Cottage Dog - Winter 2011

Vol. 2, Issue 1

How to

WINTERIZE Your

cottage dog

Winter 2011

Snow go...

Skijoring’s fun!

CosyCottage Dogs COMBAT

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Goes to the

Dogs

Get free pet health advice and connect with your veterinarian Find and adopt the perfect pet for your home Keep a secure log of your pets’ health records Find missing pets with the Lost & Found feature Find local veterinarians in your area

Inside This

Issue

10

06 Bits & Bites 10 Snow Go...

Dogs have a “Skijoring” good time

14 The Dog as Arf!

32

30 Puparazzi:

A Dog’s Tale…

Iago’s Day in High Park

32 How to Winterize Your Pooch

18 A Soldier’s New Best Friend

21 The Angels Among Us 24 The Ultimate Dog House 28 Pet Friendly Vacation Accomodations

24

A Note from the Publisher...

Publisher: K. L. Brooks

Editor: Bryan Dearsley

Contributing Writers: Vince Grittani Dr. Jason McLeod, DVM Lori McFadyen Kerry Vinson

Cartoonists Vince Grittani Jerry King

Photo Credits: Kelly Hollinshead, Shutterbug (Cover) Scruffy Dog Photography Trish Aleve, Pawsome Pet Photography Vince Grittani

Layout Artist: Craig Belanger

Ad inquiries: Brenda Paterson Tel: 705-640-1054 advertising@CottageDog.com

Publisher Contact: Cottage Dog Publications 1393 Brunel Road Huntsville, ON P1H 2J3

Publication Agreement #: 42035032

To subscribe visit us online at: www.CottageDog.com or send CDN $26.99 plus HST ($30.50 taxes in) to: Cottage Dog Publications 1393 Brunel Road Huntsville, ON P1H 2J3 Reproduction of any part of this publication without expressed written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

Wow! It seems like only yesterday that we at CottageDog were wishing our readers all the very best for the festive season. And now here we are just a few weeks later sending you all our very best for a healthy and prosperous 2011!

Somehow, between wrapping and unwrapping gifts, eating, drinking (responsibly, of course!) and being merry, we managed to put together a heck of a good read for this our Winter 2011 issue, as well as introducing a number of exciting new initiatives to ensure our future growth. (You’ll hear more about these elsewhere in the magazine.)

Regular CottageDog contributor Dr. Jason McLeod decided he’d embrace winter and did us all a favour by trying his hand at the increasingly popular sport of skijoring – as Jason reveals, it’s the perfect way to get outdoors and get fit, whether you’ve got two legs or four. And for those of you concerned about how fido interacts with wildlife, Jason – along with some help from new CottageDog contributor and expert dog behaviourist Kerry Vinson – offers tips and tactics to keep things safe this winter.

Our regular coverage on working dogs takes us to Camp Borden, near Barrie, ON, where we meet the first of National Service Dogs’ skilled companion canines for Canadian soldiers diagnosed with long-term Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. A little further afield, we visit Canadian ex-pat Lori McFadyen in India and her touching tale of how two dogs – Jimmy and Sparky – taught a village to love.

To celebrate the launch of a new reader-service, Pet-Friendly Places – a unique listings service of pet-friendly holiday accommodations – our very own Mr. Puparazzi, Vince Grittani, profiles the ultimate dog house, a log rental cottage literally built with big dogs in mind. And be sure to check out Vince’s interview with doggy-portrait photographer Deborah Samuel.

Also, you’ll no doubt have noticed a new name on our masthead. Bryan Dearsley has been brought on board as CottageDog’s Editor to keep us all on a tighter leash…

Finally, be sure to visit us on-line at www.CottageDog.com, follow us on Facebook, keep on sending us those pictures and stories, and encourage your friends and family to subscribe!

Till next time…

Au ruff-oir!

K. L. Brooks

Contributors VINCE GRITTANI Television personality (Cottage Life and The Weekend Guy), playwright (Scenes From My Dock, Quiet! I’m Talking staring Loretta Swit, and Scenes From the 19th Hole), cartoonist and illustrator, TV and theatrical producer (Muskoka Theatre Project), writer and realtor, Vince does it all. First a camper, then a cottager, Vince is now a full-time resident of Muskoka with Iago, his fourth beloved Bearded Collie. (www.weekendguy.com)

KELLY HOLINSHEAD Kelly’s striking photography mirrors the diverse beauty of Muskoka. An avid traveler, she’s worked on numerous magazines throughout Canada and the US. Kelly’s passions include her supportive husband and family, her three loveable dogs, and the great outdoors. (www.kellytheshutterbug.com)

JERRY KING One of North America’s most published cartoonists (he ranks Disney amongst his clients), Jerry’s cartoons appear in print and on websites across the globe. Starting out with a desire to be a boxer, he changed his mind after illustrating seven children’s books before graduating high school. Jerry has won countless awards, and two US presidents have recognized his cartoons. (www.jerryking.com)

LORI MCFADYEN A PhD student in anthropology with McGill University, Lori resides in India with her husband Kunwar. They live in the village of Sainji, in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas, where they run an English medium school. (www.kanhaiyahouse.ca)

DR. JASON MCLEOD, DVM Jason is a companion animal veterinarian and owns two animal hospitals in Muskoka. A graduate of the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College, he shares his love of Muskoka with his wife Megan, young son Marshall and a menagerie of pets. (algonquinanimalhospital.org or bracebridgeanimalhospital.org)

KERRY VINSON Kerry has authored over 60 articles on dog behaviour for veterinary publications and pet magazines in Canada, and has been designated an Expert Witness in assessing canine aggression, testifying in several high profile court cases. He has appeared nationally on Canada AM, CBC’s Doczone, The Outdoor Life Network and Discovery Channel, and lectures throughout Ontario. He lives in Toronto with his four dogs (three German Shepherds and a Caucasian Ovcharka).

