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INSIDE THIS ISSUE HAPPILY
VER E A D O P TE D
PUBLISHER/EDITOR
STORIES
Casey Dean Casey@SanDiegoPetsMagazine.com
CO VER STO RY
Thom Somes, The Pet Safety Guy This Carlsbad resident has saved thousands of pets with his hands-on pet first aid training. SEE PAGE 6
Behavior of Sick Animals
Casey Dean
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Play It Safe -- For Your Pet's Sake!
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Arden Moore
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Dr. Stefanie Schwartz is a board-certified veterinary behaviorist based in Southern California. SEE PAGE 13
COVER PHOTO
Kimberly Jones
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April is Pet First Aid and Safety Awareness month. Give your pet a priceless gift by enrolling in a pet first aid and CPR class. SEE PAGE 16
Victoria Stilwell
Treats and Thermometers
GUEST WRITERS
A visit to the veterinarian with Mark Carlson.
Mark Carlson Tina M. Martinez
SEE PAGE 20
Lifesaving Tips: Pet-Safe Gardening
Supervisor Dave Roberts Stefanie Schwartz, DVM Victoria Stilwell
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Spring is here and, for many San Diegans, that means time to plant a garden. For pet owners, smart gardening is all about being mindful of plants, flowers and pesticides that can be harmful, and even lethal, to pets. SEE PAGE 22
CARTOONIST Barbara Fuscsick Puppy Paws Productions www.puppypawsproductions.com
ADVERTISING INFO
Casey Dean (619) 573-5615 Casey@SanDiegoPetsMagazine.com San Diego Pets Magazine is published by Dean Publishing, Inc. P.O. Box 601081, San Diego, Ca 92160-1081. No part of this publication may be duplicated or reprinted without express consent from the publisher. Editors reserve the right to edit all content. Submissions are welcome, and may be edited for content and clarity. Please forward all unsolicited material to the editor. Views and opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to approve or accept advertising orders and content. All contents are copyrighted 2013. All rights reserved.
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/SanDiegoPets San Diego Pets Magazine P.O. BOX 601081 San Diego, Ca 92160-1081 (619) 573-5615 SANDIEGOPETSMAGAZINE.COM www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com | APRIL 2013 5
MeetThomSomes:ThePetSafetyGuy This Carlsbad resident has saved thousands of pets with his hands-on pet first aid training.
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f you’re within sight and sound of Thom Somes, there is a good chance you find yourself zeroing in on him. He is blessed with quick humor and charisma and towers at 6-foot, 2 inches. And, he is most likely wearing a longsleeved cotton shirt with this slogan on the back: “Doggie, Doggie, Are You OK?” The slogan is a definite conversation starter. Meet Thom Somes, The Pet Safety Guy™. Countless dogs and cats 6 APRIL 2013 | www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com
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all over the world owe their lives to this Carlsbad resident – even if they have never met him. That’s because Somes is the founder and president of Pet Tech, the first international training center dedicated to “Pet CPR, First Aid & Care for Your Pets®.” Under his direction, more than 800 people from Alaska to Australia have completed training to become Pet Tech instructors. Under his leadership, more than 30,000 pet parents all over the
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globe have enrolled in the PetSaver classes that deliver hands-on training to cope with pet emergencies as well as wellness tips that can save money at the veterinary clinic and possibly, extend the healthy lives of dogs and cats. The bottom line is this: in a pet emergency, minutes, even seconds, count. By completing a Pet Tech class, you increase the chances of becoming a true lifesaver for your pet. “Thom is one of the most conscien-
COVER STORY
tious people I’ve met,” says Bob Burnell, a police officer in Boynton Beach, Florida as well as a professional dog trainer and master Pet Tech instructor. “It’s a treat to see Thom in action in a class. He talks fast, so you must listen carefully, but he is extremely knowledgeable and his teaching technique is engaging and motivating. You can tell that he is very passionate about keeping pets safe.” Somes has been in the human medical field for about 30 years and serves as an American Heart Association Basic Life Support instructor and a Medic First Aid Corporate trainer. And, he has always loved pets, but he can pinpoint when his medical training expanded to include pet first aid. It was 1994 and Somes was teaching human first aid and CPR when a student came up to him after class and inquired, “Will this work on my dog?” “I realized right then that there was a major void in pet safety that needed to be filled. We needed a 9ll for pets and that led me to creating Pet Tech,” says
Somes, who proudly acknowledges the Pet Tech’s first family that includes his wife, Cindy and their son, Parker. And, of course, their rescued Chihuahua named Rio. Attend a Pet Tech class and be prepared to participate. You will learn how to safely approach an injured pet. That’s where the “Doggie, doggie, are you ok?” slogan originates. Students stand about three feet from a demo dog on the ground and in unison, tap their feet as they shout out that slogan. “We emphasize in our classes that people need to use their heads, protect their hands and come from the heart,” says Somes. “We stomp and shout before touching a downed pet to keep ourselves safe.” During the day-long class, students learn dozens of skills, including performing CPR and rescue breathing, stopping bleeding, treating choking, inducing vomiting for poisoned pets and much more. One of the biggest
SEE THOM SOMES, Page 8
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Five Fun Facts about Thom Somes The Pet Safety Guy™
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He comes from a family with many named Thomas, Tommy and Tom, so to distinguish himself, he spells his first name, Thom.
2. 3. 4. The Pet Tech Instructor Training is a comprehensive, three-day, interactive program. Instructors learn the necessary skills and teaching methods to properly train pet owners in first aid and care. This course includes training in the identification and evaluation of the signs and symptoms a pet may develop and the appropriate actions to be taken for proper emergency medical treatment.
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His home city is Lansing, Michigan, and he has lived in Cancun, Mexico. In his 20s, he put his scuba diving skills to use and earned pay by cleaning the bottoms of yachts. He once worked with motivational speaker and bestselling self-help author Tony Robbins. He – and his wife, Cindy and son, Parker -- are quite talented at making delicious homemade jerky.
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PetTech PetSaver App Available for the Android, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and Windows 7 phones. It’s like having “A PetSaver in your Pocket™.” With a push of a button and a swipe of your finger you will have instant access to your pet’s health and safety. Thom Somes motivates and inspires his students.
