the breeding world. I look at it as responsible breeding. And I’ve participated in both worlds; rescue and breeding.” One of the wonderful gifts Randy and Mark have received from breeding is the special, long lasting relationships formed with those who got their puppies. Case in point…Randy had received an email the morning we met from someone who got a puppy from them about 15 years ago…letting him know that their dog had just died. “He sent us an obituary…for Peanut. These connections have more of a long lasting, pro-
Randy & Mark with Lots of Cockers
Rudy Relaxing in His Older Years
The Wonderful Days of Puppies
found affect than the memory of showing dogs ever will.”
I asked Randy about his daily routine, “How do you get up so early?!” He thinks he has the best of all worlds, contrary to what most of us perceive! “I go to bed at 6:00, which is easy cause we don’t go out that much. I get up at 1:00 a.m. Kobe and Sophie get out of their beds and follow me downstairs to relax in their downstairs-beds as I scan the papers. I head up to get dressed…the dogs follow and go back to bed. I leave for Boston around 2:00 a.m. It’s an easy drive; no traffic. The program starts at 4:30 after my amazing staff has been working all night to prepare all. It runs till 7:00. I leave the studio around 8:00 and am home around 9:30.” Yes, this does sound nice…8 ½ hours to enjoy home-life with Mark, Kobe and Sophie!
As we left Fort Foster, I had a few last questions for Randy. Did Mark grow up with animals? “He grew up with animals of all kinds. We have a picture of him riding his bike delivering newspapers with a sheep running along beside him. And it’s not like he lived on a farm. He grew up in Livingston, New Jersey!” How did you get into broadcast? “I started college thinking of being a doctor. You know, a Southern guy, wanting to make my parents
seacoastbarkmagazine.com 7
proud. While in my dorm I heard an ad on the radio looking for people to ‘be on the air.’ I applied and started working for a local radio station. I also did radio while in the Air Force for four years. And my parents were always proud of me despite the fact I didn’t become a doctor!”
How can dogs help us with the current political world? “Dogs help still our thoughts. I find the divisiveness very disturbing. I make it a point to be annoyed by both sides and try to understand and find flaws in both. The goal of news is to be in the middle and to understand and communicate all points of view. Dogs are a grounding force in peoples’ lives at home. I go to animal-related events where I see nothing but good people. They are united around a common cause that has nothing to do with the political or social world. We all just love our dogs.”
Wow…what a PAWS-itive note to end our conversation on! I’ll end on the same. Reflecting on meeting Randy Price, all I can say is what an honor to meet such a kind, generous and sincere person…who truly loves animals and works like a dog to help so many.
animal lover's profile Reenie & Richard Zeff with Layla & Ruby
Caring That’s Beyond Skin Deep By Ellen Ratner – Greenland, NH
Rufus & Jax
(Loved by Jen Lawson)
I’m one of those who believe that over time dogs and their owners start to look alike. And now, after meeting the friendly, dedicated and upbeat staff at Zeff Plastic Surgery, I’m thinking they may even start to act alike. Okay, they won’t fetch your slippers or greet you with a tail wag, but this compassionate medical team is delighted to undo your stress lines, give you a lift (in many ways!) and make you feel like best-in-show. The practice offers procedures ranging from breast enhancements to body sculpting to Botox, but above all, cites Dr. Richard Zeff, “We care. That goes through the whole office, from end to end.” Cindy Wrocklage, an RN and nurse injector agrees, “We put the patient first. I think most patients feel that.”
“There used to be a stigma about plastic surgery, especially in New England,” Wrocklage continues. “But there is absolutely nothing frivolous about making a person feel good inside. Most of what we do makes people happy, and that’s really gratifying as a nurse.” Zeff concurs, “I really believe cosmetic surgery improves self-esteem. People appreciate what we do.”
Zeff first became interested in plastic surgery while he was doing his rotations in medical school. “I liked the immediate gratification of fixing things - it’s that surgical mentality,” he explains. A fixture on the Seacoast since 1986, Zeff maintained an office in Portsmouth until 2001 when he moved to his current Stratham location. “There’s a lot of combined experience in this office,” he notes before introducing me to his co-workers who make me feel right at home. In addition to Wrocklage, who
has worked with Zeff for the past 19 years, I meet Sandy Silsby, nursing assistant and licensed aesthetician; Julie Fortier, licensed aesthetician; Laura Stella, front office coordinator, and Jen Lawson, surgical coordinator. The connection with all their patients, Zeff insists, “goes beyond what we do; it’s how we do it.” He sits down with every patient – and has for over 30 years. No one fills in for him during a patient consultation. “That’s professional,” Lawson comments, “That should be the gold standard.” Still, Zeff credits the aestheticians for developing even stronger relationships with the patients who return for their series of injections. Wrocklage chimes in, “You need enough time to listen to patients, to get to know them and make recommendations. It’s really a gift to have that time, especially now in the health care system.”
