1. pets
2. dogs

PUPCULTURE
June/July 2012 | www.pupculturemagazine.com
MAGAZINE
HEALTH & WELLNESS
2012
HEALTHY
DOGS
PRODUCT
GUIDE
INSIDE!
IS YOUR DOG
THE SECRET TO
HAPPINESS?
+
TRANSFORMING ANECDOTAL
EVIDENCE INTO A SCIENTIFIC REALITY
LICK.
SLOBBER.
DROOL.
FIGHTING CANINE
CANCER WITH
A DOG-A-DAY
WOOF THIS...
SCRATCH THAT!
10 REASONS WHY YOU
SHOULD EXERCISE
WITH YOUR DOG
FRAN DRESCHER
FINDING LOVE AFTER LOVE
Most pet store puppies
coMe froM puppy Mills.
Take the pledge not to buy anything
in pet stores that sell puppies.
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No Pet
MAGAZINE
PUPCULTURE
JUNE/JULY 2012 • HEALTH & WELLNESS ISSUE
20
COVER STORY
26
DEPARTMENTS
30
38
46
BARK-CETERA
PUPCULTURE
June/July 2012 | www.pupculturemagazine.com
FRAN DRESCHER
Finding Love After Love
FEATURES
20
IS YOUR DOG THE SECRET TO HAPPINESS?
Transforming Anecdotal Evidence
Into A Scientific Reality
30
DIETING WITH MY DOG
Author Peggy Frezon Shares Her Weight Loss
Journey With Her Dog, Kelly
38
LICK. SLOBBER. DROOL.
Fighting Canine Cancer WIth A Dog-A-Day
46 STAYING THE COURSE
Therapy Dogs Help Children with Special Needs Excel Through Agility
12 TTOUCH
TTouch Circle
14
FASHION
Green Steals the Scene
16 LEISURE
Going The Distance: The Sport of Dock Jumping
18 WELLNESS
Keeping Your Dog Hydrated
33
50 NUTRITION
Woof This, Scratch That
52 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
6
CONTRIBUTORS
8
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
10 DOGGIE DELICACIES:
Strawberry Banana Ice Cream
24 READERS PET PICS: Dogs in Action
42
MAKE YOUR OWN: Fleece Ball
43 HEALTHY DOGS PRODUCT GUIDE
56 ASK THE EXPERT
58 PRODUCT REVIEW: Wacky Walk’r
60 PRODUCT REVIEW: Cloud K9
62 THE FUNNY BONE: Workout Do’s & Don’ts
BIG CITY, LITTLE DOG
64 THE PUP CULTURE LIST: 10 Reasons Why You
Should Excercise With Your Dog
ADVENTURES IN PET SITTING
66 PUPPY PERSONALS
COLUMNS
54 2 | PUPCULTURE JUNE/JULY
DOG AS ART
Fitness Dogs
4
MAGAZINE
26 HEALTH & WELLNESS
2012
HEALTHY
DOGS
PRODUCT
GUIDE
INSIDE!
IS YOUR DOG
THE SECRET TO
HAPPINESS?
+
TRANSFORMING ANECDOTAL
EVIDENCE INTO A SCIENTIFIC REALITY
LICK.
SLOBBER.
DROOL.
FIGHTING CANINE
CANCER WITH
A DOG-A-DAY
WOOF THIS...
SCRATCH THAT!
10 REASONS WHY YOU
SHOULD EXERCISE
WITH YOUR DOG
FRAN DRESCHER
FINDING LOVE AFTER LOVE
ON THE COVER
Fran Drescher & Esther
www.pupculturemagazine.com | 3
PUP CULTURE
MAGAZINE
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Furthering Our Love of Dogs
Welcome to the June/July “Health & Wellness” issue of Pup Culture
Magazine. I hope that you are enjoying the beginning of summer as much
as both my dogs and I are.This month, we are promoting making healthy
choices not only for yourself, but for your four-legged counterpart.
Be sure to read about actress Fran Drescher and her dog Esther, our cover
story on page 26. Fran talks about her battle with cancer and how Esther
helped her find love after love.
We also hope you will find motivation to make healthy choices from our
Dieting with My Dog Article on page 30. Author Peggy Frezon shows us
that your perfect weight-loss companion has four-legs and a tail.
We’re proud to introduce our newest addition to the magazine, Dog As
Art . It’s a photo editorial that will feature the work of our contributing
photographers who will display a photographic series related to the theme
of each issue. This issue features the work of our Photo Editor, Michelle
Macirella. You can see her Fitness Dogs Series on page 33.
Also, this summer’s hottest colors are green and tangerine. Designer
Laura Kinsey offers some fashion ideas on page 14 to make sure your dog
is on trend this summer.
Make sure to check out our make your own craft project, yummy treat
recipe, and of course, those cute little Weiner dogs, Max and Mina in “The
Funny Bone” comic on page 62. Also, be sure to read our columns Big
City Little Dog and Adventures in Pet Sitting.
Don’t forget to visit us at www.PupCultureMagazine.com or “Like”
us on Facebook to stay current with more great articles, information
and giveaways exclusive to the web. As always, our bi-monthly online
subscription is free, so be sure to sign-up on our mailing list through the
website to have the magazine delivered to your inbox.
Publisher
PUP CULTURE Magazine
Editor-in-Chief
Gabriella Martinez
Contributing Editors
Scott Broberg
Michelle Macirella
Christine White
Creative Director
Monica Cevallos
Photo Editor
Michelle Macirella
Design & Production
Monica Cevallos
Gabriella Martinez
Contributing Writers
Carol Giotto
Laura Kinsey
Michelle Macirella
Gabriella Martinez
Debra Thesing
Elaine Webster
Christine White
Dr. Linda A. Banks, DVM
Dr. Tom Linnenbrink, DVM
Contributing Photographers
Julie Clegg, Bailey & Banjo Pet Photography
Jessice Luce, Jessica Luce Photography
Michelle Macirella, Luminaria Photography
Robert Ochoa, Pawmazing Photography
Terri Parthum, Terri Parthum Photography
Cheers!
Gabriella
Advertising Inquires call (585) 857.7126 or
email Christine@pupculturemagazine.com
The publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts,
images, photographs, or other materials. By accepting and
publishing advertising, the publisher in no way recommends,
guarantees or endorses the quality of services or products
within those advertisements.
Copyright 2012 by PUP CULTURE Magazine. All rights reserved.
No part of publication may be reproduced by any means, electronic
or mechanical, including the internet or photocopying without the
written permission of the publisher. PUP CULTURE Magazine and its
logotype are the trademarks of PUP CULTURE Magazine.
4 | PUPCULTURE JUNE/JULY
Gabriella
Contributors
Gabriella Martinez, Editor-In-Chief
Dr. Linda A. Banks, DVM, Guest Writer
Gabriella is a marketing professional and owner of A Barkers Dozen Gourmet Dog Treats. Her intricately
decorated treats have been featured in various publications such as People Pets, Dog Tipper and local papers.
She is a graduate from Rochester Institute of Technology with a Bachelors of Scuience in Multidisciplinary
Studies with concentrations in Printing and Publishing, Photographic Arts and Sciences, Marketing and
Psychology. A life-long animal lover, she currently lives with her 3 dogs and 6 cats.
Dr. Linda A. Banks, currently the director at Stone Ridge Veterinary Hospital, has practiced veterinary
medicine in Rochester, New York, for more than 20 years. She completed undergraduate studies in animal
science at Cornell University and received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of
Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. She is a member of numerous veterinary medicine associations and
strongly believes in the importance of veterinary continuing education. Outside of the hospital, Dr. Banks
enjoys spending time with her husband two sons and their furry children, which includes a Boxer named
Diesel and two cats named Batman and Midnight.
Michelle Macirella, Photo Editor & Contributing Writer
Dr. Tom Linnenbrink, DVM, Guest Writer
Michelle Macirella is the Owner/Photographer of Luminaria Photography in Rochester, NY. In addition to
being a photographer, Michelle was also a professional theatrical Stage Manager and Production Secretary
on Academy & Emmy Award winning film and television productions such as A Beautiful Mind and Ed. She
has been a contributing writer and photographer for several publications including Lake Affect Magazine and
Rochester Woman Magazine, and is a member of Professional Photographers of America. One of Michelle’s
specialties is commercial pet photography and pet portraits. She is a lover of all things dog, especially her
own Tibetan Spaniel mix, Bear, who brightens her life every day!
Dr. Tom Linnenbrink has practiced veterinary medicine for more than 10 years. He completed his
undergraduate studies in biology at Colorado State University and received his Doctorate of Veterinary
Medicine from Colorado State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine in 2001. He worked as an intern in
medicine and surgery at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine before moving to Rochester,
New York, to work as an emergency staff clinician at Animal Emergency Services, where he works today.
Monica Cevallos, Creative Director
Julie Clegg, Contributing Photographer
Monica is an avid animal lover and design and illustration fancier, who 8 years ago merged these three
loves together to form Sniff Design Studio™, an award-winning graphic design studio that caters to the
pet industry. She holds degrees in Fine Art, Graphic Design and Print Production from San Fransico State
University and Platt College of Design. She is also the proud mother of Willamina & Maxamillion (A.K.A.)
Mina and Max, two darling yet little devil dachshunds.
Julie Clegg of Bailey & Banjo Pet Photography is an award-winning photographer, most recently voted Best
of Western Washington. Julie’s efforts to raise money and awareness for canine cancer research led her to
start another company called Lick. Slobber. Drool., a dog lifestyle company that sells canine cancer related
products with a portion of the proceeds going back to canine cancer research. Julie’s work has been featured
on several covers of City Dog Magazine where she is a regular contributor, in addition to Dog Fancy, The
Bark and Pup Culture. She currently resides in Issaquah, WA with her family which includes Bailey & Banjo,
her two lovable yellow labs.
Christine White, Contributing Writer & Ad Sales
Linda Dow Hayes, Contributing Photographer
Christine White lives in Rochester, NY with her dog Bailey Rae, named after musician Corinne Bailey Rae.
Her areas of interest include fashion, research-oriented articles and feature stories chronicling inspiring
people within the dog industry. Christine graduated from S.U.N.Y. Geneseo with a B.A. in communication
and has been writing ever since she can remember. As a marketing intern with the American Red Cross
Christine gained experience interviewing clients and writing press releases, blog posts and testimonials. She
volunteers regularly at local animal shelters providing the animals with walks along the nearby trail, love and
attention.
Linda Dow Hayes is a portrait photographer living and working in Upstate New York. Born and raised
in New Hampshire, she has fond memories of time spent with her first family dog, Susie and her stepdog
Rasputin. She enjoys spending time with her family attending sporting events and concerts as well as hiking
and relaxing at home. Along with her English Springer Spaniel, KC (short for Katherine Claire-which
her family decided was far too proper of a name for daily use), she has a cat, Maybelline, and 2 Japanese
Fighting Fish, Gypsy and Mayor McFish, as members of her family.
