Hamptonsdog 2015 final

HAMPTONS DOG Celebrating the Healthy, Active, Outdoor Lifestyle of East End Dogs and Their Owners

MEET GIMME SHELTER’S MICHELLE MONTAK

THE ENCHANTING

PIT BULL

KIDS AND DOGS PHOTO TIPS

Summer to the Rescue!

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hAMpTonS doG ContribUtors CoLUMn MEMORIAL DAY 2015

pUbLisher LDH Publishing LLC editor in ChieF Lisa Hartman ContribUtors art director Flordeliz Rañola

editoriaL Christopher Appoldt Cindy Bressler, DVM Lisa Hartman Gianna Lay Saffron Monsoon photoGraphers Christopher Appoldt Bryan Downey Kristin Gray Lisa Hartman Liz Stavrinides saLes Charlene DeSmet

© 2015 LDH Publishing. All Rights Reserved

FOR ADVERTISING, AND MORE: hamptonsdog11@yahoo.com www.HamptonsDogMagazine. com Follow us on Facebook!

HAMPTONS DOG Celebrating the Healthy, Active, Outdoor Lifestyle of East End Dogs and Their Owners

MEET GIMME SHELTER’S MICHELLE MONTAK

THE ENCHANTING

PIT BULL

KIDS AND DOGS PHOTO TIPS

Summer to the Rescue! on the Cover: Breaker, Donni, Lulu and Otis, four rescues of Michelle Montak.

Photographed at Gibson Beach by Lisa Hartman

vvv

letter FroM editor

Welcome Back

i AM So excited the warm weather is finally here.

I can’t wait to enjoy more time outdoors with my dogs, friends, and see all of you!

For our “Summer to the Rescue” issue, we bring you lots of information to help you and your dog, as well as introduce you to those who help the animals. First, I am excited to welcome photographer Christopher Appoldt as a contributor, who will save us from making run of the mill photos of our pets. Chris’ work with people and animals has graced countless magazine and book covers, including Beth Stern’s bestseller “Oh My Dog”. Welcome Chris!

Check out Art 4 Apes, a multi media art competition you can enter to raise money for the Center for Great Apes. The Center is

an incredible sanctuary taking in apes from deplorable conditions or those too strong to continue working in show business. Michael Jackson’s former chimp Bubbles lives there!

I am proud to pay tribute in this issue to Gimme Shelter founder Michelle Montak. Michelle works tirelessly to save dogs and find them their “furever” homes. Read more about her here.

And so much more! I hope your summer is filled with fun, fur, and happiness. WOOF!

Lisa Hartman Editor in Chief

photo by www.bryandowneyportraits.com

SUMMER!

CFS DIRECT

photo by www.bryandowneyportraits.com

EVENTS

Event Production Event Promotion Social Media Consulting

We produce and promote small and large scale events: corporate events, fundraising events, pop-up events and private functions. charlene@cfsevents.net | (212) 380-1179 | cfsevents.net

PHOTOGRAPHING PETS

What’s better than pictures of our animals? Better pictures! Hamptons Dog asked top Long Island shutterbug and renowned pet portraitist Christopher Appoldt to share some of his techniques for creating great portraits of our pets.

HOW TO MAKE

Great Photographs of Your Dog

by Christopher appoLdt

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Stay at the animal’s eye level. I know it means getting on the ground, but shooting straight-on at a dog’s face offers genuine and real perspective. We don’t shoot people from above for a reason – it distorts perspective.

Same for the pups! Also, if you zoom out to the longest your lens can offer and step back, the background, if it’s far enough behind your dog, will blur, creating a portrait that lets your dog’s face be the subject of the photo and not the fence or bush behind him.

2 i’ve been happiLy wearing through camera shutters with my pet portraits and pet stock photography for years now, and I haven’t looked back once. Between my love for the animals and the joy I see in the owners as they gaze with pride at their pets’ new in-print celebrity, I’m enjoying every minute of it.

My goal is always the same: Have fun, love the subjects, and aim to please my client with a great, honest, emotive portrait. If you’re thinking of getting started in pet portraiture, those ideals are good goals—combined with a little technical know-how regarding your cameras!

While pet portraiture may seem like an easy, fun thing to do, it is probably best explained as a combination of shooting weddings and kids.

Things move quickly and rarely in the direction you expect. It’s a perilous environment for your equipment, too. Lights get knocked over, accidents happen on the backdrop, and props rarely survive more than a few sittings (I won’t tell you what happened to one of my favorite camera bags).

