THE WAG magazine - Fall 2022

16 Wagging With…Terry

Terry Bradshaw and three members of "the other" Bradshaw Bunch–Billy the Kid, Jesse James, and Annie Oakley.

As editor and publisher, there’s a level of excitement that comes with every publication of THE WAG—accompanied by the hope that we are meeting the expectations of our readers. When it comes to this issue, however, nothing illustrates THE WAG’s tagline of an informative, entertaining read about dogs and their companions more than the cover and interview featuring four-time Super Bowl champion, renowned quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Hall of Famer, singer, actor, and truly passionate dog lover—Terry Bradshaw (page 16). Terry was very kind and generous in sharing information about the four-legged bunch of his Bradshaw pack that includes not only his nine dogs that he “loves, loves, loves,” but also a stable of quarter horses and a donkey named Snoop Donk. Peppered with Bradshaw’s quick-witted humor, I hope you’ll enjoy casual, candid, chin wag with this legendary, down-to-earth dog lover.

Nothing brings a smile to my face quicker than driving down the street and seeing a dog sticking his head out of the car window. Usually because the dog is cute (There is no such thing as an ugly one, is there? [page 20]) and also because I can see how much the dog is enjoying the experience. While I’ve been guilty of letting Skippy do the same on occasion, I have an overwhelming fear that he is going to hit the window control button and something is going to happen. And things like that do happen. And dogs do get debris in their eyes. And a dog shouldn’t be roaming free in a vehicle anyway in case there is an accident. I’m guilty of that, too—not restraining my dog in the car. There’s another thing that brings a smile to my face when driving—Skippy reaching between the two front seats and putting his head on my shoulder while I drive. But what if there was an accident? Would our auto insurance cover Skippy’s injuries or…? Check out the articles on pages 22 and 24 that provide information on both of these topics that all dog owners should take to heart.

Holidays are happening soon, and we’ve included some resources in case you want to rethink your gift-giving way (page 12). Try something new and shop the local thrift stores that benefit animal rescues. Speaking of that, check out THE WAG’s Great Gift Giveaway for those businesses (page 5).

Now is the time to make sure your dog’s manners are in check—particularly before those holiday guests arrive (page 10). There are recipes for you and your pack to enjoy (page 18), and do read on as this issue has even more.

As the year winds down, we’re looking forward to participating in major fundraisers for two crucial organizations this Fall—Gabriel’s Angels’ A Night of PAWSibilities in Black & White on October 8th and PACC911’s (Phoenix Animal Care Coalition) Glimmer of Hope on November 13th. If you are not familiar with these groups, please take a moment to learn what they do to impact the lives of children and animals (gabrielsangels.org and pacc911.org).

A sincere thank you to all our advertisers (please patronize them) and you, our readers, for your continued support. It is, indeed, a privilege to be part of Arizona’s dog-loving society and to champion the efforts of the rescue community.

Happy Holidays to All, Penny

Penny Lex, Editor & Publisher

P.S. I've ordered Skippy a car harness.

THE WAG magazine

an informative, entertaining read about dogs & their companions

FALL 2022

Volume 6 Issue 4

PUBLISHERS

Gary Lex

Penny Lex

EDITOR

Penny Lex

DESIGN

Veronica Martinez

PHOTOGRAPHY

Vicky Cummings

PROOFREADING

Sue Maves

ADVERTISING

Penny Lex

Sue Maves

WRITERS & CONTRIBUTORS

Cherese Cobb

Amy DeYoung

Penny Lex

Virginia McGregor

Kennedi Travis

DISTRIBUTION

Times Media

Animals & Humans in Disaster/ Empty Bowl Pet Food Pantry

SUBSCRIPTIONS

$20/year (4 issues) 14870 N. Fayette Dr. Fountain Hills, AZ 85268

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES

Prescott • Sue Maves 928-227-3004 suemaves15@gmail.com

The Valley • Penny Lex 507-202-3929

penny@thewagmagazine.com

IDEAS AND COMMENTS

Penny Lex • 507-202-3929

penny@thewagmagazine.com thewagmagazine.com

THE WAG magazine is published quarterly by Lex Ventures, LLC 14870 N. Fayette Dr. Fountain Hills, AZ 85268

THE WAG magazine

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Printed in the U.S.A.

The publishers and editor of THE WAG magazine are not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of products, services or ideas that appear in THE WAG magazine. Advertising in this publication does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the publishers.

GREAT GIFT GIVEAWAY

Tis the season of shopping—for friends, family, neighbors, hostesses, just because, and for those items that give the special touch in adorning your abode for the holidays. So, what could be better than gift certificates for stores where not only are you sure to find something sensational and unique, but you will also find joy knowing your purchase is helping an animal in need.

While reading this issue, keep an eye out for the items pictured below that represent $25 gift certificates from Halo Animal Rescue Thrift Store and Yavapai Humane Society Thrift Store. Send an email with their location to penny@thewagmagazine.com and you will be entered to win—just in the nick of gift-giving time. Drawing to be held December 15th.

THE WAG Welcomes

Arrivederci Cucina Italiana Huffman Davis Group

PACC911

Pawsitively Spoiled

Pet2Vets

Prima Painting LLC

Valentine Aros, Henery, Ahya, Benley, Jack

Mya

Barret, Chesley, Bosco

Leonardo & Emma

Denali

Sport Coat & Jesse James

Roxie

Willie Nelson

Oliver

Beau

Boxer Luv Rescue

For over 25 years, Boxer Luv Rescue (BLR) has been working to save the lives of dogs. And thanks to their efforts, over 10,000 have come to find their forever homes. Focusing on the Boxer breed (purebreds and mixes), the foster-based rescue has, on average, 45–50 Boxers at any given time.

