THE
Unexpected BY CALLY JAMIS VENNARE
T“
PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOANNA TOTOLICI
Gift
hey may come to us from family members, breeders, or the pound. They may join our lives as spirited puppies or mellow adults. They may feast on our garbage or drench our houseguests with unwelcome kisses. But sooner or later, our dogs always seem to find a place deep in our hearts as faithful companions and trusted friends. Hike in the woods at Frick Park or stroll along the arboretum trail in Oakmont. Wander through Riding Meadow Park in Fox Chapel or do some urban backpacking down Walnut Street in Shadyside. No matter your location, you will inevitably find someone out walking a dog—welcoming the morning or winding down in the evening with a relaxed, content stride. For many people, time spent with their dogs is the most peaceful part of each day. That relationship is a cherished—often unexpected—gift any time of year, but especially during this season of joy and thanksgiving. In the wise words of late naturalist Roger Caras, “Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole.” Read on for seven “tails” of wholeness.
Nero and Eric
He loves to
burrow under
blankets and into women’s purses. He’s quite the
social butterfly Eric Shiner in his Penn Avenue loft with Nero.
”
and loves people
and other dogs.
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To meet Nero is to fall in love with him. It begins simply enough with a knock on the door of Eric Shiner’s expansive East End loft space. The next thing you hear is the clicking of little paws hurriedly racing toward you. Shiner, a tall, commanding presence, steps forward to shake hands. Born in New Castle, he recently returned to Pittsburgh to serve as The Andy Warhol Museum’s Milton Fine Curator of Art after years spent studying, teaching, and working in Japan and New York City. Yet it is Nero—Shiner’s two-year-old dachshund—who draws your attention with his bright eyes, friendly bark, and silky bronze mane. You can’t help but kneel down and scoop him into your arms, where he lingers happily. But the attention is short-lived. Nero is most content sitting next to Shiner. Or jumping on a billowy, makeshift couch made of parachute-like fabric. Or simply people-watching from one of the large windows that overlook bustling Penn Avenue below. His defining personality trait? “Nero knows how to work a crowd, just like his ‘father’ does,” Shiner remarks. “And he loves to burrow under blankets and into women’s purses. He’s quite the social butterfly and loves people and other dogs.” Looking around the room, one can’t help but worry about Shiner’s contemporary fine art collection, much of it within easy reach of the inquisitive pooch. While the artwork seems to stay safe, Nero has been known to possess a slight animosity toward a certain brand of designer shoe. “He’s only eaten two things of mine— both times it was a pair of Prada shoes,” says Shiner, laughing. “But for some reason he doesn’t like Gucci. So I guess the rest is just fine.”
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Sally Wiggin and her dogs at their Fox Chapel home.
The Unexpected Gift
“
When I look into
my German shepherds’
”
eyes, I know that they would die for me.
Noris V. Ortenberg and Emma & Sally
Noris V. Ortenberg and Emma. They share a German homeland, a common shepherd breed, and most importantly, Sally Wiggin as their owner. But they couldn’t be more different in personality. Five-year-old Noris defines the stereotypical German shepherd—sable in color and big, bold, and statuesque with a gregarious, commanding nature. He mirrors his owner in frenetic excitement and energy. His 12-year-old counterpart, Emma, lounges on her large bed on the floor of Wiggin’s Fox Chapel living room. Quietly, but steadily, the black-and-tan shepherd watches your every move. Make no mistake, Noris and Emma are devoted guardians of their owner. Each was acquired right from Germany, and both are trained protection dogs. As a WTAE-TV broadcast journalist with a highly visible career, Wiggin originally chose the breed for added safety and security at home and at work. Now though, when she speaks to Noris and Emma in German, they respond not only to her commands for the sake of obedience, but also for an affectionate hug. Wiggin unapologetically speaks of her initial love of “tall, elegant” Scottish deerhounds. But then Noris and Emma—together representing several hundred pounds of animal— snuggle into her arms on the couch. “I have fallen in love with this breed,” she says, as Noris drops his head into her lap. After thoughtful reflection, Wiggin also shares a deeper concern for her dogs’ wellbeing. “I wish they could tell me what they’re thinking,” she says with emotion in her deep, familiar voice. “If so I’d ask, ‘Where does it hurt when you have pain?’ because animals can’t tell you when they are hurting.” There is no mistaking Wiggin’s loyalty to Noris and Emma, and their allegiance to her. “When I look into my German shepherds’ eyes, I know that they would die for me,” she says.
