NOVADog Magazine Fall 2013

novadog Fall 2013

T H E U LT I M AT E G U I D E T O C A N I N E - I N S P I R E D L I V I N G I N T H E D C M E T R O A R E A

Former Redskins tight end Chris Cooley uses his pottery to help homeless animals

magazine

forever homes one bowl at a time Also Inside: Annual Holiday Wish List Understanding your dog’s body language Digital Edition Sponsored by: Becky’s Pet Care Inc.

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A Hike at Bull Run Mountains

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contents fall 2013

N O R T H E R N V I R G I N I A D O G : T H E U LT I M AT E G U I D E T O C A N I N E - I N S P I R E D L I V I N G I N T H E D C M E T R O A R E A

18

16 H oliday Wish List

We’ve been looking high and low to find the best new gifts to spoil the dogs and doglovers in your life.

COVER STORY

18 F orever Homes—One Bowl at a Time

Former Redskins tight end Chris Cooley uses his pottery to help homeless animals

By Kelly Pike

20 C ommunication Makes a Connection

Understanding your dog’s body language

By Lindsay Tilton D E PA RT M E N T S

3 PUBLISHER’S NOTE

14 GET SOCIAL

4 THE SOURCE

WITH NOVADOG

News, information, and products

24 CANINE CALENDAR

8 HEALTH WISE

25 MARKETPLACE

Heartworm and Your Pet

10 EXPERT ADVICE On the cover:

Former Redskins tight end Chris Cooley with his dogs Moose and Chewy. Photography by Sara Riddle. To view more of Sara’s work or to schedule an appointment for pet photos, visit www. sarariddle.com.

Reducing Canine Stress While Boarding

12 PETCENTRIC PEOPLE Hanging with DC Metro’s dog-crazy crowd

happy holidog 2013

26 THE SCENE

A glimpse into the life of Northern Virginia dogs

27 HIT THE TRAIL Bull Run Mountains

28 WAGS TO RICHES

Adoption success stories

16

Read Malka’s Wags to Riches adoption success story on page 28. www.novadogmagazine.com

1

novadog T H E U LT I M AT E G U I D E T O C A N I N E - I N S P I R E D L I V I N G I N T H E D C M E T R O A R E A

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PUBLISHER Angela Meyers | ahazuda@yahoo.com MANAGING EDITOR Claiborne Linvill | claiborne@novadogmagazine.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Janelle Welch | janelle@2houndsproductions.com CONTRIBUTORS Dr. Kristen Hitt, Melissa Monaghan, Elissa Matulis Myers, Kelly Pike, Lindsay Tilton, Neil Knolle, Sara Riddle ADVERTISING For rates and information, please contact: Gennifer Davis: (p) 703.780.4400 (f) 853.753.0064 advertising@novadogmagazine.com

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DISTRIBUTION MediaPoint 9022-A Telegraph Road Lorton, VA 22079 info@mediapointusa.com

We’re Environmentally Friendly. The pages of NOVADog are printed on recycled paper with vegetable-based inks. Please help us make a difference by recycling your copy or pass this issue along to a fellow dog lover.

NOVADog Magazine is committed to creating and fostering an active and supportive community for local dogs and their owners to share, learn, interact, and engage. Our mission is three-fold: • Educate—Provide training and canine health-care tips to help dogs live long and fulfilling lives.

• Inspire—Publish insightful stories about local heroes and organizations that are doing good in our community.

• Collaborate—Help local animal welfare organizations to save and enrich the lives of homeless and abused animals.

Northern Virginia Dog Magazine © 2013 is published quarterly by 343 Media, LLC. Limited complimentary copies are distributed throughout the DC Metro area and are available in select locations. One- and two-year subscriptions are available. Visit www.novadogmagazine.com/subscribe for more information. Send change of address information to P.O. Box 239, Mount Vernon, VA 22121, 703.887.8387.

Help us LICK LONELINESS You and your cat, dog or rabbit are needed to join other Fairfax Pets on Wheels, Inc. volunteers who make a difference in the community by visiting residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Visit: www.fpow.org or Call: 703-324-5406

NOVADog Magazine neither endorses or opposes any charity, welfare organization, product, or service, dog-related or otherwise. As an independent publisher and media organization, we report on news and events happening in our local area. Events are used as an outlet to reach new readers interested in all aspects of dog ownership. We encourage all readers to make their own decisions as to which products and services to use, organizations to support, and events to attend.

facebook.com/novadog twitter.com/2_hounds flickr.com/photos/novadog novadogmagazine.com/blog Visit us on the Web at www.novadogmagazine.com or scan the QR Code.

2 Northern Virginia Dog

| Fall 2013

Winner: 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2013 Award of Distinction

PUBLISHER’S NOTE When I first joined the NOVADog team, I immediately felt like a part of a new community— a group of friendly, outgoing dog lovers who were happy to share their stories and brag about the great part of the world where we live. Every week since then, my inbox has been full of announcements about amazing fundraisers, city park dog swims, yappy hours, pet health clinics, adoption events, fun-filled festivals, and more.

And since we’ve joined with the Pet Lovers Companion, our community of pet-lovers in the DC area has expanded —yet still remained close and friendly. There is no shortage of ways to join into this warm community of DC-area dog lovers.

On our Facebook and Twitter pages, we work hard to keep you informed of all these events, and you in turn do a wonderful job of giving us the inside scoop—while posting fun comments and photos. Our social media pages are a perfect way to see the NOVADog community coming together, and last August’s Dog Days of Summer giveaway event really got everyone participating. In offering free gifts ranging from goody bags to a personalized pet portrait, we were able to read your hilarious comments, see

your wonderful photos, and get to know your adorable dogs. For a peek at some of the conversations on our Facebook page that week, be sure to check out page 14.

For a more personal experience of community, stay tuned for an invitation to join our upcoming private group hikes. In late fall, we’re going to invite NOVADog readers to join us on our “Hit the Trail” walk (page 27) before the issue prints—and provide their ratings and reviews, which will then be included in the future article.

Look for an invitation by email and Facebook to join this select group of hikers, and please bring out your dogs to join us on some lovely local hikes.

Whether you join in on one of this fall’s many dog-friendly events, or just enjoy some time outside in the gorgeous Virginia fall weather, I hope you and your dogs have a fantastic autumn. And if there’s anything I can do to help you feel more a part of the NOVADog community, please don’t hesitate to write me. I love hearing from you.

Angela Hazuda Meyers ahazuda@yahoo.com

connect with us facebook.com/novadog twitter.com/2_hounds flickr.com/photos/novadog novadogmagazine.com/blog

Visit us on the Web at www.novadogmagazine.com or scan the QR code above.

www.novadogmagazine.com

3

THE SOURCE

Become a Virtual Veterinarian Aspiring veterinarians and animal lovers of all ages can now test their skills diagnosing and treating animals through a new game app available for free through iTunes and Google Play. Development was funded through a grant provided by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMA).

While the primary audience for the game is children in grades 4 – 8, it was developed to provide a fun experience for animal lovers of all ages. Start out as New Veterinarian and work your way up the ranks to become Chief Veterinarian of AVMA Animal Hospital. The quicker you are at diagnosing and treating the animals, the more points you’ll score. Learn about each animal’s ailments, diagnostics, and treatments as you race the clock and treat the animals.

FIND it: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/avma-animal-hospital/id669712754

4 Northern Virginia Dog

| Fall 2013

Ne ws , i n fo rmat ion, and pr oduct s

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Join the pack. Stay informed.