“We are, and always have been, an all-volunteer organization,” said Randy Rotondo, volunteer and VP of Operations. “We have a core group of 45 very active, dedicated, and compassionate volunteers who have a love of the breed and who give so much of their personal time to the Boxers going through our program. The dogs come in broken—physically and emotionally, confused and needing serious TLC in their transitions and decompression time. That’s our reward—watching their transformations and being able to see them so happy, healthy, and loved in new homes with awesome adopters. That’s what gives us the drive to do more and continue on. We provide a life-long guarantee to the dogs that come through our program. Life happens, as we like to say, and they will always have a place to come back to should they, unfortunately, need help again.”

Many Boxers end up at BLR due to surrender resulting from a life or family situation—death, relocation,

financial trouble, birth. And sometimes the owners weren’t aware of the commitment required to properly care for a dog. They also arrive as strays or from bad living situations. Medical care and screening are paramount at BLR. All dogs are spayed/ neutered and given vaccines:, full labs to check organ function, tick borne diseases, heartworm infection, and Valley Fever are given. They also address any medical issues identified during the intake medical exam process, such as masses (pathology and removal), heart issues (via echocardiograms and Holter monitor studies), orthopedic issues (leg/ligament injuries), and cancers. “The Boxer breed is predisposed to cancer and heart issues, so those are checked thoroughly,” said Rotondo. “Medical intervention is provided when needed.”

A great example of this is the story of Gio—a great senior boy with a family but…as Rotondo says,“Life happens.” Tragedy struck. Gio’s human mom passed away and his dad had to move away for work after being impacted by the Covid crisis and shutdowns. Gio was left behind with family who reached out to BLR for help. After taking him in, thanks to a grant from PACC911 (Phoenix Animal Care Coalition) Critical Care Program, BLR got him through some immediate medical issues—Valley Fever infection and removal of mast cell cancerous tumors. After six months, Gio was adopted by his foster family who couldn’t let him go.

“Gio’s story can be repeated hundreds, if not thousands of times,” said Rotondo. “From the pandemic through to the economic problems families are having today—forced to make difficult decisions that leave loved family pets without medical care as well as loss of family and home.”

BLR is funded primarily by private donations supplemented with some corporate giving and non-profit grants. Donations are always needed and volunteers welcome.

602-530-5671

https://www.boxerluv.org/

Gio's story can be repeated hundreds, if not thousands of times.

Celebrating holidays with his new family.

Owner of Pawsitive Dog Training, Kennedi Travis is a certified dog trainer with over five years' experience servicing Fountain Hills and the surrouding areas. She has a CPDT-KA certification, Fear Free Certification, is an Educator in Dog Bite Prevention and an AKC CGC evaluator. Kennedi loves all animals, both big and small, and has many pets of her own.

One thing that may make this year’s holiday festivities even more special is making sure our four-legged friends have learned good manners. And now is the perfect time to start practicing polite behaviors.

Utilizing environmental management is a wonderful way to help ensure friends, family, and other guests in our homes are not harassed by our dogs. An example of providing this in your home is to give Fido some space in another room with something to do, such as a chew to enjoy or an enrichment activity to entertain themselves.

Jumping for joy

To prevent rushing or jumping on people when guests arrive, keeping your pet on a leash is another example of environmental management. I would pair this with training and showing your dog what you expect them to do when company is over. Reward your dog with treats and praise when they calm down and sit nicely. Once they are calm, they

MINDING THEIR ANNERS

By Kennedi Travis

let your guest in while they ignore your dog until they are even calmer. If your dog becomes too excited by the fact someone is at the door, shut it and wait for them to calm before opening again. Repeat this practice randomly over a period of days. Another activity is having a doorbell ring or a knocking sound play on your phone and to call your dog away from the door. When they come, remember to treat and praise. In this case, the dog is learning that these sounds mean to go find you and not run to the door. This requires much practice and patience, however. Other solutions might be to train your dog to go to a certain place, like a bed or crate, when they hear a doorbell or knock.

Begging

Fantastic meals are traditionally served during the holiday season, and no one wants a dog begging for food while they are eating. The best way to prepare for this is to not feed Fido while you are eating. Never feed Fido from the table, while you are preparing food, or while cleaning up.

can be released to greet everyone. One thing that I have company do when they enter my home is to ignore my dogs until they are calm before being allowed to say hello. This will teach our canine companions to politely welcome people coming into our homes.

Ding dong BARK

Do you have a dog that barks whenever the doorbell is rung or the door is knocked on? Prepare for this event now by training your dog to do something other than barking and running to the door. Start by playing the sound of a doorbell (YouTube has many great sound clips of different bells, or you can record the sound of your bell on your phone.). When your friend calms, reward that behavior. Repeat this practice several times throughout the day. Once your dog is exhibiting the desired calm behavior, have a friend knock or ring the bell. Do not answer the door right away. Instead, wait for Fido to calm and then open the door. If Fido remains calm, reward with a treat and verbal praise, and

For dogs that already beg, try ignoring them while you are enjoying a meal. Encourage your dog to chew on a chew or play with a stuffed Kong while you eat. Place a bed where your dog can relax while you eat or place them in a kennel or in another room. Always give Fido something to do, however, as this should never be a punishment.

While cooking these fantastic meals, I urge you to keep Fido out of the kitchen altogether. Place a bed for them to lay on away from your cooking area while keeping it in the same room. That way your dog can still be near you without being underfoot.

