orange county pet companion magazine, mar-may 2015

Please Take A Copy! Complimentary

THE LOCAL MAGAZINE FOR PET LOVERS

March–May 2015

Living With Pet Loss

Dogs &Diabetes

Heart DiseaseIn Dogs & Cats

Dog EtiquetteTrainingIs KeyIntroducingTravels withMax & Luther

Meet ABBEY

From Laundry Room to

Living Room

SEE INSIDE FOR Savings on Business Services &

Products ... and MORE!

Inside this Issue6 Dogs & Diabetes

by Cheryl Wood, DVM, VCA Mission Viejo Animal Hospital

12 Living With the Loss of Your Pet

by Andrea Keith, LMFT, CEAP, CAMF

16 MEET AbbeyAbout our cover model

18 Heart Disease in Dogs & Cats

by Lisa Buehler, DVM, VCA Arroyo Animal Hospital

22 Dog Etiquette: Training is Key

by Pamela Johnson, CPDT-KA, Pam4Paws

About the CoverPlease see article about Abbey on page 16. Cover photography © www.blueyedawg.com Please see ad on page 5.

We are looking for cover models— cats and dogs welcome! See submission information on page 4.

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11 Where’s Your OCFavorite Pet Spot?

14 Travels with Max & LutherLaguna Beach Dog Park

21 OC ResourcesRescue Organizations & more

26 Mark Your Calendar

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4 Orange County Pet Companion Magazine

Orange County Pet Companion Magazine (OCPC Mag) and its publisher assume no responsibility for changes, omis-sions or errors contained in this publication. Advertising in OCPC Mag does not indicate an endorsement by OCPC Mag or its publisher. OCPC Mag assumes no responsibility for opinions of contributors nor do the opinions expressed by contributors necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the publisher. OCPC Mag is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or photos, which must be accompanied by re-turn postage and envelope. No part of OCPC Mag may be reprinted or copied without express, written permission.

©2015 www.PetCompanionMag.comOrange County Pet Companion Magazine is published by

Desert Pet Companion Editorial Office: 760-835-0369

Desert Pet Companion, P.O. Box 378Palm Springs, CA 92263

For advertising information call: 760-835-0369

Publisher: Miriam [email protected]

Editor: Tara [email protected]

Advertising Sales:[email protected]

Distribution: Magazines are available at our advertisers’ locations as well as many other locations throughout Southern California. Please visit our website or call the editorial office for a list of other locations where the magazine is available. The complete magazine is also available on our website www.petcompanionmag.com

Published bimonthly.Jan 16 - March 15March 16 - May 15May 16 - July 15July 16 - Sept 15Sept 16 - Nov 15Nov 16 - Jan 15

Editorial photos © fotolia.com or iStock.com unless otherwise noted.

FOLLOW US ON

Call for Cover Models!We’re looking for cover models. To be considered, please email a

photo of your pet to [email protected],

along with a brief paragraph about what makes your pet special. If we choose your pet, we’ll contact you

with additional information.

Welcome to Orange County Pet Companion Magazine, the local pet magazine for Orange County’s pet lovers. We cover local pet events and activities around the area, feature great pet resources, and provide valuable information to pet owners, animal lovers and soon-to-be pet owners.

Here at Orange County Pet Companion Magazine, we’re proud to bring you articles written by our very own southern Orange County pet professionals—providing expert advice on pet health, training and care to educate, entertain and inspire you.

Orange County Pet Companion Magazine is also a great place for you to share stories and photos of your pet. In fact, we’re looking for cover models! See opposite for details.

Take a look inside and, if you enjoy Orange County Pet Companion Magazine, help us grow by telling your favorite pet businesses about the magazine, available in both print and digital formats. Stay connected with us to find fun upcoming events and advice to keep your pet healthy and happy—like us on Facebook and visit us online at www.PetCompanionMag.com.

www.facebook.com/petcompanionmagazine

6 Orange County Pet Companion Magazine www.PetCompanionMag.com March-May 2015

Dogs &

Diabetesby Cheryl Wood, DVM

VCA Mission Viejo Animal Hospital

To find out that your dog has dia-betes can be overwhelming. You

may feel a little guilty that you’ve let him or her lick your empty ice cream bowl from time to time, but the good news is, many dogs with diabetes can live long and healthy lives with proper disease management and care, and that little bit of ice cream isn’t the culprit.

“How on earth could my dog be-come diabetic?” you may ask. If you are a diabetic, you already know what to look for to prevent a seizure and how to monitor your blood daily to make sure your blood count is at the right level. If your dog has diabetes, treatment will be quite similar. If you know nothing about diabetes, the questions and answers that follow will cover many of the basics you need to know about the disease.

What is canine diabetes? Diabetes is a condition caused

when your dog’s body doesn’t make enough insulin or isn’t processing insulin properly. When your dog eats, the food gets broken down into small components. One of those compo-nents is a carbohydrate. The carbohy-drates, in turn, get broken down into simple sugars, like glucose. Glucose gets absorbed from your dog’s intestines into the blood and then travels to cells throughout the body. In the cells, the glucose is turned into fuel in the form of in-sulin, which is a hormone made in the pancreas.

