Pup Culture Magazine—February

PUPCULTURE Feb/March 2012 | www.pupculturemagazine.com

MAGAZINE

PUPPY LOVE

HEC-LIN COUTURE HIGH FASHION FOR STYLE CONSCIOUS DOGS

CANINE PACEMAKERS

GIVING PATIENTS A NEW LEASH ON LIFE

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PEANUT BUTTER BON-BON RECIPE ADOPTION STORIES

LISA LAMPANELLI

THE ‘QUEEN OF MEAN’ HAS A SOFT SPOT—HIS NAME IS PARKER

MAGAZINE

PUP CULTURE

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

Furthering Our Love of Dogs Publisher PUP CULTURE Magazine Editor-in-Chief Gabriella Martinez Editor Sherri Romig Contributing Editor Amanda Seef Creative Director Monica Cevallos Photo Editor Michelle Macirella Design & Production Gabriella Martinez Jessica Tanney Gina Benedetti Sarah Van Bogaert Monica Cevallos Contributing Writers Michelle Macirella Sherri Romig Gabriella Martinez Joanne Brokaw Monica Cevallos Carol Giotto MaryAnn Aquilino Debra Thesing Allison Kowalski Christine White Caitlin Kenny Despina Karintis Contributing Photographers Michelle Macirella, Luminaria Photography Terri Parthum, Terri Parthum Photography Linda Dow Hayes, Hayes Photography Jessica Luce, Jessica Luce Photography Claudine Koiser, SImply Dog Photography

Advertising Inquires call (585) 857.7126 The publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, images, photographs, or other materials. By accepting and publishing advertising, the publisher in no way recommends, guarantees or endorses the quality of services or products within those advertisements.

Copyright 2011 by PUP CULTURE Magazine. All rights reserved.

No part of publication may be reproduced by any means, electronic or mechanical, including the internet or photocopying without the written permission of the publisher. PUP CULTURE and its logotype are the trademarks of PUP CULTURE Magazine.

Welcome to the February issue of Pup Culture Magazine with our theme of Puppy Love! We hope you enjoyed our December issue and are thrilled to bring you all of the exciting new content for February.

This month we are gearing up for the Valentine’s Day with Top 10 Valentine’s Day Gifts Under $20. Get your puppy love fix with our readers’ pet photos on page 12, and try out the treat recipe on page 18 for delicious doggy Peanut Butter Bon-Bons. Your dog will thank you!

We also have several great stories for you, including our cover story with comedian, Lisa Lampanelli, aka “the Queen of Mean.” She talks about life with her beloved Yorkie mix, Parker.

You can also read about NYC based pet fashion designer, Roberto Negrin and his couture fashions for your pup. There’s also an interesting profile on artist, Ron Burns, his love of art and his devotion to his dogs. And there’s so much more! Like health and wellness articles, stories from our staff on adopting their dogs, and those cute little Weiner dogs, Max & Mina are getting into trouble again in “The Funny Bone” comic.

We hope you enjoy the issue and we look forward to bringing you many more. Don’t forget to visit us at www.PupCultureMagazine.com or “Like” us on Facebook to stay current with more great articles, information and giveaways exclusive to the web!

Remember our bi-monthly online subscription is free! So be sure to sign up on our mailing list through the website to have the magazine delivered to your inbox.

Love & Licks!

Gabriella & Sherri

TABLE OF CONTENTS

14 DOG PROJECTS 18 DOGGIE DELICACIES: PEANUT BUTTER BON-BONS 40

MAKE YOUR OWN: BRAIDED DOG TOY

ODDS & ENDS 4 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 58 THE FUNNY BONE: THE LOVER 12 READERS PET PICS: PUPPY LOVE 52 ASK THE EXPERT 54 BANDIT’S COLUMN TRAVEL & LEISURE 34 LA TOURELLE: THE PERFECT UPSTATE NY

GETAWAY FOR PET OWNERS

2 | PUPCULTURE DEC/JAN

20 HEALTH & WELLNESS 10 THE KENNEL COUGH VACCINE:

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW 8 FIVE DIET ESSENTIALS FOR ANY CANINE KITCHEN 26 SMILE! ALL ABOUT DOG DENTAL HEALTH BEHAVIOR & TRAINING 42 WORKING WITH SHY DOGS COVER STORY 30 LISA LAMPENELLI: THE QUEEN OF

MEAN HAS A SOFT SPOT—HIS

NAME IS PARKER RESCUE 56 PUPPY PERSONALS 44 ADOPTION STORIES

24

FASHION & ENTERTAINMENT 20 RON BURNS: A LOOK INSIDE THE

MIND OF ONE OF AMERICA’S

GREATEST ARTIISTS 36 HEC-LIN COUTURE: HIGH FASHION FOR

STYLE CONSCIOUS DOGS

36

PUPCULTURE Feb/March 2012 | www.pupculturemagazine.com

MAGAZINE

FEATURES 14 CANINE PACEMAKERS: GIVING PATIENTS

A NEW ‘LEASH’ ON LIFE 24 FORECLOSURE PETS

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PUPPY LOVE

HEC-LIN COUTURE HIGH FASHION FOR STYLE CONSCIOUS DOGS

CANINE PACEMAKERS

GIVING PATIENTS A NEW LEASH ON LIFE

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PEANUT BUTTER BON-BON RECIPE ADOPTION STORIES

PAMPERED POOCH 50

6

PRODUCT REVIEW: THROUGH A DOG’S EAR CD TOP 10 VALENTINE’S DAY GIFTS UNDER $20

LISA LAMPANELLI

THE ‘QUEEN OF MEAN’ HAS A SOFT SPOT—HIS NAME IS PARKER

ON THE COVER

Lisa Lampanelli & Parker Pop Illustration by: Gabriella Martinez www.pupculturemagazine.com | 3

FEBRUARY/ MARCH

CALENDAR O F

EVENTS

FEB 9th GRRRRRLS NIGHT OUT CHICAGO, IL

7PM - 10PM

FEB 10th PRE-WESTMINSTER FASHION SHOW NEW YORK, NY

6PM - 11PM

Join ALIVE Rescue for their GRRRRRLS Night Out Event at Bottle and Bottega for 2 hours of painting and instruction, appetizers, soft and alcoholic drinks, silent auction and more.

The historic Hotel Pennsylvania caters to the The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show’s Participants and Attendees and will be hosting this amazing event on February 10th at the beautiful Penn-Top Ballroom overlooking the city at the Hotel Pennsylvania in NYC.

For More Information: www.aliverescue.org

For more info and tickets visit :

MARCH 3rd LOLLYPOP FARM TELETHON ROCHESTER, NY

3PM - 9PM

Join Lollypop Farm as they celebrate their 16th year of Lollypop Farm’s Telethon.

This annual animal extravaganza will be broadcast live from Eastview Mall on 13 WHAM-TV and the CW.

For More Information: www.lollypop.org

4 | PUPCULTURE DEC/JAN

www.pre-westminsterfashionshow.com

MARCH 10th WOOFSTOCK ISLAMORADA, FL

FEB 10th A PITTY LOVE AFFAIR ROCHESTER, NY

6:00PM - 9:00PM

Please join us for an evening dedicated to raising money for the dogs in Pittylove Rescue.

Tickets are $30 for one or two for $50. Includes hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and a silent auction.

For More Information and Tickets: www.pittyloverescue.org

Want Your Pet Related Event Listed?

11AM - 7PM

A day of Peace, Paws & Music. All day music, food, beverages, vendors & games for you & your pooch to enjoy. Marvelous Pet Rescue dogs & breed specific rescues represented.

For More Information: Call 305-453-1315 or email info@MarrvelousPetRescues.org

Email us the details at info@pupculturemagazine.com and we will do our best to get it listed either online or in our magazine.

Pet Portraits Marion Romig, Professional Artist Turn a favorite photo of your loving pet into an original work of art, prices starting as low as $90*. Do you want to do it yourself? I can teach you: visit www.marionromig.com.

Marion Romig, Professional Colored Pencil Artist 85 White Rabbit Trail Rochester, NY 14612 585-392-8235 *5� x 7� finished piece ready for framing.

TM

top ten

Valentine’s Day Gifts 1 2

5

3

6

4

7

9 8

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1 Valentines Treats $3.00-4.50ea Available at www.abarkersdozen.com 2 Rinestone Collar Charm $6.00 Available at www.poochparkwear.com 3 Bow and Necklace Set By Tica's Bows $10.95 Available at www.pinkpoodlesalon.com 4 Dog Perignonn Champagne Toy by Haute Diggity Dog $14.95 Available at www.hautediggitydog.com 5 Dog Wine By Bark Vineyards $19.99 Available at www.barkvineyards.com 6 Heart Rubit Clip-On Dog Tag Holder by Mimigreen.com $6.95 Available at www.mimigreen.com 7 Limited Edition Pink Twiz by West Paw Design $16.00 Available at www.westpawdesign.com 8 Neon Pawdicure Pens by Warren London $8.95ea Available at www.warrenlondon.com 9 Puppy's First Valentine's Day Tank by I See Spot $20.00 Available at www.iseespot.com 10 XOXO Bows by Hot Bows $4.50-7.00ea Available at www.hotbows.com 6 | PUPCULTURE DEC/JAN

MENTION THIS AD AND RECEIVE A FREE TOOTHBRUSHING

Bark Avenue Dog 585.244.2275 • www.BarkAveDog.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS

When creating a well-balanced diet for your dog, it’s important to take into consideration his current health, medications, known medical history and your own commitment level to maintaining a particular diet. Regardless of whether you choose raw, home-cooked, dry kibble, or a combination thereof, several factors come into play in proactive canine health and maintenance. The combinations of ingredients are endless. And many elements work together for your dog’s benefit.

By Despina Karintis 8 | PUPCULTURE DEC/JAN

HEALTH & WELLNESS

The importance of water in your dog’s diet cannot be stressed enough. In fact, without it, your dog’s otherwise well-balanced diet would become unbalanced. Aside from the obvious threat of dehydration, there are numerous reasons your dog should have access to plenty of fresh water at all times. Your dog’s body is made up of 70 percent water and their body requires a constant supply in order to efficiently digest and absorb nutrients, maintain normal body temperature, regulate acid and bacteria levels, and carry nutrients to and from cells and organs for proper elimination of toxins. Without water, your dog’s organs would not be able to function correctly.

NOTE: It is important to note that dehydrated dogs should be given water in small amounts—regardless of how thirsty the dog appears to be—in order to avoid the potential of bloat. Small amounts of water should be given in slow, steady installments until the dog’s thirst has been quenched and the threat of overindulgence has passed.

Whether your dog is fed a raw, home-cooked, or dry kibble diet, protein should be the main source of nutrition for your dog. There are several sources of protein available, but for now I’ll refer to good ol’ animal protein—meat. Not to be confused with animal by-product or meat by-product; I’m talking honest to goodness muscle, fat, tissue, organs, or eggs.

Proteins play a big role in a dog’s immune system and are burned as calories and stored as fat; an essential component of a healthy dog. Some dogs do, however, have allergies to certain meats and it is important to determine the best protein sources for your dog.

Chicken and other fowl are likely the most gentle of the bunch, and there’s also lamb, venison, and fish.

A good rule of thumb is “healthy gut, healthy mutt.”

While not the answer to every ailment, a healthy digestive system is an excellent and proactive way to promote your pet’s overall health. With hundreds of bacteria living in your dog’s bowels, probiotics will help ensure strong digestive health and functional immunity. Probiotics act as a natural antibiotic and a barrier to dietary allergic reactions. They also aid in eliminating harmful bacteria. There are a number of available supplements on the market. You may also choose to use natural probiotics, such as yogurt (preferably goat or sheep) with live or active bacteria.

