Island Dog Magazine Winter 2023

FREE

VOL. 16 NO. 4

WINTER 2023

COVER DOG

LOCAL ENTREPRENEUR LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS

Toying WithGrown Our Food Big Island An Interview with Leah Lukela, Pawniolo Pets Honors the Animal founder Dis-and-Bark Dog Toys and theof‘Aina

Sniffing Out Doggie DNA Insights Pet into your dog with Doggie DNA testing Oahu Services Directory All Dressed Up Photo Gallery 8TH ANNUAL

Richard COVER DOG Merlin Wrapping Up 2023

Highlights of island-wide events

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ISLAND DOG MAGAZINE Publishers John B. Harmon III Carol R. Harmon Editor John Harmon Design Carol Harmon Cover Photo Ashley Smith Hawai‘i Pet Portraits Printing Journal Graphics Island Dog Magazine is published quarterly in February, May, August and November and distributed on Oahu at select pet stores, veterinary clinics, and other retail establishments including: Safeway: Beretania Longs: Kahala, Kapolei, Pearlridge Times Supermarket: Aiea, Kahala, Kaimuki, Kalihi, King Street, Liliha, Mililani Windward Mall: Upstairs Hardware Hawaii: Kailua Don Quijote: Waipahu ISLAND DOG MAGAZINE ©2023 by John & Carol Harmon.

All rights reserved. Island Dog Magazine and John and Carol Harmon do not endorse nor assume financial responsibility for products or services advertised or featured.

No part of this magazine may be reprinted or reproduced without the written consent of the publishers.

VOL. 16 | NO. 4 | WINTER 2023

in this issue

14 Aloha 16 Cover Dog: Merlin 21 John Pritchett Cartoon: Joy to the World 23 Da Kine Canine Photo Gallery 34 Big Island Grown Pawniolo Pets Honors the Animal and the ‘Aina

44 Sniffing Out Doggie DNA 47 2023 All Dressed Up Photo Gallery 50 Holiday Gifts & Sniffs 53 Keeping Your Dog Safe for the Holidays 56 Wrapping Up 2023 58 Off-Leash Dog Parks on Oahu 61 List of Advertisers

Big Island Grown Nick and Miki Vericella owners of Pawniolo Pets honor the animals and the ‘aina.

Page 34 Sniffing Out Doggie DNA

P.O. Box 1021 Kailua, Hawaii 96734 Ph. 808-254-2992

Understand the how and the why of your dog through DNA testing

dakine@islanddogmagazine.com www.islanddogmagazine.com

Page 44

All Dressed Up Photo Gallery ON THE COVER

Merlin

Page 47

Chihuahua/Rat Terrier 3 years old Lick Us on Facebook!

Island Dog Magazine Hawaii

WINTER 2023• ISLAND DOG MAGAZINE 13

Happy Pawlidays!

Of all the things we have to be grateful for this Howlidaze Season, our dogs top the list! They see us when we’re sleeping; They know when we’re awake. They know if we’ve been bad or good; It’s time for a walk, for goodness sake! And they would never rat us out to Santa…Not like a cat. She’d sell you out in a heartbeat for a Candycane!!

SO we have wrapped up a happy issue of our little dog mag with a festive bow, the better for you to cherish the joy, wonder, and boundless love of Da Kine Canine. To wit: Our Coverboy is our boy Merlin, captured with his impish I-believein Santa smile by shutterbug supreme Ashley Smith of Hawaii Pet Portraits. We adopted him a year ago from Hope For Dogs Rescue, and have been smitten ever since. If you’re looking for an extra 4LBFF, please consider adoption. You could make some lucky dog’s life a holiday furever! We even delve deeper into the Mysteries of Merlin by sharing his DNA results, which explain a lot.

Our Da Kine Canine and All Dressed Up Photo Galleries are a canine carnival of fun! Next up is Puppies, so send in pics of when they was youngins! And John talks with Miki Vericella about her life as a rancher with husband Nick, and how they are making the most doggone delicious delectables for our pups at Pawniolo Pets on the Big Island.

The Holidays Gifts & Sniffs will spark your Inner Elf self! You’ll find the most glorious, tasty and amusing gifts, treats and toys, plus a listing of shelters and non-profits who could really use a little joy sprinkled over their efforts to help the less fortunate. Our guide to pet safety for the season has some timely reminders (Looking at you turkey, tinsel, and fireworks. We love ‘em, but they’re definitely Doggie Don’ts!).

All this plus resident artist John Pritchett celebrating the shining star of pupper love, makes for a jolly read, indeed!

As always, we are ever so grateful for the kindness of your attention in this most digital of ages, and for your furthering the fortunes of both our advertisers and us by mentioning to them that you saw them here. And we wish you the furriest fun of the season!

Woofs & Wags, John and Carol 14 ISLAND DOG MAGAZINE • WINTER 2023

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Merlin on the couch (allowed in our house). They play more often now that Merlin has figured out he can level the playing field by doing zoomies around Arthur.

