Urban Dog Matazine Issue # 37 by Lisa Robinson

Issue 37

The Dogs of the 9th Ward Helping Dogs that Care Forgot

Philadelphiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Monster Milers Saving Dogs One Mile at a Time

BIlly Nungesserâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Inner Dog Billy

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Come. Sit. Stay. W

elcome to issue 37 of Urban Dog Magazine. We hope you’re relaxing and enjoying the dog days of summer, perhaps cooling off at the beach or swinging in a shade-kissed hammock or perhaps even staring off at a mountain vista as you read your summer issue. If there’s anything we love, it’s a win-win story. Our first WAGS profile exemplifies a true win-win story. The Monster Milers in Philadelphia are a running group—not so unusual. But what the Monster Miler members do is take dogs from their local shelters out for runs. It’s a win-win because the runners have terrific running companions for their treks through the streets of Philadelphia and the shelter dogs are exercised, socialized, stimulated and made much more adoptable because of these outings with the Monster Milers.

Our second WAGS profile highlights Dogs of the 9th Ward, a New Orleansbased rescue organization that was born out of compassion and necessity after founder Kelly Gaus rescued her first dog in New Orleans’ gritty post-Katrina 9th Ward. It’s a story of perseverance and compassion. If you’ve gotten onto the iPhone bandwagon, you’ll enjoy reading our TRICKS review of a pawful of dogcentric iPhone apps downloadable through the iTunes store. Some are free. Some cost you a little bit. They’re all interesting and useful. Enjoy the rest of your summer! Come, Sit, Stay, Lisa Robinson, Publisher/Managing Editor

Check out our website at www.urbandogmagazine.com!

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Dogma It’s All Relative

EDITORIAL Managing Editor/Publisher:

Lisa Robinson

Contributing Writers:

Laurie Jane Harris, Margot Messina

Contributing Photographers:

Cami Johnson, Leesia Teh

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Urban Dog Magazine is published quarterly. We cannot be responsible for the return of unsolicited materials even if accompanied by a SASE. All material published in Urban Dog Magazine is copyrighted: Copyright 2010, Urban Dog Magazine, LLC. All rights reserved. Subscriptions are available for $15/year or $25/two years payable by check or money order. All subscriptions begin with the issue published after payment is received. Mail payment to: Urban Dog Subscriptions, 5500 Prytania St. #419, New Orleans, LA 70115

Wags The Dogs of the 9th Ward Philadelphia’s Monster Milers

8 14

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dogma

The Wonder Years

urban dog • 37

hree days into spring, just as the mounds of dirty snow had melted into tiny rivers that forked through the hollows of our Michigan woods like country interstates, we found a dog. Our neighbors, who own the blueberry farm and acreage that backs our woods, actually found it, calling us early that evening, just after daylight savings time, when the sun was still perched high in the sky. “We just found a dog lying in our compost pile. Think it’s dead.” Gary trudged over with a leash and a towel, green waders up to his knees, and a load of optimism. Gary is an optimist. One of those dirty, stinking, the-sun-will-comeout-tomorrow optimists. And, despite my tone, I love him for that. He is the anti-me.

Ten minutes later he was back, leading the wobbly dog, which still had part of a rotting cabbage head in its mouth. The dog was a dirty, dingy, pee yellow, and there were burrs and cuts and dried blood strewn throughout its fur. Its nails were so long, they had

curled and bent and grown into his pads, which were infected and raw. His eyes were matted shut. And the dog’s ribs were showing — it was dust bunnies on bones, really — its midsection so thin, I could nearly encircle it with both my hands. I wanted to cry, and puke, and scream, and immediately put it out of its misery. I wanted to strangle those who had done this, who could do this. But instead I said to Gary, “You’d kill for a waistline like that,” because that’s what he needed to hear at that moment, especially since he looked just like a kid who, for the first time, was seeing the grim reality of the world, of the woods. Gary smiled through his tears. Gary and I are country kids who moved to the city and then returned to our rural roots. We had grown accustomed to sprawling suburban yards and well-groomed purebreds with vanity collars who drank out of Pottery Barn ceramic dog bowls decorated with bones. This dog was barely breathing. Gasping for air. Its teeth were chattering. As it lay on its side we held some water to its face, and it smelled for it, its broad snout knocking the bowl from our hands. Its jaw released the cabbage head and its teeth began to chatter even more violently. “Aren’t you thirsty, boy?” I asked in a sing-song voice, my teeth chattering, too. “Aren’t you thirsty, big guy?”

This article continues on page 6

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It’s All Relative, Continued from page 4 With every ounce of strength it seemed to possess, the dog willed its matted eyes open and looked up at me. He was blind. And then the dog licked my hand, rested his head on Gary’s lap, and seemed to stare directly into my eyes. He could see nothing, it seemed, but straight into my heart. I named the dog Wonder, for many reasons. Most obviously, it was a wonder he had survived, managed to make his way through the woods, in the dark, dying, for God knows how long. And he was blind, like one of our favorite singers, Stevie Wonder, whom I had, ironically, been listening to on my iPod when our neighbors called: “Everybody needs somebody. Everybody needs somebody — I need you.” Those were the lyrics to “Everybody Needs Somebody” that Stevie was singing when I saw Gary trudging back through the woods with this dying dog. Never name a pet you don’t intend to keep. That’s the first mistake. It bonds you to it emotionally, in a way that seems forever. But I couldn’t help it. Wonder. It fit. This wasn’t the dog I wanted. In fact, I didn’t even want a second dog, much less one that was malnourished, mangy, and blind. There were too many cute puppies out there. And we already had a very high-maintenance mutt, Marge, who was the love of my life. Gary had wanted a second dog for a long time but I had nixed it, saying the timing wasn’t right, or Marge wouldn’t do well with another dog in the house, or it was too expensive, or this or that. I am good with excuses. I am good at planning. I am good with spin. In my former life I was a PR person. I can change the outlook on anything, make something awful sound good, make something good sound awful. What I’ve never been good at, however, is facing my own truth, dealing with my own emotions. I am a good burier, like -- to pardon the obvious analogy -- a dog with a bone. Gary rushed Wonder to the vet after we found him, and when he returned he was crestfallen but hopeful. The dog was 40 percent underweight and had fleas, an infected paw, and, worst, the early stages of heartworm. Everything, he was told, however, might be curable. The vet wanted to see Wonder for a complete physical Monday: blood work, X-rays, a battery of tests to see just how deep his health issues were. “This dog is a survivor,” Gary said. “He will be saved.” Always the optimist. I told Gary all the reasons why we shouldn’t keep the dog. They were obvious. Too obvious. It just wasn’t logical. I told Gary the dog might not live through the weekend. And then Gary spent the weekend ignoring those reasons. He took the dog to a groomer and had him washed and blown dry, Wonder standing under the dryer, his eyes shut, sighing as his matted yellow fur turned to fluffy gold. By Saturday the dog was eating well, drinking water (too much, actually), and wagging his tail when he heard Gary’s voice. By Sunday, Gary had taught Wonder to navigate our stairs, to make his way around the house, to come to the sound of his voice. Wonder could find Gary, walking directly to him — into his knees, actually — leaning his body into Gary’s and sighing and wagging and smiling. He would live. When I woke Monday morning, I had made up my mind. We would keep Wonder. That’s the thing about living with an optimist: You realize you are one, too, somewhere deep down. You realize life and love is all about risk and doing the illogical sometimes. Why must I always be the rational one, I thought all night. The sane one.

