Hot Dog News Green Acres Kennel Shop is excited to welcome two new members to their pet care team; Nicole Crocker, Operations Manager, and Caitlin Christie, Certified Pet Groomer. Nicole joined Green Acres at the end of April and has been transitioning into becoming our new Operations Manager. She has come to Maine from California to reunite with family, and to join the Green Acres Kennel Shop team. Nicole has experience both as a pet store manager, responsible for supervising customer service associates, groomers, and dog trainers and as a dog trainer. She will be serving in all roles here at Green Acres. Caitlin joined the Green Acres team at the beginning of August. She has been a Certified Professional Pet Groomer since 2013. Caitlin attended the A+ Pet Grooming Academy in New Gloucester, Maine. Her experience ranges from working in a small grooming and self-service salon to a fullservice grooming and daycare facility. Caitlin has also worked for specialty pet supply stores with a focus on pet nutrition. Caitlin is available for appointments Tuesday thru Saturday.
Winner of Boatyard Dog Trials — Ta oo L
ast month’s cover story featured the World Champion Boatyard Dog Trials held at the Maine Boat & Home Show in Rockland. On August 11th the four-legged compe tors and their handlers competed in three events: Dockside Obstacle Course, Dinghy Hop and Freestyle. This year’s champion was Ta oo a 4 year old Papillion from Waldoboro alongside his handler Lisa Lane. Congratula ons!
ANIMALS SEIZED IN SOLON
You have very likely seen the story in the news about the animals that were seized by the state from R-N-D Kennels in Solon. While the inves ga on con nues these animals are NOT available for adop on however if you are looking for a way to help there are organiza ons that are accep ng dona ons to aid with their care. While this list may not be complete here are a few. Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk is a partner shelter for the state's animal welfare division and is housing dozens of the dogs. If you'd like to assist by making a dona on to support the dogs in their care, please contact (207) 985-3244 ext. 200 or visit h ps:// animalwelfaresociety.org/give/ Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland is looking for fosters not only for some of these dogs but it is also peak season and they have puppies, ki ens, cats and dogs who need temporary homes while they await Education • Rehabilitation • Guardianship • Adoption adop on. All it takes is a Dedicated 501(c)3 rescue working with shelters and dog owners of both short online applica on Catahoula Leopard Dogs & Australian Cattle Dogs along the East Coast. and a 40-minute 30 Clements Point Rd, Warren, ME 04864 training with their foster 207.273.1320 | 207.975.2909 coordinator to join their nehoularescue.com foster team. Complete an www.facebook.com/CatahoulaNewEngland applica on and sign up
2019 Boatyard Dog Trial Champ Tattoo & Handler Lisa Lane Credit: Bell’s Furry Friends Photography
for an orienta on at www.arlgp.org/foster. To donate: www.arlgp.org/give Many of the dogs taken into custody were Collies. The Collie Rescue League of New England is also accep ng dona ons ear marked for the Solon Collies. Collie Rescue League of New England, PO Box 3689, Cranston, RI 02910-0689. Please check our Downeast Dog News Facebook page for any updates that may occur a er we have gone to print with this issue.
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Downeast Dog News
Downeast Dog News PUBLISHER Jenn Rich COPY EDITOR Belinda Carter CONTRIBUTORS Susan Spisak Diana Logan Sara Moore Judith Herman Carolyn Fuhrer Kate Dutra Nancy Holmes Josh Fearon John MacGregor GRAPHIC DESIGN Courier Publications, LLC
From the Publisher Dear Dog News Readers, As I write this it is nearly September. Where does the me go? Summer felt even shorter than usual this year. Poor Pepper received some bad news yesterday although she is not quite aware of it yet. She has some bacteria and yeast in her ear and is not allowed to swim for two weeks. What a way to end her summer my poor girl! Our previous visit to the vet showed slightly elevated liver levels so she was on a supplement for a month. We are now awai ng the results of her blood test to see how we are we doing. At the moment she is enjoying being able to get up in the morning and eat her breakfast without me shoving a pill down her throat and having to wait an hour to eat. To be
honest I am happy with that as well. My ďŹ ngers are crossed. I haven’t no ced any woodchucks out front lately. I have successfully relocated three! I’m quite sure there must be at least two more but perhaps they have relocated themselves once their family members disappeared. That would be ďŹ ne with me as long as they are no longer on my sep c system. A er the ďŹ rst two were taken away I lost the tops of two of my sunower plants before they could blossom. We ďŹ gured it may have been retalia on for the two woodchucks because one had been seen in that area. Later once the plants grew too tall for a woodchuck we lost the tops of the other two. I now have to suspect the
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September 2019
SEPTEMBER 22RD, 8A 12PM: 5K CANICROSS AND TRAIL RACES Bark! Bark! Idexx presents the 4th Annual Paws to Honor Run for the Brave – 5k Canicross and Trail Races. Join hundreds of dog lovers for two med races through sprawling Smiling Hills Farms, in Westbrook, Maine just minutes from Portland. All proceeds beneďŹ t “K9s on the Front Line,â€? a nonproďŹ t organiza on that works to rescue shelter dogs by training them to be cer ďŹ ed service dogs ďŹ t to assist suering PTSD/ TBI military veterans. In addi on to the 5k races, there will be pet ac vi es, a kid’s race, music, rae prizes, pet and food vendors as well as photography. Register at runsignup.com!
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deer and was disappointed that my headless scarecrow failed to protect them. The garden itself has remained safe inside its li le fence. We hope you have a great September! The weather should be more pleasant for hiking and there are also s ll some dog events to a end if you were too busy this summer.
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Hot Dog News ...................... 2 Furry Words ......................... 4 Ask the Vet ............................ 4 Basic Training Tips ................ 6 Ask Bammy ............................ 7 Maine Dog Books............... 8,9 Performance Dog Training ....10 Words, Woofs & Meows ..... 11 Rescue of the Month ............12 Matters of the Heart ............12 Dogs for Adoption ............... 13 Calendar of Events .............. 14 Business Directory .............. 15 Pet Insurance ...................... 15
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August was a surreal month for me. I spent a week with my dad and my thirteen year old son in my childhood home and playing in the pool. I had no specific reason for the visit, other than I felt that it was important. Two days later, I got the call that my 73 year old father had a massive heart a ack. His death was immediate, and since then, life has been a blur. I’m grateful for all of your support, words of encouragement, and the opportunity to tap into the heavens and con nue to do readings but with a slightly modified schedule. Knowing that he reunited with his wife of 32 years and his beloved black lab, Lucy, gives me great comfort. I just felt the need to share that with you before I get to your readings! Remember that psychic insight is never a replacement for licensed veterinary care. Jen H. asked about Bailey, a rescue Chihuahua who is aggressive to anyone besides "the family". “Does this have to do with where he came from before us? How can we help him with his anxiety and aggression?” I get a huge yes that his behavior is from his past when he had to prove that he was tough enough to avoid ge ng picked on by the other dogs and people in the home. If he nipped at them, they’d leave him alone. He HATES being this way but knows nothing else. I think a good dog trainer would help tremendously! Lisa L. wants to know why Do e barks at her when she goes swimming. Oh my goodness! As soon as I read this, I think back to Lucy, my dad’s dog! Whenever my mom would swim, she’d run along the edge of the pool and even fell
Algae Blooms in Maine Q. I heard a lot this summer about algae blooms being toxic to dogs. Now that it is September, do I s ll need to worry about my dog going swimming?
Furry Words by Sara Moore www.enlightenedhorizons.com
in once or twice by accident. They both think that they’re being the lifeguards, and every me you put your face in, she thinks you’re drowning. When I asked how you can get her to stop, I see her swimming with a lifejacket on. That seems to help her understand buoyancy! Marcia W. has a rescue named Max. They’ve had him about 6 years, and he never shows affec on, but is just 'here' and seems to be ok with it. They wonder if they can help him before he passes over. He is very much ok with his role in this life. He’s an observer, but with no reac on or a achment to what’s going on around him. He does love you, but if he were a person, he would be the same exact way. Just before I went to move on to the next ques on he said that you are “doing
Ask the Vet… by Dr. Judith Herman
A.