New nicknames have been earned in the year he has leavened our lives including, but not limited to, Little Man, Short Stack, Half Pint, Muskrat, Twirly Merly, Tater Tot, and Ignat. Highly food motivated, he’ll answer to anything as long as a treat is involved!

Long live our Magical Merlin!

—John and Carol Harmon

ASHLEY SMITH

erlin is the latest addition to the Island Dog Magazine ohana. We adopted him in November 2022 from Hope for Dogs Rescue at the tender age of two. Back then he was known as Chase—an appropriate moniker for a little dog that eluded capture for hours with his brother along Mililani Cemetery Road. Wary but observant and quick, the little fella had flight risk written all over him. An Apple Air Tag was added to his collar. We were advised to give him time, space and avoid direct eye contact. Okay, we did look at him, although furtively at first.

We already had an Arthur, our 50 pound Black Lab/Golden mix, so Chase was renamed Merlin. Still prone to disappearing perhaps, but more mystical, he weighed 10 pounds and looked like a Chihuahua/ Terrier mix.* So small and so fascinating. His overwhelmed phase was short lived. Surprisingly, he wasn’t interested in digging an escape. But turn your back to greet the UPS guy with the screen door open and he would squirt right out. He’s done a few dashes up the block, mostly to pee on the mailbox post and trees, but luckily we’ve been able to lure him back with high-value treats. Once, we thought he was gone...missing for 5 minutes! But it turned out he was sitting in the car, having jumped in through the open back hatch. He wasn’t a goner, but a goer—ready to ride.

Merlin is 100% our dog and understands what love is and where home is. He is a loyal and affectionate companion and a protector of home and family. He loves bouncing up and landing in a lap and looking deep into our eyes! He and Big Bro Arthur have worked out the seating arrangement

ASHLEY SMITH ASHLEY SMITH

M

L-R: Island Dog Magazine publishers, John and Carol Harmon with Merlin. Arthur and Merlin enjoying a morning romp.

16 ISLAND DOG MAGAZINE • WINTER 2023

* Learn about Merlin’s DNA makeup in ”Sniffing Out Doggie DNA” on page 44.

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Joy to the World | JOHN PRITCHETT www.pritchettcartoons.com

CALL FOR

Puppy Photos

Email attachment: dakine@islanddogmagazine.com or upload at islanddogmagazine.com Medium jpegs | Subject line: PUP + dog’s name

Schedule of Once a Year Special Galleries SPRING (Feb-Apr): Puppies • SUMMER (May-Jul): Pups & Peeps WINTER (Nov-Jan): All Dressed Up

The Puppy Gallery publishes Spring 2024 (Feb-Apr) Limited Space, Submit by mid-January

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Fighting the Flight (of Stairs)

CASE STUDY Home environments can present unique challenges for each dog—

where some dogs may thrive, others will completely shut down in fear. It all comes down to understanding your dog’s unique perspective and history regarding the world they live in.

PATIENT: ”Roca”— 1.5 year old hound mix.

SYMPTOMS: Roca’s owners reached out to us because she refused to go up or down the stairs in the apartment building. And they lived on the 13th floor! While there was an elevator that was used primarily, they were concerned about an emergency situation where they had to use the stairs.

Approaching the flight of stairs Roca would freeze, and resist moving with all her strength.

DIAGNOSIS: During the In-Home Initial Evaluation we assessed the apartment building and the problem stairwell, and identified some critical history that contributed to the challenge. The family always used the elevator since they first brought Roca home as a puppy. The physical layout is very important, as the doorways to each apartment have an open breezeway facing outwards and a solid 4 foot wall barrier. The flights of stairs are “floating stairs” and the handrail is open with just a few metal lines as a barrier. The outside of the stairwell is all glass, with users free to see down 13 floors to the ground. It feels like you’re walking through a stairwell in the sky! It never occurred to them to expose their new dog to walking up 13 flights, until a power outage happened when she was a year old. Roca, facing the stairs after being coaxed into the stairwell, froze in fear and her owners had to carry her down 12.5 floors!

SOLUTION: Understanding that Roca’s resistance to the stairwell was fear-based, we created a plan to teach her that stairs are safe, and helped her gain the confidence in herself to willingly use her home stairs! The physical layout of her home stairs was daunting, appearing as if she was walking onto open-air floating steps. We sought out lower elevation examples that were all solidly connected (no air gap between the individual stairs) and had a solid handrail that didn’t allow the dog to see the

increasing elevation. We then focused on what motivated her: Dad. She was always super excited to run up and get affection from her dad, but was not always treat motivated. We had dad wait at the 5th stair then run up to the next platform to motivate Roca to follow. It worked! After a few weeks, and several flights, we were ready to move to her apartment stairwells. Starting at the bottom and slowly advancing up further and further, today we see Roca seeking out the stairwells, running up and looking back to her owners like “Hey, look what I just did!” So proud and confident!