You can prepare for these holiday events now so that your dog is aware of what is expected of them! Make it worth their while to follow the rules by providing lots of praise and rewards when they are doing the right thing. Ignore and redirect behaviors you do not like. Remember, patience and consistency will get you the desired results.

HOLIDAY THRIFT GIVING – Double your gift-giving deed

You know that feeling you get when you give someone the perfect gift? It’s a great feeling knowing you made someone very happy. And what if ”the perfect gift” came from an animal-rescue-based thrift store where, by your purchase, you bestowed yet another gift…one that is very precious and badly needed. Now imagine that feeling!

Enjoy that experience by shopping at one of these establishments. For holiday presents, hostess gifts, décor decking, or just to see what’s out there—you will be amazed! From artwork to jewelry, clothing to accessories and home goods, you’ll find a host of treasures that you won’t see at department or big-box stores. You’ll also enjoy prices that are affordable. Shopping online is easy. Perusing these stores is adventurous and fun!

Arizona Humane Society Cave Creek Thrift Store

The Arizona Humane Society Cave Creek Thrift Store has many offerings including furniture, clothing, household items, jewelry, linens, board games, DVDs, puzzles, and more. Their huge selection boasts many unique items.

13401 N Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ

602-997-7585

www.azhumane.org/locations/#thrift-store-locations

Daily: 11 AM–6 PM

Rescued Treasures Charity Boutique

The Rescued Treasures Charity Boutique supports the Phoenix Animal Care Coalition. They offer ladies' clothing, accessories, home furnishings and accents, animal-related books, animal boutique items, and more.

3841 E Thunderbird Rd, Ste C103, Phoenix, AZ 602-923-1720

pacc911.org/shop-rescued-treasures

Noah Foundation Thrift Store

Supporting a number of local area animal rescue organizations, the Noah Foundation Thrift Store sells clothing, furniture, household items, and more. With a variety of new items arriving daily, you’ll find them open every day except Sunday.

603 S Granite St., Prescott, AZ 928-708-0545

www.noah-foundation.edan.io/

Monday–Saturday: 10 AM–4 PM

Arizona Humane Society Mesa Thrift Store

Stop in to find gently used jewelry, furniture, accessories, clothing, household items, and linens. You can also find miscellaneous items like puzzles, board games, DVDs, CDs, and pet toys.

1110 W Southern Ave, Ste 20, Mesa, AZ 602-761-2970

www.azhumane.org/locations/#thrift-store-locations

Daily: 11 AM–6 PM

Yavapai Humane Society Thrift Store

The Yavapai Humane Society Thrift Store offers 25 percent off for veterans, active-duty military, and first responders every Tribute Tuesday, excluding items marked “firm.” In their store, you’ll find clothing, household items, jewelry, collectibles, antiques, and more.

1601 Iron Springs Rd, Prescott, AZ 928-445-5668

yavapaihumane.org/get-involved/thriftstore/

Tuesday–Saturday: 9 AM–4 PM

Tuesday–Saturday: 10 AM–4 PM

HALO Thrift Boutique

The HALO Thrift Boutique offers a wide range of items, including women’s clothing, shoes, accessories, purses, and home furnishings. Nearly every item offered is sold for $4 or less, despite the items being predominantly name brands!

11649 N Cave Creek Rd, Ste F, Phoenix, AZ 602-274-3444

www.halorescue.org/thrift-boutique

Tuesday–Saturday: 10 AM–5 PM, Sunday: 10 AM–4 PM

WAG magazine: Were dogs a part of your life when you were growing up?

Terry Bradshaw: I’ve had a lot of dogs. The first one I remember was a blonde Cocker Spaniel. I was about four or five years old. I would get out of bed at night, sneak into the backyard and bring her to bed with me. I would even hang my feet out the bedroom window to try to pick her up with my toes and pull her in.

I love dogs. I love, love, love dogs. Luckily, I married someone that loves dogs as much as I do. There are always dogs in our bed. Tammy and I have been together 20 years and you can count on both hands the number of times that we have slept by ourselves. I love to kiss and love on them. My mother says, “You are just ridiculous.” But I can’t help it. I love them. They are like our children.

WM: How many dogs do you have now?

TB: We have nine. We’ve had as many as ten. We recently lost two dogs—Buttons, our Westie and Johnny Cash, our German Shepherd. Cash was our guard dog we got from Wayne Simanovich, a highly respected, well-known dog trainer. Cash was big, very powerful but a total sweetheart. He would even let other dogs take food out of his mouth but…you didn’t want to be coming around if you didn’t belong here. We now have Legend, another German Shepherd, also from Wayne. Then we have Handsome Hank, a Westie; Hootie Baby, a Dachshund; a blonde mini-Dachshund named after Dolly Parton. Guess what we call her?

WM: Ummm, I have no idea.

WAGGING WITH...

TERRY BRADSHAW

Living and loving life— with a huge passion for dogs

TB: Dolly (with laughter). OK, then we have a trio of litter mates—Jesse James, Annie Oakley and Billie the Kid (the result of a trip to Mississippi I took to buy one dog); and two more nest mates—Biscuit (she is the queen of the house) and Gravy (the laziest of all the Dachshund).

I always wanted one big dog as a deterrent but the other little ones to snuggle. I have as many as five of them sleeping with me in my recliner. Their barks are all different and I love their personalities. The ones that are nest or litter mates never fight. And they do everything together. They eat out of the same bowl and pretty much stick together. And at night they play tag—you’re it!