July 2010

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Vol. 2, Issue 1

Winter 2011

Snow go...

Skijoring’s fun!

Canine’s Guide

toSKIING

COLLINGWOOD

DOG CESAR

MILAN

Dogs COMBAT

December 2010

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

CosyCottage the Goes toDogs

Mail a cheque to: CottageDog 1393 Brunel Road Huntsville, ON P1H 2J3 Or register online using Paypal, Visa or Mastercard at: www.CottageDog.com

Bi&ts Bites What’s in a name?

ch’s name Ever wondered how your poo The folks at stacks up? Well, wonder no more. ), the largest Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI e in the US, provider of pet health insuranc top 10 dog recently published their list of the

! g o d e g a t t o c n a le c a e v We lo

names of 2010. the second Call it the Twilight effect, but for position as year straight, Bella retained its (in order of the most popular name, followed Molly, Buddy, popularity) by Bailey, Max, Lucy, hie… all of Maggie, Daisy, Charlie and Sop names. them, perhaps surprisingly, human names of And what of the classic dog n’t do so well. yesteryear? Sadly, the classics did ed up a paltry But although the survey only turn than some 13 Fidos, it still proved more popular appeared at of the more eccentric names that ering “Pickle the bottom of the list… try holl r voice from Von Corndog” at the top of you pens. the cottage porch and see what hap

Back to school with

News, events and other fun stuff happening around the country...

Your cottage dog is go ing to love our first for ay into the dog-care busin ess. Coming soon to ret ail outlets near you is ou r exclusive line of Co tta ge Dog Soaps, made fro m all-natural ingredien ts guaranteed to leave yo ur pooch smelling coun try fresh.

Not only are our soap s dog-friendly, they’re also environmentally friend ly, too. All soaps are made from biodegradable ing redients, ensuring the y’re perfect for use in the lak e.

Designed especially to suit the pH levels of your dog’s coat, our soaps are made especially for us in the community in Ind ia featured in this issue ’s heartwarming story by Lori McFadyen (see he r story, Angels Among Us: How two dogs tau gh t a village to love, on page 21). Made from the milk of specially rai sed goats and conta ining pure essential oils, Co ttage Dog Soaps has been established to provide much needed employm ent in this region of India.

So every time you ba the your pooch, you’ll kn ow you’re doing your bit to make our world a bette r place to live.

Stay tuned to www.Co ttageDog.com for fur ther details…

the OSPCA

Although exact details were sparse as of press time, be sure to keep an eye on the media for news regarding the OSPCA’s new Educational Center in Newmarket. Scheduled for a February launch, the Centre will be open to the public, so be sure to pop in and take a tour (just tell them CottageDog sent you!).

- 6 - CottageDog - Winter 2011

The doggy-do detectives…

The next time you’re tempted to leave your canine friend’s deposit where he placed it, wa tch out… the poo-poli ce might be onto you!

While of course not a problem for cottage do gs, it seems when in the city our dogs may no t always be as welcome as we’d like to think... especially when it come s to what they leave be hind. It’s a topic people are passionate about, and usually not the do g lovers. Little wonder, then, that Consumer Reports listed “dog po op” as number six on its list of reader’s top gripes in 2010 – just be low “unreliable internet service” but, oddly en ough, higher than “inco mprehensible bills.”

According to BioPet Ve t Lab, an industry lea der in DNA-related pe services – including (do t n’t laugh), PooPrints – in the US alone, some 73 million dogs gene rate approximately 6.3 billion pounds of waste annually… yes, we did say billion! And, it wo uld seem, approximate 40% – a whopping 2.5 ly billion pounds of the stu ff – is never picked up .

So, what’s PooPrints?

Think of CSI, but a lot less glamorous.

Participating commun ities are provided with a DNA-collection kit an gather samples from d local dogs. Back in the lab, samples are crossreferenced with any de posits left unaccounted for in public parks, etc Then, big brother come . s knocking…

It all adds up to anoth er great reason to sp end more time at the cottage (all that bush is doggy-do heaven) wh ere you don’t have to clean up after Fido… erm, Bella.

Dog of the Month: Molly, our hero…

Who could possibly deny the fact that canines were put on this earth for a reas on? Certainly not Gary and Paula Owen, of Calg ary. Their five-year old black and tan Min iature Pincher, Molly, isn’t just adorable… the wee pooch is a life saver!

Here’s what we know: One recent winter’s evening while the couple were reading in bed, their bedside lamps suddenly flick ered and went dark. While Gary stomped around “uttering dark oaths”, Paula noticed Molly staring intently down the hallway and barking. Upon investigation, she found an elec trical outlet sparking. The attending electrician called in to fix the problem noted that Molly not only may have seen and heard the sparks, she possibly smelled the accompanyin g ozone… so not only did Molly save her family, she likely save d the house from burning down.

So here’s to Molly, CottageDog ’s dog of the month: good girl!

Bit& s Bites

Give a little love…

Never mind the chocola te… tell yo sweetheart yo ur u’re going to h elp an animal need this Vale in ntines instead . Since its lau in 2007, the nch annual Show Us Your Hear campaign – an t initiative of G lobal Pet Foo and Hill’s Sci ds ence Diet – has raised o $150,000 for an ver imal shelters across Canad a.