Debra Thesing, Contributing Writer (Make Your Own Crafts)
Jessica Luce, Contributing Photographer
Debra Thesing works in the legal field by day and all things Pug the rest of her waking hours! She is the
owner of Pugpossessed - a little shop not just for Pugs. She and her husband are owned by 6 Pugs, 3 of
whom are rescues. She is actively involved with rescue and travels near and far meeting up with online
friends and going to Pug events and fundraisers.
Jessica graduated from Portfolio Center’s post-graduate program for Commercial Photography and knew
before she even got her hands on the diploma that dog photography is what she’s meant to do! Her sincere
love for dogs of all breeds combined with her creative passion for photography birthed a career that she
wouldn’t dare trade for anything else.
Jessica is an Atlanta, Georgia native and you can find her photographing family pets and for rescue groups
throughout Atlanta and its suburbs.
6 | PUPCULTURE JUNE/JULY
Carol Giotto, Contributing Writer (TTouch)
Terri Parthum, Contributing Photographer
Carol was first certified as a Tellington TTouch Practitioner in 2001. She is actively involved with Therapy
Dogs International; she is the current director of TDI Chapter #216 and she and her two therapy dogs (Jonah
and Lottie Mae) visit various libraries and nursing homes in the Rochester Area. Carol is also a founding
member and Treasurer of Veterans PetReach, Inc., a local charitable organization whose mission is foster,
train and place a carefully selected shelter or rescue animal with a Veteran who can benefit from the presence
of a companion animal. Carol is also actively involved in fundraising activities for the Rochester City
Animal Shelter (Rochester Animal Services). She lives with her husband, English Mastiffs and a cat.
Terri is a certified by Professional Photographers of America (PPA) & is currently serving on the Board
of Greater Rochester Professional Photographers. She has over 20 years experience in the photographic
industry. Many 4 legged friends have made their home with her over the years. Currently, she is the proud
Aunt (& occasional babysitter) to 3 Yorkies & a Shih Tzu.
www.pupculturemagazine.com | 7
JUNE/JULY
CALENDAR O F
EVENTS
JUNE 9th
Purina Pro Plan
Incredible Dog Challenge
DEL MAR, CA
9:30AM - 3:30PM
JUNE 9th
The Fast & The Furriest®
10K, 5K & 1-Mile Dog Walk
JUNE 23rd
Ride To End Dogfighting
MILWAUKEE, WI
ROCHESTER, NY
7AM - 2PM
9AM - 8PM
This premier canine sporting event features
dogs competing in a variety of “Olympicstyle” events including dog diving, freestyle
flying disc, head-to-head weave poles, Jack
Russell hurdle racing, speed and catch and
agility.
Mark your calendar for our 6th annual event.
Join us for the 10K, 5K, dog walk, and pet
festival that will again feature live music, food
vendors, and a variety of activties for you and
your pets.
Join us for an all day rally at Milwaukee
Harley-Davidson features live music, delicious
Carrabba’s food, vendors, attractions, raffle
prizes, door prizes and the 50/50 Jackpot
drawing! Supports the programs of the Brew
City Bully Club that are creating a more humane
Milwaukee one child at a time.
For More Information and Tickets:
www.BarkNetwork.com
For More Information:
www.VSAS.org
For More Information and Tickets:
www.RideToEndDogfighting.com
JULY 14th
6th Annual
Poochapalooza
MARYSVILLE, WA
10AM - 5PM
Pet contests, demos, live music, CGC
testing, flyball, “Fashions & Rescues”
runway dog show showcasing adoptable
rescue dogs.
For More Information:
www.poochapalooza.org
8 | PUPCULTURE JUNE/JULY
JULY 19th
Wags and Whiskers
Family Fun Fair
Want Your Pet
Related Event Listed?
ROTTERDAM JUNCTION, NY
11AM-4PM
Come join us for a pawsitively good time!
AgileDogs demonstrations, reptile adventure shows, pet photo booth,craft vendors,
food, live music by What-Ever!, KidsZone,
Auctions and more!
For More Information:
www.schenectadyspca.org
Email us the details at
info@pupculturemagazine.com
and we will do our best to get it listed
either online or in our magazine.
ICY FRESH
STRAWBERRY-BANANA
ICE CREAM
PHOTO BY: TERRI PARTHUM
INGREDIENTS:
TWEET TO WIN!
A ONE YEAR SUPPLY OF POOPY PACKS & A ONE PAGE
PROFILE OF YOUR DOG IN PUP CULTURE MAGAZINE
n 1 32oz container of plain organic
yogurt
n 1 cup of organic strawberries, rinsed
n 1-2 ripe organic bananas
n 1/8 cup organic honey
n 1 tsp vanilla
DIRECTIONS:
1. Place yogurt, strawberries, bananas, honey and vanilla into a blender.
2. Blend until all ingredients are smooth.
3. Pour into ice cube tray or empty container.
4. Freeze overnight.
5. Remove from ice cube tray or scoop with ice cream scooper and feed to hungry puppies.
10 | PUPCULTURE JUNE/JULY
HOW TO ENTER YOUR DOG:
1. Follow @metropaws and @PupCultureMag
2. Tweet Your Favorite “Beach Dog” themed photo of your dog with the
hashtag #ILOVEPCandMETROPAWS
Winner will be announced July 15th!
®
What is TTouch ? The Tellington TTouch or TTouch was developed by Linda
Tellington Jones. TTouch is made up of ground work (or the confidence
course), body work and leash work. TTouch can be used to address a number
of behavior issues as well as to benefit general well-being. To find out more
about TTouch or to find a practitioner in your area visit
www.ttouch.com
Written By Carol Giotto
TTouch Bodywork is comprised of circles, lifts and slides. In
the December issue of Pup Culture Magazine, I explained how
to do “zig-zag” which is considered a slide. In this issue, I am
going to describe how to do a TTouch circle. There are over a
dozen different touches that are all based on the TTouch circle.
The position of your hand on your dog - what part and how
much is in contact- defines these touches.
Before we get into the specifics here are just a couple of
reminders. TTouch is working with a dog’s nervous system,
not muscle - bodywork is very gentle. TTouch is very different
from massage, the pressure is generally what you would be
comfortable with pressing on your eyelid (assuming you are
not wearing contacts). Also, when you practice TTouch on your
dog, you do not want your dog on command (“stay” or “stand”).
You want to notice your dog’s reaction and adjust what you are
doing to make it more acceptable. Sometimes adjusting what
you are doing means stopping and taking a pause.
To do a TTouch circle, put the tips of your fingers in contact
with your dog. Your hand should be relaxed with fingers
slightly apart. Now imagine that your fingers are glued to your
dogs skin. You want to move them all clockwise making a
circle and a quarter. You’re not sliding your fingers over the
skin, you want the skin to move in a circle and a quarter. Your
thumb should be on your dog as well. You can either use your
thumb as a pivot point or you can move your thumb along with
your fingers. Your fingers should move relatively slowly. Most
of TTouch is about bringing your dog into a focused state. If
you make your circle too fast, you will actually excite your dog
instead of helping them to focus.
Once you have completed the TTouch circle, stop and move
your fingers to a new location. You can either slide your fingers
to a new spot or pick them up and move them. Try both and
watch your dog’s reaction. You will see which method is more
12 | PUPCULTURE JUNE/JULY
fig. 1
If it is helpful, you can think of the face of a clock when making your
circle. Think of starting with your fingers at 6 o'clock. You want to
slowly move them around to 9 o'clock, then 12 o'clock, then 3, back
down to 6 and stopping at 8 or 9 o'clock.
acceptable for your dog.
You can do these TTouch circles all over your dog’s body
(head to tail and down to their toes). While you are doing
them, again, be sure to watch your dog’s reaction. If they are
protective of parts of their body, respect that and move to a part
of their body that is more acceptable. You will find over time
they may start presenting certain areas to you.
In addition to moving to a different part of your dog’s body,
you can also adjust your touch by changing your speed,
pressure and contact. Most dogs prefer a light slow pressure
with a clockwise circle. Some dogs however, prefer a counterclockwise circle. You can change your contact by putting more
or less of your hand in contact with your dog. The touch will
be more diffused if you have more of your hand in contact (this
can be more accepting to some dogs). Play around with these
adjustments and watch how your dog reacts.
Stay tuned for more. In upcoming issues, I’m going to
describe some common applications for using different circle
touches. Examples of applications are toe-nail trimming and
injury or arthritis.n
Gorgeous GREEN is this summer’s hottest hue—whether you choose refreshing MINTY
GREEN, a sparkling shade of LIME ZEST, a bold GRASSY GREEN, or a bright shade of PEACOCK,
your dog will be on trend. Splash in some TANGERINE accents and you’re good to go!
Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.
~Roger Caras
New from Puppy Kisses, these
felt collar buds with adjustable
Velcro closure will jazz up any
collar! Add two for extra pizzazz.
$6, www.puppykisses.com
Puppylocks are natural feather
arrangements that can be easily
applied to add flare to your pet’s
coat. Available in an array of
colors, patterns and sizes, they
will stay in your pet’s fur until
you’re ready for a new one! Also
available as collar charms. Clips
start at $12, collar charms at $15.
www.puppylocks.com
Show off your pet with a Wildebeest original
that combines tasteful aesthetics with
function. Perfect for all pets everyday! Shown
in Chambray/Celeste. Other colors available
starting at $23, www.wildebeest.com
GREEN
STEALS THE SCENE
By Laura Kinsey
Light, breezy, and on trend! These
fresh green dresses will be a hit
at your dog’s next garden party!
Country Club dress and Rosette
Ruffle Dress from Zack & Zoey
starting at $12.40 and $15.77, both
available at www.baxterboo.com
Comfy, stretchy, cool, and light, this
soft cotton tee is reversible for two
looks: delicious green and orange
stripes on one side and green and
orange polka dots on the other.
$39.95, www.oscarnewman.com
The JoJo collection from Mochi &
Jolie offers casual wear that’s pure
comfort and easy chic with a touch
of freshness. Bunny Foo Foo t-shirt
and other styles available from the
2012 resort collection. $27.
www.mochiandjolie.com
Hairbows are a punchy way to keep hair out of
your dog’s eyes this summer! Featuring a nonslip French barette and genuine Swarovski
crystal elements in the center, these bows
from Puppy Kisses are quality all the way!
Circus and Easter Basket styles shown, $9
each. More styles available at
www.puppykisses.com
Enter the Ivy League set with Mungo &
Maud’s Preppy Collar & Lead. Made from
fine striped webbing with calf leather trim,
you’ll be sure to set the trend this term for
your first day back at the park. Available
in beige/red, grey/green and brown/pink.