Elvira Eicheley gets down with Finn on the floor of their Highland Park house.
Finn & Elvira “It was love at first sight,” explains Elvira Eicheley of her young pit bull mix named Finnius, or Finn for short. Eicheley and her husband, Jeff, just couldn’t resist the 11-month-old, feisty brown-and-white puppy when he caught their eyes at the East End’s Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania. Among all his canine friends, Finn just stood out. Joyful, compact, and energetic, Finn has now grown to 65 pounds of lean muscle. “We’ll both be happy when he mellows a bit,” remarks Eicheley, as Finn dashes through the living and dining rooms of the couple’s stylish, artfilled home in Highland Park. Yet for all his puppy playfulness, Finn unconsciously exudes an elegance and sophistication atypical of his breed. In profile, his body is firm and sleek. His mottled coat is smooth and soft to the touch. A prominent dot adorns his regal head. It’s just one more thing Eicheley adores about her dog. “I also love when he stretches,” she says. “He dislocates his joints and goes absolutely flat.” As if on cue, down Finn goes like a pancake on the living room floor. Tail wagging, he waits for Eicheley to scratch him. She obliges and adds, “I also love how soft he is behind his ears and the side of his mouth.” Eicheley’s role as a board member of Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures and Sheldon Cavalry Group, in addition to her volunteer work with The Sprout Fund and Quantum Theatre, keep this creative director and copywriter busy. But no matter how hard she works or how long her days, Finn is always there waiting. “I don’t know how not to have a dog,” she says, as Finn settles by her side in front of the fireplace. “He brings us companionship. He is part of our family. He is the joy at the end of a hard day.”
SERVICES PROVIDED:
Dog Grooming Self Serve Dog Wash Dog Walking Dog Day Care Pet Sitting DOG TRAINING:
Puppy to Adult Dogs; Group Classes or in-Home One on One Training Insured, Bonded, Registered Members of Pets Sitters International
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“
He brings us
companionship. He is part of our family. He is the
”
joy at the end of a hard day.
Y O U R T O TA L P E T C A R E P R O V I D E R 415 Gettysburg Street • Point Breeze
412.726.8876
The Unexpected Gift
Debbie and Dan Frankel with Ali on the steps of their Squirrel Hill home.
“
She is an escape artist who
gets out all the time. Ali is
”
also a hunter who loves squirrels and rabbits.
