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match.dog
match.dog "HOW I MET MY TRUE LOVE"
love stories about real dogs + their humans
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By Nicole Ten Eyck & Ken Sheehan — Hampton, NH
Juniper
“Love is like a trout stream. Try to capture a trout stream with a dam and you get a lake. Try to catch it in a bucket and you get a bucket of water. Try to stick it under a microscope and you get a close-up look at withering amorphous microcooties. A trout stream is only a trout stream when it’s flowing between its own two banks, at its own pace, in its own sweet way.” - The River Why, David James Duncan
The beauty of water in the landscape has always been central to our family’s identity. As seemingly unpredictable as a stream’s meander, our path has found us happily back on the New Hampshire Seacoast, and this time we have a black and white furry buddy to take to the beach. Our wanderlust has allowed us to live in some pretty amazing places, like Flagstaff, AZ. We began our search for a rescue dog six years ago while Ken was doing research in the Grand Canyon (before we moved back to NH).Several months into our search the local Humane Society likely knew us by sight. We weren’t looking for a puppy, but rather an older dog, and we knew we wanted a mixed breed.We’d almost given up our search and hadn’t visited the shelter for months when on a whim we put our hopeful hearts in our respective pockets and headed out the door.
Down a noisy blue shelter corridor we saw a nameless red mud-covered Border collie mix, leaning calmly against the wall of her pen,who had been picked up on the Navajo reservation the day before. This one-year-old pup started licking Ken’s hand through the chain link fence, an act which may seem simple, but it was delicate and honest amidst the surrounding mayhem. When we opened her pen, Ken sat down and she lay across his legs and kept on licking.We stayed until close and got in our car and drove away — and our hearts ached. The thought of leaving her there was too much, and we decided we would go back and adopt her in the morning. Ken had to work, so I camped out at the entrance to the Humane Society until it opened. I was full of butterflies and won’t ever forget when the attendant gave me the “I’ve been adopted” sign to place on her kennel. Not long after, our little nameless dog made her way to our car, the beautiful Southwest red clay still covering her body. She was ours- or rather, we were hers! She was just skin and bone, shy and sweet. Juniper has educated us since day one. Still nameless at the time, our furry forager wouldn’t come when called on one of her first walks with us (and she’d been our shadow until then). We discovered her under a huge Juniper tree, following her own path, and eating a few of the plump and fragrant berries. She was a survivor after a year alone in the wilderness and it turns out the berries are good for a variety of ailments in dogs. The adventure earned Juniper her name and answered our question – “are juniper berries even good for dogs?” Our love grows every day for Juniper as we experience life with her. The first day June smelled the ocean, it was a welcome home moment. Whether it’s dulse and rockweed hiding a fish on the beach, the smells each tide brings are too good to pass up, as is rolling on her back and wriggling belly up in the sand. Our lives are forever changed.We find ourselves smiling at the end of the day, grateful to see her tail wagging in her sleep, getting ready to wake us up with a gentle nudge of her nose, ready for another adventure.
8 seacoastbarkmagazine.com
feature Big Gifts in Little Packages By Nancy Dewar
Dogs as therapy animals are pretty commonplace and well known these days. Sully, President Bush’ yellow Lab is familiar to many. Here on the Seacoast, Hero Pups of Stratham provides service dogs to veterans facing servicerelated psychological challenges and the list goes on. What many may not realize is that horses are gaining recognition for their incredible therapy abilities, as well, especially miniature ones as they can go places that large horses can’t! Horses reflect people's behavior. They provide immediate and honest feedback to human communication that is authentic. The electromagnetic field of a horse's heart is 3-5 times stronger and 3-10 times larger than our own heart energy (40- to 50-feet versus humans which have about an eight- to ten-feet.) Horses can match the breathing and heart rate of humans within minutes, thus quickly connecting with them on an emotional level.