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5

THE SOURCE

N ew s , i nfo rm ati on , a n d p ro d u c ts

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When you can’t take your dog with you, the PetziConnect keeps you connected to your furry companion by two-way audio and video. Using a smartphone app and the PetziConnect, a companion device, you can interact with your dog from anywhere. Best of all, through this live interaction, touch a button on your app and the PetziConnect instantly dispenses a treat. Initially launched on the crowdfunding site Indiegogo, the company surpassed their $30k goal in just a few days.

Interested in getting one? They are in the prototype phase and currently taking pre-orders for an estimated ship date of December 2013. Sign up for email alerts at www. petzila.com.

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D . I . Y. D O G

In s p i red pro j ec ts for the res o u rc e fu l d o g o wn e r

Tail Wag Treats

Basic Homemade Dog Birthday Cake

M

y husband and I have been proud owners of Bernese Mountain Dogs since 2004. Our first big boy was Mason and our first girl was Dixan. Mason was diagnosed with histiocytic sarcoma in September of 2009. As we were taking care of our wonderful dogs, I learned a lot about the different preservatives and additives in commercially made dog food and treats. We put both Mason and Dixan on a humanbased diet for over a year, along with homemade treats to limit their intake of these chemicals. With the love and care we gave him, Mason was with us for over 25 months after his grim diagnosis.

In February 2010, I took my love for our dogs and my passion for baking to a new level. Homemade, all-natural dog treats are baked with the same love and care I give our dogs.

Tail Wag Treats is a home-based, mail-order business that was inspired and dedicated to our first beautiful boy, Mason.

For a more elaborate cake, contact Tail Wag Treats at 703-765-2158 or www.tailwagtreats.com. We offer dog birthday or special occasion cakes in three different shapes: classic bone, paw print or a doghouse. Our flavors are peanut butter and banana, apple, carrot or sweet potato. Our frosting is made of cream cheese and honey, and only colored with all-natural ingredients. As always, no artificial flavoring, artificial coloring, sugar or preservatives are added to our cakes or treats. Orders require at least 36 hours’ notice. Orders are available for pick-up or delivery for a small fee.

Tail Wag also offers mid-day dog walks and dog sitting in parts of Alexandria. Email sales@tailwagtreats.com for more information. ND

on nd nti a ff Me ADog % o V 0 NO t 1

Ingredients: 1/4 cup vegetable oil 1 cup shredded carrots 1 tsp vanilla 1/3 cup honey 1 egg 1 cup whole wheat flour 1 tsp baking soda 1/4 cup natural peanut butter 1/4 cup water How to make the cake: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) Mix together flour and baking soda in one bowl. In another bowl mix remaining ingredients with exception of water and mix well.

Alternate flour mixture and water with liquid mixture until smooth.

Pour into 9” round cake pan that has been greased and floured.

Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan. Cool completely before frosting cake.

Frosting: Beat 8oz. package of cream cheese with 1/4 cup peanut butter until fluffy. Frost cake.

Cake will last 3-4 days in refrigerator.

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7

H E A L T H W I S E

Ad v i ce an d i n fo rm ati o n o n c a n i n e h e a l th i s s u e s

Obesity: A Disease You Can Control Increase Your Dog’s Lifespan with Weight Management

By Dr. K r ist en H it t

I

was consulting with a client recently who was distraught over comments she received at her dog park that her dog looked a little thin and she should consider feeding him more. As a long-time veterinarian, I quickly allayed her fears that she was neglecting her pet and assured her that her dog was at an ideal weight and in great, athletic shape. I couldn’t help but chuckle, as I think sometimes as Americans we are programmed to think that if something isn’t overweight, it must be underweight! As often as obesity frequently becomes a problem in our society, unfortunately obesity among our beloved canine companions often becomes an issue too. Obesity is the most commonly diagnosed nutritional abnormality in dogs, affecting up to 44% of the pet dog population. The good news is pet obesity is an easier battle to win. We don’t have to worry about our dogs raiding the refrigerator at night! They are almost totally dependent on us for their nourishment, so it is within our power to see that they are as healthy as possible.

Dogs, as well as other pets, tend to have a very high threshold for pain, and often times it is difficult as owners to tell when pets are suffering from joint pain, labored breathing or another potential weight-related ailment. Unfortunately our pets are not able to tell us that shedding the few extra pounds could help alleviate their knee pain or ease their breathing. Other times the

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| Fall 2013

pain associated with an osteoarthritic or other condition can be hidden in subtle changes that we chalk up to as age-related signs.

Although our pets may be overweight, unfortunately, it is not entirely the pet’s choice or within their power to fix it. Instead, they depend on us for a solution.

Interestingly, in a recent study, 32.3% of the pet owners participating indicated their pets were overweight, yet only 1% of those owners considered this to be a health problem. Unfortunately, our dog’s extra weight is not just a cosmetic problem, but can also lead to joint issues, diabetes, and, oftentimes a shortened lifespan. Another study reported a 15% increase in the median life span of dogs with restricted caloric intake and maintenance of lean body condition. In addition to improving our pet’s health, a healthy weight can also save money short-term on food costs, but also more importantly in the long-run on costly arthritis medicines, supplements, and potential surgeries. One study by Purina found that dogs maintained at an ideal weight developed joint problems and arthritis a full THREE years later than dogs that struggled with weight issues. Another study showed that as little as 11% excess weight can cause an increase in required medication to control the signs of pain in dogs with osteoarthritis.

As a veterinarian, I am often asked, “How much does my dog need to lose?” Unfortunately, due to the variation in size and build within breeds, there are no handy insurance charts with ‘target’ weights to refer to. This means that as owners and veteri-

Obesity is the most commonly diagnosed nutritional abnormality in dogs, affecting up to 44% of the pet dog population.

Six steps to help monitor and track your dog’s weight management progress:

1 Ask your veterinarian to determine your dog’s caloric goal— using this, you can determine how many cups of your dog’s food is appropriate to reach this calorie allowance

2 Use a consistent measuring cup when feeding your dog 3 Use kibble from the measured daily ration for treats—your dog is always thrilled to get any snack, and it doesn’t add extra calories

4 Consult with your veterinarian periodically to track and monitor the weight loss

5 Increase your dog’s activity level 6 Use the Knuckle Test weekly to monitor the layer thickness decreasing. Your dog will think the test is just more loving attention! pet foods are nutritionally balanced, we must only manage the amount of food to we give to our dogs.

As a veterinarian, I am your pet’s advocate and a supportive teammate to you as the owner. I am here to help you identify problems, give you my advice on potential solutions and then step back and let you make an educated decision that is best for you and your pet. While there are numerous heartbreaking diseases we are powerless to control, as owners, we ARE in command of obesity and that’s good news! ND Dr. Kristen Hitt is the Owner of Mainstay Veterinary Practice in Fairfax, VA. For more information, visit them on the web at www. mainstayvet.com.

narians it is all the more important for us to stay on top of our pet’s weight and be aware of the steps necessary to monitor and track our pet’s diet and, if necessary, make changes.

Pet food bag directions do not provide much help with feeding instructions, as they include very broad ranges such as “2 to 8 cups a day.” These wide ranges account for the needs of many breeds and life stages, but don’t necessarily give you the information you need for YOUR dog. Instead, the Maintenance Energy Requirement (MER) formula should be used to calculate an estimate of your dog’s individualized caloric requirement to provide a starting point. Your dog’s MER is more helpful, but should be used in conjunction with other tools. An easy way to monitor your dog’s weight at home, with no calculations required, is what I call the “Knuckle Test.” It involves comparing the feel of your flattened hand’s knuckles to your dog’s ribcage at its widest point. You should be able to feel each individual rib as easily as your knuckle is identified beneath the skin of your relaxed hand.