Nickel-plated hardware. Collars £55-69,
Leads £75-95 www.mungoandmaud.com
Photo By LuminariaPhotography.com
14 | PUPCULTURE JUNE/JULY
GOING THE DISTANCE
THE SPORT OF DOCK JUMPING
Written By Michelle Macirella | Photography By Robert Ochoa, Pawmazing Photography
W
hen I first heard the term dock jumping I pictured
happy Labrador Retrievers on a warm summer day
jumping off a dock into a lake, something dogs
everywhere have probably been doing for years. But now, as a
recognized sport, dogs of any breed can jump off of a platform
into a pool to compete in official dock jumping competitions.
Many dog owners are aware of other popular dog sports like
flyball and agility which have been around for awhile, but
dock jumping (also known as dock diving) is fairly new to the
scene and one of the fastest growing. First started in 1997 at
the Incredible Dog Challenge event sponsored by Purina, dock
jumping grew in popularity after the ESPN Great Outdoor
Games in 2000. Dock jumping had been added into the Games
as a “filler” event and wasn’t predicted to have much interest.
But when the spectators numbered in the thousands and traffic
had to be shut down for several city blocks it became clear
dock jumping was going to take off. The organization, Dock
Dogs was founded in 2000 to establish the rules and standards
for the sport as well as sponsor dock jumping sporting events
nationally. And in 2008 the United Kennel Club (UKC) added
dock jumping as one of its officially recognized UKC sports.
The simple definition for dock jumping is a sport where dogs
compete in jumping for distance or height from a dock to a
body of water. Within the competition there are teams which
consist of the dog and its handler. The distance of the jump is
measured from the edge of the dock to where the base of the
dog’s tail breaks the surface of the water. Each team gets two
jumps and the longer of the two jumps is their score for the
competition.
There are a couple different techniques that a handler can use
during the competition. The more basic is called a place and
8 | |PUPCULTURE
16
PUPCULTUREAPRIL/MAY
JUNE/JULY
send where the handler throws a toy into the water and then
releases the dog to run and jump off the platform to go fetch the
toy. The more advanced technique is called chase where the
dog is in a stay at the starting position while the handler walks
to the end of the dock holding the toy, then releases the dog and
throws the toy at the same time trying to get the dog to “chase” it
into the water. The goal with this method is to increase distance
by getting the dog to jump up, instead of just out or flat, as with
place and send. Vertical jumping is a new twist on the sport
and has the dogs jumping for height. A training bumper is held
several feet out over the water by an extender. A starting height
is set and dogs must jump up and bring the bumper down by
catching it or knocking it off in order for that height to count.
Then the bumper is moved up higher and the dog progresses to
the next round. This repeats until there is only one dog left who
can still reach the bumper.
Getting your dog started in the sport of dock jumping is
relatively easy because it doesn’t require a lot of training as
with other sports like agility. You just need to make sure your
dog is comfortable with swimming and has a strong desire for
toys. It’s also one of the safest sports because there is no real
pressure on their joints since the dogs land in water. Some
owners do take more time to condition and train their dogs for
the sport, while others just see it as another fun activity to do
with their dog.
You can get more information and see a list of events
in your area through several dock jumping organizations
including: Dock Dogs www.dockdogs.com, Splash Dogs www.
splashdogs.com, Ultimate Air Dogs www.ultimateairdogs.com
and American Diving Dogs www.americandivingdogs.com.n
www.pupculturemagazine.com | 9
KEEPING YOUR DOG HYDRATED
Ways To Prevent Fido From Becoming A ‘Hot Dog’ This Summer
By Dr. Tom Linnenbrink, DVM.
W
e all enjoy spending time outdoors in the summer with
our dogs, but it is important to keep them hydrated
and cool much the way we need to keep ourselves
hydrated to lessen the risk of heat-related illness. Our fourlegged companions, unlike us, don’t sweat to cool themselves
and while we see them panting, we may not realize the amount
of water they are losing. They lose water and dissipate heat
through a process called evaporation, which is the endothermic
process of a fluid changing to a vapor.
Dogs, by panting, bring large quantities of air in contact
with the mucosal surfaces of the nose and mouth. This allows
them to dissipate heat primarily by evaporation and, to a lesser
extent, convection, provided the air is cooler than the surface it
is moving over. Your dog’s ability to cool himself through this
method effectively decreases as humidity increases; therefore, it
is important to consider the heat index. The heat index combines
air temperature and relative humidity in an attempt to determine
the human-perceived equivalent temperature. So, while we are
sweating away and realize we are becoming dehydrated, we
don’t realize that “Fido” is dehydrated. Once dehydrated dogs
are less able to cool themselves through evaporative cooling,
they are much like a car without water in the radiator; they will
rapidly overheat and suffer from heat stroke.
There are several things that can be done to help maintain
adequate hydration and avoid heat stroke. First, make sure your
dog has plenty of fresh water before, during and after being
outside. If you are planning on taking your dog out for an
extended period of time, bring along water and offer it every
18 | PUPCULTURE JUNE/JULY
15-30 minutes. Plenty of pet-friendly water bottles with dishes
are available online or in your local pet and sporting goods
stores.
Symptoms of dehydration include the gums feeling tacky to
the touch and the skin becoming slow to return to its natural
position when pulled up. Other signs include excessive
panting and a rapid heart rate. It is a good idea to evaluate
your dog before going out so you have an idea of what his
normal hydration is like. This being said, most veterinarians
find it difficult to determine when a dog is less than 5 percent
dehydrated. Therefore, if you feel your dog is dehydrated, it is
better to err on the side of caution. Stop your activity, offer your
dog water, and find a cool place in the shade for him to recover.
Also, to avoid dehydration in the summer sun, avoid activity
in the middle of the day and allow your dog time to get used to
warm temperatures. In other words, don’t take him for a long
walk on the first warm day of the year. Also, always consider
your dog’s health and breed. Dogs with heavy coats, preexisting respiratory conditions (whether acquired or congenital)
or who are overweight are at considerably more risk for having
trouble as temperatures and humidity increase.
This summer while you and your four-legged companion are
out enjoying the weather, remember to keep his hydration and
the forecast in mind. Pay careful attention to cues your dog
may give that he is over-exerting himself in the heat. It is
better to underestimate your dog’s fitness and overestimate his
dehydration than to take a chance with heatstroke, which can
have terrible consequences. n
www.pupculturemagazine.com | 19
IS YOUR DOG
THE SECRET
TO HAPPINESS?
Y
our dog undoubtedly adds value to your life. When
you’re sad, he’s there to comfort you and dry your
tears. He greets you at the door every day with the
same enthusiasm as he did yesterday and he never fails to show
you unconditional love and maintain your trust.
For Vanessa Mariani, Director Academic & Professional
Affairs, Pfizer Animal Health U.S, the human/animal bond had
an immediate impact on saving her mother’s life following a
house fire.
“Veterinarians are key educators
on the importance of prevention,
wellness and sustained care. If
they can work with other medical
professionals, no matter the
species they care for, then we’re
making pivotal strides toward
improving health-care overall. We
“What I have learned throughout my life from my dogs and
cats came from a very personal experience where my mom
almost died in a house fire,” Vanessa recalled. “If it had not
been for the stubbornness of those pets to get into her room
even when the doctors wouldn’t let them, my mom would have
died. It was our dog’s presence that brought her back to life.”
Anecdotal evidence like Vanessa’s abounds and shows us the
positive benefits dogs bring into our lives—lessened depression,
a sense of calm and purpose, motivation to better ourselves to
lead healthier lives—yet no literature to date has utilized the
scientific method to prove whether this evidence is based upon
fact or fiction.
All of that is about to change.
Pfizer Animal Health, in conjunction with the American
Humane Association (AHA) has just completed the first of
three stages in their groundbreaking study entitled Canines and
Childhood Cancer: Examining the Effects of Therapy Dogs With
Childhood Cancer Patients and Their Families. Their research
will analyze the sociological, physiological and psychological
affects of therapy dogs on pediatric cancer patients.
Dr. Michael J. McFarland, DVM, Dipl. ABVP, Group
Director, Veterinary Medical Services at Pfizer Animal Health
explained the inspiration behind the study was a philosophical
conversation with Dr. Robin Ganzert, CEO and President of the
American Humane Association.
Transforming Anecdotal Evidence About The Human/Animal Bond
Into A Scientific Reality
20 | PUPCULTURE JUNE/JULY
Written By Christine White
“We had a strong desire to develop a truly ground-breaking
study with AHA that had enough scientific rigor, enough
patients involved with it, that we could establish once and
for all that there is a real live measurable benefit to patients
when animals are used in the appropriate way in an appropriate
environment,” stated Dr. McFarland.
like to think of this as healthy pets
equal healthy families.”
In the initial phases of their study Pfizer and AHA conducted a
comprehensive literary review of all current anecdotal evidence
available to the public pertaining to the positive benefits of
therapy dogs to pediatric cancer patients.
According to Dr. Christine Jenkins, Group Director of U.S.
Veterinary Medical Services, the second phase of the study will
be a pilot program through which they hope to determine the
parameters as well as the tools and the methodology that will
be important, as Dr. Jenkins said, in ensuring the success of the
larger-scale study (which will take place next year over a series
of 24 to 36 months).
“By planning and looking at what is in the public domain
currently and initiating a well-controlled randomized pilot study
(followed with a full-scale study) we hope that we will be able
to show and demonstrate the benefits of animal-assisted therapy
on human health, particularly children who are undergoing
cancer treatment,” Dr. Jenkins explained.
Although the study has been largely successful in its initial
phase, there are many questions which continue to remain
unanswered going into the second phase of the study. For
one, is it possible to use psychological and sociological-based
evidence in a study trying to provide answers for physiological
reactions?
“Most of the scientific community realizes it’s sometimes
very, very difficult to separate psychological benefit from
physical benefit, that the two frequently go hand in hand,” Dr.
McFarland reasoned.
www.pupculturemagazine.com | 21
Dr. McFarland said the study also raises additional questions
such as, “What is the benefit of animal-assisted therapy to the
health-care worker? To the family of the child?” and “What
benefit might there be to that child, after they’ve successfully
negotiated that treatment, to re-integrate themselves into their
classroom or other environments if they have an animal there to
help them through that process?”
Whether or not we’re able to separate the two phenomenons
remain unanswered as of yet, however, what is certain is that
society is moving forward and embracing animal-assisted
therapy as an integral part of our health and well-being.
“The human/animal interface is more and more accepted
as essential to public health,” stated Vanessa. “Veterinarians
are key educators on the importance of prevention, wellness
and sustained care. If they can work with other medical
professionals, no matter the species they care for, then we’re
making pivotal strides toward improving health-care overall.
We like to think of this as healthy pets equal healthy families.”
important to their family as a whole, not just their pet.”
