HEY! STUFF TO DO
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE PUBLISHER/EDITOR Casey Dean Casey@SanDiegoPetsMagazine.com COVER PHOTO Casey Dean
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Arden Moore
GUEST WRITERS Mark Carlson Arden Moore Judith Pierce Victoria Stilwell
IsanEasterBunnyin YourHolidayPlans? Before letting the excitement of a live rabbit get away with you, it’s a good idea to do some research and learn what rabbits are like, how you should care for them and what type of commitment you are getting into. The San Diego House Rabbit Society offers keys to rabbit adoption success. See page 14
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Consider a Shelter Pet Guest Column by Victoria Stilwell addresses the joys of pet adoption. See page 9
Judging From Experience In Four Legged Life, Arden Moore interviews Best in Show judge, Michael Dougherty. See page 12
Letting the Cat out of the Bag The Wonderful World of Animal Idioms by Mark Carlson. See page 16
CARTOONIST Barbara Fuscsick Puppy Paws Productions www.puppypawsproductions.com
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Casey Dean (619) 573-5615 Casey@SanDiegoPetsMagazine.com San Diego Pets Magazine is published by Dean Publishing, Inc. P.O. Box 601081, San Diego, Ca 921601081. No part of this publication may be duplicated or reprinted without express consent from the publisher. Editors reserve the right to edit all content. Submissions are welcome, and may be edited for content and clarity. Please forward all unsolicited material to the editor. Views and opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to approve or accept advertising orders and content. All contents are copyrighted 2013. All rights reserved.
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Pogo
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Buster
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Forecast Looking Sunny B y
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nside the lobby of the NBC-7 news building in downtown San Diego on a Saturday afternoon, weather reporter Dagmar Midcap shuffles into view keeping her hands on the stretched leash of her dog, Pogo. They smile in sync and share the same high level of energy. “My other two are in my car. I’ll be right back,” she declares as she hands over Pogo’s leash and guides us inside the empty studio where she delivers weather forecasts weekdays at 4, 5, 6 and 11 p.m. Pogo, a yellow Labrador retriever mix about 6 years old, happily poses in front of the NBC’s famed Peacock logo and sniffs around the set while we wait. Midcap returns apologetic. After ushering Buster, a coonhound and Dolly, a cattle dog-Shiba Inu, temporarily inside her upstairs office, she realizes the door automatically locked and she doesn’t have the key. Her dogs give her puzzled looks. Twenty minutes and several phone calls later, she tracks down an employee with a key to free her doggy duo. Now comes the real challenge: conducting an interview with all three of Midcap’s dogs in close proximity. It turns out that Pogo and Buster despise one another while loveable Dolly plays the role of peacemaker.
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Keeping them apart in the small empty studio is essential to avoid a fight. All three are friendly to people and absolutely adore Midcap. And all three would not be alive today if it weren’t for her. A few years ago, while she was a weather reporter in Atlanta, she drove to a rundown shelter and told the staff member, “Go get me two dogs who are not going to make it.” She loaded her car with Pogo and Dolly. Then two women emailed her about a dog in their Georgia neighborhood tied to tree in a backyard, hurt and hungry. That’s how she came to adopt Buster. “He was in such bad shape and so terrified that he laid on my kitchen floor and didn’t pee for five days,” she says. To maintain peace inside her Del Mar home, Midcap had 42-inch vertical metal gates installed in the doorways to separate Buster from Pogo. She takes all three for daily walks – careful to pair up Dolly with Buster and then return to take Pogo for a romp. She has come up with a plan to place all three safely – out of reach of one another – inside her Honda Fit for cherished car rides up and down the San Diego coast. “What can I say, I lead a complicated life,” she shrugs. “I want the dogs that no one else wants. I love, love, love these dogs.”
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Dagmar Midcap – yes, that is her real name – arrived to forecast the weather in San Diego in October 2011. Her ontarget forecasts, engaging personality and involvement in various pet events have won over colleagues and key leaders in the pet community. “Dagmar is a treat to work with,” proclaims NBC sportscaster Jim Laslavic. “She is so passionate and brings so much enthusiasm and joy to the broadcast in her weather reports. And she takes the same approach with her animals. She would do anything to save an animal in need and she’s extraordinarily dedicated to the animals she’s rescued.” Dr. Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA, recently teamed up with Midcap for a special Valentine’s Day adoption campaign. “There is no denying her commitment to animals,” says Dr. Weitzman. “She’s a terrific addition to the local news team and we’re very lucky to have her in San Diego. We look forward to doing even more together to benefit the animals.” As much as Midcap gives to animals – and birds – in need, she also acknowledges how they have saved her. As a weather reporter in Atlanta, she
SEE DAGMAR, Page 8 www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com | MARCH 2013 7
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COVER STORY
Five Surprising Facts about Dagmar Midcap Her first name means “Splendid or glorious day” in German and “God’s gift to the land” in ancient Hebrew. She wanted to be a NHL play-by-play commentator growing up in Vancouver. She hosted Crash Test Mommy on the Life Network in Canada. She took helicopter pilot classes. She has appeared in more than 50 movies and television shows, including Catwoman, Air Bud, Smallville and Stargate SG-1.
