Pawsmopolitan June 2017

Celebrating Our 4-Legged Friends in the Golden Isles

Junior Exhibitors CANINE LANGUAGE and

Understanding Your

DOG’S COMMUNICATION

Summer Tips

f o r yo u a n d Yo u r P e t VOLUME 1 - ISSUE 6

PAWS mopolitan MAGAZINE

Publisher Stephanie Maeger Editor Beverly Kennedy Assistant Editor/Rescue Liaison Kimberly Williams Contributing Writers Kevin Ermier, Rene Knapp, Jaclyn Luckstone, DVM, Lindy Schulz, Kathryn Strickland, DVM, and Kimberly Williams Photography Lindsay Erna Imagery Cover Photo Lindsay Erna Imagery Web Services Top Dog Digital Marketing About the Cover This six-week old kitten came to us not yet born from Castaways Pet Rescue. There was a call for a foster parent and we had just sent the puppies to their fur-ever homes up north. Within 30 minutes of the mama cat being in our home, she gave birth to 4 beautiful babies. Luckily, we didn’t have to bottle feed this time around; but they were a challenge once they took over every room of our home. As expected, this precious angel will be up for adoption in the near future with Castaways Pet Rescue on Saturday at PetSmart. For more information on how you can adopt or foster pets in the Golden Isles, contact any one of the rescues listed on page 21. For more information on how you can advertise in Pawsmopolitan Magazine, please call (386) 679-8415 or email stephanie@ pawsmopolitan.com Pawsmopolitan is published bi-monthy. reproduction of any photographs, artwork, or copy prepared by pawsmopolitan is strictly prohibited without prior written permission of the publisher. all advertised properties are subject to prior sale or withdrawal without notice. the advertisers and publisher are not responsible or liable for misinformation, misprints, or typographical errors. all electronic files submitted to pawsmopolitan become property of the magazine. ©2017 pawsmopolitan. all rights reserved.

Publisher’s Letter Woohoo! Summer is finally here and it’s time to celebrate this beautiful weather with our canine and feline friends. So, what is there to do? Now that SSI beach has a no access policy between the hours of 9-6, it’s time to venture onto different avenues of fun. There are several wonderful dog parks throughout the Golden Isles that are great venues for pups to go run and play.

Just ask Zander and Magnum. Most of the parks have their own Facebook page where they set up play dates with other canine friends. Go online and check out who Fido is playing with this week!

If the park isn’t for you, grab a golf cart or a bike and take a stroll around town!

There are plently of great sites that are open to the public and your four-legged friends. I bet Fido would love to shower his love on the tree spirits... There are 20 of them... Let the scavenger hunt begin now! Just kidding!

How about going out to eat? Most restaurants with outdoor seating will allow dogs to dine with their owners. Be sure to look for the ones with water bowls set up outside the doors. Some restaurants even offer a doggie menu to order from.

After eating, you could be like Blanch and Stella and hang out at the pool.

If this is the case, please make sure that your pet knows how to swim or has ample shallow water to keep his bearings. If you don’t have access to a pool, dogs really love the little plastic kiddie pools or sprinklers! On September 16th, we will be hosting a Yappy Luau, with Drool at the Pool, on St. Simons Island where every dog will get leid. This will be fun for all ages. Be sure to come and celebrate Pawsmopolitan Magazine turning 1!

Don’t forget that if you are traveling during the summer months with your pets, be mindful of their needs. Some pets experience anxiety while in a car and they may need some extra support to keep them calm. However, if you are like Annabelle, who loves to travel, always make sure that you have water on reserve. Never, ever, let a pet stay unattended in a parked car. Even with windows cracked, there is a likely chance that there will not be enough oxygen for a dog to sustain. Temperatures rise drastically from now until late into the year.

But if you are staying close to home this summer, you can always visit Jekyll Island. Plenty of pooches run free on the open beach all summer long. You can also take them to the Jekyll Island Movie on the Green with the entire family.

This issue is packed with lots of summer tips to keep your dogs cool as you venture outside. Please remember, that when you walk your dog, be mindful of the pavement. If it’s too hot for your feet, then it will be blazing hot for their paws.

Please feel free to send us your summer fun pics and stories as we love to hear what you have to say. We wish all of our friends out there to have a safe and happy summer! Stay cool!

Stephanie Maeger

Pawsmopolitan 3

BENEF ICIARY CAUSE FOR PAWS

4 Pawsmopolitan

Pawsmopolitan 5

of

Pawtents

Golden Isles Food Truck Festival .........4 The Bark About Town.......7 Summertime Fun.........8 Yappy Hour at Catch 228...12 Thunder Gives Me Anxiety.....14 Summer Tips.......16 Pet Stylist Christa Lee Stoddard...18 Speak Up, Speak Out....22 Georgia House Rabbit Society....25 Junior Exhibitors.....26 Canine Language..............29 Toast to the Coast for Hart.....30

6 Pawsmopolitan

The

Bark About Town...

June

10th - Coastal Animal Rescue Society Adoption and Donation drive 9-1 pm, Sea Island Market on SSI. 29th - Back to the 50’s Sock Hop 6-9 pm, Bennies Red Barn on SSI. Every Saturday - Castaways Pet Rescue Adoption and Donation drive 11-4 pm, PetSmart in Brunswick.