Another option for natural probiotics is green tripe— not to be confused with the white, bleached tripe found at the local butcher. Green tripe has not been cooked or processed and contains active cultures found in stomachs of herbivores, and is ripe with good bacteria for healthy canine digestion.

Veterinarians have used the Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil to treat allergies for years, but are now using them to also treat kidney disease and arthritis.

In addition to promoting a healthy heart, vision, and joints, fish oil has a wonderfully natural antiinflammatory component as well. Omega-3 can be gained from both plant and animal sources. While it is popular knowledge plant sources, such as flaxseed oil, contain higher amounts of Omega-3, it is not in the form of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) which is vital to a dog’s health. Not all fish oils are created equal. I tend to lean toward oil from smaller, wild fish (to avoid higher concentrations of mercury and other heavy metals or pesticides found in larger fish) who live in northern waters, like herring, mackerel or sardines.

That’s right ... tender lovin’ care. It’s simple, really.

Without proper diet and enough water, a dog will not survive. But without love, care, attention, socialization, respect, positive reinforcement, patience, patience, more patience, and something as simple as a kind word or gentle touch— a dog would not thrive.

It’s free and the return is priceless!

•

www.pupculturemagazine.com | 9

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Written By Sherri Romig

M

any kennels, groomers, doggy daycares, and training facilities require dogs to be vaccinated for kennel cough before they are allowed to attend. But, just what is kennel cough, and how safe is the vaccine?

Kennel cough is a viral infection that passes between dogs, especially in stressful environments. It typically takes about 8-10 days after exposure for symptoms to develop including: sneezing, runny eyes or nose and a dry, horrible-sounding cough.

While kennel cough sounds scary because of its characteristic dry, hacking cough, it is a mild illness that can be easily treated

10 | PUPCULTURE DEC/JAN

with gentle, natural remedies. There are many resources to consult on treating kennel cough at home, which typically include boosting the dog’s immune system and gently soothing its cough.

Because kennel cough has a tendency to proliferate in situations in which multiple dogs are in close quarters, many establishment owners require dogs to receive the kennel cough (bordatella) vaccine before allowing them onto their premises in an effort to keep the disease at bay. There are several problems to this practice, however, and mandatory vaccination doesn’t necessarily provide the protection sought.

“Kennel cough is essentially the canine equivalent of the common cold in humans. Therefore it’s not a serious illness and is self-limiting – like the common cold, it will run its course naturally within a week or two. ” A problem with the vaccine is that it doesn’t prevent the animal from contracting kennel cough since it cannot provide immunity against all strains of the virus. The vaccine will also often cause the animal to develop the symptoms of kennel cough, and it can cause the animal to shed the virus for a short period, which exposes all other animals they come in contact with to the illness.

The 2010 Guidelines for the Vaccination of Dogs and Cats distributed by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association contains this statement: “Canine respiratory disease complex (kennel cough) is not a vaccine-preventable disease and the vaccine should only be used to help manage the disease.” This means that, at best, the vaccine will reduce the length and severity of the kennel cough symptoms by a minor degree.

Kennel cough is essentially the canine equivalent of the common cold in humans. Therefore it’s not a serious illness and is self-limiting – like the common cold, it will run its course naturally within a week or two. There are also many different strains of kennel cough, like the common cold, so the vaccine itself has limited usefulness in that regard.

Several well-known veterinarians have gone on record stating these facts, like leading vaccination expert Dr. Ronald Schultz who states: “Don’t even use the injectible Bordatella. There are very real issues against injecting bacterins and the risk of the vaccine reactions does not outweigh the risk of contracting the disease. Kennel cough is not vaccine preventable because of the complex factors associated with this disease. Furthermore, kennel cough is often a mild to moderate self limiting disease, which I refer to as the ‘Canine Cold.’”

Dr. Patricia Monahan Jordan writes: “Kennel Cough is not a vaccine preventable disease, realize this and stop the boarding kennels from making the dogs sick. Stress, diet, crowding, ventilation—all play a part in who gets what and how bad they get it. Only vaccinate against what is necessary. Anytime you inject anything into a patient you have the potential of killing them.”

Your pet’s own immune system is another large factor to consider when thinking about kennel cough and vaccination. If the animal has strong natural immunity, they are able to fight off a kennel cough infection naturally, even if exposed to the virus. In fact, exposing a healthy animal to low levels of the virus helps them develop natural immunity to kennel cough. An article from the Whole Dog Journal states “These exposures, in essence, will ‘vaccinate’ the dog naturally, as his immune system learns to recognize and mount a defense against the ubiquitous pathogens.”

A scientific study done by Dr. Christopher Day in the 1980’s effectively demonstrated that the kennel cough nosode is more effective than the vaccine at preventing an outbreak of kennel cough in boarding facilities. In a letter to congress, Dr. Gloria Dodd used Day’s research to point out: “There is a safer, effective form of immunization that has been documented for over 2000 years in Greece and Europe: the use of homeopathic vaccine nosodes. Today many veterinarians in this country, Great Britain, and Germany are using this preferred method of vaccination.” Owners who are concerned about kennel cough might look for a veterinarian in their area who offers nosode treatment rather than vaccinating their dogs.

Fifty to one hundred percent of dogs vaccinated for kennel cough will still show symptoms of the illness after exposure. The vaccine sometimes leads to reactions including death, and the illness itself is not known to have caused any deaths. This information is presented in a pro-vaccination paper by Dr. Daniel Kiel. So when we vaccinate our pets for kennel cough, we choose to inject a vaccine that has caused death in some animals, in an attempt to prevent an illness that is not known to cause death, with a vaccine that is less than 50% effective in preventing symptoms of that illness in the first place.

Consider the above information carefully when deciding whether or not to vaccinate your dog for kennel cough. No vaccine is without risk, and as owners, it’s our responsibility to weigh the risks versus the benefits for ourselves to make the best decision possible for our pets.

The problem we run into is that while we are certainly free to choose not to vaccinate, owners of doggy establishments are also free to set their own policies regarding required vaccinations for dogs they allow on their property. If you choose not to vaccinate your pup for kennel cough, you may run into trouble when looking for a place to take your dog for boarding, training, or daycare. But here are a few things you can try: - Look for an establishment that shares your holistic viewpoint and has lighter vaccine requirements.

- Share what you have learned about the dangers and ineffectiveness of the bordatella vaccination with the owner of the business, and see if they would be willing to grant you a waiver, or accept a nosode in place of vaccination.

- Consider having one-on-one services instead of bringing your dog to a group facility. Many professionals will come to your home for pet sitting, mobile grooming, or private training. If your dog will not be around other dogs, there is no reason for vaccination.

There are also several holistic methods that can be used to prevent the illness without the use of vaccination. Veterinarian Dr. Cynthia Lakenau explains that kennel cough manifests itself in the dog’s trachea. This usually only happens when the dog has tracheal irritation that gives the kennel cough virus a foothold to get into the dog’s system. This irritation usually results from the harsh chemical cleaning agents used in the kennel environment. www.pupculturemagazine.com | 11

BUGSY

PUPPY LOVE BOJANGLES

SAWYER, SUNSHINE & PORTIA DRAKE & LOLA

KATIE & CHARLIE DIESEL & KNUCKLES

LARGO & EDEN

12 | PUPCULTURE DEC/JAN

READERS PET PICS

JONAH

GRACIE MAE

JANET & LILA

SASCHA

BRANDY, MYA & RYSSA LOGAN

SIGN

BELLA & DEUCE Next month’s theme is: “SILLY FACES” Want your pup featured in the NEXT issue of Pup Culture? Email us your best “SILLY FACE” photo to:

ADRIENNE & MR.FRITZ

info@pupculturemagazine.com

www.pupculturemagazine.com | 13

FEATURE STORY

CANINE PACEMAKERS

GIVING PATIENTS A NEW LEASH ON LIFE Written By Gabriella Martinez | Photography Courtesy of Cornell University Veterinary Specialists.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CANINE PACEMAKERS, PLEASE VISIT THE CUVS WEBSITE AT WWW.CUVS.ORG OR SPEAK TO YOUR LOCAL VETERINARIAN.

I

t is estimated 10 percent of all dogs have heart disease. As dogs age, the prevalence of heart disease may reach more than 60 percent, said Dr. Mandi Kleman.

As dog parents we are constantly worrying about the health of our dogs.

We are reminded of their aging by slightly graying muzzles, a slowed gait and an increase in sleep. What we don’t realize is that sometimes symptoms that we pass off as the ailments of aging can potentially be symptoms of an underlying heart condition.

“Owners may believe [dogs are] just slowing down or becoming lazy, when in actuality they don’t have enough energy because their heart rate is too slow due to heart block,” said Dr. Kleman, a Cardiologist at Cornell University Veterinary Specialists (CUVS).

Complete Heart Block and Sick Sinus Syndrome are conditions that cause abnormalities of the electrical charge that stimulates the chambers of the heart to contract and pump blood through a dog’s body. These conditions may cause

Dr. Mandi Kleman, DVM, DACVIM, performs a pacemaker implantation at Cornell University Veterinary Specialists Hospital in Stamford, CT.

“One of my favorite things about pacemakers is first the immediate gratification; that we can make a patient better overnight (within 12 hours).”— DR. MANDI KLEMAN 14 | PUPCULTURE DEC/JAN

FEATURE STORY

a very slow heart rate and as a result dogs become lethargic and experience episodes of collapse or fainting. If left untreated, their heart could eventually stop beating, resulting in sudden death.

then used to diagnose Complete Heart Block,” Dr. Kleman said.

Even though these are serious illnesses, treatment is available that can help give a dog suffering from these conditions the ability to lead a normal life—a pacemaker implantation.

The procedure takes Top: Dr. Mandi Kleman, pacemaker recipient Scottie, approximately 60 to and board-certified technician Nicole VanSant.

Bottom: X-Ray of Scottie after the Pacemaker was 90 minutes and is a implanted. minimally-invasive procedure. During the surgery, dogs receive two small incisions, about an inch to an inch and a half in length, one on the bottom of their neck near their chin and the other on the back of their neck.

The pacemaker lead is then placed into the dog’s heart through their jugular vein and the pacemaker computer is placed under the skin in the back of their neck. Unless complications arise, patients are sent home the next day. Once they are home, they are required to be strictly rested for six to eight weeks to ensure that the pacemaker lead stays in place.

According to Dr. Kleman, studies show that if dogs who have complete heart block don’t get a pacemaker, they may pass away within six months.

“This devastating consequence is secondary to an unstable electrical rhythm within their heart. They can basically pass away at any moment,” said Dr. Kleman.

No one can say for sure why dogs develop Complete Heart Block, since it is something they are not born with nor is known to be genetic.

“It’s something they acquire over the course of their life, a type of scarring within their heart,” Dr. Kleman said.

Both Complete Heart Block and Sick Sinus Syndrome are something that family veterinarians may find during an annual exam. Which is another reason why yearly or bi-yearly exams are so important for dogs to have, especially older ones. “Often we find complete heart block during an annual exam when your veterinarian finds a low heart rate of 30 beats per minute.

This heart rate is abnormal and an electrocardiogram (ECG) is

“The dogs wake up from surgery having very little discomfort and having a brand new heart rate,” Dr. Kleman said. “Typically the biggest problem we have with pacemaker surgery is the recovery time, because the dogs feel like absolutely new dogs.”

Scottie, an 8-year old Pembroke Welsh Corgi, received a pacemaker last year after being diagnosed with Complete Heart Block. A few months before his diagnosis, his owner, Mari Carroll, began to notice that this championed herding dog was now lacking the energy he once had.