Knowing their amazing therapeutic abilities, coupled with a love of horses since she was a young girl, Toni Hadad of Andover, Massachusetts started Lifting Spirits Miniature Horse Therapy in 2017 and never imagined how quickly her non-profit venture would grow. As a child, Toni loved every living creature and brought all sorts home; dogs, cats, birds, mice, ducks…you name it! She began working at a local barn when she was twelve and showed horses in high school. Though she married, had two children and pursued a career as a Graphic Designer on national brands for years; her love of horses never faltered. She rescued her first horse Gunner from auction in Kentucky in 2017, and thus the beginning of her new passion: helping people ages two to ninety-five with a variety of impactful horse therapy programs. Toni said with a smile, “I don’t say no to anyone. If they want us, we’ll find a way to show up.” Toni now has seven miniature therapy horses who have big jobs to do. Some were rescued from various auctions or other sad circum-
Toni with Ms. Peaches & Winston
stances, and four of them are “dwarf ” miniature horses who are impacted with enormous health challenges due to their compact physique. She explained, “Most people get these little ones because they think they are cute. People will spend $7,000 to $10,000 for them and have no idea of their health issues nor the interest in caring for them. I’ve spent thousands upon thousands of dollars at local equine vet practices to save the lives of the ones I rescued.”
Four of her minis live with them in Andover and three live at a nearby farm. Other creatures living with the Hadad’s include three English Bulldogs, two cats and an adorable rescue pig named Oscar. Once her rescues are healthy, it takes about six months to a year to train them to become therapy animals. They start by coming into the house, recognizing smells and objects, and learning to navigate their way in a household/building environment. Because of their short legs, they use a dog ramp to walk up the stairs. They then become familiar with other people, road trips (i.e., traveling in the back of the SUV or in a horse trailer) and eventually are ready to begin “working!” Since its inception four years ago, Lifting Spirits has visited over ninety-five places throughout Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. Nursing homes, veterans’ homes and hospitals are part of the norm. They also collaborate with communities on joint local projects they’ve developed. One particularly impressive program teaches children how to deal with bullying. It’s called “Just Say Whoa® to Bullying,” and they team up with local police departments to educate school children (K-5). After an introduction by local officials, Toni gets up to talk to the kids with some words of wisdom. “It’s important to be an upstander, not a bystander. We’re all different. I have horses and they are different. They are short and stubby. They look different than regular horses, but we’re really all the same. It doesn’t matter how we look.” After her brief chat, the children are surprised when Toni introduces the previously hidden mini horses on stage…to be greeted by cheers, clapping and lots of wide smiles! A sampling of other great programs includes “Read to a Mini,” via library visits or a visit to Toni’s farm, volunteer days on the farm and Girl Scout Badge programs. They also offer a special “Farm Day;” a one-on-one visit on the property between cancer patients and the minis. Toni said that these are beyond special while difficult, as well. One-on-one home visits are also available upon request. Because,
of course, Toni (with her big heart) just can’t say no! She’s going to visit a three-year-old child soon who she saw last year who has a rare genetic incurable disease and make a house visit to a woman with Stage 4 cancer whose wish is to see a horse. “These are the ones that really get to you and touch your heart.” Lifting Spirits makes an average of three to four visits each week. Toni relies on dedicated volunteers and friends for help. “The minis get a bath the day before, and we select their outfits. They all are potty trained, know how to ride elevators and do well in the trailer. Their ride is much easier than my drive…especially when maneuvering through Boston with a horse trailer!” One of the most unique costumes the little ones have are a pair of Pegasus wings that Toni had custom made by a designer in California…a pair of light wings to match the lighter horses’ coats and brown ones for the darker minis!
As a 501c3 non-profit, the organization relies on grants, donations and Facebook fundraisers for funding. Some fun news to “woof” about (or “hoof” about, I should say) … they are holding their first annual fundraising event called “Minis & Martinis” on October 23rd in Andover. It will be a fun evening with drinks, BBQ, raffles, a mechanical bull and more. Tickets are available on their website. If you attend, you’ll also get to meet four little irresistible minis and Oscar the pig. Not to mention Toni and her incredible team!