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found out about her boyfriend’s suicide during a newscast and collapsed in shock. She stayed off the air for 11 days. Coping with nightmares and working with grief counselors, she knew she had to leave Atlanta because it had too many memories of her and Neal. “I remember I once asked Neal if he wanted to live anywhere else where would it be and he said San Diego,” she shares. Originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, Midcap is happy to be back on the West Coast. She immediately became a member of the Free Flight Exotic Bird Sanctuary, served as the celebrity host for the Morris Animal Foundation’s canine cancer walk and aided adoption campaigns for the humane society.
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On camera, she relishes her role of providing accurate forecasts, always delivered with charm and charisma. Off camera, she delights in scouting out dog-welcoming places, preparing meals filled with organic foods and soaking in the San Diego sunshine. She posts her adventures and insights regularly on her website’s blog (www.dagmar-midcap.com) aptly named, “The World As I See It,” as well as her popular Facebook official page. Growing up in hockey heaven as a goalie and happy to admit being a Star Trek devotee, Dagmar Midcap is just hitting her stride in San Diego. “People ask me why I wanted to play goalie and I tell them that I don’t want the puck – I want the puck shot at me,” she says. After spending the afternoon with her – and her canine trio – it is obvious that Dagmar Midcap knows how to handle any stormy forecast or challenge in life.
GUEST COLUMN
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Renowned Dog trainer Victoria Stilwell:
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ConSiDER aDoPtion he shelter dog is often perceived as unpredictable and inferior to one that is bought from a breeder or a pet store. The thought of giving a home to a dog with an unknown history puts many people off and even though some dogs are relinquished to shelters because of problem behavior, most are surrendered due to a change in the family situation. With approximately four million dogs and cats being euthanized in shelters every year, the need for families to adopt rather than buy is even greater. Adopting a shelter dog is a rewarding experience not just because you give that dog a second chance, but adopting makes space for another life to be saved. Shelters can be overwhelming places to visit so give yourself time when going through the adoption process and make decisions with your head as well as your heart. Because stress levels can be high in such an environment, dogs tend to exhibit behavior that does not reflect their true personality. Do not be put off by the dog that stays at the back of the kennel too tired or nervous to greet you, or by the dog that leaps at the kennel door like a lunatic as you walk past and remember that these dogs might behave very differently once out of confinement. Look for a dog that recovers well outside the kennel run and is excited to interact with you, your family and other people. If you have an existing dog, allow them
SEE STILWELL, Page 10 Renowned TV dog trainer Victoria Stilwell with her rescue Chihuahua mix, Jasmine.
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GUEST COLUMN
Train Your Dog Positively is available online at Amazon.com or on Victoria’s website, http://positively.com.
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to greet in an outdoor neutral area to see if they will be compatible. Look for soft, wiggly body language, warm eyes and a desire to play. Do not be afraid to ask questions about the dog’s history and behavior while in the shelter and try and get more than one person’s opinion. Adopters can easily be swayed by a well-meaning employee or volunteer who is desperate to find their favorite dog a home, even if the match is not a good one. Bringing the shelter dog home is an exciting time, but in the midst of everything don’t forget what the transition is like for the new addition. Some dogs adjust to their new home very quickly while others might take longer to settle, so while you are coping with the changes that the new dog in your life will bring, your dog is doing the same. The best time to bring a rescue dog into your home is when at least one member of your family has time to spend with her during the adjustment period – two weeks if possible. It is never advisable to get a new dog if you and other family
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members are out of the house all day during the transition period; nor is it recommended that you stay at home 24/7 showering your dog with affection only to suddenly leave for hours on end when you go back to work. You can achieve a healthy balance by giving her space to investigate, explore and experience her new surroundings and then attention when you feel she needs it. Gradually exposing her to being away from you for short periods of time will allow her to cope much better when she is left on her own for longer. Separation distress is all too common for dogs that have gone through the shelter system as previous abandonment can be traumatic. It might take a while to find the right dog for your family but if you are diligent in your search, you and your dog will reap the rewards. I speak from personal experience because as I write this column my adopted shelter pup, who has already brought so much joy into our lives, is happily curled up on my lap. Need a trainer? Contact your local Victoria Stilwelllicensed dog trainer. La Jolla to Carlsbad and RSF, Linda Michaels, MA--www.DogPsychologistOnCall.com. San Diego-- Julie Schmitt, www.OutnAboutDogTraining.com.