We love unique and challenging cases like this, where it involves investigation, understanding the dog’s unique perspective, and implementing non-traditional methods that still remain force-free.

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Sean Riley, Canine Behavioral Psychologist with his dogs (l-r) Pono and Bodhi.

At VCA Animal Hospitals Hawai‘i, your pet’s health is our top priority, and excellent service is our goal.

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Big Island Grown Pawniolo Pets Honors the Animals and the ‘Aina INTERVIEW BY JOHN HARMON, ISLAND DOG MAGAZINE

Pu‘u Pale Ranch, Kamuela, Hawai‘i

MIki and Nick Vericella with their kids Nico and Gemma.

Four-legged kids (l-r) Taisho, Freya and Stout.

34 ISLAND DOG MAGAZINE • WINTER 2023

Nick and Miki Vericella started Pawniolo Pets to make pet food and treats using grass-fed animals raised on their family cattle ranch in Kamuela, Hawai‘i. Deeply rooted in Hawaiian ranching, Nick understands the many obstacles small Hawai‘i ranches face everyday. The fluctuation in cattle prices, the struggle to secure bookings for processing, and the pressure to sell weaned animals to the Continental U.S. are just a few reasons why the Vericellas are adamant about supporting local. For Nick, the system didn’t make sense. Most of the beef sold in Hawai‘i is shipped in from the Continental U.S., possibly from animals who were born in the islands. We’ll never know for certain. Island Dog Magazine caught up with Miki to explore the how and why of producing high quality food for our pups.

Bull Terrier, Freya— the company mascot.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF PAWNIOLO PETS

John: What is the background of your ranch?

Miki: Nick’s grandpa started their cattle ranch on the Big Island back in the 60s and, before he passed on, he left the reins to Nick. So in 2013 he took over the ranch, managing everything including the livestock.

Pawniolo Pets was started in 2017 and officially registered in 2019.

John: What made you decide to go into dog food?

Miki: When Nick and I got together, we wanted to raise our own food. He had the cows and about 12 chickens.

We wanted to homestead and try to raise different WINTER 2023 • ISLAND DOG MAGAZINE 35

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kinds of animals. In processing animals for our family to eat we had a lot of byproducts left over, like the liver and heart, that we’re not really accustomed to eating these days. But our kupuna would eat every single part of the animal.

It felt good raising and feeding our family such high quality food—knowing exactly where it was coming from.

At that time, we only had one dog, Freya, who was our baby. And we were wondering why we were feeding her junk when we were eating so well?

We started researching raw dog food, pushing over her diet, and saw drastic changes in her energy levels and coat.

She was a puppy at that time, and it felt very healthy. Then we noticed a big difference in her teeth—her teeth were sparking white!

John: What kind of products do you make?

Miki: Because we want to honor our animals, we utilize every part. Ears to hoof, nose to tail, we’re going to use it.

The dogs are not complaining! They’re eating very well. We first started with raw pet food, sold here on the Big Island. Our raw food mixes together the meat, organ meat, muscle meat and bone. With the other bones, we’re doing chew bones and bone broth. Bone broth is great for picky dogs and benefits digestion in both humans and canines.

We also make our flavorful Furry Kake toppers, loaded with organs.

The organs and offal are packed with beneficial vitamins and minerals, adding a huge nutritional boost.

And we started a spa line by rendering down beef fat and making a tallow balm. It’s moisturizing and can be

Pawniolo Pets Mission

To provide the healthiest nutrition for our pets, keeping more livestock in our islands while supporting trusted Hawai‘i ranchers.

To utilize whole animals— the highest form of honor not only to the animal, but also to the ‘aina (land) that provides the food which feeds us. used on dry paws and noses, rashes and small skin abrasions.

John: I see on the website that a lot of your products are sold out.

Miki: Yes, many items are sold out, but I have to remind people that we produce everything in small batches. We are not mass ordering our chicken feet from China and repackaging and selling it.

We are literally going directly to our farmers—farmers that we know and trust. All of our ingredients are locally sourced and made in small batches.

Since we do utilize every part of the animal our product line is sizable and it takes time to produce. So we may not always have every item in stock.

WINTER 2023 • ISLAND DOG MAGAZINE 37

Give the Gift of Local

SHOP OUR FULL MENU!

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John: What is some of the weird stuff the kidneys, trachea, or liver, even that we as humans don’t generally want? though it’s really healthy for you.

Miki: Green tripe! Green tripe is a super food for dogs and their digestive health. It’s the stomach of the cow, and because our cows are grassfed, the contents are stained green.

Grocery store tripe is white—it’s been thoroughly cleaned and basically bleached. That processing takes out a lot of its nutritional value such as enzymes and soil-based probiotics.

When available we also make tripe from rabbit, sheep and venison.

When we started, we were only using animals that we were raising at our Pu‘u Pale Ranch. Now, as Nick and I look over our list of ranchers, hunters and farmers that we buy from, we are so proud—the list has grown to over 27! We are small; we are local; and we support each other.