As Pfizer and AHA continue their research on pediatric
cancer patients, a collaborative study between the Good
Dog Foundation and the Continuum Cancer Centers of New
York (located in Beth Israel Medical Center, St. Luke’s and
Roosevelt Hospitals and The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary)
is currently being conducted. The study is funded by Pfizer’s
Global Research Grant and is expected to yield measurable
results regarding the affects of therapy dogs on adult cancer
patients at the end of this year. The adult and pediatric studies
are just one part of a broader picture Pfizer will continue to
explore.
“I think it’s a safe bet that this project is something that will
lead to a series of studies, period,” affirmed Dr. McFarland. “We
can apply the same basic principles of our study to other areas
of health-care where there is clear, early evidence of an animalrelated benefit, but as of yet there has not been that effort to
develop a truly robust clinical study that would withstand the
scrutiny of the scientific community.”
According to Dr. McFarland increased focus on the impact of
the human/animal interface on our health will also translate into
increased credibility for the veterinarian.
According to Dr. McFarland the implications of this study are
in-numerable and will continue to develop for years to come.
“With growing scientific evidence for the power of the human/
animal bond and its impact on human health, how much more
relevant now does the veterinarian become in this whole
equation?” Dr. McFarland questioned. “We’re not talking about
just the companion in a family, but a ‘life-support system with
four legs and fur,’ as Marty Becker used to say. We want people
to realize how important it is to engage their veterinarian on a
regular basis to maintain the health of their pets because it is
“The power of human/animal interaction is just now beginning
to emerge and be understood— we’re just scratching the
surface of our understanding of what interacting with animals
does for the health of the human-being,” stated Dr. McFarland.
“It’s vitally important, I think, as good citizens and as a leading
business in the animal health industry that we have a much
better understanding of that power then we currently do and
help people understand how to harness that.”n
Yes. It’s for the Dog.
(now look who’s begging)
www.abarkersdozen.com
Lifestyle & Studio Portraits
“The power of human/
animal interaction is just now
beginning to emerge and
be understood— we’re just
scratching the surface of
our understanding of what
interacting with animals
does for the health of the
human-being,”
46 | PUPCULTURE JUNE/JULY
22
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DOGS IN ACTION
GEORGIA
BRUTUS
KAYDEN
HAZEL
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DAISY
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LUCY & GATOR
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LILO
EMIE, BELLA & GUS
Next month’s theme is:
“BARK TO SCHOOL”
Want your pup featured in the
NEXT issue of Pup Culture? Email us your best
“Bark To School” photo to:
info@pupculturemagazine.com
24 | PUPCULTURE JUNE/JULY
www.pupculturemagazine.com | 25
Fran Drescher
Finding Love After Love
Written By Gabriella Martinez | Photos Provided By Cancer Schmancer
Fran Drescher made us all laugh as Fran Fine in the hit series, The Nanny, but she is more than just an
accomplished actress with a signature voice. She’s also a United States diplomat, a loving dog mom, a 12year uterine cancer survivor and President & Visionary of Cancer Schmancer—an organization devoted to the
education, prevention and early detection of cancer. She’s also an expert at making lemonade out of lemons.
T
26 | PUPCULTURE JUNE/JULY
hroughout our lives, we all go through difficult times
and Fran is no exception. Fran’s life has encountered
several, including getting divorced from her high
school sweetheart and husband of 18 years, becoming a victim
of a violent crime, getting diagnosed with uterine cancer and
having to say goodbye to her dog of almost 19 years, Chester,
to name a few.
According to Fran, she and Chester shared an incredible bond
and he was perfectly content being a one woman dog—her
dog. He was intricately intertwined within her life. Fran and
Chester went everywhere together including photo shoots and
talk shows. Chester even had a recurring role on The Nanny as
C.C. Babcock’s lively tan pomeranian, who always seemed to
love Fran Fine more.
Before being diagnosed with uterine cancer, Fran says she was
misdiagnosed several times ranging from a peri-menopausal
condition to restless leg syndrome. It wasn’t until two years and
eight doctors later that Fran was diagnosed with a condition she
actually had—uterine cancer. As difficult of a diagnosis as this
was, Fran was never alone. Throughout her battle with cancer
there were two men always by her side: her boyfriend and her
pomeranian, Chester Drescher.
“I always tell people with cancer, especially if they live by
themselves or are alone at night, to get a pet. When you’re away
from the distractions of everyday life and you are lying in bed
and are in your head, you need something, that warm body to
bring you back into the now,” Fran explained.
Fran’s battle with cancer wasn’t just an adjustment for her,
Chester needed to adjust to the change as well. While she
www.pupculturemagazine.com | 27
was able to stay home recovering from her hysterectomy (and
ultimately spend a lot of time with Chester, who was almost
19-years-old), she couldn’t do some of the things Chester had
grown to love and expect. “I think it was especially hard on
him, because after I had my hysterectomy, I couldn’t pick him
up and he couldn’t understand why,” Fran remembered.
Although Fran eventually won her battle against cancer,
unfortunately Chester died a mere 6 months after her
hysterectomy. “I knew when he left my life that it would leave
a void the size of the Grand Canyon, and it did. However, he
was 19 and he couldn’t act as a dog anymore; it was the end of
an era for me,” Fran said.
Fran writes more about his death in her book, Cancer
Schmancer, which she wrote as a way to help educate others
about the importance of being persistent and to prevent
misdiagnosis. Her chapter, aptly titled “Chester Drescher” is
a heartfelt glimpse of his final weeks and shows the lasting
impact that he had on her life. “On December 26, 2000, the
worst year of my life got even worse,” Fran wrote.
After several months of mourning and soul-searching, Fran
decided to stop living in the past and focus more on the future.
It was with that new mindset she decided to bring another
dog into her life. “After Chester died, I realized I would need
something to propel me forward,” Fran explained.
In May of 2001, Fran brought Esther, a chocolate pomeranian,
home. “She’s the most unique little creature. She’s the sweetest,
most gentle creature I’ve ever met in my entire life of any
species. There is not a mean bone in her body. And I feel very
lucky to have her,” Fran said.
Like most dog owners know, no two dogs are the same and
Chester and Esther are no exception. According to Fran, Chester
was a high-energy pomeranian, who loved to be the center of
attention. “He was just a little spit-fire,” she recalled. Esther on
the other hand, is the complete opposite. “She’s a real bon-bon
girl, she loves to just lay around.”
Fran stated people would often stop to question her, confusing
Esther for a teddy bear. However, according to Fran people
don’t need to know what species she is to know there is truly
something special about her. “All they know is that they love
her. It’s so easy to get caught under her spell,” Fran described.
“Esther is an angel that has come down from heaven to watch
over us and show us love.”
Though Esther had some pretty big shoes to fill, she has had
no problem rising to the challenge. Much like her older brother
Chester, Esther enjoys attending industry events like talks
shows, etc. with her mom—she has even had a recurring role in
Fran’s previous sitcom Living with Fran. Now she is the newest
cast member in Fran’s new hit sitcom, Happily Divorced. The
new series was inspired by Fran’s real life experience and her
marriage to her ex-husband, Peter Marc Jacobson.
They say every situation we are faced with, joyful or not, we
learn something. According to Fran, finding Esther helped her
to learn there is in fact ‘love after love.’ “I thought when I lost
Chester I would never be able to love or be as committed to a
dog as I was with him. Esther taught me that if I can in fact love
“I Knew when he left my life that
it would leave a void the size of
the Grand Canyon, and it did.”
32 | PUPCULTURE JUNE/JULY
28
DEC/JAN
“Esther is an angel that has come
down from heaven to watch over
us and show us love.”
another dog as much, then I can love another man as much,
move on from a loss, etc.,” Fran said.
Fran has made turning pain into purpose her life’s mission. To
date, she has devoted much of her time to educating others on the
prevention and early detection of cancer. She also encourages
both those currently battling cancer and cancer survivors to
look beyond their medical conditions toward what makes them
happy. “Cancer is just a slice in the pie of life. Don’t let cancer
become the whole pie. Deal with what you have been dealt and
move past it,” Fran reminds us.
In 2002, in an effort to prevent what happened to her from
happening to others Fran wrote Cancer Schmancer, a book that
chronicles her search for a diagnosis and ultimately her story of
survival. She later founded the Cancer Schmancer Foundation
& Movement in 2007 which, like her book, aims to shift the
nation’s focus towards the prevention and early detection
of cancer, and to help change people’s perspectives so they
become medical consumers instead of passive patients. The
organization aims to save lives in a different way—by catching
cancer at its earliest stages.
In 2011, the Cancer Schmancer Foundation launched their
Trash Cancer Campaign. The campaign focuses on creating
public awareness about the toxic chemicals and carcinogens
that can be found in consumer products and urges customers
to avoid products with these ingredients. According to
trashcancer.org, only 5-10% of all cancers are hereditary. Fran
urges consumers to be aware of the products that we put in our
mouths, on our skin and use in our households.
“I believe we need to eliminate toxins from our everyday
life, and we can do the same with pet care. So eliminating
unnecessary chemicals from our household (for example, no
powder cleaner on the carpet) can have a positive effect on our
health and our pets,” Fran said.
Photo By Ian Spanier
The Trash Cancer campaign’s website, in conjunction with
Good Guide, allows users to search for products to see if they
are free of known or suspected carcinogens. This provides
people with the information they need to help them to become
smarter consumers.
Despite all of the hardships she has faced Fran continues to
inspire others to reach for that silver lining. Fran has learned to
always find the positive in any negative situation— to find the
joy lying beside the pain. Fran has embraced the new path life
has taken her on.
Thanks to Esther, she has learned that love after love is not just
a possibility, but a reality—that the heart has the ability to love
another fully, even after a loss. Together both her and Esther
are making a difference not only in each other’s lives, but in
those they come in contact with on a daily basis.
www.pupculturemagazine.com | 29
DIETING WITH MY DOG
AuthoR PEGGY FREZON SHARES HER WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY WITH HER DOG, KELLY
WRITTEN BY CHRISTINE WHITE | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY PEGGY & MIKE FREZON
T
he media bombards us daily with contradictory messages
about weight-loss, and our fast-paced lifestyles have
made it difficult for many of us to maintain a healthy
diet or consistent exercise routine. Though it may seem
impossible, there is still hope—the very workout companion
and motivation you’ve been looking for has been by your side
all along.
In her memoir, Dieting with my Dog, author Peggy Frezon
shares her weight-loss journey and inspires us to seek healthier
lifestyles for our sake and the sake of our dogs. Her book
emphasizes the importance of teamwork in achieving success
and the importance of leading by example for our furry
companions.
“I want people to realize we’re responsible for our pet’s health
and well-being,” Peggy said. “Our pets don’t choose how much
they are fed or if they exercise daily so we must make sure to
regulate this for them.”
The inspiration behind Peggy’s new mindset and her
willingness to make a major lifestyle change for the sake of her
health was her dog, Kelly. After both of her children went off to
college Peggy was struck with the sudden reality of being in an
empty nest and wanted to find a way to fill the void. By making
the decision to adopt Kelly, Peggy found she gained much more
than a warm body to fill the empty space in her home. She also
gained a best friend to inspire her, lift her spirit and motivate
her to lead a healthier lifestyle.
