Paradise Pets Magazine, Ketchikan, AK Vol. 1 Issue 4

Volume 1 Issue 4 | Oct-Nov-Dec 2016

Paradise Pets Magazine is published by Publish In Paradise for the purpose of uniting and supporting our communities. 10% of all net advertising revenue is donated to local animal rescue organizations.

For advertising inquiries, please visit us online or email ads@publishinparadise.com

As pet lovers, our beloved pets are there for us with a daily slobber, wag, purr or other signal that our fur baby loves us.

Many of us have chosen to rescue a pet from a shelter, to bring a homeless stray into our home or have “re-homed” a pet into our lives without realizing how much they would, in turn, rescue us.

© 2016 Publish in Paradise Paradise Pets Magazine ParadisePetsMag.com Publisher: Angela J. Richards publisher@publishinparadise.com Contributors: Steffani Strassburg Angela J. Richards Karen Thomas

On the Cover: Stewie is available for adoption at BARK Alaska Rescue Ketchikan Shelter. See page 17 for details. Photo courtesy Gretchen Moore of BARK.

Some of our pets have been our grief counselors, our life coaches that encourage us to get out there and keep moving forward, or even our constant companions when we have no one else by our sides. Our pets become a part of us and we could never image our lives without them. They are family.

With this issue we bring you some beautiful stories of how pet parents have been rescued by their fur babies during their most challenging times. We hope these stories will encourage you to rescue a pet from your local shelter. There should be no homeless pets, or people, and we are the only ones who can make a difference. They cannot rescue themselves.

If you have a story you would like to share of how your rescued pet has rescued you, please email it to the editor at paradisepets@publishinparadise.com

Features 5 Pets and Social Media 7

Hooch to the Rescue

10 From Feral to Friendly: Smokey's Story

Departments Pet Parents 14

We Rescued Each Other

17 B.A.R.K. Pets Awaiting Parents

Pet Health 9 Dogs Across America Are Freaking Out for Mealtime!

18 Resource Guide

@ParadisePetsMag PARADISE PETS MAGAZINE DISCLAIMER: This information is for educational and interest purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your own veterinarian. Veterinarians cannot answer specific questions about your pet's medical issues or make medical recommendations for your pet without first establishing a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Your pet's medical protocol should be given by your local holistic veterinarian.

Pets and Social Media Animals garner increased online attention

From dogs and cats filling up social media feeds - some even with their own profiles to true pet celebrities who command the attention of millions, animals have become a major part of the digital landscape.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

With this in mind, Mars Petcare conducted a survey to learn more about people's social media habits when it comes to animals. Here are some of the top findings.

All Animals, All the Time About 65 percent of pet owners post about their furry friends on social media an average of two times per week. One in six said they've created a social media profile specifically for their pet - and half of those pet owners say their pets get more social attention than they do online. One third said they post about their pets as much, and as often, as they do about their human family and 13 percent admitted to posting about their pets even more than they do their human relatives.

Pet Love Trumps Personal Vanity More than half of pet owners polled care more about getting "likes" and/or comments for their pet-related posts than they do for most other topics, including changes to their own profile picture. Whichever way you throw the ball, pet posts matter most.

See “Famous Pets” next page…

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Famous Pets cont…

Call Them the "Paw-Purratzi" Thirty percent of pet owners follow famous animals on social media. The bottom line is people love pets, whether it's their own or one with real rock star status, and love sharing their stories with the world. The survey underscores what was already known: Pets have become an integral part of people's lives and pop culture.

To learn more about how to make a Better World for Pets®, visit facebook.com/ABetterWorldforPets.

Source: Mars Petcare | Family Features

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By Angela J. Richards “Hooch” riding in the Dog-On Bag designed by his pet parent Hazel Smith.

W

hen Hazel Smith decided to bring a friendly special needs Chihuahua into her home, she never imagined how he would change her life.

A retired police officer, Hazel suffered from agoraphobia where even going outside to cut her grass was challenging. She was on several medications to help manage the symptoms of agoraphobia and anxiety. She was a prisoner in her own home.

