contents fun things to bark about 16. food for thought 18. feature 14.
Lyman Pope
pawsitve news 22. work like a dog 24. local tails 26. rescue 28. things to do 30. let's pawty 20.
11
dog thoughts 8. words of wisdom 10. animal lover's profile 6.
Knowles Tree Service
12.
match.dog
Ristorante Massimo
31.
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 Brenda Bradley - Dawn Price Published by Bark Media Group LLC six times a year. Hampton, NH Copyright Š 2020 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
Good news…Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow on Groundhog Day, thus signaling an early spring according to folklore. Yay! That means we’ll be able to get out and about with our wonderful pups sooner. What is better than a run on the beach…a walk through the ‘hood greeting neighbors we haven’t seen in a while…or a romp at the dog park? Speaking of dog parks, the North Hampton Dog Park Committee is looking for assistance. They’re conducting a survey to gather input on the interest in creating an off-leash park in North Hampton, NH. The survey takes about 5 minutes to complete. All participants will be entered to win a Beach Plum gift certificate. Please help them out by linking to the following URL or scanning the QR Code to fill out the survey. We hope you enjoy our 12th issue and also hope that groundhog Phil was right!
Cheers + Chow…
Nancy
P.S. We’d love to have you start following us on Instagram! (Instagram.com/seacoastbarkmagazine)
4 seacoastbarkmagazine.com
www.surveymonkey.com/r/59BNN7F
notes
Publisher’s Note
seacoastbarkmagazine.com 5
dog thoughts
From a Dog’s Perspective...
Boston Drivers By Another Wise Dog
Ahhh…a road trip! There are no better words for a canine than, “Do you want to take a ride?” I gleefully heard those words mid-January when the temperature was going to be almost 70 degrees. My Mom and I were going to meet a friend and her pup in Boston. Whew-hoo…a car ride, the dog park in the South End and a visit to Polkadog Bakery for treats. How great is my life? Especially when winter sucks in New England, and often we dogs are pretty house bound. Our peeps too.
So off we went on Saturday, January 11th. The day was wonderful. Sunny, a brilliant blue sky and warm. But the drive to Boston was a nightmare from my perspective; a dog’s perspective. I’ll only recap the drive down, as the trip back was pretty much the same!
I’m in the backseat, faithfully trusting my Mom as I’m getting a bit sick to my stomach from the constant starting and stopping in bumper to bumper traffic on I-95. After it finally clears and we get moving at a good clip again, someone cuts in front of us because they think that if they get ahead of JUST ONE MORE CAR, they’re really going to arrive at their destination much sooner! In their haste to arrive “just one more car sooner,” I’m hurled forward as my Mom slams on the brakes so we’re not wiped out. Ugh.
We get stuck in a traffic quagmire again on Route 1 in Saugus. The horns honk incessantly as we simply try to get to a fun place to walk around and enjoy the city. I really don’t get this! Why do humans think honking will free up traffic? No one can move at this point. There’s no where to go…faster. And honking is going to help? It’s just loud, annoying noise to my ultra-sensitive dog ears. Well, not just mine; but to everyone’s ears…loud and obnoxious. Photo by Adam Larson
I also marvel at the number of birds I observe on the drive once we get in the tunnel under
6 seacoastbarkmagazine.com
Boston. No, not seagulls but the lovely raised middle finger humans flip off to my Mom as she politely lets cars go in front of us so they can get in their right lane. Not literally, but the lane they need to be in to get where they’re going! The exits are close together, confusing and there’s not much time to make a swift lane change. We’d want someone to do the same for us. Yet as I look out the window, all I see are waving middle fingers that accomplish nothing. Kind of an odd action from a dog’s point of view. Even if we had fingers to raise; we wouldn’t. We’d simply wag our tails and wait patiently.
Life is too short to get overworked by getting there…wherever one is going…one car faster, one tailgating faster, one finger-flipping faster! Why not just enjoy the ride? Knowing that all these silly antics…will never get one to the dog park, the beach, dog-friendly brew pubs or wherever you’re going…any faster.
And then we dogs could really enjoy one of our most favorite things, car rides…instead of lurching, wanting to plug our ears, swaying and being dismayed by the anxiety of the trip. If humans would just go with the flow, as we canines do…road trips for all of us would be much more enjoyable. And, it would be easier for us to put our head out of the car window and simply enjoy the ride!
seacoastbarkmagazine.com 7
words of wisdom
Walter’s WORDS OF WISDOM By Walter Eugene Davis Senior Helpers – Stratham, NH
LOVE IS IN THE AIR
February is a wonderful month (my great Nana was born on February 25th). As the start of Spring is just a mere 47 days away. As the days in the Northeast begin to get longer, there is a spirit that begins to enter into our day and our heart. It is not just about St. Valentine.
