san diego pets magazine | july 2011

H BdD 5INSIDE

sandiegopetsmagazine.com | JULY 2011 3

PUBLISHERCasey Dean

MANAGING EDITORMartin Jones Westlin

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSClaire HarlinDebbie HatchJudith Pierce

Kendra HartmannLinda Michaels

Martin Jones WestlinSindi Somers

Dr. Stefanie Schwartz

CONTRIBUTINGPHOTOGRAPHERS

Casey DeanJudith PierceSindi S omers

CARTOONISTBarbara Fuscsick

Puppy Paws Productionswww.puppypawsproductions.com

ADVERTISINGCasey Dean

[email protected](619) 573-5615

Marjorie “Kirby”[email protected]

(858) 775-4432

San Diego Pets Magazine is published by Dean Publishing, Inc.P.O. Box 601081, San Diego, Ca 92160-1081. No part of this pub-lication may be duplicated or reprinted without express consentfrom the publisher. Editors reserve the right to edit all content.Submissions are welcome, and may be edited for content and clarity.Please forward all unsolicited material to the editor. Views and opinionsexpressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher. Thepublisher reserves the right to approve or accept advertising ordersand content. All contents are copyrighted 2011. All rights reserved.

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ON THE COVER

Robin Pawl with Prince a therapeutic ridinghorse at The Magic Horse in East County.

Photo by Casey Dean

PAGE 12

PAGE 11

PAGE 21

SUMMER BUNNYIt’s a great time to adopt arabbit. We’ll tell you why.

SCAREDY CATQ&A with Dr. Schwartz

IT’S EASY BEING GREENThe Truth About Synthetic Lawns

PAGE 4

JULY 2011 | sandiegopetsmagazine.com4

Even playtime can be a test of wills, with Prince happily

asserting his rank under the East County sunshine,

ever-watchful for the interlopers and blasphemers

who would scheme their way to the throne.

That's pretty much the life of a royal at The Magic Horse

Therapeutic Riding Center, where Prince assists in changing

the lives of the facility's clients. Wholesale studies and

reports exist on the therapeutic values of dogs, cats, rabbits

and the like in their encounters with humans—but horses

are a different breed (pun intended), their quiet strength and

stoicism fueling the challenged patients' curiosity. The 10-

acre Lakeside facility has catered to kids of all ages, with

conditions ranging from autism, Down syndrome and cere-

bral palsy to brain injuries, ADD and ADHD—and

founder/owner Robin Pawl said the horse is doubly unique

in its ability to serve them.

“Horses are completely honest,” Pawl said. “They don't

lie or hide their feelings. What you see is what you get. They

also accept you for what you are. They're also always watch-

ing, seeing who's doing what. That's different from humans,

because we're always using words to communicate. Being a

prey animal, too, they're watching all the time and alert to

everything that's going on around them. If you're small or

[disabled], they'll notice that and accept you for what you

are. People who have difficulty in social situations can trust

that the horse is being exactly who he is.

B y M A RT I N J O N E S W E S T L I N | S A N D I E G O P E T S

Prince is an friendly sort, all right, with theeven disposition that marks his kind—but ifyou're a fellow horse, and if you ask for it, he'llgently take you to school. The 20-year-oldArabian gelding pulls no punches in assertinghis dominance over the other animals, levelinga squeal and kick to remind them who andwho alone is boss.

Prince and 3-year-old Sofia Vassilev-Lakner meet for their session at theMagic Horse Therapeutic Riding Center. Photo by Casey Dean

The Magic Horse imparts some vitallessons on its way to changing lives

H BdD 5COVER STORY


Neural improvementsweigh in the mix

“The other aspect is theirmotion. It's three-dimen-sional—forward-backward,side to side and up anddown, the same as in [thehuman] pelvis. When you'resitting on a horse, the horse isputting that motion into yourbody. The motion gets putinto you and helps developconnections and neural path-

ways that didn't develop on their own.”Don't shrug off that last part as paranormal pap. Pawl

attests to witnessing serious results, perhaps the mostdramatic involving a Rancho Peñasquitos woman forwhom doctors feared the worst.

In 2007, a drunk driver plowed into the rear of the carin which then 16-year-old Brittany Saber was riding, theaccident putting her on life support for six months and intotherapy for an equal time. The following summer, Saber beganriding therapy at The Magic Horse, arriving on a walker—andat the sight of a horse, she reportedly discarded her device.From there, Saber's improvements were swift and permanent;she left her wheelchair and walked under her own power tothe Westview High School graduation podium in 2009.

“She puts a saddle on by herself,” Pawl explained, “andcarries it down the steps. The saddle weighs about 20pounds, so that's a lot to lift.”

Currently, The Magic Horse has 16 clients, ranging in agefrom 2½ to 23. The youngest is getting a serious education inhandling equipment and how to groom and sit on a horseand experience the motion. He, like the others, takes advan-tage of a series of games and toys for motivation and the me-chanics of the reins.

Outdoors provides learning tools“Being outdoors is also very nice,” Pawl explained. “There

are a lot of distractions, like cows mooing across the valleyor squirrels and rabbits running through the arena. We canuse those distractions as learning tools. Autistic kids, for ex-ample, have a hard time filtering out things. They hear and

Brittany Saber poses with Ka Lio. Courtesy Photo

Volunteer Sheila Bird leads Prince while Magic Horse owner Robin Pawlcoaches Sofia Vassilev-Lakner to speak up to get Prince to go where shewants him to go. Photo by Casey Dean

The Magic Horse Therapeutic Riding Center is located in Lakeside, where the natural habitat of the surrounding area offers a unique opportunity for studentsto interact with horses and observe and appreciate the wildlife around them. Courtesy Photos

SEE MAGIC, Page 6

H BdD 5 COVER STORY


notice things that most people don't. Ifthey're curious about what they hear,let's turn the horse around and go see.Trail rides are terrific for that, becausethe kids get distracted and are moti-vated to go someplace.”

Still, there's Prince, the man amongmen, and his underlings, 28-year-oldFire, an Arabian gelding, and Ka Lio,6, a crossbreed. As docile around peo-ple as they may be, one major issuecan stand in the way of their role inthe equine-human bond. Size, indeed,matters.

“People are often afraid of horsesbecause they're big,” Pawl continued.“I teach people who are afraid how tounderstand and read their body lan-guage. Then you have a better idea ofwhat the horse is likely to do. He's notgoing to get you unless he pins hisears back and bares his teeth. Youwon't see that very often. You'll see

what he looks like when his head andneck are level. If he's curious, he'll in-vestigate you by coming over andchecking you out.”

You get what you giveMeanwhile, Pawl continued, hu-

mans are constantly (and unintelligi-bly) putting their feet in their mouthsaround members of the other king-dom. “Animals,” she said, “aren'tclouded by all of our emotional as-sumptions we make about them.That's more of their superintelligence,where[in] they just take you as youare. What you say is what you say.”The horse's innate honesty, she said,encourages the same from the clients.

Pawl, a Lakeside native and a for-mer certified fitness trainer, holds a bi-ology degree from California StatePolytechnic University at Pomona andfounded The Magic Horse in 2004. Shegot her first horse when she was 9 andis a registered-level therapeutic ridinginstructor through the North Ameri-can Riding for the Handicapped Asso-ciation, the standardbearer for thetherapeutic riding industry. She's alsothe owner of Taylor, a macaw thatsounds like a goat.

But one man's goat is another man'shorse. The latter won't make manydistinctions between the two, at leastnot in the judgmental sense. That ac-counts for the vital level footing be-tween animal and client at The MagicHorse and, perhaps, for its extraordi-nary successes.