There has been a lot of warnings this year about algae blooms. When the weather becomes cooler, the risk of an algae bloom declines. So what is blue-green algae, why do blooms happen, and what makes our dogs sick? It has been discovered that bluegreen algae is really a photosynthe c bacterium called cyanobacteria. This bacteria is part of the natural ecosystem of all lakes. When there is a high nutrient concentra on in a lake, especially when the weather is warm, an algae bloom occurs. The blooms have been called blue-green algae blooms because of the color of the water that turns blue-green, green, or brown green. Cyanobacteria can release toxins called cyanotoxins. These toxins
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cause liver and nerve damage, gastrointestinal symptoms, and skin irritations. The World Health Organization has had concerns for these toxins since 1998. The Environmental Protection Agency developed guidelines for drinking water in 2015 and are developing guidelines for recreation. Maine
him well.” When I read a person similar to him, that person is usually ge ng his bearings and already planning for his next go round. By ge ng a lay of the land, so to speak, he can have a follow up life and be more effec ve in making change or helping his soul evolve. Melissa B. wants to know where her yellow lab Sandy, who has passed, most liked to live. I see huge mountains! I have no idea if you ever lived in Colorado or a place like that, but that’s what I see. It’s beau ful and the colors are all shades of violets, greens, and browns. Nicole C. asked Diana, who is deceased, if she was happy even though they lived in an abusive situa on. Her reply is that she’s happier now that you’re free of it. If you ever find yourself in one again, she is going to start making her energe c presence known! I think you’re safely on the right track, but she’s wagging her finger at you telling you that she’s s ll got her eyes on you. And yes, she’s thrilled to see you where you are today. Kelley R. asked if Buddy is feeling ok? He gives me a low headache, the kind I get when my eyes are red. I just realized mine are itchy as I type this. Feels like he’s affected by dusts or allergens. His legs are a bit red, but he feels good overall! Janine E. wants to know if her dog Jackson thinks she did the right thing. I get a huge yes, but he shows me that as a grinning yellow emoji. I also see lots of li le feathers, like the kind that fall off of chickens, all around you as signs that he’s ok. Brian G’s dog Daisy passed two years ago. “Is she doing okay?” As soon as I type this, my front le
shoulder is sore. She isn’t in pain now, but before she passed, I believe she was. That being said, she’s doing great! I get an image of a huge ball pit filled with yellow tennis balls which to her represents pure bliss. Abigail L. wants to know why her dog Robin is so protec ve of her 8 month old. Your child has a lot of energy around!! All good, but your en re lineage of people who have crossed over are roo ng for this child. I don’t know if you had a tricky pregnancy, but they are making sure she gets all she needs and grows up healthy and strong. She will be a game changer of an adult! Bobbie C. asked about Dusty, deceased. “Does he think I did the right thing when I put him down?” If Dusty was a human, you’d see him with his hand on his hip, asking you what the heck you’re thinking because you really had no other choice. I don’t know if you ever saw the movie Moonstruck, but I believe it’s Cher who slaps Nicholas Cage on the cheek and says, “Snap out of it!” That’s to you from Dusty. LOL! If I didn’t answer your ques on or you’d like to learn more about what was relayed, feel free to schedule a reading at www. enlightenedhorizons.com on the Online Booking page. As always, I offer a discounted Rescue Readings for animals that have been rescued. The more you know about them the more you can help them adjust to being a part of your pack!
has been measuring cyanotoxin levels since 2008. Lucky for Mainers the toxin level in our lakes has been low, but the lakes that have annual blooms do produce cyanotoxins. You can identify an algae bloom by the color of the water that is a pea green, neon green, blue green, or reddish brown. The water is also opaque. You can’t see through the water to the bottom in 6 1/2 feet of water. It can also cause a bad smell, a scum along the shore and foam. It starts with blue green algae on top of the water that moves along to the shore. The water is clear at this time. You cannot drink this water and neither can your dog. The good news is that these blooms can dissipate in a couple of days. Not all blue green algae blooms are toxic. We really don’t know why, but many factors may play a role in the toxicity of the bloom. One that we do know is the density of the organisms found in the bloom. The reaction to the toxins is variable and depends on many factors, such as, how sensitive the dog or person is to the toxin,
the concentration of the toxin in the water, how much water is swallowed to name a few. Illness to humans have been rarely reported. However, there are many reports of severe illness and death to dogs, other pets, and livestock outside of Maine. To prevent exposure to your dog, first don’t let him swim in a lake that looks like there is blue green scum on the shore or on the lake. If he does go into the water, bathe him immediately with clean water and soap if possible. Don’t let him drink the water. Watch for signs of illness and take him to your veterinarian immediately. We are fortunate in Maine to have a low algae bloom problem. That doesn’t mean we don’t have any. Maine DEP has been monitoring and ra ng our lakes. Here is the website that has the list of Maine lakes and how they rate for algae blooms: h ps://www.maine.gov/ dep/water/lakes/bloomrisk.html
Sara Moore is a psychic for people and pets who offers private and group readings. Visit her website at www.enlightenedhorizons.com.
Judith K. Herman, DVM, CVH Animal Wellness Center Augusta, Maine www.mainehomeopah cvet.com
Downeast Dog News
TIMES from page 1 Butler, MBA and Execu ve Director of P.A.W.S., said the event is not only hilarious but that it’s grown by leaps and bounds – and so have the proceeds – last year P.A.W.S. ne ed about $6k. It started as a small picnic in Diane Wood’s backyard – just a gathering for families who love the smart and vigilant Hound Group breed affec onately referred to as Doxies. Even a er Diane moved to FL, the fest con nued – although she returned in 2017 for the event. Shelly said these days 700 to 800 humans a end with their dogs. “It’s just craziness,” she chuckled – meaning in a unique and wholesome way - about the Wienerfest that’s held at Steamboat Landing Park in Belfast. A endees come from all over the country and 40 states have been represented in the past, as well as several countries including Canada and Australia, “Some plan their vaca on around this fes val.” There are food and retail vendors, a Doxie Derby including “wannabee” races, the Canine Costume Contest (some are dressed in tandem with their owners), and the Grand Parade of Dachshunds. Shelly said the owners are very proud to line up their dogs known for their big personali es but added, “It takes them a while to get them going.” “We’ve placed about 15 wiener dogs in the last year, so we’re looking to see P.A.W.S. alumni at the event.” She explained that in addi on to their intake sources, such as strays from the many local towns they contract with as well as owner relinquishments, they receive about 300 dogs annually from a rescue partner, SweetPups Rescue and Sanctuary in TX, including the smooth, wirehaired and longhaired Dachshunds. “We let [our contact] know that wiener dogs are popular and that we’ll take them. They’re assured to get a home.” Join the Doxie celebra on on Sunday, September 8 at Steamboat Landing on the Belfast Waterfront. The Maine Wienerfest hours are 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, rain or shine, and admission is $3, kids 12 and under and dogs are free. “It’s a funny, funny fes val. Everybody there has a good me.” For further info, visit www. mainewienerfest.com/.
PHOTO CREDIT: Brian K. Brown
NEWFIE FUN DAYS “You definitely get your Newfie Fix that weekend,” said Holly Pearson of the 24th Annual Newfie Fun Days scheduled for September 14th and 15th at the Piscataqua Boat Basin and Park in Eliot. She laughed and added that you’ll also get lots of their slobber, hair, and kisses. Holly knows what she’s talking about – as one of the original four founders of the event along with Mary Lou Graper (unfortunately the other two have passed away), she’s been to all of them – you’ll usually find her at the entrance mee ng and gree ng. She said her beloved Newfie Roman used to be by her side, but she lost him two years back. Initially, Newfie Fun Days was a small get together for those who love this Working Group breed – they had picnic fare and would swap stories of their devoted and sweet dogs with the soulful expressions. Today it’s a two-day event held rain or shine in September, and attendance – depending on the weather – can reach into the 300’s with folks coming from many other states and Canada. Holly said most
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September 2019
water rescue demo at the beach. “Working in water is the hallmark of the breed,” she relayed. With their intelligence, easy trainability, webbed feet and ability to use their tails as a rudder, the big, strong dogs (their average weight is 120 to 150 pounds depending on gender), excel at water work trials and water rescue. This water rescue demo – their “signature” event - is intended to highlight not only what’s involved in water rescue and trials, but to demonstrate the participating Newfie’s abilities, and everyone stands along the beach by the Piscataqua River to watch. “It’s quite a sight to see all the Newfoundland’s lined up on the beach.” The Newfie Days are free of charge, but there will be donation jars to accept monetary gifts. They welcome them to aid their mission of benefiting the Newfoundland Club of New England Rescue, Atlantic Rescue, The Betty Trott Fund, as well as the Newfoundland Club of America Health Challenge which covers a variety of breed issues including cardiac and bone joint health. Join the Newfie crowd for two days of events, food, and good times on September 14th and 15th from 10 am to 4 pm at the Piscataqua Boat Basin and Park, 90 Hammond Lane, Route 103 in Eliot. Holly added to please mark your calendar for next year’s event – it’s their Silver Anniversary. They’ll be back for the 25th Annual Newfie Fun Days on September 19 and 20, 2020. For more info visit, newfiefundays.com.
