wagmag March 2012

March 2012

Music maker Misha Dichter plays to the world Life savers

Two families, one mission

the neutered male Two-legged variety

Wash ’n’ woof Telling tails out of class

petS unleashed

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march 2012 PET PROJECTS 12 MARCH MADNESS 14 ANIMAL HOUSE 16 four-legged focus 18 new leash on life 20 leader of the pack 22 BEST IN SHOW 24 reveling in her patients 26 FREEDOM comes with A cool, WET NOSE 28 WORKING PAL 30 Animal ER 32 From muzzle

to nuzzle 34 FETCHING RESORT 36 Sweet dreams 38 IN A LATHER 40 of mice and moose 42 Every dog has his day (care) 44 pet project 46 pooch has starring role 49 striking the right chord 63 cut from the same cloth 72 deflated egos

Jack 2 gets a bath in the Bark, Bathe and Beyond van. Photograph by Olga Loginova.

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march 2012

53 way

Features

Pastoral pursuits

57 wares

The glazed menagerie

58 wear

The eyes of March

60 les nouvelles

By Zoë

67 window

Wagging the dog

68 wear

Springing into style

70 wear

The razor’s edge

75 wheels

Pets with horsepower

76 wanders

Dog-day sailing

78 wine&dine No average Joe

80 well

No dogging it

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Face facts

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‘Pawsing’ to relax

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85 worthy

Vets, breeders, shelters, pet supplies and grooming

87 when&where Upcoming events

89 wit

We wonder: What’s your pet peeve?

90 watch

We’re out and about

95 class&sass

With Martha Handler and Jennifer Pappas

8 Meet the waggers 10 Editor’s letter Cover photograph by ©David Bravo

4

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March2012 at the center

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editor's letter Georgette Gouveia This month, the name “WAG” takes on a whole new meaning.

Yep, we’re all about snakes and snails and puppy dogs’ tails.

Especially puppy dogs’ tales.

When I was 3, my parents gave me a Rough Collie puppy for my birthday.

It was the beginning of a lifelong appreciation for animals that continues to this day in my relationship with my sister Gina’s Chihuahua, Fausto (pictured here). I always look forward to a visit from the little guy, even if it means making sure the mini Snickers – he occasionally likes to use them as chew toys – are out of reach.

In these pages, you’ll encounter plenty of people who share their lives with animals, like international pianist and cover guy Misha Dichter, who’s as faithful to his four-legged friend, Thunder, as he is to Rachmaninoff.

Others have devoted their lives to rescuing and fostering animals, like Bill and Mia Rossiter of Redding; Elizabeth and Rob Russell, also of Fairfield County; and Carol Smerling of Millbrook, the subject of our house of the month.

Of course, sometimes the animals rescue us – with their unconditional love, their distracting charms and their ability to take our lives into their paws, so to speak – as Dr. Erika notes in her column. Here you’ll meet Winston the therapy dog, a Disney star who lights up Blythedale Children’s Hospital as well as the small screen; Jed, the latest in a long line of German Shepherds from Seeing

Eye Inc. that have served White Plains insurance agent Brian Wallach; and the lovable Labs who make Guiding Eyes for the Blind in Yorktown Heights such an invaluable resource.

But you know how it is at WAG. We’re never only about work. Dana Ramos romps at Paws and Play, a pet resort that may have you signing up (even if you don’t own an animal). Mary Shustack pores over some fabulous china with animal motifs. Zoë Zellers introduces us to a few of her favorite things in a new monthly feature. New Wagger Olga Loginova has a blast at Fashion Week. And we take a sneak peak at the new animals in the arts show at the Morgan Library & Museum.

Even I get into the act with piece about whether or not our troubled economic times have neutered men – psychologically speaking.

Hey, “WAG” stands for wit, too.

THU • MAR 29 • 8pM

From the Publisher and Creative Director Dee DelBello

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10

I’ve had a pet my entire life, as has my husband, Al, and many of them were rescue dogs. But then all of a sudden about 10 years ago, one dog led to another and then another and now we have five, four of which have the most heart-wrenching pasts. What could we do? We couldn’t allow them to suffer or worse than that, lose a chance at living.

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March madness For Julius Caesar and others,

the ides has been one bad day

By Georgette Gouveia

Y

12

ou think you’ve got problems? Well, then, you might want to tread carefully on March 15. As in the ides of March. As in beware of.

That’s the day that Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 B.C. On the old Roman calendar, the ides fell on the 15th day of March, May, July and October and on the 13th of every other month.

The Bard plays the bloody event for laughs in “Hamlet,” when he has the not-always-melancholy prince tease the pompous Polonius about his student thespian days.

“I did enact Julius Caesar,” Polonius says, swallowing the bait. “I was killed (in) the Capitol. Brutus killed me.”

To which Hamlet replies, “It was a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf.”

But in “Julius Caesar,” Shakespeare goes all “Titus Andronicus” on us, giving the assassination the Grand Guignol treatment as the liberty-loving senators-turned-treacherous assassins, having waylaid Caesar protégé Marc Antony, stab the dictator repeatedly, with noble Brutus delivering the “unkindest cut of all.”

“Et tu, Brute?” Caesar wonders in the play as he most surely never did in life. For one thing, the Romans spoke Greek in public, not Latin. “Then fall, Caesar,” he says of himself dramatically, if somewhat unnecessarily.

Ever since then, it’s been all downhill for March 15. Put it this way: It’s the same day that Czar Nicholas II was forced to abdicate from his imperial throne (1917), ultimately forcing the Russkies to exchange one form of totalitarianism for another (communism). It’s also the day that, according to some sources, Adolf Hitler proclaimed the Third Reich (1933). In other words, not a great day for the people.

Though the ides has not been all bad politically. On that day in 1783, George Washington was able to halt the threat of a military coup in Newburgh by Revolutionary War officers disgruntled with the lack of back-pay from Congress. Yes, even then Congress was compelling in its do-nothing mediocrity.

And on March 15, 1990, perestroika-pushing, glasnost-gushing Mikhail “Gorby” Gorbachev became the first elected president of the old Soviet Union, paving the way for president-turned-prime minister-turned-Russianleader-for-life Vladimir “Rootin’ Tootin’” Putin as well as billionaire owners of American basketball teams.

Speaking of sports, March 15 was a bedy, bedy good day for baseball as the first professional team – the Cincinnati Redstockings, now known as the Reds – made its debut on the diamond of American culture. The ides of March in general has been an auspicious moment for all kinds of innovation. On that day, Finland struck a blow for feminism with the first female members of its Parliament (1907). England opened its first department store (1909), and the U.S. established its central blood bank (1937).

Not to be outdone, Lerner and Loewe launched a little musical they had up their sleeves called “My Fair Lady” on Broadway (1956). Future dinner theaters and high school musical directors breathed a sigh of relief.

Lots of feisty types were born on March 15, including our seventh president, Andrew Jackson, and our second female Supreme Court justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. On the other hand, it was the day we lost Aristotle Onassis (1975) and Dr. Benjamin Spock (1998).

On balance, the ides of March is really like any other day. You win some.

You lose some.

And it seems particularly typical when you compare it to April 15 – Lincoln died (1865) and the Titanic sunk (1912). Meanwhile, the IRS comes calling.

Death and taxes: Now there’s a day to beware of. n

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Nicolas Hüet’s “Study of the Giraffe Given to Charles X by the Viceroy of Egypt.”

Ferdinand-Eugène-Victor Delacroix’s “Royal Tiger.”

John James Audubon’s “Gray Rabbit: Old male, female and young.”

Maria Sibylla Merian’s Edgar Degas’ “Race horse.”

“Black Tegu Lizard.”

All images courtesy of The Morgan Library & Museum. Photographs by Graham S. Haber.

“Aesop’s Fables With His Life.”

Animalhouse Morgan Library showcases the furry and fine-feathered

By Georgette Gouveia Are The Morgan Library & Museum in Manhattan and WAG magazine a case of great minds thinking alike?

While we were in production on this issue, we learned that The Morgan was readying an exhibit called “In the Company of Animals: Art, Literature and Music at The Morgan” (March 2 to May 20). Featuring ancient seals, drawings and prints as well as musical and literary manuscripts that range 14

from A (for Audubon) to W (for Virginia Woolf), the exhibit attests to the breadth and depth of the library’s collection, primarily the fruits of financier J. Pierpont Morgan, who loved Rough Collies as much as he loved acquiring aesthetic objects.

But “In the Company of Animals” also displays the versatility of animals as muses – a theme that predates history. In the earliest cave paintings, animals were the not-

so-obscure object of human desire, preyed upon for food, clothing and even shelter.

But they also became man’s connection to nature, fertility, divinity and the afterlife.

Over time, artists have been inspired by their power and grace, their muscular line and dynamism, their beauty and brutality, their humor and playfulness – the very ways they hold up a mirror and a metaphor to human nature.

Morgan hours are 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Four-legged focus

Davidson captures this Komondor’s nonchalant personality.

Carli Davidson – who grew up in Croton-on-Hudson near Lake Teatown Reservation – is a photographer as well as an animal trainer who has cared for everything from rats to chimpanzees. Her photos have appeared in Vanity Fair, The New York Times and on Huffington Post, The Daily Beast and “ABC World News.”

She lives with her husband, Tim, a Dogue de Bordeaux, Norbert, and a black cat, Yushi, in Portland, Oregon, where her clients include the Oregon Zoo. Recently, Zoë Zellers caught up with her by email

W.C. Fields said never work with animals or children. What is your experience like photographing our four-legged friends?

“W.C. Fields didn’t want to work with animals because they stole his spotlight. As a photographer this makes my job easier.”

What’s the secret to photographing animals?

“My secret language is just to be myself and be sensitive to the animals needs. It’s like working with anyone else. You learn their comfort zone and work on making them secure in front of a camera. Of course, treats help, but I also use soothing music and massage if the animal is really skittish.”

What motivated you to do “Shake?” “ ‘Shake’ was inspired by watching my mastiff shake his head all the time and wanting to test the limits of high-speed lights I had just purchased. I was looking for a fun, lighthearted project since I was really focused on my ‘Pets With Disabilities’ work at the time, which was a more intensive project. When ‘Shake’ went viral, it was still very new. I have about 20 unreleased ‘Shake’ images that I’m hoping to publish soon.”

How did you get started?

“I have been taking pictures of animals since I got my 16

I only have 10 openings left for both, three in the city and seven in Westchester, but I am still taking reservations and considering an extension if I get enough interest. My commission rate is $1,500 for a studio shoot and $1,000 for a home documentary shoot and includes a consultation, an online proofing gallery and a number of archival fine art prints.”

Do you see yourself as a real artist as opposed to a pet photographer?

Carli Davidson and her dog, photograph by Andy Batt.

first (camera) in high school. It was a Nikon F3 my dad gave me. I learned how to develop the film and print and my first series was actually on road kill (very easy models).

I shot my dog Dempsey all the time and have a little picture of him I keep on my computer.”

Tell me about your darker experiences, like your “Animal Surgery” series.

“The animal surgeries were shot mostly for the Oregon Zoo to keep a record of surgeries, and if needed, to share the photos with other zoos. The meaning was very practical. I saw the shoots as an opportunity to show the physical similarities between us and other animals. I can relate to the vulnerability of being knocked out on a table surrounded by strangers, having had a couple surgeries myself. So the fact that in this altered state the majestic bodies of these creatures become as fragile as our own fascinated me.”

Are you available for hire by clients across the country? How does that work?

“I’m actually setting up two studios in New York late this summer, one in Manhattan and one in Westchester due to a huge response from some very well-known fans.

“I think that’s a loaded question. I’m not here to put other pet photographers on a lower rung and I think anyone who expresses themselves doing something they love is going to be a happier person than someone who doesn’t create at all so I like to encourage that creativity.

“I consider myself a highly disciplined and motivated person, and I believe that comes through in my work.

I think that level of commitment to my craft speaks to people in a more fine art way. Also, while I have labeled my business ‘Pet Photography’ because of what I shoot, for now I consider myself a general photographer. I shot landscape, bands and portraiture for years and was employed by the House of Representatives as a documentary photographer in Washington. My nonanimal work has also been published in some respectable magazines and newspapers. The animal work just brings more passions out of me, so that’s what I’m focusing on.”

What makes photography another passion? “…it gives me a sense of purpose and well-being. I love that feeling. I think we are all looking for something that motivates us in that way, a hobby or profession that makes the long hours feel worth it. After years of struggling to figure that out, I so appreciate knowing what it is that I don’t want to stop. I would shoot every day if I could.”

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New leash on life

Redding couple saves, fosters dogs

By Jane K. Dove Photographs by Anthony Carboni

Bill and Mia Rossiter

18

“Neither of us deals very well with suffering,” said Bill Rossiter of Redding.

“Animals often suffer at the hands of people, and my wife, Mia, and I try to do what we can to alleviate this by rescuing dogs and spreading the word about its importance to others.”

Over the years, the Rossiters have rescued many dogs from bad situations and now live happily in their spacious, dog-friendly home with five of them – Golden Retrievers Marigold and Rosie, mixed breed Finnegan, Bichon Frise Binky and Cairn Terrier Fiona.

The couple has been rescuing dogs since 1972 and plans to keep on going. They also act as “foster parents” for animals they cannot keep themselves, reaching out to others to find good homes.

The Rossiters met in England when Mia was working for the British Air Ministry and Bill was an Air Force fighter pilot.

“He was very dashing and hard to resist,” said Mia, a native of Wales. “We met in l965 and married in l966.”

The newlyweds relocated to Southern California after Bill’s tour of duty ended.

“I then joined United Airlines as a pilot and worked for them until I re-

tired in l999,” he said. “In the meantime, we had moved to Fairfield County, living first in Ridgefield and then in our current home in Redding, which we bought in l998.”

During his career with United, the couple traveled extensively.

“I got to fly with Bill to many places, including Latin America, usually twice a month,” Mia said. “Those were the good old days of first-class air travel, with the Dom Perignon flowing.”

Mia said the couple had a pet dog, a West Highland White Terrier named Bearn.

“The Westie was the only dog we ever bought,” Mia said. “We got our start with rescue dogs in l972 with a sevenday-old Springer-Pointer mix named Daisy. We hand-raised her on a bottle after getting her from an owner who was going to have her and her entire litter put down, and that was our start.”

After Daisy, the Rossiters saved and nurtured a long line of other dogs, including Esmeralda, the only survivor of a litter drowned by its owner; Angus, a puppy from the same owner, who, incredibly, had another litter of puppies the following year; Brody, a beautiful German Shepherd rescued after three trips to the dog pound; and Lisa, another German Shepherd they fostered

and placed in a good home.

“After our first rescues and placements we kept on going, acquiring the five dogs that live with us today,” Mia said.

Binky, the oldest at 15, was originally found running loose in traffic in Wilton and never claimed. Finnegan was rescued from euthanasia in Tennessee and brought to Connecticut. Fiona was acquired through a local estate sale.

“We went to the sale and heard a small dog barking,” Mia said. “The owner said she kept Fiona in an airline crate 12 to 14 hours a day because of her work schedule. We offered to keep her when the owner went on a business trip. When she came back, the owner let us keep her. At first, she was terrified of everything. But now she is outgoing and happy.”

Next on the list of household pets is Marigold, rescued from Alabama.

“She came up on a truck over four days, ended up in Maine, then came back here,” Mia said. “She had severe worms and was near death. We nursed her back to health.”

Last, but certainly not least, is Rosie.

“Rosie belonged to an owner in Danbury who simply wanted to get rid of her, because she had temperament and digestive issues,” Mia said. “Today

she has calmed down considerably and is in good health.”

Bill said in addition to keeping dogs they rescue, fostering others is equally rewarding.

“We have fostered several over the years and placed them in good homes,” he said. “We hear about abused dogs, pick them up and keep them until we find the right owner. A lot of people have dogs that really shouldn’t have them or just don’t want them, and we do the best we can to help out.”

Mia added some advice to would-be dog owners.

“Please, please don’t buy a dog from a pet shop. If you want a purebred dog, buy one from a reputable breeder.

Pet shop puppies usually come from horrible puppy mills and have many problems. You also need to learn about breeds and their characteristics so you can make a good match to your household.”

The Rossiters never had children, but Bill said, “Our dogs are a family to us. Everyone knows their place in the order of things, and we have a dogfriendly home on 4 1/2 private acres.

Everything about doing rescue works for us is very rewarding. We plan to keep on going and hope others will follow our lead.” n

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Leader of the pack Story and Photograph

by Patricia Espinosa

What kind of woman owns eight dogs, I wonder?

After many emails, I pin down the busy mother of three at her Fairfield County home to find out. The moment I meet Elizabeth Russell, I begin to understand.

There is a sweetness about her yet something commanding at the same time.

Elizabeth greets me in the driveway of her beautiful shingle-style home with a huge smile and a warm hello. Excited to show me her brood, she ushers me through the back gate and a pack of dogs swarms around me. Calmly but firmly, she tells the dogs to come over to her. There’s no question who the pack leader is.

We sit down to chat as the eight dogs gather round. To hear Elizabeth talk about her pets is like listening to a mother talk about her children. She seems to notice the nuances in each animal. And when she speaks about them, her face lights up. With pride and a tinge of sadness, she tells me that each dog she’s adopted was on death row until they stepped in to rescue it.

Pointing to a gorgeous 4-year-old German Shepherd, she begins the introductions.

“That’s Wolfgang over there by himself. Wolfy’s the only dog I ever bought from a breeder.”

The rest are all rescue dogs, she tells me.

Chasing the small dogs around are the two other Shepherds – Grace, 12, and Hannah, 9. Next she points to two male Fawn Pugs, Luke and Louie, 11 and 9 respectively.

“We call that one Lucky Louie,” she says laughing.

It seems Lucky Louie got his name for his unique ability to pleasure himself.

Elizabeth and her husband joke that one day Lucky Louis will make his television debut on David Letterman’s “Stupid Pet Tricks” segment.

Puffin is the less “talented” female Fawn Pug, whose age is estimated at 4 to 5 years.

Completing the bunch are brothers Bobbyjo and Brutas, black male Pugs approximately 4. I can’t help but laugh when I hear their names.

“They come with those names,” she says smiling.

And with stories, one more tragic than the next.

First love

20

It all began with her first puppy love, Norman. Sure, she had animals growing up, but he was different. At 3 years old, the German Shepherd castoff found a second chance with the newly married Elizabeth and Rob Russell. But Norman came with the proverbial baggage. There were aggression issues and a delicate stomach to contend with. It didn’t seem to matter, though, because Elizabeth was determined to rehabilitate her new dog.

“He would growl. He was very protective. He went through all my pregnancies with me and that’s when I saw him get very protective,” she recalls. “We would be walking and he would turn around and the hair would all be up, because I guess

he knew I was vulnerable.”

It wasn’t long before the family adopted a companion for Norman. Grace, an 11-month-old German Shepherd, came with a double hip dysplasia. Her family could not pay her medical treatment, so like many families who cannot afford veterinarian care, planned to give her up to the Humane Society. But everything changed when Gracie met the Russells.

Gracie was adopted, had the hip surgery and it wasn’t long before she became Norman’s “goofy sidekick.”

Years later Norman’s health began to deteriorate and it became necessary for him to wear diapers and be carried around.

Elizabeth recalls watching her husband carry their 90-pound German Shepherd up a flight of stairs and thinking to herself, “I married a great guy.”

After many years, her beloved Norman finally died at the ripe age of 14 ½, and that’s when, Elizabeth says, Gracie sank into a deep depression.

“She was miserable. She didn’t know what to do with herself when Norman died. She would lay on his bed as if she was waiting for him to come back.”

Desperate to heal Gracie’s broken heart, Elizabeth decided what she needed was a new puppy. This time she decided to contact a breeder, because with three young children, she couldn’t risk bringing an aggressive dog into her home. With each passing day

as they waited for their new pup, Gracie seemed to get worse and worse. Figuring that she couldn’t wait any longer, Elizabeth decided to adopt a dog right away.

It was Easter morning when Elizabeth said to her son, Christian, “Let’s go rescue a dog today.” The two went on Petfinder. com – a database of animals that need homes, with a directory of more than 13,000 animal shelters and adoption organizations across North America. That led them to the Pugs Luke and Louis, who had been traumatized by being left at home for days with their deceased owner.

In the meantime, the German Shepherd puppy companion to Gracie came through.

The way Rob remembers it, “I got into the shower and had only one dog. When I got out 15 minutes later, I had four.”

Rob loves the animals and always asks how they’re doing when he calls home from work. The kids are wild about them, too.

“I really love our dogs and am so glad we saved them. It’s very important to help homeless pets, because they can’t help themselves,” says 11-year-old Lindsay.

Carolyn, 8, likes having a mix of little and big dogs, “but the German Shepherds don’t like wearing Halloween costumes like the Pugs do,” she offers.

The funniest thing happened when Elizabeth brought home Luke and Louis: Gracie’s German Shepherd instincts kicked

in and she started herding the Pugs. By the time Wolfgang joined the group seven weeks later, Gracie was back to her old self.

The menagerie grows

One day, the kids came to their mom all teary-eyed with the laptop logged on to petfinder.com. They asked her, “Can we take one more?” That one more turned out to be Puffin, who was headed for a euthanasia table in Arkansas before she was saved by a woman from Paws and Claws, a small group of people devoted to fostering dogs until they can be placed in a home.

Next came the timid dog with absolutely no self-confidence – Hannah, who had only known a breeding life.

It’s been two and one-half years since she’s joined the crew and she’s slowly coming around.

A friend of Elizabeth’s jokes that in her house they need to put parental controls on petfinder.com. I’m beginning to understand why.

“My kids got it in their heads that we’d love to have a black Pug, so they found brothers Bobbyjo and Brutas on petfinder. com,” she says.

“Those black Pugs are definitely trouble makers. They try to steal all of the other dogs’ toys,” Lindsey says.

As primary caretaker, Elizabeth makes sure her canines are well taken care of. By

5:30 a.m. each morning she’s got them outside. The animals are fed twice a day, which is no easy feat since they are all on different diets. When I ask her how much she spends a week on dog food, all she will say is, “A lot.” She admits that it’s a lot of work, but she doesn’t trust anybody else to do it.

It was Easter morning when Elizabeth said to her son, Christian, “Let’s go rescue a dog today.” The two went on Petfinder.com.

These lucky dogs are living the life of Riley. When they’re not relaxing in their spacious 2 1/2-acre Connecticut compound, all eight enjoy nature walks at their Vermont home.

Is eight enough? She assures me it is, but adds a qualifier.

“I would never say never,” she says with a smile on her face. “Because when you hear a horror story or something ends up falling on your lap, I think you just have to pitch in if you can.” n

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21

Best in show These breeders are at the head of the class

By Jane K. Dove

Top dog

“I was at a dog show looking for a small dog to buy and was captivated by the PBGVs,” said Jeanne Hurty, founder of CJ’s PBGVs in Darien. “At the time I had four Boxers.

When I lost two of them, a friend called and said she had another friend who was looking for someone to co-own and show one of her PBGV’s, or Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen.”

The relatively rare breed is a member of the Hound Group.

Jeanne said she loved the small, vivacious dogs and decided to go through with the co-ownership.

The lovely female she acquired, Tip Top’s Déjà Vu at Fox Hill, went on to become a champion, shown by Jeanne.

Jeanne Hurty. Photograph by Anthony Carboni.

“Afterward, we bred her and that litter produced CJ’s Greatest Show on Earth, called Bailey, the love of my dog life.”

She campaigned Bailey herself and he achieved his championship out of puppy classes at the tender age of 8 months. Later she bred Bailey, and he produced a PBGV “superstar,” Celestial CJ’s Jolly Fairchild.

“I campaigned and finished him myself and he ultimately went on to become the top winner in the breed in America of all time. His record includes 50 Best in Shows; the Hound Group at Westminster; the Hound Group at the Eukanuba Dog Show and Best in Show at the PBGV National Dog Show.”

Jeanne and husband Charles enjoy the thrills of their big wins in top competition but also love breeding.

“We have home-raised, healthy puppies, with excellent temperaments,” she said. “At present we have five adults and a puppy, and they all live in our home. We realize that most dogs do not end up as show dogs so we breed well-adjusted animals that will make good canine citizens. We play close attention to temperament, because it can’t be fixed.

“Anyone can come into our home, sit on the floor and be surrounded by my dogs, with no one raising a lip.”