Why do I always fight everything? I too often see the impossibility rather than the possibility. Why do we too often have to be adults, and see not the path but the obstacles? Our childhood wonder is knocked from us at too early an age. Act like a grown-up, do the logical thing. Even when your heart is telling you otherwise. This was a dog that had lived a nightmare of a life and still never whined or howled or cried out of pain or discomfort. You don’t make a sound, I learned from Wonder, when no one ever comes to see how you’re doing. So I decided: Gary and I would do everything in our power to give Wonder a few wonderful years. We would install a tether line so he could go to the bathroom and install gates by the stairs so he would be safe, and we would clear paths in the house so he could navigate. He would become part of our family, just like Marge. On Monday we dropped Wonder off at the vet, me, for once, the optimist, thinking about what might be: Wonder by my feet, lying in front of the fireplace on cold winter nights; Wonder snuggling against me on the screen porch; Wonder feeling the sand in his paws when we walked him on the beach. And then the vet called Gary a few hours later and gave us his report after viewing the dog’s lab work: Wonder’s kidneys were failing, his organs collapsing, his prognosis beyond bleak. He had a few weeks, a couple of months, tops. We still considered taking him home for those final weeks, until we were told he was in pain. He may have been silent, but he was screaming inside. So we did something we never thought we would: We put an animal to sleep. We took responsibility for someone else’s irresponsibility. But we also gave Wonder a few days of peace, of home, of love. He did not die alone, abandoned. When we arrived at the vet’s office, we walked Wonder around outside for a final few minutes of talking, comforting, hugging, kissing, petting, and crying. He smelled the grass that was just coming to life, a few crocuses that signaled spring. We reluctantly went back in, still crying, and into a private room with a nurse who asked if we were ready. We said no. “Do you know this is Prevention to Cruelty of Animals Month?” the nurse asked. “I feel bad enough already,” I said. “No, no, it’s just so sad that it comes to this. Over one hundred thousand dogs are abused every year in the United States. You didn’t make Wonder this way.” Staring at this dying dog, it certainly felt that way, however. And then the nurse brought out the needle and eased it into Wonder’s fluffy arm. At first Wonder fought the anesthesia, bobbing his head back and forth, “chasing the tennis balls,” the nurse said. And then he closed his eyes. He fell asleep. He stopped breathing. It was so quick. But much too slow. Gary and I kissed Wonder on the snout, crying, convulsing really, and I told him to go find my late brother, and that he would take him fishing, run with him through heaven. Before we left Wonder, Gary leaned down and whispered into his ear, “It’s spring, buddy. You’ve been reborn now. You’re finally free. You can finally see again.” But really it was me who could.

urban dog • 37

That’s the thing about living with an optimist: You realize you are one, too, somewhere deep down.

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Helping dogs that care forgot

urban dog • 37

They starve, die of disease, eople across the and lie dying in the streets. country have They spread disease and fear become familiar with among residents, their children, and their pets. This is the world the problems that in which Dogs of the 9th Ward plague New Orleans’ came to exist. The 9th Ward of New 9th Ward. The area Orleans is a special place with a became virtually a special past – as well as a special household name six present. The neighborhoods that make up the Upper and Lower years ago. The 9th 9th Ward area are home to a Ward, like many areas diverse population. The area is of New Orleans, is home to historic buildings, old jazz clubs, tidy homes, corner Kelly Gaus at her home in the 9th Pauline, the dog who helped start it riddled with blight, ward with two rescues who she all. stores, and local businesses. vacant houses, nearly adopted as her own. Crisscrossed by canals, train impassable streets, tracks, and freeways, the 9th Ward neighborhoods have a rich history: home to a renowned black and closed businesses. A school that once was theatre, the Black Panther movement, neighborhood pride, second lines, the setting of desegregation in New Orleans now Fats Domino, and much more, that past is both present still and fading. Children still practice on the trumpet on their porches. Second lines stands closed. Multiple public housing complexes approach churches. Graffiti proudly proclaims the area: 9 w/d. At the have crumbled here since before Katrina. Violent same time, the old jazz clubs crumble, much of the public housing stands crime has been a problem in the area for decades, vacant and molding, and many houses remain vacant. In December, 2010, Dogs of the 9th Ward founder and director along with poverty and severe lack of resources Kelly Gaus was driving through the Desire Area of the 9th Ward, past and services for residents. What many people don’t the former Press Park Housing Complex. Press Park has not been know is that packs of stray, feral, and abandoned reopened because of environmental concerns: it was built on top of the Agriculture Street Landfill, where the city dumped dogs roam the 9th Ward neighborhoods, lead, mercury, and asbestos after Hurricane Betsy. In some By Laurie Jane Harris searching for food and dodging cars. units, blown out windows show the belongings of one-

Continued on page 10

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Dogs of the 9th Ward, Continued from page 8

urban dog • 37

D9 took in this mama and all of her puppies who were abandoned in the 8th Ward. All have found loving forever homes.

Marigny was rescued off the streets of the 8th Ward. He had multiple wounds and other injuries due to fighting. Despite everything he has been though he is sweet as can be and has found his loving forever home in Boston!

time residents, covered in dust and dirt almost six years after Hurricane Katrina. Even the mold has died off. But not all of Press Park is dead. Driving by, Gaus saw a dog running along, looking confused. It was clearly bleeding and missing hair. It looked terrified. These are the situations that Dogs of the 9th Ward exists to address. Gaus pulled up beside the dog and tried to coax it. It turned out to be a small pit mix puppy, mostly white with some brindle. The closer Gaus got to the puppy, the worse she looked: missing patches of hair, bleeding through open wounds, skinny, and infected. Gaus stooped down and tried to lure the puppy closer, but she turned and ran back towards Higgins Boulevard, a main street in the Desire Area. Not ready to give up, Gaus followed her, and caught up again about a block away. With the help of some canned dog food and a slip leash, she caught the little pit bull. The dog was diagnosed with a severe case of demodectic mange and a secondary skin infection, along with intestinal parasites. She loved people and other animals. In time, she fully recovered. She was named Mercy. When she first saw Mercy, Gaus couldn’t help but remember picking up a similar pit bull puppy on May 19, 2009. That puppy was completely hairless, bleeding, and severely emaciated. The little red nose pit bull, Pauline, was the dog that inspired Dogs of the 9th Ward. The little puppy, less than half the weight she should have been, fought back to complete health and became a permanent resident and muse at Gaus’ 9th Ward residence. So many amazing people donated towards Pauline’s care that Gaus found herself with a credit at her vet. A mere few weeks after finding Pauline, a five-month-old puppy followed Gaus and her dogs home from a walk. Gaus figured she may as well help the puppy, since people had donated the money. Bart (found on Bartholomew Street) became the second 9th Ward Dog. Gaus has never looked back from there. Pauline, Mercy, and Bart are only three of over 140 dogs that have been rescued by Dogs of the 9th Ward. Between May, 2009, and today, Dogs of the 9th Ward has rescued a wide range of dogs: large and small, old and young, abandoned and feral. From abandoned, abused dogs to feral puppies born under houses, Dogs of the 9th Ward has saved well over a hundred lives that no other rescues or shelters would have saved. Today, Dogs of the 9th Ward has grown far beyond Gaus. It is no longer her private crusade, as she referred to it in May, 2009. Now, a small but organized and dedicated group of volunteers run Dogs