Martin Jones Westlin is the managingeditor of San Diego Pets.

MAGICCONTINUED FROM Page 5

Robin Pawl walks with Sofia Vassilev-Lakner asshe guides Therapeutic horse Price at the MagicHorse Center. Photo by Casey Dean

You can find out more about The Magic HorseTherapeutic Riding Center at their website.www.magichorse.org


The third annual Doggie Street Festivalwill take place on July 31 from 9 a.m. to 4p.m. at the Hilton San Diego BayfrontPark, 1 Park Blvd.

“I always think of the festival as a cele-bration of our dogs,” said Jude Artenstein,an award winning, San Diego based, doc-umentary filmmaker and founder of thisdog adoption and education event.

Artenstein found herself immobilizedafter a fall from a ladder in 2008.

“In an instant your life changes,”Artenstein said.

During her recovery, she noticed that hergolden retriever, Scout, never left her side.

“He connected with this tragedy in mylife,” Artenstein said.

She began reading about dogs and petadoption because at the time of her acci-dent there were many news stories fo-cused home foreclosures and the resultinghigh numbers of homeless dogs.

“There were so many great wonderfulpeople working in this issue, what can I

do?” Artenstein said. She was compelled to begin producing

and directing the documentary film, “Res-cue Me,” which depicts the rescue move-ment aimed at decreasing the number ofhomeless dogs. She also wanted to act lo-cally and start an annual dog adoption fes-tival, which would also help to educate thepublic about the need for dog adoption.

“Forty-thousand dogs are euthanized in

San Diego County each year,” Artenstein said.The Doggie Street Fair brings rescue

groups from all over San Diego County to-gether in one location, where anyone fromfamilies to retirees can look among manybreeds to find a dog that is right for them.

“Every rescue group is invited to thefestival, free of charge,” Artenstein said.

One big misconception, Artensteinsaid, is that the public does not realizehow many breed-specific dogs are avail-able for adoption. She encourages peopleto come to the festival and find out justhow many unique breeds there are wait-ing to be adopted.

Thousands of people attended the inau-gural event in 2009 and more than 100dogs were adopted that day. Artensteinsaid the numbers have grown since then.

“You look into their eyes and there’s thisrecognizable look of ‘could it be you whois going to take me home?’” Artensteinsaid of the dogs at the fair.

This event not only provides one-stopshopping for dog adoption, but it alsoprovides attendees with knowledge, sothey too can go back to their friends andfamily and be an informed advocate forpet adoption.

“I think that there’s a real big place forkids to play a positive role in the future ofthese [homeless] dogs,” Artenstein said.

This family-friendly event will featurea children’s booth filled with fun activitiesto help educate children about pet care.

There will also be photo booths, aconcierge booth and a free ask-a-pet-pro-fessional booth.

Fair attendees are encouraged to notonly peruse the many dogs available foradoption, but also to bring blankets orchairs and sit in the park and enjoy themusical entertainment as well as themany food items available for purchase.

Leashed pets are welcome to attend,Artenstein said. She added that this is thelargest festival of its kind in Southern Cal-ifornia and hopes to add several moresimilar events across the United States.The fair is free and open to the public.Dog adoption rates vary depending onthe organization.

Doggie Street FestivalSunday, July 31, 20119 a.m. to 4 p.m.Hilton San Diego Bayfront Park1 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101

Doggie Street Festival

Jude and Scout. Courtesy photo

B Y D E B B I E H AT C H | S A N D I E G O P E T S

H BdD 5THE PRIVILEGED POOCH


For pet owners who wish to travel with their furryfriends, the only options used to be a Motel 6 and a hur-ried meal eaten in the car. Well, says travel journalist

Maggie Espinosa, those days are gone. No longer are pet par-ents relegated to the few open, public places where dogs areallowed nor do they have to stay in a hotel that doesn’t liveup to their standards. In today’s pet-obsessed culture whereFido is not merely the family hound that sleeps in the yard,more and more hotels and restaurants are jumping on thatbandwagon, tapping into a market with endless possibilities.

For her new book, “The Privileged Pooch,” Espinosa trav-eled throughout Southern California in search of the mostdeluxe pet-friendly accommodations around. She and hersidekick, bichon frisé Marcel, personally tested 73 hotels (thecriteria was that they had to be three-, four- or five-star ho-tels) and countless restaurants and activities to get an idea forthis burgeoning market for the opulence-inclined canine.Sixty-nine of those hotels made it into the book for their will-ingness – and even eagerness – to receive and entertain pets.

Espinosa broke the book down into regions: San Diego,Palm Springs, Orange County, Los Angeles (broken downinto subzones: Long Beach/Palos Verdes/Marina del Rey,Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and Pasadena)and Santa Barbara/Ojai.

For each of the hotels she visited, she applied a “wag” rat-ing: one wag equals “pooches permitted,” two wags for“pooches playground,” three wags is a “pooches pampered”and four wags, the best of all, means the place is a “poochesparadise.”

As for eateries and activities, Espinosa only included thosethat allow dogs to come on to the restaurant’s patio, notmerely to be tied up outside. She also includes a price chartfor each of the establishments, making it easy to find the per-fect place to spend an afternoon or an entire weekend withyour pet.

“I wanted to make it easy to read, because I like to just beable to flip through something and find exactly what I want,”she said.

Espinosa said the biggest difference in pet travel now ascompared to years past is that hotels have figured out whata booming industry the pet market is shaping up to be. Now,she said, hotels are all but begging guests to bring Fluffyalong, rather than simply tolerating it.

Here’s what else she had to say about luxury pet traveland the process of finding the best of the best in SouthernCalifornia.

Pets Magazine: Why did you want to do this book?Maggie Espinosa: I have my bichon frisé Marcel, and I always thought itwould be nice to travel with him. Five or six years ago, I tried out a hotel,and found this burgeoning industry out there. It comes to be that a lotof hotels and hospitality industries have realized this is something manypeople want to do, to travel with their pets. Plus, it's a good market: it’soften people with no kids and money to spend, who treat their pets liketheir children. There are other pet travel books out there, but I wanted tomake sure that the places in book also included something you wouldwant to do with or without your pet so that you’re not compromising yourvacation for having your pet with you. I took advantage of the pet sitteravailable at some hotels so I could go out and do some activities withoutmy pet. I wanted to give people that option.

PM: What was the process of researching this book?ME: First, I looked at other books so as not copy what was already on theshelves first. Once I found there was not such a thing, I went to all hotelsI thought were really neat, to see if they were pet friendly. If they were,Marcel and I stayed at them. After a while, I didn't want to come home! Iwas like, ‘what, this dump?’ [laughs] But seriously, sometimes you read apress release, and when you actually go to a hotel, it’s not the same thing.I felt that to do this book justice, I had to actually go to the places and seethem first hand.

PM: How does Southern California stack up against other regions? ME: There are lots of pet-friendly facilities in Southern California, but thereare a lot in other places, too, like Northern California and New York City.

Pets now get the royal treatment on the road

Pups get the royal treatment at the Loews Coronado BayResort. They can even go for a gondola ride. Courtesy photo

By KENDRA HARTMANN | SAN DIEGO PETS

SEE PAMPERED, Page 10


Those areas have some really beautiful placesas well, so while we have a lot here, we haven’tnecessarily cornered the market.

PM: How do you think people's relationships with their pets havechanged over the years?ME: Years ago, the dog was just the backyarddog, but not anymore. Studies have shownthat people who have lost their jobs have cutback on spending on themselves, but they

spend the same amount on their pets. The daysof the dog house are gone. People really havea mind shift when it comes to their pets, andwe really go out of our way for our pets now.

