Modern Dog Winter 2011

The lifestyle magazine for modern dogs and their companions WINTER 2011/12

LOST & FOUND

BRAIN FOOD FOR DOGS

Publications Agreement Number 40743013 Return Mail Dept, 202–343 Railway St., Vancouver, BC V6A 1A4

Where the Michael Vick Dogs Are Now

Training & Behaviour Problems Solved!

Rescue in Mexico

THE GENDER DIVIDE

The Quest for Zen

Dogs plus Yoga

50+ GREAT

Why women want dogs while men need them

WHY DOESN’T MY DOG LOVE ME? p116

WIN

moderndogmagazine.com DISPLAY UNTIL MAR 12 CDN$5.95 US$4.95

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DOG TATTOOS THE COONHOUND WESTMINSTER QUIRKY U.S. PIT STOPS DIY RETRO ORNAMENTS

Pregnancy, Babies & the Family Dog Chuck’s Yvonne Strahovski & her rescue Doxie

RARE BREEDS: THE SHIBA INU, SPINONE, LEONBERGER, SALUKI, CHINESE CRESTED + ALASKAN KLEE KAI

FEATURES 28

Embrace the Awkwardness Awkward Family Pet Photos is funny precisely because it’s familiar. BY ROSE FROSEK

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Pregnancy, Babies, and the Family Dog Who says babies and dogs don’t mix?

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BY JENNIFER MESSER

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THE GOODS

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Home at Last 56 The triumph of Michael Vick’s “Lost Dogs,” a tale of redemption. BY MELISSA BARR

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Have Dog, Will Travel: Quirky US Pit Stops From a Beagle-shaped guesthouse to a dog-inspired winery, 10 fun spots worth detouring for.

BY BELINDA JONES

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76 Rare Beauty 78 Six exotic breeds. PHOTOGRAPHED BY TANYA KING All God’s Creatures / Todas las Criaturas de Dios Rescue in Mexico. BY COREY VAN’T HAAFF

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The Gender Divide Why women want dogs, while men need them.

BY STANLEY COREN

From Chuck to Chuck-Its Yvonne Strahovski on Chuck, her name change, and asking the right questions. BY MARY-JO DIONNE

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The Ultimate Gift Guide The best gifts for all the dogs and dog lovers in your life.

BODY AND SOUL

Distract Me! How habituating your dog to disorder can improve obedience and focus. BY STEVE DUNO

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Backstage Pass The weird and wonderful world of Westminster.

BY ROSE FROSEK

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PHOTO TANYA KING

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VOL 10

PHOTO TANYA KING

WINTER 2011/12

Those Paws—and Your Boots—Were Made for Walkin’; Gone, But Not Forgotten; Hurray For Spay Gassy Lassie; Buzz Off O-mega Benefits; The Find

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The Doctor’s In Dr. Betsey Brevitz tackles common veterinary vexations.

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Brain Food For Dogs Keep your dog mentally sharp and fight canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome with an antioxident-rich diet and plenty of mental stimulation.

BY ELIZABETH PASK AND LAURA SCOTT

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BREED PROFILE 24 The Black and Tan Coonhound

Southern gentleman. BY MARIAN BUECHERT

LIVING 12

Stuff We Love Modern Dog staffers’ picks of the litter.

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We’re Giving it Away Enter to win three months worth of groovy giveaways.

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DIY Eat: Tummy Tamers and Beefy Agility Treats Make your dog smile with these healthy, drool-worthy treats.

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Zen and the Art of Doggie-ness A yogi’s journey from darkness to light and the angels that helped him get there. BY MARY-JO DIONNE

REGULAR FEATURES 6 8 10 14 22 135

Editor’s Letter Contributors Our Readers Write The Scoop Smile! Photo Contest Marketplace

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Furever A love that knows no bounds: tattooed tributes to (wo)man’s best friend.

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Canine Confidence Helping a skittish dog regain confidence.

BY COLLEEN SAFFORD

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Not Feelin’ the Love Does a dearth of demonstrative affection from your dog mean a lack of love? BY INGER MARTENS

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Bothersome Barking Battling the barking blues. How to reform a too vocal pup. BY TEOTI ANDERSON

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Intact Aggression Issues Dealing with clashes between unneutered dogs.

BY NICOLE WILDE

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Art Attack Vintage-inspired toy maker Wendy Meagher is creating the most delightful Old World bears, from sailor-outfitted Pugs to sad-eyed Boston Terriers.

BY SARA LIMA

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Connie’s Book Club Curl up with a good dog and a good book. Editor- in-Chief Connie Wilson’s selection of winter must- reads.

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DIY Craft: Breed Silhouette Ornaments Utterly charming retro ornaments perfect for the tree or gifting.

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Ask Dog Lady Bothered and bewildered? Crazed and confused?

Dog Lady delves into your most dogged dilemmas.

BY MONICA COLLINS

COVER LOOK

Yvonne Strahovski, star of NBC’s Chuck with one of her rescue dogs, Wilbur.

Photographed by Kharen Hill.

Hair by Adam Campbell; Makeup by Lina Hanson; Styling by Caley Lawson Wilbur wears a handmade studded leather collar from Paco Collars (pacocollars.com).

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PHOTO ARNE SVENSON

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Last Lick: How I Met My Dog Happy, Healthy, and Whole (Despite Being a Cat Person) BY SARAH SLOANE

PHOTO TANYA KING

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recently flew to L.A. with my oldest and dearest friend, Jacquie, to attend the American Humane Association’s Hero Dogs Award gala. At this star-studded event in Beverly Hills, eight dogs had an opportunity to shine, their heroic deeds recounted for an audience that included many famous animal lovers, from Betty White to Michael Vartan. Despite the delicious banquet dinner, the many celebrity presenters and attendees, the flash of cameras, the glamorous red carpet moments, and the cocktail hobnobbing, it was these amazing dogs and their selfless acts of devotion, the incredible impact they’ve had on lives they’ve touched and transformed, that were the true stars of the evening, outshining even the sparkly Hollywood component of the night. The dogs’ guardians each took to the stage, sharing the remarkable ways their hero dog has changed lives. As you may imagine, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

Each dog honoured was undeniably deserving of commendation, but only one was to go home with the prestigious American Hero Dog award. That dog was Roselle, a seeing-eye dog who, on 9/11, calmly guided her blind guardian down almost 80 stories of World Trade Tower One, leading him through falling debris, dust, and smoke to safety. A hero, if ever there was one.

On my flight back home, I was reflecting on this gala weekendgetaway and how lucky I was to meet these hero dogs in person, when a book I had just finished reading came to mind. Entitled Animals and the Kids Who Love Them by Allen and Linda Anderson, it is a compilation of true stories about animals helping children overcome disabilities. A wonderful, life affirming book, it offers yet one more example of the incredibly important roles animals play in our lives. It led me to think about just how many hero dogs there are out there. Although the aforementioned

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dogs are all extraordinary examples of canines going above and beyond what we’d normally expect of our four-legged friends, I believe all our dogs are heroes in their own right. On a daily basis, they show us how to live life with limitless love, devotion, and joy and, importantly, get us off the couch and outside where we can commune with nature and get some exercise and perspective. That dog at your foot, she’s an Everyday Dog Hero, and in this winter/holiday edition, we set out to celebrate her and all the other dogs out their affecting daily miracles of a more minor sort—the small things that are, nonetheless, life changing.

Just what can you look forward to in this issue? Gracing the cover with one of her rescue pups is the adoption-focused Yvonne Strahovski, whose smiling face will undoubtedly be familiar to Chuck fans. In “The Gender Divide,” we explore what dogs mean to us and the different needs they fulfill for men and women (page 98). We also take a look at the history of the venerable Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, a tradition that will be celebrating its 136th year in February. And even if you don’t sport body ink yourself, we think you’ll be charmed by the depth of devotion shown in these tattooed tributes (page 104). We also offer ways to keep your dog mentally sharp in “Brain Food For Dogs” (page 82), find out where Michael Vick’s dogs are now, and take a look at rescue efforts in Mexico. We’ve rounded up pages of the coolest dog finds (page 56), tackled training problems, and put together some really fun DIY projects. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. This issue is packed with goodness to help you lead a happier, more fulfilling life with your dogs, as well as ways to reward them for the many, many ways they make our lives better. Thanks be to Dog. Wishing you and your dogs a warm and wonderful holiday season and everything beautiful (Treats! Walks!) in the New Year,

Constance Wilson, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

“The vital function that pets fulfill in this world hasn’t been fully recognized. They keep millions of people sane.”

-From Guardians of Being by Eckhart Tolle and Patrick McDonnell

C ON TRIBU TOR S WINTER 2011/12

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VOL 10

NO 4

Publisher

Modern Dog Inc. Editor-in-Chief

Melissa Barr, currently living without a dog in Alberta, Canada, spends her time trying to blend in with the locals and is currently working on understanding cowboy culture. She spends her time writing ridiculously long novels, covering local politics as the editor of a small-town newspaper, and daydreaming about the day when she’ll finally have a dog again, though she isn’t sure any other dog will ever be as amazing as her best friend Elmo was. She takes a look at where Michael Vick’s dogs are now in “Home At Last,” page 48.

Connie Wilson Editor

Jennifer Nosek Contributing Editor

Marian Buechert Creative Director

Jennifer Nosek

Circulation Manager

Jessica Nosek

Publication Clerks Supervisor

Omar Duran Rojas

Design & Production

Maxine Matishak

Design & Production Assistant

Vanessa Dong

Sales & Marketing

Sara Lima

Sales & Marketing Intern

Mary Liu

Editorial Assistant

Karin Maxey

Accounting and Subscription Services Assistant

Celine Benipayo Controller

Laura Bifano grew up on the very damp east coast of Vancouver Island, BC, where she spent the better part of her childhood drawing demented pictures for the entertainment of friends and family alike. Educated at the Alberta College of Art and Design, Laura has worked as a concept artist, storyboard artist, and editorial illustrator. She now lives and works in Victoria, BC. See Laura’s illustration for “Brain Food For Dogs” on page 82.

Cecilia de Roca Chan Web Consultant

Dave Egan

Donations Program Liaison

Jessica Nosek

Okanagan Representative

Jytte Wilson

Subscription inquiries call (800) 417-6289 Advertising inquiries call (866) 734-3131 In Canada: MODERN DOG (ISSN 1703-812X) Volume 10, Issue 4.

Published quarterly by Modern Dog Inc. at Suite 202–343 Railway St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6A 1A4 POSTMASTER: send address changes to Modern Dog, Suite 202–343 Railway St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6A 1A4 In USA: MODERN DOG (ISSN 1703-812X) Volume 10, Issue 4. Published quarterly by Modern Dog Inc. at 142 Churchill Drive, Newington, CT 06111-4003.

Periodicals postage paid at Hartford, CT and additional offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Modern Dog, PO Box 310402, Newington, CT 06131-0402.

604) 734-3131 OR TOLL FREE (866) 734-3131

PHONE (

FAX (604) 734-3031 OR TOLL FREE (866) 734-3031

Photographer Suzanne Rushton makes her Modern Dog debut in this issue with her photographs of Farhad Khan for “Zen and the Art of Doggie-ness” (page 86).

After shooting for pleasure most of her life, she turned pro in 2009 after being asked to photograph a friend’s wedding. The gig resulted in the bride referring Suzanne and her partner to more couples and a new career was launched.

Suzanne focuses her creative efforts on portraits of people (and their pets!) and teaching photowalks. Check out her work at feelingphotography.com.

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The publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, images, photographs or other materials. By accepting and publishing advertising the publisher in no way recommends, guarantees or endorses the quality of services or products within those advertisements.

Copyright 2011/12 by Modern Dog Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means, electronic or mechanical, including the Internet or photocopying without the written permission of the Publisher. Modern Dog and its logotype are the trademarks of Modern Dog Inc. One-year subscription prices: Canada $18CAD, U.S.A. $15USD, foreign $45USD. Subscription orders and customer service inquiries should be sent to Modern Dog Subscription Services, Suite 202–343 Railway St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6A 1A4

PRINTED IN CANADA

www.moderndogmagazine.com Publications Mail Agreement Number 40743013

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities.

Bark Back! OUR R EA D ER S W R I T E

YOU ’VE G OT M A IL In your “Bark Back!” section of the summer 2011 issue a reader’s letter references the book Oogy by Larry Levin. Oogy was not a Pit Bull; in fact, he was an Argentine Dogo mistaken for a Pit Bull. I have had two rescued Argentine Dogos, and they have been wonderful companions. Originally bred for hunting large game (bears, boars, and pumas) they are more hound than anything: longer metacarpal and metatarsal bones, a mix of sight and scent hound, and major couch potatoes when they’re not busy. I love Pitties, don’t get me wrong! I am a veterinarian and the Pit Bulls are some of my best patients.

However, it is to the point that I want to get a t-shirt for my dog to wear when we are out walking that says, “I am not a Pit Bull. I am a Dogo!”—Dr. Ray Just a note to let you know that we received the Booster Bath from the Giveaways contest in Modern Dog mag. I can’t say enough about the ease in use and the complete joy of not having to bend over the dogs to bathe them. We are sending pictures of the dogs in the bath and I have posted on Facebook bragging about it. Our Doberman weighs 92 pounds and she was completely comfortable taking her bath in our lovely 109’ temperatures in Texas this summer. Thanks again, we love the magazine and our dog bath.—Karen Rottman and Family

F A C EB OOK FR IEN D S I love your recipes—and my dog loves me for making them!

She goes gaga for the pupsicles in the summer, so it’s time I try one of your fall issue recipes for her. Thanks and keep

I L LU S T R AT I O N K AT E H A M I LTO N

Thank you for the lovely article about MAWS in your Fall issue.

We’ve already had some great feedback from your readers which is particularly wonderful as we’re based thousands of miles away in Botswana, Africa. Keep up the good work!—MAWS them coming. It’s the only time I actually bake, and it’s for the dog!—Shelby Wolfe [Check out the fall recipes here: moderndogmagazine.com/ articles/pb-banana-bacon-treats/21950—Ed.] We always love your cover shots, Modern Dog! And they correspond with all the fun to be found inside!—City Dog Country Dog We ♥ this magazine! Lots of great tips for our dogs and their humans.—DoodyCalls Thanks so much for getting the word out about Pets and Friends and the other organizations that help to connect pets with those living in care facilities.—Daphne Just checked into the Hilton in Rosemont with Cupcake and they gave us the latest copy of Modern Dog. Nice welcome gift!—Hot Bows Your “Little Dreamers” article in the Spring 2010 issue provided HUGE inspiration for my recent series of dog portraits, so THANK YOU, Modern Dog!—I Heart Dog Studio

HE A R T S A ND M I NDS A-TWITTER @BarkingHound Thanks @ModernDogMag for the suggestions on keeping the peace between dogs and cats in the same home. @FromFrankCards @DENISE_RICHARDS, your article in @ModernDogMag was sweet!

For a behind-the-scenes look at what we’re up to in the MD offices, the latest breaking stories and videos, cool contests, events, and exclusive giveaways, become a fan of Modern Dog on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Go to facebook.com/moderndogmagazine & twitter.com/moderndogmag.

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STUFF WE LOVE Modern Dog staffers’ picks of the litter 1 How sweet are these custom vintage-styled pendants featuring an old-timey photo of

your pup? And making them all the sweeter is that 10 percent of proceeds go to no-kill shelters and rescue organizations that work to fight against animal cruelty.—Jennifer ($65, krdesignsjewelry.weebly.com)

2 What’s cuter than a bowtie on a dog? Silly Buddy’s bowtie collars and leashes come in a variety of colours and patterns so you can mix ‘n’ match to your heart’s desire.

—Vanessa ($28-46, silly-buddy.com)

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3 I’m feelin’ groovy with my sterling silver peace bone charm from CFO. Can ya dig it?—Maxine “Give peace a chance” Matishak ($99, chieffurryofficer.com)

4 My Pug mix, Roxy, is an audacious, one-eyed pirate. Don’t mess with a Pug with an eyepatch. —Sara ($24, cafepress.com)

5 My new Dyson Hot is one cool little gadget. It is either a heating or cooling fan; its remote control adjusts temperature, airflow rate, and oscillation to heat (or cool) a room quickly and efficiently. And should my rambunctious pup accidentally knock it over, it automatically shuts off. Other safety features such as no visible heating elements and low surface temperatures make it an ideal choice for pet-friendly homes.—Connie ($399, dyson.com)

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6 I finally found the best dry dog food my pup Neo has ever had. Chicken-based Sun Dancer from Solid Gold is grain- and gluten-free and also contains two new exciting ingredients that you may not know can improve your dog’s overall health: tapioca and chia seed.—Omar ($11 for a four pound bag, solidgoldhealth.com)

7 Tucker, my retriever, loves to stick his face into lawn sprinklers to get a blast of refreshment

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on hot days. Now he can enjoy his very own outdoor water fountain with the WaterDog, a motion-activated automatic water dispenser.—Marian ($79, contech-inc.com)

8 If a mid-winter holiday in the tropics is on the agenda, be sure to pack a Bugsaway shirt for

you and a bandana for your dog. They’re specially treated to effectively keep ticks, mosquitoes, and flies at bay.—Jessica (from $15, fetchdog.com)

9 The HomeAway Travel Kit organizes all my essentials (bowls, food, water, treats, toys, and more) in one handy carry-all.—Penny ($60, solvitproducts.com)

10 The best collar and lead combo of the season? Hartman and Rose’s faux crocodile

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Afrikaans leather dog collars with 22 karat gold plated hardware paired with matching lead.

Love.—Miniature Dachshund Esther (collar, $70; lead $70, hartmanandrose.com)

11 BoosterBath has made bath time easy breezy! No more breaking my back over the bathtub,

and the lightweight, portable design allows for indoor/outdoor use.—Karin (From $119, boosterbath.com)

12 This pink leather Rotterdam Hearts collar adorned with, you guessed it, gold hearts, is perfect for sweet little angels like me.—Dachshund Rose ($24, angelpetsupplies.com)

13 Symmetrical Pottery makes the coolest, customizable handmade dog treat jars. Choose the jar style and your favourite colour combo, then get them to write Sparky’s name on it so there’s no confusion as to whose treats it holds.—Celine (from $55, symmetricalpottery.com)

14 The Wahl Grooming kit comes with everything you could need and the accompanying

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video was very informative with its tips and techniques for specific breeds of dog. Timmy, my Toy Poodle, enjoyed the cut and my husband and I enjoyed the time we spent grooming him; it was a bonding moment for us. And Timmy looks like he was professionally groomed!—Cecilia ($90, wahlanimal.com)

15 Environmentally-friendly and chic, my new “Eco Drop” bed from West Paw Design is the

perfect dog bed. You might find yourself fighting with your pooch over who gets to lounge on this beanbag-chair-shaped beauty.—Mary (From $88, westpawdesign.com)

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CANINE NEWS AND REVIEWS

Reading Rin Tin Tin

Acclaimed author Susan Orlean turned her attention to a perhaps surprising subject—a TV dog. The result is a delightful book that’s anything but boring.

When Susan Orlean, the New York Times bestseller author of The Orchid Thief (the movie version, Adaptation, starred Meryl Streep) told people that her next project was to be writing a biography of Rin Tin Tin, the German Shepherd of TV and movie fame, there was surprise, to say the least. But with Orlean’s considerable talents and eight years of research put into the effort, the result, Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend, is a page turner filled with amazing stories that explore our culture and history, entertainment, our relationships to dog, the 1950s, Nazi Germany, and more.

Rin Tin Tin was, in fact, several dogs playing a character, and the book spans these decades. The first Rin Tin Tin was brought to America following WW1 by his devoted master and trainer, Lee Duncan. Duncan, a true entrepreneurial role model, used persistence, enterprise, and his faith in his dog,

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“Rinty,” to land a small canine role in a silent movie.

This opened the door to a movie career in Hollywood with the then fledgling Warner Bros.

The appetite for animal films was astounding and Rin Tin Tin soared to stardom, chalking up 23 blockbuster silent films, saving the studio from bankruptcy, and becoming the most famous dog in the world. That’s quite an amazing feat.

Rin Tin Tin’s popularity wasn’t fleeting, either. The ensuing decades saw Rinty’s descendents riding waves of change.

Silent movies fell prey to “talkies,” colour replaced black and white film, radio programs lost a lot of their audience to television, but still Rin Tin Tin retained a relevant place in popular culture. Clearly, there is something remarkable about the way this dog has captured and held a place in people’s imaginations, and, as this book evidences, the devotion and interest in Rin Tin Tin is not about to wane anytime soon.