During this season of her life, her elderly Dalmatian "Binky” crossed over the rainbow bridge. The loss sent Hazel in search for a new companion. She checked ads, visited humane societies and SPCAs in search for a new dog.

“One day when my husband and I were out looking we came across ‘Gunny’ a Dogue de Bordeaux, and we adopted him for my husband.”

Then finally Hazel came across an ad on Craigslist. A military family was being relocated and needed to re-home their 1½ year-old Chihuahua, “Hercules”.

“I called immediately,” explained Hazel.

“I told the lady I would be out to get him when my husband got home from work.

She said if he was still there I could come get him. Worried someone else might get him I told her to hold him for me and that I was on the way. I called my best friend and told her I needed her to take me to get him. When we arrived I fell in love with him right off.”

Hazel claimed the five-pound Chihuahua as her own and renamed him “Hooch”. “I thought it would be funny since we had a Dogue De Bordeaux”.

Hazel soon learned the meaning of the term “Velcro dog” but Hooch had very good reason to not want to leave Hazel’s side.

Hooch is deaf.

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Because Hooch wanted to be carried all the time, this made it difficult for Hazel to get things done around the house. “I tried carriers on the market for pets and babies, nothing worked for both of us.”

In her desperation to be able to be hands-free and still care for Hooch with his special needs, she decided to create a solution to her problem. “One day I picked up a canvas [remnant] that I had left over, and the Dog-On Bag hands-free pet carrier was born.”

With her new invention, Hazel and Hooch were able to not only get things done around the house, but leave the house as well. “When I had Hooch with me I discovered I could venture outside, away from home and even on short trips to a friend’s beach cottage, ALONE.” This was a huge accomplishment for Hazel who could barely be in her own yard without anxiety setting in.

Every day Hooch and Hazel would go out for a bike rides and people would ask about her homemade Hooch carrier. She decided to make more carriers in different designs and then set up a table at a local Bark in the Park event. By the end of the day she had nearly sold out of her Dog-On Bags. A business was born.

Now, Hazel and Hooch have an in-home business, a website, and several retailers carry the Dog-On Bag. She has even expanded the reach of the Dog-On Bag as far as Italy. Her new-found strength and courage even set her on stage to audition for Shark Tank in seeking help for her business.

“Hooch and I enjoy spending time together on bike rides. Hooch invented the Dog-On Bag to make this possible. I just make them.” -- Hazel

“Because of Hooch, I went from being medicated and scared to leave home, to no more medication for agoraphobia and panic attacks, and standing up at pet expos in crowds, and even auditioning for Shark Tank. Hooch saved me, gave me my life back, and more.”

Hazel and Hooch displaying “Hazel’s Handywork” products.

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Pet owners are always looking for new ways to show their love for their fourlegged friends. We know that treats and toys often do the trick, but what about making mealtime more exciting?

Mars Petcare recently introduced a new program, Mix Mania, encouraging pet owners to MIX IN wet food with their dog's regular dry kibble. The result is a full-on freak out from canine companions across America!

To join the Mix Mania madness, simply MIX IN wet food with dry kibble and capture your dog's excitement by snapping a picture or video of his over the moon freak out. By sharing that freak-out face on social media with #MixMania, dog owners will have a chance to win custom "Wag Swag" such as a surfboard, skateboard, playing cards and more, all with their smiling pooch's face featured prominently!

Consumers can also join the fun by visiting MixMania.dog for lip-smackingly delicious recipes, PAWsome content and a unique remix station with the ability to upload your dog's freak-out video and remix it with a hilarious voiceover.

So don't wait. Embrace MIXING IN during mealtime and LOOK OUT for a freakout face to remember! If you're not sure where to start, use these delicious pup-approved recipes:

Source: Mars Petcare | Family Features

Mitzie's Twisty: Mix CESAR Classics Porterhouse Steak with any dry kibble.

Buttercup's Combo: Mix PEDIGREE Choice Cuts with Beef with any dry kibble.

Moose's Mishmash: Mix IAMS Chicken and Rice with any dry kibble.

Sparky's Swirl: Mix NUTRO Tender Chicken Stew with any dry kibble.