Jeanne is so conscientious about her newborn puppies 22

that she sleeps in the same room with them until they are a certain age.

The couple also had a therapy dog, Charlotte, now passed away.

“We love what we are doing,” she said. “I enjoy showing in the younger classes and the smaller shows and when we get serious we turn our animals over to our handler Greg Strong for major shows. They live with him while being campaigned on the show circuit and then come home.”

The Hurtys headed off with high hopes last month to the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club show at Madison Square Garden.

For more, visit CJPBGV.com.

Teamwork leads to success

More than 40 years after buying their first German Shepherd puppy, Nickroc’s Nikki, Nancy and John Vaught have built a national reputation for beautiful animals with sound temperaments. They have produced numerous champions, winning at the highest levels of competition in their breed.

The couple bred pretty Nikki after a few unsuccessful outings in the show ring, had their first litter and started studying the breed to determine what “a good

one” really was.

And it has been strictly a team effort. The couple plans the breeding, whelps the litters, raises and socializes the puppies, then sets out to the shows, some near and some far.

“We were determined to breed the best dogs we could but had a lot of learning to do,” Nancy said. They selected Masstana as their kennel name because John grew up in Montana and they started their married life living in Massachusetts.

Hooked on showing, they bought another well-bred female, Eva of Anton.

“Eva was a good producer and we started to have some success,” Nancy said.

The couple kept improving their breeding year by year, finishing their first champion, Masstana’s Remington, and then buying Portia Vom Cypress, who turned into a superior producer.

“We really started to get somewhere after this,” Nancy said. “As the years went by, we produced and owned multiple champions, winning high honors in our breed, which is very competitive.”

Today, with John retired from his career as an actuarial consultant, and their two children – John Jr. and Karen – with families of their own, the couple has plenty of time to concentrate fully on having one or two “boutique” lit-

ters a year, choosing the best ones and hitting the show circuit with high hopes and a good deal of success.

John also serves as president of the German Shepherd Dog Club of Greater New Haven.

The Vaughts have always taken great care with their animals. The puppies are born in a special room of the house, delivered by Nancy, who has performed the duty about 70 times. At five weeks, they go to a special dedicated puppy area on the lower level of their home and then, weather permitting, outside into the kennels.

Careful socialization is a big part of the Masstana program.

“We play with our puppies and dogs, invite our grandkids and friend’s kids by and take them around town as much as possible,” Nancy said. “We start evaluating the show prospects at a few weeks of age and then sell the others in the litter as pets, beginning at eight weeks.”

John shows the young dogs at smaller shows and both he and his wife share in training, conditioning and grooming. Roadwork with the dogs on leashes and the couple on bicycles is a big part of the show conditioning routine.

Once the chosen animals are ready for larger, more competitive shows, the Vaughts switch to a professional handler. In the past they have used James Moses, LaMar Kuhns and George Berstler, all at the top of their game.

Both are very happy with their long-term partnership and its excellent results.

“Nancy just loves raising the puppies and this is something we can do together,” John said. “She doesn’t enjoy golf and tennis the way I do, but we both enjoy the dogs and the showing. We have made many wonderful friends across the country. It’s a great hobby and a great bond.”

For more, visit masstana.com. n

Nancy and John Vaught. Photograph

by Ryan Doran.

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reveling in her patients

By Jane K. Dove Photograph by Bob Rozycki

requires surgery, some go home the same day while others stay overnight. Patients that require extended supervised care are sent to the Cornell Universality Veterinary Specialists in Stamford.

There is plenty of room for animals awaiting treatment in immaculate, spacious cages, along with a bathing facility and large weighing table.

Staff includes two vets, two vet technicians, two veterinary assistants, two receptionists and the office manger.

A dream comes true

“From the time I was a little girl in California I wanted to be a vet,” said Carol Gamez, a partner in the thriving Georgetown Veterinary Hospital in Georgetown.

“I always loved animals and was constantly drawing pictures of them and playing with them. I got my love of animals from my mother, who also adored them.

She was always saving and treating injured and sick animals and then finding good places for them. I swore that when I grew up I would be a vet and devote myself to the care of animals.”

Gamez prepared herself for her future career from an early age with her goal firmly in sight.

“I studied science in high school and did premed at Stamford University. I met my husband at Stamford and we moved to New York in l984, where I got a job 24

at the prestigious Animal Medical Center in Manhattan. While working there, I applied to the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University in Ithaca and was accepted.”

After getting her DVM degree, Gamez returned to the Animal Medical Center for a one-year internship in small animal medicine and surgery before starting to work in her profession.

“I worked at the County Animal Clinic in Yonkers, the Katonah Veterinary Group, Quarry Ridge Animal Hospital in Ridgefield and then opened my house-call practice for a year.”

Gamez came to the Georgetown Veterinary Hospital in 2005, joining in a partnership with its founder, Stanley J. Truffini.

The two veterinarians care for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, mice, rats, hamsters and fish.

“Both of us do general medicine and surgery,” Gamez said. “We have a great staff and my partner is absolutely the best.

His wife, Carol, is our office manager and pulls everything together on a daily basis.”

State of the art

A tour of the Georgetown Veterinary Hospital, located in a fully restored general store (circa 1850) in the heart of the quaint hamlet, reveals an immaculate, beautifully organized facility.

Cutting-edge features include human grade ultrasound equipment, digital radiology, cold laser therapy, digital dental Xrays and specialized anesthesia equipment.

The hospital has a spacious treatment room, two exam rooms and complete surgical facilities that include a prep room with autoclave and an operating room with the latest equipment. If an animal

Gamez said her career has completely fulfilled her expectations.

“I come here to work every day and just love it. No two days are alike. Some are harder than others, but they all have their rewards.”

She and her staff form strong bonds with the animals and their owners.

“We have an extremely loyal client base.

We start out with dogs and cats as puppies and kittens and treat them throughout their lives. Our patients come mostly from Ridgefield, Redding, Weston and Wilton in Fairfield County and South Salem and Pound Ridge in Westchester.”

The strong emotional ties forged with her clients are very rewarding, she said.

“One thing we do that is very important is to help our owners deal with loss.

When we have to euthanize an animal, we all feel it deeply but help our clients through those tough times. But when the family comes to us with a new puppy, it is a rebirth. It’s the circle of life. I am fortunate and grateful to be doing this and don’t take any of it for granted.”

Gamez also enjoys teaching and mentoring young people who might be interested in veterinary medicine as a career.

“I teach at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry and we have our own program right here where middle school and high school students can work as interns to see if this is the career for them.”

Gamez, her engineer husband, Howard Citron, and son Dylan, 15, live on the shores of Lake Truesdale in South Salem.

Following in her mother’s footsteps, she has her own collection of beloved pets.

“We have two mixed-breed dogs, a 21-year-old cockatiel, a tortoise, a koi pond and one goldfish.”

Treating fish is a special area of interest for Gamez, who recently brought a 20-pound koi patient back to health.

“Every day is a new day. It’s challenging, rewarding and I wouldn’t want to do anything else.”

Georgetown Veterinary Hospital, 53 Redding Road, Georgetown. (203) 544-9098. n

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Freedom comes with a Guide cool, wet nose dogs open the world to the blind, others

By Georgette Gouveia

“When you meet someone there’s one that would stand out, it would who has one of our guide be that I didn’t get a guide dog sooner. I dogs, it’s like you’ve given have just started working with my third them wings,” Michelle Brier dog, and the bond of mutual love and says. “It’s incomparable to evtrusts makes this – like the others – an inerything else.” credibly rewarding experience. The ability Brier is marketing manager for Guiding to walk confidently with my dog, knowing Eyes for the Blind, a 58-year-old nonprofit that he will stop at curbs and stairs and will headquartered in Yorktown Heights that object if I happen to make an unsafe traffic provides guide dogs for the blind and vijudgment, gives me an indescribable sense sually impaired as well as service dogs for of freedom.” children with autism. Guiding Eyes does Not all of the dogs become guide dogs; not use the phrase “seeing-eye dog,” a term some go into police work instead. Dogs trademarked by The Seeing Eye Inc. in from Guiding Eyes have patrolled the SuMorristown, N.J., the oldest such canine per Bowl, for example. school in the world.

Those that are not competent enough With a staff of 130 at three facilities – into be the primary decision-maker but can cluding a remote training center in White heed cues from parents become autism serPlains – Guiding Eyes matches 170 dogs vice dogs. These canines wear a service vest each year to visually impaired individuals that is tethered to the autistic child. Should worldwide as well as 10 to 12 service dogs the child bolt, a real possibility, the dog to families of autistic youngsters within a locks its legs or lies down, anchoring the two-hour commute through the Heeling child. For Eileen Fabiano – parent of an Autism Program. autistic child, Vincent – a Heeling Autism The Heeling Autism Program works with teams of three – parent, child and service dog.

It’s all free of charge and it’s all done dog named Randy has been a life saver. through the donations that make up Guid“Vincent was notorious for bolting,” she ing Eyes’ annual operating budget of $19 million. says.

“If he were my only child, I would be able to hold from Maine to North Carolina to Ohio. These volunteers Before those in need of the organization’s services get school their charges in basic obedience and house man- on tight to him. But he has a twin and a slightly older their “wings,” however, there’s an intense training period, ners and most important, Brier says, give them lots of ex- sister. We went through years of intense therapies and I mainly for the dogs. Guiding Eyes uses both male and periences so that later on nothing will prove a distraction. still could not control this life-threatening instinct that female dogs bred at its Canine Development Center in In this, the volunteers are supported by Guiding Eyes, had such a hold on my son. Randy took over and he acPutnam County. For Heeling Autism, Guiding Eyes uses which pays for veterinarian visits, equipment and classes. complished what no person could: He extinguished the only Labrador Retrievers. For its guide dog program, it Some of the pups get a taste of corporate life right away bolting behavior. He communicates with Vincent – so uses 95 percent Labs. The rest are German Shepherds, through Guiding Eyes’ P3 program, or PepsiCo Puppy strongly, eloquently and lovingly, without even using a Golden Retrievers and a Golden/Lab mix.

Partnership. In this special program, the puppies spend word. Randy has been a miracle in our lives.”

“We have some of the most sought-after Labs in the two weeks with PepsiCo employees at the company’s “One of the coolest things,” Brier adds, is that autistic world,” Brier says. “They have been purposefully bred over world headquarters in Purchase. children who may have been shunned by their peers in 30 years, so that they have the health and the temperament.”

After completing basic training at 18 months, the dogs the past are now popular. The service dog is a real icecome back to the Canine Development Center for their breaker.

Training days Heeling Autism is only four years old but already there “college entrance exam,” as Brier calls it. The top “graduThe physical requirements are fairly obvious. A dog ates” become breeders. is a waiting list of three years. can’t be too small or too large (more than 80 to 90 “These dogs would’ve been released as pets,” Brier says. pounds) for public transportation. That immediately lets “But the reality is that they fill a huge need.”

Invaluable companions out certain breeds.

Many others become guide dogs, matched to their Temperament is just as key. Brier lists the necessary handlers according to the handler’s personality, preferSave these dates qualities – “focused, competent, not easily distracted, ence, walking speed, environment (city or country living) Team Michelangelo, a group of motoring enthusiasts, highly trainable.” Lovable Labs, true foodies, respond and lifestyle. will hold a Charity Car & Motorcycle Show May 20 at well to treats and praise, Brier says.

First-time guide-dog users spend almost a month liv- 1311 Corporate Center on Mamaroneck Avenue in White Concentration is crucial, because these canines have ing at the Yorktown Heights facility to get comfortable Plains, opposite Saxon Woods, to benefit Guiding Eyes for important jobs to do. with the dog and master the skills necessary for both to the Blind and Central Animal Hospital. Rain date is May “When they’re in the harness, they’re focused on the live and work together in the real world. Experienced 27. (914) 774-1958, CharityCarShow@me.com job. When they’re out of the harness, they’re like a family handlers can expedite the process, spending anywhere On June 10, the top blind golfers in the country will pet, except with extra good manners.” compete for the Corcoran Cup, the masters’ invitational from 10 days to three weeks at the site. Guiding Eyes Acquiring those manners is a long process. From birth is always available to ensure the happiness of these new of the United States Blind Golf Association. Then on to eight weeks of age, the puppies at the Canine Develop- teams, Brier says.

June 11 it’s the 35th Annual Guiding Eyes Golf Classic, ment Center are socialized to get accustomed to people Among Guiding Eyes’ many human graduates is Becky with host New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, at and all the sensory experiences that accompany the two- Barnes.

Mount Kisco Country Club and Fairview Country Club legged race. From eight weeks to 18 months old, the pups “I’ve been blind all my life but didn’t get my first guide in Greenwich. Contact Michelle Brier at (914) 243-2208 are placed with trained volunteers who live anywhere dog until 15 years ago. I don’t dwell on regrets, but if or mbrier@guidingeyes.org. n 26

www.bartonperreira.com

Working pal For Brian Wallach, his dog Jed is more than just a pet

By Georgette Gouveia Photography by Ryan Doran

B

rian Wallach remembers a Saturday night in 1954.

He was a 25-year-old insurance agent out on a date with a lovely woman named Pat. They went to see a Broadway show and dined at the Rainbow Room, the legendary restaurant at the top of Rockefeller Center that now lives in memory.

That night, “I gave New York a good, hard look,” he says.

It was the last time he would really see it.

Wallach, who started the Brian Wallach Insurance Agency Inc. in White Plains in 1949, was suffering from detached retinas, a condition for which there was no effective treatment then.

After enduring hot needles in his eyes, surgery and a lengthy hospital stay, Wallach was left blind.

“It was annoying as hell,” he says of a situation that would be a top-10 nightmare for most people.

He never stopped working, selling policies from his hospital bed with the help of his assistant. But it wasn’t until about two years later that he thought of getting a seeing-eye dog when his accountant suggested he’d be more productive if he could get around on his own. That led Wallach to The Seeing Eye Inc. in Morristown, N.J. – the first institution of its kind, founded in 1929 – and a serial love affair with guide dogs, six German Shepherds to date, with a detour to one Labrador Retriever.

Wallach’s canine companion of the last three years and counting has been a handsome Shepherd named Jed, who turned 6 on Valentine’s Day. As Wallach chats in an office filled with mementos and photographs of his family – wife Beth; son Todd, now president of the company; daughter Jennifer, an art historian in Maryland; and grandchildren – Jed lolls unharnessed in a corner. When the dogs are out of their harnesses, Wallach says, they’re off the job.

Jed gets up to lap some water from a bowl under Wallach’s desk, munches on a Milk-Bone and does a bit of grooming. But mostly, he relaxes, pricking his ears, though, and shifting his big chocolate brown eyes at the sound of his name.

28

that was supposed to be a gift, or the time he sampled the Camay soap at the YMCA in White Plains and belched a bubble.

After Max, the compact Fritz must’ve been a respite. They’re all together now at the Hartsdale Pet Cemetery & Crematory, billed as America’s first pet burial ground. They rest under a stone with their names and dates of service.

When he isn’t working, the sociable Jed likes to cuddle on the love seat at the family’s White Plains home and fetch his football and monkey for playtime. He has quite the vocabulary.

Brian Wallach and Jed

This is the seventh dog Wallach has gotten from Seeing Eye. The first was named Fax, long before the fax machine. The name means “work” in Latin. Fax was special, helping introduce Wallach to his wife, an accomplished equestrienne and writer. He died on Cape Cod at age 14.

Then came Pete, who was with Wallach for 10 years and was succeeded by Orman, “probably the most obedient dog I ever had. He’d come back to you when you’d call, like a yo-yo.”

One time when Orman was out of his harness as the Wallachs made their way around the Rockefeller estate in Pocantico Hills, Wallach heard a rider approach and called the dog, who immediately came to his side. Wallach knew full-well the identity of the rider complimenting him on Orman’s discipline: It was David Rockefeller.

After Orman came Gus – not much of a people dog – followed by Max, the lively Lab. Wallach tells great Max stories – the time he ate the ribbon candy

As for Jed, he’s still working, going into the office, accompanying Wallach to concerts at Downtown Music at Grace (Wallach’s a trustee) and swims at the Y, where Wallach, the seniors’ answer to Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte, likes to get in his 108 laps. Jed hangs by the towel bar.

The fit octogenarian bikes and also skates at Ebersole Ice Rink in White Plains on Sundays. Jed stays off the ice; it’s his day off.

When he isn’t working, the sociable Jed likes to cuddle on the love seat at the family’s White Plains home and fetch his football and monkey for playtime. He has quite the vocabulary.

He’s also better than a Blackberry.

Jed knows that Tuesdays he and his master walk to Grace Church for a concert and that Saturdays they stroll along Mamaroneck Avenue for that swim at the Y. Todd Wallach is convinced that Jed can tell time. He’ll nudge him at 5 p.m.

Time to drive his father and his faithful companion home. n

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29

AnimalER

By Jane K. Dove

Dr. Martin Goldstein

Holistic therapies yield results

At the Smith Ridge Veterinary Center, “We approach animal health from a holistic viewpoint, combining the best of alternative and conventional treatment options in our integrative approach,” founder Martin Goldstein said.

“We believe disease is more than just an individual symptom to be treated. When one system is not functioning at an optimal level, neither are some of the others.

We have found that disease is best reversed by supporting all of the compromised systems so the body can begin to heal itself in a more natural manner.”

The Smith Ridge Veterinary Center, located in 4,200-square-foot quarters in South Salem, has grown dramatically since Goldstein took over his brother Robert’s practice in 1984.

“Most of our clients come from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, but many others travel from across the country and even from across the oceans to see us because of our holistic approach to healing,” Goldstein said. “I recently treated a dog from Fiji and have a cat scheduled to arrive from Egypt. I also do many consultations with vets from around the country and around the world.”

The practice serves a roster of celebrity clients, including Oprah Winfrey, John Travolta, Jerry Seinfeld, Chazz Palminteri, Cyndi Lauper, Rob Thomas, Ed Burns and Martha Stewart.

Indeed, Goldstein partners with Stewart on a national radio show aired on Sirius called “Ask Martha’s Vet.” He is also the author of a well-known book, “The Nature of Animal Healing,” still selling strongly after publication in 1999.

Goldstein ascribes his success to his use of highly effective herbal and natural rem30

A feline patient gets treated.

edies, switching animals to a meat-based diet, and avoidance of over-vaccination.

“I have treated many, many animals that came here seriously ill, even on the brink of death,” Goldstein said. “I use very intense, hands-on treatment and new nontoxic therapies to get results. I like to say we are ‘holistically aggressive’ in our care. We understand how to bring together the best tools of an integrated approach.”

Many of the animals Goldstein treats in his practice have cancer, a disease he says is “exploding” in the canine population.

“We use natural substances to treat cancer patients after they have been stabilized with conventional methods,” he said.

“We have enjoyed tremendous success in restoring animals to full health.”

Goldstein decries what he describes as the “over-use” of vaccines.

“Their side effects are staggering, because they are much too potent and administered too frequently.”

Switching animals to a natural, all-meat diet is another facet of Goldstein’s approach.

“Most commercial pet food is cerealbased,” he said. “But dogs and cats are carnivores and need raw meat, not grain.

We do a lot of education in this area and guide our clients in pet food selection and preparation.”

Goldstein also takes pride in the calm and soothing atmosphere of his practice, where he is joined by Drs. Dongho Seo, Michael Bartholomew and Jacqueline Ruskin along with a support staff.

“Everything you see here, every interaction with our staff, is different,” he said.

“Our animals and their owners are comfortable and content, and that makes a big difference in the healing process.”

Smith Ridge Veterinary Center, 600 Oakridge Commons Plaza, South Salem. (914) 533-6066

24/7 with a host of specialists

“I would define us as a multispecialty emergency veterinary practice,” said Philip J. Bergman, medical director of the Katonah-Bedford Veterinary Center in Bedford Hills.

The center boasts an array of specialists including surgeons, internists, dermatologists, ophthalmologists, oncologists, cardiologists, emergency care and a behaviorist.

“We also offer general practice veterinary care,” Bergman said.

The practice is never closed.

“Our roster of vets is always on call.

We were the first full-service emergency veterinary care center in Westchester. We were founded 11 years ago, and I have been medical director five years.”

The Katonah-Bedford Veterinary Center got its start as a general practice before expanding to emergency care and specialty cases.

“Today, the bulk of the practice, 70 to 75 percent, is in our specialties and emergency care. We see ourselves as an extension of regular vets.”

Bergman specializes in clinical oncology and said his specialty is advancing rapidly, with new clinical trials and studies always under way.

“We are owned by VCA Antech, the nation’s leading provider of pet health care services and are in the midst of new research and developing the use of new technologies.”

He believes that specialization has grown in veterinary medicine, because “clients want the same level of care for their pets as they do for themselves. Things like CAT scans and digital ultrasound are in demand and are offered by our practice.”

The Katonah-Bedford Veterinary Center uses a team approach to providing the

highest level of care.

“Other vets often refer a patient to one of our internists, who in turn consults with a specialist for diagnosis and treatment. Our specialist will sometimes consult with other specialists, ensuring the best possible approach to the problem.”

When it comes to emergency care, the practice is “always there.”

“We handle trauma, toxin ingestion, lacerations, intestinal torsion, bacterial infections and a host of other problems on an emergency basis. We see many patients literally on death’s doorstep and are able to treat them successfully.”

The Katonah-Bedford Veterinary Center has a roster of 22 vets working out of its 8,000-square-foot facility staffed by 105 employees.

Bergman formerly headed up the Cancer Center at Manhattan’s Animal Medical Center and is also currently director of clinical studies at VCA Antech.

“Our clients want their pets to get the best that cutting-edge specialized veterinary care can offer, and we provide it.”

Katonah-Bedford Veterinary Center, 546 North Bedford Road, Bedford Hills. (914) 241-10507

Expanding the horizons

“At the Animal Specialty Center we realize that our clients consider their pets as family members and want them to get the same level of specialized care as a human patient,” said Richard Joseph, medical director of the state-of-the art veterinary facility in Yonkers.

The Animal Specialty Center, which Joseph founded in 2008 with his colleague Jason Berg, is a comprehensive specialty facility that offers the most innovative diagnostic tools and advanced treatment available anywhere. Emergency care

is available around the clock, 365 days a year.

“We offer a variety of specialty services, covering about 20 areas, including cutting-edge treatments such as stem cell therapy. Our advanced oncology services use the Cyberknife Radiosurgery System, the only one of its kind in the world for pets.”

Joseph said the focus at the center, which is owned by VCA Antech, is expanding the horizons of veterinary care, from developing new therapies and acquiring state-of-the art equipment to continuing professional development.

“You could say we offer ‘one-stop shopping,’ all under one roof in our 16,000-square- foot facility. Our focus is on specialty and emergency care, and we don’t do routine veterinary wellness care.

We get referrals and partner with other vets, viewing ourselves as an extension of their practices.”

Professional training is another major facet of the Animal Specialty Center’s approach to veterinary medicine.

“We offer a training program for veterinary residents committed to becoming specialists. The training is offered to vets already in practice.”

The latest high-tech equipment is another hallmark of the Animal Specialty

Center.

“In addition to the Cyberknife Radiosurgery System, we have MRI equipment, a multi-slice CT scanner, digital fluoroscopy and an array of other digital and scoping equipment. We are a leader in non-invasive surgical procedures.”

In addition to educating professionals, the center also aims to teach clients.

“They need to be informed. An educated consensus between professionals and clients is our goal. An informed owner who understands the choices available is our best customer. We want our clients to trust us and know they made the right decision. We have found that it’s not the advanced equipment or the training. It’s what you do with it and how you relate to the pet owners.”

Joseph and his staff never lose sight of the high emotional value that owners place on their pets and their desire to go that extra mile to see them healed.

“We have learned the value of patience and understanding. You have to realize that sometimes animals need extra time to heal. Many conditions can be turned around with patience. We take the time needed to let our animals get better.”

Animal Specialty Center, 9 Odell Plaza, Yonkers. (914) 457-4000. n Dr. Richard Joseph with veterinary assistant.

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31

From muzzle to nuzzle When Gary Pietropaolo speaks, dogs (and owners) listen Story and Photograph by Patricia Espinosa Meet Westchester and Fairfield counties’ very own Dog Whisperer, retired police officer Gary Pietropaolo. Certified by The United States Police Canine Association and the American Pet Dog Training Association, the hound trainer extraordinaire started his career nearly 30 years ago training dogs for police patrols and nosing out narcotics and explosives all over the country. In 2005, he left the New York State Police, where he was senior K-9 handler and the unit’s trainer, to start his wildly successful private dog training company, GFPK9.