of the 9th Ward. Even more importantly, the group has a national following. In fact, Dogs of the 9th Ward alumni have been adopted across the country: in Los Angeles, California (2 dogs); Aspen, Colorado (3 dogs); Boston, Massachusetts (3 dogs), Denver, Colorado (1 dog); San Francisco, California (2 dog); Tucson, Arizona (1 dog); Jersey City, New Jersey (2 dogs); Wyoming (1 dog); Gulfport, Mississippi (1 dog); and Houston, Texas (1 dog). In addition, Dogs of the 9th Ward has adopted out dogs throughout the New Orleans metro area and the rest of Louisiana. Dogs that started life as feral puppies born under a house in the 9th Ward are now hiking in the mountains of Colorado. Two very special dogs, Emma and Iris, are now living it up together in New Jersey. Emma and Iris have very different stories. Emma was found by a 9th Ward resident in the nearby 7th Ward of New Orleans, running stray on a the neutral ground (median) in the middle of the street. A small brindle pit mix, Emma had horrible cropped ears – in fact, she had virtually no ears left at all – and had obviously been bred. She was also heartworm positive, as virtually all strays in the Gulf South are. Dogs of the 9th Ward took Emma in and she went to live in one of our wonderful foster homes. Her foster “dad,” Earle Bryant, nursed Emma back to health. Over time, Emma was fully vetted: vaccinated, dewormed, spayed (no more puppies for Emma!), microchipped, and treated for heartworms. Emma was a ridiculously sweet girl: this little 45-pound brindle girl loved all people, including children, and animals. However, no one seemed to want her. Emma lived for over at year at her foster home – with no one interested in giving this healthy, happy, friendly girl a wonderful home. Meanwhile, Iris was also looking for a forever home. Iris was the last puppy from Dogs of the 9th Ward’s “Mardi Gras” litter: volunteers crawled under a house in the Florida Area of the 9th Ward where a little black mama dog and her 11 puppies were living. Gaus, along with Dogs of the 9th Ward volunteer Michelle Icahn, rescued the entire family. The mama dog, Louisa (named after the 9th Ward street she was living on), was a sweet, gentle, slightly shy girl. At eight weeks old, Louisa’s eleven puppies had never been out from under the house before in their lives. They were terrified and ran and hid from rescuers. Some of the little puppies even bit Gaus and Icahn, terrified at being dragged out from under the house – the only life they knew. Volunteers had them fully vetted, and foster mom Emily Pozinsky fostered the whole lot as they found homes, one by one. But Iris was left behind. She was the last of her litter – at a shocking one year old. A mostly black, lab mix, medium-size, somewhat shy girl, Iris was constantly overlooked. And so she stayed at her foster home until January, 2011.

Continued on page 12

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Dogs of the 9th Ward, Continued from page 10

urban dog • 37

This four-year-old pit named Flea poses for the camera. He has been at D9 for over a year waiting to find his forever home. Flea is a playful guy who was found in the lower 9th Ward.

Rosie was saved by D9 volunteers from an abandoned strip mall. She was pregnant and able to safely give birth to all her pups at D9. All her little ones got adopted but Rosie is still looking for her loving forever home!

That is when both Emma and Iris’ lives changed – for the better. A wonderful family in New Jersey saw Emma and Iris online. They had recently lost their pit bull and were looking for another wonderful, sweet, happy pit – and Emma fit that description. But they really wanted to help. So they decided to adopt not only Emma, but Iris, too. Gaus drove both of the girls from New Orleans to New Jersey and personally saw their new wonderful home. They were greeted by the entire family, and indeed, the entire block! What a warm welcome home the girls got. This is just one of Dogs of the 9th Ward’s many happy rescue stories. Mercy went to live in an amazing home in uptown New Orleans. With her new owner, Alex Beuhler, she goes to parks, takes runs, and cuddles on the bed. She never even thinks of her old life as a bleeding, abandoned puppy. Bart also lives in the uptown area of New Orleans. Bart was shuffled from one foster home to another before ending up back at Gaus’ place in the 9th Ward. There, he got along with everyone and was welcome to stay as long as necessary. But even better, Bart was adopted by a couple uptown where he shares his home with several feline friends. Bart gets to visit the Tulane University campus, where his “dad” works, and also gets to take walks in New Orleans’ Audubon Park. That’s quite an ending for a puppy who was born under a house in the 9th Ward. Unfortunately, the story of Pauline, who started the rescue, is not quite as happy. Gaus fell in love with Pauline. She was a constant inspiration who helped rehabilitate rescue dogs as well as bring joy to Gaus and anyone else who met her. Once she was healthy, she was able to jump up to eye level with pretty much anyone – even though she weighed under 50 pounds! Pauline embodied the joi de vivre that comes with living in New Orleans. Sadly, in May, 2010, Pauline became suddenly ill. She was having troubnle breathing and was lethargic and vomiting. She was brought to the vet, but they didn’t know what was wrong. Then she was sent to a specialty vet. From there, her condition continued to worsen. Gaus, who couldn’t even think of life without Pauline, told the vets to consult

Dusty was rescued by D9’s assistant director while on vacation in Puerto Rico. He was emaciated and hairless. This sweet boy is better now and ready to find a forever home. He loves people and other dogs.

specialists across the country. Everyone tried, but Pauline never ate again. She kept wagging her tail till the end. Gaus lost Pauline on May 12, 2010 – exactly one week short of their one year anniversary. Pauline may have died, but she certainly did not die for nothing. Well over 100 dogs and puppies have been saved by Dogs of the 9th Ward because of Pauline. Dogs of the 9th Ward is trying to expand its services beyond rescue, as well; the rescue hopes to start serving dog owners in the 9th Ward area by offering low-cost services to owners and providing education and outreach. Education is a major focus of Dogs of the 9th Ward. Many of Dogs of the 9th Ward’s volunteers are educators, and Icahn is currently working on establishing a humane education club for elementary school students. She aims to work with students who are interested in animal welfare to increase their awareness and help get other students involved. Meanwhile, Dogs of the 9th Ward Assistant Director, Lisa Scalzitti, is also encouraging school age children to be aware of animal welfare. As a seventh grade teacher, Scalzitti was told by her students that there was a small dog roaming near a gym where they were playing basketball. The dog turned out to be a Shih Tzu, and Dogs of the 9th Ward took it in. The dog, Tippy, is now in foster care at Scalzitti’s house and is doing very well. Dogs of the 9th Ward volunteers seldom have reason to look beyond the immediate 9th Ward area for dogs – there are more than enough dogs right there in the neighborhood. However, the group takes in pit bull-type dogs from beyond the 9th Ward, because there is a major lack of pit bull rescue in New Orleans. In addition, Dogs of the 9th Ward is always trying to help other areas that are even worse off than is the 9th Ward. Scalzitti also volunteers at an organization in Puerto Rico called Amigos de Los Animales. They have a massive overpopulation problem there too. In June, 2010, they took in a dog named Dusty: like Pauline, he was covered in demodex mange, hairless, bleeding, and emaciated. He was also a pit mix. Too large to send to most U.S. rescues, he stayed in Puerto Rico in rescue.