“Eventually, he got to the point where one morning he didn’t eat, www.pupculturemagazine.com | 15

“He’s much happier, his whole attitude is better. He’s up for anything; he loves to go out on walks and race around the yard with the younger dogs. He’s back to his old self. ” — Mari Carroll, anymore,” said Dr. Kleman, “So these are brand-new state-of-theart pacemakers that just have a little bit shorter shelf life.”

Over the years, pacemaker companies such as Medtronic and St. Jude Medical have made hefty donations to cardiologists.

CanPacers, or Companion Animal Pacemaker Repository is another way cardiologists can obtain pacemakers. They are a non-for-profit organization that sells donated pacemakers to veterinarians for about $500 for both the pacemaker generator and lead. According to their website, all proceeds from their sales are used to fund Cardiology Resident Research Projects at the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Implanting pacemakers in dogs is more common than most dog owners might think. Dr. Kleman typically implants about eight to 12 pacemakers in dogs a year but says that hundreds of pacemakers are implanted in dogs yearly across the country.

While some may think that pacemaker implantation is expensive, the surgery is no more than the cost of knee or back surgery for a dog. It can range from approximately $2,500 to $5,000 depending on where you are located in the country. which for a Corgi is really unusual, they live to eat. And then later that morning I was watching him outside and I saw him faint.”

Carroll said.

She took Scottie to her local veterinarian who after completing an ECG, discovered his heart rate was only beating at a mere 35 beats per minute. That was when she was referred over to Dr. Kleman at CUVS. Dr. Kleman is one of about 230 veterinary cardiologists who are trained to perform pacemaker surgery in dogs. “One of my favorite things about pacemakers is first the immediate gratification; that we can make a patient better overnight (within 12 hours)” said Dr. Kleman.

“The hardest thing for [Scottie] was once he had the procedure and the pacemaker was put in, I picked him up the next day and he had to be confined to a crate for six to eight weeks,” Carroll recalls, “so he was hand walked and was basically on crate rest for all that time and it was unfortunate for him because he felt great and he couldn’t understand why he had to be so confined.”

This technology, thought to be reserved only for humans, has been available to treat dogs with these conditions since the late 1960s.

Pacemakers, which are about the size of a silver dollar, help to speed up a slow heart rate and can help to extend a dog’s life by years. These patients will typically live their normal lives after their recovery period.

Since there are no pacemakers made specifically for veterinary use, the pacemakers implanted in dogs are the same as those used in humans. In order to keep costs as low as possible, veterinary cardiologists rely on hospitals to donate unused pacemakers whose battery lives are shortened and are no longer appropriate for use in humans.

“The pacemakers I put in dogs typically have a battery life of about 10 years and this timeline is just not long enough for a person 16 | PUPCULTURE DEC/JAN

“Financially, it’s tough, its a lot of money” said Carroll, “[Scottie] was dying, so there wasn’t any question. Of course there are huge costs, it’s just part of having dogs.”

Carroll recalls that she didn’t realize how much Scottie had been affected by his disease until after the pacemaker was put in.

“Before I would take him on walks and he would kind of loaf along behind me, and that is not his style, he likes to be out in front leading the way,” she said.

Since having the pacemaker implanted, Scottie has no limitations and is free to lead a normal life. The biggest difference Carroll sees in Scottie since his surgery is his energy level.

“He’s much happier, his whole attitude is better,” she said. “He’s up for anything, he loves to go out on walks and race around the yard with the younger dogs. He’s back to his old self. ”n

PUGPOSSESSED not just for Pugs...

Dog Fashions & Artwork 585.671.2273 • www.pugpossessed.etsy.com • dthesing@rochester.rr.com

DOGGIE & DELICACIES

SINFULLY DELICIOUS

PEANUT BUTTER

BON-BONS PHOTO BY: LINDA DOW HAYES

INGREDIENTS: n 2 cups all-natural peanut butter n 1/4 cup organic honey n 1/2 cup organic puffed rice n 1 tsp. all natural vanilla extract n 2 cups unsweetened carob chips n 1 cup peanut butter chips n 2 tbsp. vegetable oil or shortening

DIRECTIONS: 1. Mix peanut butter, honey, organic puffed rice and vanilla extract in a bowl.

Cover and chill in refrigerator for 1 hour.

2. Once chilled, remove peanut butter mixture from the refrigerator and roll into teaspoon-size balls. Place onto cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Return to fridge for an additional 30 minutes.

3. While peanut butter balls are chilling, place carob chips in a medium bowl and mix in 1 tbsp. Of vegetable oil/shortening. Place in microwave and heat for intervals of 30 sec. Until smooth. Repeat with peanut butter chips.

4. Remove peanut butter balls from refrigerator and coat with melted carob chips.

Return to refrigerator until carob coating is hard.

5. Remove cooled balls from refrigerator. Place melted peanut butter chips in a sandwich bag and cut a small corner off bag, drizzle over peanut butter balls.

6. Package as gifts or serve immediately to hungry puppies.

18 | PUPCULTURE DEC/JAN

Yes. It’s for the Dog. (now look who’s begging) www.abarkersdozen.com

Heavenly Creatures Blog Joanne Brokaw on Animals, God, Faith & Life

Joanne Brokaw describes herself as “a disorganized, addle-brained, Jesus-loving, dog training, tea-addicted” award-winning freelance writer, blogger and columnist who is also “a terrible housekeeper and equally bad cook”.

Joanne lives with three dogs, a cat, some chickens, and one very patient husband. Join her at her new blog on patheos.com as she tries to satisfy her insatiable curiosity about dog behavior while helping people better understand how to care for and communicate with their pets.

www.patheos.com/blogs/heavenlycreatures

FASHION & ENTERTAINMENT

Ron Burns

© Ron Burns

Photos provided by Burns Studio Publishing

H

is career began as a way to escape the daily stress of the corporate world and blossomed into an art movement filled with bright, vibrant colors and a passion for giving back to animals.

The first animal painting Ron Burns created was of his beloved dog and best friend Rufus, who was nicknamed “Velcro” for the way that

Written By Christine White 20 | PUPCULTURE DEC/JAN

he would follow Ron around the house every day. “Rufus was my first dog; my first inspiration or ‘in-paw-ration’ as I like to say,” Ron said. “Years ago, I looked at Rufus when I was trying to decide what I wanted to paint for a living and there was something about him looking up and into my eyes that moved me. I thought ‘Rufus just fills me with so much love and I feel so great around him. He’s such a great friend that I’m going to paint him.”

© Ron Burns

© Ron Burns

FASHION & ENTERTAINMENT

Following his painting of Rufus, Ron continued painting portraits of dogs. After being well-received by the public, he was eventually able to get out of the advertising business and dedicate his life to his passion for art, as well as his passion for helping animals. Rather than continue selling paintings of his own pets, or “fur-kids” as Ron likes to call them, he began taking photos of shelter dogs and painting them as a way to encourage people to adopt the dogs. Ron donated a portion of his proceeds to animal shelters.

While Ron has become a very well-known artist whose paintings have sold for as much as $10,000, his focus remains on giving back to the animals that enrich our lives daily. “Animals give us unconditional love,” said Ron. “They try so hard to make us happy and make sure that everybody around them is taken care of first and their feelings come second. I think that a lot of us humans can learn a lot of lessons if we live by their rules. That just motivates me to want to paint these wonderful animals time and time again.”

© Ron Burns

Take for example, Ron’s “Prize not Fighter campaign,” which is dedicated toward putting an end to dog fighting. “When Michael Vick was arrested for dog fighting the news just angered me,” said Ron. “It made me so upset that people would use pit bulls for fighting because they have great hearts and they should be treated correctly. As I was watching the news I thought to myself, ‘I need to do something to make a difference, especially while this is in the press. If there’s some way that I can use my art to generate some funds and some awareness, now is the time to do it.’”

Knowing that a lot of people are familiar with the term “Prize Fighter” through boxing, Ron came up with the term “Prize not Fighter” and used Cecil, a pit bull mix and shelter dog whom he had painted earlier, as the mascot for his campaign. He then emailed one of his contacts at the Humane Society of the United States and donated the use of his ideas toward creating T-shirts and other pieces whose funds were to be used in the campaign to end dog fighting.

Another project which speaks to Ron’s love for animals is his book Rufus Rhymes, which is filled with dog-themed rhymes and paintings for people to read to their pets. “Rufus loved and adored me,” remembered Ron. “I would read to him and when I addressed him, he would cock his head and pay attention. Years went by after he passed away and I decided to create a book that you could read to your dog in memory of Rufus.”

www.pupculturemagazine.com | 33

FASHION & ENTERTAINMENT

Ron and writer Andy Demsky thought of traditional nursery rhymes and changed the lyrics so that it was all about Rufus and reading to your dog.

Though Ron’s career has evolved from painting his own pets toward painting shelter dogs, guide dogs, and service dogs like Sirius, a bomb-detection dog who was killed during the attacks on 9-11, one thing remains the same: “I always paint the dog’s eyes first and once I get the eyes painted on the canvas, I stare into the dog’s eyes and the whole time I’m painting they’re staring back at me. The way the dog looks at me through his eyes gives me a sense of direction on how they’d like to be portrayed and how they’d like to look.”

From there, Ron uses vibrant colors which he says overlap and bounce off each other to give the painting a lot more color, emotion, and depth. “What I try really hard to do is to get out of my head, get out of the way, and just let the creative process and the artistic process happen,” said Ron. “It’s always surprising to me when I finish and people see a painting of a dog they know and they’re like ‘oh my goodness that just has all of the energy and the emotion of my dog.’”

husband. They enjoy spending as much time as possible outdoors hiking, biking, and snowshoeing along local trails. The couple met at the county fair when they were just 15 years old and have been happily married since the age of 25.

“Buff is the one person who keeps me centered and focused,” said Ron. “Whenever something goes to my head Buff reins me in, yet at the same time, she is also my biggest cheer leader.” When Ron won a professional achievement award from Ohio State University he presented a cheer leader bobble-head doll to Buff thanking her for all of her love and support over the years.

“To this day I can’t imagine that after picking up a brush and painting a bright colorful dog that I’d still be doing it 20 years later,” said Ron. “If you’re considering getting a dog the ASPCA used to have a tag line that said ‘make your first option adoption.’ I always remind people to go to local animal shelters or to check out dogs online if they are considering getting a pet. See if there isn’t one out there that will just make your heart full and make you feel great.

You’ll just feel better for the rest of your life.”n

© Ron Burns

Ron currently lives in Colorado with his wife Buff, who is actively involved in helping animals along with her

To learn more about Ron Burns, his paintings and his work, please visit his website at www.ronburns.com 34 | PUPCULTURE DEC/JAN 22

Lifestyle & Studio Portraits Commercial Pet Photography

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FEATURE STORY

I

f you look at your local Craigslist page, you will find more than apartment listings or event volunteer ads—you will find advertisements looking for homes for cats and dogs.

“No Paws Left Behind provides assistance finding no-kill shelters and foster shelters for cats and dogs, as well as help with finding pet-friendly apartments for owners.

Recently, No Paws Left Behind achieved its 1,000 foreclosure animal rescue.”

Individuals who place these advertisements are no longer able to care for their pets for any and all reasons: Due to a family divorce, owners do not want to take responsibility for the cat or dog. The owner died, and living family members abandon the pet. An owner is moving out-of-state, or a new apartment complex does not allow pets. A family cannot financially-afford a cat or dog due to difficult financial times.

Worst of all, a cat or dog may not be wanted by owners anymore.

These abandoned cats and dogs are called foreclosure pets. Because homeowners lose their houses or apartments, the pets are turned into shelters or abandoned. If a cat or dog is abandoned, it could go without food, shelter or water. Extreme heat will dehydrate the pet.

Statistics, according to Now Paws Left Behind, show that 1.5 million animals are at risk of losing their home. With 63 percent of all American households with pets, the foreclosure numbers could leave two to four million Americans without homes.