I’m always amazed by the kind, caring people I meet in the animal world. None of them have to do what they are doing. It isn’t easy. In Toni’s case, it’s constant monitoring of the little ones’ health (almost 24/7) and making blended meals for Oscar twice a day as he has a collapsed pharynx. And snow blowing paths in the pasture in winter so little stubby horse legs can walk. Plus, scheduling and so much more. But their love of animals and all creatures says it all. We all are important and need caring and love…and need to look out for each other. Thank you, Toni and team, for all that you do in looking out for so many others. You’re an inspiration. (MiniTherapyHorses.net)
Elvis Stevie
Adonis & Deesil
Instagram /#baileysminiadventure
fun things to bark ABOUT
Gansett
Art to Help Animals
Local artist Katie Keefe of Wall Flowers recently teamed up with business owner Amanda Tiezzi of Vaalbara in Newburyport to raise money and awareness for Julie Burke’s Nicaragua-based animal welfare organization, NicaLove, and the results were magical! Advocating for animals is nothing new to Katie, as she recalls going door to door in 4th grade with a coffee can asking for donations for the local SPCA. Her passion for helping animals still drives much of what she does today.“I paint, as a hobby, and I figured… why not sell my work, and help animals at the same time. If something I created, can create a future for an animal in need, it’s a win/win.” Katie and Amanda hosted a Pop-Up art sale event outside of Vaalbara and donated 50% of all sales to NicaLove. The event was so successful, they plan on holding more this fall. For information on future events, follow these accounts on Instagram! @wall.flower.wild.child - @vaalbarasupply - @nicalove14 A Tennis Ball Library for Canines How sweet is this? In honor of their goldendoodle Gansett, who went to the Rainbow Bridge about a year ago, Furnell and Patrick McGrath of Newburyport installed a unique “tennis ball library” in the off-leash area of Cashman Park. Similar to “street side libraries” that can be found in many local neighborhoods (offering free books), their structure offers free tennis balls for canines that love to fetch! The McGrath’s daughter Riley came up with this special idea, as Gansett was a passionate ball chaser. A sign at the structure reads: Take One or Leave One. We should all try to be more like dogs; friendly, affectionate, loyal, playful, carefree and loving. Gansett had all of these qualities and more and did so with a tennis ball never far from his side. What a great way to honor their beloved dog and spread joy to others.
NHSP Auction for the Animals
The New Hampshire SPCA’s annual fundraising gala, “Auction for the Animals,” will be live streamed again this year and promises to be more than just another doggone virtual event. For a suggested $50 donation, you can tune in on Saturday, November 13th, at 7:00 pm for an evening of animal inspiration; plus, a special gift bag will be delivered to your home. In addition to the live-streamed auction offering stunning collectibles, fabulous trips and unforgettable experiences; the NHSPCA will also be unveiling their newly updated facilities. Please visit their website for more information and to sign up. Every dollar raised at this dazzling event will truly make a difference in the lives of homeless animals and give them a second chance. (NHSPCA.org)
Pinchy the Orange Lobster
The Mane Event An UnforGOATable Day
Pinchy the Orange Lobster Many have heard of blue lobsters, and a few issues ago we wrote about Banana, a rare yellow lobster found off the coast of Maine. Well, a unique orange lobster was recently found in a tank at a grocery store in Ontario, Canada! The employees named the lobster “Pinchy,” after a lobster that appeared in a 1998 episode of The Simpsons. Most lobsters' bodies are a dark, mottled blue or brown color to help avoid detection from underwater predators. When they're cooked, they transform into a bright red or orange. Chris Cash, a spokesperson for the Lobster Institute at the University of Maine, estimates blue lobsters occur "on the order of a few in a million," while other color variants, including orange, are even rarer. Not wanting Pinchy to end up in a boiling pot, the store owners bought him and donated him to Ripley's Aquarium in Toronto where he’ll swim with an array of other uniquely colored lobsters!
An UnforGOATable Day If you love creatures of all kinds, a trip to Legacy Lane Farm in Stratham should be added to your “To Do” list. This family run farm offers fun for all ages with their petting zoo where you can get right up next to one of their many adorable Nigerian Dwarf goats, as well as mingle with a pig, bunnies, chickens, ducks and more. They also offer a traveling petting zoo, on-site birthday parties and goat yoga. The dwarf goats are milked twice daily, and you’ll find a great selection of handmade goat lotions and soaps in their store. Visits are free, though donations are encouraged! Visit their website for more information. A trip to Legacy will make for a very unforGOATable day! (LegacyLaneFarm.com)
The Mane Event
Mark your calendars for November 1st-5th for the annual virtual fundraising event for the Northern New England Equine Rescue organization (NEER). The Mane Event is the non-profit’s largest fundraiser of the year, and support is needed now more than ever as surrender requests are up and their facility is full to capacity. Due to the pandemic, NEER has been overwhelmed with horses and donkeys in need. With increased creatures to care for, their medical, training and feed costs have risen dramatically. You can help them reach their fundraising goal of $25,000 by bidding on fabulous items at their virtual silent auction. The five-day event will also offer virtual entertainment and educate people more about their wonderful organization. Visit their website for information and a link to the auction. (NEERNorth.org)