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For Zeff “fixing things” surgically had unintentional consequences on the home front. “I never had a dog growing up, and I had little contact with dogs till I was a plastic surgeon. Then it felt like half my practice was dog bites. A lot of my patients were the result of the family dog biting children, and I developed a real strong attitude about it. No, I’d never have a dog when my kids were little; I’d never consider a dog. Then, once our kids got old enough, my wife Reenie got Layla from Tennessee; and now I’m a total convert. “Layla,” he gushes, “is part of our lives.” So is Ruby, affectionately known as RubaTuba, who “we inherited from my daughter. Both dogs are wonderful, and they’re incredibly different. Layla is more like a person - spry, moody, funny.”
Ah, the gift of inheritance. Laura Stella’s daughter not only inherited her middle name
animal lover's profile
Jax & Rufus (Loved by Jenn Lawson)
Cindy Wrocklage with Bailey
Bailey (Loved by Cindy Wrocklage)
Ruby & Layla Zeff
Lexi(Loved by Laura Stella)
Newman (Loved by Sandy Silsby)
“Dr. Zeff has always been family first,” Lawson says. “He considers dogs as family, and the office is so close that if anything happens to one of our dogs, we all understand. We’re all there for each other.” from the family dog who died when Stella was pregnant, but, according to co-worker Wrocklage, “She inherited the dog’s spirit!” Then along came Jack, a rescue from Hurricane Katrina, who Stella figured she could never replace. “I swore I’d never get another dog after losing Jack.” But these days there’s another Louisiana rescue in the house, and the front office coordinator concedes, “Lexi’s my baby.”
Wrocklage is soaking up her fourth generation of puppy love, courtesy of Bailey, a six-yearold golden retriever. He arrived as a gift – a Christmas present from her husband – who then “took him over. I tell my husband that Bailey hit the puppy lottery! We won’t even go to Florida unless we can drive Bailey. We are a true pack.” The same goes in Sandy Silsby’s home where four-year-old Newman has taken over for his much-older mentor, Kramer. They were
housemates for two years before Kramer passed away at age thirteen, but Silsby assures me, “Newman completes our family.”
Fortier may be the sole non-dog owner in the office, but she lights up talking about Sheba, her family’s “naughty” husky-collie mix who loved to run. “The cops brought her home all the time. If there was a crack in the door, she was gone. Everyone knew her!” Best of all, Sheba lived to be 17. As the aesthetician lovingly recalls, “She was wicked old.”
Lawson grew up with a lab, but fell in love with Eddie, the terrier featured on the television show Frasier. “He was so smart! I always wanted a Jack Russell; they just seemed so different.” She and Jax have been together for thirteen years. “He picked me,” she says before confessing, “He has me wrapped around his paw!” Jax is a true-blue Jack Russell – “stubborn!” – who also steps in as an emotional
seacoastbarkmagazine.com 9
support dog when Lawson flies or visits the dentist. Her other dog, Rufus, is a mixed breed (“I was told he’s a Portuguese Podengo”) who Lawson adopted five years ago while living in San Francisco. “When I got Rufus,” she reveals, “I didn’t think I could love a dog as much as Jax, but I do! I love having two dogs; and when Jax goes, I know I’ll have Rufus.”
“Dr. Zeff has always been family first,” Lawson says. “He considers dogs as family, and the office is so close that if anything happens to one of our dogs, we all understand. We’re all there for each other.” The dogs are no different! Even without a medical degree, these pooches are masters at fixing broken hearts, creating new smiles and making their humans feel good. It’s just what they and the staff at Zeff Plastic Surgery do. You know what they say - like owner, like dog.
words of wisdom
Walter’s Words of Wisdom
Walter Eugene Davis
By Walter Eugene Davis Senior Helpers – Stratham, NH
So friends we all age a little differently. For me its 7 years to every 1 human year. At some point we actually catch up to one another. Just like me, as you age, we all start to slow down a little. Let’s look at your favorite car (Oh, I love to ride in the Senior Helpers Soul car). A new car runs smoothly with almost no maintenance or repairs needed. As time goes on, however, repairs are needed to maintain function. Parts are wearing out and it’s time to do some maintenance (like that knee I have been complaining about). It does not mean that the car doesn’t work. It just means that we need to change what we are doing (like my Mom driving faster than angels fly).
Normal aging does not mean that you have dementia. You are just forgetting a few things now and again (hey, I never miss treat time!) and may have difficulty learning new things. We CAN learn new habits. We know that our bodies are changing and there is nothing that we can do to stop the progression. This makes us feel sad and blue. We want to maintain our independence and continue to have choices.