“Kelly is our first rescue dog and she has probably been the
most influential in my life as far as bringing my attention to dogs
that don’t have homes and how we can help them,” reflected
Peggy. “We’ve had dogs from responsible breeders, but I think
it’s a special kind of feeling to be able to help a homeless dog
who has gone through hardship find a loving home.”
Peggy recalls visiting Kelly’s veterinarian who told her that
her dog was overweight. Peggy herself was suffering from
high cholesterol and high blood pressure. She realized if she
and Kelly didn’t make some changes to manage their health
a plethora of health issues such as diabetes, heart disease and
joint problems were just around the corner for both.
“At that time I made the connection between what my doctor
had been telling me all along with what Kelly’s veterinarian
had just told to me,” Peggy explained. “When I realized that
my diet and lack of exercise were also affecting my dog, that’s
when I knew we had to start changing and that we could do it
30 | PUPCULTURE JUNE/JULY
together,” reflected Peggy. “Sometimes you’re more willing to
do something for a loved one, a friend or a pet than you are to
do for yourself.”
Slowly, Peggy started making lifestyle changes. Along the
way, she began to put her extensive writing experience to
good use and began to chronicle her and Kelly’s weight loss
experience with the goal of helping others in mind.
Peggy, who said she had been feeding Kelly twice as much,
if not more than what she actually needed, began feeding
her pooch ¾ of a cup twice a day as recommended by her
veterinarian — she was shocked at how little ¾ of a cup of food
looked inside Kelly’s large food dish.
Peggy also changed her own diet by cutting back on sugars,
starches and carbohydrates and replacing them with larger
amounts of fruits, veggies and whole-grain foods. To make up
for having less food in Kelly’s bowl Peggy began feeding her
baby carrots in place of dog treats. Kelly also receives training
treats (which are smaller and have fewer calories than most other
treats) when learning new tricks or posing for photographs.
“Our pets don’t choose how much they are
fed or if they exercise daily so we must
make sure to regulate this for them.”
“I used to give Kelly food — my pizza crust, a scrap of
chicken or whatever I was eating — every time she looked at
me,” Peggy recalls. “My experience, however, has taught me
to show Kelly love was to keep her healthy and to keep myself
healthy so that we could have a lot of time together.”
Kelly also kept a close eye on Peggy throughout their weightloss journey and made sure her owner didn’t do anything she
couldn’t do either.
“When I would go into the kitchen to get a snack Kelly would
look at me like a little furry conscience telling me, ‘you should
eat the right things because if I have to then you should too,’”
said Peggy.
In addition to changes in her diet and mindset, Peggy also
advocates the importance of adding a daily exercise routine
to your schedule. She believes getting more exercise as well
as getting out and being active have to go hand-in-hand with
www.pupculturemagazine.com | 31
“The relationship between therapy
dogs, cancer sniffing dogs, guide
dogs and people are wonderful and
help make our lives brighter— more
complete if you will.”
eating healthily. Kelly also made sure to remind Peggy of this
every day.
“If there’s ever a day I’ve worked for too long without taking
a break Kelly will walk over to me, nudge me and stick her paw
on the keyboard, making it clear that it’s time to get out and take
her for a walk,” Peggy stated.
Although Peggy admits Kelly wanted to go for walks for her
own benefit, she still believes her persistence and enthusiasm
for exercising and eating well was Kelly’s way of motivating
and inspiring Peggy for her own good.
“Kelly is funny. She’s very spoiled and she definitely will not
be ignored,” laughed Peggy. “She likes to make herself known
and gets persistent if you’re not giving her enough attention.”
Kelly has inspired Peggy in more ways than just one. Her
most recent memoir, Heart to Heart, Hand in Paw— How One
Woman Finds Faith and Hope through the Healing Love of
Animals, explores the impact dogs have had throughout her life
and how they can enrich others’ lives as well.
“I’ve always been very interested in all the ways animals help
people and how they can make them feel calmer,” stated Peggy.
“The relationship between therapy dogs, cancer sniffing dogs,
guide dogs and people are wonderful and help make our lives
brighter— more complete if you will.” n
FITNESS DOGS
Peggy’s Dieting Tips
Photography By Michelle Macirella
Get Out & Get Active
“Getting out and getting active have to go hand-inhand with eating healthy. I recommend changing your
diet first and adding exercise to your routine later-on.”
Avoid Snacking in Front of the TV
“Snacking directly out of the bag or eating in front
of the TV is distracting and you’re more likely to
consume extra calories. Avoid over-eating and excess
calories by being mindful of what you’re eating and
portioning your snacks.”
Eat More Fruits, Vegetables & WholeGrain Foods. Cut Back On Fats, Starches &
Carbohydrates
“I had to learn how to read food labels and look
for foods packed with whole grains which fill you
up and really help you lose weight. I also stopped
eating white flour, white sugar, white rice and white
potatoes.”
No More Table Scraps, Please
“I used to feed my pizza crust to Kelly as a sharing
experience and a symbol of my love for her. I now
realize true love means making healthy choices for
your dog.”
Treat Your Dog’s Stomach Kindly
BE SURE TO VISIT THE
PEGGY’s FACEBOOK
PAGE AT:
FACEBOOK.COM/
PEGGYFREZONBOOKS
“As Kelly and I cut back on our portion sizes there
were times when she needed snacks to become fully
satiated. Instead of giving her biscuits and fattening
treats I started rewarding Kelly with baby carrots.
Now my dog really loves baby carrots for treats. In
fact, she begs for them every night.”
Cover By Hubble & Hattie
32 | PUPCULTURE JUNE/JULY
www.pupculturemagazine.com | 33
34 | PUPCULTURE JUNE/JULY
www.pupculturemagazine.com | 35
36 | PUPCULTURE JUNE/JULY
www.pupculturemagazine.com | 37
LICK. SLOBBER. DROOL.
FIGHTING CANINE CANCER WITH A DOG-A-DAY
Written By Michelle Macirella | Photography By Julie Clegg, Bailey & Banjo Pet Photography
J
ulie Clegg, a Seattle based pet photographer starts each
day with a similar objective in mind – find a dog to
photograph. “I take my camera with me and when I see
a dog I introduce myself to the person, tell them about
the project I’m working on and ask them if they want to be a
part of it,” Julie says. “I also work with some foster groups
and when they get dogs that are available they’ll tell me and
then that will be the dog of the day. It helps get the word out
that this dog needs to be rescued and I thought it would be a
good way to incorporate the shelter aspect into the project. But
most of it is people I don’t know. I just meet them on the street
or in my neighborhood, at the dog park or wherever I happen
to be.”
Her search to find new dogs to photograph daily is for the
Dog-A-Day for Canine Cancer project she started this year.
The goal is to photograph a dog every day and feature that
photo on Facebook, Pinterest and her blog to raise awareness
38 | PUPCULTURE JUNE/JULY
of canine cancer. At the end of the year the photos will be
compiled into a photo book or calendar and a portion of the
proceeds will be donated to the Chase Away K9 Cancer Fund
(part of the National Canine Cancer Foundation) to help
fund canine cancer research. Another portion will go to a
scholarship fund which provides dog owners with financial
assistance for cancer related treatments for their dog.
Besides being a successful pet photographer, Julie is also a
dog mom to two adorable yellow labs, Bailey and Banjo, who
provided the inspiration for the name of her business, Bailey
& Banjo Pet Photography. Julie says when she started seeing
many of Bailey and Banjo’s friends get cancer it broke her
heart. “Thankfully I have not experienced it personally with
my own pets, but I have friends that have gone through it and
I’ve seen a lot of it with my clients,” she says. Julie’s mother
is also a cancer survivor. “I’ve been around it enough to see
how devastating it is. So I just felt really drawn to the cause.
www.pupculturemagazine.com | 39
You know how things touch you in the right way? This one
just grabbed at me and I wanted to do something about it,” she
says.
“The Dog-A-Day project has totally morphed into what it is,”
Julie tells me. She says it started with her desire to get out
from behind her desk. As a photographer she spends countless
hours editing at her computer and she wanted to get out and
meet people. Within a couple days of getting out and talking
to people she realized she had a huge platform to educate the
public about canine cancer. In the process she started taking
photos each day of the dogs she met. Julie has a real talent
for creating dog portraits. Her photographs are captivating,
engaging and truly reveal the personality of the dog.
After awhile she realized she was going to have pictures
every day and wondered what she could do with them to help
raise money for canine cancer. She decided she would make a
calendar or book and sell that in addition to selling individual
prints. “So if people want to buy one or two they can or if they
want to buy the calendar at the end of the year they can,” Julie
says. She wants to have a few different offerings people can
purchase to help support the cause. A sentiment which helped
her start her other company, Lick. Slobber. Drool.
Lick. Slobber. Drool. is a dog lifestyle company that Julie
started whose name was again inspired by her dogs, Bailey
and Banjo. “Bailey is the drooler. Banjo is the licker. Put them
together and take them to a dog park…a slobbery mess! And
from that, Lick. Slobber. Drool. was born,” Julie says on the
website. Lick. Slobber. Drool. sells dog related products and
a portion of the proceeds go to the scholarship fund she set
up to help people whose dogs are being treated for cancer get
financial assistance with their medical bills. And another part
will go to the Chase Away K9 Cancer Fund. “So we’re hitting
it from both sides – a little bit of research and a little bit of
something we can use to help somebody right now. You know
if your dog gets cancer and you don’t have pet insurance, that’s
a horrible choice to have to make,” Julie says.
The Dog-A-Day project photos and end of the year
compilation will be sold through Lick. Slobber. Drool. in
addition to the t-shirts and bumper stickers currently for sale.
Julie tells me she will also be adding more products in the near
future. To find out more about her Dog-A-Day project and her
work to fight canine cancer, visit lickslobberdrool.com. Visit
baileyandbanjo.com to see more of Julie’s photography.
40 | PUPCULTURE JUNE/JULY
www.pupculturemagazine.com | 41
make your own
2012
Written By Debra Thesing | Photography By Terri Parthum
HEALTHY DOGS
PRODUCT GUIDE
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
6 Go outside and play fetch with your dog and his new toy.
5
42 | PUPCULTURE JUNE/JULY
6
www.pupculturemagazine.com | 43
33
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$26.00, www.silverfoot.com
Quench your dog’s thirst this
summer with DoggiWater (TM).
Available in three flavors, this
vitamin water promotes fresh
breath, is 100% natural, and is
filled with potassium, antioxiants,
and electrolytes. Drink up! $1.99
per bottle, www.doggiwater.com
The Cap Ferrat tote captures
the essence of the swankiest
port on the French Riviera!