Ali & Dan and Debbie
There was no vote needed on the floor of this house when Aaron Frankel, the son of Pennsylvania State Representative Dan Frankel, asked his parents to adopt a two-yearold Shetland sheepdog/cocker spaniel mix from their local shelter nearly a decade ago. Ali’s solemn face and soulful eyes hooked young Aaron from the start. The elder Frankel and his wife, Debbie, are quick to point out that Ali later provided the ideal alibi for a teenage boy. “She’s the scapegoat of the family,” he says, chuckling. “Whenever something goes wrong, ‘It was Ali!’ is the general fallback position in the household.” Frankel readily admits that Ali is easy to misjudge. While she is small in size and stature and seemingly mellow and demure, the politician in Frankel knows better than to underestimate her. “She is an escape artist who gets out all the time,” he says. “Ali is also a hunter who loves squirrels and rabbits.” Frankel also concedes he was initially “less than enthusiastic” about Ali’s presence in their Squirrel Hill home. But that sentiment has changed, as the bond between Frankel and his dog has grown and intensified in recent years. “I honestly look forward to our time together,” he says. “She is my companion. My walking buddy. A very sweet, loving dog with a great smile.” With a demanding travel schedule of three to four days a week spent in Harrisburg more than half the year, Frankel values his time with his wife and children—and of course, with Ali. “Spending time with Ali is often one of the first things I do when I come home,” says Frankel, who takes marathon walks with his dog through Carnegie Mellon University and Chatham College, where she is greeted by doting students. “That’s one of the things I like most about living in Squirrel Hill—the vitality of the nearby college campuses,” Frankel says. “And Ali shares that passion.” 88
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Want Fido in Your Family Photo? Holiday picture time is here again. It’s hard enough to dress up the kids and get them to smile for that card-worthy shot. Now how are you going to wrestle the family dog into the photo? Dog behavioral therapist and trainer Avram Machtiger says the key to getting your dog photo-ready is practice, practice, practice. Dogs learn by association, says Machtiger, who owns Greater Pittsburgh Bark Busters Home Dog Training. By practicing your photos in a deliberate, relaxed way ahead of time, it will teach your dog that it’s just another family routine. Here’s how it works: • A couple of weeks before the big day, take the dog and some family members to the place in your house where you will take the holiday photo. Set the scene, placing everyone in their positions for the shot. • Point and lead the dog to his position and have your pet sit. • Step back and act through the phototaking, remaining calm. If your dog breaks the sit, simply return him to position without drama or emotion. • Praise the dog for listening and good behavior. • Repeat several times for a few minutes, break, and then return in five minutes, 15 minutes, and at random times over the course of an hour and the day. Continue to practice the same way over the next couple of weeks. • When the real photo time comes, your dog will know what to expect—even if there is a heightened sense of human fuss that day—and will hopefully flash his canines in a pictureperfect smile! For more dog training tips, visit www.barkbusters.com or call 412-361-3454. H O L I D AY 2 0 0 9
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Pampered Paws Looking for a gift for your four-legged friend? Eric and Marci Caplan—owners of Petland in the Village at Eastside in East Liberty—suggest you concentrate on the health and welfare of your dog with sensible gifts that won’t break the bank: • Quality foods like the ones made by Natura Pet Products (e.g. Evo, Innova, California Natural) provide pets with essential dietary elements without fillers. Your dog will stay healthier and eat less. • For a sweet stocking-stuffer, try the gourmet treats from Claudia’s Canine Cuisine. They look and smell like real candy and baked cupcakes, but they’re made with dog-friendly ingredients like carob and yogurt. Then grab a canine toothbrush with poultry-flavor toothpaste. • Doggie car seats and harnesses make it safer to hit the road with your dog in tow—a perfect gift you will both appreciate. • No need to sacrifice style this winter. Outfit your dog in a new coat, sweater, and even snow boats to keep the salt off his feet. For more information, visit www.petland.com or call 412-363-PETS (7387).
The Unexpected Gift
“
Basta, Ophelia, Maggie, Shelby, and Teki & Tom and Joy
Each dog takes its turn riding in the prized front seat.