WM: What are your favorite breeds of dogs?

TB: I love Westies. They are so beautiful. But they love to dig. Dig, dig, dig. Hank just tears up the yard. And when he’s slinging the dirt, Dolly girl is right behind him barking, “Go big guy! Go!” But probably Cocker Spaniels. The face of a Cocker Spaniel is priceless. I don’t necessarily love German Shepherds, but I marvel at their strength. I’ve had Dalmatians, English Setters, Pointers, and Boxers. Even a white Boxer. Her name was Duchess. I do love Boxers.

WM: What breed of dog would you liken yourself to.

TB: Let’s see, I was a blonde, gray now. One that’s powerful, a German giant—along the Brad Pitt line, gorgeous. A Boxer. Right Tammy? Yes, final answer. A Boxer.

WM: And Tammy?

TB: First of all, we’re talking princess. Beautiful and sexy. But not a Poodle. Not foofoo. She would be an Afghan Hound.

WM: I loved the movie Failure to Launch where you played the part of Al, Matthew McConaughey’s father, along with Kathy Bates as his mother. Any characteristics of Terry Bradshaw that were reflected in Al?

TB: (Without hesitation) A lot alike. A lot alike. Terry Bradshaw is a little bit behind times on the social scene, simple minded in family values and a solid, moral guy. Al and Terry would want to get the kids out of the house, but not necessarily would they go about it in the same way. And…Terry Bradshaw would have a naked room and pee outside like Al. (Ha, ha, ha). Yeah, a lot alike.

WM: Would you like to make more movies?

TB: (With even less hesitation) No! No! No! I don’t like making movies. That’s not who I am. I’m not an actor and I don’t bring anything to the movie. I am football, horses, broadcasting, singing, entertaining and public speaking. My electricity takes off when I perform. It’s the power of feeling good about yourself. If I can be up there performing and bring 90 minutes of joy and happiness to people’s lives, that’s what I enjoy. It’s not a pre-game joy. It’s when it’s all up to me—the pressure to perform like corporate speeches and delivering a message.

WM: Terry Bradshaw. Four-time Super Bowl champ. Of those four games, which one was most memorable?

TB: The first one. Against the Minnesota Vikings. Super Bowl IX. You never know if you have the ability to win a title that is so hard to do. And it was scary—almost unfathomable to win with such a young team.

WM: Ok. Changing it up here a bit. Which of these do you favor? Cornbread or cheesecake?

TB: Ohhhh, cornbread. Cornbread and milk. Mexican cornbread. Mexican cornbread and milk.

WM: Baseball or boxing?

TB: Boxing. But not the MMA stuff. I don’t care for that.

WM: Milwaukee Bucks or Phoenix Suns?

TB: Bucks

WM: Bourbon or beer?

TB: Awwww, I think you might know that one—bourbon! We started Bradshaw Bourbon about five years ago. Bourbon gets better with age and the key to ours is that we came up with a yeast blend that ages it six years. It was ranked second by Fred Minnick in a blind taste test review. Bradshaw Bourbon is not a celebrity endorsement. It’s all me. I started it, approved the taste, did the labeling and bottle size and shape. We also have Bradshaw Ranch burgers and a clothing line coming up. I can’t believe I’m doing so much at 73!

WM: Any life lessons you’ve learned from your relationships with dogs?

TB: You know, today there’s such division in the nation. We’ve gotten so that the country is so politically and morally divided. All the things this nation was built on are suddenly up in the air. I recently said to Tammy, “No matter how bad your day could be, whether you’re poor, homeless, fat, skinny, rich or poor, clean or dirty, when a dog sees you, he only sees your heart. That’s all he sees. Wouldn’t it be something if the world would be like that?”

WM: Amen to that, Terry. Amen to that.

A sack by the pack that Bradshaw loves to bear.

A memorable moment with the late Johnny Cash.

Legendary dog-loving quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, four–time Super Bowl champ, two–time MVP, and Hall of Famer.

GAME DAY GOODIES

FOOTBALL FARE FOR THE ENTIRE PACK

BETTE’S BREADSTICKS FABULOUS & OH, SO EASY

2 dozen hot dog buns (frozen work best, easier to cut)

1–1 ½ lb. butter

Salad Supreme (Original) Seasoning

While melting butter, slice each hot dog bun the long way into four sticks.

Dredge each stick through butter and place on cookie sheet.

Generously sprinkle with Salad Supreme Seasoning. Bake for about 2 to 2 ½ hrs. at 225 degrees until sticks are medium to dark brown and no longer soft.

Cool and store in airtight container up to a week.

FREEZE AHEAD CRAB APPETIZERS

1 stick butter, softened

5 oz. jar Old English cheese spread

1 ½ t. garlic salt

½ t. seasoning salt

7 oz. can crab

6 English muffins

Combine all ingredients except muffins. Split muffins and place on large cookie sheet. Spread mixture on muffin halves.

Freeze then cut each muffin into six wedges and freeze. To serve. Put under broiler (watch carefully) for 5–10 minutes until lightly browned.

THE MOCKTAIL VIRGIN PALOMA

1.5 oz. fresh lime juice

1 oz. grapefruit juice

1 oz. agave syrup

Club soda

Lightly salt (or sugar) rim of glass. Add lime juice, grapefruit juice and agave syrup to shaker with ice. Shake well, pour over rocks, and top with club soda.