So, if some of this makes sense to you, here are a few tips:
Avoid large crowds if they make you uncomfortable. Sometimes the mere thought of a large social setting means too much information to process all at once (no dog parks for me!!!). Keep lists and a calendar. Follow a daily routine (who really believes that change is good?). Keep important items in the same place all the time (keys, wallet, and dog treats!). When you meet new people, repeat their name back to them. “I would like you to meet Walter Eugene.” “It is nice to meet you Walter Eugene.” Keep your mind and body busy. Go for a walk (I am always available). Do crossword puzzles, word games, or play cards. I like to say, “Use it or lose it.” Until next time……Walter
A big thanks to Dwight & Gayle Davis,
owners of Senior Helpers, for encouraging Walter Eugene to write this new column! Walter is a 6-year-old Lab mix rescue. They all found each other via New England Lab Rescue. Walter came from Hartsville, SC, and ended up hitting the jackpot with his new family! He participates in the family business providing love and comfort to many, with his official title being “Director of Security & Pet Relations.” Walter is also an active member of the welcoming committee! 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 Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s and other chronic diseases. They’ve worked with clients ranging in age from 25 to 104. Senior Helpers was voted “Best of the Seacoast” in home health care and received the “Business Excellence Award” from the New Hampshire Business Review. Stratham, NH – (603) 583-4580 www.SeniorHelpers.com/nh/greater-seacoast
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We couldn't do it without our furry friends! Lexi, Rufus, Jax, Layla, Ruby, Bailey and Newman
137 Portsmouth Ave Stratham, NH 03885 603-775-7444 info@drzeff.com www.drrichardzeff.com
match.dog
"How I Met My True Love" love stories about real dogs + their humans
By Melissa Root - Dentist – Newburyport, MA
My love for the Doberman breed started when I was a young child with my grandparents’ dog. I don’t remember too much about her, other than we spent a lot of time together and she ate my cheese. I’d always grown up saying I wanted another Doberman. As a gift for dental school graduation, my husband did the research, found a wonderful breeder, and gifted me a Dobie puppy for when we bought our first home. Within a year, Panzer was chosen for us; and our lives were never the same.
He was the most good-natured puppy there could be. But with any puppy there are messy homes, chewed shoes; and the first lesson he taught me was to relax a bit and ‘let go’ of the little things I can’t control. He constantly wants to be with you and is always by my side (Dobermans are nicknamed ‘Velcro dogs’). He quickly took over our bed and has been my best friend and decade-long companion. He wins everyone over with his soulful eyes and seems to form a bond with everyone he meets. He loves to hike, run around local fields, has taken many a road trip with us and is always eager to explore new surroundings. Life is full of little adventures so we try to make the most of them even during a busy work week. He makes a walk
around town seem exciting, and a beach run the best therapy. Above all, he has been there for emotional support for me over the years. He has helped me through different life changes, panic attacks, family illness and inevitably, his own.
A few years ago, after a serious health scare with Panzer, we decided to bring another dog into our home. Expecting a similar ‘laid back’ personality, puppy Cecelia joined our family. Boy, were we wrong! What a ball of energy and strong personality! They say you don’t know what you’re missing until you have it, and our home would be way too quiet without her constant shenanigans. She can be a bit reactive so we learned to work with her
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from an early age. She loves agility, alerts us to anything going on and leads the pack on our hikes now. She is the sweetest girl who constantly wants to play and is always found with a stuffed animal in her mouth. She absolutely adores Panzer and follows him everywhere. They have formed an amazing bond. At the end of the day there is always at least one of them on a lap (yes, they think they can fit) or not too far away. At age 11, Panzer loves lounging on his bed more than ever. He is slower to greet me at the door and slower to rise in the morning. But once he does, he looks at me with those eyes and says “Where are we going on our adventure today?” And Cece?...she already has one paw out the door!
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society tails
Happenings & Events Around the Seacoast
A Cool Way to Celebrate the Dog Days of Summer Smuttynose Brewing Company’s dock diving event, held the last weekend in June, made a big splash with peeps and pups alike. Participating dogs competed for the longest and highest jump…flying into the portable pool to retrieve their beloved ball! Other dogs simply strolled around with their humans enjoying all the great whiffs, while their moms and dads enjoyed cold brews and great food from an array of food trucks.
The Salem Animal Rescue League and Connect A Pet New England were on site to promote their rescue efforts as well as numerous other pet-related vendors. The event helped celebrate the introduction of Smuttynose’s new rebranded core brew labels, including designs for their flagships Old Brown Dog Ale & Finest Kind IPA, that feature iconic places in New Hampshire. A big WOOF of appreciation to Smuttynose for hosting this fun event…and for being so doggone dog-friendly!
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out and about
Lobster-Loving Seagull Finally Home Senior Dog Rescue & Retirement Home
Pet Rock Festival
fun things to
bark
About Pet Rock Festival
The 21st annual Pet Rock Festival will be held on Sunday, September 8th in North Grafton, MA. Though an 1 ½ hour from the Seacoast, this event is worth the drive! Stage One (the Music Stage) features a line-up of some great bands. Stage Two (the Animal Action Stage) is the site for the pet parade, an amateur dog show plus a variety of fun contests such as “Best Ears,” “Owner-Dog Look Alike” and “Waggiest Tail!” In addition to a food court, there will also be lots of pet related vendors and an agility course. Funds raised from this festival will be donated to a variety of rescue groups and animal welfare organizations. (PetRockFest.org)
Love for the Elders
We love this story! Laurie Dorr of North Yarmouth, Maine, recently launched a “retire-
Save a Stray 5K & Festival
ment home” for senior dogs in need of a home. She started the Finally Home Senior Dog Rescue and Retirement Home earlier this year after adopting Jewels, an 11-year-old canine who came from Mississippi. The home is a permanent and loving haven for dogs about 7- or 8-years or older who have spent a long time in a shelter. They live indoors and enjoy an 800-square-foot fenced-in area as well as a pool for dog paddling. To help with the cost, Laurie launched a “Go Fund Me” page in February, hoping to raise $500. How heartening to see that over $6,000 has been donated to date!
visiting Nubble Lighthouse in York, she decided to get a picture of her lobster roll in front of the lighthouse—but the seagull watching her had other plans and proceeded to swipe the sandwich right out of her hands. This story ended up being carried by a number of media outlets, to which one Alicia said, “The seagull then threw the meat to his friends for them to chow down on; it was apparent he’d done this before.” Alicia has since created a website aptly named “Seagull Stole My Lobster Roll.com!”