With many shelters already at capacity, how can they possibly handle an additional 25 percent increase of pets needing homes?

More than often, foreclosure pets are left abandoned in houses or apartments—it could be days before the pet is discovered.

When the cats and dogs are found, they are

Foreclosure Pets

likely immediately taken to a local shelter.

Many Policies regards pets as personal properties of owners—the pet is under the protection and hope, of owners. These laws limit the rights of animals. If they are sent to a euthanizing shelter, there is not much hope for a safe future for the cat or dog. Because an animal cannot verbally communicate, it does not mean they do not have feelings.

Some owners have a preconceived notion that people in charge of the foreclosure will assume responsibility for the cat or dog.

But because pets are considered personal properties, sometimes these people do not feel any duty toward finding responsible, safe homes for the pets. Instead, the cats or dogs will be taken to a local shelter.

Hopefully, these will be no-kill shelters.

Animal Shelters According to the U.S. Humane Society, nearly six to eight million cats and dogs are looked after in shelters across the country each year. Around three to four million cats and dogs are euthanized—about half of the animals shelters care for each year.

In the 1970s, the number of euthanized cats and dogs reached 12 to 20 million.

This number has significantly decreased the past few decades due to efforts and strides of non-profit organization and shelters.

More cats and dogs are being spayed and neutered today, as well.

There are a large number of cats and dogs in shelters because the animals are left there by owners, or they are found

Written by Allison Kowalski Photos provided by No Paws Left Behind

FEATURE STORY

abandoned on the streets. To reduce these numbers, education and awareness of assistance needs to be made known to pet owners, and to provide a secure future for foreclosure pets, it is vital to ensure they will be at no-kill shelters.

No-kill shelters guarantee foreclosure cats and dogs will not be subjected to euthanasia. Aggressive or older cats or dogs are likely types of animals to be euthanized. Some shelters may not have the ability to cure an ill cat or dog, or the pet may not show signs of recovery. Space restrictions and lack of supplies or funding are additional reasons, as well. Instead of ending the lives of these pets, no-kill shelters will accept foreclosure pets into the shelters.

No Paws Left Behind There are non-for-profit organizations that are taking an active stand to help foreclosure pets across the country.

One of these organizations is No Paws Left Behind, whose mission is to locate foreclosure pets, and place these cats and dogs in no-kill shelters. Helping pet owners who face foreclosure find shelters or homes for their cats and dogs is another strategy No Paws Left Behind implements.

The organization also provides financial assistance to pay pet deposits to landlords for apartments; this enables owners to keep cats or dogs with them.

No Paws Left Behind provides assistance finding no-kill shelters and foster shelters

for cats and dogs, as well as help with finding pet-friendly apartments for owners. Recently, No Paws Left Behind achieved its 1,000th foreclosure animal rescue.

or there may be additional charges each month for a cat or dog. If you are not able to pay the full pet-deposit fee, some shelters or organizations, like No Paws Left Behind, can assist you and your pet.

How You Can Help

• Ask for help. Because the economy is difficult right now, some people may not be able to afford to keep their cats or dogs.

Instead of abandoning these pets on the streets or in apartments, foster families are available. These people provide temporary homes for pets to stay until owners are again financially stable.

There are a large number of different ways to decrease the number of foreclosure pets across the United States. With simple actions and optimistic attitudes, it will be easy to ensure a safe future for cats and dogs.

• Donate to a local animal shelter or non-for-profit animal organizations.

Because homeowners lose their homes due to foreclosure or move into no-pet apartments, the number of abandoned pets increases. This rise in foreclosure pets stretches funds and available space in local animals shelters. Monetary donations help shelters offer a place for cats and dogs to live, as well as provide food, water and medical treatment. It costs thousands of dollars, if not more, each month to operate shelters. This money supplies everything from medical supplies, operation equipment, food, blankets and medicine.

Without donations from people, shelters could run the risk of closing and leaving foreclosure pets with no place to go.

• Find a pet-friendly apartment. When looking for apartments, be sure to research whether or not the landlord or complex will allow pets. Be aware that a pet-deposit fee may be required at a lease signing,

• Adopt or sponsor. Many pets from local animal shelters are abandoned at the door or given up by their owners. Some people may want a purebred cat or dog, but there are a large number of cats and dogs waiting for safe and happy homes. Consider adopting a cat or dog from a local shelter.

Sponsorships are also available for cats and dogs that are victims of foreclosure. People can provide donations for a specific cat or dog, and do not have to take it home.

Foreclosure pets are the silent, helpless victims who depend on others for a safe and happy future. Because these cats and dogs have no voice, it is up to people and organizations like No Paws Left Behind to secure a better life for them.

www.pupculturemagazine.com | 25

PHOTO BY: MICHELLE MACIRELLA

HEALTH & WELLNESS

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Smile!

ALL ABOUT DOG DENTAL HEALTH

WRITTEN BY MARY ANN AQUILINO

D

ental disease affects up to 80 percent of pets over the age of three, and just like humans, there can be serious consequences of poor dental health.

Regularly brushing your dog’s teeth and providing him with a healthy diet and plenty of chew toys can go a long way toward keeping his mouth clean and healthy. It’s important to address dental disease as soon as it is detected, no matter how minor. Just a little effort can help prevent problems that can turn out to be harmful to your dog, and expensive to take care of.

“Most people have no idea that dental health is so important to their pets, and that’s why Pet Dental Health Month is such a great idea,” explains Dr. Larry Corry, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). “In fact, veterinarians report that periodontal disease is the most commonly diagnosed problem in dogs and cats. This can lead to painful infections of the mouth, and in severe cases these infections can spread and become life-threatening conditions. During Pet Dental Health Month, the AVMA is encouraging all dog and cat owners to regularly brush their pet’s teeth and regularly see their veterinarian for checkups.”

One of the main dental issues is plaque, which builds up on the teeth and turns into tartar. The tartar and any infected areas of the mouth contain a multitude of bacteria that can eat away at the teeth and gums. This can cause halitosis, gingivitis, periodontal disease, oral pain, receding gums and tooth loss. These bacteria can also affect other parts of the body, like the heart and kidneys. Dental disease progresses in stages; if caught early, you can prevent further damage and save as many teeth as possible. With regular dental care, you can prevent some of these more serious problems.

At least once a week, gently lift your pup’s lips and check the gums and teeth for tartar, inflamed gums, or

missing/broken teeth. The teeth should be clean with no signs of brown tartar, while the gums should be pink – not white or red – and showing no signs of swelling. Dogs with problems can exhibit a reluctance to eat or play with chew toys, “chattering” of the teeth, lethargy, bleeding gums, and eroded teeth.

Bad breath can be an indicator of dental disease.

Breath that is especially offensive and accompanied by a loss of appetite, vomiting or excessive drinking or urinating means it’s a good idea to take your pooch to the vet for a checkup.

A painful infection between the tooth and gum is periodontal disease, and it can result in tooth loss; it can also spread infection to the rest of the body. Loose teeth, bad breath, tooth pain, sneezing and nasal discharge can be signs of Periodontal disease.

“Periodontal disease, an infection of the gums, is incredibly common in pets, and it can be quite serious,” explains Dr. Niemiec, a board certified veterinary dental specialist. “It’s estimated that by the age of two, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have some form of periodontal disease. Periodontal infections have been linked to diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and other life threatening disorders. The best way to prevent periodontal disease is by regularly brushing your pet’s teeth and by regularly visiting your veterinarian.”

An accumulation of plaque, tartar and diseaseproducing bacteria above and below the gum line are signs of Gingivitis, which is an inflammation of the gums. Bleeding, red, swollen gums and bad breath are the signs, and it’s reversible with regular teeth cleaning.

Prevention is always better than hindsight. To help keep your dog’s teeth in good shape start a dental care routine as early as possible in your dog’s life; this will help www.pupculturemagazine.com | 27

HEALTH & WELLNESS

him get used to the feeling of having his teeth brushed and his mouth inspected. There are dental tools on the market to help you with brushing your pet’s teeth, including a dog toothbrush, and a finger brush (which has nubs at the tip and slips over your finger); these usually come packaged with dog toothpaste. Never use human toothpaste as it can make your dog sick.

There are also gels that don’t require a toothbrush, and oral rinses that can be put into your dogs’ water. If you haven’t used the gels or oral rinses from when your dog was a puppy, then they will be most beneficial right after your dogs’ teeth have been cleaned by the vet. Daily brushing is recommended, as plaque turns into tartar within 24 to 48 hours. Your vet can show you the proper way to brush your dogs’ teeth.

There are numerous dental treats on the market, reported to help keep dogs’ teeth clean. Look for ones with healthy ingredients, and low calories, as some of them contain more than 600 calories a treat. For a small dog, that’s 50 percent over what their daily calories allotment should be!

The Veterinary Oral Health Council uses a registered seal on products intended to help retard plaque and tartar on the teeth of animals. This seal means the product met VOHC’s Standards for effectiveness in retarding plaque and tartar when used as directed. But remember to check the calories and reduce your dog’s daily calorie intake accordingly when using any additional food or treats.

Feeding a raw food diet, or occasionally giving your dog a raw bone to chew on is also an excellent way to help prevent tartar and plaque build-up. In addition to bones scraping the teeth, the enzymes in raw food work to keep teeth clean.

24 | PUPCULTURE DEC/JAN 28

Most important of all, make sure you keep up with vet exams. Occasionally, a professional dental cleaning may be recommended, and this will require general anesthesia.

The procedure includes examining the teeth and gums, scaling the teeth and polishing them (very similar to what a dentist does to our own teeth), and if needed, bad teeth will be extracted. If your dog has not been getting regular tooth brushings, then by age three he will most likely need this procedure done. Most dogs will need to repeat cleanings every 18 months to two years. Frequency depends on several factors including regular brushings, type of food eaten (raw vs. kibble or canned), dental treats/raw bones given, etc.

Your vet will make a recommendation about teeth cleaning when you go for your yearly exam; it’s best to heed their recommendations as it’s less expensive to get your dog’s teeth cleaned regularly than it can be to treat a serious dental problem once it’s discovered.

With good dental care, your pet can enjoy a long and healthy life. What you do at home to keep your pet’s teeth clean and healthy can really make all the difference.n

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COVER & STORY

“I’m good at it, but I’m not great at it, and I wanted to do something that I could be great at.”

30 | PUPCULTURE DEC/JAN

COVER STORY

THE QUEEN OF MEAN HAS A SOFT SPOT– HIS NAME IS PARKER Written By Michelle Macirella | Photos Provided

“He’s not a Paris Hilton; he’s more of a Sarah Jessica Parker really.”

C

omedian Lisa Lampanelli, aka the “Queen of Mean,” is not so mean as I found out in a recent interview with her. Probably best known for her Comedy Central celebrity roasts of Chevy Chase, Jeff Foxworthy and Pamela Anderson (to name a few) and soon to be seen as a contestant on the new season of Celebrity Apprentice, she is known for her sharp wit and raunchy jokes. Lisa likes to tell it like it is and she is loved for it. Besides her regular fan following she also has many celebrity fans like Jim Carey who describes her well: “If you want to see real racial integration, go to a Lisa Lampanelli show. That’s where you’ll find people of every color and creed having a good laugh at themselves and each other. She’s more than a standup. She’s a standout.”

Often controversial, but always good-hearted, Lisa is also known for her generosity. Like last May when she decided to turn a bunch of protesters at her show in Topeka, Kansas into fundraisers. Fortyeight anti-gay protesters from the Westboro Baptist Church came to picket her show because she is a gay rights supporter. Lisa said she would donate $1,000 per protester to the Gay Men’s Health Crisis, the nation’s oldest HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care services provider. She decided to round up and gave a check for $50,000 to GMHC.

she has a soft spot, and his name is Parker. He is a cute Yorkie mix, who she named after actress Sarah Jessica Parker, and he lives with Lisa and her husband, Jimmy in New York City.