Walter Eugene Davis
As history tells it, there are three St. Valentines that were either celebrated, “The Feast of St. Valentine” scourged or martyred. Dating back to the Middle Ages and commonly celebrated in England and France was February 14th which began the mating season of birds. The birds were “love struck.” St. Valentine was named the patron saint of lovers, couples and happy friendships and marriages. A time to favor hearts, love notes, flowers, holding hands and ah, yes…cherishing memories. That is where we begin. Being a caregiver is a labor of love. Whether you are a family member, a friend or a professional. You cannot teach people to care; caring comes straight from the heart. There are many ways to show love, not just a box of chocolates or a bouquet of flowers – folks, those are too easy. Put some thought into it. Your actions will go a long way! You will create a memory and show your loved one or friend that you truly care. Valentine’s Day is indeed a time to show that you care and to express your love. Here are a few ways that you can making a lasting impact and create a wonderful memory. Make a favorite meal or dessert. Food evokes fond memories. Childhood meals on Sunday, sitting around the table with extended family, vacations at the beach or movie nights. According to Susan Whitborne, professor of psychological and brain sciences at the University of Massachusetts, “Food memories are more sensory than other memories as they involve really all five senses, so when you’re that thoroughly engaged with the stimulus it has a more powerful effect.” (For me, I like to lay on the kitchen rug when my Dad puts my chicken in the oven to bake. Oh, the smell) Record your voice. Whether you are simply expressing how much you love them, sharing a memory or reading a poem – the sound of a familiar voice is soothing. The cool part is that every time they are lonely or missing you, they can play your message. (If you are not sure how to do this, I have a great tip. Check out The Voice Library (www.thevoicelibrary.net). Frame a picture or make a collage. Photos make us feel nostalgic, connected, they make us smile or even cry. They bring the past back to the present. If your loved one is having a difficult time remembering names, take a moment to label each picture. A helpful hint, don’t say “Don’t you remember who this is?” That is more hurtful than you think! Give them something to cuddle with. On February 2nd we have no idea if Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow or not. But a cozy blanket, shawl, pillow or stuffed animal (they have black labs too!) would be just the thing to get someone you care about through until Spring arrives. Go for a ride. Change the scenery! This stimulates the brain which spikes serotonin, the “happy hormone.” A drive along the ocean, or past a familiar neighborhood, or even a stop at a favorite landmark. This, plus some great conversation while listening to favorite music, is great for the soul. You will both benefit. Just a little hint in closing, people that feel loved are happier and live longer! So, not just on Valentine’s Day…every day…show some love. It will make you feel pretty good too. With wags & kisses…Walter Eugene
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” and “Top 200 Most Influential Business Leaders in New Hampshire” from the New Hampshire Business Review. Stratham, NH – (603) 583-4580 www.SeniorHelpers.com/nh/greater-seacoast
8 seacoastbarkmagazine.com
seacoastbarkmagazine.com 9
By Nancy Dewar
Donny Knowles and Tara Datro of Knowles Tree Service, based in North Hampton, are all about bark…in more ways than one. Their business is based around bark, focusing on tree removal and all-natural mulch products, to name a few of services provided. And much of their personal lives focus on bark too; that is, their three beloved dogs who are with them most of the time at home and at work. All are rescues and embrace their blended family wholeheartedly.
Donny grew up in North Hampton and Tara in Brentwood. Both had family dogs throughout their childhoods. They met 4 years ago through mutual friends and have been together ever since. When they met, Tara had Baya (a huge English Mastiff) and Rudy (a Boston Terrier). Donny had Ms. Lola (a Blue Nose Pitbull). “We started dating and the dogs got along really well. Now the dogs are all best friends. We’re all best friends and the dogs are with us most of the time,” Tara said.
Ms. Lola on the Road
Ruby came into Tara’s life as her elderly ‘parents’ were going into a nursing home and couldn’t keep her. Tara’s son found Baya via a Facebook post. She came from an abusive situation where she was over bred for years. Donny has an enormous affection for Pits and got Lola from a friend who could no longer keep her. He also had his Pit named Crazy at this time. “Everyone in town knew Crazy,” Don stated. “He went to work with me for
10 seacoastbarkmagazine.com
crazy
animal lover's profile
It’s All About the Bark
many years. He was a magnificent dog. 75 to 80 pounds, was totally ball-obsessed and loved to swim. I lost my Dad and Crazy the same year and told my Mom that losing Crazy was actually harder. She responded by saying, “You were with him all the time.”
The largest portion of Knowles Tree Service’s business is tree removal. They also have a neat machine called a mulcher that is like a huge mower that can easily clear out large overgrown areas of land. The business caters to both landscaping companies and the residential market. Other core products include all-natural mulch and landscaping supplies such as compost, loam, stone and stone dust. Their mulch, branded as “Outta My Tree…wicked good mulch,” should be of great interest to people with pets. It’s totally natural and contains no chemical additives which can be toxic to animals. The mulch comes in a few different colors, and Donny and Tara encourage people to come in to
Ruby
animal lover's profile
What can we learn from dogs? “Kindness. Loyalty. They really pull people together and bring the good out in people. We can be having the worst day, and our dogs bring us comfort.”
The Knowles Team
Heading to the Keys
Ms. Lola, Ruby & Baya
Tara & Ms. Lola
our work and what a really good job our guys did. We’ve a really professional crew.”
discuss their needs in person. Not only will one get great landscaping advice, but they also will be greeted by three wagging tails!
Prior to becoming a leader of the Knowles team, Tara worked for over ten years in the medical field. She was a nurse assistant, a pharmacy technician, a phlebotomist and also worked with hospice organizations. I asked her what she enjoys most about her new “Bark” career. “I love the customers and working with them. I get calls constantly hearing that people are happy with
Donny’s favorite part of the business? “We do stuff to help people with things they can’t do themselves. We provide a service that makes people happy. It’s dangerous work, and we have a really good safety record. The most important thing to me is that everyone goes home safely at the end of the day.”
Since the age of twelve, Donny had a chainsaw in his hand! His father was a forester, and he would clear trees at the gravel pit on their property. “I’d cut them for firewood, load them in the pickup truck and my brother would drive me around to deliver, since I couldn’t drive.” After trying his hand at a few different professions… construction, masonry and work on an offshore lobster boat…Donny started Knowles Tree Service when he was 26. After 20-plus years of running a highly respected business, Donny said his Dad’s advice has been instrumental in his seacoastbarkmagazine.com 11
success. He told me, “Number 1: Always do what you say you’re going to do when you say you’re going to do it. No. 2: Don’t give people anything to complain about. It was simple advice, but I actually built my business on it.” Donny, Tara and their pups spend the first few months of each year in Little Torch Key in the Florida Keys. Though they still are working, their winter getaway provides them with a bit of a rest after relentless hours of work from spring to late fall. A lot of their work is under the worst of conditions; storms, power outages, 24-hours a day. They’ll be home and Knowles will be open April 1st…so stop in & learn more about pet-safe mulch and more!
We wrapped up our chat with a quick question. What can we learn from dogs? “Kindness. Loyalty. They really pull people together and bring the good out in people. We can be having the worst day, and our dogs bring us comfort.” Awe…such PAWS-itive things to bark about. Thank you Donny and Tara.
match.dog
"HOW I MET MY TRUE LOVE" love stories about real dogs + their humans
By Brenda Bradley – Newbury, MA
Owner of Excentrique Home Décor – Newburyport, MA
From the moment guests step into our home, the love for our golden retrievers is undeniable. It is visible on our “dog wall,” a photo gallery of the three goldens that have served as essential members of our family. Though our goldens’ presence in our lives is often short-lived, the deep love and loyalty we experience lasts long after their time on earth. Despite our loss, our family has gained so much from having golden retrievers for the past 18 years. Each has had their individual personality, as all children do.