“Show Us Yo ur Heart is unique beca our store own use ers each sele ct a local she or rescue gro lt er up to suppo rt,” says Glo Pet Foods P b al resident Jim Walker. “Wh you donate en a dollar, yo u’re making real difference a to homeless community.” pets in your

Donations ca n be as little as a $1, and Glo Pet Foods an bal d Hill’s Science Diet will match your generosi ty. To donate , visit any Glo Pet Foods st bal ore from Fe b . 12-19, or vi www.faceboo sit k.com/global petfoods

Proud to be a pet friendly Golf Course

1036 South Monck Drive Bracebridge, Ontario P1L 1W8 (2 km west of Tim Hortons in Bracebridge)

705 646-1060 Info@muskokahighlands.com muskokahighlands.com/cottagedog

MukokaHighlandsGolf_1-6.indd 1

Caption Contest We’re thrilled to kick-off our very first CottageDog Canine Cartoon Caption Contest (try saying that quickly!) with a fantastic giveaway from Bark & Fitz Inc. (www.barkandfitz.com), Canada’s leading health food store for dogs.

All you have to do for your chance to win this wonderful hand-painted double feeder (retail value $200) is send along your suggestion for a caption to this cartoon by Jerry King. Our editorial team will select the best entry as our main prizewinner, along with two runner-ups who’ll each receive a $50 Bark & Fitz gift card.

To enter, email your entry (including your name, address and phone number) to contest@CottageDog.com

- 8 - CottageDog - Winter 2011

11-01-18 8:40

‘Plan Your Dog Days of Summer’ Exciting fundraiser to benefit animal charities

L

ife, let’s face it, is better when you’re part of a community. And when that community revolves around dogs, it’s better still. As our community of dog-lovers grows, CottageDog wants to encourage each and every one of you to join us in our efforts to give a little something back to our fantastic, furry, four-legged friends. To launch our own giving efforts, and to provide an avenue for our readers to participate, we’re thrilled to announce details of a unique new fundraising event being launched this spring.

Our first-ever ‘Plan Your Dog Days of Summer’ is scheduled to take place early in May in Toronto, ON. Just in time for our 1st anniversary! – It will: • Showcase the best of Canada’s petfriendly resorts, hotels, B&Bs and cottage rental companies, all under one roof, helping visitors with their vacation planning, while providing businesses an ideal opportunity to showcase their offerings; • Raise funds and awareness for select dog-related charities, including the OSPCA, Dog Guides of Canada, National Service Dogs, and Tigger House (an exciting group featured in our next issue) and more; • Provide a fun, entertaining and educational opportunity for dog-lovers from across the country – the public, professionals and industry players – to join together in a celebration of all things canine!

To ensure the event’s success, we’ve teamed up with some of the big names in the pet industry, as well as leading accommodations providers, to put on a show you simply won’t forget! Entertainment already lined up includes stage-plays and music, food tasting and demonstrations, as well as numerous pet-related seminars and sessions.

You’ll also have the opportunity to meet members of the fantastic CottageDog fundraising team, shown here dressed as vets in our MASH-themed cartoon. To learn more, email us at getaway@CottageDog.com or visit our website (www.CottageDog.com) for regular updates regarding what promises to become Canada’s most exciting event for dogs and the families that love them!

CottageDog - Winter 2011 - 9 -

Snow Go...

Dogs have a “Skijoring” good time

by Dr. Jason McLeod

M

ost people find it easy to exercise with their dogs when the weather’s fine. But as soon as the snow flies and the crisp chill of winter settles in, that’s it…. we become couch potatoes. Yet while many of us only think about staying active when it’s cold out, there’s a growing number of people looking for more to do than simply sauntering along snow covered roads hoping the dogs will turn tail and head home just so they can sit down to a hearty bowl of chili.

People like Matt Todd and Kristi MacDonald, for example. Owners of The Bike Shop in Gravenhurst, both are very keen outdoor enthusiasts who, coincidentally, happen to own Siberian huskies. For those who didn’t know it, Siberians are one of a small number of dog breeds that, for the most part, will forego food for exercise. Most people associate Siberian huskies with dog sledding and rightfully so – their heritage is rooted in it. After generations of breeding a more powerful, compact and enduring

- 10 - CottageDog - Winter 2011

athletic dog, the desire to pull and run is hard wired in them.

Matt has had many Siberian huskies and spent years leading thrill-seekers on dog sledding adventures at resorts such as Deerhurst. However, due to our changing climate, many dog sled adventure businesses, including Matt’s, found it difficult to continue operating. Trail quality had become questionable, and even the health of his dogs was a concern as they could quickly over exert themselves in warmer winter weather due to the pace they set.

And a Siberian husky without plentiful exercise is like a fidgety kid.

It was a combination of their love of the great outdoors and the need to find something to keep their three remaining Siberians active that led Matt and Kristi to join a group of friends already turned on to skijoring. Ski-what?

Skijoring – simply put, it’s like dog sledding but on cross-

country skis. Not only is it a great way to exercise your dog during the winter, it’s also a good workout for we humans.

An introduction to skijoring Dan Christian, an engineer that spends far too much time warming his office chair with his derrière, has spent most of his adult life doting on his dogs. As a past competitive triathlete and an avid cross-country skier, skijoring offered a perfect opportunity to get his aging Siberian husky out for a regular high-intensity workout.

“Siberians are one of a small number of dog breeds that, for the most part, will forego food for exercise.”