When there is a lack

of insulin, glucose is prevented from being absorbed into cells and then becomes concentrated in the bloodstream, causing diabetes. There are three forms of diabetes: diabetes mellitus, gestational diabetes and diabetes insipidus.

Diabetes mellitus is the most com-mon type of canine diabetes and is categorized into Type 1 (the shortage of insulin) or Type 2 (the incorrect processing of insulin).

Gestational diabetes occurs in pregnant female dogs when their body fails to produce enough insulin or the insulin produced isn’t used correctly. Most of the time, gestational diabetes disappears when the dog is no longer pregnant.

Diabetes insipidus is a rare form of diabetes where the dog’s body doesn’t maintain water balance. This type of diabetes will be covered in a different article.

How is diabetes detected and diagnosed?

Generally, diabetes affects dogs between 4 and 14 years old.

March-May 2015 www.PetCompanionMag.com Orange County Pet Companion Magazine 7


Symptoms of diabetes in dogs include:increased thirstfrequent urination and/or has

“accidents” indoorspersistent hunger, but loses weight

or maintains the same weight with increased feeding

cloudy eyesIf these symptoms are present,

your veterinarian will probably test your dog’s urine to see if ketones and glucose are present. If so, your dog’s blood glucose concentration will be tested. If glucose is found to be highly

concentrated in both the urine and in the blood, your dog will be diagnosed with diabetes.

How did my dog get diabetes?

Unfortunately, canine diabetes is a fairly common disease in dogs. Some dog breeds, for example, toy poodles, cocker spaniels, terriers and golden or Labrador retrievers, are genetically predisposed to develop it. Obesity, long-term steroid use and sometimes exposure to an infectious disease or virus can affect the pancreas and trig-ger diabetes. Unspayed female dogs are more likely to develop diabetes.

How is it treated?Monitoring blood sugar. Every dog

is different, and your veterinarian will help determine the best way to monitor your dog’s glucose levels. There are several monitoring de-vices available, for example, blood glucose monitors or urine glucose (and ketone) test strips.

Regulating the dog’s diet. Diabetic dogs need to eat the same diet at the same time daily.

Exercising consistently. Diabetic dogs need exercise to keep healthy and happy, but the exercise routine needs to be consistent so that there isn’t a sudden change in energy requirements.

Insulin injections. Many diabetic dogs require daily insulin injec-tions (especially dogs with Type 1 diabetes mellitus) to help manage glucose levels and restore the insu-lin levels in the blood.

Helpful Tips & ResourcesKeep a daily log of:• appetite• activity level• water consumption• urination frequency and volume• weekly weight• blood glucose measurements or urine dip readings

Some commom blood glucose monitoring units are:• ALPHAtrak (Abbott) • AccuCHEK (Roche Diagnostics)• Glucometer ELITE (Bayer)

Even if your dog doesn’t seem to have any complications, seeing the vet a few times a year is a good idea.

* For new clients only. Not to be combined with any other offer. Not good toward emergency and/or specialty veterinary services. Good for up to 2 pets (dogs/cats) per household. Cashier Code: 700.500. Expires 10/31/15.

Our Services Include: Wellness packages

Surgery & hospitalization

Dental services including x-rays

Boarding - enclosed exercise area

Grooming (Mission Viejo)

Holistic (Arroyo)

VCA ARROYO ANIMAL HOSPITAL1 South Pointe DriveLake Forest, CA 92630

949-505-5517VCAarroyo.com

facebook.com/VCAarroyoanimalhospital

VCA MISSION VIEJO ANIMAL HOSPITAL26852 Oso ParkwayMission Viejo, CA 92691

949-505-5575 VCAmissionviejo.com

facebook.com/VCAmissionviejoanimalhospitalMon-Fri 7:00 AM - 8:00 PMSat-Sun 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Mon-Fri 7:00 AM - 7:00 PMSat 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Where you and your pet are treated like part of our VCA family.

FREE First Exam*!

Get to know our professional, friendly team with a “Welcome”...


Are there condi-tions related to diabetes?

Hypoglycemia can be caused if your dog has received too much insulin. This can be a life-threat-ening condition. Symp-toms include a voracious appetite and shivering that can lead to weakness, stumbling and seizures. These symptoms require medical attention.

Urinary tract infections are common for diabetic dogs.

Diabetes can cause cataract forma-tion that can lead to blindness. By keeping your dog’s blood glucose con-

centration controlled, you can help delay or possibly prevent cata-racts from developing.

PrognosisCareful monitoring

of your dog’s symp-toms and maintaining his or her feeding and exercise routines help stabilize the disease. Dogs with diabetes can

live long, healthy, high-quality lives.

