Seacoast Bark Magazine February March 2023

Every February 2 since 1887, Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania has been making his weather prediction. Records kept by the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club show Phil has predicted about 105 continued winters and only 20 early springs. According to the Stormfax Almanac, that works out to a 39% accuracy rate for Phil. But hey, he does the best that he can! And I’m hoping (as I write this on a gray mid-January day) that he doesn’t see his shadow, and we all can welcome an early spring…and enjoy warmer dog-walking days soon.

We’d

Walter’s WORDS OF WISDOM

By Walter Eugene Davis Senior Helpers – Stratham, NH

Notable

Celebrations & People

2022 is in the rear-view mirror, and we are well into 2023. February is the shortest month of the year and for those of us in New England, we know that Spring is just around the corner. To date we have not seen much snow, but fear not, I am sure that Ole’ Man Winter has a bit more of the white fluffy stuff in store for us. (I got a new winter jacket and boots for Christmas but have not been able to get much use out of them!)

The 15-day celebration of the Lunar New Year started on January 22, 2023. This is the Year of the Rabbit which represents hope. The date is determined by the cycles of the moon and the sun. Just like Westerner’s celebrate the New Year on January 1st, the Lunar New Year is celebrated with parties, lights and traditional red lights that are believed to bring luck and prosperity into the New Year. These celebrations date back thousands of years. As the legend goes, a monster would attack the villagers. The bright lights and noise were used to scare the monster away. (Monsters must be like porcupines; eek stay away!)

For the past 53 years the United States has celebrated Black History in February. In 1976 the celebration was expanded from a week to a month by President Gerald R. Ford. He urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the toooften neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Black History Month is a time to celebrate the contributions of those who had an impact on growth and change; to celebrate the accomplishments of people like Onesimus, an enslaved African who was living in Boston shared an innovative way to combat smallpox, thus saving generations. Hiram Rhodes Revels, the first African American to be elected to the U.S. Senate representing Mississippi from 1870-1871. Madam C.J. Walker, the first self-made African American millionaire from Louisiana who developed a line of hair care products. Rosa Parks, “the first lady of civil rights,” was a prominent figure in the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956).

Just as Black History Month started out as a day, so did Women’s History Month. On a single day in 1908 in New York City, thousands of women joined forces to push for better labor laws, conditions and the right to vote. In 1987, the recognition went from a day to the month of March to remind us and to celebrate the accomplishments of women throughout the years from culture to society, from science to politics. Eleanor Roosevelt, former first lady of the United States, was known for being outspoken and an influence regarding women’s issues. Madeleine Albright, a daughter of Czech refugees, was the first Secretary of State in the United States. Maya Angelou was famous for her writing and public speeches that inspired people to overcome gender and race discrimination.

On March 20th we will celebrate the first day of spring. The time that our forests come alive with the sound of birds, flowers begin to push their heads out of the soil, the grass gets green and the leaves start to pop. ( And I get to roll around on my back like a fool! )

Let’s take time to find the joy in life. To experience events that will shape our lives. Keep your head up. Don’t just look at what is in front of you, but what is above you and beyond. Reach for the stars! Celebrate life!

Come join me on life’s adventures!

See you in April… Walter Eugene

Making a Difference...

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

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

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

Stratham, NH – (603) 583-4580

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

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I will learn.”

~ Benjamin Franklin~

Photo by Phil Chura

Rescued at the Rescue TV Production

By Nancy Dewar

Doug and Jen Abrams, owners of Allen Wayside Furniture, are both crazy about animals and extremely committed to helping rescue organizations. I’ve laughed many times when I’ve heard Jen say, “I need to sell more sofas so I can help more rescue animals!” And she truly means this. In addition to donating merchandise for auctions and raffles, hosting fundraising events, tie-ins with furniture manufacturers and countless other efforts; the Abrams also generously allocate a portion of their annual television advertising budget to promote local rescue organizations and highlight their individual needs.

These TV commercials open with well-known Doug and Bill Abrams announcing, “Allen Wayside Furniture.” The opening is followed by a voiceover and visuals featuring representatives of the given rescue group and promoting whatever their needs may be; e.g. more volunteers, new foster homes, funding, etc. Of course, a few of their dogs or cats are included in the spots…and even bunnies and guinea pigs have participated! After commercials ran highlighting the Lakes Region Humane Society that featured a key staff member, she told Jen, “Everyone in town told me that they saw me on TV!” So, the word really does get out.