PM: What was your method for determining if a place was pet friendly?ME: When I first started writing this book, Ihad no intention of rating the hotels. Ithought pet friendly is pet friendly, right?But then I would go to some of these placesand they would say the dog could only stayin the room, and was not allowed in lobbyor the outside areas, so you were basi-cally sequestered to your room for the entire

Maggie Espinosa’s picks for

top five pet-friendliestplaces in San Diego:1. The W Hotel, 421 West B St. TheW’s “PAW” program (Pets AreWelcome) means that canine guests ofany size are showered with treats, andfor the smaller among our furry friends,the hotel provides steps for easy accessto their owner’s bed.

2. The Grand Del Mar, 5300 GrandDel Mar Court. The Grand Del Marhas specially designed rooms for itsguests that choose to bring pets, andthey offer a minimum four-hour petsitting service during which your pooch isspoiled to the max. The hotel also offersnature hikes in the area with your dog.

3.MaryJane's Coffee Shop at theHard Rock Hotel, 207 Fifth Ave.While the hotel itself is not pet-friendly, the retro-inspired coffee shopis, Espinosa writes. With a unique charmand a one-of-a-kind staff, your pup willget the attention for days.

4.Mille Fleurs, 6009 Paseo Delicias.This restaurant is a treat for humansand dogs alike. Long a fixture amongfine diners in San Diego, the restaurantwelcomes dogs on its courtyard patio,and will make sure its guests’ desiresnever go unheeded.

5.Where You Want To Be Tours"What Up, Dog" scavenger hunt.Headed by husband and wife team Marcand Darlynne Menkin, the twice-yearlytours bring dogs and dog-lovers to-gether for a mystery tour of the GaslampQuarter. www.wheretours.com

PAMPEREDCONTINUED FROM Page 9

night. That was what I called “pet permitted.”Then, in other places, you would arrive andthey would say, “okay, your dog’s gondola rideis ready,” or, “would Marcel like a massage?” Sothere’s a whole gamut within the “pet per-mitted” category. That was when I started torate them. Between two and three “wags,” thedifference could be size restrictions, pet fees, orthe little amenities offered like bowls or beds.

PM: Do you travel with Marcel often?ME: Since I’ve written the book, I’ve traveledwith him a bit more. The book was picked upby Barnes and Noble, so I’m doing some booksignings around the country, and he comeswith me. Barnes and Noble lets him come tothe signings, and often I think people comemore to see him than to see me. It really hasgone to his head!

Gone are the dayswhen traveling petowners must stay insubpar hotels or dine intheir cars. Now, dogsare not only allowed atmany luxurious hotels,they’re pampered atthem as well. Courtesy photo

Dr. Stefanie Schwartz isa board certified veteri-nary behaviorist basedat California VeterinarySpecialists in Carlsbad,CA. She also sees pa-tients at the VeterinaryNeurology Center inTustin, CA. For more in-

formation, please call (760) 431-2273 andvisit www.californiaveterinaryspecialists.comand www.veterinarybehavior.org.


Dear Dr. Schwartz,My dog Smudge was adopted at a

local shelter last year. He is a Terriercross and was found as a stray inLouisiana shortly after Hurricane Kat-rina. We don’t know anything moreabout him except that he was wearinga collar when he was picked up. He isbetter than he was, but still so terriblynervous. It’s almost like he thinks thesky is falling all the time. Do you haveany suggestions for us?

Thanks,Chicken Little’s Mom

Dear Chicken Little’s Mom,Pets, like people, who are survivors

of natural or manmade disasters are atrisk of developing anxiety disorders,phobias and post traumatic stress dis-order. Although rescue efforts are be-coming more proactive and betterprepared with each event, not everypet will be reunited with his or herpeople. Lost pets who have ID mi-crochips have better odds of being re-turned to their owners; if Smudgedoesn’t have one yet, please do askyour veterinarian about this. In yourcase, it sounds like Smudge lost hisfamily, survived one of the most in-tense storms ever recorded and wastransferred between multiple animalshelters before finding you. That’s a lotof emotional baggage for one little dogto carry.

It’s unclear from your brief descrip-tion whether Smudge is suffering fromgeneralized anxiety disorder or posttraumatic stress disorder, and more.However, it would be important tomake a diagnosis and give him appro-priate treatment so I do hope I’ll seeyou in an appointment with him soon.

Intense anxiety, regardless of its trig-gers, is a form of pain that can andshould be controlled. In such cases,psychoactive medication can help thesymptoms by interfering with the bio-chemical rut of chronic anxiety andhelp your Chicken Little to see blueskies once again.

*Note: If you would like to make acontribution to the American Veteri-nary Medical Association’s DisasterRelief Fund for pets, please visitwww.petbehavior.org and read the Ar-ticles of Interest section or see thehome page article at www.californi-aveterinaryspecialists.com .

Dear Dr. Schwartz,In the last earthquake scare I went

looking for my Persian cat Jewel andfound her hiding way under my bedway at the back against the wall. I justcouldn’t get to her and so I was won-dering if you had any tips if the nextearthquake is the ‘big one’ and weneed to get out in a hurry.

Thanks so much, Jewel’s sister

Dear Jewel’s sister,It might be helpful to place obstacles

such as suitcases or storage bins underyour bed to prevent her from gettingtoo deep in there. You might also con-sider rearranging the furniture so thatyou can reach her form either side ofthe bed, or just block off the space withsome cut to measure plywood or par-ticle board. Many animals can senseeven minor tremors that go completely

unnoticed by people. Larger quakesare frightening to everyone.

Our instinct is to run out of thehouse or building, which is not whatis recommended; falling and flying de-bris are often more dangerous thatseeking shelter under a sturdy piece offurniture, so experts do recommendthat we stay indoors during a quake,too, at least at first. Cats instinctivelyhide in dark corners of closets, insidecabinets or under furniture, which arepretty good places to be in the firstwaves of an earthquake. Some catsprefer to climb to higher perches, butyour first priority must be to keepyourself safe. When you find her afterthe quake has settled, avoid reachingin to retrieve her without safety pre-cautions. Remember, frightened catscan scratch and bite. Use a blanket ortowel to pick her up and place her in acat carrier, gym bag or even a pillowcase for quick transport out of thebuilding, if that is required. Make sureshe is microchipped now so that shecan be returned to you after a disasterin case you are separated.

Behavior Bytes

Stefanie Schwartz, DVMDiplomate, American College of Veterinary BehavioristsCalifornia Veterinary SpecialistsCarlsbad, CA (760) 431-2273

H BdD 5 GOING GREEN


Although natural is often consideredbetter than artificial, in some cases,mother nature can actually be im-proved upon. One example of this issynthetic lawns. They have come along way since being first introduced,including now having a more realisticlook and feel.

Some companies, including SanDiego based EasyTurf have productsdeemed safer and more environ-mentally friendly than natural grass.EasyTurf materials, which includegrass made of either polyethylene orpolypropylene, are non-toxic andhypo-allergenic. Later this year theywill be introducing a new product,which uses recycled coke bottles tocreate the “yarn” to make blades ofgrass. EasyTurf is the only companyin North America with the rights touse this innovative material.

Synthhetic lawns diminishes issuesfound with natural grass, includinglessening the need for chemical treat-ments that pose risks to people, petsand the environment. It has no needfor fertilizer. Weeds including “fox-tails“ are also minimized, along withthe need for weed killing agents. It isimportant to note that foxtails are ahazard to San Diego canines. If in-gested or they enter the skin of a dog,expensive vet visits, surgery and insome cases death will result. Accord-ing to Jackie Luper, Marketing Direc-tor for EasyTurf, their products haveprovided a solution to foxtails formany Southern California customers.