This chic and reversible
tote holds all your dog’s
accessories, plus maybe
a few of your own. $125,
www.bluebloodliving.com
Flux collars and leashes meet
the specific needs of big, active
dogs in a fashionable, modern
way. Weisman Aqua Collar
& Walkman Aqua lead, each
$64 at www.fluxforpets.com
As the weather heats up and
you set out for some water-fun
activities, don’t forget a Paws
Aboard Doggy Life Jacket for
your favorite pooch! Available in
6 unique styles and patterns. A
safe dog is a happy dog! $24.99$49.99, www.pawsaboard.com
Summer heat causes hot spots
and irritated skin for many a
dog. Snook’s Hot Spot herbal dip
will help heal and soothe itchy
skin using organic rosemary,
elderflowers, and comfrey leaf.
$6, shop.snookdog.com
Poopy Packs from MetroPaws
are an earth friendly, fun, and
convenient way to clean up after
your pooch! A 160-bag designer
package is $16.99. 6 & 12 month
subscriptions also available at
www.metropaws.com
Thinking of Fido might help you get
to a place of Zen when all else fails.
Dog-patterned yoga mat, $37.19,
www.karmakiss.net
Combat ticks this summer safely
and easily with Tick-SR (TM) wipes.
They remove ticks by dissolving the
“glue” that bonds them to your dog,
and help minimize infection at the
puncture point. Available in packs of
10. www.tick-sr.com
Take your dog for a ride around town
in style and safety with the Basil Pluto
dog basket from AdelineAdeline. $175,
www.adelineadeline.com
Hot pavement takes a toll on city
dogs. Keep their paws in shape
this summer with Deep Cleaning
Paw Fizz Tablets from Warren
London. $11.95 for package of
12. www.warrenlondon.com
An extra paw to hold the
doody? Yes please! The Fifth
Paw® is a patent pending
leash attachment that works
with virtually all flat-woven
leash styles, leaving hands
clean and free to enjoy time
outside with your dog.
www.thefifthpaw.com
The Leanlix low-calorie reward
system lets you treat your dog
without worrying about his
waistline. Available in six droolinducing flavors at $12.00
each, www.leanlix.com
Bring a bit of summer inside
with stylish, eco-friendly beds
from P.L.A.Y. The Bamboo
Lounge Bed is available in two
colors and four sizes. Starting
at $108, www.petplay.com
Hit the hiking trail with the
EzyDog Summit Backpack.
Complete with the awardwinning harness chestplate,
waterproof zippers and
reflective trim, your dog will
be able to help carry the
load in comfort. $54-$85,
www.ezydog.com
Don’t let stiff joints or pain
prevent you and your dog from
taking a stroll. The Dogger (TM)
makes is easy for older dogs
who are still playful at heart to
enjoy a day outside. $249.95
CDN, www.dogquality.com
www.pupculturemagazine.com | 45
In addition to improving their motor skills the children also
participate in physical, speech and occupational therapy-- all
without even knowing they’re actually doing the work.
“Therapies are incorporated into the children’s assignments,”
Nicole explained. “Instead of saying ‘We’re going to lift a weight
10 times today,’ we give the children a map and challenge them
to set up the agility course. Transferring a one-dimensional
sketch of the course into a three-dimensional display in the
classroom strengthens the children’s motor planning skills
while lifting the equipment substitutes lifting weights.”
Other examples of therapy include having the children remove
a dog’s collar to develop fine motor-control in their hands,
taking the dogs for a walk down the hallway to get the dogs
(and simultaneously the children) warmed up for the agility
course and saying the name of a particular piece of equipment
to help them learn to pronounce sounds they’re having trouble
pronouncing.
“All of these things are therapeutic for the children, we just
don’t express it that way to them.” concluded Nicole. “They
don’t appreciate that we’re achieving all these goals for them-they just see it as running dogs on an agility course.”
THE
STAYING
COURSE
Therapy Dogs Use Agility To Help Children
With Special Health Needs Excel
Written By Christine White
Photography By Dinko Ibukic
46 | PUPCULTURE JUNE/JULY
W
hen you think of the occupational therapist/
patient relationship chances are you imagine a
typical, mundane routine full of tasks that are
often repetitive and sometimes even tedious -- stretching sore
muscles, lifting weights, bending and flexing your ligaments in
uncomfortable ways to regain mobility -- the list goes on.
Fortunately for children participating in the Abilities Through
Agility Program the introduction of therapy dogs into their
recovery routine has turned occupational therapy exercises
from mundane tasks into exhilarating challenges.
“Dog agility is basically a dog obstacle course,” explained
Nicole Shumate, Executive Director of Paws and Effect and
founder of Abilities Through Agility. “By guiding their therapy
dogs through tunnels, jumps, A-frames and other obstacles in
a specific order the children are able to fine-tune their motor
skills.”
Nicole said the inspiration behind Abilities Through Agility
was a newspaper clip about a young boy in Arizona who was
using his service dog in dog agility trials. She thought it was a
neat idea and wanted to create a similar program in Iowa.
“The conversation actually started in a dog park,” said Nicole
of the program’s origins. “I had met a few people there and
it happened to be one of them was the lead physical therapist
at Child Serve. I had sort of tossed the idea out there and she
managed to pull it together in a really short period of time. We
were able to launch Abilities Through Agility in less than six
months from the fruition of the idea.”
“We’ve seen instances where children
are working harder, achieving more
progress faster and staying engaged
longer because of their therapy dogs”
Children participating in the Abilities Through Agility
program range from 7 to 20 years of age. Beyond transforming
occupational therapy into a series of fun exercises for the
children, the therapy dogs also help their patients stay the
course on their road to recovery.
“We’ve seen instances where children are working harder,
achieving more progress faster and staying engaged longer
because of their therapy dogs,” Nicole summarized. “Having
activities that are fun and that don’t seem as medically-oriented
has been very helpful for the children.”
Moreover, the children work in groups with other kids and
therapy dogs which helps them learn to socialize and develop
healthier relationships.
“One of the huge benefits of this program is that it is set up in
a way where the children have to learn how to share, cooperate
with one another, take turns, and learn not to speak when
another person is speaking,” said Nicole. “All of those social
skills would not be as easy to teach if you were trying to explain
that to a child one-on-one.”
Nicole remembers a particular child with autism who did not
have a high regard for personal space. She says his physical
therapist would stand an appropriate distance away from the
boy while having a conversation with him and passing a ball
back and forth as a warm-up exercise for the agility course.
According to Nicole the therapist eventually transitioned the
boy’s behavior from passing a ball to her, to blowing a kiss to his
www.pupculturemagazine.com | 47
PUGPOSSESSED
therapy dog who was standing at an appropriate conversational
distance.
“He couldn’t blow the kiss too far and he couldn’t bring it
too close or it would drop but if he blew the kiss just right
the therapy dog would do an air bark and he would catch it,”
explained Nicole. “What was really neat is over a long period of
time if he was too close to someone in a conversation you could
very politely ask him ‘what’s the average distance you need to
be from your therapy dog so that you would be able to blow
kisses to him’ and he was able to demonstrate it.”
Each therapy dog undergoes clicker training (costing
approximately $500) through a local training facility, K-9
Craze, and each dog-owner must go through a Pet Partner
program (which usually costs $300-$400) that provides liability
insurance.
Volunteers are expected to stay with the program for at least
a year which Nicole says is an integral part of her program’s
success since working in a foursome — the dog, the child, the
therapist and the pet partner — can become cumbersome for
the children.
“We don’t really see excellent results until a child has been
partnered with a dog for a least 10 or 20 weeks,” explained
Nicole. “It takes a while to be able to peel back some of those
other relationships so that ultimately what you have is the dog
and the child working together in a way that’s beneficial to
both.”
After developing Abilities through Agility in Iowa, Nicole
would like to see the program become a national phenomenon
with chapters throughout the country. Her wishes are very
possible, largely in part to Child Serve’s ability to incorporate
Abilities Through Agility into the children’s insurance coverage.
“It’s a truly unique feature in animal assisted therapy — it
merely takes the program to a professional level,” explained
Nicole. “People are starting to see animal-assisted interactions
as a true therapeutic mode.”
Nicole believes the program’s pillars of success are a strong
foundation of committed staff, volunteers and of course,
therapy dogs.
48 | PUPCULTURE JUNE/JULY
not just for Pugs...
“I think with any new program there are so many things that
are frequently changed, modified and altered as you explore
different means of making that program a success,” explained
Nicole. “The willingness of our staff, the volunteers and the
dogs to constantly take on another modification, another
change is inspiring and it’s neat to see our program finally look
mature.”
According to Nicole, another pillar of success for her
Abilities Through Agility program has been the collaborative
relationships she has developed over the years with local dog
hospitals and training facilities.
Dog Fashions & Artwork
585.671.2273 • www.pugpossessed.etsy.com • dthesing@rochester.rr.com
“Our program rides on the fact that we have some incredible
relationships with K-9 Craze and Child Serve,” Nicole said.
“Without those partnerships this program wouldn’t exist. It’s
definitely a collaborative effort. If people were looking to
build a program like ours in their own area, building strong
relationships with these organizations are critical.”
Last, but certainly not least, Nicole is pleased by the amount
of support Abilities Through Agility has received from parents
who appreciate its ability to add some joy and relief to an
otherwise difficult situation.
“It is neat for therapists, volunteers and parents to witness
the children smile and laugh even though their circumstances
may be really, really challenging. I think the parents appreciate
that. Their children have to complete their therapy one way or
another and their parents don’t want the circumstances to be
any more difficult than they are inherently.” n
THE GREY COTTAGE
pet spa & boutique
Dog & Cat Grooming
Paws For
A Moment
585.329.2162
• www.thegreycottage.com
Plain Yogurt
Plain, low fat yogurt provides an ample source
of protein and calcium for your dog. The active
bacteria (or probiotics) in yogurt help your dog
with digestion. Feeling adventurous? Check
out Cool Treats for Dogs. Their frozen yogurt for
dogs is certified kosher, made with plain, fat-free
yogurt and excludes artificial sweeteners, high
fructose corn syrup, preservatives and added
sugar. With flavors like Banana Peanut Barker
and Choc ‘O’ Not, how can you resist?
Carob is not only low in calories, but it’s
also caffeine free. With nutrients such
as B12 for improved appetite, vitamin
A and a dose of protein this healthy
alternative to chocolate will keep your
dog’s coat shiny, his muscles strong and
will keep him active all day.
Apples or Bananas
Apples contain immune-strengthening vitamin-C,
ample fiber to aid your dog with digestion and
vitamin A to stimulate growth and keep your dog’s
coat healthy. You may also feed your dog bananas
with confidence.
Vanilla Ice Cream
According to WebMD canines are just as
susceptible to diabetes as their owners. If your
dog is urinating frequently, drinking more water
than usual or exhibiting unexplained weightloss, WebMD tells us he or she may have an early
onset of diabetes.