New commercials are shot quarterly in both New Hampshire and Maine, and they shoot spots for two rescue groups per state during each shoot. “It usually takes about an hour to film a group. It’s pretty easy, and our team has it down pat. It’s about two hours from set-up through completion. Most of the animals are well behaved during the shoots. Only once did we lose a cat in the showroom…briefly,” Jen explained. Sometimes there is a bit of confusion when new rescue organizations are approached to participate. “At first, they don’t know what to think when we offer them free television. I think they wonder ‘what’s the catch?’ And there is none!”

Last fall their two shoots ended a bit differently than most. Following each, new homes were

found for two lucky canines…with Allen Wayside staff members! During the Maine shoot showcasing the Midcoast Humane, Bill Abrams held one of the precious little puppies and it was like Velcro to him. The pup didn’t leave his arms. He just wouldn’t let go, and Bill was smitten. He ended up taking the puppy home directly from the shoot. The rescue’s Executive Director remarked, “Let’s just call this a foster situation!” And it was a brief one that resulted in the puppy quickly getting his forever home.

The next day they shot commercials for Doverbased Pope Memorial Humane Society, and a big dog in the shoot was so darn sweet that Doug and Jen sought out their employee Bekki to come meet him. The handsome fellow melted into the couch and really didn’t want to leave. Bekki and her husband filled out an online application that night and went and picked up their new dog (they named Neller) the next day. Jen knew that Bekki and her husband had always rescued older dogs and had been without a dog for over a year. “I thought this could be a perfect match and it was,” Jen said with a smile.

Jen is dogged in her support of rescue. “We’d love to hear from more non-profits to feature in our television schedule. When we get the word out, there may be people who can’t rescue an animal but are able to volunteer, donate or foster. I often think of how stressful it is for these dogs to be in a kennel. Can you imagine

the nervousness and all the scared barking? But the rescue professionals always assure me that they are better off with them than where they came from.” That is…until they find their new forever home (sometimes through the most unexpected circumstances)…like a television photo shoot promoting rescue!

Following are some of the groups Doug and Jen support. If you are a non-profit rescue organization interested in being featured in their television commercials, please contact Jen Abrams at Allen Wayside Furniture in Portsmouth.

Lakes Region Humane Society (Ossipee, NH), Animal Rescue League of NH (Bedford, NH), Lucky Pups Rescue (Kennebunkport, ME), Conway Area Humane Society (Conway, NH) HART of Maine (Felines Only / Cumberland, ME), New Hampshire SPCA (Stratham, NH), Pope Memorial Humane Society (Dover, NH), Midcoast Humane (Brunswick, ME)

We’d love to hear from more non-profits to feature in our television schedule. When we get the word out, there may be people who can’t rescue an animal but are able to volunteer, donate or foster.

Bill Abrams (Vice President) & His New Puppy Mr. Beans

His name is Mr. Beans, and he was born on May 20th, 2022, so he’s now eight months old. Mr. Beans is a mixed breed. He definitely

How did you meet at the photo shoot?

Mr. Beans, who had previously been named Luigi, came to the store with his brother Mario from the Midcoast Humane Society located in Brunswick, Maine. They were there along with three kittens and a grown dog to be in an Allen Wayside TV commercial to raise awareness of shelter animals, generate some support for the groups as well as, and hopefully, find them a new home.

Bekki Alphoff

(Manager of Inventory Control) & Her New

I don’t know, although I would say I really decided to adopt him as much as he sort of decided to adopt me. He instantly found himself at home and calm as soon as I held him. He crawled up onto my shoulder and fell asleep. When his brother, along with everyone else from Midcoast was leaving, he had no intention of going anywhere and just wanted to stay with me. I did not know how he would get along with my other dog who I adopted approximately a year ago, so I decided to foster him and see how things went. This foster situation lasted for five hours at the most, as he instantly became part of our family!

Do your dogs get along?

My other dog, who I adopted last October, is named Mocha. They get along wonderfully.

What do you love most about them?

Mr. Beans is a great companion and brother to Mocha. They have a wonderful time playing together. He is a fantastic cuddle bug and loves nothing more than snuggling up with any member of the family.

Benefits of rescuing?

Both of the dogs we adopted had been abandoned as puppies. They were left with no food, shelter or anyone to care for them. I cannot imagine how something like that could happen, as they certainly do not deserve it. They have provided my family with unconditional love and honestly made us complete.

Humane Society in late 2017" and was adopted by a family in January 2018. It’s hard to imagine but Neller was returned to Pope in August of 2022, 4 ½ years after living with his first family here.

How did you meet at the photo shoot?