We used to call our first female golden, Lulu, the “huntress.” She loved to be outside and spent her days on the front porch looking over the field eagerly anticipating a deer or rabbit to chase. When Lulu was 2 years old, we decided she needed a companion. Along came Oliver, and the two of them enjoyed wrestling in the yard together. Oliver was a mellow guy. He was always happy to snuggle, and he often laid right in the middle of the kitchen - much like a rug.
Lulu as a Puppy
Lulu suddenly passed away at the age of 7 from complications from pneumonia, and the whole family was devastated, including Oliver. A few months later, we made the decision to get another female golden to bring some youthful energy back into Ollie’s life. We got Isabel, who we later nicknamed Izzy, to match her spunky temperament. When she was a puppy, she had so much energy that we had to play fetch with her constantly to tire her out. As a result, she became ball obsessed. When we
New Puppy Fin
went to the kids’ lacrosse games, she could smell a ball deep in tall grass. She loved to ride on the John Deere gator with Oliver all around our farm, and they would both sit and watch our son work in the fields from the shaded porch of the harvest house. To cool off on hot summer days, Izzy would play in a small plastic pool. In the winter, when Izzy would be chasing her ball in the snow, I would pull Oliver on the kid’s old L.L. Bean sled so he could be a part of the fun, since his weak hips made it difficult to walk in snow.
After 13 years with us, our sweet Oliver passed away, and again we experienced the inevitable loss that comes with having a golden. Isabel loved going to daycare to socialize and play with other dogs, so she adjusted to not having a companion at home. This past summer, we noticed she had increasing shortness of breath after playing fetch. She went into surgery to repair any faults with her lungs, but we eventually discovered she had lung cancer. Isabel didn’t make her ninth birthday. I could not fathom that she became so sick and passed away so quickly, since I expected to have her into her teens.
Isabel Playing Ball
food back on the countertop. The kids had their own lives, and I was desperately missing the unconditional love of a dog. Just three months after losing Izzy, we decided to get another golden retriever puppy. His name is Finbar; Fin for short. He has a calm disposition and is already too smart for his own good. It may seem too soon to get another dog after just losing one a few months ago. But Fin has brought back the laughter, loving spirit and fun in our hearts that were filled with heartbreak and sadness since losing Izzy.
While our hearts have slowly begun to mend, our memories of Izzy, Ollie, and Lulu have not faded. It is impossible to forget the individual personalities and the special love that each one of our goldens gave us, even though we have begun a new chapter in our lives. I have come to the conclusion, after loving and After 18 years with a dog, the house was un- losing three beautiful goldens, that it is betbearably quiet without one. It was strange ter to have loved and lost, than to never have not having to hide our shoes or push our experienced that love at all.
12 seacoastbarkmagazine.com
Isabel
Oliver
out and about
Microbubble Baths
Nancy Massett
Paddle Plunge
fun things to
Magpie Talk
bark
ABOUT Doggie Paddle Plunge
Don’t miss the NHSPCA’s 10th Annual Doggie Paddle Plunge on Saturday, March 7th, at Great Island Common in New Castle from 11:00 to 2:00. Brave animal lovers will dive into the icy Atlantic to raise money for the NHSPCA. Participants can register individually or as a group, raising donations from family and friends. Prefer warmth to the chill of wintry waters? Register as a Virtual Plunger and help animals from the cozy comfort of home. Whether you’re working on your bitter breaststroke or frozen freestyle, the Plunge is a day of fun with prizes, warm beverages, hot lunch and friends cheering you on! You may register online at NHSPC.org. The NHSPCA asks that you please leave your pets at home due to the cold temperatures. (NHSPCA.org)
Microbubble Dog Baths
Does your dog have skin allergies? Been too close to a skunk? Perhaps always a bit stinky? TheraClean® Microbubble Technology, a new bathing
system for pets, offers a great solution as it takes clean to a deeper level than ever before. In-DogNeat-O Grooming Studio in Hampton is the only grooming facility in New England that offers this amazing technology. The Thera-Clean® System – using simple tap water — uniformly generates Microbubbles that range from 3 to 20 micrometers. This allows the Microbubbles to penetrate hair follicles and pores – but not pass through the epidermis – for a deep clean. TheraClean’s water flow is gentle. No soap, shampoo, chemicals or abrasives are needed. Pets simply sit in a tub with a soft stream of Microbubbleinfused water and the Microbubbles do all the work. To book an appointment, contact Nancy Massett, professional groomer and owner of InDog-Neat-O via phone or online. (603- 601-2728 / InDogNeatoNH.com) (Thera-Clean.com)
Talking Like a Magpie
We’ve all heard the saying, “Talking like a Magpie.” But what does it really mean? Magpies are distinctive looking birds, with glossy black and
14 seacoastbarkmagazine.com
brilliant white markings. They usually repeat and mimic the noises they hear. Recently a photographer in Australia captured a Magpie chatting on a fence. The bird was making sounds like a fire engine. Truly. The Magpie mimicked fire engines as Australia burned. There are reports that over a billion animals have been killed from these horrific fires. Pray for Australia and perhaps Google “how to help the animals.” They need help. (youtube.com/watch?v=yzWZvlax2DM)
Free Balls
Good news! If you happen to have a tennis-ballobsessed dog…that often brings the ball back, though just as often loses it…you can always get free tennis balls from the Newburyport Tennis Club. Why spend hard cold cash for a can of 3, when you can get a bag full of balls for free? Simply stop by the tennis club located at 178 Low Street, and their staff will give you as many as you want. If one ball is good, two are better… and a bag full will keep your pup’s tail wagging for quite a while! (NewburyportTennisClub.com)
out and about
Free Tennis Balls Wally Baltich of Leary’s Fine Wines in NPBT
Lazy Bird Cafe Lauren Johnson & Birdie
Museum of Science Exhibit Music for Pets
Paw-fect Pet Music Playlists
Did you know that 69% of pet owners sing to their pets? 57% dance with their pets, and almost 20% of people name their pet after a music group or artist. With that in mind, Spotify, a music streaming service, recently launched a playlist for pets. Yep, now we have DogTV for dogs & music playlists for animals! Technology certainly isn’t ignoring our love-bugs. The “Pet Playlist” website presents users with five options — cats, dogs, iguanas, birds or hamsters — and asks for a rough overview of the animal companion’s personality traits. Check it out on their website. (pets.byspotify.com)
Lazy Bird Café
I recently stopped by the Lazy Bird Café on Washington Road in Rye to drop off some magazines. I was met with, “We all LOVE this magazine!” It turned out I was chatting with the
adorable owner, Lauren Johnson; proud Mom of Birdie, her Cock-A-Poo for whom the café is named after. As we talked about our shared love of dogs, Lauren showed me their new packaged coffee lines…Breakfast Blend, Home Blend & Decaf Blend. I’m sure the coffee blends are really good, but the cute dog photo on the packaging was enough to make me want to buy them! This café is certainly worth a visit. It offers fresh homemade pastries, breads, breakfast-all-day & lunch…all in a fresh, cozy atmosphere…perfect to SIT, SIP & STAY for a while. (LazyBirdCafe.com)
Valentine’s Day Expenditures
One in five people buy Valentine's Day gifts for their pets, and almost half admit they cuddle with their dog more than their partner, according to a study by Rover.com. People were expected to spend $886 million on their furry Valentines last year, according to the National
seacoastbarkmagazine.com 15
Retail Federation. Who knows what the actual numbers were last year or this? All we can say is…we LOVE our animals and they really are our best friends.
