Lowcountry Dog Magazine Holiday 2016 by Lowcountry Dog Magazine

Issue No. o8

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DEC/JAN 2017

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FREE

LOVE ISN'T

BLIND or DEAF A Second Chance at Life Zoe's Story

Annual Holiday Gift Guide!

SECOND CHANCES Adoptable Dogs!

RESCUE SPOTLIGHTGreyhound Pets of America

Our Staff Publisher Brian FOster brian@lowcountrydog.com Chief Canine OFFICER Peanut INTERN Jessica HArrell EDITORIAL COLUMNIST Alicia Williams Southern Vintage Design and Photography www.southernvintagedesign.com CONTRIBUTING Writers John SMIThhart Dr. KrisTa Desrespino Michelle Reid Julie Murray

Sniff Us out!

LCDM believes that our dogs are our best friends, and that’s why we need a reliable source to turn to for information on all things “dog” in our community. Our mission is to be the number one local resource for dog owners regarding regional dog-centric and dog-welcoming events, health & wellness information, dog training, trends, and local news. We also strive to be a mouthpiece to the public for various lowcountry-based pet nonprofits, and we promote pet adoption and other responsible pet care practices.

FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS contact@lowcountrydog.com LOWCOUNTRYDOG.COM

CONTENTS COVER STORY

16 LOVE ISN'T BLIND OR

DEAF A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE: ZOE'S STORY

FEATURES

PEANUT TIPS- HOLIDAY TREATS FOR YOU POOCH!

SIT STAY BEHAVE- BEING A SERVICE HUMAN

HEALTH AND WELLNESSTRAVELING WITH YOUR PETS

PEACE, LOVE & REAL TALK

22 32

2016 GIFT GUIDE

36 40

JUSTICE FOR BRICK RESCUE SPOTLIGHT:GREYHOUND PETS OF AMERICA SECOND CHANCES: ADOPTABLE DOGS

2016 GIFT GUIDE Page 22

RESCUE SPOTLIGHT: GREYHOUND PETS OF AMERICA Page 36

WWW . LOWCOUNTRYDOG . COM

Holiday Treats for your pooch

's t u n Pea s Tip

Nutty's Bacon Cookies INGREDIENTS 3 slices of bacon, diced 1 egg 1/3 cup creamy natural peanut butter 1 TBSP maple syrup 3 TBSP water 1/2 cup soy flour 1/2 whole wheat pastry flour 1/2 cup wheat germ

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Fry the bacon until crispy. remove the crispy bacon but save the fat and let cool for 25 min. Add the egg, peanut butter, syrup, and water to the bacon fat and mix throughly. Add in the flours and the wheat germ and mix until combined. Stir in the bacon pieces. Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut into desired shapes. Bake for 12-15 minutes until lightly browned. Cool before making them sit for them! lowcountry dog 4

As k

fo r

FR EE

Sa m pl es

Sit, Stay...Behave!

Being a Service

Human

Written by John Smithhart, K9 Good Manners

In the past 9 years I’ve worked with many civilian dogs that have been horribly abused, neglected and/or poorly socialized with humans or other animals. With myself and my head trainer Tony, both being prior bomb dog handler/trainer’s from the military and defense contracting worlds, we constantly see the similarities between many of these dogs and our own Veterans coming home from war. With so many Veterans coming home with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain injuries (TBI), and other war related injuries, our education and understanding of these disorders and how they are treated is constantly improving. Recently, dogs have been playing a larger role in helping humans recover lowcountry dog 6

and re-socialize than they ever have before. By now most people have heard the term Emotional Support Animal, which are similar to a service dog. We are also finding dogs to show signs of these similar disorders. WHY WOULDN’T THEY? Dogs that get shot, stabbed, burned, dragged behind, or thrown out of a moving vehicle are not going to accept nor trust every human. Dogs who are made to fight other dogs are not going to be so accepting of other dogs and, in most instances, humans. Most dogs don’t come through abuse and neglect like they never happened. Some dogs don’t show the signs unless they are put in an similar situation again or around a person who may show similarities