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walk-away skills is Pet Tech’s Snout-to-Tail wellness assessment that teaches students how to really know their pets and be able to recognize early signs of illness or injury. Upon completion, students earn two-year certification in pet CPR, first aid and care. The curriculum follows pet first aid guidelines established by leading critical care and emergency care veterinarians. Somes alerts his army of instructors whenever there are new pet first aid protocols. A big change this year has been the way people perform CPR on dogs and cats. “It is important that we stay current in teaching pet first aid,” says Somes. “Our role is to stabilize and immobilize pets so that they can be taken promptly to veterinary clinics to be treated.” Somes is constantly striving to improve and expand ways to educate people about pet first aid. In addition to the hands-on classes, Somes also created the Pet Tech PetSaver App. Available for a one-time fee of $4.99, the PetSaver App can be downloaded on Android phones, Windows 7 as well as Apple’s iPhone, iPod and iPad. “With a push of a button and a swipe of your finger, you will have instant access to your pet’s health and safety,” declares Somes. “It’s like having a PetSaver class in your pocket.” The app provides written and audio pet first aid instructions, offers ways to download your pet’s medical records, locate the nearest veterinary clinic, identify items you need for a pet firstaid kit and much more. He is also working on e-book versions of his Know Your Pet’s Health book and creating instructional videos to expand accurate information on pet first aid and wellness. Classes taught in Spanish are also available. “We are a very mobile society and more people today love taking their pets everywhere,” says Somes. “I firmly believe that if in the course of your day, you put your hand on a dog or cat, than you should be trained in pet first aid. It is the best gift that we can give our pets.” Meet Thom Somes. He truly is The Pet Safety Guy™. Find out for yourself by visiting www.pettech.net. 8 APRIL 2013 | www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com
GUEST COLUMN
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Renowned Dog Trainer Victoria Stilwell:
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How to Curb Scent Marking
cent marking is a very normal and common behavior particularly in male dogs, but becomes a big problem when marking occurs in the home. Dogs mark to advertise their presence or to claim territory and resources. Pheromones in urine and feces contain chemical messages that pass on information about the marker such as age, sex, health and reproductive status. Even though urination has a competitive component, it can also occur if a dog is over stimulated, for example, during or after vigorous play, or if a dog becomes anxious in a particular situation, such as when a person leaves. This common expression of anxiety in dogs is often mistaken for spite, resulting in punishment that only serves to increase anxious behavior. Both sexes scent mark, but intact males are the worst offenders as signaling sexual availability and claiming territory is ‘encouraged’ by the presence of testosterone. In many cases, neutering can significantly reduce the desire to scent mark, but some dogs continue even after they have been neutered. Resources such as toys, food bowls, chew treats, bones and beds are the most likely objects to be marked and in some cases, a dog will actually mark a person or something that smells heavily of that person such as a sofa or bed. Scent marking is more common in multi-dog households where dogs compete for space, resources and human attention and even though this is a difficult behavior to work with, progress can be made by taking the following steps. Remove high-value resources that encourage competitive marking and do not allow the dog or dogs who scent mark to roam free around the home. Take the dogs to a dog-proofed room or crate when you are unable to actively super-
Born and raised in Wimbledon, England, Victoria Stilwell is one of the world's most recognized and respected dog trainers, reaching audiences in over 50 countries.
SEE STILWELL, Page 10
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STILWELL
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vise them, in order to prevent access to favorite marking spots. Avoid competitive or vigorous play indoors as excess activity encourages urination and if a dog is about to mark, interrupt the behavior with a short vocal noise and immediately direct the dog onto something more positive or take him outside. Help a marking dog succeed by taking him to new and different areas on walks. This will encourage him to mark outside rather than in the home. Teaching older dogs who are not housebroken to toilet appropriately can also be a challenge. Most dogs raised in a normal domestic situation respond well to a good toileting schedule, but those who have lived in puppy mills are notoriously difficult to teach. Dogs are essentially clean animals and do not like to toilet where they sleep and eat, but because of cramped conditions, puppy mill dogs are forced to do just that. Transitioning into a home is therefore problematic and makes crate training, a usually successful way to toilet train a dog, much less effective. However even puppy mill dogs can be taught to toilet appropriately with a good schedule that relies on going back to basics and allowing access to outside areas every hour and then gradually building up to less frequent trips as the dog builds up control. Following a schedule builds up a ritual of behavior that eventually becomes predictable and reliable. Every dog needs to feel confident about toileting and punishing accidents will only scare the dog into finding ways of toileting in secret. Human patience and sensitivity are the keys to success.
Need a trainer? Contact these local Victoria Stilwell-licensed dog trainers: Linda Michaels, MA, www.DogPsychologistOnCall.com (serves La Jolla to Carlsbad) and Julie Schmitt, www.OutnAboutDogTraining.com (serves San Diego).
Train Your Dog Positively is available online at Amazon.com or on Victoria’s website, http://positively.com. 10 APRIL 2013 | www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com
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Behavior of Sick Animals
Behavior Bytes Stefanie Schwartz,
DVM, MSc, DACVB Veterinary Behavior Medicine drstef@petbehavior.org
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id you know that all sick animals exhibit changes in their behavior? Lethargic pets are more sluggish than usual. It’s different from being sleepy at normal times of day; think of lethargy as being abnormally tired during the active hours of your pet’s day. Lethargy and hiding behaviors probably function to conserve energy so the body’s natural defenses can focus on healing, or at least on staying alive temporarily. Animals who are not feeling well will often retreat to quiet or even hidden places in your home. Pets who roam freely outdoors (not a good idea for cats or dogs) and become ill may not return home. They might seek shelter outdoors or they could become victims to predators and other dangers because of their weakened state. Other behavior changes associated with illness include lameness, loss of appetite, vomiting, house soiling, aggressiveness, destructiveness, anxiety, self-destructiveness (like overgrooming or tail chasing, for instance), pacing, staring, hyperactivity…well, pretty much anything you can think of really. It’s always a good idea to err on the side of caution if your pet’s behavior changes from what you recognize as normal. They might feel better by morning; on the other hand, they might not. Waiting too long can sometimes be a matter of life and death. Trust your instinct. If you think something is wrong, it probably is. Your pet can't verbalize where he hurts, so contact your veterinarian. If your veterinarian determines that
there is no underlying physical problem, a referral to a veterinary behaviorist might be the next step. Even though all diseases are accompanied by behavior disruptions, not all behavior problems have an underlying medical disorder. And that’s why board-certified veterinary behaviorists are such unique resources. We can help you and your primary care veterinarian to figure the problems out and make things right again for you and your pet.