Dogs! A Science Tail Exhibition
The Museum of Science in Boston has a new temporary exhibition highlighting the extraordinary way that dogs see, hear and smell the world. In Dogs! A Science Tail, one can explore the world from a dog’s perspective through a variety of exhibits. Experiences range from listening to hidden sounds that dogs can hear but humans can’t, walking a dog through an interactive neighborhood to understand how pets strengthen the community and testing your pop-culture knowledge during a game of “Jeopawdy! Visitors are also invited to share personal photos and stories of their dogs on a photo wall. The exhibit runs through May 25th. Tickets may be purchased online. (mos.org)
food for thought
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Winter Weight Maintenance By Dawn Price, Registered Dietitian
Owner - The Natural Dog Newburyport, MA
During winter, our dog’s activity level may be decreased compared to other times of the year. Exercise restrictions means lower caloric expenditure and less food to meet their dietary calorie needs. If the same dietary calorie intake is maintained during less active months, this will result in winter weight gain.
Shorter daylight hours cause changes in your dog’s metabolism. Shorter days signal to the dog brain that winter is coming. This sets off hormonal changes to slow metabolism and conserve calorie expenditure. Typically, the domestic dog is not subject to the harshness of winter. A decreased metabolism will mean they gain weight if fed the same as other times of the year. Dogs protected from the harshness of winter need less food to compensate for this hormonal metabolic change. In some cases, dogs that are housed outside or spend a lot of time exercising outdoors during the winter months may require additional calories to maintain weight. In these dogs their metabolism will increase in order to burn more energy to keep warm. How much food your dog requires depends on age, sex (if lactating), breed and exercise levels. The level of food consumption in winter to maintain the same weight can be greater or lesser depending on if you…reduce walks, leave your dog outside or even if your house temperature is significantly lower. Monitoring a dog’s weight is vital to its health.
How to Identify Ideal Weight
Ribs are palpable, without excess fat covering them. Waist can be observed behind ribs when viewed from above. Abdominal tucked up when viewed from side.
How to Help Your Dog Maintain a Healthy Weight
Know How Much Food Your Dog Needs Most kibble (dry food) contains a lot of calories in a small quantity of food. It is very easy to over feed kibble and pack the weight on quickly. Not all have the same number of calories. Most range from 350-500 calories per cup. Though one brand could have almost double the calories of another. Kibble can pack on the weight quickly by just overfeeding as little as ¼ cup extra per day. For this reason, it is important to know how many calories your dog requires to maintain a healthy weight and to measure each serving to avoid over feeding.
Choose the Right Nutrient Mix Dogs have no nutritional requirement for carbohydrates. They are carnivores who can tolerate grain, but they should have 80% plus animal-based food for optimum health. Not only is a meat-based diet better in quality and digestibility, it’s also much less calorically dense than kibble. Therefore, it is more difficult to pack on the weight as quickly. For this reason, a meat-based diet is a good choice when considering healthy weight maintenance.
16 seacoastbarkmagazine.com
Adjust Calories When Necessary As routines vary, adjust dietary intake accordingly. Your dog doesn’t need the same number of calories on a day that was spent lounging on the couch as would be needed if spent outside all day playing in the snow. Similarly, if there are days when activity is limited and you offer a meaty bone or special treat to keep your dog mentally stimulated, skip a meal or two during that day. A good tip is to offer the special treat during meal time and substitute it for the meal. Their internal clock will tell them it’s time for dinner, even though they don’t need the extra calories. This is a good way to avoid fussing and begging during meal time. Keep Active! Daily exercise provides incredible physical and mental benefits. A good dog is a tired dog!
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.
feature
Lyman Pope… A Man Who Walks His Talk By Nancy Dewar
The Cocheco Valley Humane Society was founded in 1984 in a 100-year-old piggery on the County Complex in Dover, New Hampshire. Though the building was old and lacking many amenities, it certainly wasn’t lacking in love and care for the animals. However, 2017 proved to be a landmark year for the shelter with the generous $1 million donation from Lyman Pope, Jr. for the construction of a new facility. After years of hard work on this project and donations from others, the new shelter, now known as the Pope Memorial Cocheco Valley Humane Society, opened this past July. I reached out to Mr. Pope to learn more about his support of animals in need and he graciously offered to meet with me at his yearround home in Jackson, New Hampshire. Following a beautiful but slippery 2-hour drive to the White Mountains in December, I arrived at his chalet-style house after climbing up winding mountain roads. I was greeted at the door by Lyman and his recently rescued German Shepherd named Sadie, who welcomed me with lots of gentle nibbles on my leg! I must admit that I am a bit timid around Shepherds, but she soon settled down and lounged on the couch. We sat at the kitchen table, enjoyed a hearty cup of coffee and had a wonderful visit.
