Triangle Dog Fall/Winter 2015

B rew D ogs

Craft Breweries go Crazy for Canines

Fall/Winter 2015 Complimentary

5 Te r r i f i c Tr i a n g l e Pa r k s

Th e R aw D i e t D e b at e

Disaster Preparedness Plan Ahead

Dog Flu

Should You Be Worried?

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Fall/Winter 2015

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E DITOR’S L ETTE R

W

elcome back, Triangle Dog readers! We are thrilled beyond words to bring this great magazine back to the wonderful dog community of the Triangle.

The mission of The Triangle Dog magazine is and always has been helping you create a better life for your dog. But this time we extend that mission to helping create a better life for all dogs in North Carolina. We want to contribute to the strong dog community in the Triangle by connecting dog owners with all the great activities, goods and services that cater to dogs and their people in our area. We will build awareness on issues facing dog owners, whether they are related to health & wellness, behavior, nutrition, training and sometimes political (yes, even dogs are at the forefront of state politics these days). We will advocate for adoption by featuring local rescue groups and shelters in every issue. Our back page features the stunning photography of Shannon Johnstone, creator of Landfill Dogs, a photography project that brings awareness to dogs once considered

throw-aways (for more information, visit www.landfilldogs.info). This time we feature Giovanni, who is currently waiting for his forever home at the Wake County Animal Services (as of print time).

In this issue we cover some great indoor and outdoor spots you may not have considered dog-friendly. The craft brewery business is exploding in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and many points in between. Just like neighborhood family-friendly pubs in the United Kingdom, many micro-breweries in the Triangle welcome dogs too. John Taylor of Yes Dog Raleigh explores some well-known breweries as well as a few new ones in Triangle Dogs and Triangle Beer. Now that summer is officially over, you might be in search of a new park to explore with your pup. Eliza Kuklinski and I offer up some great choices in 5 Terrific Triangle Parks. And even though the weather is cooling, we can’t ignore the pests that can plague pets during outdoor activities. In Hitchhikers of the Canine Kind, Julie Nettifee-Osbourne provides useful tips on avoiding parasites while out and about. And as always, we offer tips and advice from local dog experts in our Q&A columns.

Enjoy!

LARRY LUDOVIC

—Cathi Bert-Roussel Editor-in-Chief Cathi and Harry

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cathi@thetriangledog.com

T-DOG 10

Fall/Winter 2015 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Cathi Bert-Roussel EDITOR

Sean Drummond

10 WAYS TO SHOW YOUR DOG YOU CARE

ART DIRECTOR

Michele Sager COVER PHOTOGRAPHY

Tara Lynn InBetween the Blinks Photography DISTRIBUTION MANAGERS

Mary Price Heywood Coffee Published by: The Triangle Dog, LLC 514 Daniels Street, Raleigh NC 27608 919-210-2140 info@thetriangledog.com www.facebook.com/triangledog

1. Daily walks. Exercise is important for people and dogs.

2. Keep up on veterinary care. Regular vet visits ensure a healthy life.

3. Check labels. Look at dog food labels for past due date and ingredients before you buy.

Advertise in The Triangle Dog: Are you the owner of a dog related business?

Would you like to reach thousands of dog owners across the Triangle?

For more information, email advertise@thetriangledog.com.

Entire contents are copyright 2015.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means without prior written consent from the publisher.

The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, the publisher makes no warrant to the accuracy or reliability of this information. Views expressed by editorial contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.

PRINTED IN THE USA

4. Throw a puppy party! Some dogs need a social life too.

Take them out or have their friends over.

5. Spoil them occasionally. A cookie from your local dog bakery or a new toy is always a welcome surprise!

6. Hugs and snuggles. If your dog loves cuddles, give them plenty of lap time while watching TV.

7. Get away from the phone or computer. Your dog notices when you spend a lot of time on Facebook.

8. Explore a new walking area. Walk a new street, neighborhood or park.

9. Talk to your dog. Studies show talking to your dog increases their cognitive ability.

10. Teach your dog a new trick. Learning builds confidence and a stronger bond between dog and owner.

ON THE COVER: RIVERS

Fall/Winter 2015

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TARA LYNN–INBETWEEN THE BLINKS PHOTOGRAPHY

FEATURES

10 5 Terrific Triangle Parks

by Eliza Kuklinski and Cathi Bert-Roussel

16 Triangle Dogs and Triangle Beer

by John Taylor

20 Canine Influenza - Should You Be Worried?

by Dr. Teresa Danford

22 Hitchhikers of the Canine Kind

by Julie Nettifee, RVT, BS, VTS (Neurology)

24 The Raw Diet Debate

by Dr. Brian Lapham, DVM

36 Disaster Preparedness: Have a Kit and Have a Plan

by Sean Drummond

Backcover – Landfill Dog: Giovanni

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IN EVERY ISSUE

COLUMNS

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Editor’s Letter

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The TDOG 10

7 Business Spotlight – CockadoodleMoo

8 Contributors 23 Dogs @ Play – The Treibball Adventure 32 Breed Basics – Jumpin’ Jack Russells 34 TDOG Around Town 38 Tails from the Heart – Meet the NC Dog Lobbyist

14 Local Rescue – Wake County Animal Services 26 Ask the Groomer 28 Ask the Vet 30 Ask the Trainer

COCK ADOODLE MOO Joel B. Frady

BRINGING FRESH TASTES TO PATRONS AND THEIR PUPS

JOEL B. FRADY

Doug Rollins prepares a pimento cheese burger in the kitchen of the CockadoodleMoo food truck.

JOEL B. FRADY

F

or Jolie and Doug Rollins, the decision to open their own food truck was inspired by their desire to follow their passions and entrepreneurial dreams on their own time.

“We always knew we wanted to open our own business, but we just weren't quite sure what it was,” Jolie said. She'd spent the prior 18 years in health care sales while Doug served as the executive chef for the Carolina Country Club and the N.C. State Faculty Club.

Food was their passion, but the idea of opening a brick-andmortar restaurant didn't quite fit the bill.

“Restaurants require work 24/7, 365 days a year,” said Jolie, “but we like to go on vacation and have a little balance in our lives.”

The desire to pursue their culinary goals while maintaining personal time led

to the October 2014 opening of the CockadoodleMoo food truck. Specializing in gourmet sandwiches, along with global and traditional barbecues, the business boasts a menu that changes based on the ingredients available from local farmers. “This was a nice way for us to be in control of the quality, the end-to-end process,” said Jolie. She later noted that although it frequently takes eight hours to prepare for an evening, they have “a lot of fun.

“It doesn't feel like work,” she said. “We have a lot of fun with it. That's not to say it’s all unicorns and rainbows the whole time, but it's fun to work with people you enjoy. It's fun to go to places you enjoy.”