A Lobster-Loving Sea Gull
Head up to Freeport on Saturday, August 24th for the Save a Stray 5K & Festival event that will be held at the L.L. Bean Discovery Center to raise funds for the Midcoast Humane Society. If you’re not into running, you can watch the DockDiving dogs, participate in some fun contests with your pooch or even find out what your pup might be thinking with Animal Com-
Alicia Jessop, a professor at Pepperdine University, wound up with the accidental photo of a lifetime while trying to capture a pictureperfect moment on the coast of Maine. While
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Save a Stray 5K & Festival
out and about
Doggy Daze Maze
Animal Rescue League of NH Rescue Bunnies
Friendship Collars & Bracelets
Bear Visiting Mount Washington
municator Judy Garbow. There will also be a “Paws & Play Kids’ Fun Zone” and a “Bobbing for Orbees” (a buoyant dog toy) at the Planet Dog tent. This definitely sounds like a fun day for all. (SaveAStray.MidcoastHumane.org)
Help for Those Who Hop
The Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire has been busy working with rescues across the country in cases of animal cruelty involving rabbits. In 2018, the ARLNH coordinated its first rabbit transport. Seven rabbits traveled from Las Vegas to New Hampshire, leaving “sin city” for a better life on the east coast. These rabbits, often referred to as the “Las Vegas Dump Site Rabbits”, were discarded pets that were allowed to roam free and reproduce. This year the ARLNH has assisted with rabbit hoarding cases in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Texas. They now have a dedicated rabbit holding room for the bunnies. Not only are these adorable little creatures well
cared for, but they also have a pretty good social life when they partake in the Bunny Yoga classes. Note, the classes are for people; the bunnies just romp around hoping to get adopted!
Sunrise at Mount Washington
The Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, had an unusual visitor this summer. Employee Sam Geesaman snapped a few pictures of a black bear on the veranda early one morning. In addition to taking in the awesome views, the bear was quite likely also on the hunt for some restaurant leftovers! After a bit of stomping and clapping, the bear moved on to greener pastures, where bears belong!
Doggie Daze in the Maze
Scamman Farm in Stratham will be a fun place for pups on Saturday, September 21st. Doggie
seacoastbarkmagazine.com 19
Day in the Maze is the one day a year they allow dogs inside their corn maze! Bring your fur friends and take a walk through the maze. Back at the Pumpkin Shack, you can enjoy live music, visit their farm critters and shop the Seacoast Community Market. Also, pups must keep their owners leashed while visiting the farm! (ScammanFarm.com)
Friendship Collars
We love this website’s tagline: Because best friends should match! Friendshipcollar offers an array of really great designs. And the best part? Each collar comes with a matching bracelet for the pups’ peep! They also offer cat collars, leashes and a new collection of slide-on charms, many with a beach theme. Friendshipcollar has truly put a unique new twist on doggie style! As they say, “Designs that you and your bestie just can’t keep your paws off!” (FriendshipCollar.com)
rescue
Homeward Bound By Ellen Ratner – Greenland, NH
Dorothy was right, there’s no place like home. Sometimes, though, you just need a little help to get there. That’s where Elizabeth Coughlan steps in. As founder of Almost Home Dog Rescue, Coughlan is transcending borders and creating happy homecomings for abandoned dogs in South Korea and Qatar. “This brings me so much joy,” she says in her charming British accent as we chat on the phone. Coughlan founded Almost Home Dog Rescue shortly after moving to Boston with her husband and beagle mix, Sharkie, two and a half years ago. But her rescue work began 6,800 miles away when Coughlan was teaching high-school science in South Korea and saw Sharkie’s picture on Facebook. “Her former owners,” Coughlan recounts, “were going to sell her to the meat truck which goes around the countryside and picks up dogs that will be slaughtered for dog meat.” She was discovered chained up to a post, rescued and posted on the Animal Rescue Network Korea’s Facebook page. “We were lucky enough to be picked to foster her, and obviously, she never left!” Bella, a retreiver from Qatar who was abandoned
Coughlin and Bonnie celebrating their freedom ride from Yongin Pound
Sharkie not only joined the family, but she also convinced Coughlan’s parents back in England to adopt a Korean dog, which is how Coughlan ended up at Yongin Pound. There she found Bonnie, a three-year old Labrador Retriever who was still pregnant when her rescuers found her dumped on the side of the road. According to Coughlan, the dog had been bred so many times by a puppy mill that “she wasn’t worth keeping.” After plucking Bonnie from the high-kill pound, Coughlan reached out to Yeonji, a shelter volunteer, and told her, “I could easily get these dogs adopted overseas.” The two women then teamed up; Coughlan making contacts in the United States and Canada (where the adoption process takes only one month) and the more-fluent Yeonji “translating, organizing, taking the dogs to the airport and to the vet’s…She really is incredible.” They also created The Yongin Pound Adoption Page on Facebook. 20 seacoastbarkmagazine.com
Coughlan’s biggest snag was getting Bonnie home to her parents. Before she could land in Europe, the dog had to wait out the required four months for her rabies test to be valid, forcing Bonnie to stay behind when Coughlan and her husband left Korea after eight years there. A friend took over, caring for the Lab until she was ready to fly to Amsterdam with a flight volunteer. Coughlan flew in to meet her, and the two ferried back home together. “My dad is now obsessed with Bonnie,” Coughlan beams. “We love these dogs so much. They don’t deserve to be abandoned.”
