2016 November Downeast Dog News by Jennifer Rich / Wendi Smith

Hot Dog News Loyal Biscuit Co. donates $6000 to Pope Memorial Humane Society in honor of George the dog

eorge, a lab mix who recently turned 4 years old, is a proud PMHS alumni. Unfortunately, he suﬀered a very serious injury this past summer, when he was accidently hit by a vehicle. George is a very lucky li le dog. Thanks to the amazing Dr. Peters at MidCoast Animal Emergency Clinic (MAEC) and her staﬀ, George beat the odds and is s ll here with us today. He was inspired to “pay it forward” by rallying his friends to give back to the shelter. Boy, was he successful! The funds raised came to a whopping $6000 as a part of George’s GoFundMe Campaign, matched funds from Loyal Biscuit, dona ons from Michelle Stanley of Arts Marine, and mul ple in store dona ons. All of the funds raised have been donated to Pope Memorial’s “Molly Fund,” which goes towards the care of sick or injured shelter pets. Heidi V. Neal, owner of Loyal Biscuit Co. and mom to George claims “In honor of the veterinarians that saved George this summer a er his accident, we wanted a way to give back to other animals in need. I am overwhelmed by the amount of support we received and honored to write this check for $6,000 for the Molly Fund at PMHS. These funds will be able to help, and save, animals that need medical services at the shelter. I can’t think of a be er way for George to give back than by helping other animals from the shelter in which he is an alum!” All of us here at Pope Memorial are so grateful for the generosity of everyone who gave. We are very fortunate to have such a generous community. We hope to care for many more pets with this gi . Thank you, and Happy Fourth Birthday George! Interested in dona ng towards the Molly Fund? Visit our website at: h p://www.humanesocietyo noxcounty. org/ to learn more!

Premier 5k Run/ Walk to benefit veterans with PTSD to be held on Veteran’s Day

Pictured: Heidi V. Neal, Owner of Loyal Biscuit Co. & George Le , Anna Adams of PMHS center, and Michelle Stanley of Arts Marine & Liberty right, presen ng the generous total to the shelter.

orth East Mobile Health Services will be holding its premier 5K run/walk to benefit k9s on the front line on Friday, November 11, 2016 at 1 p.m. This event, co-sponsored by Atlan c Partners EMS, will raise money for the training of service dogs for veterans coping with PTSD. The race will start and finish at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, ME. Registra on starts at 1 p.m. and the race will begin at 1:30 p.m., rain or shine. The tax-deduc ble registra on fee is $25 for all par cipants. All race par cipants and supporters are invited back to the Samoset for happy hour and award ceremony. The first 50 people to register receive an exclusive race t-shirt. All par cipants receive a goodie bag. All fitness levels welcome. This event is designed for the whole family to enjoy.

See more Hot Dog News on page 19!

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ANDROSCOGGIN ANIMAL HOSPITAL On October 15, 2016, tragedy struck one of our own. Amanda has been a Technician and member of the AAH Family for more than 10 years. On that day, she lost her home and all of her belongings to a fire. Even more tragic, many of her beloved pets also perished. Amanda sustained severe burns and smoke inhalation. We ask for your thoughts and support for Amanda and her family as she begins the long road to recovery. If you feel so inclined, AAH is happy to accept dona ons, gi cards, etc. on Amanda’s behalf here at the Hospital, or they can be mailed to 457 Foreside Road, Topsham, ME 04086. You will also ﬁnd a link to a GoFundMe page at androscogginanimalhospital.com.

1.800.660.5094

Boothbay Harbor, ME

Downeast Dog News

Downeast Dog News PUBLISHER Jenn Rich COPY EDITOR Belinda Carter CONTRIBUTORS Susan Spisak Diana Logan Sara Moore Judith Herman Carolyn Fuhrer Don Hanson Nancy Holmes Loyal Biscuit Co. Hagen Blaszyk Sumac Grant-Johnson GRAPHIC DESIGN Courier Publications, LLC ADVERTISING Jenn Rich 207-230-0260 ext. 6 jenn@downeastdognews.com

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From the Publisher Dear Dog News Readers, It’s already November. This year of Dog News has gone by so quickly for me. I have met a lot of great people during this time and have enjoyed several events. It is great to see how many other “dog people” there are out there. In honor of Veteran’s Day, I would like to thank all veterans, two and four legged for their service to our country. This past July I lost one of my most beloved veterans, my grandfather, Walter Rich. He was a ball turret gunner in WWII and was captured by the Germans when his plane was shot down over Waterloo, Belgium. He remained a prisoner of the Germans for the next 15 months. It was hard to believe that the man that I knew as my grandfather had ever experienced such a time. For me, he was one of the kindest, friendliest, and loving people I have ever known, and he took great pleasure in playing with his great granddogs at the lake. None of us, unless we’ve experienced it ourselves, will ever really know what the men and women who fight for our country go through during their time away or when they return home. Included in this issue we have two great organizations that have created mutually beneficial programs to help both shelter dogs as well as our veterans. We would like to thank you for all of your hard work and for all that you do to train these dogs and essentially save them and their veteran companions. My grandfather, Walter Rich I would also like to take another moment to thank the sponsors of our adoptable dogs last month in our special Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog issue. Thanks to them we were able to raise a respectable amount of money that we then donated to local rescues and were able to double the amount of dogs included in that issue. The two recipients of these donations were randomly selected through a drawing, Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk and The Pixel Fund whose headquarters is in Gorham. This is something that we will continue to do and will continue to give back to Maine’s rescues. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of an adoptable dog, please contact me at jenn@downeastdognews.com. Pepper and I wish you all a wonderful November and a very Happy Thanksgiving! Watch out for those turkey bones. Warmest regards, Jenn & Pepper FROM THE DESIGNER: A huge thank you to Dr. Marta Agrodnia and all the staﬀ at Portland Veterinary Specialists for their exper se and care during our ki en's surgery and recovery. Luna is doing well and is s ll as cuddly as ever! — The Dunkles, Rockland

“He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devo on.” ― Author Unknown

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Loyal Biscuit, Rockland, Camden-Rockport, Belfast & Waterville Magnabili es Interchangeable Jewelry, Heather Lagueux Next Level Dogs, Portland Scarborough Animal Hospital, Scarborough Samoset Resort, Rockport Taylor Brook Animal Hospital, Auburn The Country Inn, Camden-Rockport The Fish and Bone, Portland The Narrows Tavern, Waldoboro Two Salty Dogs, Boothbay Harbor