Above: Rin Tin Tin IV, great-great-grandson of one of the silent screen’s biggest money-makers, on March 2, 1954 in Hollywood, after signing to star in a new series of 26 half-hour telefilms, “The Adventures of Rin TinTin.” The new star is before an oil painting of his illustrious forebear; the author, Susan Orlean.

THE SCOOP

SURF BEYOND THE RUBBLE: Japan’s Four-Legged Victims Dogs in Japan’s Nuclear Zone Turning Wild

Japan’s recent terrors have unleashed a new problem. Many of the 5,800 dogs registered in the area around the Fukushima nuclear power plant are now unaccounted for and feared to be turning feral.

Though 323 pets, mostly dogs, that had been left leashed within empty houses, were rescued this past summer from within the deserted 12.4-mile no-entry zone, efforts to catch loose dogs have largely been unsuccessful. This past September saw only three captures of the hundreds that are believed to still be roaming the nuclear zone.

There is worry that the problem, with no resolution in sight, will only worsen. “If these puppies become parents, their offspring will be wild dogs with no experience with people,” said a prefectural government official. There’s also worry about the spread of disease if the wild dogs leave the zone.

Though food-traps are being set and efforts are being made to reunite people with their pets, the sad reality is that most of these dogs will remain unclaimed, as their owners try to sort out their new lives after being suddenly rendered homeless in the wake of the March 11 disaster. Most of the dogs’ owners now live in makeshift accommodations, so there are no prospects of them collecting their dogs. Money is tight to fund rescue and care for these innocent animals, with humans taking precedence, but the Fukushima prefectural government and Japan’s Environment Ministry are striving to establish another shelter for dogs and to return pets to their owners as soon as possible.

FENG SHUI WITH FIDO From the latest trends to training tips, celebrity trainer Inger Martens has created a great place to “paws” during a crazy day for an entertaining and educational timeout. Pick up tips on tackling tricky training problems with Martens’ Feng Shui with Fido method, the very same she’s used with the dogs of Will Ferrell, Mandy Moore, and Perez Hilton, among others. The reinvention of positive reinforcement lies at the core of her methods, and through the tips menu, you’ll learn how to integrate her approach into your daily life with your dog to achieve greater harmony. pawsforaminute.com

Organizations Worth Supporting: Japan Animal Welfare society (jaws.or.jp); World Society for the Protection of Animals (wspa.ca)

POLL RESULT 74% of readers don’t think little dogs should be cut some slack in the training department due to their size.

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WRITTEN IN THE STARS

Most of us are guilty of giving our horoscopes a once-over if they’re, you know, available. Now you can get the read on your dog, too, at astropet.ca.

Email subscriptions start at a mere $2 and give you access to monthly horoscopes or yearly astral reports for tips and hints to decode your dog’s mysterious behaviour. Makes a great quirky gift!

THE SCOOP

I Could Be Your Hero, Baby

Truly amazing dogs honoured This year, a new awards show occupied yet another prime time slot, but those honoured weren’t stars with celebrity stylists—though some big-name supporters, like Betty White, Michael Vartan, and Dancing with the Stars’ Julianne Hough were definitely in attendance. For a change, the aim of this awards extravaganza is something we can definitely get behind: the American Humane Association’s Hero Dog Awards recognizes the heroic acts of some truly amazing dogs. 453 dogs were nominated across eight categories, from military to therapy. The stories of selflessness and heroism as shared by the guardians of the eight finalists moved us to tears. assistance dog, changed the life of his person when he became her hearing dog when she was 52 and had been severely hearing-impaired all her life. To hear her tell of the transformative experience is to recognize all over again how amazing dogs are. Ricochet, is a SURFice dog that, as you might have guessed, surfs, enabling special needs kids and people with disabilities to experience the empowering and therapeutic benefits of the sport. And these are just two of the wonderful dogs that were up for the Hero Dog 2011 Award. The competition, needless to say, was steep, but it was Roselle, a guide dog for the blind that led her guardian, Michael Hingson, down from the 78th floor of Tower One of the World Trade Center after American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the building, that took this year’s award. Kudos to all the hero dogs out there, whether they’re saving lives or warming hearts.

See photos of all the hero dogs and celebs at this year’s awards show here: moderndogmagazine.com/blogs/ connie/herodogs.

WORK OUT WITH WOOF-FIT For many of us, having a dog at home is an easy excuse for avoiding the gym. Until now, that is. Toronto personal trainer and dog lover Joanne Cooper has come up with a winning enterprise: Woof-fit. These small group classes (just four people plus dogs) will help you get into the shape you dream of (New Years resolution anyone?) by working out alongside your dog. Fit body + sound mind + socialized dog. No more excuses! $140 for four 60 minute classes. woof-fit.com

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PHOTO DALE PORTER, KILLERIMAGE.COM

Harley, a hearing

THE SCOOP

CARTOON © 2011 BY DAVID JACOBSON

Modern Dog’s Cartoon Caption Contest Exercise your funny bone. Create a caption for this cartoon and submit your entry at moderndogmagazine.com/cartooncaption.

The most comic captions will be published in the next issue.

NO COUNTRY FOR OLD... DOGS?

Not with this compilation

and the winner from the Fall issue is: “Does this have corn in it? I swear I can taste corn. I specifically said “no corn.”

SUBMITTED BY DENISE HYAMS

Heartbreak, pickup trucks, and drinkin’ are the basic fundamentals of a perfect country song. But what about man’s best friend?

Doesn’t he deserve a musical shout-out for riding shotgun in the truck and not stealing away with the neighbour’s wife? You better believe he does, and thanks to Cloud 10 Music, an independent music publishing company from Tennessee, dogs finally get the musical props they deserve. Dog Country, their new compilation of canine-inspired country songs, brings together some of Nashville’s most talented writers in a toe tappin’ musical tribute to Dog, with a portion of proceeds going to rescue. What could be better than that? Check it out at dogcountrysongs.com.

RUNNER-UP CAPTIONS: “I’m sorry, but these bites aren’t moist or meaty.”

SUBMITTED BY BOBBI H.

“Excuse me, Waiter, I believe someone was trying to hide a heartworm pill in my food.”

SUBMITTED BY CHRISTOPHER BOJARSKI

“My colour spectrum may be different than yours, but does that look rare to you?”

SUBMITTED BY MARILYN WALL

“Was it necessary to have your thumb in my bowl?”

MODERN DOG POLL Who’s a better housemate, your partner (husband/wife, boyfriend/ girlfriend) or your dog?

Go to moderndogmagazine.com to vote.

SUBMITTED BY STEPHEN G LEBOEUF

moderndogmagazine.com

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THE SCOOP

DIGITAL TIME CAPSULE

Pop some pupcorn and crack open some Bowser Beers, it’s PuppyBowl Sunday VII! On February 5th, watch this year’s all-star, all-adorable cast take to the grand gridiron of Animal Planet Stadium for a day full of puppy-on-puppy fun. Tackles, tumbles, a kitty half-time show… what could be better? animal.discovery.com/tv/puppy-bowl

Snoop, Snoop a Doop Hit the road with Snoopy. A 56-strip exhibition on display at the Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, California through April 2 follows Snoopy on some of his many travels, including his migratory trek south with Woodstock (what a friend!) and his journey to the moon. Also check out the full-length animated feature Snoopy, Come Home! playing concurrently in the museum’s theater.

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© 1967 P E A N U TS WO R L DW I D E , L LC 4/30/ 68 // © 1968 P E A N U TS WO R L DW I D E , L LC

Ready Your PVR...

It’s PUPPY Bowl Sunday!

Want to preserve the millions of memorable moments in Rexy’s life?

Create a chronicle with Save Every Step, a free online time capsule.

Upload the memories and media, from recollections to photos and videos, that mark your dog’s life to create an interactive timeline that you can share with friends and family. The site offers secure storage for all photos, as well as for pet pedigree certificates and vaccination records, and can track your dog’s life right alongside your own, marking events in chronological order. Start—and share—your story at saveeverystep.com.

! e l i Sm Jewel

Modern Dog’s Photo Contest Wınners!

Lily

Winston

Cricket Crocket

Kelsey

Spike Olive

Pablo Henry

Diego

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Jackson

Cedar

Belle & Rufus

Jaffa & Toots

Otto

Chester Kurobuta Kakuni

Makena

Hobie

Harry & Tupelo Georgia

Jazzy

Boomer Think your dog ought to grace the pages of Modern Dog?

Paisley

Send us photos of your picture-perfect pooch! The winning entries will be published in Modern Dog magazine. Send photos to: Modern Dog Photo Contest, Suite 202, 343 Railway St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6A 1A4. Submitted photographs are property of Modern Dog and will not be returned. Please include your name, dog’s name and breed, address and contact info, including telephone number.

Please send 4 x 6 print photographs or enter online at moderndogmagazine. com. Assignment of rights applies; see full details at moderndogmagazine.com/photosubmission.

moderndogmagazine.com

23

MEET TH

E BREED

n a T d n a k The Blac d Coonhoun

MARY BLOOM © AKC

leman t n e G n r e h t u So

By Marian Buechert

24 moderndog WI NTER 2011/ 12

“If you have known the music of coonhounds on a trail and heard the excitement in their voices when they strike, and seen their eagerness and determination when they tree, if you have seen their courage and bravery…and witnessed their resolve to never quit, you know there has to be a God to make an animal like that.”

—William W. Ramsey, “Coonhound Eulogy”

I

n a shady meadow in northwest Alabama, you can walk among the gravestones and read the names: Smokey, Ranger, Preacher, Ruff, Bear Creek Sue. Some have carved granite headstones, some have homemade signs. Some stretch back decades, others are recent. All mark the resting places of dogs so beloved that their owners took the trouble to bring them to their final resting place in the Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard (coondogcemetery.com) a cemetery dedicated solely to coonhounds. No other breed may be buried there, because in the heart of the coonhound lover, no other breed is worthy.

Such is the passion engendered by the long-eared, long-running, deep-voiced hounds of the Deep South, which include the Bluetick, Redbone, English, and Treeing Walker, as well as the Black and Tan. The Black and Tan was the first of these to be considered a separate breed from the American Foxhound from which they all evolved, and records of Black and Tan Coonhounds stretch back at least 300 years. All coonhound breeds—even the “English” Coonhound—are “made in America.” As there are no raccoons in Europe, it wasn’t until white settlers in the US wanted a hound to track and tree this clever critter that anyone thought to modify existing hound breeds to suit this new purpose.

Foxhounds were designed to hunt fast-moving prey along the ground in the daylight; when their quarry climbed a tree, the dogs became confused and sometimes lost the trail. Coonhounds are nocturnal specialists, bred to trail game methodically until it seeks refuge in a tree; the dogs then remain below to prevent escape, baying loudly to lead the hunters to their location. Each dog has a distinctive bay or “bugle” that her owner can recognize and interpret, knowing from sound alone whether the dog is seeking a trail, has an uncertain scent, has hit a hot trail, or has brought the quarry “to tree.” The hounds may become so excited at treeing the game, they will frantically leap at and half-climb the trunk trying to reach the raccoon.

While traditional coonhound aficionados may thrill to this chase, the average dog owner may wonder whether a breed created to hunt prey through woods in the dark of night and chase it up a tree, all the time baying loudly enough to be heard from miles off, has a place in our modern, largely urban world. There is a striking dissimilarity between the popularity of coonhounds as marked by registration statistics of the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the United Kennel Club (UKC). The Black and Tan, for example, stands 91st in popularity according to the AKC, a body focused, to a large extent, on show dogs. The UKC, however, which is associated more with working dogs, lists the Black and Tan in the #5 spot for overall popularity—with coonhound breeds as a whole earning four of the five top spots. This would suggest that, where working ability is still valued, coonhounds top the polls. But can they be just good companions, in addition to—or perhaps in spite of—being superb hunters?

According to CoonhoundCompanions.com, a breed information and rescue link site run by a group of hound lovers who worry about the unpopularity of their breeds with the dog-adopting public, coonhounds are true southern gentlemen and make excellent pets.

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PHOTO CONTEST WINNTER OSCAR MADISON

The Black & Tan Coonhound AKC Ranking: #91 in popularity

PHOTO COURTESY AMERICAN BLACK & TAN COONHOUND RESCUE

Profile:

“This shunning of the hounds is puzzling to us coonhound lovers who know our hounds to be loving, sensitive family companions of the best sort…Full of energy and ready to rock when a job is at hand, then content to laze on the porch or dog bed for hours when it’s quiet time,” reads the site.

“The one thing that the general public should know about coonhounds is that they have great social skills with people, children and other dogs,” adds Jean Stone, one of the people behind CoonhoundCompanions. “They are also very charming and goofy!”

Like all coonhounds, Black and Most Popular Dogs in the U.S. Tans are easy to care for, with short, According to AKC 2010 tight coats of, yes, black with tan registration statistics markings, that barely need an occa[1] Labrador Retriever sional wipe-down for maintenance.

[2] German Shepherd Dog Their pendulous ears should be [3] Yorkshire Terrier checked and cleaned regularly. This [4] Beagle is a vigorous breed with few ongo[5] Golden Retriever ing health issues. Their size (22 to 27 [6] Bulldog inches) and ability to jump (remem[7] Boxer ber those hounds leaping up the tree [8] Dachshund trunk?) means a tall, sturdy fence is [9] Poodle required to keep them safe in their [10] Shih Tzu yard.

[91] The Black and Tan And then there’s the “rebel yell.” If Coonhound you think a B&T may be for you but you’ve never heard a coonhound baying, surf on over to YouTube and search for clips of coonhounds in full tongue. It is a sound that some adore and refer to as “music.” Others can’t abide it. If you are one of these or you have close neighbours who wouldn’t appreciate your dog’s “music,” look for another breed.

Although most of us will never sit in the darkness of a southern night listening to the baying of coonhounds on the trail, wouldn’t it be comforting to know that your Black and Tan was on guard against those pesky varmints overrunning our suburban backyards?

Pass me another mint julep, Scarlett. n

Size: Large—22 to 27 inches Grooming: Low

If you like the Black and Tan Coonhound, check out:

CURT WILLIS © AKC

US Rescue: coonhoundrescue.com Canadian Rescue: coonhoundrescue.ca

The American English Coonhound

26 moderndog WI NTER 2011/ 12

MARY BLOOM © AKC

Heritage: Hunting by scent

The American Foxhound

MARY BLOOM © AKC

Activity level: Medium

The Bloodhound

EMBRACE THE AWKWARDNESS Awkward family pet photos. Yes, they’re ridiculous, but there’s an undeniable commonality of experience here. Cringe just a little as you laugh ‘cause there’s a little of us all in these funny photos. By Rose Frosek

T

he website–turned–book that delighted millions and made us feel less embarrassed of the gems in our own family albums has sprung a new offspring—an obvious one, according to Awkward Family Photo founders Mike Bender and Doug Chernak.

Awkward Family Pet Photos, the inevitable sibling to the bestselling original is, if possible, even more delightful, for adding to the questionable hair and down right bizarre sartorial choices is an array of pets that goes way beyond the usual suspects. Not only do you have the family dog and cats, but mice, a capybara, even something called a sugar glider.

“The different kinds of pets really blew us away. We were getting so many amazing submissions with pets in them we thought, ‘This is such an interesting world, it needs its own website, it needs its own universe to live in.’ The relationship between people and their pets is really rich,” says Bender.

It’s a project that, in the words of its founders, “is celebrating that devotion. We love our pets so much that it makes us do some funny things.” And funny the photos are.

On a daily basis the two are calling each other over saying, “you gotta see this one.” When asked about a photo they particularly love, the alien abduction photo (see right) is mentioned as being a favourite for being “so bizarre and amazing in its

own absurdity.” The effort in set up, the concept made reality is a hallmark of many of the best shots.

We asked if there’s a particular era that seems to be the most awkward (the mid 80s come to mind). Turns out where the pet photos are concerned we might be in a prime epoch at present. “They had an advantage in the 80s because the fashion was so awkward,” says Bender. “But with the pet photos a lot of the present day ones are pretty awkward. I think we’re going further and further in what we’ll do for our pets. We love the photos where the whole clan is posing and the dog is posing, whether they’re in a pyramid pose or a pile of whatever.”

Though according to Bender and Chernak, we left the golden age of awkwardness behind with the passing of the early 90s and those Vanilla Ice looks, we can count ourselves lucky to be living in a time period in which some pretty amazing family pet photos are being created. There may have been a heyday for ridiculous family photos but for pet photos it seems the awkwardness currently knows no bounds. Bender concurs: “We may be in the golden age now and we don’t even know it.”

Awkward Family Pet Photos 2, here we come.

q Submit your awkward pet photo at awkwardfamilypetphotos.com

28 moderndog WI NTER 2011/ 12

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29

Pregnancy, Babies, and the Family Dog Who says babies and dogs don’t mix? A behaviourist-trainer-vet’s account of preparing her Pit Bull for an infant’s imminent arrival while reassuring her mother of her sanity.

By Jennifer Messer Illustration by Joel Kimmel

During a routine email exchange with my mom last month, six weeks before the due date of my first baby, the wise words of my dog training mentor rang loud and clear for the first time. Ian Dunbar had warned me: “Family and friends rarely see you as a real expert in your field when it comes to their personal lives—so don’t expect them to, and try not to take it personally.”

After an honours degree in psychology, over 15 years of experience as a dog trainer—ten of which include writing and public speaking for veterinary and dog training professionals—never mind a veterinary degree, the last line of my mother’s email was a shocker: “So what are your plans for re-homing Charlotte before Jake is born? Just wondering. Love Mom.” Charlotte is my 11-year-old Pit Bull, whom I adopted as a young pup. She’s a delightful dog provided you are not of the canine species, and has been a wonderful companion. But in the presence of any unknown dog she is true to her breed: a major hassle for even the skilled handler and a frightening canine psychopath to the lay observer.

Charlotte attended my puppy classes from adoption at 12 weeks until about five months old. However, she was unable to read social signals from the other puppies, and inclined to tackle and hassle puppies relentlessly despite normally effective dog and human intervention. She was the classic backyard-bred Pit Bull: soft and sweet with humans, and downright socially incompetent with other dogs. I did the best I could with her, which was to socialize her well as a young pup so that she could be the finest Pit Bull her genetics would allow and develop a safe bite, a bite that does not inflict damage. I kept up some good doggie buddy relationships for her with carefully chosen peacenik breeds like Labs and Newfies, and found her a Beagle boyfriend as a housemate for many years to keep up the half-baked social skills she did manage to acquire.

Predictably, Charlotte fights with any unfamiliar dog she meets but does no damage, and lives a life rich in human and cat company, and very light on doggie hobnobbing. Truth is, we basically avoid like the plague cold encounters with unknown dogs.

She meets babies and kids now and then, under the control of a head halter, and has never appeared fearful or aggres-

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31

sive towards them. But her body awareness is on par with BamBam from The Flintstones, which is to say, clumsy enough to knock over or scare a youngster. Between her typical bullie overgregarious play style and our provincial breed-related legalities, I have mostly restricted her from meeting unknown children, especially toddlers who are inclined to grab feet and tails—not Charlotte’s favourite type of handling.

My family has always considered Charlotte to be a hindrance to me, requiring housesitter hassles instead of simple doggie daycare or kennel boarding, expensive fencing, and constant vigilance for dogs on the horizon. But they’ve treated her kindly over the years and respected my love and devotion to her nonetheless.

That is, until I explained that there were no plans for relocation, that Charlotte was staying put in her home WITH my new baby, and that, despite her dog issues I do not consider her an undue risk to a newborn. That’s when things got a bit ugly.

In one fell swoop I went from professional dog trainer, writer, and veterinarian, worthy of boasting about to friends and family, to “a blindly biased, obstinate, irresponsible parent who will be very sorry that she let her pride put her baby’s life at risk.” Charlotte was instantly reclassified as a potential baby-killer, and no amount of fact-citing seemed to have an impact on their conviction.

Had I countered aggression with aggression, like some traditional dog-trainers might, the conflict would probably have spiraled even further downward. But the years of discipline in gentle behaviour modification taught me that fear-based aggression must not be corked; the cause needs to be identified and patiently remedied through confidence building.

I accepted the fact that my well-qualified risk assessment was wholly unconvincing to worried family, and offered to have “objective” input from world-renowned dog experts who happen to know Charlotte personally. Their reiteration that (1) dog-dog aggression is no predictor of dog-baby aggression, and (2) a well-socialized Pit Bull like Charlotte who shows no signs of concern over children poses no extraordinary risk compared to any other dog of similar size was welcomed and seemed to carry some weight. As did my partner’s 30 years of experience as a veterinarian: he patiently debunked myths of locking Pit

32 moderndog WI NTER 2011/ 12

Bull jaws, clarified confusion between dog-dog scrappiness and dog-human aggression, insisted that any dog can become predatory towards young children without warning and that NO DOG is 100 percent safe with kids, and reassured them that of the hundreds of families he has counseled similarly over the years, none has reported any tragic consequences.