Dr. Stefanie Schwartz is a board-certified veterinary behaviorist based in Southern California. She sees patients at California Veterinary Specialists in Carlsbad and at The Veterinary Neurology Center in Tustin, CA. For more information, please call (949) 3426644 or visit http://petbehavior.org/. www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com | APRIL 2013 13
San Diego Dog Lovers Committed to Curing Canine Cancer
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or many of us, our dogs are our best friend, child and partner for play. Our canine friends greet us when we come home, sit with us when we eat our dinner and cuddle with us before bedtime. They provide comfort without saying anything at all. For these reasons and many more, we would do anything to keep them happy and healthy. Over the past three years, San Diego–area dog lovers have shown their love for their best friends by taking a stand against cancer, a disease that takes the lives of too many dogs. Magali Wright spearheaded the local movement when she first rallied local volunteers in 2010 to create the San Diego K9 Cancer Walk benefiting Morris Animal Foundation. In February of that year, Magali Wright lost her dog, Teeka, to lymphoma just two days after Teeka’s 11th birthday. Wright learned that cancer is very serious for dogs—and all too common. In fact, cancer is the No. 1 cause of death in dogs over the age of 2. Half of all dogs will get cancer, and one in four will die of it. It amazed Wright that Morris Animal Foundation, a nonprofit that invests in animal health science, is leading the effort to find a cure by funding canine cancer studies worldwide. She made it her mission to gather her friends and community members to raise awareness and funds to fight this horrible diease. Since then, Wright and her team of dedicated volunteers and loyal donors have raised nearly $150,000 for the Foundation’s canine cancer research. At this year’s walk in February, more than 600 dog lovers joined together once again at Walnut Grove Park in San Marcos. The day included agility events, local vendors, a photo booth sponsored by the Orvis Company, advice from many local veterinarians, a beautiful walk and a time to remember those who had been lost to canine cancer.
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Since 2010, Magali Wright has led the San Diego K9 Cancer Walk to benefit the Morris Animal Foundation.
Morris Animal Foundation would like to thank Wright and all of the amazing volunteers and donors in the San Diego area. “We are so grateful to all of our wonderful K9 Cancer Walk supporters,” said Kate O’Brien, Morris Animal Foundation’s event specialist. “The passion that Magali and her team have has brought so many people and their dogs together. It is truly remarkable.” If you would like to help take a stand against canine cancer, visit www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org today!
Be Your Pet’s Health Ally!
Pet First Aid/CPR classes with a real cat and dog! 760-433-3480 www.petfirstaid4u.com 14 APRIL 2013 | www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com
SAN DIEGO K9 CANCER WALK
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Play it Safe – For Your Pet’s Sake!
Arden Moore,
ACCBC, ADCBC Pet trend, behavior and safety expert Arden@FourLeggedLife.com
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these days, it is definitely a dog’s life. Why, I know friends who brag that they have designer outfits for each day of the week for their dogs. I can identify swank places all across the country with chefs who prepare five-star menus for visiting canines. And, the hottest trend among professional pet groomers is adorning cats and dogs in a rainbow pattern of colors using pet-friendly dyes. I kid you not. Yes, we do love to pamper our pets. But the best ways we can show our pets how much we care for them are to provide healthy food, one-on-one attention and keep them safe. April is Pet First Aid and Safety Awareness month. Give your pet a priceless gift by enrolling in a pet first aid and CPR class. In an emergency when minutes count, knowing what to do to stabilize and immobilize your pet so you can get him to your veterinarian is worth far more than showering your pet with the latest outfit, designer bowl or toy. For most of my pet career, I’ve focused on achieving harmony in pet households as a certified animal behavior consultant. But I realized that I was missing a big piece of the petcaring puzzle: knowing pet first aid. So, I became an instructor with Pet Tech, the world’s leading hands-on pet first aid/CPR and wellness program and earlier this year, I advanced to become a 16 APRIL 2013 | www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com
Pet Tech master certified instructor Arden Moore (left) and her talented four-legged teaching assistants Chipper and Zeki happily pose with a recent graduating class of students who completed the pet first aid/CPR and safety class in Palm Desert.
master instructor so that I can now provide 3-day training for people interested in becoming instructors. What makes my classes special is that in addition to the stuffed demo dogs available to each student, I also partner up with a talented tandem: my cat, Zeki and my dog, Chipper. My students get to practice finding a pulse, checking the capillary refill, brushing teeth, putting on safety restraint muzzles and much more on Zeki and Chipper, true teacher’s pets. They happily work for healthy treats and praise. Word of their talents is getting out: we have traveled to Palm Desert, Dallas, Las Vegas and beyond to teach pet first aid classes. We are setting up trips to Louisiana and North Carolina later this year. Fortunately, Zeki thrives as a travel kitty who adapts quickly to newcomers and new surroundings – especially when I provide her favorite treat: low-sodium, deli turkey. Chipper has traveled coast-to coast with me and loves to perform in front of crowds, big and small. Our pet first aid classes are about 6 ½ hours in length and we limit the number of students to about 10 to
ensure everyone gets plenty of handson training. You will learn dozens of invaluable skills. All of our teaching protocols are endorsed and reviewed by leading emergency and critical care veterinarians. I enjoy customizing my classes to meet the special needs and interest of my students. In the past two years, I’ve taught pet first aid to professional pet sitters, dog walkers, breed rescue groups, cat show judges, boarding kennel staff, groomers, veterinary technicians and concerned pet parents. My goal is to help students replace feelings of panic and “I-don’t-know” with can-do action that may save their pets’ lives. I also show how pet parents can become pet detectives and save on veterinary bills and possibly, extend the lives of their pets by knowing how to recognize early signs of health problems and how to pet proof their homes. And, yes we do cover nutrition, dental and offer ageless advice for senior pets. Our graduation ceremonies often find students jostling to hold Zeki or hug Chipper for the group photo. All students earn two-year certifications in pet first aid. And graduates have
FOUR LEGGED LIFE
shared success stories with me of how they put their skills to use to control bleeding, treat for bee stings, address choking and recognize early signs of heat stroke in their pets. One even successfully performed CPR to revive her dog who collapsed. I invite you to ‘sniff’ around my pet first aid site: www.petfirstaid4u.com as well as my primary site: www.fourleggedlife.com. I’m happy to work with various pet groups on showing you how to be a loving life-saver to your special pet. San Diego is definitely one of the best pet places on the planet. And together, we can make it one of the safest by knowing pet first aid.