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bring at least one Newfie but added, “Some people bring two or three if you can believe it. We have a lot of Newfies there.” Breed fur ranges from gray, brown, black, and blackand-white, making for a colorful sea of canines among the humans. Events scheduled include AKC CGC, rally and nose work demos, canine massage and reiki, a “carting” clinic, and the Blessing of the Newfies and Grand March with bagpiper Rob Haskell. Holly’s “hands down” favorite is a Saturday event that many attendees come for – the
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Newfie Fun Days Benefiting the Newfoundland Dog Breed September 14th & 15th 10:00 - 4:00 (rain or shine) Rt. 103 Piscataqua Boat Basin 90 Hammond Lane, Eliot, ME Rally & Nosework Demos, CGC Testing, Massage & Reiki, “Bark Park” Food Truck, Raffles, Vendors Sat: CBD with Canines, “Miss Behavior” Manors Class, Water Rescue Demo Sun: Carting Clinic, Rescue Forum, Blessing of the Newfs, Grand March of the Newfoundlands All Proceeds Benefit Newfoundland Dog Health and Rescue Efforts & Betty Trott Memorial Fund, helping all animals in need. Visit us at www.newfiefundays.com and Follow us on Facebook For further info contact: info@newfiefundays.com
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My War on Ajuga and… Predic ng the Future
I
thought it was a lovely li le plant 10 years ago. It had stowed-away with a few perennials a friend gave me which I was eager to plant in my new garden. My knowledge of gardening and plants wasn’t, and s ll isn’t, very extensive, but based on looks alone, this innocent li le plant was quite welcome to stay. It had a few li le friends with it, I no ced, but what the heck, the more the merrier! Within a few years, the sweet li le plant had easily managed to cover the area between my perennials, and it was really pre y. Its dark green/purplish leaves created a thick ground cover, filled empty spaces beau fully and there were lovely purple flowers that shot up above. Sure, there were a few sneaking out into our lawn on all sides of the garden, but how bad could it get? They just got mowed over anyway, and we aren’t fussy about what our lawn looks like. “…do not be lulled into a false sense of security by the sweet music it plays in the landscape!” [www. thespruce.com] Over the years, the plant established a robust mul -genera onal
Basic Training Tips by Diana Logan
family that loved to travel, stretching out tendrils and sending down sturdy roots as fast as a Labrador Retriever can inhale her meal. It wasn’t such an issue in the garden, but the lawn was
definitely star ng to get transformed. In a bad way. Last year: I finally realized that I had to do something about this now obviously invasive plant, but I made yet another fatal error: I thought it deserved a second chance. I moved it from one garden to another. This second garden bordered on woods, so I figured it would be okay if it traveled that way, and it was pre y far from the lawn. This year: I finally came to the realiza on that this formerly-innocent plant had an ulterior mo ve: to take over the world. Yes, it had liked moving into the woods, but the speed with which it not only did that but also invaded the en re garden and the adjoining lawn was awe-inspiring. Of course, it never really le the first garden, either. I decided that it had to go. Every bit of it. Ajuga is a formidable opponent. Not wan ng to use harsh chemicals that could harm desirable plants or poison the earth, I set out to get rid of the stuff forever, by hand, no ma er how long it would take me. I tackled each individual plant, trying to dig up every bit of every one I came across. There were thousands of them. I had let the stuff proliferate for so long that it’s going to be a lifelong pursuit to maintain control over it. No ma er how many I remove, there are
inevitably some that I missed and they will eventually become problema c. “Life is like a piece of crumpled paper and every crease on that paper is a habit.” [Diana Logan] No ma er how hard you try to break a habit, to smooth that crease and return it to its original state, a shadow of that habit will s ll remain. It’s best to avoid creases we don’t want reemerging at some later date. The lesson I learned is that I should have consulted a knowledgeable person for advice. Had I done so, I would have saved myself years of work… and it would have resulted in a nicer garden, too. A professional would have been able to see the future, warn me against falling for the charm of this deligh ul plant and suggest alterna ves. Sure, it’s a fine plant for some, in some situa ons, but you have to know what you are doing. How does this pertain to dog training? Lots! As a professional dog trainer, I o en see what are considered cute li le behaviors being rewarded in some way; behaviors that are sure to grow into weeds that will be very difficult to extricate. What “seeds” might you be plan ng with your dog? Are they seeds for behaviors that will be useful in the future or might they fall into the not-so-desirable once they are well-established? Behavior is a garden. Nourish those you want to thrive.
Diana Logan, CPDT-KA Cer fied Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge-Assessed Pet Connec on Dog Training, North Yarmouth, Maine | www.dianalogan.com | 207-252-9352
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Downeast Dog News
I am a Carolina Dog, a breed that
Ask Bammy
long ago owned Na ve American people. We were designed by natural selec on to be so intelligent and physically superior that we survived without human help. My great-grandfather was caught from the wild. I can offer advice based on the natural ins ncts and a ributes of wild dogs. In addi on, my adop ve person and I have had lots of training classes and other experiences. Some humans call themselves Mom or Dad of their dog, but I refer to my human, tongue in cheek, as Boss. Much as I love her, I admit she has many of the same odd no ons as most humans, so I can relate to other pet dogs with problem humans. If I can’t help, at least I can offer sympathy, and we can have some fun talking about our amazing humans. Please send your ques ons! Bammy, 280 Pond Rd., Newcastle, ME 04553, or email: askbammy@ dewater.net.
An Advice Column for Dogs by a Dog
Dear Friends, I just wasn’t quite my usual athle c self. My mouth hurt, and when I licked Boss’s nose, she said, “Yuk! Buzzard breath!” The grass in my field was so tall I couldn’t run easily. It’s fun to do observa on leaps to see out over the top of the grass, but I wanted to run for ten minutes, just big circles, loping fast and easy. I wish I could get clear of the ground like the swallows, but I almost feel as if I’m flying. I s ll raced Boss in the car on the farm road, but it was more of an effort. Is that what “old” feels like?
Then Boss took me to that house that smells like fear and dogs and cats and I don’t know whatall. We used to go to a different place like that, but very bad things happened there, so we come to this place now. There is a man who I would like somewhere else. He is calm and strong, but gentle, like Boss’s grown-up puppy. He gave me a ny prick in the hip and asked me to follow him out of the room. I looked at Boss and she smiled and said, “It’s okay. Go!” so I did. Pre y soon I got very sleepy and lay down for a nap. When I woke up, I was s ll sleepy and my legs
didn’t work right. When I could stand without pping over, the nice man came and took me for a walk. He took me to places where dogs had le messages, but I didn’t leave any. I was just looking for Boss. Finally, Boss came for me. By the time we got home, my mouth hurt a lot. Boss gave me a big blob of peanut butter with something hard in it. I didn’t care about the hard part. Probably just a peanut. Pretty soon I felt alright again, but my mouth tasted bloody, and there was a hole I could put my tongue in. Maybe Boss felt guilty – she gave me moose stew for supper! Wowsah, was that good! I wanted it all, but she ate the rest herself. Grrr. (Of course I would never really growl at her. I just eat things when her back is turned.) Now my mouth feels fine and Boss doesn’t complain when I kiss her. I still have those big carnassial molars that can cut a
leash in five chomps. My energy is back and … yip! yip! … the tall grass in the field is gone, so I can run like a bird again! There’s just one little problem. Once in a while, Boss used to stick a toothbrush in my mouth, and I cleverly bit it so she couldn’t move it around. Now she sticks it in my mouth every single day and holds my muzzle so I can’t bite it. She got a new toothbrush that tastes really good, and she gives me a treat afterwards. I still hate it. Don’t humans have the strangest ideas? My wild great-grandfather never had a toothbrush in his mouth! But then, he probably didn’t live to be 12. Put up with it, Pups! Bammy The Ask Bammy column is intended for humor and entertainment. If your dog has behavioral issues please contact a veterinarian or professional trainer.