SWEET & SALTY WINGS

¼ c. caramel sauce

¼ c. hot sauce (adjust according to taste)

2 T. fresh lime juice

1/8 t. garlic powder

Salt (per taste)

¼ c. cilantro

4 lbs. cooked chicken wings (fried or baked)

Microwave caramel sauce until nice and thin. Whisk in hot sauce, lime juice, garlic powder and salt. Toss with chicken wings and cilantro. Place under broiler until desired crispness.

PRETZEL DIP

1 c. mayonnaise

¼ c. crumbled bacon

½ c. Dijon mustard

2–3 t. prepared horseradish (based on taste)

Combine, chill, serve with pretzels.

Whether

...AND FOR THE CANINE CROWD

CANINE CRUDITES

Carrot sticks

Cucumber slices

Red pepper slices

Dip in plain, Greek yogurt (no Xylitol, toxic to dogs) sprinkled with a bit of fresh dill.

Celery sticks lightly filled with peanut butter (no Xylitol) and cut into bite-size pieces.

QUICK & EASY TREAT BALLS

1 c. canned pure pumpkin (no spices)

¼ c. peanut butter (no Xylitol)

¾ c. oatmeal

Combine ingredients, roll into balls or form into football shapes and refrigerate.

APPLESAUCE

Apples (select variety that isn’t overly sweet)

Bone broth

Peel, core, and slice apples. Be sure to remove all the seeds as they are toxic to dogs. Put in pot and boil in bone broth to desired consistency.

LIQUORLESS DOGTAILS

PUP-A-RITA

¾ c. frozen strawberries

¼ c. coconut water

1 T. plain Greek yogurt

Pulse in blender until smooth

APPLETINI

1 c. applesauce (recipe above)

¼ c. coconut water

Liquify in blender

BARKING BREWSKI

2 c. chicken broth

4 T. frozen spinach or kale, chopped finely Stir together and pour into tightly sealable container. Refrigerate for 24 hours, shaking periodically.

THE COCKTAIL THE BLONDE BOMBER

1 part fresh lemon juice

1 part honey simple syrup

2 parts Bradshaw Bourbon

Add above to shaker of ice. Shake well and serve straight up or on the rocks.

SWEET POTATO CHIPS

Wash sweet potatoes and cut into slices or strips. Place on parchment paper on cookie sheets and bake 2–3 hours at 250 degrees—turning potatoes about half-way through. Bake until crisp.

it’s game day or another seasonal gathering, it’s always fun to try something new to share with your family, guests, and of course, canine companions. Score big with everyone by whipping up some of these delicious recipes.

With a longer tongue than KISS bassist Gene Simmons and a more dashing snarl than ‘80’s British rocker Billy Idol, Mr. Happy Face has been crowned the “World's Ugliest Dog.”

The 17-year-old hairless Chinese Crested-Chihuahua mix triumphed over nine other competitors in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest—a 46-year-old event held annually in Petaluma, California. Mr. Happy Face bested a Mexican hairless dog that looks like a mash-up between a hyena and a mandrill baboon. He also beat a “hairless mutant” with red eyes and a twisted face that resembles a blood-sucking Chupacabra.

Advocate, Adopt, Adore

It may seem cruel to poke fun at these mirror-shattering mutts. But the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest promotes adopting canines with mismatched ears, missing fur, crossed eyes, or hunched backs. Sponsored by NBC and Amica Mutual Insurance, celebrity judges (like American comedian Mamrie Hart) rank entrants on first impressions, unusual attributes, personality, and audience reaction.

The reigning champion was adopted from the Yavapai Humane Society in Prescott, Arizona, in August 2021 by Jeneda Benally, a bassist in the Navajo punk rock band Sihasin. “When I first met Mr. Happy Face, he was the happiest creature I had ever seen, despite an eye condition, many tumors, breathing problems and being a differentlooking kind of creature,” she recalls.

Rescued from a hoarder’s home where the conditions were vile, Mr. Happy Face survived by eating anything that was not pinned down. “His ribcage was also severely out of alignment, which made me wonder if he had been abused,” Benally said. Sadly, Mr. Happy Face was only given a month to live. He would also need expensive medications for the rest of his life.

“I vowed that day to love him so much he would never remember how awful his previous life had been,” said Benally. Skilled in traditional Navajo bodywork, Benally and her father have adjusted every single bone in Mr. Happy Face’s body. They have also added coconut oil to his kibble and it has cleared up his eyes. The “fearlessly adorable” pooch does not cough or wheeze anymore. “He can even run again,”

MEET MR. HAPPY FACE The winner of the “World’s Ugliest Dog” Contest

By Cherese Cobb

said Benally. “It’s a homely run, but it’s still a run. Despite the conditions that I adopted him with, we've been able to give him a much better quality of life through holistic care.”

A Stroke of Luck

Benally entered Mr. Happy Face in the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest on a whim. It was her birthday, and she was working on her first radio show, Indigenous YOUth Nation While teaching a youth group how to mix and edit audio, they convinced her to sign Mr. Happy Face up for the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest. “Of course, I thought that was a ridiculous idea. Mr. Happy Face is one of the most glorious and gorgeous creatures who’s walked the planet, next to my kids,” Benally laughs.

She was flabbergasted when Mr. Happy Face nabbed the coveted title of World’s Ugliest Dog. “I hope Mr. Happy Face inspires people to adopt and not create any kind of deformities or uniqueness that could be harmful,” Benally says. “Mr. Happy Face is like a little Yoda. He’s taught me the stereotypes that we have toward each other are incredibly harmful. When we can look beyond what we're used to seeing, we get to really see how beautiful someone is.”