The owners of Allen Wayside, Jen and Doug Abrams, insisted that I come down to the showroom to meet Neller during the photo shoot. He was such a handsome, mellow and easy-going boy. They just thought he’d be perfect for me!

What made you decide to adopt him?

My husband and I have always adopted dogs, and we lost our 14-year-old dog at the beginning of Covid. We were finally ready to get another when I met Neller.

What do you love most about Neller?

He is a love bug and a people dog. He loves to ride in the car and loves to go camping. And the best thing about Neller? Well, everything is the best thing with him.

Benefits of rescuing?

We rescue the older dogs because they seem to appreciate our lowkey household. And we get the benefit of a mostly trained dog.

Did he easily adapt to his new home?

Well, yes and no! He created his own doggie door by somehow knocking the glass out of the sidelight of our front door. Apparently, he was used to having full-time access to a yard in his previous home. Neller now comes to work with me every day. He loves the ride and all the people at work. And he’s a bit spoiled with his very own chair in my office so he can gaze out the window.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I think Neller would make a great doggie model. He loves to wear clothes, and this Northern climate is definitely too cold for his southern roots!

MEET Jodi Bandola-Marks

Owner of Coastline

Canine Rehab + Wellness

A bit about your business?

Coastline Canine Rehab + Wellness is a mo bile canine rehabilitation business. I come to a client’s home or office with my equipment to treat their dog. All dogs can benefit from these services, and home visits are extremely helpful for dogs that are anxious about going to a vet erinarian office or dogs with significant mobil ity issues, which makes it difficult to transport them. I’ve found that dogs are more comfort able in their own home. Owners find it very convenient because they can save time during their day, especially now that many people are working from home. Rehab is also great for dogs who cannot take pain medicine or for owners that are looking for an alternative way to manage and relieve their dog’s pain.

What areas do you serve?

I live in Salisbury and service the North Shore of Massachusetts, the Seacoast of New Hampshire and Southern Maine.

How did you get into this profession?

I have been a physical therapist for 21 years, and about nine years ago we had a Great Dane, Luther, who was diagnosed with a progressive neurological disease called Degenerative Myelopathy. Our veterinarian told us that there was no cure, but that we might want to try canine rehabilitation to try to optimize his quality of life. We took him to Tails of Rye canine rehabilitation. I met with the owner, Dimitra Kofitsas, and was inspired by how she was able to help our “Baby Lou.” A few years later I began my training through the University of Tennessee to receive my Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner designation. I worked for Veterinary & Rehabilitation of Cape Elizabeth for five years before deciding to start my own mobile service.

Favorite part of your job?

I love to see dogs get better! It’s great when I come to an owner’s home after a few visits, and they tell me that their dog is able to walk more or has less pain. I especially love being able to make a difference with a dog that the owner thought might not be able to benefit from rehab. I feel that not only am I making a difference in the dog’s life, but also their human’s. Owners don’t like to see their dog in pain or struggling to perform basic activities.

Any special stories you’d like to share?

Right now I’m working with some awesome dogs! I have a sweet rescue, Bella, who had some complications after a stifle (knee) sur-

gery. She couldn’t use her back left leg for almost a year, and now she is walking with her owner for 30 minutes each day and has even tried to play with other dogs! She is a very shy and anxious girl, so coming to her apartment was much more comfortable for her. I was able to teach her owner how to use objects she already has in her house (like books, yoga mats and an end table) to perform daily exercises

A bit about your dogs?

My husband and I have three Great Danes! Sam Adams (8 years old), Sky (7 years old) and Sarah who is between 4 and 5 years old. Sam is our big snuggler. He loves to lie on our sectional and receive pats and love from anyone sitting nearby. He also loves to lie in front of the fire this time of year! Sky is our smart pup. She taught herself how to open all the doors in our house! She’s also my companion when I go shopping in Newburyport. Sarah, a rescue from Louisiana, is the newest addition to our family. She is still working on her manners and is my running companion.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I have another dog, Sadie, who has significant arthritis in her hind end and a tear in the ligament of her right knee. She was struggling to stand up and to get in and out of the house to go to the bathroom. After five visits, she is walking 20-25 minutes per day with her owner and can go outside by herself! She’s now able to get up from her dog bed and onto the couch by herself.

I feel that all dogs can benefit from rehab. If you’re not sure if rehab can help, please reach out to me. Owners are very surprised at what a difference it can make in a dog’s quality of life. I’m able to utilize multiple modalities, manual therapies and exercise prescriptions to treat your best friend. My hours are flexible, so I can visit early in the morning, during the day or later at night to best fit a client’s schedule.