VCA Mission Viejo Animal Hospital is located at 26852 Oso Parkway, Mission Viejo, CA 92691. www.VCAmissionviejo.com, (949) 505-5575

Does your Cat or Dog have a Feeding Tube?Kitty Kollar® is a patented solution to keep the tube secure and your pet more comfortable

www.KittyKollar.com 714.639.6039 [email protected]

� NoBandages� Easyonandoff� VerySecure� MachineWashable

Also superior o-ring syringes and disposable pads

“Special hugs for Special

kitties”

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Does your Cat or Dog have a Feeding Tube?Kitty Kollar® is a patented solution to keep the tube secure and your pet more comfortable

www.KittyKollar.com 714.639.6039 [email protected]

� NoBandages� Easyonandoff� VerySecure� MachineWashable

Also superior o-ring syringes and disposable pads

“Special hugs for Special

kitties”

Where’s Your OCFavorite Pet Spot?

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IRVINE SPECTRUM CENTERIrvine, (949) 753-5180, www.shopirvinespectrum-center.comWith lots of pet friendly dining and shopping options, the Irvine Spectrum is a great place to bring your pet with you! FAVORITE SPOT of Ziggy

PETERS CANYON REGIONAL PARK Tustin, (714) 973-6611, www.ocparks.com/parks/peters/Peter’s Canyon offers a va-riety of trails providing

opportunities for hikers, mountain bikers, dog walkers and equestrians. FAVORITE SPOT of Joe T

BALBOA ISLANDNewport Beach, www.balboaisland.comThe perfect place to spend

a Saturday with your family (including your dog)! Get a famous frozen banana and walk along the path by the ocean. Note: dogs are not allowed on the beach from 9-5, so please keep them on the designated pathway. FAVORITE SPOT of Rosey

HAUTE CAKES CAFFENewport Beach, (949) 642-4114, www.hautecakescaffe.coEnjoy gourmet pastries, breakfast or lunch on the lovely outdoor patio with your furry friend.

Do you have a favorite place to take your pet in Orange County? Share it with us at [email protected] and you might be featured in our magazine!

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Many of us consider our pet a cherished member of our family.

Pets represent a source of uncondi-tional love, loyalty, and acceptance. To some, pets serve as substitute children or can symbolically represent our own alter ego. Sadly, because pet life spans are so much shorter than our own, the likelihood of outliving our pets is very real.

Many of us form deep emotional attachments with our pets. According to research literature, the emotional bond we share with our pets can be as significant as, if not stronger than, the bond formed with human beings. We are encoded with a fundamental desire to connect, and this connection can most definitely be made with our pets.

Recognizing the magnitude of this attachment may help us better understand why we can feel emotion-ally devastated when death severs that special relationship shared with our beloved pet. It’s perfectly natural to feel vulnerable without our faith-ful, loving, furry/feathered/hooved/scaled/shelled companion by our side.

However, sadly, society often does not understand nor place an appropri-ate emotional value on the special at-tachment and bond we form with our pets. Because of this, when this heart-breaking loss does occur, we may look to family or friends for emotional sup-port, only to be reminded that, “After all, it was just a pet,” or “Why don’t you just go get another one? The shelters are full.” These messages may con-

Living With the

Loss of Your

Pet

by Andrea Keith, LMFT, CEAP, CAMF


tribute to our feeling misunderstood, frustrated, and even more emotionally isolated.

When someone asks, “Why is it tak-ing so long to put this loss behind you?,” the grief-stricken may feel defensive, emotionally overwhelmed, or may wor-ry that (s)he is taking too long to grieve and think “maybe there is something wrong with me.” This doubt can lead to a deeper feeling of isolation and silent, unsupported grief. But, think about it, who would tell someone whose spouse had recently passed to “just go get a new one” and put the sadness behind him or her?

If you’ve lost a beloved pet through death, divorce, separation, a move, or a runaway—even if it was years ago but you still feel emotionally stuck—do yourself a favor and get the emotional support you need and deserve. So often, truly believing we’ve dealt with our loss and successfully “put it all be-hind us,” we find we may still choose not to talk about our pet because it only upsets us. Dealing with loss may be painful, but it’s what allows us to heal and live in the present. Grieving the loss of your pet is actually honor-ing your special relationship and is a normal and natural part of loss. There is no need to suffer through your grief experience by feeling isolated or emotionally unsupported. Locate and contact a local professional mental health therapist who specializes in pet loss bereavement to assist you through your grief process.

To find a professional mental health therapist who specializes in pet loss bereavement, search the Internet for

“pet loss;” contact a pet loss hotline through veterinary schools such as Cornell, Tufts, Washington State University, University of Florida, and North Carolina State University; or contact your medical insurance provider and request a referral to a professional who specializes in pet loss bereavement.

Attending a local pet loss support group is a wonderful option, as meet-ings can be emotionally supportive, educational, and affordable. Pet loss support groups are typically small in size and there will be no need to con-vince anyone of how deeply you cared for your pet. Additionally, developing a strong network of support during this time of grief can be a smart decision that may even lead to new long-term friendships.