Also troublesome are fleas, whichcan live comfortably in natural grass.Luper states, “EasyTurf lawns do notprovide an attractive home for fleas orany insect.“ This reduction in the fleapopulation, also lessens the usage oftoxic pesticides.

Rabbits and other animals can alsocreate challenges. Rabbits may feast ongrass and then eliminate. Luper says

rabbits may initially try to eat Easy-Turf, but since it is not real grass,the problem is resolved. She furtherexplains, if gophers are present in ayard, “gopher wire” can be placedunder the EasyTurf. It doesn’t harmthe gopher, but acts as a barrier so theycan’t push up through the ground andthrough the synthetic lawn.

Water conservation is another plusof synthetic lawns. If you currentlywater your lawn regularly, you couldsave up to 70% on your water bill bymaking the switch, according toLuper. She says that not only is Easy-Turf going to stay green year roundwithout watering, but they have yet tofind any substance that will fade orstain it, including dog urine.

When needed, the process of cleaningyour pet’s favorite potty areas is simple.Plain water can be used effectively.Many animal rescues and shelters, in-

cluding the San Diego Humane Societyhave installed EasyTurf. The San DiegoHumane Society is able to sanitize theartificial grass area easily and quickly.This is necessary because a variety ofboarded dogs share the lawn. Accord-ing to Luper, the San Diego HumaneSociety uses a solution of bleach andwater to help avoid the spread of dis-ease among their canine population.

Although the synthetic grass doesn’tneed watering to be maintained,drainage is an important component,especially with pets Originally, artificiallawns had inadequate drainage sys-tems. EasyTurf now uses a proprietarymethod of 100% permeable solidbacking design with 100% recyclableplastic drains. EasyTurf drains fasterthan any of its competitors and evenfaster than natural grass. Thoroughdrainage helps lessen the existenceof mud.

The Truth About Synthetic LawnsB Y S I N D I S O M E R S | S A N D I E G O P E T S

H BdD 5STAYING GREEN


Not only can their drains be recy-cled, but Luper reports all materialsused for EasyTurf lawns are 100%recyclable. She adds, most if not allsynthetic lawn companies now userecyclable materials. However,EasyTurf goes one step further bybeing the only company with theirown infrastructure to recycle andreuse their turf.

Customers of EasyTurf have thechoice of using this recycled turf asthe infill for their lawn. Infill helpshold the blades of grass upright, aswell as effecting the feel. They mayinstead choose sand, crumb rubberfrom recycled tires or a combinationof the two.

In many instances EasyTurf canbe installed in one day. For largerareas an installation may take up tothree days. Once complete, thelawn is ready to be used immedi-ately. Although EasyTurf has a tenyear warranty, the life expectancy isbetween fifteen and twenty years.

Dog induced damage is not coveredin the warranty, but it is also unlikelyto happen. If digging is a concern,EasyTurf can double secure the lawnat the borders. Dogs may try to dig,but in most cases realize they can'tand give up. Luper says, each year ahandful of dogs continue until theysucceed at which point EasyTurf cancome re-attach the lawn.

EasyTurf was started ten yearsago by David Hartman. WhenFieldTurf, the leader in artificialgrass for sports fields world widedecided to expand they were im-pressed with how successful Hart-man’s southern California businesswas. Instead of “reinventing thewheel,“ says Luper, FieldTurf ap-proached Hartman who then soldthem his company. Hartman stillruns EasyTurf as President.

For information about EasyTurfcall 866-EASYTURF or visit themonline at www.sdpets.easyturf.com.

H BdD 5 PET ART


Making ruff timesthe best of timesSOMETIMES THINGS CAN BE A LITTLE RUFF. That's part of the idea behind San Diegan Lynel Berryhill's

book and pet photography company, Ruff Ride, which shecame up with in an effort to make the hardest of times thebest of times through use of pet-related humor.

Ruff Ride cleverly marries gorgeous pet photography withwitty quotes or comments — think puppy calendar meetsgreeting card meets political satire — and has potential toraise people above their worldly woes or at least trigger achuckle.

"Looking at the stats, so many animals are in sheltersand the number is increasing," said Berryhill, who runs thecompany with her husband Shawn. "Add to that the econ-omy and housing crisis that we humans are experiencingand it's important to reach out and remind people thatpets are so important in the world because they offer thatunconditional love."

Berryhill grew up in San Marcos and earned a degree fromSan Diego State University in nutrition, but later found outher passion is pet photography. A self taught photographer,she started out shooting portraits of her family members' andfriends' pets. But the real fun began when the shoots wereover and Berryhill pulled out the funny props and costumes— shooting scenes like cats in fishbowls, pugs in Uggs andmuscle dogs in tutus.

Those funny photos got filed away for the time being,but when things got a little "ruff" — the recession hit — theBerryhills needed an alternate way to pay their bills andschool loans.

That hardship gave rise to Ruff Ride, the book, which al-ludes to the country's economic crises in several cleverphotos — such as a dog hiding under a heap of mops saying"Dude, where's my bailout? and a reference to taxationillustrated by a tiny dog with a big bone and a huge dog witha tiny bone.

While it may seem Ruff Ride is just an attempt to upliftpeople from their problems, the Berryhills have also con-sidered the "ruff" times of dogs too, and they are thereforedonating 50 percent of their sales to organizations that rehomeanimals that have been abandoned due to economic hardship.

"People aren't the only ones having a roughtime," Berryhill said. "Our canine com-panions are very much in this too."

To view the Berryhills' workor make a purchase, visitwww.ruffride.com.

B y C L A I R E H A R L I N | S A N D I E G O P E T S

Lynel Berryhill relaxes with her dog Bella amid blooming flowers in SanDiego last spring. Courtesy photos

H BdD 5GUEST COLUMN


There’s nothing pet parents like better than socializing with theirdog in the California sun. There are, however, two important ques-tions to ask: “Is it safe?” and “Is my dog really having fun?” Your dogspeaks to you through body language--ear and tail carriage, stance,behavior and vocalizations. Perhaps your dog is telling you she is ex-periencing an overload of stress when confronted with other dogs.If so, avoid any potentially dangerous situations while you begin ascience-based behavior modification program.

Displays of aggression between members of the same species arecommon in animals. Conflicts over resources, such as, food, terri-tory, and access to others are well-supported in animal behaviorliterature. Still, we often expect our dogs to play-nice with “strangerdogs” in group situations and out on neighborhood strolls. Rules ofappropriate behavior in dog society are quite different than humanmanners. You may need to reexamine your expectations and goalsfor your pup. If your dog exhibits generalized dog/dog aggression,it’s unlikely he’ll turn into a social butterfly.

Genetics, early socialization or the lack of exposure during thecritical period of social development, and traumatic experiences,shape how your dog interacts with other dogs.

Play between dogs should be a 2-way street. They should taketurns chasing each other--neither dog being a bully or a target.

Dog/dog aggression can be a dangerous problem for you, yourdog, other dogs, and anyone who tries to break up a dog fight. If yourdog has an aggression issue of any kind, get a wellness check fromyour veterinarian to rule out any underlying organic causes that maybe affecting behavior.

If your dog has bitten another dog or been in a number of dogfights, engage a certified behavioral consultant to help you worktoward changing your dog’s underlying drives and motivation. Acomplete intake evaluation should be given in order to develop aplan of treatment based on your dog’s history. It’s a complex problemand each case requires an individual approach to assess on-leashaggression, off-leash aggression, territorial aggression, fear-basedaggression, fence-barrier aggression, resource guarding aggression,bite hierarchies, ameliorating factors and context.