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Zeki gives students in Arden Moore’s pet first aid classes the chance to practice their skills on a cat. Here she poses after a student fits her with a blue safety muzzle.
Founder of Four Legged Life.com and creator of National Dog Party Day, Arden Moore is an animal behavior consultant, bestselling author, professional speaker and certified pet first aid master instructor. Enroll in her pet first aid classes to earn certification. And, get a double dose of Arden each week on the air as she hosts the Oh Behave Show on Pet Life Radio and Four Legged Life on Radio Pet Lady Network. For more information, please visit www.fourleggedlife.com, www.petfirst aid4u.com, www.petliferadio.com/behave.html and www.radiopetlady.com.
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Finding Homes for ‘Tweenies’ B y
My five adopted children are the joys of my life. And one of the biggest joys for our family is our adopted pets. All of us love to play and wrestle with our Boxer, Cutie Patootie. And although our adopted turtle is not as playful, Yertle has a place in our hearts. Our dear, departed Persian cats, Ashley and Bijou, lived long and happy lives after we rescued them. In fact, Cutie Patootie is from the San Diego animal shelter. I love animals, so it’s appropriate that as a County Supervisor, one of my roles is to set policy for the largest pet agency in the region — the Department of Animal Services. The department serves all of the unincorporated area as well as six cities: San Diego, Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, Santee and Solana Beach. The coverage area comprises 4,000 square miles. My office works closely with the department, which operates shelters in Carlsbad, San Diego and Bonita. In cooperation with numerous nonprofit groups, the county places hundreds of pets up for adoption every year. This is an especially busy time, because the arrival of spring brings the arrival of kitten season. Animal Services Director Dawn Danielson says special programs and coupons provide ways for the public to help with this seasonal influx of 19
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Supervisor Dave Roberts represents District Three on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.
kittens a day to county shelters. The “Tweenie Program” places orphaned kittens between four and eight weeks of age into temporary foster homes. County shelters may not place kittens up for adoption until they are eight weeks old. That’s why we look for the loving environment of foster homes. “We provide the food, kitty litter and toys,” Dawn says. “All we need from our foster parents is to give the kittens
a safe place to live and plenty of love.” At eight weeks, the kittens are returned to the department for shots, alteration and to be made available for permanent adoption. Kitten season – and the great numbers of kittens it brings – illustrates how important it is to spay and neuter your pets. To encourage that, the county is offering a $100 coupon to spay female cats. Also available are $100 coupons to spay female pit bulls and Chihuahuas – the dogs who populate county shelters in the highest numbers. Other coupons are available for male dogs and for other breeds. Just contact our Department of Animal Services at (619) 767-2675 or visit www.sddac.com. Supervisor Dave Roberts represents District Three on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. Contact him at (619) 531-5533, follow him on Facebook and Twitter, and visit him online: www.supervisordaveroberts.com
HAPPILY
ADOPTION SUCCESS
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miley came to the San Diego Humane Society’s North Campus after he was found in Oceanside wearing a spiked collar and dragging a makeshift leash someone had fashioned out of a belt. With his adorable antics and friendly nature, the 10-year-old Pit mix quickly became a staff favorite. Smiles would follow wherever he went, especially anytime he played with a toy, entertaining himself by flinging it into the air and happily prancing after to retrieve it. Smiley suffered from several medical ailments, including a heart murmur and dental disease, which presented him with challenges in finding just the right home to provide the care that he needed and the love he deserved. Fortunately, both were found when a couple came to look for a new dog companion. They saw Smiley and were immediately smitten. So much so, that neither his age nor any of his medical challenges gave them half a pause. They had found their dog, and Smiley had finally found a family who could see what an amazing guy he is. And that is definitely something to smile about. “Everything is going great! Smiley has brought so much more love into our family. My husband and I find ourselves extremely blessed to have won the heart of an older dog. He loves his new forever home and is quickly becoming spoiled. Our little man became Mr. Personality at his new vet’s office! The staff fell in love with him just as quickly as my husband and I. He loves laying in the sun and playing with his squeaky toys! He is sure to keep us on our toes with his intelligence and wittiness and is sure to make it clear to everyone that he is a lapdog!! My husband and I are beyond delighted with our new member of the family!”
About the San Diego Humane Society & SPCA
The San Diego Humane Society offers San Diegans a wide range of programs and services that strengthen the human-animal bond, prevent animal cruelty/neglect, provide medical care and educate the community on the humane treatment of animals. www.sdhumane.org.