In the long-run, WebMD states diabetes can
lead to enlarged livers, increased susceptibility
to infections and severe neurological problems
in our dogs if left untreated.
Grapes or Raisins
According to the ASPCA, although the
toxic substance within grapes and raisins is
unknown, these fruits can cause kidney failure
and thus should not be given to your pet.
(www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/
people-foods.aspx)
Bananas contain an ample amount of vitamins like
vitamin C, vitamin B6, manganese and folate. They’re
also packed with protein and soluble carbohydrates
which will energize your dog.
Written By: Christine White
Photo By: Jessica Luce Photography
50 | PUPCULTURE JUNE/JULY
We all know most dogs love
chocolate and would gladly eat some
if presented with the opportunity.
What you may not know, however
is chocolate contains theobromine,
the bitter alkaloid of the coca plant
which is why he’s unable to properly
digest the substance. According to the
ASPCA a dog who injests chocolate
may experience vomiting and diarrhea,
panting, excessive thirst and urination,
hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm,
tremors, seizures and even death
(www.aspca.org). Large doses of dark
or baking chocolate are the most lethal
to your pet.
Carrots
Carrots are a sweet, crunchy, low-fat alternative
to dog treats. They’re also a rich source of
beta-carotene (B-Carotene), an antioxidant
which protects against cell-damage, leads to a
heightened immune-response and improved
reproductive function. B-Carotene also helps our
bodies, as well as our dog’s, produce vitamin A
which helps with improved vision and eyesight.
High Fat Dog Treats
Have you checked the label of your dog’s favorite
treats lately? Dog treats often contain unhealthy
preservatives, additives and depending on the
brand, a lot of excess calories and fat. While not
necessarily toxic for your dog, excess fat and
calories can lead to obesity which has been
linked to a number of health complications like
high blood-pressure, high cholesterol and bone
and joint problems.
www.pupculturemagazine.com | 51
Written & Photographed by Laura Kinsey
G
enerally speaking, pet owners are busy people. We
juggle professional responsibilities with personal
obligations. We spend time maintaining and nurturing
relationships with some combination of kids, significant
others, friends, and extended family. We have to factor in time
for commuting, errands, and a bunch of other things that are
sometimes less than thrilling. If you have a dog, you can count
on adding three to four daily walks into that mix, plus play
time, feeding, and remembering to have your pup groomed
and bathed every once in a while. Depending on the breed, this
might be something you have to deal with as often as once or
twice a month. At any rate, with everything happening in the
average person’s life, it can be easy to shuffle some of these
pet care responsibilities into the “chore” category.
I feel guilty about not spending enough time with Hugo
lately; not only is he feeling blue from lack of attention, but
he’s desperate for a haircut and his wardrobe and toy selection
need updating, too. I wondered - could I turn these dog-centric
errands with him into a spa-day of sorts that we could both
enjoy? I packed up his carrier and collapsible water bowl and
decided to find out. Follow along to see how we combined
errands and sightseeing with quality time. Then head on over
to the Pup Culture Facebook page and let us know how you
and your pup like to spend time together!
Saturday, 10:30
Hugo and I hop on the East River Ferry, and twenty minutes
later arrive at The Salty Paw. Located along Manhattan’s
historic waterfront, this FiDi institution was given the “City’s
Best” award for Best Pet Culture by AOL in 2010, and they
have a reputation for taking excellent care of their four-legged
neighbors. With warmer weather approaching, Hugo opted for
a puppy cut with a Mohawk-effect down the back, for he is
52 | PUPCULTURE JUNE/JULY
both practical and edgy. His paws are in rough shape, and after
a quick consultation, I agree that he needs a deep cleaning paw
soak from Warren London.
I leave him in the capable hands of top groomer May Pilan
and head out. Since I know Hugo is having his paws soaked
and nails trimmed, I decide to do the same. But I strike out –
there doesn’t seem to be a nail salon in the immediate vicinity,
and when I walk by Barbarini Alimentari, I realize how hungry
I am. So I skip the manicure and opt for a late lunch instead.
Saturday, 12:30pm
I return to The Salty Paw to pick up my now stylish dog. I
think he looks better than me! The Mohawk is great, and his
shorter fur will be great for when we’re at the beach in a few
weeks. The paw soak really brightened up the fur around his
feet and his paw pads are clean and soft.
Saturday, 1pm
Poochi Couture in bright red. Next we head for the toy section
to find a new knitted toy from Pet Fly. He’s an older dog with
about half of his teeth left, and these are perfect for him. But
his old knit pig is filthy and only has two legs left, so it’s
definitely time for a replacement. He seems to like the bunny
this time, so we add it to the pile. Next I check out their section
of supplements and am set to buy a digestive aid in pill form
when a member of the sales staff helpfully points out that the
same item is available in soft treat form. Perfect!
Saturday 2:30pm
After a short walk, we’re home…. After playing with the new
bunny for a few minutes, Hugo is down for a nap. It’s been a
long day for him, but I can tell he’s cool and comfortable with
his new haircut and I think he enjoyed being out on the boat
and in the sunshine. I still need to book his vet appointment
to make sure he gets all the appropriate summer vaccines and
flea & tick medicine… but he doesn’t need to know about this
quite yet.
Happy Summer!
We board the ferry and head home to Williamsburg so that
we can stop by PS9, a great local pet shop. On the quick
10-minute ride, we’re treated to views of the Statue of Liberty,
the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, and the lower Manhattan
skyline. I goof around trying to get cute pictures of Hugo with
the bridges in the background. He doesn’t really know what
I’m up to, but he likes the attention and the feeling of the wind
in his ears.
Saturday 1:15pm
We arrive at PS9 to get our shop on! This store has a great
selection of toys, treats, and accessories. Hugo’s leash has
started to look kind of dingy, so I pick out a new one from
Laura & Hugo
Laura Kinsey is the owner of Sam & Tasha, a small line of dog
dresses, coats and accessories sold nationwide. Obsessed with
design in all it’s forms since receiving a Christmas present of
furniture templates and tracing paper as a kid, she worked
for ten years as an interior designer before studying Textile
Development at The Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC.
This led to a pet fashion design class, and the rest is history.
She launched the company’s first product line in 2010 and stays
connected to the industry attending trade shows and trunk shows
all over the country.
Laura lives in Brooklyn, New York with her 10 lb. Maltese rescue
dog and occasional muse, Hugo. =
www.pupculturemagazine.com | 53
Written by Elaine Webster
Whenever I took the dogs outside, I’d see the birds relaxing
around the yard standing on one leg looking like pink flamingo
statues and I wondered if the four dogs would get along with
them, but they just sniffed their way along the sandy soil
wandering through the long legs of the wood storks standing
nearby. Neither birds nor dogs paid attention to each other as
they all went on their way.
Keeping track of four little dogs, as they headed in different
directions, kept me hopping. Sukie would head for the road
and Brie ran after the neighbor’s cat or whatever else caught her
attention. And in the middle of the night, when they all needed
to go out, it really became a challenge. As each one finished her
business, I’d scoop them up until they were safely back inside.
54 | PUPCULTURE JUNE/JULY
And just as they were all settled down, another would decide
they had to go out and the whole process started over again.
A few minutes before dinner time each night, Brie would sit
in front of me and stare until I got the message to feed her. She
and Emma would wait on the rug in the kitchen for their bowl
to appear before them. Sukie obviously couldn’t see dinner was
coming out, but could hear the activity. She wandered into
her position next to Abby in the middle of the living room rug
where they waited for their bowls. Brie also gave me her stare
when it was time for their snacks every night around 8:00 pm.
They were experts at practicing teamwork and it didn’t take
them long to train me to their routine.
They also worked well together in other ways, like when I
applied Brie’s eye drops every morning. The other three dogs
sat in a circle beneath the chair she was in and waited, knowing
they would all receive a treat when I rewarded Brie.
Before they left, the owners told me one of the dogs’ favorite
things to do was take a ride in the golf cart while they are driven
all throughout the neighborhood. She said they all sit in a neat
little row on the seat and look like they are having the greatest
time. So one day I grabbed the keys to go outside and all four
lined up by the golf cart ready to go for a joy ride. They looked
so cute and confident I would take them, while waiting patiently
for me to lift them into the seat one by one.
After eight days, my time had come to an end. The owners
returned from their cruise and it was time for me to fly home.
I had grown very attached to these dogs and was sad our time
together was over. I sat on the floor to say good-bye and was
surrounded by my small furry ladies, each smothering me with
wet kisses. Their little butts wagged and I just knew each one
was wearing a smile. n
Elaine Webster is the author of three books: Seeking Balance, Grandma’s
in the Basement and Dawn Dancing and is currently working on her
next book. Besides an author, Elaine has also been a pre-school teacher
and artist. One of her biggest passions, however, is animals, and she is
the owner of Elaine’s Pet Sitting: The Furry Godmother for Your Pets in
Rochester, NY. Elaine has been a pet sitter for 20 years and loves getting
to know and taking care of so many different dogs and cats.
PUPCULTURE
™
MAGAZINE
A
s a professional pet sitter I get to meet and bond with
so many wonderful dogs in my community. Recently,
however, I’ve had several out of town requests for my services,
which allows me to have adventures with other dogs in different
states. One of those adventures was in January in New Port
Richey, Florida, where I traveled to take care of four little
dogs - a blind Maltese named Sukie, a deaf Chihuahua named
Emma and two adorable Yorkies, Abby and Brie. All four were
between the ages of 12 to 14 years old and each had their own
unique personality. The next eight days would prove to be very
entertaining as I learned the routines of these four adorable,
little old ladies and their neighborhood friends, who, as I found
out after I got there, I would also be caring for. These friends
were not other dogs, but a few of the neighborhood wood storks
and egrets who came by every day to be fed. I found out these
birds actually come back every year a few days before the
owners arrive for the winter and wait for their return in eager
anticipation of being fed hot dogs. This hog dog vacation had
become an instinctual habit for the birds and they weren’t shy
about asking to be fed. I remember one wood stork in particular
who got my attention one day by knocking on the screen door
with his long bill and quickly flew up on the nearby table to
catch a hot dog I threw his way.
ASK THE...
VETERINARIAN
EDITOR’S NOTE
Dr. Linda A.
Banks is currently
the director at Stone
Ridge Veterinary Hospital.
She has been practicing
veterinary medicine in
Rochester, NY for more
than 20 years.
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I’m so sorry your poor girl is having such a hard time, but it sounds like you are committed to getting to the bottom of her problems to help her
feel better.
True allergies can be very difficult to diagnose because many dogs can be allergic to multiple things. The first thing I’d recommend doing is to
make sure you are working with your veterinarian to determine what is truly going on. Determining what an animal is allergic to in their food
can be a daunting task, as it could be almost any ingredient, or multiple ingredients, in the food; it could be something in her treats or even in her
medications; it could also be something in the environment, or a combination of food and environmental allergens. Working with your vet for
guidance and to help diagnose other underlying causes of her itchiness will give you the best chances of having success.