Three weeks into a steady stream of “objective” information, along with my gentle highlighting of all the other risks that we do not try to reduce to zero, but do our best to mitigate by implementing sensible precautions, and irrational fear was slowly being replaced with reflection and acceptance of the reality of Charlotte and my baby—of dogs and kids in general. Supervision of dog and baby was now joining the rest of the list: baby seats for auto accidents, childproof locks for medicine cabinets, and strangerproofing our kids.

Janis Bradley’s book Dogs Bite but Umbrellas and Slippers are More Dangerous (2005; James and Kenneth), provides a wonderful review of the relative risk of dogs to people in the context of modern society. While the sensationalism of dog-bite reports would have us thinking it is a problem of epidemic proportions, your actual chance of being killed by a dog is one in 18 million: you are five times more likely to be killed by a bolt of lightening! The reality is that dogs don’t actually bite very often, when they do they seldom cause injury, and even when they injure it is very rarely serious. True, they pose a greater risk to children, who account for 10 of the 16 dog-related fatalities each year in the United States, but when compared to other rare causes of death in children it is a wonder dog bites even make the radar.

Prefer hard numbers? Toys, playground equipment, and fivegallon buckets EACH kill more children annually than dogs, and none of these rank anywhere close to the 886 children a year killed by their own family. Comparing dog-bite fatalities to car accident statistics (45,000 deaths per year across ages) shows how absurd it is to fret about Fido when transporting baby around in an auto.

Bottom line is that dogs and kids are a pretty safe bet, and the very rare yet devastating fatal attacks that hit the media are almost exclusively committed by groups of dogs left unsupervised with young children. And there is absolutely no credible

ILLUSTRATION JOEL KIMMEL

My family has always considered Charlotte, my Pit Bull, to be a hindrance to me.

Just like Pavlov’s dog learned to drool at the lunch bell, you want Fido to get warm and fuzzy over Baby.

data suggesting that Pit Bulls are an exception.

Dogs and kids can be a golden combination with a plethora of health and social benefits, but they do require informed guardians who implement some basic precautions. After years of helping others prepare Fido and family for the new baby, it’s now my turn to walk the walk. Five golden rules sit under my fridge magnet as a daily reminder.

1. Plan for having less time with the dog after the baby is born and transition the dog to a “post birth” exercise/social regimen. Charlotte now has a pet nanny that exercises and feeds her, and will do for six months after Jake is born. Two friends whom she loves will also be spending extra social time with her.

2. Get the dog used to the sounds of babies and their toys.

Charlotte has been enjoying chicken wieners to the musical (not!) sounds of crying babies, screaming toddlers, and any other child-related MP3s I can find on-line.

3. Set up baby-free and dog-free spaces in the house. Dogs and young kids cannot be left unattended, so some zoning is needed. I’ve put up gates on both floors and Charlotte is getting used to being restricted from the dog-free sections. She’s growing quite fond of the baby-free zones where stuffed Kongs, fine bedding, and a belly-rubbing nanny have appeared.

4. Review the Pavlov Principle: plan how you will associate the new baby with something that rocks your dog’s world. Just like Pavlov’s dog learned to drool at the lunch bell, you want Fido to get warm and fuzzy over Baby. Jake’s first blanket will

34 moderndog WI NTER 2011/ 12

go home for Charlotte to sniff, and accompany her all-time favourite dinner: parmesan meatballs on spaghetti topped with liver powder. Yummm!

5. Plan the first meeting of baby and dog, setting everyone up for a successful first impression. We’ll make sure Charlotte has had lots of social time and been well exercised the day Jake comes home. I’ll greet Charlotte on my own first, to let her vent her enthusiasm, and then have someone else introduce Jake bum-first while I sweet-talk Charlotte and give her lots of goodies. She can safely lick Jake’s bottom—there’s nothing sterile about a baby bum—and we’ll keep the first encounter brief but positive.

Ten days from now, I’ll become a first-time mom, and I have nothing but great hopes for my dog and baby bonding well.

Charlotte says she’s ready for “poop patrol” duty (a cookie each time you change baby’s poopy diaper quickly turns Fido into an ace poop patroller… salivating at your heels well before your nose could alert you), and my partner, mom, friends, and dog nanny are all coached and ready to help Charlotte adjust safely to our new lifestyle.

While I am hopeful for a smooth transition, I am also well prepared to shift plans if needed. Not all dogs and kids belong in the same house, and if I see signs of trouble, we’ll promptly pursue other options. Charlotte does have two terrific re-homing offers awaiting her if needed, but we’re both pretty sure she won’t have to oblige. n

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No purchase necessary to enter or win. Beginning December 1, 2011 at 12:01 AM (PST) through February 28, 2012 at 11:59 PM (PST), enter each day at moderndogmagazine.com/giveaways. Each week’s giveaway ends at 11:59 PM (PST). Each week, the specified number of winners for that week’s giveaway will win the prize featured in the giveaway calendar (ARV: $200). Odds of winning depend on the number of entries received. Contest is open to legal Canadian and US residents 18 and older as of date of entry. Void in Puerto Rico and where prohibited by law. Giveaway subject to complete official rules available at moderndogmagazine.com/giveaways.

BACKSTAGE PASS The weird and wonderful world of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

By Rose Frosek

Photographs by Stacey Pittman

38 moderndog WI NTER 2011/ 12

T

he annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the largest, oldest, and most prestigious in North America, has been delighting dog fanciers since its inception in 1877.

For participants—the owners, handlers, groomer and the dogs themselves—it is the culmination of a year of hard campaigning.

As in politics, there are the rounds to be made—in this case, the qualifying shows, which require far flung travel and a deep wallet—as well as key people to influence. Owners even place ads for their dog in a variety of show books in hopes of influencing the judges by familiarizing them with their dog and thus upping their odds of taking home an award. For those with their eyes on the prize, the ultimate commendation, the most coveted award in the dog show world, is Best in Show and whatever may give a

leg up in the ring—from advertising to the hiring of professional handlers—is often done.

Held in Madison Square Garden in the heart of midtown Manhattan, the stadium is abuzz with fanciers, owners, and journalists. Bold-name attendees such as Martha Stewart, who comes to watch the French Bulldogs, lend an extra frisson of excitement to the proceedings. The air backstage in the benching area where the dogs are groomed and where they rest awaiting their turn in the ring is pregnant with hopes and expectations, as well as hairspray, urine, damp sawdust, popcorn, dog hair, sweat, perfume. The handlers are dressed for the event in suit and tie or skirt, pumps, and stockings, and are busy ushering their charges to the floor, while groomers perform the dogs’ elaborate toilette, readying them for the judges’ scrutiny. Blow-dryers and hairspray are wielded liberally. Rather remarkably, general attendees are allowed into this benching area, allowing them a fascinating, up close look at the canine contenders, the grooming process, and the general crowded craziness of the backstage scene.

Despite the attractions of the benching area, the real action takes place in the ring. Millions of people tune in from the comfort of their living rooms to see over 185 breeds and varieties compete while announcers explain in voiceover what the judges are looking for, from stance, size, and colouring to specifics like almond-shaped eyes and a high stepping gate, perhaps, or a low-slung walk, commentary most welcome from dog lovers not familiar with the breed standards the dogs are judged by. To the lay person, they are all lovely examples of their breed, but for that the proceedings are no less captivating. The combination of a diverse array of beautiful dogs, from the teased Toy Poodle to the rare Lowchen, plus the show’s venerable history and competitive stakes is magical. n The 136th annual show takes place February 13 and 14. USA Network and CNBC will be airing exclusive live coverage.

<<

Westminster Trivia

FROM TOP: A Whippet and ribbon; a Junior Handler and a Poodle at the grooming station backstage.

Philanthropist J. P. Morgan made the first of his many appearances at Westminster with his Collies in 1893. Famous American journalist Nelly Bly entered her Maltese at Westminster in 1894, some four years after she made a record-breaking trip around the world in 72 days, 6 hours and 11 minutes, racing the record of Phineas Fogg in Jules Verne’s Around the World in Eighty Days. moderndogmagazine.com

39

A good luck kiss before the show.

<<

A Bulldog takes a break amid the backstage bustle.

“Westminster gets its name from a long-gone hotel in Manhattan. There, sporting gentlemen used to meet in the bar to drink and lie about their shooting accomplishments. Eventually they formed a club and bought a training area and kennel. They kept their dogs there and hired a trainer.

“They couldn’t agree on the name for their new club. But finally someone suggested that they name it after their favourite bar. The idea was unanimously selected, we imagine, with the hoisting of a dozen drinking arms.”

—MAXWELL RIDDLE, FROM A NEWSPAPER STORY Q U O T E D I N T H E D O G S H O W , 125 Y E A R S O F WESTMINSTER BY WILLIAM STIFEL

This contender is a natural beauty.

Ten Years of Best in Show Winners PHOTOS © WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

Miniature Poodle “Ch Surrey Spice Girl”

Kerry Blue Terrier “Ch Torums Scarf Michael”

Newfoundland “Ch Darbydale’s All Rise Pouch Cove”

German Shorthaired Pointer “Ch Kan-Point’s VJK Autumn Roses”

Bull Terrier “Ch Rocky Top’s Sundance Kid”

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A Junior Handler and a Briard on the floor, preparing to enter the ring.

An Afghan Hound waits patiently for the finishing touches, his ears wrapped to keep them perfectly groomed until show time.

Boston Terrier bunkmates napping before show time.

<<

Staying cool backstage.

Checking In

Book yourself a room at the Hotel Pennsylvania (hotelpenn.com) for your full access pass to where the action starts. This dog-friendly hotel located across the street from Madison Square Garden is home base for a large number Westminster hopefuls.

With special events and amenities such as parties and a dog spa, you’re guaranteed to feel the excitement in the air.

Best in Show Winners 2008

2009

2010

2011

English Springer Spaniel “Ch Felicity’s Diamond Jim”

Beagle (15 Inch) “Ch K-Run’s Park Me In First”

Sussex Spaniel “Ch Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee”

Scottish Terrier “Ch Roundtown Mercedes of Maryscot”

Scottish Deerhound “GCH Foxcliffe Hickory Wind”

42 moderndog WI NTER 2011/ 12

PHOTOS © WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB

2007

<<

Meet the Breeds

Having just been recognized by the American Kennel Club, these six breeds are now eligible for competition in conformation shows and will be competing at the 2012 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

AMERICAN ENGLISH COONHOUND

The Cesky Terrier, is a well-muscled and short-legged hunting dog that was developed to be worked in packs in its native Czech Republic. The Cesky sports a soft, long, silky coat in shades of gray from charcoal to platinum and has a lean body and graceful movement. They are reserved towards strangers, loyal to their owners, but ever keen and alert during the hunt. They are an active breed and, like most terriers, love to dig.

The American English Coonhound evolved from Virginia Hounds, descendants of English Foxhounds. Today’s American English Coonhound is a wide-ranging hunter that possesses tremendous speed and endurance, and excellent voice. A strong and graceful athlete, he needs regular exercise to stay in peak shape. The breed is pleasant, alert, confident, and sociable with both humans and dogs.

ENTLEBUCHER MOUNTAIN DOG The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is a herding dog native to Switzerland, and the smallest of the four Swiss breeds.

Purpose and heritage have resulted in an unusually intense bonding between the Entlebucher and his master. Prized for his work ethic and ease of training, he can transform from a high-spirited playmate to a serious, self-assured dog of commanding presence. It should not be considered a breed for the casual owner.

The guardian traits of this breed require thorough socialization and the Entlebucher will remain an active, energetic dog for his entire lifetime.

44 moderndog WI NTER 2011/ 12

XOLOITZCUINTLI The Xoloitzcuintli, or “show-low,” as it is commonly called, is the national dog of Mexico. Previously known as the Mexican Hairless, it comes in three sizes as well as a coated version. The breed descends from hairless dogs prized by the Aztecs and revered as guardians of the dead. Over 400 years later, these dogs were still to be found in the Mexican jungles. Shaped by the environment rather than by man, their keen intelligence, trainability, and natural cleanliness have made them a unique and valued pet today.

NORWEGIAN LUNDEHUND The Norwegian Lundehund spent centuries on the rocky cliffs and high fields of arctic Norway hunting and retrieving puffin birds, an important meat and feather crop for local farmers. Uniquely equipped for their task, this little Spitz-type dog has at least six toes on each foot for stability in the near vertical environs where puffins nest. A flexible skeletal structure enables the dog to squirm out of tight spots or spread-eagle to prevent slips and falls. Today, puffin birds are protected so the “Puffin Dog” has taken up a new role as an alert, cheerful, and somewhat mischievous family companion.

FINNISH LAPPHUND The Finnish Lapphund is a reindeer herding dog from the northern parts of Scandinavia. The breed is thought to have existed for hundreds, if not thousands of years, as the helper dog of the native tribes. In modern day, Lapphunds are popular as family pets in their native Finland. They are devoted to their family, friendly with all people, highly intelligent and eager to learn. The dogs have expressive faces and a thick, dense coat that comes in a variety of colours. They are strong but very agile.

COURTESY WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB

CESKY TERRIER

nutrition

eat D.I.Y.

Make your dog smile with these drool-worthy yet healthy treats

Beefy Agility Treats

Sage Cookies

Sage cookies with sage, thyme, chamomile or fennel settle the stomach and bowel, and are especially recommended for dogs with food sensitivities.

These cookies fit the bill for tender-tummied pups.

INGREDIENTS 2 ⅛ cups wholegrain spelt flour ¾ cup buckwheat flour 1 teaspoon dried sage ½ cup milk ½ cup water ¼ cup grated cheese, either Gouda or Emmenthal

DIRECTIONS Grate the cheese and mix together with the rest of the ingredients in a food processor. Process the mixture into a smooth dough. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and leave for 30 minutes, then roll out to a thickness of approximately 1⁄8”and cut into long strips roughly 3/4”wide x 4”long. Use a fork to prick holes in the cookies and lay them on a baking tray that has been covered with greaseproof paper. Bake for 30 minutes in an oven pre-heated to 350°F/180°C. Allow the cookies to harden for an hour in the oven with the door slightly ajar.

Refrigerate once cool.

These little soft nibbles are ideal for training, playing, and having fun.

INGREDIENTS ½ pound of beef ½ pound beef liver 2 ¼ cups rolled oats 1 ¾ cups wholegrain spelt flour 3 or 4 free-range eggs

DIRECTIONS Wash the beef and the liver, pat dry with a kitchen towel, and cut into small pieces. Use a food processor to mince the meat.

Add the eggs, oats, and wholegrain spelt flour and process the mixture on the highest setting for 3 minutes. Cover a deep baking tray with greaseproof paper and smear the paper with butter. Pour the mixture into the tray to the depth of a finger’s width. A little parsley sprinkled on at this stage will add to the flavour. Bake in a pre-heated 350° F/180° C oven for 20 to 30 minutes. Leave to cool and then carefully ease out of the baking tray. When completely cool, cut into little squares of about 1/2 inch. Store in the refrigerator.

REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM DOG COOKIES: HEALTHY ALLERGEN-FREE TREAT RECIPES FOR YOUR DOG BY MARTINA SCHOPS (2011, HUBBLE & HATTIE) HUBBLEANDHATTIE.COM

From the MD Archive For these related stories, visit moderndogmagazine.com/archive

q Frittata for Fido Whip up this three ingredient treat in minutes.

q I’m Dreaming of a Rice Christmas Rachael Ray’s recipe for a delish dinner you and your dog can share.

q Low-Cal Snacks Keep those New Year’s resolutions with these low calorie treat recipes.

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Home at LAst The triumph of Michael Vick’s “Lost Dogs,” a tale of redemption

By Melissa Barr

PHOTO © AMADO GARCIA

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PHOTO © BEST FRIENDS

I

n a game of association, I’m betting the name Michael Vick prompts an immediate and visceral reaction. Over four years after his arrest, Vick continues to be synonymous with dog fighting, his very mention provoking outrage in many circles, a testament to the impact of his arraignment and conviction. Not just sports fans or a nation but people the world over were horrified as news of the atrocities committed at his Bad Newz Kennels surfaced. The mutilated corpses of dogs that refused to fight, the bait dogs, the rape tables, the tortured and terrified dogs flattened at the back of their cages—the unspeakable cruelty these animals were subjected to by the formerly celebrated National Football League (NFL) quarterback dominated headlines.

So when Jim Gorant, author of The Lost Dogs, a book that follows the fate of the dogs seized from Vick’s kennels, says that Michael Vick was the best thing that ever happened to Pit Bulls, it is, at first, hard to see his logic.

Vick’s dog-fighting operation ran from 2002 until 2007 and it’s difficult to tally—let alone, read about—the atrocities committed by Vick and his associates. Luckily, the story we’re concerned with here is a more cheerful one, the remarkable, unprecedented tale of the survivors.

Fifty-one dogs were seized in April of 2007, and for a long time—especially when quantified in dog years—as the case made its way through the court, the Vick dogs were largely forgotten, left in kennels without much human contact, assumed to be too vicious for “normal” lives, and, anyway, they were evidence in the case. They would, obviously, be put down; even PETA and the Humane Society did not think they could or should be saved.

Miraculously, this did not happen.

In a backwards way, it was Vick’s celebrity status that saved the dogs whose lives he had made a misery. The story so captured the public’s attention there was an outcry against these animals suffering one more final injustice at the hands of humans. It is this story, that of the unlikely rehabilitation and adoption of these former fighting dogs, that caught the interest of Gorant.

About a year after Vick pleaded guilty, Gorant, a senior editor at Sports Illustrated magazine, was having a slow news week. Looking for inspiration, he turned to Google, hoping to find a story about the NFL, the magazine’s most popular sport.

Instead, he found a small article about Michael Vick’s dogs being rehabilitated and put up for adoption.

“I just thought, how does that work?” explains Gorant. “How the hell do you rehabilitate a fighting dog? What do they mean by up for adoption? Are they going to be in homes with kids and with other pets? Where have they been all this time?”

“I pushed it out of my mind,” he remembers, “But it just kept coming back to me.”

Gorant decided to pitch it internally at the magazine, fully anticipating the tenuous link to the sports world was too weak.

But everyone at the magazine loved the idea.

In researching the article that would eventually become the cover story for the December 29, 2008, issue of the magazine, Gorant would learn a thing or two about Pit Bulls, destroying his misconceptions about the breed and proving just how loyal, inspirational, and resilient they can be.

“All I knew was what I read in the headlines…the stereotypes,” Gorant says. “Now I realize that they’re just dogs, and

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like any dog, there is potential for good or bad, and a lot of it depends on how they are socialized and raised.”

The article received more feedback than any other story the magazine ran in 2008 or 2009, and the majority of it was positive. Gorant had feared a backlash of anti-Pit Bull stories, or even questions about whether or not the topic was one that fit Sports Illustrated’s readership. Instead, his story touched a chord with the readers. As a result, at the urging of his agent, Gorant began to expand on the story, to tell more details of the investigation, the rescue, and the rehabilitation of the 51 dogs who were seized from Vick’s property.

The resulting book, The Lost Dogs, which was just released in paperback, reads at times like a mystery novel, detailing the intricacies of the legal team that worked tirelessly to see Vick pay for what he had done. It also stands as a passionate portrait of those involved in the dogs’ rehabilitation. Most importantly, however, it tells the story of the individual dogs, taking them from the shadows of the stereotype and proving that, at heart, they’re just dogs: sometimes silly, sometimes scared, but always desperate to be man’s best friend.

It was their eventual triumph and these dogs’ remarkable capacity for forgiveness that significantly changed public perception of Pit Bulls, and this is the silver lining. Vick’s crime not only made the horrors of dog fighting front-page news, he catapulted these abused animals into the forefront of the national psyche, and showed them to be just that—damaged dogs, not born killers. He also set a precedent for punishment.

In the landmark sentence, Vick received 23 months in jail and was ordered to pay $928,000 for the care and treatment of the dogs found on his property. The surviving 47 Pit Bulls that had experienced the worst mankind had to offer now had the chance to prove that a Pit Bull was more than a fighting dog.

This was “ground-breaking,” notes Gorant.

“Perception-wise, it was the first time that Pit Bulls were looked at as victims of the crime rather than the gun in a holdup.”

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The case also brought about a change within the legal system, increasing the number of investigations into dog-fighting rings and the willingness of police to go after these sorts of crimes.

Many people still find Vick’s punishment insufficient. Vick’s prominent return to the NFL spurs ongoing debate over whether Vick did enough time to pay for the atrocities he committed.