Among the places they enjoy are local breweries. Among the people they enjoy are those with dogs.

The Rollins even prepare treats for their canine clients.

On any given night they might have frozen bananas, sliced apples or homemade treats made with pumpkin, mint and basil.

“Our dogs are our children,” Jolie said. “We like to be around other people who think of their dogs as their children and treat them, spoil them and have a lot of fun.” The CockadoodleMoo food truck operates several nights a week at various Triangle-based establishments.

They are also available to cater weddings, parties and corporate functions. When not serving customers, the Rollins enjoy spending time with their fiveyear-old beagle/coon hound mix, Roscoe.

To find out more about their schedule or menu, click to www. cockadoodlemootruck.com.

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LINDSEY MCDANIEL

CONTR I BUTORS

BRIAN L APHAM, DVM Dr. Brian Lapham wrote the Raw Diet Debate feature article in this issue. He received his veterinary degree from the University of Florida in 1999. His true passion lies in preventative care – preventing disease before it can manifest itself as cancer, osteoarthritis, epilepsy or the like. Outside of the hospital, Dr. Lapham enjoys spending time with his family, both the two legged and four legged members, woodworking, home improvements and running.

CL ARE REE SE- GLORE Clare Reese-Glore pens our Breed Basics column. She is the owner of YAY dog! in Durham. Clare provides individual training services and calls herself “a coach for people and dogs”.

She is a certified trainer with the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI) and helps with local rescues.

YAY dog!’s spokesdog, Andy, came from the Animal Protection Society in Durham.

JOEL B . FR ADY Joel Frady is the owner and operator of Dogs Like Joel, a pet sitting service in Raleigh.

For this issue, he contributed the Business Spotlight and Local Rescue columns. Joel has written for The Mount Airy News, Ashe Mountain Times in West Jefferson, Newsworks in Philadelphia, and WNCN in Raleigh.

TAR A LYNN Tara Lynn is the one behind the camera taking our beautiful cover photograph.

Her work can be seen in the delightful photographs of Jack Russells for the Breed Basics column and throughout this issue. She is a pet photographer and owner of In Between the Blinks Photography. She volunteers with the SPCA of Wake County where she photographs pets waiting for their forever home. She has two rescue pups, Baxter & Lily, and a one-year old daughter, Claire.

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CONTR I BUTORS

HIDE TER ADA He was born in Tokyo, Japan, and moved to the U.S. by himself when he was 14 years old. He photographed the images featured in Triangle Dogs and Triangle Beer. His career as a photojournalist started with Cary News and included stints at Ventura County Star and the Los Angeles Times. His images have been published through wire services such as the Associated Press, Scripps Howard News Service and Corbis. Now his focus is journalistic wedding coverage, portraiture and fine art photography.

JOHN TAYLOR John Taylor operates the YesDog Raleigh blog which connects dogfriendly Triangle businesses with the Triangle dog owners. John researched and wrote the Triangle Dogs and Triangle Beer feature. A current graduate student and native of Raleigh, he has watched the Triangle grow up and simultaneously become a great place for people and their dogs to live, walk, run, drink and eat. Check out YesDog Raleigh on the web at www.

YesDogRaleigh.com and on Twitter @yesdograleigh.

TERE SA DANFORD, DVM Dr. Teresa Danford contributed the very timely Canine Influenza - Should you Be Worried? feature article. She also provides the expert answers for our Ask The Vet column. Dr. Danford received her veterinary degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1999. She practices veterinary medicine at her own hospital, Raleigh Community Animal Hospital in North Raleigh.

JULIE NE T TIFEE- OSBOURNE , BS , RV T, V TS (NEUROLO GY ) Julie Nettifee-Osbourne is the Laboratory Supervisor and Study Coordinator for the Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Lab at North Carolina State University Veterinary School. She wrote the Hitchhikers of the Canine Kind feature article in this issue. With over 15 years as a Licensed Veterinary Technician she brings a wealth of clinical dog knowledge to our magazine.

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5 Terri Eliza Kuklinski and Cathi Bert-Roussel

1. LAKE RALEIGH Located in southwest Raleigh on N.C. State’s Centennial Campus, Lake Raleigh is a great get-away spot within city limits that makes a body feel miles from the urban hustle and bustle.

The main walking path is part of a network of trails that make up the Capital Greenway Trail System. Pack a picnic and grab a spot overlooking the lake during sunset for a spectacular show of fall foliage.

Lake Raleigh is located on the Centennial Campus in Raleigh just off of Main Campus Drive.

The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset. For more information, visit the Centennial Campus website: www. centennial.ncsu.edu/lakewalking-trails.php

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Upriver from Ford Fews at the Eno River 10

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2. N ORTH CAROLINA MUSEUM OF ART

CATHI BERT-ROUSSEL

utumn brings welcome relief from the recent hot and humid summer in the Triangle. As the brisk air moves in and fall colors unveil their brilliance, it is a wonderful time of year to explore a new park with your four and two legged family members. Many dogs (and people too) love getting out to experience the sights and smells of a new walking place. Here is a list of our favorite parks that are open to the public and dog-friendly.

Perhaps your dog is more of the refined and cultured type. Would he be grateful for an afternoon of art appreciation? We think so and you can’t do better than the Museum Park at NCMA. This park covers 160 acres of creeks, fields and woodlands. A leisurely one mile stroll along the “Blue Loop” allows for discovery of impressive art installations and quiet reflection among natural surroundings. If your dog likes to take things a little slow and

Picnic in the Park - Brad and Corrie enjoy a late afternoon picnic with their dog Tripper at Lake Raleigh

ponder the intersection of art and life, the Museum Park is the perfect place to walk.

The North Carolina Museum of Art is located at 2110 Blue Ridge Road in Raleigh. The Museum Park is open daily, from dawn to dusk. Dogs must be kept onleash at all times. Any “poop art” left by your dog must be picked up and properly disposed.

people, as long as they are kept on-leash. Bring doggie poop bags to clean up after your pet. It is required by park management and it’s just good etiquette to do so. Umstead Park offers fantastic

TARA LYNN–INBETWEEN THE BLINKS PHOTOGRAPHY

fic Triangle Parks fun for any energetic, natureloving puppy and their family.

Umstead Park is located at 8801 Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh. The park is open every day except on Christmas.

Operating hours are September to October – 8am to 8pm; November to February – 8am to 6pm; March to April – 8am to 8pm; May to August – 8am to 9pm.

4. E NO RIVER STATE PARK The Eno River flows over thirty miles from Orange County and into Durham County, where it joins the Flat River to become the Neuse, eventually flowing into Falls Lake. This state park is perfect for outdoorsy types keen for a rugged hike along the trails and maybe a swim in the river.