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By Steffanie Strassburg

Smokey was a feral captured cat project, born wild and brought to BARK in a live trap.

Volunteers and staff worked with him daily during his stay with us.

Thanks to their hard work, LOOK at him now!

Upon his arrival, Smokey was frightened Smokey, once a scared feral kitten fending for himself, is now relaxing at of EVERYTHING. Any home with thanks to Ketchikan’s loving pet community. Photo by Kelleen Ford loud noise or person coming near him caused him to run and hide, preferably Smokey had his own private bathroom to where he was untouchable. Being such a work in. From there, it only took him young kitten, it was easier to get him to twenty minutes to come out of his crate. open up, but it still took lots of work!

In less than a week, Smokey didn't mind Smokey was introduced to the Litterbox Lodge to interact with other kitties. He let gentle people pet him as long as they moved slow enough, and he loved seeing the other cats. It seemed as though all he wanted to do was make friends and be accepted into the pack. Soon he was ready enough to go into foster care.

the sound of the shower running, toilet flushing, or being loved on at any hour.

He was becoming more of what people would call a "normal" cat. However, he is far from normal, he is absolutely phenomenal!

Some of Smokey's favorite things include ripping paper to shreds, talking about how

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his day was ALL night long, reaching his furry arms around your neck and giving kisses, playing with his little sister, and most of all, being a kitty that will have a furrever home now....even after coming from the wild.

Thanks to the loving pet community Ketchikan has, this little boy was given a chance every cat deserves, but sadly not every cat is given.

Smokey is now a w wonderful playful, happy kitty.

Photo by Kelleen Ford

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By Karen Thomas

After my father passed away in 2009, my mother, Patti, was left with debilitating grief. They were married for sixty years, raised five children together and were an inseparable pair. Taking on the role of my father’s hospice nurse at the end of his life, I assisted him to physically and spiritually transition peacefully and pain-free. But how could I help my mother? I utilized all the tools of my trade including frequent energy therapy treatments (Healing Touch), spending quality time with her and spiritual counseling.

As the months passed by, I saw some progress but the void was still deep. It was something I simply couldn't fill. So I started to pray for divine intervention. Not long after I released my request for help to the universe I came across Heeling Allies* on the Internet while researching grief therapy.

Heeling Allies is a Seattle-based non-profit organization that specializes in matching individuals who struggle with a range of psychological challenges with ‘Mental Health Dogs’ that give them courage,

Ilsa and Patti. Photo by Kathy Lancaster

confidence and support. This was exactly what we needed! My prayers had been answered.

An amazing woman who works professionally with dogs and holds a degree in human psychology, Darcie Boltz, founded Heeling Allies Assistance Dogs in 2008. Darcie is passionate about the intricacies of the human/dog bond, the welfare of assistance dogs and working with people with various disabilities, and the dogs that help them. Being an animal advocate and Healing Touch for Animals Practitioner I immediately resonated with this program. When I suggested this concept to my mother, I saw her eyes light up for the first time in months.

After a thorough Skype interview and lengthy application process we were

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After a couple months of specific training and preparation, Ilsa and Darcie made the 3,000-mile cross-country trip to meet Ilsa’s new human. From the moment they met the bond was instant. I witnessed these two soul mates being re-united—the love between them palpable. I immediately felt the dark empty void, which had consumed my mother’s spirit, start to fill with light and love. The following two weeks of training and transitioning Ilsa into Patti’s home went smoothly and naturally.

Ilsa as a puppy. Photo courtesy of Karen Thomas

approved to be matched with an ‘emotional support dog’ for Patti. Between Darcie’s keen assessment and intuitive nature, she immediately knew which dog would be a perfect match for Patti’s needs - a happygo-lucky dog named Ilsa. A five-year-old English Labrador Retriever, Ilsa was about to embark on her big journey of ‘rescuing a human’.

Ilsa and Osdeny del Rio grade 9 at MMHS. Photo by Kathy Lancaster.