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November 2016

Table of Contents Hot Dog News ................. 2,19 Furry Words ......................... 4 Ask the Vet ............................ 4 Basic Training Tips ................ 6 Best of the Best ........... 7,10-11 Ask Bammy ........................... 9 Performance Dog Training ....12 Words, Woofs & Meows ..... 13 Hunting Safety ......................14 K-9s on the Frontline ............15 Rescue of the Month ............16 Dogs for Adoption ............... 17 Calendar of Events .............. 18 Business Directory .............. 19

his month I’d like to tell you what it’s like from my perspec ve when I communicate with animals and how you can get the most out of a reading. My process is simpler than most people realize, and over the years, I’ve ﬁgured out how to ask very clear ques ons and understand how I best receive answers. When I am delivering the messages, my brain is only par ally engaged in the dialogue, and I’m busy playing a mad game of twenty ques ons behind the scenes. I have ques ons that I always ask and am guided to ask others depending on the situa on. When someone asks me a ques on, my psychic brain takes over. It almost feels like I’m not fully in my body, and I become hyperaware of my senses. My mouth may take on a certain taste, my hearing may go wonky, or my ears may feel blocked, I become aware of shi s in my physical body and any pain that I feel, and I usually see images in my head. These are all ways that I get answers, and it helps me to tune everything else out by closing my eyes, too. I use my right eye as a “yes” and my le eye as a “no.” If you ask me whether my dog is happy and I feel a gentle pull or pulse in my right eye, I know that yes, he is happy! If I get a no, I ask what would make him happy. This yes or no can be a very clear answer, and it almost feels like he is yelling it, or it may be very subtle, meaning he may be indiﬀerent or there is room for improvement. This is where the behind- the-scenes aspect of what I do gets interes ng. My brain starts shoo ng out words that describe emo ons, and I narrow it down to tell you exactly how he is feeling. For example, I will think the words,

Emergency Skills Q. My dog just had surgery to remove my baby’s paciﬁer from her stomach. What can I do to prevent this in the future?

A. So o en when our pups grab something we chase them. The pups think we have joined in their game. Then when we get to them, gulp, all gone! This isn’t the only poten ally dangerous situa on our canine friends get into, so what do we do? You hear it all the me when you get a puppy or a second hand dog: take them to school. This is where they learn manners, get socialized, and you learn to communicate with your pup, but there is another important part of this educa on that is taught; these are safety or emergency skills. The most recognized skill is the recall. We all want FiFi to come when called. I hear all the me, she won’t come when I call her or she only comes when my husband calls.

Furry Words by Sara Moore www.enlightenedhorizons.com

“Happy, sad, scared, afraid, mid, nervous, calm, peaceful, angry, bored, grumpy, etc.” and when I get the right word, my right eye (my yes eye) sort of lights up. It doesn’t glow or anything freaky like that, but I get a yes when I think the word that best describes how he is actually feeling. Years ago I was doing readings for a group of friends at a party. We’d never met and when the first woman came into the room for her session, the en re group screamed, “Don’t feed the medium!” She had to sheepishly explain that they had discussed how some fraudulent psychics fish for informa on, and they agreed not to feed me any informa on. I wasn’t offended because it’s something I totally would have done, too, but I could tell some people had come with specific ques ons that they were reluctant to ask because of their pact. When you call an animal communicator, I suggest you get

Ask the Vet… by Dr. Judith Herman

If FiFi has learned to turn a deaf ear to the word “come”, then change the word or use a whistle. There are great DVD’s at dogwise.com , like Really Reliable Recall, that will help you in a fun way to teach this very important skill. Another skill is the “wait”. Dogs

treats or human food they were a referral or ask someone who never allowed, or they want to take has used one before, so there is one last drive along the beach. already some level of confidence You’d be surprised at how many in his or her abili es. I am very up want a going away party where front, and my disclaimer is I have everyone gets to see them one last zero medical training, and I’m not me and celebrate their upcoming an animal behaviorist. If you’re transi on. Isn’t it amazing to think working with a vet or trainer, you that dogs don’t fear death like so can tell me what the concern many people do? They actually or issue is, and if he has offered embrace it! sugges ons for treatment, I can The ques ons I have been asked give you the dog’s perspec ve by clients range from basic to on each one. This is great for somewhat strange. I help people people who’ve tried everything or communicate upcoming changes are facing an expensive medical to their pets, give insight into new decision. Just like I said above, addi ons to the family, offer closure I get a yes/no answer, and the when they deal with the loss of a op on the dog feels is best lights beloved pet and then validate ways up. All that I do ask for is the that the pet is trying animal’s name, to communicate what kind and color, and if he is When someone with them from the other side. It’s living or deceased. If you don’t ask me asks me a ques on, not uncommon for someone to anything specific, my psychic brain call and not say lord knows where the reading will go! takes over. It almost anything, and in I also recommend feels like I’m not fully that case, I just what comes that you write your in my body, and I relay through. More ques ons down. Once you realize become hyperaware o en than not, the reading dri s to the I’m not making of my senses. human’s issues or stuff up, you will current situa on go totally blank. It and goes much deeper than the happens all the me! human was expec ng. Because I The hardest part of having read energy, it works if we’re face animals is the decision to help them cross the rainbow bridge to face or in different me zones. when it’s their me. I get a lot of If you’ve been wondering what your calls for people struggling with the pet has to say, a reading is a great decision, and as I reflect on those way to find out! readings, I can say there are some Sara Moore of Enlightened “standard” ques ons that I will ask Horizons has an office in North the animal. Is he ready to go? If Conway, NH and is available he says yes, I ask if he needs help for phone and Skype readings or if he thinks he can do it on his as well. FMI go to www. own. Would he prefer to be at enlightenedhorizons.com , text or home or at the vet? Who does he call (603)662-2046, and her email want with him? Is there anything is enlightenedhorizons@gmail.com. he’d like to do before he does go? She is also available for private Some mes dogs request certain par es and fundraisers.

love this word because it usually means something ac ve will happen next. Think of the situa on where FiFi runs across a busy road. Are you going to call her to come? No, because she could get hit. Instead, with a great wait, she will stay there un l you tell her otherwise or you get her. Another important skill that nearly all dogs have in their tool box is the emergency sit. Like wait, if she crosses a dangerous road, tell her sit; then go get her. The emergency sit is taught by increasing the distance between you and your dog and asking her to sit. You can use your voice and hand signal. Be sure to pay her well when done correctly. Also, once she sits at a distance, go up to her and reward her for not breaking the sit. Here are two more very important “safety commands” or skills, leave it and drop it. My dogs know the diﬀerence and will do what I ask no ma er what my tone. My leave it command has come in handy, not just for staying away from the wet paint or found trash, but the skunk or porcupine we

come across on our late night walks. We also missed a roll in a dead seal when we walked at Popham Beach! Drop it would have saved the pup in the ques on from having surgery and mom lots of money. My friend, who teaches obedience classes, says this is the most important game she teaches. The reason was she had been at a 4th of July picnic a few years back. There were lit ﬁrecrackers being thrown around. One of the dogs grabbed the lit ﬁrecracker and started a game of chase. As everyone chased the dog, the fuse got short, and it exploded in the dog’s mouth. You can see why she stresses the drop it game. I am sure there are others, but these few skills will save your companion from harm and you from sadness. Remember to always play these games with great joy and high value rewards. This builds value in the behavior. Value will make the behavior happen. Judith K. Herman DVM, CVH Animal Wellness Center Augusta, ME www.mainehomeopathicvet.com

Downeast Dog News

CHANCE from page 1 service, thought Pets for Vets would be a good ﬁt. He applied and they responded that while there wasn’t a chapter in Maine, would he be interested in star ng one? Since Tom is no stranger to volunteering or leading, he was President of the Maine Local Ironworkers, he accepted the challenge, ﬁlled out “tons of paperwork,” and in 2013 the Portland, Maine Pets for Vets chapter was incorporated. This chapter is comprised of a Board of Directors and 30 volunteers, including several trainers. They’ve matched 14 vets with in-state shelter or rescue organiza on dogs, but Tom says they could match a qualifying vet with another companion animal, such as a cat, if asked. He hesitates, laughs, and quips, “I don’t know how trainable a cat is, though.” Most of their vets had been referred by the VA, and most didn’t qualify for a service animal.