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Judging From Experience Arden Moore,
ACCBC, ADCBC Pet trend, behavior and safety expert Arden@FourLeggedLife.com
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ach year, millions tune in to watch the Westminster Kennel Club dog show at New York’s Madison Square Garden to find out which breed will reign as “top dog” for the year. We find ourselves rooting for our favorite breeds and marveling at the insights shared by the knowledgeable commentators. I’m a big fan of Corgis, having had one named Jazz. Each year, I cheer valiantly for this stubby-legged canine charmer to at least win the herding class. I continue to hope. Taking the Best in Show prize this year was a spunky, Dutch-born Affenpinscher with the cool name, Banana Joe. Declaring his victory among the thousands of dogs representing all 187 breeds was international dog judge Michael Dougherty. He and his wife, Michelle, operate the Windsong Resort for Pets in Escondido. “Being selected to judge Best in Show is a once in a lifetime event,” declares Dougherty. “To be asked is beyond my wildest dreams.” Like the dogs at Westminster, Dougherty sports quite a pedigreed resume. His father, Jack, bred, owned, handled and judged show dogs. Following the family love for dogs, Dougherty, now 60, attained all-breed handling status in 1977. His dog judging avocation began in the late 1985 and now he travels all over the world to assess various show dog breeds. He is 12 MARCH 2013 | www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com
Best in Show judge Michael Dougherty (L), poses with dog handler Ernesto Lara after his dog Banana Joe, an Affenpincher, won the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on February 12, 2013 in Photos by Mary Bloom and Lisa Croft Elliott/WKC. New York City.
licensed to judge more than 70 breeds. At his previous four appearances at Westminster, he judged the hound groups. But on Feb. 11, the tuxedo-clad Dougherty walked into Madison Square Gardens with one mission: to find the dog who exceeded all others. The competition was stiff. The final seven dogs represented each of the groups: herding, hound, non-sporting, sporting, terrier, toy and working. “My dad described the Westminster Dog Show the best. He said it is a combination of the Super Bowl, the Kentucky Derby and the Miss America pageant all put together in one package,” he says. Dougherty arrived in New York City a few days before Feb. 11 and purposely avoided viewing television and the dog show. He and Michelle took in the sights and visited museums. He abided by the show’s rule to stay out of sight until the he was picked up in
a limousine and ushered to the ring before a sellout crowd. Dougherty recalls that once-in-a-lifetime judging experience: “It is rare to walk into the ring and not know what seven dogs would be the finalists. But this is the purest form of judging. I recognized a couple dogs and there were some surprises in the final bunch.” He continues, “I knew I had to go to work for 20 minutes and make a decision. I first assessed them as they walked into the ring and I looked at their faces. The computer in your head starts calculating the shape of the eyes, eye color, color and size of the nose and how do all of this and more conform to each of the breed standards.” Dougherty then did a close-up assessment of each canine contender who exemplified their breed standards. Finally, he asked the handlers to make a half-circle around the ring to
give him one more look at the dogs. “I looked at their faces, how they were showing and I was also looking for showmanship and charisma,” he relates. Without giving away any clues, Dougherty then headed to the judge table to fill out the scoring sheet. This marked the first time in decades that a reserved best in show was named. Dougherty gave that honor to a young Old English Sheepdog named Swagger. And, then he pivoted and pointed to Banana Joe, declaring this 5-year-old Affenpinscher the winner. “Quite frankly, the Affenpinscher was the littlest dog in the ring, but he showed as the biggest dog in the ring that night,” says Dougherty. “His coat was immaculate and perfect. He was black as black can be. His eyes were sparkling. He showed like a million dollars.” Banana Joe, like other sports greats like Michael Jordan, is retiring after finishing up on top. And as for Dougherty? He is happily back at the Windsong Pet Resort caring for a variety of dogs staying there that include retired show dogs, purebreds and mixed-breeds. “I love that we have a great mix and variety of dogs here,” says Dougherty. “The real litmus test is when we see that the dogs barking in joy and greeting us when they come back to stay with us.” Dougherty’s advice to people who are lucky to share their lives with dogs? “Socialize them, love them beyond love and play with them,” he says. “Do these things and you will have a wellrounded, world-wise, happy pet. And that’s the best kind of dog to have.”
FOUR LEGGED LIFE
Michael Dougherty in Best In Show ring.
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Photos by Mary Bloom and Lisa Croft Elliott/WKC.
Founder of Four Legged Life.com and creator of National Dog Party Day, Arden Moore is an animal behavior consultant, best-selling author, professional speaker and certified pet first aid instructor. Tune into her Oh Behave! Show on Pet Life Radio and enroll in her pet first aid classes to earn certification. For more information, please visit www.fourleggedlife.com, www.petfirst aid4u.com and www.petliferadio.com/behave.html. www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com | MARCH 2013 13
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RABBITS
Photo by Alison Giese. (http://alisongiese.com/)
IsanEasterBunnyinYourHolidayPlans? Rabbits are for a Lifetime... Not Just for Easter B y
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The Easter holiday season is approaching and you may be considering a “live” Easter Bunny as a surprise for your family. Where to start?
It’s easy to get caught up in the Easter-time “hype” of bunnies at Easter. With colorful displays in every store and a myriad of pretty rabbit-themed decorations, your children might start getting excited about the idea of a real bunny. Live bunnies are not hard to find at Easter. Every pet store in the mall has them; some local pet stores even specialize in their own “fancy breeds” brought about by mixing together several different breeds to come up with a profitable “look” that attracts 14 MARCH 2013 | www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com
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buyers. But, where should you go to get your Easter Bunny? Before letting the excitement of a live rabbit get away with you, it’s a good idea to do some research online to learn what rabbits are like, how you should care for them, and what type of commitment you are getting into. Good choices are www.sandiegorabbits.org, www.rabbit.org, or the Humane Society of the U.S. at www.humanesociety.org/animals/rabbits. Getting educated about rabbit care before bringing one home is going to save you the stress of finding out too late that they not as “easy care” as you were led to believe. You also need to know that a rabbit’s normal lifetime is 8 to 12 years, much the same as a dog. You have a long commitment ahead of you.