Leftover organs and parts are no longer wasted.

Humans only want to buy what they consider prime—the Ribeyes, the New Yorks. Nobody is really keen on eating

John: You seem to be pretty involved in the community over there.

Miki: We try. Nick is part of the ranching community here. There’s a lot of small ranchers like ourselves, and it’s really nice. He helps them at their roundups and branding and they in turn come help us. It’s difficult, but that’s the ranching community that we’re living in.

Waimea—The Cattle Country of Hawaii!

We always try to give back to our community, too. We have partnered with 1% For The Planet, and are committed to giving back at least 1% of what we’re making. We’ve given to the Maui Humane Society, and done a lot with the Hawaii Island Humane Society. We’re doing an event with Hawaii Humane Society on Oahu, and have helped Aloha Ilio Rescue. Nick and I are always looking for other organizations that resonate with us—our mission and our values. .

Pawniolo Pets products are available on Oahu at select Foodland stores, Calvin & Susie, Paw Hana Supply and The Public Pet. Selection will vary at each location.

For full product line, locations or to order online: www.pawniolopets.com WINTER 2023 • ISLAND DOG MAGAZINE 39

Houpo Aloha

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Ask for Victor Super Premium Dog Food at these local retailers: The Pet Depot 808-689-7387 91-919 Fort Weaver Rd. | Ewa Beach Enchanted Lake Pets 808-262-2219 1060 Keolu | Enchanted Lake Center | Kailua Kaneohe Farm Supply 808-247-2792 45-1048 Kamehameha Highway | Kaneohe

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Saving Lives, and Supporting the Community

N

ow is the time to save the lives of cats, dogs, kittens, and puppies and provide support to the families who love and care for them. Since July of 2009, the Oahu SPCA has been providing shelter and rehabilitation to stray and abandoned A precious few of our 43 lead team members; Adoptions, Volunteers, Caregivers, Managers, Directors, Veterinarians and animals, with the lowest cost for veterinary services, Veterinary Technicians. including sterilization. Spay and neutering saves lives and humanely reduces the number of homeless animals. This is our Mission.

Proceeds of the Oahu SPCA clinic go to the care and rehabilitation of hundreds of rescued animals each year. Now in our 14th year of giving back to our community, the Oahu SPCA rescues and provides veterinary services to 12,320 companion animals on Oahu, and in Kahului, Lihue, Hilo and Kona on the outer islands each year.

In this Happy Howlidaze Season, please help and donate to the Oahu SPCA Shelter and Clinic that supports the community and their furry friends every day.

Help to protect these companion animals so that every responsible owner can benefit from the unconditional love of a pet.

You Can Help Oahu SPCA is not part of any other SPCA or humane society. We operate and raise all funds independently. Every dollar that you contribute has a significant impact on our mission. Please join in this important work today by donating at:

808.754.1519 or OahuSPCA.org

Central Oahu Facility • 823 Olive Avenue, Wahiawa

Proceeds of Clinic services go to the care of our rescued animals.

Donations are always welcome.

Many thanks to the State Department of Community Services and the City and County Department of Community Services for their generous support.

Sniffing Out Doggie DNA

BY JOHN & CAROL HARMON

Meet Merlin. A rescue dog we adopted in late 2022. We pondered the how and why of Merlin—his spotty coat, curly tail and preternaturally perky personality. Back in the late 2000s, we did a blood-drawn DNA test through our vet on our poi dog, Aiko. We were told she was a Shar Pei/Lab when we got her and even saw the parents. But the DNA test revealed Shar Pei, Collie, and Golden Retriever...no Lab. We never bothered to retest using one of new kits that came on the market later. Sadly, we lost Aiko in 2020. She lived a good, long life, no regrets. But Doggie DNA testing has come a long way and the database has grown immensely and we decided to give it a try again with Merlin.

We ordered an Embark Dog DNA Test Kit from Amazon for $159. Our kit was for Mixed Breed Dogs and tests for 350 breeds, including a health screening report and generating an ancestry profile and family tree.

Everything needed is neatly packaged 44 ISLAND DOG MAGAZINE • WINTER 2023

MERLIN Rescue Dog Adopted November 2022 from Hope for Dogs Rescue.

3 Years Old 10 lbs. and clearly marked with easy to follow instructions. After activating our kit and setting up an account online, we swabbed Merlin’s mouth, and sent off the sample in the prepaid USPS mailing envelope. We swabbed mid-January and received an email notification for results about 4 weeks later.

So our little Merin was 31.3% Chihuahua, and 28.7% Rat Terrier.

No surprise there as we suspected

The Chihuahua and Rat Terrier characteristics resonated. Merlin’s personality is an interesting blend of the two breeds. He shivers when extremely stressed (fireworks); he can get quite yappy at times; he is an uber snuggler; he is clever and goofy.

About a month later an email popped up with news that another Embark customer had a dog that was deemed Immediate Family. As some kind of Terrier in the mix. Plus seen above, Broccoli was considered the balance of 15.2% Maltese, 9.5% a sibling—60% shared DNA. We Pomeranian, 8.6% Papillon and 6.7% marveled at the similarities and Toy Fox Terrier.