Detractors say he got off too lightly; others defend and praise him for straightening himself out, for taking his second chance and running with it. Gorant is more philosophic about it.

“A lot of people fought very hard to ensure that he spent time in jail, and the original plea agreement recommended 12 to 18 months. He got 23 months. In a way, it’s an insult to those people and the effort they made and what they put into it to suggest that he got off too easy, strictly in a legal sense.”

At any rate, that’s not the side of the story that fascinates Gorant. If there’s a lesson here, it’s from the dogs themselves.

While following their stories as they went from the horrors of their past life to rescues, fosters, and adoptive homes, learning how to be ordinary dogs, Gorant learned a few things himself.

He visited shelters and schools, sometimes with one of the rescued dogs, meeting those inspired by his book, like the teenaged boys in the Kids in Transition program in New Jersey, a live-in program for boys with histories of behavioural and emotional issues resulting from childhood neglect and abuse. The story of the resilience of the Vick dogs and the way they overcame adversity resonated strongly with these young men.

“It’s been incredibly unexpected and powerful to see,” Gorant says. “When you sit down to do this thing, you don’t think it’ll ever have that sort of impact. You don’t think of it as something that exists within the world and makes its own way.

In a sense, it becomes beyond you and it does things and goes places that you never imagined it could. It’s just eye-opening and shocking and I guess very gratifying.”

Which is really it in a nutshell. It has this particular, lasting resonance because it’s an affecting story about second chances—both for 47 of Michael Vick’s dogs, which not even some of the most fervent institutes lobbying for the protection of animals believed could be saved, and, yes, for Vick himself.

Maybe Donna Reynolds, co-founder of the rescue group Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pitbulls (BAD RAP), said it best: “Vick showed the worst of us, our blood lust, but this rescue showed the best.” n

PHOTO © CRIS COHEN

At heart, they’re just dogs: sometimes silly, sometimes scared, but always desperate to be man’s best friend.

WHERE THEY ARE NOW Sox and Hector both received

Jonny Justice was adopted by a

therapy dog certification, and spend their days at hospitals, nursing homes, and schools. Sox, who came into rescue as one of the worst of the low-response cases, has improved dramatically since being adopted by her foster family. Hector, with scars over his chest and legs bearing testament to his past life, was adopted into a home with a pack of six dogs, and has made many friends, canine and otherwise.

foster family who discovered his love of children, and he participated in a program called Paws for Tales, where dogs provide a nonjudgmental audience for children struggling with reading. Jonny excelled at it, until the librarian banned Pit Bulls from the program after receiving some complaints from parents. Jonny and his family resigned from the program in protest, and volunteers from BAD RAP looked into state law, finding the breedbased discrimination unlawful. When they brought this to the librarian’s attention, however, the library withdrew from the Paws for Tales program.

Bonita, who was used in the dog-fighting ring as a bait dog for others to practice on, came into Best Friends rescue with scars, worn or broken teeth, and an instinct to flee from other dogs.

She also had babesia, a blood-borne condition common in fighting dogs, and nerve damage in half of her face, so when she smiled nervously, it was crooked. She learned to crave warm laps to sleep in, and found a little bit of peace there. In 2008, she required dental surgery and never woke up from anesthesia.

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Zippy, a small, energetic dog, has found peace and companionship with the Hernandez family, spending her days romping and rolling around the floor with two fellow dogs and three young children under the age of 10.

PHOTOS CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: RHODA TUCKER/SUPERIOR PORTRAIT STUDIOS; © JOSHUA GRENELL; JIM GORANT; BADRAP.ORG; BEST FRIENDS

After evaluations, the former Michael Vick dogs were given names: Sweet Pea, Jasmine, Lucas, Zippy and 43 others took the place of the nameless, faceless fighting dogs. Since their rescue, they have gone on to find peace in the best ways they could, whether through saving the lives of those who came to love them, becoming therapy dogs, fighting bloodless battles against breed stereotypes, or simply finally finding some happiness and a place to belong in an adoptive home.

TRAVEL DIARY

HAVE DOG, WILL TRAVEL Quirky US Pit Stops

From a Beagle-shaped guesthouse to a dog-inspired winery, 10 fun spots worth detouring for.

By Belinda Jones

DOG BARK PARK INN,

DOG MAYOR

Sunol, California

Boise, Idaho

In 1981, a dog named Bosco was elected mayor in a town just an hour outside San Francisco.

Thirty years on, you can visit his animatronic replica at the local bar—lift his leg and he pees beer! boscosbonesandbrew.com

A three-story freestanding hotel room in the shape of a Beagle.

Enough said. dogbarkparkinn.com

CHARLES M SCHULZ MUSEUM, Santa Rosa, California

For all things Snoopy. The documentary film is particularly charming; apparently the real life Snoopy loved nothing better than riding in cars. schulzmuseum.com

MUTT LYNCH WINERY Sonoma, California

Canine connoisseurs are welcome at this laid-back vineyard offering Fou Fou Le Blanc Sauvignon (featuring a chi-chi white Poodle on the label), Merlot Over & Play Dead (gruff Bulldog) and a great life motto: Bark Less, Wag More! muttlynchwinery.com

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BOBBIE THE WONDER DOG MURAL Silverton, Oregon

This is so touching: in 1923 a family were on a road trip in Indiana when they lost their beloved Collie. Broken-hearted, they returned to Oregon without him. Six months later he turned up all scrawny and tattered of paw, having walked nearly 3,000 miles home. What a legend. silvertonor.com

WIZARD OF OZ MUSEUM Wamego, Kansas

Cairn Terrier lovers will find an abundance of Toto memorabilia and cheeky treasures in the gift shop, not to mention Toto’s Tacoz next door. ozmuseum.com

DRIVE-THRU TREE Leggett, California

Dogs love to pee on trees, humans like to drive through them. My dog Bodie and I actually did the similar Tour-thru Tree three hours north. drivethrutree.com

BILTMORE ESTATE,

Asheville, North Carolina

WILD WEST PORTRAIT WITH YOUR DOG Breckenridge, Colorado

What can I say? Bodie is such a natural-born outlaw. Breckenridge Old Time Photo, 326 South Main St. Tel: 970 453 4444

If you’ve always felt that you and your dog were “to the manor born,” you have to visit the wondrous Biltmore Estate where you can spend the entire day strolling the elegantly landscaped grounds—8,000 acres complete with fountains, woodlands, and sunflower-trimmed bicycle paths—with a silver-topped walking stick and a monocle, if you fancy.

At $59 per person it’s not cheap, but this does include entry to the grand 250-room French chateau and though your dog is not permitted inside, they do have kennels where he can kick back while you are marvelling at the priceless artefacts. Afterwards you can dine at Cedric’s Tavern, named for George Vanderbilt’s beloved St Bernard, Heaven. biltmore.com

AKC DOG SHOW

Many locations throughout the US Never mind the parade of purebreds, check out the astounding range of doggie beauty products. I got myself a great dogprint salon robe for when I wash Bodie! akc.org

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The Ultimate

GIFT GUIDE Keep it sleek with a water- and mildewresistant anti-microbial leather Acqua dog collar, available in a dizzying array of colours. From $22, collarsandmore.com

Mad about plaid. Get carried away with the Buffalo dog carrier. It’s tricked out for dogs up to 11 pounds. $80, doggievogue.com

The Snow Bunny

Bub Dog’s motto?

“Real dogs do wear coats.” Designed to be unrestrictive, they leave your bud free to, roll, run, and jump! Fits a wide variety of dogs.

From $43, bubdog.com

Stuffed with squeakers for yuletide cheer, the Knottie Nutcracker is is made to withstand 100 pounds of tugging to guarantee it will be around for Christmases to come. $15 or $20, inthecompanyofdogs.com

Herald winter with a festive “Let It Snow” turtleneck. $45, fabdog.com Take a walk down Candy Cane Lane with this cashmere-mix Urban Stripe scarf for canines, the perfect thing to enliven a winter wardrobe and guarantee you’re greeted with smiles from passersby. $8, westcoastpaws.com Cookies find a cute new hiding place in the stuffable OrbeeTuff Bulb and Lil’ Bulb. Stuff the festive toys with treats and let your chew-happy dog while away the morning. From $8, planetdog.com

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Your days of tobogganing in your snowsuit might be gone but your dog still plays hard.

Keep him warm with an insulated water-resistant jacket, built especially for big dogs.

From $80, idawgclothing.com

Distinguished dogs will roll over to wear Bone and Rag’s handstitched vintage-style embossed leather collars, available in black, brown, and tan for dogs both small and large. From $70, boneandrag.com

For hipsters and moustache enthusiasts alike, Hattie Rex’s mustache ID tag is just the thing. Cut from copper, brass, or aluminum, it’s size-appropriate for all breeds and hand-stamped with pertinent details. $15, hattierex.com

For the joker/cigar enthusiast/dog-friendly New Year’s gathering... heck, just about any time. Hand out “Cohibarks” to your peanut butter-addicted canines. Individually wrapped and made with organic ingredients, they’re sure to be a hit. $3, saltypaws.com

Gift Guide

The Bohemian

Add extra crunch-power to the two squeakers already contained within by placing your empty plastic water bottle in the Velcro-closure “tummy” of this plush raccoon.

Hours of fun! $11, eco-dogs.com

Impress your entire circle in one shot: the rocker, the artist, the fashion fiend, the philanthropist... This 10 piece mini-card set features photographs of John Lennon, Brigitte Bardot, Billie Holiday, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Robert Plant, The Beatles, Patti Smith, Neil Young, and Nelly, all with animals and shot in black and white by legendary Hotel Morrison Gallery photographers. All proceeds from this gift set go to non-profit organization Rational Animal. Very cool indeed. $20, morrisonhotelgallery.com

The Free Spirit Bedazzle your dog with a Bow Wow Bindi in support of animal rights.

A portion of the profits benefits Last Chance For Animals. Each package contains 50 sparkly stick-on jewels (they’re non-toxic too so are harmless if somehow one gets swallowed). $11, petflys.com

These bright, colourful, fair trade flying machines are colourfast, foldable, portable, fly like the dickens, and won’t induce injury.

And, as they’re produced by cooperatives of Guatemalan women, they’re also helping families. What could be better? $16, pocketdisc.com

For the dapper gentleman. Accessorize with custom, hand-painted pet portrait cuff links

by Sarah LambertCook and wear your heart on your sleeve. $42, etsy.com/shop/ tuckooandmoocow

{Editor’s Pick} The feather hair extension trend hits its tipping point and then some with these awesome Puppy Locks. Yes, they’re more for your amusement than your dog’s, but we’re betting these real feather “fur extensions” will garner some amused glances, if not accolades from fashion forward-types. Bonus: you can now match your own feather hair extensions to your dogs! $20, puppylocks.com

Gift Guide

Tired of borrowing your sister’s leopard print carrier when you want to take your canine colleague to the office?

The Cambridge carrier was designed with the GQ gent in mind. Suave and functional, it also doubles as a laptop bag. $150, jaraden.com

Fetch your keys. Cute AND useful, this dogshaped key ring alerts you to where your keys are hiding. Just whistle to set off a beeper that will guide you to them so you don’t spend walk time searching pockets and couch cushions for where you left your keys. $8, suck.uk.com

I spy with my little eye... a dog! A bright orange vest with reflective piping will keep your dog clearly visible to motorists and passersby both day and night.

From $24, houndsaroundtown.com

The Whiz Kid Not since Lite-Brite have science and art coalesced to create something so wonderful! The lab whizzes at Signature DNA use a swab of your dog’s saliva to create a unique genetic portrait that combines an actual image of Rover’s DNA with your favourite photo on canvas. From $499, dnaunleashed.com.

While we were enthralled by the section on “pooping strategically—indoors and out—by understanding variable-mass systems,” there are many more algorithms to teach your dog in Physics for Dogs: A Crash Course in Catching Cats, Frisbees, and Cars. If your old dog can’t be taught new tricks, it will at least make for some interesting reading. $13, thinkgeek.com

Nighttime walks just got a whole lot safer, easier, and more fun. Worn around the waist, the Lightwalker Belt, with its energy efficient LED bulb rated for up to 50,000 hours of rain-resistant use, keeps your hands free and the terrain and your dog illuminated. $20, mylightwalker.com

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Satisfy your dog’s sweet tooth with the cute Gimme Gummy Bear. Its oven-safe exterior allows you to bake treats right in the bear’s tummy. Yummy! It’s also dishwasher-safe, comes in assorted sizes, and is made from food-grade silicone.

Sweet, indeed. From $6, safemadepet.com

Get a dog’s-eye view of the world with the Eyenimal Digital Pet VideoCam. Small and water-resistant, it hooks onto the collar of any size dog or cat, and the 8GB built-in memory captures up to 2-and-a-half hours of footage. Perfect for aspiring canine auteurs, finally settling the question of what your dog gets up to while you’re at work, or for weaving weird footage into that art film you’re making. $129, dogtek.com

Gift Guide

The Hipster These bronze-finished, stainless steel custom 3-D ID tags will cement your dog’s rep as the coolest on the block. $40, flashgordondesigns.com

Treat your dog to human-grade 100 percent Alaskan Salmon Stix, handmade without bones, fillers, or yeast. Yum! $17, salmonpaws.com

Dog collars are like ties for business men: often the only way to express personal flare. Up to the task is Fifi Runn, a line of late 80s/early 90s inspired collars featuring hand-done type and custom illustrations. Making them even more rad is that 10% of proceeds go to dog-related charities. $34, fifirunn.com

Here’s one for all the hipster puppies out there.

(Is your dog a hipster?

Find out here: hipsterpuppies.tumblr.com.)

Squeaky “Mixed Breeds” cassette dog toy, $12, perpetualkid.com

The Beach Bum

We “sea” a fun time in your dog’s future.

Squeaky sea creatures, $5, mammothpet.com

Is your pup a waterbaby?

Capture all the underwater action of diving for rocks and doggie paddling with this affordable, lightweight, underwater camera. Pics come out super clear and, as it’s digital, you can delete the ones of just your thumb.Takes video too! $35, intova.net

AnnieWear’s signature “Good Girl” and “Good Boy” cotton onesies are perfect for the little animal lover in your life. $22, anniewear.com

The Wee Ones Get your chew on. With “chew guard technology” and doublestitched reinforcement, soft and squeaky Go Dog Minis are made to stand up to tough little chewers. $10, wetnoseboutique.com

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This bright graphic beach towel has proper oldschool style, perfect for that upcoming vacation. $15, teddythedog.com These eco-friendly playthings will delight your pup.

Each classic character is made from organic cotton and comes with four squeakers for extra fun. $16, simplyfido.com

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Gift Guide

With Mid-century Modern reminiscent lines and adjustable levels to match growth spurts or stiff joints, the Doggy Dining Tray VI has you covered from puppyhood to the golden years. $50, richellusa.com

Al Capone might have originated from Chicago, but this European-woven cushion cover is all Boston. $55, artsydog.com

The Homebody

Created in 1898, Lampe Berge air purifiers have a long, storied history. Famous devotees have included Pablo Picasso. A perfect marriage of form and function, these glass lamps destroy uncouth odours like wet dog before emitting delightful fragrance imparted by scented oils. from $44, lampeberger.ca

Keep those tootsies warm and cozy while proclaiming your love of whichever breed holds your heart. From $9, dogbreedstore.com

Dress the dinner table with a set of these adorable, handcrafted, hand painted canine salt and pepper shakers, available in a wide and utterly charming variety of breeds. $39, bluewitchceramics.com Say it loud and proud via tee, tote or mug: “I like Big Mutts and I cannot lie.” from $12, dogisgood.com

The perfect hostess gift? A bottle of BC’s See Ya Later Ranch wine. This winery, which was named for its charming dogrelated back story, produces awardwinning sippers. From $16, sylranch.com

Big Shrimpy beds deliver heavy duty creature comforts. Their super comfy faux suede nest beds are entirely washable and come with a three year warranty.

Need further goodness? They’re made of 74 percent recycled materials. Sweet dreams. From $120, bigshrimpy.com

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Topping most dogs’ wish lists? Heated floors.

(Okay, we confess, it tops our list, too.) Your dog’s dream home has Nuheat’s electric floor heating system. Need a further bonus beyond comfort, energy efficiency, and easy installation?

With a warm floor, you might actually be able to keep your pup off the new couch. nuheat.com

No dogs at the table?

Says who? Painter Scott Lifshutz’s watercolours of a happy pack of four-legged friends are printed in painterly style on rectangular porcelain canapé plates. $24 for set of four, westelm.com

From the golden age of air travel to your living room. Your dog will be dreaming of far-off places in this Upcycled Suitcase Pet Bed from Atomic Attic, made from a vintage American Tourister suitcase given a leg up from a 60s office chair base. $109, etsy.com/shop/atomicattic

Gift Guide Step it up with Pets Stops’ minimal, modern “Loft” pet steps. $200, petsstop.com

It’s true love with this sterling silver heart-andbone Rockin’ Doggie ring. $52, rockindoggie. com

The Homebody

This gnome for home beats the garden variety.

Recycled cotton stuffing and a squeaker round out the package. $8, come-sit-stayshop.com

You won’t be late for important dates with Everyday Dogs: A Perpetual Calendar for Birthdays & Other Notable Dates featuring nostalgic black-and-whites accompanied by dog quotes. $15, heydaybooks.com

Bring the outdoors in (in a good way, for once) with the tree stump Faux Bois ceramic dog bowl. $18 or $26, thelifeofryley.com

Danes, Weimaraners, Dobermans: here’s one especially for you.

Collection Gabriella’s tribalinfluenced handcrafted collars are made with shorthaired large breed dogs in mind (though we won’t tell if your furrier cousins wear one, too). From $75, collectiongabriella.com

P.L.A.Y.’s super soft padded pet mats are snuggly and easy to transport, perfect for the car, crate or to take along when visiting friends. From $29, petplay.com

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DISTRACT ME!

How habituating your dog to disorder can improve obedience and focus

By Steve Duno

Illustration by Jess Golden

I

’m amazed at how well-behaved most Manhattan dogs are. With buses roaring by, taxis horns blaring, jaywalkers shuttling en masse across major streets, New York dogs of all shapes and sizes seem unperturbed, unflappable, just like their owners. Yet, despite the city chaos, if a NYC owner pulls out a cookie or gives a command, the dog pays attention and performs. How do these dogs get to be so levelheaded and focused?

In a word, it’s desensitization. Dogs who grow up in busy environments become habituated to noise, crowds, and chaos. It’s basically a calmness arrived at via a slow, premeditated overload of the pet’s senses.

Most dog owners do the bulk of obedience training in the quiet, familiar surroundings of home. But if home is the only place you train, then that’s the only place your dog will listen. Though fine for teaching new behaviours, training your dog in and around the home limits how well she can master a behaviour. For instance, if taught to come only in your living room or back yard, your pooch won’t obey you at a busy soccer meet or on a hectic street. Hesitation or disobedience by your dog under those circumstances could prove disastrous.

So, how can you hone your dog’s level of obedience? Take her to Manhattan and have at it? Not quite. Instead, the answer lies in training with gradually increasing levels of distraction and under unpredictable conditions. If service dogs for the blind can be taught to do their jobs perfectly amid the hectic environs of Gotham, then your dog can learn to listen and heed simple commands in busy places, too.

Starting Out First, assess your dog’s overall obedience skills. Distraction training in busy areas with an untrained dog would be an exercise in futility, so if she does not have basic skills, get to work on that in the quiet of your home. Also, if your dog’s basic nature tends toward the nervous or fearful, bringing her into hectic, unpredictable neighbourhoods could make matters worse, so use common sense and a feel for your dog’s personality before venturing out into the real world.

It’s crucial not to start out with too much activity; sneak up on it slowly instead. The gradual increase should be not only in the level of activity, but in the dog’s proximity to it. As her focus and performance improves, ratchet up the amount of distraction, and reduce her distance from it.

For starters, try a few simple distractions around the home, such as playing the radio, inviting a friend over, or leaving a few toys or treats scattered about. Work her obedience around these minor distractions. You can then take it a step further by having a friend and his or her dog visit; with them sitting or standing by calmly, work your dog’s obedience until the basics can be attained despite the diversions.

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If home is the only place you train, then that’s the only place your dog will listen.

Taking It to the Streets

situation. Then, give the command again, this time slightly farther off from the distraction. Don’t quit until you get her to perform; make direct eye contact, and use your “big trainer” voice. Reward each time she does obey. Maintain an upbeat, convincing attitude; don’t think of corrections of any sort, as this is desensitization, not competitive obedience class.

Try this randomly all over the park. Include play breaks between these quick obedience sessions, to lighten things up. Try this park workout once daily, until she obeys no matter what’s going on. Remember that success depends on repetition.