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your rabbits indoors to keep them safe, give them more room, and to really enjoy them as family companions. Their website has extensive information on the care and housing of a rabbit that will answer all your questions on “How do I house my rabbit so he has enough room and care for him so he lives a long time?” Now that you’ve learned about their care and the 8 to 12 year commitment, is a rabbit still right for your family? Are the adults in the family as excited about caring for the rabbit as the children are in getting it? If the answer is “Yes,” why not give a gift certificate or a stuffed bunny on Easter morning and begin your search for the perfect rabbit companion at your local rabbit rescue, shelter or humane society. Rabbits are the third-most relinquished animals . S at shelters. Families, whose children lost interest R E T L E SH after a few weeks, got rid of them because they no IMALS AT N A D E H S I U Q longer wanted them. Most arrive unaltered and ST RELIN O M D were messy and difficult to care for. At the shelter, R I THE TH E R A S all rabbits are spayed or neutered and taught to be T I RABB “house bunnies.” By adopting your new rabbit companion from a rabbit rescue or shelter, you will get a bunny who is ready to become your indoor family companion and share with you the joys of companionship and love. to LEaRn MoRE, ContaCt San DiEgo HouSE RaBBit SoCiEty at aDoPt@SanDiEgoRaBBitS.oRg oR ViSit www.SanDiEgoRaBBitS.oRg .
Rabbits can make wonderful family companions. They can be friendly, funny, active and kind. They can also be shy, aloof, fearful of loud noises and afraid of children. Each rabbit has a unique personality and choosing the right rabbit for you is important. Putting a lot of thought into your family’s personality, habits and lifestyle is important to finding the right rabbit for you. They are easy to litter box train and can live inside the home, the same as your cat or dog. Contrary to the Easter-time hype, rabbits are NOT inexpensive starter pets. They take special foods to stay healthy, they need fresh hay (yes, the same that horses eat) as their primary diet, and they need regular veterinary care from exotic-trained vets. They also must be spayed or neutered to help them become good family pets. Young rabbits will spray, mark territory, and can become aggressive when their hormones reach full swing (about four months old). Females must be spayed to prevent pregnancy and to prevent uterine cancer by the age of three years. By getting your rabbit altered before six months old, you will see a great improvement in their litter box habits and interaction with family members. Next you should consider housing. Pet stores sell little “starter” cages that are fine when bunny is a baby but they quickly outgrow them and the cage becomes cramped and dirty. The House Rabbit Society recommends you house www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com | MARCH 2013 15
LettingtheCatOutoftheBag The Wonderful World of Animal Idioms
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aybe I should just let sleeping dogs lie, but it’s time to let the cat out of the bag. I know this might put me in the dog house, but once I get started, I don’t like to change horses in mid-stream. What are the origins of some of our most commonly used animal idioms? Some may surprise you. But even if curiosity killed the cat, I’m probably safe. Besides, the early bird gets the worm and I got up at 6 a.m. ‘Letting the cat out of the bag’ goes back to the 1500s, when Europe was a barter and trade economy. Sometimes fraudulent farmers, claiming they had a ‘pig in a poke’ (a piglet for sale) in a bag, had instead put in a cat. But if the cat escaped or was discovered, it was ‘out of the bag.’ We’ve all heard about it ‘raining cats and dogs.’ For years I believed the story that it derived from the Middle Ages, when small animals slept on the thatched roof of houses and barns. When it rained, the thatch was slippery
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and they slid off, literally raining cats and dogs. But there’s no evidence this is real. For one thing, can you think of a single dog that would choose to sleep on a roof for warmth and shelter? Not
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my dog, that’s for sure. No, the phrase’s origins are lost to history. A few days ago I heard a man in a bar asking for ‘The hair of the dog.’ Supposedly a hangover cure, its origins have nothing to do with drink. In superstitious times, it was believed that when bitten by a rabid dog, a person could avoid rabies by applying hair from the same dog to the wound. Nonsense, of course. Just think about how many people managed to get hair from an animal that was as ‘mean as a junkyard dog.’ I’d rather get the shots. Jim Croce gave us the popular line meaner than a junkyard dog in his 1973 classic ‘Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown,’ but the phrase may go back farther, possibly to the 19th Century. Have I got you grinning like a Cheshire Cat yet? Or are you about ready for a catnap? But, creeping in on little cat feet, I’ll continue. Have you ever been to a ‘dog and pony show?’ They were popular in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. Originally small traveling circuses with performing animal acts, the phrase has long since come to mean an overhyped, heavily advertised public event. Not a dog or a pony in sight. Entertainment is really going to the dogs. It’s been pretty cold in San Diego lately. In fact, it’s been a ‘three dog night.’ No, not the 1960s rock group. It’s an old Alaskan Inuit idiom that means it’s so cold you need three dogs to cuddle with to stay warm. Sounds like the Cat’s Pajamas to me.