(CoastlineCanine.net)

I love my job

Jodi with Client Bella

Jodi with her Pup Sky

A “Pretend” Wedding

By Sarah Lord – Owner of Makeup by Sarah Lord, Newburyport

So, you’ve found your forever person and it’s time to celebrate with an overflowing champagne tower, delicious bites, a beautiful sparkly gown (or suit), and all the dreamy details from stationery to signage — BUT instead of flowers as bouquets, you go with puppies. Puppies? Yep!

Seacoast Bark was swooning when they heard the news of this editorial styled photoshoot which took place at Willowdale Estate in the fall of 2022. I, the host ( Makeup by Sarah Lord ), have executed numerous styled photoshoots and really had some creative fun with this one by incorporating puppies from Sweet Paws Rescue . While typically bridesmaids/bridesmen hold flowers, here they’re holding puppies; and no one is complaining about this adorable deviation from tradition.

So what is a styled photoshoot? Well, this is essentially a “fake” wedding put together by wedding vendors to have a little creative freedom. These shoots are then ticketed to photographers who can snap away at all the wedding content at their own pace. This not only gives the participating vendors some beautiful images to share, but also gives the photographers an opportunity to work with venues and creatives they have been eyeing.

These images from Rachel Dampolo of Dampolo Photography perfectly capture how much fun was had that day. Some of the details included custom “pup of honor” name tags, puppy-sized floral collars, a paw print detailed cake, a biscuit bar (for the dogs) and an invitation suite with an ode to 101 Dalmatians.

All of the proceeds from this shoot were donated to Sweet Paws Rescue. The founder, Cynthia Sweet, and one of her many terrific team members, Melissa Hackmeister, were on site to not only bring four adorable puppies but to watch the magic unfold into beautiful images captured by the seven photographers in attendance. We even heard that the staff at Willowdale Estate took a quick break to come down and play with the puppies in their floralcovered courtyard. The end result of this shoot? Some gorgeous images, a successful creative collaboration and, of course, a benefit for Sweet Paws Rescue.

If you’re currently in the wedding planning trenches but not able to incorporate puppies into your big day, an alternative is ditching the favors and donating to one of your favorite animal rescue groups! And if you’re on the hunt for some fantastic local vendors, feel free to look over the ones who generously donated their time and talents for this shoot via Instagram.

@finishingtoucheventsne @makeupbysarah.lord @stylesbycallie @willowdaleestate @sageandoakcreative @shopbellasera @mmfloraldesigns @sweetcheeksbyrenee @dampolophotography (SweetPawsRescue.org) (MakeupBySarahLord.com) (DampoloPhotography.com)

fun things to bark ABOUT

Orvis Cover Dog Contest

There’s still time to enter your dog in the 2023 Orvis Cover Dog contest. Jump in and enter online any time before March 31. The winning dog will receive a $500 Orvis gift certificate and $900 worth of Purina Pro Plan dog food…plus the coveted Orvis cover! You may also vote for your favorite pup. Each vote costs $1, which is donated to the Morris Animal Foundation for canine cancer research. To date, Orvis customers have raised over $1 million for canine research grants. Enter as many times as you’d like, and photos can feature one or more dogs! (Coverdog.Orvis.com/enter-contest/) (Coverdog.Orvis.com/vote/)

Canine Stars at NH Speedway

One of the most entertaining dog events ever will be in our neck of the woods in July. The Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show is an act that features a world-class team of dog trainers and their adopted dogs. They will be performing at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Fri-

day, July 14th through Sunday, July 16th. This amazing group has been touring North America since 2012 and was featured in the 2021 season of America’s Got Talent! The shows feature extreme dog sports, and you will be sure to fall in love with these incredible canines. The events are free and will be held at the Fan Zone at the Speedway. (TheCanineStars.com)

Similar Personalities

Do we somehow choose dogs that are like ourselves? The Kennel Club in the U.K. studied 16 popular dog breeds and more than 1,500 of their owners to see how their personalities matched. Five traits were studied: openness, extroversion, agreeableness, loyalty and emotional. From there, they sought to understand if dogs and their owners have similar personality traits. The findings showed that dog owners subconsciously do choose pups whose personality traits match their own. Positive and happy individuals often choose lovable and outgoing breeds like Golden Retrievers. Owners who identified as extroverted and agreeable tended to pick Pomeranians and owners who identified as loyal, friendly and affectionate often picked Staffordshire Bull Terriers or Jack Russell Terriers. You can read the interesting results online. (www.thekennelclub.org.uk)

Popular Dog Names

According to Rover.com, these are the top-10 most popular dog names in 2022. A few unique names that weren’t on the list but seemed to be trending include: Beige (as in color), Adele (as in singer) and Kate (as in royalty)!