Thanks to Boothbay Animal Hospital for pictures of my teeth.
Before: Swollen, red gums, and a crust of plaque.
A er: Clean, white teeth! The pulled ones used to be back in the shadow.
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Maine Dog Books Woofs and Books I believe in the power of dog, the power of his love, his affec on, and his ability to make me smile and feel happy. The four schools that host the Woofs and Books reading program also believe in the power of dog and the power that he has to help children feel be er about themselves and their reading skills. Every Thursday at 1pm four registered therapy dogs are spread out in the art room at Harpswell Community School ready to listen to children read to them. For the next hour, a total of twelve children, three per dog, spend twenty minutes each prac cing their reading skills with the dogs. One of the goals of this program is for the children to build confidence in their reading aloud skills, and since the dogs are always listening and never judging, it works. Darcy Bagge , the school’s social worker and Woofs and Books school coordinator,
says that the program “has made reading ‘cool’ for students. Students who have disliked reading in the past are so excited about the presence of a dog that they are suddenly interested in reading a book. Because the dogs are popular, even the ‘popular’ kids with reading difficul es are not ashamed of their par cipa on. Kids feel lucky to have the opportunity, so it is changing their a tudes about reading being acceptable.” A greater enjoyment of reading is not the only benefit that the school is seeing however. Bagge reports, “there are clearly students who started the program in the fall, stumbling over words and uncomfortable with the reading process. Just the increase in reading aloud to a ‘safe’ audience has helped them with their reading fluency -- speed and accuracy combined”. Another benefit, according to Bagge ,
We are once again pleased to provide you with a special sec on on dog books wri en by Maine authors. Books are a great gi for yourself or someone special in your life. Research says reading with your child is a great way to develop a bond. It’s not too early to start thinking about your Christmas list!
CARYL MCINTIRE EDWARDS and her twin brother grew up on a farm in York, Maine where she learned to care about all animals. She now lives in Western Maine with her husband, Perry, and host of rescued animals, including Rosebud. She lived the experience about which she writes here and does not harbor any ill feelings towards coyotes and does not wish any harm to come to them as a result of her book.
A harrowing story of how an unloved, unwanted dog goes from nearly becoming a coyote meal to living in a home where she is adored.
is that the program is popular with the students. “I constantly have students stop me in the hall asking if they can read to a dog, too! Students who struggle with academics o en feel excluded from academic events or special challenges. In this case, they are the lucky ones! (It's a special thing when more advanced students are jealous of lower performing readers),”says Bagge . In addi on, the program has started producing posi ve change in the children’s classroom work. One thirdgrade teacher has no ced that a er one student’s Woofs and Books reading session, he was “The happiest I had ever seen him. Although usually a reluctant reader and writer, he came back feeling happy and self-confident and produced the most work of the week a er his Woofs and Books session.” Another founda on of this program is to build love, awareness, and respect for dogs and strengthen the animal/ human bond, both between the handler and their dog as well as between the dog and their child readers.
THAT IS THE POWER OF DOG. The Woofs and Books program is currently in Harpswell Community School, Williams Cone School in Topsham, Bowdoin Central School, and Bowdoinham Community School. All dogs in the program are registered therapy dogs. Please contact Sara Sokol at 207-798-1232 or info@mrdogtraining.com for more information about this program, to have your dog or your children become a part of the Woofs and Books program, or if you would like Woofs and Books to be a part of your organization. Sara Sokol is the founder of the Woofs and Books program and owner of Mr. Dog Training in West Bath, a 20 0 0 square foot positive- reinforcement training center voted BEST in Maine by Downeast Dog News Voters 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 .
A Princess …Finally!
KELLY BROOKS-BAY is the events & sales coordinator at Maine Authors Publishing where she works with authors and book stores. She is also a blogger and writes for both online and in print publica ons. Her first published book was The Rainbow Pants. Visit Facebook: Kelly Brooks Bay, author, or thepagepeddler.wordpress.com
In the back of the book you will find facts about the “Gentle Giants” that we know as the Newfoundland dog. Available from MaineAuthorsPublishing.com and your local bookstores as well as Amazon.
To purchase a copy of Rosebud online or find a bookstore near you go to maineauthorspublishing.com. Also available on Amazon.
A must read for all dog lovers! “I am a yellow Lab who is adopted and arrives untrained with no life experience. Through humor and personal opinions, I share my new life, my struggles, successes, and my eventual understanding of the value of human leadership. Mom explains the difference between a therapy and service dog and the importance of responsible dog parenting.”
A charming story that takes you on a classic adventure with friends and a newly discovered, irresistible Newfoundland puppy on the coast of Maine.
F FLINT K-9 SEARC AND RESCUE SEARCH
VERNITA LEINS lives with her husband Robert and Josie, her service dog, on a pond in Maine. She and Josie enjoy wri ng together and having fun adventures! Josie’s Story … from rescue to service dog is Josie’s biography. Their second book, Fostering Marcel – the bond between human and animal, a true story about Josie and a cat, is a 2019 Next Genera on Indie Book Award Finalist winner in the Animal/ Pet category. A por on of all book proceeds is donated to shelters and rescue groups. Author available for book readings. Purchase books through local bookstores, Amazon, and www.vleins.com
Haunting Maine mysteries for dog lovers from USA Today-bestselling author Jen Blood.
JEN BLOOD is a freelance writer, regular blogger for Maine Crime Writers, and the USA Today-bestselling author of the Erin Solomon Mysteries, the Flint K-9 Search and Rescue Mysteries, and the rescue-friendly children's book Maya Picks a Puppy, illustrated by Thomas Block. Jen grew up in Midcoast Maine, and currently lives in Phippsburg with a mischievous cat named Magnus, precocious pup Marji, and a lovely bearded man called Ben. You can visit her website at www.jenblood.com to learn more.
Available online, or order today at your favorite bookstore.
www.jenblood.com
~ Josie (a yellow Lab)
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Downeast Dog News
September 2019
9
Training Your Performance Dog Agility, Obedience, Tracking by Carolyn Fuhrer
Rally – A Great Way to Start with Your Dog
R
ally has become a very popular dog sport. AKC Rally involves working with your dog and performing a series of different exercises at signs along the way. Like agility, handlers get a map before their class starts and are allowed to walk the actual course without their dogs before their class begins. There is a start and a finish sign and depending upon the level of performance, 10 to 20 signs
along the way. The novice and intermediate levels are performed with the dog on lead. In the advanced, excellent, and masters classes the dog works off lead. In all cases, the dog enters and exits the ring on lead and sets up
at the start sign. The judge will welcome the team into the ring and ask if there are any questions. Then, if they are “ready” ask if there are any questions and then give the command “forward” for the team to start. Once they start, the team is on their own to complete the exercise at each sign in numerical order and finish the course. Rally is a wonderful way to introduce yourself and your dog to dog sports. In the rally ring you are allowed to praise and encourage your dog. This helps build rela onships and confidence in both dog and handler. If you are going to consider trying rally, it is fun to join a class and learn with others. The exercises and rules are available on line at www.akc.org. The signs range in difficulty from very simple ones like “sit”,“le turn”, “about turn”, “slow”, “normal”, etc. to quite complex command exercises in the higher levels. Novice and intermediate classes do not involve any jumps. Advanced, excellent, and masters do include jumps. Jump heights range from 4 inches to 16 inches depending upon the height of the
dog at the withers, with 16 inches being the highest jump. This allows for sound older dogs to par cipate for many years. One of the most common things I see at rally trials with inexperienced handlers is that while rally is a fun and somewhat more relaxed atmosphere than obedience (because the judge only starts you and then you are on your own), there is a lack of awareness that there s ll are rules and requirements on proper performance of the exercises and basic ringside manners. It is important to know the rules and how each exercise is to be performed. You should check in early and be ready when it is your turn. You should make sure the judge invites you into the ring, your dog should always be under control, and you should always be considerate of others and show good sportsmanship. A good instructor should provide you with more than just rally skills. You should also learn how to enter a trial and what that commitment means. Rally is a great sport and it is worth the me to learn how to do it correctly.
Carolyn Fuhrer has earned over 100 AKC tles with her Golden Retrievers, including 2 Champion Tracker tles. She has recently become an AKC Tracking Judge. Carolyn is the owner of North Star Dog Training School in Somerville, Maine. She has been teaching people to understand their dogs for over 30 years. You can contact her with ques ons, sugges ons and ideas for her column by e-mailing carolyn@dogsatnorthstar.com.