Once she seems to be really getting this new “chaos” routine, take her for a walk down a fairly busy street, with all manner of distractions. Have her walk by your side at first, the only expectation being a decent walk. After a fast 10-minute walk, randomly ask her to sit. Praise when you get it; work it fast, with a nononsense attitude. When crossing streets, have her sit and wait a few seconds at each corner before proceeding. Don’t have people greet her yet; this is still work time.

At first, she might be somewhat overwhelmed; eventually, though, she will become desensitized to it, and get the idea. It will become an enjoyable game. Gradually increase the distractions until she will obey even in the face of hectic city chaos, inclement weather, or even wacky friends cartwheeling by.

Ramping It Up Once she will heed basic commands with this moderate level of distraction, take her to a park, where you’ll run into other leashed dogs. Still on leash, walk or jog her around without expectation, other than civility and decent leash behaviour. Do not stop to let her greet people or dogs; just move, move, move.

Toss in a sit if you think you can get it, but otherwise, just keep moving briskly, with self-assurance. Randomly reward and praise, but keep up a confident, convincing air.

Visit park locations of varying activity levels, and randomly give commands. Actually try to set her up for failure; remember, progress cannot be made unless she is taxed, tested, and finally enlightened.

Wait until a few people come close, then give her a command.

If she blows you off, say “No,” and briskly walk her out of the

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Distraction Recalls And now to the heart and soul of distraction training. Far and away, the hardest command to master is the recall, or “come here.” Perhaps the most telling and vital of all commands, it must eventually be worked in public, with distraction, to really “proof” it. Before doing so, though, make sure your dog will come to you every time, in the yard or home, whenever you call her.

Take your dog to a field when there is some (but not much) activity. Bring a 6-foot leash, a 20-foot nylon lead (or retractable lead), and treats. At first, walk your dog around the field on leash, randomly asking her to sit. Then have her come to you while on the 6-foot leash, in between short walks. Make a happy game of it! Next, clip the long lead onto her collar. Let her wan-

ILLUSTRATION JESS GOLDEN

Once your dog has mastered basic commands with distractions at home, it’s time to take it to the streets. Clip on her leash and walk her briskly down a sidewalk where a modest amount of foot and car traffic passes by. Vary your speed; be unpredictable. Walk with authority and confidence for a while, then choose a spot out of the fray where she can see activity, but not be immersed in it. At this point, begin to work basic commands combined with brisk walking and an upbeat, haughty countenance. Remember, your dog will draw confidence from your self-assured attitude.

When a person walks by, your dog probably won’t obey at first.

Don’t surrender to it! Require her to perform despite the distraction.

Don’t let the person greet her either; just stick to it until she obeys. If your dog blows you off, walk or jog her about smartly, then try it again until a basic command is obeyed. Reward her with an extra-delicious treat and great praise.

Work this several times in that area; use car traffic, kids playing—anything that might normally distract her. Keep the activity at least 50 feet off, if possible. Maintain your confidence and movement, and seek out eye contact with her. After five minutes of decent response, quit, and go for a fast walk back home.

der off to the end, then, when her attention is elsewhere, crouch down and say “Fluffy, come!” in a loud, jolly voice. If she ignores you, say “No” while giving a slight tug on the lead. Then give the command again. Repeat until she obeys. If all else fails, actually reel her in like a fish, then praise!

Remember, she must always come when called, or else she will never take it seriously. When she does come, praise mightily, then reward. Work this several times; let her get distracted, then call her.

Eventually, work this with increasing distraction until she will come to you no matter what is happening.

Once this is perfected (after a few weeks), put her into a sit, tell her to stay, then unclip your leash and walk 15 feet off. Turn to her, wait a moment, then crouch down and call her happily, with great mirth. She should jet over to you no matter what else is happening. At first you might want to try this inside of a large fenced-in area like an unused tennis court, to prevent any chance of escape. Eventually, try it in busier areas, like a weekend dog park.

Your dog probably won’t obey at first.

Don’t surrender to it!

Additional Distractions Once you and your dog get the hang of distraction training, try using random disruptions to proof her abilities to focus. Have someone walk by clapping or singing. Get a friend to play fetch with his or her dog twenty feet off while you work your dog. Whatever you can think of to divert her attention, try it, then work through it.

Slowly, almost sneakily, increase distractions until they become trivial to the dog. If you work her obedience with increasing distractions, she will become more focused, more reliable, and actually more calm. Be consistent and patient, and never lose your temper.

Then take her to Manhattan and have some fun. n

From the MD Archive For these related stories, visit moderndogmagazine.com/archive q How to Read Your Dog’s Body Language An illustrated guide to canine postures. q Do Dogs Need Canine Friends? Just who are play dates really for? q How Dogs Read Human Body Language Is your dog reading you like a book?

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RARE BEAUTY Six Exotic Breeds Photographed by Tanya King

Lucca

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SALUKI

The majestic, independent, cat-like Saluki was the royal dog of Egypt, making it perhaps the oldest known breed of domesticated dog. Held in the highest regard by the Egyptians, the Saluki was often mummified like the bodies of the Pharaohs themselves. Saluki-like animals appear on ancient Egyptian tombs and excavations of Sumerian Empire sites between 7000-6000 BC show carvings and seals that look similar to the modern breed. Its strength and endurance was recognized and used by the Arabs to track and take down gazelle, while the English dispatched the breed to hunt hare upon the Saluki’s import to England in 1840.

Like all sighthounds, the Saluki’s instinct to run requires leashing or a fenced area when excercising. Its grace, strength, and endurance make it a natural in both the show ring and at lure coursing events.

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CHINESE CRESTED

A true family dog, the Chinese Crested is a playful, elegant toy breed that loves human companionship. One litter can commonly produce two varieties: the Hairless, which features soft, silky hair on the head, tail, and feet, and the Powderpuff, covered in a soft, straight coat. Because it sheds little to no hair, the Crested is recommended for allergy-prone owners.

The breed is thought to have evolved from African hairless dogs and to have sailed the high seas aboard Chinese ships during the plague, chosen for its hairless status and ability to hunt vermin. Its status was elevated by the breed’s appearance by the mid-19th century in European art and in American dog shows in the late 1800s. By the early 1900s, the breed had acquired a considerable following in the US. The burlesque entertainer Gypsy Rose Lee acquired a Crested in the 1950s and became an ardent breeder and enthusiast, helping to further popularize the breed.

It’s interesting to note that six of the last ten World’s Ugliest Dog contest winners were Chinese Cresteds. With its champions and detractors, this breed may truly exemplify the saying “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

Fancy

Hartman & Rose “Good as Gold” kelly green collar, hartmanandrose.com.

LEONBERGER

Revived after near-extinction in World War I, the gentle and sweet Leonberger has flourished as a family pet and multi-purpose working dog. Its lion-like looks speak to its feline grace while its imposing size is softened by an immense coat that requires daily care (be prepared for shedding). The breed’s origins lie in Leonberg, Germany as a family, farm, and draft dog.

They also attracted the attention of popular German artists, becoming models, and have been featured on several European stamps, likely due to their intelligent expression and proud stance. Calm, reliable, and friendly, they make excellent family or therapy dogs.

Oliver

ALASKAN KLEE KAI

The Alaskan Klee Kai is a nothern breed of Spitz-type dog bred to be a companion-sized version of the Siberian Husky. Energetic and intelligent, it reflects its Northern heritage in its distinctive face mask, colouring, and curled tail. The Klee Kai, its name derived from the Dene term for “small dog,” is alert, loyal, and reserved toward strangers, making it an excellent watchdog despite its small size.

They are very curious, agile, good hunters if trained from an early age, and excel in obedience class due to their keen intellect. Despite their thick coat, Klee Kais are extremely clean and rarely require a bath. This rare breed has been recognized by the United Kennel Club but has yet to be recognized by the AKC or CKC.

Clicquot Bone & Rag embossed leather collar, boneandrag.com.

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SPINONE ITALIANO The sociable, docile, and highly adaptable Spinone Italiano, also known as the Italian Pointer, is thought to be a cross between the coarse-haired Italian Setter and dogs left behind by Greek traders from the Adriatic coast, as well as the White Mastiff and even the French Griffon. The Spinone’s wiry, dense coat, thick skin, ultra-soft mouth and superb nose make him the ultimate all-purpose hunting dog able to navigate cold water and underbrush where less-equipped dogs fear to tread. Deemed a “wash and wear” breed by the AKC for its ease of grooming (with the notable exception of that messy, water-dripping beard), the active, energetic, and robust Spinone likes nothing better than a romp through the fields with its family.

Gina

SHIBA INU

Independent and reserved by nature, the Shiba Inu exemplifies loyalty and affection to those who earn its respect. As the smallest of the Japanese native breeds, the compact and muscular Shiba Inu is alert, agile, and has the keen senses essential for a dog bred to hunt small wild game, boar, and bear in Japan’s mountainous regions. The breed descended from the primitive dogs of the ancient people of Japan and was named after its hunting terrain or the colour of the brushwood leaves in the fall—shiba in Japanese means “brushwood” while Inu means “dog.” The breed was almost wiped out after World War II from bombing raids and distemper, but bloodlines have been combined since to produce the Shiba Inu as we know it today.

Koshi

Cali Girl “Transformers” collar, caligirlcollars.com.

body &soul HURRAY FOR SPAY Those Paws—and Your Boots— Were Made for Walkin’ Wanna drop the pounds? Walk the dog.

North America’s obesity epidemic is, unfortunately, hardly breaking news. One-third of American adults are obese and less than 50 percent meet the basic recommended levels of physical activity, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Now add to that the staggering 60 percent of dog owners that don’t take their dogs for walks, and you have the seed of an idea: how do you get sedentary dog owners up off the couch and out walking their pets, so the owners benefit from the much-needed physical activity (and the dogs are happier)?

A first-in-North America clinical study is being conducted at the University of Massachusetts Medical School that aims to use Fido as a motivational tool where exercise is concerned.

In a six-month clinical study, professors at UMass Medical School are attempting to motivate a self-governing group of 120 sedentary local dog walkers through

Meetup.com by providing walking routes, dog park information, newsletters, pedometers, and even waste-bin locations in hopes of spurring participants into more physical activity and face-to-face social interaction via doggie play dates and information sharing. “A lot of people have this idea that just letting the dog out in the back yard is enough,” Schneider said.

She’s hoping to change that by appealing to dog owners’ love of their dogs and enhancing that motivation with the powers of social media to coax the couch potatoes into meeting a minimum of two-and-a-half hours of dog walking per week. So far, it’s looking good. “I’ve never had such a great response about a research study. So many people are dog lovers,” said Kristin Schneider, an assistant professor of preventive and behavioral medicine at UMass Medical School.

Dog owners who walk their dogs are 34% more likely to meet federal benchmarks on physical activity.

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*Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Survey and the Michigan Department of Community Heath

Join the international movement.

On February 28, celebrate Spay Day and help the HSUS spread the word: spaying and neutering pets and feral cats saves animal lives. Facebook posts, tweets, blog posts, bumper stickers, wearing a slogan t-shirt—it all helps, so spread the word!

Gone, But Not Forgotten Custom Wood Urns are an absolutely lovely way to remember a dog that is missed in ways that are hard to even begin to express. Artist Luke Thornton turns maple, myrtle, and cherry wood into functional art and keepsakes to remember a much loved dog by. A most fitting tribute for a best pal. From $50, custom-wood-urns.com

body &soul Gassy Lassie Dog farts. For some, they’re no joke, but like a bad comedian they can clear a room.

A common problem for breeds such as Boxers and French Bulldogs, flatulence stems from a variety of problems.

Swallowed air, usually the result of a wolfed-down dinner, is the most common culprit where garden-variety gas is concerned. Excessive flatulence can most often be blamed on dietary issues, though it’s best to check with your vet that an infection or illness isn’t at the root of your dog’s malodourous emissions. Diarrhea, vomiting, and loss of appetite are usual accompaniments if there’s a serious problem.

If illness has been ruled out, a few ways to reduce flatulence are to change your dog’s food to a higher quality diet of whole foods devoid of fillers while simultaneously slowing down his eating by feeding a series of smaller meals or using a specially designed obstacle dish. Canine-specific probiotic additives are another option, and activated charcoal has been known to diminish the odour, if not the situation itself.

To slow your dog’s eating, try Brake-Fast’s obstacle bowl. The simple protrusions stop dogs from bolting their food. (brake-fast.net) Intelliflora nutritional supplement contains a blend of four active live bacteria strains that promote intestinal health. (pscpets.com)

BUZZ OFF!

Repel insects the chemical-free way with Orange Guard (orangeguard.com), a water-based spray containing d-Limonene orange peel extract. It’s a zesty way to keep the bugs away and your pets safe from harmful pesticides.

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body &soul O-mega Benefits

Which omega-3s should you be giving your dog? (They’re not all the same.)

are present in many pet foods. DHA omega-3, prevalent in a mother’s milk, aides in neurological development, optimum eye function, and improved learning ability. For a dietary balance ensuring maximum benefits, add a combination of omega-3s to your pet’s diet to ensure that the ALA is balanced with the longer, marine-type carbon forms DHA and EPA.

Even once you’ve decided on adding a particular supplement to your dog’s diet, it can be daunting trying to choose which source or brand to go with. This is especially true of the omega fatty acids, the gold standard of supplements. The three key omega-3s are differentiated by their origins and the amount of carbons they contain. ALA (18 carbons) is derived from vegetable oil seeds like flaxseed, while EPA (20 carbons) and DHA (22 carbons) are present in fish oils or synthesized from algae. Each of these fatty acids have differences in their metabolic effects on dog and cat cells and tissues. The ALA omega-3 from flaxseed can be converted in the body to the longer carbon marine-based

omega-3s, but this conversion is quite inefficient in dogs and even less so in cats, so the addition of EPA and DHA omega-3s is recommended. For these, a dietary source, such as marine algaederived or fish oils is needed to reap the most benefit.

The benefits of omega-3s, like their components, vary. Evidence suggests that ALA omega-3 improves skin and coat by sparing the accumulation of an omega-6 fat, while EPA omega-3 can provide anti-inflammatory benefits in pets suffering from inflammatory skin diseases, kidney diseases, and osteoarthritis, among other ailments.

In addition, EPA omega-3 balances out the high amounts of omega-6 that

The final word? John E. Bauer, Professor of Small Animal Medicine & Faculty of Nutrition at Texas A&M University, says, “adding the marine-type omega-3s to the diet is imperative to provide a balance of both the omega-3 and omega-6 fats during all life stages in order to obtain optimal dietary balance for skin and hair coat, development, and to possibly mitigate sub-clinical disorders relating to kidney problems, inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and immune function. There is even some evidence that omega-3s may be beneficial in helping maintain cognitive function during aging and in limiting unwanted aggressive behaviors. When omega-3s are fed in recommended amounts to dogs and cats, they provide a healthful balance of beneficial and functionally active fats to help optimize life-long health in pets.”

THE FIND Keep those paws happy with the eco-friendly and pet-safe GroundWorks Natural Icemelter. Easy to use, it melts ice and snow in tough winter conditions (-9° F/-23° C, brrr) while keeping little paws and little people safe from toxins found in regular road salts.

Fertilizer-based, it’s safe on lawns, too! xynyth.com

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Dr. Betsy Brevitz tackles common veterinary vexations

The Doctor is Bad Breath Q

My dog has terrible breath. Is there anything I can do?

The Third Eyelid

A: Dental disease is the most common cause of “dog breath.” Bits of food and bacteria form soft deposits called plaque on the teeth, which eventually hardens into tartar.

Tartar irritates the gums and gives bacteria access to the tooth roots, which leads to infection, pain, and tooth loss, as well as bad breath. The bacteria can even wind up in the bloodstream and infect a dog’s heart valves or kidneys.

To assess the general condition of your dog’s teeth, (assuming she doesn’t bite, gently push up her upper lip, one side at a time, and look along the gum line. Check the base of the upper canines (fangs) and the first large teeth in the back (the upper fourth premolars). Do you see yellowish, brownish, or grayish gunk on the teeth? That’s tartar. Does the gum line look red rather than pink? That’s gingivitis (inflamed gums). Are there sores or crusts on her lips? All of these are signs of dental disease. The symptoms of dental disease aren’t restricted to the mouth.

Infection from an abscessed upper canine

tooth may break through the dog’s nasal passages and produce a yellowish or whitish discharge from the nose. The infection from an abscessed upper premolar or molar may cause a swelling or a draining wound below the dog’s eye.

If your dog has tartar on her teeth or signs of an infection, make an appointment with your vet. Once tartar has hardened it’s almost impossible to remove at home.

A dental cleaning under anesthesia is required. Vets clean a dog’s teeth using the same types of instruments your dental hygienist uses on your teeth: hand scalers (the crook-like metal instruments) followed by an ultrasonic scaling, polishing, and a fluoride treatment. The vet also checks for gum recession, infections, loose teeth, and growths in the dog’s mouth. Loose teeth are often removed, but a veterinary dental specialist sometimes can do a root canal instead to save the tooth.

Once your dog’s teeth have been professionally cleaned, you should start brushing them every day.

Check your dog’s teeth. Do you see yellowish, brownish or grayish gunk?

That’s tartar.

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When a dog is sick or in pain, you will The third eyelid sometime see a whitappears when ish or pinkish triangle a dog is in pain or has a nerve of tissue covering the injury. inner corner of his eye. This is called the third eyelid. If you see the third eyelid in one eye, that eye may be injured or painful, or a nerve may be damaged.

If you see the third eyelid in both eyes, both eyes may be painful or the dog may be sick or in pain from some other cause.

Call your vet to discuss what the cause may be and whether your dog needs to be seen right away.

Present Danger

You’ve heard it before, but here it is again: antifreeze is a deadly poison.

Worse yet, it tastes good to dogs and cats. Small amounts can make a dog sick or even kill him; as little as one teaspoon can kill a 10-pound animal. Keep your dog away from antifreeze spills in your garage or on the road.

The Doctor is IN

The Leaky Dog When a dog who is housebroken starts urinating in the house, some detective work is required to determine the cause. First, gather the facts by answering the following questions:

1 When did she start urinating in the house?

2 How often do the accidents occur?

3 Is she urinating large amounts, like a whole bladder full, or leaving smaller spots?

4 Is she drinking more water than usual?

5 When, in general, do the accidents occur? After she has gone to bed for the night?

When she is home alone? About how many hours after she last urinated?

6 Is her bottom or tail sometimes wet? Do her bed and other areas where she rests smell of urine?

7 Is she also defecating inside?

8 Is she scuffing her hind feet or having trouble walking? Is her tail limp and droopy?

Next, try to match the facts with one of the following profiles: A dog who is drinking more than usual and needs to urinate all the time may have a bladder infection, diabetes mellitus, Cushing’s disease or kidney disease. Your veterinarian can run blood and urine tests to find out.

A female dog who leaks urine when she sleeps or rests may have urinary incontinence caused by a weakened urethral sphincter. Her bed will smell of urine and her tail and bottom will sometimes be wet. This type of urinary incontinence is fairly common in older female dogs and can be treated with the drug phenylpropanolamine (PPA), which helps tighten the urethral sphincter. Before starting on PPA, your dog should have a blood test and urinalysis to make sure she doesn’t also have a kidney problem or a bladder infection.

An older dog who is both urinating and defecating in the house, or wandering and urinating in the house at night, may have canine cognitive dysfunction or “doggie Alzheimer’s.”

A dog who urinates when left home alone may have separation anxiety. (See moderndogmagazine.com/articles/separation-anxiety/21954 for more on this.)

A new dog added to a household may trigger a “pissing contest” among the housemates to mark their territory and establish who’s dominant.

A dog who is having seizures may urinate while unconscious.

A dog who is having trouble with her hind legs, and urinating or defecating wherever she happens to be, may have a nerve disorder that’s affecting her ability to control her bladder and bowels as well as her hind legs.

Excerpted from Hound Health Handbook © 2004, 2009 by Urbanhound, LLC Used by permission of Workman Publishing Co., Inc. New York All Rights Reserved Available wherever books are sold.

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BRAIN FOOD FOR DOGS

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Keep your dog mentally sharp and fight canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome with an antioxidant rich diet and plenty of mental stimulation.

By Elizabeth Pask and Laura Scott Illustration by Laura Bifano

O

ne of the hardest parts of living with dogs is watching them age. The signs of aging can be subtle: first Rex loses his puppy silliness, then he becomes a little slower on walks and likes sleeping in a little more and, before you know it, there is a little grey on his muzzle. Happily, thanks to advances in nutrition and health care, it’s not unusual for a small-breed dog to live well into his teens, and even large-breed dogs are living longer, healthy lives. However, with these longer lives, our dogs face new health challenges.