Continued on page 22

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arrie Maria always saw herself working with a non-profit organization, but found herself in the for-profit sector almost by accident. It was during a time in 2005 that she was gearing up to go back to school for a masters degree that she decided to place an advertisement on the internet for dog walking services. She thought it was going to be a part time gig during school, but life had other plans for her. One client lead to another, word-of-mouth lead to awards, and six years later she co-owns one of the largest dog walking services in Philadelphia with her husband, The Monster Minders. (School was put on a back-burner. But she’s OK with that. She’s not a huge fan of student loans anyway.)

involved. Less than two months later, by June 2010, they had over 250 runners on a waiting list for orientations. Since then, The Monster Milers have put over 100 runners through an orientation to run with shelter dogs. (By the end of the year, they anticipate they’ll have over 200 runners actively volunteering.) On a daily basis “Milers” visit PAWS to give the dogs what they need most — physical exertion and a mental break, which helps take the edge off of shelter life. And it’s working. The dogs are able to kennel longer and kennel better, while also “showing” better to would-be adoptive families. Many people can picture the typical shelter dog - stressed, pacing, anxious, confused, depressed, hyper-active. But that isn’t their “personality.” They’re simply confused about why they’re at a shelter, they’re stressed out about all of the odd noises they hear, and they’re flat-out bored of being cooped up for so long. Running the dogs on a regular basis elevates the stress. Plain and simple. When adopters visit the shelter, they’re able to see the dogs’ true personality shine through. There is a saying, “A tired dog is a happy dog” and The Monster Milers have taken that to an entirely new level. The program is hastening adoptions, which means PAWS can save more pets. People tend to think that the dogs will be overly-stressed and full of pent-up energy, and thus hard to manage on-leash while at a jogging pace. What the Milers have found is the complete opposite. Most dogs they work with will break into a very steady trot after a Along the way she was able to get back to her non-profit roots few blocks. Sure, they stop to sniff the grass occasionally and need by volunteering with PAWS (Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society), to take potty breaks, but most of the shelter dogs are natural-born Philadelphia’s largest no-kill rescue organization. One Friday morning runners. Each dog tends to have their own “style” so the shelter and during a weekly volunteer session last May, she simply asked the the Milers communicate constantly to match dogs up with runners shelter staff, “Can I take one of the dogs out for a run, rather than a who will meet each other’s needs. There are some dogs that are very walk?” They happily obliged. After a few runs she asked, “Hey, do content at a trot, while others are happy to pick up the tempo, still mind if I bring more people in on this and form a running group?” others will do whatever the runner wants to do - speed it up, slow it Again, they were thrilled. Maria envisioned a small “running club” down, it’s all good to them. (And everyone agrees that the best part set-up with 10-20 passionate volunteer runners. Perhaps it was of the entire process is seeing the dogs in a relaxed state, post-run.) another lucky accident, but the program really hit a chord with local When Maria started the program, she figured that most of their runners. And thus, The Monster Milers was created. volunteers would be from within the shelter system. Seemingly overnight, hundreds of runners (Perhaps they would attract volunteers who also By Margot Messina heard about the program and wanted to get happen to be runners.) Much to her surprise, what

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Ezy Dog

EzyDog USA is the manufacturer of the Original Shock Absorbing Leash. Their unique leash systems are designed for comfort, control, and safety; paying special attention to dogs that pull or who are in training. All EzyDog Products are designed to maximize both the owner’s and their four-legged friend’s experience. www.ezydog.com

Puppy Cake

Urban Dog readers are the types that tend to celebrate their pups’ birthdays. Puppy Cake is the perfect way to add a little more razzle-dazzle to that special day. Made with natural and vet approved ingredients, each flavor is specially formulated for the palates of dogs. Using sweet honey with carob or banana satisfies the sweet tooth of dogs. The yogurt frosting in the box is just as delicious to dogs as butter cream frosting is to people. It has many digestive and immune system boosting qualities. Flavors include Peanut Butter, Banana and Carob. Each box makes 6 medium sized cupcakes or a double layer 4” round cake. www.puppycake.com

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Funchux

Your dog won’t want to let go of this awesome new toy from the folks at Otomik and Petprojekt. It’s great for tossing, fetching, bouncing and tugging. It features two 100% natural rubber balls, secured to super-tough ballistic nylon. Your dogs can play tug-of-war for hours without destroying the Funchux. It’s also great for tossing at the park. www.otomik.com

It’s summertime, and maybe you’re thinking about loading up the pups and heading out on vacation. These colorful new bamboo and rice husk dog bowls from Harry Barker are a durable, eco-friendly option for traveling with your pup. They come in two colorful sizes. The small 12 oz. bowl is 5.25” x 2”. The large 24 oz. bowl is 8” x 3”. www.harrybarker.com

fetch!

Harry Barker Bamboo and Rice Bowls

Ruff Rider Roadie

Pee Happy

If your summer wardrobe is in need of a little sprucing up, consider a fun, funky, dog-centric tee shirt or hat from the folks at Pee Happy. Starting their own Pee Party Movement, Pee Happy is a store/website that funds Shultz’s Guest House, a rescue in Massachusetts. Sixty dogs have now passed through the farm and are living in loving permanent homes. The Pee Happy logo and slogan are used on hats, tees, car magnets, accessories etc. www. peehappy.com

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AAA estimates that unrestrained pets traveling in cars cause 30,000 auto accidents annually. The folks at Canine Covers and Ruff Rider spend their time developing and creating products that make traveling in your car with your pet safer and more convenient. The Ruff Rider Roadie is a heavy-duty webbed dog safety harness that quickly attaches to any vehicle’s seat belt system and keeps your pet safely in the center rear passenger seat. This dog seat belt is secure, yet allows your pet to move around comfortably thanks to the two handy travel positions. Even more convenient, the tether doubles as a short walking lead—ideal for those short trips in between travels. The harness fits dogs from 6 to 150 lbs. www.ruffrider.com

dog-eared

dog-eared Emily and Einstein – A Novel of Second Chances

Emily and Einstein is a powerful book that, through the heartwarming tale of a woman and her dog, examines both the strength of the human spirit and the danger of taking life for granted.

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By Linda Francis Lee (St. Martin’s Press / March 2011 / ISBN: 0-312-38218-9 / Hardcover; $24.99)

Bestselling author Linda Francis Lee’s much lauded The Devil in the Junior League and The ExDebutante gave us a behind-the-scenes look at the adventures of the modern southern woman. Now, setting her new novel in her adopted home of New York City, Lee delivers a romantic and comedic tourde-force that examines what may happen when we die, and encourages readers to truly live. Emily and Einstein is a story of love and loss, of perseverance, and—above all—of second chances Emily Barlow seemed to be living a perfect life. A rising editorial star at Caldecote Press, she found pleasure in her job and peace at home, living with her handsome, loving (and wealthy) husband Sandy in the famous Dakota apartment building on New York’s idyllic Upper West Side. However, everything changes one night when Sandy is killed in an accident on his way to meet her. Within days, Emily’s life is turned upside down: her mother-in-law is intent on evicting Emily from the apartment, conflicts at work begin to take their toll on her once unshakable resolve, and her estranged sister turns up with plans to write a tell-all memoir about their famous feminist mother. And, still reeling from these events, Emily makes the startling discovery that her happy marriage may not have been as happy as she’d thought. Emily finds solace in Einstein, a small, homely, and often cranky dog that she rescues from the animal shelter and nurses back to health (he sustained serious injuries in an accident the same night Sandy died). Einstein’s personality seems oddly familiar: he knows secrets about her apartment that no dog really should, and more than anything, he seems strangely determined to help Emily start a new chapter in her life. Will his efforts convince her to reconcile with her past to create a new future? And what’s in it for this mysterious canine? Perhaps Emily and Einstein—in seeking out second chances—have more in common than either could imagine.