to the abuser. But most of these dogs donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ever fully get over the severity of the abuse. They need humans that can lead them through life and make sure that they are getting the help they need. I call these people SERVICE HUMANS. A Service Human can make sure the dog is learning how to survive the human world. This person can ensure the dog knows obedience and is actively working on it daily. Obedience is the key to so much when working with these â&#x20AC;?Special Needsâ&#x20AC;? dogs. It builds confidence by teaching the dog how to get through situations while focusing on preconditioned responses, giving the dog something to think about and focus on other than what may cause anxiety. For example, if the dog is scared of men but knows how to perform sit/stay, then normally a man can approach and walk away without the dog trying to run away from the situation. When you perform that action over and over the dog gets better and better. But without the pre-conditioning the dog would give into the anxiety and run away. Another job of our Service Humans would be to NOT put the dog in situations or environments that will cause stress and anxiety. A dog used as a bait dog may never be able to go to your favorite dog park no matter how much you wish it could, similar

to how Veteran with PTSD/TBI is probably not going to ever enjoy the 4th of July fireworks show. It’s time to be realistic about these dogs' needs and who the people are that we want to help them. Rescues and sanctuaries that take these dogs on MUST know that the people working with these dogs must understand the needs and limitations of that particular dog and have a true plan of rehabilitation. In closing I’d ask that we start looking at these dogs more like “Special Needs” animals, and the best people for them are ones that are willing to call themselves SERVICE HUMANS. It really drives me bonkers when I hear people with these dogs complaining about all the things they cannot do with the dog. It’s time to understand these dogs are never going to be the perfect puppy. The dogs that go through this type of traumatic experience should be understood and the human involved should embrace his or her SERVICE.

Happy Holidays from

Health

Wellness

Holiday Travel & Pets

Written by Dr. Krista DeRespino, CVRC

The holidays are a wonderful time of family and friends coming together, and often family pets make the trip with us. Just like these times can be a bit stressful for us, they can be stressful for our pets as well. Some common ailments that bring dogs and cats to the ER around the holidays are injuries that result from fighting between normally docile pets, stomach upset from food changes, and stress-related urinary problems in cats. Knowing the warning signs and how to prevent these problems can help everyone get through the holidays happier and safer. lowcountry dog 10

One common circumstance that can lead to problems is that many pets are given presents for the holidays, including bones, treats, and new toys, that can make pets (just like human siblings!) feel a little bit possessive. Keeping pets separate when new treats are introduced, especially food items, is a good way to make sure possessive feelings donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t turn into fights. Even pets that normally get along well can turn less than friendly defending a delicious bone! Taking these toys/treats away when supervised play time is over can help

relieve anxiety for a pet that feels like they have to “protect” their special prize. Though they may not appear this way on the outside, most pets that are in new environments or have been traveling experience some level of stress. Older pets especially may tire more readily and be less tolerant or willing to play with younger, more energetic pets. Giving all pets time to relax and acclimate to their new environment is critical to keeping everyone in a good mood. Slowly introducing potential stressors one at a time may allow them to adjust new things (places, people, pets, etc.). Sometimes keeping younger, more excited pets on leash even while indoors helps limit their interaction with older pets that are visiting (or vice versa) and can help “level the playing field.” Keeping diets the same while traveling can help limit stomach upset for many pets. If taking a large supply of food is not possible (such as on a plane trip), consider finding your pet’s specific food online and having a small bag delivered to your destination ahead of you. Though many family members will want to include pets in the holiday meals, the rich foods we enjoy can cause havoc on pets’ stomachs that may result in hospital stays for IV fluids and supportive care.

Be aware of the type of pet that is visiting or traveling with you. You may be bringing your indoor cat to a household that does not normally house cats. Make sure all family members are aware of the need to close doors and windows and be conscious of the special needs of pets they may not normally think about (like not shutting the door to the room with the litterbox!). Pay special attention to the urinary habits of male cats and make sure they are drinking and urinating regularly. If you have any concern that your cat is not urinating normally or you ever observe them straining to urinate, taking them to a veterinarian right away is critically important. Finally, always look up the location and phone number of the nearest emergency veterinarian in the area where you live or will be staying. Though we hope you will never need them, the better prepared we are the smoother the holidays will be for us and our furry family members!