A Brand New World

Aside from bagging $1,500, Benally and Mr. Happy Face made an appearance on NBC’s TODAY Show. Before Mr. Happy Face became famous for his signature silver tuft and lopsided tongue, people could not fathom that he was a dog. “When we came back to Flagstaff, Arizona, people recognized him immediately. Their eyes would light up and their smiles would become as wide as the Grand Canyon,” Benally says. “It was beautiful to see how joyful they were just looking at Mr. Happy Face, and I’m sure he could feel that too.”

Cherese Cobb is a professional writer and photographer from Tennessee. When she’s not penning copy for magazines and blogs, she splits her time between family, nature, and cat-worship, and chugs coffee to survive all three.

THE FRONTLINE COALITION

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First Aid Kits and much more

American Heart Association and Pet Tech certified.

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thefrontlinecoaltion

602-790-3651

PROTECTING THE PET PASSENGERS

Negligence can put your dog at risk

By Amy DeYoung

It’s any pet parent's worst nightmare: their dog falling or jumping out of a moving vehicle.

Unfortunately, it happens frequently. According to Steven Goats, veterinary technician supervisor at the VCA Thumb Butte Animal Hospital, “Yes, we have had reports of dogs especially falling or jumping out of [the car] window or being in the back of a truck when an accident happens.” The American Veterinary Medical Association even found that 71 percent of veterinarians had provided treatment to dogs injured from riding in a truck, among a survey of veterinarians in Massachusetts. Fortunately, legislation has made allowing your dog to ride in a truck bed illegal in many areas.

A common distraction

Keeping your dog inside your car doesn’t necessarily mean that they (or you) are safe. There have been many cases of dogs jumping on their pet parent’s lap while they’re driving or smaller dogs getting between the driver’s foot and the pedals.

Car accidents are also a significant risk to our furry passengers and having your dog in the car unrestrained can increase your chances of getting into a crash. According to a study performed by Volvo Car, unsafe driving behaviors more than doubled when pets were unrestrained while driving. They also found that drivers were distracted twice as much when their pets were loose in their vehicles.

When accidents happen

So, what happens if you and your dog are in a car crash? Unfortunately, the research is bleak. A study of 600 dogs by The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found that 31 percent of dogs in car crashes had superficial wounds. However, among the remaining 410 dogs, 87 percent

had skeletal injuries, and 36 percent had multiple region injuries. In this study, 12.5 percent of the dogs in motor vehicle accidents died or were euthanized due to their intensive injuries. Considering most dogs ride unrestrained in the car, it’s safe to say that some of these injuries and deaths could have been prevented by taking care safety measures.

So, how can pet parents safely travel with their dogs?

Kennel up/buckle up

Whenever your dog is in the car, it should be properly restrained. An appropriately sized crate can be an excellent option for small to medium dogs, as this prevents them from distracting you and being ejected if you are in a car crash. A crated dog should have enough room to lie down and stand, but not much more than this to prevent them from being flung farther during sudden turns or in the case of a collision. Crashtested dog seatbelts are another option that can reduce the risk of your dog jumping out of your car or being thrown out a window. Many of these seatbelts attach to the seatbelt built into your vehicle and clip onto your dog’s harness or collar to prevent them from distracting you while keeping them better secured in the case of a crash.

Dog car seats, also known as booster seats, are another great choice. Most of these seats fit small to medium dogs, and they typically include clasps to attach your dog’s collar or harness to, effectively securing them in their car seat. Shorter dogs may especially enjoy riding in one because it gives them more height to look through the window.

Steven Goats, from Thumb Butte Animal Medical Hospital, also recommends using a cargo net to keep larger dogs in the back of your car. A cargo net prevents your dog from jumping onto your lap and distracting you while driving and provides them with some protection if you were to have an accident as there is less room for them to be ejected forward.

WATCH OUT FOR WINDOWS

Watch out for windows

Goats also said that pet parents should consider keeping their car windows fully closed and child locked. Many dogs can easily push or accidentally touch the button that opens many modern car windows. As fun as it may seem for your dog to stick their head out of your car window, this can be very risky for them. A dog’s tongue, mouth, face, and eyes can be injured from airborne objects when their face is hanging out the window. It also increases the likelihood of your dog jumping or falling out of the car during a sudden turn or car crash. Taking your dog for a spin can be fun, but make sure that it is always properly secured while you’re driving to protect you and your passengers—both the furry and non-furry ones.

Amy DeYoung is an Arizona native and freelance writer who spends her free time baking, reading, and chasing after her playful Boston Terrier, Nickel.

PET Injury Insurance Is your dog covered in case of a collision?

By Cherese Cobb

Car accidents can be traumatic and expensive enough. But if your pet happens to be riding with you when the accident occurs and you both get hurt, you could be hounded by additional medical bills during your recovery. Luckily, many car insurance companies offer injury coverage that pays for your pet's veterinary or burial expenses. You may even have pet injury coverage included in your policy now but aren’t aware of it.

Here is how pet injury coverage works.

The basics

• Pet injury coverage is usually part of collision coverage. The add-on pays for car repairs and replacement, no matter who is at fault for the accident.

• Pet injury coverage is limited to cats and dogs. While some standard pet insurance policies cover other types of pets like miniature horses, they don’t pay for car accident injuries.

• Car insurance only covers your pet if they are hurt while riding with you or a household member.

• Most insurance companies will pay $500–$2,500 for medical bills or burial expenses if your pet is hurt or dies in a car accident.

• Car insurance companies classify pets as personal property.

• Collision insurance may cover the cost of a new pet.