DOG SENSE: How the New Science of Dog Behavior Can Make You a Better Friend to Your Pet By John Bradshaw (Basic Books / Publication date: May 10, 2011 / ISBN: 978-0465-01944-1 / $25.99 / hardcover / 352 pages)

obinson By Lisa R

Dogs are mankind’s first and most successfully domesticated animal. They’ve been our protectors, laborers, and companions. But are we treating them as well as they’ve served us? In Dog Sense, pioneering anthrozoologist John Bradshaw uses the newest canine science to describe what our four-legged friends are really thinking and feeling. Drawing on history, anthropology, biology, and archaeology, he explains how dogs evolved from wolves – and how they’re different from wolves today; what dogs are capable of thinking and feeling; how they gather and interpret information about the world around them; and how their interpretation of the world differs from our own. He also disproves one of the most damaging misconceptions today – that dogs are constantly trying to dominate their owners. Bradshaw opens by offering an up-to-date account of the dog’s origins, explaining that our misunderstanding of wolves – and our misplaced emphasis on dogs’ wolf-like nature – has led us to misunderstand dogs. From the composition of wolf packs to dominant and submissive behavior, scientists who have studied wolves in the wild – rather than the confined spaces of zoos – have learned that much of what we thought we knew about wolves is wrong. For example, wolf packs are peaceful family units led by a male/female pair, not rigidly and aggressively controlled by an “alpha” pair. Furthermore, while dogs and wolves share 99.96 percent of their genes, domestication has altered the dog considerably, more than any other species. “Dogs may be constructed from wolf DNA,” writes Bradshaw, “but this does not mean that they are compelled to behave or think like wolves.” After revising the story of the dog’s origins, Bradshaw explores the science of dog training, canine

By Mark Asher I first became aware of Mark Asher very soon after I began publishing Urban Dog Magazine. Mark had put out a book of his hauntingly beautiful photographs of senior dogs, Old Friends: Great Dogs on the Good Life. Mark later published Bark and Ride, an exuberant tailwagging photo book of pictures of riding dogs in cars We subsequently featured a Wags profile of Mark and his photographs in an issue of Urban Dog. Humphrey Was Here speaks for all of us who loved and lost a dog. It is a very personal, painful account of Asher having lost his beloved Humphrey too soon, unexpectedly and tragically from bloat in a boarding kennel. Asher’s sadness and grief is compounded and complicated by the guilt he felt over having boarded Humphrey in the first place. In reflecting on his love and loss of Humphrey, Asher realizes that much his real grief and sense of loss comes from the realization of how much Humphrey had helped him through his own personal hurdles, struggles and tragedies such as the loss of a marriage and uncertainty about his career. Asher ultimately works through the brunt of his grief while volunteering at Best friends Animal Society in southern Utah. Humphrey Was Here is a poignant, honest reflection on life and love and loss.

By Ed Breslin (A Thomas Dunne Book / March 15, 2011 / ISBN: 0-312-61975-8) Here is a story about individual restoration, told through a memoir of Dutchie, a Black Labrador, and her lasting impact on the life of her owner and narrator, Ed Breslin. In contrast to the typical tale of dog as man’s best friend, Breslin’s is a unique reflection on dog as role model and teacher. While the author struggles with clinical depression and addiction, Dutchie maintains her pure lust for life. Over twelve years, she masterfully and instinctively shows Breslin how to view the world for what it isand embrace it with full force. Dutchie consistently demonstrates “...a voracious grasp of how much life itself could be worth living fully.” Raised in North Philadelphia, the second oldest of twelve children in an Irish Catholic family, Breslin recounts his life with riveting detail-his youth, his career as a writer and book publisher, his lifelong struggles with alcoholism and depression, and his exquisitely loving, 30-year marriage to his wife Lynn. Breslin, fraught with the peril and pain of addiction, tells us how Dutchie, through her elegant negotiation of the world’s difficulties and upheavals, showed him how to quell his fears, unwittingly counseled him on strengthening his relationships, and encouraged him to live in the present. Dutchie is Breslin’s best self, and his is a story that ultimately describes the incredible power of animals to bring us to our senses.

Hooper Finds a Family - A Hurricane Katrina Dog’s Survival Tale By Jane Paley He’s endearing. He’s funny. He’s a survivor. In this moving tale of adventure and triumph based on a true story, a lovable yellow Lab named Hooper tells his own dramatic rescue tale of being left homeless in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and taking a daring trip from New Orleans to New York City to meet his new family. He tells of the terrifying force of Katrina, his trials in the shelter, and being the new dog on the block in a city far from home. As Hooper struggles to find his place, he learns to overcome his fear of water and faces down feisty squirrels as well as the resident bully and top dog in the neighborhood. This tenacious puppy makes one incredible journey in search of home. Along the way, he acquires a 12-year-old human brother and a passion for baseball. From Hooper’s real-life mom, the Emmy Award–winning producer and writer Jane Paley, comes this fictionalized retelling about one plucky, spunky dog whose warm spirit and goofy personality are irresistible, no matter what obstacles he must face. HOOPER FINDS A FAMILY is a tale of survival that is sure to resonate with young readers and dog-lovers of all ages from New Orleans to New York City and beyond.

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HUMPHREY WAS HERE: A Dog Owner’s Story of Love, Loss, and Letting Go

DRINKING WITH MISS DUTCHIE

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“brainpower”, and dogs’ emotions. Explaining how dogs learn, he shows why certain training techniques – including punishment-based training – are unnecessary and counterproductive, and why reward-based training is more humane and productive. In a chapter on how puppies become pets, he discusses the importance of early socialization and interaction with humans. “Dogs are not born friendly to humans,” Bradshaw writes. “Dogs are born to become friendly toward people, but this happens only if they meet friendly people while they’re still tiny puppies.” Ultimately, Dog Sense shows that dogs are not wolves, nor are they less intelligent children. They are a separate species that has evolved reciprocally with humans, and we owe them as much dedication and understanding as can be given. “Canine science has brought us rich new insights into dog’s uniqueness,” Bradshaw concludes. It is up to us to integrate concepts pertaining to wolf and dog behavior, modern animal welfare science, and new knowledge about learning and cognition, to update our understanding of dogs and how they would like us to care for them.

Continued on page 24

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NELLIE AT DAYCARE

The day care center administered to adults with various disabilities, all in one auditorium. To a newcomer, the atmosphere seemed chaotic, with everyone milling about. I hung back, uncertain. But Nellie, like a politician, plunged right in, moving from one “constituent” to another as I, her campaign manager, followed and introduced her. Soon there was the hum of “Nellie” in the room. Intoxicated by the sound of her name, she rose to the occasion, working the crowd. Our stint at day care taught me a lot, but not always what I wanted to know. On our first day we saw a nurse pushing an elderly man in a wheelchair. Ignoring the patient, Nellie greeted the nurse like a long lost friend. Her innate sense of hierarchy had extended to the hospital. She instinctively recognized and distinguished between those with authority (administrators) and those without it (patients). A bit Machiavellian, but isn’t that how dogs have always survived? I like to think that the patients touched Nellie as she did them. For some, the sight of a dog inspired tearful memories of long dead pets. Nellie’s amber eyes watched a man weep as he recalled his childhood collie, “Mags.” In a scratchy voice he said, “Hey, Mags-girl, give a paw!” “Nellie doesn’t do that.” But Nellie had already lifted her paw into a firm handshake. Unlike a Golden Retriever, brimming with good will to all, Nellie was selective in her attentions. She usually had a motive. Once, hurrying toward Mr. Nelson, a favorite of hers, she stopped, hesitated, and edged back. She tried several times, but couldn’t seem to make herself go to him. Mr. Nelson was surprised. “Don’t you don’t like me anymore, Nells?” Nellie looked away and refused to approach. I was baffled by her behavior until I learned that Mr. Nelson had stopped taking the medicine that stabilized his tremors. Nellie must have been confused by the change in his demeanor. Every month a group from the Salvation Army visited the center to sing and chat with patients. Naturally, Nellie, with her respect for rank, was drawn to the Major, a stiff man who took obvious pride in his position. Bemused by ardor he’d done nothing to earn, the Major would indulge Nellie with a reluctant pat on the head.

