Bella The Boxer’s Seven Tips for Making 2012 a Doggone Great Year

Keep your eyes on the ball.
Stop multitasking and practice the art of concentration. When I play with my little red rubber ball, I give it my full attention, energy and talent. Nothing else gives me the same sense of satisfaction!

Make happiness happen.
Focus on the positive and look for the humor in every situation. Aside from dogs, who are the happiest creatures on Earth? Those who make it their business to be happy!

Sit, stay and listen.
Talk less and listen more. When I wag my tail more than my tongue, people know that I’m listening. And after a while, I get to know something.

Shake off setbacks.
Don’t let the world “no” dissuade you. If you don’t fail, you don’t learn. Dogs aren’t perfect. We take risks and we make mistakes, but we shake off setbacks and take off running again.

Build your pack.
Surround yourself with colleagues, coaches, mentors and friends. Humans like to say that it’s ‘every man for himself.’ That’s silly. We all need a pack of supporters to succeed.

Show genuine appreciation.
Don’t just be grateful—show it! Kick up your paws and celebrate. Appreciation is gratitude in action. It’s something you feel from the tip of your tongue to the end of your tail—and it makes everyone feel good.

Get out and play!
Put down the gadgets and gizmos, step away from the computer, and learn how to play. Play is a dog’s way
of connecting with real people, real dogs and real tennis balls. You know—the things in life that are most important.

How Will YOU Tap Into Your Inner Dog in the New Year?!

Adapted from Secrets of a Working Dog: Unleash Your Potential and Create Success by Bella The Boxer with co-authors Ellen Galvin and Patrick Galvin. Available at select retailers plus Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and www.BellaTheBoxer.com.

Posted: Monday, January 23rd, 2012 No Comments »

The SPCA of Wake County participated in the filming and rescue of two hoarding cases in the Triangle area at the request of producers from the Animal Planet documentary series, Confessions:  Animal Hoarding.  A total of thirty-four dogs and twenty-nine cats were taken to the SPCA for treatment from two separate cases.  In both cases, the animals were voluntarily surrendered.

Two of the dogs and three of the cats are still awaiting adoption at the SPCA.

The first story will air on January 27, 2012 and the second is scheduled to air February 12, 2012 at 10pm EST on Animal Planet.

Posted: Monday, January 9th, 2012 No Comments »

UPDATE:  In the time since this article was first published, Sassy found a loving home!

This item originally appeared in the “Barb’s Space” section of Monty’s Home December newsletter.  It was so compelling, we wanted to share it with our readers too.

Stopping at the shelter today I’m told an all too familiar story about someone dropping their dog off with yet another lame excuse…

I know you’re thinking how could someone do something like that???  But they do…. all the time. Do they not know what’s behind those walls? Do they think there is fresh air and sunshine and someone plays with them every day until the happy ending when they are adopted out?  The truth is poor Sassy, ordinary black lab with grey muzzle will probably never get out….at least not out the front door. And so many, many, like her suffer the same fate.

Here’s hoping this newsletter is read or forwarded to someone who can help this poor frightened old girl at Pender Animal Control before it’s too late.  910-259-1349 is the number there.  Thanks for reading and helping me keep my promise to Sassy.

Barb

Posted: Saturday, December 17th, 2011 No Comments »

I don’t know when or how Ollie learned how to open presents, but each year it amuses me to no end watching him tear into gifts presented to him during the holidays.  He expertly rips into the package and carefully discards any paper stuck to his mouth. His younger sister, August, has also easily picked up the skill of opening presents and after this season, I’m guessing our newest addition, Pecos, will soon be tearing into presents of his own after some coaching from his big brother and sister.

Since the dogs never really eat the paper, I didn’t think about the fact that the chemicals in traditional wrapping paper could still be harmful to my four-legged children.  Not to mention, the tape used to wrap the gifts could also cause problems if accidentally swallowed.

This year I was excited to find wrapping paper created specifically for pets with no harmful chemicals and adhesive edges (no tape!) and cute designs for every occasion. The company is called Pet Party Printz and if you’re in the Southport area, they carry a variety of designs at Four Legs Good Pet Boutique.