For more information on Pet Loss Bereavement Counseling, Pet Loss Support Groups, or the grief process, you may contact this writer: Andrea Keith, Marriage and Family Therapist LMFT#45708. [email protected], www.pet-loss-therapy. com, www.time4therapy.com, (949) 650-2442


Travels with Max & Luther

Laguna Beach Dog Park

Hi, my name is Max and I am a 3-year-old puggle. My best friend

Luther (a 2-year-old bulldog) and I are traveling around Orange County and visiting all the dog parks, beaches and dog-friendly places as part of our marketing tour for our book, True Tails from the Dog Park. We wanted to share our favorite places with you.

Our first stop on our excellent adventure is the Laguna Beach Dog Park located on Laguna Canyon Road. Wow, first off, this dog park is HUGE! I could not believe my eyes. This dog park is all grass (none of those nasty wood chips or dirt) and is completely fenced in. This is very important to my human because I do have a tendency to get

distracted by yummy smells, and I will just follow my nose wherever it leads me (regardless of the consequences)! The best part of this dog park is that it abuts a hill, which is partially included in the park. Translation: there is a hill for me to run up and down. I love to climb hills and I have never seen

one in a dog park before! I think that

by Max & Luther, authors of True Tails from the Dog Park


people forget that we dogs love a variety of terrains. I imagine it was pretty funny watching me run up and down the hill with my buddy Luther trying to follow me. Luther, being a hefty 105-pound bulldog, is not as fast or agile as I am but he is always up for a good game of chase (picture the tortoise and the hare). The key is not to stop, or Luther—having little stopping power—will just bowl me over (although I have gotten to be pretty good at rolling with the punches)!

There is so much room here to run and I love that there are so many nooks and crannies to investigate. The park has benches for the humans; however, I have been known to perch on a bench or two (see photo). There

is a water fountain for refreshment and plenty of places to dispose of my you-know-what! The only downside that I can see to this park, which is minor, is that there is not a ton of shade for those hot summer days.

All in all, Laguna Beach Dog Park is one of my all-time favorite dog parks, and I will absolutely be stopping here every time I am in the area. It is well worth it! The people who designed this park are obviously dog people who get what we dogs love the most—SPACE! Happy running, and we will see you next time on Max and Luther’s excellent OC adventures.

For information about Laguna Beach Dog Park, visit www.lagunabeach.com/points/dogpark


There I was, in a beautiful home in an affluent neighborhood about

2 miles from my house, looking at two adorable Shih Tzus. I’d run over there to rescue Abbey and her brother, Champ, after receiving an email that their owners were going to take them both to the pound the next day. At the time, I had two 14-year-old Shih Tzus of my own, so I did not plan to keep these or any other dogs that I kept finding myself rescuing.

The owners explained that Abbey and Champ had been purchased at a pet store in Chicago, called Pocket Puppies, for $1,500 a piece. They were a gift for their 16-year-old son. The two puppies arrived at their new home and immediately began

to have “accidents” in the house, as any untrained puppy would do. The son quickly lost interest in the two “misbehaving” puppies and, for convenience, began keeping them in the 3-by-6-ft laundry room 24/7. A single bowl of food was left daily for the dogs to share. Abbey’s dominant brother ate most of the food; little Abbey barely survived. She weighed a mere 8 pounds the day we met.

With neither dog having been spayed or neutered, Abbey was impregnated by her brother when she was just six months old. The owners were unaware Abbey was pregnant, and the day before she gave birth, Abbey—clearly uncomfortable—tried to nest and was circling around

Meet ABBEYFrom Laundry Room to Living RoomRescued and adopted by Ruth Ann Krisa of OC Pet CompanionsPhotography © www.blueyedawg.com


repeatedly. Confused by her behavior, the owners (thankfully) took her to the vet. There, Abbey had four puppies—one of those puppies died, and the rest were sold as soon as they were weaned.

Standing there in that beautiful home, looking at that tiny 8-pound dog and her brother, both of whom had suffered so much, I was heartbroken. I decided then and there to take both dogs home with me so I could find them safe, caring homes. They were only 18 months old and had long lives ahead of them and—I was certain—plenty of love left to give. They certainly deserved to receive lots of love, after all they’d been through.

Abbey was spayed after she gave birth, and I had Champ neutered the day after I rescued him. My family began taking those two puppies everywhere we went, hoping to find just the right people who could give them forever homes. It quickly became clear to us that we’d forgotten how much fun puppies could be! While still our very best friends, our 14-year-old dogs were declining in health and not so playful anymore.

Before too long, we found a great family in Laguna Beach who saw Champ and instantly knew that he was the dog for them. We loved the time we spent with Champ, but we knew he would get all the love and attention he so desperately needed from this kind family, and we were happy to place him their loving care. But Abbey? I’d had one too many sleepovers with that sweet little dog, and as soon as Champ left to live with his new family,

I knew I could never let Abbey go. I’d fallen hopelessly in love with her, and we decided to keep her because she already felt like a part of the family.

Abbey has brought my whole family so much fun and unconditional love. She is truly the joy of our lives! We could never have guessed how much our little rescue dog would make her way forever into our hearts. Abbey is now 8 years old, weighs a healthy 13 pounds, and goes practically everywhere with us. Two of her very favorite things are (1) camping (she’s the outdoorsy type) and (2) spending the day lying on her own special chair in our living room, taking in the view out her window. You can find her right there most any time of the day—we’ve taken to calling her our “chair dog.” And we wouldn’t trade our little chair dog for anything in the world.