Through her networking efforts, Coughlan connected with Paws Rescue Qatar and now works as the U.S. contact for that organization, as well. “We get such a mix,” she says of the Qatar rescues. “They’re bought as puppies from breeders, a lot seeming to come from Hungary then dumped when they get too big. They’re treated like pocketbooks, just thrown away.”
rescue
Lily and Winston posing for Coughlan's Christmas photo fundraiser
Maia, a Jindo puppy from one of the litters saved by Almost Home Dog Rescue
Delta, a Korean Jindo pulled from Yongin Pound and now living in Massachusetts
Milo meeting forever mom Victoria at the airport
You can check out the latest rescues and future arrivals by going to the organization’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AlmostHomeBoston). Like Charlie - a ten-month old Lab who Coughlan fostered prior to his adoption. After zig zagging from Hungary to Qatar to Massachusetts, Charlie settled in with his forever family and now lives within view of the dog park where he plays fetch every day. “His favorite thing ever!”
The day I spoke to Coughlan she was anticipating the arrival of two Jindo siblings later that week. The rescue organization's numbers are steadily climbing. In 2018, Almost Home brought 26 dogs over from Korea and Qatar. So far this year, the nonprofit has flown in 19 rescues. You can check out the latest rescues and future arrivals by going to the organization’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AlmostHomeBoston). The adoption process begins there, and Coughlan says, “If you don’t see what you want, we will search for you.” She then adds, “I try to pull the healthiest dogs – that cuts down on vet bills. And I’m trying to save as many as I can, so we don’t bring over dogs with aggression. We know they won’t be adopted.” As much as she loves these pups, Almost Home can’t afford to finance their care interminably. The nonprofit’s adoption fee covers just the basics - $200 for medical costs and, depending on the dog’s size, $200 - $400 for the airline ticket.
Rema,a flight volunteer who flew back from Korea with three dogs
“Have you seen a Korean Jindo?” Coughlan asks. “They are related to the Shiba Inu, just a little taller, a bit more athletic, incredibly beautiful and loyal.” Although the Jindo is Korea’s national dog, Coughlan tells me they are the ones most likely to end up in meat markets or kill shelters. “In Korea, if it’s not a purebred coming from Jindo Island, the dog is considered a stray. We always find litters thrown away, and we’re trying to bring over litters now so we can save them all. They’re so loved here, and in Korea they don’t have a chance.”
adopters to Almost Home’s alum. And to those questioning the value of saving dogs outside their own neighborhood, she responds, “Why not adopt another dog and save its life? In Korea these dogs have no chance.”
Surprisingly, Sharkie is Coughlan’s first dog. “I never had a dog growing up, but I did volunteer in an animal shelter.” She laughs, recollecting that she came home with hamsters, bunnies, and “all the other little animals, but I wasn’t allowed to come home with a dog.” Now she’s making up for it, giving dogs and dog lovers a reason to believe that dreams really do come true. It’s good to be home!
Coughlan pulls all this off with one annual fundraiser, her Christmas Dog Photo Shoot. Her biggest need, she divulges, is flight volunteers. “That’s the bottleneck in the whole operation.” Occasionally she could use additional fosters or airport pick-ups, but Coughlan emphasizes, just sharing the post is a big help. “You can be the right step to helping that dog find the right person.” She also acknowledges that long-distance rescue efforts sometimes raise eyebrows. “When I first started this, people were very suspicious that these dogs were coming from another country.” To reassure folks that Almost Home Dog Rescue is legitimate, Coughlan connects present
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Sharkie after just arriving as a foster pup
animal lover's profile Gracie the Water Dog
Grace…
On Many Levels By Nancy Dewar
Lily & Gracie at the PAWS Walk
Golden Retrievers have held one of the top slots of the “most popular dog breed” list for many years – for good reason. These dogs are great family pets, smart, beautiful, friendly and excellent retrievers…well, most of them! Enter Gracie, a gorgeous English Cream Golden who is loved by Kelly and Jeff Donatello of North Hampton. Gracie has all these traits except interest in retrieving. She doesn’t retrieve! Her greatest passion is digging for clam shells. And according to her parents, “She’s really determined and good at it!”