Well-behaved dogs are allowed

3. UMSTEAD PARK

CATHI BERT-ROUSSEL

If you and your canine are game for a hike or run, head to Umstead Park off of Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh. A member of the NC State parks system, Umstead offers a gorgeous sixteen-mile loop that features a lake and beautiful wooded areas along a network of trails. Dogs are welcome to explore with their NCMA Museum Park Fall/Winter 2015

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CATHI BERT-ROUSSEL

A peaceful path along the Eno

on leashes no longer than six feet. This beautiful wilderness area is enjoyed by many hikers.

Your dog is sure to love this area as well.

There are three access points into Eno River State Park: Fews Ford, Cole Mill and Pleasant Green. The park office is located at 6101 Cole Mill Road, Durham.

For directions and current information about park hours and trail conditions, visit www. ncparks.gov.

trails and gardens, although two gardens are off-limits to pups (don't worry, they are marked as such, so you will know where not to go). If you haven't discovered these gardens yet, or a few years have passed since your last visit, they are worth exploring.

Constantly being updated with new sculptures, plants, or garden

areas, Sarah P. Duke Gardens will remain a treasured spot in the hearts of Triangle dog-owners for many years.

Duke Gardens is located at 420 Anderson Street, Durham. Open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

5. S ARAH P. DUKE GARDENS

CATHI BERT-ROUSSEL

Located in Durham, Sarah P. Duke Gardens is a favorite spot of many in the Triangle. With beautifully designed gardens and a pond with native and imported waterfowl, as well as an adorable cafe, there is something for every member of your family to love.

Dogs (on leash) and their humans can explore five miles of Sara P. Duke Gardens, Durham 12

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WCAC Focusing on Individualized Care Amid Massive Workload

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he Wake County Animal Center faces numbers that, at first, may sound absurd to some. The facility, which is the only intake facility in Wake County for strays and owner surrenders, sees between 12,000 and 14,000 animals annually. The goal at WCAS is simple: find loving homes for as many cats, dogs, rabbits, hamsters and gerbils they possibly can.

“We don't have the luxury of selecting perfect animals to put in our adoption programs,” said Dr. Jennifer Federico, Animal Services Director at WCAC. “We take in whatever comes through our doors.”

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The animals usually have medical and behavioral issues that need to be addressed, a large job aided by dozens of volunteers. One of those volunteers is Christine Becker, who works with 40 to 60 dogs every week. She cited the play groups they conduct with the

dogs as a key metric used to understand and help each individual dog.

“We bring out dogs that are unknowns, that are strays, and for the first time try to introduce them to other dogs to see how they play,” said Becker.

“When people come in looking

to adopt a dog, we might have more information about how this dog may get along with their dog at home.”

The WCAC began the Shelter Rounds program specifically to address the animals deemed atrisk. Each week, staff members spend an hour discussing how they believe they can help the each animal. Dogs are provided with the opportunities to play and socialize or rest and enjoy a massage.

“What's great about it is that it isn't cookie-cutter, because each dog may need something different,” said Becker. She later noted that “there are dogs that start out poorly and progress so far” thanks to the many volunteers who work with them.

The efforts at WCAC haven't

gone unnoticed. The center was recently recognized by the National Association of Counties for the Shelter Rounds program. Federico noted that the efforts at WCAC have produced a “huge” 21% drop in their euthanasia rate over the past four years.

Still, the constant flow of animals into the facility means that this shelter needs as much help as the community will provide. Federico stated that while they are always in need of volunteers and foster homes, they also need help changing the general public mindset about county animal shelters.

“The biggest thing is adopt, don't shop,” she said. “If you're looking for a new family member, think adoption first.”

Becker added that she thinks it is “unfortunate that society right now thinks of animals as throwaways. When they're no longer cute, or small, or convenient, or you don't have time for them anymore you can just throw them away.”

“We take in what everybody else has discarded and we show everyone how wonderful and beautiful these animals can be,” said Becker.

For more information about the Wake County Animal Center, including listings of available animals and information on volunteering, call (919) 212-7387 or visit their website at wakegov.com/pets.

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Triangle Dogs John Taylor

Triangle Beer Dog treats are always kept behind the bar at Crank Arm Brewing in downtown Raleigh.

HIDE TERADA

Quinn, 10, greets “Rosie the Beagle” at Crank Arm Brewing.

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HIDE TERADA

D

og-guilt is a real thing. It is that ever present and constantly growing sense of “I need to spend some time with my pup” that every dog owner knows all too well having spent any time doing, well, anything that does not include said dog.

Avoiding dog-guilt while managing to get out of the house and experience all that the Raleigh-Durham area has to offer can be difficult but has been made quite a bit easier by a booming dog-friendly craft beer and brewing industry in the Triangle. While shopping centers and restaurants are for the most part not open to dogs with the exception of a few porches here

basis that are not only a great way to get you and your dog out of the house, but a great way to meet people, and have one of the truly excellent grown-upbeverages made right here in the Triangle.

Here are three dog-friendly Spots in Raleigh that give dog owners a place to go, instead of a dog park, and serve some of Raleigh’s finest beer to their two-legged patrons.

Raleigh is known for its flavorfilled beer, ever expanding biking club, open air atmosphere, giant Jenga, and, of course, being one of the most dog-friendly places around.

When asked how many dogs typically come to Crank Arm Brewing Company, Adam Eckhardt, co-owner and cofounder simply stated “A LOT!” They have done multiple events in association with local organizations like the Wake County SPCA, as well as regularly hosting dog-friendly meet-ups put on by local groups or charities.

A couple of times that I’ve stepped foot in Crank Arm Brewing Company (yes, I go often), especially on a sunny cool day, I almost feel out of place if I do not have my dog with me. Adam went on, “For many people, dogs are family member and they love bringing them to be social. I really think it has become part of our identity and of course it does set us apart.”

CRANK ARM BREWING Crank Arm Brewing Company, located on Davie Street in the Depot District of downtown

Crank Arm is located at 319 W. Davie Street, Raleigh.

Operating hours are Monday–Wednesday: 4pm to 12am; Thursday–Friday: 4pm to 2am; Saturday: noon to 2am; Sunday: noon to 10pm

NORTH STREET BEER STATION

HIDE TERADA

and there, the Triangle beer scene is as delicious as it is dog-friendly.

A point of clarification: I am not using the phrase “dogfriendly” here as “yeah, these places allow dogs.” No, I am saying these places welcome dogs and if you bring your pup along with you, you surely will not be the only one with a leash in hand.