We meet for coffee at a small pastry shop in the Banksville shopping center at the far end of Greenwich, not far from his next job in Bedford. Listening to his training techniques and philosophy, I can’t help but notice the similarities between parenting and training dogs. To hear Gary describe it, teaching a puppy to sleep in its crate at night without barking sounds an awful lot like Ferberizing your baby – allowing him to cry for a predetermined amount of time and thus self-soothe before receiving external comfort, as per Dr. Richard Ferber.

“When you tell your dog to stop barking in his crate at night, it is getting the attention it wants and you’re reinforcing that behavior,” Gary says.

Instead, he suggests ignoring the animal or giving it a distraction, like a toy.

32

The retired cop makes no bones about being good at what he does.

“Part of the reason I’m so successful as a trainer is I don’t just train the dog, I train the owner.”

Indeed, he will not take on a client unless he or she is willing to be involved in the training process. When I press him to tell me what percentage is spent training the dog versus the owner, he thinks about it for a second.

“It’s probably 40 percent animal and 60 percent owner.”

Top dog

Another reason for his success is his extensive experience working with dogs.

“I’m doing five to six jobs a day, six days a week.” But he’s not just working with the same people over and over again. He’s moving on to new clients. “I don’t marry my clients.” Actually, it seems more like speed dating.

“I do two or three sessions and I’m on to the next person. I’m seeing a lot of dogs.”

According to Gary, every single job is different, every single dog is different, and that’s what he feels makes the work so interesting to him. But there are some things that hold true for all dogs. For instance, just like TV’s “Dog Whisperer,” Cesar Millan, Gary believes that a dog intuits itself to be part of a pack.

“As the owner, you need to establish yourself as the pack leader. You need to be calm and assertive. You can’t be aggressive, because if you’re aggressive, with a lot of these breeds, you’ll get aggression back.”

Gary believes most of the problems he encounters occur when the dog either sees itself as the leader or sees itself in the middle of the hierarchy, above the children.

Treating our dogs like humans, Gary says, is the root of the problem. Pet owners often make the mistake of letting their animals do things like sleep in beds and sit on couches. When the child tells the dog to get off the couch, the animal snaps, because it sees the child as below it in the hierarchy.

For that reason, Gary likes to get the children involved with training so they can learn to establish themselves within the hierarchy. A dog’s tendency is to be loyal to one person, but in the absence of that leader, Gary says, there’s no reason why somebody else in the family can’t take over the leadership role.

You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Well, actually you can, but it’s much better to do it when they are puppies. Gary recommends starting training when your pup is around eight weeks old.

Animals don’t always understand what you’re asking them to do. So that’s why he tells the owner that it’s crucial to define the desired behavior by illustrating the com-

mands you’re voicing.

“Don’t say commands like ‘come,’ ‘down,’ ‘sit’ unless you’ve got a leash and you can gently show the dog what it means.”

Employing behavior modification techniques such as positive reinforcement, Gary teaches the animal by rewarding its good behavior. Rewards come in all forms – food, praise, a toy, your affection, playtime and your own happiness. Gary teaches clients to reward behavior they like and ignore behavior they don’t.

Through his vast experience working with dogs, Gary has become an expert training all types of breeds. Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Irish Wolfhounds make great family pets.

Certain breeds are born with an inherent aggression, such as German Shepherds, Cane Corsos and Rottweilers. He recommends those breeds go to an experienced home.

The breed, however, is not as important as the genetics and early experience. That’s why Gary suggests getting your dog through a breeder instead of puppy mills, pet stores and animal shelters, which he says is a lot like playing Russian roulette because you never know what baggage these animals are coming with.

Animal imprinting occurs from six weeks to six or seven months. Whatever happens to the dog during that time is permanently imprinted and cannot be changed.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t make things better for the animal.

“Certain problems cannot be fixed. When dogs are aggressive, you don’t fix it. You manage it.”

The animal lover has tremendous respect for people who adopt rescue dogs. In fact, many of his clients own rescue dogs. Right after our interview, he is headed straight to a job at a shelter called For The Love of Dogs, a

small subsidiary of the SPCA of Westchester in Bedford, to evaluate and determine if a new dog will be compatible with a client’s aggressive dog.

“This type of job takes a lot of experience. You’ve got to sometimes take a chance, give the animals the opportunity to interact with each other. I’ve gone so far as to muzzle both animals and let them work it out. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. It’s important to know when to cut your losses.”

Firm guidance

Whatever the situation, “Gary’s breadth of experience and calm, confident, and proactive approach always yields clear results and effective solutions. This guy really knows his stuff,” says For The Love Of Dogs manager, Sharon Mohan. “He can identify mannerisms and behaviors that are easily overlooked or misread by less skilled eyes. We’ve had a couple dogs that he’s evaluated and shed light on behaviors we hadn’t noticed, therefore helping us to work with and ensure these dogs are placed in homes that are the best possible fit.”

Gary charges $175 for one session, which tends to run a little over an hour. If he’s hired to work with a puppy, his first training session begins when the puppy is around eight weeks old, then at four months old, and one more time after that, if needed. Of course, some issues require more training, but those usually involve older dogs.

Gary makes a distinction between training and conditioning.

“When people try to be too stern with their pet, they end up with intimidation and the dog becomes too robotic. It’s not really happy.”

He’s seen a lot of dogs people think are trained when they’re just conditioned and afraid to make a mistake.

You never want to kill an animal’s spirit, he says, so that’s why it’s OK to allow the animal to loosen up at times.

The reality is that most dogs want to please their owners, so it’s not only about teaching them how to do it, but also getting them to understand that they are.

With Gary’s guidance, every dog has its day.

Contact Gary Pietropaolo at (914) 261-5845 or visit GFPK9.com. Learn more about adopting dogs at fortheloveofdogsrescue.org. n

Common pet-owner mistakes

1. Yelling at a barking dog. It just fuels the dog’s aggression.

2. Failing to address inappropriate chewing. Crate the animal and give it something it should chew on, like a Nylabone.

3. Throwing up your hands over “accidents” in the house. Instead, get the dog out of its crate so it understands the entire house is its den. (And dogs don’t like to mess their dens.)

4. Telling an aggressive dog it’s OK to growl at someone. Ignore the growling instead and focus on something the dog likes to do.

5. Improper walking techniques. Your dog should be walked on a U-shaped leash, which you achieve by giving the leash a little slack. “I’ve actually come up with two separate walks,” Gary says. “One is a free-release walk where the dog can mill around a little bit. Then I’ll give the dog a command like ‘heel’ or ‘with me,’ and that tells the dog there’s no more sniffing, now you’re going to go with me.”

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A staff member reads a bedtime story in one of the “luxury suites” at Paws and Play.

Photograph by Fred Charles.

A fetching resort for the four-legged set

By Dana Ramos

T

he first thing you’ll notice when you walk into the brightly painted and spotlessly clean lobby at the doggy resort, Paws and Play, is that it smells terrific.

Back up a second. A doggy resort that smells terrific?

“We are obsessive about cleanliness and keeping hygienic conditions here,” explains the owner and founder, Matt Sellecchia, with deserved pride about this 9,000-squarefoot facility in Tuckahoe. “And,” he goes on, “All the cleaning products are certified petfriendly and ecologically sound. In fact, it is so safe, you can drink it.”

The other secret to the sweet-smelling air is a special HVAC system that provides fresh air exchanges hourly.

I am also greeted by Reggie, his own Olde English Bulldogge that was an engagement gift from wife, Suzanne, a firstgrade teacher. Reggie has special privileges, obviously proving that it always helps to be related to the boss.

Unlike Canine Kindergarten, Paws and 34

Play Pet Resort is not cage-free, although socialized dogs do mingle and have lots of indoor and outdoor playtime. And “cage” is not the right word for their private spaces. You can reserve accommodations ranging from large glass-walled spaces or small rooms tricked out with colorful decor, raised padded beds, toys and television.

Welcome to the faastest growing trend in dog care – state-of-the-art day care and boarding facilities.

Doggy tales

“I call it the anti-kennel,” Sellecchia says.

And “parents,” as the owners are referred to, can choose from a menu of extra items and activities to go with their pet’s stay. “We have individual playtime and pampering, which is great for dogs who don’t want to play with other dogs,” he says. “The menu also offers extra group play sessions, storytelling and tuck-ins each night, grooming, training and my very own homemade treat. It is a ball made of beef, potato and vegetables. Dogs love it.”

I ask about the bedtime storytelling:

What is that, exactly? Sellecchia shows me a small book-rack featuring stories for his specialized audience, such as “The Bedtime Book for Dogs,” by Bruce Littlefield and “Goodnight Dog,” by Ed Heck. A staff member will cozy up with the dog and read and soothe him, tucking him in with snuggles.

“We offer all kinds of extras and package deals. For instance, our Platinum Package includes three 45-minute play sessions, four walks, gourmet treats and the bedtime story and tuck-in.”

The cost for this sort of treatment? Of course, it varies depending on what you want from the menu. Surprisingly, it is not much different from standard kennel boarding, but you get so much more.

There is always dog-loving staff with the dogs in the huge playrooms, or the large grassy outdoor play space, and dogs are separated by size and temperament and other factors. There is even a treadmill in one of the rooms.

“Some owners want this extra activity for their dogs, in addition to outdoor

play.”

Like Canine Kindergarten and other higher-end boarding locations, Paws and Play does a careful evaluation and integration with other dogs.

“It’s a slow process here and we never take our eyes off the dogs, no matter what.

Sometimes aggression doesn’t show up immediately.”

And if dog is aggressive and can’t be with others?

“We’ll take him anyway and provide individual play sessions and attention.”

Sellecchia elaborates on his philosophy.

“Here, we get to know each dog, call each dog by name. We’re like a big family.

This is very important to us. And when I see how the dogs love it here so much that they don’t want to leave – well, that is so gratifying.”

Million-dollar baby

Sellecchia, who grew up in Bronxville and currently commutes from New York City, has an enthusiasm for dogs and their care which led him to quit his former oc-

cupation as an equity trader.

“Actually, the recession pushed me out of the job I had, so I started thinking of what I really wanted to do. Then I went to the Harvard of dog training institutes – Anthony Jerone’s School of Dog Training in Whitestone. After that, I put together a business plan, raised funds.”

And so began a new life, which included getting married – a lot of big changes in a short time.

The million-dollar investment paid off: Paws and Play has been a success from the moment the doors opened.

“We can keep up to 84 dogs for boarding. And I’m still putting in luxe touches.

We already have video surveillance and webcams are coming really soon.”

Keeping safety in mind, there are also multiple fire alarms, sprinkler systems, and back-up generators.

I’m shown one of the luxury “suites,” as the deluxe accommodations are called.

The walls are painted very brightly, one a beach scene with surfboards and palm trees. Considering that dogs’ color acuity is far below that of humans, I know that the lavish use of glossy paints is for our entertainment, not theirs. It works: I’m completely charmed and delighted.

I can also think of a few children who would probably enjoy playing here. In fact, I don’t believe I have ever seen a

preschool as nicely equipped or as clean as this facility.

Sellecchia also offers dog training onsite and is emphatic about the importance of this service.

“Teaching a dog to come on command is the most important thing you should teach your dog. If your dog gets out and runs into a street and won’t listen to you when you command him to stop or come, it can be very dangerous.”

With boyish good looks that make him appear younger than his 30 years, Sellecchia has done a remarkable job in imagining and creating this space, which opened this past fall. Seeing how incredibly nurturing he is with each dog he encounters, I can’t resist asking: Now that he has successfully launched his new business, married and raised a young dog, will his family be growing, with a baby perhaps?

He blushes and smiles.

“Oh, wow, this is taking up so much of my time and energy. And I want to grow the business, of course. The pet care industry is $50 billion a year and growing.

I want to be part of that.”

It seems that for now, Sellechia will remain content with the pitter patter of little paws around the house.

Paws and Play Pet Resort, 72 Marbledale Road, Tuckahoe. PawsandPlayPetResort.com. n

Matt Sellecchia getting down with the dogs in one of the playrooms at Paws and Play.

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35

Sweet Dreams

By Patricia Espinosa

L

ike so many great ideas often do, Elaine Doran’s began with an “aha” moment. It was Thanksgiving Day 2004 when she looked over and saw her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy curled up inside a neck warmer. Inspired by the sight, the Greenwich resident launched Puppy Hugger, a company that specializes in making luxury beds for pets. Think Duxiana, only with an animal twist.

With a shoestring budget and loads of enthusiasm, the budding entrepreneur made her market debut at the H.H. Baker International Pet Industry Trade Show in Atlantic City where she showed prospective buyers prototypes of luxury pet beds made up in fabulously soft fabrics in a variety of colors and patterns.

The response was encouraging, and with many orders in hand, Puppy Hugger was

36

on its way, or at least Elaine thought so.

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But when cheaply made copycat products started popping up everywhere, Elaine was less than pleased. Unfortunately, she did not patent her product, but the pet lover was not discouraged. According to Elaine, the cheap imitators haven’t affected her business at all.

“The cheaper version is not the same. It has much less stuffing, is not double-stitched and uses inferior-quality fabrics. Basically, if you want a throwaway item, you go to Petco and if you want the bed to last the lifetime of your dog, you come to us.”

This best-in-show is made by hand with double stitching, using only the finest materials. The bed is designed to hug your puppy. But don’t be fooled by the name: Cats love these beds, too.

The one-piece design keeps dust bunnies at bay since there are no hidden pock-

ets in which dust can collect. The entire product line is machine-washable, which makes pet owners very happy.

Seven years later, the company has grown to include an extensive product line, each one made in response to a customer request.

“Our goal has always been to accommodate the most demanding customers by offering them size and shape flexibility using only the best, softest fabrics out there.”

The original C-shape bed has expanded to include square beds, rectangular beds and heart-shaped beds.

And for those dogs or cats who love to snuggle next to each other, there’s the Two’sCompany bed and, if you can believe it, an appropriately named Three’s-a-Crowd bed.

The company carries other products, too, such as pet blankets, crate covers and pads, pet carrier inserts and throws.

Everything is cut to order and made in-house.

And when I say in-house, I mean in her house.

Elaine has been operating her business out of her home since the company’s inception. Busy supervising seamstresses, she makes sure the quality is top notch. With more than 160 stores selling her product line all over the world, Puppy Hugger products may also be bought on her website. For those who live locally, she encourages them to come over and have a look for themselves to custom order the perfect beds for their pets.

So why not pamper your beloved Milo or Fido with a Puppy Hugger bed so he can luxuriate? It is, after all, a dog’s life.

The Puppy Hugger, 121 North St., Greenwich, (203) 661-4858 or (203) 321-9154, info@thepuppyhugger.com, puppyhugger.com. n

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Rich Caporizzo’s pet mobile pampers pooches

By Mary Shustack Photographs by Olga Loginova

38

R

ich Caporizzo has a firm hand and a soothing voice.

And both come in handy as he sees client after client on a recent afternoon.

No, he’s not a doctor or massage therapist, though aspects of each profession are reflected in his job. Caporizzo is, in fact, a dog groomer who provides his services the old-fashioned way – door to door.

And on a chilly afternoon in White Plains, Caporizzo pulls his vividly decorated van into the parking lot of the WAG offices to demonstrate just how convenient his mobile-salon company, Bark Bathe & Beyond, can be.

There is a convenience factor. The dogs don’t have to stay in a grooming parlor all day.”

In the salon

“You know why we’re here,” Caporizzo says, as Zoe hovers near the van. “Come on.”

And with a slight coaxing, he welcomes her into the space that is fully heated.

“You got your radio station on,” he says. “It’s the one that you asked for.”

Jokes aside, Caporizzo has a straightforward manner that gets the job done in a way that’s soothing to the animal. After all, he knows they’re often hesitant.

“The dogs need it, but they hate it.”

The process, which he will next repeat with little Jack, takes the dog from nail clipping to ear cleaning and then into the self-contained bathing area. Following a thorough scrub with hypoallergenic and natural products, the dogs are “fluff’ dried before they are then groomed to either a standard-breed or personalized cut.

He then gives a spritz “like they do at the beauty parlor,” for a glossy finish. Finally, it’s a quick puff of baby powder “and that’s it.”

Caporizzo knows how repeat clients like to be groomed. For first-timers, a suitable regime is developed.

It’s all about making the process less stressful, Caporizzo adds, noting it’s ideal for older dogs or those who tend to get scared or carsick.

The shiny results

He’ll spend just under two hours turning two rescue dogs – WAG family members Zoe, a good-natured mix with predominantly Australian Shepherd blood, and Jack, a spirited little Westie – into gleaming examples of good grooming.

It is money well spent. While looking like ordinary pets prior to their individual time in the state-of-the-art van, they emerge with short nails and shiny coats, happily nibbling on the dog biscuits they are fed as rewards from Caporizzo and his assistant, Julia Coulombe.

Caporizzo, who spent years in the printing business, tapped into his love of animals for his new career. After schooling, he bought a truck and hit the road in 2006.

Today, the Millbrook-based operation has expanded to include Caporizzo’s son, Matthew Vernon, so there are two trucks that provide services in driveways across Westchester County and in Greenwich.

The business, he says, fills a need.

“I think that the majority of the people just like to have their dog in and out fast.

Caporizzo says that dogs need to be groomed for optimum health and cleanliness.

As he finishes up with Jack, giving him the traditional Westie cut, he notes that “most of the people keep their dogs groomed like this – neat, easy maintenance.”

Customers usually hire Caporizzo to come on a steady basis, visiting every four, six or eight weeks but “there are some people that use us every week as well.”

Fees, which start at $90, are based on size, breed and condition of the animal.

An admitted dog lover with two of his own, Caporizzo says he loves spending time with animals – and has only been nipped on the job a few times (nothing serious).

And anyone who thinks it’s always the big dogs causing the trouble would be wrong.

“Sometimes the tough guys when they get in there, they just succumb,” he says.

“On the whole, the bigger dogs are calmer.”

But as Caporizzo has demonstrated in grooming some 5,000 dogs since he launched Bark Bathe & Beyond, he’s ready for them all.

For more on Bark Bathe & Beyond, visit barkbathebeyond.com or call (914) 450-6573. n

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Of mice and moose Jet-A-Pet can move any animal

By Patricia Espinosa

I

magine finding out that your husband has just been transferred to the London office and suddenly you are expected to move your entire family, sell the house, find a new place to live, move your furniture and belongings and get the kids into a new school. If that task weren’t daunting enough, you have the added stress of getting your beloved pet there, too.

Jet-A-Pet, an international pet and animal transportation company based in Westport, is just the sort of company that can help ease the burden of an overseas move with animals. It can handle everything from providing inoculations and vaccinations, obtaining and completing the necessary paperwork, supplying transportation, clearing customs and offering door-to-door service. The company also has airline-approved kennels fully ventilated on all four sides, equipped with a watering device in a variety of sizes to fit the need of any breed of dog or cat. JetA-Pet prides itself on choosing the most direct, low-cost air flights without sacrificing your pet’s comfort. The fee is based on 15 to 20 percent of the total cost.

“We can do it all or whatever our customers choose for us to do,” says founder Mel Goldman.

Every country has its own set of regulations when it comes to bringing in an animal and those requirements change frequently. Jet-A-Pet makes it its business to keep up-to-date files on countries that require quarantine periods, inoculations and blood testing.

Door-to-door service means your pet will be personally transported to the airline and checked in for its flight. Upon arrival at the destination airport, a Jet-A-Pet associate will be standing by to handle any customs clearance, documentation finalization, release forms and delivering your pet to its new home.

Goldman first started transporting pets back in the 1970s. His first customers were breeders whose show dogs he would ship throughout the world from his boarding, grooming and training facility, Town House for Dogs & Cats in Westport, which he still operates with his wife, Sandra.

“Back then there were only a handful of people doing pet shipping. The industry has since organized, and it is known as IPATA (International Pet and Animal Transportation Association). The membership has grown to hundreds around the world.”

Today, Jet-A-Pet’s clients have expanded to include corporate relocation personnel, 40

members of the diplomatic corps, the military, zoos, breeders and individuals who are moving with their animals. And it’s not just dog and cats the company transports but birds, fish, exotics and zoo and farm animals.

Says Goldman, “We ship from mice to moose.”

One of the more notable jobs was to transport tapirs from a zoo in Bolivia to a zoo in South Africa.

“I personally made the trip to Santa Cruz. The altitude there is 13,000 feet, so I immediately got a headache, which lasted until I got off the mountain.”

Though, according to Goldman, the most difficult part of the journey was trucking the tapirs to the airport from a remote spot outside the city. With only one

pickup truck, four men and a little ingenuity, they were able to get the 500-pound animals on the truck. By the time the men returned to the hotel, employees noticed how green their faces looked.

“They offered us oxygen and aspirin and brought them to our rooms. Two days later, we finally were able to function.”

To the delight of the South African zookeeper, the tapirs arrived safe and sound.

About 10 percent of Jet-A-Pet’s business is made up of clients who transport their pets to their vacation destinations. Mel recalls how the owner of one Labrador took her pooch back and forth between her New Haven and Florida residences for the 14 years of her pet’s life. Another client is a lady with three cats who every year sends her kitties packing to Tel Aviv.

Your needs may be as simple as retrieving that puppy your kids have been champing at the bit for. Or the breeder calls to tell you your canine is ready to leave its litter and be picked up, but the only problem is the pup is all the way in Boise, Idaho. No worries.

Jet-A-Pet can arrange safe and comfortable transportation for the newest member of your family.

Contrary to popular belief, animals do not fly with the luggage on commercial flights. Rather, pets fly in a separate, pressurized, climate-controlled section of the plane. When flying high, Jet-A-Pet treats each animal under its care like a top dog, ensuring a comfortable and safe journey.

With a 100-percent safety record, who can argue with that?

For more, visit jet-a-pet.com. n

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Members playing in the outdoor area at Canine Kindergarten.

every dog has his day (care) Canine Kindergarten’s cage-free approach Story and Photographs by Dana Ramos “This is not a place where you can just come for the first time, drop off your dog and go,” says Elissa Cohen, co-owner of the uniquely structured Canine Kindergarten. “All prospective members first attend an interview and a half-day session so we can see how well the dog gets along with others and fits into this environment.

“Don’t get the wrong idea. This is not about exclusivity. You don’t need a pedigree or prestigious résumé claiming your dog sniffs around with the likes of Bo Obama – not at all. Extra precautions are necessary, because both Canine Kindergarten locations have completely cage-free day care and boarding facilities.

“As far as we know, we are the only cage-free places in Westchester,” Cohen said. “And because we’re concerned with the health and happiness of each dog, there has to be an interview and one or more trial runs, in order to be sure a dog isn’t aggressive or overly fearful. Of course, we’re happy to work with a dog.

And many who may be fearful in the beginning make great progress and quickly become terrific tail-wagging members here. But sometimes, even if an owner really wants this to work out, a dog just isn’t happy being around other dogs.”

I visit the brand new facility behind Main Street at “The Park” in Mount Kisco. It used to be just around the corner, 42

but outgrew that space and now has far more room – brand-new everything from top to bottom – and an already-existing client base. With all the new space, Canine Kindergarten can accommodate about 60 dogs, depending on whether it is day or nighttime care.

“The dogs are never left alone, not for a minute, even the overnight boarding dogs. A staff member sleeps on a bed in a room with all the dogs, everyone all together,” Cohen says as she begins showing me around.

Each room is named after the primary bright color painted on the walls. “Here’s the Blue Lounge,” Cohen says, showing me one of the larger spaces of the 6,500-square-foot interior. “This is one of the three play spaces but also where the dogs nap, rest or sleep. Feel how the floors are really soft rubber. And we bring out cots and blankets. The goal is to create a cozy home-style environment. That means we turn on the TV at night, too.

And of course, there is climate control throughout.

Home free

“By nature, dogs are pack animals and if they were properly socialized, a dog will love being with other dogs,” Cohen continues. “Many of them enjoy cuddling at night, sometimes in cute clumps made up

of big and little dogs. Then there are those who prefer their own cots or a blankets. If a dog is used to sleeping with his owner on the bed at night, the staff member will let him snuggle on his bed here.”