Posted: Tuesday, December 6th, 2011 No Comments »

There are now several cities and counties across the United States that make it mandatory to spay/neuter your pet. What do you think? Would these laws help reduce the number of pets in shelters? Should the government become involved in the spay/neuter agenda? How would you feel if the law required you to spay/neuter your pet?

Sound off in our poll below!

Posted: Thursday, November 24th, 2011 No Comments »

Have you ever wanted to take a Dog Pilates class?  How about attend a Doggy Disco party?  Did you even know there was such a thing?  North Carolina’s very first Zoom Room has opened in Charlotte and we haven’t seen anything like this before!

The Zoom Room Charlotte is an eco-friendly dog agility and canine social club and they’re holding a grand opening event on October 22nd.  Owner Julene Kautzman is thrilled to be offering this new facility to residents in the Charlotte area.

“We couldn’t think of a better way to introduce the Zoom Room to Charlotte than through a day filled with activities that are engaging and entertaining for both dogs and their owners,” said Kautzman. “It’s the perfect environment to help dog owners strengthen the bond with their pets.”

Charlotte dogs and their owners are invited out to enjoy an entire day of activities including free dog agility classes (starting at 9am) and a Doggy Disco party from 5pm-8pm.  A caricature artist will even draw free doggie portraits for those attending. The event will also serve as a fundraiser for the local non-profit animal welfare group, Partnership for Pets.  The Zoom Room will donate $10 for every advance RSVP, plus 10 percent of the day’s sales.

Why do dogs go to the Zoom Room?

• To learn canine agility
• To socialize at a Doggy Disco party
• To take a Dog Pilates class
• To take a tricks class
• To learn basic obedience
• To learn how to skateboard
• To learn agility training

The Zoom Room Charlotte also hosts charity events, dog birthday parties and other fun activities!

To RSVP for the event or to learn more, visit www.zoomroomonline.com/charlotte.

Posted: Wednesday, October 19th, 2011 No Comments »

We’ve all seen the “where are they now” stories about survivors of the tragedy of 9/11, but what about the four-legged workers that helped in the days after?  Nearly 100 search and rescue dogs helped scour the debris for survivors in the days that followed the tragedy.  After 10 years, just 12 of those heroic dogs are still living.  A Dutch photographer Charlotte Dumas has put together a series of portraits of these dogs for a new book called Retrieved.

Posted: Wednesday, September 28th, 2011 No Comments »

Small dogs are lucky. They can ride inside the cabins of planes, they are accepted within many shops and businesses, and they can stay at more hotels than dogs which may weigh only a little more. Sure, they take up less room - but are they better behaved?

Some of the most popular breeds in America don’t have the luxury of going on vacation with the rest of the family because they are deemed “too big”. The majority of hotels that do allow dogs often have weight restrictions - in many cases only dogs less than 25 pounds are allowed. The reasoning behind this doesn’t seem to be based on anything except the perception that smaller dogs are less messy or threatening… but tell that to an angry Chihuahua!

The people behind GoPetFriendly.com (Amy and Rod Burkert) and AndASmallDog.com (Leila Coe) have joined forces to help persuade hotels to lift their weight restrictions. They have started a grassroots campaign centered around the website www.GiveBigDogsABreak.com and an online petition to gain support for their cause, with hopes of getting enough signatures to make a difference.

“Once we have several hundred signatures, we will start circulating the petition around to corporate offices of hotels. However, our first real goal is to get 1,000 signatures” said Leila Coe, a travel agent who specializes in pet travel. She runs her own pet travel website www.AndASmallDog.com, which focuses on pet travel tips and information, as well as reviews of pet-friendly hotels and destinations based on her own experience with traveling with her small dog. “My dog is 17 lbs. so he’s too big for under-the-seat travel in planes but we can usually find places to stay with him because he is small. But I know a lot of people who automatically board their pets when going away, as it is so hard to find hotels that allow larger pets - which is just unfair.”

The Burkerts travel extensively with their two large dogs, “Buster,” a 70-pound German Shepherd and “Ty,” a 40-pound Shar-pei, doing research and writing a blog for their website. “Our whole life revolves around helping people find pet friendly accommodations and fun places to go with their pets, but our own dogs are not welcome in many hotels. We want to make it easier for people traveling with large dogs to find hotels so their dogs get to go on the family vacation, too!” said Amy Burkert.