As I arrived at our embarkation site in Muskoka, I was already frozen stiff, as were my friends patiently awaiting my arrival. The dogs, however, didn’t care about the frigid conditions – they were in their element, howling and frisky with excitement. As Matt, Kristi and Dan wrestled with their eager dogs, I danced around frantically trying

Photography by Kelly Holinshead

With a growing interest in learning more about the sport, I joined Dan, Matt and Kristi to try my hand at skijoring. Our day didn’t start out quite as we’d hoped.

The previous 24 hours had seen Mother Nature besiege our region with 40cm of snow before dropping the temperature to -15C (-25C with the wind chill). Sounds great

for skijoring, but it led to my arrival being delayed due to my having to help a frustrated young family get their car out of the ditch.

CottageDog - Winter 2011 - 11 -

to get the circulation back to my lower extremities. It took just a few minutes to educate me about the commands needed to guide the dogs, as well as proper skijoring etiquette, and then we were off!

Skijoring, as I soon found out, is a straightforward recipe for fun that anyone can get involved in. All that’s required is a fairly simple harness for the dogs, a freely moving belt arrangement with a surprisingly comfortable fit secured around the waist, a pair of cross country skis and poles… and a marginal amount of coordination. Although I hadn’t cross-country skied in over two decades I quickly managed – with only a single snow-in-your-face, bum-over-tea-kettle wipeout – to recall the technique required to stand upright without confusing my more than willing four-legged companion. After another few minutes of awkward, tense full-body effort to get into the groove, I was smoothly in tune with “Yukon” as we sailed along the trail with a rhythm worthy of an ivy league rowing team’s coxswain.

Fun for large breeds I was surprised to learn that skijoring has been around a long time. In some countries, such as Norway, reindeer are sometimes used due to their muscle power. Perhaps

Getting Started So, how do you get involved in skijoring? All it takes is a pair of cross country skis and poles, a very willing and enthusiastic dog (or two), a harness for both you and the dog(s), a minimal amount of coordination… and a little modesty to handle the falls you’ll inevitably take.

even more interesting is that almost any breed of dog over 15kg can get involved. Other dog breeds seen skijoring in cottage country include Duck-Tolling Retrievers, German Shepherds and the ever-popular cottage dog, the Golden Retriever.

“With very little effort, almost any dog can enjoy skijoring,” Matt told me after our outing. “Most dogs are social and are really keen to run with other dogs. Guiding the dogs isn’t difficult, especially if you have a lead dog that knows the commands and can set the pace and direction.”

Skijoring is gaining in popularity for many reasons.

For people like Dan, Matt and Kristi, it’s a way to enjoy the great outdoors in winter with little start-up cost. It’s also a great way for both dogs and their two-legged tagalongs to burn calories. Another great thing is that it can be done almost anywhere. In fact, in Muskoka, Matt and another friend, Lowell Grieb, have spearheaded efforts to get a regular group together at Arrowhead Provincial Park. Initially, opponents to skijoring tended to be those concerned with cross-country trails being ruined by dogs running on the groomed trails (or perhaps by doing other things). These opponents quickly realized the trails are minimally impacted. In fact, it’s people like me, caught gazing at the tranquil scenery and crashing to the ground after catching a ski tip, that undoubtedly cause more damage.

And despite the very cool breeze, the frigid core body temperature at the initiation of the run and the constant rain of snow flakes on my face, I quickly warmed up and felt great for getting outside and getting some exercise. I also realized this is as awesome a sport as I have ever participated in. Beautiful scenery, some wildlife (a few deer fortunately not spotted by the dogs), excellent cardio exercise and, perhaps above all else, seeing the dogs burn off energy with such obvious enthusiasm… what a great day!

And yes, in the end, we did go home for a bowl of chili, too… but we earned it!

Because the sport is only just gaining momentum, an Internet search can aid you in finding others in your region to help you get started. In Muskoka, the Bike Shop sells harnesses for your dog for $40, and a comfy harness for yourself for $56. They also have an array of cross country skis and boots. The Bike Shop’s Matt Todd is available for individual or group lessons, and has arranged the following designated times for skijoring adventures (open to all) at Arrowhead Provincial Park: Jan. 16th, Feb. 6th, Mar. 13th, Apr. 3rd.

Algonquin Provincial Park also allows skijoring on some trails. Check with local authorities in your region for regulations, and check out websites such as www.skidogs.ca, www.skijoring.com and www.skijornow.com for more information.

W

DOG AS ART ARF!

S

the

By Vince Grittani

hen I first met Deborah Samuel in Toronto over 30 years ago, she had recently graduated from Sheridan College and was working as a photographer’s assistant. Truth be known, she scared the heck out of me. She always appeared to exude this underlying tension, sometimes to the point that I felt she was going to slug me at any given moment. In fact, one friend nicknamed her Deborah “Slam”uel. I quickly learned she was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Her intense mannerism was and is her genius.

Deborah’s controlled use of reflective and luminescent light was the basis of the photographic brand that eventually won her international commercial advertising accounts and magazine editorials. Her images have graced the pages of GQ, Esquire and Rolling Stone and have enhanced album covers of rock stars like Alannah Myles and Rush. Today, her

photos are found in many private and museum collections throughout the world.

I hadn’t seen Deborah in years until one day when I saw her name on someone’s Facebook friends list.

I contacted her to say hello. She was now living in New Mexico with her husband and a menagerie of dogs. Of course, what interested me most was the knowledge she was a dog aficionada. In fact, not only does she love canines, but they were the subject of two incredible collections found in her books, the appropriately titled Dog and Pup (published by Chronicle Books).