I’m led to The Purple Playroom and the Green Gym, ample-sized rooms that have the same types of plastic climb-on toys you’d find at preschools—little house-like structures with slides, a car-shaped minibed. Staff members are encouraging their groups of dogs to play on the toys, chase a ball and stay active.

Owners are not allowed to bring their dogs’ at-home blankies or toys.

“Dogs can be very possessive about their things and that can lead to confrontations if another dog tries to move in on his property. This is a sharing environment, and we provide toys, dog cots, blankets and soft couches they can all use. And we know our things are clean, because we wash everything constantly.”

Food is not provided, however. Owners are asked to bring the dog’s favorite food, treats, medicines and instructions on exactly how a dog is to be fed, even if the food is to be microwaved or prepared in special ways – again, whatever the dog is used to will be recreated on-site. The only time the dogs are separated is during feeding, in order to prevent confrontations or medicated food ending up in the wrong

dog’s belly.

“We do provide clean bowls. The owners don’t have to bring those.”

Cleanliness is very important at Canine Kindergarten. Every room has hoses, mops and drains for easy wash-down.

The floors are spotless.

Owners can check on the activities from webcams in every room, either via the Canine Kindergarten website or through an application that can be downloaded on smartphones. The only time the webcam is off is at night to provide privacy for sleepover staff.

All the playrooms open up to the large fenced-in outdoor space. There are small play pools that are currently empty, because it’s winter. A young staff member tosses a ball and some dogs go after it while others dash about randomly like clueless 6-year-olds on a Little League team. I laugh at an adorable Dachshund with his little sausage body on stubby legs wiggling surprisingly fast alongside a barreling Bernese Mountain Dog. Then I’m blindsided by a happy Labrador who jumps up, eager to get a close-up look at my camera.

The Social Dog Network

Cohen and I settle on a dog-worn sofa in the Den – a cozy and quiet space with soft couches and blankets for dogs who need extra resting time, such as seniors, or

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A member climbs a toy in a playroom at Canine Kindergarten.

who might be recuperating from an injury or illness. I wipe Lab slobber off my camera lens, and Cohen explains how Canine Kindergarten came about.

“About 10 years ago, my husband – a former technology engineer – followed his heart and became a certified dog trainer. I then grew interested in the dog day care idea, which had been gaining in popularity since the late 1990s but was still a relatively new concept. Through a lot of research and meeting veterinarians and other people in the pet-care industry, I began developing some of my own ideas.

Then, about seven years ago, I was finally ready to leave the corporate world and start the first Canine Kindergarten in Verplanck – near Peekskill – with a partner (Lisa Smith of Ossining).”

That original location proved to be a success, and the older Mount Kisco location opened about three years ago.

“We also brought in two more partners – the owner of Wags in Danbury, and the owner of Unleashed in New Milford. Together, we formed a network we call The Social Dog Network, designed to promote our philosophy of dog care, which has three main principles. One – that dogs should be socialized with each other.

Two – to provide proper exercise for dogs.

Modern family dogs usually don’t get enough exercise. And three – to provide a comfortable environment with no cages,

no crate and sleeping with a human when boarded.”

Ideally, instruction for good dog habits starts very young.

“The age between age 2 and four months is a critical time for puppies.

That’s when they are most open to learning and being socialized not just with people but with other dogs. Our puppy classes provide supervised play and a chance for them to learn what is appropriate and non-appropriate play.”

I mention how it really does sound a lot like a human kindergarten. Cohen agrees, adding, “Like children, dogs have different personalities and need supervised exercise and play. During the day, we constantly regroup, because some get tired more easily or want to be left alone for a while. We adjust to their needs. And as for the puppy classes, they are really popular and we encourage people to bring their children.

Kids adore coming and the puppies love playing with the children. The playgroup is held every Saturday morning.”

Amenities at Canine Kindergarten also include a full-service grooming room with experienced groomers and private and group training classes using positive reinforcement and rewards.

Although The Social Dog Network is still new and evolving as a partnership, Cohen is eager to expand and open more cage-free dog facilities. n

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43

Maurizia Riso and Michael Smokler are joined by their dog, Brunello, who inspired the company’s line of dog cookies.

Pet project

Dessert maker adds pooches as customers

M

aura & Nuccia is a company known for its authentic Italian artisan desserts.

These delicacies, which are based on treasured recipes from company founder Maurizia Riso’s family, include biscotti and crostata, chocolate cookies and tiramisu.

The company, which got its start when Maurizia and her sister-in-law, Nuccia, began to market their biscotti, has been carving out a niche for the past six years.

But the creation of the company’s newest product was sparked some two years ago when Maurizia and her partner, Michael Smokler, adopted a rescue dog.

And thanks to a lively little pup named Brunello, Maura & Nuccia now serves up not only delicacies for discerning dessert fans but for their canine counterparts, too.

The dog biscotti, or biscuits, are simply made like the rest of the company’s line, using only fresh, natural ingredients and no preservatives.

Since their introduction, pooches of all kinds have been nibbling on these luxe treats that feature organic peanut butter, bananas, honey and whole-wheat flour.

There’s even a gluten-free variety made with tapioca flour.

Offering such a health-oriented product for dogs seems to have a struck a chord.

Michael says that at farmers’ markets – a vibrant outlet

44

By Mary Shustack Photographs by Bob Rozycki for Maura & Nuccia products – customers have enthusiastically embraced these pet treats.

“These pet owners are nuts,” he says. “We sell it. Sometimes it outsells the tarts.”

A package of 12 dog cookies costs $6 and comes wrapped in a precious bag decorated with dog bones.

It’s all traced back to Brunello (usually a stay-at-home dog brought along on a recent morning solely for a photograph).

“He comes from Tennessee,” Maurizia says proudly, adding that she found him online. “I saw the picture, and I fell in love with him.”

Having a dog again reminds Maurizia of her early days “In Italy, I had five dogs, all together.”

Company history

Of course, the dog biscotti are just a part of the offerings of Maura & Nuccia, a company with strong ties to Maurizia’s Italian heritage.

Maurizia, whose nickname is Maura, was born in Milan. Her father managed a nearby restaurant, with all the family pitching in. In 1986, the family relocated to Tarrytown with hopes of opening a restaurant. Lago Di Como, which specialized in Northern Italian cuisine, was the realization of that dream. For more than 20 years, Maurizia served patrons while also creating the desserts.

Eventually, she started to sell her biscotti and teamed up

with her sister-in-law to start offering all kinds of desserts.

When the restaurant was sold in 2009, Maurizia turned her attention to Maura & Nuccia.

“I don’t like to stay in an office,” Maurizia says. “I like to create something.”

So she began to sell the desserts on a grander scale, tapping Michael’s business and retail background to secure gourmet outlets such as Tarry Market in Port Chester and Bloomingdale’s, while also selling at farmers’ markets indoors and out.

The treats

The company’s signature items include its biscotti – the family recipe dates from 19th-century nuns of the Franciscan order – which is available plain, with almonds or dipped in white or dark chocolate. “ ‘Biscotti’ is the Italian word for cookies,” Michael says, but adds that Maura & Nuccia biscotti are “not hard cookies… (They’re) totally different than anything on the market.”

Another star is the crostata, or fruit tart, baked in palmsize or 8-inch versions. As recipes feature locally sourced fruits (lemons are an exception), selections vary by season but often include apple, plum or a particularly rich chocolate-pear version.

“It’s devastating, isn’t it?” Michael asks when learning a visitor has indeed tried that dessert.

With all products made by hand, one batch at a time, Michael says, “Maura controls everything that goes into it. She just watches everything.”

He adds that since the recipes don’t use lots of sugar, they often contain fewer calories than many commercially produced desserts.

“We gear toward the weight-conscious people,” Michael says. “We gear to the gourmets.”

And those customers also gravitate toward “Maura’s Famous Chocolate Cookie,” which includes not only chocolate chips but oatmeal, brown sugar and walnuts.

New surroundings

Getting the baked goods ready for market has become easier in recent months as the company settled into a new space in Brewster.

While not designed as a retail destination – think workmanlike, industrial surroundings – the commercialkitchen and warehouse facilities offer a permanent baking headquarters.

“This little kitchen is state of the art,” Michael says.

“This has propelled us.”

Previously, they were operating out of a shared commercial kitchen where things had to be brought in and out for each baking session.

“I was holding 25 pounds, doing the stairs,” Maurizia says. “It was getting to be a nightmare.”

Now, it’s all about being able to keep up with demand.

“This facility allows us to produce,” Michael says, emphasizing that last word.

It also allows them to enjoy the outdoors. When weather permits they simply raise the garage-style doors and take in the natural surroundings.

“I think it’s more exciting,” Maurizia says.

Moving forward

Michael says when he and Maurizia are not commuting up to Brewster from Tarrytown, where they live, he hits the phone – or the road.

“I’m out hawking,” Michael says with a laugh.

The company, he says, already provides private-label items for firms such as Sahadi’s in Brooklyn and Carter & Cavero in New Jersey.

This time of year, Michael says, they might bake some 300 tarts and 144 bags of biscotti each week. Maurizia’s assistants can range from one to five, depending on demand.

“In the spring and summer, it gets very busy because that’s when the farmers’ markets really become busy,” he says. Maurizia adds the markets are a great way to connect with customers and see what products do best.

The company, Michael adds, also creates beignets, tiramisu (“absolutely incredible”) and chocolate mousse, with Maurizia developing dietetic cannoli.

On a recent day, though, the pair stepped aside to give their new ambassador center stage.

As Maurizia offered Brunello a choice between a commercially produced dog biscuit and an organic creation by Maura & Nuccia, he responded right on cue.

“He likes it better. This one,” Maurizia says, as Brunello snatched the Maura & Nuccia treat.

Smart dog.

For more about Maura & Nuccia products, visit mauranuccia.com. In addition to selling at local farmers’ markets and in select gourmet destinations, the company sells directly to the public. (914) 924-8840 to visit the bakery in Brewster. n

Maurizia Riso prepares items for baking at the Maura & Nuccia industrial kitchen in Brewster.

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Pooch has starring role on screen and off

W

By Georgette Gouveia

inston, a Jack Russell/Tibetan Terrier mix, has two day jobs.

He’s a star of the new Disney Channel movie “Frenemies,” but he’s also a therapy dog making weekly visits to Blythedale Children’s Hospital in Valhalla and Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center, which is moving from Manhattan to Yonkers.

Recently, Blythedale held a premiere for “Frenemies” at its facility with Winston walking the red carpet for his many admirers.

“It was a lot of fun,” says Theresa Carroll, Winston’s owner and trainer and a Bedford resident. “The kids got a huge kick out of it, and I’m for anything that entertains the kids.”

What viewers don’t realize when they watch an animal “play” a part is that the animal isn’t, of course, consciously emoting. It’s responding to a set of cues.

“When (Winston’s) responding, it’s to commands rather than the name you’re calling him itself,” Carroll says.

The littlest moviegoers were a bit concerned at first that the boy in the movie was mad at Winston. So Carroll and others made sure the children understood the boy wasn’t angry at him. It was all play-acting.

Even for Winston, who had to learn a complex set of commands for the story of a boy (played by Nick Robinson), his dog Murray and the girl who comes between them – for a moment, anyway.

“It was fun, a challenge,” Carroll says. “I spent a lot of time with Winston, broke down every behavior and acted out the scenes. For a month, we worked on animal behavior.”

What viewers don’t realize when they watch an animal “play” a part is that the animal isn’t, of course, consciously emoting. It’s responding to a set of cues.

“When (Winston’s) responding, it’s to commands rather than the name you’re calling him itself,” Carroll says.

That’s why Winston could play Murray – or, for that matter, why Lassie could be played all those years by a series of boy dogs with no crisis of male confidence.

Because Winston spent so much time interacting with Nick, who co-stars on ABC Family’s “Melissa & Joey,” Carroll taught him the commands, so that he could give them to the dog subtly.

Ah, showbiz. It’s a long way from movies, premieres, NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” (Winston played Rescue Dog in an “SNL” video vignette last 46

year) and commercials to the Bedford farm where he was born. Seven years ago, a friend’s Jack Russell Terrier had a litter of puppies. The friend asked Carroll if she wanted one.

Carroll, who had horses she trained as well as cats, took one pup whom she named Winston and started training him as a therapy dog at the suggestion of her husband, Bill, a construction consultant.

Winston began working with seniors, but that wasn’t his best fit.

“He’s always been good with kids,” Carroll says.

So she contacted several hospitals. Blythedale called back. That was five years ago, and Winston and the Blythedale youngsters have been in sync ever since.

“Winston is a very special therapy dog, because of his excellent training and his star personality,” says Kathy Silverman, coordinating pediatrician at Blythedale. “Our patients are thrilled when he comes to visit, and the effect that he has on them is obvious to all who see how he interacts with our patients.”

That effect is physical as well as psychological.

“Medical studies have shown that pets can have a

positive impact on stress, blood pressure and heart rate,” Silverman says, adding that “if children need to improve coordination in their arms, their therapist can get them to throw a ball to the therapy dog.

There is instant gratification and reward when the dog retrieves the ball, which provides needed incentive for the children.”

While Winston was busy with the youngsters at Blythedale, a friend introduced Carroll to an agent, which led to another agent, who got Carroll and Winston the Disney movie gig. Now Carroll has another puppy, 11-month-old Lady Daphne, who will serve as Winston’s double.

“She’s going to keep him young,” Carroll says of the sprightly Daphne.

Winston enjoys playing big brother to Daphne, although he can take or leave Daphne’s love-fest with the three cats – Kiki, Bonnie and Callie. It’s like a movie with a happy ending.

Carroll, who borrows some of her 21 nieces and nephews from time to time, says of her menagerie, “These are my kids.” n

47

Steven Reineke Music Director

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Monday April 30 2012 7 PM

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Striking the right chord

Misha and Cipa Dichter make beautiful music together

By Georgette Gouveia Photographs by ŠDavid Bravo

49

50

I

s Thunder musical?

Misha and Cipa Dichter’s dog that is, not the meteorological phenomenon.

“Here I have to brag a bit,” Misha says.

He would begin the day at the 1930s Steinway D concert grand in the soundproof studio of the couple’s Manhattan apartment with some tricky Rachmaninoff transcriptions, “just to find out what kind of pianist I’d be that day.”

As soon as the Rachmaninoff was over, it was time for Thunder to roll to his feet from his bed under the piano, because he knew his master would be taking five.

“I do miss that,” Misha says.

That’s because a year ago, Thunder, a Springer Spaniel, lost his hearing, as did his predecessor, Mercedes. Misha – as much an auto enthusiast as a dog lover – named his canines for cars. Here he points to a model of a 1957 Ford Thunderbird, which sits on a shelf in the warm, paneled, red- and green-papered studio. The real deal is up at the Dichters’ country home in North Salem.

Hearing loss, ligament issues and age – he’s 12 – haven’t stopped ol’ Thunder, though. He’s still in fine voice, greeting you with a healthy bark. His sense of smell is still keen, judging from the way he pokes his schnoz into your book bag. His handsome brown-and-white coat is fashionably ragged. And when it comes time for the photo shoot, he poses fetchingly, one paw up, Lassie-style.

Good dog.

It’s no surprise that the Dichters’ have a sharp pooch.

Misha is, after all, one of the greatest pianists of his or any generation. Cipa, trim and elegant, is an acclaimed pianist in her own right and his partner in cherished performances and recordings of the four-hand and duo-piano repertoire.

“Clarity is a word I keep coming back to,” Misha says.

“I start looking at every piece of music from the smallest particle out. Clarity is very important.”

Whether it’s the most intimate Mozart or the most Thunder-ous Rachmaninoff.

Clarity governs the Dichter household, too. You can see it in the crisp turn of Misha’s black turtleneck; the slim silhouette of Cipa’s black trousers; the angles of the clean-limbed furnishings – including an 1870s American Steinway C and an 1880s rosewood American Steinway B in the spacious living room; the refined Picasso drawing that captures the artist’s classical antecedents and gift for bewitching line; and Misha’s own finely drawn cartoons, due out in ebook form.

Perhaps most tellingly, you can see the Dichters’ passion for clarity – in life and in performance – in their admiration for Roger Federer. The tennis buffs have a court at their Westchester home. Misha compares Federer’s fluid, no-frills style with the pure pianism of Sergei Rachmaninoff and Vladimir Horowitz.

“Federer’s my man,” he says. “I love the understatement of it all.”

51

Not for this couple is the showmanship of a Novak Djokovic.

And what of the Djokovic of the keyboard, Lang Lang, he of the spiky hair and Liberace jackets?

“I’m not going to go there,” Misha says with a laugh.

Lace and storms

Which is not to say that Misha himself does not cut a dashing presence at the keyboard. This reporter remembers with particular relish a 1980s performance of the towering Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2 at PepsiCo Summerfare in Purchase. On a hot night, Misha managed to look coolly glamorous in a white dinner jacket as he offered an impassioned reading of the work.

Partly because he begins every exploration of a piece by breaking it down note-for-note, he is able to embrace both the rarefied Classical tradition and the muscular Romantic one, of which Brahms is a part. Sometimes he bridges these within one piece. Check out his reading of Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 on YouTube, in which he brings a feathery touch to the filigree of the main theme before storming up and down the keyboard in the iconic finale.

Misha’s own training also makes him a natural heir to both traditions. Growing up in Los Angeles, where he began taking piano lessons at age 6, Misha studied with Aube Tzerko, who steeped his young charge in the German Classical style, a detailed approach to musical analysis and the discipline that enables him to practice sometimes for 10 hours at a stretch.

It was at The Juilliard School that Misha worked with Rosina Lhevinne, the doyenne of Russian Romanticism.

Madame Lhevinne, as she was known in musical circles, would tell Misha about conversations between her husband and Tchaikovsky.

“I’d think, ‘Oh my God, the history in this room.’”

The arts are in a sense crafts that are passed down from one generation to the next. Someday, pianists will be talking about what they and their teachers learned in a master class taught by Misha.

“I like to think so,” he says softly. “The ones who have no need for the past I have no patience with.”

He remembers one class in which he told a student that she could actually listen to recordings of Rachmaninoff playing. Rachmaninoff was, of course, as famed for his pianism as he was for such compositions as the sublimely melodic Piano Concerto No. 2 and the fiendish Piano Concerto No. 3, which is familiar 52

to moviegoers from “Shine.”

But the student had no interest in the recordings, preferring to be “original.” Told that the story brings to mind what the Romanian director Liviu Ciulei once said – that “All originality is lack of information” – Misha says, “I’ll have to remember that one.”

“We can only guess at what Liszt, Mozart and Brahms would’ve done,” he says of their performances. “When we know how Rachmaninoff played his works, it’s difficult to do otherwise.”

There’s more leeway in working with contemporary composers. Recently, Misha has been conferring with Dick Hyman – the brilliant composer/arranger behind “Moonstruck” and many Woody Allen films – on Hyman’s two “Danzas Tropicales,” which Misha will play at the Aspen Music Festival this summer. At one point, Hyman said of Misha’s suggestions, “That’s an improvement.”

With so much music to savor, Misha is loathe to take a day off, though he did take a four-day Caribbean holiday with his wife. The first day back at the keyboard, he said “It’s over.” The next day it all came back to him.

But there was a time six years ago when he feared his career might really be over. He had developed Dupuytren’s contracture, an inherited condition in which tissue in the palm of the hand – in this case, his right hand – thickens, causing the ring finger and pinky, and sometimes the middle finger, to contract seemingly permanently. At night he dreamed the same dream: He’s about to perform and he tells the conductor, “I don’t have a right hand.”

But he wasn’t about to give up.

“I wasn’t ready to take up the literature for the left hand, and I wasn’t ready to conduct.” Instead he contacted Dr. Scott Wolfe at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan. Today, he would get an injection of Xiaflex, which wasn’t FDA-approved until 2010. After the operation, he worked with therapist Caryl Johnson, herself a Juilliard-trained pianist. Cipa policed his practices with the right hand – five minutes, twice a day.

Misha, however, went to town on the left.

“Lo and behold, I was hearing the left hand more clearly,” he says. “So it was almost beneficial.”

He tells a “silly story” from that time. On the day he called Wolfe in January of 2007, he couldn’t play the opening chord of the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 – a work that helped launch his career in the mid-1960s.

When the doctor’s office put him on hold, he says, what do you think came on to fill the silence?

The Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1.

“It was a sign, don’t you think?”

Made for each other

When you look at images from the Dichters’ concerts or their website, you can’t help but think that the pair looks so right together – “the greatest couple since Fred and Ginger,” the Boulder Daily Camera raved.

They not only share two children, five grandchildren and a profession. They also have similar backgrounds and immigrant stories to tell. She was born in Brazil to PolishRussian parents and like her husband began studying piano at age 6. Cipa made her professional debut with the Symphony Orchestra of Brazil at age 16 and then it was off to the Eastman School of Music in Rochester.

He was born in Shanghai to Polish-Jewish parents who had escaped the Nazis. His parents then left Shanghai just before the Japanese atrocities. It’s a terrible, fascinating story that he didn’t ask about when he was growing up. (“I could kick myself now,” he chides.) He’s glad, though, that cousins videotaped his parents telling it.

Misha and Cipa met in chorus at Juilliard. To hear him tell it, he thought, “Wow.” She thought less than “Wow.” “You were very young, 20 at the time,” Cipa reminds him.

His parents told everyone he was going out with an older woman – by a few months, he recalls, laughing.

“Two and a half years later, she proposed to me in Paris.”

In 1972, four years after they married, they made their joint debut at the Hollywood Bowl with Mozart’s Concerto for Two Pianos in E flat, a piece that Wolfgang Amadeus wrote for himself and his talented sister, Maria Anna (“Nannerl”).

Since then, they have been making the proverbial beautiful music together, in works familiar and lesserknown, like Robert Starer’s Concerto for Two Pianos, the first movement of Shostakovich’s two-piano version of Symphony No. 13 (“Babi Yar”) and Mendelssohn’s fourhand setting of his “Seven Songs Without Words,” Op. 62 and 67.

In duo piano, the two performers are equal. But in four-hand pieces, one performer supports the other.

“And he gives great support,” Cipa says.

So she gets the starring role, with all those melodies, top notes and filigree fireworks?

Misha smiles.

“Always,” he says. n

way

pursuits A countryside haven ideal for animals Pastoral

By Mary Shustack Photographs by Bob Rozycki and Tim Lee

Presented by Houlihan Lawrence

n the heart of Millbrook’s hunt country is a gem of an estate ideal for horse lovers.

It’s even billed as one of the area’s “finest small equestrian properties.”

But with 25 sprawling acres, complete with a charming three-bedroom main house, a two-story guesthouse and a well-appointed barn complex, the possibilities are endless.

While owner Carol Smerling doesn’t have horses at the moment, she did in fact buy the Dutchess County property for that purpose.

“I’m a rider and I always wanted a farm,” she says, mentioning the famed Millbrook Hunt trails as another enticement. “This property is only one of seven in the whole area that has access to the hunt trails.”

From the start, Smerling – a longtime licensed associate real-estate broker already living in Dutchess – admired the property.

“The whole thing that matters is location,” she says, explaining that the farm’s not only on a much-desired road, but it’s also surrounded by some of the region’s larger estates, basking in Millbrook’s trademark privacy.

And while Smerling may not have a horse right now, that’s no indication that her love of animals has waned.

It’s just the opposite.

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From the moment visitors pull into the long driveway of the casually elegant property, one gets a sense of the importance of animals to life at Caring Keeper Farm.

Rescued dogs playfully bound out in greeting, leaping about in the shadow of a pasture where rescued donkeys and mules take in the morning air.

These days, six donkeys and mules and a trio of dogs call the peaceful surroundings home.

The farm, though, wasn’t always in this state.

“When we came here it was just a falling-down shack,” Smerling says. The road ahead would include a complete reworking of the main house and a major expansion that created the barn complex and a roomy guesthouse. “It probably took us five years to get it where it is now.”

THE MAIN HOUSE

The home itself, built circa 1960 in the Cape Cod style, underwent a complete redesign. Smerling and her husband, Ted, worked with local architect James Crisp on the project that transformed it into a jewel box.

They moved to the property in January 1996, and by that Thanksgiving the family was able to relocate from the modified garage, which in turn would become the guesthouse.

“The footprint is fairly close to the same,” Smerling

says of the work done to the house. She does, though, point out that a 900-square-foot addition now features the airy and spacious great room that flows into an open chef’s kitchen. The entire space is filled with light, and French doors opening onto an expansive patio.