Back to the beer. An astonishing number of local breweries and craft beer bottle shops have an open door policy for dogs. Many even host dog-friendly events on a regular

Located on the very walkable area of Glenwood Avenue South in downtown Raleigh stands a great little bottleshop that serves some of the best beer in

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an atmosphere that is as warm and welcoming to K-9 companions as it is to their beer-drinking owners.

“We are definitely those to completely encourage people to bring their dogs in,” explained Chelsea Richardson, Communications Manager of North Street Beer. “We love the energy they give off and that people can bond over a beer as they introduce their dogs to one another.”

Chelsea went on to say there is almost always a dog in the store. In addition to selling beer, North Street Beer has a great bar where you can take a seat and enjoy your favorite beer while your dog gets their favorite beverage and treat (read: a bowl of water).

There are many dog-friendly craft breweries in the Triangle.

Below are just a few more that may be in your neck of the woods.

North Street Beer Station is located at 521 W. North Street, Raleigh. Operating hours are Monday-Wednesday: noon to midnight; Thursday-Saturday: noon to 2am; Sunday: 3pm to 10pm

BULL CITY CIDERWORKS If you find yourself in the Bull City, known more commonly as Durham, the appropriately named Bull City Ciderworks cider brewery puts a spin on the dog-friendly Triangle brewery scene.

“The market really had a lot of traditional breweries so we thought it was time for something different and really saw the opportunity and market for hard cider,” said John

Clowney, Partner at BullCity Ciderworks. As far as being dog friendly goes, John explained that “our decision to be dog friendly is because we own dogs and like to take our dogs places just like everyone else.” It doesn’t hurt that John’s wife, Jessica, is a local veterinarian!

In addition to a number of events (both dog-related and not) coming up this year, BullCity Ciderworks serves up the pups with water bowls and Chew Monster treats year around.

Bull City Ciderworks is located at 113 S. Elizabeth Street, Durham. Operating hours are Tuesday – Thursday: 5pm to 10pm; Friday: 4pm to 11pm; Saturday: 11am to 11pm; Sunday: 2pm to 8pm

To learn more about dog friendly YesDog Raleigh ‘Spots’ in the Triangle, check out YesDog Raleigh on twitter (@YesDogRaleigh); Facebook/yesdograleigh and web – www.yesdograleigh.com.

Raleigh Brewing Company 3709 Neil Street, Raleigh raleighbrewingcompany.com Bombshell Beer Company 120 Quantum Drive, Holly Springs bombshellbeer.com Fullsteam Brewery 726 Riggsbee Avenue, Durham fullsteam.ag

HIDE TERADA

Aviator Brewing Company 209 Technology Park Lane, Fuquay Varina aviatorbrew.com “Rosie” enjoying time with her people at the Crank Arm Brewery.

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Canine Influenza – Shoul Dr. Teresa Danford, DVM

B

efore we can answer such a question, we must make certain that we understand the facts.

The Canine Influenza Virus (CIV) was first diagnosed in 2004 in racing-Greyhounds in Florida. Over the next decade, CIV slowly spread throughout the United States, with isolated and sporadic cases in 40 states, and has been a persistent health issue in New York, New Jersey, Colorado and Pennsylvania.

The strain of virus identified in these cases, beginning in 2004, is H3N8 and since 2009, a very effective vaccine has been available, which greatly decreases the severity of disease, including limiting the duration of coughing and shedding (spread) of the virus.

Fast forward to this spring of 2015 and the outbreak of canine influenza in the Midwest: this

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strain of CIV is vastly different than H3N8 and has been traced back to a strain found in Asia, H3N2. The behavior of this 'new strain' of virus, infects dogs quite rapidly, with dogs developing a fever and cough, sometimes within 24 hours of exposure; eyes and/or nose becoming runny; lack of appetite; and dogs seem to tire easily or become lethargic upon the onset of these other symptoms.

One of the most noteworthy properties of this virus is its very long duration of shedding or ability to spread. Infected dogs can spread the virus for up to 24 days and with such capability, it is of the utmost of importance that diagnostic tests are performed to confirm that a coughing dog is actually sick from CIV to prevent unintentional spread of the virus.

Currently, H3N2 has been confirmed in 19 states, including North Carolina.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Cases of coughing dogs are caused by many viruses or

bacteria. Vaccinate your pet against as many of them as possible. The best form of protection is with a vaccine that promotes immunity where they need it most - on the mucosal surfaces of the nasal passages. Vaccines that protect against Bordetella, Adenovirus, and Parainfluenza, in an intranasal form

d You Be Worried? (administered through the nose), give you the highest level of protection. Furthermore, vaccinate against CIV, especially if high risk (frequent visitor

of boarding, daycare, dogparks, etc.). While the available CIV vaccine is aimed at protection from the H3N8 strain, there appears to be qualities of cross protection with vaccinated dogs getting much less sick and shedding much less virus. Merck, the manufacturer of the available CIV vaccine, states that immunization requires two 'shots', one 'shot' given two weeks apart. In addition, Merck is covering treatment for dogs, appropriately vaccinated with the H3N8 vaccine, if they should become infected with H3N2.

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO? Like the flu in people, CIV is spread from respiratory secretions via direct contact or through the air. The virus can be spread through sneezes and coughs; on toys, in water bowls, on clothing, etc. Use good hygiene when interacting with other

dogs (even if your dog is not with you, you can carry the virus home and expose your dog).

If your dog develops symptoms, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Ask your veterinarian if they are prepared to handle your pet. Many animal hospitals, including ours, have separate entrances and isolation areas to limit exposure in the lobby and waiting areas.

Get your dog tested. The manufacturer of the vaccine for CIV and the Kennel Cough vaccine may be willing to pay for testing and confirming the exact cause of the cough helps plan for treatment and containment.

If your dog is coughing, please keep them away from other dogs, including dog parks, training classes, playdates and daycares, and pet stores.

Lastly, like other infectious diseases that have appeared in our community, Canine Influenza is best controlled with good information, common sense, and a preventative healthcare approach!

Dr. Teresa Danford, owns and practices at Raleigh Community Animal Hospital and writes our “Ask the Vet� column.

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Hitchhikers of the Canine Kind Julie Nettifee, RVT, BS, VTS (Neurology)

'Hitchhikers' in the form of fleas, ticks and biting insects are not only annoying to all, they can carry illness and disease. Prevention and early disease detection are key for both people and pets to remain healthy and hiking.

Many of the diseases that these parasites cause in pets are also of concern to people. Diseases such as Lyme disease, transmitted through the bite of a tick, can affect dogs and humans, as well as other species.

Flea infestations are not only irritating, but the flea itself can harbor a parasite called Bartonella henselae which has been linked to neuro-muscular and joint disease as well.