Finding a connection or spark between the subject and the lens is the goal of most portrait photographers, whether the subject has two legs, four legs, or feathers. It’s all about getting down and dirty to play a little, and evoking a mood from the pets, particularly the dogs. Greeting them as enthusiastically as possible and setting a fun mood or tame pace is integral to a successful shoot. Here are a few tips to get you started.

Focus on the eyes. Get to know how your camera works and how its autofocus module locks on. The eyes are the window to the soul, so make sure the focus is where you want it. It’s all in the camera manual. Read!

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Unless you’re hoping for some great action images, wear your subject out a bit �irst.

Dogs that sit still offer a lot more in the way of great portraits than dogs that don’t.

4

A second set of hands never hurts.

Someone to get behind you at the camera position, and make a spectacle of themselves (you want to get those ears up!). A whistle or toy never hurts, but be warned: you dog isn’t dumb. A squeak or toot will work a few times, but once it’s been going on for a few minutes, it loses its charm. Be ready to shoot at the FIRST attempt!

5

Shoot a tight frame, and read a bit on the photographic “rule of thirds” to aid your composition (and break that rule sometimes!). You don’t need to photograph the entire backyard with your furry friend coincidentally in the shot; you just need to photograph HIM!

Christopher Appoldt specializes in corporate, editorial, wedding and portrait photography. his pet photography has graced the covers of numerous magazines and books on animals. Find out more at www.christopherappoldt.com

photos by Kristin Gray

Gimme Sh To adopt, foster, donate, or buy tickets contact them at www.

GimmeShelterAnimalRescue.org; (631) 903-9215.

Michelle with GSAR alumn Leo, now a therapy dog

Shelter!

Sagaponack resident Michelle Neufeld Montak is a One Woman Crusader for Dogs.

A love of animals came early for Michelle Neufeld Montak. Her mother would tell you that as soon as she could walk she would gravitate towards every animal in her path and let them know how much she loved them. At eleven years old Michelle became the proud owner of her first dog, a sweet collie named Cindy.

Gimme Shelter is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization. They rely solely on donations and foster homes to keep saving lives. Their big Hamptons fundraiser will be held on July 11th this year (this is one the most fun events of the season!).

photos by Liz Stavrinides

As Michelle grew up her love of animals only grew stronger. And when she learned how many amazing, healthy animals were killed in shelters across the country, a devastated Michelle knew she had to get involved. And within a short time Gimme Shelter Animal Rescue was born.

Gimme Shelter Animal Rescue (GSAR) saves dogs from local shelters and also from shelters in a very poor, rural county in South Carolina.

Many of the shelters there still use barbaric and inhumane gas chambers and heart stick (an injection of sodium pentobarbital that burns like acid) to euthanize animals. She would like to save them all, but when push comes to shove these are the animals Michelle works to save first. GSAR is a foster based rescue, with the animals waiting on the kindness of strangers to open their hearts and homes to house them until a permanent home can be found.

Michelle and Eddie Montak with their rescued dogs.

Want YOUR DOG the envy of all other dogs in The Hamptons?

Get your Dog in Lisa’s next book!

YoUR doG can star in Lisa’s next book and sequel to her very popular book hampton dogs! your best friend will be photographed in a favorite place for a full page picture with his biography.

Makes a great gift for any dog lover. a portion of proceeds to benefit local animal rescue organizations.

For more information call (786) 942-7387, or email lisa@lisaThedogTrainer.com.

My First Dog

In our new series and book, kids tell us about their ďŹ rst dog in their own words.

Chewy

is special cause he is my best friend. I love Chewy because he is really cute and really really nice to me. He only sleeps in my bed all night because we have fun together.

We run around the house and chase each other. He licks me all the time, he loves me and we throw the ball together. And when I’m sick or cry he always licks my face!

BY GIANNA LAY, AGE 5

breed spotlight

Pit Bull!

The Enchanting

The Pit Bull title is really a heading for a few dog breeds fitting a similar profile, including The American Staffordshire Terrier, The American Pit Bull Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and sometimes mixed dogs with a similar look.

They are descendants from English bull-baiting dogs bred to hold bulls, bears, and other large animals. When bull baiting was outlawed, some people sadly turned their dogs on each other. It is important to note however that even fighting pits were bred to be extremely friendly to humans, and most dogs bred to fight were not good at their job and did not make the cut.

photo by Lisa hartMan

TheY ARe BiG strong lover dogs with a heart of gold. Many pit bull owners describe their dogs as loyal, affectionate goofballs. Their eager to please nature and love of humans makes them excel at a number of activities, including obedience, sports, and therapy dog work.