Amy and Mac

WHY PETS HELP VETS Many Military Veterans experience combatrelated health and emo onal issues including Post Trauma c Stress Disorder (PTSD), Trauma c Brain Injury (TBI), anxiety, fear of public places, insomnia, or may have trouble transi oning into civilian life. These can lead to depression, unemployment, rela onship troubles, even suicide, to name a few. Studies prove a companion animal signiﬁcantly reduces stress, depression and anxiety, and improves mental and physical health. A companion animal is chosen to match a vet’s personality and can be trained to address speciﬁc needs, such as waking them during nightmares. A companion dog can be a “body block” in public. Judy Moore, ACDBC, CPDT-KA, Head Trainer for Pets for Vets - Portland Chapter, Na onal Trainer for Pets for Vets and owner of Canine Behavior Counseling in Cumberland, explains that some vets want their dogs to shield them from people in front; others may want them to have their backs. In the case of those with PTSD, the dog is trained to understand their triggers. She says if their reac on is to put their heads in their hands, the dog will lick the vets’ faces as if to say, “’Hey, I’m here for you, it’s going to be ok.’”

MATCHING & RESCUING When a vet ﬁlls out a Pets for Vets applica on, it is reviewed and routed to the appropriate chapter. That chapter team, especially the assigned trainer, spends me ge ng to know him through phone interviews, mee ngs, and the mandatory home visit. Judy says they must understand the vet’s lifestyle, energy level, and make sure a dog isn’t going to add pressure.

The assigned trainer begins scouring area rescues and shelters for that perfect match following Pets for Vets assessment guidelines. They’re looking for calm, social dogs between the ages of two and five, those good with adults and children alike, cats and other dogs, and enjoy being touched. “We select the dog based on temperament…not breed,” Judy says. Once the dog is chosen, it goes home with the trainer for six to eight weeks of posi ve reinforcement and obedience training. When the dog and vet are ready, it’s Match Day; their first mee ng. “We ask them to put on a blindfold or close their eyes. We thank them for their service and we say, ‘On behalf of Pets for Vets, we’d like to present you with your companion animal.’” Then the trainer allows them to get to know each other. “We’re striving for that super-bond,” Judy says. She adds that they don’t just drop off the dog; there’s plenty of follow up with the vet. This non-profit provides each vet with a no-cost “Welcome Package.” In addi on to Pets for Vets underwri ng the adop on fee and ve ng costs, they deliver items individualized for each vet’s situa on such as a kennel, dog bed, leash and collar, food, and flea, ck and heartworm medicines. Tom es mates the cost associated with each placement is $1,500$2,000.

PORTLAND CHAPTER SUCCESS STORIES “I got PTSD bad,” says Marine Recon and Vietnam Veteran war vet, Bob, but thanks to Pets

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November 2016

for Vets, he’s got a “cu e” Pointer and Border Collie mix named Maggie that adds to his days. “She does everything for me. My dog Maggie’s so wonderful and she’s beau ful.” He admits when they first met and she licked his face, he had tears in his eyes; that bond had begun. He calls her his guardian; she senses when he’s uncomfortable in a situa on and will pull on her leash to signal it’s me to go. He takes her almost everywhere, adding that if anyone has a problem with her, he’s going to have to answer to him. For Iraq war vet Jesse, Pets for Vets transformed him. He was the chapter’s first match, and Tom relays that he “was quite a mess.” His marriage fell apart; his wife and kids moved south. A er Jesse was paired with Jeremiah, a Great Pyrenees mix, they started walking together, o en with Tom. His confidence grew, and he even threw out the first pitch at a Portland Sea Dogs game. “That was big, I couldn’t believe it.” Jesse eventually moved closer to his family and sent Tom pictures of his kids with Jeremiah. “That was a tear jerker.” “One of my favorite success stories is Amy,” says Judy, referring to the Re red Air Force Staff Sergeant that she matched with an 85 lb. Husky mix named Mac. Amy wanted a large dog to bolster her—she was always looking over her shoulder and afraid to be alone. As soon as Amy and Mac became a duo, the gentle giant changed her life. Things many take for granted like sleeping, going to the store, and taking walks became easier for her, and she added hiking to her list of ac vi es. For Army Sgt. Steve, nine years in the service le him with anxiety, sleep disorders, and physical ailments. His “cool” Miniature Schnauzer, Whiskers, aka Whisky, greets him at the door when he returns from work. “That’s a stress reliever on its own.” He credits trainer and Chapter Assistant Director, Marianne Quinn, for making such a great match as the li le dog fits right in with kids Gavin, Cooper, Lidia, and wife, Suzi, too. “For me, he soothes everything, he’s calm,” yet he feels it’s awesome for Whisky to be needed, too. “I think it’s great what [Pets for Vets] does…they’re saving dogs too, and the dogs are having fun with their families.” Judy and Tom echo a similar sen ment: “This is just a win-win.” To read all Portland Pets for Vets success stories, or to make dona ons to this chapter, visit h p://www. petsforvets.com/portland-me/. Downeast Dog News thanks all of the U.S. Military who have bravely served our country. This Veterans’ Day, please thank a Military Veteran for his or her service.

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Please Fence Me In “I

want my dog to learn to stay in my yard. Will you teach him not to wander?” This is a ques on I o en get. Every dog owner, whether in the city, country or somewhere in between, needs to keep him safe and on his own property, but it can some mes be a challenge… I had a horse for nearly 3 decades and it was much easier to keep him contained than a dog! Let’s take a look at some of the features of our best friend Species Dog: Animal. Predator. Hunter. Scavenger. Opportunist. Egocentric. Social. Always on the lookout for a good me, quick to be triggered by movement and blessed with a nose that can detect a minute hint of something that interests him. His sense of ownership does not recognize invisible lines on a property map, but instead, according to ages-old Doggie Cultural Rules, may consider anything within his immediate reach as his own. He is a perpetual toddler in mindset, a veritable athlete in body, and he’s armed with knives! The bo om line is that there’s a lot out there to tempt him and unless he has a compelling reason to stay put, he might not. It is our responsibility as dog owners to ensure not only the safety of our own dogs, but that we are not pu ng anyone else at risk because of the ac ons of our dogs. When is comes down to it, we have 3 basic op ons. FENCE YOUR YARD. Whether this is a solid physical fence (preferred) or the “invisible” variety, be sure it’s the right one for your dog. The pros

Basic Training Tips by Diana Logan

of solid fencing: it’s secure, comes in a wide variety of styles, allows your dog freedom of movement, prevents intruders from entering, reduces visibility (and therefore poten al

reac vity) and doesn’t require training. The cons: it’s expensive, reduces visibility and can be challenging to integrate into the property. The average, non-Olympian dog needs a fence about 6’ high. The pros of “Invisible fencing:” it’s less expensive than solid fencing and doesn’t alter anything visually. The cons: it can be harmful to some dogs, doesn’t provide any visual barrier, can be misused and can condi on dogs to become reac ve. Not all dogs do well with “correc on” based conﬁnement, and in fact, some should not be subjected to this, period, so very carefully weigh your op ons. If you do choose to install invisible fencing, please be sure to keep it in your back yard. It’s bad prac ce to run the fencing to the perimeter of your property at the road or sidewalk; this just sets your dog up for rude behavior when he reacts to every passerby... not to men on crea ng tension between neighbors. For safety and prac cal reasons, avoid including your driveway in the fenced area. SECURE YOUR DOG WITH A LONG LINE OR OVERHEAD RUN ALWAYS SUPERVISED . Fit your dog to a body harness to protect his neck and avoid injury. Make sure he can’t get wound up or stuck on any objects. The pros: it’s cheap and portable and doesn’t take up much space. The cons are that it doesn’t allow for freedom of movement or aerobic exercise. Dogs can get tangled or injured. A ed up dog MUST be supervised. A dog secured like this must have regular aerobic exercise (remember - he’s an athlete). Conﬁnement such as this is for short periods only.