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Downeast Dog News
The Wisdom of Rota ng Your Pets Diet – Part 2 In her second month as my guest
WORDS, WOOFS & MEOWS
columnist, Kate Dutra, co-host of The Woof Meow Show and Green Acres Opera ons Manager con nues to discuss the wisdom of rota ng your dog’s diet. This month she focuses on sugges ons on how you can implement this beneďŹ cial and healthy feeding prac ce. – Don Hanson Introducing Your Dog to Dietary Rota on
by Guest Columnist Kate Dutra, CPDT-KA
Last month [FMI – h p://bit. ly/DietRota on1-30JUL19] we explored why dietary rota on should be a regular part of your pet’s life. Understandably, you may be hesitant to make this change based on past experiences where you changed your dog’s diet. I have been there personally, and the ini al consequence of diet change for one of my dogs was ten days of bloody diarrhea and a miserable pup. O en, it only takes one bad experience to convince ourselves that we should never try again. My argument stands, however, that we should not succumb to this fear, but instead we need to work on slowly and methodically strengthening your dog’s gut so that it can handle dietary change with ease. The ďŹ rst step in introducing dietary rota on is to consider your dog as a unique individual. Things to reect upon are your dog’s age, health issues, and how long it has been consuming a speciďŹ c diet. When dogs are young, it is usually easy to train their systems to handle a variety of diets by simply introducing an assortment of foods. Puppies typically are fed three to four mes a day, and there is no reason that each of those meals
:
cannot be something dierent. There is no ques on that it is a li le more work and a bit more costly, but feeding a variety will have lifelong beneďŹ ts. For the older dogs that have been ea ng the same diet for months, if not years, it will most likely be necessary to move at a slower pace. A good star ng point is to ďŹ rst determine if you want to use a dierent manufacturer or feed an alternate protein source from the same company. Many of the pet food companies have come to understand that people want
variety for their animals. To keep you as a loyal consumer, they have tried to make transi oning your pet within their product line as easy as possible. There will o en be common ingredients in their diets, iden cal vitamin and mineral packs, and similar probio cs and prebio cs. Usually, I recommend you start by changing the protein source to something new. Instead of feeding a chicken-based diet, choose one formulated with beef, salmon, turkey, anything but chicken. On the other hand, if you are looking to switch manufacturers (remember many manufacturers make several brands), it may be best to match the protein source to keep the ingredients somewhat similar. For example, if an animal has been ea ng a chicken product from Manufacturer A, look for a chicken-based product from Manufacturer B to start. The sourcing, nutrient availability, and formula on will be dierent, so this keeps some things constant during that ini al shi . Whether changing proteins or manufacturers, it is recommended to start with Âź of the new food and ž of the current diet and then increase by Âź every four days. Slowly altering the diet in this manner allows for 16 days to completely switch to the new diet. Once ea ng 100% of the new diet, the next step is to alternate back and forth between these two diets daily. One day you feed Brand A, the next you feed Brand B. As your dog begins to tolerate this easily, it is me to add another protein source or manufacturer un l you have a suďŹƒciently wide variety of choices for your pet. For the dog with a sensi ve gut, you may need to start by
introducing the new food as a treat, a few kibbles at a me. If your animal has underlying health concerns, these, of course, must be taken into account; however, this does not have to mean that some rota on is not feasible. The second area of focus regarding dietary rotation is determining what you want to include in your pet’s diet. Are you considering kibble only or are you contemplating adding some canned, dehydrated, or commercial frozen or freezedried raw food? If you are adding canned food to your pet’s diet, it is easiest to add a small amount to the kibble as a topper. This can be a great way to increase your animal’s moisture intake and meat consumption. (Do remember, as with kibble, not all canned is created equal.) When introducing raw, it is easiest to start with a freeze-dried food, albeit not the least expensive way to go. Just sprinkle some freeze-dried food on the dry kibble and you are done. From the perspective of introducing frozen raw, giving two or three nuggets a day as a snack can be a great starting point. With all of these kibble alternatives, the key is to increase gradually and methodically until you can make a complete meal out of them. The end goal is for you to be able to rou nely switch what you feed your pet and not be ďŹ xed only feeding them one, speciďŹ c diet. While this can be an undertaking at the onset, it pays o with a healthier gut. Remember, always be vigilant and avoid the poten al pi alls of feeding one food and one brand forever.
Kate Dutra is the Opera ons Manager at Green Acres Kennel Shop ( greenacreskennel.com ) in Bangor, ME where she has been helping people with their pets since 1992. She is a Cer ďŹ ed Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and is commi ed to PPG’s Guiding Principles and the Pain-Free, Force-Free, and Fear-Free training, management, and care of all pets. Kate co-hosts a weekly radio show and podcast, The Woof Meow Show, that airs on Z62 Retro Radio WZON (AM620) and WKIT 103.3-HD3 and is streamed at h p://www.wzonam.com/ every Saturday at 9 AM. Podcasts of the show are available at h p:// woofmeowshow.libsyn.com/, the Apple Podcast app, and at Don’s blog: www.words-woofs-meows.com. The opinions in this post are those of Kate Dutra and Don Hanson.
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Rescue
of the
Month
RESCUE OF THE MONTH: RESCUE CHARLIE’S FRIENDS DOG RESCUE Caring for Abandoned, Neglected, and Abused Dogs By Susan Spisak Janine Hague was volunteering for a Maine nonprofit when she fostered a frightened black Lab mix pup and his sister - both were rescued from a high kill southern shelter in 2011. The sister was adopted but the sweet puppy who was terrified of everything - fireworks, storms, and loud noises - soon knew he was in his forever home with Janine, her husband Lee, and their Shepherd mix. They called him Charlie and in early 2018 when she ini ated this foster-based nonprofit, she named the rescue in his honor with the mission of saving his friends that were le behind. She and her volunteers have been busy - in 2018 they rescued 190 dogs, while they’ve taken in 130 dogs thus far in 2019 - most from southern high kill shelters. Their dogs are o en homeless due to fires, floods, hurricanes, or other disasters, while others are vic ms of neglect, abuse, or abandonment. These shelters do their best to accommodate dogs, but they have limited space.
Rescue Charlie’s Friends aka RCF has a network of southern partners in Alabama - she has a group of “fantastic ladies” there, as well as Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. In many cases RCF has only 24 hours to commit to taking at-risk dogs. Then their southern volunteers quickly pick up the canines, have them vetted, and arrange for local foster care. RCF u lizes several methods of transport. RCF’s Alabama partner has their own van and drives the rescues to “Vaca onland” - the state nickname takes on a unique meaning for these dogs. Carolina dogs get their freedom rides via the “big guys,” aka professional transporters. Janine also calls on other Maine rescue contacts who are transpor ng north and arranges for a dog or two to hitch a ride. Once in state, they’re quaran ned according to Maine laws, cared for by fosters, are spayed/neutered, microchipped, and provided with any necessary vaccina ons and medical a en on.
PEARL, 7 MOS., SHEPHERD/ RETRIEVER MIX
PEPPER, 3 YRS., CHIHUAHUA MIX
She is a sweet, smart, and loveable dog. She’s housebroken, loves kids, dogs and is fine with cats. Her foster says she loves car rides, walks, greets with tail wags and loves to play. She does have that fun puppylike a tude that’ll delight but overall, she’s calm and obedient.
She is good with kids, adults and other dogs.She is sweet and playful. She came to Maine from a shelter in Alabama and is currently in foster care.
Recently they received 15 dogs from Alabama and 14 were spoken for before their transport. “I know it’s weird,” she said of adopting a dog by website pictures/posts only. In part, it’s because she doesn’t take in aggressive or difficult dogs, and she has reliable info on each dog’s personality that she shares with applicants. So they have a good idea if the pet will be a match for their lifestyle and home. Occasionally, an adopter may feel it’s not a good fit after meeting the canine, but that’s fine with Janine – she wants what’s best for all. “I’ve got so many apps for all dogs; I can just go to number 2 [approved adopter]. Janine admi ed RCF is a full- me job - even though she also owns her own online dog merchandise business - DutchFroggy.com. It’s ok that it’s me-consuming ‘cause she’s saving dogs. RCF needs foster, volunteers, fundraising ideas, dog supplies, and food, and welcomes monetary dona ons. Visit rescuecharliesfriends.org.