Every Tuesday, Thursday, and every other Saturday - Nahunta Animal Clinic Offering Low Cost Spay/Neuter rates. Call 912-222-0079 for more info.

July 1st - Glynn County Animal Control Mobile Pet Adoption and Donation drive 11-2 pm, Pet Supplies Plus in Brunswick.

1st - 2nd - Sunshine Arts and Crafts Festival with Cause for Paws from 9-5 pm, Postell Park in the Pier Village on SSI. 1st - Coastal Animal Rescue Society Adoption and Donation drive 10-2 pm, Sea Island Market on SSI. 8th - Coastal Animal Rescue Society Adoption and Donation drive 10-2 pm, Sea Island Market on SSI. Every Saturday - Castaways Pet Rescue Adoption and Donation drive 11 am to 4 pm, PetSmart in Brunswick.

Every Tuesday, Thursday, and every other Saturday - Nahunta Animal Clinic Offering Low Cost Spay/Neuter rates. Call 912-222-0079 for more info.

DON’T LET

Summertime Fun

BRING

SUMMERTIME BLUES

Dr. Kathryn Strickland, Brunswick Pet ER

that summer is here, we all enjoy doing more outside activities, and in our area there is plenty to do. Lucky for us, this is also a very pet friendly area that allows us to take our 4 legged friends with us many places. However, there are many dangers out there for our friends that owners need to be aware of when deciding whether to take your pet along or not. Most of these are year around concerns, but things many owners often forget about when planning a fun day out.

Annabelle and her friend

Frederica Dog Park, SSI

Dog Parks

A trip to a dog park seems like the safest way to take your dog with you and allow them some fun off leash exercise, and it can be as long as precautions are taken.

While dog parks generally offer a large fenced area with fresh water access and shade, there are still dangers that owners need to be aware of. Most importantly you still need to monitor your dog closely.

While the park is maintained and usually kept picked up, there is no one constantly monitoring and nothing to prevent someone from throwing something that may be harmful to your pet into the area.

Not only can this include glass or cans, but may also include food, bones, and toxins.

There can also be weeds or mushrooms that spring up between maintenance that may be toxic, or that a wild animal may carry in.

Not all dogs play the same and not all dogs enjoy being with other dogs, especially dogs they are not familiar with. Monitoring your dog’s behavior when reacting to situations, will enable you to prevent putting your dog in a situation that may not be fun for them, or worse, force them to react in an unpleasant manner. Some dogs that may normally play well in their home environment, may become more protective or exhibit guarding behavior that they do not exhibit at home. Also, not all owners socialize their dogs properly and may not pay as close attention to their pet as you do. So it is important to also be aware of what other dogs in the park are doing, and remove your dog from an unfriendly or high stress situation. It is also important to understand that even if the dogs are familiar and everyone is watching, altercations may still occur, so keeping a constant eye out is important. We see a much higher rate of dog bites that occur at dog parks during the summer times.

The Beach

Again, we are lucky to live in an area where dogs are able to go many places with us, and the beach is one of those fun places. But just like with the dog park, there are many things to be aware of and reasons to keep your dog under close watch. With many people taking their dogs to the beach, it is important to be aware of other animals and people that your dog can encounter.

Again, even if your dog is naturally friendly, you don’t know how others will react. Also, there are things that dogs can ingest that may be harmful, like a dead organism that washes ashore, shells that may be sharp, and food that someone left behind.

Ingestion of sand is another common problem we see during the summer. It may be ingested while trying to get to some other “treat� that was found, but may also be ingested when playing with toys that pick up sand. The sand can not only cause some mild GI upset (vomiting and diarrhea) but can also cause a severe Intestinal Obstruction, that can require surgery to resolve. It is also important to prevent your dog from drinking the

Birdie digging for crabs

salt water. Some may attempt to drink the water because of the different taste, but they may also ingest large volumes of water if they are swimming, or even fetching a toy in the surf. Not only can the salt water also cause GI upset, but salt intoxication can occur, that can be a life threatening condition.

While running on the beach can be fun, you must take into consideration the normal exercise level of your pet and our

high humidity to prevent over exertion and heat stroke. Just like with humans, it takes much more effort running in the sand than the grassy yard your pet is used to. If you have a older pet, this can really put stress on their joints and muscles, and they can easily experience a severe sprain or aggravate an arthritic condition. So it is important to have forced rest periods, with plenty of fresh water and shade.

Wildlife

In the summer we typically will have more encounters with wildlife, as they are also out moving around more. Wildlife can carry many diseases that our pets can get whether it be from actual bite wounds or contamination of the ground where they use the bathroom. Specifically there have been more reports of Rabies in our area recently, so making sure your pets are adequately vaccinated is very important. Limiting your pet’s potential for exposure by keeping them in a controlled area is best, but you should discuss the risk factors for your pet with your veterinarian to make sure they have all the vaccines they need.

Summertime also brings more snakebites. Many encounters occur in the more dry times as that will bring snakes into more populated areas searching for water and food sources. Keeping brush cleared and preventing your pet from wandering into areas likely to have snakes can help, but snakes may still wander into an unusual area. If a snakebite occurs, get your pet to a veterinarian immediately. If it is a venomous bite, the best chance for survival is Anti-venom administration.