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VISITING
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Treats and Thermometers
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y two yellow Labradors love going to the vet. They actually pull me in that direction when we are near the office. Yes, it sounds unusual, but there are a few minor caveats to that. First of all, both are Guide Dogs. Musket, who is 12 and retired, and Saffron, 2, are a little fooddriven, in the same way that the Pacific Ocean has a little water in it. When we go to the veterinary clinic or even just pass by, they turn to the door and want to go in. Usually I’ll agree and we’ll step in to say hello. Well, that’s what I do. The dogs take me right to the counter and assume ‘the Pose.’ Sitting there with big soft brown eyes, they wait until they are recognized. Of course this only takes a millisecond. Musket and Saffron are famous at Carmel Mountain Ranch Veterinary Hospital. The instant we walk in, we are greeted. Well the dog is. I’m just the driver, so to speak. “Hi Musket!” Or “Hello, Princess Saffron!” as the case may be. The reason the dogs like going to the vet clinic is on the counter: A bowl of healthy treats. “Do you want a treat?” Well, duh. Okay, so that’s the routine on any given day. But occasionally, Musket or Saffron will need to visit the vet for a checkup. Sure I know it’s silly, but for some strange reason they can’t figure, I like them to be fit and healthy. That’s when the equation changes. Our veterinarian, Dr. Elizabeth Gray, is a wonderful and gifted doctor. She
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loves all animals, but it’s not hard to tell she has a special love for my two Guide Dogs. She thinks they’re wonderful, cute, intelligent and very funny. When Musket and I first started working together in the spring of 2002 I brought him to Dr. Gray for an initial checkup. He liked her just fine. He cooperated, letting her poke and prod, listen and look. No problem. That is, right up to the moment she reached for his tail and slipped the thermometer inside. In that instant Musket gained a whole new perspective on Dr. Gray. I mean, he knew she liked him, but not in that way. He just wanted to be
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friends. From that point on, he never took his eyes off her hands. Musket, like most intelligent dogs, has a very good memory. A year later I took him for another checkup. All went well until she reached for the thermometer. Then all bets were off. Musket backed up. Not just away, but into a corner. He literally jammed his butt, tail and all, into a corner of the floor like he was trying to plug a hole in the dike. It was the funniest thing we’d ever seen. I could just hear him thinking, “Okay lady, just keep your hands where I can see them. My teeth are registered with the FBI as deadly weapons, don’t make me use them.” It was to no avail. Even his loving, devoted Daddy turned traitor by moving him away from the wall and holding him. But if you’ll forgive the awful pun, all was well in the end. Sorry, couldn’t resist. Back to the story. As the years went on, Musket and the wonderful staff ad CMRVH grew to love one another. Musket tended to gain weight (reason omitted to protect the guilty) so when
we were passing by, I often stopped in to have him weighed. He learned really quickly that if he jumped on the scale, he got a treat. The only problem was, after he finished inhaling that one, he jumped back on the scale. Musket has had a few health problems over the years, two of which were very worrisome. In 2009, he had a seizure during the night. My wife Jane and I didn’t know what was happening. We took him to an all-night emergency vet clinic in Poway, and the doctors there explained that seizures sometimes happen to dogs. If it didn’t happen more than once a year it was nothing to be concerned about. So far, that was the only time. We once thought he might have cancer. It was pretty certain there was a growth in his rectum that should be examined. But in the end (there I go again), they found nothing. I consider myself lucky to have a good veterinarian to take care of my dogs. It has been a comfort to know there are caring and qualified team will handle both the routine and critical matters with equal skill. Musket is now retired and doesn’t get the exercise he used to when working daily with me. But I still take him for walks using my cane. Saffron, my new Guide Dog, is just as precocious and lovable as Musket and has already won the hearts of the kind folks at CMRVH. It sounds like an advertisement, but it’s really just my way of saying thank you to Dr. Gray, Dr. Hornstein, Melissa, Menaya, Denise, Vanessa, Kim, Veronica and all the others for what they do. I know my dogs will love going there, just as long as the treats hold out.
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MARK CARLSON lives in San Diego with with his wife, Jane and Guide Dogs Musket and Saffron. A docent at the San Diego Air & Space Museum and aviation historian, Mark writes for several national aviation magazines. He is a featured speaker for many local adult education programs. His first book, ‘Confessions of a Guide Dog – The Blonde Leading the Blind’ is a humorous memoir about the adventures of life with Musket. It is available online at Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com and iUniverse.com. Contact Mark, Musket and Saffron at www.musketmania.com. www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com | APRIL 2013 21
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PET SAFETY
Grown with Love:
Lifesaving Tips for Pet-Safe Gardening B y
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Spring is here and, for many San Diegans, that means time to plant a garden. For pet owners, smart gardening is all about being mindful of plants, flowers and pesticides that can be harmful, and even lethal, to pets.
Dr. Elizabeth Benson, DVM of Valley Center Veterinary Clinic has seen many severe toxicity cases in her clinic as a result of pets ingesting something in the garden. Before you start tilling and toiling, take note of the gardening hazards she recommends pet owners avoid, for a garden that is friendly - not frightening – to your pets.
Garden Hazards to Avoid
If you suspect your pet has ingested any of the following, even in small amounts, Dr. Benson warns you to seek immediate emergency veterinary care.
SAGO PALMS: The seeds are the most toxic part of this popular tree but ingesting any part can be deadly.
DAFFODILS: Small amounts may cause vomiting and diarrhea, says Dr. Benson, but ingestion of a large amount or consumption of the bulb of these flowers is highly toxic.
PESTICIDES: Dr. Benson suggests reading pesticide labels to avoid harmful ingredients. She adds that rat bait and snail bait are particularly lethal to pets, but all pesticides should be purchased with extreme caution. Zinc phosphide, usually found in rat bait and insecticides, can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms in pets and rapidly lead to death. Metaldehyde, a chemical in snail bait, is also very deadly. Other ingredients to avoid include bromethalin and cholecalciferol, as well as anticoagulants such as diphacinone, warfarin and brodifacoum.
LILIES: “Lilies are beautiful for humans but very ugly for cats,” says Dr. Benson. “Ingestion of any part of the plant, even in trace amounts, can cause acute renal failure, a deadly condition.”
COCOA MULCH: This type of mulch contains cacao, the same pettoxic ingredient found in chocolate.
BUSINESS LISTINGS List your Business, call (619) 573-5615 Behavior Buddies by Camp BowWow
Dog Beach Dog Wash
Home Buddies by Camp BowWow
Dog Training, Dog Walking & Pet Sitting Bonded and Insured (619) 889-7767 www.myhomebuddies.com/LaJolla
Do-It-Yourself•Service•Accessories 4933 Voltaire St., San Diego, CA 92107 (619) 523-1700 http://www.dogwash.com
Dog Walking, Pet Sitting & Dog Training Bonded and Insured (619) 889-7767 www.myhomebuddies.com/LaJolla
California Veterinary Specialists
EasyTurf A Field Turf Company Request a FREE DESIGN consultation 2750 La Mirada Dr, Vista, CA 92081 1-800-550-7270 www.sdpets.easyturf.com
Professional Pet Sitters Experience with Special Needs Animals Certified Pet First Aid & CPR (858) 352-6988 • KittycareLJ@att.net
2310 Faraday Ave., Carlsbad, CA 92008, (760) 431-2273 • 7 days 24 hrs. www.CaliforniaVeterinarySpecialists.com
County of San Diego Department of Animal Services (619) 767-2675 • www.sddac.com 22 APRIL 2013 | www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com
Kittycare La Jolla
Four Legged Life
Leashes and Love
Pet event speaker Arden Moore Dog/cat behavior consults Host dog parties • (760) 433-3480 www.fourleggedlife.com
Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Company Serving San Diego and surrounding areas
(619) 296-4928 www.leashesandlove.com
PET SAFETY
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Pet-Friendly Pest Prevention
ADDITIONAL FLOWERS: Dr. Benson also recommends avoiding oleanders, azaleas and Swiss cheese plant in your garden, which all affect your pet’s heart.