“The house is great for entertaining,” she says. When her husband was still working for IBM, parties would often spill from the dining room to the great room right

CARING KEEPER FARM at a Glance • Millbrook • 3,074 square feet • 25.2 acres • Bedrooms: 4 • Baths: 3 full • Amenities: Close to railroad, park, shops and school; deck; eat-in kitchen; radiant-heated limestone floors; first-floor bedroom; fireplaces; pond; skylights; stable/paddock with three stalls and heated tack room added to main barn; two-story guesthouse on property; two large fenced pastures; and direct access to Millbrook Hunt trails.

• Price: $2,495,000

Carol Smerling has adopted a number of donkeys and mules during her time at Caring Keeper Farm in Millbrook. She now has six living on her property, with the good-natured rescue animals able to wander from the well-appointed barn to the fenced paddocks. “The donkeys come in and out at will. They can do whatever they want.�

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out onto the patio and beyond. “We’ve had parties of 100 people here.”

But the grounds weren’t just for guests. “I think we spend most of the summer outside.”

The tasteful interior is highlighted by an airy sensibility created by countless windows and soaring ceilings. Even the two upstairs bedrooms, one that opens onto a deck, feel spacious and soaring.

“The architect said ‘Raise the ceiling to 10 feet and the place will look bigger’ – and it does,” Smerling confirms.

The home also boasts Waterworks baths, two fireplaces, radiant-heated flooring in rooms with French limestone or ash and a large stained-glass panel built into the wall that overlooks the great room.

“At night it’s nice when I have the lights on,” she says of the backlighting that brings a toasty glow to the abstract pattern.

The main floor also features a formal dining room, a study in elegance large enough to easily accommodate a table for 10. A screened-in porch became a spacious office complete with exposed beams and a separate entrance, while the floor also includes a cozy study and a generous bedroom.

“Windows, windows, windows are a big thing,” Smerling says, adding that the property’s privacy made one decorating decision easy. “I’ve never put drapes or curtains anywhere in the house, which is nice.”

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BEYOND THE MAIN

The guest or caretaker’s house, which mimics the main in style, is a two-level, one-bedroom home built around a two-car garage.

Another bright interior, the space features a full kitchen adjacent to a living/dining room complete with fireplace, a spacious bedroom and an on-site laundry.

A bonus is this second home’s privacy, as well.

“They could be here and we don’t even know it,” Smerling says, as the guesthouse door and its stone terrace face the pond and barn, not the house. Adjacent to the cottage is a generator that serves the entire property, which has drains imbedded throughout to address the region’s high-water table.

A woodshed built by Smerling’s husband, an amateur carpenter, and his handcrafted birdhouses, dotting the professionally landscaped grounds add a personal touch.

Horse lovers will likely be drawn to the equestrian facilities, which include a three-stall barn with a wash stall, a heated tack room, a hay loft/storage space and two fenced paddocks.

“The donkeys come in and out at will,” Smerling says.

“They can do whatever they want.”

Donkeys and mules came to her attention back when

Smerling still had a horse.

“Donkeys are the best babysitters for a horse. They are great companions.”

That early interest led to a passion. Smerling has adopted from and continues to support Turning Pointe Donkey Rescue, a Michigan-based nonprofit organization.

MOVING ON

As Smerling looks back on her time on the property, she seems thankful to have been able to do so much to help so many animals.

As the donkeys come up to her and nuzzle for a carrot, she says this has been made possible by the nurturing they experienced at the farm.

“This is what love does,” she says. “It’s a labor of love.”

Smerling, who is downsizing and plans to resettle nearby, pays the final compliment to the comfort and peace of not only the animals, but that she herself has found at Caring Keeper Farm.

“I’d like a small version of this.”

For more information, contact Carol Smerling at carolsmerling@ optonline.net or (914) 456-5439. n

wares

Villeroy & Bloch

Lenox

Kate Spade

Vietri

Martha Stewart

Tiffany

The glazed menagerie

By Mary Shustack

T

here’s a chance you’ve sat down to a dinner served off a plate ringed with roses.

Maybe you’ve even sipped afternoon tea out of a cup edged in a golden scroll.

But have you ever eaten lunch off the back of a camel – or ladled up soup from a tureen dotted with rabbits?

You can, if you choose one of the many animal-themed lines of china and porcelain available to today’s consumers.

And with this – our pet-themed issue – it seemed like an ideal time to survey the ways you can further tap into the animal kingdom to set a decidedly distinctive table.

Of course, there are the perhaps-expected choices for dinner service. These collections feature the usual suspects, from sporting dogs to quirky cats, from cantering horses to that most traditional of all, the turkey design of the treasured Thanksgiving platter.

But we found so much more, with plates, cups, mugs and serving trays decorated with animal motifs ranging from swimming sea turtles to elaborately detailed elephants, from delicate songbirds to a wriggling octopus, from stately pheas-

ants to dragonflies light and lacy.

Each will not only set your table apart with a unique look but can also add a layer of meaning to your entertaining, says Claudia Stuhlhofer-Mayr, a designer for Villeroy & Boch.

“The popularity of animal designs has a long tradition in Villeroy & Boch’s designs and is rooted in the archaic human wish to associate and identify with certain qualities of a specific animal,” she notes.

“Certain animals were chosen by kings and noble leaders as crests and symbols of their reigns and have signified a sign of power… Through the years, animal themes have evolved to many national symbols being based on these traditions and are linked with animals like the eagle, elephant, lion and many others who serve as symbols for the ideals of nations.”

Other factors might be involved, as well.

“Some choose animals based on birth signs, while others choose an animal that represents a favorite quality that they would like to associate with,” she continues. “It is deeply rooted in the common consciousness that having our favorite animals near us in representations of art, jewelry or articles of

daily use, such as porcelain, that these ‘qualities’ can have an influence on us.”

Stuhlhofer-Mayr uses one Villeroy & Boch line to demonstrate the depth an image can impart to its surroundings.

“The Villeroy & Boch Samarkand collection is very popular and appealing to today’s customer because of how it pays homage to the long tradition of the company participating in global trade of the 19th century. The specific animals in the Samarkand collection are connected with the Silk Road and the basic idea of the whole collection as an homage to the trade routes of historic times.”

With animals the only possible way of trade on land, connecting the Middle and Far East to the West, they were quite important.

“The camel stands for the long caravans of the traders that bring precious spices, silk, porcelain, Oriental carpets, gold and other luxury goods to the West,” she says. “The warm, sand tones of the desert inspire the color palette on this plate’s design.”

Others in this collection include the winged lion, the elephant and the horse, she adds.

Vietri, a line of handcrafted Italian dinnerware, is another company that features

numerous creatures in its designs.

Ellen Thompson, public relations coordinator for Vietri, says that the company’s top dinnerware line, Campagna, includes roosters, sheep, cows, rabbits, fish, pigs and birds. “The combination of bright colors and hand-painted animals is what caught the eye of the Vietri founders initially and inspired them to bring the line to the U.S. from Italy,” she says.

Animal-inspired designs, she continues, can also be found in Vietri’s hand-painted accent tableware collections, landscape wall plates, lamps and glassware accessories.

It’s all a reflection of the way animals are “a valued part of the Italian society,” which strikes a chord with many Americans.

And these patterns, which Thompson says parallel the surge in popularity of animal prints in both fashion and home decor, have all kinds of fans.

“Animal-inspired designs can appeal to a wide range of customers,” she says. “We find that traditional customers, as well as the more daring, all love animal designs.”

And with the variety on offer, we can surely see why.

For buying information, please visit wagmag.com. n 57

The Eyes of March

By Zoë Zellers

There’s no better way to be instantly suave than by slipping on a pair of retro-chic wayfarers like Maui Jim’s Aloha Friday sunglasses ($309). Courtesy of Maui Jim.

“For men, small round and wayfarer shapes often paired with keyhole bridges (seen here) are big hits for spring,” says Kristie Whitford, although you might be fighting your boyfriend for this pair of Maui Jim’s conveniently unisex Pau Hana shades ($299).

Courtesy of Maui Jim.

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The Bobby shades from GANT by Michael Bastian ($195) show off a twist on the classic, incorporating a dapper spotty tortoise color.

Plus, “Aviators are a shape that never go out of style,” says Kristie Whitford, of The Vision Council. Courtesy of GANT by Michael Bastian.

Use softer browns and pastels in eyewear to balance the intensity of spring’s shockingly bright nails, lips and handbags. Tom Ford’s oversized rose-tinted Calgary sunglasses ($425) blend the color of the season – pink – with neutral honey for a luxurious daytime look. Courtesy of Tom Ford.

The ’60s influence plays out in big ways, from “round, ladylike shapes to oversized and glamorous frames to sassy cat-eyes and kitschy designs,” says Kristie Whitford. The look maintains a celeb fan-base in Miranda Kerr, Heidi Klum, Dita Von Teese and Gwen Stefani. These Diane Von Furstenberg shades ($130) mix a ’60s-mod silhouette with a 2012 milky tortoise print and amber tinted lenses. Courtesy of Diane Von Furstenberg.

Elizabeth and James, the well-received fashion line created by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, brings us very cool shades this spring like this retro blue-tinted, butterfly frame, the Belair ($185). Courtesy of Elizabeth and James.

This spring/summer mirrored and tinted lenses will get you noticed, with a range from fierce blues and greens to subtle honeys and ambers, seen here in Michael Stars’ Quirky Cool sunglasses ($58).

Stars also does the same pair with a blonde frame and rose-tinted lens for a more romantic retro look.

59 Stars.

Courtesy of Michael

les nouvelles by

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My new Jil Sander shades, Mom’s vintage Neiman Marcus skirt with her Chanel T-shirt I cut up to make my own, a cuff I found at a market in Provence and a vintage Claude Montana embroidered leather jacket, a gift from Dad. (Style is my inheritance.)

INSPIRED BY “THE ARTIST,” AN HOMAGE TO THE PURITY OF SILENT FILM IN THE JAZZ AGE, AND KEEPING IN MIND THAT THE 1920S WERE AN INSPIRATION FOR THE SEASON’S READY-TO-WEAR COLLECTIONS, I’M RETHINKING SPRING CLEANING. THIS MONTH, MY EYES AND THOUGHTS ARE FOCUSED ON CLEAN LINES, TEXTURES AND THE GEOMETRICS OF LIFE AND FASHION, SANS DISTRACTION. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BLACK AND THE WHITE.

1 2 4 3 Jimmy Choo black acrylic resin bag, $595.

Available at Neiman Marcus.

Chanel platforms, $1,050. Available at Neiman Marcus.

Alexander McQueen studded black and gold clutch, $2,480. Available at Neiman Marcus.

5

Jimmy Choo jelly sandal, $275. Available at Neiman Marcus.

Miriam Salat black cuff, $525.

Available at Neiman Marcus.

6

Lanvin stationery and colored pencils, $115, available at Net-A-Porter.com.

7

Make an appointment to meet Marysia, a secret couturier at Fleur Isabelle, 55 Water St. in Norwalk.

Prices available upon request. (203) 846-1188.

JOURNEYS Visit the always edgy Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield and check out artwork made from cigarettes. China’s Xu Bing uses tobacco as both his curious subject and object in his “Tobacco Project.”

FYI – Admission is free on Tuesdays. (203) 438-4519, aldrichart.org.

And whether you’re stopping by The Standard Hotel on West 13th Street for dinner, drinks, a sleepover or tabletop dancing, you can’t miss the fun floorto-ceiling black-white-and-chic Op-Art eye candy that surrounds the (mostly) beautiful party people.

The window dressers at one of downtown New York’s coolest shopping meccas, Opening Ceremony on Howard Street, totally got “The Artist’s” blackand-white memo. Check out OC’s exclusive line by 61 Chloë Sevigny, the indie starlet and Darien native.

Veronica Beard spring 2012 at Angela’s Barbara Bui

Joy Cioci

Rag and Bone

Camilla

La Petite Robe

Ranjana Khan

Chloe

Mara Hoffman

Rolando Santana

Chris Benz

Martin Margiela

Smythe

Derek Lam

MIH

Susan Bender

Douglas Hannant Pink

Miriam Salat

Talbot Runhoff

Ecru

Malene Birger

Temperley

Elizabeth & James

Moncler

Theyskens’ Theory

Fabiana Filippi

Nina Ricci

Tucker

Giambattista Valli

Ports 1961

Veronica Beard

Goldsign

Rachel Roy

Viktor and Rolf

Haute Hippie

Rachel Zoe

24 Purchase Street Rye, NY 10580

914-481-5894 Monday - Saturday 10-6 Now Open Sundays March 4th - May 20th

www.angelasinrye.com like us on facebook

strada

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Cut from the same cloth Estrada brothers

fashion a new punk-rock aesthetic Story and photographs

by Olga Loginova

The Estradas’ punk-rock aesthetic is literally pinned to every outfit in their new collection. Photograph by Ricky Restiano 64

Although Lincoln Center holds the crown of being the main stage of New York Fashion Week, sometimes it’s another venue that brings excitement to eyes glazed by dozens and dozens of mainstream fashion shows.

One alternative event, the second annual Fame Rocks Fashion Week, brought together a group of interesting, aspiring fashion designers at the Manhattan Center Studios. Among them, “Project Runway’s” Nico Lena, the Ukrainian-born Elena V, Jenine Cotrice, Veronica Spadaro and our local guys Jesus and Antonio Estrada.

Being the youngest and one of the most talented finalists of “Project Runway’s” season seven, Jesus Estrada is used to publicity and not afraid to break the rules. His moving from San Diego to Scarsdale and joining his twin brother Antonio in the fashion design business last year definitely created some welcome buzz in the neighborhood. In their Westchester digs, they create their ready-to-wear and couture lines.

For their fall “Back From The Dead” collection, the Estradas dug deep into the punk-rock aesthetic of the ’80s. Previously described as designers with a strong Latino tradition, the Estrada twins transcended the archetype, offering a collection of 22 looks influenced by European style, art and music.

“I’ve always been attracted to European fashion, its edginess and a completely new role of ordinary items, like leggings and clutches for men,” Jesus said before the show.

The men’s outline was avant-garde, with leggings and long-printed tanks serving as its base. For the prints, the

Jesus, left, and Antonio Estrada with their friend/singer Kindra Stroud.

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“Back from the Dead” rocks the runway in Midtown Manhattan.

designers found inspiration in the works of the enigmatic artist Tim Cantor, whom they had met in San Francisco a couple of years ago. Quasi-military jackets, furadorned long coats accessorized with woolen scarves and high-waisted belts and a flashy “Star Wars” finale suit added up to the edgy punk-rock look the Estradas are so meticulous about.

The woman’s outline was dominated by a more traditional RTW look, enhanced by the state-of-the-art tailoring and punkrock details. Fringes, nets, masterfully pleated skirts – the signature sign of Antonio Estrada – and figure-fitting pants provided a stern yet feminine look. The outerwear was represented by pseudo-leather jackets and long woolen coats.

“Length drops dramatically, shoulder pads are back, lots of metalwork and embellishment. It’s a modern, edgy and a little futuristic way to wear clothes,” Jesus said in describing their signature look for the coming season.

For “Back From the Dead,” the Estradas have chosen to stay away from sewing, using safety pins instead for holding pieces of the outfits together. For the fall, the brothers gave this ordinary item a modern twist, turning it into the central decorative 66

element of their collection.

Jesus and Antonio artfully play on rich and warm textures, appropriate for autumn’s cooler nights. Leather, faux suede and wool dominated the runway, in contrast to lighter, natural and man-made fabrics.

The intermingling of dark hues – purple, burgundy, rusty gold, gray, orange and black – mimicked the colors of the fall, making up the palette of the collection.

While the length of the skirts plummeted, the height of the heels went up to a vertigo-inspiring eight inches. Estradas’ ultra-high-heeled-à-la-Lady-Gaga shoes have already become a signature of the house. For the show, the shoes were laced up, and due to the shape of the platform and heel had an almost surrealistic look.

Leather fringe bags, designed by brand Stella & Jamie for this particular show, provided a finishing touch to the collection.

“Back from the Dead” is the third collection Jesus and Antonio have presented at New York Fashion Week. In each new collection, the brothers continue their experiments with outlines and original twists on simple wearable items. n

window

Now open our new in-store shop!

Wagging the dog

T

By David Bravo

hey say you’re either a dog person or you’re not. I’m definitely a dog person, though it’s been more than 30 years since I’ve been greeted at the door by a wet nose and wagging tail. Much of this is a practical matter. As a professional photographer, my days are unpredictable. One morning I’m in the studio for a fashion shoot and later that day, I’ll have to be in New York City for a wedding that will run into the wee hours of the morning. But the other reason, the real one, is that I can’t imagine replacing Freya, the German Shepherd that occupied such a special place in my childhood and now in my memory.

Growing up in a family with six kids, there was no shortage of comrades or mischief in our house. What Freya provided was something altogether different – the feeling that I had something of my own, that she was not the family dog, rather she was my dog.

Because it was my job to feed her, she was amenable to this arrangement.

That’s the funny thing about dogs: The good ones just know how to be the perfect companion. They also make for perfect pictures. Some have those dark gentle eyes. There are dogs with more regal posture than most humans I’ve photographed. And there are those

dogs that you’d swear are smiling.

I’ve been fortunate to photograph dozens and dozens of dogs over the course of my career. The shoots have run the gamut from frustrating (the Labrador Retriever that chewed through my camera bag) to comical (the Poodle with the unimaginable gas during the entire sitting). Photographing pets is much like photographing toddlers: It requires endless patience, a knack for making funny noises and no small amount of endurance.

Clients often ask how best to photograph their canine friends. My best advice is to keep treats in your pocket and summon forbearance. Oftentimes, the best photographs are more a matter of happy accidents than well-orchestrated poses. So take your camera out in the everyday moments, and you’re likely to capture the most meaningful reflections of real life and real companionship. In this issue, for instance, it was a pleasure to photograph pianist Misha Dichter with his dog, Thunder. Thunder was the star of the show and a perfect subject, precisely because he was completely his dog-self in his home.

And one other tip: If you have a Labrador Retriever, watch out for your camera bag.

Reach David Bravo at db@davidbravo.com. n

24 Post Road East • Westport, Connecticut • 203.454.8688 44 Elm Street • New Canaan, Connecticut • 203.966.2887 67

Springing

wear

into style

Directed by ZoĂŤ Zellers Photographs by Bob Rozycki Makeup by Laura Mercier artist Mary Gordon March into spring to the beat of your own cool-with-elegant updates on your staple ensembles from Neiman Marcus at The Westchester in White Plains. This month, the retail playground for fashion-forward adults pushes the envelope, bringing us popping prints, form-fitting lady-chic silhouettes, geometric details, neon brights, intriguing flesh tones and hints of menswear. Mix and match the best trends of the season with your traditional wardrobe inclinations. Embracing the new with the you is, after all, the key to making a favorite look last forever.

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1

1. Monika gets sophisticated in an Armani Collezioni tweed skirt, $385; nude Burberry lace top, $650; and Dana Kellin pearl drop earrings, $300.

2. Monika taps into her (polished) inner athlete in a Prada jersey top, $390; skirt, $450.

3. Monika gets fashion-forward in a stunning floral-print Celine blazer, $3,050; Celine trousers, $1,100; black and offwhite Akris top, $495; and Majorica pearl stud earrings, $145.

4. Monika shows edge-appeal in a menswear-inspired Celine dress, $3,100; and a HervĂŠ Van Der Straeten bangle, $1,070.

5. Monika strikes a romantic pose in a Prada blouse, $650; and skirt, $1,630; with a yellow Bottega Veneta clutch, $1,550; and Miriam Salat earrings, $190.

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3

4 5

Spring 2012 Sunglasses Have Arrived.

Walter Wick, At the Circus from Can You See What I See? Toyland Express, 2010. Pigmented Inkjet photograph. ©Walter Wick Studio

Walter Wick:

Games, Gizmos and toys in the attic

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January 28–April 22, 2012

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wear

The razor’s edge Craig the Barber on the art of shaving Story and photographs by Zoë Zellers

M

en’s grooming and fragrance is a billion-dollar business these days and no one knows this better than Craig the Barber, who has made this his pet project.

“Barbershop culture is coming back,” he said. “I think finally guys are getting it and it’s going through the roof.”

Craig Whitley started chopping locks at 14, working out of his parents’ Florida garage because his allowance didn’t cover the weekly haircut that he deemed necessary. Today he’s the 34-year-old CEO of the Grooming Concierge, an on-location service, and the owner and editor-in-chief of TheMensRoom.com, a resource that reviews the best male grooming products on the market.

He travels cross-country to style Hollywood’s leading men, having served as a grooming expert at major events like Diddy’s White Party in 2009 and Michael Jordan’s celebrity golf tournament in 2010 as well as menswear shows. But on a recent Friday evening, Craig made an appearance at Bloomingdale’s in White Plains to reach an eager audience that is increasingly spending more time and disposable income on the growing men’s grooming market.

Male shoppers and executives in their 20s through 60s stopped by for a meetand-greet with the groomer to the stars.

They slid into director’s chairs for a 60-second consultation and demonstration of Lab Series skin care products that had men rethinking their blades of choice and post-shave treatments.

“A lot more men are embracing better skin regimens,” Craig said. And TV shows like “Mad Men” and “Boardwalk Empire” are “showing this retro look and those styles are bringing back the need for a barber’s technique and so we start there and then we look at more of the shaving aspects, and men really start wondering why they’re still getting irritated” when they shave.

Catering to the emerging market, Gillette, the Procter & Gamble brand, has rolled out its “Masters of Style” campaign which, features actors Adrien Brody and Gael García Bernal and musician André “3000” Benjamin as brand ambassadors.

In the first three quarters of 2011, Gillette reportedly spent a whopping $153.5 million in U.S. advertising, according to Kantar Media. The move makes sense: In North America, 40 percent of men style their facial hair, according to Austin Lally,

70

Craig’s tips 1. Know thy face. Certain shapes can’t embrace certain styles, like chinstraps on a round face, sideburns on an oblong face or harsh lines on a heartshaped face.

2. Start with a clean palate but no soap. Try a multiaction face wash like the one Lab Series puts out.

3. Use lukewarm water. Heat causes more irritation.

4. Use a pre-shave oil, then a shave cream for two barriers of protection.

5. Pick the blade that’s right for you based on your skin sensitivity and frequency of shave. “I like safety blades, because they bring control back to you.” vice president and general manager at Global Gillette.

“Almost every single man on this planet’s common denominator is shaving,” Craig said. But often that gentleman doesn’t know the best practices, using a six-blade razor on sensitive skin instead of the twoblade razor Craig recommends. (Meanwhile, the expert shaves with a straight blade).

As evidenced by the steady line at the Bloomingdale’s event, men aren’t all sporting the clean-shaven George Clooney look. In some cases, they’re going for fashion-forward moustaches. And in 2012,

6. If you prefer electric shaving, look for trimmers and foil-shavers like the Braun system, which has a foil on top as opposed to a rotary head.

7. Shave with the grain. “Allow your beard to grow two or three days…. Rub your hand across your face. If you feel any resistance as you’re moving across your face, that’s against. For a closer shave, I like to go across the grain.”

8. “If I’m using clippers to trim a beard, I like Andis T-Outliners. But my favorite is Oster Taler trimmers.”

9. Follow with a fragrance-free, aftershave balm to reduce irritation.

10. Complete with a moisturizer that has an SPF of 15. the beard is definitely back, too.

“I like the contrast between guys that can really embrace a nice shave and guys who really have a beard to work with,” Craig said.

While adding, “I don’t think beards will ever really penetrate Wall Street,” he noted the more liberal West Coast executive counterparts are definitely into beards now.

The beard has popped up in surprising places like Joseph Abboud’s fashion campaigns displayed at The Westchester. It’s made appearances on Vivienne Westwood and Dolce & Gabbana’s fall 2012 runways.

It’s been captured on the red carpet by musi-

cians Rick Ross and Drake. And it’s entered the sports realm with LeBron James, Tim Tebow, Novak Djokovic and David “Big Papi” Ortiz offering variations on the theme.

Craig even helped Brett Gardner of the fastidious New York Yankees maintain his beard in the off-season. (The team has a clean-shaven policy.)

“I like that a true man, if he wears a beard, wears it properly, and by that I mean well-kept,” Craig said.