“Insurance companies may refuse to pay for damages incurred while partaking in an illegal activity, such as driving while intoxicated,” says Chase Gardner, data scientist at Insurify. “But, some states don’t allow insurers to cancel payments in this event.”

No deductible pet injury coverage

Some of the companies that offer pet injury coverage without a deductible include:

Chubb. Chubb pays up to $2,000 for medical or burial expenses, regardless of how many pets were hurt.

The Hanover Insurance Group. If your pet is injured or killed in an accident while riding in your vehicle, a Hanover policy will pay up to $2,500.

Metromile. Metromile will pay up to $1,000 for veterinary fees. If your pet dies, you may get $1,000 in death compensation. If someone steals your car with your pet inside, you may also receive up to $1,000.

Nationwide. Nationwide’s pet injury coverage is included with collision insurance. It pays up to $1,000 for veterinary bills or burial expenses. No pet limit.

Progressive. If you have collision insurance, Progressive pays up to $1,000 for medical treatment if your pet is hurt during a car accident.

State Farm. Offering many options for coverage, State Farm has teamed up with Trupanion, which covers health and injury. Enrollment prior to an accident is required.

The average cost of pet injury coverage

Collision insurance costs about $24 per month. According to Insurify, the average American driver pays $166 per month for car insurance with pet accident coverage. If you have collision coverage as part of your car insurance policy, you may already have pet injury coverage. “You may have to buy extra pet injury coverage if your insurer doesn’t include it under their standard collision coverage policy,” Gardner said. “To find out, your best option is to call your insurance agent, who can provide details about pet injury coverage as it relates to your policy.”

Will your pets be covered if they are hit by a vehicle?

If a pet is roaming freely and hit by someone’s vehicle, pet injury coverage doesn’t pay for the animal’s medical bills. “Instead, pet insurance purchased outside your auto policy can cover this kind of accident,” said Gardner. Also in this situation, you may be cited and must pay for damages. In Arizona, dogs must be leashed, but cats can legally roam.

Suing after an accident

Has your cat or dog been injured in a car accident? “You can make a claim or sue the at-fault driver for your pet's vet bills," said Kevin Rowe, cofounder of Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys. If the driver who caused the accident has minimumliability car insurance, you can submit a claim against their property damage coverage.

Besides the damage to your motor vehicle, minimum-liability car insurance pays for damaged or destroyed personal items, from your pets to your prescription eyeglasses. Property damage coverage pays up to $15,000.

If the damage was significant, you may want to look into the viability of a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. Rowe said to weigh your vet bills against legal fees and the ability to collect from the defendant. Is the at-fault driver struggling financially? They might be judgment-proof. Essentially, if you win in court, you lose because they can’t pay. The statute of limitations in Arizona for a car accident is two years from the accident date.

Is the damage less than $3,500? Rowe recommends filing a small claims case. The judge makes the final decision, and you can't appeal. The justice court handles cases with damages less than $9,999, while the superior court deals with damages above $10,000. Rowe said, “The costs to file a complaint are a lot less in small claims court than in superior court.”

Even with auto insurance, a traffic accident that only causes property damage costs an average of $4,700 per vehicle, says the National Safety Council. While you love your pet like family, you may not be able to foot steep veterinary bills after a tragic motor vehicle crash. Pet injury insurance can give you peace of mind.

Cherese Cobb is a professional writer and photographer from Tennessee. When she’s not penning copy for magazines and blogs, she splits her time between family, nature, and catworship, and chugs coffee to survive all three.

STEADFAST Sentinel (Loyal

Oh, no! What is that Rottweiler doing up there on the canal bank? I hurried my two Corgis along the cottonfield road. What if it attacked my little dogs? Where was the owner?

I looked back to see if the Rottie was coming after us. But he just stayed like a statue staring below at the canal. Something wasn’t right. Did his owner fall into the canal? Was he struggling in the waters or dragged under by the current? Concrete canal walls are steep and slippery. The only way to climb out is to find the steps spaced far apart along the sides.

Whirling around, I pulled my reluctant dogs back to the truck. I loaded them up and ran back to the canal. Now with a closer look, I saw a young, black and brown Rottie. Approaching cautiously, I reassured him, “It’s okay, boy. Good boy, what’s going on?” He panted, whined, wagged his tail at me, and stayed sitting. He turned back to look down at the canal water. No one else was around on this early Sunday morning.

I looked below. In the dark water, a large shape splashed against the canal wall.

It wasn’t a human, but another dog, an adult German Shepherd. Clawing frantically at the canal wall, the poor dog struggled to keep his head above the water. He couldn’t get a grip to pull himself out. Wide with fright, his brown eyes begged for help. What could I do? He was too far down for me to reach. I was the only hope for this dog, but I needed help.

I dashed to the truck and drove two

blocks up the road to the Circle K. I prayed that the Shepherd wouldn’t drown while I was gone. I pushed to the front of the line and begged the clerk to call the police for help with a drowning dog. Within a minute, an officer drove up. I ran over to him, and he agreed to follow me back to where a dog was drowning in the canal.

When we arrived, the faithful little Rottie stood silently—in the same spot he was when I left.

The officer grabbed a large rope with a loop on the end from his patrol car. We ran over to see that the Shepherd was still struggling to keep his head above the water. The officer threw it down over the dog’s head and it settled around his neck. It took two of us pulling on the rope to drag the exhausted animal up the slippery concrete wall to safety.

Unsteady and confused, the soaking wet Shepherd collapsed in the dirt. While he panted heavily, the Rottie licked his face. After about ten minutes, the police officer and I loaded them into the back of the squad car. The survivor barely moved. Rottie just lay quietly. Even though they weren’t wearing collars or tags, I asked, “Officer, can you bring them to my house? I’ll try to find the owners.”