The Donatello’s, founders of Portsmouthbased Center for Wellbeing, have a long history here. Jeff grew up in Rochester and spent every summer at his family’s home in Plaice Cove. Kelly has lived in the area for 20 years. In addition to being huge dog lovers, both are passionate about innovative health and healing in a holistic way. The sign painted on a wall in their office sums this up. It reads: “Your body’s ability to heal is much greater than anyone has permitted you to believe.” The Center for Wellbeing offers a range of Regenerative and Functional Medicine therapies, including stem cell therapies that activate self-healing mechanisms in our body, facilitating the body’s ability to heal itself. They added this therapy to their practice two years ago when a patient suggested looking into stem cells saying, “This is the future.” This therapy has been around for about twenty years and came to the United States six years ago. Jeff said, “Advances in this field are
moving as fast as technology.” Hence, Kelly, Jeff and their team are constantly attending accredited workshops for continued education and hands-on training. Stem cell therapy essentially enables one’s body to heal itself through an injection or infusion of new cells, known as ‘Day O cells’ garnered from healthy placentas and umbilical cords from healthy born babies and healthy moms. The therapy can help patients avoid knee and hip replacement surgery, prevent further deterioration of arthritis, rejuvenate the skin and so much more. It can also help with post-stroke symptoms, fibromyalgia and traumatic brain injury.
Jeff explained, “This is progressive, anti-aging regenerative medicine. Traditional medicine doesn’t regenerate the tissues. Stem cells and stem cell derived products can. We do a lot of knees and faces. We help a lot of people who have been through the ringer where
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traditional medicine didn’t provide their desired outcome. Also, complications can arise from traditional surgery. We’ve worked with over 1,000 patients and have had zero side effects.”
My ears perked up when they were talking about the benefits to skin! As we age, we produce less collagen. Stem cell therapy increases the production of collagen by 1,000 percent. Kelly explained a bit more. “The most powerful healing tissue found to date is from where life begins; the umbilical cord that nourishes babies. There is nothing more regenerative and anti-inflammatory with the ability to regulate your immune system. This is a major breakthrough and a disruptive method for progressive orthopedics and skin care.”
But let’s get back to animals, as that’s why we got together in the first place! Both grew
animal lover's profile
Colin & Gracie in Bar Harbor
Beach Bum
Precious Puppy
up with dogs. “If someone doesn’t like dogs, it really makes you wonder,” Jeff said laughingly. Kelly’s first was Tasha, a German Shepherd. “My older cousins were getting a puppy. I thought my cousins were so cool and wanted to be just like them…so we got a pup from the same litter too!” As a child Jeff had three Golden Retrievers. Ace, a cattle dog, was his first dog as an adult who was followed by Brady, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. Brady was born on the day that Tom Brady won his first Super Bowl, hence the name!
Kelly & Jeff's Wedding
Kelly and Jeff met through a friend five years ago and were married in 2017. They have four children (Kelly’s 14-year-old daughter Lily & 16-year-old son Colin and Jeff’s two daughters; Mia, 22 and Lydie, 20). Gracie joined their merged family in April 2018 and, as Kelly said, “She has all of us wrapped around her paws.”
Gracie came from a breeder in Kansas; the same breeder where Jeff’s brother got his two Goldens. “We loved his dogs looks and personalities, and Gracie has the same Dad.” They picked her out by looking at photos and chatting with the breeder about each of the pups. “I knew right away that she was the one,” said Kelly. In choosing her name, a lot were thrown around. They ended up with Gracie, with Kelly explaining, “It’s always good to have more grace in your life.”
Gracie definitely has a good, love-filled life! The Donatello’s recently moved into a new home with a bathroom designed for easy-showeraccess for Gracie…to easily clean her up after daily beach walks. She also loves to swim in their pool. Jeff said, “When she was little she looked like a polar bear. It would take an hour to walk 100 yards at Jenness Beach. Everyone kept
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stopping us as she was so cute.” She still is pretty darn cute, I’d say!
Describing Gracie more, Kelly said, “She’s very loving. She’s chill and loves to play.” Apparently, she knows a few tricks too, as Gracie won second prize at the recent NHSPCA PAWS Walk event in the ‘Best Trick’ category…encouraged on by Kelly’s daughter Lily.
As we wrapped things up, we went back to back to stem cells briefly. I asked if this type of therapy can help animals. Apparently, some progressive veterinarians are using this therapy for dogs and horses with joint problems. I hope this continues to expand, as we all want way more years than we currently get with our very special creatures.
Just prior to leaving, Kelly said, “This is very precious.” She was referring to their practice and followed up with, “We put lots of intention into our work. Our goal is to guide us to do the greatest good for the greatest number of people. That’s what we are here to do.” I think the same holds true for their love of Gracie, as she is beyond precious to the entire family. Jeff summed this up saying, “I’ve had seven dogs, and this one is different. She’s the most loving dog ever.”
work like a dog
An Extraordinary Duo
By Margot Kopp – Newburyport, MA
Roxie and her owner Holly Shay are each remarkable in their own way. Together they are an extraordinary duo, serving as an incredible inspiration to those who know them. Roxie is a dark blue-gray American Bully, abandoned at 2 years of age after having a litter and found as a stray running through traffic. She has tightly cropped ears, a huge blocky head and a massive chest. She could have easily remained in the shelter system for years (or worse). Instead, she is now a successful therapy dog, loved by both her owner and her community.