With the metrosexual man becoming more commonplace, and the increasing “Brotox” trend driving men to seek out fillers and plastic surgery, male image awareness is peaking from a consumer standpoint. In response, established and emerging brands are launching more male-targeted products each year. Historically lagging far behind the women’s cosmetics industry, the men’s grooming market expects to add roughly $4 billion by 2014, according to beauty business magazine, GCI. “Men go through extremes: They either don’t do anything or go for facelifts,” Craig said. “You have to keep in mind that a lot of businesses do well with the aging of the baby boomers. When baby boomers started growing up, there were certain trends created to meet their interests and so at this point, anti-aging skin care products, Botox and looking great fall into that pattern.”

“Based on taking care of men for most of my life, I’ve seen greater interest over the past five to seven years…. That (baby boomer) age is starting to say, ‘I have more money and I want to take better care of my skin (and hair). What’s out there?’ And now they’re learning so they can hand it down to their sons and those sons don’t necessarily have to go through such extremes.”

Craig is hopeful that the expanding men’s grooming market, online platforms like his website and high-quality barbers will set the stage for greater interest – and answers by and for men.

“I remember being a little kid and the barbershop always being a focal point of the lives of people around me. The barber was always the one who took care of the man.

Shaving is an art because there are no two barbers out there who truly shave a person the same exact way. Everyone has his own touch. Everyone has his own stroke.

“I’d like to get the men out of the salons and back into the barbershops.”

For more, visit TheMensRoom.com. n

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deflated egos ‘Big Dogs’ get snipped

By Georgette Gouveia

H

as the American man been nipped, clipped, snipped, zipped and eclipsed?

Apparently so, Joe, at least according to a recent spate of books and articles.

The Atlantic sounded the alarm of male gloom and masculine doom last July with a piece by Hanna Rosin appropriately and irrevocably titled “The End of Men.” In it, she noted that women are not only the primary breadwinners in our culture for the first time in history, but they also outnumber men in college three to two, dominate many professional schools and hold more than half of managerial jobs.

This socioeconomic reversal of female fortunes perhaps inevitably led The Atlantic to follow up last November with the equally provocative “All the Single Ladies,” in which author Kate Bolick posited the question some of us women have been asking all along, “What me, marry?”

Those ladies who say “I do” might be interested in the Jan. 9 Bloomberg Businessweek cover, “The Perfect Husband.” (Note how he’s contained in a pink-lidded baby bottle.) In Carol Hymowitz’s piece, it’s the hard-charging, high-earning female exec who brings home the (turkey) bacon while her stayat-home hubby fries it up in a pan.

And yet, somewhere along the line, everyone’s forgotten he’s a man.

So says Jim Wysong, the contractor, real estate investor and armchair psychologist who’s written “The Neutering of the American Male,” published by JPW Inc., his own company.

In his book, Wysong argues that the tectonic shifts in gender roles over the last 100 years – more so than the recent recession – have resulted in an imbalance in the traditionally masculine and feminine qualities contained in each man and woman. Men have become too sensitive; women, too aggressive. As a result of weak or absent fathers, some boys haven’t learned how to become men and have grown up instead with a crisis of confidence.

We definitely have neutering on the brain. The Feb. 13 New York magazine announced “The Emasculation of Wall Street” with a picture of a guy in a suit

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Tim Tebow – “Still a Guy” in touch with his feminine side?

Hey, use it or lose it: Perhaps that’s why actors have taken to doing the full monty in recent films, with Michael Fassbender leading the way as a sex addict in “Shame,” a movie that has earned the actor kudos for both his talent and his considerable endowments.

we forget, “The Full Monty” was about six unemployed steelworkers who took it all off as a last financial resource.)

Is it any wonder, then, that Denver Broncos’ quarterback Tim Tebow – who has replaced admirers Kim Kardashian and Lady Gaga as our cultural symbol du jour – recently got up onstage with Brad Paisley to sing the country star’s anti-metrosexual anthem, “I’m Still A Guy.” “With all of these men lining up to get neutered It’s hip now to be feminized I don’t highlight my hair I’ve still got a pair Yeah honey, I’m still a guy.”

It turns out, though, that misery is an equal-opportunity employer.

“We’ve just come through the worst recession since the Great Depression,” says Patrick Flaherty, an economist with the Connecticut Department of Labor.

“No one is happy.”

Robi Ludwig, a psychotherapist and “Today” show contributor, agrees: “We’re in a transitional moment and it’s

uncomfortable for everyone.”

And who created this discomfort?

Who created the wars and the fiscal downturn, not to mention the technology that has leveled the socioeconomic playing field and in another sense threatens men – who are no longer needed for reproduction – with obsolescence?

Here’s a hint: It wasn’t the group that possesses two Xs on the 23rd pair of chromosomes.

“Yes, ultimately we have done it,” Wysong says of the world men have wrought. “We shot ourselves in the foot.”

Or perhaps, somewhere higher.

The ascent of woman?

But is it really a woman’s world and diffident, depressed men are just living in it? When you look at the numbers and listen to men’s stories – which are different in different parts of the country and among various political and religious persuasions – they paint another picture. In WAG country at least, which was relatively less affected by the recession than other parts of the nation, men still hold the majority of jobs. In lower Fairfield County, Flaherty says, 56 percent of those employed are men, while 44 percent are women.

Nationwide, women still earn only 77 cents on every dollar men make, which is why they tended to remain employed during the recession while men were laid off. Women also tend to work in professions, particularly health care and education, that were less affected during the recession than those dominated by men – construction, manufacturing and finance.

But now health care growth has slowed while educational jobs have declined as governments seek to rein in school spending.

“The recession hurt men worse, but the recovery has been harder on women,” Flaherty says.

Once again, however, it’s complex.

In New York state – where male unemployment has been about one percent higher than female unemployment in each of the last seven years – the industries that tend to employ predominantly men have lagged during the recovery period behind those that either employ predominantly women or men and women almost equally.

Still, Flaherty says, there has been some uptick in manufacturing in our area. And construction has made something of a comeback, thanks to work at the World Trade Center and up in Albany, says Edward J. Walsh, president of the New York State Ironworkers District Council in Tarrytown, which has more than 10,000 members throughout the state, roughly three percent of whom

are women.

Both Walsh and Darren T. Scala – a Yonkers resident and marketing consultant looking for a full-time role in the marketing/beauty industries after 20 years with Revlon – say they are not threatened by powerful working women.

Ludwig is not surprised. “Modern, Americanized men don’t have issues with their wives working and why would they? Be careful what you wish for, women. Men have found it’s nice not be pressured to be the only provider….Wives are far less happy than their men. In this economy, they’re working hard, they’re working out of the home, in the home. There’s extraordinary pressure and feelings of anger and resentment.”

Balancing act

But men needn’t get all We-told-youso smug.

“What the data all says,” Flaherty notes, “is that the higher the level of education, the higher the income and the greater probability of being employed.”

With women outnumbering men in higher education and with an information-based, service-oriented economy to which many experts think women are as well or even better suited than men, are

we creating a class divide based on gender that gives women the upper hand?

“It may not be true yet, but you certainly could see that happening,” Flaherty says. “It only takes a generation or so for this to change.”

If that’s the case, it doesn’t bode well for the institution of marriage.

“Couples from different cultures have a better chance of making it than those from different classes,” Ludwig says.

Nevertheless, Wysong doesn’t want us to go back to the days when women were less-educated and stayed at home.

“The way it is, is the way it is,” he says. “It’s about how to achieve balance.”

Ironically, the conservative, still-a-guy Tebow may offer a clue to the balance Wysong seeks. True, Tebow plays the most masculine of sports, one for which there is no female equivalent as there is in hockey, soccer or even boxing. Yet he’s also a momma’s boy, not surprising when you consider his mother risked her life to give birth to him, one who proudly touts qualities more often associated with the feminine – virginity, humility, emotionalism, spirituality.

“He’s masculine and he accepts the feminine aspects of life,” Wysong says.

Or as Ludwig puts it, “Maybe he’s redefining what a guy-guy is.” n

WORLD-WIDE PET RELOCATION DO

holding his crotch for dear life, his phallic tie flying. (As if to counterbalance that, the same issue ran a story about 35-year-old virgin sperm donor Trent Arsenault, who’s fathered 16 children.)

Hey, use it or lose it: Perhaps that’s why actors have taken to doing the full monty in recent films, with Michael Fassbender leading the way as a sex addict in “Shame,” a movie that has earned the actor kudos for both his talent and his considerable endowments.

(See James Wolcott’s March column for Vanity Fair, “The Hung and the Restless.”)

Clearly, the poor dears are so confused and upset about their diminished roles that they must display their parts to make sure they’re still there. (And lest

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wheels

pets with horsepower WAG spent an afternoon with some of the area’s top luxury car dealers to uncover the hottest wheels around.

Here is what they said: “Our hottest wheels on the floor right now is the 2012 CL55O 4Matic. It is the ultimate combination of engineering, luxury and styling. It gives you everything you could ever want in a car. It’s the highest end of luxury as well as being a great sports car. You choose this car over the other high end competition because of the 125 years of innovations in safety and quality built into each car.”

— Gary Turco General Manager, Mercedes-Benz of White Plains

“The R8 is the hottest wheels out there right now. It’s a very hard car to compare to competitors. Anyone who knows racing will love that you can drive this car as a race-car driver would. This car is in the same family as the Lamborghini or the Ferraris. It is a truly exotic sports car. This car is fully loaded from the get-go, and with the four-wheel drive Quattro system, you will stick to the road with full control. The feel and road handling is beyond compare.”

— Michel Meunier Audi Brand Specialist, New Country Audi of Greenwich

2013 CL550 4Matic From $114,100*

2012 Audi R8 5.2 From $149,000*

2012 Jaguar XJ SuperSport From $111,200*

2013 Lexus GS350 F-Sport From $55,000*

2013 Porsche 911 Carrera S From $ 96,400*

2012 BMW 650i Turbocharged From $110,000*

“The 2012 Jaguar XJ is our hottest car. You would want to get this car over the competition in that a Jaguar is an experience. It’s a car you get in and automatically turns heads. It doesn’t blend with anything else. A Jaguar with more luxury and more features means that this is the luxury ride to be reckoned with.”

— Ben Elhrich Jaguar Sales Specialist, White Plains Jaguar

“Our 2012 GS350 is the most modern luxury car around today. On top of an amazing luxury ride and being very sporty, it’s fully equipped with a joyful helping of technology, able to link with any smartphone on the market.

This is the luxury car for those gadget-obsessed. This car reads out your emails and text messages, searches Bing through voice, has access to apps. You can access Facebook in the dash. This car is all about the features and experience for the owner.”

— Angel Caban Lexus Head Product Specialist, Ray Catena Lexus

“Our hottest car is the brand new 911. It’s an entirely new platform for our hottest model. This version of the classic 911 has a lighter alloy frame, wider body and is lower to the ground. This car gets to 60 in 3.9 seconds and has virtually no under-steer. You roll into corners like butter. This sleek new 911 offering is a wonder to drive.

It doesn’t matter if you’re carving through New England turns, on the straightaway in LA or at the track. It’s the highest class of performance vehicles.”

— Mike Killeen Porsche Lead Sales Professional, Danbury Porsche

“…The new 6 Series has been completely redesigned. It’s a spectacular car to drive; it’s an exclusive among the ultimate driving machines. It’s a very special car that you have to drive to experience. This is a car that brings together the best of sport and luxury. I was recently featured in the movie ‘Mission Impossible: ghost Protocol.’ It is a real head turner, state of the art and just a simply gorgeous automobile…” ­­— Tim Byrne General Sales Manager, BMW of Darien ­­­— Compiled by Ryan Doran

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wanders

Pets get the

royal treatment on the QM2

By Cappy Devlin

76

W

ith all the celebrations in London this year – from the Summer Olympics to the Queen’s diamond jubilee – there has never been a better time to visit.

Alas, for pet owners, traveling to the U.K. has always been a bit of a sticky wicket, as they say. But for those who can’t bear to leave home without their companions, we have a solution – the Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossings from New York City to Southampton, England, and/or Southampton to New York.

The royal treatment for your pet begins the moment you board the QM2 for the seven-day crossing. You and your pet are escorted as VIPs and taken directly to the kennels on Deck 12 aft, where you meet the kennel master, who will take excellent care of your dog or cat while sailing.

The animals are not permitted in guest staterooms or public areas. This rule does not apply to service animals.

However, there are visiting hours for pet owners from 8 to 10 a.m., 11 a.m. to noon, 3 to 6 p.m. and 8 to 8:30 p.m.

During the day, many passengers go up to look at the animals as they play outside, but they cannot enter the kennel area. To make your pet feel at home, the kennel master places a lamppost and fire hydrant on the deck.

Your pet also receives a personal name tag, Frisbee, food dish and scoop, fleece blankets, selection of premium food and healthy gourmet cookies freshly baked every day and offered at bedtimes. The pet owners can also bring their own food onboard for their kitties or pooches.

The QM2 kennel has a safety protocol that’s as good as the one used for human passengers. Each pet has a life jacket and is assigned to a staff member. In case of an emergency, that staffer will come get your pet and escort it to a safe location.

When you are booking the QM 2 for your dog or cat, you will be asked for your pet’s height (from floor to shoulder) and length (from tip of nose to base of tail), weight in pounds and age at time of sailing.

The kennels sell out quickly. For voyages after May 4, the kennel costs (subject to change) are $500 for one of the six upper kennels (27 by 30 by 35 ½ inches for pets weighing 25 pounds or less) and $700 for one of the six lower kennels (36 by 30 by 35 ½ inches for pets 26 pounds or more).

A cat requires two upper kennels (one for the litter box) at $1,000. A second pet sharing a kennel is $500.

Two kennels can be opened up to form a larger kennel, but guests will be charged for the two kennels.

There are dog breeds that are too large for the kennels, like the Great Dane, the Doberman, the St. Bernard and the Irish Wolfhound, to name a few.

If you are traveling from New York City to Southampton, there are many strict requirements so you should start planning months ahead. All pets must have been fitted with a microchip, then vaccinated against rabies and then had a blood test ensuring sufficient protection against rabies. The date the blood test is taken will be entered on the pet’s passport. Six months must have passed from this date before entry into the U.K. is allowed. Booster injections for rabies may also be required. The pet must also have an official pet’s certificate, an official pet passport or third country certificate, been treated against ticks and tapeworms no more than 48 hours before check-in and issued an official certificate of treatment. There is no veterinarian onboard.

If traveling from Southampton to New York City, pets must have been issued a health certificate that shows the dog or cat was examined by a veterinarian within 30 days prior to arriving in the U.S. and had a rabies vaccination within two weeks to 12 months prior to entering the U.S. As a lasting memory and highlight of your Queen Mary 2 sailing, the Cunard photographer comes to take your picture with your pet wearing the QM2 coat.

After a week of pampering, you may need to bow or curtsy to your dog or cat. n

Big Ben

Windsor Castle

77

wine&dine

Not your regular Joe Bastianich scores in gastronomic and athletic arenas

By Geoff Kalish, MD

I

n addition to being a culinary quadruple threat – restaurateur, winery owner, reality food show personality and wine-book author – Joseph Bastianich now competes in marathons and Ironman triathlon competitions. Yet he remains a devoted family man, spending as much time as possible at his home in Greenwich with wife, Deanna, children Olivia, Miles, and Ethan, and the family’s 4-year-old Jack Russell Terrier, Quatro.

I first met Joe (as everyone calls him) in the 1980s when he was a teenager – working at his parents’ restaurant, Felidia, in Manhattan – where I’ve been a longtime patron. By that time, he had already learned the basics of the restaurant business from his dad by what he calls “full immersion” – from dishwashing to accompanying his father as he bought meat, fish and produce at the “jungle-like” markets early in the morning. Following high school, college and a short stint as a Wall Street stockbroker, he spent a year in Italy, working in restaurants and vineyards and, as he says, “rediscovering my heritage.” When he returned in 1993, he opened Becco with the backing of his mother, famed chef and PBS darling Lidia. Becco is now a Manhattan Theater District icon, serving modestly priced, top-quality Italian fare and wine.

A few years later, he met chef Mario Batali by chance at a James Beard Award Dinner.

“We hit it off immediately,” Joe says. “We both had spent time in Italy on our own, participating in the wine and food scene and we had very similar culinary philosophies.”

Soon Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca in Manhattan’s West Village was opened to critical accolades, igniting a partnership that has spawned more than two-dozen establishments, ranging from Tarry Lodge in Port Chester and Westport to B&B Ristorante and Carnevino in Las Vegas to Pizzeria Mozza and Osteria Mozza in Los Angeles and Singapore. Soon, it’s on to Hong Kong.

And then there’s Eataly – a 50,000-squarefoot space in Manhattan’s Flatiron District that houses a gourmet Italian food market, culinary educational center, five restaurants and a wine shop – with more than 50,000 customers on weekends.

Moreover, because Joe believes that “great food should never be enjoyed without equally outstanding wine,” he has established or acquired four wineries – three in Italy and one in Argentina – with his

78

those from Friuli, go great with a variety of appetizers like salumes and cheeses.”

What do you eat before and after a marathon?

“Usually before a marathon or even a workout, I’ll eat oatmeal and peanut butter and jelly. Then after the race, I’ll usually have beer. While I believe in pasta the evening before athletic events, I feel that it should be in moderation and don’t see any great advantage to carb-loading with three or four large portions of pasta.”

How are you enjoying your TV gigs?

“Love them! Identifying culinary talent is what I’ve done my whole life and I take it very seriously. And providing inspiration to the participants and the viewers gives me great pleasure.”

Do you have a favorite restaurant of those you own?

“No. They’re all like children. You love them all for their individual attributes.”

What about some favorites of those you don’t own?

“I particularly like Chinatown Brasserie in New York City for dim sum and more locally, I like Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills, North in Armonk and a number of the small Peruvian spots in Port Chester, especially for ceviche.” mom and Mario as partners. In addition, he’s co-authored the now classic “Vino Italiano” and “Vino Italiano Buying Guide” and has a memoir, “Restaurant Man,” due out in April.

A regular on the “Today” show, Joe also teams with Gordon Ramsay (whom he describes as “very intense”) and Graham Elliot as a judge on the Fox reality series “MasterChef” and with Carlo Cracco and Bruno Barbieri in the Italian version of the show “MasterChef Italia.”

Add to all this the elite marathons and Ironman events he began training for about five years ago as a way to lose weight, and it’s a wonder I was able to catch up with him about his current passions and future pet projects.

What do you enjoy cooking at home?

“I only cook at home occasionally, and when I do it’s usually pasta or grilled fare.

Actually, most of the cooking at our house is done by a very talented woman who my wife and I oversee. For us, dining at home

is more about the experience of being together as a family.”

What are some of your favorite dishes to eat out?

“Dim sum and sushi are two of my favorites as well as a well-aged steak. Then there’s mom’s cooking, the best, especially her crab risotto.”

Since you mentioned mom, what was it like growing up with her?

“Mom is a teacher at heart. She always encouraged me and my sister, Tanya, to do what we really loved doing. And she has continued to be very supportive of what I do, although she says I should slow down a bit, not work so hard and eat more vegetable soup.”

Do you have favorite wine and food combinations?

“Yes. I enjoy a good Tuscan red like a Brunello or a big Chianti with a well-aged charred steak. I think that smooth yet flavorful whites like white burgundies go well with pastas with ricotta and then racy whites, like

Now that Tarry Lodge in Port Chester seems to be hitting its stride and the more recently opened Tarry Lodge in Westport has already become a popular dining spot, do you see any more ventures in our area?

“First, I’d like to tout the Tarry Market in Port Chester, where items like pasta and desserts are made on site. It’s certainly not as grand as Eataly, but definitely serves a culinary niche. And the wine shop next door, which carries a very opinionated Eurocentric selection, should be a must for serious wine buffs. As to new ventures in the area, yes, we’re definitely looking to open up another restaurant in lower Westchester, like the Yonkers or Pelham areas.”

What about new projects outside our area?

“I’m excited about opening restaurants in Hong Kong this year and expanding the Eataly concept to other cities in the country, which I see as a great way to give people the opportunity to increase the quality of the ingredients in what they eat.” n

2379 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield 203.374-6157

well

No dogging it

By Sam Kopf

W

hen Ryan Lochte isn’t swimming or training, he likes to shoot hoops, surf, draw and hang out with his dog, Carter, a Doberman named after rapper Lil Wayne (Dwayne Michael Carter Jr.).

Of course, when is Ryan not training or swimming?

Last month, we introduced you to the first two exercises of the Ryan-like workout circuit that we are building as we, too, get primed for the Summer Olympics in London. This month, as promised, we have two more moves.

These two exercises will keep your heart rate high and will strengthen two large muscle groups that are essential to all athletes, especially swimmers. The first, a pull-down, focuses on the latissimus dorsi, or, in gym-rat speak, the “lats.” These are the largest muscles in your back and give swimmers their famous V-shape.

The second exercise is a variation on the front squat.

This move recruits muscles from all over the body, but 80

mainly works the quads (fronts of the upper legs), core and calves (backs of the lower legs). It also allows you to maintain a neutral spine and therefore avoid back pain.

For swimmers, strong legs mean faster starts, push-off turns and kicks. For general fitness fans, lower-body exercises burn a ton of calories, because the majority of the muscles in the body are below the waist.

Complete 10 (men) to 15 (women) repetitions of each of these exercises immediately following your pushups and swings (the two exercises that we covered last month). Repeat the circuit of four two or three times to get a full-body sweat on.

Lat Pull-Downs (equals Ryan’s pull-ups) Area worked – back 1) Sit with feet flat on the floor, knees under leg pad.

Grip bar with palms facing forward and hands wider than shoulder width apart, arms straight. Roll shoulders back and down, squeeze shoulder blades together and lean slightly back. Look straight ahead.

2) Keeping shoulder blades retracted, lower bar to midchest, allowing it to pass in front of your face. Pause.

3) Slowly return to starting position to complete one repetition.

Front Squats to Toes (equals Ryan’s weighted front squats) Area worked – legs and core 1) Stand with feet slightly wider than hip width apart, feet parallel to one another. Place right hand on left shoulder, left hand on right shoulder and keep elbows high. Drawing your navel toward your spine, tighten abs and look straight ahead.

2) Driving hips back, bend knees. Continue to keep abs tight, elbows high and look straight ahead. Lower, as if sitting in a chair, until hips are even with knees. Although it is best to not lean forward, leaning slightly is OK. 3) Slowly rise back to standing position. Once fully standing, lift heels off of the floor and lower them back down to complete one repetition. n

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81

well

Face facts and make the right choices

By Michael Rosenberg, MD

W

hile many surgeons have mirror and need some help.” Others are their own pet names for far more specific and focus on issues such the latest rejuvenative as prominent frown lines (“I feel like I procedures that they always look angry”), bags under the eyes offer, there are some basic principles that (“I always look exhausted”) or wrinkles all of the procedures share in common. in the neck with visible jowls and bands.

As an informed consumer, look past the Whatever the patient’s concerns, it is criteponyms and hype and focus on the pro- ical that the treatment plan address each cedures themselves, what the benefits and specific issue.

Traditionally, facial rhytids and loss of risks are of each and whether your expectations conform to the reality of what is tone in the neck, jowls associated with aging or localized fatty deposits were treated being offered.

In the field of facial rejuvenation, try with surgery, and in fact, many facelifts to begin with an understanding of what are still commonly done. According to the the underlying problem is and how each latest statistics from the American Society proposed procedure affects that problem. of Plastic Surgeons, more than 100,000 of As a surgeon, when a patient asks me to these procedures were performed in the “Tell me what I need,” I prefer to begin last year. With that said, recognize that by asking what the particular concerns many facelifts being done are no longer orizoNs iN acial ejuveNatioN are that brought them to see me in the that traditional and surgeons can often first place. Some of my women patients use techniques that shorten the scars and respond in a very general way, such as decrease the downtime after surgery. In S at our SeMinar “I’m beginning to see my mother in the well-selected patients, local anesthesia

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So-called mini lifts, lifestyle lifts, temporal lifts, S lifts or other procedures can all be combined with ancillary treatments such as lasers, peels, fillers and relaxants to achieve the desired result. The challenge is to be sure you understand exactly what is involved before proceeding and how long each of the treatments is expected to last.