Parasites

The warmer weather also brings more mosquitoes and fleas, so keeping your pets on Heartworm and Flea prevention is also very important. Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitos and it is impossible to avoid them in our area. Also, the majority of heartworm preventatives will also prevent pets from picking up intestinal parasites that can make them sick, and be passed on to humans. Fleas are more than just annoying, they also transmit diseases.

For pets that have a flea allergy, they can make life for them miserable.

Discuss what flea prevention would be best for your pet with your veterinarian, and in the case of an allergy, multiple products may be required.

To make sure that Summertime fun doesn’t bring the blues, make sure your pet is current on all their vaccines and preventatives. A little planning ahead and awareness can ensure fun for all involved.

The Creation When God had made the earth and sky the flowers and the trees, He then made all the animals the fish, the birds and bees.

And when at last He’d finished not one was quite the same.

He said: “I’ll walk this world of mine and give each one a name.”

And so He traveled far and wide and everywhere He went, a little creature followed Him until it’s strength was spent.

When all were named upon the earth and in the sky and sea, the little creature said: “Dear Lord, there’s not one left for me?”

Kindly the Father said to him, “I’ve left you to the end.

I’ve turned My Own Name back to front and called you DOG, My friend.”

IE

In loving memory of the ones we have lost.

For more information on how to honor your pet in “Pawprints on Your Heart”, please contact Stephanie@pawsmopolitan.com or call (386) 679-8415.

Pawsmopolitan 11

With Castaways Pet Rescue

Yappy Hour at Catch 228

For dogs, the summer season can bring

highest intake of lost or missing pets after

a lot of fun stuff, but can also be a little

the 4th of July. Don’t take any chances and

scary! Thunderstorms and fireworks are

keep them inside!

the two main culprits for sending our furry friends panting and shaking, under the bed or into a closet. While there is no single thing that will work perfectly, there are a lot of options for decreasing anxiety and keeping our pets safe this summer.

2. Give them a really comfy, quiet, safe place to go hide.

ScareMe

1. Keep them indoors.

This could mean moving their dog bed

Fireworks are expected on the 4th of July,

or changes from light to dark). If they are

of course, but often people will be setting

used to a crate, cover all sides but the door

them off a few days before and after the

with a blanket or old comforter. Many dogs

4th as well. Keep your pets inside as much

will feel more secure in a dark, covered area

as possible during that time. When dogs

where they won’t be disturbed.

get scared, their instincts trigger a ‘fightor-flight’ response. They aren’t going to chance ‘fighting’ a giant, scary beast like thunder or fireworks, so they are going to run and run fast! Animal shelters have the

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into a closet or even just a room without

any windows (so they can’t see lightning

Fireworks

Gives Me

Thunder

Anxiety

torso. It has a similar effect to swaddling a baby. This type of wrap can also help with other sources of anxiety such as fireworks, traveling, or trips to the vet.

6. Natural or herbal supplements.

These tend to work best for dogs with mild anxiety. Scents like lavender help decrease anxiety and encourage sleep. There are also a few scientifically-proven herbal supplements that help promote calming and relaxation. Some of these need to be taken on a daily basis for several weeks before having an effect, so talk to your vet and see if it is something you should start before storm season.

7. Medications.

Dr. Jaclyn Luckstone, Island Animal Hospital

3. Turn on the TV or play some music.

For more severe cases, some dogs may need the help of anti-anxiety medications

5. Try the Thunder-Shirt.

in conjunction with other techniques. There

If you’ve never heard of it, the thunder-

potential side effects. Always talk to your

shirt is sort of a wrap made of T-shirt type

veterinarian about what would be best for

material that secures around your dog’s

your individual dog.

are multiple kinds and each of them have various effects, different durations and

For dogs with mild anxiety, a little background noise can be a good distraction or cover up sounds of what’s going on outside. Classical music has actually been shown to help calm animals!

4. Play a game or give treats.

This one works best before they are showing signs of being anxious. Try playing with their favorite toy or working on basic obedience skills and rewarding them with some really yummy treats. Getting them into a happy, relaxed, positive frame of mind will help desensitize them to the storms or fireworks.

Pawsmopolitan 15

Summer Tips f o r yo u a n d Yo u r P e t

Healthy Snacks

What are some healthy summer snacks for your dog?

Carrots, zucchini, green beans, bananas, peanut butter, blueberries

What is NOT safe?

Chocolate, nuts, raisins, onions, pitted fruits, mushrooms, garlic

Treatment for people food poisoning can be as costly as

$5,000

FOR YOUR DOG

TRAVELING WITH YOUR DOG

Dog owners may travel a lot with their dogs in the summer. If you do travel with your dog, never leave it in your vehicle alone.

The vehicle’s internal temperature can rise quickly, increasing your dog’s chance of heatstroke.

Not only could your dog get heatstroke, it might also become anxious. If you do need to stop, make sure someone remains in the vehicle with the dog.

If that’s not possible, leave the dog at home. While the dog is traveling, if it is in a crate, there are numerous small battery operated crate fans you can attach to the door of the crate to provide air circulation.

You may also find frozen ice packs or special chilling mats made to help dogs keep cool that can make the trip more comfortable.