THE TAIL WAGGING THE DOG
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In the 1920s, during the flapper and Jazz Age, any ‘cool’ or ‘hip’ person was a Cat. Saying someone was the ‘cat’s pajamas’ or ‘cat’s whiskers’ was the same as calling them ‘cool.’ Or they could be the ‘bee’s knees,’ if you can believe it. I once asked someone a question they were reluctant to answer and I immediately said, “Hey, cat got your tongue?” There is no actual incident that spawned this old phrase. It’s simply a children’s’ nonsense idiom that dates at least back to the 1870s. Well just look what the cat dragged in. No need to analyze this one. Cats love to please their owners and we’ve seen what they can catch and bring before us. As for the tail wagging the dog, that’s from the 1860s and was used for some political comments and essays. Not much has changed. It’s become a dog eat dog world. But that’s a horse of another color. Now, don’t have kittens, but I’m so hungry I could eat a horse. This article might make you howl at the moon, so I’ll just run off with my tail between my legs. MaRk CaRLSon, 51 lives in San Diego with his wife Jane and his Guide dog Musket. A docent at the San Diego Air & Space Museum and aviation historian, Mark writes for several national aviation magazines. He is a featured speaker for many local adult education programs. His first book, ‘Confessions of a Guide Dog – The Blonde Leading the Blind’ is a humorous memoir about the adventures of life with Musket. It is available online at Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com and iUniverse.com. You can reach Mark and Musket through www.musketmania.com. www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com | MARCH 2013 17
BUSINESS LISTINGS List your Business, call (619) 573-5615 Behavior Buddies by Camp BowWow Dog Training, Dog Walking & Pet Sitting Bonded and Insured (619) 889-7767 www.myhomebuddies.com/LaJolla
County of San Diego Department of Animal Services (619) 767-2675 • www.sddac.com
Dog Beach Dog Wash Do-It-Yourself•Service•Accessories 4933 Voltaire St., San Diego, CA 92107 (619) 523-1700 http://www.dogwash.com
Home Buddies by Camp BowWow Dog Walking, Pet Sitting & Dog Training Bonded and Insured (619) 889-7767 www.myhomebuddies.com/LaJolla
Kittycare La Jolla Professional Pet Sitters Experience with Special Needs Animals Certified Pet First Aid & CPR (858) 352-6988 • KittycareLJ@att.net
Leash Your Fitness Fitness class for you and your DOG. Classes / events throughtout San Diego. 619-822-3296 http://www.LeashYourFitness.com
Linda Michaels, MA Victoria Stilwell-licensed Private/Customized Force-free Dog Training La Jolla to Carlsbad (858) 259-9663 www.DogPsychologistOnCall.com
Project Wildlife Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education 887 1/2 Sherman Street, SD, CA 92110 Wildlife Information Line 619-225-9453 www.projectwildlife.org
Reality Rally temecula Valley ‘Fun for Funds‘ is back the 5th through 7th of april We all have the "Fun" and Michelle's Place receives the "Funds"
Do you want to play golf, play an Amazing Race type game, attend parties at 2 wineries, have fun with friends and meet TV Reality Stars and other celebrities while helping those who are fighting for their lives with breast cancer?
Denise Stapley winner of Survivor Philippines, Richard Hatch, winner of Survivor Borneo, Brendon and Rachel ,Big Brother and Mike Skupin are excited to join the Reality Rally Star line up this year along with over 100 beloved reality stars and celebrities. They want you to join them for the April 5-7, 2013 Reality Rally. This year's 3rd annual event promises to be bigger and put even more "fun" into the "funds" that this event raises to benefit local Temecula charity, Michelle's Place Breast Cancer Resource Center. A complete list of Stars are on the website www.realityrally.com PLUS we are honored to have the So Cal Surf Dogs and Chopper The Biker Dog come to the event to meet you, shake a paw and show you what they do.
Reality Rally is a four hour "Amazing Race" style game, where teams race throughout Old Town Temecula. The competition involves crazy activities and fun challenges. It is all age compatible and anyone from 16 to 116 could play. In addition to the Game, this three day event will take place from April 5-7, 2013, starting with the Reality-Am Golf Tournament held Friday
morning. The entire weekend is full of exiting events such as the Celebrity Reception held Friday night at Wilson Creek Winery, Celebrity Autograph signing, the Reality Rally Red Carpet Celebration held Saturday night at South Coast Winery, and Breakfast with the Stars on Sunday morning at Pala Mesa Golf Resort. There is a Kidz Challenge Checkpoint with 13 Challenges to complete for families and kidz under 16. Plus! 31 things to do for Free. www.realityrally.com/index.php/theevent/31-things-for-freegeneral
Event times, tickets and information can all be found at www.realityrally.com where updates will be posted regularly. Today is the day you can make a difference to our Charity and have fun. Don't delay, buy today.