1. Max - Luna

2. Charlie - Bella

3. Cooper - Daisy

4. Milo - Lucy

5. Buddy - Lily

6. Rocky - Zoe

7. Bear - Lola

8. Teddy - Sadie

9. Duke - Bailey

10. Leo - Stella

And a bit closer to home, here are 10 popular New Hampshire-inspired dog names.

1. Alton

2. Bow

3. Elm

4. Keene

5. Mandy (as in Mandy Moore who was born in Nashua)

6. Granite

7. Jericho (Jericho Mountain State Park)

8. Winnie (after Lake Winnipesaukee)

9. Sandler (as in Adam Sandler)

10. Bartlett

Skijoring at Gunstock

Skijoring is a winter sport in which a person on skis is pulled by a horse, a dog or a motor vehicle. The name is derived from the Norwegian word skijoring, meaning "ski driving.” Skijoring has become a popular sport in the U.S., and you can partake in the fun with your dog at Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford. The resort offers lessons at their Outdoor Center and has the harnesses for you and your pup. The first lesson begins with simple commands that your dog will need to know. For example, “gee” is for right turns and “haw” is for left. Visit their website to learn more about skijoring with your dog. What a fun way to spend a day with your pup if they love the outdoors and love to run. (gunstock.com/on-snow/nordic-center/xc-lessons-clinics/)

Support for Service Dogs

When it comes to caring for a service dog, there can be many expenses and every service dog deserves the best quality of life possible. The New Hampshire Coalition for the Support of Service Dogs was established in 2018 by Brendan Madden to help people provide for their working dogs. To assist service dogs with medical needs, the NHCSSD has created a medical fund which you may apply for online. Or if you’d like to get involved with this great non-profit, they are looking for board members and help with some behind-the-scenes administrative work. For more information, please email Brendan (nhcssd1@gmail.com). (ServiceDogsNH.org)

Daniel the Hardware Store Cat

A lucky cat named Daniel, who was adopted from Midcoast Humane in Edgecomb last year, has become not only somewhat of a local celebrity but also has over 60,000 social media followers on Tik Tok! Daniel lives at Shoppers True Value hardware store in South Portland and is totally content in his new home, with sleeping by the cash register being one of his favorite pastimes. In addition to providing online entertainment, this adorable feline is also driving new customers to the store. A client from Falmouth came to buy duct tape and told the owners, “I could have bought it in Falmouth, but I wanted to see Daniel!” You can find Daniel on Tik Tok via @shoppers_hardware.

Japhy Helping Brendan at Book Store

Brendan Madden with His First Dog Japhy

Photo by NH Division of Travel & Tourism

"HOW I MET MY TRUE LOVE"

love stories about real dogs + their humans

By Sarah Kearney - Administrator at Partridge House Assisted Living, Hampton, NH

Oh Skipper!

I grew up with Doberman Pinschers and have always considered myself a “big dog” kind of person. When I met my husband, I didn’t know what to make of his son’s little Cocker Spaniel named Skipper. Her ears were so long they got wet whenever she drank from her water dish, and she looked more like a character from The Muppets than an actual dog. As a new couple, both on second marriages, we were blending our families together and I realized very quickly that included animals as well. My Great Pyrenees/Border Collie mix (remember, I’m a big dog person) and Skipper really couldn’t have cared less about each other; and to be honest, Skipper and I didn’t exactly hit it off at first either.

Then one morning I was rushing (as most working parents can relate) to get my kids off to school, and I looked in the rear-view mirror. There sat my two boys with Skipper right in between them - all three of them were ready to go! I had to weigh my options between making everyone late by attempting to extract the dog from the backseat or just bring her to work with me. I sighed, rolled my eyes, started the car, and said “Oh Skipper!” That was three years ago and since then, Skipper has become ‘The True Love’ of so many residents here at Partridge House Assisted Living.

Whenever I am asked to explain the importance of dogs in the lives of seniors, I typically go off on tangents about anything from the tactile discrimination centers of our brains, to how soft touch soothes those living with dementia and how animals spark fond memories of times past. I’ll quote studies that show seniors who spend time with animals report less bouts of depression, a reduc tion in anxiety, get more exercise and have lower blood pressure. Pet therapy is noted as an evidenced based non-pharmacological approach to dementia-related behaviors.