Chocolate, raisins, mushrooms, xylitol (sweetener) and grapes ARE THE MOST FREQUENT HAZZARDOUS FOOD CASES

Animal Poison Control Center (ASPCA) receives over 20,000 calls every year related to pet poisoning from people food

APCC Hotline: 1-888-426-4435 (Fees may apply)

Xander and Magnum

Outdoor surfaces can reach blazing temperatures quickly under the summer sun. Your dog’s paws feel heat extremes too. Tar-coated asphalt, concrete, paving stones, and sand can all become hot enough to burn your dog’s feet very quickly. Less obvious hot surfaces are metal grates, manhole covers, boat docks, and car or truck surfaces. TO PREVENT BURNS AND BLISTERS, AVOID WALKING YOUR DOG ON HOT SURFACES. Morning walks before the sidewalk is sizzling are a safe practice. Walk your dog on the cool side of the street or in the grass. REMEMBER, IF YOU WOULDN’T WANT TO WALK ON IT BAREFOOT, NEITHER DOES FIDO.

MANY OWNERS DO NOT NOTICE BURNED OR INJURED PAW PADS UNTIL THE DOG SHOWS SIGNS OF INJURY.

PROVIDE PLENTY OF COOL WATER

Hot Surfaces Water is the single most important thing to give your dog during hot summer days.

Your dog should have access to cool, clean drinking water at all times. In the summer, water can evaporate quickly, so check on your dog and the amount of water in its bowl several times throughout the day. Provide water in a larger bowl or make sure the bowl is filled at all times on really hot days. It is also possible to put an attachment on an outdoor faucet that allows dogs to lick and get as much water as needed. This will give the dog constant access to cool water while outside.

Misting your dog or providing a shallow pool will also help keep your dog cool. Use a handheld spray bottle to mist your dog.

Some dogs do not like misting, so be sure you are not scaring your dog if you use this method to keep it cool, and discontinue

• • • • • •

KEEP A LOOK OUT FOR THESE POTENTIAL SIGNS: Atypical pulling on leash to run in the direction of darker sections of road surfaces instead of politely walking on leash Limping, refusal to stand or walk Paw pads that have changed in color and become darker Inflamed, raw, or blistered pads Bleeding feet or loose flaps of paw pads Licking or chewing at injured feet obsessively

Blanch and Stella

the misting if it stresses your dog.

Home improvement stores sell misters that attach to garden hoses.

Such a mister and can be be set up in a corner of the yard so that the dog can use it when needed, and the mister will lower the surrounding air temperature.

Another alternative is a shallow pool for your dog to lie or sit in. Make sure the pool is shallow enough for the dog to touch the bottom because not all dogs can swim. Small children’s wading pools are great for

this purpose. Replace the water daily to keep it clean and cool. Do not leave a dog unattended in a pool or other body of water where it cannot touch the bottom or it could drown. In order for a dog to cool down, its skin needs to become cool, not just its coat. For short coated breeds a wet towel can be put on the back of the dog to cool it. If you use water to cool your double coated breed of dog, you will need to be careful to dry the dog thoroughly to prevent hot spots or other skin problems that can develop in warm, wet environments.

PAMPERED PAWS

Christa Lee Stoddard PET STYLIST

How long have you been a Pet Stylist?

What do you love most about being a Pet Stylist?

I have been blessed to be a pet stylist for twenty two years.

I love being able to make the fur-babies I work with look and feel their best. I love the transformation of a shaggy dirty pup in the beginning, to a clean, beautiful finished happy one. Grooming is not just a luxury. It also plays a role in a pets overall health regime. Often we can spot and report to pet parents certain things that may not seem normal for that pet.

By doing this, they can then seek a veterinarians care if necessary.

Do you have a specialty or certain breed you are known for?

I would have to say a specialty of mine is the artistic approach. There are so many cross breeds now in which, at times, you have to deviate from specifications that a certain breed may have. Also, when a pet parent has a request that doesn’t usually follow that breed standard, the artistic side really is important for myself personally. I thoroughly enjoy doing fluffy styles.

What is the most frequently asked question by a client and what do you tell them?

I am most often asked how often they should have their pets groomed. I take into consideration the breed, the length of haircut, if they are a dog or cat, and whether or not they require a haircut. I then discuss how much, if any, the pet parent is willing to do at home between a grooming; and I then determine a schedule that is best for their pets well-being, as well as, one that is economically reasonable.

What’s the most bizarre thing you have experienced when grooming and how did you handle it?

I have to say the most bizarre experience was finding a diamond earring entangled in a pups foot pad hair. I put it aside and later gave it to the owner. She laughed and said, “Wow. Thanks! I was wondering where that went... I have been looking everywhere!“

Grooming allows you to see things that may be hidden to the normal eye. What are some things you look out for when grooming a pet? Something that

may be of importance to the owner of the pet to look out for?

I often am able to see issues that may not be obvious to the owner due to matted or over grown hair. Also, in the grooming process, I am inspecting and dealing with parts of the pet that, on average, a owner usually does not. Some examples consist of ears, feet, and rear ends.

I always look out for unusual growths, whether they are on top or under the skin, excessive scratching of any kind, rear end scooting, unusual eye discharge, and ear odors. Anything that seems abnormal for your baby, or causes discomfort or concern, consult a professional.

How do you handle pets that have anxiety?

I handle them all with a calm, patient demeanor, trying with every step, to keep them as comfortable with the process as possible. Sweet talk, as silly as it sounds, usually puts them at ease.

If there is one bit of advice you could give your clients to help maintain a healthy lifestyle for their pet, what would you say?