It is very important to have your dog examined to see if she has developed any underlying problems that would make her itchiness suddenly
increase. Secondary skin infections, external parasites (such as fleas or mites), problems with her thyroid, adrenal glands, diabetes and disorders of
her immune system can all make skin disorders worse. Your veterinarian may suggest performing skin scrapes or blood tests and possibly may even
make a referral to a veterinary dermatologist to help diagnose what else may be going on. Once all other medical conditions are ruled out and/or
treated, you can then begin the discussion of how best to manage the allergy and subsequent itchiness if it is still present.
Strict dietary control is the best way to manage a food allergy once it has been diagnosed and this means reading the labels of all potential food
sources including snacks, table foods and medications (including oral monthly flea and heartworm control products). There are many ingredients
in over-the-counter supplements that can contribute to allergic flare ups. Dogs can be exposed to foods they find in the yard (brought in by
squirrels, birds and other wildlife or stray animals) that you had no idea they’d eaten.
Medical management of your dog’s itch is possible through the use of many different oral (anti-inflammatories, antihistamines and immune
suppressants) and topical (medicated shampoos, conditioners and sprays) products.
You and your veterinarian can decide together which combinations of products
Have a question for our panel of experts? Email
works best for your lifestyle, budget and needs. Good luck!
info@pupculturemagazine.com for a chance to
get some expert advice in our next issue!
Dr. Linda A. Banks
Stoneridge Veterinary Hospital • Rochester, NY
56 | PUPCULTURE APRIL/MAY
425.577.1917 | baileyandbanjo.com
e
Dear Pup
WACKYwalk’r: Neon Pink Suburban-Style Leash
Pet Portraits
Written By Carol Giotto| Photo By Don Crumb
Marion Romig, Professional Artist
The WACKYwalk’r leash has three basic parts which include a handle, a section of reinforced, 100% natural rubber tubing and a second
handle, which is located where the leash attaches to your dog’s collar. The idea is that tubing enables the leash to stretch, relieving the
stress on both you and your pet while encouraging your dog not to pull. The leash comes in two designs - one for city and one for suburban
walking environments, and they are made for dogs from 1 to 200 pounds. They come in a variety of colors and each color supports a
specific charity. Four percent of the sale of the product goes to the cause for that corresponding color. The leash I tried was pink, which is
aligned with the Best Friends Animal Society.
Turn a favorite photo of your loving pet into an original
work of art, prices starting as low as $90*. Do you want to
do it yourself? I can teach you: visit www.marionromig.com.
I have English Mastiffs that weigh between 145 and 185 pounds. Due to their weight and size, I do not use any type of flexi-lead on
my dogs. My dogs are actually relatively good on leash, however, they occasionally do get excited and run to the end of the leash and
practically yank my arm out of the socket.
When I first put the WACKYwalk’r leash on them, I didn’t trust that it wasn’t going to stretch and snap. I knew it was reinforced, but I just
didn’t trust it. The first few times I used it, I put a second leash on them as backup. After a couple of uses, it seemed like it would hold their
weight, so I decided to put it to the test. I got my 185 pound boy running and the leash stretched quite a bit. In fact it did correct him and he
stopped. What I didn’t anticipate, however, is because I weigh less than my dog the leash actually flung me forward like a slingshot. That
aside, this leash really does seem to do what the company says. In normal walking, when my dog hit the end of the leash, they seemed to
react to the tension and correct themselves without my arm getting yanked out of the socket.
The leash comes in two lengths. I tried out the three foot leash that stretches to six feet. The WACKYwalk’r urban is one-and-a half feet
and stretches to three feet. I think I might be more comfortable walking my dogs on the urban length even though I live in the suburbs. One
thing I haven’t quite gotten used to is not having the ability to pull my dog back or pull them off something. While the second handle allows
you to hold your dog close if needed, the problem I had was if the leash was fully stretched out to six feet, you can’t grab that handle. We
walk in our neighborhood quite a bit and when we had to cross a road I found I needed to prepare very differently than with a regular leash.
I’m assuming that the urban length would work better in this situation.
I think there are two groups of people: people who use flexi-type leashes and people who don’t. I happen to fall into the second category.
Overall though, I liked the fact that my shoulder didn’t get jerked so hard. I can foresee using this leash when we are out hiking or walking
where my dogs can have more freedom to stretch out a bit and where I don’t feel that I need to have as much control over them. If you
currently use a flexi-type lead, I think you will really enjoy this product; I would choose this over a flexi-type lead any day. However, if you
have an extra large dog or walk a lot where you need to maintain closer control over your dog, you should consider trying the shorter, urban
version of this leash.
Photo Provided By WACKYwalk’r
Learn more about
WACKYwalk’r at:
58 | PUPCULTURE JUNE/JULY
www.wackywalkr.com
Marion Romig, Professional Colored Pencil Artist
85 White Rabbit Trail
Rochester, NY 14612
585-392-8235
*5” x 7” finished piece ready for framing.
CLOUD K9: Paw Print Locket, Winged Angel Pin and Cuff Bracelet
Written By Christine White | Photography By Terri Parthum
When I discovered Cloud K9’s collection of vintage dog-themed jewelry I was smitten. The collection is eye-catching, beautiful and involves
dogs; how could I resist?
As stated on Cloud K9’s website, cloudk9.com, your jewelry is an exclusive piece of wearable art that is handcrafted, copyrighted and breedspecific depending on your preference. The jewelry is a great way to accessorize your favorite outfit while paying tribute to your beloved
canine friend. With over 80 dog breeds to choose from there’s bound to be something for everyone on Cloud K9.
My favorite piece of Cloud K9 Jewelry is the paw-print locket. It’s available in two sizes- regular (1.25 inch in diameter) and large (1.75 inch
in diameter). Each locket is made of brass, is lacquered to protect the finish and comes with either an 18 inch or 24 inch chain depending
on your preference. I had the opportunity to wear the paw print locket, complete with a photo of my dog Bailey for about two months before
writing this product review. It was a great compliment to my favorite black-dress and added a bit of zing and sentimentality to my outfit.
With any product there is always room for improvement. I believe consumers would be receptive to the option of choosing between the
thicker dog-like chain that currently comes with the locket and a more eloquent chain that is thinner and less bulky. In doing so more
attention would be paid to the locket, which would become the center of an on-looker’s focus.
I also had the opportunity to review Cloud K9’s pet loss jewelry which may feature anything from a dog to a cat, horse, bird or rabbit. I
reviewed the Winged Standing Greyhound Angel Pin which is 1.5 inches by 1.25 inches. The greyhound’s features are distinct and clearly
defined. He is portrayed in an elegant, statuesque position signifying both his loyalty and dignity, and his angel wings signify the personal
relationships we all have with our dogs who, according to many people, are like their guardian angels. Topped off with a brass finish the pin
has an antique look which to me symbolizes the authenticity of our dogs and makes the statement that our love for them is timeless. I would
have prefered if the copper for the pin was a bit thicker, however, altogether this pin is sure to please even the most picky pet lover.
The final piece of jewelry I reviewed was the Cocker Spaniel Cuff Bracelet which is also made of copper and is 1 inch wide and 7 inches
total in circumference. Much like the angel pin the bracelet has an antique finish which again, symbolizes the timeless love between us
and our dogs. While the bracelet is beautiful, eye catching and stylish, according to their website it is not designed for either very small or
oversized wrists. The circumference is about 7 inches total (i.e., 6 inches for the bracelet with about a 1 inch gap to slip the bracelet onto
your wrist). My only concern with this particular piece of jewelry is the possibility of the copper becoming deformed if you were to take it on
and off on a regular basis.
Cloud K9 also features a variety of other gifts for dog-lovers including Dog Cookie Cutters and Dog Biscuit Cookbooks.
Visit
www.cloudk9.com
to view all the products
Cloud K9 has to offer.
60 | PUPCULTURE JUNE/JULY
Happy Endings
A Destination
Pets Helping People
Protecting Animals
56 | PUPCULTURE JUNE/JULY
PUPCULTURE
10
REASONS
We can’t buy
Why You Should
Exercise With Your Dog
Written By Christine White
Photo By Bailey & Banjo Pet Photography
1. You’ll never have to worry about looking
foolish in front of him.
2. He’s ready to go, rain or shine, anytime.
3. He’ll never bail on you last minute.
4. If you start having doubts about exercising you
won’t be able to say no to that puppy face.
5. Go at your own pace, fast or slow, your dog
doesn’t mind. He’s just happy to be outside.
your love
But we can sure
come close to it!
6. If you’re winded by mile one and start panting
he’s not going to judge you.
7. If your dog decides to take a bathroom break
you can rest too, guilt-free.
8. You don’t have to be alone. You’ll always have a
workout buddy.
9. Enjoy a moment of peace and quiet—your dog
doesn’t expect you to talk back.
10. He’s your biggest fan and always will be.
64 | PUPCULTURE JUNE/JULY
TM
MAGAZINE
THE PUPCULTURE LIST
www.pupculturemagazine.com/jobs
PUPPY PERSONALS
Special Needs
Good w/ Dogs
Good w/ Cats
Good w/ Kids
Incompatible
Baldwin Park Animal Care Center of Baldwin Park, California is proud to introduce Siouxsie, their most eligible bachelorette. If
you feel a spark and would like to make a “love connection” with Siouxsie please contact the Baldwin Park Animal Care Center at
626.962.3577, visit their website at www.animalcare.lacounty.gov to arrange a date. Visit their facebook page at
Facebook.com/BaldwinParkShelter to see more eligible bachelors and bachelorettes.
BROWN-EYED BEAUTY LOOKING FOR LOVE
SIOUXSIE
Hi my name is Siouxsie and I’m looking for a family to love.
I’m a sweet pit bull mix with brown eyes who’s almost one
year old. The people at the shelter say I’m very lovable and
in “puppy mode”. I don’t know what that means, all I know
is I like to play a lot and give kisses. I’m a real people puppy.
I had a couple minor health challenges when they found me,
but they say I’m healing nicely now and just need a stable
home with some TLC. If you’re looking for a good dog, who’s
lots of fun and gives lots of love, then I’m the one for you.
WE’VE MADE OUR LOVE CONNECTION, HAVE YOU MADE YOURS?
JILL
JANE
JAMESON
GEM
ADOPTED 5.21.12
ADOPTED 5.21.12
ADOPTED 5.24.12
ADOPTED 5.28.12
Photography By Pawmazing Photography
66 | PUPCULTURE JUNE/JULY
IT CAN HAPPEN
SOONER THAN YOU THINK .
50% of all pets born are accidents. Spaying or neutering your
pet at 4 months can prevent those accidents and help save
millions of dogs and cats from being killed in shelters each year.
PREVENT MORE. FIX AT MONTH FOUR.
fixatfour.com