I had to drag Nellie out. From then on, the gift shop was always her first stop.

One day, during a heartfelt rendition of Amazing Grace, I saw Nellie head for the platform, her eyes fixed on the Major.

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I once thought that Border Collies have no business in the city. Whenever I saw one on a busy street, I’d look at its owner with disapproval and at the dog with pity: “What kind of life can he have? It’s dog abuse.” That changed the moment I saw Nellie, trapped inside a barbed wire enclosure at a puppy mill near Baltimore. Now I’m subject to cross-examination by those who feel as I once did. It started when Nellie was ten weeks old. Pointing to her, they’d say, “Is that a Border Collie? Does she have a job? They’re supposed to work, you know.” Nellie had hip surgery when she was seven months old and couldn’t participate in the typical Border Collie occupations— agility, flyball, and frisbee. But she had tasks: She looked after the cat (unappreciated), found lost objects, and put each of her toys away in the box by name. The next time someone asked about Nellie’s future, I snapped, “She’s going to medical school.” And then I thought, Why not? After a temperament test at the local hospital in which Nellie was subjected to loud noises and rough treatment, we met with Mrs. Graham, the Head of Activities. During the interview Nellie was at her best, charming and attentive. Just as I was congratulating myself on how well it was going, I heard a low but unmistakable growl. I followed Nellie’s gaze to an old woman draped in black, walking with the slow, rhythmic gait of the undead. Mrs. Graham hesitated; growling was a firing offense. “Perhaps Nellie could begin on probation.” Our first assignment sent us to the Day Care Center for Adults, located in the basement of the hospital. We walked down endless corridors, past room after room, until Nellie stopped abruptly. She had discovered the gift shop. Before I could stop her, she was browsing, carefully examining bath scent, snacks, stuffed animals, jewelry. People noticed. “Hey, look! The dog is shopping!” “Isn’t she supposed to be a therapy dog?” “Don’t get her a credit card!”

From John Bradshaw New York Times bestselling author of Dog Sense: How the New Science of Dog Behavior Can Make You a Better Friend to Your Pet (Basic Books; 2011

Goldfish, turtles, and hamsters are pets. Dogs are family. Sprite touched my heart and opened my soul. I would swear he was an angel. Even at the end, when he could barely stand on his own, he was a bright light who brought sunshine into our lives. —From “Rescuing Sprite ” by Mark R. Levin

Once in every dog lover’s life, if you’re lucky, that special once-in-a-lifetime dog comes along. You know this relationship is golden, a gift from the spirit world. You have found a soul mate. I believe we owe our dogs that chance [behavior training] to lay the foundation for a long and happy relationship. There’s nothing like the ease with which the canine-human relationship flows once your dog is integrated into your family. The pounding of her paw steps as she runs down the hall when she hears my feet hit the floor in the morning welcome me to my day with joy. Sometimes special beings come into our lives and touch our hearts in a way that leaves us forever changed. —From “Maggie, the Dog Who Changed My Life ” by Dawn Kairns

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A DOGS BILL OF RIGHTS

1. We are dogs, not wolves. We have lived with mankind since you were hunter-gatherers, and are now no more or less domesticated than you are. We assert the right to be treated as ourselves, and not as any kind of wild animal. 2. We assert the right to have our perceptions of the world taken into account, especially where our senses are superior to yours. 3. We assert the right to have our feelings, which are real if unlike yours, allowed for and comprehended. We are neither inferior humans, nor senseless robots. 4. Our mental capacities are considerable, but again different from those of mankind. We assert the right to be understood by our owners, who should not expect us to comprehend every word they say, nor presume that we learn as human children do. 5. We assert the right to be taught how to cope with the world of man. For although we are the product of your world, we are not born to understand it, and need to be introduced gradually, with care and with kindness. 6. Our language is rich and sophisticated. We assert the right to be comprehended, in the same way that we attempt to comprehend you. 7. We are fundamentally social animals, and we assert the right to the company of our own kind. 8. We are domesticated animals, and assert our right to the company of humans. If we are to be left on our own, we need to be trained to cope with that isolation. 9. We are individuals, each dog with its own personality. We therefore assert the right to be judged on our own merits, and not according to the reputation of breed or type. 10. We have served mankind faithfully for tens of thousands of years. Whilst we are born to serve, we assert the right for our needs and our dignity to be respected in all the capacities, both traditional and novel, that humanity may require. 11. We assert our right to a future. Having adapted our bodies and our lives to your needs, we have forfeited much of our capacity for independence. We therefore require mankind’s assistance as we meet the future together.

Sleeping with your Dog Now I lay me down to sleep, The king-size bed is soft and deep. I sleep right in the center groove My human being can hardly move! I’ve trapped her legs, she’s tucked in tight And here is where I pass the night No one disturbs me or dares intrude Till morning comes and “I want food!” I sneak up slowly to begin my nibbles on my human’s chin. She wakes up quickly, I have sharp teethI’m a puppy, don’t you see? For the morning’s here and it’s time to play I always seem to get my way. So thank you Lord for giving me This human person that I see. The one who hugs and holds me tight And shares her bed with me at night! —Unknown

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Just as he began his solo, she thrust her muzzle into his crotch. He kept singing, gamely ignoring the muffled laughter around him. It wasn’t until the fifth year that Nellie found her niche at day care. She’d been mingling with her regulars when she suddenly disappeared. A few minutes later she returned with two disoriented patients in tow. There was no way they could have escaped, but Nellie didn’t know that. She was doing the job she was bred for, bringing lost sheep home. —Norrie Epstein

wags

Philadephia’s Monster Milers, Continued from page 14 she found is that 95% of the volunteers that they have put through the orientation are completely new to volunteering at animal shelters. This fact is exciting for everyone involved. The shelters are able to tap into a completely new source of volunteers (and potential adopters), and the new volunteers are able to network within a completely new community. Many of the Milers are very active via social media and blogs, so they end up doing a lot of networking to find the dogs forever homes. The Monster Milers regularly hold “Adopt a Running Buddy” events at local running trails and races to connect with local runners, recruit new volunteers and showcase adoptive dogs who are in the program. At the events, they advocate for safety by letting women know that they are exponentially safer with a dog by their side when hitting the trails or pavement solo. The idea behind these events is simple - make adoption an option for the running community and educate them about the plight of the 30,000+ pets that enter Philadelphia’s shelter system each year (and the heartbreaking reality that many of them don’t make it out alive). What’s next for The Monster Milers? Well, tons! In the Fall of 2011 they are planning the First Annual Rescue Run 5K. It will benefit their work and their no-kill shelter-partner, www.PhillyPAWS. org (completely donor-funded), along with www.Hand2Paw.org, a wonderful organization that is pairing up homeless teens and shelter animals in the Philadelphia area. They are expecting hundreds of runners and are planning a post-race “Rescue Rally,” with adoptable dogs from PAWS and other area shelters. In May of 2011, The Monster Milers expanded to another PAWS facility, the Wellness Clinic. It’s located on the other side of the city and houses even MORE dogs in need of a stress-outlet. Then in the Summer/Fall they hope to set up regular runs at ACCT (Animal Care and Control Team), which is Philly’s intake shelter. As they continue to expand, so does their costs, so The Monster Milers are currently applying for 501c3 (non-profit) status. People from all over the world have emailed or called Maria asking her how to start a similar program in their hometown. Her advice is simple: “Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer.” She volunteered at PAWS for years and put in hundreds of hours at the shelter (getting to know the routines, the staff, the dogs, the volunteers, the rules and regulations) before she launched the program. By actively volunteering on a regular basis, she was able to create a program that was not only safe for the dogs, but was also a program that the shelter staff felt comfortable with. Each and every shelter is different. Runners will need to work with their shelter to create a tailored program that meets the shelters needs and does so within their guidelines.