I would advise routine trips for veterinary care, along with regular grooming intervals. Prevention and maintenance, I think, are so important; and of course, lots of love.️

People who aspire to be pet Stylist - what advice would you give them for just starting out in the industry?

Make sure it’s your passion and love for the animals that drive you, not making money. Although it is a good living, the work is not glamorous. It’s hard work. It takes dedication - a whole lot of patience and understanding of individual pets needs and awareness; but it’s incredibly rewarding!

Christa has recently moved into her new location next door to Sal’s Neighborhood Pizzeria. She is pictured here with her good friend Prince Marco Giovanni.

Doggie Chow

Hurcules and Lucy’s Birthday Dinner

RECIPE....

Make Osso Bucco, Braised Short Ribs, Braised Pork, Veal or Lamb Shanks, Smoked Beef Ribs and reserve the leftover bones.

Place on a roasting pan, brush with a sweet & mild BBQ sauce at 250F for 2 hours.

Brush again at 30 min, 1 hour and 1.5 hours.

You’re looking for a candylike coating.

Should be dry and not tacky.

Recipe courtesy of Connor Rankin, Chef and General Manager @ The Half Shell

Yum Yum Yum Yum

Beach Access

Pets ARE NOT allowed on St. Simons Beach from 9 - 6 pm Memorial Day thru Labor Day with the exception of beach access points 1-6. No animals are permitted on the pier.

Jekyll Island allows dogs at Driftwood Beach, Great Dunes Park and Jekyll Island Beach. Unless otherwise noted, dogs are allowed under owners control.

Be sure to pack a travel bag for the pup filled with water, booties (to keep their paws cool) and an umbrella to keep them shaded. Let’s keep our Golden Isles beautiful by not forgetting to scoop their poop!

Recently, a local chapter of the Girl Scouts participated in a community service project. After being offered several options, they chose to collect toys, towels, food, and leashes for the Humane Society of South Coastal Georgia. Mrs. Sher led an educational program for the girls in which they learned about WAGGS.

HELP WANTED MAGAZINE is looking for a few good people who have a genuine love for animals and their welfare to join our team. If you love talking about your fur-babies and their fur-people, and have ample sales experience, we would love to hear from you! Generous compensation and guaranteed fun to be had with our team. We focus on celebrating the lives of our four-legged friends and we support spay and neuter efforts in the Golden Isles. Pawsmopolitan Magazine is sure to make you laugh and guaranteed to make you cry. Email resumes to stephanie@pawsmopolitan. com. You can also reach us by phone at (386) 679-8415.

Coming Soon

www.Pawsmopolitanmagazine.com

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SAVE LIVES

Adopt/Spay/Neuter

&

Area Shelters Rescue Organizations Angel’s Helping Hands 13760 Post Road. Hortense, GA 31543. (912) 409-7389. Angelshelpinghandsorg.weebly.com. FB: Angels Helping Hands

Humane Animal Resource Team, Inc. (HART) P.O. Box 936.

Darien, GA 31305. (912) 437-2033.

HartofMcintosh.com. FB: Humane Animal Resource Team, Inc.

Brantley Animal Rescue Coalition (BARC) Brantleyanimalrescuecoalition.weebly.com. Donation link is located on website. FB: Brantley Animal Rescue Coalition

Humane Society of South Coastal GA 4627 Hwy 17 North.

Brunswick, GA 31525. (912) 2646246. HSSCG.org FB: Humane Society of South Coastal Georgia

Castaways Pet Rescue, Inc. 11659 GA Hwy 99 . Darien, GA 31305.

(912) 270-0119. FB: Castaways Pet Rescue

Max’s Animal Rescue, Inc. 2320 Saddle Club Road. Hoboken, GA 31542. (912) 816-3776.

MaxsAnimalRescue.com. FB: Max’s Animal Rescue

Cause for Paws, Inc. 2001 Sea Palms West Drive St. Simons Island, GA 31522. CauseForPawsga.com. FB: Cause for Paws, Inc. Coastal Animal Rescue Society, Inc. 117 Shore Rush Circle.

St. Simons Island, GA 31522. (912) 230-9125. CARSga.org. FB: Coastal Animal Rescue Society Friends of Glynn Animals Brunswick, GA Inc. 114 Fantail Court. Brunswick, GA 31525 www.friendsofglynnanimals.org Donation link is Gofundme.com/glynnanimals. FB: Friends of Glynn Animals Georgia Sea Turtle Center 214 Stable Road. Jekyll Island, GA 31527. (912) 635-4444. GeorgiaSeaTurtleCenter.org Glynn County Animal Control 4765 Hwy 17 North. Brunswick, GA 31525. (912) 554-7500 GlynnCountyAnimals.org Georgia House Rabbit Society Golden Isles HouseRabbitga.com. goldenislesrabbits@gmail.com. (912) 289-7761. Atlanta: (678) 653-7175.

912-687-0411

Greatful Goldens Rescue of the Low Country 24 Bridgewater Way. Brunswick, GA 31525. Phone or fax: (912) 264-6975. GGRlc.org. FB: Grateful Golden Retriever Rescue of the Low Country

McIntosh County Animal Control 1184 Animal Shelter Drive. Darien, GA 31305. (912) 437-4242. FB: McIntosh County Animal Services Nahunta Kitties Nahuntakitties.com. Paypal: KeepBrantleyBeautiful@gmail.com. FB: Nahunta Kitties Group No Kill Glynn County 241 Florida Street. St. Simons Island, GA 31522. (912) 223-5997 NoKillGlynnCounty.org. FB: No Kill Glynn County Safehollow P.O. Box 732. Ludowici, GA 31316.