In my own practice, I begin my facial consultations by analyzing the face in terms of symmetry, overall quality of the skin, changes in contour associated with aging or sun damage and the presence of unwanted bulges or depressions. After analysis of the problem areas, I begin to discuss potential approaches with the patient to address these concerns.

Fortunately, we have many treatments and interventions to offer our patients in addition to or instead of surgery. Starting with fine lines and sun damage, we can consider topical treatments and light

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peels, advancing to dermabrasion, deeper peels and laser treatments if needed. For many of our younger patients, this is all that is required. When the problem is more prominent lines from muscular activity, Botox, Dysport and Xeomin can all be considered. If there is loss of substance, such as the deeper lines between the nose and the side of the lips, the nasolabial fold, fillers can be part of the plan, ranging from Juvaderm and Restylane to Radiesse, Sculptra or even the patient’s own fat, harvested from elsewhere.

The art of cosmetic plastic surgery is to put these disparate tools together and design a unique plan that addresses each individual patient’s concerns and needs.

The only thing left is to then come up with a catchy name for the treatment plan. Oh, and next month, we’ll discuss “the mommy makeover.”

For questions or comments, please write mrosenberg@nwhc.net. n

A doggone good way to relax

By Erika Schwartz, MD

In 1996, McCall’s magazine published a column highlighting how different people relaxed, in which I described how watching my three dogs interact was soothing to me.

Not only did my dogs help me relax, their unique way of interacting, sharing the spotlight and taking or following the lead taught me much about how to interact with people in my own life. At the time I was running special programs for Montefiore Medical Center and private practices in Irvington and Chappaqua. I instinctively knew the dogs’ presence was a significant help to me even though the health benefits of having pets were not common knowledge or fodder for research.

Fifteen years later, science has caught up with what so many of us knew instinctively – pets help improve our health.

Today, as I get ready to write my fifth book, I still see patients in two offices four

days a week, write articles and participate in media events and even train physicians, the one thing that has kept me grounded and given me the proper perspective on my hectic life is always the comfort of my dogs.

While the wonderful dogs I had in 1996 are no longer here, a new generation of brilliant, loyal, loving and funny Dachshunds (Henry, Jasper and Teddy) keeps me in line and teaches me continuously how to be a better person. My health – thankfully great due to my being a follower of my own treatments with bioidentical hormones, diet, balanced exercise, my own supplements and eight hours of sleep – is even better due to the never-ending kisses and wonderful greetings I get at the end of every day from my dog family.

Now research shows that unless you’re someone who really dislikes animals or is too busy to care for pets, you will benefit tremendously from having a pet. Let us count the reasons why, shall we?

First, it’s virtually impossible to stay in a bad mood when a pair of loving puppy eyes meets yours, or when a super-soft cat rubs up against your hand. A recent study found that men with AIDS were less likely to suffer from depression if they owned a pet.

Secondly, the most commonly used drugs to treat hypertension aren’t as effective as having pets around. A fun study looked at groups of hypertensive New York City stockbrokers who were given dogs or cats and found those with the pets had lower blood pressure and heart rates.

Thirdly, dog owners spend more time walking than non-pet owners, especially in urban settings. Indeed, owning a dog increases overall physical activity.

Fourthly, when we’re out walking, having a dog (or a cat) with us makes us more approachable and provides us with an opportunity to stop and talk to other people, thereby staving off social isolation, a big stressor for many.

Last but not least, pets are always there for you in ways that people aren’t. They give you love and companionship, are OK with total silence, keep secrets and are the best cuddlers. Studies have shown that nursing home residents reported less loneliness when visited by dogs than when they were visited by relatives. (Are you surprised?)

Pets are great listeners and research indicates that in stressful situations, people actually experience less anxiety when their pets are with them than when a supportive friend or even spouse is with them.

(This may be partially due to the fact that pets don’t judge us. They just love us.)

For some, a pet can bring its own stress. However for most of us, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. For me, Long-Haired Dachshunds are the best.

But don’t take my advice. Just ask Jasper, Henry or Teddy.

Email Dr. Erika at Erika@drerika. com. n

Cuddling canines from Carli Davidson’s “Animals” series.

See story, page 16.

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worthy PET STORES AND BREEDERS ABYCAFE ABYSSINIANS Western NY 14227 (716) 957-0554 abycafeabyssinians.freeiz.com AMERICAN BREEDERS 8 Mill Plain Road Danbury, CT 06811 (203) 748-7787 abreeders.com ANIMAL FAIR PET SHOP 90 Danbury Road Ridgefield, CT 06877 (203) 438-2747 animal-fair.com BIRD JUNGLE 365 N. Central Ave. Hartsdale, NY 10530 (914) 723-5556 birdjungle.com BREEDERS PICK 511 Central Park Ave. Scarsdale, NY 10583 (914) 722-9299 breederspickny.com CRITTER COMFORTS 882 Mamaroneck Ave. Mamaroneck, NY 10543 (914) 472-5407 crittercomfort.net EXOTIC FISH & CORALS 874 Boston Post Road Milford, CT 06460 (203) 701-0300 exoticfishandcorals.com GAYLE I. DINCES L.L.C. 74 Rye Ridge Road Harrison, NY 10528 (914) 967-8498 germanshepherdpuppies.us

HIGHLANDER GERMAN SHEPHERD PUPPIES Dutchess County, NY (845) 724-4773 highlandergermanshepherds.com

PETLAND DISCOUNTS 439 Tarrytown Road White Plains, NY 10607 (914) 949-5511 petlanddiscounts.com

HOUSE OF FINS 99 Bruce Park Ave. Greenwich, CT 06830 (203) 661-8131 houseoffins.com

PETSMART 288 West Ave. Stamford, CT 06902 (203) 353-9807 421 Boston Post Road Port Chester, NY 10573 (914) 690-9890 525 Connecticut Ave. Norwalk, CT 06854 (203) 854-1772 830 Pelham Parkway Pelham, NY 10803 (914) 235-0796

HUDSON VALLEY GERMAN SHEPHERDS Hudson Valley, NY (845) 476-4533 hudsonvalleygermanshepherds.com INSTINCTS ABYSSINIANS Suffolk County, NY (631) 234-3354 abys.net JUST PUPS 4 Cleveland St. Valhalla, NY 10595 (914) 428-2500 justpupsnewyork.com KHAMSIN ABYSSINIANS Middletown, CT (860) 346-3490 twocatsweb.com/khamsinabys LAZIBLUES (914) 421-0505 laziblues.com NEW YORK GERMAN SHEPHERDS (866) 592-5322 newyorkgermanshepherdbreeders.net PETCO 21 Grant St. Tuckahoe, NY 10707 (914) 961-8496

PET SUPPLIES PLUS 1870 Post Road East Westport, CT 06880 (203) 254-0008 PUPPIES PUPPIES PUPPIES 742 Bedford Route 117 Bedford Hills, NY 10507 (914) 864-2321 puppiespuppiespuppiesinc.com PUPPIES OF WESTPORT 420 Post Road West Westport, CT 06880 (203) 222-5400 puppiesofwestport.com RETREVIERS FOR YOU Stony Point, NY (845) 709-3872 retrieverdogbreederny.com

SILVERSNOW SIBERIANS llevine47@me.com silversnowsiberians.com TABBEY ROAD MAINE COONS Purdys, NY (914) 277-3818 tabbeyrd.com WESTCHESTER PUPPIES 26 S. Central Ave. Hartsdale, NY 10530 (914) 437-7600 westchesterpuppies.com

PET SHELTERS & RESCUES ADOPT A BOXER RESCUE P.O. Box 423 Harrison, NY 01375 (877) 570-0360 adoptaboxerrescue.com/index. html ADOPT A DOG 23 Cox Ave. Armonk, NY 10504 (914) 273-1674 adopt-a-dog.org ANIMALS IN DISTRESS INC. P.O. Box 312 Wilton, CT 06897 (203) 762-2006 animals-in-distress.com

RIDGEFIELD PET 23 Danbury Road Ridgefield, CT 06877 (203) 438-3688 ridgefieldpet.com

BRIDGEPORT ANIMAL CONTROL 236 Evergreen St. Bridgeport, CT 06606 (203) 576-7727 bptanimalcontrol.com

RUPERON GERMAN SHEPHERD DOGS Westchester County, NY (914) 271-9219 ruperonshepherds.com

CAT ASSISTANCE INC. P.O. Box 539 Ardsley, NY 10502 (914) 667-7877 catassistanceny.org COMMUNITY CATS INC. 402 Old Post Road Bedford, NY 10506 (914) 234-3771 communitycats.com COMPASSION ABOUT THE STRAYS P.O. Box 452 Fairfield, CT 06824 (203) 247-2319 DANBURY ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY 147 Grassy Plain St. Bethel, CT 06801 (203) 744-3297 daws.org ELMSFORD ANIMAL SHELTER 100 Warehouse Lane South Elmsford, NY 10523 (914) 592-7334 petsalivewest.org FAIRFIELD ANIMAL SHELTER 211 One Rod Highway Fairfield, CT 06824 (203) 254-4857 FORGOTTEN FELINES P.O. Box 430 Valhalla, NY 10595 (914) 428-7969 forgottenfelinesny.org

Jack agrees, these listings are indeed WAG worthy.

FRIENDS OF FELINES Fairfield County, CT (203) 363-0220 adoptapet.org

GREENWICH ANIMAL CONTROL 393 North St. Greenwich, CT 06830 (203) 622-8299 GREYHOUND RESCUE & REHABILITATION P.O. Box 572 Cross River, NY 10518 (914) 763-2221 greyhoundrescuerehab.org JUST STRAYS INC. P.O. Box 573 Mount Kisco, NY 10549 (914) 330-4513 juststrays.org MAX’S FUR FAMILY RESCUE Stamford, CT maxesfurfamily@gmail.com NEW ROCHELLE HUMANE SOCIETY 70 Portman Road New Rochelle, NY 10801 (914) 632-2925 newrochellehumanesociety.com NORWALK ANIMAL CONTROL 13 S. Smith St. Norwalk, CT 06850 (203) 854-3240 PET ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY 504 Main Ave. Norwalk, CT 06851 (203)750-9572 pawsct.org PET PROTECTORS INC. 2490 Black Rock Turnpike Fairfield, CT 06824 (203) 330-0255 petprotectorsrescue.org PET RESCUE P.O. Box 393 Larchmont, NY 10538 (914) 834-6955 ny-petrescue.org ROAR’S DOG AND CAT SHELTER 45 South St. Ridgefield, CT 06877 (203) 438-0158 roar-ridgefield.org SPCA OF CONNECTICUT 359 Spring Hill Road Monroe, CT 06468 (203) 445-9978 spcact.com SPCA OF WESTCHESTER 590 N. State Road Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510 (914) 941-2896 spca914.org STAMFORD ANIMAL CARE & CONTROL 201 Magee Ave. Stamford, CT 06902 (203) 977-4437 ci.stamford.ct.us STRATFORD ANIMAL CONTROL P.O. Box 1371 Stratford, CT 06614 (203) 338-7387 stratfordanimalrescue.com STRAYS AND OTHERS P.O. Box 473 New Canaan CT 06840 (203) 966-6556 WESTPORT SHELTER 455 Post Road East Westport, CT 06880 (203) 227-4137

VETERINARY CARE A CAT’S PLACE 322 Westport Ave. Norwalk, CT 06851 (203) 855-1146 acatsplace.com ANIMAL DOCTOR OF WESTON 202 Weston Road Weston, CT 06883 (203) 221-1440 ANIMAL EYE CLINIC 123 W. Cedar St. Norwalk, CT 06854 (203) 855-1533 animaleyeclinic.net ANIMAL HOSPITAL OF WHITE PLAINS 36 Pleasant Ave. White Plains, NY 10605 (914) 949-0434 ANIMAL SPECIALTY CENTER 9 Odell Plaza, Yonkers, NY 10701 (914) 457-4000 ANIMAL WELLNESS VET 570 Main Ave. Norwalk, CT 06851 (203) 295-8083 ARMONK VETERINARY 536 Main St. Armonk, NY 10504 (914) 273-7878 armonkvet.com BANFIELD PET HOSPITAL 288 West Ave. Stamford, CT 06902 (203) 348-7787 banfield.com BEDFORD GREENWICH ANIMAL HOSPITAL 49 Round House Road Bedford, NY 10506 (914) 234-3444 bedfordgreenwichanimalhospital.com BOND ANIMAL HOSPITAL P.C. 250 Central Ave. White Plains, NY 10606 (914) 949-8860 bondanimalhospital.com BROAD RIVER ANIMAL HOSPITAL 89 New Canaan Ave. Norwalk, CT 06850 (203) 846-3495 broadriveranimalhospital.com BULL’S HEAD PET HOSPITAL 28 Long Ridge Road Stamford, CT 06905 (203) 324-5711 mybhph.com CONNECTICUT VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION P.O. Box 1058 Glastonbury, CT 06033 (860) 635-7770 ctvet.org CORNELL UNIVERSITY VETERINARY SPECIALISTS 880 Canal St. Stamford, CT 06902 (203) 595-2777 cuvs.org

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worthy CROTON ANIMAL HOSPITAL 7 S. Riverside Ave. Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520 (914) 271-6222 crotonanimalhospital.com

MILLER-CLARK ANIMAL HOSPITAL 1621 Harrison Ave. Mamaroneck, NY 10543 (914) 698-1756 millerclarkanimalhospital.com

RIPPOWAM ANIMAL HOSPITAL 888 High Ridge Road Stamford, CT 06905 (203) 329-8811 rippowamanimalhospital.com

VETERINARY EMERGENCY GROUP 193 Tarrytown Road White Plains, NY 10607 (914) 989-8779 veterinaryemergencygroup.com

DAKOTA VETERINARY CENTER 381 Dobbs Ferry Road White Plains, NY 10607 (914) 421-0020 dakotaveterinarycenter.com

MOUNT KISCO VETERINARY CLINIC 474 Lexington Ave. Mount Kisco, NY (914) 241-3337 mkvc@verizon.net

RYE HARRISON VETERINARY HOSPITAL 170 North St. Rye, NY 10580 (914) 921-2000 rhvh.com

VETERINARY EYE SPECIALISTS P.L.L.C. 875 Saw Mill River Road Ardsley, NY 10502 (866) 415-7385 vesny.com

GEORGETOWN VETERINARY HOSPITAL 53 Redding Road Georgetown, CT 06829 (203) 544-9098 georgetownvet.com

NEW CANAAN VETERINARY HOSPITAL 7 Vitti St. New Canaan, CT 06840 (203) 966-1627 newcanaanvet.com

SCARSDALE ANIMAL HOSPITAL 741 Post Road Scarsdale, NY 10583 (914) 723-0290 scarsdaleanimalhospital.com

VILLAGE ANIMAL HOSPITAL 6 Weaver St. Larchmont, NY 10538 (914) 833-3600 vcahospitals.com/village-ny

GREENWICH VETERINARY CENTER 264 W. Putnam Ave. Greenwich, CT 06830 (203) 661-1437 greenwichveterinary.com

NEW ROCHELLE ANIMAL HOSPITAL VETERINARY ASSOCIATES 98 North Ave. New Rochelle, NY 10801 (914) 636-8106 newrochellevet.com

SHAKESPEARE VETERINARY HOSPITAL P.C. 47 Nicholas Ave. Stratford, CT 06614 (203) 378-8276 shakespearevet.com

GREENRIDGE VETERINARY OFFICE 55 Greenridge Ave. White Plains, NY 10605 (914) 946-0558 GREENWICH ANIMAL HOSPITAL P.C. 430 W. Putnam Ave. Greenwich, CT (203) 869-0534 GREENWICH VETERINARY CENTER 264 W. Putnam Ave. Greenwich, CT 06830 (203) 661-1437 greenwichveterinarycom.vet HIGH RIDGE ANIMAL HOSPITAL P.C. 868 High Ridge Road Stamford, CT 06905 (800) 578-9055 hrvets.com HIGHWAY ANIMAL HOSPITAL 555 Kings Highway East Fairfield, CT 06825 (203) 366-6733 HUDSON VETERINARY HOSPITAL 176 N. Highland Ave. Ossining, NY 10562 (914) 762-0063 hudsonvet.com JUST CATS VETERINARY HOSPITAL 1029 E. Main St. Stamford, CT 06902 (203) 327-7220 justcatsonline.com KATONAH-BEDFORD VETERINARY CENTER 546 N. Bedford Road, Bedford Hills, NY 10507 (914) 241-10507 MANOR VETERINARY CLINIC 310 Fifth Ave. Pelham, NY 10803 (914) 738-6262 manorvet.vetsuite.com MEADOW VETERINARY HOSPITAL 1600 Mamaroneck Ave. White Plains, NY 10605 (914) 949-1115 meadowvethospital.com

86

NORTH REGENT ANIMAL CLINIC 19 N. Regent St. Port Chester, NY 10573 (914) 937-2200

SIMPSON SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC 590 N. State Road Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510 (914) 941-2896 spca914.org

NORWALK ANIMAL HOSPITAL & DENTAL CLINIC 330 Main Ave. Norwalk, CT 06851 (203) 847-7757 norwalkanimalhospital.com

SLEEPY HOLLOW ANIMAL HOSPITAL 340 N. Broadway Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591 (914) 631-0606 sleepyhollowanimalhospital.com

NORWALK VETERINARY HOSPITAL 726 Connecticut Ave. Norwalk, CT 06854 (203) 838-8421 norwalkveterinaryhospital.com

SMITH RIDGE VETERINARY CENTER 600 Oakridge Commons Plaza South Salem, NY 10590 (914) 533-6066 smithridge.com

PET SUPPLIES & GROOMING ALL PAWS GOURMET PET STORE 31 Purchase St. Rye, NY 10580 (914) 921-1690 allpawsgourmet.com ANDERSON PET GROOMING 54 Westchester Ave. Pound Ridge, NY 10576 (914) 764-8727 BARK BATHE & BEYOND P.O. Box 632 Millwood, NY 10546 (914) 450-6573 barkbathebeyond.com BARKERY BOO’TIQUE 800 Bank St. New Milford, CT 06776 (860) 210-1312 barkerybootique.com

PARK ANIMAL HOSPITAL P.C. 168 Noroton Ave. Darien, CT 06820 (203) 655-7795 parkanimalhospital.com

SOUTH SALEM ANIMAL HOSPITAL 1310 Route 35 South Salem, NY 10590 (914) 763-3123 (203) 431-8387 southsalemanimalhospital.com

PELHAM ANIMAL HOSPITAL 74 Lincoln Ave. Pelham, NY 10803 (914) 738-2665 pelhamanimalhospital.com

SOUTH WILTON VETERINARY GROUP 51 Danbury Road Wilton, CT 06897 (203) 423-3697 southwiltonvet.net

PET MEND ANIMAL HOSPITAL 126 Library Lane Mamaroneck, NY 10543 (914) 834-9000 petmend.com

STAMFORD & SPRINGDALE ANIMAL HOSPITAL 995 Hope St. Stamford, CT 06907 (203) 323-9623

BEYOND THE FLEA PET SHOP & GROOMING 20 P T Barnum Square Bethel, CT 06801 (203) 743-3474 beyondthefleadog.com

STRAWBERRY HILL ANIMAL HOSPITAL 350 Westport Ave. Norwalk, CT 06851 (203) 847-5875 strawberryhillanimalhospital.com

CANINE CREATIONS

BY CARMELLA 66 Church Lane Westport, CT 06880 (203) 221-7317

PLEASANTVILLE ANIMAL HOSPITAL 479 Marble Ave. Pleasantville, NY 10570 (914) 769-3700 pleasantvillevet.com PORT CHESTER ANIMAL HOSPITAL 432 N. Main St. Port Chester, NY 10573 (914) 939-2388

TUCKAHOE ANIMAL HOSPITAL PET CENTER 20 Depot Square Tuckahoe, NY 10707 (914) 395-1500 tuckahoeanimalhospital.com

POSTER ANIMAL HOSPITAL 1677 Post Road East Westport, CT 06880 (203) 259-3647 posteranimalhospital.com

VALHALLA ANIMAL HOSPITAL 2 Columbus Ave. Valhalla, NY 10595 (914) 949-2190 VCA DAVIS ANIMAL HOSPITAL 2053 W. Main St. Stamford, CT 06902 (203) 327-0300 vcahospitals.com

BARKS & BUBBLES 60 Pemberwick Road Greenwich, CT 06831 (203) 531-7787 BEST FRIENDS PET CARE INC. 528 Main Ave. Norwalk, CT 06851 (203) 849-1010 bestfriendspetcare.com

CHOICE PET SUPPLY 80 E. Putnam Ave. Greenwich, CT 06830 (203) 869-4999 choicepet.com CRITTER COMFORT 822 Mamaroneck Ave. Mamaroneck, NY 10543 (914) 472-5407 crittercomfort.net DOG CHARM STUDIO 69 Harney Road, Suite 2 Scarsdale, NY 10583 (914) 725-5665 dogcharmstudio.com

DOG GONE SMART 15 Cross St. Norwalk, CT 06851 (203) 838-7729 doggonesmart.com FISH BOWL PETS 1013 Hope St. Stamford, CT 06907 (203) 323-4277 fishbowlpets.us FURRY FASHION GROOMING SALON 3 American Legion Drive Ardsley, NY 10502 (914) 693-4040 furryfashionsgroomingsalon.com

PAWS & REFLECT PROFESSIONAL PET STYLING 1082 Post Road Darien, CT 06820 (203) 655-3294 pawsandreflectpetstyling.com PET PANTRY WAREHOUSE 290 Railroad Ave. Greenwich, CT 06830 (203) 869-6444 petpantryct.com PET SPA 262 Boston Post Road, Suite 7 Port Chester, NY 10573 (914) 939-6060

THE GENTLE GROOMER L.L.C. (203) 634-0446 gentlegroomer.net

PLEASANT GROOMING OF ARMONK 146 Bedford Road Armonk, NY 10504 (914) 273-3939

GREENWICH AQUARIA 1064 E. Putnam Ave. Riverside, CT 06878 (203) 344.1572 greenwichaquaria.com

PLEASANTVILLE GROOMING 53 Wheeler Ave Pleasantville, NY 10570 (914) 449-6836 pleasantvillegrooming.com

GROOMINGDALZ OF MOUNT KISCO 19 E. Main St. Mount Kisco, NY 10549 (914) 244-3253 groomingdalz.com THE HAIRY BARKER INN & SPA 21 Tokeneke Road Darien, CT 06820 (203) 655-2275 thehairybarkerinnandspa.com HOUSE OF FINS 99 Bruce Park Ave. Greenwich, CT 06830 (203) 661-8131 houseoffins.com HUDSON VETERINARY HOSPITAL 176 N. Highland Ave. Ossining, NY 10562 (914) 762-0063 hudsonvet.com JET-A-PET (203) 227-7452 jetapet-international.com PAMPERED PAWS PET GROOMING 199 E. Hartsdale Ave. Hartsdale, NY (914) 725-6112 PARROTS & CO. 61 Crescent St. Stamford, CT 06906 (203) 348-1422 parrotco.com PAW-POURRI 621 Milton Road Rye, NY 10580 (914) 967-8882 PAW-RADISE SALON & SPA 26 Cannon Road Wilton, CT 06897 (203) 557-0558 pawradisespa.com PAWS ON FIFTH 308 Fifth Ave. Pelham, NY 10803 (914) 738-3850

PRETTY PETS GROOMING SALON 79 Ashford Ave. Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 (914) 674-0174 prettypetsgroomingsalon.com SHAMPOOCH DOG SALON & SPA 390 Palmer Ave Mamaroneck, NY 10543 (914) 698-2468 shampoochdogsalon.com STRAWBERRY HILL GROOM AND BOARD 350 Westport Ave. Norwalk, CT 06851 (203) 847-5875 groomandboard.com TOWN HOUSE FOR DOGS & CATS 1040 Post Road East Westport, CT 06880 (203) 227-3276 townhousefordogsandcats.com UNFORGETTABLE PET SALON 496 New Rochelle Road Bronxville, NY 10708 (914) 664-6960 WAGS & WHISKERS 392 King St. Chappaqua, NY 10514 (914) 238-0244 WOOF N’ WASH 251 E. Main St. Mount Kisco, NY 10549 (914) 358-4295 woofandwash.net YANKEE CLIPPER 57 Church St. New Rochelle, NY 10805 (914) 235-3597

when&where THURSDAY, MARCH 1 THROUGH THURSDAY, MARCH 22 ‘NEW WORKS’

An exhibit of Asa Jackson’s paintings that depict her ideas of human nature as well as historical, cultural and philosophical subjects; opening reception 6 to 9 p.m. March 1, gallery hours 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sundays. (203) 432-6500, info@samuelowen.com.