Heart disease is something we hear about daily on

news programs, talk shows and commercials. We know it is one of the top five killers in humans, and we are well-advised on how to help prevent it through diet, exercise, moderate alcohol consumption and quitting smoking. Humans are not the only ones who get various forms of heart disease, however. Your pet can be at risk, too.

In any healthy animal, the heart pumps oxygenated blood unabated throughout the body like clockwork and nothing is thought about it until a symptom of heart disease arises. We know what to look for, so we call the doctor. Heart disease can be “congenital,” which means you’re born with it, or it can be “acquired,” which means it shows up later in life.

In pets, heart disease can be inherited and certain breeds are

more likely to have heart problems than others. Heart disease can also be triggered by other illnesses. Both dogs and cats can get heart disease.

Unfortunately, the symptoms of heart disease vary from cats to dogs, depending on the type of disease. Some types of heart disease may not have any symptoms at all or the symptoms show up only when the disease has reached an advanced stage.

Common symptoms for dogs may include:Coughing

A cough can be triggered by exercise, after drinking water, be noticeable when your dog lies down, or it may cough consistently during the day

Breathing difficulties, such as:Rapid or strained breathing Sitting or standing with its legs wide

Heart Disease in Dogs & Cats

by Lisa Buehler, DVMVCA Arroyo Animal Hospital

by Lisa Buehler, DVMVCA Arroyo Animal Hospital

apart, its neck is often outstretched and sometimes breathing with its mouth open

Loss of appetiteWeight changes

In adult dogs, weight loss, muscle loss (over the shoulders, top of the head or back, or on the hindquarters)In puppies, failure to thrive might indicate a congenital heart disease

Reduced ability to exerciseYour dog stops wanting to participate in its normal activities or gets short of breath easily

FaintingSudden, temporary loss of consciousness with rapid recovery

Changes in behaviorWeakness in rear limbsRestlessness during sleep

Common symptoms for cats may include:Breathing difficulties, such as:

Rapid or strained breathing Sitting or standing with its legs wide apart, its neck is often outstretched and sometimes breathing with its mouth open

WeaknessLethargyLoss of appetiteCyanosis (a purple coloration of the

gums)Bloated, fluid-filled abdomenSwelling of the legsCats generally do not cough, but

may vomit or have dry heavesCats tend to hide symptoms of

most illnesses. As a result, symptoms become apparent in later stages

of the disease. If heart disease is suspected in

your cat or dog, your veterinarian will probably order diagnostic tests. There are several non-invasive tests that help diagnose heart disease. X-rays will help the veterinarian look at the size, shape and location of your pet’s heart and also assess the lungs for possible fluid build-up. An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) might be used to evaluate heart rhythm or heartbeat abnormalities and show if the heart is enlarged. An echocardiogram is used to watch blood flow to look for heart valve leaks, irregular movement of blood within the heart and possible obstructions. It can also be used to view heart muscle thickening, tumors and congenital diseases. Blood tests are useful diagnostic tools, too.

If heart disease is diagnosed, treatment depends upon the severity, type, and even the symptoms your

Most Common Types of Heart

Disease:

Dogs:Chronic valvular diseaseDilated cardiomyopathyCongenital heart disease

Heartworms

Cats:Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy



pet is showing. Regardless of the type of heart disease, your pet’s diet will play a crucial role in the progression of the disease. Maintaining your pet’s optimal weight is very important, since many pets with heart disease don’t eat as much and can lose weight. Your veterinarian may prescribe a special diet to make sure your pet is getting all of the nutrients it needs—particularly if the dog or cat has deficiencies. Supplements, like omega-3 fatty acids for dogs or taurine for cats, might be prescribed.

Pet owners can also help manage their pet’s care by paying attention to the response to various treatments and monitoring the condition. Keeping a log, such as the one below, can be a useful tool to help your veterinarian decide if any adjustments are needed for your pet’s care.

Exercise is important for your

pet, as long as it is not showing any symptoms. However, moderation is key; you don’t want your pet to get overly exhausted. Pets with advanced heart disease may need to limit their exercise. As always, talk to your veterinarian to find out what is best for your dog or cat before beginning an exercise program.

VCA Arroyo Animal Hospital is located at 1 South Pointe Drive, Lake Forest, CA 92630. www.VCAarroyo.com, (949) 505-5517

Date/Time

Breaths/min

Breathing Effort

Comments (open

-mouthed breathing,

odd stance, billowing cheeks,

etc)

Heart Rate

(beats per

minute)

Appe-tite

Meds/Time

Mem-brane color

Water intake/urination frequency

Sample Log—add any other pertinent information your veterinarian wants you to track


Date/Time

Breaths/min

Breathing Effort

Comments (open

-mouthed breathing,

odd stance, billowing cheeks,

etc)

Heart Rate

(beats per

minute)

Appe-tite

Meds/Time

Mem-brane color

Water intake/urination frequency

OC Resources

Please visit our website

for additional resources.