Holly is a beautiful and strong woman who has endured two devastating losses in her life: her husband Michael died of cancer when their young family had just begun, and her son Jordan was tragically killed in service to our country in 2009. She could have easily sunk into self-pity and despair. Instead, she is now a well-respected therapist, helping other bereaved parents and volunteering her time to brighten the lives of others. Here is their heartwarming story.
Holly’s path to Roxie was paved a long time ago by the kind heart of Holly’s son, Jordan. Jordan was a playful little boy who retained that youthful energy as a young man. He was well-read, had a gift for writing and felt compelled to care for the environment. And he LOVED dogs. When Jordan was 16, he left the house to get a haircut, but - after bumping into the Animal Control Officer - he came home instead with a fawn-colored dog named Nora. “What is she?” Holly recalls asking. “She’s a pitbull,” answered Jordan. To which Holly
shrugged her shoulders, laughed, and said, “Well…OK!”
Nora was a wonderful girl, and she remained with Holly when Jordan enlisted. Soon after, Holly met a man named Richard, who she’d eventually marry in 2010, and he also formed a strong bond with Nora. In September 2009, Holly’s kind-hearted, youthful, handsome son Jordan was killed in Iraq in a combat vehicle accident just weeks into his second tour of service. Nothing, including the death of her husband 20 years earlier, prepared her for the unimaginably agonizing and heartbreakingly devastating death of her only son.
After Jordan’s death, Holly decided it was time for a change of career. After 8 years as a hospice social worker, she decided to establish her own private psychotherapy practice, focusing primarily on supporting grieving parents who have lost a child. When sweet Nora died of old age, it was another part of Jordan that she had to lose.
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Holly wanted to rescue another bully breed, but Richard was so loyal to Nora that he used to say “nope, nope, nope” when they discussed adding a new dog to the family. But one day Richard found a tiny write-up about Roxie in the paper (a write-up Holly still saves) and said “I think she could be the one.”
Roxie was immediately successful as their family pet, but Holly saw even more potential in her. She chose to further Roxie’s training with Spence Shepard of Make No Bones Dog Training to allow her to earn her AKC Canine Good Citizen certification in 2017, an honor that is awarded to secure, well-behaved, friendly and predictable dog/owner teams. With her CGC certification, Roxie now serves daily as an emotional support dog in Holly’s private practice, comforting bereaved parents who have suffered a loss no parent should ever endure. “Having a dog in the office lowers my blood pressure,” says Holly, “so I knew she’d be good for the moms and dads I see.”
work like a dog
In addition, on their “days off,” Roxie and Holly volunteer their time to console hospice patients and their families through Care Dimensions; and they also visit rehabilitation patients at Port Healthcare Center.
Roxie is a natural. With Holly’s clients in her practice, Roxie has an intuitive sense to engage with them at the right times in the way they need. All 66 pounds of her has occasionally jumped on a patient’s lap when circumstances called for it, but more often she is a “leaner,” pressing herself close up against a patient’s leg while they work through so many difficult emotions. On the occasional instances where the owner’s dog accompanies them to the session, Roxie will lie in solidarity next to the owner’s dog.
With the hospice patients, Roxie brings warmth and companionship to what is otherwise a sad and often lonely day for both patients and their families awaiting the inevitable. With the rehabilitation patients, Roxie trots happily through the ward, poking her big wet nose into each passing room,
ready to visit anyone who requests a little love. Her sweet face, her skinny wagging tail and her bouncy walk surely do brighten the spirits.
Not surprisingly, Roxie has grown to have a devoted and loving following in downtown Newburyport. Every work day, Holly says, “I wolf down a salad and makes sure Roxie gets a walk in the sunshine.”
Roxie has a close and special relationship with Tim, the local UPS driver, who always stops his truck to give her a treat. Then she pops into her two favorite places – Just Dogs and GrassRoots Antiques and Handmades (where she gets some playtime with the store pups!).
Judy Hoover at Just Dogs remarks that Roxie is “a bit of a celebrity around here.” When speaking of Holly, she stares lovingly and respectfully into space and says “that woman always has a smile on her face.”
Roxie and Holly are truly a special pair. They both exude warmth and acceptance. Positive energy surrounds them. In addition to all they do for others, Holly also knows that
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Roxie is good for her soul too. “She makes sure I do everything I tell all my clients to do: get out and walk, breath the fresh air, get some sun, stay connected to people and your community.”
Through her work and her personal life, Holly has a relationship with grief and loss that most of us don’t. She knows it’s important to give oneself the time and permission to cry, to be angry at the unfairness and to remember. But she also knows that the days continue to pass, and that we have some control over how we continue to live.
Holly has chosen to make positive change – to fellow parents sitting in her office, to someone dying in a hospice room, to someone else healing in a rehabilitation room, to a discarded dog waiting in a kennel. “I think the loss of Jordan led me to this life,” says Holly. “I decided I wanted to make the best of what I had left.” If you are as inspired by Holly and Roxie as we are, consider fostering, sponsoring or adopting a pitbull at your local shelter, and please spread the word about the Sgt. Jordan M. Shay Memorial Foundation, which serves students and veterans in Amesbury in Jordan’s memory.
food for thought
(dog) Food for Thought
Making Healthy Diet Choices 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.
let's pawty
Doggone Grrrrr…eat Entertaining A Bit of Italy…for Pups! Sponsored by Ristorante Massimo “Authentic Italian Food Is More Than Our Passion… It’s Our Life’s Work.”