We clicked through our pages to read differences between the two dogs. And about each specific breed. We were not Merlin’s bro has long wispy ear tendrils!

We reached out to the owner and are too familiar with the Rat Terrier breed. hoping to schedule a meetup and trade but when we looked at Rat Terrier stories. Broccoli was also picked up as images online, we saw ones similar a stray. Ranked below Merlin’s sibling to Merlin. A deeper dive in our report discussed color and coat variations, and were several dogs considered to be the health screening mentioned a couple “first cousins.” It’s a small world on an island! The DNA reveal was informative of potential health issues as related to and fun. Now we’re wondering what’s in the two dominant breeds. Good to be aware of and can be shared with the vet our other poi dog, Arthur with his Lab/ Golden lineage. if you choose.

WINTER 2023 • ISLAND DOG MAGAZINE 45

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Niner Fan Midori

Pono

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Mochi

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Gifts Sniffs

H O L I D A Y

Paws and Puzzles Keep your doggo engaged with these challenging interactive Smarty Paws Puzzlers

by Zippy Paws. Choose Donut, Teal Circle or Sunflower. Each features varying levels of difficulty —sliding, rotating or flipping to reveal a tasty treat. At The Pet Depot in Ewa Beach.

Step out In Style Add a touch of local style with a colorful Bandana by Yolo Dogs Hawaii.

Available at Enchanted Lake Pets in Kailua.

50 ISLAND DOG MAGAZINE • WINTER 2023

2 0 2 3 More Local Goodness

Dis-and-Bark recently dropped a bunch of new merch. More cool toys plus the addition of accessories, such as harnesses and leashes.

Check out the entire menu! IG @disandbark.

Aloha for Your Hale

Designer and illustrator Suzanne Jennerich has a colorful array of kitchen, lifestyle and home accessories in her vibrant style. Dachshund Kitchen Towel, Flour Sack, 28.5 x 28.5." More items featuring pets, nature, patterns and more at: IG @suzannejennerich and suzannejennerich.com.

Merry Makers

Count down to Christmas with a 25 Day Advent Calender of dog chews.

A trio of Holiday Cuties: plush flattie dog toy. Small/Pack of 3. At Petco stores or petco.com.

WINTER 2023• ISLAND DOG MAGAZINE 51

Gifts Sniffs Lei One on Me!

We keep seeing Stacie Okumura’s beautiful handmade lei (and charms) at various Pop-Ups. Check out her line at IG: @fizzgigs_mom.

Slow Down, You Eat Too Fast Is your dog a speed eater?

Help your dog eat 10X slower!

Slow eating will aid digestion and help prevent bloating, burping and choking.

Happy Bowls by Zippy Paws.

Pineapple, Pizza, Ice Cream Cone and Hamburger; all with a non-slip base.

Pick one up at Paw Hana Supply in Aiea.

For Santa’s Yelpers Restock the toy box with a few holiday toys like the BARK Holiday Buddy the Elf that squeaks and crinkles, or Merry & Bright’s hooded Christmas Tree Fox Squeaker. Join the Christmas sweater fray with “Yeti for Christmas.”

Get decked out at a PetSmart store near you or petsmart.com.

52 ISLAND DOG MAGAZINE • WINTER 2023

Keeping Your Dog Safe for the Holidays

HOLIDAY FOOD SAFETY

It’s no secret that our pets are usually eager to share in our culinary delights, however, many festive foods can be harmful or even toxic to dogs. Here are some guidelines to ensure your dog’s safety when it comes to holiday food: Avoid Feeding Scraps: While it’s tempting to share your holiday meal with your dog, it’s best to avoid giving them table scraps. Foods like turkey skin, bones, chocolate, and nuts can be harmful.

Stick to their regular dog food for their digestive health.

Watch for Toxic Foods: Be aware of common holiday foods that are toxic to dogs, including onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, and anything sweetened with xylitol.

Secure Trash Bins: The enticing smells from the trash can be irresistible to a dog. Make sure your trash cans are secure to prevent them from digging through discarded food items.

Decorative Plants: Many households decorate with plants like poinsettias, holly, and mistletoe during the holidays. These plants can be toxic to dogs, so keep them out of your pet’s reach or opt for artificial decorations.

FIREWORKS SAFETY FOR NEW YEAR’S EVE:

New Year’s Eve in Hawaii is renowned for its fireworks displays, but for many dogs, this can be a source of stress and anxiety. Here’s how to keep your dog calm and safe during the festivities: Create a Safe Space: Set up a quiet and comfortable space for your dog to retreat to during the fire-

ISTOCKPHOTO

The holiday season is a time of celebration and joy, but it can also pose some unique challenges for local dog owners. To ensure the safety and well-being of your furry friend during this festive time, be mindful of two key aspects: holiday food safety and the potential stress caused by fireworks on New Year’s Eve. works. This could be a cozy room with their bed and favorite toys or a crate with a long-lasting chew.