There are currently no plans for The Monster Milers to extend to other cities, but they are very open to it in the upcoming years. They’re currently focusing on Philadelphia to make sure the program is sustainable locally. There are many miles to cover and lives to save, but thankfully, there are also many wonderful runners willing to lend an hour or two a month to the dogs who need them most.

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Dogs of the 9th Ward, Continued from page 12

In spring, 2011, Dogs of the 9th Ward agreed to take Dusty into rescue. He came to us a sweet, gentle, still somewhat sick boy. He loves other dogs and cats and all people. Dusty is still looking for a home here on the Continent. Pauline would have approved of another mange-covered, downon-his-luck pit mix coming in to rescue – and almost exactly two years after she was rescued by Dogs of the 9th Ward. Sometimes, volunteers can’t get to dogs before it’s too late. Dogs of the 9th Ward volunteers recently found a horrifying – but all too common – scene in the Desire Area of the 9th Ward. A young male Rottweiler had been hit by a car – his ribs were broken – and was there decaying. Volunteers picked the dog up and brought him to Heaven’s Pets Crematorium, where he was respectfully cremated. These are the situations Pauline made us want to avoid. Today, Dogs of the 9th Ward volunteers are trying to expand the rescue. They need help in all capacities: fostering, finding adoptive

families, fundraising. They are also continuing to rescue dogs in the 9th Ward and beyond. In addition, Dogs of the 9th Ward aims to increase outreach and education efforts. The dogs of the 9th Ward deserve your help. They are truly the dogs that care forgot. In a city that has myriad social and economic issues, these dogs are forgotten. They live – and die – in a part of town that is forgotten. To foster or adopt, please email Lisa at d9adoptions@gmail.com To volunteer, please email Margaret at d9volunteers@gmail.com To help with media and outreach, please email Michelle at d9outreach@gmail.com For more information about Dogs of the 9th Ward, please see dogsofthe9thward.org or follow Dogs of the 9th Ward on Facebook! For information about the Dogs of the 9th Ward documentary that is currently being filmed, please see www.sleepingtreetpictures.org.

Awesome

tricks

iPhone Apps for Dog Lovers

very day, iPhone / iPad releases more and useful, resourceful, organizational, entertaining apps. We spent some time researching some of what we think are the best, most useful apps for dog lovers and here they are in no particular order. Most of them can be easily downloaded directly from the Mac App store/iTunes.

DOG PARK FINDER

FIDO FACTOR

Which city restaurants allow dogs, which local groomers do the best work without taking your shirt? Fido Factor, the app that calls itself the “Yelp for dogs.” Still in its infancy, featuring info about San Fran, New Orleans, Boston, New York, Seattle and Portland is still growing and working out the kinks. Price: Free

We reviewed this extremely helpful this app in our last issue on our FETCH! page. Dog Park Finder helps you locate dog-friendly parks and training locations in your area (USA locations only). The app includes information on more than 2200 off-leash areas, user photos and reviews (more than 6500) so you can have fun with your dog off the leash. Price: free

iSQUEEK

This is the first virtual squeaktoy that reacts realistically to your touch. Each toy compresses and expands utilizing the iPhone’s unique touch screen and speaker capabilities. iSqueek includes 18 individual toys, each with its own unique action and sound. Press on a toy longer, or shorter, to create longer, or shorter, sound bursts and gain the attention of your dog. Choose from the many colorful virtual squeak-toys to find the one your dog loves best. iSqueek will remember which toy you last selected, so that a favorite squeak will always be ready with one touch. Price: $1.99

PAW CARD

Paw Card helps you keep track of your loved one’s vital information. Use it to record your pet’s veterinary contacts, vaccinations, identification tags, medical conditions, and medication. Additional features include a graph of your dog’s weight over time, the ability to write notes or journal entries. Price: free

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HEY WALKIES!

This App is For NYC pet owners only, but they are expanding to include other cities in the near future, as well as being accessible beyond the iPhone. Hey Walkies! has made searching for runs a lot easier. You’ll find the best dog parks all over the city, perfect for giving your pup that new adventure he longs for. Price: free

iPET FINDER

By Lisa Robinson

This one’s for the real animal lover who just couldn’t wait for Petfinder.com to develop an app. Well... it’s not cutting-edge, functionality isn’t the sharpest and the design is somewhat dated. iPet Finder gives a sense of the number of pets available in your area. Search 300,000 pets from over 13,000 shelters and rescue groups. Price: free

Continued on page 26

mcfaithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pet store

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Tricks, Continued from page 24

CESAR SAYS

Those that subscribe to Cesar “exercise, discipline, affection” Millan’s school of dog training can carry Cesar around in their pocket. Cesar Says Sit..Stay.. Roll Over! The Dog Whisperer app offers sound bites from the famous pack leader, while a tap or shake of the phone will generate Millan’s trademark “tsst!” warning noise. Price: Free.

DOGBOOK

DogBook is a social networking application for dogs. Like Facebook, users can keep people updated with what’s going on in their dog’s life, friend fellow dogs (and even cats, horses, fish and ferrets), share photos, and find great animal-friendly places to meet up.

PET DOSSIER

This is a must have for any pet owner. Because... you just never know if you will run into an emergency situation. YepYup’s Pet Dossier is a digital file cabinet of all your pets’ records, even has a place for vet and other contact info. Price: $1.99

DOG FIRST AID

If you are the cautious type, always anticipating the possibility that something could go wrong and often does, than you’ll want Dog First Aid. Should you have a canine crisis, this app will help you with what to do until you can get proper veterinary help. Offering fast, clear advice for most common dog emergencies. Let’s hope you never need to use it... but guess what... you’ll be prepared. Price: $1.99

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DOG WHISTLER

Stop yelling... for your pup. Try this app as an alternative. You might also call the Dog Whistler an iInstrument... adjusting the frequency and pitch of the whistle sound to call your dog. Recent tests didn’t yield very positive results on an actual dog (however...that dog may have just been completely insubordinate), it’s free so... what do you have to lose. Price: Free

DOG-A-LOG

Dog Breed reference app for those of you who want to know the difference between a Boston and a Jack Russell Terrier or maybe a bearded and a border collie (“collie” which comes from the Scottish word for a sheep-herding dog). Use DogA-Log if your’re looking for the perfect dog to fit your lifestyle. It will give you the info you need to help narrow your choices This reference app, draws right from Wikipedia. Price: $0.99

PET SERVICES FINDER

If you’re a first time dog owner, new to an area, or just looking for new service providers for your pup, let Pet Services Finder help you find everything you need, such as pet stores, dog walkers, sitters, groomers, vets and even pet-friendly hotels. Search by zip code and see reviews posted by other users. Price: Free

DOGI DUTY

A must have app for every Dog Walker. DogiDuty Key word Duty. Generating e-mail reports after each walk, or dog sitting session, letting owners know if their pal had a pee or poo, was fed and any other notes of interest. Invaluable app for those in the dog-walking/sitting BIZ and a great aide to busy dog owners trying to keep track of Fido’s “movements.” Price: $0.99

DOG TRICKS BEST 101

Dog training is one of those activities best done little and often. So... having Dog Tricks – Best of 101 Dog Tricks app on your phone with a log of training activity is priceless. If you have a few spare minutes, you can follow the photo and video instruction, let your pup practice, whether it be sitting, or circus-level dog skills like the hoop jump. You’ll have a champion before you know it. Price: $2.99

wags ask dog lady

g o d ask y d a l Visit askdoglady.com to ask a question or make a comment. Follow “Ask Dog Lady” on facebook and @askdoglady on Twitter.