Ilsa was trained for public access which meant she could accompany Patti to such places as the grocery store, restaurants and doctor appointments. Ilsa became very good at patiently waiting in dressing rooms while Patti tried clothes on at her favorite boutiques. Ilsa was the perfect mall companion and could shop for hours without complaints. Local business owners were fond of her sweet demeanor and loved when they came in together. Ilsa brought joys and smiles to everyone she met. Over the next four years Ilsa provided the constant companionship, comfort and unconditional love that Patti needed in order to heal.

Ilsa also frequently served our local elementary school by helping 4th graders improve their reading skills. By simply sitting next to Ilsa while petting her, shy children gained confidence, hyperactive children relaxed, and the entire classroom was comforted by her loving presence. For the past two years Ilsa has been invited to ‘literacy week’ at our local high school.

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“We Rescued Each Other” cont…

eye on her. Whether they're watching old movies together, grocery shopping or walking on the beach, feelings of comfort and contentment are always present.

Adopting an animal companion from a rescue organization or shelter is a wonderful act of human kindness and compassion. There are so many that need a forever home it’s often difficult to choose.

However, what I’ve discovered over the years is that each animal I’ve adopted actually chose me. I’ve learned great lessons and gained wisdom from each one.

Ultimately, we are all teachers and students of each other and therefore always blessed.

Patti and Ilsa enjoying time out on the beach.

Photo courtesy of Karen Thomas

During this program she also helps the older students gain confidence and a sense of calm while reading aloud in the classroom.

Karen Thomas, R.N., is a Healing Touch for Animals (HTA) certified Practitioner in the Florida Keys. Karen can be contacted through her website www.pawsitivetouch.org or email her directly at karen@pawsitivetouch.org * In 2012 Heeling Allies began exclusively training service dogs for teens and young adults with Tourette Syndrome and is now referred to as The Heeling Allies Project. Service dogs provided by The Heeling Allies Project are an adjunct to important conventional therapies. For more information visit www.heelingalliespoject.org

Having just celebrated her ninth birthday, Ilsa continues to have the same exuberance for life and loves her job of helping humans.

The deep relationship between Ilsa and my mom (who is now 84 years old) has been beautiful to watch. Patti often sings to her and carries on full conversations about the plans for the day or decisions to contemplate. Ilsa listens intently to her every word and always keeps a watchful

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If anyone is interested in adopting from BARK Alaska Rescue Ketchikan, they ask that you come to the shelter to meet their available animals at anytime.

Come and visit your potential new pet at 12034 N. Tongass Hwy., Ketchikan, AK 99901 or give them a call at (907) 225-3647.

225-3647

On the Cover--Stewie is a 14-month-old beagle pup, exceptional in obedience. He would make a magnificent child companion or therapy dog. We are wanting to place this adorable boy with a family that walks or hikes daily. If you are looking for a pup that is already trained, balanced, and intelligent, we might just have the perfect companion you have been waiting for.

Dolly is a sweet baby tortie kitten available for adoption soon.

Ketchikan Dog Park (KDP) is a non-profit organization that formed for the purpose of developing a Dog Park for the Ketchikan-Gateway Borough. They meet the second Tuesday of each month and welcome public input. For more information visit www.ketchikandogpark.org Like KDP on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ketchikandogpark

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Resource Guide Ketchikan, AK BARK Alaska Rescue Ketchikan Ketchikan’s non-profit, no-kill animal rescue shelter.

12034 N. Tongass Hwy. Ketchikan, AK 99901 907-225-3647 Ketchikan Humane Society 907-821-0274 www.ketchikanhumanesociety.org Southeast Alaska Organization for Animals 907-254-7632 - Ketchikan www.aksofa.org Keepsake Magazines Custom Keepsake Pet Magazines Ketchikan, AK www.KeepsakeMags.com

Juneau, AK Gastineau Humane Society 7705 Glacier Highway Juneau, Alaska 99801 907-789-0260 Southeast Alaska Organization for Animals 907-957-9059 - Juneau www.aksofa.org

Do you have a pet business? A pet friendly motel, restaurant or other establishment? Get listed in our resource guide and we will connect you to pet parents in Ketchikan, POW and vicinity.

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