The amount of time it takes to see improvement varies dependingon the severity of the reactiveness, your dog’s responsiveness totraining, and the amount of time you devote to practicing behaviormodification protocols.

Behavior modification techniques that include: desensitization,behavior adjustment therapy (BAT), functional rewards, Feisty Fidoand clicker training will help you and your pup have a safe andhappy summer together. Avoid harsh methods or collars that causepain as they increase fear and anxiety and may cause aggression(Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 2006).

A realistic goal for you and your dog may be taking your dogfor a pleasant walk in the neighborhood without any barking andlunging incidents. If your dog shows signs of anxiety with “strangerdogs”, it’s all right to skip the group activities and play at home Thebooklet Play Together, Stay Together by Dr’s. Patricia B. McConnelland Karen London is packed with great games for the two of you.Supervised play-dates with doggies friends may be another al-ternative. Stay safe this summer and have fun with your dog!

Summertime blues?Dog/dog aggressionBY L INDA MICHAELS , DOG PSYCHOLOGY

SAN DIEGO PETS

Linda Michaels, MA Experimental Psychology w/ Behavioral Neurobiologyresearch experience. Victoria Stilwell-Licensed and Certified Professional DogTrainer provides private basic obedience and behavioral consultations in thecoastal areas. 858.259.9663. www.WholisticDogTraining.com

Photo by Cindy Staszak

It’s a sunny day with a cool windblowing in downtown San Diego. Icross the street with Heather Wilson

who carries Pudgy her six year oldBearded Dragon, or Beardie as re-ferred to by people in the know. Wesettle into the outdoor patio of a caféand I can’t resist, but to ask to holdthis adorable creature measuring18“ from nose to the tail end. “Ofcourse!” Heather says without

hesitation as she hands me Pudgy,who I will come to learn is a truesurvivor. Heather herself is also asurvivor. Successfully beating cancerthree times in her young 35 years oflife. Appearing now as the picture ofhealth, Heather trains regularly formarathons raising funds to benefit theLeukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Before relocating to San Diego almostthree years ago, Heather and Pudgy wereliving in Miami, Florida. Their introductioncame unexpectedly, when Heather receiveda call from a police officer friend saying,“we raided a house where they were man-ufacturing methamphetamines and thereis this animal we found there. I waswondering if you could take care of itfor a couple weeks till we figure outwhat to do with it.” Heather replied,“What do you mean an animal?What kind of an animal?” Heatherthought perhaps a bird or a ham-ster. Her friend replied, “a lizard.”“A lizard?!“, Repeated Heather.

Uncertain about the situation shesoon met the small terrified BeardedDragon estimated to be about a yearand a half old. “My heart broke whenPudgy looked up at me,“ Heather said.Living in a filthy enclosure, obviousneglect and malnutrition had effectedthis Beardie’s growth. For Heather it waslove at first sight. For Pudgy it was thebeginning of a new life, which could becompared to a child’s fantasy of daily vis-its to Disneyland!

Pudgy’s weight doubled within threemonths and what started out as a temporarytwo week favor has led to over four years ofloving companionship for both. The nowamazingly healthy, vibrant and well adjustedPudgy not only has a clean terrarium to live inbut enjoys frequent outings to public places.Heather and Pudgy sharing these parallel ex-periences of survival and healing confirms mybelief that our companion animals are reflec-tions of ourselves. Sitting before me I see twobeautiful beings who have overcome obsta-cles to get to where they are today, mirroringeach others strength and beauty. After sharingtheir story, Heather says with exuberant ap-preciation, “This little lizard has taught me somuch!“ And she has obviously taught Pudgymuch. Learning from each other as they ex-plore life’s opportunities.

When out and about Pudgy is trained towalk on a leash, but is often carried depend-ing on the location as safety is a always a pri-ority. Balboa Park is a favorite destination forthe pair giving Pudgy space to roam withfurry friends, including rabbits that are alsoleash trained. Heather said Pudgy also likesto cuddle up and sleep with two cat friendsand has a canine companion that “goes crazyfor Pudgy!”

Heather founded a children’s book com-pany and plans on self publishing a series ofbooks highlighting the adventures of Pudgy

AGT;T REPTILES

B Y S I N D I S O M E R S | S A N D I E G O P E T S

PudgyandbestpalHeather


REPTILES


and Pals. She has written the first in the se-ries, now in the illustration phase and is onto book number two. Heather’s goal is toprovide an adventure based vehicle forchildren. She hopes to inspire literacy andmotivate cognitive development by ex-ploring diversity and open-mindedness.You can find Pudgy and Pals on Facebookat www.facebook.com/pudgyandpals.

When considering adding a Beardiecompanion, Heather stresses the impor-tance of research to learn as much as pos-sible about them and their special needs.

She recommends the following resources:www.sdherpsociety.org - San Diego Herpeto-logical Society, which has a rescue programwith adoptable reptiles, as well as helpfulinformation.

www.beardeddragon.org Has a messageboard, care sheets and is one of the best web-sites related to Beardies, according toHeather.

The “Bearded Dragon Manual. (AdvancedVivarium Systems)” avai lable throughwww.amazon.com.

Heather strongly recommends finding anexotic animal veterinarian with BeardedDragon experience, such as Dr. Jeffrey R.Jenkins, DVM. Dr. Jenkins will be sharinghelpful Beardie information in our Augustissue! www.drexotic.com.

AGT;T

H BdD 5 SUMMER SAFETY


If things looked dismal in the sum-mer of 2009 for Kishany Conroy,they were downright catastrophic

for Hopper, her 3-year-old shih tzu.Hopper was reportedly stolen fromConroy's Ramona property in Augustof that year, leaving Conroy distraughtand Hopper in the hands of totalstrangers, whose attachment to the an-imal was no match for the Conroy fam-ily's animal-human bond.

But thanks to some prudent think-ing, all was not lost. Turns out Hopperwas toting a secret form of ID, com-plete with a health record and Con-roy's address—and, covered in foxtailstickers and fur so matted it lookedlike an outdoor carpet, dog and ownerwere reunited in May of 2010, thanksto microchipping, a newer technologyat its best.

A countywide program, one officialsaid, makes it easy for everybody tofollow suit.

The downside to collars“Having your animal microchipped

ensures that your pet has a tickethome,” said Dawn Danielson, directorof the San Diego County Departmentof Animal Services. “Animal Servicesstrongly encourages all pet owners tohave their pets microchipped... and tokeep your information current withthe microchip company.

“We always encourage people tohave readable identification on theirpet,” Danielson explained. “However,collars come off, or you can take themoff. Nobody can do anything with amicrochip.” Moreover, she said, statelaw requires shelters to scan for thepresence of a microchip when an ani-mal is brought in.

A microchip is a radio transponderabout the size of a grain of rice. A vet-erinarian or vet tech uses a hypoder-

mic needle to implant the device underthe skin of all kinds of pets, from catsand dogs to reptiles and birds (horsesand livestock are a little trickier, butthey're equally viable candidates). Thechip carries a number, which isplugged into a database that containsthe owner's contact information.HomeAgain and AVID are among theleaders in microchip technology, withHomeAgain citing nearly 500,000 re-unions since the devices becamewidely available in 1996.

Microchipping as a matter of course

San Diego County, Danielson said,was one of the first areas in the countryto take up the program. “Now,”Danielson said, “no animal leaves [anyof the county's three animal shelters]without a microchip.” She added thatthe county has chipped about 220,000animals to date, “but that's a drop inthe bucket.” It's estimated that one outof three pets is lost during its lifetime,with only one in ten of those beingfound.