If present, the thickness of an extra fat layer will be apparent and should decrease over time with weight loss. Although not the most scientific method, the Knuckle Test will help you decide if your dog is carrying extra weight, as well help you monitor your dog’s progress towards a longer life. Because commercial www.novadogmagazine.com

9

EXPERT ADVICE

An s w e rs to y ou r be h a v i o r a n d tra i n i n g q u e s ti o n s

Reducing Canine Stress While Boarding

By Melissa M on a g h a n

My dog Amelia is a real home body, but occasionally we do have to board her when we go away and a family member is not able to care for her.

The kennel staff say she eats okay (but not great) while she is there, and she gets a nervous tummy. We would like to know if there is anything we can do for her to reduce her stress while boarding?

QUESTION

Being away from home ANSWER can be stressful for anyone, but it can be especially stressful for our pets. While it is common for most dogs to be a little nervous during their first day at a pet resort or camp, there are quite a few things that you can do to make their transition easier.

Keep Calm and Carry On Make sure that you keep a positive attitude and stay relaxed. Your dog knows when you are upset or worried, so keeping calm will not only help you, but it will help her stay

10 Northern Virginia Dog

| Fall 2013

relaxed. If you can avoid it, don’t take the suitcases out before you take your dog to the pet resort. Dogs are really perceptive and they know when something is different or out of the ordinary. Try not to change the routine – just go about your business as usual as much as you can until you are ready to leave with her. Also, get your dog used to riding in the car. Take her with you when you go to pick up the kids or take her for a ride around the block occasionally, so that when you do put her in the car, she thinks it is just another fun ride.

Drop in to Visit Friends Call the resort that your pet stays with and see if they will allow you and your dog to visit from time to time. Find out the best times for them and stop by so that you can visit with the staff, maybe she can get a few goodies and then go home. If the resort has a doggie daycare (and your dog enjoys being with other dogs), have her evaluated and schedule her for the occasional day of play. The more positive experiences she has at the resort, the more relaxed she will be when she eventually stays overnight there.

A Tired Dog is a Happy Dog Another way you can make the experience more fun for your dog is to schedule her for playtimes during her visit. You may think that your dog sleeps on the couch most of the day, but in reality she is barking at the mailman, playing with her toys, and protecting

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If you know your dog has a sensitive stomach, make sure you provide your own food and treats to ensure that she isn’t getting different ingredients than what she is used to digesting.

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her house when you are not at home. It only makes sense to keep her occupied when she is away from home. Whether it is oneon-one or group play, most facilities have a variety of activities to keep your dog happy and engaged during their stay. They can play ball, Frisbee, or chase with the staff or some of their furry friends, wearing themselves out during the day so they eat better and sleep well during the night.

Quieting Tummy Troubles Dogs are very routine based, and any change in feeding or daily schedule can cause an overgrowth of the unhealthy bacteria in their stomachs. If you know your dog has a sensitive stomach, make sure you provide your own food and treats to ensure that she isn’t getting different ingredients than what she is used to digesting. The smallest change in protein or grain may upset some of the more sensitive stomachs. Talk to your veterinarian and see if maybe there is a pre- or probiotic that you can start ahead of time and then continue throughout her stay at the resort to try to balance the bacteria levels in her stomach. The staff may be able to move her into a room with one of them while she eats, as a little extra TLC could help her enjoy her food a little more.

It will take a little bit of patience and time, but you can help your dog enjoy her experience away from home! ND

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Melissa Monaghan is the general manager of The Dog Eaze Inn. Visit them online at www.dogeazeinn.com. www.novadogmagazine.com

11

PETCENTRIC PEOPLE

H a n g i n g wi th DC Me tro ’s d o g -c ra z y c ro wd

Taking a Chance on Quality Food

By El i s sa M a t u lis M y er s

A

fter earning a degree in Business Administration in Pennsylvania, John McGeehan went to work for a major chain of pet stores in the DC Metro. He liked the work, but after a decade in the pet food industry, he began to feel uncomfortable with the food that the chain was selling. “I thought that there was better food out there for dogs,” he says.

“I discussed the idea with my wife, and she said ‘Go for it.’ It was a big risk. I took our entire life savings and bought an existing business in the Rockville area–a typical pet supply store. The idea was that I would buy it and convert it to incorporate our ideas.”

“We felt that the DC market was perfect for our Whole Pet Central idea,” McGeehan explains. “Families in the area are out front on the vanguard of nutritional awareness—especially animal nutrition. Once my wife and I decided to take the plunge, I approached one of my former star employees, Liora Robinson, in the hopes of convincing her to come with me, and she said yes. She was a key part of the adventure from the start and brought some strong ideas to our business plan. About a year later, we approached another great former employee, Bob Irvin, and he added more. Liora and Bob are both very knowledgeable and both were crazy enough to join me!

“As the Rockville store prospered, we looked around for other areas where we could have a positive impact, and we opened a store in the Ashburn Farm Market Center, and another in the BB&T Center in the

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Herndon/Reston area, and they are all doing well. A couple of years ago we opened our web store, and then this year we doubled the size of the Rockville store.

“The store has a fun atmosphere, and dogs love to come here! When customers come in with their dogs, we ask a lot of questions about the dog’s history, age, health, condition and breed. We ask about what the dog has been eating, and how the dog has tolerated different kinds of ingredients. We have years of experience in pet nutrition, and we will spend as much time with our customers as needed to feel confident in their choices. We have samples that they can take home and try before committing to a big purchase.

“As a specialty retailer of high quality dog food, we are very particular about the brands we carry. You won’t find on our shelves most of the brands that you find in the big pet chains, and even fewer of those sold in grocery chains. There are more and more natural brands on the market–so many brands that it can be confusing. The big companies are marketing specialists, and their packaging can make the food look so good that sometimes I think I could eat it. But just because the packaging is great doesn’t mean the food is right for your dog. We help customers sort it out and make quality choices.

“One recent trend in dog food is a raw food diet. It’s appropriate for most dogs, but not all. ‘Back to the wild’ is a growing category, generating

John McGeehan, with his dog Diggs.

ALWAYS THERE PET CARE LLC Dog of his own? I was 5-6 years old when I had my first dog–a beautiful collie named King–and not surprisingly my favorite TV show was Lassie. I loved everything Lassie! I always feel good with a dog around. These days we live with an 8-year-old Golden Retriever, Diggs. We named him that because he used to put his paws in the water dish when he was a puppy.

Advice for someone thinking about a dog business? It is a business, at the end of the day, no matter how much you love animals. You have to be true to yourself, but start out with a proper business plan, which should take you weeks to complete. I’ve seen that the animal knowledge is the easy part—it’s the tax compliance, government regulations, marketing, human resource management, and accounting that hang you up! You don’t have to know everything, but you need to know what you don’t know.

Favorite part of the business? The positive feedback we get from customers. I never get tired of hearing it or reading it: Someone comes in with a problem and we make a recommendation and a short time later we hear that the dog is doing much better. That’s why we are in this business!

Funniest experience along the way? We laugh every day. We are often visited by very exuberant dogs. I love vocal dogs. All the dogs that come in are excited—but I love it when they start singing to us. They are like kids in a candy store.

Saddest experience? Some of our customers have been coming in since we opened—it’s always so sad to hear that one of their beloved dogs has died. I loved Marley and Me, but it was so sad!

lots of positive feedback, but the customer has to feel comfortable with it too. There’s some work involved and you have to be very careful with raw food in the way it’s handled and prepared. Some of the brands out there are mimicking the raw foods—putting a raw bio coating on kibble for example—which is a more convenient, easier alternative.