Dear Dog Lady, I have watched several episodes of Cesar (Dog Whisperer) Millan and he explains how nervous behavior is transferred from the human to the dog. I know this happens with my lab Macy. A lot of the reason I have nervousness, though, is due to a health condition I have. How can I prevent this from happening and/or making her behavior worse? —Michelle

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A: Without knowing what your health condition is, Dog Lady suggests your dog is smart enough to figure it out. If your health condition involved screaming at your dog, acting erratically, or refusing to take the animal out for a walk, then you might have a problem. Inconsistent human behavior confuses dogs and, in some cases, scares them and makes them nervous. As long as you maintain a calm mindset and level behavior around Macy (even if your health condition kicks in), your dog must understand who you “really” are. Your health condition is part of you. Give your dog love and be a secure leader (favorite Cesar Millan advice) and Macy will get it.

Dear Dog Lady, I think you are barking up the wrong tree when you write about sleeping with your dog. You miss sending an important message to your readers. There have been several news articles lately about the dangers of pets sleeping in your bed due to diseases that pets may give you accidentally. Animals can carry fleas and ticks, and can get infected and re-infected with intestinal parasites without proper veterinary medical care. Fleas, ticks, and intestinal parasites are common in pets of owners uneducated about the importance of basic veterinary medical care. And those parasites can lead to severe disease in children, pregnant women, people with certain diseases, and the elderly. As a veterinarian I like to promote the healthy bonds that people have with their pets, but it makes it difficult when you don’t realize a pet can carry a debilitating or deadly disease. —Van H., MS, DVM

A: Thank you Dr. Van H. for weighing in on this issue. Recently, the New York Times published a lengthy piece by Bob Morris laden with input from doctors about people who allow their pets to share their beds: “The reasons are well documented,” writes Morris. “First, touching, human or otherwise, raises levels of oxytocin in the body, creating feelings of contentment. And, of course, the comfort that an unconditionally loving animal provides in bed is an emotional balm . . .” For now, Dog Lady remains willing to say the balm is the bomb. As you suggest, Dog Lady’s dog has proper veterinary care. He’s clean (except for drat muddy feet on occasion). He’s vaccinated. And, lordy, he’s cute. He doesn’t feel entitled to the bed; he just likes sleeping with us. Also, Dog Lady never swaps saliva with her dog and you shouldn’t either. People who kiss their dogs court disease and are nutty to think a dog kiss has the same emotional heft as a human kiss. No way. Dear Dog Lady, I want to dye my white Maltese, Maya, red, white and blue for July Fourth. What dye is least toxic for dogs? Do I do this in the sink or the tub? Do you know if the dye stains the porcelain? —Moira A: You’re kidding, right? You worry about staining porcelain when your dog’s epidermis is at risk? Your priorities are in topsy-turvy order. Get a decorative collar for your dog. Or tie a colorful scarf around her neck. Please do not dye your Maya. Putting chemicals on your dog’s skin is tantamount to abuse and should never be done for fun. Dog skin is much more sensitive than ours and you don’t want put little Maya at risk for itching and allergies and hot spots and all that. Dog Lady is not a vet nor does she play one on the Internet but, ye gads, celebrate July Fourth with a picnic, a parade and some flag waving. Do not make your Maltese red, white and very itchy blue all over.

bites

The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too. —Samuel Butler

Dogs are wise. They crawl away into a quiet corner and lick their wounds and do not rejoin the world until they are whole once more. —Agatha Christie

I am as confounded by dogs as I am indebted to them. —Roger Caras

Dogs are better than human beings because they know but do not tell. —Emily Dickinson

A dog doesn’t care if you’re rich or poor, big or small, young or old. He doesn’t care if you’re not smart, not popular, not a good joke-teller, not the best athlete, nor the best-looking person. To your dog, you are the greatest, the smartest, the nicest human being who was ever born. You are his friend and protector. —Lord Sabin Jones

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I think we are drawn to dogs because they are the uninhibited creatures we might be if we weren’t certain we knew better. —George Bird Evans

the inner dog

Billy Nungesser and Lil’ Bit

ast summer, Louisiana’s Billy Nungesser burst into the news and onto the national scene as the face of anger over the devastating months-long BP oil spill. As president of Plaquemines Parish in Louisiana, Billy Nungesser has for years been an outspoken advocate working to save Louisiana’s coast from erosion. He recently announced his candidacy for Lieutenant Governor. Plaquemines Parish covers a sliver of delta dirt near the mouth of the Mississippi River south of New Orleans. It is neither well-known nor well-populated. It’s where the BP oil first made landfall last summer. It’s also where Billy lives with Lil Bit, a scrappy shepherd mix he rescued, floating on a board in the days just following Hurricane Katrina.

Photo: Zu Carpenter

When he got her home, he carried her into the house and she sat in the corner by the side door and didn’t move for several days.

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Because the dog was so traumatized, Billy and his fiancé said the dog could stay in the house, but only for a “Little Bit.” They took to the rescue dog so much they let her stay inside and even sleep in Billy’s bed, but only for a “Little Bit.” It soon became a running joke that somehow the little, scared rescue dog became a permanent resident…and they named her name: Lil Bit.

We thank them for spending some time getting in touch with their Inner Dog. What is her idea of perfect happiness? Having her belly scratched while watching tv & taking rides in the car with her head out the window.

What is her favorite treat? Bacon Strips, but really anything especially if it’s off your plate. If she could change one thing about herself, what would it be? Her bad manners at the dinner table What is her most treasured possession? Her stuffed elephant & donkey What is her most endearing quality? She understands people Assuming there is such a thing as reincarnation, what or who might she have been in a former life? Queen of England or First Lady Is there anything that embarrasses her? Her smelly toots What is it that she dislikes most? Water What is her greatest fear? That she will be left behind & we won’t return. What is her greatest accomplishment? Surviving hurricane Katrina while floating on a board What is her favorite place? On her bed by the back door with her head on the window sill waiting for us to get home. What does she really like in other dogs? Playfulness—running with them in the yard. She has 2 children & 3 siblings. Does she have a motto? Don’t Worry, Be Happy. But I teach her my motto: Always Do the Right Thing.

Fetch your Urban Dog Swag! Celebrate the magic of the canine spirit and get in touch with your Inner Dog. Check out the Urban Dog Store at www.cafepress.com/urbandogs

even watchdogs need watchdogs

Animals enrich our lives in so many ways. They give us joy, protection, companionship, and unconditional love. But they need our help too. Join us in confronting animal cruelty in all its forms. Visit humanesociety.org to find out what you can do.