Visit Rescue Charlie’s Friends for adop on policies, the applica on and fee info at rescuecharliesfriends.org/adop on-form/.
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Ma ers of the Heart Myxomatous mitral valve degenera on (MMVD) is the most common acquired heart disease and cause of newly discovered murmurs in dogs. A heart murmur is a sound that can be heard with every beat which is caused by turbulent blood flow in the heart. MMVD is a manifesta on of a process that can affect all heart valves, but most commonly involves the mitral valve. MMVD most commonly affects small breeds of dogs, though it can occur in larger breeds. Some breeds such as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can develop the disease earlier in life than most other breeds. The mitral valve is the one that is posi oned between the le atrium and le ventricle. The le atrium is the chamber that receives oxygenated blood from the lungs. Blood then flows through the mitral valve into the le ventricle and is pumped out to the body. The mitral valve closes when the le ventricle contracts, preven ng blood from flowing
12
backward into the top le chamber. A normal mitral valve is thin, supple, and anchored in place by strands of fibrous ssue called chordae tendonae (CT). Myxomatous degenera on is essen ally valvular “wear and tear,” resul ng in a thickened, s ffer valve with small nodules on its edges. These changes prevent complete valve closure and allow blood to flow backwards into the le atrium. This is referred to as “mitral regurgita on.” Over me, the atrium and ventricles compensate by enlarging. Though this process con nues to worsen, the exact me course is highly variable among canine pa ents. The increasing volume of the leakage eventually leads to increased pressure within the le atrium. Less commonly, the pressure can increase suddenly if a chordae tendonae ruptures. The mitral valve, being par ally untethered, is now an open flood gate. Referred to as mitral prolapse, the high pressures within the atrium are now transmi ed
upstream to the lungs with fluid exuding from the lung capillaries. This is what the term “pulmonary edema” refers to in both dogs and humans. The pa ent would now be considered in “conges ve heart failure” (CHF), requiring immediate treatment. Spoiler alert, this is not necessarily where the story ends! Signs & Symptoms The onset of MMVD disease is usually discovered when your veterinarian detects a “new” heart murmur during your adult dog’s physical examina on (though not every murmur means MMVD). From this point, symptoms of heart disease do not usually occur for three to four years. The first symptom is o en a worsening cough. Dogs with MMVD cough because the enlarged le atrium directly pushes on the airways and/or there may be lung conges on as described above. More studies show that rising breathing rates when the dog is sleeping are indica ve for progressive heart disease.
Diagnosis The first stage in the diagnosis of MMVD is the detec on of a heart murmur during examina on. Screening blood tests called BNP or NT-proBNP are available to detect levels of a hormone that is known to elevate when the heart becomes physically enlarged. They can be useful in determining progression and severity of the disease. Thoracic radiographs (chest xrays) are very helpful in determining heart size, the presence or absence of lung diseases and are the defini ve means for diagnosing conges ve heart failure. Pulmonary edema is the hallmark of CHF and can usually be readily detected. An echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) can noninvasively dis nguish between MMVD and other causes of heart murmurs. Actual heart chamber measurements can be obtained and used to track the pa ent’s disease and response to therapy. Veterinary cardiologists and ultrasonographers
See HEART on page 14
Downeast Dog News
Dogs for Adoption View more available dogs on our website, downeastdognews.com. See a dog you like, but don't have a computer? Call Jenn to help you reach the rescue: (207) 706-6765
JUNEBUG
SADIE MAE
LILLIE
2 yrs., Boxer/ French Bulldog Mix
1.5 yrs., Lab Mix
2 yrs., Beagle
Loving & outgoing. She loves to play with other dogs and would make a great playmate for another dog of similar size. She also gets along very well, with children, including a toddler.
Sadie Mae lost her home when her family moved. Very sweet girl who loves to snuggle and watch TV. She would love an ACTIVE home where she can be with her people a lot. Loves the water, and does well with other dogs and cats.
Sweet girl who loves her people. Gets along well with other dogs, cats, and children and she loves to run and play. Lillie is crate trained and working on housebreaking. Would love plenty of exercise and lots of room to run.
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Tall Tails Beagle Rescue, (207) 797-5392
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www.olddogsnewdigs. com
Sponsored by
Hello Doggie Daycare Tall Tails Beagle Rescue, (207) 797-5392
JAMES TAYLOR
1311 Roosevelt Trail, Raymond • (207) 655-6521 hellodoggiedaycare.com
Sweet & loving guy. He takes a li le me to warm up because of past treatment, but once he trusts you he is a lovebug! Would prefer a home with no children. He has lived with dogs & cats, and pending a meet & greet with yours, might enjoy them as well! www.olddogsnewdigs.com
10 yrs., Catahoula Leopard Mix
BROGAN
WYATT
2 yrs., Ca le Dog Mix
4 yrs., Redbone Hound
A sweet, calm, and kind boy. He is a perfect balance of relaxa on and exploring. Walks pre y well on a leash but needs guidance to not pull; he is just so happy to go on walks! James knows basic commands (sit, wait, come, gentle {for treats}) but he needs consistency to reinforce his knowledge. FMI: catahoularescuene@gmail.com
Brushing, head/ ear rubs, body massages are his favorite thing. He would do well as an only dog or with a conďŹ dent female. Due to his size, not recommended for small children. He will need a strong proac ve and conďŹ dent leader who u lizes posi ve reinforcement training. FMI: catahoularescuene@gmail.com
Good with older kids, other dogs, adults. Loves the great outdoors and car rides! Gentle giant that behaves on leash. A proud graduate of the K-9 Correc ons Program and knows so many commands. Pope Memorial Humane Society, (207) 594-2200
ORION
SMURF
PEPPERMINT
10 mos., Bloodhound
1 yr., Bulldog Mix
6 yrs., Hound Mix
Would do best in a home that likes to go, go, go! Loves going on nice long walks, would love to hike with you and would probably make an excellent jogging partner. He is also super smart and could beneďŹ t from an ARLGP training class.
Has a whole lot of love to give and would love to ďŹ nd a family who can help her get back into shape. Loves going for walks and a good chest scratch and seems to love everyone she meets.
Animal Refuge League, (207) 854-9771
Animal Refuge League, (207) 854-9771
Good with older kids, other dogs, cats, and men. He is house broken and loves car rides. He is obviously very handsome and since he is s ll a puppy, he’s got lots of pep!
Pope Memorial Humane Society, (207) 594-2200
Help us find a forever home! B
M .
.
September 2019
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September C lendar To submit or get more informa on on the events below, go online to downeastdognews.com through sprawling Smiling Hills Farms, in Westbrook, Maine. All proceeds benefit “K9s on the Front Line,” a nonprofit organiza on that works to rescue shelter dogs by training them to be cer fied service dogs fit to assist suffering PTSD/ TBI military veterans. In addi on to the 5k races, there will be pet ac vi es, a kid’s race, music, raffle prizes, pet and food vendors as well as photography. Register at runsignup.com!
GREATER BANGOR BARK FOR LIFE Friday, September 6 Bangor, 4PM – 7PM A noncompe ve mini Relay for Life walking event at Hollywood Casino Raceway. Support those ba ling cancer, celebrate those who have beaten the odds, and honor those who have lost their fight. Carnival games, food trucks. FMI: relayforlife.org/barkbangor
TOE NAIL TUESDAY
BARKS IN THE PARK Saturday, September 7 Gardiner, 10AM – 2PM Held at the Gardiner Waterfront, the day will be filled with events, demonstra ons and vendors. Rescue groups, vendors, agility Central of Maine, and Fly Ball Dogz will all be in a endance at the event. The event is free. Dogs and their owners can par cipate in several contests - best dog kiss, best costume, and a lookalike contest! FMI:gardinermainstreet.org
NAIL CLIPPING CLINIC Saturday, September 7 Brewer, 10AM – 12PM Danielle from the SPCA of Hancock County will be at our Loyal Biscuit Brewer loca on at 421 Wilson St. from 10am – 12pm for our next nail clipping clinic. The cost is $10 per pet and all proceeds will be donated to SPCA of Hancock County. No appointment necessary. loyalbiscuit.com; (207)6609200 x7
MORE RALLY SKILLS FOLLOW UP WORKSHOP Saturday, September 7 Somerville, 9AM – 12PM By popular demand - a follow up workshop to our August 10th session! Carolyn will demonstrate and teach addi onal rally exercises to get you Ready for Rally. North Star Dog Training, 252 Jones Rd. Join us for this fast moving morning and prac ce the exercises with your dog - call Kathy at 691-2332 to register.