843.614.VETS

What the world needs now is love "tough" love! Okay Lowcountry Dog Community, I have to tell y’all something: I was wrong. Believe me, I’m just as shocked as you all are. Nevertheless, it’s true. When I first started the rescue, I just absolutely knew I was going to fix every single dog with love. “It’ll just take patience and with time they’ll get over their issues,” I’d say. WRONG-O! I quickly learned that it doesn’t matter how many belly rubs, treats, and squeaky toys you give a troublesome dog – sometimes you’re just going to need outside help. When I unknowingly rescued my first “aggressive” dog, John Smithart of K9 Good Manners offered to help me out. Upon arrival, everything I thought I knew about rehabilitating a dog was completely thrown out the window. lowcountry dog 12

Initially I disagreed with 99% of what he said. However, after working with John and seeing how a once reactive dog has made a complete 180 in behavior – I can honestly say that I am a K9 Good Manners believer.

1 Don’t be a wussy. You’re not a mean person if you tell your dog “no” in a loud manner and you’re not an animal abuser by taking on the alpha role. In fact, your dog is looking at you for the next command. The moment you let them down is the exact moment they feel the need to take over because YOU aren’t doing your part. Also to be mentioned in this section is the usage of slip/prong collars. Do I necessarily believe that these collars are meant for all dogs? No. # .

a “service human;” YOU have to guide this pup through the rest of their life. With you, they aren’t considered “disabled” – without you, they’re questioning every move they make.

4 Keep it up. Training isn’t magic, so once your dog has gone through Am I going to use a slip/chain collar to training, it is YOUR job to keep it up. If you don’t do this, they will regress. enforce good behavior so that a “bad” ANIMAL RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS, I dog doesn’t get euthanized? Yes. AM SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSING YOU. Yes - we already have enough #2. Marking behavior. Like Danielle mentioned in the last issue, you have 1.3 to do – but we took a vow to not let animals down, and we can’t give up seconds to either correct or reward just because we come across a your dog. After the 1.3 seconds, difficult case. If your 501c3 is lucky whatever behavior you’re trying to enough to work with someone like mark is completely misunderstood by John from K9 Good Manners, make the dog. Simply said, act fast. If your dog is misbehaving, sternly say no and sure you hold up your end of the bargain. Once a dog returns from pull on their leash to redirect their attention to you, their boss. If your dog behavior boot-camp: don’t put it back in its kennel all day without is behaving tell them so in a highgoing over exercises, don’t think that pitched, friendly voice or give them a the dog will ever “act up” again, and treat. (Note: Treats do not have to be organic and/or GMO-free, hotdogs will don’t adopt the dog out to any idiot that shows interest. For those of you work just fine.) who are reading from a non-rescue standpoint: y’all understand, right? #3. Adjust yourself. . As much as we Don’t enroll your puppy for training want to believe that every dog should have a happy-go-lucky personality, this and then expect to not put in the work afterwards – GOT IT?! isn’t always the case. Like some humans, some dogs just want to be left Well that’s all I got for ya, folks. Now let’s go rescue some dogs that alone. So don’t bring your socially normally wouldn’t be given a challenged dog to the dog park. Just like John said in his article - sometimes chance. you have to think of yourself as # .

CHECK OUT EVENT PAGE HERE

About the Cover Zoe, who graces our cover this issue, is the winner of our 2016 Pet Fest Cover Model Contest. Zoe's story of being abandoned by her breeder due to being blind and deaf only to be given a second chance by a rescue tells the tale of irresponsible breeding and why we should ADOPT, DON'T SHOP because there our thousands of homeless pets in our area just needing love!