Sound Masking: Play soothing music or white noise in the background to help drown out the noise of fireworks. There are even specially designed soundtracks for dogs available online.

Thunder Shirts and Calming Aids: Consider using a Thunder Shirt, which applies gentle pressure to your dog’s body, providing a calming effect.

You can also explore calming aids or supplements recommended by your veterinarian.

Stay Calm: Dogs can pick up on their owner’s emotions. Stay calm and reassuring to help your dog feel more at ease during the fireworks.

Exercise: Give your dog plenty of exercise during the day to help them burn off excess energy. A tired dog is less likely to be anxious.

ID Tags and Microchips: Check that there are no escape holes on your property and all gates are latched. In case your dog gets spooked and manages to escape, make sure they have proper identification, such as a collar with ID tags and a microchip with upto-date contact information.

Consult a Professional: If your dog’s anxiety is severe, consider consulting a veterinarian or a professional dog trainer for guidance on behavior modification techniques and calming meds.

By following these tips on holiday food safety and fireworks anxiety management, you can ensure that your furry friend enjoys a safe and happy holiday season along with you. Remember, a little extra care and attention go a long way in keeping your dog safe and stress-free during this merriest time of year.

WINTER 2023• ISLAND DOG MAGAZINE 53

Macs Made Happy Since 1992 Popular services/packages that we specialize in: • Replace your old hard drive with latest solid state drive—6-8x faster and no moving parts!

• New Mac Setups: I’ll shop for, or with you, for your new MAChine.

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Call 921-8294—we answer the phone www.MacMouse.com

The Gift of Giving Hope for Dogs Rescue Support our Local Rescue, Shelter and Welfare Organizations

Our local animal shelters and rescue organizations continue to be inundated with abandoned, homeless and surrendered animals. If not a donation of money, consider volunteer work or fostering an animal in need. Donate supplies or gently used toys, collars, leashes, bedding and crates.

Consider these organizations. Take a moment to learn their stories and their needs and donate.

Fur-Angel Foundation furangelfoundation.org Hawaii Dog Foundation hawaiidogfoundation.org Hawaiian Humane Society hawaiianhumane.org

hopefordogsrescue.com K9 Kokua k9kokua.org Ka‘awa K9 Rescue kk9r.org PAWS of Hawaii pawsofhawaii.org Poi Dogs and Popoki poidogsandpopoki.org Oahu SPCA oahuspca.org On Maui Much healing needs to be done and our brethren on Maui will continue to need our support.

Maui Humane Society mauihumanesociety.org

Serving Windward Oahu for Over 45 Years

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WINTER 2023 • ISLAND DOG MAGAZINE 55

WRAPPING UP 2023 Good Causes. Good Times.

April 22 The Bully Stack-Off and Aloha Bullylaule‘a

PHOTOS COURTESY OF HHS

Left: The Pet Depot in Ewa Beach hosted the preamble to the Aloha Bullylaule‘a with a Meet & Greet, preregistration, and The Bully Stack-Off. Center: Owner/handler, Brooke Greer with Koa whose wins included Best Owner/Handler, Best in Breed, and Best Male. Right: The Bully Laule‘a continued into the evening at Ewa Beach Golf Course.

May 20 HHS Grand Opening in Ewa Beach

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DKOF

The Hawaiian Humane Society’s Kosasa Family Campus at Ho‘opili drew in the community for tours and adoptions.

May 6 & 7 HVMA’s Pet Expo

The Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association’s Pet Expo returned to the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall with vendors, demonstrations, plus breed and dog club shows.

Our hearts were filled joy to see dear friend Norm Dung making the rounds with his gal pal Pualani.

L: Solo Surfur Winner, Batman, from the Big Island. R: Big Boy Church from Maui.

August 22 Raising Cane’s Going to the Dogs Surfur Competition

Hawaii’s only pet surfing contest returned to Queen’s Beach during the Duke Kahanamoku Ocean Festival with 3 Solo Surfurs and 18 Tandem Surfur teams. All proceeds from this year’s event went to Maui Fire Relief.

56 ISLAND DOG MAGAZINE • WINTER 2023

September 23 Celebrities and Their Pets Fashion Show

CELEBRITIES & PETS PHOTOS BY MARK SALONDAKA

PHOTOS COURTESY OF HHS

The Young at Heart Expo attendees gathered at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall to watch celebrities walk the runway at this popular event presented by Al Waterson and Nancy Bernal.

At left, Celebrities (top-bottom): Annalisa Burgos, Yasmin Dar and Jenn Boneza.

October 28 Pet Walk

M. JENSEN PHOTOGRAPHY

2023 WIENER DERBY

M. JENSEN PHOTOGRAPHY

Pet lovers turned out for the Hawaiian Humane Society Pet Walk on a glorious day in Kapiolani Park to enjoy booths, entertainment and a Spooktacular Costume Contest.