“We want our customers to feel very comfortable that our foods are of the highest quality. The foods we sell closely mimic what the dog would find in the wild. They don’t contain common allergens like corn or wheat, and they don’t contain artificial preservatives (though they do have natural preservatives). They tend to have significant pure animal protein, omega 3 fatty acids, and other ingredients that are great for dog health.

“We carry dietary supplements, but we don’t routinely recommend them unless there is a real need. Supplements like Glucosamine or fish oil can help with a specific issue that needs more help than even top quality food can address properly, so if and when there is a legitimate need, we may suggest something. But we don’t ‘sell’ anything—we listen to the customer, pay attention to the way the dog looks, and provide advice based on our experience.

“The shininess and thickness of a dog’s coat, his weight, and his energy level are all related to the foods he eats. If someone is looking for great, optimum nutrition for their dog, we are the store for them.” ND

Kitty Condo Resort

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Specialists in Natural Pet Foods and Supplies

n Ashburn n Rockville n Herndon/Reston

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locally owned and operated

www.wholepetcentral.com

Elissa Myers is a writer in Northern Virginia. She lives in Springfield with her tireless black Lab Indi and writes a daily column for the on-line Examiner. www.novadogmagazine.com

13

Getting Social With

novadog

NOVADog Asks, “What was the most fun thing you did with your dogs this summer?”

Barks heard round the water dish

Melissa G. Swimming. Swimming. Swimming.

Jenna Lynn M. We did a photo shoot with her finding out if she was getting a baby sister or brother.

Amber G. K. The most fun thing I did with my dog was take a weekend getaway to Shenandoah valley and hiked his very first mountain with him. It was awesome and he loved it! Afterwards he got to go swimming and had a yummy ice cream treat!

Linda S. Took my two guys, Spaz and Oscar, into the Long Island Sound. The best part was playing catch out on the sandbars as the water slowly rose.

A great time was had by all.

Karen G. M. The most awesome thing I did was adopt my pup on June 29th. She is the sweetest, most wonderful puppy in the world.

Rachel A. “Doggie surfing” in OBX! Rascal likes to be on his feet, so he surfs on a boogie board by default.

Kimberly Ann R. Daily runs to the Potomac!

He’s so good at finding turtles; 30 so far this summer. He never hurts them.

Shana Lee M. I just adopted my dog from Animal Welfare League of Arlington before Labor Day! I’ve been enjoying exploring all the options and things I can do with her around the city. Lots of walks. One of my favorite things so far is going on bike rides with her in the bike mounted pet carrier. She loves it! (and yes, she’s securely clipped into the carrier with a harness and carrier clip).

Sherry D. Tank is showing off here his new life jacket in preparation for the End of Summer pool party at our club house! It’s a perfect fit :) Margaret B. I took her to the Shenandoah River to a friend’s property where everyone camps and plays in the river. My city girl dog loves being on her leash and running around with all the other dogs. I have to watch her closely though...she goes to all the campsites looking for food and belly rubs and even tries to steal food from people’s grills.

Lydia Louise B. My favorite thing I did this summer was spending nearly every weekend outside with Milly. Milly is a 14-year-old golden retriever rescue. In June of last year she was diagnosed with primary lung cancer and given 3-8 months to live. Due to her age, I decided chemotherapy and radiation treatments were not viable options, and could cause suffering. With the support of my vet, I set out to make those 3-8 months the best years of Milly’s life. Today, she is 10lbs heavier, spoiled, and happy. She has outlived the average lifespan for her breed, and she is thriving despite her cancer. I cherish every moment spent with her and am so grateful that I had another summer with her. To pinpoint a single moment of joy from this amazing summer spent with her would be impossible!

Gwyn D. Took my pups to Goldstock Camp where they swam and romped with a couple hundred other dogs, mostly Golden Retrievers!

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| Fall 2013

Tony D. Took our pups to the Potomac Nationals Bark in the Park—was definitely a fun time and good game—they loved it!

Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/novadog.

Dog Training & Behavior Modification Angela K. We took our pups kayaking for the first time on the Chesapeake and they loved it!

Sarah Elizabeth Z. Pickles had her first birthday party and we raised 600$ for Baltimore Bully Crew, probably the best puppy birthday ever!

Everyone had a blast eating yummy treats and playing fun games.

“Bucky says thank you for his Chuckit! He tried out the Water Skimmer toy today and it was …pure water fetching fun. Bucky had an absolute blast! Thanks NOVADog Magazine. :o)” — Janie v.W.T. after winning a NOVADog Facebook contest

703-574-3383

NOVADog Asks, “Why Do you Love Your Vet?” Christina L. The entire staff at the vet’s office I use is wonderful! The vets are always on the floor with my dogs. None of them are scared to go into the treatment area, which is huge as many dogs become very scared if they are not treated well in the back! Not to mention I have a dog that has food allergies and every time he is there someone ends up giving him a cheese stick out of their lunch for being good. They also always make sure any questions are answered before I leave.

Hannah H. Dr. Jones treats Butters with such gentleness and care, and calms an otherwise anxious pup. He even managed to clip a snag nail without her noticing, which she usually has to be sedated for! Butters knows that her doc is genuine!

Joanna F. I love my vet because they are always there for my dogs and treat them as their own pets.

Also because they support numerous shelters and rescues!

Jessica C. I love my vet because she has always taken the time to explain things, from basic puppy care to medical procedures. She also manages to keep my dog calm for shots.

Rachel A. Our entire vet’s office at is wonderful—from the front desk staff to the vet tech who helps calm Rascal Aus during his shots. They are great with follow-up care, making sure we can address any issues promptly and are always kind to Rascal and to us. No question is ever too dumb!

Melissa G. I knew I loved my vet when, after saying hello to me, he got down on the floor with my dog for the rest of her appointment.

Martha R. My vet has been there for me through 2 gerbils, a rabbit, my first dog for 16 years, my cat (for 20 years!) and my new crazy dog. I never hesitate to recommend them—they love my pets like they are their own. I am thankful.

Suzanne Yi K. I love a vet who gets on the floor and gets to know your dog before getting on with the exam!

Debbie S. My vet is like extended family. She is always concerned and so happy to see my little Corgi.

Barbara R. W. Because they are very patient when I call on the phone, not only about my own dog, but about the dogs I care for in my business. They are very compassionate people! (And they have a drinks fridge for people!)

Ann-Marie G. I love my vet because after my dog Jake had bladder surgery, they took my calls and put up with me calling everyday about one thing or another. Then when he was placed on a special diet, the office staff and doctors were there for all my other crazy questions about what he can and could not have going forward. Even at his check-ups, they went through all his treats (that he can no longer have) and looked up ingredients on the computer. At one point, the Dr. was willing to call the manufacturer to find the ingredients.

n Puppy

and Dog Manners Class—at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington

n Dog

Park Play—learn what good dog park play looks like and how to avoid the drama

n Nose

Knows—teach your dog how to use his nose to hunt

n Treibball—play this fun game while

learning off-leash control and focus We also offer private, in-home training for dogs of all ages and needs To register for classes visit the KissAble Canine website:

www.KissAbleCanine.com

Happy Dogs.

Happy Homes.

—KissAble Canine Voted Best Trainer two years in a row!

Northern Virginia Magazine

Serving the Washington, DC Metro area www.novadogmagazine.com

15

happy holidog 2013

Wish

Holiday

List

It’s that time of year again—time for shopping for your loved ones, both human and canine.

So we’ve been looking high and low—and especially around the DC Metro—to find the best new gifts to spoil the dogs and dog-lovers in your life. From tasty treats to dapper designs, our Happy Holidog Gift Guide will help you find the gifts that get you cuddles in return.

Magnetic Mat Keeps Bowls in Their Place!