Puptown Doggy Daycare 205 16th Street. San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 234-5278 www.puptown.net
SD House Rabbit Society (858) 356-4286 www.SanDiegoRabbits.org
The Total Dog, Swim & Gym 3060 Industry St., Ste. 108 Oceanside, CA • 760-721-1DOG (1364) www.mytotaldog.com
18 MARCH 2013 | www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com
www.realityrally.com
PET PRESS
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A New Breed of Television: DOGTV Launches in California
Pet parents all over Southern California can now entertain and sooth their beloved canine friends with DOGTV, the first and only television network for dogs. Subsequent to a successful soft launch period, DOGTV launches as a Subscription Video On Demand (SVOD) channel.
“We are elated with the test market viewing results, which surpassed our expectations” said Gilad Neumann, CEO of DOGTV. “The results have reinforced our position that there is a real demand for this type of programming.” DOGTV provides customized television entertainment, while the rest of the family is away at work or too busy to play. Studies show it relaxes and stimulates our dogs – keeping them healthier and more content.
DOGTV is designed for dogs and approved by leaders in the pet industry. Backed by scientific research, humane societies and pet experts, DOGTV producers understand how dogs perceive the world. A creative team spent hundreds of hours to produce appropriate content and test its benefits with dogs, dog owners, vets, and dog trainers before scheduling the official launch. To cater to a dog’s unique sense of sight, hearing, and movement detection, DOGTV took great care to select the right visuals – the scenery, scenarios, color palettes, camera angles, and transitions that appeal the most to dogs. In addition, the programming’s audio soundtracks, including music and other sounds, were selected specifically with a dog’s experience in mind.
MANY PEOPLE MAY BE ASKING THEMSELVES, ‘DO DOGS REALLY WATCH TV?’
“The answer is YES! Dogs respond to what they see and hear on TV, and enjoy TV the most when they see other dogs,
other animals and even inanimate moving objects,” said Dr. Nicholas H. Dodman, one of the top Animal Behavior researchers' in the country. “YouTube has over 5,000 videos of dogs watching TV, and an increasing number of dog parents admit that they have seen their dog watching TV more than once. Unlike any other TV channel, every frame and every sound on DOGTV is designed 100 percent for dogs. DOGTV provides companionship – the right company – for a dog home alone.”
DOGTV’s programming meets a dog’s typical daily cycle and helps prevent mental fatigue, depression and boredom and is scientifically proven to reduce stress, add pleasure and improve a dog’s development, according to research from Tufts University.
DOGTV is available to Cox Communications customers in California as a subscription service for a low monthly fee of $4.99
BUSINESS LISTINGS California Veterinary Specialists 2310 Faraday Ave., Carlsbad, CA 92008, (760) 431-2273 • 7 days 24 hrs. www.CaliforniaVeterinarySpecialists.com
Four Legged Life Pet event speaker Arden Moore Dog/cat behavior consults Host dog parties • (760) 433-3480 www.fourleggedlife.com
per month. Pet parents can find it on Cox OnDEMAND, channel 1 or by calling Cox Customer Service 877-247-9514 to request their subscription. DOGTV is also available streaming on-line at www.dogtv.com/online for $9.99 per month.
For more information and to learn more, visit DOGTV at www.dogtv.com
ABOUT DOGTV is the first programming of its kind. This television channel for dogs is a trusted source of scientifically developed content for dogs, endorsed by major research and animal welfare organizations. DOGTV programming content is organized into relaxing, stimulating and exposure segments that provide the right balance for the daily cycle of stay-at-home pups. DOGTV’s content is designed for a dog’s visual, auditory and emotional sensibility. For more, visit www.dogtv.com.
List your Business, call (619) 573-5615 Leashes and Love
Pet First Aid 4 U
Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Company
Dog and cat 1st aid, CPR classes Hands-on training. Earn certificate. Throughout S.D. • (760) 433-3480 www.petfirstaid4u.com
Serving San Diego and surrounding areas
(619) 296-4928 www.leashesandlove.com
National Cat Protection Society
A shelter whose mission is dedicated to the protection and welfare of cats. 9031 Birch St. • Spring Valley (619) 469-8771 • http://natcat.org
San Diego Humane Society & SPCA (619) 299-7012 www.sdhumane.org www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com | MARCH 2013 19
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COMMUNITY RESOURCE GUIDE
Emergency Hospitals Bonita/CHuLa ViSta Pet Emergency & SpecialtyCenter of South County (619) 591-4802 885 Canarios Court, #108, Chula Vista, CA 91910 www.PESCSanDiego.com
CaRLSBaD California Veterinary Specialists (760) 431-2273 2310 Faraday Ave., Carlsbad, CA 92008, 7 days 24 hrs. www.CaliforniaVeterinarySpecialists.com
EnCinitaS VCa north Coast Veterinary & Emergency (760) 632-1072 414 Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas, CA 92024, www.VCANorthCoast.com
ESConDiDo animal urgent Care of Escondido (760) 738-9600 2430-A S. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, CA 92025, 7 Days 24 hrs. www.AUC.US.com
kEaRny MESa/CLaiREMont animal ER of San Diego (858) 569-0600 5610 Kearny Mesa Road, San Diego, CA 92111 M-F 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. Sat. Sun. 24 hrs.