A great time to mingle, catch up with friends and make new ones!

October 28 Wiener Derby

HHS Pet Walk attendants enjoyed the swarm of wiener dogs competing in the Derby. 176 to be exact, participating in two puppy heats, three senior heats, two hapa heats and 14 adult heats.

WINTER 2023 • ISLAND DOG MAGAZINE 57

Happy Holidays from

Yoko Haneda DVM

Full Service Veterinary Clinic

Japanese/English speaking Doctor

Clinic Hours Mon 8a-4p • Tues 8a-6p • Wed Closed Thurs 8a-6p • Fri 8a-4p • Sat 8a-4p • Sun Closed

889 Kamokila Blvd. Unit 203 Kapolei hawaiipetportraits.com

Ph 808.462.8040

O‘ahu’s Off-Leash Dog Parks ‘A‘ala Dog Park

At ‘A‘ala Park Separate areas for small and large dogs Open Daily 6am – 9pm

Ala Wai Dog Park

Near Ala Wai Elementary Open daily – daylight hours Closed Tuesday morning for maintenance

Kaka‘ako Dog Park

At Mother Waldron Neighborhood Park on Pohukaina Street Open Daily 5am – 10 pm or as noted on signs.

Mililani Dog Park

Mililani Mauka District Park at the Park & Ride 95-1069 Ukuwai Street Open Daily – daylight hours Bark Park Closed Wednesday mornings Diamond Head Rd & 18th Ave. for maintenance Open Daily – daylight hours

Hawai‘i Kai Dog Park

Mo-‘ili‘ili Dog Park

Moanalua Dog Park

Moanalua Community Park Open Daily – daylight hours Closed Tuesday mornings for maintenance

Waipahu Dog Park

At the Patsy Mink Central O‘ahu Regional Park, makai-end near Paiwa St. Open Daily 7am – 7pm Closed Wednesday mornings for maintenance

Kalo Place Mini Park OPENING SOON! Separate areas for small and Kahua O Waikalua large dogs Dog Park Open Daily 5am – 10 pm Near Bay View Golf in Kaneohe Closed Tuesday 7am – noon for maintenance To maintain a clean and safe environment, all dog parks require that users pick up after their dogs. Please kokua—bring your own doggie waste bags and dispose of them properly.

Makai end of Hawai‘i Kai Park & Ride on Keahole St. Open daily – daylight hours Closed Tuesday 7am - Noon for maintenance

58 ISLAND DOG MAGAZINE • WINTER 2023

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ISLAND DOG MAGAZINE LIST OF ADVERTISERS AUTO Windward Ford

Back Cover

PET PRODUCTS/GIFTS Barking Dog Blankets Dis-and-Bark Spleash Waldo/BetterBone

59 38 46 19

PET PHOTOGRAPHY Hawaii Pet Portraits

58

PET STORES Enchanted Lake Pet Center Koolau Pets Paw Hana Supply The Pet Depot

46 55 22 26

BOARDING/DAYCARE Affordable Animal Boarding K9 Secret Service Kama‘aina K9 Adventures Ohana Doggie Daycare Pets in the City Tails of Hawaii

60 54 4 26 22 12

COMPUTER MacMouse

54

DOG/ANIMAL RESCUE Oahu SPCA

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DOG TRAINING Balanced Obedience Dakine Canine Training Off-Leash K9 Training

PET WASTE REMOVAL Got Poo?

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36 59 42

PETSITTING/DOG WALKING Dogwalker Etc

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EDUCATION Windward Community College

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EVENTS Pet Expo

TV SHOW Pet Hui

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9

GROOMING All Dogs Grooming

TV SHOW Young Living Essential Oils

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59

HARDWARE STORE Hardware Hawaii

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PET TRANSPORT Hawaiian Air Cargo Tail Movers

15 12

PET FOOD/TREATS Belly Rub Kitchen Earthborn/Ultimates Pawniolo Pets Stella & Chewy Victor Pet Food

28 20 36 60 54

PET-FRIENDLY HOTEL Surfjack Hotel-Waikiki

11

PROBLEM BEHAVIOR/REHABILITATION A Pet Perspective 31

VETERINARIANS Aloha Affordable Veterinary Care 10 Arms of Aloha 28 Ethos Veterinary Emergency + Referral Center Inside Front Cover-3 Feather & Fur 38 Haiku Vet 18 Hawaii Kai Veterinary Clinic 5 Hawaii Veterinary Vision Care 6 Kapolei Pet Hospital 59 North Shore Veterinary Clinic 59 Pet Hospitals of Hawaii 8 VCA Animal Hospitals 32-33 VCA Specialty Ctr. 62-Inside Back Cover

Since 2008, Island Dog Magazine is published quarterly in February, May, August and November. Our distribution of 17,500 reaches more than 35,000 Island Dog owners— pet parents who seek out our magazine at select Safeway, Don Quixote, Times and Longs stores, as well as from veterinarians, pet retailers, and other dog-loving establishments.