Loyal to her artistic brand and genius, these canine images are true Deborah. The photos are not typical of the type found on a calendar from your local insurance agent, but rather should – and many do – hang in art galleries and private collections. A

Photography by Deborah Samuel ©2001/2002

- 14 - CottageDog - Winter 2011

combination of extreme close-ups of doggy parts as well as full body images, it’s as if you can read the subject dog’s mind and what they are saying. Some have the attitude and stature of a high fashion model, while others look almost as if they were caught in the act by the “puparazzi”. All of them, however, are expressions of her love for man’s best friend.

Cottage Dog: When photographing dogs, do you give directions to them or do you just let them go wild and wait for the moment?

Deborah Samuel: Every breed is different. They generally present themselves to you. As much as I set them up I do so to let them do what they want. A big part of it is waiting for the right moment.

CD: Have you ever asked them to make love to the camera?

DS: No. CD: What about the flash? Don’t dogs run off and hide?

CottageDog - Winter 2011 - 15 -

DS: No, they don’t. They kind of need their space.

They’re like humans. There’s all types.

CD: Children, rock stars or pups. Which is easier to work with?

DS: Pups.

CD: You seem to photograph mostly purebreds. Is there a reason for this?

DS: That’s a misconception. I work equally with mix breeds. But I learn personality with purebreds then identify those traits in mix breeds. I just never did a mix breed book.

CD: Is there a breed that you have not yet photographed but would like to? And why?

DS: Oh boy… I always wanted to shoot a show clipped poodle. They are so sculptural. Art in motion. And the hairless American terrier. They fascinate me, these dogs.

CD: It’s been said that dogs have the mentality of a three-year old child. Do you agree with this?

DS: No. It depends on the breed. Dogs are more intelligent. I think their sense of loyalty and devotion is much more developed than that of a three-year old child.

CD: I swear my dog Iago knows when a camera is pointed at him. Do you think there’s any truth to this or is it my imagination?

DS: No, it’s not your imagination. I had a boxer called Jake. He’s in the book. When I put him up on the platform to shoot, he would ham to the camera and change positions like a pro.

CD: Is there a single tip you can give when photographing dogs?

DS: I think the best tip is to find what motivates them. My thing when I started this dog book was to find the emotional differences of breeds. For a Jack Russell it’s food. Greyhounds are motivated by lures… like a cat lure. For Terriers, it’s squeaky toys.

CD: What is the biggest lesson your own dogs have taught you?

DS: How to love unconditionally.

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A soldier’s new best friend...

National Service Dogs launch Posttraumatic Stress Disorder service

P

ost-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a tragic but increasingly common problem, particularly amongst members of the Canadian military who’ve served overseas in war-torn countries such as Afghanistan. PTSD is a psychological response to intense traumatic events, principally those that threaten life. It can affect people of any age, culture or gender, and can be seen as part of a normal human response to intense experiences.

In the majority of cases, the symptoms of PTSD reduce or disappear over the first few months, particularly with the help of caring family members and friends. But in a significant minority, however, the symptoms do not resolve quickly, and in some cases may continue to cause problems for the rest of the person’s life.

Readers of CottageDog will be interested to learn that help of the four-legged kind is now available.

In 1996, a registered charity called National Service Dogs (NSD) introduced a unique service dog program for autistic children, a model now used around the world. Building upon this success, National Service Dogs is now expanding its services to include skilled companion dogs for Canadian Soldiers diagnosed with long-term PTSD.

Symptoms of PTSD PTSD is characterized by three main groups of problems which can be classified under the headings of intrusive, avoidance and arousal symptoms.

Intrusive symptoms include distressing memories or images of the incident, nightmares and flashbacks, as well as physical symptoms such as sweating, increased heart rate, or muscle tension. In such cases, skilled companion dogs are trained to nudge the individual, providing a tactile distraction from symptoms, and have proven to be useful in emotional overload situations. In addition, for those experiencing nightmares, night terrors, hypnologic hallucina- 18 - CottageDog - Winter 2011

tions or flashbacks, tactile stimulation can provide a vitally important reality affirmation. Massaging the dog can also reduce physical symptoms.

Symptoms associated with avoidance include trying to avoid reminders of the trauma, gaps in memory, losing interest in normal activities of daily living, feeling cut-off or detached from loved ones, feeling flat or numb, and difficulty imagining a future. Skilled companion dogs work well in such cases as they are non-judgmental and provide calm, consistent companionship, are active, and require

daily care and training to maintain their skills. Taking care of the dog’s daily needs brings routine back into a veteran’s life, providing a reason to get out of the house and engage in activities of daily living.

Arousal symptoms include anger and irritability, concentration problems and constant checking for signs of danger, and sufferers are jumpy and easily startled.

Skilled companion dogs provide important feedback to individuals suffering from these types of symptoms

CottageDog - Winter 2011 - 19 -

by helping them gauge the safety of their surroundings, and are trained to make them feel more secure in their environment. For example, the dogs are trained to stand perpendicularly in front of the veteran – known as blocking – to keep other people at a distance, ensuring the personal space needed to feel secure. The dogs are also taught to cover, facing backward by the veteran’s side to alert them to people approaching from behind. The dogs are also taught a search command, which involves them searching the house to ensure it’s safe, thereby decreasing anxiety when feeling nervous or recovering from a nightmare or flashback.

- 20 - CottageDog - Winter 2011

The calming effect that animals have on people is well known, and anecdotal reports suggest that skilled companion dogs can speed recovery from PTSD, reducing reliance on medication. And it’s well known that children with autism who utilize service dogs tend to be calmer when with their dogs and transition into new environments better, demonstrating an increase in confidence.

Skilled companion dogs can provide the same support for veterans suffering from PTSD. For more information regarding NSD’s Skilled Companion Dog program, www.nsd.on.ca.