A great gift for pet owners from JoJo Couture. Spice up your home with unique decorative doggy dinnerware. Set includes two stainless steel bowls with magnetic placemat. Pet-safe feeder prevents bowls from tipping or sliding while your dog feeds. $49.99 - $54.99.

FIND it: at your local boutique or www.jojocouturedesigns.com.

Dog Training Tips from Law Enforcement K9 Trainers

For the first time, dog owners will be able to use strategies and techniques used by police and military dog trainers around the world thanks to a new book, Raising the Perfect Dog: Secrets of Law Enforcement K9 Trainers.

Written by professional trainer Nicholas White, the book shows readers how military and law enforcement officers create high-confidence, friendly and well-trained animals.

FIND it: www.thebestdogtrainingbook.com

Max & Ruffy’s, simply the best dog treat for treating your dog!

Human-grade, USDA certified organic ingredients.

Made in Maryland. NO additives, GMO, corn, soy, wheat, or artificial ingredients! Enjoy choosing from 7 tantalizing flavors.

FIND it: Order at www.maxandruffys. com and use code NOVADOG for 15% off.

Mark Poulin Jewelry

Mark Poulin’s whimsical, adorable jewelry is the perfect gift for the dog lovers in your life! Handmade in California from sterling silver and enamel. Enter code NOVA2013 at checkout for 10% off!

(Shipping and tax not included.)

FIND it: Check out sterling silver charms, enamel and glass jewelry, and more at www.markpoulin.com

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| Fall 2013

Maddie Lab Studios Artwork for anyone who loves a Lab These Labrador Retriever prints come in a 16”x16” custom-made black, wooden frame with a bevel cut mat.

With over two-dozen images available, this ready-to-hang artwork is the perfect gift for the Lab lover in your life.

All framed images are gift-wrapped with a thank you tag or personalized note. $95 not including shipping & handling.

FIND it: www.maddielabstudio.com

Puppy Gift Set

Are you or a loved one getting a puppy for the holidays? Your local Pet Supplies Plus pet store has a great holiday gift set that includes everything you’ll need to get started—everything but the puppy, that is. The set retails for $92.84.

FIND it: www.petsuppliesplus.com, or your local Pet Supplies Plus location in Centreville, Fairfax, Falls Church, or Franconia

Fine Art Pet Photography by Karen Presecan

For a unique and fun gift, purchase a $250 gift certificate for $200 in October and November only.

FIND it: www.kppets.com

New Unique Dog Collar Makes a Great Holiday Gift!

QuickSwitch Collars gives you more collars for less dollars! Change your look in seconds by choosing from over a hundred different covers that Velcro onto one base collar. Stylish flower and bow tie sets offer a stunning look for the holidays. Hand made in VA. Durable, machine washable and quality guaranteed. Free shipping with code NDMFS13 at check out. Gift certificates available.

FIND it: www.quickswitchcollars.com

www.novadogmagazine.com

17

COVER STORY

forever

one bowl at a time Former Redskins tight end Chris Cooley uses his pottery to help homeless animals

By Kelly Pike

Chris Cooley likes the feel of a leather football in his hands and grassy turf under his feet. But off the field, nothing gives the former Redskins tight end more pleasure than shaping earthy clay on a potter’s wheel.

Photography by Sara Riddle www.sarariddle.com

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| Fall 2013

homes Cooley with his dogs Moose and Chewy.

Patiently working with clay may not sound like the most natural fit for a man whose gridiron nickname was “Captain Chaos,” but Cooley has spent much of his life drawing, painting and finding other ways to express himself creatively. A native of Wyoming, Cooley studied art at Utah State University while playing ball.

He was just six months away from becoming an art teacher when he was drafted as a tight end by the Washington Redskins in 2004. Though he traded a classroom of students for a football helmet and jersey—setting a franchise record for most receptions at tight end along the way—he kept making art.

“It makes me so happy,” says Cooley, a two-time Pro Bowler who creates pottery with his dogs Moose and Chewy by his side. “It’s nice to go from a high stress environment to the studio, where I listen to music and relax and chill out.

Making things is what I want to do.”

Now Cooley is combining two of his passions—pottery and pets—to help homeless animals.

For the past year, Cooley has crafted hundreds of dog bowls and lent out his Leesburg art gallery to raise money for Friends of Homeless Animals (FOHA), a non-profit, no-kill shelter that focuses on the rescue and placement of homeless dogs and cats in the Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. area. Cooley’s first FOHA event raised over $4,000—in addition to another $6,000 collected in the fall—to help cover medical expenses of animals awaiting adoption.

“Chris is an amazing supporter, not just in the money he raises but in the awareness he creates,” says Laura Dove, FOHA president. “People know him, and that helps us attract new fosters and adopters.”

Usable Art In a world where things are often practical or beautiful, Cooley enjoys bridging the gap between the two, creating functional pottery—things like coffee cups, bottles, mugs, pitchers and bowls—that give everyday moments a little www.novadogmagazine.com

19

Hand-made pet pottery by Cooley and other artists sold out fast at his Leesburg art gallery to raise money for Friends of Homeless Animals.

more meaning. Yet items like his dog bowls are still safe for dishwashers and microwaves and are meant to be used regularly.

“It’s not just a cup you bought at Target. I want people to wake up and want to drink coffee out of their cup because it makes them happy,” he says of his art, which is rustic and earthy. “When people buy it, everyone comes back and says, ‘That’s the only cereal bowl I use. If it’s dirty, I wash it again.’”

Even independent reviewers have recognized Cooley’s talent. A New York Times article published shortly after his gallery opened praised Cooley for infusing everyday pottery with “some soul.”

Cooley watched his dad spin pottery as a child, but it’s only in recent years that he’s had the space for his own studio with the pottery wheel and kiln he needs to turn clay into art. While he loves to paint and draw—something he does daily—there is no substitute for the wheel, he says.

“There is really an instant gratification,” says Cooley of his hobby, where spinning a pot takes just a few minutes. “When something happens on the wheel, it happens really fast.”

Dogs by his Side One of the many benefits of pottery is that it allows him to keep company with his two loyal rescue dogs, adopted from FOHA in March 2012. The pair joins Cooley in his studio—and everywhere else he goes.

Cooley’s original plan was to foster the two puppies, a Chow-Airdale mix and a Chow-German Shepherd mix with the same mother, and adopt one if he felt a bond. He ended up keeping both after just one week.

20 Northern Virginia Dog

| Fall 2013

The Cooley Gallery

regularly features the work of local artists, including Chris Cooley. It’s located at 12 South King Street in Leesburg. The gallery is open Wednesdays, noon to 5 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sundays noon to 4 p.m.

For information on the next FOHA fundraiser, visit www.foha.org or www.thecooleygallery.com.

Moose and Chewy at the FOHA event.

“My dogs are amazing,” gushes Cooley, who describes Moose as the protector and Chewy as the sensitive one. “I don’t even treat them like dogs—they are friends. We prepare every meal they eat. They eat all raw food, a full chicken for dinner every day. They are kind of like my kids.”

After adopting the pair from FOHA, Cooley saw an opportunity to get involved in a cause he was passionate about. Growing up in Wyoming, Cooley always had hunting dogs, and he brought his beloved Great Dane, George, when he first moved to Virginia to join the Redskins. He also has three cats.

“I was blown away by how amazing a job they do,” says Cooley of FOHA. “They go to every kill shelter in Northern Virginia and take every dog and find homes for them, foster and take care of them.”

Cooley has fostered dogs himself, a task he admits isn’t always easy but is certainly rewarding. “It was the hardest thing ever to give away Frankie, the sweetest dog ever,” he says of the first animal he fostered.