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By taking some simple preventive steps, owners can keep everyone in the pack ready for many outings: Apply a topical or administer a flea and tick preventive preventative prescribed by your veterinarian.

Use heartworm preventives (many of which help to treat intestinal parasites).

Grooming pre- and post-hike to quickly remove hitchhiking parasites.

Treat the home environment, including indoor and exterior spaces, to prevent flea and tick infestations.

Provide early medical intervention if suspect your dog may have contracted a parasite-caused illness.

One of the most comprehensive websites for pet owners is the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC). CAPC’s expert information includes a parasites’ life cycle and stage descriptions, pathology, diagnosis, treatment, control, and public health concerns.

CAPC experts make recommendations on their website for the control of many types of parasites, including commonly known parasites such as roundworms and hookworms, but also water-borne parasites such as Giardia which can be contracted through contaminated water supplies.

Life, for animals and humans, is not about avoiding the journey, but remaining safe while we explore. Take time to stop and smell the roses, and keep your pack protected from unwanted hitchhikers along the way.

The Treibball Adventure

Suzanne Kalafian

Grab your dog and some exercise balls and let the Treibball games begin!!!

ALL PHOTOS: SUZANNE KALAFIAN

T

reibball is a relatively new canine game that was created in Germany in 2003, by a Dutch dog Trainer, Jan Nijboer. By 2007 it had already grown into a competitive sport throughout Europe. The United States caught wind of this fun new game and it became a competitive sport here in 2010.

What is Treibball, you may be wondering? It is a great sport that any breed or size of dog can play. It uses rubber exercise balls made various colors. Dogs are taught to push the balls around with their nose or chest to get the ball to a desired location. And some resourceful dogs stand up on their back legs and push the ball with their front paws which is comical to watch. And of course, carrying a ball with teeth is discouraged for obvious reasons.

Treibball is played off-leash with the dog being sent out twenty to forty-five feet to retrieve the ball and steer it back into a goal area.

The traditional game requires the dog to bring in several balls from the field.

The initial ball set-up is in a stacked group resembling a pyramid. At the start of a game, the dog is sent to break the stacked balls to disperse them to the ground level. The dog then brings each ball one-by-one into the goal area until the desired number have been retrieved.

At more advanced levels of the game, dogs are given cues to bring in specific balls based on size or color. The game is timed with seven to ten minutes to complete each level.

With any sport there are basic skills that must learned before a dog and her person can participate in Treibbal at the competitive level. First, a dog must learn how to go to a floor target which helps with positioning and distance.

Second, they learn to steer a ball which is the best part for most dogs. We watch the dog push the ball all around the ring and eventually they get it to you or you go help them. It’s always fun to see the light bulb moment when the dog gets it!

He can now push the ball to you and you can actually see them using their nose and head to keep the ball on target.

What can Treibball do for you and your dog? Surprisingly, a lot!! You will learn how to work as a team. It improves communication between you and your dog. Your dog learns to check-in with you when they are some distance away to make sure they are executing the correct task on the ball.

Recalls become stronger because we practice calling the dog back if they get off course. You may learn an emergency command such as “down” to help them pull out a ball that you do not want them to retrieve. Imagine how that would help outside of class if your dog were to suddenly run after a cat or squirrel.

Not only is this a fun game for you and your dog, it has many fringe benefits and important life lessons for your dog. Get out and try this wonderful game. Videos can be found at my YouTube channel or through the website www.superior-dogs.com.

Let’s get on the ball!!

Fall/Winter 2015

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Modern Dog Diet Dilemma– Dr. Brian Lapham, DVM

R

aw carrots. Raw broccoli. Raw chicken.

Wait a minute, one of those is not like the others! As omnivores, we can eat certain foods raw and are able to digest and absorb their nutrients just fine. But other raw foods, such as certain uncooked meats, may contain bacteria that could be very harmful. What about our canine friends? Surely their ancestors did not cook their tasty rabbit or yummy mouse, and they were even known to scavenge some less savory bits.

How does that equate to our modern dogs? Should they eat as their ancestors did? To decide, we have to ask ourselves several questions. What did their ancestors eat and who were they? Can they digest a raw diet better than cooked foods? Is a raw diet better for them and is it safe?

ANCESTORS Let’s start with what their ancestors ate, or more accurately, who their ancestors were. It depends on how far back we go.

The modern, domesticated dog has been around for approximately 15,000 years, as part of the human clan. There is

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evidence that they ate at (or near) the family hearth, went on hunting expeditions and perhaps even acted as a family guard dog.

These ancestors probably ate quite a bit of cooked and processed meats and vegetables.

Their scavenging habits were probably fairly minimal because of this access to food. Perhaps we should go back even further, to when dogs evolved from wolves (or more probably a wolf ancestor) 30,000 or more years ago. These ancestors certainly did not cook their food, and were known scavengers. Which is a more accurate view of the modern dog?

DIGESTION Here is the crux of the raw food issue: the suggestion that uncooked proteins are more easily digested and absorbed than cooked proteins.

Specifically, there are enzymes present in raw meat that are destroyed by the cooking process. While interesting, and possibly true, there is no science to back up this theory. We know, however, that raw vegetables, are not handled well by carnivores.

They need the crushing teeth and powerful gastric enzymes of herbivores to break down vegetable cell walls. We must

cook or process those foods to enhance their digestion.

IS A RAW DIET BETTER FOR THEM? No hormones, no additives, no fillers, no junk! I am always for whole foods, with known ingredients appropriate for a carnivore. You can make a raw diet complete and balanced, and it is not rocket science. You can also very easily make a poor, unbalanced, possibly dangerous diet as well. The same could be said for a home-cooked diet (or heck, what you and I ate for dinner last night!). Following a few basic guidelines can prevent most of the pitfalls of feeding a home-prepared raw diet. An even easier step is to use a commercially available raw diet.

IS A RAW DIET SAFE FOR THEM? It depends on how you define safe, and for whom. Healthy carnivores are able to handle certain kinds and amounts of bacteria that omnivores like us simply cannot. I have seen my dog eat half-rotten carcasses with gusto, and perhaps have a bit of excess gas that night. The same meal would have put me in the hospital. There are studies

the Raw Diet Debate showing what we already know – that there are bad bacteria in our food – hence the reason for the little stickers on our chicken and

hamburger that says you must

cook it to a certain temperature for a specific time. But is it bad for a dog? Most of the time dogs can handle these bacteria.

However, under times of stress, illness or disease, that may not be the case. We must also keep in mind that humans would be handling the raw food, and would need to take the necessary precautions to keep us healthy.