We had the chance to talk about many things including how she found Parker and why she chose adoption. She also talked about the importance of being emotionally ready to commit to adopting a dog, a trait that is so important and, unfortunately, not all pet owners possess. “Once Jimmy and I figured out that we were emotionally available enough to get a dog, because that’s like a big struggle for me like, Oh my God, suppose he dies and then I’ll be totally devastated, but I was like, you know, it’s worth the risk. We have to do it. We have to emotionally commit.”

There’s a pet store near Lisa’s home that features adoptable animals every Sunday. She sent Jimmy to go check it out and see what it was like. Unfortunately, they only had cats and large dogs, and they didn’t want a big dog while living in a New York City apartment. Many dog owners will agree when they found and adopted their dog, it was meant to be, and Lisa is no different.

However, in typical Lisa Lampanelli style, Parker’s fate rested on

Lisa didn’t start out in comedy though. She began her career in journalism, but said comedy was always in the back of her mind as something she wanted to try. When she saw a class being offered in comedy and how to put together your first five minutes on stage she knew it would help her get started. “I had a great first experience and I just kept going. And by the time I would start having bad shows or whatever I liked it enough and was enough into it that I felt this is something I want to do – it’s pretty clear that it’s more good than it is bad,” she said. With the journalism thing, I didn’t think I was a great editor, but was a decent writer. So I’m good at it, but I’m not great at it, and I wanted to do something that I could be great at.”

During my conversation with the notorious “Queen of Mean” I found she’s not only warm, down-to-earth and of course funny, but www.pupculturemagazine.com | 31

special about him and I’m like, Yeah because he’s not some entitled little purebred. He’s not a Paris Hilton; he’s more of a Sarah Jessica Parker really.” When I asked her if she knew what breeds make up Parker’s mix she told me, “We don’t even really know what he is. He’s definitely got a little Yorkie in him. He’s got a little Chihuahua in him, we think, because he’s got those big ears and that long tail.

And the rest … just his mom was a whore.”

one of her lunch dates. “So the next week I was walking by and I was kind of disheartened; I didn’t think it was going to happen.

And Parker and some other Yorkie type dog were sitting outside and I was like, Oh my God, he’s so frickin’ cute. That’s my dog. BUT … I had a lunch appointment. Now c’mon, food comes first – please. So if it’s meant to be this dog will be there when I get back … and he was.”

Neither Lisa nor Jimmy had any pets growing up. So when she went to adopt Parker she didn’t know anything about adoption and hadn’t researched anything. “I went in to adopt the dog and I said, I want that one. And they’re like, Okay. And I go, Well, what do I need to buy? Because I figured I had to buy stuff that day and just take him home. They’re like, Oh no, no we check your references. And I’m like, Are you doing this because I’m me? Like how dare you? Just because I talk dirty in my act doesn’t mean I’m going to talk dirty to my dog. And they’re like, No, no we do that for everybody. Classic me, I thought they were just targeting me.”

This past fall Lisa got a chance to put her adoption experience to use when she made a guest appearance on the television comedy Whitney. She played a strict shelter owner who gives the main character, Whitney and her boyfriend a hard time when they come in to adopt a dog. Lisa said Whitney, played by actress Whitney Cummings, has met Parker and loves him – she and Lisa have done a couple gigs together in real life. “Every time she emails me she asks about the dog. I love that, we don’t ask each other about our boyfriends or husbands. It’s just, How’s your dog? It was so cute when that part came up and she wrote that in because I’m like, Oh my God isn’t that hysterical. Because that’s probably how I’d be now.

If I had a rescue I’d have to hold it over people’s heads that they weren’t good enough.”

“The minute he cased the bacon it was all over.”

Besides being emotionally ready, Lisa also knew she preferred a dog over having kids. “What I’ve noticed in the past like 10 years or so is that I‘ve never looked at a kid or a baby and gone, Oh my God how cute! And I noticed that EVERY day like there would be tons of cute little dogs that I go, Oh my God they’re so cute! And if I’m noticing dogs and not kids I’m clearly not meant to have any kids.” She and Jimmy would sit on a park bench when they first met and pick out different dogs they liked as they walked by, in an effort to narrow it down. “But then, when the right one comes along, it’s not even anything that you thought it was because he [Parker] is just a mutt, but he is like perfect; he’s so hysterical,” she said.

And when asked why she chose adoption: “It just doesn’t strike me as practical for the world (not that I care about the world that much), but I just didn’t want to, you know go, Oh one that’s out there isn’t good enough for us. I mean me and Jimmy are a couple of mutts.

We’re not purebred, believe me, yet we still have value in the world I think. So this is the way to go.”

She also added her feelings on purebreds saying they always struck her as not that cute. “Like they look too perfect. They look like out of a frickin’ calendar,” she said. She wanted a dog that didn’t look perfect and wasn’t perfect. When she got Parker, she realized another benefit of not getting a purebred is that she didn’t get the bad traits of the breed. Yorkies can be yappy, but Parker is very mellow and only barks when there’s someone at the door.

She says he’s the perfect dog. “Everybody says there’s something

18 | PUPCULTURE DEC/JAN 32 | PUPCULTURE DEC/JAN

Like many of us whose personalities change after we adopt our dogs and we find ourselves doing the very same things we may have criticized other dog owners for, Lisa admits she has also changed

COVER STORY

since she got Parker. “I have really expensive rugs and it doesn’t matter. It’s like as soon the dog came in I was like, Aaahh so what.

But if Jimmy had even put a spot on the rug I would have been like, We are getting a divorce. But this dog could do whatever he wants on the rugs and I’m like, Ohhh, its okay. So I’ve turned into one of those people.”

She said she was also never a fan of dog owners dressing their dogs up in little outfits, but now whenever somebody gives her an outfit she puts it right on Parker (despite the fact that Parker is not a fan either).

And she didn’t understand why people couldn’t just be strict when they were eating and resist the urge to feed their dogs pieces of food from their meal. But when she got Parker she understood. “From day one, I was the worst. The minute he cased the bacon it was all over.”

I was also curious if Lisa brings Parker on tour with her and if he’s made it into her act yet. “A couple times I used to bring him out on-stage a bit with Jimmy because people love seeing a dog on-stage because he’s that cute. I’d do my jokes about his name and things that would happen to me and him on planes and stuff. The first couple times he came out on-stage he was so excited and ran right out to me, and then he got a little shy. I think the big, big crowds really freak him out. So I’m like, Dude … c’mon, get with the program. Earn your keep.”

As I posed my final question, asking Lisa if there was something fabulous about Parker she wanted people to know that no one had asked her before, I was hoping for a classic Lisa Lampanelli response.

She didn’t disappoint: “Just that all your dogs suck compared to mine and you should just not even look at him or gaze upon him for the jealousy that you will have.”

“Just because I talk dirty in my act doesn’t mean I’m going to talk dirty to my dog. “

FUN FACTS ABOUT PARKER: - He was named after actress Sarah Jessica Parker.

- He loves bacon.

- He hates to wear clothes.

www.pupculturemagazine.com | 33 19

TRAVEL & LEISURE

La Tourelle

THE PERFECT UPSTATE NEW YORK GETAWAY FOR PET OWNERS WRITTEN BY CAROL GIOTTO

M

y husband and I have been married over 25 years, but have basically stopped going on vacation together because we don’t want to kennel the dogs and a pet sitter isn’t an option for us. For years, I tried to find somewhere where we could take the dogs with us. I’ve purchased a number of different “travel with your dog” type books but normally end up hearing – ‘sorry, too many dogs’ or ‘sorry, your dogs are too large.’

I came across LaTourelle Resort and Spa in Ithaca, NY while looking for a Spa for a trip with a friend. We had a great visit! While we were there, I saw a man with a dog walking on the property and started talking to him. Turns out, he was the owner of the Inn, and he told me that the Inn had several specially designed dog rooms.

I told him that we have three English Mastiffs, weighing almost 600lbs in total, and was shocked when he told me that was not a problem! I came back home and told my husband about it and we decide to book a reservation. Until we were actually in the room with the dogs, I was certain someone was going to turn us away.

The Inn has really thought out the needs of people who are traveling with their dogs. The pet-friendly rooms are tiled, and have private entrances with decks outside each room. The decks even have gates so that you can enjoy some peaceful outdoor time with your dogs, taking in the beautiful scenery. They also have a luxury pet-friendly cottage on the property for those who like more privacy and room to run with their dogs.

The Inn houses The Simply Red Bistro which serves delicious breakfast and lunch entrees, made from local ingredients. We were lucky to have good weather and so we were able to eat in their outdoor seating area with our dogs. The John Thomas Steak House is also located on the LaTourelle property and provides room service. We enjoyed a great dinner on our private deck overlooking the Koi pond.

34 | PUPCULTURE DEC/JAN

The August Moon Spa is wonderful. I was able to enjoy a number of treatments while my husband was able to enjoy some quite time reading on the deck with the dogs. The spa offers many luxury treatments, from massage to manicures, and has two beautifully relaxing “tranquility rooms”, complete with fireplaces and waterfalls.

In addition to the Spa, the property is quite large and you can hike from the Inn to both Buttermilk Falls and Robert H. Treman State Park. Ithaca is known for its gorges - in addition to the two adjacent to the Inn, Taughannock Falls and Cayuga Lake are a short drive away and offer more great hiking and scenery.

The Inn is conveniently located near Ithaca College, as well as downtown Ithaca, and Cornell University. We spent one evening just walking around town. We walked by Simeon’s on the Common which has outdoor seating and I noticed a small dog under one of the tables. I went to see if they would give us a table (one 10 lb dog is one thing, but 600 pounds of dog is quite another), and they were extremely accommodating. The food was outstanding and we ended up drawing a large crowd - I guess it’s not normal to see 3 huge dogs sitting at a restaurant table.

We had a great weekend. There is a lot to do right at the Inn to keep busy, and Ithaca and the surrounding areas have many more attractions, including wine trails and museums.

We can’t wait to go back for another visit!

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON LA TOURELLE RESORT AND SPA VISIT:

www.latourelle.com NOTE: Be sure to check out their specialty pet rooms.

TRAVEL & LEISURE

Photos Provided By La Tourelle Resort & Spa

Photo By Don Crumb

Photos Provided By La Tourelle Resort & Spa

Photo By Don Crumb

Photo By Pvaz Photography

Photo By Paul Nathan Photography

FASHION & ENTERTAINMENT

HEC-LIN=

COUTURE FOR DOGS Rising Star has his Mother’s Sewing Skills and his Toy Poodle, Hec-lin, to Thank for his Success.

Written By Caitlin Kenny

36 | PUPCULTURE DEC/JAN

T

he pet industry is a billion dollar business and pet fashion designers are entering the scene daily. One New York designer in particular is making the biggest wave: Roberto Negrin of Heclin Couture. Roberto creates one of kind costumes for dogs and cats of all sizes for all occasions—Hec-lin Couture will make it happen. Roberto comments, “Hec-lin Couture grew from the love and of care of my dogs. We [create] art and are open for interpretation. I’m happy to be a Latino who grew up between two cultures and am happy to express that comfortably through your dogs.”

With pet fashions designers becoming increasingly more popular, the twenty-four year old positions his company above the others through individualization. Roberto states, “What sets us apart from other lines is that Hec-lin Couture is a unique brand of custom-made clothes [that fits both] your dog’s needs and [the] clients high taste for luxury. We specialize in high-end costumes and gowns that are not available in many local retail stores. We

FASHION & ENTERTAINMENT

[also] offer a variety of limited [edition] designs—our clients get an exclusive design specially made for them.”