But Cooley knows he did the right thing, when he saw the joy Frankie brought to the D.C. couple who adopted him. He still occasionally pet sits for Frankie.

The Wheel Turns Soon after adopting his dogs, Cooley approached FOHA about hosting a fundraiser at his gallery, where he displays his own work along with that of other local potters, painters, photographers and artists. For his first fundraiser in fall 2012, Cooley made 125 dog bowls, which sold out in 45 minutes. Another 150 were preordered with dog names. For the spring event, Cooley crafted 400 dog bowls over one month. Every bowl was spun on the wheel, dried, trimmed, bisque fired, glazed, decorated and then refired. It takes Cooley at least 10 minutes of active work to create each bowl. The bowls sell for between $40 and $60.

While making 400 dog bowls in one month can be a bit monotonous, Cooley also saw it as an opportunity to experiment with ideas. He looked online at different dog bowl designs, tested out new glazes, experimented with drawing new designs and incorporated what he learned

into other art pieces.

“One of the cool things about pottery is that you are learning during the entire process,” says Cooley. “Dog bowls become tests for other things that I want to do.”

Any bowls that fall short of Cooley’s expectation are set aside for Chewy and Moose, rough eaters who have been known to break a few bowls.

So far Cooley has been pleased with the turnout, with over 1,000 people coming to buy bowls made by him and other local artists. Redskins memorabilia is also sold and raffled off.

“Selling dog bowls isn’t going to fund their charity, but if I can get their name out and get other people to foster and be part of FOHA, I would be very happy,” he notes.

Meanwhile, Cooley continues to hone his craft and learn from other artists. He is friends with professional potter Richard Busch, who lives two minutes away and who Cooley met in 2009 when two of his dogs wandered into his yard.

“It was a real fortunate event,” remarks Cooley. “I started making pots a year before I found out that was the person I’d met… He’s an awesome potter and photographer, and we became close friends.”

“Connecting with other artists is one of the best parts of being an artist and owning a gallery,” Cooley says. “I meet so many creative, amazing people who share so many interests.”

And then there is the satisfaction of using art to help man’s best friend. “Almost every animal I’ve ever been around just wants to be loved and make you happy,” says Cooley. “People worry about taking care of them, but as soon as you get an animal, it’s part of your family.”

Here’s to helping more animals find their forever homes—one bowl at a time. ND Kelly Pike is a freelance writer in Annandale, VA. When she’s not busy writing about business and finance, she and her husband enjoy family walks with their Puggle, Lola. www.novadogmagazine.com

21

Communication makes a

connection Understanding your dog’s body language

By Lindsay Tilton

By Lindsay Tilton

C

ommunication between you and your dog can obviously be a challenge. Dogs rely entirely on body language, which refers to the non-verbal communication where emotions are expressed through physical behavior. Because a language barrier exists between humans and canines, it is important for both species to be able to effectively communicate using body language.

This is why learning and interpreting a dog’s body language becomes key to building and sustaining the dog-human relationship.

22 Northern Virginia Dog

| Fall 2013

“Reading body language will help you determine how your dog may be feeling in any given situation,” says Keri Putonen, founder and trainer of Unleashed Abilities in Falls Church. “Dogs are much better at this than we are. They pick up on very subtle cues that we miss most of the time. We need to pay attention to the dog’s body language, as well as our own, so that we can communicate effectively.”

“Being able to read your dog’s body language can prevent your dog from biting or snapping at someone,” adds Founder of Off Leash K-9 Training Nick White. “Simple reasons like this are why it’s imperative to begin learning how to read your dog’s body language.”

Reading Emotions 101 An important point to note when dissecting your dog’s emotions is realizing that a single body movement is not equivalent to one emotion. For humans, when we smile, then it generally means we are happy, and if we frown, then we are sad. However, this singular correlation does not apply to dogs.

“There is never one tell-tale body language that will equal one particular mental state,” says Lisa Tudor, owner and trainer of Kissable Canine in Arlington. “A wagging tail can mean anything. Most people have this false assumption.”

Trainers suggest looking at the entire dog, rather than a single body part. This will give the owner a complete picture of how the dog is feeling, as well as how an owner can prevent miscommunication.

The Big Three When interacting with their dogs, it’s important that owners be able to identify these three informative emotions: aggression, fearfulness and happiness.

Aggression

is built-up stress that can explode into an unwanted behavior if not dealt with.

“The truth is every dog deals with the stress of trying to live with another species. Most dogs will tolerate a lot of stress before they react. But when they do react, it is often because we weren’t paying attention or we didn’t know how to read the signs,” says Putonen.

Some signs of a dog about to behave aggressively are excessive lip licking, a stiff body, tight lips and face, dilated pupils, exaggerated yawns, and movement towards whatever is stressing

happiness and excitement are two different emotions. Excitement is expressed similarly to alertness: ears standing tall, mouth open, and tail positioned upright.

Trainers suggest that dog owners pinpoint stressors or triggers your dog may be having and to teach your dog skills to help avoid reacting negatively to a situation that makes them feel uncomfortable. It takes practice and effort to understand your dogs and what makes them

An important point to note when dissecting your dog’s emotions is realizing that a single body movement is not equivalent to one emotion. them. These signs are meant to give a big hint to dog owners to move their dogs out of the situation.

Fearful

dogs can react by whimpering, having a low tail, and moving away from the feared object. Dogs can also display fearful aggression, which is a way for them to act defensively towards an object by simultaneously growling and moving away from the object.

Not helping your dog out of a situation can put both the dog and owner in an unsafe scenario.

“For example, if the dog is stressed and not comfortable meeting new people or other dogs, but the dog owner forces the dog to interact, this negatively impacts the trust between dog and owner,” says Tammy Rosen, president and owner of Fur-Get Me Not. “When dogs are pushed outside their comfort zones on a routine basis, this causes anxiety and stress that may exhibit undesirable behaviors.”

comfortable and uncomfortable. By understanding your dog’s body language, you are helping your dog’s physical and mental state, as well as building a trusted and unbreakable connection. ND Lindsay Tilton is a freelance writer and recent graduate from Christopher Newport University.

She is passionate about writing and adores animals of all kind—especially dogs. To get in contact with Lindsay, email her at lindsay.tilton.08@cnu.edu.

Happiness

in dogs is usually expressed with loose body language, relaxed facial expressions and an open mouth. However,

www.novadogmagazine.com

23

CANINE CALENDAR Tuesdays & Thursdays, April to October 5PM—Doggie Happy Hours at the Hotel Monaco Alexandria. Dogs enjoy complimentary dog treats while humans dine at Jackson 20’s bar. 480 King St, Alexandria, VA. www.monaco-alexandria. com/alexandria-hotel/doggie-happy-hour.

Thursdays through October (weather permitting) 5-8PM—Doggie Happy Hours at The Bench Restaurant in Gaithersburg Marriott Washington Center. Two- and four-legged guests alike are invited to the outdoor patio overlooking the lake at the RIO Washingtonian Center. More info: 301-590-0044.

Daily through first week of November Presents 4 Pets, a collection drive organized by the National Association of Pet Sitters. Drop off donations of leashes, food, beds, toys or office supplies to help local shelters and rescue groups.

Drop off at Wylie Wagg, 2509 Franklin Rd., Arlington, and other locations TBD. Call Barbara with questions at 703.231.0560.

OCTOBER October 12 7-10PM—Lucky Dog Animal Rescue’s First Annual Let’s Get Lucky Casino Night. Test your luck at the gaming

tables, then take your winnings to the raffle. The evening will include hors d’oeuvres, open bar, silent auction, and plenty of fun, all to support homeless animals. Hotel Rouge, 1315 16th St. NW, Washington, DC. Tickets $95. More info at www.luckydoganimalrescue.org.