The officer said, “Sorry. No. I can’t do that. Once the police are involved, the dogs must go to the dog pound. Hopefully, the owners will claim them.”

I followed the officer back to the police station to wait for animal control to arrive. I pleaded with the animal control officer to place the dogs in the same kennel at the shelter.

I went to the shelter to complete a form describing how I “found” them at the canal. I praised the younger dog who guarded his drowning pal, described how the police officer helped me save the German Shepherd’s life, and made sure the two dogs were in the same kennel.

I left and after a few hours, I checked back. Did the owners claim their pets? No such luck. The two dogs occupied the same kennel. Recognizing me, they started shaking their bodies and wagging their tails. The German Shepherd made eye contact with me and jumped up against the enclosure to express his greeting. His wet, black and brown rumpled fur was covered in dirt. He appeared to be recovering from his ordeal. Rottie wiggled around. How did I ever think he could be a threat? I hated leaving the dogs there. Later that afternoon, I checked back. Finally, their owners had claimed them. These owners paid fines because the dogs weren’t tagged and had escaped from their unsecured backyard several times before.

Rottie and his older pal have tags now. The owners read the paperwork describing how their dogs were brought in and how the German Shepherd was rescued from drowning. They assured the shelter officials that they would secure their yard.

If these were your precious pets, how would you welcome them back home? Both safe and sound.

Loyal Rottie deserved a Hero’s Medal…a Steadfast Sentinel who stayed by his pal.

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WAG's Crossword

WAG’S CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Complete the puzzle by filling in these dog-related words or phrases.

Complete the puzzle by filling in these dog-related words or phrases.

ACROSS

ACROSS

3 Like many children, some dogs go to _____ (2 wds)

3 Like many children, some dogs go to (2 wds)

4 One of two things every dog owner should know in case of a pet emergency (abbr)

DOWN

DOWN

1 Morning after libation "_____ of the dog"

1 Morning after libation " of the dog"

2 The other thing every dog owner should know in case of a pet emergency (2 wds)

6 Cocktail made with vodka and grapefruit juice (2 wds)

4 One of two things every dog owner should know in case of a pet emergency (abbr)

8 You _____ the poop

6 Cocktail made with vodka and grapefruit juice (2 wds)

8 You the poop

11 A dog's trainer or manager

11 A dog's trainer or manager

13 Transportation vehicle named after this breed

13 Transportation vehicle named after this breed

14 A young dog or puppy

14 A young dog or puppy

16 What a dog i s to man (2 wds)

18 A dog's common distraction

16 What a dog is to man (2 wds)

19 What you call the canine's world

20 From the man cave to the

18 A dog's common distraction

21 Some say "it's a world" (3 wds)

19 What you call the canine's world

20 From the man cave to the _____

21 Some say "it's a _____world" (3 wds)

Answers on page 30

3 Gives intel on your dog's heritage (abbr)

2 The other thing every dog owner should know in case of a pet emergency (2 wds)

3 Gives intel on your dog's heritage (abbr)

4 If you want to know the truth about someone, ask a _____ or a dog

4 If you want to know the truth about someone, ask a or a dog

5 Popular battered treat at the fair (2 wds)

5 Popular battered treat at the fair (2 wds)

7 Poodle of the smallest size

7 Poodle of the smallest size

9 Always ask from a dog's owner before approaching the animal

10 Not a mutt but a

9 Always ask _____ from a dog's owner before approaching the animal

12 All dogs need some sort of regular

10 Not a mutt but a _____

15 Pooch that likes to sit on a person

12 All dogs need some sort of regular_____

17 The part of an apple that is toxic for dogs

15 Pooch that likes to sit on a person is a_____

17 The part of an apple that is toxic for dogs

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Looking

Check out these Rescue Events and Doggy Doings. From adoption events to agility—dock diving to even channeling your inner artist—there’s always something going on for dogs and dog lovers.

If you have an event you would like us to include in an upcoming issue, just send a note to penny@thewagmagazine.com with “EVENT” in the subject line and provide the basic details as you see below. While we would love to publish all dog-related events, due to limited space, priority will be given to events involving rescue, adoption, and fundraising.

OCTOBER

6 & 20

Pet Partners Read With Me! Chino Valley Public Library 3-4 pm 1020 W. Palomino Rd. Chino Valley, AZ

10 & 24

Pet Partners Read With Me! Chino Valley Public Library 3-4 pm 1020 W. Palomino Rd. Chino Valley, AZ

16

Pet CPR/First Aid Class

The Frontline Coalition

3820 E. Ray Rd, #18 Phoenix, AZ thefrontlinecoalition.com

16 & 23

Halloween Doga (Dog Yoga) Phoenix Hotel 10-11 am 1100 N. Central Ave. Phoenix, AZ

NOVEMBER 12

Pet-A-Palooza – The Day of the Dog

Scottsdale Artists’ School 11 am-3 pm 3720 N. Marshall Way Scottsdale, AZ

13

Glimmer of Hope PACC911 Fundraiser

Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas 11 am-3 pm 6333 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ pacc911.org

19 & 20

The Day of the Dog – Scottsdale Scottsdale Artists’ School 10 am-3 pm 3720 N. Marshall Way Scottsdale, AZ

DECEMBER 3

Pet Adoption Event PACC911 & All Saints Episcopal Church All Saints Episcopal Church 10 am-3 pm 6300 N. Central Ave. Phoenix, AZ

11