The Angels Among Us

How two dogs taught a village to love

By Lori McFadyen

“H

i Jimmy! Hi Sparky!” That’s what our little students say on their way to school as they pass the graves of our beloved pets. And every time I hear those little voices crying out to our furry friends, I get a lump in my throat.

A Canadian married to an Indian, I live in a small tribal village in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas. The people here are extremely poor, and the entire region lacks most basic amenities. Malnutrition and related illnesses are endemic, and the locals do their best to carve a meager living by farming on the steep mountain slopes.

The education system is so abysmal here that virtually all students completing Grade 12 cannot get into universities, ending up as lowly paid workers in hotels or restaurants, or breaking rocks on the side of the road. So my husband and I opened an English medium school last year as a means to provide children in our area with an excellent education and the tools to carve out a better life for themselves.

What does all this have to do with Jimmy and Sparky?

Well, dogs are not considered pets here, but as dirty beasts whose only value is to guard the family’s crops for a short period every year. The rest of the time they fend for themselves, feeding off human excrement and waste foods. When they cross the path of a human, they’re usually kicked or beaten. As a result, my husband and I were constantly treating people – mostly children – for dog bites.

Meeting our new friends Last January, just after opening our school, our nephew brought a small puppy to the village. He abandoned her when he realized she wasn’t male, so my husband, Kunwar, and I began to care for her. She was barely six weeks old, both ears seemed to bend in the same direction, and she had the sweetest face. We bathed her, bought her food and took her to the vet for her shots. The villagers laughed at us. I guess we seemed eccentric, lavishing such attention on a dog.

CottageDog - Winter 2011 - 21 -

the flags out of the hands of two of our nursery children and led the procession, flags in tow.

Jimmy, on the other hand, moved slowly and never got excited. Yet he was always with the children, and it was clear he considered himself their protector. If another dog or a stranger came near he would spring into action, barking and growling until the animal disappeared or the stranger was acknowledged by someone known to him.

He endured the tugs on his tail, the fingers in his eyes, nose, and mouth, and the little bodies rolling on top of him. Jimmy took it all in stride.

A special kind of magic Both puppies continued to work their magic on the children, who soon became advocates for treating animals with love and care. There were by now new puppies in the village and the children tried caring for them, too, while teaching others to do likewise. It seems to be working because the new dogs in the village are not aggressive. While we were still sometimes taunted for treating our dogs like humans, we noticed villagers giving our dogs meat bones, or left over bread from their meal – a practice unheard of in the past.

We even took her to school. At first, the children kicked her and hit her with sticks. Many come from abusive families where hitting is a means of expressing anger and frustration. We wanted to change this, and teaching them how to care for a puppy seemed a good way to start.

We quickly forbade the children from hitting, and taught them that by treating a dog or any animal with love, they’d be loved back. We invited the children to help bathe and feed Sparky, and showed them how to play with her.

Soon, they clamored to be the lucky one who would take her to school.

Then, one day, Jimmy wouldn’t come to school with us. He followed me a few yards and then sat down. We noticed he wasn’t eating and seemed more lethargic than normal. We took him to the vet and were given some antibiotics for what was thought to be an intestinal infection, but they didn’t help. He grew weaker and weaker until he had to be fed antibiotics and fluids intravenously.

Shortly after Sparky entered our lives, Jimmy arrived.

Jimmy was a Bhotiya, a breed indigenous to the upper Himalayas and known as excellent goat herders. When we got him his head was as big as his body, and he was so docile we worried something was wrong with him. But the vet assured us this was the nature of the breed.

I came home from school one day knowing this was the end. Kunwar went into town for medicine to put him to sleep, and I stayed with him, stroking his big furry head.

One by one the children gathered around. I told them Jimmy wasn’t going to be with us much longer, and they should say their goodbyes. We all cried and told him how much we loved him, and then I told him that he had done his work and should go so he would have no more pain.

So my furry little friend closed his eyes and took his last breath with my hand resting on his big floppy ear, and with all his little friends standing close.

Now we had two constant companions at school, and the changes in the children’s behaviour toward them was wonderful to witness. However, as Sparky grew her boundless energy overwhelmed us. On Independence day, when the children marched down the road, she stole

All the while Sparky never once looked at Jimmy. But that night when Kunwar and his nephew took Jimmy away, she howled the most mournful howl. Over the next few days Sparky seemed to take on some of Jimmy’s personality. When she came to school, rather than run in and

- 22 - CottageDog - Winter 2011

out of classrooms, getting into the garbage, stealing eras-

Jimmy, there came a day when she simply sat down as

ers, pencils and shoes as she normally did, she took Jim-

if to say, “Sorry, no school today.” And she never came

my’s place by my feet. She became protective of the small

again.

children, watching over them as they walked home. She became quiet, calm, and so very, very loving. Sometimes I

One night soon after, she seemed distressed, but Kun-

found her staring at me as if to say, “Hey, I miss him too,

war and I were too busy to pay much attention to her. We

and will do my best to fill his spot in your heart.”

had to travel the next day, and when we returned were

Leaving a legacy of love More importantly, she befriended Aman, a boy constantly tormented by his father’s drunken rages. Aman struggled in school until his bond with Sparky built up his

horrified to learn Sparky had died in labour. My heart ached when I found her so cold and still. I cried and cried as I felt I had failed her – she came asking for help and we were too busy to see her distress.

confidence to a point where he could keep up with his co-

I believe there are angels in this world and that they

horts. It was a beautiful friendship, and I watched Aman

come in all shapes and sizes. I believe many of these an-

change from being surly and guarded into a more com-

gels take the form of animals sent to us to teach us. Jim-

passionate, gentle boy.

my and Sparky were angels, and in their short time on

Then we learned Sparky was going to have puppies. As

earth they taught an entire village how to care for our four

her pregnancy developed, she began to move more slowly

legged friends with love and patience. I look around the

and soon stopped coming to school altogether – the climb

village and I rarely see anyone kick or hit their animals

up the mountain was just too much for her. Just as with

anymore.