So, to sum it up, what do I think as a veterinarian and dog owner? I think feeding raw protein to a dog, with certain precautions and understanding of how to handle raw food for us non-canines, can be a healthy technique. I have seen many, very healthy dogs (and cats) fed this way. However, most of the dogs that I saw that improved on a raw diet were on a basic, commercial dog food prior to their transition. I have often wondered if we would have seen the same improvement if they were fed a home-prepared cooked diet, which can also be extremely beneficial.

Feeding schemes for dogs are never a one-sizefits-all approach, and you must seek out the method that works best for your dog, and for you.

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ASK TH E GROOM E R

Welcome back My dog frequently scratches his ears. What can I do about ear problems and should I ask to have my dog's ears plucked at his grooming appointments?

Beth Johnston owns Beth Barks N Bubbles in Durham. She is a lifelong animal lover who, at 10 years of age, first groomed the family dog in the driveway. She has been grooming animals for over 20 years, working with dogs, cats, rabbits and horses. Beth has successfully competed in canine events including conformation, rally, obedience and agility. She is a certified member of the National Dog Groomers Association of America and is certified with the American Red Cross in Canine First Aid and CPR.

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TTD!

If your dog is experiencing ear problems, a trip to your vet is in order. Your vet will examine the ears for infection, parasites, ear canal disorders, or excessive hair or matting. They can also determine if it is allergy related (yes, allergies can cause ear problems). Once your vet has determined the cause of the ear discomfort, they will have a plan to resolve the issue. Ear problems can have many causes and sometimes, repeated trips to the vet’s office may be necessary to clear things up and prevent future flare-ups.

Your vet may have you take your dog to the groomer for an ear pluck - the removal of ear hair growing inside the ear canal. Plucking should be done carefully, if at all, in cases where there is ear discomfort. If there is an overabundance of hair in the canal, plucking can be beneficial for keeping the ear clean, dry, and ensuring medications make it into the canal.

Depending on the dog,

this may not be recommended if your dog is feeling discomfort from her very painful ears. If there is matting or allergy issues, your groomer may choose to clip the matted hair or take the ears to a shorter length so they may be closely monitored. A closer trimmed ear also helps to keep them dry and the area neat while medications are delivered into the ear canal.

What is the best age to bring my puppy to the groomer for the first time?

Because individual cases vary, it is best to contact your groomer before you bring your puppy home! Your groomer can advise you on what brushes and combs you should use. They may also guide you on how to do things like hold the feet or look in the ears - things that your groomer would do. Once your puppy has had its booster shots from your vet, been properly dewormed and is otherwise healthy, it is best to start as soon as possible (12 weeks at the latest).

When you speak to your groomer, you should ask what things you can do at home, prior to the grooming

appointment, to help make a smooth transition for your dog to the salon.

Remember, you are setting the stage for how your puppy feels about grooming for the rest of its life. Ideally, you want to have the first couple of trips to the grooming salon to be as easy as possible.

Waiting until your puppy is matted or a young adult is not a pleasant way for them to experience grooming for the first time. You want the first time (or two) to be simple, with not much needed, so you can impress upon them from the beginning that grooming salons are a fun place to be!

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ASK TH E V ET

Dr. Teresa Danford graduated from the University of Wisconsin School of veterinary medicine in 1999. After gradation she worked in a small animal practice in rural Wisconsin before moving to Raleigh in 2004. Her core belief in education and the integration of behavior management into personalized wellness care motivated her to recently open her own hospital. Raleigh Community Animal Hospital brings affordable wellness care, high quality medicine and surgery, education and an emphasis on the community together in one place.

My dog tore his nail while we were out hiking. If this happens again, what's the best thing to do until I can get him to my vet?

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First, kudos to you for getting out on the trails and taking your dog with you.

Let me take just a second and remind everyone on the trails to protect against tick borne diseases (Lyme Disease, Ehrlichia, etc.) which are increasing in prevalence in NC! I am sorry that your dog tore his nail. They sure can bleed a lot. The white part of the picture is the hard, protective nail.

The grey is the bone and soft tissue or 'quick' of the nail- the part that bleeds! If there is a portion of the nail that is dangling and loose, I pull that part off because the movement is very painful.

Clean the paw with warm slightly soapy water to remove debris and dry thoroughly.

Bleeding can be controlled with pressure and Styptic powder. I have even used flour in a pinch.

Place a light bandage over the foot, but not too tight. A child size sock can substitute if you don't have bandage materials.

One strip of bandage tape around the top of the sock can hold it in place. If your pet is chewing at the bandage you can place a few drops of Tabasco sauce on the outside of the bandage.

Depending on how much of the nail has been torn off, your vet may need to sedate your dog to remove portions of the nail that have separated from the quick. It usually takes about 3-5 days for the exposed quick to heal over and 4-6 weeks for the nail to regrow over the quick.

Pain medication, possibly antibiotics if indicated and bandaging to protect the quick make this process more comfortable.

Keeping nails trimmed helps prevent them from getting snagged and torn on the rough terrain of the trail.

ASK TH E V ET

What's the best way to prepare for a routine visit to my vet? Is there information I should bring with me to answer any questions I'll be asked during the exam?

Thank you for even thinking about preparation for your visit!! Your pet's wellness exam is an important time to evaluate all aspects of their lifestyle, reassess risks and plan for the future.

If visiting a new vet, complete medical records from any previous veterinarians give your new doctor the opportunity to review previous preventative care and treatment. Anesthesia complications, drug reactions, and medication successes or failures all give us more information to better treat your pet. Vaccine records help to prevent over vaccination- good for your pet and your wallet.

The medical history is one of the cornerstones of personalized care. The answers to the barrage of questions we have for you are like pieces of a puzzle. The more pieces we have, the more accurate picture we can paint of your furry family member's overall health.

A little bit of preparation will allow you and your vet to provide best care for your pet.

SOME OF THE PUZZLE PIECES WE NEED: � Bring information on your pets nutrition including brands and quantities of food and treats used. We are what we eat! � Specific information (or even the bottles) for medications, vitamins or supplements being given allows your veterinarian to make accurate dose changes if necessary. � Lifestyle information such as time spent at dog parks, doggie daycamp,and boarding bring up topics such as canine influenza and Bordetella vaccines. - Behavior information and concerns � Unusual changes in the home that may affect your relationship with your pet or their health (new pets, babies, foster pets, moves, etc) � Changes in activity- willingness to exercise, mobility,"slowing down" any other questions or concerns you might have.

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ASK TH E TR A I NE R

DIANE LEWIS

We just got a puppy and he is a little mouthy with our hands and his puppy teeth really hurt. Will he grow out of this behavior or should we teach him not to bite our hands?

Karen Smith is the owner and head trainer of All Dogs Allowed, a Triangle-area training company.