Lyman Pope with Max - Photo by Don Briand
Though his home is surrounded by 8-foot high fencing so his dogs could roam freely, Lyman walks Sadie about a mile every day. Not bad at all for a man who is 91 years old! The fence is unusually tall, as they’ve always had German Shepherds. Prior to Sadie, Lyman had one of the great loves of his lifetime, Maximillian, for 12 years and 2 months. As he spoke about Max, it was apparent that this 110-pound Shepherd was truly a special family member. “He wasn’t a dog. He was a person. I had to let him go last March, and he’s buried nearby in Bartlett. He was starting to walk stiffly, I discovered a lump on his stomach and then he didn’t eat for 4 days. I knew it was time.” Sadie came into Lyman’s life in June from a shelter in Virginia. “She’s no Max but she’s doing the best that she can. I got her over the phone and didn’t know that she had a problem with other dogs,” he stated a bit wistfully. “But she’s doing the best she can,” he reiterated. We both concurred; one never replaces a dog, you just get a new, different one to love. Lyman grew up in Haverill, Massachusetts. He and his beloved wife Pat, along with their two sons Peter and Chris, lived in Andover, Massachusetts for many years. Summers
18 seacoastbarkmagazine.com
were spent in Ogunquit, and they bought their Jackson house several years ago; all avid skiers. Lyman and Pat were married for 60 years, prior to her death in 2018. There is a wall in the kitchen lined with family photos and family dogs and lots and lots of vivid love. He laughed when he told me, “I didn’t really start making big money until I was 45. Before that, I had a regular job!” Forty-plus years ago he began buying mobile home parks. He purchased the first with a $22,000 loan from his Mother along with $17,000 from selling some of his stocks and bank financing. “I still had my other job at that time. I was selling machinery and flying to Detroit a lot. When the company finally caught on to my new business, they let me go.” The family now owns several mobile parks and real estate in Maine and New Hampshire. Following his retirement, helping animals has become a huge focus in Lyman’s life. I asked Mr. Pope how he got involved with animal shelters. He stated, “There are 36 shelters in Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. Around 1999 I started visiting many of them and thought about how poorly the dogs and cats were being taken care of. They needed more help.” Max always accompanied him on these trips. They stayed in many motels during their journeys over the years from Bar Harbor south. The trips became so regular
Pope Memorial Chocheco Valley Humane Society’s New Facilit
feature
The Lyman Pope Jr. Foundation was established in 2000, and there are now four shelters bearing the Pope name. The Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter located in Orleans, Vermont was the first organization he supported. that Max would sense when they were close to their usual stopping points. “When we were close to these familiar places, Max would make noises and bark. He knew where we were!” The Lyman Pope Jr. Foundation was established in 2000, and there are now four shelters bearing the Pope name. The Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter located in Orleans, Vermont was the first organization he supported.
Photo of Original Cocheco Valley Humane Society Piggery Building
In addition to donating $1.5 million to help build a new facility, Lyman has also granted the shelter a financial endowment for future capital expenses. His other more-than-generous support includes a $1 million donation to help build the Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County located in Rockland, Maine; a $525 thousand donation to assist in building the Pope Memorial SPCA of Concord-Merrimack County in New Hampshire in 2014 with another $500 thousand contribution promised after his death; and most recently, his $1 million donation for the new Pope Memorial Cocheco Valley Humane Society in Dover. These are just the big contributions. When other needs arise, such as new fencing, etc., he is always right there with his checkbook.
What a gift to meet such a wonderful, kind, generous (and handsome!) man who loves animals beyond words and truly walks his talk. “They needed more help.” And Lyman Pope has helped with enormous financial support for many shelters and their resident dogs and cats. His help will outlive him, as he told me that he has provided for additional support for animals in his will. “I just hope they don’t get it too soon,” he said laughing.
seacoastbarkmagazine.com 19
Lyman with Max at Shelter in Maine
If you’re interested in finding a new buddy or would like to help support any of these shelters, please visit their website.
Dover, NH: cvhsonline.org Concord, NH: popememorialspca.org Rockland, ME: humanesocietyofknoxcounty.org Orleans, VT: frontieranimalsociety.com
pawsitve news
People are WOOFING about Seacoast Bark! This issue marks the full second year we’ve been publishing. And we want to thank our loyal readers and marketing PAW-tners for their wonderful, ongoing support and praise. It’s an enormous treat to meet so many special animallovers. It’s a gift to be able to spread good, happy and yappy news. We’re proud to hear that people are reading the magazine cover-to-cover…and love reading the ads. Here are a few of the many comments we’ve received from our PAW-tners and readers. Thank you all…immensely. We have received a great response to the magazine. People even come up to us and ask, “Is that Walter? We know him from Seacoast Bark!” Gayle Davis – Owner – Senior Helpers – Stratham, NH This is my favorite magazine ever. You can use me as a reference anytime.
Thanks for being so good to us. Don Perkins – Manager – Sea Dog Brewing Co. – Exeter, NH
Alissa Bournival Owner – Bournival Jeep – Portsmouth, NH I hear from lots of people that they saw me, Sophie & Bentley in Bark.
Our CEO loved our article in the magazine. He said it’s one of the best he’s ever read about us. Mariah Scanlon – Brand Manager – Smuttynose Brewing Company – Hampton, NH I’ve advertised in many, many places over the years and have never heard anyone mention a word about any of it. Now, everywhere I go I hear “I saw you in the Seacoast Bark!” Massimo Morgia – Owner - Ristorante Massimo – Portsmouth, NH
I was at the Polkadog Friday and saw your magazine there. Keep moving closer to Boston.
I’m sitting in a car service place in CT and just saw your first issue. Congratulations for creating something fresh and joyful.
Theresa G. – Danvers, MA
Deb M. – Avon, CT
Linda Cloutier – Owner – Linda Cloutier Kitchens & Baths – Greenland, NH
I was so pleased to recently learn of this publication! As a lifelong dog lover/advocate and a resident of beautiful Newburyport, I couldn’t be more thrilled that you have carved out a space for two of my favorite things!