La MESa Pet Emergency & Specialty Center (619) 462-4800 5232 Jackson Drive #105, La Mesa, CA 91942, 7 Days 24 hrs. www.PESCSanDiego.com
MiSSion VaLLEy VCa Emergency animal Hospital & Referral Center (619) 299-2400 2317 Hotel Circle South, San Diego, CA 92108 7 Days 24 hrs. www.VCAEmergency.com
MuRRiEta California Veterinary Specialists (951) 600-9803 25100 Hancock Ave. #116, Murrieta, CA 92562, 7 days 24 hrs. www.CaliforniaVeterinarySpecialists.com
Poway animal Emergency Clinic (858) 748-7387 12775 Poway Road, Poway, CA 92064 M-F 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. Sat. Sun. 24 hrs. www.AnimalEmergencySD.com
San MaRCoS Veterinary Specialty Hospital (760) 466-0600 2055 Montiel Road, Suite 104, San Marcos, CA 92069 www.vshsd.com
SoRREnto VaLLEy Veterinary Specialty Hospital (858) 875-7500 10435 Sorrento Valley Road., San Diego, CA 92121 7 Days 24 hrs. www.VSHSD.com 20 MARCH 2013 | www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com
animal Shelters & Humane Societies aCCEPt StRayS & HaVE aDoPtion Bay PaRk/MiSSion VaLLEy County animal Services 5480 Gaines St., CA 92110 (619) 767-2675 www.sddac.com Hours: Tues-Sat 9:30am to 5:30pm
Bonita County animal Services 5821 Sweetwater Road, CA 91902 (619) 767-2675 www.sddac.com Hours: Tues-Sat 9:30am to 5:30pm
CaMP PEnDLEton Camp Pendleton animal Shelter 4th St. Area 25 Bldg. 25132 CA 92054 (760) 725-8120
CaRLSBaD County animal Services
Rescue & adoption a Passion For Paws (akita Rescue) (818) 925-4827 www.APassionForPaws.org Baja Dog Rescue (619) 407-9372 www.bajadogrescue.org the Barking Lot (619) 796-2253 www.thebarkinglot.net Cat adoption Service (760) 550-2287 www.sdcats.org Chihuahua Rescue of San Diego www.ChihuahuaRescueofSanDiego.com Forgotten Paws animal Rescue www.forgottenpaws.org
2481 Palomar Airport Road, CA 92011 619) 767-2675 www.sddac.com Hours: Tues-Sat 9:30am to 5:30pm
Furry Fosters 858-848-PETS (7387) http://furryfoster.com
CHuLa ViSta City of Chula Vista animal Shelter
german Shorthaired Pointer Rescue www.GSP-Rescue.org
130 Beyer Way, CA 91911 (619) 691-5123 www.cvacf.org Hours: Sun & Mon Closed, Tue-Fri 9:30am-5pm Sat. 9:30am-4pm
CoRonaDo animal Care Facility 1395 First Street, Coronado, CA 92118 (619) 522-7371 Hours: 7 days 9am-4:30pm
EL CaJon City of El Cajon animal Shelter 1275 N. Marshall Ave., CA 92020 (619) 441-1580 Hours: Tues-Sat 10am to 5:30pm
ESConDiDo Escondido Humane Society 3450 E. Valley Parkway, CA 92027 (760) 888-2275 www.EscondidoHumaneSociety.com Hours: 7 days 10am to 5pm
oCEanSiDE San Diego Humane Society-north (For dogs) 2905 San Luis Rey Road, CA 92058 (619) 299-7012 www.SDHumane.org Hours: 7 days 10am-4pm San Diego Humane Society-north (For cats) 572 Airport Road, CA 92058 (619) 299-7012 www.SDHumane.org Hours: 7 days 10am-4pm
aCCEPt ownER RELinquiSHED aniMaLS Bay PaRk/MiSSion VaLLEy San Diego Humane Society-San Diego Campus 5500 Gaines Street, CA 92110 (619) 299-7012 www.SDHumane.org Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-6pm Sat-Sun 11am-5pm
EL CaJon Friends of Cats 15587 Olde Highway 80, CA, 92021 (619) 561-0361 www.FriendsofCats.org Hours: Tues-Sun 10am to 4pm
EnCinitaS Rancho Coastal Humane Society 389 Requeza Street, CA 92024 (760) 753-6413 www.sdpets.org Hours: 11am -5pm every day except Tues. 11:30am-5pm
RanCHo Santa FE Helen woodward animal Center 6461 El Apajo Road, CA 92067 (858) 756-4117 www.AnimalCenter.org Hours: 7 days 11am to 6pm
SPRing VaLLEy national Cat Protection Society 9031 Birch Street, CA 91977 (619) 469-8771 www.NatCat.org Hours: Tue.-Sat. Noon to 5pm
greyhound Connection www.GreyhoundConnection.org independent therapy Dogs, inc. https://sites.google.com/site/idtdinc/ it’s the Pits (Specializing in the Bully Breeds) (858) 484-0985 http://itsthepits.rescuegroups.org Last Chance at Life all Breed animal Rescue (760) 433-3763 x224 (Schedule an appointment) www.lastchanceatlife.org List Srv 4 therapy Dog teams listsrv4therapydog@att.net open arms Rescue (760) 470-7643 www.openarmsrescue.org operation greyhound (619) 588-6611 www.OperationGreyhound.com Paws of Coronado (619) 522-7371 www.PawsOfCoronado.org Pit Bull Rescue of San Diego (858) 693-7331 www.PitBullRescueSanDiego.com Rescue House (760) 591-1211 www.rescuehouse.org San Diego House Rabbit Society (858) 356-4286 www.SanDiegoRabbits.org San Diego Spaniel Rescue (619) 922-0545 www.sdsr.org San Diego turtle & tortoise Society (619) 593-2123 www.SDTurtle.org Second Chance Dog Rescue (619) 721-3647 http://secondchancedogrescue.org upward Dog Rescue (858) 345-2434 www.upwarddogrescue.org westie Rescue of California (619) 579-6395 www.WestieRescueCA.com wee Companions (619) 934-6007 http://WeeCompanions.org