TRAIN. The pros: posi vely done, there are no nega ve side effects. The cons: there is no quick and easy way to train your dog to stay in your yard. It takes significant me and even more consistency. There’s a 0% mistake tolerance. Given the dog features listed at the beginning of this ar cle, our yards can easily get trumped by the Bigger World out there in terms of what they have to offer. We live in a rural area, tucked cozily into the woods, and for many years we did not have any fencing. Dory’s hobby was to race down our 300’ driveway to swear at passersby. She never wandered, but she was always on the lookout for pedestrians, especially the ones with dogs. Though we never le her outside when we were gone, we had to take great care if we were in a vehicle and she was out. She risked ge ng injured by delivery vehicles whose drivers weren’t always on the lookout for a dog. We didn’t realize how stressful this all was un l we finally, finally got around to pu ng up solid fencing. We chose 6’ high 2x4 galvanized wire fencing secured by metal posts. It’s not beau ful, but it’s highly effec ve. A benefit we did not an cipate was a more se led dog, a quieter dog, a happier dog. She no longer had to spend her me on the lookout. The only nega ve aspect, and a surprising one, is that we’ve also kept out many of the predators that kill mice and other rodents. Hmm... Perhaps it’s me to get some cats? Loose and wandering dogs are a liability. Keep your dogs safe and happy... and at home.

Diana Logan, CPDT-KA Cer ﬁed Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge-Assessed Pet Connec on Dog Training, North Yarmouth, Maine | www.dianalogan.com | 207-252-9352

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Lincoln County Animal Shelter and Coastal Humane Society thank our community members for their support, as well as Downeast Dog Readers for their votes in the best of the best poll!

Caring for nearly 5,000 animals every year is only possible with your help. Consider the adoption option and visit our pets today! Learn more: LCASMAINE.ORG and COASTALHUMANESOCIETY.ORG

Tipsy is available for adoption

FALL SALE! Bring in this ad for

$5 OFF ANY IN-STORE PURCHASE OF $20+

One use per customer.

Excludes food, sale items, additional discounts. Valid for the month of November 2016 only.

211 Marginal Way | Portland, ME 04101 Exit 7 (Franklin Arterial) off of I-295 207.347.8606

Downeast Dog News

BEST of the BEST CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS AND THANK YOU TO OUR READERS FOR VOTING! BEST VETERINARIAN PRACTICE 1. Boothbay Animal Hospital, Boothbay 2. Kindred Spirits Veterinary Clinic, Orrington 3. Androscoggin Animal Hospital, Topsham

BEST GROOMER 1. Coastal Crea ons, Bucksport 2. TIE Green Acres Kennel Shop, Bangor & Doggz Inn, Auburn 3. Country Air Dog Grooming, Kenduskeag

BEST TRAINER 1. Mr. Dog Training, Bath 2. Carden Kennels, Bangor 3. Green Acres Kennel Shop, Bangor

BEST PET STORE 1. Two Salty Dogs, Boothbay Harbor 2. Loyal Biscuit, Rockland, Camden/Rockport, Belfast, Waterville 3. Green Acres Kennel Shop, Bangor

BEST PET PRODUCT 1. Mu Nose Best, Hermon 2. Loyal Biscuit – Tug Me Toy, Rockland, Camden/Rockport, Belfast, Waterville 3. Loyal Biscuit — Fidelis Treats Rockland, Camden/Rockport, Belfast, Waterville

BEST DAYCARE/BOARDING 1. Renaissance Dogs, Holden 2. Carden Kennels, Bangor 3. Coastal Dog, Edgecomb

BEST RESCUE/SHELTER 1. Lincoln County Animal Shelter, Edgecomb 2. Coastal Humane Society, Brunswick 3. Bangor Humane Society, Bangor

BEST PET FRIENDLY LODGING 1. Flagship Inn, Boothbay Harbor 2. Spruce Point Inn, Boothbay Harbor 3. Country Inn, Camden/Rockport

Turn to pages 10 &11 for more information about the winners!

VOTED BEST VETERINARIAN 2012 & 2014 Quality medicine, surgery and dentistry from a professional team you can trust.

Taylor Brook Animal Hospital “Honoring the Human-Animal Bond”

Catherine Sanders D.V.M. Michael Binette D.V.M.

Catherine Sanders D.V.M. Office Hours By Appointment

207-784-1726

www.taylorbrookanimalhospital.com 33 Millett Drive • Auburn, ME

November 2016

• heated salt water pool with a gently sloping ramp just for dogs • a full-body workout; a 20 minute swim = a brisk 4 mile walk

Year-round swimming for your dog.

THANK YOU FOR VOTING FOR US IN THE BEST OF THE BEST POLL!

• year-round private swimming by appointment • improved range of motion, cardio health and muscle strength • improved blood ﬂow nourishing joints • personal certiﬁed canine swim coach to assist

See what people say about us on Facebook.

By Appointment Only

59 Union Street | Camden Schedule & Pre-Pay online at

WaterBarkWellness.com or call 230.8455

Pet-friendly

Check out our Facebook Page Country Inn at Camden / Rockport

We appreciate you and are grateful for your votes. 2nd place in both categories of Best Daycare & Boarding facility and Best Trainer in Downeast Dog News Best of the Best Poll!

Jason Howe, Trainer

Carden Kennels Management & Daycare Team

(207)-942-2161 ~ www.cardenkennels.com ~ ccc4pets@gmail.com

Downeast Dog News

am a Carolina Dog, a breed that long ago owned Na ve American people. We were designed by natural selec on to be so intelligent and physically superior that we survived without human help. My great-grandfather was caught from the wild. I can oﬀer advice based on the natural ins ncts and a ributes of wild dogs. In addi on, my adop ve person and I have had lots of training classes and other experiences. Some humans call themselves Mom or Dad of their dog; but I refer to my human, tongue in cheek, as Boss. Much as I love my human, I admit she has many of the same odd no ons as most humans; so I can relate to other pet dogs with problem humans. Send your ques ons to Downeast Dog News! If you don’t ask ques ons, I can’t write answers! If I can’t help, at least I can oﬀer sympathy; and we can have some fun talking about our amazing humans. PO Box 135, Newcastle, ME 04553, or email: askbammy@ dewater.net

DEAR BAMMY, I’m curious about why I love to play keep-away SO MUCH! I just love it. A lot. If they tell me to DROPPIT a sock, then I just get a feeling: They

Ask Bammy An Advice Column for Dogs by a Dog

want it, so I want it more! Why do I feel this way? I like them. But when they want something it makes me want it more. Tugger

DEAR TUGGER, Sometimes it helps to understand ourselves if we think about it in relation to our

humans. They are so wacky it’s often not possible; but this one isn’t too hard. They drop the sock on the floor and then walk over it as if it isn’t even there. They have no interest in it whatever. But you have the mighty nose. Wowsa! You jump at the opportunity. Score! Shake it, throw it! Do the socky-wock dance! Then they just get a feeling. You want it, so they want it more. Why do they feel this way? That’s just what we’re like, Tug—dogs and humans. I like to think about what life was like for my ancestors and their humans down in Georgia. A hungry Man (I think they are always hungry) and Dog walk together. Dog finds a ripe melon. It doesn’t smell like meat, but she is really hungry. She noses it, wondering if it’s worth a try. When Man sees Dog with the melon, he wants it. Dog thinks if Man wants it, it must be good, so she wants it more. She grabs it and runs. Man runs after her yelling, “Ugh yi grip-grop!” (That means DROPPIT!) Dog bites into the melon. It’s sort of bitter, but since man is trying to get it, it must be good. So she runs ahead again and gulps it down.