A man called our office asking about the breed of one of the dogs that is in our ad. He’s a mutt from the South, so we said, “He’s an Arkansas mix!” Sandy Silsby – Aesthetician – Zeff Plastic Surgery – Stratham, NH I am at Dr. Bassett’s in Exeter waiting for my mom and her cat. Your magazines are here. :) The woman behind the desk said, “People love that magazine.” I agreed and I told them that I read it the day I get it! Kim M. – Portsmouth, NH
Margot K. – Newburyport, MA I was on my way out of Market Basket in Newburyport earlier today & saw the cover of Seacoast Bark. What a great cover! I picked it up it up & brought it home & read it. Congratulations on publishing something fun & eye catching! I don't have any products to advertise but I will definitely visit your advertisers & let them know how I found out about them. I have never actually visited Smutty Nose before. I didn't know it was nearby, but I will now. Rob M. – Newburyport, MA
20 seacoastbarkmagazine.com
I was waiting for a sandwich at Greg’s in Hampton and saw your lovely magazine and grabbed it on my way out the door. I LOVE the magazine, both the way it feels and also the advertising and the articles and those dogs! Jan R. – Hampton, NH
seacoastbarkmagazine.com 21
work like a dog
Jobs Worth
Barking About By Nancy Dewar
Just like humans dogs need a purpose; some sort of job. For many, their purpose is simply to give love; which dogs are exceptionally good at! However, three local English Labradors are blessed with not just one job, but three. They are hunting dogs, runway models and, of course, love bugs too. Meet Scout, Atticus and Tootzie who live with their dad Steve O’Neil in Hampton. These handsome pups are brothers and sisters. Though from different litters, they all have the same dam and sire and were bred by Brenda Mazzaglia who owns Integrity Farm Labrador Retrievers located in Derry, New Hampshire.
Steve has always been a huge dog lover. He got his first Lab when he was 14 and told me a cute story from his childhood. “I was a paper boy, and my mother would get phone calls from people on my route telling her that their paper had not arrived. She would get into the car and drive to all the houses that had dogs…knowing she would find me at one of them. I just couldn’t tear myself away from the dogs!” He became an avid hunter following his retirement from Verizon 10 years ago after a life-long career with the company. He then began training his dogs to hunt working with a group of other local guys who were experienced, though said, “We’re all really amateurs.” For an amateur, Steve and his pack of three have certainly accomplished a lot! In the hunting world, there are three levels of AKC certification; Junior, Senior and Master. Scout, Atticus and Tootzie are all certified Masters, no easy feat. The first AKC retriever hunting tests were held in 1985. Dogs don’t compete against other handlers and dogs, but rather are assessed based on their own merit in their hunting style and perseverance. They also are judged on learned abilities such as steadiness, control, response and delivery. Steve said that it takes a good year to get the basics down to achieve Master status. The dogs are “handled” in the field, hundreds of yards away
from their owner, responding to hand and whistle commands to flush out the game. “Hunting…that’s what these dogs are bred for. I, too, love the sport but also eat everything I shoot; primarily ducks and pheasants.” The dogs’ modeling career began serendipitously a few years ago when Steve saw an ad on Facebook from a photographer looking for a “blockyheaded Lab.” The ad was from Ron and Amy Schmidt of Newburyport, founders of Loose Leashes. Ron is an exceptional photographer, and their company creates unique, highly stylized photos of dogs. The duo licenses images and sells prints worldwide to companies such as L.L. Bean, Orvis and Hallmark.
Steve & Tootzie
are so highly trained, they are outstanding in doing the intricate shoots. “Scout and Atticus are Ron’s go-to dogs when he has a difficult shoot.” They shoot at various locations around the Seacoast as well as at Ron and Amy’s home, and a normal shoot lasts about an hour. I asked Steve if there were any funny stories that stood out. “We did a shoot called ‘Fizz’ with Atticus licking a
Steve laughed and said, “I sent a picture of Scout to Amy and heard back from her within five minutes…asking when we could come in!” Since their foray in the modeling world, Steve’s dogs have been featured on about 10 to 12 different prints. Since they
22 seacoastbarkmagazine.com
Bred to Retrieve
work like a dog
Scout & Atticus
Scout & Tootzie
izz” Atticus in “F
Modeling for Loose Leashes Photos by Ron Schmidt Photography www.LooseLeashes.com
Tootzie's 10 Puppies
“Hunting…that’s what these dogs are bred for. I, too, love the sport but also eat everything I shoot; primarily ducks and pheasants.” straw. We went through about a half jar of peanut butter to keep him focused on the straw.” That’s a pretty good pay-out from a dog’s perspective!
Scout (5), Tootzie (4) and Atticus (2) are also pros at their third job; the best companions ever to their Dad. “They are my buddies,” Steve said. “If Scout were a human, he’d be a union steward in a steel mill. Tootzie would take in every baby she could find. And Atticus, he’d be Mr. Mayor. He’s so frigging goofy. He’s a ham in the house and a great hunter when he put on his helmets and shoulder pads.” They play some fun games with commands at home, as well. “We play fetch where I put my wallet and keys on the floor and tell the dogs we’re going for a ride. I then say, ‘but I need some money, can you find my wallet?’ One will go pick up the wallet, and then we do the same with the keys. Maybe they get a bit sick of it. I don’t know!” Steve recently co-owned a litter of puppies with Integrity Farm Labs. Tootzie had 10 pups. They announced the litter on October 28th, and all were sold
by noon on the 29th. The new owners came for a puppy day, to look & hold, when pups were 6 weeks old. They held a homecoming day in December when the 8-week-old pups went home with their new families. Tootzie (a.k.a. Wiggly Butt!) will probably be bred again this spring. “She was a wonderful dam,” Steve said with pride. Brenda and Steve are highly responsible breeders and are committed to breeding exceptionally healthy dogs; always performing DNA checks for any genetic defects. Both are adamant about protecting the breed.
Scout in “Hooch”
Steve exuded his love for his dogs throughout our conversation. As we wrapped up our chat, Steve said, “They are well rounded dogs. I’ve really given them a purpose and they really enjoy it. But they do screw up sometimes. They’re dogs!”
If you’d like to learn more about potential puppies from this lineage, please contact Steve at: DapperTwo@yahoo.com.
seacoastbarkmagazine.com 23
Atticus & Scout in “Play Ball”
local tails
Meet Some Special Seacoast Pups… Here are some of our readers’ adorable dogs! We asked each, “What is your favorite magazine?” Unanimously, they all barked…Seacoast Bark!
P.S. 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.