Chloe, a former therapy dog, enjoys a run through duck Walk vineyards in Water Mill.

breed spotlight

So why sometimes the whoopla about Pits? Well for starters, media and TV shows many times will focus on only the bad or sensational stories.

You don’t hear of the majority of the people that live with wonderful, loving pets. But a dog of many a breed can have behavioral issues if they aren’t properly bred, socialized and trained.

Backyard breeding, puppy mills , and other make-a-buck pet breeding schemes selling dogs indiscriminately to anyone with the cash has landed many dogs of all breeds in jeopardy. But regardless of breed or background every single dog is unique and has different characteristics.

As such it is extremely important to judge and evaluate any dog as an individual.

photo by Lisa hartMan

Four of dog sport entertainer and trainer Jonathan offi’s performance dogs, all rescued. photos courtesy Jonathan offi/ incredible dog productions.

Goofball baloo jumping for tennis balls.

Former Michael vick dog Leo and his good friend pippa

their athleticism and eager to please nature allows some pits to excel at sports. above: one of Jonathan offi’s dogs show off his dock diving skills.

breed spotlight

Several of my friends and colleagues are smitten with the pitties. California Dog Trainer Mathina McClay has devoted her life to rescuing Pit Bulls by starting Our Pack Pit Bull Rescue. She currently lives with three pit bulls and two Chihuahuas.

Her “heart dog” Leo came from the infamous Michael Vick dog fighting ring. Within five weeks of rescuing Leo Marthina turned him into a therapy dog and he started making the rounds at an oncology center visiting with cancer patients. (www.ourpack.org).

Lover boy Max gives a Southampton Animal Shelter volunteer non stop kisses during their big fundraiser. This year’s event is July 18th! For tickets call (631) 728-7387

New Jersey Dog Trainer Drayton Michaels and his wife Vyolet adopted their very first dog, an American Staffordshire Terrier in 2000 from a New York City shelter. “Mojo” led Drayton on the path of becoming a formally trained dog trainer and pit bull advocate. Drayton created “The Pit Bull Hoax”, a film featuring top trainers and behavior consultants dispelling the myth about pit bulls and showing them for what they are: dogs (www.pitbullguru.com).

breed spotlight

Leo visiting a cancer patient at the palo alto Medical Foundation. all Leo photos (c) our pack, inc.

Many pits are some of the most loving and easily trainable dogs you will ever meet, two traits which have endeared them to many. The dogs in this issue are just a few wonderful examples of these magnificent dogs. The Southampton Animal Shelter has many beautiful pit bulls for adoption. Visit the shelter or go to www. southamptonanimalshelter.com, (631) 728-7387.

Leo with his rescuer, owner and trainer Marthina McClay. For excellent pit bull information visit www.ourpack.org.

violet, a former brooklyn stray, starred on broadway last year in of Mice and Men.

photographer sophie Gamand created her Flower power project to help homeless pit bulls in shelters get adopted by photographing them in ower bonnets. contact@sophiegamand.com

kids and dogs

“eVeRY doG ShoUld have a home, and every home should have a dog.” Well maybe not all families should have one. But there is nothing better than a child learning to have compassion and love for animals, and learn the responsibility and unconditional love a pet can bring. A pet can become a child’s best friend and confidante, filling a place in their life no other being can.

Teaching Children Pro p

by Lisa hartman (“Lisa the dog trainer”) photos by Christopher appoldt

kids and dogs

o per Dog Etiquette As cute as kids can be, it seems unbelievable to some parents that many dogs are scared of children. Their unpredictable fast movements, high pitched sounds, and lack of spacial awareness have gotten many a child in trouble with the family dog. Sadly, this in turn gets the dog in trouble, possibly losing his home, or worse. This lack of owner knowledge is a problem facing dogs around the world. For as much as I am training dogs, I am training people even more to communicate effectively, respect, and understand their furry family member.

Did you know many dogs do not like to be hugged? Problems arise when adults and children cannot “read” the dog properly or push it past its threshold. A common phrase I often here is a variation of “He was always fine with kids, until that day”, or “It was out of nowhere and without warning.” Indeed, the dog most likely did make his feelings known that he was

not comfortable around the child, but nobody noticed or they took the dogs’ feelings for granted. Constantly letting a child chase, hug, pat, or engage with a dog that does not enjoy it can lead to a dog defending himself.

There is no such thing as a dog free world.

Whether you have dogs or not it is most likely your child will come into contact with them.