To list your business in this section, please call

760-835-0369 or contact [email protected].

Listings are fee-based.

ANIMAL ADVOCACYAnimal Donation Advocate, Inc. (714) 973-92881801 East Parkcourt Place, Suite D-100, Santa Ana, CA 92701www.donateandsaveapet.org

Orange County Society for the Prevention of Cru-elty to Animals (OCSPCA)(714) [email protected]

Orange County People for Animals (347) 762-722018032-C Lemon Drive, #623 Yorba Linda, CA 92886www.ocpausa.org

RESCUESI.C.A.R.E. Dog Rescue31441 Rancho Santa Margarita Parkway, Suite A-194 Rancho Santa Margarita, CA [email protected]

Gone to the Dogs Rescue, Inc.(424) 352-9424Mission Viejo, CA info@gonetothedogs rescue.comwww.gonetothedogs rescue.org

Caring Friends Cat Rescue2741 El Camino Real, Tustin, CA 92782

(located inside PetSmart in the Tustin Marketplace) caringfriendscatrescue [email protected] rescue.com

OC Poundhounds(714) 633-4991adoptme@ocpound hounds.comwww.ocpoundhounds.com

Barks of Love(714) 855-5009Fullerton, [email protected]

Pawprints in the Sand Animal Rescue(949) 203-4504Newport Beach, [email protected]

Add to Your Family/ADOPT Animal Rescue Team(949) 545-1968Dana Point, CA [email protected]

New Beginnings for Animals (949) 348-8057 Mission Viejo, [email protected]

WAGS Pet Adoption (714) 887-61566621 Westminster Blvd, Westminster, CA 92683www.wagspetadoption.org

BREED-SPECIFIC RESCUESBichon Rescue of Orange County(866) [email protected] www.bichonrescueoc.org

Coastal German Shepherd Rescue of Southern CA(714) [email protected]

Southern California Bulldog Rescue(714) 612-0265Santa Ana, CAwww.socalbulldogrescue.org

Adopt a Saint (949) 295-3641Lake Forest, CAwww.adoptasaint.org

Labrador and Friends Rescue Group (619) 990-7455San Diego, [email protected]

Golden Retriever Club of Greater Los Angeles(818) [email protected]


Dog Etiquette: Training is Key

by Pamela Johnson, CPDT-KAPam4Paws


Why is it that a nice trip to the dog park occasionally turns into a

growling, teeth-baring, fur-bristling free-for-all? Can’t all the dogs just get along? Can’t we enjoy a pleasant day in the park together without our canine friends challenging each other to duels?

Yes, we can! Dogs can and want to be sociable, but they have to know how to follow the rules of doggie etiquette in order to do so. A surpris-ing number of dogs have very poor manners, and it often gets them into trouble. If owners aren’t attentive, a simple faux pas made by a furry friend can easily turn into a quarrel, all before the owner even realizes what has happened.

The fact is, dogs aren’t born instinctively knowing how to behave around others any more than we are as humans. Were you born saying “please” and “thank you,” or did you have to learn those behaviors through training and socialization with other humans? Without taking the effort to socialize our dogs and teach them good manners, we cannot expect them to be social butterflies.

A puppy socialization class, be-ginning at 8 to 12 weeks old, can do wonders for a dog’s developing social awareness. Puppies will interact with all types of dogs to learn, regardless of size or breed, other dogs are just friends they haven’t met yet. They will also learn important social cues from other dogs—cues that might mean “hello” or “back off!” For instance, if a


puppy understands the meaning of a curled lip and responds by giving the curled-lip dog space, he or she can diffuse the situation before it escalates to nipping or biting. Dr. Ian Dunbar, a pioneer of puppy socialization classes, explains, “Some outgoing puppies are overly friendly. They think that every dog is glad to see them. They don’t know that you don’t just go running up to an adult dog.”

Fortunately, poor greeting skills can be fixed early on. A good puppy class will let the puppies play together naturally, with interruptions every few minutes for the owners to call their puppies to come and receive a treat as reward. The owner will keep the pup focused by playing focus games, such as repeat sits or targeting, so the pup doesn’t simply take the treat and ignore the owner by returning back to the other dogs. If the puppy focuses on the owner for at least five seconds, the owner may reward the puppy by letting him or her return to playtime.

Remember, it is important to implement this training even after your puppy has graduated from class. Keep refreshing it! When your pup is playing at the park, follow the same procedure. Call him to you often; keep breaking up the play before it gets too rowdy and before exuberant puppies can cow timid dogs to the point that a fear-induced spat might occur.

But what if your puppy isn’t the super outgoing type? Good news—there are ways to approach positive training in fearful puppies and adult dogs, too. One way to teach a dog that good things happen when he or she is

Dachshund Rescue of Los Angeles aims to reduce the number of dachshunds being euthanized in local shelters and provide well

educated and committed homes for homeless dogs. Visit us at: dachshundrescueoflosangeles.com

Adopt from Dachshund Rescue of Los

Angeles. Can’t adopt? Become a foster.