Acadia - Newmarket
DB Cooper - Kittery Point
Fiona Day - Portsmouth
Brody - Hampton Finley & Murphy - Raymond
Vesper - South Berwick
Gracie - North Hampton
Maximus - Seabrook Beach
Ruby - North Hampton
24 seacoastbarkmagazine.com
Buck - Hampton
seacoastbarkmagazine.com 25
Kittens dumped in Eliot
Cat abandoned in Rye
rescue
REDUCING the Feral Cat Population By Nancy Dewar
Kittens found in Hampton
SAFER (Seacoast Area Feline Education & Rescue) is a different kind of rescue group. Founded in 1998 in Hampton by the late Nancy Higgins (original owner of The Old Salt Restaurant) along with a few other founding members, it primarily focuses on two key areas: (1) caring for and reducing the feral cat population and (2) taking care of lost cats and those that have been dumped. This allvolunteer organization started as a “TRN” group; Trap, Neuter & Return, though their care has expanded considerably. I recently met with Board member Michelle Gorneau, who has been actively involved with SAFER since 2003, to learn more about the group’s work and feral cats. Wild cats have been around forever. Their population grows primarily because of ongoing breeding as well as new groups formed from abandoned cats. When dumped, survival instinct kicks in quickly and they become wary of everything. Most won’t come near people as they are extremely fearful. This leads to continued growth of the feral cat population, which could be mitigated by one easy choice by humans. Instead of dropping off an unwanted cat in the middle of nowhere, take them to an animal shelter so they can be cared for and find a loving new home. There is no shame nor cost in giving an animal up. It’s the best thing to do if one can’t care for their pet. Some people think that their friendly cat will quickly find a new home if they leave it in a neighborhood; that it will go up to a person or nearby house. But most go into survival mode and run and hide; hence, another potential feral cat.
SAFER has several “feeding stations” in the area for feral cats that have been around for years. Volunteers visit them daily to leave wet food, kibble and water. The stations are monitored so that when a new cat shows up, SAFER traps the cat. If friendly, it is transferred to an area shelter for adoption. If feral, the cat is medically examined and spayed or neutered before returning it to the location where it was found. I asked Michelle how they manage to trap “new” cats and not others in the group. She laughed and said, “Once a cat has been trapped, it’s highly unlikely that they will ever go near another trap again!” The non-profit also works with what they call the “friendlies.” These are cats that got lost or abandoned, but if taken care of quickly enough can be adopted as they are familiar with people. They get many calls from people who have a stray cat in their yard. SAFER will trap the animal and then surrenders it to local animal shelters where the cat receives medical care and is then placed up for adoption. “95% of the calls
26 seacoastbarkmagazine.com
we receive for cats that show up at people’s homes are friendly and easily adoptable,” Michelle explained. Prior to trapping the cat, SAFER asks people to place food and water out, ideally under some sort of cover. This will keep it in the area and easier to trap. She also explained why it’s important to call immediately upon finding a stray cat. “Some people will feed them for months, and then call us when the weather gets cold. Cats can become feral very quickly. If kittens are found, they need human contact and socialization right away in order to not go feral. If people don’t call right away ‘because the kittens are so cute,’ they will miss the critical early socialization period.” Michelle shared numerous sad stories about abandoned cats. One in particular really struck me. A woman called saying that someone had dropped off a cream-colored Persian near her home. Unfortunately, her son let their dog out and the cat scampered into the woods, never to be seen again. This was a house cat who didn’t know how to fend for itself in the wild. The ironic part of
rescue
Feeder Laurel George
Jen Abbott with Baxter
Joe Vandenbussche at Seabrook feeding station
One of the Hampton kittens
Instead of dropping off an unwanted cat in the middle of nowhere, take them to an animal shelter so they can be cared for and find a loving new home. this story is that whoever dumped the cat also left a small dog crate with a blanket and a bag of food. If they cared this much (if one can even call this caring), why on earth didn’t they just take the cat to an animal shelter where it would be safe and assured of getting a new home? Unbelievable.
SAFER also has a “Barn Cat” program. Sometimes they end up with cats who can’t go back to where they were trapped, typically due to lack of shelter and a food source and aren’t friendly enough to be adoptable. The group receives calls from people with barns looking for barn cats. Prior to placing the cats in a barn, volunteers visit to make sure it is suitable and approved. Cat rescue groups are always in need of good barn homes. Michelle said, “This isn’t ideal but sometimes is our only option. It’s successful about 50% of the time. The cats are placed in a pen, stall or tack room and gradually become used to people and their surroundings prior to being released on the premise.” Once released, the barn makes sure the cats are always fed.
The annual operating budget is approximately $20,000 to $25,000, so financial donations are welcomed along with donated goods. Veterinary care and food consume the largest part of the budget. SAFER has no physical location and is supported by their committed board members and approximately 35+ volunteers who all work tirelessly to reduce the area’s feral cat population. Their efforts are working. “We used to feed over 200 cats a day, and now we’re feeding around 15 to 20. We’ve been able to reduce the number of feral cats through spaying and neutering,” Michelle said with pride.
Kudos to all the volunteers and the deeply committed board members: Jenny Abbott, Gloria Everett, Lynn Barrett and Michelle Gorneau, all who assist with trapping and fostering; and Pam Vandenbussche who coordinates the feeding station volunteers. If you know of someone who needs to rehome their cat or kitten, please tell them to contact their local shelter or call SAFER. They will help with no questions asked. SaferCats.com / (603) 929-4975
seacoastbarkmagazine.com 27
Crazy Cat Stats
Why is it important to spay & neuter? It’s been estimated that a single pair of breeding cats, and their offspring, can produce over 400,000 cats in 7 years.
Low-Cost Spay & Neuter Clinics
New Hampshire SPCA / nhspca.org
Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society (Catmobile Program) / mrfrs.org Manchester Animal Shelter / ManchesterAnimalShelter.org
Animal Welfare Society of Kennebunk / AnimalWelfareSociety.org
Londonderry Animal Rescue Veterinary Services / arvsonline.org Rozzie May Animal Alliance / RozzieMayAnimalAlliance.org
YOU’RE INVITED…
things to do
Don’t Miss This YAPPY HOUR
If you’re looking for a fun way to kick off the first day of summer with friends and your pups, don’t miss the 1st Annual Mutt-Mixer Yappy Hour hosted by Allen Wayside Furniture and Seacoast Bark! This dog-friendly get-together will be held on Saturday, June 20th, from 4:00 to 7:00 at Allen Wayside Furniture located on Route 1 in Portsmouth. In addition to raising funds for animals in need via donations and a raffle, there will also be food trucks, cold brews and some hard spirits too. So, there’s no need to BYOB…just BYOD…Bring Your Own Dog!