Photography by Southern Vintage Photography and Design

LOVE ISN'T

BLIND or DEAF A Second Chance at Life Zoe's Story

lowcountry dog 16

We weren’t looking for a puppy… Or at least I wasn’t, but my husband and best friend had a plan. A new dachshund puppy for Christmas was in the works! I had stated several times that I wanted our next puppy to be a beautiful grey dachshund... but that it would be in the future. So, my best friend, Jeanne, decided to send me a photo that she saw on the Carolina Poodle Rescue (CPR) Facebook page of a 5 week old, 3 lb., abandoned, and blind dachshund puppy just “to see if I would be receptive to getting a puppy.” She had already adopted several poodles from CPR but knew that they would rescue any dog in need, and this little dachshund was very much in need. This little girl had been abandoned on the side of the road when her breeder realized that she was blind (over the coming weeks CPR also realized she was deaf!). As the next couple of days passed, I was honestly a little frustrated that Jeanne had sent me the link. It broke my heart, and I couldn’t stop thinking about this little puppy. She wasn’t the perfect little grey dachshund that I planned to buy, but she was the result of irresponsible breeding. I had never seen a dachshund with her coloring, and I wanted to understand why was she blind and deaf. Soon, I started researching – her coat was white with a “merle” pattern. This pattern is result of the merle gene, which causes a marbling effect on the coat and creates lighter spots throughout the solid color coat (also called “dapple”).

This coat is beautiful and unique. However, when you breed two dogs that carry this dominant gene, you create a double-merle puppy. The marbling/lightening effect is doubled, and the coat becomes predominantly white. It is also extremely irresponsible to breed two dogs with this coat since every puppy in the litter inherits the gene twice, which means there is a 25% or greater chance that the puppies will be born almost all white and deaf, blind, or both. It is irresponsible but 100% preventable by not breeding merle to merle. So, my husband and I starting talking about what we should do. Maybe we would just get approved to adopt and go and see the puppy at her foster home in Columbia. There would be no commitment, so we started the process. After the application was reviewed and we had our interview, we were approved to adopt. We decided to take our dachshund, Lucy, to visit the puppy “just to see if they would get along,” but we were not bringing the puppy home. This was a just meet and greet, right? Wrong… we fell in love immediately! Of course, Lucy was fine, and the puppy came home with us. She was precious, so tiny, and sweet.

ZOE: Greek for LIFE

However what we found out over the next few weeks and months was the most surprising: she was as much a joy as any dog you have ever seen. You see, before adopting, we had many conversations about the responsibility of adopting a blind and deaf puppy. We were sure it would be a considerable burden. However, what we found out was that it was an incredible blessing! We named her Zoë, which means “Life,” and she is certainly full of life! She quickly learned her way around the house and was running and jumping just like any other puppy. Her sense of smell is amazing and we can’t keep anything from her. She knows when we wake up, arrive home, and when someone new enters the room. She has mapped out the house and the backyard and uses the doggie door to come and go as she pleases. Despite her disabilities, she has absolutely no limitations and is embracing life.

Jodi and her best friend, Jeanne, who found Zoe

Zoe's big sister, Lucy

You would never know that she was unable to see or hear. She is truly happy all the time, an absolute bundIe of joy. Additionally, she is a very typical puppy and is into everything with tons of personality. Lucy has even become an excellent big sister. We simply could not imagine our life without little Zoë! After this experience, here is what we have learned: adopt, don’t shop! There are so many dogs that need homes, even some that are extra special like Zoë!

Carolina Poodle Rescue is a nokill/limited entry private rescue group that believes and supports “No More Homeless Pets and spay/neuter initiatives.” They are a registered 501(c)3 non-profit. All animals adopted from Carolina Poodle are spayed or neutered before being placed. They provide sanctuary and rehabilitation and, when the right home comes along, re-home poodles and other needy small dogs. Their efforts are funded solely through adoption fees and donations. ***

la c o L p o h S

1. Blankets From Emma 3. NFL Hoodie for Fido 2. Holiday Collar 4. Decorative Food Bowl 5. Aroma Paws Candle lowcountry dog 22

Send your favorite dog a PAWBOX

Rosalee Merchantile Tie-Dye Bandana

S H O P L O C LA

Doggie Sweaters

Greenies Holiday Toys

Comfy Dog Beds

SHOP LOCAL 1. Tree Dog Toy 2. Bocces Bakery Lumps of Coal 3. Outward Hound Santa Toys 4.. Dog Stocking

SHOP LOCAL 1. Coal Ball 2. New Health Chicken & Apple Jerky 3. Tug- made in Greenville, SC 4.. Fruitables treats,

Check out these super cool gift ideas for your dog online!