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES: Many garden-grown foods can also pose a danger to pets. Mushrooms are especially toxic and result in a lot of veterinary visits, according to Dr. Benson. She also recommends being careful with pit-bearing fruits, like cherries, plums and peaches, the pits of which release poisonous cyanide if chewed. Grapes are also dangerous. including a complete listing of toxic and non-toxic plants, can be found on the ASPCA’s website at www.aspca.org/pet-care/petcare-tips/pet-safe-gardening.aspx.
MORE INFORMATION ON PET-SAFE GARDENING,
Seeking Care for a Poisoned Pet
Symptoms of pesticide poisoning vary widely, according to Dr. Benson, and include vomiting, diarrhea, dark black-colored stool, blood in the stool, weakness, depression, loss of appetite, increased salivation, yellowing of skin or eyes (if the liver is affected) bruising, pale gums, difficulty breathing, muscle tremors and seizures. “Symptoms can escalate very quickly so treatment should always be sought at the onset of symptoms,” says Dr. Benson.
Leash Your Fitness Fitness class for you and your DOG. Classes / events throughtout San Diego. 619-822-3296 http://www.LeashYourFitness.com
Linda Michaels, MA Victoria Stilwell-licensed Private/Customized Force-free Dog Training La Jolla to Carlsbad (858) 259-9663 www.DogPsychologistOnCall.com
National Cat Protection Society
A shelter whose mission is dedicated to the protection and welfare of cats. 9031 Birch St. • Spring Valley (619) 469-8771 • http://natcat.org
San Diego Master Gardener and pet-safe gardening expert Judy Macomber shares some of her best tips for controlling pests without compromising your pets. Macomber recommends allowing beneficial bugs, such as ladybugs, to do the work of getting rid of bugs that are harmful to your garden. To do this, she suggests getting your garden in balance by ceasing all poisonous petsicides, which will then give the “good” bugs a chance to find your garden so they can run the “bad” bugs out. Choose hearty flowers that naturally fend off pests. Pyrethrums are known as nature’s repellant, according to Macomber. Other great flowers that add lots of color and lots of pest protection include marigolds, nasturtiums, geraniums and petunias. Macomber recommends planting these among your vegetables for added protection. Blood meal, a natural fertilizer available where gardening supplies are sold, can be used to repel many animals, such as rabbits and deer. Crushed mothballs mixed with cayenne pepper can deter many small rodents and even snakes. In fact, hot pepper, sprayed on plants, is hard for most bugs to handle. Lastly, many strong-smelling herbs, such as mint, rosemary, opal basil, tansy and coriander, planted throughout the garden, will repel insects, according to Macomber. If you must purchase packaged pesticides, Macomber recommends buying organic brands, such as EcoSmart, and looking for the words “pet safe” on the packaging.
Pet First Aid 4 U
SD House Rabbit Society
Dog and cat 1st aid, CPR classes Hands-on training. Earn certificate. Throughout S.D. • (760) 433-3480 www.petfirstaid4u.com
(858) 356-4286 www.SanDiegoRabbits.org
Project Wildlife
San Diego Humane Society & SPCA
Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education 887 1/2 Sherman Street, SD, CA 92110 Wildlife Information Line 619-225-9453 www.projectwildlife.org
(619) 299-7012 www.sdhumane.org
Puptown Doggy Daycare
The Total Dog, Swim & Gym
205 16th Street. San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 234-5278 www.puptown.net
3060 Industry St., Ste. 108 Oceanside, CA • 760-721-1DOG (1364) www.mytotaldog.com www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com | APRIL 2013 23
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COMMUNITY RESOURCE GUIDE
Emergency Hospitals BONITA/CHULA VISTA Pet Emergency & Specialty Center of South County (619) 591-4802 885 Canarios Court, #108, Chula Vista, CA 91910 www.PESCSanDiego.com
CARLSBAD California Veterinary Specialists 7 days 24 hours (760) 431-2273 2310 Faraday Ave., Carlsbad, CA 92008, www.CaliforniaVeterinarySpecialists.com
Animal Shelters & Humane Societies
Rescue & Adoption
ACCEPT STRAYS & HAVE ADOPTION
A Passion For Paws (Akita Rescue) (818) 925-4827 www.APassionForPaws.org
BAY PARK/MISSION VALLEY County Animal Services
Baja Dog Rescue (619) 407-9372 www.bajadogrescue.org
5480 Gaines St., CA 92110 (619) 767-2675 www.sddac.com Hours: Tues-Sat 9:30am to 5:30pm
The Barking Lot (619) 796-2253 www.thebarkinglot.net
BONITA County Animal Services 5821 Sweetwater Road, CA 91902 (619) 767-2675 www.sddac.com Hours: Tue-Sat 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
ENCINITAS
CAMP PENDLETON Camp Pendleton Animal Shelter
VCA North Coast Veterinary & Emergency (760) 632-1072 414 Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas, CA 92024, www.VCANorthCoast.com
CARLSBAD County Animal Services
4th St. Area 25 Bldg. 25132 CA 92054 (760) 725-8120
Cat Adoption Service (760) 550-2287 www.sdcats.org Chihuahua Rescue of San Diego www.ChihuahuaRescueofSanDiego.com Forgotten Paws Animal Rescue www.forgottenpaws.org
2481 Palomar Airport Road, CA 92011 619) 767-2675 www.sddac.com Hours: Tue-Sat 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Furry Fosters 858-848-PETS (7387) http://furryfoster.com
Animal Urgent Care of Escondido 7 Days 24 hours (760) 738-9600 2430-A S. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, CA 92025, www.AUC.US.com
CHULA VISTA City of Chula Vista Animal Shelter
German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue www.GSP-Rescue.org
130 Beyer Way, CA 91911 (619) 691-5123 www.cvacf.org Hours: Sun & Mon Closed, Tue-Fri 9:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. Sat. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Greyhound Connection www.GreyhoundConnection.org