With over 16 years of experience in the field, she has worked not only with canines, but tigers, sharks, chimpanzees, lemurs, horses, and more! Karen loves working with shy or fearful dogs, and specializes in leash reactivity, canine obedience, and building better communication between dogs and their owners. You can contact Karen with questions any time at: AllDogsAllowedInc.Com

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Congratulations on your adorable new addition! Puppies learn by doing, so it’s never too early to set them up with appropriate habits. A great house rule to put into place is “Hands Are Not Toys”. Be sure that everyone in the house is aware of this rule so that your puppy has consistency across the board.

Watch that no one is accidentally interacting with the puppy in a way that would encourage biting or nipping. For example, waving your hands in front of her face could look like an invite to play and mouth!

Redirection works well here. If you feel teeth on

your skin, simply remove your hands while making a firm “ouch” sound. You don’t want to scare the puppy, but your noise should be startling enough that she stops for just a moment.

This allows you to redirect her to something she CAN put her teeth on – perhaps a frozen Kong, an antler, or a Nylabone.

When she begins to mouth her toy, change your tone back to a gentle, happy praise. If you repeat these series of events often enough, she will start to get the hint and will self-direct to her toys when she needs to mouth. Be sure to provide plenty of new chews for her, avoiding rawhides, and mix them up each week to keep things interesting!

ASK TH E TR A I NE R

My black lab goes crazy when anyone knocks on the door. Are there any training techniques I can use to work on reducing this behavior?

Ah, our built in alarm systems!

While we love the added security, occasionally our well meaning watchdogs get a little…overzealous. Turns out, it doesn’t just stress us out when our furry friends

forget their manners at the door – it stresses them out, too! Think of your dog’s excitement level, also known as arousal, as being on a dial. He is comfortable in the green zone, but as it raises into the yellow, orange, or even red, he goes through physical and physiological changes that can linger up to two weeks in his body! Turns out stress is stress – whether it is positive or negative, it affects his body the same.

The bad news about door manners is that there aren’t many short answers I can provide for you. Working with a trainer to learn more effective ways to communicate with your lab is your best option, as you’ll become fluent in “dog” and can soon let him know exactly what you like, and don’t like, when he is part of the welcoming committee.

The good news is there are some great quick tips you can start trying now, without joining a training class. The number one tool is avoidance. This means the dog is securely enclosed in a safe, calm space, such as a crate, before the front door is open.

While this may seem like he is being excluded, it’s better than allowing him to run to the door out of control. Dogs learn by repetition – this means every time they do something, it creates a pattern in their brain to do it again. If you leave him in the crate with something calming to do, such as a bully stick or Kong, you can then let him out when he is quiet and ready to say hello. Right before you let him out, place treats at your guests’ feet. This will keep his four paws on the floor and his mouth busy while they pet him. You can also have toys ready to engage him in a gentle game of fetch. Or you can hide treats around the house for him to find so he is so busy with his nosework fun that he forgets to be wildly excited!

Another great option is to keep him on a leash at the door, and give him a treat when you like his behavior. If he gets unruly, simply walk away from the company, so he realizes his behavior is removing him from the attention and fun.

Always remember that dogs repeat what is reinforced, so setting him up for success is key!

Fall/Winter 2015

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BRE E D BASICS

B

right, merry, inquisitive troublemaker - that’s how I think of the Jack Russell Terrier.

In Devonshire, England in the 1800s there was a minister who loved to hunt. Parson John “Jack” Russell became known at the “Sporting Parson”. He loved to fox hunt and he loved hunting dogs. He developed a small terrier that could run with the hunt and the larger dogs, then go underground to get a fox out of a burrow. Sometimes riders even carried these dogs in bags or across their saddles. His dogs became popular, were bred with longer or shorter legs depending on the terrain in England, and became a popular dog in Australia as well.

In America, there are three distinct Jack Russell Terrier

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breeds recognized by breed registry organizations. The American Kennel Club recognizes two of them: the Russell Terrier and the Parson Russell Terrier. The Jack Russell Terrier Club of America recognizes the Jack Russell Terrier. The Russell Terrier was developed to be a bit more mellow companion animal.

While the Parson Russell is considered to be a tough hunting dog. The Jack Russell Terrier of America website notes the Jack Russell Terrier is a working dog, whether that means hunting, agility, flyball, etc. For this article, the term “Jack Russell” terrier is used to reference all three of the recognized breeds.

This is a small white dog (51% or more white) with various markings of black, brown or tan.

The dogs may be from 10-15 inches high at the shoulder. The coat may be short, longish, or broken coated, a mixture of the two. This dog is extremely energetic, confident and tenacious. They love to dig and chew. The coats require little grooming and generally this is a

Clare Reece-Glore

healthy breed. They often live to be 13-15 years old.

These terriers are often very protective of their owners, happynatured and entertaining. In the last twenty years or so this small dog has become a staple in movies, TV and advertising.

People see this adorable, spunky small dog and if they don’t know about the breed, they may think a JRT is great for an apartment or other small space.

Of course, every individual dog is different, but Jack Russell Terriers do come with some “nots” about them. For instance, they are often:

NOT good with other dogs NOT good with children under the age of 6 NOT good for apartments NOT good with cats or small pets NOT good for couch potato owners.

“Moose” was a JRT who became a celebrity with his role of “Eddie” in the TV sitcom Frasier. Moose lost his first home because they just couldn’t handle him (he had been very destructive, hard to housetrain and generally difficult). He went to an animal handler for TV and movies who could channel all that energy. A look-alike son ended up working with his father and the younger dog played “Skip” in the movie My Dog Skip while Moose played the older Skip. For many years, Moose played all the “Eddie” parts - often handlers have more than one dog for different types of work and because of the amount of work.

Moose could handle the work and at one point got more fan mail than any other actor on Frasier!

The Jack Russell terrier is a highly energetic, tough-minded dog that will want to be active throughout all of its 12-15 years on this planet. This is a dog that can be very destructive when left alone unless it has had exercise, work or training that day. This is a

dog that may not want other dogs near it or its owner, and will express that with its teeth quite quickly. This is a dog that will require a lot of exercise, every day, rain or shine.

However, if you have a job for a dog, and you want to hike, run, do agility or other dog sports, have a dog perform tricks or services at home, then you may want a Jack Russell Terrier. There are even terrier trials where you could race your terrier, see how they ‘go to ground’ or try other competitions. There are now some JRT clubs around the country where owners get together to share the love of the breed and fun trials or programs.