HAPPILY
HAPPILY ADOPTED
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STORIES
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Some Bunny Special
t quickly became clear why a certain 2-year old cat who was being relinquished to us had been named Bunny. The deformity that had afflicted both of her hind legs from infancy, had left her with a hop-like gait, not unlike a bunny-rabbit’s. Her previous owner told the San Diego Humane Society that while Bunny got along well with the other cats in the household, they did sometimes hiss at her, she felt, on account of her hopping. So what is a cat to do, who doesn’t quite fit in with the other cats, but still deserves a chance for some furry companionship and a family to love her? Well, after spending a couple of months at the San Diego Humane Society, the answer to this question found its way to Bunny. A couple with two special-needs rabbits, had wanted to adopt a cat for some time. Finding one who would get along with the rabbits, however, posed a bit of a challenge. That was when they found Bunny, the cat shunned by other cats for being too much like a rabbit. They adopted Bunny that very day. Today, her new family tells us that all is going wonderfully. With her two rabbit siblings and a loving home, it seems this special Bunny has finally found a place where she fits right in.
About the San Diego Humane Society & SPCA
The San Diego Humane Society offers San Diegans a wide range of programs and services that strengthen the human-animal bond, prevent animal cruelty/neglect, provide medical care and educate the community on the humane treatment of animals. More information can be found at: www.sdhumane.org. www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com | MARCH 2013 21
CaLEnDaR HigHLigHtS
Saturday, March 9, 2013, 9-11 am
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Dog Beach Cleanup
EmBARKadero
Join Friends of Dog Beach, at the pawprint entry to Dog Beach. Bags & gloves, plus toys and treats will be provided for you and your friendly dogs. www.dogwash.com/html/beachcleanup.htm
Held at Embarcadero Marina Park South. The event will begin with a 4-Legged-4K run/walk/roll along the scenic San Diego Bay followed by a dog festival with dozens of vendors, fun activities for two and fourlegged family members. All proceeds will benefit Canine Companions for Independence. www.cci.org/embarkadero
Saturday, March 9, 2013
2013 San Diego Undy 5000 Dog Friendly 5K Run/Walk (& one-mile fun run), sponsored by the Colon Cancer Alliance. Grab your kids and dogs, but leave your pants at home. Run in your underwear while raising awareness of colon cancer. At De Anza Cove (2750 North Mission Bay Dr.) in Mission Bay Park. http://ccalliance.org/undy5000/index.html
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Annual Ugly Dog Contest Sponsored by the Del Mar Kiwanis Club & San Diego Coastal Chamber of Commerce. Held at the Bates Nut Farm. If you don't have an ugly dog, you may enter in nine other categories, including Cutest, Most Beautiful, Most Handsome, Best St. Pat's Costume, Dog Who Looks Most Like Its Owner, or Best Trick. All proceeds given to charity. http://uglydogcontest.org/
22 MARCH 2013 | www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com
April 26, 27 and 28
Horse Ranch Tours
Join the Escondido Humane Society at Kit Cason Park to celebrate the bond between people and their pets. www.escondidohumanesociety.org
Tour five Ranches and homes to many national champion titled horses. Enjoy demonstrations and Interviews with top trainers in the breed as well as other festivities. Come share our passion for the Peruvian Paso Horse. RSVP required, contact: Debbie Pye at wepye@sbcglobal.net, or call (858) 674-7340.
April 5-7, 2013
Have an event coming up?
Reality Rally
San Diego Pets Magazine has more events listed and highlighted online. We invite you to add your own events and share your comments on our website. www.SanDiegoPetsMagazine.com/events
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Paws in the Park
Reality Rally is weekend of "Fun for Funds" for www.michellesplace.org, a breast cancer resource center in Temecula. See story page 20. www.realityrally.com
MARKETPLACE
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Be Your Pet’s Health Ally!
Pet First Aid/CPR classes 760-433-3480 www.petfirstaid4u.com
www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com | MARCH 2013 23