IFetch Frenzy Casper Dog Beds

PetChatz HD System

These and many other products available in our Retail Shop

In A Lowcountry Christmas, Marine Taylor McClellan returns home from Afghanistan with PTSD to his financially-stressed family. Taylorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s struggle with PTSD and his familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lack of understanding further strain the holiday spirit. Through the miraculous gift of a service dog, Taylor and his family are lead on a journey to rediscover their strengths, family bond and the true meaning of Christmas.

Dogs About Town

Photography by South Paw Fine Art Photography

Justice for

BRICK

This is Brick, the beloved pit bull whose case has received national media attention because his owner cut off his ears and shared it on social media. Valiant helped locate the offender and processed the physical evidence that was removed from the crime scene and conducted the forensic analysis. Brick was kept by Valiant in protective custody during this case. We also supplied emergency medical attention for Brick and long term care as he recuperated. Brick’s offender, Bruce Tyler of Williamsburg County, SC , recently pladed guilty to animal cruelty charges. Although the offender originally claimed

Written by Michelle Reid, Valiant Animal Rescue+Relief

that he was innocent, our forensic testing uncovered traces of blood and a fingerprints on various items including a pair of kitchen scissors that was used to cut Brick’s ears and a prescription bottle of sedatives. Bruce Tyler was charged with a felony and received 366 days in jail on top of the jail time already served, 4 year’s probation, 40 hours community service, and is not allowed to own or live with an animal. Part of the plea agreement was that ownership of Brick had to be signed over to Valiant Animal Rescue & Relief. lowcountry dog 32

We are very appreciative of the collaborative work that was done in partnership with law enforcement and county agencies, including Georgetown County Sheriffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Department, Williamsburg County Sheriffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Department, and Williamsburg County Environmental Services, whose countless hours on this case and collaboration with us made this conviction possible. Brick is doing well now and is no longer head shy. His ear infections and urinary tract infection have cleared up, the fishing line was removed, and his ears are healed. We are now exposing Brick to lots of activities and will be working with a trainer to continue his long term plan.

Bricks owner bragging on social media

Meet DOE, RAY, and ME, one of our newest cruelty cases. These three pit bull puppies had their ears entirely cut off. They are now in Valiant's custody receiving medical treatment. They are being treated for a bad infection, various parasites, and their ears will likely require surgery due to the large amount of exposed cartilage. We will be providing ongoing updates on both the animal cruelty case and the recovery of these pups in the coming days, but are asking for your help NOW.

We are asking that YOU do three simple things on behalf of DOE, RAY and ME. DOE -- #1: Share this story with 3 people to help us start our educational and awareness campaign against the cruel mutilation of ears. The more people that are informed, the louder our voice becomes. RAY -- #2: Donate now $3, $33, or $333 which will be used for our campaign and our cruelty fund to help animals that have suffered from senseless brutality. It takes less than 5 minutes and is tax deductible. Do it on behalf of your pet, a friend or relative, or someone who has passed. ME -- #3: Say 3 prayers, one for each of these babies that will serve as our tiny spokespeople. “DOE, RAY, ME, One, two, three.” It’s that easy. Ways to Donate: Cell phone- Text "EndCruelty" to 33923 click to donate Mail to PO BOX 13477, Charleston SC 29412

Rescue Spotlight

Written by Julie Murray

Most people reading this probably have a dog or two laying around on their sofas/beds/directly on their lap (in my case). You know the feeling of sleeping in and relaxing on the weekend and watching Netflix with your four-legged friends. If this is something you are looking for, you may not know it, but a greyhound could be the couch potato of your dreams! This month I spoke with Dana Nutter, President of the Charleston chapter of Greyhound Pets of America (GPA), and she told me all about this gentle and loving breed. sponsoredÂ by lowcountry dog