Or: Man is hungry. Dog is hungry, too. She finds a bone by Man’s fire-pit. It’s really burned and not any meat on it to speak of. She’s not sure she wants it; but along comes Man. He yells “Ugh yi grip-grop!” and makes a lunge for the bone. But now it’s her bone and there are still some bits of burned meat on it! Dog clamps it in her jaws, and the tug begins. Of course nowadays we are more sophisticated. I’m glad you mentioned socks because they are my fave. Here’s what I do with them. I grab one every chance I get. I dance around and shake it, throw it, pounce on it, and give little barks to make sure Boss is paying attention. And then Boss buys it from me! Honest to goodness! She runs to the kitchen and gets a treat. She usually gets something really, really good; so I drop the sock and enjoy the pay! It’s worth a try. You might have to droppit and run. If that happens, make it even cuter next time, and keep it away a little longer, so she’ll think of giving you something good. May your sales pitch be perfect, Bammy

Help a dog find a forever home! See page 17.

Holiday Boarding Doggie Daycare Grooming

At Harbor Hounds, Thanksgiving dinner is included! Your dog will be comfortable and well cared for while boarding at Harbor Hounds during the holidays. And when you are enjoying your Thanksgiving Day meal, your pup will be sharing a nutritious turkey dinner with us!

We Provide Expert Boarding Services

t Trained Staff t Large Secure Outdoor Play Yards t Supervised Playgroups t Overnight Boarding t Individualized Attention t All Breed Grooming Services Grooming Options Grooming services are available. Whether its a bath, nail trim, ear cleaning, or a full groom, we can accommodate most any dog.

Indoor and Outdoor Access Dogs have access to our 1⁄4 acre outside covered play yard as well as a daycare play room and eight additional secure outside play yards.

Paw-Safe Cleaning Practices No bleach is used in cleaning.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! See your pets enjoy their day!

November 2016

311 Park Street U Rockland, ME 04841 U 207-593-7913 www.harborhoundsmaine.com U mydawgs@harborhoundsmaine.com

BEST of

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS Best Vet Practice

Best Groomer

BOOTHBAY ANIMAL HOSPITAL

COASTAL CREATIONS

oothbay Animal Hospital has been an integral part of the Boothbay Region community since 1975 when it was founded by Dr. James Wahlstrom. Now owned by Dr. Dean Domeyer and Dr. Kristen Mugnai, Boothbay Animal Hospital now employs four well qualified veterinarians and an experienced staff who know the people and pa ents of the Boothbay area as well as the surrounding communi es well. The staff at Boothbay Animal Hospital is dedicated to quality care from rou ne annual exams to dental and surgical procedures. They take pride in the wellbeing of their pa ents and educa ng their owners on how to properly care for them. The office has state of the art equipment to provide a thorough assessment of your pets’ health including digital radiology, dental radiography, ultrasonography, endoscopy, blood chemistry, hematology, and electrocardiography as well as culture analysis. They provide dental and surgical appointments four days a week, and now a er 41 years of being a walk-in based clinic, Boothbay Animal Hospital has decided to take appointments for rou ne visits as well. The staff at Boothbay Animal Hospital is dedicated to making your pets’ lives happy and healthy.

lsebeth DeBiase, owner & stylist at Coastal Crea ons Pet Salon, is a IPG Cer fied Professional Groomer with 15 years of experience in the pet industry. As a graduate of the University of Maine, Department of Animal Sciences, she has an understanding of the animal industry that encompasses farm, veterinary, and pet industries alike. In 2011, Elsebeth opened Coastal Crea ons Pet Salon in Bucksport with the goal of providing individualized services to her four legged clients. U lizing the latest equipment and styling techniques is of the upmost importance to her. Therefore, Elsebeth has a ended numerous pet business and styling conferences across the country in an effort to provide the best pet grooming services possible. Recently, she has had the opportunity to test her skills in pet styling compe ons. Elsebeth placed top ten in 2015 & 2016 in the Ul mate Grooming Compe on, which tested pet groomers’ skills on a na onal level with around 100 entries yearly. In October, she competed in the New England Groom Olympics, placing first and earning the tle of Best Pet Groomer in New England.

Best Trainer

Best Pet Store

MR. DOG TRAINING

TWO SALTY DOGS

ara Sokol is owner at Mr. Dog Training, a posi ve reinforcement based training center with a 2000 square foot facility located in West Bath, Maine. Sara’s experience includes a posi on with Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA as a full me behavior and training technician and lead dog trainer, District Manager of The Connec cut Humane Society, mentor trainer for Animal Behavior College and CATCH Canine Academy, Canine Good Ci zen Evaluator through the AKC, and owner of Mr. Dog Training in West Bath. Mr. Dog Training offers a number of group classes ranging from free Puppy Pre-School through Advanced Obedience as well as a variety of Ac vity classes including Noseworks, Treibball, Tricks, Intro to Agility, Adventure Hounds, and Circus Dog. In addi on, she teaches a special class for reac ve dogs called Reac ve Rover. Sara also offers private, in-home, behavior modifica on and training using all posi ve techniques. Sara feels as though the key to any good rela onship, including the one between a person and his dog, is clear communica on. Her training style is to set dogs up to make “good” choices, and then reinforce those choices; the more that you reinforce a behavior, the more you’ll see that behavior! In addi on, Sara believes that training should be fun for both human and dog and takes pride in being able to make the classroom an enjoyable and safe place to learn.

wo Salty Dogs Pet Ou i ers in Boothbay Harbor is for people who truly love their pets. Don and Liana Kingsbury stock their li le shop with pure dynamite, high-quality dog and cat foods, locally made treats and toys, Maine-made collars and leashes. Large bags of food are stored in the shed out back, and they are more than willing to run a load out to a car. The Kingsburys are known as shop owners that always go the extra mile for their customers, which is one reason people who visit come back again and again. Don and Liana got the idea to open a shop when their Black Lab “Max” began talking to them in barely audible tones, saying “...build me a shop and stock it with all kinds of tasty things for me to eat...” That complete, Max’s orders became more direct-- “Build me a Dog Army of hungry Labs that I might conquer the earth and impose my will upon all living creatures...” So Don & Liana acquired Auggie and Buddy -- Max’s friendly Black Lab Lieutenants. These days, the shop is ruthlessly run by Max and his two hench-dogs whilst Liana and Don obey Max’s every order, however ridiculous.