A common issue for our senior canines is canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), a disorder strikingly similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans. As they age, dogs may forget how to do things and seem disoriented or forgetful. They may start to have accidents in the house, wake up at night, seem restless or bark without cause. These can all be signs of CDS. Studies have shown that CDS causes changes in a dog’s brain similar to those of Alzheimer’s disease in humans. In fact, dogs have been used as models for studying Alzheimer’s in humans. Progression of CDS is typically very gradual and early symptoms are attributed to normal aging (he’s barking because his hearing is bad, he’s disoriented because his eyesight is failing, etc.). To determine if the problems are actually caused by CDS, a veterinarian will perform tests to rule out medical causes and will use the results together with information the owner provides about changes to the dog’s behaviour.

For dogs that have been diagnosed with CDS, there are prescription medications available to help manage the disease.

However, whether or not your dog has CDS, you can help prevent or slow down the progression of this condition and keep your senior dog’s brain sharp and functioning well through “brain teasers” that you can do at home with your dog and with “brain foods” that you add to your dog’s diet.

BRAIN TEASERS Studies have shown that, just like people, dogs that don’t use their brains lose some of the higher functions such as problemsolving ability. One of the best things you can do is to provide mental stimulation for your dog. This will help to slow the neurological (brain) signs of aging. Taking your dog for regular walks

and varying the route, playing with her, teaching her new tricks and giving her puzzle toys will all help her to use her brain and stay sharp. Research has also shown that using brain teaser toys in puppyhood also helps prevent the onset of CDS. Brain teaser toys are any toys that require the dog to solve a puzzle to get the prize—for example, Kongs, kibble balls, and food puzzle toys.

Research has also found that dogs that participated in adult training classes were less likely to develop CDS. Adult training classes could be agility class, obedience class, tricks class, or other dog sports.

BRAIN FOOD Like humans, dogs can undergo changes in their brain such as beta-amyloid accumulation and oxidative damage. The accumulation of beta-amyloids and oxidative damage appear to be connected. Researchers have found that these physiological changes are related to the development of CDS. Antioxidants are commonly talked about in human health and medicine, and researchers have studied the effects of feeding a diet high in antioxidants to older dogs to see if there is an improvement in age-related cognitive dysfunction. What they have found is both promising and exciting. Older dogs that received a diet rich in antioxidants showed improvement in learning and spatial attention within two weeks of starting the enriched diet. When diet was combined with mental stimulation such as walks, housing with another dog, and training, the effects were even greater. In tests used to measure an elderly dog’s spatial memory and its ability to discriminate between objects, recognize objects, and adjust to new situations, dogs on diets high in antioxidants fared better than a control group of dogs fed a normal diet.

A typical antioxidant-enriched diet for humans contains Vitamin E, vitamin C, L-carnitine, DL-lipoic acid, and fruit and vegetable extracts. A similar diet for dogs made by Hills Pet Nutrition is available through your veterinarian, but if you’d like to like to add some extra brain boosting foods at home, here are a few you can try.

Vitamin E: Add supplemental Vitamin E at up to 100 IU per day for a small-breed dog and 400 IU per day for a large dog. If

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Puppies fed a diet high in fish oil scored higher on trainability tests. your dog’s diet already contains large amounts of vitamin E, you may not need to add extra.

Vitamin C: Vitamin C is a very safe vitamin, usually requiring very large doses before side effects are seen.

However, there is little benefit to providing mega doses of this. Try adding 50-100 mg per day depending on the size of your dog.

Fruits and Vegetables: Add fruits and vegetables to make up to 10 percent of your dog’s diet. Colourful fruits and veggies are likely to have the most benefits, so try things like blueberries, raspberries, spinach, carrots, tomatoes etc. Be careful that you don’t upset your dog’s stomach with these, so go slowly and add just a bit at a time. For a small dog it may not feel like you are adding any significant amount, but that’s okay, remember it doesn’t take much to make a difference for them.

consider adding salmon oil to his or her food. If you are feeding a raw-based food, do not feed raw fish more than once a week without supplementing additional thiamine (vitamin B1). Raw fish naturally contains thiaminase and feeding high amounts of raw fish can result in a thiamine deficiency.

A healthy lifestyle that incorporates physical activity, social engagement, and

cognitive-enhancing activities, along with adequate intake of dietary antioxidants, has been shown to reduce the risk for developing neurodegenerative disease in dogs and humans alike. So to help keep you both mentally sharp, consider sharing a healthy veggie or fruit platter with your dog and inviting her to work on the crossword puzzle with you. p

PREVENTING CDS FROM THE PUPPY ON UP While the research only showed positive effects of high antioxidant diets in dogs that were older at the start of the studies, you may want to start feeding your dog’s brain when he is younger to help prevent problems from developing. Research has shown that puppies fed a diet high in fish oil (DHA) scored higher on trainability tests. In addition, rat fetuses from mothers that were fed a diet high in DHA had greater brain and nerve development.

When an expectant bitch is fed a diet rich in DHA during the last three weeks of gestation, her puppies reap the greatest neurological benefits. If there is earlier development in the puppy’s brain, they can begin learning earlier and the more learning that a puppy does, the lower the chance of developing CDS later on in life. If your dog is pregnant, make sure she eats a diet rich in DHA, such as one based on commercial puppy foods, which usually contain appropriate levels of DHA. If you are making your own food for your puppy or your pregnant female,

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ZEN AND THE ART OF DOGGINESS 1

5

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A yogi’s journey from darkness to light, and the angels who helped him get there.

By Mary-Jo Dionne Photographed by Suzanne Rushton

A

bout a year ago, I hurt my foot training for the Las Vegas marathon. A bummer, to be sure. After three months of doing nothing but consuming white carbohydrates (read: Chardonnay) and moping on the couch watching Law and Order re-runs, my husband and I decided to spend Christmas in Montego Bay, the land of beautiful bikini-bearing tourists and beautiful geneticallyastounding locals. Ahh, just the place for a person suffering the ill-effects of over-consumption to feel even more bloated and puffy. Thankfully, the all-inclusive nature of our resort meant no shortage of champagne (read: more white carbs) for Chad and I to toast new beginnings. Sure, we agreed, I needed to take a break from running, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t engage in something a little less hard on the joints.

Hadn’t I always admired (read: envied to the point of madness) those nauseatingly sculpted contortionists with their chiseled yoga backs? Yes, that’s it, we clinked our flutes, I will become a yogi! Las Vegas, you can keep your silly marathon.

New to the community of Deep Cove, a seaside enclave just 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver, I’d frequently passed Maa Yoga on my way to and from meetings.

Unbeknownst to the Zen masters sitting in lotus position behind the doors of this uber-chic studio, Maa would be the chosen locale of my newfound quest; the Cheers to my Norm. Which, it goes to say, would make its founder, yogi Farhad Khan, the Sam Malone to my Cheers.

Like the character played by Ted Danson in the sitcom

classic, so too is Khan indisputably welcoming and indisputably attractive. But the similarities between the two end there. While Khan possesses the physical attributes of someone who makes a living folding his body into poses that leave him resembling a human piece of installation art—trust me, I’ve seen this man in “crow”—it’s his eyes that give him away. Darker than charcoal, they provide a sense they have seen things that lead a person to a deeper level of understanding and compassion, disclosing a rare combination of sweetness and survival. But the eyes only hold you for so long. After all, flanking their dad behind the counter are Rokko and Koko, his Yorkie-Havanese canine co-workers. “I share custody with my sister,” he laughs. “We each get them for ten days at a time.” As enchanting as Khan and his sidekicks are—the gentle and approachable Rokko and Koko serving as evidence that dogs are frequently a reflection of their owners—his isn’t just a story of a nice guy who takes his dogs to the office. No, his is a story of an appreciation for animals that blossomed from the mire of family tragedy.

“I honestly believe that dogs are my angels,” he tells me. “It’s not lost on me that ‘dog’ is ‘God’ backwards.”

After his father was convicted of the 1993 murder of his sisterin-law, life for the then-teenaged Khan entered a period of great struggle. “I was lost,” he recalls. “It was a time of tremendous darkness.” The mood changes ever so slightly when he tells me who helped him get through the days following his father’s incarceration.

“Aboo, our family dog, was our saving grace. He kept our

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“I honestly believe that dogs are my angels,” he tells me.

“It’s not lost on me that ‘dog’ is ‘God’ backwards.”

foundation intact. He was the light our family needed in a dark time.” As he speaks, I’m reminded that while I typically hear stories of people who have rescued the family dog, this is a story about a family dog who rescued his people.

“When Aboo passed away, it was like we lost the family baby, after everything he’d helped us through. A month after, I couldn’t take it anymore. I went looking for the new family baby. And that’s when I found Koko and Rokko.”

Unlike my own yogic journey which saw me come to the mat to access muscle, Khan’s saw him come to the mat to access spirituality.

“It was an instant connection,” he remembers of his first yoga class. “I began to realize that, through my adversity, I had gained strength. I was gifted this experience for a reason. It was transformational. Like a lotus flower out of the mud, something beautiful was appearing.”

Less than five years after opening, Khan’s studio offers approximately 2,000 students about 60 classes a week led by some of the area’s most skilled yoga practitioners. Maa, he explains, is the Hindi word for “mother” and the studio itself is as a testament to maternal care in the figurative and the literal sense.

“Maa is my tribute to my mother. She’s a very strong woman.

And we all need to learn to mother ourselves. When we take care of ourselves, we are better able to take care of the people—and the animals—in our lives.”

Based on being acutely mindful and treating all living beings with respect, Khan’s lifestyle philosophy is a symbiotic merging of both yogic and dog-loving values.

“Gandhi said that the moral progress of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated and I believe that. My relationships with Aboo and Rokko and Koko are an important part of the bigger picture. Dogs teach you to let go of whatever it is you’re hanging on to. And the same can be said for yoga.”

Talking to Khan, I recognize what the eyes have been trying to tell me all along. There is joy where there was once sadness.

There is love where there was once loss. There is light where there was once darkness. Be it a fractured foot, a fractured heart, or a fractured sense of self, at one time or another, we will all find ourselves in the dirt. But with a little help from our angels—on two legs or four—we each have the power to make like a lotus and blossom. After all, that’s what Farhad Khan did. n

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PHOTO CHRISTOPHER NELSON

Alison Sawyer Current at home with two of her rescued dogs.

{Todas las Criaturas de Dios}

ALL GOD’S CREATURES Rescue in Mexico

By Corey Van’t Haaff

N

o one knows how long Wilson had been fighting for his life, trying to keep his head above water in the ocean off the coast of Mexico near Cancun. The dog was old, some sort of small Retriever-cross, and was pretty close to the end of his struggle when he was plucked from the water by a fisherman.

Infested with ticks, he had nails so long they had curled around into his paws. His left eye was hopelessly infected and needed to be removed.

Still, Wilson was lucky. He ended up in the hands of Alison Sawyer Current and her organization, Isla Animals, who took Wilson in, helped him recover then sent him off to a rescue group in Edmonton where he is joyfully living with his new family.

Being a dog in many parts of Mexico is no easy feat; a combined lack of money, education, and resources create torturous and often deadly situations. But Canadians living in Mexico, like Current, are making a difference, rescuing dogs and helping to make the country a safer place for our canine companions. Isla Animals, has rescued more than 5,000 dogs since 1999, including Karla, a two-year-old Schnauzer, another lucky dog. A school girl found her lying by the side of the road, not moving. It was clear she had been thrown there. She was blind, covered in ticks, a bone rack.

When Karla arrived at Current’s doorstep, she was welcomed,

and with a little bit of care, she started to get fat; too fat. Current took her to the vet to be spayed, suspecting pregnancy. Instead, the vet found a tumour and since removal was far beyond his typical scope of practice, he sewed her back up and returned her to Current to die at home.

Instead, Current mentioned the tumour to a vet friend in New York who said “Bring the dog and I’ll take a look.” The “tumour” turned out to be a chunk of gauze, forgotten during a spay in Mexico. After a few weeks in intensive care, Karla got better and found a new home there. Isla Animals received a photo of a properly groomed Karla sitting by the tennis court with her forever family. It is these stories, Current says, that allow her the spirit to continue her work.

Current lives in Isla Mujeres, about a three-hour ferry ride from Cancun. A fishing village of around 20,000 people, mostly locals and some expats, Isla Mujeres is a laid-back community where transportation is provided mainly by golf carts and mopeds. After retiring, Current and her husband made the island their permanent home and, once they saw the plight of the dogs, they found their calling.

“The problem is people don’t honour dogs here like we are used to,” Current says. “They don’t spend any money on them; they’re not part of the family. [The dogs] live in front of the house and have puppies…which are then put in a box and abandoned in

“There are horribly hungry and suffering street dogs. It can break your heart in a thousand different ways.”

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“There are horribly hungry and suffering street dogs.

It can break your heart in a thousand different ways.”

an empty lot or taken to the city dump or thrown in the street.”

Current is quick to point out that neglect is a far bigger problem than cruelty. Some locals, she says, care enough to drop garbage cans of puppies at her front door to give them a chance at life— which they get. Puppies are brought back to health and adopted out, a few to local families, but most are flown, courtesy of Air Transat, to dog rescue groups in Canada or America, where there are waiting families.

Because Mexico is a popular tourist area and street dogs are considered an eyesore or a threat, some local authorities put out poison, electrocute the dogs, or even offer cash for every dog brought in to be destroyed, says Current.

She worked hard to alleviate the dog problem on her tiny island and made great strides, but the nearby tourist mecca of Cancun is far worse, so this is where she devotes most of her energies now.

“The pound in Cancun is just a death camp,” she says. Street dogs and lack of spaying and neutering present huge problems, with hundreds of thousands of dogs on the streets and almost no routine veterinary care.

Twice a year, Current organizes huge spay and neuter clinics, held at makeshift facilities at a local school. Over a five-day period, 760 animals are spayed and spaces are reserved every day for street dogs, many of which are trapped specifically for the clinics.

Canadian and American vets fly to Mexico to offer their services and work alongside some 48 local vets to help develop sustainable skills for faster, safer, and less invasive procedures, important when most of the animals worked on are already compromised health-wise and there’s little post-surgery care.

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“Ultimately, the solution is spaying and neutering. In the meantime, there are horribly hungry and suffering street dogs,” says Current. “It can break your heart in a thousand different ways.”

Kathryn Purse knows all about the heartbreak. Seven years ago, she quit her job, packed up, and moved to San Miguel de Allende in central Mexico.

“I had never seen a dead dog in my life until then,” Purse says.

“You can’t drive down the highway without seeing a lot of dead dogs. They’re run over constantly. You see ones still alive who are so skinny; you can see what their fate is.”

Fate, however, also had something in store for her.

“I found five one-day-old puppies thrown in a drainage ditch on the only day there was no water in it,” Purse says. “I took them home and bottle-raised them, and it just took off from there.”

She now rents a small house on an acre within a 100-acre ranch and shares her home with 23 dogs. Two hundred dogs have passed through her doors. Some find their way into wonderful Mexican families and others go home unexpectedly with tourists.

“They change their plans and fly on airlines that take dogs and they go home with a dog,” she says. A vet check and rabies certificate are usually enough to allow the dog to travel.

Purse explains that both Mexican and Canadian mindsets can be challenging: Mexican, because dead, dying, and starving dogs are accepted as part of life, and Canadian, because we tend to believe that whatever the problem is, there are already people who are helping. In parts of Mexico, she says, there are no people who are helping.

She isn’t set up to take donations, so when someone offers her money; she takes the cash—and the person along with her—and goes to help a dog right that moment. She does encourage tourists to give money to small organizations like amigos-sma.org, which work to end the suffering of street dogs and have been successful in passing some protective laws, such as prohibiting dogs from being housed on roofs.

“Don’t tell yourself you can’t do it,” she says. She once questioned whether she was strong enough to help all these dogs, and has since realized she can do far more than she gave herself credit for. “If you see a dog on the street and leave it on the street, it will remain on the street. If we all do a small bit, it would help.

Because I can’t do it all.” n

Being a dog in many parts of Mexico is no easy feat.

q Interested in getting involved? Check out islaanimals.org

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THE GENDER DIVIDE Why women want dogs, while men need them

Photo Mindy Lee of Foxy Pet Photos

By Stanley Coren Photograph by Mindy Lee

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ou’re in the parking lot of your favourite dog park, unloading your happy canine, when you notice a couple of other “regulars” arriving. There’s the burly leather-jacketed guy on the Harley with his Miniature Pinscher riding in the saddlebag. Oh, and now you’re getting a wave from the granny in Birkenstocks being towed by her grinning Pit Bull.

Down at the river, you spot the blonde in full make-up and high heels, throwing a stick for her hairy Golden Retriever whose coat colour matches her hair exactly.

One of the most popular mental entertainments that people engage in is asking themselves “Why did this particular person choose that particular dog?” In reality, it’s like asking why two people fell in love. Usually all that we end up with is the not very satisfying answer that there must have been some kind of shared psychological characteristics between the human and the canine which resulted in a mental “click” and triggered positive emotions.

For the scientist, however, such an answer is not really adequate. For that reason, psychologists continue to look at the question of why specific people might be attracted to a dog with some explicit character traits and qualities.

One thing has become clear from such research: just like in human bonding, there are differences between men and women in terms of what they are looking for in a partner.

Psychologists have shown that women are usually looking for the “perfect mate” when they are considering men as potential partners. It appears that when choosing and bonding with dogs, women are similarly looking for the “perfect companion.” It is interesting that when describing their relationship to their dogs, women often compare it to their relationship with men—and men often come up on the short end of that assessment.

In a national Newspoll survey taken in Australia that gathered data from more than 600 single men and women, a large percentage of the women noted that they preferred the companionship of their dog over that of human males because the dog came closer to their ideal housemate. Sixty percent of women say dogs are more affectionate than men, 70 percent say dogs are more easy-going than men, 63 percent say dogs are more loyal than men, and 58 percent say that dogs are more reliable.

Furthermore, 40 percent of the women enjoyed the fact their dog allowed them to watch TV without interruption, 75 percent said they turned to their dog for affection when they felt down, and 80 percent said they valued the sense of security that dogs gave them. Men were not ruled out of women’s lives, however, 71 percent of the women surveyed said they would not enter a new relationship with anyone who didn’t like her having a dog.

It has been suggested by some researchers that men are not looking for a perfect companion, but are rather looking for a friend and workmate who reflects their own values and personality. For example, Richard Alexander, an evolutionary biologist from the University of Michigan, suggests that men were first attracted to dogs because of shared values and behaviours. He notes, “Like wolves, dogs tend to live and work in groups, and so do we. It helps that both species hunt and kill prey and compete against rivals.”

However some researchers suggest that rather than seeking a brother warrior and hunter, men are looking for something more subtle and softer when they seek the companionship of dogs. In a paper published in the journal American Behavioral Scientist, Alan Beck, a psychologist at Purdue University, and Aaron Katcher, a psychiatrist at the University of Pennsylvania, pointed out that cultures like ours have very few forms of play that allow caring and nurturing behaviours in male children.

“Boy children,” says Beck, “tend to be very self-conscious about having to take care of younger brothers and sisters. They don’t play tea party or dollhouse, because that’s ‘Mommy stuff.’

However, taking care of an animal is a notable exception. Caring for your dog is always okay.”

The acceptability of showing affection for dogs is not limited to a male’s childhood years. The view of dogs as “a license to love” continues into adulthood. Behavioural scientists have observed that in virtually every public setting, women are generally much more obviously “touchy-feely” than men are. When it comes to their relationship with dogs, however, this gender difference vanishes.

“Men are just as likely as women to pet and stroke their dogs, hold them in their laps, kiss them, and so on,” says Beck. “It doesn’t matter whether they’re male or female dogs, either: men

“We did a study that showed 97 percent of people talk to their dogs...the other 3 percent probably lied.”

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When describing their relationship to their dogs, women often compare it to their relationship with men.

can hug them without inhibition, without feeling any less manly.

It’s one of the very few areas in life where men feel truly comfortable as nurturers.”

A canine companion also affects how men communicate and express their emotions, perhaps because they never interrupt or try to take over a conversation, or possibly because they never make negative or judgmental comments about what a person is saying. Dogs seem to encourage even the most taciturn of men to do what comes naturally to a lot of women—namely, to vent feelings verbally.

“We did a study that showed 97 percent of people talk to their dogs,” says Beck, adding, “and the other 3 percent probably lied.” In some ways, dogs make better confidants than our girlfriends, relatives, and assorted other loved ones.

Erika Friedman, a psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania, explains why dogs have this effect.

“The exchange of affection between people and animals differs from exchanges with close family members and other relatives. These interpersonal relationships are frequently charged with ambivalence and negative emotional states. Human love and attention may be earned only with difficulty and sacrifice, or it may be entirely unavailable.”