A digital edition is also posted on our website: IslandDogMagazine.com. For info on advertising, please call John Harmon at (808) 254-2992.

WINTER 2023 • ISLAND DOG MAGAZINE 61

VCA HIGHLIGHT: Inter-Dog Aggression and Dog Bite Wounds

When Dog Fights Happen Jessica Sun, DVM DACVECC

D

ogs can seriously injure each other in fights. While we all hope that everyone can get along, sometimes things happen but there are often warning signs or situations we should be mindful of that can increases chances of your dog being hurt. Some reasons that can lead to inter-dog aggression include: • Resource Guarding: This happens when dogs feel protective of or feels the need to defend a resource such as food, toys, areas, people or other pets.

• Fear: Pets can get overwhelmed and react defensively if they feel cornered or trapped, and this can be worsened by being in a small or enclosed area.

• Pain: Chronic pain, just like in people, can make tempers and tolerance shorter.

• Ignored Social Cues: Dogs use body language and vocalization to communicate, and if other dogs are not heeding messages such as “back off” or “I’m uncomfortable” but continue to get in another’s space, the response may be aggression.

Warning signs that dogs are uncomfortable include wide eyes/staring, freezing, backing away, licking lips, or whining. If these cues aren’t heeded then dogs can progress to growling, baring teeth, and biting.

When these cues are ignored, is when dog fights happen. Dog bite wounds can be very serious and should always warrant veterinary evaluation. Wounds can look very small from the outside, but dog teeth are meant to rip and tear. This means that the damage underneath the skin can be a lot more severe. Dog mouths harbor many different types of bacteria as well, so chances of infection are high. Wounds should be evaluated by a veterinarian to be cleaned, flushed, and to start pain medications and antibiotics to prevent infection—sooner treatment is always better to prevent infection from gaining a foothold.

If your dog is in a dog fight or gets bitten, we are here to provide 24-7 emergency and specialty care for them. Our general practice team is here to help you manage inter-dog aggression and behavioral issues that can lead to dog fights. Call us to book an appointment or for help getting to the hospital in an emergency!

At VCA, your pet’s health is our top priority and excellent service is our goal. We provide the very best medicine by offering a full range of services including primary, emergency, surgical and specialty all in one building. Our veterinarians and team treat your pet with the same level of care they would give to their own pet.

Your 24/7 Emergency Resource

Call 808-484-9070

Press “1” to be immediately directed to the Emergency Operator

VCA FAMILY & OAHU VETERINARY

SPECIALTY CENTER SPECIALTY CARE Critical Care

Julie Pfeifer, DVM, DACVECC Jessica Sun, DVM, DACVECC

Internal Medicine

Justin Wakayama, DVM, DACVIM Carrie White, DVM, DACVIM

Medical Oncology

PRIMARY CARE Sheryl Doi, DVM Luis Ho, DVM Rayne Johnson, DVM Lauren Kishimoto, DVM Christine Miyasaki, DVM Angelo Torres, DVM

Specialty Care

We provide a variety of state-of-the-art care that includes: • Orthopedic and soft-tissue surgery • Chest tube placement & management Ophthalmology • Urethral and tracheal stenting Doris Wu, BVM&S, MRCVS, DACVO • Collagen injections • Cataract surgery • Endoscopy Surgery • CT • Fluoroscopy Nathaniel Lam, DVM, DACVS • Advanced oncology

Lucy Teddy, DVM, DACVIM

Emergency

Lydia Lam, DVM Nandini Mudelier, BVSc, MANZCVS Alize Rodriguez, DVM Katie Samuelson, DVM Loren Schmidt, DVM Whitney Sia, DVM Anna Steele, DVM Justin Yaphe, DVM

Visit OahuVSC.com to learn more.

IN PEARL CITY 98-1254 Kaahumanu

98-1254 Kaahumanu St. Suite 151 • Pearl City | Open 24/7 • 365 Days Specialty Care - OahuVSC.com • Primary Care - vcafamilyhi.com Main Line for All Services

808- 484-9070

Kelly Boy, Big Blue & the Kapenamobile

I Love My F-150!

—Kelly Boy DeLima

With four doors, ample seating and a good sized covered bed in the back, everything fits! Including my dog, of course, the kids/band, the grandkids, all my equipment and beach gear for sunny days. Like I always say, “Get Your Own Ford”!

Parts & Service Under New Management Call and mention this ad for

Special Island Dog Pricing on Service & Parts

We’ve doubled our wrench jockeys and slashed our parts prices, so we are ready to work for you NOW! All Makes and Models! You will be surprised at how much you can SAVE!!! Ask about our Oil Change & Tire Discounts!!!

DOG LOVERS DISCOUNT!

Get an Extra $500 off any new car or truck when you show this ad at Windward Ford

Take the Pali to the End. That’s where your Savings begin!

725 Kailua Road

windwardfordhawaii.com

Exp. 2/29/24

808-266-7000

#getyourownford