GPA is a national organization that was founded in 1987 to help racing greyhounds find homes after retirement. South Carolina has 2 chapters that place dogs in Columbia and along the coast from North Carolina all the way down to Savannah. Their stance on the racing industry in general is very diplomatic and pragmatic. Dana said “National GPA and all of the chapters take a neutral stance on the racing industry [because] we would rather work with trainers/kennel workers/owners to get the hounds when they retire versus working against the racing industry... Our mission is to connect the retired racer with the most appropriate family.” While there aren’t any racing tracks in South Carolina, Dana told me that GPA-Charleston works with other greyhound adoption groups in Florida. “Some of the greyhound groups in Florida have kennels at the track so as soon as a racer is retired, they can move directly into the adoption kennel. And other adoption groups rely on foster homes, like us. The goal is to move the greyhounds out of Florida as quickly as possible to relieve the pressure off those groups because if the adoption kennels get full and the other adoption groups are at capacity, what happens to the retired racer is the question we don’t want to ask.”

E R E H E DONAT A greyhound’s ‘career’ typically begins around 18 months of age. Some of the better racers (read: profitable) work for 3 to 3 ½ years before they are retired. Female dogs are sometimes then used for breeding purposes for another 3 to 4 years before they are made available for adoption. Because of this, most racing dogs have never spent any time in a home. If you are considering adoption, GPA urges you to follow the advice of your local chapter about welcoming this unique animal into your home. Even if you’ve had dogs all of your life, these special pets require some additional time to make the transition from “racer to pet”. However, they are very smart and extremely adaptable and with a little patience, can become a beloved member of your family. “They are often referred to as the ‘cats of dogs’ as they are more of the sit back and watch personality,” said Dana. She also told me that, while some greyhounds are more shy and scared at first, they are generally very laid back, gentle and friendly. After their careers as racers, one of the only sports they tend to participate in is couch surfing. Dana told me that they take their retirement very seriously. “They like to run and will [do] a couple laps around a dog park or back yard but that’s about it!

When they race, they are sprinters not endurance runners...so we say they need the same exercise level as most dogs with a couple walks a day.” These qualities also make them great dogs for anyone living in an apartment or condo, since they tend to be quiet and have low-energy. GPA-Charleston’s greatest need right now is foster homes. “We can only bring up as many retired racers as we have open foster homes,” said Dana, “We do not have a kennel so we rely completely on foster homes.” Being a foster is an important job because, as mentioned before, it is likely the dog’s first time in a home and even things such as hardwood floors and stairs may be totally new to them. Since there are usually several active adoption applications pending at GPA, most fostering commitments would be around 3 to 4 weeks long. GPA gives you all of the necessary supplies - food, crates, etc… and then you provide the love! .

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT FOSTERING AND ADOPTING A GREYHOUND

If this extremely persuasive and witty article has convinced you to adopt a greyhound, here are the next steps: Visit the organization’s website and fill out an online adoption application There is a non-refundable $15 application fee that goes along with this process. Someone from GPA-Charleston will review your application and set up a time for a home visit or let you know of an event where you can come and interact with the dogs and speak to a chapter representative. GPA will choose a pet for you based on the information provided in your application and knowledge gained from the visit with you and your family and then do a “meet and greet”. If all goes well, you pay an adoption fee of $285 and then the belly scratches can commence!

Watch Our Spotlight Video Here

If adoption isn’t right for you at the moment there are plenty of other ways to help. You can sign up to volunteer at events, participate in community outreach activities, host fundraisers - the list goes on! For more information about volunteering, call (843) 3432982 or email adoptcharlestongreys @yahoo.com. In addition, monetary donations are always welcome, as well as gift cards to pet stores and other establishments. Right now, the dog racing industry is in flux. Dana told me “[they are] in a state of change and uncertainty as tracks across the country are beginning to close. Currently there is proposed legislation that will come up for review in 2017 that can potentially affect the number of tracks.” If these facilities begin to close, GPA-Charleston will be there to take as many hounds as possible and get them into homes. So even if early retirement isn’t in the cards for most of us, with your help it can be a possibility for some of these gentle, loving and good-natured dogs.

Lizzy

ADOPTABLE DOGS

Devorre

Blind

Trouble

Heidi Lelha