Since men generally have greater difficulty expressing emotion than women in our culture, dogs become even more valuable as intimate sounding boards for males. The comfort dogs give their owners can be obtained anytime the dog is near. Friedman adds that this comfort is available “in almost any quantity, without

bargaining or supplication.”

Dogs fulfill another function for men. If a man seeks companionship of the human sort, he may run into a number of obstacles. First, women often respond negatively if directly approached by a man that they do not know. The first response that women often have to male strangers (outside of controlled social settings) is suspicion or even fear. With his somewhat more limited social skills, the average male often does not know how to get around that problem. However, research shows that if a man is hoping to meet and attract a possible life partner, having a tail-wagging companion may improve his likelihood of success. For example, in a series of studies at the University of Pennsylvania, volunteers were asked to rate photographs of the same people shown with or without a dog. Those given the “with dog” scenes consistently rated the human in the photo as happier, safer, and more relaxed. The reviewers also reported wanting to be in those pictures much more often than they did the dogless ones.

The animal behaviourist, Peter Messent, tested this social effect of dogs in real life. He asked volunteers to go on walks, either alone or with a dog. The idea was to count the number of social interactions each volunteer had on the walk. The results were that the man who walked alone tended to stay that way.

Those men who were accompanied by a friendly dog had many more social encounters.

In contemporary Japan, using dogs to meet people has become a commercial enterprise. Tokyo has more than a hun-

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dred “rent-a-puppy” shops which allow customers to take dogs on walks at a rate of about $15 per hour. Though many customers are simply seeking a pleasant dog experience in a city where dog ownership can be prohibitively expensive, more than a few male clients specifically ask for cute breeds to help them attract women.

Evolutionary biologist Richard Alexander has tried to explain the positive effect a dog has by suggesting that, if anything, it’s a man’s apparent ability to form close and intimate bonds with a dog, not the dog itself, that women find attractive.

“When a dog is showing trust in and companionship with a man, a woman knows that the man likely has whatever it takes

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to establish an affectionate relationship and keep it going,” says Alexander. This makes him closer to the average woman’s ideal of the “perfect partner” and thus makes him more interesting and desirable.

It seems clear that women love dogs, since they select those canines that embody the traits they wish their mates possessed.

Men, on the other hand, need dogs to provide an outlet for the expression of love and affection that our culture will not normally allow them, and perhaps as a social aid through which a man may successfully meet and interact with the woman who may turn out to be his own human true love. n

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A love that knows no bounds: tattooed tributes to (wo)man’s best friend For many of us, our love for our dogs know no bounds, though it’s expressed in myriad ways—Saturday mornings spent standing around in the rain at the dog park, for one, or sleeping somewhere near the very edge of the mattress in order to ensure the comfort of a snoring canine pal. They’ve inspired books and paintings, silly nicknames, and home-cooked meals. Reflecting on this, we wondered how many of us wore a permanent tribute to our best pals, so we asked our readers to submit photos of their dog tattoos. Here is just a sampling of the wonderful examples we received. These ink aficionados boldly wear their dog-devotion on their sleeves (or backs, or legs, or chests) as an endearing, enduring testament to the relationship they share with their dogs.

We can’t think of anything sweeter.

Sarah Taby’s tattoo of Ripple, her yellow Lab was done by Aaron Bellve of Totem Tattoo Studios, Williamsport, PA.

Jeffrey Altomari cares deeply about the three things he has combined into his tattoo—the Bull Terrier breed (especially his dog, Willie), The Who, and drumming.

A perfect blend, in our book. Tattoo by Kenny Phillips at Eclectic tattoo, North Ridgeville, OH.

Among the three dog portrait tattoos that grace Andrea Newborg’s body is this one of her Dachshund, Jethro, who was sadly taken well before his time.

Jethro also inspired Newborg to create Jethro’s Anipal Sanctuary (anipalsanctuary.org).

Lisa Kostrzynski chose to showcase her love of the Greyhound, particularly her two adopted, retired racing Greyhounds, Roscoe and the recently departed Sage, with this beautiful back piece.

Tattoo by Tenane Whitfield of Studio Evolve, Virginia beach, VA.

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Kasha Gordon’s tattoo of Black Jack or “BJ” is a memorial and tribute to her best man. Tattoo by Jeremy of Golden Dragon Tattoos, Henderson, NV.

Ichi not only inspired his guardian, Ben Baudhuin, to have this likeness permanently inked on his calf, but Ichi also has a dog-walking business and dog accessory line named after him. He’s a pretty popular guy in his Brooklyn neighbourhood. Tattoo by Liorcifer of NYC’s Tribulation Tattoo.

Julie Armstrong nicknamed her dog Senor Flip Flop after the pup devoured 15 pairs of flip flops one summer. Olé!

Tina Woods is inked with a portrait of her champion Mastiff, done by Dina Rose of Club Tattoo Las Vegas.

Cera Reusser’s tattoo, done by tattoo artist Mike Gutowski, is in memory of her girl, Chase. Chase inspired Cera to start a canine cancer foundation, chaseawayk9cancer.org. To date, she has raised $500,000.

Jodi Matton’s tattoo was inspired by her love of Bull Terriers and Tim Buton’s Frankenweenie.

Huckleberry Starnes’ yellow Lab, Scout Finch, was a constant companion. The tattoo is placed at exactly where Scout would have been when walking next to him. A perfect tribute. Tattoo

by Phil Colvin of Memorial Tattoo, Atlanta, GA.

Cory Ferguson is a tattoo artist who has tattooed many a dog portrait. The one most dear to his heart, however, is of his own dog, Yorkshire terrier Earl, done by Valerie Vargas.

Julie Felber’s tribute to her 13-year-old Border Collie/Australian Shepherd cross, Cyle. Tattoo by Veronik of Scarlet Ink.

Joshua Clutter’s dog Skylar was hit by a car and had to have pins put into her leg and lungs. This robot-dog tattoo is Clutter’s tribute to his bionic best pal.

Tattoo by John Vale from Ocho Placas Tattoos, Miami, FL.

Jessica Webb had tattoo artist Talina Angelina ink her two dogs, Bob (the Pug) and Whoha (the Chihuahua), on her leg. moderndogmagazine.com

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Rescued Dachshund Wilbur wears a studded leather collar from Paco Collars (pacocollars.com).

From Chuck to Chuck-Its

Yvonne Strahovski on Chuck, her name change, and asking the right questions

By Mary-Jo Dionne Photographed by Kharen Hill Hair, Adam Campbell; Makeup, Lina Hanson; Styling, Caley Lawson

Y

es, I’m a late adapter and only took a seat at the Twitter table about a year after my hippest friends did. Marni, for example, already had over 1,000 followers (sorry, tweeps), by the time I had my first. While initially I didn’t really grasp the full raison d’etre of expressing myself in 140 characters or less to an anonymous gaggle of e-associates—feeling no one would really care if I’d had a Cobb salad for lunch (“swapped the blue cheese for feta, and the meat for tofu”)—soon I began to get it. Not long after my second twitterversary, I experienced a tweeting highlight when I randomly asked if anyone “out there” had any questions for my upcoming interviewee, Yvonne Strahovski, star of NBC’s Chuck, the voice of Miranda Lawson in the Mass Effect video game series, and vocal animal rescue crusader. And yes, of course, I concluded my tweet as we twitter-bugs do, with a simple #YvonneStrahovski. (God bless the hashtag, the universal symbol for “Join in on the conversation!”) Less than a minute later, I thought I’d been attacked by some kind of weird virus and that Twitter was going twitter-bananas on me. But no, it was simply Twitter in action: a plethora of Yvonne fans jumping at the chance to talk to her, via me and Modern Dog magazine. So, here you have it, tweeps. Oh, and for what it’s worth #YvonneStrahovskiRocks.

MD: Your parents are from Poland, but where are you from originally?

YS: I was raised in Australia. I’m actually the first and only Australian in my entire family, because I have no siblings.

MD: So Polish was spoken around the home when you were growing up in Australia?

YS: Yes, definitely. It was technically my first language. Even today, I email in Polish, I text in Polish.

MD: Your father is an electronic engineer and your mother is a lab technician, which are admittedly left-brain occupations. When did you determine you wanted to pursue a life in the arts, as an actor?

YS: Even though they have left-brain occupations, my parents are both very creative. I took my first drama classes when I was 12. I was always making home videos and doing these little sketches. Sure, they didn’t really like the idea of me being an actress as a career and initially they tried to steer me in another direction. But once they realized my dedication to it, they were 100 percent supportive.

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“Having dogs, especially for people with high-stress lives, really brings you down to earth.”

MD: How fortunate do you feel to have landed the role of Sarah Walker on NBC’s Chuck?

YS: I feel incredibly fortunate. I feel like I have one of the best TV characters around. Chuck is a lot of different genres in one show. Comedy, drama, romance.

MD: What have you learned about yourself as an actor, having a gig on an award-winning series like Chuck?

YS: It’s been four-and-a-half years and I’ve learned a lot. It’s such a time-consuming process, creating a one-hour drama. We try to shoot an episode every seven days, which means we are working between 12- and 18-hour days. I’ve learned about the importance of pacing yourself. There’s a lot of stamina involved. I learned I can push myself to the absolute limits. I’ve learned about being consistent under the most dire circumstances. That’s the real acting. No matter how much we work, life happens and reality

happens. You have to push through.

MD: Was altering your last name from Strzechowski to Strahovski a tough decision for you, considering the pride you have in your heritage?

YS: Yes, it was. It was originally presented to me by one of the show’s producers. They thought it was going to be a nightmare expecting people to be able to pronounce my name. I think they presented Yvonne Striker or something like that. I was originally very uncomfortable with it. I like things to remain organic, from food to the way I live my life. So, it was struggle for me. I tried to think of other alternatives, but in the end, I decided on the phonetic spelling of my real name.

MD: You recently had the opportunity to work with some really big names in your new movie, The Killer Elite. Tell us a bit about working with the great Robert DeNiro.

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YS: It was amazing. It was definitely something I’ve always wanted to do.

Really, most actors would want to. I just didn’t think it would happen so early on in my career. It was an extremely exciting experience. I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face. Even though I had to for the scenes. He has a very welcoming energy, he’s extremely sweet.

MD: I understand you have a couple of fur-kids. What do you do with Chazzie and Wilbur when you’re on set?

YS: They often come to the set with me. If they’re not at work, they are at home with my boyfriend because we have different schedules. But I like bringing them on location with me, especially

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if we’re shooting in more natural areas, like on a ranch or some place like that.

MD: Were you always an animal person?

YS: Yes, I have always been an animal lover. From day one. My parents didn’t let me have a dog growing up, and oh, I used to beg. But they would never cave.

So it was always guinea pigs and a rabbit. As soon as I moved out here to L.A., I decided, well, I guess I can get that dog now!

MD: Can you tell us how Chazzie and Wilbur came into your life?

YS: I always knew I wanted to adopt, so eventually I ended up on PetFinder. com. It’s an amazing site. Everyone who is looking for a new pet should go on this

site. I’m big on stopping puppy mills. It’s so easy to find an animal on PetFinder, no matter the breed or the size… and so that’s how I found Chazzie. I even had the rescue organization come to my house to make sure I was going to be a responsible parent. With Wilbur, a friend of mine was volunteering to foster him.

So we made a playdate. And that was that. He had originally been found on a highway with about 48 ticks all over his body. So, I got Chazzie first, and then I wanted a friend for him. They are the best of friends; they get upset when they are separated.

MD: A very crucial question: Who would play Chazzie and Wilbur in the movie of their lives?

YS: Chazzie would be played by Joe Pesci in Home Alone. And Willy would be played by Jeff Daniels in Dumb and Dumber.

MD: How has having dogs as a part of your family changed you?

YS: Having dogs, especially for people with high-stress lives, really brings you down to earth. It’s also nice to be responsible for something. It’s nice to take care of something.

MD: You recently starred in a campaign with PETA, under the headline “Always adopt. Never buy.” Why is that message so important to you?

YS: As far as I know, of the millions of homeless dogs available, only about half get adopted. There are at least 4 million dogs who need to be adopted [in the United States]. A lot of people who are buying dogs at stores don’t really know where these dogs come from. It’s kind of like when they buy food… we need to be educating people to care where things

“We need to be educating people to care where things come from.”

come from. For example, where does your fur jacket come from?

It’s about raising awareness and making an educated decision.

There are millions of dogs just sitting there, waiting to be adopted.

People think they’re not going to find what they are looking for but I would urge people to go on PetFinder.com. Just type in what you want in a pet and I guarantee you’re going to find something super cute.

MD: What inspired you to get into the rescue movement?

YS: As I was looking into adopting, as I was educating myself, I didn’t realize the numbers of homeless animals were so high.

I feel, as an actor, as someone in the public eye, it’s my responsibility to help out in whatever ways I can. People follow me on

Twitter, they look at what I do in my spare time. So it’s important.

MD: The premise of the “Always adopt. Never buy.” campaign is an invitation for people to “Be an angel for animals.”

In your view, what are some of the ways we can be an angel for animals?

YS: I think the biggest thing we can do when it comes to anything that’s animal-related is to ask questions. Where did this come from? How did this come to me? You can make educated choices.

MD: How would we say “Always adopt. Never buy.” in Polish?

YS: Zawsze adoptuj, nigdy nie kupuj. n

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ASK AN EXPERT // Trainer Colleen Safford Canine Confidence After sending my pup, Gemma, on a cross-country plane ride (we were relocating), she seems to be afraid of everything, even water bottles, which she used to love playing with. She’ll turn skittish and cower until I bring over whatever she is afraid of and tell her it’s okay. She was well socialized as a pup, but ever since she took that plane ride, she seems shy and afraid. How do I earn her trust back and help her gain confidence?—Fear of Flying in Fresno Sounds like Gemma is in need of some canine confidence-boosting, just like our famed friend, Scooby!

There can be a couple of things going on. It’s hard to say for certain that it is specifically travel-related in origin, but it is certainly true that air travel can be noisy and unpredictable. Gemma may have been going into a developmental fear period (there are a few within the first year of life) and that may have coincided with the travel. Fear periods refer to developmental stages where dogs develop a more heightened apprehension or awareness to new stimuli.

If we look at air travel, the handling process could have been a bit overwhelming in terms of exposure to noise and objects, creating some anxiety and phobia.

First, let’s talk about the possibility of noise phobia. While water bottles are something previously predictable, perhaps the idea of it making random and unpredictable noises of varying levels has Gemma a bit apprehensive.

Dogs are also known for being object- or picture-spooky (great technical term!), meaning they see the world in pictures and when something is out of place, it can alarm them. People carrying shopping bags, wearing hats, or an item that is misplaced and out of context are the best examples of this. To a cautious and curious canine with picture sensitivities, a person carrying a bag or wearing a hat is just different. They don’t know the item is not part of their body and the picture simply does not add up to the “normal human” picture in their brain. If something is out of place in your home—could be as simple as a t-shirt thrown over a chair or strewn on the floor—suddenly the whole room can look out of sorts and cause a dog to bark or approach it slowly as if it’s a eight foot tall scary monster.

Keep Calm and Carry On The best thing to do in all of these situations is take it slow and remain positive. Do not force Gemma to explore; let her go at her own pace. Often owners want to show a dog that an item or person is harmless and they simply pick the dog up and take her over to the item. This approach can backfire and create a dog who is more fearful and feels less in control.

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Redirect and Make it Positive Most often, nothing good comes from a dog fixating on items that scare her. Think of when we fixate on a noise in the house that gave us a fright. It’s often better (and certainly more productive) to just move on.

Instead of allowing a stare down or “solve the caper of mystery chair monster,” I recommend redirecting Gemma’s focus to you or something she likes. “Gemma, look!” in a cheery voice, followed by the toss of her favourite toy or morsel of food.

Pairing things that make your dog a little nervous with things that make her happy will help her feel confident. Using Scooby as our comparison—remember how quickly Scooby turned brave when he was offered a morsel? Well, while a little exaggerated, the cartoon makers were onto something!

Soon your Scooby will recognize that “Eek, what’s that?!” is not the most terrible thing in the world as it usually quickly translates to “Ooh, my awesome toy or Scooby snack just appeared!”

Classes for Confidence Enroll in a fun class like dog agility, where Gemma will be introduced to an obstacle course with jumping, climbing, teeter totters, and tunnels. Be sure to tell the trainer you are simply looking to do this for fun and confidence boosting, not competitive reasons. Tell the trainer you want to take it slow for Gemma’s sake. Teaching her to happily approach, touch, and explore new surfaces can really help. n

As host of The Family Pet on Pet Life Radio, dog trainer Colleen Safford raises awareness on pet-child safety, and understanding dog body language. Colleen’s companies, NY Walk & Train and Far Fetched Acres, have been voted “Best of NY” by New York magazine. Colleen receives daily training from her toddler children and is proudly owned by her rescued Boxer(ish).

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ASK AN EXPERT // Trainer Inger Martens Not Feelin’ the Love?

I have a 11-month-old Airedale. She is wonderful and I could not love her more. She is very affectionate with my husband. She will sit by or on him, lick him to death, cuddle, sleep close to him. With me, she is semi-lovable. I rarely get to cuddle her. If I sit beside her, she will move to another spot. She will lay on my side of the bed, but as soon as I come to bed, she will get up and move. However, when it comes to obedience/classes/going for walks, she listens to me much better. Why?—Semi-loved in Semiahmoo You may be misunderstanding the signals of love. Like people, dogs can show love in different ways. There is demonstrative love and respectful love. Sounds like you are the recipient of the latter. Dogs can become mirrors of our respective personalities, too. It’s not that you are unlovable, it’s just that your dog may be receiving more play and intensity of affection from your husband and she loves his salty skin.

If your husband is an extrovert by nature and playful when he’s with her, he will receive tons of kisses. Being pack animals by nature, dogs will follow the leader. Hence, your husband can become her focus of affection at home with his play and with you while on a leash. Voice inflection and body language of each human are huge factors with pups. At home, men who are dog lovers (in general) tend to use their voice inflection and body language in a more exaggerated way, a lot more than women.

Especially when trying to manage behaviours in the house, men end up “winging it” with obedience and dogs tend to respond to their body language and cues. Sometimes with “winging it” (I mean training new commands without learning or teaching the

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commands formally on a leash first) the dog may feel a bit insecure as to where she stands and this manifests in following, licking, and needy behaviour. Sorry guys, it’s true. In training many couples over the decades, I have found that men often want to command from a distance, while women follow the rules of obedience commands very systematically. Dogs (especially young ones) pick up on this instantly. The result? What appears to be love is actually a little bit of needy affection by a pup that’s born out of a touch of feeling insecure. Ah, men!

The solution? Well, a little more play and praise from you and a little more structure from your hubby and you’ll all be on the same page of love. As for bedtime, she’s just warming your side of the bed and moving over for you to make some space. That’s her job. Good girl! n Inger Martens is a celebrity dog trainer and behavioral expert. An author, television and radio personality, she has been dubbed “Best Dog Trainer in LA” by Los Angeles magazine. She is currently excited to announce her new online resource for dog owners, pawsforaminute.com.

ASK AN EXPERT // Teoti Anderson + Nicole Wilde

Bothersome Barking I have a Shih Tzu/Bichon mix who doesn’t want to stop barking. He barks at everything. I have tried so many different techniques on him, everything from Cesar Milan’s techniques to dog training that I have learnt in the past, but nothing I have tried helps. I have had many dogs and this one is the loud mouth. What can I do?—Deafened in Detroit It can be very frustrating when you have a chatterbox for a canine friend! Barking is a very rewarding activity.

Behaviour that is rewarded is repeated; since barking makes your dog happy, he barks more!

To change any kind of behaviour, consistency is critical. If you keep changing how you deal with his barking, it will probably just confuse him and the barking will get worse. I do NOT recommend yelling or making any other noise back at him. He’ll just think you’re joining in!

It does help to understand what is motivating your dog’s barking. Here are some common causes and how to treat them.

1. He’s barking to get something.

For example, he barks so you’ll take him outside, feed him, throw the ball, etc. If this is the case, don’t give it to him. At first, his barking will get worse, because it has worked for him in the past and he’ll be very confused why it’s not working now.

Stick it out! Ignore him. The second he’s quiet, only then should you react.

For example, my puppy, Sawyer, would whine to be let out of his crate. I would reach for the crate latch and the whining would start, so I would freeze. I didn’t say anything, I didn’t do anything. He soon learned that as long as he whined, my hand

never reached that crate latch. The whining stopped.