When it comes down to it though, dogs are all heart and unlike humans, offer no judgment. Dogs love without question. Skipper’s training as a therapy dog here at Partridge House has made it so she is able to gently interact with our residents in a meaningful way by picking up cues, reading body lan guage and responding to commands. Skipper’s instincts though, provide our residents with so much more.

When Skipper walks on to our Memory Care floor, the faces of our residents light up! They don’t necessar ily remember her from the day before and it isn’t that they remember her name. She is called Butterscotch, Flipper, Pipper, Curly, Blondie and answers to ALL of them. They don’t remember if she can do any tricks or whether or not she can fetch (she can’t). They simply remember how she makes them feel.

Whenever a resident may be transitioning to end of life care, Skipper instinctively gravitates to that person. This isn’t a result of any training of hers but seems to be rooted on a more spiritual plane as she provides comfort in ways no human possibly could…without words, judgment or conditions. Quite frankly, Skipper can go places deep down inside that humans cannot.

Skipper has now been incorporated into our recreation and memory care programs and has been the star of some pretty hilarious marketing videos (check out our Facebook Page to watch!). When I ask Skipper if she’s ready for “work,” she bolts out the front door and into the car – there is no stopping her. This dog is now one of the most valuable assets to our team here at Partridge House. I’m so grateful each time I see a resident’s face light up when they see Skipper. She has truly become part of their journey through life, and it has been pretty fun for me to be along for the ride. Unlike Skipper though, I don’t hang my head out of the window.

Skipper with My Boys

Dennis & Skipper Alan & Skipper

Everyone Needs a Home

By Nancy Dewar

We often write about rescue dogs needing homes but there are many people in our communities that need homes, as well. I recently had the opportunity to visit with Will Arvelo, Executive Director of Cross Roads House in Portsmouth, and learned so much. Will is not only leading a non-profit that provides transitional shelter to the homeless, but he also will be providing a home to the new rescue dog that he and his wife plan on getting this spring.

Will became the Executive Director of Cross Roads House in September 2021. This new professional endeavor followed his 30 years in higher education (ten years as President of Great Bay Community College) and, most recently, his four years as the State of New Hampshire Director of Economic Development, an appointment made by Governor Sununu.

“After my job with the State of New Hampshire ended, I’d lined up another position and prior to starting, a board member from Cross Roads urged me to consider this position. I couldn’t say no as the mission is just so compelling. First is the homelessness piece. Secondly, the staff and operations. And thirdly, community involvement Our community is hugely supportive of what we do here,” Will explained. “We are the inverse of Pine Street in Boston which is largely state and county funded. We are 70% dependent on fundraising, receive about 10% of funding from the state and the city kicks in through Community Development Block Grant funds.”

Last year Cross Roads provided 26,644 bed nights of shelter to 427 people including 17 families with 35 children. The average length of stay was 62 days. People

generally show up through word of mouth or referrals from other agencies. “Our goal is to get people into permanent housing or back in with family. We’ve a wait list and finding long-term housing is a big problem. It’s becoming more evident that communities need to find their balance in terms of affordable housing in order to have workers to support local businesses.”

Cross Roads House plays a critical role in working with people who have fallen through the cracks for many reasons. Residents are assigned a case worker to help them get back to being productive citizens again. Will knows first-hand the challenges of being homeless. During a brief time in his life, he couldn’t pay his rent while attending a trade school in Phoenix “I understand the fear of not having a place to live. There is no sense of personal safety. You wonder where your next meal is coming from. When you don’t have a home, you must deal with basic survival things and that’s what you focus on. It’s day by day in survival mode and one can’t begin to really plan on how to get ahead, get a job and so forth.”

I told Will that I’ve been up and down Route 1 in Portsmouth thousands of times and knew, well…there is the homeless shelter there, Cross Roads, but didn’t really know much about it. “A shelter is just the tip of the iceberg,” Will explained. “We work together to build a pathway to get people back on their feet and selfsufficient. It may take three months, six months, 1 ½ years…depending on the situation. People may have an idea of what a homeless person is, but it can be anyone. We’re now seeing a new pattern of elderly people. Our biggest growth is among people 55+. We try to meet individuals where they are, as everyone has different needs.”

Will Arvelo Harley Arvelo

When not helping homeless people in need, Will helps homeless pets in need as a long-time board member of the NHSPCA. He and his wife, Linda, are huge animal lovers and had Harley, their special Jack Russell, for almost 16 years until they lost him to cancer. Harley was Will’s first dog as an adult and was like a child to he and Linda. “We have no kids. You get so close with your dog. It’s a bond like no other. I still think of him daily, though it’s been nearly two years since we lost him. Harley came to us as a puppy and knew our lifestyle, went hiking with us, swimming…everything.” The Arvelo’s plan to add a new dog to their family later this spring. “We love Jack Russell’s but are open to really any breed, with the ideal size being 20-30 pounds. And, of course, it will be a rescue.”