Downeast Dog News

f the BEST

S AND THANK YOU TO OUR READERS FOR VOTING! Best Pet Product

Best Daycare/Boarding

MUTT KNOWS BEST

RENAISSANCE DOGS

u Nose Best started almost 6 years ago in a Cuisinart in our kitchen. I couldn’t ﬁnd a product on the market that I could pronounce all of the ingredients of much less feel good about using on my fur baby. At the me I was working on people skin, and I was simply using my knowledge of herbal remedies and skin care to create a natural concoc on of nourishing oils and bu ers to protect and heal our Australian Shepherd Bandit’s dry, Owner Jenny and Bandit cracked, and sun burned nose. Healthy, sustainably resourced ingredients are not just impera ve in the foods pets take in but also in the grooming products we use on them topically. Everything on your pet’s skin is absorbed into his bloodstream in a ma er of seconds. I wanted to develop products for topical use that held to these same high standards. The quality of our handcra ed products, our commitment to give small retailers a unique product line to oﬀer their customer, and our mission to DOGood have all helped propel us into an industry that we love! Six years later, my life has GONE TO THE DOGS, literally! Mu Nose Best now occupies two buildings on an old missile base turned industrial park in Bangor, Maine. A “normal” day consists of all of our dogs at work; we have a doggie playroom that rivals most human day cares. I don’t think I could ever go back to a workplace that didn’t include surprise sloppy kisses and a sanc oned game of fetch. The immeasurable joy that having dogs in the workplace provides is irreplaceable.

elebra ng our 10th year of business! Renaissance Dogs is proud to have been voted the Best Kennel/Daycare for the 5th me by the readers of the Downeast Dog News. We strive every day to provide the best possible care for our best friends. Our facility was custom made for dogs. We emphasize a safe, fun place to play in a clean and spacious cage-free environment. Our staff is the best in the business and is trained in dog body language, canine behavior, appropriate dog play, and canine first aid. We are thrilled to offer compe on training classes that encourage a strong rela onship between dog and owner through posi ve reinforcement techniques. Thank you for vo ng for us and come by and see us soon.

Best Rescue/Shelter

Best Pet-Friendly Lodging

LINCOLN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER

FLAGSHIP INN

or more than 50 years, Lincoln County Animal Shelter (originally known as the Boothbay Regional Humane Society) has been the go-to spot for people looking to adopt the best companion animals for their families. Lincoln County has opened its doors to tens of thousands of stray and lost animals in need, caring for them and ul mately placing them in loving forever homes. The 25 communi es served by LCAS know they can depend on the shelter for high-level, topquality care and responsiveness. Originally established in Wiscasset in 1959 and consis ng of a few kennels and a dedicated group of animal lovers, the shelter quickly exceeded its capacity, and in 1987 the founders’ dream of building a bigger facility was realized when the Atlan c Highway site was constructed in a quiet wooded area, conveniently located right oﬀ US Route 1. Lincoln County Animal Shelter is grateful to Downeast Dog News and to all our friends in the community for vo ng us the Best Animal Shelter in Maine!

November 2016

he pet-friendly Flagship Inn was opened in June 1984 and changed hands to the current ownership in July 1997. We are locally owned and operated, which allows us to oﬀer the excep onal service of a small inn with the modern ameni es of a chain hotel. We have not just accepted pets, but welcomed them since 2001. Our pet ameni es include a travel bowl, treats, and a Maine themed toy for your pet to take home. We have also become a company sponsor and built a bridge connec ng us to the Penn Lake Land Trust, which oﬀers a one mile hike for your pet to enjoy. Recently, we have teamed up with Two Salty Dogs pet ou i ers, who have added addi onal treats and dog bags to our pet friendly accommoda ons. We are honored to have received the award for the best pet friendly lodging from Downeast Dog News in 2014, 2015, and now 2016.

Training Your Performance Dog Agility, Obedience, Tracking by Carolyn Fuhrer

Tracking Rules and Regula ons

ven though I have been tracking for more than 20 years, each me I enter a test or go to have a dog cer fied, I always re-read the rules per nent to my class. If I have any ques ons about the rules I am always sure I ask the judge before the test, especially if I have never shown under that judge. Most of the ques ons regarding tracking rules revolve around guiding the dog. The rules state – “Guiding is defined as behavior by the handler that influences or determines the dog’s direc on.” Unfortunately, as with most rules,

there is some leeway of interpreta on. And through 20 years of tracking, I have seen and heard it all. Tracking falls under the guidelines of Obedience, and you can use certain commands to communicate with your dog as long as you are not using them to indicate or inﬂuence direc on. You can use a “wait” command when you need to keep your foo ng to keep up with your

dog, such as in a TDX when your dog scrambles over a stone wall in or in a VST when your dog quickly descends a set of steps. You also might use it on a road crossing. An experienced judge can easily see that you are simply trying to nego ate the track safely – not indica ng or influencing direc on. You can use the words “leave it” if your dog spots something “interes ng” on the track such as animal droppings or a woodchuck hole, or – the woodchuck. Again, an experienced judge can recognize the problem and understand the use of the command. While you cannot yank your dog away from something, you can restrain your dog and use a “leave it” command; if the dog goes back to work, that is fine. This is communica on between a handler and a well-trained dog. There are certain line distances that need to be observed at different levels of tracking. In TD and TDX, the handler must be at least 20 feet behind the dog when moving. In TDU and VST, the handler need only be 10 feet behind the dog when moving. You can go up to your dog to check if he has found something or what he is into or to fix a tangled line, but you then must let the dog move out the required distance before you move - you cannot walk with the dog. If your dog overruns a corner

and then turns and is coming back towards you, you can back up as long as the dog is coming towards you. You cannot back up to inﬂuence the dog to come to you. You are allowed to talk to your dog, and you are allowed to touch your dog. Many mes in a diﬃcult test, the handler may want to take a break with the dog and give the dog a drink and calm the dog down to refocus the dog and then restart the dog this is a team sport! The handler is not the “dope at the end of the rope” as some may believe. You may also look back and around you to ascertain your direc on and to see where you came from. You should not use the judge to be an indica on of where the track goes, but again – most well -schooled judges will not use their posi on to give away track direc on. Tracking is a team sport, and the dog and handler must be able to understand and be able to communicate with one another. The dog needs to be the part of the team that indicates the track and must lead the handler. The handler must be sensi ve enough to understand some mes subtle signals of loss of scent or change of direc on to help and support the dog. It is a wonderful journey, and if you have never done it, you should think about trying it.

Carolyn Fuhrer has earned over 90 AKC tles with her Golden Retrievers, including 2 Champion Tracker tles. Carolyn is the owner of North Star Dog Training School in Somerville, Maine. She has been teaching people to understand their dogs for over 25 years. You can contact her with ques ons, sugges ons and ideas for her column by e-mailing carolyn@dogsatnorthstar.com.

ME License #F251

Thank you for voting for us in the Downeast Dog News Best of the Best Poll in the categories of Best Trainer, Groomer and Pet Store!