As such it is important for kids to know how to behave in front of them even if they DON”T have a dog. For even if a dog likes or has tolerated a child’s behavior up to now it doesn’t mean they will continue to do so or that another dog will. On the flip side, there is no such thing as a child free world. And as most dogs spend a good amount of time outside they will likely run into a child who is running towards them to say hi (Wrong!). With that in mind it is important to teach children proper behavior around dogs, and teach dogs to be comfortable around children.

kids and dogs

Dog Proofing Children.

In spite of some social media posts of children hugging or waking dogs up from a nap this is unacceptable and potentially dangerous behavior! (Not to mention rude). The following is a guideline.

1 2

34 5

Children should be taught never to approach dogs that are chained, tied up, in a vehicle, crate or any dog they don’t know very well. Even dogs they know may experience “barrier frustration” at their inability to move around or feel territorial and may not act like their normal selves.

Always let the dog come to you. Do not chase dogs under furniture, into their crate, etc. Give the dog his space when he is done playing with you.

Always ask permission from an adult to say hi to a dog. If the dog wants to sniff you present a softly closed fist (fingers in!).

Always let sleeping dogs lie.

Teach kids to walk quietly, not run and squeal in the presence of dogs, which can trigger a predatory chase response in them.

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7

Instruct kids to look at their feet, stand still with arms folded and “be a tree” if chased by a dog or playing with a dog that gets too rowdy.

Instruct children not to take the dogs possessions from them including toys and food. Stay away from dogs when they are eating or chewing a bone. If a dog has something dangerous instruct the child to let an adult know.

kids and dogs

Child Proofing Dogs

The goal of dog owners should always be to make their pets not just tolerant, but as child safe, comfortable, and friendly as they can possibly be.

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3

4

Introduce puppies to well behaved children often. Invite kids over to sit on the floor and feed your puppy high value food rewards that it loves.

Supervise all interactions between children and dogs. Keep your eyes on them and be close enough to interfere if needed in a gentle way.

You want to be able to prevent a bad experience for either side.

Keep all dog/child experiences positive and fun for Fido. Lavish dogs with lots of treats they love, fun and games with kids present.

Older kids can toss food for them, or even you can feed the dog. Don’t be stingy! You want dogs to think great things always happen when kids are around! Keep interactions short and sweet.

Give the dog his space. If he is showing signs he is finished interacting or uncomfortable (turning away, distancing himself, hiding etc) let him retreat from the situation.

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Look for signs of stress. Yawning, sniffing the ground, tensing up and averting their gaze are a few signs the dog has had enough.

Never get angry and punish dogs that growl or bark at children (or next time he may not warn you). Instead take warnings as information the dog is uncomfortable and seek out a qualified behavior specialist.

7 8 9

Let everyone have their own time.

A young toddler needs time to explore his world without the dog and the dog needs time to exercise or relax with adults or by himself without a toddler squealing and falling around him.

Adults should get dogs used to being touched all over and make it fun using play and treats.

If you see any questionable behavior, seek help from a qualified professional.

These are just a few of many tips for successful child and dog interactions. Laying a foundation of respect, fairness and communication can set the stage for a lifelong friendship between them. After all, what’s cuter than kids and dogs?

Lisa Hartman

is a Dog Trainer, Pet Expert, and Author of Dial a Dynamite Dog, the Ultimate Field Guide for Training Your Pet (on Amazon). You can reach her at www.

LisaTheDogTrainer. com (786) 942-7387.

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Common Emer

By Cindy Bressler, DVM

Here are some common emergencies that are seen at the animal hospital. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with them so that you will be able to recognize them if they should occur.

Vomiting and Diarrhea is one of the most common problems seen at the animal hospital.

It can be caused by many different things and range in severity. Your dog may be dehydrated and may need fluid therapy and hospitalization.

If your dog vomits a few times or has diarrhea, contact your veterinarian.

Anaphylaxis is an allergic reaction to something

that may cause swelling, fever, hives or difficulty breathing. This may be caused by an insect bite, medication, something that your dog has eaten or many other things. This can be life threatening.

Gastrointestinal Obstruction may be caused by foreign objects that have been swallowed and have become lodged in the esophagus, stomach or intestinal tract. If your dog has stopped eating or is vomiting persistently, bring him in for an exam, x-rays and tests.

Bloat is a condition where the stomach fills up with air and rotates around itself trapping air and obstructing blood supply to the body. This

Dr. Cindy Bressler

is a House Call and Emergency Vet in the Hamptons and NYC. You can reach her at (631) 255-8556; drcindybressler@ gmail.com.

is a life-threatening emergency. This is also called GDV or Gastric Dilation and Volvulus.