SUNDAY, MARCH 11 JAZZ BRUNCH

A performance by The Ron McClure Trio accompanied by food prepared by Corner Stone Caterers noon to 3 p.m.; Wainwright House, 260 Stuyvesant Ave., Rye. $35. (914) 967-6080, wainwright.org.

COMEDY GALA

Gilda’s Club Westchester hosts a fundraiser at the Ritz-Carlton, Westchester; cocktails 6 to 7 p.m., dinner, performance and awards presentation; 3 Renaissance Square, White Plains. $250. (914) 644-8844, gildasclubwestchester.org.

UJA GATHERING

UJA-Federation of New York’s Westchester Business and Professional Division Annual Spring Breakfast features Richard Barasch, chairman and CEO of Universal American Corp. registration 7:45 a.m., program 8:15 a.m.; Old Oaks Country Club, 3100 Purchase St., Purchase. $54. (914) 761-5100, ext.

122, shapiron@ujafedny.org.

FRIDAY, MARCH 2 CELEBRATING RESCUES

Pet Rescue’s 30th Anniversary Gala features a gourmet dinner buffet, silent and live auctions and raffles 6:30 to 10 p.m.; V.I.P. Country Club, 600 Davenport Ave., New Rochelle; table for 10 $850; table for 12 $1,020, $75 per person. (914) 8346955, ny-petrescue.org.

FRIDAY, MARCH 16

SATURDAY, MARCH 3 POP AND JAZZ

Trumpeter and vocalist Jumaane Smith performs with his seven-piece band 8 p.m.; Irvington Town Hall Theater, 85 Main St. $35. (914) 591-6602, irvingtontheater.com.

ROCK ’N’ ROLL

Joey Riedel and Michael John pay tribute to Billy Joel and Elton John 3 and 8 p.m.; Downtown Cabaret Theatre, 263 Golden Hill St., Bridgeport. $49, $39, $29. (203) 576-1636, downtowncabaret.org.

SUNDAY, MARCH 4 HEALTH AND WELLNESS

A tabletop show on self-motivation, nutrition, skincare, anti-aging, massage therapy and fitness 1 to 5 p.m.; Fairfield University, John F. Barone Campus Center, 1073 N. Benson Road. $10 at the door; free in advance. womenforwomenct.com.

WOLVES AND SUNSETS

A photo session to capture the Mexican wolves and red wolves from new vantage points 4:30 p.m.; Wolf Conservation Center, 7 Buck Run, South Salem. $150. (914) 763-2373, nywolf.org.

THURSDAY, MARCH 15

TUESDAYS, MARCH 6, APRIL 10 AND MAY 15 WHAT’S SO FUNNY?

The Westchester-Fairfield chapter of the American Heart Association hosts its Go Red For Women Luncheon & Learning Sessions featuring Anne Burrell, Food Network chef and author 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Hyatt Regency Greenwich, 1800 E. Putnam Ave. $200. (914) 640-3262, heart.org/westchesterfairfieldgoredluncheon.

‘AN EVENING WITH DAVID CROSBY AND GRAHAM NASH’

David Crosby and Graham Nash headline Open Door Family Medical Centers’ bi-annual benefit concert featuring cocktails, dinner and an afterparty VIP cocktails 6 p.m., VIP dinner 6:45 p.m., performance 8:30 p.m.; The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Road.

VIP packages $5,000 to $10,000, orchestra $250 to $500, VIP cocktail and dinner $100 to $150 balcony. (914) 251-6200, artscenter.org.

‘DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY’

Art historian Marcy B. Freedman returns to the Katonah Museum of Art for the Gift of Art lecture series “What’s So Funny? An Exploration of Humor in Western Art,” refreshments 7 p.m., lecture 7:30 p.m.; 134 Jay St. Series tickets $75 nonmembers, $60 members, single lectures $25, students $10.

(914) 232-9555, katonahmuseum.org.

THURSDAY, MARCH 8 GO RED FOR WOMEN

Photograph by Buzz Person

Music Conservatory of Westchester’s celebrates the 25th anniversary of its Music Therapy Institute with a gala dinner and dancing featuring the Don DuPont Big Band 6:30 p.m.; C.V. Rich Mansion, 305 Ridgeway, White Plains. Tickets start at $250.

(914) 761-3900, ext.106, swingwithmcw.eventbrite.com.

Vanessa Williams, actress and Westchester native, will be honored for her work in the arts and entertainment field.

CENTENNIAL GALA

Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson hosts a gala event to honor women of leadership and excellence 6 p.m.; DoubleTree by Hilton, 455 S. Broadway, Tarrytown. $175 . (914) 747-3080, ext. 739, mhoffman@girlscoutshh.org.

‘LIGHTS CAMERA ACTION’

Cocktails, dinner, dancing and an auction to celebrate the Junior League of Central Westchester’s 65th anniversary 7 p.m.; Lake Isle Country Club, 660 White Plains Road, Eastchester. $150. (914) 723-6130, jlcentralwestchester.org.

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when&where SATURDAY, MARCH 17 ‘CASINO FOR THE CAUSE’

The Fairfield/Westchester chapter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America’s annual fundraiser includes games, a silent auction, cocktails, food and dancing 7 to 11 p.m.; Trump National Golf Club, 339 Pine Road, Briarcliff Manor. $250.

(914) 328-2874, ext. 5, online.ccfa.org/fw2012casino.

SPRING GALA

Tony Award-winning actor and singer Brian Stokes Mitchell performs at the Westport Country Playhouse 8 p.m.; 25 Powers Court. $75 to $250. (203) 227-4177, westportplayhouse.org.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21 ADVOCACY BREAKFAST & LECTURE

Westchester Children’s Association hosts an event with keynote speaker Dr. Robert F. Anda on “Scoring Childhood: The Hidden Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences,” 8 to 10 a.m.; Westchester Marriot, 670 White Plains Road, Tarrytown. $30, students $15. (914) 946-7676, ext.300, wca4kids. org.

SATURDAY, MARCH 24 ADULTS HOWL

A wine and cheese event held in tune to howling wolves at dusk 5 p.m.; The Wolf Conservation Center, 7 Buck Run, South Salem. $20. (914) 7632373, nywolf.org.

HAPPY 100TH!

Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington hosts a fundraiser for The Boys & Girls Club of Mount Vernon cocktails 6:30 p.m., dinner and awards 7:30 p.m.; Hilton Rye Town, 699 Westchester Ave., Rye Brook. $350. (914) 668-9580, bgcmvny.com.

“Quiet Morning” from the KAA art show

SUNDAY, MARCH 25 THROUGH SUNDAY, APRIL 22 ‘KAA MEMBER SHOW’

The Kent Art Association launches its 89th season with the annual member exhibit opening 1 to 5 p.m. March 25, awards reception 2 to 4 p.m.

March 31; 21 S. Main St., Kent; (860) 927-3989, kentart.org.

SUNDAY, MARCH 25 THROUGH SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 ‘RISING DRAGON: CONTEMPORARY ‘GOLDEN PAW GALA’ A fundraiser for Cat Assistance features hors CHINESE PHOTOGRAPHY’ d’oeuvres, a gourmet dinner and dessert buffet, auctions and raffles 7 p.m.; Wykagyl Country Club, 1195 North Ave., New Rochelle. $75, $85 at the door. (914) 667-7877, catassistanceny.org.

SATURDAY, MARCH 24 – SUNDAY, MARCH 25 ‘FAIRFIELD COUNTY HOME & OUTDOOR LIVING EXPO’

The ninth annual show brings more than 200 exhibitors to the Stamford Plaza Hotel 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 2701 Summer St. $10. Ctexpos.com.

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A showcase of work by Chinese artists 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m.

Sundays; Katonah Museum of Art, 134 Jay St. $7, seniors and students $5, 10 a.m. to noon, free Tuesdays to Fridays. (914) 232-9555, katonahmuseum. org.

FRIDAY, MARCH 30 28TH ANNUAL WOMEN’S HALL OF FAME

An awards luncheon with event honoree Janet DiFiore, district attorney of Westchester County 11 a.m. reception, luncheon noon; Hilton Rye Town, 699 Westchester Ave., Rye Brook. $100. (914) 3055111, wrefny.org.

SATURDAY, MARCH 31 ‘HAVANA NIGHTS’

Pelham Art Center hosts its 27th annual spring benefit with Cuban-style drinks and appetizers, a sit-down dinner, cigar rolling, live music, salsa performers and an auction; Pelham Bay & Split Rock Golf Courses, 870 Shore Road, Bronx. $185. RSVP deadline March 17. (914) 738-2525, ext. 111, pelhamartcenter.org.

SUNDAY, APRIL 1 PUTTIN’ ON THE RITZ

The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester hosts ‘Stylish Social Occasions,’ bringing together professionals from all areas of party planning, including flowers, fashion, decor, dessert and more noon to 2:30 p.m.; 3 Renaissance Square, White Plains. (914) 467-5826, ritzcarlton.com.

MONDAY, APRIL 2 SPRING COCKTAILS

The Westchester chapter of the New York League of Conservation Voters hosts its spring cocktail party 6 to 8 p.m.; Castle on the Hudson, 400 Benedict Ave., Tarrytown. $200, nonprofit and government employees $125. (212) 361-6350, ext. 204, hwilkes@nylcv.org.

berta

cayehal

grenough

grozer

katz

lindquist

wit wonders: What’s your pet peeve?

“My pet peeve is finding out the unsubscribe button doesn’t work.”

– Michael R. Berta Principal and founder, Michael R. Berta, AIA Architecture and Planning in Poughkeepsie, Poughkeepsie resident “One of the many things I love about living in Scarsdale village is being able to walk to all of my favorites activities. It was always a pet peeve of mine to not have a hot yoga studio in walking distance as it is one of my favorite activities. Now, with the opening of Scarsdale Yoga Studios, it will be right around the corner.”

– Erinn Cayehal Managing director, Scarsdale Yoga Studios, Scarsdale resident “When I make a promise to spend two hours doing nothing, giving myself a totally free oasis and then I fill it up with all manner of better-get-this-done stuff.”

– Millie Grenough Life coach, speaker, author of “OASIS in the Overwhelm” and president, Grenough L.L.C., New Haven, New Haven resident “I have two pet peeves: The first is trying to open or close an umbrella while getting in a car without getting extremely wet and the second is pantyhose.”

– Gillian Grozer Visual artist, Casspi Design in New Fairfield, New Fairfield resident

mitchell

“My pet peeve is when animals go hungry. I work with the Hudson Valley Pet Food Pantry to provide pet-food assistance to economically challenged, disabled and elderly residents of the Hudson Valley region in New York.”

– Susan Katz Founder and president, Hudson Valley Pet Food Pantry in White Plains, White Plains resident “My pet peeve is sitting in the dentist’s chair with my mouth full of equipment when he asks me a question and I cannot answer with a head nod.”

– Kelly Lindquist Owner, Kelly Sweet Rewards in Brookfield, Brookfield resident “Behavior in our small train station parking lot (Scarborough Metro-North station). Sad how neighbors treat one another trying to exit at night.”

– Mark Mitchell Chief revenue officer, Screenvision, Briarcliff Manor resident “I detest politically correct language. By the way, I prefer the term ‘companion peeve.’”

– Michael Molinelli Principal architect, Molinelli Architects in Briarcliff Manor, Briarcliff Manor resident

molinelli

sinacore

“As an event planner, I am used to noticing the smallest details. My long-term pet peeve is fingerprints. Whether on stainless, glass or plastic, I’ve been known to wipe out the smudges anywhere. My friends with big families tell me to just wait until I have a house full of children but my clients appreciate someone looking at the finer points. It makes me feel better and less ‘peeved’.”

– Michele Sinacore Owner, Michele Sinacore Events L.L.C., Briarcliff Manor resident “My pet peeve is when buyers call me and want to view some properties, I set up the appointments and they don’t show up or call to cancel.”

– Harry Singh President and principal broker, Reliance America International Realty L.L.C. in Scarsdale, Yonkers resident “I have two pet peeves. The first is when folks don’t get to the point. You have limited time and the person whether on the phone or in person just keeps going with no end in sight. The second is when they don’t return emails or phone calls in a timely manner and you are left waiting for a reply.”

– Jaki Valensi-Lauper Chief visionary officer, Jaki’s Buzz Productions in New Haven, New Haven resident

singh

valensi-lauper

Compiled by Alissa Frey. Contact her at afrey@westfairinc.com.

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watch Fashionistas at fashion week

New York City, February 2012 Photographs by Olga Loginova

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Strictly ballroom

Actress and cabaret singer Alysa Haas and Walter Liedtke hosted a show of ballroom and Latin dance at the Holiday Inn in Mount Kisco that featured 25 dancers and a buffet dinner for 140 guests. The numbers were choreographed by ballroom champions Yuri and Elena Tsarev, owners of the Fred Astaire Studio in Bedford Hills, along with Andrey and Inna Savenko, instructors.

Photographs by Francine Walker

Ani Barnes

Yuri Tsarev and Bira Rabushka

Ellie Fisher and Andrey Savenko

Yuri Tsarev and Ellie Fisher

Simon Newton and Inna Savenko

Judith Simon and Andrey Savenko

Ani Barnes and Andrey Savenko

Yuri Tsarev and Irene Hecht

Phyllis Read and Yuri Tsarev

Elena Tsarev and Walter Liedtke

Marc and Birgit Schmidt and Inna Savenko

Olga Soltis and Yuri Tsarev

Alysa Haas and Walter Liedtke

Judith Simon and J. Michael Cindrich, mayor of the village of Mount Kisco

Identifications are from left unless otherwise indicated.

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watch Olana honors Stewart

The Olana Partnership recently held its 2012 Frederic E. Church Award Gala at the New York Public Library in Manhattan. Olana honored Martha Stewart, the Bedford-based founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, and Morrison H. Heckscher, the Lawrence A. Fleischman chairman of the American Wing at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. With 265 guests in attendance, the gala raised more than $670,000 for The Olana Partnership, which preserves the home of Church in Columbia County, a painter of the Hudson River School.

Martha Stewart

Richard Sharp and Rose Harvey

Stephen Hannock

Eli Wilner

Event co-chairpersons Lulu Wang and Lucy Waletzky

Peter Kenny and Emily Rafferty

Thomas Woltz and Stephen Orr

Sara Griffen and Robert Burns

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Tom McWilliams, Heidi McWilliams, Deborah Royce and Tom Griffen

George McDaniel, Phoebe Gubelmann, Mark Prezorski, Tantivy Gubelmann Jacqueline Sackler and Owen Davidson and Mortimer Sackler

Wine and wellness

Open Door Family Medical Centers held a winetasting benefit recently at Crabtree’s Kittle House in Chappaqua. Open Door has four centers in Westchester located in Ossining, Port Chester, Mount Kisco and Sleepy Hollow.

Ted and Kate Laura Mogil, Sue Fuirst Herman and Roberta Socolof

Liz Greene and Ken Fuirst

Emily and Stuart Tabin Noel and Teresa Duguet

Peter and Elinor Griffith

Phyllis Neider, Diane Adler and Doreen Goldstein

Emily Mallon and Osi Mizrahi

John Crabtree and Lindsey Farrel

Cheryl Palmerini, Robert Bosco, Davide Palmerini and Christine Bosco

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watch Rolling on the river

“Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” rolled into Westchester Broadway Theatre in Elmsford just in time for Black History Month. The Tony Award-winning musical reimagines Mark Twain’s novel about Huck’s relationship with the runaway slave Jim through a score by Roger Miller.

Photographs

by Jordan Matter FaTye Francis (Jim) performs “Free At Last”

Todd Ritch (Tom Sawyer) and Anthony Malchar (Huckleberry Finn)

Realtors’ night

The Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors (HGAR) recently held a cocktail party for its installation of officers at the DoubleTree Hotel in Tarrytown. Some 300 people from Westchester, Putnam, Rockland and Orange counties gathered for a night of music and dancing.

Photographs by John Vecchiola Kim-Marie Mullin of the Women’s Council of Realtors with J.P. EndresFein, New York State Association of Realtors

Ralph Branca (left) and Congressman Peter King, chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security

Leah Caro, Realtor of the Year for the former Westchester-Putnam Association of Realtors, and Nancy Kennedy, HGAR president

Bret Michaels and Dan Lagani, president, Reader’s Digest North America

Saluting youth

The Boys & Girls Club of Mount Vernon recently held its wine and cheese fundraising reception at the Elks Lodge in Mount Vernon. Among the guests were Mount Vernon Mayor Ernie Davis, Boys & Girls Club executive director Lowes Moore, and Yankees trainer Steve Donohue. Brooklyn Dodgers great Ralph Branca, a Mount Vernon native and product of the Boys & Girls Club of Mount Vernon, served as keynote speaker.

Reader’s Digest rocks

At Reader’s Digest North America’s recent management conference, held at the Tarrytown House, rock ’n’ roller and entrepreneur Bret Michaels discussed his experiences as a survivor, businessman, philanthropist and national spokesperson for the brand’s “We Hear You America” campaign. It’s a grassroots initiative that inspires Americans to improve their communities.

Want to be in Watch? Send event photos, captions (identifying subjects from left to right) and a paragraph describing the event to afrey@wagmag.com.

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class&sass As a mother of three girls, it is very unsettling to see the images of women in the magazines lately that our daughters are comparing themselves to. Because that’s exactly what they are – images. I myself have modeled for years and know exactly how much work goes into producing one of these “finely tuned” pictures – the makeup, the hair, the lighting and above all, the retouching. The retouching: They even retouch 15-years-olds.

It has become an art form. These masters of illusion can make your hips look smaller, breasts look plumper, neck look longer, hair look fuller and even put the head of one person onto the body of another. Are we really to believe that humans have no pores, no lines, no spots or splotches? Magazines are presenting unrealistic goals and ideals of beauty to budding young psyches. Not only is it unfair, insulting and intimidating, it is dangerous. Note to everyone out there who has ever peered into a fashion magazine: Don’t believe what you see. so true. Aging naturally and accepting and lovM It’s ing our bodies, imperfections and all, doesn’t sell products. They – the beauty products industry, the cosmetic doctors and the designers – are conspiring to make us want to attain the unattainable. I know and understand this, and yet I have to admit that I’ve succumbed to the pressure. I look in the mirror and find myself pulling taut the skin around my face, wondering what I might look like without all these wrinkles. And I’m forever cursing at

J

By Martha Handler and Jennifer Pappas

my muffin top and the excess flab around my back and arms (though I am careful not to do this in the presence of my daughter). I truly want to love and accept myself as I age, but it’s hard when the images I see in the media don’t look anything like the image I see in the mirror.

We can thank Coco Chanel for releasing us from J bondage back in the ’20s, literally, when she redesigned women’s clothing and got rid of the confining and claustrophobic corset. But with the good comes the bad.

Where clothing used to be tailored to a woman’s figure, now the figure was being tailored and conformed to the clothing. The era of the flapper, the bobbed hairdo, the streamlined dress and the stick-slim figure came “roaring” in, which led to an increase in body-image awareness and hence anxiety over fitting in with what was considered attractive and culturally acceptable. We still battle with these issues today, every time we look in that mirror or pick up that magazine. It is human nature to compare and to contrast, so at least give us a fighting chance in this war that we girls wage against ourselves. Let us duke it out with a real person for God’s sake and not a computergenerated image. those “real” girls, the size 0 runway models, M And look more like an elongated alien species than humans. They might as well put the clothing on hangers and rotate them around the runway. A friend on the inside tells me that when models don’t make weight before an upcoming show, the “reputable” modeling agencies will suggest they swallow cotton balls to suppress their appetites. And for the most part, we’re talking about very young teen models, the majority of whom are Eastern Europeans, whose par-

ents trusted that the agencies were looking out for their daughters’ best interests. Hardly. The sad truth is that Anna Wintour, with the incredible power she yields as editor-in-chief of Vogue, could easily put an end to this cruelty and brutality. But she appears to have no interest.

On a more proactive front, I highly recommend that every woman and her daughters watch the documentary “Miss Representation” by Jennifer Siebel Newsom (missrepresentation.org). You will be shocked to learn of all the ways media negatively affect women and girls. This is critical, because in one week American teenagers spend 31 hours watching TV, 17 hours listening to music, 10 hours online, four hours reading magazines and three hours watching movies, which amounts to 10 hours and 45 minutes of media consumption a day. Truly scary.

Wag Up: • Those brave, defiant, forward-thinking, fashion houses that refuse to use dangerously underweight models to represent their designs (J) • The Cove at Atlantis (pictured). With direct flights from Westchester County Airport, you can’t find a hipper place to beat the winter blues. Rock out at the adult pool during the day, grab some delicious sushi at Nobu afterwards and then dance off the day’s indulgence at Aura Nightclub. (M) Wag down: • Boutiques that have clothes exclusively in sizes 0, 2 and 4. (M) • Designer ads that use 16-year-old girls to sell clothing and creams to women (who are usually older than that and are the ones that can afford to buy the darn things).

Come on. (J)

Email Class & Sass at marthaandjen@wagmag.com.

You can also follow Martha and Jen on Facebook at Jennifer Pappas Wag Writer.

Jen and Martha au naturel, as it were, at The Cove at Atlantis.

A Lifetime of For many families in Westchester, we’re the only dental office they’ve ever used.

We’re proud of this fact. We believe the reason so many of our original patients bring their own children to us can be summed up in one word: trust. Advanced Dentistry of Westchester has been creating beautiful healthy smiles in Westchester County for more than 4 generations of patients. Throughout the years, our patients have received top quality preventive and restorative treatments — all while enjoying the personal touch of a family dental practice offering the latest in advanced technology.

CONSTANTLY OUT OF ENERGY? DO YOU OR YOUR PARTNER SNORE? It may be a sign of Sleep Apnea. Snoring is not only a serious social problem which can affect relationships, it could be related to sleep apnea, and is one of the signs to look for if you’re wondering if you should be evaluated. Some Health Risks of Sleep Apnea include: Heart Attack Stroke Depression Muscle Pain Inefficient Metabolism Loss of Short Term Memory Weight Gain High Blood Pressure Diabetes Severe Anxiety Memory and Concentration Impairment Intellectual Deterioration Insomnia Impotence and more.

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Beautiful Smiles Dr. Sabrina Magid Chosen as One of Top 22 People to Watch in the County in 2012

Dr. Sabrina Magid has been named one of the top people to watch in Westchester County in 2012, by Westchester magazine, for her advocacy in meeting the dental needs of the deaf population and obstructive sleep apnea, and for her oral cancer screening and cutting-edge technologies in advanced dentistry. Hundreds of other people are smiling because of Dr. Magid’s expertise and passion to provide the latest in advanced dentistry.

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COSMETIC DENTISTRY

As part of the Extreme Makeover team seen on ABC-TV, Dr. Kenneth Magid has created beautiful smiles for television and stage personalities as well as for many of this region’s residents.

An associate professor of esthetics, he teaches dentists from around the world the techniques and artistry of cosmetic dentistry. And he and Dr. Sabrina Magid offer the latest technology in dental care, including the ability to see, with a photo, what you would look like with a cosmetic makeover.

They are trained in the use of dermal fillers for lip and oralfacial augmentation with which their knowledge of cosmetics and proportion help create your most youthful and beautiful new look.

Westchester magazine “Top Dentists” 2009, 2010, 2011 Consumer Research Council List of “Top Cosmetic Dentists”

Listed in “Westchester’s Leading Plastic Surgeons and Cosmetic Dentists” Professor of Esthetics NYU College of Dentistry

Our new White Plains location presents the most advanced Plastic Surgery Center in Westchester County offering: Breast Augmentation • Breast Lift • Breast Reduction • Breast Reconstruction • Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) • Liposuction • Eyelid Surgery • Facial Plastic Surgery •

Dr. Scott Newman was voted a Castle Connelly Top Doctor in New York for the past nine consecutive years. He is Chief of Plastic Surgery at St. John’s Riverside Hospital, is Academically Affiliated, and is the Medical Director for the Aesthetic Laser Group in White Plains.

Scott Newman MD FACS

It’s your life.

Feel good in your body... by Dr Newman.

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