According to the Humane Society ofthe United States, only about 5 percentof the nation's 130 million dogs andcats have been microchipped. The pro-gram is voluntary in the U.S., althoughthe state of Louisiana requires a per-manent means of identification for allhorses tested for a specific type of ane-mia. The state determined that the lawwas “a significant help” in finding thehorses' owners in the wake of Hurri-cane Katrina in the summer of 2005.

Microchipping as part of disaster plan

Similarly, Danielson said, there's noguarantee that the county's devastat-ing wildfires of 2003 and 2007 won't

Chips on their shoulders: Implanting program reunites county owners and pets

B y M A RT I N J O N E S W E S T L I N | S A N D I E G O P E T S

H BdD 5SUMMER SAFETY


Dogs vs. Rattlesnakes:Tis the season for rattlesnakes around San Diego

County. We have 5 species of rattlesnakes that live inthe county so if you are out enjoying the open spaceyou should be aware of the risk of your dog get-ting bit by a snake.

Most snake bites are defensive in nature, de-pending on a variety of factors a rattlesnakebite can result in minimal signs or problemsor be severe and cause the death of a dog.

Dogs are most often bit in the face orfront legs, which results in swelling,pain, and bruising. Often times 1 or 2blood drops can be found. Althoughit can happen, most of the dogs bittenin the face do not have trouble breathingunless they get bit in the mouth or tongue.

Any dog or cat that is suspected of being bit by a rattle snakeshould be evaluated by a veterinarian. Early treatment withpain medications and antivenom ensures the quickest recov-ery. General first aid should be to calm the dog down. DONOT use any type of suction kits or tourniquets – these areasare painful and either can make things worse or result in thedog biting. Transport your dog to a veterinary facility foremergency care as soon as feasible.

Most dogs will recover after getting IV fluids for shock,pain medications and antivenom. Occasionally antibiotics are

administered for potential secondary infections. Swellingwill usually take 7-10 days to resolve. In severe cases,

large areas of skin may die resulting in a wound thatcan take several weeks to heal. Some snake venom

has a component that causes weakness and paraly-sis. Those dogs are at risk for developing trouble

breathing and in rare cases require intensivecare and assisted ventilation on a mechanical

ventilator.Best way to protect your dog from gettingbit is to keep the dog on a leash at all

times. Take walks early in the morningand in the late evening after it hascooled down. For further informationsee our website at www.animalur-gentcare.com

Karen Seibold, DVMDiplomate American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care

Animal Urgent Care and Specialty Group2430A. S. Escondido BlvdEscondido, Ca 92025760-738-9600Open 24/7 every day of the year

happen again. “We're already gearing upfor it,” she said, “and if you go onto ourwebsite, it talks about a disaster plan foryour pets. Hopefully, we won't have adisaster like that, but if we do, your ani-mal will be identified.”

Microchipping is available for dogs, catsand rabbits at least eight weeks of age atany of the county animal services shelters(in Fashion Valley, Carlsbad and Bonita)on Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m. The fee of$20 includes national registration. Dogsmust be on a leash, and cats and rabbitsmust be in a carrier. Dogs at least fourmonths of age must be licensed by thecounty or the jurisdiction in which they re-side. Rabies vaccinations and dog licenseswill also be available at additional cost.

The newest edition to the San Diego Pets Magazine family. Photo by Casey Dean

“Having your animal microchippedensures that your pethas a ticket home”– Dawn Danielson

“Having your animal microchippedensures that your pethas a ticket home”– Dawn Danielson

For more information on the programand other county pet services, see thedepartment's website at sddac.com. The SDDAC’s number is 619-767-2675.


According to local emergency veterinarian Dr.Karen Seibold, DVM, DACVECC, these“cases need to be seen immediately andtreated aggressively. This usually meansIV fluids, epinephrine, antihistamine,and corticosteroids. Dogs are generallyhospitalized for a day or two, butsometimes even with aggressive carethey can die.”

Anaphylactic shock is a potentiallylife threatening condition, which canoccur suddenly and without warning. Itcan only happen if the body has previouslyexperienced the allergen, in this case beevenom. When the allergen initially enters thebody, the immune system creates antibodies as adefense. When the allergen re-enters the system, the bodycan fight it off. If instead there is a severe overreaction of theimmune system brought on by an allergic response to theallergen, the body can go into anaphylactic shock.

In response to this serious issue, the human medical fieldcreated a bee sting treatment for at risk individuals. Peoplewho have received this Hymenoptera Immuno Therapyhave a great decrease in the likelihood of the reoccurrence ofanaphylactic shock.

Using the human literature and testing method as a foun-dation, San Diego based veterinarian, Dr. Mona Boord, DVM,Diplomate ACVD of the Animal Dermatology Clinic beganworking on a similar treatment for canines in the earlynineties. She began with a group of five dogs of differentbreeds. The initial skin test to decipher what venoms areallergens is only administered after an animal has sufferedfrom anaphylactic shock. The dogs in Dr. Boord’s study hadeach experienced at least two prior episodes.

Once the allergen(s) is identified, treatment can begin,administering injections of diluted venom. For her work withdogs, Dr. Boord uses the same human testing kit, but dilutesinjections one dilution further to accommodate the smallercanine bodies. Dogs receive injections once per week for 15weeks. After the 15 weeks of treatment, the initial five dogswere retested showing reduced sensitivity. Dr. Boord said,three of the five “had known challenges without anaphylacticreaction.”

Humans and canines can exhibit similar symptoms duringanaphylactic shock, but Dr. Boord explains that the “shockorgan” in humans is the lungs, leading to narrowing of the

airwaves and difficulty breathing. While incanines the main effected area is the “gut”

with weakness and collapse being predom-inant symptoms. Other canine symptomscan include loss of bladder and bowelcontrol, vomiting and diarrhea.

There is a belief that that Pugs aremore susceptible to these allergic re-actions due to their smaller nasalpassageways. Although she has treated

many Pugs, Dr. Boord believes that res-piratory changes during an episode are

associated more with the body’s weaknessand going into shock. Not necessarily the

lungs being affected in the way they are inhumans. Dogs of varying breeds continue to receive

treatments and there is currently one cat participating in theprogram.

According to Shawna Hopkins, a Veterinary Technicianwith the Animal Dermatology Clinic, the cost for Hy-menoptera Immuno Therapy is $49 for the intravenouscatheter to administer the sedative and $418, which includesthe skin test kit and sedation. Contact the Animal Dermatol-ogy Clinic at (858) 560-9393. www.animaldermatology.com

ON MOTHER’S DAY THIS YEAR AN ADORABLE SAN DIEGOPUG NAMED SAMSON, sadly passed away just twenty min-utes after being stung by a bee. Prior to this incident Samsonexhibited no signs of allergic reactions. Samson’s deathcame as a complete shock to the people that loved him. Sam-son’s family asked San Diego Pets Magazine to write anarticle about thedanger of beestings in pets withthe hopes of pre-venting other suchfatalities. We aregrateful that theyreached out to usand in their time ofgrief and thoughtof a way to usetheir loss to helpothers. Thank youand rest in peacesweet Samson.

Hymenoptera Immuno Therapy

The bee sting treatment that could save your dog’s lifeB Y S I N D I S O M E R S | S A N D I E G O P E T S

Avoiding bees to protect ourselves and our pets makes good sense and in some cases, saves lives.When a sting occurs most experience little to no reaction. For mild symptoms, including localizedpain, applying a paste of baking soda and water may bring sufficient relief. However, those with ahypersensitivity to the venom can experience a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock.