KEARNY MESA/CLAIREMONT
CORONADO Animal Care Facility
Independent Therapy Dogs, Inc. https://sites.google.com/site/idtdinc/
ESCONDIDO
Animal ER of San Diego (858) 569-0600 5610 Kearny Mesa Road, San Diego, CA 92111 M-F 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. Sat/Sun 24 hours
LA MESA Pet Emergency & Specialty Center 7 Days 24 hours (619) 462-4800 5232 Jackson Drive #105, La Mesa, CA 91942, www.PESCSanDiego.com
MISSION VALLEY VCA Emergency Animal Hospital 7 Days 24 hours (619) 299-2400 2317 Hotel Circle South, San Diego, CA 92108 www.VCAEmergency.com
MURRIETA California Veterinary Specialists 7 days 24 hours (951) 600-9803 25100 Hancock Ave. #116, Murrieta, CA 92562, www.CaliforniaVeterinarySpecialists.com
OCEANSIDE Mission Animal & Bird Hospital 7 Days 24 hours (760) 433-3763 655 Benet Rd., Oceanside, CA 92058 www.missionanimal.com
1395 First Street, Coronado, CA 92118 (619) 522-7371 Hours: 7 days 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
EL CAJON City of El Cajon Animal Shelter 1275 N. Marshall Ave., CA 92020 (619) 441-1580 Hours: Tue-Sat 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
ESCONDIDO Escondido Humane Society 3450 E. Valley Parkway, CA 92027 (760) 888-2275 www.EscondidoHumaneSociety.org Hours: 7 days 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
OCEANSIDE San Diego Humane Society-North (For dogs) 2905 San Luis Rey Road, CA 92058 (619) 299-7012 www.SDHumane.org Hours: 7 days 10 a.m.-4 p.m. San Diego Humane Society-North (For cats) 572 Airport Road, CA 92058 (619) 299-7012 www.SDHumane.org Hours: 7 days 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
ACCEPT OWNER RELINQUISHED ANIMALS BAY PARK/MISSION VALLEY San Diego Humane Society-San Diego Campus 5500 Gaines Street, CA 92110 (619) 299-7012 www.SDHumane.org Hours: Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat-Sun 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
POWAY
EL CAJON
Animal Emergency Clinic (858) 748-7387 12775 Poway Road, Poway, CA 92064 M-F 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. Sat. Sun. 24 hours www.AnimalEmergencySD.com
Friends of Cats 15587 Olde Highway 80, CA, 92021 (619) 561-0361 www.FriendsofCats.org Hours: Tue-Sun 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
SAN MARCOS Veterinary Specialty Hospital (760) 466-0600 2055 Montiel Road, Suite 104, San Marcos, CA 92069 www.vshsd.com
SORRENTO VALLEY Veterinary Specialty Hospital 7 Days 24 hours (858) 875-7500 10435 Sorrento Valley Road., San Diego, CA 92121 www.VSHSD.com 24 APRIL 2013 | www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com
It’s The Pits (Specializing in the Bully Breeds) (858) 484-0985 http://itsthepits.rescuegroups.org Last Chance at Life All Breed Animal Rescue (760) 433-3763 x224 (Schedule an appointment) www.lastchanceatlife.org List Srv 4 Therapy Dog Teams listsrv4therapydog@att.net Open Arms Rescue (760) 470-7643 www.openarmsrescue.org Operation Greyhound (619) 588-6611 www.OperationGreyhound.com Paws of Coronado (619) 522-7371 www.PawsOfCoronado.org Pit Bull Rescue of San Diego (858) 693-7331 www.PitBullRescueSanDiego.com Rescue House (760) 591-1211 www.rescuehouse.org San Diego House Rabbit Society (858) 356-4286 www.SanDiegoRabbits.org San Diego Spaniel Rescue (619) 922-0545 www.sdsr.org
ENCINITAS
San Diego Turtle & Tortoise Society (619) 593-2123 www.SDTurtle.org
Rancho Coastal Humane Society 389 Requeza Street, CA 92024 (760) 753-6413 www.sdpets.org Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Tue 11:30 a.m-5 p.m.
Second Chance Dog Rescue (619) 721-3647 http://secondchancedogrescue.org
RANCHO SANTA FE
Upward Dog Rescue (858) 345-2434 www.upwarddogrescue.org
Helen Woodward Animal Center 6461 El Apajo Road, CA 92067 (858) 756-4117 www.AnimalCenter.org Hours: 7 days 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
SPRING VALLEY
Westie Rescue of California (619) 579-6395 www.WestieRescueCA.com
National Cat Protection Society 9031 Birch Street, CA 91977 (619) 469-8771 www.NatCat.org Hours: Tue-Sat noon-5 p.m.
Wee Companions (619) 934-6007 http://WeeCompanions.org
Shelter to Soldier and Sally and Henry’s Doghouse Join Together to Raise Funds April 26, 2013
Shelter to Soldier is hosting a fundraising event at Sally and Henry’s Doghouse Bar and Grill on April 26 from 5-11 p.m. to help defray costs for shelter dogs that Graham Bloem is committed to saving and training to connect with soldiers suffering from PTSD. Dog lovers interested in assisting soldiers with PTSD may bring their dogs to enjoy a great dining and drinking experience with the comfort in knowing that a portion of their bill will go directly to Shelter to Soldier to support the non-profit’s cause. www.sallyandhenrysdoghouse.com
A ‘Furry’ Twist on the Car Wash Fundraiser
Student-run Newspaper Looks to Local Dog Wash to Help Reach a Different Breed of Donor Torrey Pines students worked with a local dog wash to raise more than $400 for their student newspaper in a new spin on the car wash fundraiser model... a dog wash. Twelve students held the wash at family-owned Dirty Dogs with a large percentage of the proceeds going to the Torrey Pines high school newspaper, the Falconer. The event took place on Saturday, March 23 at Dirty Dogs in Torrey Hills where the students were first educated about washing dogs and then supervised by the professional washing staff at Dirty Dogs. The students, led by staff reporter, Natalie Dunn, took over the self-serve tubs and offered dog baths to the community. The students washed more than 20 dogs in just a few hours. “The best part for us is seeing kids who are timid while washing their first dog, develop confidence working with the animals. By the end of the event, they were comfortable and challenging themselves to wash larger, more time-intensive breeds.”said Riley Bandy, manager at Dirty Dogs.