Mutt Meatballs
I’m sharing one of my favorite recipes, as my Dad is flat out with the restaurant. Guests are flocking in from all over. I’m not surprised, as Ristorante Massimo has been recognized as “The Most Romantic Restaurant” for the past 3 years by Food & Wine, Bon Appetit & The Phantom Gourmet. It was also voted “Best Restaurant” by Taste magazine this year. Despite his crazy schedule, my Dad still finds time to make these meatballs for me. I hope you’ll do the same for your special pup, as they are dog-licious! Enjoy…Godere!
Mia
P.S. This recipe is good for humans too.
Ingredients 1 lb. lean ground beef or sirloin 2/3 C grated cheddar cheese 1 large carrot, finely chopped 3⁄4 C bread crumbs 1 egg, whisked 6 tablespoons tomato paste (low sodium)
Directions
Recipe from “Real Food for Dogs” Book
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Scoop out by the spoonful & roll into mini-sized meatballs. Place meatballs on a cookie sheet with non-fat cooking spray.
Cool before serving. Store the extra in a container with a lid in the refrigerator.
Massimo’s Mia
Massimo is not only passionate about food, but also his Mia, an adorable Maltese/Shih Tzu! And Mia shares her Dad’s passion for food. So, a big thanks to Mia for sharing a bit of Italian cuisine to be enjoyed by pups! Grazie…bravo cane! (Thank you…good dog!)
59 Penhallow – Portsmouth (603) 436-4000 www.RistoranteMassimo.com
Also, a big thanks to Massimo for his ongoing support of animal rescue. The restaurant raised over $4,000 this year for the NHSPCA with a special dessert promotion. Pastry chef Jasmine Inglesmith created a fabulous Black Forest Cake and $10 from each dessert purchased was donated to the NHSPCA.
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-the Seacoast
bark~It place-
marketplace for artisans, eateries, merchants & more
All Pets Need a Good Home!
Our antique stores offer a trove of treasures. Please stop in & feel free to bring your greatest
Canine Climbs LLC A Wilderness Inspired Dog Care Service
treasure…your DOG
10-Year Supporting Sponsor of the NHSPCA Keep your furry family safe. Call Pam for a complimentary “Please Rescue Our Pets” window cling. Pam Bailey RE/MAX On the Move Cell: (603) 770-0369 Office: (603) 964-3300
ROUTE 1 Antiques 106 Lafayette Rd. Hampton Falls, NH 603-601-2554
The Collector’s Eye
132 Portsmouth Ave. Stratham, NH 603-772-6205
Hiking from the NH Seacoast trails up to the White Mountains. www.CanineClimbs.com 603-491-7620 (instagram) @canine_climbs
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 “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)!
An Honest Bark
That is a total Flip to me, as I LOVE to bark & barking is, hounds-down, important for our dog-mocracy.
Flip Flop A Fake Bark
Actually, this is a bit of an oxymoron. There really isn’t such a thing, cause dogs are truly genuine. What you hear is what you get with canines!
Fun Pet Products
Did you know that there are 25 billion chickens in the world? They are the most common bird species of all! And IF you happen to be a fan of chickens, you might like this fun & funny Chicken Harness! This gadget makes it easy to make your bird into a pet and walk them like a dog. Nice swag for chicken lovers…though I do wonder what birds think of this? Bet it probably ruffles a few feathers. (www.valhoma.com) By Valhoma Corp
By Innovation Pet
Not-Fun Pet Products
I’m really not sure about this one. But then…I’m not a cat, so what do I know? This new toy, the Kitty Connection Mouse Pounce, is a sisal-topped cardboard box that has an automated mouse that pops up & down to tease your cat…with no chance of your cat ever catching it! I know that cats have great hunting instincts, but I think NEVER being able to catch that darn mouse would eventually make them crazy…not to mention what it could do their self-esteem. This toy doesn’t look fun to me at all! (www.innovationpet.com)
In the Dog House In the Cat House
By Poopy Cat
If you’re looking for a prestigious house for your cat, look no further, as Poopy Cat (yes, that’s the company’s real name) has it covered! They’ve created cardboard cat houses designed to look like iconic architectural landmarks from around the world (the Sphinx, Pagoda, Mayan Temple, Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal, White House & the Kremlin)! So, if you’ve a feline with political ambitions, you can put them in the White House. If your cat is into romance, perhaps the Eiffel Tower? These are a real Flip, as I know how cats are (strangely) obsessed with boxes…and these designs are clever. (www.poopycat.com)
I think this invention takes human innovation to an entirely new level of “crazy!” The "Doggy Shouse Bath" is a combination dog house & dog bath/ shower, hence the “Shouse.” The manufacturer’s description explained how to go from house to shower. “Simply lift the roof up like a car hood, prop it into place and fold up the dog house entry ramp after the dog is in the bath. A bucket or two of water is poured into the Shouse and is recirculated for the wash "cycle" of the pet." Yikes…what will peeps come up with next?! (www.Wayfair.com)
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