Will Arvelo is a man with an enormous heart and immense compassion for all people and creatures. I think one of the comments he made when we first met really sums him up. “When you care for something, you have to have a certain amount of passion. We are an ecosystem, and it takes all of us to make it work.”

It was a true pleasure and gift to spend some time with Will, as he has touched so many others’ lives and is a gift to so very many.

To support Cross Roads House or the NHSPCA, please visit their websites.

(CrossRoadsHouse.org)

(nhspca.org)

Meet the Cross Roads House Therapy Dog

Hi…I’m Riley Grace, a 5 ½ year-old mini–Golden Doodle who has one of the best jobs in Portsmouth! As a registered therapy dog, I visit the wonderful residents at Cross Roads House every Thursday. People sign up to meet with me in our assigned room, and boy is it ever rewarding…for me and the peeps, I think!

My goal is to bring a bit of joy to their lives with some snuggling, special dog kisses and lots of tail wags. If someone is in a wheelchair or uses a walker, I hop onto a chair so I can be at their level. There’s one woman who comes almost every week and spends most of her time chatting with my Mom. I don’t mind though, as she says this is a big part of her day. After we’re done seeing the residents, we head upstairs to greet some of the staff (who usually give me cookies). I also visit Portsmouth Regional Hospital each week and am a canine Pease Greeter when troops arrive back at the base.

I love my Mom (Joanne Fuller of Portsmouth) and she is crazy about me…her first dog ever. I was her “retirement gift” after teaching elementary school for years. She finally had time for a dog and had always wanted a Doodle…lucky me! For not being a life-long dog-person, I think she did an amazing job with me.

She sent me to school for puppy and adult training. Next, I received my AKC “Canine Good Citizenship” certification, and then it was off to ElderPet in Durham (a partner with the national Pet Partners therapy dog program) to become a registered therapy dog. I passed with flying colors, received my special vest and my doggone great career began. I’m so thankful Mom placed such importance on education…and good behavior!

When I’m not working, I hang out at home with my family. Dad (Tom Fuller) wrestles with me nightly and sister Kristen is great with snuggle time when she visits. I also love to go shopping with Mom. My favorite stores in Portsmouth are The Black Dog (imagine that), LeRoux Kitchen, the Barrett Gallery and Off Piste (a great novelty gift store). Treats are abundant in town as are lots of “oh you’re so adorable” comments!

If any of you pups out there are interested in becoming a certified therapy dog, there’s lots of information about the process on the ElderPet website. It’s truly a rewarding career…one worth barking loudly about.

Fondly with Wags & Wiggles…Riley Grace Fuller (ElderPet.org)

“We have no kids. You get so close with your dog. It’s a bond like no other.”

Daughter Kristen with Riley

Riley Visiting Cross Roads House

Riley with Tom & Joanne

Financial Aid from

By Nancy Dewar

Many of us have experienced that terrible moment when one of the most cherished members of our family is having a medical emergency. We rush our cat or dog to the veterinarian. If we’re fortunate, we learn that there’s a procedure or medication that will help. However, for some people with limited financial resources, that prognosis can be terribly distressing.

To address this, NH Pet Aid was founded in 2021 by a group of Seacoast volunteers and pet-lovers. This non-profit organization provides one-time grants of up to $500 to qualified pet owners in financial need whose cat or dog faces a treatable, but potentially life-threatening, emergency.

The initial idea for this non-profit originated when long-time friends Diane Schaefer and Patty Scholz-Cohen were walking in the Urban Forestry Center one day. Patty is a board member of the non-profit Womenaid of Greater Portsmouth that provides short-term financial assistance to neighbors-in-need. She said to Diane, “I wonder if we could start a similar organization for pets?” Diane, a volunteer at the NHSPCA, understood the need first-hand. Some months later Patty got a call from a friend at GoodWork in Portsmouth, a non-profit that helps develop and strengthen other emerging non-profits. This friend had received a call from Dover veterinarian Dan Kelleher of Broadview Animal Hospital asking for guidance to start a nonprofit that could help pet owners pay for unexpected veterinary emergencies.

As often happens, forces in the universe aligned bringing the teams together. Patty and Diane both had vast experience in the non-profit sector. Dr. Kelleher had a small team from the medical world who wanted to be involved. Through the GoodWork connection, this group of animal-loving individuals came together to form NH Pet Aid.