The Torrey Pines Falconer is the student-run newspaper of Torrey Pines High School. The paper is published monthly and also has a digital version found at www.tphsfalconer.com Dirty Dogs is a self-serve dog wash and pet-grooming salon with locations in Torrey Hills and Cardiff-by-the-Sea. www.dirtydogsandmeow.com
PET PRESS
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handbag or jewelry donation, email brooke@face4pets.org, or call 858-450FACE. The FACE Foundation is a not-forprofit 501(c)(3) public charity that provides financial assistance for pets in need of critical/emergency veterinary care. www.face4pets.org
New Prime Time Show Devoted to Pets — April 8
ASPCA Sponsors FACE Foundation’s 3rd Annual Event - Bags & Baubles
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has joined other national and local organizations to sponsor the FACE Foundation’s 3rd annual Bags and Baubles fundraiser. This unique event will raise funds to help FACE save the lives of local family pets. “As a result of America’s economic struggles in recent years, many pet owners have found themselves unable to finance their pets’ emergency care and have been faced with the heartbreak of euthanasia as their only resort. This is what we are working so hard to prevent,” says FACE’s Executive Director Stacy Steel. The funds generously donated by the ASPCA will go a long way to help solve the problem of “economic euthanasia.” FACE Foundation’s 3rd Annual Bags & Baubles is a silent auction fundraiser where attendees can bid on an array of over 300 new and “gently loved” designer handbags, jewelry, and select men’s items while they enjoy wine tasting and appetizers. This event will take place on Sunday, April 28, at a private estate in Rancho Santa Fe. Bags & Baubles is free to attend, but RSVP is required. For more information, to register, or to make a tax-deductible
Pet Lounge, an exciting new San Diego-based television show featuring a variety of pets and the people who care for them, will premier April 8 on Cox Cable. The half-hour show, which airs at 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, will feature multiple segments on a variety of pets and highlight new discoveries in behavior, nutrition, health and science. The pilot episode is devoted to travel and features segments on dog friendly luxury hotels, a winery devoted to charitable dog causes, and San Diego’s own dog beaches. Check out a preview of Pet Lounge's pilot episode: http://ow.ly/jig0t Pet Lounge creator Jude Artenstein has worked tirelessly as a pet activist, and also founded and organizes California’s largest pet adoption fair, the Doggie Street Festival, www.doggiestreetfestival.org. Using the knowledge she has gained as a dog lover and a volunteer, she created Pet Lounge in the hopes of helping audiences better understand and care for companion animals. Future episodes will uncover history and folklore, reveal the human-animal bond and delight in the fun and joy of memorable encounters. Segments include a pet psychic, a feature on senior dog adopters, how to fly with your pet, acupressure for pets and a visit to a raptor institute. The series will initially be broadcast in San Diego (Cox Channel 4), Santa Barbara (Cox Channel 8), and Orange County (Cox Channel 3) before it expands to other cities nationwide. www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com | APRIL 2013 25
CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS
April 5-7, 2013
Friday, April 26, 2013, 5 - 11 pm
Sunday, April 28, 2013, 1-5 pm
Reality Rally
Shelter to Soldier Fundraiser
3rd Annual Bags & Baubles
Reality Rally is weekend of "Fun for Funds" for www.michellesplace.org, a breast cancer resource center in Temecula. www.realityrally.com
Shelter to Soldier fundraising event at Sally and Henry’s Doghouse Bar and Grill. www.sallyandhenrysdoghouse.com SEE STORY PAGE 25
FACE Foundation presents “Bags and Baubles,” a silent auction of designer handbags and jewelry benefitting local pets in need! www.face4pets.org
April 26, 27 and 28
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Saturday, April 13, 2013
EmBARKadero Beginning with a 4-Legged-4K run/walk/roll along the Bay followed by a dog festival with vendors and activities. All proceeds will benefit Canine Companions for Independence. www.cci.org/embarkadero
April 19-21, 2013, 10 am - 6 pm
America’s Family Pet Expo The 24th annual America’s Family Pet Expo returns to the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa. petexpooc.org
April 20, 2013, 9 am - 2 pm
Ruth Redmann Paws in the Park Bring your dog for a day of fun at Live Oak Park in Fallbrook. To benefit the Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary. www.fallbrookanimalsanctuary.org
26 APRIL 2013 | www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com
Horse Ranch Tours Tour five ranches and homes to many national champion-titled horses. Enjoy demonstrations and interviews with top trainers in the breed as well as other festivities. Come share our passion for the Peruvian Paso Horse. RSVP required, contact: Debbie Pye at wepye@sbcglobal.net, or call (858) 674-7340.
Sunday, April 28, 2013, 11 am - 3 pm
Avian & Exotic Animal Hospital
Grand Opening Celebration 1276 Morena Blvd., San Diego, CA 92110 Please stop by and tour the new beautiful facility! Enjoy refreshments while visiting the doctors and staff. www.drexotic.com
Walk for the Animals NCT Park at Liberty Station Start a team today to show your support for animals by raising funds for the San Diego Humane Society’s annual Walk for the Animals. This year’s Walk for Animals will be held at a new location – NCT Park at Liberty Station! There will be a pancake breakfast, vendor village and lots of doggie activities! www.sdhumane.org
Saturday, May 4, 2013, 10 am - 4 pm
22nd Annual May Party Super Hero Pugs! This year's theme is Pug Super Heroes so let the costumes begin! Join the Pug Rescue San Diego County for raffle, boutique, contests, venders and so much more at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. www.pugbutts.com