(912) 545-9743. Email: safehollow@aol.com. YourCause.com/ safehollow The Farm at Oatland North 70 Cannon’s Point Drive. St. Simons Island, GA 31522. (912) 399-8159. FB: The Farm at Oatland North The List - 48 Hours of Hope Networks death row animals at Glynn County Animal Control (912) 258-0058 or (912) 223-7770. Donations accepted via link on FB @ The List - 48 Hours of Hope Wayne and Glynn Surroundings Rescue (WAGS) P.O. Box 21. Jesup, GA 31598. Email: WandGRescue@gmail.com. wags-rescue.org

Speak Up Speak Out!!

By Lindy Schulz

I should start by introducing myself, my name is Herman Schulz and I am a silky wire haired dachshund. I have two parentals, Lindy and Harold but I call them mom and dad. Okay, I admit it, I have been known to call them other things when they chastise me for peeing the hardwoods or I end up in dachshund jail; but for the purpose of this article they will be called my parentals. I also have a best friend named Little who happens to be a cat. We are a small family but as you will come to understand, I

22 Pawsmopolitan

kind of make it big. Now my dachshund life began with another family, Lindy and Harold are human beings and while I love them a lot, they are not magic and are not capable of producing a silky wire, a dachshund or dog of any description. For those who may not know, we silky wires happen when a long hair dachshund and a wire haired dachshund do the nature dance. (mom told me to call it that) Mom tells me I was born east of Dallas, Texas‌hate to say it but that is useless information to me as I do not mess with maps and the lady who talks on the GPS makes me want to become a vicious dachshund. I am not kidding, sometimes when I am in the backseat and I hear her say recalculating for the millionth time I show my fangs and tell dad to do what she says just to shut her up! Anywho, I don’t live in the place I was born or even close to it (Texas is enormous) but in a tiny town in the Texas hill country. We have more cows, horses, goats, sheep, coyotes, skunks, raccoons, wild bores, deer and mountain lions than National Geographic has pages to turn! Just as a side note here, my mom is a vegetarian, has been for over forty years so

A DACHSHUND’S PERSPECTIVE not a one of those critters would ever be fried, baked or grilled on her plate…I pass her by at dinner time and head straight for dad…what kind of dachshund worth his salt would beg for broccoli? Look everyone, I am a dachshund puppy and by virtue of my DNA I am going to chew things as if I was a gasoline powered tree shredder! Furthermore, saying my name ten thousand times will do nothing but make me pause a moment, do a dachshund head tilt, think you must have a repeat button in your brain and go about my business at hand. If you chase me, guess what, I will run and since I am only inches off the ground, I can go places you will never fit…get over yourself…I will see you when it is meal time! Um, let me do a little add-in here, when I grab stuff I am not supposed to have which is constantly, the parentals do have a secret weapon…Chez Whiz…spray a bit of that, I drop whatever I have and go for the gold, baby! I may be a frequent dachshund jail flyer but stupid I am not! I go shopping with the parentals and I get so incredibly tired of humans asking what kind of dog I am! I think asking any questions about parental background is rude and should remain private business. Do I ask what kind of human they are? Mom used to make me ride in my dog stroller when we shopped but I caused such a scene what with all my whining and scratching at the mesh to say hello to people so now I ride in a basket. I have a shopping

routine…I sit quietly but the moment I see a human, shopper, worker, doesn’t matter, I put my front paws on the top of the basket and whine at them to get their attention. I want them to speak to me, love on me and hey, belly rubs are totally permitted! What seems to upset mom is if the person I am pinpointing does not respond, well, I get kind of loud with them, yep I bark…thinking perhaps they didn’t hear my initial hello.

Oh, I guess I should say for a very small dachshund, I have an enormous voice and evidently one mom finds embarrassing in public places. Did I tell you guys I kind of look like a stuffed animal…yeah, I do. First of all I am furry, but add a beard, adorable, expressive round eyes and then big bushy eyebrows and well, it is a recipe for melting hearts! You would not believe how many people have said they wanted to take me home with them and how many times them saying it has made me move a little closer to mom! I said I was friendly, not looking to be kidnapped! Mom has come up with a name for me, and yes, I can put it in print…she calls me an Ambassador of Happiness. I kind of like that and I plan to remind her of it the next time she is on my case about there being another chunk bitten out of the wall. I hope we get another opportunity to talk, I have tons to say about being a dog, a dachshund and well, life in general. I will leave you with this… make life happy…you are the only one who can!

Pawsmopolitan 23

Weddings Portraits Meet Lindsay Sparrman Lindsay fell in love with photography in New York City during the summer before her senior year in high school. Over the past 10 years, she has had the pleasure of shooting weddings, engagements, and senior portraits. In her spare time, she enjoys taking photos of nature and painting, and of course, taking photos for Pawsmopolitan Magazine. Lindsay has four rescues. There’s Harley, Bastian, Mouse, and Moon. The most recent is Moon. He was rescued in the Retreat Plaza bushes on the island.