October 19 12-4PM— 3rd Annual Lowelands Farm Howl-o-ween Hayride and Puptoberfest to Benefit Oldies But Goodies Cocker Rescue, Middleburg, VA. (rain date Sunday, October 20) Visit www.cocker spanielrescue.com for information and to buy tickets.

October 19 2-6PM—PetOberfest at Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center will feature pet- and family-friendly activities, like a pet parade, fashion show, and children’s entertainment, as well as pet-oriented exhibitors. Free. 14900 Potomac Town Place, Woodbridge, VA. More info at http://stonebridgeptc.com/stonebridgepotomac-town-center-petoberfest.

October 20 9AM—Alexandria Shelter Walk for Homeless Animals. Bring your family and dogs to Market Square in Old Town Alexandria to join the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria in a walk to support the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter.

Form or join teams and register at www. alexandriaanimals.org.

October 26 1-5PM—A Toast to the Animals to benefit the Humane Society of Fairfax County. Featuring award-winning wine and excellent food, live music, a silent auction, vendors and special guests! At Paradise Springs Winery, 13219 Yates Ford Rd, Clifton, VA. $40 advance, $50 at door. Register online at www.

HSFC.org.

October 26

Special thanks to our calendar sponsor Fur-Get Me Not.

6:30–11PM—The Love Ball, the Montgomery County Humane Society’s annual gala. Cocktail reception, silent and live auctions, dinner, and dancing to the live music of Fresh Air. Washington DC/ Rockville Hilton, 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD. Tickets $160-230. For info and tickets: www.mchumane.org.

www.furgetmenot.com

and more at Dutch’s Daughter, 581 Himes Avenue, Frederick, MD. Advance tickets $50/person, $65 at door. More info at www.reachoutrescue.org or 304.620.6281.

October 27 11AM-2PM—Caring Hands Animal Hospital’s 17th annual Open House & Halloween event. Four locations (Arlington, Ashburn, Bristow, Centreville) host a day of fun and fundraising, including: pet photos, kids games and crafts, a pet costume contest, teddy bear surgery, a silent auction and prize wheel. Proceeds go to local animal rescues. More info: 703-830-5700 or www.facebook.com/ events/1407784119441895/

NOVEMBER November 2 6-10PM—Animal Welfare League of Arlington’s Inaugural Golden Paw Gala. Mingle with local pet celebrities and special shelter dogs at an elegant evening of cocktails, live and silent auction, dinner and program. Westin Gateway, 801 N. Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA. Tickets $125; reserve at http://awla. ejoinme.org/GoldenPawGala.

October 27 5-9PM—“Talk to the Paw” Masquerade Ball and Benefit Auction supporting Reach Out Rescue & Resources. Enjoy a live band, food, palm reader, auctions

5818-C Seminary Rd Bailey’s Crossroads VA 22041 info@dpncc.com | www.dpncc.com 703-931-5057

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Mention this ad for a FREE In-Home Registraion & Daycare/Boarding Evaluation Dog Walking & In-Home Pet Sitting Retail Boutique Full-Service Grooming Adoption Events Educational Seminars For more info visit dpncc.com

24 Northern Virginia Dog

| Fall 2013

MARKETPLACE November 2 11AM – 4PM—Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption event. Find gifts and holiday goodies for your dog, visit with Santa Paws, and adopt a new family member from one of 40+ organizations.

Proceeds support GoodDogz.org. Reston Town Center, 11900 Market St., Reston, VA. More info at www.home4theholidaysdc.org.

November 2-3 Take a bite out of canine cancer. Join Greyhounds Rock Fredericksburg for a fun weekend of great speakers, vendors, auctions and, of course, canine friends. Proceeds support the Cancer Fund at the Mosby Foundation. For more info: www.greyhoundsrock.org.

Products and services directory

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Mention NOVADog for a free diaper with order of 6 or more.

1-888-770-0111 www.Do-Rites.com

customersupport@do-rites.com

Purrfect Grrooming

UNLEASHED ABILITIES Coaching People, Training Dogs

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10% discount for rescue dogs

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A Balanced Approach to Dog Training Is your dog getting enough exercise?

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703-237-0595

November 3

www.purrfectgrrooming.com

8-10AM—The Dash 5K and Doggie Fun Run. Rock Creek Park, 16th and Kennedy, Washington, DC. Cost $25-35. More info at www. capitalsprints.com.

“Luke takes pride in his work and it shows. My boys looks gorgeous when they leave and I take comfort in knowing that they are treated kindly.”

—Tina L.

November 9

100% Rating on Checkbook.org!

1-3PM—Raffle drawing and silent auction to support paws4vets, a nonprofit organization that breeds, trains and partners service dogs with U.S. military veterans. Auction items include hotel stays and restaurant gift certificates. East Coast Harley-Davidson, 17975 Main St., Dumfries, VA. For info, call 703.221.3757. Purchase raffle tickets at https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/ bZksa.

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DogOnFitness.com

Pampered Pets Curbside Grooming Dogs under 50 lbs and groomer friendly cats

DECEMBER

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Month of December Holiday Donations Drive—Drop off donations at any Fur-Get Me Not location during the month of December and they will donate to a local pet charity. The charity will be decided by Facebook fans via a live poll in early November—you get to determine the recipient. Visit www.facebook. com/furgetmenot to participate and be sure to drop off any new or gently used pet items that you’d like to go toward a good cause. (For Fur-Get Me Not locations visit www.furgetmenot. com).

Website: www.pampered-pets.us email: info@pampered-pets.us

Fun Dog Fitness Awesome daily small group adventures in fresh air & open spaces for puppies to seniors.

Includes pick up and drop off.

December 13 1-5PM—Howliday Daycare Event at The Dog Eaze Inn, Woodbridge, VA. $15 for four hours includes daycare, cookies, and a visit from Santa! Don’t forget to put in your order for a doggie Howliday Dinner—dine in or Carry out.

An annual favorite! ($10 Thanksgiving, $12 for Christmas). For more information visit www. dogeazeinn.com or call 703.955.4417.

“ We’re more than just a walk around the block! ”

Please call for free consult!

Linda at (703) 650-5115 linda@fundogfitness.com www.fundogfitness.com HI KE

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S W I M

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J OG

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P L AY

December 14 10AM-2PM—Holiday photos with Santa Paws at The Dog Eaze Inn, Woodbridge, VA. Pictures cost $15 or $10 with a donated food item for the pet food pantry. For more information visit www. dogeazeinn.com or call 703.955.4417. ND

For more events check out our Canine Calendar online at: www.novadogmagazine.com

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS IN NOVADOG MAGAZINE AND THE PET LOVERS COMPANION.

For rates and information, please contact: Gennifer Davis: (p) 703.780.4400 (f) 853.753.0064 advertising@novadogmagazine.com

www.novadogmagazine.com

25

THE SCENE

A gl i m ps e i n to the l i fe of No rth e rn V i rg i n i a d o g s

Brought to you by Rover N Out! Pet Care. Professional doggie walks, pet sitting, overnight sitting and pet taxi services throughout the Northern Virginia area. Bringing the latest to pet care by integrating GPS tracking into their pet care services, you can track your service happening in real-time. rovernout.com.

Winners receive a NOVADog Magazine limited-edition T-shirt and a gift certificate from Rover N Out! Pet Care.