As far as personal design inspirations, Roberto identifies with the architectural elements of Alexander McQueen, the Latino inspired color palette and flavor of Oscar De La Renta and the elegance and structure of Versace—all of which are noticeable in his designs. Negrin comments, “My love for my pets and fashion was the impulse to a great adventure that changed my life for better and placed me as one of the Top Pet Fashionistas of New York City.” And Roberto’s adventure has only just begun.

Roberto has done an array of interesting and thought provoking costumes: from seemingly innocent princess costumes to controversial Catholic Pope costumes. Nonetheless, his designs attract considerable attention. When asked to choose a favorite design, he responds:

Photo By Monkey Pig Photography

Each costume has a story behind it, and [there] are always new challenges and learning experiences. In particular, I will say, the peacock costume I did last Halloween [has to be one of my favorites]; It took me over a week to put the costume together for [my] friend Karen Biehl and [her] celebrity Chihuahua, Eli. Making sure the dog was able to walk and do tricks [while wearing] it was quiet a challenge, but it all came together in the end. Another favorite was the Chinese dragon [costume for] Erika Searl and [her pet] Cubby. This [costume spits] fire from the dragon’s mouth [and also has] LED lights in the eyes. The costume took me about 24 hours straight of work with no sleep.

Photo By Gordon Ho Photography

The high-end appeal of his costumes is a clear translation of the designer’s interest in high fashion. Pet fashion is another form of art, and similar to any designer’s or artist’s creative process, Negrin is constantly experimenting with different themes, styles, fabrics and resources (such as recycled and renewable materials).

Roberto’s work ethic, dedication to his art and attention to detail are the driving forces behind the success of Hec-Lin Couture.

Negrin’s fashion forward thinking has not gone unnoticed both in and outside of the pet industry. His creations have been featured in a plethora of media sources. This year will mark Roberto’s second year participating in the prestigious Pre-Westminster Fashion Show hosted at the distinguished Pennsylvania Hotel in New York City. His costumes have been featured on international and national shows such as Pet Fashion TV (Canada), Pets and the City (Russia), NBC’s The Today Show and VH1’s Best Week Ever. Not to mention print publications such as New York Times, Vice Magazine and Pet Style.

Roberto tried on a few different careers before settling on his true passion: designing for the pets he loves and designing for people who love their pets. He went to school for nursing, managed a shoe store and trained employees at a coffee shop before landing in the pet fashion industry, which he now thoroughly enjoys. “My job is to make [pet] fashion more fun and tasteful. We love and spoil our dogs [as though they were our] children.” said Negrin.

His dive into fashion began when Roberto’s desire to find an outfit that fit the personality of himself and his toy poodle, Hecwww.pupculturemagazine.com | 37

FASHION & ENTERTAINMENT

The poor economy has not slowed down Hec-Lin’s success.

He’s currently working on the Pre-Westminster Show Fashion Benefit, which includes styling canines and their fashionable owners, as well as designing costumes for a few upcoming runway shows. When asked what the busy, talented designer does in his spare time, he says, “I play different roles on a daily basis; I take care of my four rescued dogs: Hec-lin, DJ, Abby, and Athena (as well as manage their professional modeling and acting career); I work as puppy planner and I’m a pet business consultant for new stores.”

Lin (the company’s namesake) was unmet. Dissatisfied with the options and lack of availability of the designs he wanted, Roberto decided to fill the void with his own creations. He consulted his mother, who he cites as his best friend, for her sewing skills and direction; yet, there was one small issue to overcome: her fear of dogs. Together they worked all night on a pattern that would fit Hec-lin’s small body and Roberto’s big design eye. With that first costume attempt, Roberto and Hec-Lin participated in a beauty pageant—Hec-Lin won first runner up for the crown and won the “Best Wear” category. Negrin was only in college.

After winning their first pageant, Roberto went on to design costumes for various fundraising events and began to build a loyal following. Roberto works closely with his clients to develop ideas and address any themes his client has in mind for their pet—it’s a collaborative effort. Together they discuss colors, fabrics, the type of occasion and from there, Roberto uses his creative direction and insight to create a truly unique and individualized costume. Negrin says, “What I enjoy the most is that I’m able to work with my dogs next to me, and that I can use them and the client’s dog as my muse. Every dog has a different and unique personality, which as a designer, makes me realize what the perfect costume for each individual is. Dogs are my canvas, and I’m the painter.”

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At the impressive age of twenty-four, Roberto has had a successful career in this business, and the best part is that he has no intention to slow down. When I asked him what’s next for Hec-lin, he says,” Keep up the great work as always. So far, [I’m] happy to have a promising year of success with the opportunity of dressing up big celebrities, a reality show opportunity and more importantly, [to continue to] support our local shelter by promoting awareness of adoption [and the importance of ] spaying and neutering.

“Dogs are my canvas, and I’m the painter.”

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Photo By Paul Nathan Photography

His side projects don’t end there: he’s a student with aspirations to become a nurse. Before he ends his extensive list of extra curricular activities, he assures me that, “as a young person, not everything is about business, [so] I like to go out with friends and dance.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO OBTAIN ONE OF ROBERTO’s CREATIONS, VISIT WWW.HEC-LIN.COM

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BEHAVIOR & TRAINING

WORKING WITH SHY DOGS

TRAINING DOGS WITH TRUST AND FEAR ISSUES Written By Sherri Romig Photo By Michelle Macirella

“ The errorless learning approach that we used with Fox is excellent for very fearful dogs and helps to build trust and confidence.”

W

orking with dogs who have extreme trust and fear issues can be difficult. Often, the training methods that we are familiar with are simply too much for these dogs, and it’s necessary to look outside the box for another way to relate to timid dogs.

The lure-reward method is a gentle and popular way of teaching behaviors. For this, you hold a treat to the dog’s nose and move your hand so the dog moves his body into the correct position, and you release the treat when he gets it right.

This is a very simple and effective method and makes for easy training success.

However, with some dogs, even this mild method of training too scary. My chihuahua, Fox is one such dog. If we try to use a lure with Fox, she becomes so stressed that she just shuts down.

With Fox, we needed to find a much gentler, hands-off approach if we wanted to get anywhere with her. The errorless learning approach we used with Fox is excellent for very fearful dogs and helps to build trust and confidence.

NOTE: Read about Fox’s background in this issue’s Adoption Stories section on page 49.

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BEHAVIOR & TRAINING

I started by introducing Fox to a behavior marker (I used a clicker, but there are other options) to indicate to her when she behaved correctly and earned a reward. Then, I sat down with Fox, a clicker and treats, and waited. The plan was to click and reward any behavior Fox offered that I liked.

more than once or twice; she simply moves on and tries something else.

The first behavior that Fox offered was a spin. Fox has always been a circler, so I simply clicked and treated when she circled, then waited for her to offer that behavior again.

Before long, Fox understood that she could make clicks happen by spinning and began offering that behavior like mad. We were ready to add a cue.

This is tremendously important for building confidence in damaged, fearful, or sensitive dogs. With Fox, if I attempted to correct her behavior, even with a quiet “eh-eh”, this would be so traumatic to her that she would shut down and the learning would be over. By allowing her the freedom to experiment without judgment, I am establishing a trust with her. By rewarding her for behaviors she chooses to offer, I am helping to teach her an internal locus of control (“what I do has an effect on my environment; I can affect what happens to me”) and therefore building self-confidence.

I said “spin” and waited for Fox to circle, and click-treated when she did. We practiced this several times. If Fox circled before I said “spin”, she didn’t earn a click-treat. If she waited for the cue, she earned a reward. Before long, Fox understood the cued behavior, and we were ready to learn something new.

By allowing Fox the freedom to choose, and a safe way to interact, she has blossomed. When Fox first started learning, she was soft and hesitant in trying new behaviors.

Today when a training session begins, Fox is eager to offer new behaviors she thinks I may like. This confidence has carried over into her everyday actions and relationships

“ One of the biggest differences to this method of training is it’s dogdirected. When Fox and I sit down for a training session, I never know what we are going to learn until Fox shows me.”

At the next session, I didn’t give Fox the “spin” cue, and didn’t click her for circling. Instead, I waited for Fox to offer a different behavior. She sat and I clicked that.

Following the same procedure we used for “spin”, we soon had “sit” on cue. Then “lay”, “bow”, and “ears up” (for perking her ears). These behaviors were always chosen by Fox. She had complete creative control during our training sessions.

with people. Fox has learned the skills to approach a new situation, rather than revert to her old behavior of cower and shut down.

When we are working with timid dogs, building trust and confidence are of utmost importance to their training and well-being. By using errorless learning, we can accomplish this while helping the dog to develop new skills and behaviors at the same time.

One of the biggest differences to this method of training is that it is dog-directed. When Fox and I sit down for a training session, I never know what we are going to learn until Fox shows me. I don’t come in with an exercise in mind, as we do with lure-reward. I simply come with an open mind and click what Fox offers.

This method of learning is errorless on the dog’s part. Fox never hears “eh-eh” or gets it wrong. Fox offers behaviors and I choose to click the ones I like. If she offers a behavior I don’t like, I simply don’t click it. She has learned I don’t want behaviors I don’t click and never offers them

www.pupculturemagazine.com | 43

ADOPTION STORIES

BEAR STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHELLE MACIRELLA

I

’m a big believer that everything happens for a reason. Even things we grieve like the death of a loved one or a beloved pet can bring unexpected opportunities. In September 2009 my mother’s 15-year-old cat died. Unbeknownst to my husband and I this is what would lead us to our dog Bear.

My husband and I are not sure if we will ever have kids together, but we have always been sure we wanted a dog. For a long time our busy schedules prevented us from making the commitment, and when we finally did have the time our landlord’s rule of no dogs made it seem impossible.

In the meantime we discussed what kind of dog we would get someday. I grew up with a small cockapoo terrier, but I’ve always had a passion for pugs. My husband grew up in rural Minnesota with sheepdogs and schnauzers. He would spend his time trying to convince me to get a schnauzer and I would try to sell him on the merits of pugs. Although, I like bichons a lot too; and they don’t shed. That was a plus because I couldn’t deal with constant dog hair everywhere, a fact my husband was always quick to capitalize on by reminding me that Schnauzers also don’t shed.

While grieving the loss of her cat, Cinnamon, my mother started thinking about adopting another cat.

44 | PUPCULTURE DEC/JAN

But she loves dogs and began to play around with the idea that maybe this was an opportunity for her to finally get one. By January, she was ready to start looking. I was thrilled!

We set out on a search at several local shelters and found a couple very sweet dogs we liked, but they were not the right fit. In mid January I saw a news report about a large group of animals that had been rescued from an animal hoarding case and taken to a local humane society. I had seen reports like these before, but the timing of this one seemed right.

Something in me was nudging me to go check out the dogs taken in from this case. We went the next day.

When we got there we were led to the outdoor kennels where most of the dogs from that case were placed. We promptly fell in love with several different dogs – a feisty beagle and a sweet old husky among others. But many were too big for my mother’s small apartment. Before we were about to leave, a shelter employee told us they had a couple small dogs from the case inside that we could see.

One in particular she thought we might like. That was the first time I saw Bear.

My mother and I walked into a small room inside that was lined with cages on the wall. Most were filled with cats, but a handful had small dogs. We

walked up to Bear’s cage and saw the cutest little brown and orange spaniel. He looked sad and guarded. As I put my finger in gingerly to say hello, he came up to me slowly and licked it. They let us take him out for a walk and he perked up immensely.

He loved being outside and more importantly out of that cage. He played with us and gladly stayed nearby for lots of petting. He was the last dog we saw, and we knew he was the one.

After a few days of paperwork and application approvals my mother was able to bring Bear home.