WIENERFEST Sunday, September 8 Belfast, 11AM - 3PM Held at Steamboat Landing Park. A celebra on of dachshunds and the people who love them. Costume contest, parade,
DO YOU HAVE AN UPCOMING EVENT? Let us know about it! Send info to jenn@downeastdognews. com or add to our online calendar at downeastdognews.com/calendar
CALL AHEAD! Event schedules are subject to change. Contact individual event organizers to confirm times and locations. Downeast Dog News is not responsible for changes or errors.
Add your events TODAY on downeastdognews.com/calendar. It's FREE, fast & easy!
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doxie derby, and more. The event benefits PAWS Animal Adop on Center. FMI: mainewienerfest.com
NAIL TRIMMING CLINIC Saturday, September 14 Camden, 10AM – 11:30AM Is your pet in need of a pedicure? Bring them over to Taxes Plus located next to the Camden Dog Park in the old Camden/Rockport Animal Shelter at 146 Camden St., Camden and Shannon from Catahoula Rescue of New England will be on hand to make your fur kids look their very best! We trim not only dogs, but cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, you name it! Nail Trimmings and Ear Cleanings are available for $10.00 each or combo price of $12.00 for both. All funds raised go directly to the rescue.
NAIL TRIMMING CLINIC Saturday, September 14 Rockland, 12PM – 3PM Is your pet in need of a pedicure? Bring them down to Pet Quarters located at 235 Camden St, Rockland and Shannon from Catahoula Rescue of New England will be on hand to make your fur kids look their very best! We trim not only dogs, but cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, you name it! Nail Trimmings and Ear Cleanings are $10.00 each or a combo price of $12.00 for both. All funds raised go directly to the rescue.
DOG DAYS OF SUMMER Sunday, September 15 Brewer, 11AM – 4PM Loyal Biscuit in Brewer (421 Wilson St.) is teaming up with Spencer’s Ice Cream of Bradley, Maine to benefit the SPCA of Hancock County installa on of new garage doors for this Winter! Bring in
a dona on and receive a free goody bag*, featuring some fun swag from Downeast Toyota and the Loyal Biscuit! Buy a dona on in the store and receive a discount off the cost of the item! (*While supplies last) Each in-store purchase over $25 will receive a voucher good for a FREE ICE CREAM from the Spencer's truck! You can also help by buying an ice cream directly at the truck! loyalbiscuit.com; (207)660-9200 x7
BOOK SIGNING JEN BLOOD Saturday, September 21 Rockland, 10AM – 2PM Join us at our Rockland Loyal Biscuit, 408 Main St., as we host Maine author Jen Blood with the release of her newest book: The Redemp on Game. This is the 3rd book in Jen's Flint K-9 Search and Rescue Mystery series. loyalbiscuit.com; (207)660-9200 x7
NAIL CLIPPING CLINIC Saturday, September 21 Waterville, 10:30AM – 12:30PM Melissa from Primp My Paws will be at our Loyal Biscuit Waterville location on 109 Main St. for our next nail clipping clinic. Convenient parking off of Temple Street, behind Lebanese Cuisine! The cost is $10 per pet and all proceeds will be donated to Charley's Strays, a no-kill animal refuge in Clinton, Maine. No appointment necessary. loyalbiscuit.com; (207)660-9200 x7
5K CANICROSS AND TRAIL RACES Sunday, September 22 Westbrook, 8AM – 12PM Idexx presents the 4th Annual Paws to Honor Run for the Brave – 5k Canicross and Trail Races. Join hundreds of dog lovers for two med races
Tuesday, September 24 Rockland, 11AM – 1PM Is your pet in need of a pedicure? Bring them down to Pet Quarters located at 235 Camden St, Rockland and Shannon Nachajko from Catahoula Rescue of New England will be on hand to make your fur kids look their very best! And remember we trim not only dogs, but cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, you name it! Nail Trimmings and Ear Cleanings are available for $10.00 each or combo price of $12.00 for both. All funds raised go directly to rescue.
PAWS ON PARADE Saturday, September 28 Bangor, 8AM – 12PM 26th year of Paws on Parade (Bark to the Future) and 150 years saving lives! The event features a variety of sponsors, vendors, and highlights such as a pet costume contest and shelter dog runway show. FMI or to pre-register: bangorhumane.org or call (207)942-8902.
K9 CARNIVAL Saturday, September 28 Rockland, 10AM – 4PM Held at Harbor Park in Rockland this family and dog friendly event will be filled with games for all ages and species! The Dog Lovers Day Lure Course will be coming down from Canada. Dogs of all ages, shapes, sizes and breeds will be able to run the course and will leave with a professional photo. FMI: humanesocietyo noxcounty.org
PVKC AKC FUN MATCH Sunday, September 29 Bangor, 10AM – 2:30PM The Penobscot Valley Kennel Club brings dog lovers their annual AKC Sanctioned Breed, Obedience and Rally-O Match. Bangor Waterfront - outdoors, rain or shine. Free admission. All experience levels are invited to enter. The PVKC match is fun for all ages and a great opportunity to practice your skills and training. FMI on the match and the PVKC visit www.pvkc.org or the PVKC Facebook Page.
HEART ĨƌŽŵ ƉĂŐĞ ϭϮ ĐŽŵŵŽŶůLJ ƵƐĞ ͞ĐŽůŽƌ ŇŽǁ͟ ŽƉƉůĞƌ ǁŚŝĐŚ ŝƐ ĂŶ ƵůƚƌĂƐŽƵŶĚ ƚĞĐŚŶŝƋƵĞ ƚŚĂƚ ĚĞƚĞĐƚƐ ĚŝƌĞĐƟŽŶ ŽĨ ďůŽŽĚ ŇŽǁ ǁŝƚŚŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŚĞĂƌƚ͘ Treatment ƵƌƌĞŶƚůLJ͕ ƚŚĞƌĞ ĂƌĞ ŶŽ ŵĞĚŝĐĂƟŽŶƐ ƚŚĂƚ ĂƌĞ ƉƌŽǀĞŶ ƚŽ ƐůŽǁ Žƌ ŚĂůƚ ƚŚĞ ƉƌŽŐƌĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ DDs ŝŶ ŽƵƌ ďĞůŽǀĞĚ ĐĂŶŝŶĞƐ͘ dŚŝƐ ŝƐ ĞƐƉĞĐŝĂůůLJ ƚƌƵĞ ŝŶ ĞĂƌůLJ ŽŶƐĞƚ ĚŝƐĞĂƐĞ͘ ƐŝŵƉůĞ ĐŽƵŐŚ ƐƵƉƉƌĞƐƐĂŶƚ ŵĂLJ ďĞ Ăůů ƚŚĂƚ ŝƐ ŝŶŝƟĂůůLJ ƉƌĞƐĐƌŝďĞĚ͘ ,ŽǁĞǀĞƌ͕ ƚŚĞ ƚƌĞĂƚŵĞŶƚ ĨŽƌ ,& /^ ďĞŶĞĮĐŝĂů ĂŶĚ ĐĂŶ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞ ƋƵĂůŝƚLJ ŽĨ ůŝĨĞ ĂƐ ǁĞůů ĂƐ ĞdžƚĞŶĚ ƉĂƟĞŶƚ ƐƵƌǀŝǀĂů ƟŵĞ͘
dƌĞĂƚŵĞŶƚ ĨŽƌ ,& ŵƵƐƚ ďĞ ƚŝŵĞůLJ ĂŶĚ ŝŶĐůƵĚĞƐ Ă ĐŽŵďŝŶĂƚŝŽŶ ŽĨ ĚŝƵƌĞƚŝĐƐ ;ŵĞĚŝĐĂƚŝŽŶƐ ƚŚĂƚ ŚĞůƉ ƚŚĞ ŬŝĚŶĞLJƐ ƌĞŵŽǀĞ ǁĂƚĞƌ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ ďŽĚLJͿ͕ ĂŶĚ ďůŽŽĚ ƉƌĞƐƐƵƌĞͲůŽǁĞƌŝŶŐ ĚƌƵŐƐ͕ ǁŚŝĐŚ ƌĞĚƵĐĞ ƚŚĞ ǁŽƌŬůŽĂĚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŚĞĂƌƚ͘ dŚĞ ĂĚĚŝƚŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƉŝŵŽďĞŶĚĂŶ͕ Ă ƐƉĞĐŝĨŝĐ ĐĂƌĚŝĂĐ ĚƌƵŐ͕ ŚĞůƉƐ ƚŚĞ ŚĞĂƌƚ ǁŽƌŬ ŵŽƌĞ ĞĨĨŝĐŝĞŶƚůLJ ĂŶĚ ŝƐ ǁĞůů ƚŽůĞƌĂƚĞĚ ďLJ ƉĂƚŝĞŶƚƐ͘ /ƚ ŚĂƐ ůŝƚĞƌĂůůLJ ďĞĞŶ Ă ůŝĨĞƐĂǀĞƌ ĨŽƌ ƚŚŽƵƐĂŶĚƐ ŽĨ ĚŽŐƐ͊ sĞƚĞƌŝŶĂƌLJ ĐĂƌĚŝŽůŽŐŝƐƚƐ ƌĞĐŽŵŵĞŶĚ ƉĂƟĞŶƚ ŵŽŶŝƚŽƌŝŶŐ ĞǀĞƌLJ ϲͲϭϮ ŵŽŶƚŚƐ
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Downeast Dog News
Business Directory MIDCOAST
rip? nat Come home to a o g Goin Clean House & Happy Pets
Betty McBrien 701-8491 • Loving pet caregiver in your home within a 30 mile radius of Camden • Professional housekeeper • Farm animal care also available
Wiscasset, Maine • 207-882-6128 redseatsmaine.com
BANGOR
Reach New Customers! Adver se Your Business Here.