Signs include drooling, unproductive vomiting, dry heaving, a distended stomach that is filling up with air and general weakness and lethargy.

This requires immediate attention and potential surgery. Do not allow your dog to exercise immediately after eating or drinking. Let him rest for a half hour before allowing him to run around to prevent bloat. This is more common in large breeds but can happen to any dog.

Heatstroke is a condition where a dog’s temperature is elevated to the point where damage to internal organs can occur. The temperature may be 103.5 F to over 106 F. This is usually seen during the summer months or in warm clients and is caused because the dog cannot cool himself quickly enough. Dogs cool themselves through their respiratory tract by panting. Dogs with abnormal respiratory tracts or pushed in noses are more commonly affected. (For example: Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boston Terriers among others) Overweight dogs are also more prone to this. Always have cool water available for your dog and never leave your dog alone in a car especially in hot weather. Signs of heatstroke are drooling, excessive panting, vomiting, collapse and high temperatures. Call your vet immediately. You can start to cool your pet with cool water, wet towels, fans and cold air. Do not cool them too quickly because that can be dangerous. You must bring them to the vet even if you get their temperature down.

Pyometra is a condition that affects unspayed female dogs where the uterus becomes infected and fills up with pus. This can break open inside the sterile abdominal cavity. This requires an emergency surgery. Signs include increased drinking and urinating, fever, vaginal discharge, constipation, collapse and anorexia. You may see one or all of these things.

ergencies in Pets v v v v

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vomiting and diarrhea anaphylaxis Gastrointestinal obstruction bloat heatstroke pyometra diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes Mellitus is common in dogs and may

be discovered early and treated. If it is not detected, or if a pet that has diabetes is difficult to regulate, the pet may present to the ER with an emergency. Vomiting, anorexia, seizures and diabetic coma may be seen. If your pet is drinking and urinating a lot or is losing weight, seek veterinary care right away.

Other common emergencies include seizures, poisonings, fractures, bleeding, wounds, burns, electrocution, eye injuries, fainting, choking, drowning, paralysis, nosebleeds, straining to urinate or defecate, accidents such as a dog being hit by a car or attacked by another animal. If this happens and your dog seems ok, it is crucial to have him checked by a veterinarian right away to check for things that only a professional can recognize.

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Ticks and mosquitos are known carriers of disease to your property.

Ask about our treatments to control these pests.

Fall and spring fertilization is also good practice to keep your trees and shrubs in good condition.

FOR THE LIFE OF YOUR TREES.

Call 877.BARTLETT (877.227.8538) or visit BARTLETT.COM

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Backyard Safety

hAVinG A BAckYARd that is safe for pets and people is paramount for outdoor enjoyment. Tree and lawn maintenance, tick and rodent control, and other safety measures are key. Our friends at Bartlett Tree Experts offer us a few tips for maintaining a safe and fun outdoor area.

Trees:

Dead tree branches should be removed so they don’t fall unexpectedly and cause injury. Low branches at a child’s face level should be removed from well trafficked areas.

Yard:

*Walk your property regularly to inspect for trip and fall hazards and mitigate them quickly.

*Remove all brush piles and elevate or cover fire wood to reduce areas for mice to live. *Remove the low brush or high grass between lawn and trees which is a hotbed for ticks.

* Keep your gardening and pool supplies out

of reach from pets and children.

Ticks:

Fence in as much of your yard as possible to keep deer and other animals from entering. *Treat your property with a material that will kill ticks. Typical management consists of two treatments targeting the different tick stages. Additional treatment may be needed in heavy tick areas.

Pool:

Fence in your pool as required by town code.

If you have young kids and your home opens directly to pool area you may need a separate fence to keep them safe. Door alarms work well to alert you when a door has been opened.

bartLett tree eXperts has an array of services to keep your yard in tip top shape. Contact them at (631) 283-7494; www.bartlett.com

Pet Ha ven doWn in SoUTheRn Florida an animal rescue has set the new gold standard for animal shelters everywhere to aspire to.

Pet Haven has taken a cage free concept to a whole new level. Its founder, Carole Chapuis Verocchi has created an amazing sanctuary that reduces the usual stressors for homeless animals. At Pet Haven, each dog lives in their own little “home”, complete with yard, beds with linens, TV’s, and their friends. Dogs meet for play groups and are loved on daily. Trainers visit the dog as well as dog walkers. For dogs deemed unadoptable, they are allowed to live out their lives at the sanctuary.

Pigs and horses live there too!

For more information visit www.pethavenrescue.com

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Wine Dog

Gizmo at Woler estate vineyard