Landscapes Lindsay Erna Imagery

(585) 309-9600

www.facebook.com/lindsayernaimagery lindsayernaimagery@gmail.com

GEORGIA HOUSE

RABBIT SOCIETY GOLDEN ISLES

unwanted bunnies, even though this is against Georgia

Georgia House Rabbit Society (GHRS), located in

law Title 4 Chapter 11 Article 1 - aka the Georgia Animal

Marietta since 1998, now supports an affiliate group

Protection Act. Domestic rabbits have no survival

in Glynn County to better serve the southeast area of

skills and are at severe risk of serious injury, starvation

our state in saving the lives of rescued rabbits. GHRS

and death, being unable to defend themselves from

is a volunteer based nonprofit group that works to

predators. “Dumped” rabbits can also unintentionally

educate the public about domestic rabbit ownership

damage land by burrowing and kill trees by eating the

and to rehome abandoned and neglected bunnies.

bark and tunneling through the roots.

“Georgia House Rabbit Society - Golden Isles” was previously known as Golden Isles Rabbit Advocates”.

Local resident, Tiffani Hill, concerned about the welfare of domestic rabbits and valuing the beauty of our

The American Veterinary Medical Association

county, visited GHRS’ Rabbit Center for advice and help.

estimates that 34% of pet owners in the U.S. own

GHRS – Golden Isles was established from that trip.

rabbits. Bunnies are the 3rd most popular pet and,

Tiffani has been personally and professionally involved

unfortunately, the 3rd most abandoned companion

in animal welfare for over 30 years.

animal. Many people purchase a cute baby rabbit thinking they are a low maintenance pet and are

GHRS - Golden Isles, a small network of foster homes

surprised to find they require specialty exotic

currently without a shelter facility, also has a limited

vets, require spaying or neutering to be healthy

capacity to house rescued bunnies. Local contact

and friendly, need to be housed indoors in large

information is available on our Facebook page and

enclosures, and fed a diet of hay, fresh greens and

at www.houserabbitga.com. Here you find out how

limited pellets. With the high number of homeless

to volunteer as a foster home, help at events, donate

dogs and cats in our area, Glynn county shelters and

supplies or money, or adopt a house rabbit.

rescue groups have very little capacity to also house, provide medical care for and rehome domestic

GHRS is a licensed chapter of the national House Rabbit

rabbits. Rabbit “dump sites” such as parks and

Society, is a 501c3 nonprofit, and we are licensed by the

golf courses are popular places for people to leave

Georgia Department of Agriculture.

Junior Exhibitors To me being an approved all-breed judge for TICA means that I get to be a positive influence in the lives of some of my favorite kind of people – kids who love cats.

At the Jekyll Island show last April, I was fortunate enough to be able to highlight some of our outstanding juniors to a local newspaper reporter. I really enjoyed his looks of amazement as these very young people described their cat, the standard and what the strengths were in their cat that met that standard. I was proud as they displayed a sense of good sportsmanship and respect for my authority in the ring. In other words, I really enjoyed showing off our “kids.”

@ The international

Felines.

Fun. Friendship.

These are the things The International Cat Association (TICA) strives to offer its members. However, we are also here to encourage, teach and nurture our young people. You see, we all know that TICA’s Junior Exhibitors are tomorrow’s leaders. They are our future breeders, stewards, clerks and even potential judges. They will shape the future of TICA and they are the reason the Cat Fancy will continue to exist and stay strong.

The Junior Exhibitors Program welcomes youth from age eight to seventeen but younger children

may also be admitted at the discretion of the regional program leader. There are some five year old exhibitors that were basically born in a showhall and are more than capable of speaking in front of an audience. Each Junior Exhibitor’s continued success is gauged by their own accomplishments. It’s not meant to be a contest – it is all about personal growth and meeting individual goals.

The formal program consists of six levels of progression, with each level having different activities and testing questions. At the three junior levels, the emphasis is on learning about TICA, the etiquette and procedures of showing, and basic cat health and welfare. At the three senior levels, the emphasis is on advanced knowledge of cat showing, cat breeds, working at a show, and TICA. We judges that hold a Junior ring at a show will work toward the strengths of each individual child as well as encourage new learning experiences. While we, of course,

cat association on Jekyll Island, GA

consider the age and how long a child has been coming to shows, we also want them to strive to know more and feel that measure of success when they figure out how to answer a difficult question.

Our youth that are involved in the program learn to be responsible and ethical cat fanciers and caretakers, as well as productive members of our association.

Along the way, they can earn a TICA Junior Exhibitor’s award of excellence, become a TICA and regional club member, and learn a great deal about cat breeds and cat exhibition in general. At the higher levels, they may become licensed TICA clerks who actually work at a show and run a judging ring. In the southeast region (which is my region), the juniors, along with some very caring adults, have their own club and put on a show every year! They are responsible for all aspects of the show, and they learn first-hand about teamwork and exactly how much it takes to run a successful show.

Each young person in the program has a mentor. This is someone other than a parent or guardian, to be their counselor and oversee their progress and keep their interest in the program and help them work on individual specialized projects. We are always looking for people interested in encouraging and helping these young folks. The program needs everyone to be willing to give a little of themselves in order to be a success.

Juniors are expected to participate in Junior Exhibitor rings at shows.