Join the cause at www.GiveBigDogsABreak.com.
Follow @GoPetFriendly and @AndASmallDog on Twitter to receive campaign updates and find out other ways to help. There is also a Give Big Dogs A Break Facebook cause.

Posted: Tuesday, September 27th, 2011 No Comments »

"Amber Waves of Grain" copyright Stacey P. Morgan

Fine art photographer Stacey P. Morgan has launched a series of “PAWtriotic” greeting cards and a 2012 calendar for the 10th Anniversary of 9-11.  A portion of the proceeds will benefit America’s VetDogs (www.VetDogs.org). The non-profit trains assistance dogs for veterans and active service members with disabilities at no charge.

“For Christmas 2009, I bought my dog, Delta, a beautiful hand-knit sweater with the American Flag on it.  In February 2010, I went door-to-door with my daughter as she sold Girl Scout cookies for the first time.  There was an option to buy a box and send it overseas to our servicemen through the USO.  I was so touched by that idea, I wondered what I could do, as a photographer, to support our troops,” said Ms. Morgan.

The cards feature 10-year-old Delta saluting the American Flag at various historical locations.  To learn more about Stacey P. Morgan’s work, visit www.stayMor.com.  To order greeting cards or calendars, visit www.2DOGstore.com.

Posted: Saturday, September 10th, 2011 No Comments »

 By Jim Clark

I know it has been a while since my words have graced this magazine and I can tell you it is good to be back.  And, since my last column, I have joined the Dark Side.  No, I am not a New York Yankees fan <shudder>.  I got a cat.  Well, in Latin he is a cat, but I am pretty sure he is mostly rat. 

I debated long and hard about getting a pet.  My boys definitely wanted to get a dog.  Heck, I wanted to get a dog too.  I just couldn’t do it.  With my school schedule, my kids’ school schedule, my coaching soccer, and any weekend trips we plan to take, a dog would spend what I consider too much time alone.

The boys and I did look at a couple of dogs.  There is a great vet clinic by the grocery store we go to and we looked at a few puppies.   They also gave us leads on a few dogs that were available.  In much the same way there are some humans that shouldn’t be reproducing, there are humans who are breeding dogs with the same rearing talents.  Many times, they are the same people.

One lead took us out to a trailer park at the edge of the county.  Oh boy!  I should have known better when the directions included the phrase “then you turn off the paved road…”  If that wasn’t warning enough for the coming culture shock, the banjo player seated on the porch was playing Flatt and Scruggs tunes.

The boys and I weren’t out of the car fifteen seconds when a woman came from around back with a swarm of puppies at her feet. They were flopping around, jumping over each other, yipping playfully.   I think the best way to describe the puppies would be to call them “Blockers.”  Yep, from a block away, they looked cute and cuddly.

Up close, things were a little different.  I am not one to judge the actions of others but, when folks like Charles Darwin and Fred Rogers look down upon your procreation methods, I couldn’t help but wonder if family trees were supposed to be circular.

We didn’t get a puppy there.  Once we were back on asphalt I got a text (and, since this is a family magazine, I will manipulate the truth and say I carefully pulled over to the side of the road to read it).  It was from the vet with another lead on puppies.

The day was getting late and I would have preferred to have gone home, but the boys were excited about the possibility of getting a dog.  We went to the new address.

Let’s just say things were a little different at this address.  I am not going to say the neighborhood was tough, but the only Labs on this street were the Meth kind.  I saw at least three pit bulls, a couple of mastiffs, and I am pretty sure one guy had a hyena on a chain.  Needless to say, we didn’t stop.

So we headed home with no dog.  The boys were disappointed, but understood.  After we talked about the responsibilities of owning a dog, how much time we should give it versus how much we have to give, and that the landlord was not too keen on a dog. 

So, we have Charley and are still looking for a dog.  Maybe in the Spring.  I do want a dog.  The boys want a dog.  But I want to show the boys how to properly raise a dog, not just own one.

Once soccer season is over, it might be time to get a lab (no, not the meth kind, but that could help offset some costs).  I will let you know. 

Posted: Thursday, September 8th, 2011 No Comments »