H BdD 5RABBITS


Summer has arrived and for rabbitwelfare organizations it’s their tough-est season. Easter bunnies are wear-

ing out their welcome (they’ve reachedsexual maturity by now) and families whodon’t want the bother of getting them al-tered are looking to rehome them. Sheltersare filling up with relinquishments andstrays, and rabbit rescues are strugglingwith the overflow. College kids leavinghome are looking to place rabbits theythought they could take with them, but sit-uations have changed. There are a multi-tude of scenarios but it all boils down toone thing; hundreds of rabbits need newhomes come summer time.

If you’ve been thinking of adopting,summer is the perfect time. If you’re a stu-dent you’ve got time off now and can de-vote plenty of time to the care of a newrabbit companion. Families on summervacation can turn adoption into a fun fam-ily project, by building a custom bunnycage and learning together about the careand needs of rabbits. There’s also plentyof time before school starts to set a routineof daily care and activities with the newfamily member.

You can find adoptable rabbits throughmany local sources. The most well knownis San Diego House Rabbit Society(SDHRS), a chapter of the internationalrabbit welfare organization that finds newhomes for abandoned rabbits. Their web-site, www.sandiegorabbits.org, offers greatarticles and tips on rabbit care, housing,diet and more. It even refers you to thebest rabbit-savvy vets to ensure your rab-bit gets the best care. SDHRS holds adop-tion events twice monthly and does a greatjob of supporting adopters to ensureeveryone is happy with their new bunnyand the rabbit is thriving in its new home.

Other local rabbit rescues include WeeCompanions Small Animal Adoptions,Shelly’s Shelter, and Ferdinand’s Familia.All can be found on local adoption web-site, www.catsandrabbitsandmore.com, orat Petfinder.com.

Just north of San Diego, in the TemeculaValley, House Rabbit Society satellitegroup, Lucky Bunny Rabbit Rescue, res-cues and adopts out abandoned rabbitsfrom southwest Riverside County. Thissmall group takes in about 100 rabbits a

year and does a wonderful job of findingthem new homes. See them at www.cat-sandrabbitsandmore.com/temecula_val-ley_rabbits__lbrr_.

Local shelters and humane societies alsohave rabbit adoption programs. Look foryour new rabbit companion at any one ofthree Department of Animal Services shel-ters in Bonita, San Diego, or Carlsbad.Local humane societies, San Diego Hu-mane, Escondido Humane, and RanchoCoastal Humane Society have many won-derful rabbits for adoption. The city ofChula Vista adopts rabbits from its shelterin the south bay area.

When you adopt from a rabbit rescue oranimal shelter, you are getting the benefitof a rabbit who has already been spayed orneutered, is using a litter box, is socializedto live indoors, and has a known medicalhistory. Purchasing from pet stores or aprivate party brings the risk of unknownmedical issues, a rabbit who may be preg-nant when you bring it home, and the ad-ditional cost of having to get it altered(average $300 or more) plus dealing withall the headaches that come along withthese “unknowns.”

If you’re interested in learning more aboutrabbit adoption, visit the SDHRS website atwww.sandiegorabbits.org, email [email protected] or call 858-356-4286.

Watson finds his new family. Photo by Judith Pierce

Summer, a great time for rabbit adoptionB Y J U D I T H P I E R C E | S A N D I E G O P E T S

Supporting the animal-lovingcommunity is an integral part of whatthe San Diego Humane Society does.Beyond the adoption of animals, thevision of the Humane Society is toprovide a range of opportunities forthe community to enjoy their com-panion animals and to experience thatspecial connection called the human-animal bond.

As Oceanside’s only off-leash dogpark, the San Diego Humane Societyhopes to provide a positive, fun,healthy, and educational locationwhere people and their dogs canenjoy spending quality time together.After renovations are complete, thedog park will be re-opened to thepublic on July 14th.

GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY PETCO ANDTHE PETCO FOUNDATION, THE DOG PARK’SNEW AND ENHANCED FEATURES INCLUDE:

• Astroturf play yards in both large and small dog parks

• Informative and educational signagethroughout the park

• Attractive ‘sitting walls’ in large park

• Easy access walkways around the park

• New gazebo-covered areas

• Doggie drinking fountains in each park

• K9 memorial fountain

• Attractive, dog-friendly landscaping

• Portable restrooms

• Numerous poop bag dispensers

H BdD 5 PET PRESS


MORE PET PRESS ONLINEwww.sandiegopetsmagazine.com

Scan with

your smart

phone, or visit

SanDiegoPets

Magazine.com

Come on out with your pooch and enjoy ashort walk around Dusty Rhodes Park inOcean Beach to support canine good health.Then shop the many vendor booths forhealthy pet products, enjoy fun doggiegames in the Howlin’ Hounds FurZone, andenter to win fabulous raffle prizes.

For more information or to pre-registernow, visit www.labradorHarbor.org.

All proceeds benefit Labrador Harbor, with 100% going to our Labs In Need!Labrador Harbor has helped over 265 dogs with $60,000+ in grants for surgeries andmedical treatments.

SEE HOUNDS FOR HOPE’S AD ON PAGE 27.

July 16, 2011 from 9 am – 12 pm Substantial renovation ofOceanside’s only off-leashdog park completed

Dog park re-openingto the public July 14

Hounds for Hope A canine cancer awareness & wellness festival


As one who has had the privilege of living with cats sinceI can remember, I can tell you, most of the time there is amajor adjustment period when bringing in a new cat.

I have only once had a no-fuss experience. I had a white do-mestic short-hair named Sam, who liked to sleep on his backunder the coffee table. One day, I opened my door to find alovely little orange tabby Manx sitting on my porch. She casu-ally strolled in, jumped on the couch, and settled in. I got themessage: “I’ve adopted you, you lucky human.”

Now, you’d think Sam would react, and he did. He openedhis eyes, looked at Squeaky, blinked and went back to his nap.That was it. Case closed.

I wish it were always that easy.Sometimes, bringing a new cat into a home with a cat that

has already established its presence results in Big FelineDrama, as in the case of newcomer Lily and old-timer Max.Lily wanted to sniff and explore to familiarize herself withthe new surroundings and watched Max with wide eyesand pricked-forward ears. The tail was not twitching. Thiswas Lily’s way of showing nonaggressive behavior. She wassaying, “Hi. I’m Lily. Can we be friends?”

Max, meanwhile, locked his eyes on Lily and did thatfrozen-but-ready-to-flee thing cats do when confronted by

anything out of the routine. Max’s eyes, locked on Lily, com-municated a clear message: “I do not trust you.”

Will Max whip his tail and flatten his ears? If so, it’s timeto scoop Lily up and isolate her before Max attacks. Max iswarning Lily to not come too close. And if Max is reallythreatened, he may let out that blood-curdling scream thatonly cats can make. Ignore that sound at your peril!

But luckily, Max accepted Lily, demonstrating it by lookingaway from her and casually licking a paw, as if to say, “Oh,you’re here? Whatever. You’re no threat to me.” This is goodnews to Lily, who would never have felt truly welcome untilshe gained Max’s approval, and very good news to the peopleof the house, who know that the peace in their home is indirect proportion to Max’s happiness level.

HOW GREAT WOULD IT BE TO SIC BEES ON A BULLY?Or get a fly to help you cheat on a history test?Simon is a bug whisperer with a big problem and asecret that may lead him to his mother’s killer.

The Eleventh Sense, by KR JohnsonAvailable now on amazon.comwww.TheEleventhSense.comWhat bugs you?