Can’t Foster? Donate to help pay for the

many veterinarian bills that help keep

our rescued dogs alive and out of kill

shelters. Our older, neglected and

abused dogs need expensive surgeries

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around other dogs is by giving him or her treats continuously when other dogs are near, or by having him or her perform alternate tricks for a reward when dogs are near.

Some fearful dogs will first have to practice this with calm, friendly dogs in a safe, quiet setting before they can go on a dog park adventure. For others, the dog park is okay, except if you witness dogs acting like bullies by not giving your dog the comfort-able distance he or she may need. You should also watch out for overzealous puppies and too many dogs at play— these factors might cause anxiety in timid dogs.

A nice way to avoid these potential mishaps is by choosing a time when only a few polite, respectful dogs are sharing the park. To keep your dog from becoming over-stimulated, give him or her an interactive game to focus on with you, and remember to reward with treats.

The biggest thing to remember about doggie etiquette is that dogs aren’t born with it. It takes practice,

so be patient and kind to your dog and other dogs who are learning. Understand that dogs might not easily get along without supervision and a history of healthy socialization. Stay aware of your dog—what is he or she doing, and who is he or she with? Keep your pup in sight at all times. If your pup is way across the park while you stand around chatting with friends, you won’t be able to help your pup avoid a bad situation. You don’t know the personalities of the dogs at the dog park, and even the mellowest dog can lose his cool from time to time, so it is always necessary to pay attention.

For the most part, a well socialized dog will get along easily with others, have great manners and make lots of friends—so make good socialization the goal for your puppy!

Pamela Johnson is a Certified Dog Trainer Specialist. She has been specializing in obedience and reactivity management for nearly 12 years. Contact her at (949) 378-2118 or visit www.pam4paws.com

German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County Adoption Event & Bake SaleSaturday, March 21, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.23602 El Toro Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630 (PetSmart)& Saturday, April 4, 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.2320 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92323Come meet wonderful dogs of all ages available for adoption, check out new merchandise, eat delicious baked goods, and shake a paw or two!

RUFF Easter Sunday Brunch Sunday, April 5, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Tivoli Too! restaurant, 777 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92652The event will include champagne, entertainment and food. Sociable dogs are welcome to attend! For reservations and information, call (949) 494-6044. The fundraiser brunch is hosted by RUFF, Rescuing Unwanted Furry Friends, a nonprofit created to save the lives of ill, injured, abandoned, displaced and hun-gry animals in the greater Orange County area. Visit their website at www.ruffrescue.org.

America’s Family Pet Expo April 10–12, Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat-urday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. www.petexpooc.org OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Dr.,Costa Mesa Please see pages 19–21.

Ripple Kids in ActionSunday, April 26, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.3303 Hyland Ave, Costa Mesa, CAThis free event will offer kids an assort-ment of fun, hands-on service projects like making toys for shelter animals. Pet adoption opportunities will be available through Barks of Love Animal Rescue.

Irvine Animal Care Center Dog ReunionSaturday, May 26443 Oak Canyon Irvine, CA 92618Mingle with other shelter alumni at the Center’s annual event, featuring give-

aways, complimentary refreshments, two off-leash play yards and photographs of you and your pet. This event is a free event to everyone that has adopted from the shelter. For more information, call (949) 724-7740 or visit www.cityofirvine.org/cityhall/cs/animalcare/

OC Animal Care’s Petapalooza Pet Fair Saturday, May 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.561 The City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868Come find your new furry friend at this Pet Fair! OC Animal Care will host roughly 50 vendors and rescues, over 1,200 visitors and hopes to place more then 100 shelter dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, rabbits and other animals into their forever homes. Participating rescue organizations will also be doing on-site adoptions. For more information, call (714) 796-6426.

2015 Yappy Hour at the RitzTuesday, May 14, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.One Ritz-Carlton Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629, (949) 240-2000Follow Fido to Yappy Hour, a monthly cocktail party for canines and their companions held on The Dana Lawn at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. Pooches, hounds and pups enjoy complimentary hand-made dog biscuits and lapping up refreshing libations, thanks to bacon, chicken, cheese, beef and liver flavored water, while their companions can purchase burgers, brews and wines. Proceeds from the 2015 Yappy Hour season will go to the Wounded Veteran’s Initiative of Canine Companions for Independence.Additional Dates: Thursday, June 11; Thursday, July 9; Thursday, August 13; Thursday, September 10

Do you have an upcoming event in Orange County? Please let

us know about it! Send us an e-mail at [email protected]

mark your calendar



If you are looking for a furry or feath-ered addition to your family, plan

to stop by America’s Family Pet Expo, where there will be a large selection of adoptable animals from many lo-cal pet rescue organizations. The Fam-ily Pet Expo returns to Orange County for its 26th weekend-long event, held Friday, April 10th to Sunday, April 12th at the OC Fair & Event Center. Animal lovers from all over Orange County will join in for entertaining and informative events, such as:Splash Dogs – Try to stay dry as

these dock jumping dogs make a

splash as they compete for longest jump

Police Dog Demonstrations –Crime fighting dogs in action show how they serve and protect our community

Free Flight Bird Show – Watch in amazement as these magnificent birds spread their wings and take flight

Kids Aquarium Contest – Design and create a 10-gallon aquarium

Pony rides, face paintings, and “The Great American Petting Zoo” – Fun for the whole family continued >

OC Pet Expo Don’t Miss this 3-Day Event!