”
They’ve got a signal system—one leaves the seat, signals an ‘OK,’
Imagine five dogs riding in a convertible, top down, with Dr. Thomas Starzl and his wife, Joy. “Each dog takes its turn riding in the prized front seat,” notes the modern-day father of organ transplantation. “They’ve got a signal system—one leaves the seat, signals an ‘OK,’ and the next one takes its turn.” Unbelievable, but true. Basta, Ophelia, Maggie, Shelby, and Teki not only take turns riding shotgun, but they also share the same bowl of food. They are companions to one another—and to the Starzls—in every sense of the word. The eight-year-old golden retriever Basta (named for the Italian word for enough) is the first to assert himself. Clearly there is never enough excitement for the spirited Basta, who sprints several times around the yard. Moments later, Ophelia, a 12-year-old border collie mix, enters the fray. She heads straight down a long staircase and briskly sprints along a private path that serves as her dog run—the feature that sold the Starzls on their picturesque home in Oakland’s Schenley Farms neighborhood. “Ophelia was named after Hamlet’s girlfriend, who was a bit crazy and committed suicide,” Starzl notes. “She was a bit like that at first, but now she is the smartest dog. Very alert. I’m quite attached to her.” Within minutes, Joy joins the festivities, followed in quick succession by three toy poodles— Maggie, the matriarch, trailed by her seven-year-old daughters, Shelby and Teki. The round, petite puffs of dark curls are hardly bigger than the palm of the surgeon’s hand, with sweet eyes and smiles to match. “We have a very familial relationship with our dogs,” he says. “They are given the respect of humans.” And in return, the Starzls receive unconditional love—you couldn’t find a better match for this transplant pioneer.
and the next one takes its turn.
Thomas and Joy Starzl in their convertible with their brood.
W
here is your home for the holidays?
Gather your friends home to celebrate the New Year.
SUE ANDERSON CEO
Laura Sauereisen & Eileen Lusk
QUALITY
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DESIGN
VALUE
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www.howardhanna.com
The Unexpected Gift
“
He’s the first one dad looks
for when he comes home at
”
night, and in the morning when he starts his day.
A father-daughter team: Art and Mary Rooney with Rocky at their Squirrel Hill home.
Rocky & Art and Mary
At first glance, Rocky Reilly Rooney is nothing less than impressive. He is standing by the glass door, regal and reserved, wellgroomed, with big, solemn eyes that evoke a deep soul. Well, he is a Rooney, after all. What else would you expect? But after a few minutes, Rocky lets his guard down and sprints toward his owner— Pittsburgh Steelers President Art Rooney II— who stands with his teenage daughter, Mary. “Mary is the reason we have Rocky,” says Rooney, as she laughs in the background. “The campaign started when she was in second grade.” Four years later, Mary finally prevailed and the Cavalier King Charles spaniel found its home. Even so, her dad (always the tough negotiator) made his young daughter sign a contract committing to Rocky’s care. Today Rocky has locked down the quarterback position by winning over the entire Rooney family, especially Art—even though the pup has no apparent interest in watching football. “He’s the first one dad looks for when he comes home at night, and in the morning when he starts his day,” Mary shares. Rooney, who had a boxer and a Saint Bernard growing up, admits he has grown quite fond of Rocky. “He is my good buddy,” he says. “We enjoy taking long walks through Frick and Schenley parks.” For Rooney, their time together provides a valued respite, a peaceful, calming routine before the start or end of a hectic day. “Even though he’s mellow, he really likes people—more so than dogs,” Mary confesses, as she kneels beside her dad and scoops Rocky into her arms. As the picture-perfect opportunity unfolds, Mary cuddles Rocky and flashes a high-five…touchdown! The dog’s expressive face lights up, and he immediately obliges with a paw in the air. Then he is off-and-running to the dining room. Rocky has more important things on his mind. It’s time for dinner, and then a walk.