CottageDog - Winter 2011 - 23 -

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question is located on a lakeside property purchased by Dave years before he met and married low zero temperatures surrounded by three his wife Ros, before Jack their son was born, and even feet of snow is not a welcoming idea. Howbefore their dog of choice, the mighty Leonberger, was a ever, waking up in a log cabin with a roaring fire and a recognized breed. Considering that none of the humans 160lb dog to curl up to sounds a bit more appealing. It’s in question are large in stature it seems appropriate that the latter that has made Dave Kelso and Rosalind Mills’ this cottage made of massive 18 to 24 inch thick logs be Muskoka cottage of exec thehome most popular cottage RETIRE IN STYLE $875,000one Gorgeous set on a LAKEwinter OF BAYS $649,000 Turnkey cottage just mins from PENINSULA LAKE VIEWS $409,500 Beautifully maintained counterbalanced

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The cottage itself was no easy structure to build. The steep driveway down to the chosen building site made bringing in the oversized logs a rather challenging task.

In fact, the truck hauling them down did get stuck so it was a matter of securing another truck with a crane to transfer the logs. Anyone who has built a cottage from the ground up will know that it’s rare to have the project proceed without a glitch. Custom made windows arrived the wrong size and craftsmen were delayed – all part of the usual rituals when building a dream home.

However, in the end it was all worth it. Nearly six years since completion, the Kelso-Mills’ home is now a magnificent four-bedroom, two-bathroom structure. And, as with any new log home of this size, you can still hear the odd crack or creak as it settles.

Bringing the outdoors indoors Dave, an advertising creative director, designed the place so that walls were used only when necessary. Space is celebrated and featured from the moment one enters the living room through the massive oak entrance door.

(A door, by the way, so heavy that only a dog of Strider’s strength can open it with a nudge of his oversized paw.)

The living room is decorated with equally appropriate furniture, large overstuffed leather couches positioned to focus on a floor to ceiling hand-crafted fireplace made by a local mason using rounded river rock. On the other side of the room, the main working area of the kitchen hides behind an eating bar and is finished with earthy touches such as dark granite countertops and wrought iron fix-

tures, and looks into the main living area so that the cook is always included. Through a large archway one enters the rear of the building to find the perfectly positioned dining room overlooking the lake.

In keeping with his creative background and eye for balance, Dave has followed the golden rule of any welldesigned retreat: a cottage celebrates the outdoors and whenever possible one should try to bring the outside inside. Unlike many log homes that tend to feel dark and solemn, Dave has included large windows so that light is

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allowed to penetrate the rooms – all it takes is a glance outside to remind you of the fact you’re indeed in the woods. Great views of the lake, large trees and enormous rock cliffs do away with the need to hang pictures on the wall.

The ultimate big-dog house Another very dominant focal point that reduces the need for excessive decorative finishes is the exquisite staircase. A work of true art and craft, each step is a half log hand-cut through the middle exuding a power and strength complimentary to the overall design of the home.

Like the cottage he protects, Strider, is a mass of muscle and strength. Although the breed extends back to 19th century Germany, Leonbergers were only recently officially accepted and allowed to compete as a working breed by both the Canadian and American Kennel Clubs.

Often referred to as having a head resembling a lion, cottagers will agree that their dark masked face resembles an animal closer to home, the black bear. A combination of St. Bernard, Newfoundland and Great Pyrenees, these gentle giants can rule a home, but not with aggressive or domineering behaviour, but rather their need to force their way through a crowd in order to get their fair share of hugs. A full size adult male can stand at eye level to a child of five or six.

One only has to ask three-year-old Jack, who has known Strider his entire life, what wonderful friends Leonbergers can be. However, his mom Ros extends a warning to anyone considering the breed. The Newfoundland in him is very apparent for even though Strider can be cumbersome on land, he’s a regular Mark Tewksbury down at the lake, always jumping in and trying to rescue anyone who dares to dive off the dock.

If ever there was a case of the best breed matching a particular lifestyle, this is it. It’s hard to imagine Dave and family with a miniature or toy dog while owning this beautiful and, at the same time, substantial retreat. For Strider, the fearless Leonberger, is as much at home in this massive log cabin as this enchanting log lodge is at home beside the lake.

- 26 - CottageDog - Winter 2011

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Located online at www.PetFriendly.ca, the 10-year-old Pet FriendlyTM Canada Directory advertises accommodations to suit a wide variety of tastes and budgets, from luxury hotels and resorts to pet-friendly country retreats.

Together we are launching a unique advertising opportunity that allows accommodations to showcase their properties both in print and online to devoted dog people. Ad packages include display or classified ads in the CottageDog magazine, free online links on www.CottageDog.com, and a listing in the Pet FriendlyTM Canada Directory.

Cottagedog also welcomes advertising from rental or management agencies who do not allow pets in their properties, but who wish to establish links or connections with leading pets-only resorts and day camps. Vacationers who would like to enjoy dining and attractions that don’t allow pets may choose to stay in non-pet properties while boarding their pets nearby.