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Animal Adoptions – Hundreds of animals looking for a forever home.The expo will feature over 150

exhibitors, debuting the newest pet trends and products, as well as animal presentations, family pet entertain-ment, four-legged competitions and animal adoptions.

The World Pet Association (WPA), a non-profit organization, has been producing America’s Family Pet Expo for over 25 years with the mission to educate pet lovers and facilitate the

adoption of animals.More than 40,000 attendees are ex-

pected at this year’s event, to enjoy the unique amusement that only our ani-mal loved ones can provide.

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N Kindly leave all pets at home.General Admission, $13.00; seniors 60 and over, $11.00. Children 6-12, $8.00. 5 yrs and under, free. Active and retired military free with ID. Show hours: Friday 10am-6pm; Saturday 10am-7pm; Sunday 10am-6pm. OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa 92626. Parking is $7. For more information and to purchase tickets online visit www.PetExpoOC.org.

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Admission:$7 - Adults

$5 - Seniors/Military

$3 - Child

Pre-registration

required to compete

in the Show.

Bring this ad for

$2 off admission

for Adults, Seniors

or Military

Please e-mail Rhonda [email protected]

for more information

March 28, 201510 am - 5 pm

Palm Springs Leisure Center401 S. Pavillion

Palm Springs, CA


All Breed, Household Pet, and Veteran Cat ShowSponsored by the Los Colores Cat Club

On Saturday, March 28th, the Los Colores Cat Club is having an All

Breed, Household Pet, and Veteran Cat Show at the Palm Springs Leisure Cen-ter, 401 S. Pavilion, in Palm Springs. We call it our “Country Fair.” Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the public is invited to attend. Up to 225 longhair and shorthair pedigreed cats, in addi-tion to household pets and veteran cats, will be judged in six different rings as Kittens (4 to 8 months old), Champion-ship (8 months or older), Premiership (spayed/neutered), Veterans (pedi-greed, 7 years and older), and House-hold Pets (8 months and older spayed/neutered). Each cat will be judged according to its own breed standard. Each judge will then present his or her top 10 cats in the five different catego-ries for all to see. Judging is continu-ous, so there will be something going on all the time in the six different rings. There is a cat for everyone to enjoy and cheer for.

In addition to the six judging rings, we will have Hope to Home for Cats, a rescue for finding loving homes for

cats. There will be many cat-specific vendors on hand, including Cats & Car-pet cat furniture by Humberto, Softrax Pet Products and 3 Day Pet Supply for food, pet toys, crates and grooming products. Visit HugsNPurrs, Meowsers, and Paws and Pals for handmade pil-lows, beds and pads, clothing, jewelry, people treats and other goodies. We will also have Pets n Their People Pho-tography to capture the cats and their significant humans. There will even be a raffle event for all. There will be something for everyone at this “Coun-try Fair.”

If you have questions about the cats, judging, household pets or anything concerning the show, we will have peo-ple throughout the show hall wearing “Ask Me” buttons. They are CFA (Cat Fanciers’ Association) ambassadors who can answer all your questions or refer you to someone who can.

See our ad at left and bring it with you for a $2 discount off the $7 adult and $5 senior or military admission price.

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“The One Stop Shop for All of Your Pet’s Needs”27690 Santa Margarita Parkway, Suite D, Mission ViejoIn the Ralph’s/TJ Maxx Shopping Center behind Starbucks

(949) 305-0532www.petstopwarehouse.com

DOG & CAT FOOD SPECIAL

$2 OFF any bag up to 9 lbs

$3 OFF any bag 10-20 lbs

$4 OFF any bag 21 lbs+

Must present coupon at time of purchase, not good with any other PSW offers, one coupon per

customer EXP 5/15/15

Natural BalanceSWEET POTATO AND VENISON OR POTATO

AND DUCK ONLY25lb bags or greater

$6 OFFMust present coupon at time of purchase, not

good with any other PSW offers, one coupon per customer EXP 5/15/15

FURminatorGreat selection of shampoos,

combs, deshedding tools, brushes

20% OFFMust present coupon at time of purchase, not


15% OFF Any Single ItemEXCLUDES DOG AND CAT FOODMust present coupon at time of purchase, not


Fresh StepMULTI-CAT, EXTREME AND ODOR SHIELD

25lb box

$5 OFFREG. $17.99

Must present coupon at time of purchase, not good with any other PSW offers, one coupon per

customer EXP 5/15/15

All Pet ApparelGreat selection sweaters, coats

and fashion

25% OFFMust present coupon at time of purchase, not

good with any other PSW offers, one coupon per customer EXP 5/15/15 Excludes harness

orange county pet companion magazine, mar-may 2015

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