1653 Union St., Bangor - 207-945-6841 www.greenacreskennel.com

Downeast Dog News

Preparing Your Pets for the Holidays

ovember and December can be a joyous, yet also a chao c and hec c me of the year. We can look forward to several major holidays, each of which can mean more ac vi es at school for the kids, and an increased probability of guests in our home. To prepare for those ac vi es, we may also ﬁnd it necessary to spend more me away from home a ending school concerts, company par es, and family gatherings. Some people thrive on a ﬂurry of ac vity and some long for a calmer me of year. Our pets, especially dogs, and cats typically are more likely to be fans of predictability and rou ne. Here are a few ps to make the coming frenzy less stressful for your pets.

WORDS, WOOFS & MEOWS by Don Hanson

ACCBC, BFRAP, CDBC, CPDT-KA

person – ALWAYS let your pet decide if he wants to meet someone new. If you are quite certain your pet will not enjoy the increased ac vity due to the event, or if you are more relaxed knowing your pet is in a safe, pleasant environment, consider boarding your pet the day and night of the event.

DO NOT FORGET YOUR PET S As you get busy with the holidays, please do not forget your pets. Make sure to allocate me for them, as they miss you when you are not home as much as usual. You might also ﬁnd that spending me with them helps you to relax from all of the holiday madness.

FAMILY GATHERINGS Put your dog in his crate with a bone or favorite chew toy, at least during the most hec c mes – when guests are arriving and leaving as well as when meals are being prepared and served. If your cats are not fond of large numbers of people or people they do not know, set them up in a room where they can be alone. Make sure your guests know that they

Our pets, especially dogs, and cats typically are more likely to be fans of predictability and rou ne.

are to leave your pet alone in this situa on. Assign one adult to be in charge of each of the dogs, to watch for signs of stress and to protect the dog from unwanted a en on from children. At the same me, assign one adult to supervise each baby or toddler, with no other tasks assigned to him. Make sure that ALL interac ons between pets and children are supervised by an adult. Not every dog likes every

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE HOLIDAYS Pets do not make good holiday gi s, especially if the person receiving the gi is not aware of it. If you want to get a pet related gi for someone, get him a book on selec ng a pet or a leash or toy for the pet to come. Many holiday plants such as holly, mistletoe and poinse as are poisonous to pets. Make sure they are someplace where your pet

cannot get to them. Be cau ous about where you leave holiday gi s, especially those with food inside. A misplaced box of chocolates can kill a dog. Candy and other holiday treats sweetened with Xylitol can also be fatal when pets ingest them. Keep lights and fragile ornaments oﬀ the lower branches of your holiday tree where your pet can get to them. Make sure all electrical cords for holiday lights and decora ons are located where your pet will not become entangled in them or a empt to chew on them. Avoid using edible ornaments on your tree. Tinsel can be very a rac ve to dogs and cats and can also be fatal if ingested.

Have a safe and joyous holiday season!

Don Hanson is the co-owner of the Green Acres Kennel Shop (greenacreskennel.com) in Bangor. He is a Bach Founda on Registered Animal Prac oner (BFRAP), Cer fied Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), Associate Cer fied Cat Behavior Consultant (ACCBC) and a Cer fied Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA). He produces and co- hosts a weekly radio show and podcast, The Woof Meow Show heard on The Pulse AM620 WZON and streamed at h p://www.wzonradio.com/ every Saturday at 9 AM. A list of upcoming shows and podcasts of past shows can be found at www.woofmeowshow.com. Don also writes about pets at his blog: www.words-woofs-meows.com.

WAG IT TRAINING CENTER Lincolnville, ME

AGILITY

Wag It Games www.wagittraining.com 207-595- 1592

November 2016

Hun ng Safety By Loyal Biscuit Co.

all means the start of deer hun ng season in Maine. The season usually starts mid September with archery and can run up un l mid December with firearm season being in November. While hun ng season shouldn’t mean the end of all outdoor ac vity for you and your dog, especially in such a beau ful season, it just means you need to take a few extra precau ons to keep you and your dog safe. • BRIGHT CLOTHING: One of the repea ng trends you will see when it comes to hun ng safety is being visible. The more visible you and your dog are to any hunters in the area, the safer you are. The best way to do this is by wearing something, or mul ple somethings, that are blaze orange. A vest, like the Ruffwear Track Jacket or Kurgo Reflect & Protect are the best op on as they cover more of the body (and the Kurgo Reflect & Protect has built in lights). In a pinch, a blaze orange bandana will do. Dog Not Gone has a great bandana that not only has a reflec ve strip, but is also made for you to slide your dog’s collar through making it virtually one size fits all. There are also blaze orange collars, leashes, and harnesses. Don’t forget something blaze

orange for yourself! Avoid wearing earth tones as well as white (a ﬂash of white can o en be mistaken for the white on a deer’s tail). • WHEN IN DOUBT, STICK TO CERTAIN AREAS AND TIMES OF THE DAY: You can always check local laws to see where hun ng is or is not permi ed. It is always safer to avoid areas where hun ng is allowed. Or you can keep your outdoor plans for Sundays when hun ng is not allowed. Since most wildlife is ac ve during the morning and in the evening, go out in the a ernoon where there is usually less hun ng ac vity. • KEEP YOUR DOG LEASHED: Even if your dog has an amazing recall, keep them on leash. Any dog can get startled and bolt a er hearing a gunshot. Keeping your dog leashed will also curb them from chasing a er wildlife. If you like to keep your hands free, opt for a leash that goes around your chest or waist like the Mountain Dog Versa le leash or the Kurgo Quantum leash. • MAKE NOISE: Sound is a great way to alert a hunter to your presence since they will be listening for the sounds of wildlife anyway. Whistle, sing, or even clip a bell to your dog’s leash, harness, or collar. Of course, once a hunter is aware of your presence, don’t make unnecessary noise so you don’t scare oﬀ the wildlife in the area. If

Driver Wanted Downeast Dog News Augusta/Waterville Route Must have reliable vehicle, proof of current insurance and registration. This is a paid position once a month. Great job for a retiree or someone looking for a little extra money. Please contact Jenn at jenn@downeastdognews.com or 230-0260 x6.

you hear shoo ng, raise your voice so the hunters know you are in the vicinity. • KEEP YOUR DOG FROM EATING ANY LEFTOVERS: Many times deer are dressed in the field. This refuse can smell like lunch to your dog but keep them from snacking as it can make your dog very ill especially if it has been there for awhile. This is another reason why keeping your dog on leash can be so important.

Hopefully these ps will come in handy this fall. As always, we’d love to hear from you! Drop us a comment on our Facebook page to tell us how you keep you and your dog safe during hun ng season. Un l next me, Loyal fans! Sources: PetGuide.com: “7 Dog Friendly Safety Tips for Hun ng Season,” Recrea on.gov: “Spotlight: Safety During Hun ng Season,” Cornell University: “Hun ng Season Safety Tips for your Pets.”

P.A.W.S. is looking for someone Part-time to join our great team! Must be at least 18 years of age and have reliable transportation. Looking for team players, who are not afraid to get dirty, and can work on weekends. Previous shelter or animal handling experience a plus. Sense of humor and love of animals required. To apply please visit: www.pawsadoption.org/help-wanted or come by the shelter at 123 John Street, Camden.