During the weeks that followed, he settled in, and we enjoyed getting to know his personality. Besides being adorable, he proved to be extremely smart, funny and protective.

After about three weeks I got a distressed call from my mother. Although she loved Bear she told me she didn’t think she could keep him anymore. She underestimated the health issues she has which were exacerbated by the daily work and care that goes with having a dog. I understood her dilemma and was concerned for her health, but my heart sank. I couldn’t stand the thought of taking Bear back to the humane society. He had already been through a lot and, in the few short weeks I had known him, I was already hopelessly in love. I couldn’t bear the thought of living without him.

I hung up the phone, sat on the bed with my husband and cried. We talked and decided we would at least try asking our landlord if we could keep Bear. The next morning at work I called our landlord, explained the situation and practically begged. He was understanding, but said he had bad pet experiences in the past with tenants, and he just couldn’t do it. I could feel the tears coming as I hung up the phone and I couldn’t breathe. I sat at my desk stunned for a minute, and then my phone rang. It was my landlord. He told me I was lucky he was a dog lover and we could go ahead and try it. I thanked him profusely and called everyone to tell them the good news.

Bear has become a permanent part of our family.

He makes my husband and I laugh every day and brings us so much joy. My mother has become grandma and spoils her granddog regularly. Two years ago this little Tibetan spaniel found us and made our lives complete. My husband and I still don’t know if we’ll have children, but we always knew we’d have a dog. We just didn’t know how perfect he would be and without being a schnauzer or pug. Now I live every day covered in dog hair, and I love it.

www.pupculturemagazine.com | 45

MINA & MAX WRITTEN BY MONICA CEVALLOS

M

ina and Max had a “ruff” start in life. Once owned by a backyard breeder and then rescued by the ASPCA of Sacramento, these two have their very own “wags-to-riches”tale.

I come from a family who is dachshund crazy. It’s in our blood. My grandfather and grandmother, both avid animal lovers, had a little doxie of their own named, Chaise (chaw-see). Some of my first baby pictures were taken alongside her. When I was three, my sister and I got a brown miniature dachshund, who we named Gretchen.

She lived a long and good life—about 14 years old.

Losing Gretchen was one of my biggest and earliest heart breaks, yet it left me with such a great impression that I swore some day I’d have one of my own.

That day came on April 15, 2005. Intending only to get a pair of female dachshunds, I ended up changing my mind after seeing a set of paired dachshunds up for adoption (then named Trixie and Scooter). Shortly after, I went with my then boyfriend, Marco, to meet them and to be interviewed as their potential mom—the night before I was so excited I could barely sleep.

46 | PUPCULTURE DEC/JAN

When we arrived at their foster home I was speechless.

It was a big and beautiful old Spanish hacienda filled with a sea of dachshunds running wild and freely. I could have sworn I saw one hanging from a chandelier, while another ran up and down a row of keys on a black baby grand sitting in the foyer. I was impressed. Perhaps one day, I’d grow up to be just like her I thought. After sitting down, their foster mom proceeded to collect the two dachshunds and brought them over to us. Max (then Scooter), quietly sat in our laps. Still timid, he shook. Mina (then Trixie), on the other hand, took off running and when faced with a wall, tried desperately to blend in with it. I giggled at the sight. Their foster mom asked me what their names were to be and I proudly declared “Willamina” and “Maxamillion.” She sat back and grinned at me, while Marco rolled his eyes; Mina pretended not to hear and Max cocked his head in amusement.

Shortly after bringing them home I was faced with some unexpected challenges in the coming months. Both Mina and Max were so under socialized they quickly developed some behavioral issues toward everybody and everything. It took them weeks to trust us and even longer for Mina to try and not kill Marco. Working with

Photo By: Monica Cevallos

ADOPTION STORIES

Two months later, Mina suffered a massive disk rupture. I came home one morning after working out, only to discover her whimpering in pain with her back feet wobbling severely. I rushed her to the vet. From there she was sent to a veterinarian back specialist. After a multitude of tests, he said her back rupture was so bad it was as if a small bomb had gone off. He said he was also intrigued that she held on for as long as she did. It was as if she knew she could let go and “break-down now” knowing she would be taken care of … no matter what.

He was right. I can recall looking right into her face and reading her direct expressions to me, as if she was saying, “I’m sorry mom.” Softly crying, I told her not to worry.

I told her she belonged to me, she was loved and would always be taken care of and, most importantly, she was home.

Photo By: MarcoSanchez.net

Photo By: MarcoSanchez.net

a professional dog trainer, we were able to work through their issues with lots of love, patience and consistent training. Meanwhile, about two weeks in, we took Max to the vet for a wound on his face that refused to heal and discovered it was because of a couple of abscessed teeth.

That same day he was operated on to remove the bad teeth, the other remaining cleaned and the wound stitched.

Max quickly recovered and the wound that once refused to heal, closed up perfectly.

Since then I have happily spoiled them rotten. Wanting to keep them at a healthy weight, I cook all of their food for them. For dessert they often get a half of a banana topped with soft pumpkin and/or plain yogurt. After all, Mina and Max deserve nothing but the best that I can give them. These two are truly my little muses who are a constant source of intrigue, joy and laughter. They inspired me to create a blog just for them as well as a series of comics, which are based on their daily antics, typical dachshund traits and unique personalities.

Mina and Max are a pair of classically willful, silly, stubborn, loyal and, best of all, loving dachshunds. I’m so blessed to have them in my life and can’t imagine it without them. They are my little diamonds wrapped in fur.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Stay up-to-date on Mina & Max’s daily lives by following their blog: MinaandMax.com

Mina made a quick recovery. But it was not an easy one. I had to do special therapy with her several times a day for several weeks, while keeping her holed up in a small area in order to let her back heal. At one point, I ended up buying her a life jacket and took her into our bathtub to do some water therapy exercises. Two weeks later during her post-op check up, the vet was amazed at how quickly and well she had healed. He looked right at her and told her that she was one little determined doxie.

That’s my girl, I thought.

www.pupculturemagazine.com | 47

ADOPTION STORIES

HATTIE HATTIE BEFORE WRITTEN BY CAROL GIOTTO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DON CRUMB

I

still remember the day my husband called me at work to tell me about Hattie. We had two English Mastiffs at the time and had gotten involved in Mastiff Rescue. Our local city shelter found Hattie in an investigation case. Neighbors had heard a dog barking in a boarded up house and eventually called the police. What they found inside was an emaciated one year old English Mastiff. It appeared that she recently had a litter of puppies and was basically left in the house to die.

Luckily, our shelter works closely with Rescue groups and gave my husband a call to see if we could possibly help out; she was too far gone for them to be able to rehabilitate her. My husband thought that we would nurse her back to health and then find her a forever home – I knew from the moment he called that she would become our third dog.

Hattie was about a year old when she was found. She weighed 64 lbs, which is about 50% of the healthy weight of a dog her age. She had wounds and sores on her legs and back and she was skin and bones. It appeared that she had been used in dog fighting as she had scars all over her face and around her eyes.

Our veterinarian questioned our decision to try to nurse her back to health. She was unable to digest food and he warned us that it could be a lengthy recovery process with no guarantees she would ever be healthy or emotionally stable. My husband and I agreed that although her body seemed so weak and frail, her eyes were of a dog that was full of life; we felt that we owed her the opportunity to recover.

Hattie’s physical recovery was close to miraculous. Her emotional recovery, however, was a much slower process.

She was extremely fearful and protective of us and our house (not a good combination in a dog that weighs 150 lbs). Due to her protective nature it was apparent that she would not be adoptable, which wasn’t a problem for us. After Hattie lived

48 | PUPCULTURE DEC/JAN

with us for a couple of weeks, we all knew that she was a permanent member of our family.

Of all the dogs we’ve had, Hattie was my greatest teacher.

The timing of her coming to us was perfect. I had just started getting involved in Tellington TTouch and learning about positive training approaches. It was obvious from the start that positive training was the only approach that could be used with her. Hattie was so fearful I knew that any type of “correction” would have a devastating effect on her. I quickly learned the benefit of training based on trust and respect instead of fear or force. Hattie not only had to trust me, but had to trust that I had her best interest in mind. I learned how to read her body language and understand her signals. I had never known that dogs give us so much information, we just have to learn how to see it.

Throughout her life, Hattie continued to learn how to control her mistrust of strangers and situations. She would look for cues from us and she learned to remove herself from situations that were too much for her. We learned that she needed a controlled environment in order to flourish and we were able to provide that for her. Her house manners were perfect and she became a valued companion.

Then on one Saturday morning Hattie woke up blind. Within three days her health went downhill so fast she had to be put down. After overcoming so many obstacles, Hattie was beaten by a brain tumor. Her death left a large void in our home. We will never forget her and all she brought to our lives. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to show her the love and respect that she deserved.

ADOPTION STORIES

FOX WRITTEN BY SHERRI ROMIG | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TERRI PARTHUM

T

he day we brought Fox home she sat huddled and shaking in the corner, terrified and miserable. She was too scared to act like a normal dog.

Fox came to us as a foster dog. I was working for a place that did animal rescue and Fox came in with a group of dogs that had been pulled from a high-kill shelter out of state. We had no background or history on any of the dogs that arrived. Fox sat cowering at the back of the kennel even as the other dogs came to the front to investigate their surroundings.

Because of my background in canine behavior, I offered to take Fox in for a few days to see if I could help bring her out of her shell. I hoped I could help make her more adoptable. Little did I know, the journey I was about to embark on.

Fox was one of the most frightened dogs that I have ever encountered. She was afraid to move in the presence of people.

She would sit for hours, still as a statue, her body stiff with tension. For days she refused to eat. We offered her anything she might want including cheeseburgers, but everything was refused.

We tried putting her in a room with food and leaving, only to find her still in the same position with her food untouched when we returned.

The first night we had her I brought an exhausted Fox into bed with me, but she refused to sleep. She sat tense and still, and as exhaustion took over, her little eyes began to close, and her little head began to droop…but, every time her head dropped, she would startle awake and try to resist sleep again.

Trips outside for potty with Fox would take literally 45 minutes.

We would have to stand with our backs to her, pretending we weren’t watching. Finally, she would begin to circle, starting a ritual of about 5-10 minutes of ever tightening circles before she would finally go. If there was even the slightest noise or movement during this, she would startle and the whole process would need to begin again.

For “normal” dogs, things like walking on a leash, eating, licking your hand, and responding to their name are all regular occurrences that happen on the very first day.For Fox, each of these things was a memorable event, a milestone to be celebrated and remembered.

For months, we worked with Fox, everything in baby steps, trying to bring her out of her shell and show her that the world is not such a scary place. Slowly, we made progress, starting to see her emerge from her shut down state and begin to look at the world. We made the decision to adopt Fox at this point because she was still so scared and troubled. She was not a “normal” dog, and we didn’t see how she could ever adjust to living in a “normal” home.

As we signed the adoption papers, I thought about how we hadn’t yet even gotten a glimpse of the dog that Fox was inside.

We had no idea what her true personality was like. We really didn’t know Fox or what type of dog she would become. As I committed to becoming Fox’s guardian for life, I worried “when I finally meet the real Fox, what if I don’t like her?”

Fortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. Four years later, Fox has blossomed into a sweet and delightful companion with a wonderful sense of humor. Truly, she is the love of my life.

Our journey together has not been easy. It has been long and painstakingly slow. There have been moments of pure joy, heartache, and of frustration, but I would not trade a single second of it. As I taught this terrified little Chihuahua that the world is not such a scary place, I discovered that she was teaching me about patience, trust and forgiveness. Working hand in paw, we were able to grow together and change our perspective on life for the better.