Live music will be provided by one of the Seacoast’s all-time favorites, The Blue Note Big Band, a lively multi-member jazz ensemble that plays the great bands’ greatest songs providing doggone great family entertainment. We think dogs will find the free food samples from local pet companies entertaining; though most likely will just enjoy being out and about with their peeps, meeting and greeting other four-legged friends and immersing themselves into a world of new whiffs. The Mutt-Mixer Yappy Hour will help support three animal rescue organizations, all who will be on site: Pope Memorial Cocheco Valley Human Society, New England Lab Rescue and the NHSPCA. Some pups in need of forever homes and foster homes will be attending with hopes of touching someone’s heart and finding their special new family.
Be sure to mark your calendar for June 20th. The 1st Annual Mutt-Mixer Yappy Hour will be a great way to kick off the dog days of summer!
28 seacoastbarkmagazine.com
1st Annual
Mutt-Mixer
Yappy Hour June 20th
seacoastbarkmagazine.com 29
let's pawty
Doggone Grrrrr…eat Entertaining Luscious Lamb…
Saffron Sauce
Ingredients 1 small onion chopped very thinly
Sponsored by Ristorante Massimo “Authentic Italian Food Is More Than Our Passion… It’s Our Life’s Work.”
Rack of Lamb
1 garlic clove chopped very thinly
Directions
Melt butter in pan & add onion. When onion is translucent add garlic & stir. Add wine & let simmer.
1C cream
Keep 1T of cream on-hand & add the rest to the pan.
1/2C white wine (good quality chardonnay)
Reduce sauce till desired consistency.
1 saffron thread (available at Trader Joe’s)
Dissolve saffron thread in the remained 1T of cream & add to sauce.
1T clarified butter
S&P to taste.
Directions
Ingredients 1 rack of lamb Kosher salt & freshly ground pepper 2T extra-virgin olive oil 2T coarsely chopped fresh rosemary 1T chopped fresh thyme plus 4 sprigs 10 cloves of garlic; smashed
Preheat oven to 450. Season lamb with S&P. Heat oil in 12” cast-iron skillet over medium high heat. Add lamb fat-side down & cook (using tongs to flip & sear the bottom & sides) until browned; about 10 minutes. Turn lamb fat-side up in skillet & scatter herbs over top. Add garlic to skillet & transfer to oven. Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted in center of meat reads 130-degrees for medium rare; about 10 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes before slicing into chops; serve with Saffron Sauce.
59 Penhallow – Portsmouth (603) 436-4000 www.RistoranteMassimo.com
Massimo’s Mia Massimo is not only passionate about food, but also his Mia, an adorable Maltese/Shih Tzu! Since Massimo started sponsoring this column, Mia has become a bit of a local celebrity. While stopped at a light on Route 1, two gals motioned to Massimo to roll down his window. He did…and they then asked, “Is that Mia?” He laughed & said, “Yes, how did you know?” They responded, “We see her in Seacoast Bark!”
30 seacoastbarkmagazine.com
doggy thoughts
FLIPS + FLOPS By Flip-Flop
Editor’s Note: These are simply musings from Flip-Flop, an exuberant & opinionated shaggy dog. They are not any sort of product endorsement or “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)!
Chicken Diapers
This product is so silly, yet I think it’s a flip as it has grown to be a flipping successful business based right here in New Hampshire! Pamper Your Poultry makes diapers for chickens and is raking in over $60,000 a year. Founder Julie Baker came up with the idea as her daughter often brought their hens into the house, and they were making a mess. The reusable, machine-washable diapers come in an array of designs and sell for $18. This idea sure has taken flight. (PamperYourPoultry.com)
Flip Flop Cat Masks
This is a crazy flop! There’s a website in Japan where people can order a realistic mask of their cat…so they can look alike! The company is called My Family Masks, which is meant to symbolize the bond you have with your pet. Hand-sculpted clay masks are made from a photo, complete with faux fur that is painted for details. It takes about 2 months and isn’t cheap; about $2,600. Yikes. What will humans think up next? (shindo-office.tokyo/)
Most Dog-Friendly States
How cool is this. Both New Hampshire and Maine ranked in the top 10 most dog-friendly states according to a 2019 study that looked at information from the Bureau of Labor, the Animal Legal Defense Fund and other online pet-related resources. They specifically looked for high-percentages of no-kill shelters, strict anti-cruelty laws, pet-friendly public areas like dog-friendly restaurants and off-leash dog parks, and housing restrictions to compile this list. We local canines are sure lucky pups to live here! (safewise.com/blog/safest-states-pets/)
Unfriendly Dog Dining
Though I know it’s due to local health codes, I think it’s a real bummer that dogs aren’t allowed to join their peeps in restaurants. Canines that live across the pond are welcome in most pubs and cafes. I sure wish our laws would change! But on a PAWS-itive note, I salute the local establishments that do allow pups on their patios. Some of my favorites are: Throwback Brewery in North Hampton, The District restaurant and Cisco Brewers in Portsmouth, Rudder’s Public House in Kittery and the Newburyport Brewing Company. I’ll be visiting all as soon as the weather warms up.
Soggy Dog Product
Salty Dog Product
OMG…a company called Walkee Paws has developed a new line of leggings for dogs complete with waterproof booties “with grippies for traction” so our paws won’t get wet! I don’t know about your pup, but I don’t mind being a soggy doggie. Wet paws are a sign of an active dog! This idea is a flop in my mind, as no self-respecting dog would ever want to be seen in public in this garb! (WalkeePaws.com)
This is a great, tasty treat for sea-loving, salty dogs! Finlander Fish Skins dog treats are made in Maine by New England Fishmongers from all natural wild-caught fish. New England Fishmongers is a group of men and women who work aboard F/V Finlander in Eliot, Maine. They are dedicated to bringing fresh Gulf of Maine fish directly from their boat to consumers. You can get these wholesome treats at Just Dogs in downtown Newburyport. (NewEnglandFishmongers.com)
seacoastbarkmagazine.com 31