2. He’s barking at things he sees. For example, he barks at people outside, kids on bikes, other dogs, etc. This can mean he doesn’t have enough socialization with these things so he feels a need to yell at them to defend himself. It also could be that he is so excited by them that he wants to talk about it. Increasing his exercise (a tired dog is less likely to bark) and managing his environment so he doesn’t have access to his triggers can help. Barking through the window? Shut the blinds!

Don’t forget to reward him when he is quiet. Use a clicker to mark the moment and give him a tasty reward. You will teach him that being quiet is more rewarding than barking.

As always, if you’re still having issues I recommend finding a reward-based professional trainer to help you at home. n

Teoti Anderson, CPDT, owns Pawsitive Results (getpawsitiveresults.com), and is the past president of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. She is the author of Your Outta Control Puppy, Super Simple Guide to Housetraining, Quick and Easy Crate Training, and Puppy Care and Training.

Barking is a very rewarding activity.

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Intact Aggression Issues My dog, Wishbone, is an intact male Jack Russell.

He wasn’t completely socialized and had a few aggression issues. He is now much better with us, but he hates my mother-in-law’s intact male dog, Jonesy. They got into a pretty bad fight after months of getting along. Now, if they even see each other, they try to get at each other and

fight. Should I assume that he won’t get along with any other male dog? I want to board him, but I’m afraid he’ll be a pain to the kennel if he barks or tries to fight with other dogs. Any advice?—Peacemaker in Pasadena Fights involving unneutered male dogs aren’t uncommon, and with Wishbone and Jonesy both being intact, you’ve got double trouble. But does their “talk to the paw” relationship predict that Wishbone will have trouble with other dogs as well? Maybe. While it’s true that there are plenty of intact males who are not dog-aggressive, dogs can tell when another is unneutered. When an intact male enters a dog park or social group, it’s not unusual for other dogs to get their hackles up, both literally and figuratively, and fighting can result.

You didn’t mention Wishbone’s age, but assuming he’s an adolescent or older, I’m curious as to why he’s not been neutered. I assume you’re not planning to breed him, as aggression issues can be passed down genetically. Unless he’s a show dog or there is some medical or other reason that he must stay intact, I urge you to speak to your vet about neutering. In addition to lessening the incidence of aggression toward other males, neutering also decreases urine marking, roaming, and possibly, other aggression-related behaviors such as territoriality.

As to Wishbone’s relationship with Jonesy, if one or both of them get neutered, it might change; but given their established history of fighting, it might not, and it would be best to manage the situation by keeping them apart for now. The important thing is to give Wishbone every possible chance of having peaceful encounters in the future. If possible, hire a gentle, positive trainer who has his or her own dogs that are “bomb-proof” around other dogs. That would allow you to work with any possible reactivity in a supervised way, and the trainer could then help you to ease into encountering unfamiliar dogs in public. All of that should help you to predict how Wishbone would behave in a kennel/boarding situation in close proximity to other dogs.

If it seems potentially problematic, you could always opt to have a petsitter stay at your home instead. n

Aggression issues can be passed down genetically.

Nicole Wilde is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer who lectures worldwide on canine behaviour. She is the author of nine books, including Help for Your Fearful Dog and Don’t Leave Me! (phantompub.com). She can be found at facebook.com/NicoleWildeAuthor, twitter.com/NicoleWilde, and on her Wilde About Dogs blog, wildewmn.wordpress.com.

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art attack

by Sara Lima

Wendy Meagher

W

endy Meagher’s hobby-turned-full time career is one made famous by the fabled, tiny men and women of the North Pole: she is a vintage-inspired toy maker creating the most magical of teddy bears.

Inspired by German toy maker and creator of the original teddy bear, Margarete Steiff, Meagher bravely abandoned her post as a computer programmer 18 years ago to launch Whendi’s Bears.

The result is a bear that looks as though it was lovingly toted around by a toddler in the 19th century or gleefully recovered from one’s great grandmother’s attic. Each is handcrafted one at a time entirely

by Meagher. Surprisingly, she has no background or training in toy making, just a lifelong love of arts and crafts and, as she puts it, “old things.”

“I always loved vintage and antique bears,” states Meagher. “I try to make the bears look like they’re 100 years old already.”

Using only the finest materials, such as German and English mohair and aged leather, Meagher sews the body of the bear from patterns she’s designed, then fills them with wood wool.

The character really begins to emerge in the careful sculpting of the face, which determines what type of animal it will transform into. Once the head is complete and the species determined, the real fun begins—accessorizing. Here Meagher must decide if the dog/bear/elephant will be a boy or a girl, a clown or a sailor, clothed or au natural. Found treasures such as antique shoe buttons and poker chips are used for the bears’ eyes, noses, and accessories: “If I find something I want to use, I make it (work),” she tells us. All of the clothes are handmade by Meagher using vintage textiles, laces, and trims found at antique shows, shops and on eBay. When asked what her favourite piece is, Meagher names the French Bulldog and Boston Terrier as her most loved. One must assume that her own Boston, Zoe, has something to do with this personal bias.

“She’s been a huge inspiration, just by having her face here every day,” Meagher gushes. “I use her as my big drawing board.” n Bears start at $200; visit whendisbears.com for more details.

“I try to make the bears look like they’re 100 years old already.”

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Above and above right: from Dogs Make Us Human © 2011, Penguin

Connie’s Book Club Curl up with a good dog and a good book

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CONNIE WILSON’S SELECTION OF WINTER MUST READS.

Sorry I Pooped in Your Shoe

By Jeremy Greenberg (Andrews McMEel; 2011) Ever wondered why your dog commits seemingly vengeful acts of destruction in your home while you’re away? Or why they roll around crazily on the stinky who-knowswhat smeared on the grass? Writer and stand-up comedian Jeremy Greenberg provides his best guess to these and other important questions in Sorry I Pooped in Your Shoe (and Other Heartwarming Letters from Doggie), a collection of hilarious and endearing letters set alongside photographs of our four-legged friends at their most mischievous.

These imagined missives provide hilarious answers to why dogs do the crazy things they do, while answering the question of why we let them get away with it—they’re just so darn cute.—SL

Dogs Make Us Human

By Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson and Art Wolfe (Penguin; 2011) New York Times bestselling author Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson teams up with famed photographer Art Wolfe to create this heartwarming book of stunning photographs of dogs from Tibet to New York and everywhere in between. In the accompanying reflections, Masson explores the relationship between dogs and humans, a bond that is unlike any other, crossing continents and spanning more than fifteen thousand years. While the mysteries of this enduring cross-species friendship remain, Dogs Make Us Human reveals the uniqueness and universality of a bond understood around the world.—MM

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From Chewed © 2011, Ideal World Books

Drinking With Miss Dutchie

By Ed Breslin (Thomas Dunne Books; 2011) In this heartfelt, moving memoir, Ed Breslin, a former editor, publisher, and senior vice president of HarperCollins, recounts his time spent with his most faithful companion— a black Lab named Miss Dutchie. Breslin captures the depth of communion and companionship some us are lucky enough to experience with our dogs. Throughout her lifetime, Miss Dutchie managed to be both a teacher and a steady friend to Breslin, even during his battles with clinical depression and addiction. Breslin poignantly illustrates the impact that our canine companions can have on us and how truly fortunate we are to have them by our side. Even in Breslin’s darkest moments, Dutchie was steadfast in her devotion, and ultimately, she showed him the true joy that can be wrung from life.—GM

The Dog Cancer Survival Guide

By Dr. Demian Dressler, with Dr. Susan Ettinger (Maui Media; 2011) Caring for a dog with cancer can be overwhelming. Is surgery the best option? What about chemotherapy?

Or alternative care? At this troubling

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time, having The Dog Cancer Survival Guide by your side is like having both a knowledgeable and a caring friend beside you.

Written in plain English for the layperson, this comprehensive book provides expert advice on the entire spectrum of cancer in dogs. It offers the latest research on everything from possible causes such as carcinogens in the air and soil, to the role of free radicals and antioxidants. Importantly, for the health of your dog and for your own peace of mind, The Dog Cancer Survival Guide gives you a down-to-earth appraisal of treatments that have been proven to work. This includes a realistic evaluation of conventional methods such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation to alternative methods such as plant-based nutraceuticals. It includes a thorough discussion of the major cancers found in dogs as well as the main chemotherapy drugs, so you can better understand what you and your beloved pet are facing.

Significantly, The Dog Cancer Survival Guide shows you how to care for yourself so you can face tough decisions with a clear mind and a steady heart. This valuable and compassionate guide is a must-have for anyone caring for a dog with cancer.—LJ

Chewed

By Arne Svenson and Ron Warren (Ideal World Books; 2011) While some might interpret the photographs of mutilated chew-toys as a violent representation of an animal’s baser instinct, many others will see something deeper: love—destructive love, perhaps, but love nonetheless. Each of the toy-cadavers in Chewed represent the infatuation and adoration lavished upon these playthings transforming into something quite other than the cheerfullooking toy they began as. Photographer Arne Svenson, and Ron Warren, authors of Sock Monkeys (200 out of 1,863), brilliantly characterize each dog’s undying devotion for their once intact playthings, an enthusiasm evidenced by the stray hairs and random teeth marks found on each stuffie, one-legged duck, and now headless bear. The formal photography elevates these transfigured companions into a cheeky questioning of beauty and attachment and even what qualifies as art. Among the famous contributors penning accompanying short stories inspired by the photographs are Augusten Burroughs and Todd Oldham.

Highlight: the “Chewed Classifieds.” Talk about looking for love in all the wrong places…—SL

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petproject

craft

D.I.Y.

Utterly charming retro ornaments perfect for the tree or gifting

Breed-Silhouette Ornaments We were so enamoured of these sparkly, 60s-inspired dog-themed decorations that we asked blogger Erika Lindquist of sewdoggystyle.blogspot. com to tell us how to make them. You can use the silhouette of any breed, just grab the glue and an X-Acto knife and get started. Check out her blog for tons more inspired, dog-themed craft projects.

Getting started Make a silhouette ornament of your favourite dog breed with this printed-image technique. Choose a ball of any size, along with any silhouette. You can even make a silhouette of your own pooch from a printed picture for this project.

Tools & Materials •

Printer Paper

•

Black paint

•

X-Acto knife

•

Strong glue (like Fabri-Tac)

•

Ornaments

•

3-D fabric paint, such as Tulip or Scribbles

•

Rhinestones

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Instructions 1.

Choose from our breed templates available online at moderndogmagazine.com/ornamentcraft and download the PDF.

2.

Print the template on computer paper.

3.

Choose desired size depending on size of ornament ball and carefully cut out image with a X-Acto knife.

4.

Glue entire back of silhouette and place on center of ornament. Smooth out paper wrinkles before glue dries.

5.

Cover entire silhouette surface with black paint. Any black paint, either glossy or matte will work. Let dry.

6.

Use a 3-D fabric paint in a tube to apply collar and leash in desired color for extra decoration.

7.

Add some bling by gluing a rhinestone to the collar as an ID tag.

8.

Give as a gift or hang and enjoy!

BOTHERED AND BEWILDERED? CRAZED AND CONFUSED? IF YOUR DOGGIE DILEMMA HAS YOU DOWN IN THE DUMPS…

ask dog lady

by Monica Collins

Q

Dear Dog Lady,

I have been in love with my soul mate, “Jason,” for 22 years. We parted years ago and he ended up marrying someone else; however, he is no longer married and we have found we still love each other and have a chance of getting back together. I now have a dog in my life, a Cocker Spaniel-mix, Frodo.

Jason and I have been seeing each other, but he really does not like dogs and tells me this all the time. I want to be with the man I love, and at the same time, I definitely do not want to give up my dog.

What can I do?—Deborah, Cleveland, OH

A

Dog Lady takes a leap and suggests Frodo has brought more richness to your life than your “soul mate.” Suffice to say that any soul mate would understand if a pet has a prominent place in a partner’s life and would respect that relationship.

Dog Lady has no patience with would-be paramours who throw down the gantlet and declare: “It’s me or the dog.” In that case, the chips always fall with the dog.

Only selfish louts make you choose. A

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true lover understands you and wants the best for you.

Dear Dog Lady, My dog, Spooky, has seen my beaus come and go. My current (for the past year) beau, “Steve,” got along smashingly with my pooch for about six months.

Then, Spooky began to act destructively

“‘It’s me or the dog?”

In that case, the chips always fall with the dog. Only selfish louts make you choose.’ while he was staying with Steve at his home when I traveled for work. Trashcans were overturned, bathrooms wrecked, and there was even urinating on the couch. It was such a problem that Spooky no longer stays with Steve when I’m out of town but with a friend (female; no problems). I love Steve and he tolerates the dog despite the bad behaviour. Do you have any ideas on how to correct the problem and keep both loves of my life in

the same picture?—Beth, San Francisco, CA When Spooky wreaked such havoc in your guy’s place the first time, you should have immediately stepped up to make things right by reimbursing for damages and cleaning—no matter if he gamely insisted the animal antics were okay.

Allowing your dog to stay solo with Steve again was a big no-no. Stowing Spooky with your female pal seems a more successful strategy. Still, friends don’t let friends babysit the dog.

The only way you can bridge the gap between beau and dog is if you are part of the picture. Your dog cannot be expected to love your boyfriend if you are absent from their interactions. Never leave your dog with Steve again and always make sure you are present whenever they meet.

You want Spooky to associate pleasant things with Steve so the three of you should always share a fun activity (a walk in the park is great for starters) and lots of treats, which Steve should dispense at first. Spooky will be eating out of his hand.

When you leave town, arrange for reliable, professional dog care and pay for the service. Do your research. Ask at your

ask dog lady veterinarian’s office, the local dog store, or neighbourhood dog walkers for referrals to professional pet sitters.

Dear Dog Lady, I am a dog lover. But I’m not sure how I feel about communicating with them or other animals. A person we know just hired an animal psychic to talk to a cat who is terrorizing the neighbour lady. The cat told her he does it for fun. The psychic told the cat he cannot go over to the neighbour’s house anymore. This psychic was also hired to talk to a horse with an issue. The second time she came, the horse refused to talk to her.

My question: Is someone here (the psychic or the client) smoking

“Is someone here (the psychic or the client) smoking something illegal or am I just not open-minded enough?” something illegal or am I just not open-minded enough?

—Raymond, Toronto, ON

Do people who call themselves animal psychics really talk to the animals better than you—or Dog Lady, who fancies herself something of a mutt mentalist? Once, when an animal psychic gave a complimentary reading of Dog Lady’s dog, the spiritualist came back with a pronouncement: “He says he likes chicken.”

Hmm. Darling had already screamed this in a million ways.

The recalcitrant cat and the taciturn horse could very well have been communicating with the telepathic one. But, really, anyone who pays for the services of the self-proclaimed psychic must decide if the messages from the medium are worthy of translation.

Dear Dog Lady, As a daughter, parent, grandparent, aunt, great-aunt, I want to thank you very much for reminding people in your column that dogs are pets, not babies. I have attended graduation parties and holiday outdoor parties, juried art shows with expensive displays, and I have even ridden my bike on the bike path in the unwanted company of dogs brought by clueless adults. People with dogs intrude on countless other people.—Diane, Chicago, IL Thanks for your careful reading of the column. We dog devotees must try very hard not to be blinded by the love. A canine keeper can consider his or her dog a person in a fur suit. But everybody else’s dog is a dog. We must be always vigilant and respectful about others’ boundaries. Gulp—say it ain’t so—not everybody revels in the company of canines.

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ask dog lady Dear Dog Lady, My boyfriend of seven years and I have split up. We have an English Bulldog together who will be two in November. The dog was purchased by my ex so, technically, Bunco is his, but we have agreed to share him equally. My question: Is it good for the dog to go back and forth? My ex is not home a lot and I was the main caregiver for Bunco. I just worry that he will be left alone too much and will get depressed.—Chelsea, Portland, ME Dogs are elastic creatures. They bend around circumstances.

Dogs can love—and nap— indiscriminately. If your ex cares about Bunco as much as you do, put aside human emotions and try not to worry the dog will be “depressed.” Dogs don’t do gloominess as humans perceive the malaise. Bunco will adjust— especially with you watching over him.

Dear Dog Lady, I read an interview with [fashion designer/celebrity] Isaac Mizrahi, who talked about his dog. I think Mizrahi is funny and I liked his TV show. But I was disappointed with what he had to say about Dean, his dog: “People come to my house and they get bitten and barked at and terrified, and they run away screaming. (Dean) is kind of a monster.”

Mizrahi admits he’s partly to blame. “I tend to not be the best disciplinarian in the world. I [shouldn’t] say no and yet be laughing hysterically while (the dog) is chewing somebody’s Prada sweater.” I was shocked by his cavalier attitude. What do you think?—Claudia, New York, NY

“People come to my house and they get bitten and barked at and terrified, and they run away screaming.”

Isaac Mizrahi is a colourful character and this Rover riff seems part of his shtick. But let’s be clear—such loose public talk is irresponsible and ridiculous. Of the abandoned dogs in shelters, many had owners who didn’t take the time to properly train their wayward animals. No joke.

When dog misbehaviour hurts other people, it’s serious. When dog misbehaviour reeks of human laziness, it’s sad. Here you have examples of both. Dog Lady has a wicked sense of humour and she certainly doesn’t want to be Debby Dogmatic. Yet, before Isaac Mizrahi makes another joke about how his dog terrifies houseguests, he should bite his tongue and work with Dean to help the pet behave successfully. n Visit askdoglady.com to ask a question or make a comment.

Follow “Ask Dog Lady” on Facebook and @askdoglady on Twitter.

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Last Lick

HOW I MET MY DOG

Happy, Healthy, and Whole (Despite Being a Cat Person)

By Sarah Sloane

I

am a cat person. I have always been a cat person. Getting a dog was just a daydream until I really needed one. I had gone through a year of breast cancer treatments and was tired.

Really tired. I needed exercise and thought a dog might get me off my duff. I was thinking an adult dog, definitely a male because I’d heard they were easier to handle, and a sleepy breed like a Golden Retriever—a housebroken adult who was self-sufficient. He wouldn’t bark but would enjoy going on walks with me. Basically I wanted a big cat who liked to stroll.

Before I knew what had happened, I had adopted a female, eight-week-old Shiba Inu mix.

It was my friend Rebecca’s fault.

She texted me photos of five puppies up for adoption. “They look just like foxes!” Rebecca wrote.

I was there in ten minutes. The puppies were from Valencia, New Mexico, where my puppy was found with four littermates on the side of a road. “Not even left in a box, just wandering around,” said the woman who had fostered her, outraged.

“And two weeks old!”

Probably “res dogs,” at eight weeks the puppies already looked like a lot like Shiba Inus, Japanese hunting dogs. Red, a few white spots on their paws—the spitting image of little foxes.

I picked one up. She weighed only five or six pounds. She bit my fingers with her sharp puppy teeth and looked up at me coyly. I put her back down and wondered what the heck I was doing—just before I scooped her back up again.

I didn’t know she was my puppy yet. Rebecca and I took her and a larger littermate into the staff lounge to give them a chance to show us their personalities. They galloped under the tables and played sloppily with each other. My puppy was the smaller of the two, the runt. Within a few seconds of exploring under the tables, she stopped, squatted, and peed on the linoleum floor. She took a couple steps towards me. Then

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she chased her littermate behind the soda machine. I knew which puppy I wanted. I gave a donation bigger than I could afford, bought toys, bowls, a crate, and a copy of Puppies for Dummies, then took my puppy home.

Rebecca came back with me to help set up the crate. We discussed housetraining—by the middle of the night and my third trip outside, I wished we’d talked about it more— and then we turned to the important question of what to name my puppy.

Rebecca started to look for names online, surfing from lists of popular girl names to Jane Austen titles.

“Emma,” she shouted from the other room. Martha. Sam. Then it came to me. Zoey. My dog’s name was Zoey.

Rebecca loved it. I bought Zoey her dog tags the next day.

Soon I learned how to housetrain Zoey. I started a puppy journal. I gave up on the crate training and let her sleep in the bed at night. I played with her and arranged for baths and nail trims and bought lots of healthy puppy food and took her to training classes.

Zoey has an unexpected sense of humor, throwing balls over her own head or hiding things in the yard and pretending she can’t find them. She likes to run as fast as she can and skid into the piles of dry leaves in the flowerbeds. She loves the Chuck-it and scrambles after balls in the dog park. I feel fit and happier because of her company.

Last week a friend mentioned that “Zoey” means life. Zoo. Zoology. Of course.

I just passed the three-year mark of not having breast cancer anymore. I talk to Zoey a lot, and the other day I promised her that I would never abandon her, that I will always make sure she is okay. She was asleep so I doubt she heard me, but I told her I can’t imagine life without her. And I can’t, because she’s the one who is showing me the way back to myself—happy, healthy, and whole. n