According to Patty Scholz-Cohen, the organization has been very fortunate right from the start. “All start-up costs were donated and the ninemember Board of Directors is committed to covering all administrative expenses going forward. This means that 100% of all money raised goes directly to helping individuals and pets in need. We began fundraising a year ago and, thanks to the generosity of our founding donors and community members, we were able to start funding cases almost immediately.”

Currently, aid is limited to people residing in Rockingham or Strafford counties, but they

hope to expand to other parts of the state as funding allows. In its brief existence, the organization has already helped several Seacoast residents pay for urgent medical care for their pets, including:

• Caesar, a dog needing anesthesia and stitches for a severe laceration

• Brother, a cat requiring an emergency procedure for an impacted bowel

• Sweet Pea, a dog having difficulty breathing and needing surgery to correct a soft palate

Several veterinary clinics are already partnering with NH Pet Aid, but they hope to increase awareness among more practices, as vets can inform people about this avenue for financial help. Individuals wishing to apply must fill out an application available on their website, provide a treatment estimate from the attending veterinarian and demonstrate financial need. (The organization doesn’t fund routine veterinary care.) Funding decisions are typically made within hours.

According to Wendy Munroe, a founding board member and Area Manager for Rarebreed Veterinary Partners, “The need is certainly there. Time and again we see clients who are forced to confront the heart-wrenching choice between saving their pet or paying their bills. I am so happy to be a part of starting this organization and offering pet owners the financial assistance

to save their pet’s life in a moment of crisis. It’s really gratifying.”

The organization has received many heartwarming thank you notes from grateful pet owners, such as the one they recently received from a woman whose cat was hit by a car: “Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for helping us! Y'all are literal life savers, and we are so happy and lucky to have you in our lives to help save our very special boy.”

Please visit their website for more information, to apply for funding or to donate.

(nhPetAid.org) (Email: nhpetaid@gmail.com)

Diane Schaefer, Vice President

Catherine Allen, Secretary

Jillian Dickey, Treasurer

Patty Cohen, President

Route 1 Antiques & The Collector’s Eye

doggone great finds

for animal lovers garden style

Support Over 100 Small Businesses Under 2 Roofs!

Something for everyone & prices for every budget.

personal style

Route 1 Antiques

106 Lafayette Road – Hampton Falls, NH – (603) 601-2554

The Collector’s Eye

132 Portsmouth Avenue – Stratham, NH – (603) 772-6205

Open 6 Days a Week 10:00 – 5:00 ( closed Tuesdays )

Meet Some Special Seacoast Pups…

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

Brody & Sofie - Portsmouth

Dexter - Rochester

Dasher - Rochester

Opus - Rye

Gillie - Raymond

Margot - Eliot Skipper - Portsmouth

Ember - Farmington

Gunner - Newton

Hurley - Hampton

Lexie - Newburyport

Doggone Grrrrr…eat dog treats!

Sponsored by Ristorante Massimo

A Bit of Italy…for Pups!

Mutt Meatballs

Ingredients

1 lb. lean ground beef or sirloin

2/3 C grated cheddar cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl.

1 large carrot, finely chopped

3⁄4 C bread crumbs

1 egg, whisked

6 tablespoons tomato paste (low sodium)

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.

Cool before serving.

Scoop out by the spoonful & roll into mini-sized meatballs.

Place meatballs on a cookie sheet with non-fat cooking spray.

Store the extra in a container with a lid in the refrigerator.

Recipe from “Real Food for Dogs” Book

Ristorante Massimo offers guests worldclass Italian cuisine and the finest hospitality found in only the most celebrated restaurants. From innovative concepts to timeless Italian favorites, each dish is handcrafted and made with great attention to detail by our award-winning executive Chef Jethro Loichle. The restaurant (and I!) have been a staple in Portsmouth since 1994.

When I’m not greeting our loyal guests or meeting new ones, I’m usually home loving my two loyal shaggy dogs, Mia & Logan! I hope you’ll stop in soon for a cocktail, some small bites or a full-course meal. The restaurant is a cozy place to spend a winter evening!

Cheers & Saluto…Massimo

Massimo & Mia

Logan

Mia

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 sanity & it’s our way of talking.

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 Poopy Cat

In the Cat House

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. 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/product-category/landmarks)

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 see is what you get with canines!

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 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 to their self-esteem.

In the Dog House

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 product description explains 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." Sweet Jesus…what will peeps come up with next?!

(petbrandsexpress.com)

Flip Flop