1. LENA &Â SIMON loved by Tom

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& Beth in Falls Church

2. WILCO loved by Craig &

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Sung in Warrenton

3. HOYA loved by Tinapa in Lorton

4. MAUI loved by Matt & Caryn 5. ROCCO loved by Eneida in Centreville

6. BEAU loved by Jessica in

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7. SIRIUS & TATE loved by Chris 7

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26 Northern Virginia Dog

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| Fall 2013

6

in Annandale

Submit your dog’s photo on our home-page, and see the slide show of all submitted dog photos at www.novadog magazine.com

HIT THE TRAIL Local walks to enjoy

The Arnold family with dog Callie

Sara enjoys the overlook with Maggie & Gracie

Fall Color, Spooky History: A Hike at Bull Run Mountains

by Ne i l K n olle

I

f you like going back in time and imagining the sights, sounds, and events of by-gone days, then you should consider visiting the 800-acre Bull Run Mountains Conservancy (BRMC), just 30 minutes west of the Dulles area.

You and your leashed dog can hike well marked trails that lead past ruins of the historic late 18th Century Beverly Mill, a Civil War battle trench, and family cemeteries—one with an eerily squeaky iron gate that breaks the silence of the place. You can also ascend 800 feet to a lookout ridge for a dramatic view of the Blue Ridge skyline and north-

Patrick and Laura with dog Donny on the trail

ern Fauquier County, made more impressive with the onset of fall color.

The Conservancy uses this land for environmental and historical education, research, natural resource management and public access. On the first Wednesday of every month, you can join BRMC-guided group hikes and discover the flora and fauna of the Bull Run Mountains. Find trail maps and information about the BRMC and its programs at www.brmconservancy.org. There are historic markers along the trails, but I suggest a

pre-hike visit to www.chapmansmill.org to help understand the significance of the area.

From the parking area, walk past the BRMC Mountain House to the trailhead kiosk, where you fill out a waiver of responsibility. Importantly, get a trail map at the kiosk if you have not printed one out in advance. Trails are color coded, and numbered posts with colored trail identification circles are positioned at intersections to guide you. Trail post numbers and a key to trail names and color codes appear on the trail map. Many trails have smooth packed-dirt segments, but wear shoes/boots designed for hiking on rocky terrain.

You will meet people with dogs on trails that can get narrow, so honestly appraise your dog’s leash behavior before attempting this hike.

I suggest the following round-trip hike to the lookout ridge for you and your nicely socialized dog. Cross the active railroad tracks and bear left on the Mountain Road path. A white circle on Trail Post 0 (zero) indicates the direction to Mountain Road. Continue to Trail Post 1 and go left on Fern Hollow Trail (orange), which takes you across a wooden walkway. Follow the trail to the historic marker describing the remains of the Chapman home and old ice house. Look into the deep ice house storage pit.

Use the small trail opposite the ice house marker to reach the walled Chapman Graveyard (t1 on map). Open the squeaky metal gate—enter if you dare—then examine the headstones of the family that established the Chapman/Beverly Mill. Continue past the graveyard to the top of the hill to view the quarry trench, the source of the rock used to build the structures in the area. The trench is also the site of an August 1862 Civil War battle, where opposing troops fought at pointblank range. Retrace your steps back down to Fern

Hollow Trail. Go right on Fern Hollow Trail and you’ll see the remains of Beverly Mill, built in the late 1700s and destroyed by arsonists in 1998.

To reach the summit and lookout ridge, continue on Fern Hollow Trail for a half mile. You and your dog will get a thorough workout. At Trail Post 9, go left on Chestnut Ridge Trail (blue) and continue the climb. In just less than a mile you will pass the junction of Ridge Loop Trail at Post 14.

Continue straight, leaving Conservancy property.

You’ll soon see the ridge line on your left. From the overlook you will enjoy a view of Fauquier County and the Blue Ridge Mountains—a perfect place to photograph your dog.

For an easy return trip, retrace your route using Chestnut Ridge Trail and then go right at Post 9 on Fern Hollow Trail. At Post 1, go right on Mountain Road Trail to your start point. For a more challenging descent, go left on Ridge Loop Trail (red) at Post 14. Refer to your trail map as you pass Trail Posts 13 and 10. At Post 8, go left on Chestnut Ridge Trail (blue). At Post 6, bear right on Mountain Road Trail (white).

Getting There: Take I-66 west to Exit 40.

Follow Rt15 south. Go right on Rt55 west. Cross the railroad tracks, then go right on Turner Road.

Take an immediate left on Beverly Mill Road and go approximately 1 mile to the BRMC parking area. ND TRAIL SPECIFICS

Park Hours: Daily. Dawn to dusk.

What To Bring: Water for you and your dog, sturdy shoes, camera, and poop bags.

Trail Specifics: Refer to the BRMC trail map for alternative routes.

Time: Suggested hike can take 2.5 hours with stops.

Fido Friendly Features: Off-street parking, dog-safe trails, no bikes.

Use: Hikers, joggers, leashed dogs.

Best Time to Go: Anytime Rated: 2-3 paws (easy-medium)

1 paw = easy; 5 = expert

About Your Guide Neil Knolle is a trainer for DogOn Fitness. He provides Family Integration Training (FIT) to help households live in harmony with their dogs.

DogOn Fitness has served the Northern Virginia and MD area since 2004. Visit them on the Web at www.dogonfitness.com. www.novadogmagazine.com

27

WAGS TO RICHES Adoption success stories

Malka, age 2, is loved by Rachel and Evan in Falls Church, VA.

Adopted from: Homeward Trails Animal Rescue in April 2013

How did she get her name? Malka actually came with this name. It means “queen” in Hebrew. Malka has this habit of striking a very regal pose where she puffs out her chest, raises her head, and looks off in the distance, so we thought it was funny, like she knew she was a queen. And, of course, now she is queen of her household.

You picked her because... We were not looking for a dog when we found Malka. We were grocery shopping and noticed a pet adoption event outside the store. Evan went to the information table to inquire how his business could partner with local shelters and help with adopta-thons. Rachel was left staring at the sweetest, funniest dog she had ever seen. When Evan came back, Rachel was sitting on the ground with Malka, trying to hide her from any other would-be doggie parents. When Evan wanted to leave, Rachel said, “No, I think this is our dog!”

Favorite treat or snack: Malka goes nuts for her tiny training treats. We think she likes them even more than the bigger, fatty stuff because she associates them with play and learning.

Favorite activity together: We love snuggling with Malka! She adores the attention and contact, and she slips into the strangest positions to maximize belly rub space while wiggling in our laps. Her love is endless!

You love her because she... has this wonderful ability to make peo-

Georgia Avenue Adop�on Center 7319 Georgia Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20012 202‐723‐5730

New York Avenue Adop�on Center 1201 New York Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 202‐576‐6664

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28 Northern Virginia Dog

| Fall 2013

ple smile, and she is always eager to do that. A lot of times people are put off by her size, but she adjusts her behavior to be whatever a person needs. On walks in the park when kids come up to see her, she is more playful and rolls around. In the elevator when some people are nervous to be near her, she sits very calmly and looks up at them patiently. By the end of one long elevator ride to the 23rd floor, a woman who initially didn’t even want to get in with Malka was kneeling down, petting her and telling our dog all about her troubles. At the hospital when we visit Rachel’s grandma, Malka walks from patient to patient, puts her head in laps, sits at the foot of wheelchairs, and allows herself to be petted and talked to for as long as people want. Her gentleness and patience are so beautiful and special—we are thinking of getting her trained and licensed as a therapy dog. ND Homeward Trails Animal Rescue seeks to find permanent adoptive homes in the Mid-Atlantic Region for dogs and cats from high-kill shelters or whose owners can no longer care for them. Homeward Trails not only facilitates adoptions from local shelters, but also supports a large network of foster care providers. Visit them online at www.homewardtrails.org.

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