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CottageDog now affiliated with www.PetFriendly.ca - 29

Bearded Collie (Iago) awaiting for Schnoodle (Dodo)

Bernese Mountain Dog Golden Doodle (Finley)

Basset Hound (Bart)

Rat Terrier Mix (Dave)

Golden Doodles (Penny & Mishu)

English Bulldog (Rosie)

Doberman (Bishop)

German Sheppards (Rajh & Nanda)

Great Dane (Hazel)

- 30 - CottageDog - Winter 2011

Mixed Breed (Bessie)

Papillon

English Sheep Dog (Katie)

Sheppard/Husky (Timber)

PUPARAZZI!

By Iago de Venezia (pup reporter)

A Dog’s Tale…

Iago’s Day in High Park There’s nothing quite like a walk in the park. However, being a cottage dog, rarely do I enjoy the freedom of wandering offleash when in the city… until now. While in Toronto recently, my human (in dire need of a stretch) and I (in dire need of relieving myself) decided to visit High Park in the city’s west end.

Australian Sheppard

I quickly sniffed out the designated off-leash area, an incredible “urban Shangri-La”. Once inside this protected area, so many of my distant relatives greeted me, their country cousin, that it must have looked like a canine cocktail party!

Making my way along endless trails untouched by the curse of concrete, I especially enjoyed those parts where one could see no sign of urban life… although you could always hear it.

I give this dog park four paws up!

CottageDog - Winter 2011 - 31 -

How to

Winterize

Your Pooch

Dogs and ice can make for a deadly combination!

By Dr. Jason McLeod

This winter alone we’ve seen warm spells turn a substantial snow-base into a quagmire of slush. Then, a sudden change back to more typical temperatures led to a - 32 - CottageDog - Winter 2011

Photography by Trish Aleve

W

inter weather, perhaps more than ever before, is unpredictable. Freeze follows thaw, snow follows rain, in a cycle that keeps us guessing just what, exactly, Mother Nature has in store for us.

quick freeze in most areas. Up in cottage country, we were just beginning to venture out on the ice when the rapid thaw led to unstable lake ice, causing local authorities to post safety warnings.

Sadly, however, many dog owners feel such warnings aren’t meant for their canine companions, wrongly assuming their pets can withstand frigid water thanks to a thick coat of hair. Not so, and already this year We’ve

Photography by Scruffy Dog Photography

An ounce of prevention…

By Kerry Vinson

I clearly remember an incident some years ago involving a German Shepherd that had fallen through the ice of a not-quite-totallyfrozen river in Northern Ontario. When I found her, she was clinging desperately to the edge of the ice extending out from shore. A friend and I were able to rescue the dog by lying on our stomachs with arms and legs extended to diffuse our weight on the ice, reaching out far enough to grab the dog by the collar and pull her to safety. We were fortunate the episode had a good ending for us as well as the dog.

Photography by Scruffy Dog Photography

When dogs run at large in cottage country, they’re exposed to many potential dangers. One of the most common problems occurs when dogs chase wildlife indigenous to the area, usually deer. In a recent conversation I had with the MNR Area Enforcement Officer for the Kawartha Region, he confirmed it’s a problem that can carry hefty consequences not only for dogs, but for their owners as well. In addition to a possible maximum $25,000 fine for allowing a dog to run at large and harass wildlife, MNR Officers have the legal right to shoot a dog found injuring deer, moose or elk.

The moral? Dog owners should never let their dogs run loose unsupervised. I have four large dogs (three German Shepherds and a Caucasian Ovcharka) and live in the middle of the Northumberland Forest. Even though they’re quite obedient and do pretty much whatever I tell them, I suspect if a deer ran in front of them their natural instincts would compel them to give chase, no matter what.

Consequently, to ensure this never happens, I keep them on a leash whenever outside of the fenced area in the forest covering most of my property. Probably not bad advice for dog owner’s in general when in cottage country with their dogs.

witnessed a few tragedies. Dogs, like us, will panic when unwittingly crashing through the ice, leading to respiratory shock when icy cold water enters the lungs. Even if they survive this first wave of shock, they may prove unable to pull themselves out of the open water due to exhaustion. Eventually, hypothermia sets, making it impossible for them to tread water or keep their head above the surface.

Dogs and freezing water don’t mix Hypothermia can still pose a threat even if they do get out of the water. A wet coat of hair won’t insulate effectively due to the loss of those all-important warm air pockets between the hair shafts, and ice may begin to form rapidly over the body due to freezing air temperatures. Consequently, if your dog does fall through the ice, seek veterinary aid immediately – even though they may appear okay, they may still be in a life-threatening situation.

Dogs will often fall through ice when focused on following animal tracks or, heaven forbid, chasing deer. If so, the deer have the advantage – they’re experts on ice, and rarely venture out until the ice is stable. If deer or other wildlife such as moose do fall through ice, it’s almost inevitably due to their having been startled or chased by would-be predators… such as dogs. Dogs by nature will chase “fright or flight” animals, and even small dogs can easily startle a full grown deer onto unsafe ice. It’s not uncommon for both the chaser and the chased to plunge through the ice during the pursuit, and unfortunately, equally common for both not to survive.

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None of this is to say, however, that some dogs don’t enjoy winter. I once dog-sat a Lancier Newfoundland that stayed outside my front door in a -20c snow storm. Every hour or so I asked her to come inside, only to receive a glare of distain as she gradually disappeared under a blanket of fluffy snow.

Some dogs, it seems, are designed for our harsh Canadian winters. Others clearly are not. But no dog is safe on unstable ice. A simple rule of thumb: if you won’t walk on it, they shouldn’t. Stay safe, and enjoy winter with your four-legged friends.

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