CENTRAL MAINE
Ambassador Assistance K9s International, LLC
Herding
at
Little Dove Farm
0RIVATE 'ROUP ,ESSONS &UN $AYSs#LINICS
3UZANNE 7HITE !PPLETON -AINE STWHITE FAIRPOINT NET WWW LITTLEDOVEKATAHDINS COM
STATEWIDE Sara Moore
Working dogs changing livesÂŽ
Dog-Partner Training Programs At Your Home & Online Distance
• Service & Assistance Dogs • Therapy Dogs • Emotional Support Dogs • Family Companion Dogs Dog-Partner Relationship-Building Using Science-Based Dog Learning Theory Force-Free, Positive Reinforcement (R+)
Communicate with your pets, living or deceased with Sara Moore. Long distance sessions available!
Dog Behavior Evaluation & ModiďŹ cation Training
assistancedogs4u@gmail.com
Psychic for People & Pets
www.enlightenedhorizons.com
207-558-8402
As heard on 94.9 and Magic 104.5
https://www.ambassadorassistancedogsinternational.org
Take a Moment to Paws and Consider Pet Insurance By Josh Fearon, President of P&C Insurance
P
ets are part of the family. In 2018, more than 68 percent of U.S. households owned a pet – a percentage equa ng to nearly 85 million homes – according to the 2017-2018 American Pet Products Associa on Na onal Pet Owners Survey. And there’s a diďŹƒcult reality that they all must face: the poten al for unexpected, pet-related medical costs. Emergency room visits, prescribed medica ons and other medical treatments that can cost owners without pet insurance thousands of dollars annually. This financial threat shouldn’t be taken lightly. According to the pet insurance company Petplan, the average out-of-pocket cost of an emergency room visit for dogs and cats can range from $800 to $1,500. This burden is significant, especially considering a recent report claiming that nearly 40 percent of Americans don’t even have the resources to cover a small $400 emergency. A broken leg, a ligament tear or the swallowing of a poisonous item are common ailments that require immediate medical attention, yet many Americans would struggle to pay for the necessary care.
September 2019
The poten al for a pet ge ng sick is also serious. No one wants to think about their pet being diagnosed with an illness like cancer, yet it’s a real possibility. More than 12 million dogs and cats are diagnosed with cancer every year, and half of dogs over age 10 will develop it, according to the American Veterinary Medical Associa on. Without insurance, outof-pocket expenses can run up to $10,000 for medica on, radia on therapy, chemotherapy and surgery to remove tumors. Addi onal expenses like end-of-life services and pallia ve care for terminally ill pets have also become common. Other ailments like diabetes, gastrointes nal issues and kidney and heart disease might require thousands of dollars of treatment, while parasites, fungal and bacterial infec ons also pose a costly threat. The strain of these expenses forces some to make a difficult decision: choosing between paying for the unaffordable health care their pet needs or risking them going untreated. This is a heartbreaking – and sometimes life-threatening – scenario. Unfortunately, it’s a reality. However, with a little financial planning and the right pet insurance plan, it’s a situation that can be avoided. Investing in pet
insurance will provide you with the peace of mind that your pet will receive the care it needs without jeopardizing your finances. Those in the market for pet insurance have plenty of op ons. The industry has expanded considerably over the last decade and par cularly within the last ďŹ ve years. Since 2014, it has grown by an average annual rate of 13.4 percent, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Associa on (NAPHIA). The number of industry businesses has also grown by a 5.4 percent rate in that meframe. Over 1.6 million North American pets are insured by members of NAPHIA – founded in 2007 – including some of the largest, reputable providers like Healthy Paws, Trupanion, AKC, Na onwide and Figo. Your pet’s premium costs will be determined by factors including age, breed and the level of coverage you choose. A premium for a young, healthy dog will generally range between $30 and $50 a month, with older animals and pure breeds o en more expensive to insure. Pets with hereditary and congenital defects usually aren’t eligible for coverage, as are pets with pre-exis ng condi ons. However, Figo makes exemp ons to this if it considers the pre-exis ng condi on curable and if the pet hasn’t shown any signs or
symptoms in the past year. Many insurance companies oer dierent ers of coverage, including accidentonly, illness-only and combined accident and illness policies, so you can decide what’s best for you and your pet. Waiting until after an accident or illness has afflicted your pet is too late to start thinking about buying insurance. In an emergency, you might not have time to explore your options before deciding whether your pet receives care. With the right pet insurance at the ready, you won’t have to worry about being in this situation. In some cases, it might even save your family member’s life.
ABOUT P&C INSURANCE Founded in 1928, P&C Insurance provides personal, business, ďŹ nancial insurance programs and advice, as well as providing employee beneďŹ ts throughout Northern New England. The ďŹ rm maintains the highest standard of service and is proud of its long-standing client rela onships built on mutual responsibility and trust. Locally owned, with access to the ďŹ nest na onal and regional insurance carriers and providers, P&C ensures customers have compe ve products and pricing to ďŹ t clients’ budgets. For more informa on and loca ons, visit www.insurancepc.com.
15
ME License #F251
U Boarding & Daycare U Dog Grooming U Dog Training Classes U Behavior Counseling U Wholesome Pet Foods U Quality Pet Supplies
Your pet’s home away from home 1653 Union St., Bangor - 207-945-6841 www.greenacreskennel.com
Welcome Caitlin & Nicole
BRING YOUR DOG TO
Hello, Doggie!
YOUR DOG’S HOME AWAY FROM HOME
“Where Every Dog’s A Star!”
BOARDING AND DAYCARE Cage-Free Staffed 24/7 10:1 Dog to staff ratio 30 Total capacity Personalized Care for every dog
*All dogs new to the facility must pass their audition and spend at least one full day with us before their stay.
TRAINING Group & Private Classes AKC STAR Puppy Class
every Saturday at 9am open enrollment Trainer Chris Ford, ABCDT, AKC CGC and S.T.A.R. Puppy Evaluator
207-610-0802 Caitlin ChrisƟe CerƟ ed Pet Groomer
Nicole Crocker OperaƟons Manager
Voted the Bangor Regions: Best Kennel, Best Pet Store, Best Dog Trainer & Best Pet Groomer
www.hellodoggiedaycare.com
207.655.6521
1311 Roosevelt Trail, Raymond, Maine 04071
They are your four-legged family.
Open for the season on June 15 - Oct 14
Make sure they receive the care they deserve when they’re sick or injured. We can take the stress away so when accidents happen, you know you’re covered.
207-283-1486 | insurancepc.com RailwayVillage.org 586 Wiscasset Rd | Route 27 | Boothbay, ME
1Insurance products and services offered by P&C Insurance are: Not FDIC Insured No Bank Guarantee May Lose Value