Downeast Dog News

SAVING DOGS, SAVING WARRIORS AND RESTORING HOPE A Unique Program Comba ng the EďŹ&#x20AC;ects of PTSD among Veterans By Hagen Blaszyk

ost-trauma c stress disorder aďŹ&#x20AC;ects one in ďŹ ve combat veterans and not only contributes to more than 22 suicides per day in this popula on, but prevents many of them from leading successful civilian lives. K9s on the Front Line, a Portland, Maine based nonproďŹ t organiza on is providing trained PTSD service dogs to veterans at no cost to the recipients. The team is par cularly proud of their process and training program, which facilitates cost-eďŹ&#x20AC;ec ve opera ons and superior outcomes while providing medical oversight; outcome studies and a posi ve group dynamic essen al to kick start the healing process. A specially trained PTSD service dog can literally save and change the veteranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life by providing a sense of security and neutralizing nega ve emo ons. Addi onally, these dogs are trained to perform speciďŹ c tasks to intercept paranoia and ďŹ&#x201A;ashbacks, interrupt repe ve or injurious behavior, blun ng nightmares, retrieving objects and guiding in stressful situa ons, thus facilita ng a more secure func oning of the individual. Simultaneously, the lives of dogs that would otherwise await euthanasia in kill shelters are saved and instead these dogs are given a purpose. Recipients previously crippled or suicidal by the eďŹ&#x20AC;ects of PTSD are gradually gaining their lives back, advancing their careers, bringing their families back from the brink of collapse and divorce, and becoming emo onally available to their children again. Training a PTSD service dog generally rests on four cri cal pillars: (1) Temperament and emo onal intelligence. This feature cannot be trained but needs to be selected for. (2) Environmental soundness. This feature is selected for and trained by extensive exposure to a wide variety of external s muli as to completely

focus on the veteran. (3) Obedience. Generally, solid obedience is a must not only for the veteranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s day to day ac vi es with the service dog, but also to project the posi ve image of a very well behaved service dog to the public. (4) Recipient-speciďŹ c features. The desired tasks are

triggers, etc. Then an appropriate dog is selected and both will begin training in a curriculum spanning an intense 16 weeks with a minimum total of 120 training hours. All trainers are cer ďŹ ed Police K9 trainers and handlers with decades of experience and ďŹ rst-hand

A specially trained PTSD service dog can literally save and change the veteranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life by providing a sense of security and neutralizing nega ve emo ons. individually trained and depend en rely on speciďŹ c needs the veteran may have. Veteran recipients, once chosen, will speak extensively with a team member to discern as much informa on as possible about lifestyle, needs, living situa on,

knowledge of the eďŹ&#x20AC;ects of PTSD, and all are members of North Edge K9, a Portland based K9 training center. Let the words of Sam Raymond, one of our veteran graduates speak for themselves: â&#x20AC;&#x153;My service dog Gracie alerts me of diďŹ&#x20AC;erent

things and situa ons. There is no predictability when it comes to being triggered. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no warning, no visible marks, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no cure. But there is solace in knowing one thing, no ma er when, or where something happens, my partner is right there at my side, ready to keep me going, ready to alert me that LIVING is okay, ready to show me that HAPPY is only a tail wag away. We train every day to learn something new. The more we train, the closer we get. The closer we get, the be er we learn. We learn from each other. Gracie has taught me to be more pa ent, helping me be a be er father, communicate be er, be a be er husband. She has taken it upon herself to know when Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m tensed up or feeling low and to be silly and loving to get me to smile. Living with PTSD is very hard for me to admit. Actually living is what my Gracie helps me do.â&#x20AC;?

Thank you â&#x20AC;˘toSurgery our clients for your Medicine â&#x20AC;˘

trust in our care and for your votes Radiology â&#x20AC;˘ Ultrasonography in the Downeast Dog News Best of the Best Poll!

Dr. Marta Agrodnia, DVM, DACVS

207-878-3121

207 . 729 . 4678 www.androscogginanimalhospital.com 457 Foreside Rd â&#x20AC;˘ Topsham, ME 04086

Excellence of Care November 2016

739 Warren Ave., Portland, ME

24 hours, 7 days a week animalemergencyclinicportland.com

Rescue

of the

Month

POPE MEMORIAL HUMANE SOCIETY OF KNOX COUNTY Helping Homeless & Abandoned Animals Get A Second Chance By Susan Spisak

ecently Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County opened their new 10,000 sq. . state-of-the-art facility in Thomaston, and Execu ve Director, Tracy Sala, is thrilled. “It’s been a godsend.” They’d outgrown the original shelter on the same property—the ini ators of the non-profit PMHSKC had the foresight to purchase seven acres—and it was evident a much larger building complete with new equipment and furnishings were necessary. “We were happy to have built it without any debt,” Tracy says, adding that’s because of the community’s support and generosity, as well as some large dona ons. Since 1989, PMHSKC’s been devoted to caring for and placing unwanted and abandoned animals in loving homes. They promote responsible pet ownership, the human-animal bond and the humane treatment of all animals. They strongly support spay/neuter as well as Trap-Neuter-Return feral cat programs. Their average annual intake is 1,100 animals; this includes dogs, cats and even small animals such as guinea pigs, hamsters, birds, and chickens. Their new dog sec on houses 28 extra-large kennels, each with dividers, meaning they can double up if necessary, and there is an isola on area for infec ous dogs. Garage door “walls” open so the dogs can enjoy fresh air and sunshine. For exercise op ons, they took into account the climate: “We have a wonderful covered pavilion which allows dogs to have play me any me, regardless of inclement weather.” The many features and space of this facility make for less stressed animals; they’re more relaxed and showcase be er, hopefully, leading to quicker adop ons. The staff u lizes both the SAFER® Aggression Assessment and Meet Your Match™ programs; they’re designed to facilitate forever adop ons. They have meet-and-greet rooms, so poten al adopters can spend private me with a prospec ve pet. PMHSKC offers the “Slumber Party,” a foster-to-adopt scenario where an interested adopter, a er signing contractual

MAGDALENE

SAKE

7 years, Lab/Ca ledog

5 or 6 years, Shar Pei Mix

She is good with dogs and older kids. Loves to be wooed and treated like the princess that she is.

She is shy and very sweet, but would do best in a pa ent, quiet home. She needs someone willing to draw her out of her shell.

Please contact Pope Memorial Humane Society: hskcme.org or (207)594-2200

paperwork including Slumber Party protocols and leaving a deposit, may take a pet home to see if it is a good fit. For dogs that need personality or habit tweaking, PMHSKC’s K-9 Correc ons Program offers the opportunity for them to become wellmannered and well-trained, thus increasing their adoptability. “It’s a great, great program,” Tracy says. They partnered with the Maine State Prison and Trainer Marie Finnegan relays posi ve training tools to the selected inmate handlers. The dog lives in prison with their handler for a specified period of me, and Tracy says it o en transforms the lives of the inmates involved, too. The dogs are therapeu c for other inmates as well.

All dogs in their care are examined by a vet, heartworm tested, vaccinated, ﬂea treated and de-wormed, and spayed or neutered. There’s a mini-groom; ears are cleaned and nails are trimmed. Stop by 25 Bu ermilk Lane in Thomaston and be prepared to be impressed. Tracy is so proud of this new shelter that supports 20 communi es in Knox and Waldo coun es, “It’s very bright, cheery, and welcoming.” To view all their adoptable animals, visit h ps://www.pe inder.com/petsearch?shelterid=ME04&sort=pet.Iden ﬁer. For shelter hours, adop on, dona on, and volunteer info, as well as cats and barn buddy ve ng info, visit www.hskcme.org.