In this instance, it is not the cat that is being judged. Each Junior is asked to present his or her cat and describe them to their fellow junior exhibitors, as well as to the general public. They are asked basic questions about cats, show etiquette and the association in general. We try to make the emphasis on learning and having fun. Their presentation skills and

By Rene Knapp

self-confidence improves as they continue to practice and find their strengths and skills. No-one is expected to know all the answers.

In fact, many a time you will see a judge whisper the answer to one of our younger members if they get hung up on a question.

This is a positive program, focused on involving young community members in TICA and showing cats in a responsible and fun way. It is a program designed to improve self-esteem, confidence, and interaction abilities, along with making lasting friendships in the cat fancy. It’s a program where they can spend special quality time with their own cats and teach others basic cat knowledge.

ter

Neu and

Your Pets

Why???

Spa

y

An unspayed female cat, her mate, and their offspring producing an average of 2.8 surviving kittens per litter at a rate of two litters a year, adds up quickly.

1 Year: 12 Cats

A Cat’s Prayer Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray this cushy life to keep.

I pray for toys that look like mice, And sofa cushions, soft and nice.

I pray for gourmet kitty snacks, And someone nice to scratch my back, For windowsills all warm and bright, For shadows to explore at night.

I pray I’ll allways stay real cool And keep the secret feline rule To NEVER tell a human that

The world is really ruled by CATS!

2 years: 67 Cats

3 years: 376 cats

4 years: 2,107 cats

5 years: 11,801 cats

6 years: 66,088 cats

7 years: 370,092 cats

8 years: 2,072,514 cats

9 years: 11,606,077 cats

Facts:

The breeding season in cats lasts almost year-round. Heat cycles can start as early as four or five months in a female kitten. Heat cycles in cats last from several days to two weeks or more. Heat cycles in cats repeat every two to three weeks until the cat is spayed or becomes pregnant.

Heat cycles may cause pain or discomfort in cats.

WooF, woof

KEVIN ERMIER, OWNER SOUTHERN PINE KENNELS

CANINE LANGUAGE and

Understanding Your

DOG’S COMMUNICATION

MUCH like their human counterparts, dogs just want

to be heard. Dogs use various barks to communicate with other dogs and with humans including the woof, woof-woof, and the triple woof with many different

ranges and pitches. All these variations can make canine speech challenging to decipher.

Dogs will often use single or double barks at a mid level to greet you as you walk in the door from work each day. This is their way of saying “hello”. When dogs repeatedly bark in sequences of three or more, this

often means they sense danger, sense someone is near that they do not know, or sense someone is there that

shouldn’t be there. When a canine persistently continues

pitched “ruff” initiates playtime and is communicating he wants to roll in the floor or grass and play.

It is important that dog owners understand the basic

types of barking so that they know how to react or know not to react at all. Many dogs bark too much and require

behavior modification training. These annoying barkers will bark for no reason or at other dogs. Often exercise, like

a structured walk, will help curb this behavior. This walk is

about exercise from point A to point B with no distractions.

The goal is to get the dog moving and getting the heart rate up. You can also utilize a treadmill. Starting out

slow, most dogs enjoy the treadmill or playing fetch. The

exercise can be fun but remember there is a purpose. For

example, if a dog likes swimming, you would have him swim consistently for exercise and not just one lap or when he

wants too. You may need to start out with 5 minutes and

build up to 30 minutes. Be very attentive to your pet and they will let you know when they are fatigued.

to bark at a low or medium level, they are saying,

Compressed air, sold in pet stores, can also effectively

is loud often demonstrates fear or surprise with the dog

to work, you must be within an arm’s length of your pet.

“Please come get me. I am lonely”. A short bark that conveying, “Come check this out”.

Dogs can also use their voices to communicate pain or

being uncomfortable. For instance, if a human steps on

a dog’s paw, a high pitched yelp is a way of saying, “This hurts!”. A series of yelps together is more likely to be conveying, “I really hurt bad. Come check on me.” A

single sharp bark, usually mid to high range, is telling his owner to, “Stop what you are doing now”.

When a dog wants to, “call in the troops”, a pack bark is utilized with a continuous multiple bark. The dog is calling for backup and communicating that someone

or something is in its’ territory. The low pitched “ruff”

bark mean, “Come on, let’s play”. (Of course you usually hear that one at 2:30am with a new puppy). The higher

help to control barking. But for this method of correction Always use the word “no” for every bad behavior. As you activate the compressed air

give the command no. Lastly, bark

collars are available that vibrate, beep, or stimulate if the

barking continues.

Higher quality collars

have sensitivity levels allowing the user to try different setting to see what yields the best results.

Kevin Erdmier, owner and trainer of Southern Pine Kennels in Blackshear, Georgia, has over 30 years of training experience including personal ownership of many breeds. He inherited the love of dogs and hunting from his grandfather and father.

Kevin started out at a young age training his own hunting hounds and later began training retrievers and pets. He is a certified dog trainer and his business and training finds basis in Genesis 1 verse 26, “And GOD said, “let us make man in our image, after our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish in the sea and over the fowl in the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that is upon the earth.”

Toast to the Coast to Benefit HART at Darien Waterfront Wine and Gourmet

30 Pawsmopolitan

Photos Courtesy of The Darien News

Pawsmopolitan 31

A Yappy Luau D R O O L AT T H E P O O L Neptune Park Fun Zone Pool St. Simons Island

Fun For All Ages

Saturday

September 16th 4-7 pm

Let’s Party!

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