Fall/Winter 2015

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TDOG A ROUND TOW N

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th

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Annual Dog O

lympics

TDOG A ROUND TOW N

N.C. State – College of Veterinary Medicine September 19, 2015

Fall/Winter 2015

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Sean Drummond

A basic emergency kit for your pet should include: pet food & feeding dishes extra collar or harness with ID tags or contact number pet medications water (half gallon per 50 pounds of pet per day) leash vaccination records a digital photo of you and your dog in case of separation to make “Lost Dog” flyers your dog’s carrier or crate a NOAA weather radio to have on hand in the event of dangerous weather

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But with the return of fall, hurricane season has not bid us farewell yet. And while we’re not exactly ‘tornado alley,’ hurricanes occasionally enjoy a meandering trip through eastern and central Carolina.

Large scale evacuations from mega-storms like Katrina and Rita taught authorities a lot about hurricane preparedness for people and their pets. The lesson learned is that storm survival for you and your pooch is equal parts preparation and information.

The first two items of preparation are good ideas regardless of the season or emergency – put an animal rescue sticker on the front door of your house and microchip your dog. Animal rescue stickers tell authorities how many and what kinds of pets are in your house that need rescuing. You can get these stickers at local

pet stores or for free online through the ASPCA (http:// www.aspca.org/pet-care/ disaster-preparedness/). And if you’re on the fence about having your pet microchipped, being prepared for an emergency that could possibly separate you from your pet, such as a hurricane, is an extremely good reason to have this minimally invasive procedure done. The cost for microchipping is around $30 and some Triangle rescue groups perform this service as part of the adoption process.

Disaster aid organizations encourage pet owners to build an emergency preparedness kit for their pets. The kit should include enough supplies to last for a week in the event that you have to be evacuated and cannot return to your home right away.

There are many online resources through ASPCA, Triangle Red Cross, and Avalo that can tell

you exactly what to include in these kits. (see sidebar) With preparations complete, your next step is to gather information and make a plan in case evacuation becomes necessary. According to the Triangle Red Cross, we can usually expect high winds and flooding when a hurricane passes near the Triangle; so find out if you live in a low-lying area that is prone to flooding.

Know which evacuation routes to use and where you and your pet will stay during evacuation.

You may want to check with out-of-town family to see if they will keep your pet during evacuation, or do some research to find hotels - outside of the disaster zone – that allow pets.

BringFido.com is a good source.

Wherever you happen to evacuate, you should never do so without your pet. If you are unable to evacuate and become stranded, take comfort in knowing that search and rescue authorities will rescue your pets when they rescue you.

In North Carolina, each county has the responsibility of setting up one co-located animal shelter for evacuated pets. These co-located shelters would be on the same property as the emergency shelter for humans, and the location of

this animal shelter should be provided with the emergency shelter information. These colocated shelters are the product of North Carolina’s Department of Agriculture, which aimed to improve emergency preparedness for pet owners after so many pets and their companions were separated during Hurricane Floyd. The Agriculture Department operates CAMET (Companion Animal Mobile Equipment Trailer), a trailer that transports everything necessary to setup the co-located animal shelters.

The shelters are staffed by veterinarians, vet techs, and volunteers who undergo training and periodic drills.

Because they are organized by the individual counties, the makeup of these animal shelters will vary, but it is recommended that you bring your dog’s carrier or crate if you intend to have your dog stay at a co-located shelter.

Our pets look to us for the necessities that they cannot provide for themselves, such as food, water, shelter, nurturing and love. Making simple preparations to provide for their safety in the event of an emergency is also one of those necessities and should not be overlooked.

As a result of Hurricane Katrina, now there are organizations specifically dedicated to helping people and their animals recover from storm displacement.

Avalo, formerly Bayou Rescue (avalohelps.org) is one such organization.

Headquartered in Chapel Hill, they have created a network of partners to help pet owners in all types of disasters, including hurricanes. They are also a clearinghouse of helpful information for emergency preparedness.

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TA I LS F ROM TH E H E A RT

Meet the NC Dog Lobbyist Cathi Bert-Roussel

S

urprising things can happen when a little dog visits lawmakers at the State Capital. The Triangle Dog got an opportunity to find out when we joined Danny, the NC Dog Lobbyist, on his visit to the North Carolina Legislature last March.

Our first stop was the Legislative Building where citizen lobbyists gathered to learn about pending animal welfare legislation. Representative Jason Saine, (Dist. 97 - Lincoln), introduced the group to House Bill 159 “Regulate Commercial Dog Breeders”, a bill that would establish the first care standards for dog breeding in North Carolina. This was music to Danny’s ears! Danny was born in a breeding facility where dogs produce puppies like a factory produces cheap widgets.

As we followed Danny on his rounds, we spoke with advocates, lobbyists and concerned citizens about the business of breeding dogs. We learned that there are good and bad breeders.

Responsible breeders give exceptional care to their dogs and selectively place puppies in good homes. Irresponsible breeders

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give little to no care to their animals, often providing none or insufficient veterinary care, food, water and shelter. It is the latter group that is the target of what is often referred to as “puppy mill” legislation. With no requirements to provide basics like protection from the elements, medical care and proper nutrition, it leaves the door open for unscrupulous breeders to abuse dogs and take advantage the puppy-buying public.

The New York-based American Kennel Club has lobbied against any legislation in North Carolina requiring humane treatment of breeding canines. We couldn’t help but wonder why the AKC, whose mission is to promote responsible dog ownership and canine well-being, is so staunchly against laws that would protect dogs from irresponsible and abusive owners. In recent years, proposed bills that would put bad breeders out of business have passed the House but stalled after failing to come up for vote in the Senate, even with strong support expressed by voters.

Our next stop was Representative Grier Martin’s office (Dist. 34 - Wake). Danny

shared his story about puppy mill life and asked for support of HB 159. After some hugs and picturetaking Danny was off to his next appointment. Lobbying is hard work but Danny seemed to enjoy meeting people and being an advocate for dogs. We think he has a bright future in paw-litics.

Later that day, Rep. Martin tweeted he had just co-sponsored HB 159 “thanks to the NC Dog Lobbyist”.

WAY TO GO, DANNY! Follow the NC Dog Lobbyist on Facebook: www.facebook.com\ ncdoglobbyist

Courtesy of Shannon Johnstone and Wake County Animal Center

*Giovanni, impoundment #111363* My name is Giovanni and I need only two things to be a happy: my people and my toys. I absolutely adore people.

I also love my toys, so if you give me a ball, I can entertain myself, and my audience, for a very long time. I enjoy taking walks and would be a good running partner. I am housetrained and all set to move in with my new family. If you are ready for a new best friend, contact my foster mom at wakecountygreatdogs1@gmail.com.

For more information on Landfill Dogs, visit www.landfilldogs.info Fall/Winter 2015

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Find out more about me on Page 39