At first glance you’d swear you are in the presence of Sandy, the devoted canine companion of Little Orphan Annie. Large and cuddly, her shaggy, beige coat is flecked with accents of white and black. Big, expressive eyes stare back at you, peering directly into your heart. A soft, pink tongue spills from her lips. A gentle smile lingers. But it is Lucy, not Sandy, who sits contently by Lynn Cullen in their Point Breeze home. “Lucy and I are a lot alike,” notes the local broadcasting legend who can now be heard live weekday mornings on the Pittsburgh City Paper Web site. “We’re neurotic, middle-aged females with creaky joints. And we both seem to think of food a lot.” A ten-year-old “canine cornucopia of indeterminate origin,” Cullen rescued Lucy from her place of birth—the local pound—after years of misfortune. Initially adopted at birth, by age three Lucy had been returned twice by two separate owners. She was anxious and lonely when Cullen found her, and understandably distrustful of humans. Seven years after her rescue, Lucy is “adorable and delightful,” if a bit irrational at times. “She sometimes feels the need to go in the backyard at 3 a.m., dig holes, and lay in them,” Cullen laughs. “By the time she gets her act together, she’ll be dead.” But Lucy’s favorite trick is building custom-made, dog-friendly screen doors. In fact, it is her annual ritual. “Every spring, after I’ve repaired the last one, she rips a new hole out with her nose, jerks her head to the left, and opens the newest door whenever she pleases,” Cullen sighs. “I replace the screen door every year.” Regardless of Lucy’s quirks, Cullen can’t help but love her dog, who is the perfect companion for long walks in Frick and Mellon parks. “I think mutts are the best animals,” Cullen says. “Sometimes when you go to a pound, you __ SA don’t know what you will be dealt. But that is all the more reason to give them a home.” __
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One of the many faces of Lynn Cullen, with Lucy at their Point Breeze home.
Lucy & Lynn
“
Lucy and I are a lot alike. We’re neurotic, middle-aged females with creaky joints. And we both seem to think of food a lot.
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The Unexpected Gift
Cold Weather Care
A Painful Loss
Winter can be a time of bitter cold and numbing wetness. Veterinarians Dr. Andrea M. Cangin and Dr. Kenneth S. Fisher of East End Veterinary Medical Centre in Shadyside urge dog owners to take extra precautions this season to ensure the safety of their companion animals. Help your dog remain happy and healthy during the colder months by following their expert prescription for protecting your pooch from winter woes.
It is never easy to cope with the loss of a dog, but surviving this grief can be even harder during the holiday season. Regent Square-based pet bereavement counselor Karen Litzinger—who recently released a CD entitled Heal Your Heart: Coping with the Loss of a Pet—offers several ways to help resolve the pain. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, Litzinger says, or right or wrong time period. And if your grief is interfering significantly with your daily living, she recommends seeking professional counseling.
• Remember to wipe off your dog’s paws, legs, and abdomen after coming in from the snow and ice. Salt, antifreeze, and other potentially dangerous ice-melt chemicals can be ingested by licking or may cause damage between the toes as a skin irritant. If you have antifreeze at home, store out of reach from your pets—the sweet-tasting, but deadly poison is hard to resist. • Some small, short-haired, or thin-coated breeds need the additional warmth of a sweater when outside for extended periods. Older pets may chill easier, too. • Remember to be safe when walking in snow and ice, as both you and your pet could slip. Strong dogs that pull on their leashes can cause you to lose balance when the conditions are icy. A Gentle Leader headcollar, or other similar leash that is designed to prevent pulling, can be very helpful in this situation. • As the days become shorter and darkness comes early, both you and your dog are less visible to oncoming traffic. Consider reflective outerwear for both you and your pet if you will be going outside in the dark. • Don't leave dogs outdoors when the temperature or wind-chill factor drops.
• Allow yourself to fully experience your grief and know it is natural and normal. Similar phases of grief can be experienced as with the loss of a person—shock, denial, anger, depression, and eventually, acceptance. • Find supportive friends and family to share your feelings. Stay away from people who say, “It was just a dog,” or “Just get another one.” Seek out pet loss support groups. One is available online through the Association of Pet Loss and Bereavement at www.aplb.org. • Take care of yourself during your time of grief physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This could include canceling engagements or calling off work, just as you would for the death of another family member. • Consider some way to memorialize your dog’s death and remind you of your happy times together. This could include initiating a memorial service, creating a photo album, planting a flower, or having a memorial portrait painted. For more resources, visit www.HealFromPetLoss.com.
For more information, visit www.eevmc.com or call 412-361-5000.
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