EDITOR’S NOTE: See this issue’s behavior and training article for details on page 42 for one method we used for training Fox. www.pupculturemagazine.com | 49

PRODUCT REVIEW

THROUGH A DOG’S EAR: MUSIC TO CALM YOUR CANINE COMPANION BY: SHERRI ROMIG| PHOTO BY: SIMPLY DOG PHOTOGRAPHY The music line, Through a Dog’s Ear, has been demonstrated in studies to have a noticeably calming effect on 85 percent of dogs, create a reduction in stress behaviors, and is more effective at reducing anxiety behaviors than traditional classical music. Through a Dog’s Ear’s soothing tones create an enjoyable and relaxing atmosphere for dogs and people alike (it’s also an excellent soundtrack for unwinding at the end of a busy day).

Through a Dog’s Ear offers five albums of music designed to calm your canine, using principles based on the psychoacoustic research of Dr. Alfred Tomatis. According to their website, “ [the albums are] built upon the clinically-tested principles of resonance, tone, and pattern identification. These recordings are psychoacoustically designed to support you and your dog’s compromised immune or nervous system function.”

When I first received my Through a Dog’s Ear cd, I was outside with nine dogs running around and playing in my yard. I put the CD on the outdoor stereo and gentle, pleasing notes filled the air. Within 15 minutes, I had nine dogs relaxing quietly at my feet. At that point, I was sold on the effectiveness of the product and brought Through a Dog’s Ear to my dog daycare and training center. We play the CDs during classes to help keep the dogs feeling relaxed and focused during learning time. We also play the CD in the afternoons at daycare, and the group of dogs will relax and mellow out. Most of them will lay down on their own for a nice rest. Through a Dog’s Ear is a product I highly recommend for helping dogs relax—I find it is quite enjoyable and effective for humans, as well.

Learn more about psychoacoustic research and listen to samples visit:

www.throughadogsear.com

50 | PUPCULTURE DEC/JAN

Happy Endings A Destination Pets Helping People Protecting Animals

ASK THE...

TRAINER

Question:

EDITOR’S NOTE

Miranda Workman is a certified canine behaviorist and owner of Purrfect Paws Animal Beahvior Center in NY.

r and

th, brothe

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three y Culture, ho will be w s s Dear Pup rd e h shep ow he turn australian reat dogs. r to see h e o h ry r tw e v fo e v p re a u Ih dg ap ich a altered an “raising” e eyes wh ls, me about utiful blu sister both a d e edical bil te b c m s ta a r n h fo o t c u y b a y p tl e n d is e si c g o all to d er re er thin s My breed ing. He is on the sm him and all I have of the oth y n a r o d g e C le out for bre n aussie. I am raisin es for him like CG My fema titl ra e matures? timidated h s a e g n desired fo ssibly get a couple be in nt cha po mperame of them to mes but he is food, and thers. will his te ’t want either one ti o e r, y a m e m y so h a it h roug I don t least ce he that I do w ets a little t now sin ered for a le is a sweetheart. g u lt , b a y y e la b la p t p o to n to a s l e d m il v e y w k lo li e m d e an t first Since h ntal while ched to m two and a as much. mperame , very atta irn terrier who is ll o lay d p is a bit te a that may to is e er things o far he ave a ca esn’t lik h S o th . d o o e ls y im a n h sh a e l y b .W yfu think I am there weeks old d is a lot more pla ssive? Are t I don’t want her to ething I re g g a n only nine e a le m bu com omfortab cted by so will he be ld ask the breeder is more c is not affe marking, ou k e c b sh a e I p h y l w o il m n sure ?Ik rns are w and make ered male My conce be aware h an unalt it to w t t n a n w re -Holly . Just be diffe r, NY d thoughts ring him. n o c se g Rocheste havin by neute r e v o l o have contr

You have a busy household! Adding another animal, intact or not, will affect the group. A new personality always causes adjustments in a household. Adding a new puppy is hard work, but can be very rewarding when they grow up and, as a result of the amazing foundation they were given by their caretakers, become wonderful canine citizens!

Your current dogs may become more or less playful as the puppy ages and goes through the different developmental periods. Play can be rough when the puppy is experimenting with play styles, learning bite inhibition, and gaining respect for the rules of play. If your adult dogs are appropriate with the puppy, monitor the play closely and interrupt if you feel that you need to give the puppy a time out for not respecting the request of the older dogs to alter his behavior (i.e. not bite as hard during play). Do not however allow the older dogs to bully the puppy. We don’t want him to learn that adult dogs are unpleasant. Also, find as many options as possible for the puppy to meet vaccinated, healthy dogs of all ages and play styles.

Marking is a behavior that has a strong learned component. If you follow the rules of housetraining (manage and supervise closely when inside, take him out regularly, reward him generously when he eliminates outside, and teach him to signal when he needs to go outside), then you will have a dog who *learns* to eliminate outside only. Even spayed and neutered dogs can mark! It is not a behavior exclusive to intact animals.

Certainly, unneutered males are at risk for more aggressive behaviors as they approach social maturity. However, being intact does not guarantee a more aggressive personality any more than neutering guarantees a friendly one. Appropriate socialization and training are your best insurance policy against development of aggressive behaviors. Find a certified area training professional who focuses on training with positive reinforcement along with lots of appropriate socialization opportunities - and get started now!

Have a question for our panel of experts? Email info@pupculturemagazine.com for a chance to get some expert advice in our next issue!

With good management, positive reinforcement based training, positive socialization opportunities and help from the appropriate canine adults in your household we hope you will raise a happy and healthy puppy—regardless of if or when he is neutered.

Miranda

BA, CPDT-KA, CBCC-K

52 | PUPCULTURE DEC/JAN

MaryAnn Aquilino

Certified Professional Groomer

Book with Me at : Happy Tails Pet Grooming, LLC.

We Groom Dogs Of All Sizes!

3180 Latta Road (Located in Ricci’s Restaurant Plaza) Rochester, NY 14612 585.865.3248

“Where I live, babies are not allowed to fly around without their mommies (or their diapers) and they are definitely not allowed to play with bows and arrows.�

F

ebruary is supposed to be the month of love because Valentine’s Day is this month. That is the day when people go around telling other people how much they love them or they try to get people to fall in love with them.

are gagging with your tongue hanging out of your mouth?

Second, you can get a lot of germs by kissing. Especially if you kiss my stupid sister Bailey, because she eats poop. That is some germy love.

But it is all a big lie. Really, they are trying to kill you.

I would tell you more about Valentine’s Day except I am very sad because I miss my brother, Scout. He just got out of his dog body and got into his angel body and went to live on God’s Farm in heaven.

First, a naked baby named Cupid flies around with a bow and arrow trying to shoot people in the heart. Where I live, babies are not allowed to fly around without their mommies (or their diapers), and they are definitely not allowed to play with bows and arrows. Plus, just in case you didn’t know, if you shoot someone through the heart with an arrow they will die. And they probably won’t love you for it, either.

People also give presents for Valentines Day, like chocolate and flowers. They may taste nice and look pretty, but if you get chocolates and flowers, watch out! Someone is trying to poison you! You should know that if a dog eats chocolate he will get emergency poop and if he eats flowers he will also get a really bad belly ache and get sick and barf. If he eats them both, he will definitely be going to the animal hospital.

I don’t know if chocolate gives people emergency poop but I would not take a chance. And I don’t know if people eat flowers, either. But I have met some people who are not very smart so I would not be surprised if they did.

Some people also give a very special present called a “rock”.

It is a shiny glass stone you wear on your finger and it costs about eleventy million cents. Girls like to get that present. I don’t think a rock is a very good present. Although I heard about a dog this week who ate 100 rocks, so he must have a lot of girlfriends.

If you want to know about love, you should learn more about God’s Farm. In heaven, all of the dogs and cats and rabbits and birds and every other animal who ever got sick and died lives there. They are all happy and no one is in pain and they get to romp and run around and have play time all day. And at night, all of the dogs get to climb up on Jesus’ bed to snuggle, and he doesn’t even care if their muddy paws get the sheets dirty!

That is love!

I am glad that God has a special place for animals and that he made Scout feel better from his cancer. I think Scout probably likes having angel wings. Maybe he can tell Cupid to stop being naughty and to just play bubbles with God’s puppies so we can have a safe Valentine’s Day. Your pal,

BANDIT!

There is also a lot of hugging and kissing on Valentine’s Day. Blech. First of all, most people who hug you are really people trying to strangle you. Why else would they wrap their arms around you and keep squeezing you while you

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PUPPY PERSONALS

Fur Kids, Georgia’s largest cage-free, no-kill animal shelter is proud to introduce you to a sample of their most eligible bachelors and bachelorettes. If you felt a spark and would like to make a “love connection” please contact FurKids at 404-705-7297 or adopt@smalldoghumane.org or visit their website at www.furkids.org/about-us to arrange a date.

WILLY

RUDOLPH “RUDY”

Hey Mate! They call me Sweet William, Willy for short. I’m a beautiful miniature Pinscher mix who is looking to share his love with a kind, gentle family.

I’m small enough to fit in your purse, but don’t let my size fool you. I have a lot of love to give. I’m small so I prefer to be with adults rather than children, otherwise I’m eager to come home to become part of your family.

Greetings! My name is Rudy. If you love to give belly rubs and want to have a forever grateful companion who adores your company than I am just the right dog for you! I’m a little shy around strangers and prefer adults over children, however I get along with other dogs. The amount of love in my heart is larger than I can explain. Won’t you let me love you?

BREN

MR. BOJANGLES

My name is Bren and I’m ready to settle down and find my one true love. I’m a furry miniature poodle mix looking for someone who is as caring, gentle and loving as myself so that we can both live happily ever after together. I’ve faced a lot of challenges but that hasn’t kept me from maintaining a positive attitude.

Won’t you be my soul mate?

My name is Mr. Bojangles. If you’re looking for a well-mannered dog who can get along with other animals, adults, and children than I’m the right dog for you. Moreover, if you enjoy exercising as much as I do we are a match made in heaven. I have a beautiful Carmel-colored coat and I must admit that I’m very attractive. If you can keep up with me and want a best friend for life, why don’t you give me a call?

56 | PUPCULTURE DEC/JAN

Special Needs

Good w/ Dogs

Good w/ Cats

Good w/ Kids

Incompatible

Photography By Jessica Luce

ONY

OTTER

My name is Ony and I’m a beautiful German Shepherd Collie mix with a very shiny coat and a smile that can melt your heart. My family gave me up two years ago so I am very well trained and used to living in a home environment. I’m looking for my knight and shining armor to rescue me and smother me with love. Would you please be so kind to take me home and love me?

I’m Otter. One look into my beautiful brown eyes will make your heart melt. I’m a very cheerful and intelligent chap who loves company and who is looking to become part of a loving family. Cuddle with me and I promise to be your best friend forever!

I’m a little chubby, but don’t let that stop you. I have a lot of extra love to give ;)

CHLOE

SERGIO

Hi, my name is Chloe. I don’t know why my owners decided to surrender me, but that hasn’t stopped me from looking for love. I am a special dog with soulful eyes. I love a good belly rub and cuddling. I know in my heart that there is someone out there who is waiting to take me home to show me the love that I long for. I’m very sweet and well-behaved. If you’re looking for a small dog with a lot of love to give than you may just be my match. Won’t you take me home with you?

Hi, my name is Sergio and I am a two-year old lab mix with a beautiful honey-colored coat. One look at me and you can see how sweet, innocent and loving I am. I’m great on a leash and I’m looking for someone who loves to take long walks on the beach or anywhere else one might walk. I can’t wait to come home with you and meet the family! Oh, and if you have another dog at home, I would be honored to have a new playmate!

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58 | PUPCULTURE DEC/JAN

MAGAZINE

PUPCULTURE

TM

We can’t buy

your love But we can sure come close to it!

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