A catty exchangeB y K R J O H N S O N | S A N D I E G O P E T S

Emergency hospitalsBONITA/CHULA VISTAPet Emergency & SpecialtyCenter of South County (619) 591-4802885 Canarios Court, #108, Chula Vista, CA 91910 www.PESCSanDiego.com

CARLSBADCalifornia Veterinary Specialists(760) 431-2273 2310 Faraday Ave., Carlsbad, CA 92008, 7 days 24 hrs.www.CaliforniaVeterinarySpecialists.com

ENCINITASVCA North Coast Veterinary & Emergency (760) 632-1072 414 Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas, CA 92024, www.VCANorthCoast.com

ESCONDIDOAnimal Urgent Care of Escondido (760) 738-9600 2430-A S. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, CA 92025, 7Days 24 hrs. www.AUC.US.com

KEARNY MESA/CLAIREMONTAnimal ER of San Diego (858) 569-06005610 Kearny Mesa Road, San Diego, CA 92111 M-F 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. Sat. Sun. 24 hrs.

LA MESAPet Emergency & Specialty Center (619) 462-4800 5232 Jackson Drive #105, La Mesa, CA 91942, 7 Days 24 hrs.www.PESCSanDiego.com

MISSION VALLEYVCA Emergency Animal Hospital & Referral Center (619) 229-2400 2317 Hotel Circle South, San Diego, CA92108,7 Days 24 hrs.www.VCAEmergency.com

MURRIETACalifornia Veterinary Specialists(951) 600-9803 25100 Hancock Ave. #116, Murrieta, CA 92562, 7days 24 hrs.www.CaliforniaVeterinarySpecialists.com

POWAYAnimal Emergency Clinic (858) 748-738712775 Poway Road, Poway, CA 92064 M-F 6 p.m. to8 a.m. Sat. Sun. 24 hrs.www.AnimalEmergencySD.com

SAN MARCOSVeterinary Specialty Hospital(760) 466-0600 2055 Montiel Road, Suite 104, San Marcos, CA 92069www.vshsd.com

SORRENTO VALLEYVeterinary Specialty Hospital(858) 875-750010435 Sorrento Valley Road., San Diego, CA 92121 7Days 24 hrs.www.VSHSD.com

Animal Shelters & Humane SocietiesACCEPT STRAYS & HAVE ADOPTIONBAY PARK/MISSION VALLEYCounty Animal Services – Central5480 Gaines St., CA 92110 (619) 236-4250www.sddac.com Hours: Tues-Sat 9:30am to 5:30pm

BONITACounty Animal Services – South5821 Sweetwater Road, CA 91902 (619) 685-6309www.sddac.com Hours: Tues-Sat 9:30am to 5:30pm

CAMP PENDLETONCamp Pendleton Animal Shelter4th St. Area 25 Bldg. 25132 CA 92054 (760) 725-8120

CARLSBADCounty Animal Services – North2481 Palomar Airport Road, CA 92009 (760) 438-2312 or (760) 746-7307www.sddac.com Hours: Tues-Sat 9:30am to 5:30pm

CHULA VISTACity of Chula Vista Animal Shelter 130 Beyer Way, CA 91911 (619) 691-5123Hours: M-F 10am to 5pm Sat. 10am to 4pm

CORONADOAnimal Control Facility700 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118 (619) 522-7371 Hours: 7 days 8:30am to 4:30am

EL CAJONCity of El Cajon Animal Shelter 1275 N. Marshall Ave., CA 92020 (619) 441-1580Hours: Tues-Sat 10am to 5:30pm

ESCONDIDOEscondido Humane Society 3450 E. Valley Parkway, CA 92027 (760) 888-2275 www.EscondidoHumaneSociety.comHours: 7 days 9am to 5pm

OCEANSIDESan Diego Humane Society-North (For dogs)2905 San Luis Rey Road, CA 92058 (619) 299-7012www.SDHumane.org Hours: 7 days 10am-4pm

San Diego Humane Society-North (For cats )572 Airport Road, CA 92058 (619) 299-7012www.SDHumane.org Hours: 7 days 10am-4pm

ACCEPT OWNER RELINQUISHED ANIMALSBAY PARK/MISSION VALLEYSan Diego Humane Society-San Diego Campus5500 Gaines Street, CA 92110 (619) 299-7012 www.SDHumane.org Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-6pm Sat-Sun 11am-5pmEL CAJONFriends of Cats15587 Olde Highway 80, CA, 92021 (619) 561-0361www.FriendsofCats.org Hours: Tues-Sun 10am to 4pm

ENCINITASRancho Coastal Humane Society389 Requeza Street, CA 92024 (760) 753-6413 www.RCHumaneSociety.orgHours: 11am -5pm every day except Tues. 11:30am-5pm

RANCHO SANTA FEHelen Woodward Animal Center 6461 El Apajo Road, CA 92067 (858) 756-4117 www.AnimalCenter.org Hours: 7 days 11am to 6pmSPRING VALLEYNational Cat Protection Society9031 Birch Street, CA 91977 (619) 469-8771www.NatCat.org Hours: Tue.-Sat. Noon to 5pm

H BdD 5 PET RESOURCES


LA JOLLA

Home Buddies by Camp Bow WowDog Walking, Pet Sitting & Dog TrainingBonded and Insured (619) 889-7767www.myhomebuddies.com/LaJolla

OCEAN BEACHDog Beach Dog WashDo-It-Yourself•Service•Accessories4933 Voltaire St., San Diego, CA 92107(619) 523-1700http://www.dogwash.com

SAN CARLOS

San Carlos Animal HospitalUrgent and routine veterinary Care.8618 Lake Murray Blvd. 92119(619) [email protected]

VISTA

EasyTurf A Field Turf CompanyRequest a FREE DESIGN consultation2750 La Mirada Dr, Vista, CA 920811-800-550-7270www.sdpets.easyturf.com

LIST YOUR BUSINESS FOR AS LITTLE AS $55 A MONTH

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Animal Adoption OrganizationsA Passion For Paws Akita Rescue(818) 925-4827www.AP assionForPaws.org

Bat Rescue(619) 225-9453www.batrescue.org

Chihuahua Rescue of San Diegowww.ChihuahuaRescueofSanDiego.com

German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue(760) 726-4813www.GSP-Rescue.org

Greyhound Connection(619) 286-4739www.GreyhoundConnection.org

Operation Greyhound(619) 588-6611www.OperationGreyhound.com

Paws of Coronado(619) 522-7371www.PawsOfCoronado.org

Pit Bull Rescue of San Diego(858) 693-7331www.PitBullRescueSanDiego.com

San Diego House Rabbit Society(858) 356-4286www.SanDiegoRabbits.orgS.D. Turtle & Tortoise Society(619) 593-2123www.SDTurtle.org

Westie Rescue of California(619) 579-6395www.WestieRescueCA.com

Balboa Park Grape St. ParkGrape Street at 28thBalboa Park Morley FieldEnter from Alabama St.Balboa Park Nate’s Point6th Ave. and Laurel St.Chula Vista Montevalle Park840 Duncan Ranch Rd.Chula Vista Veterans Park785 E. Palomar St. Clairemont Caeman Park4280 Avati DriveCoronado Dog Beach100 Ocean Blvd.Del Mar Dog Beach3200 Camino del Marwww.delmar.ca.us

Dusty Rhodes ParkBetween Sunset CliffsBlvd. and Nimitz Blvd.El Cajon Wells Park1153 E. Madison Ave.Kearny Mesa Community Park3170 Armstrong St.La Mesa Harry Griffen Park950 Milden St. Mira Mesa Maddox Park7815 Flanders Dr. Mission Bay Fiesta IslandFiesta Island Roadwww. fiestaislandgdp.comOcean Beach Dog BeachWest Point Loma Blvd and Voltaire

Oceanside Dog ParkSan Diego Humane Society2905 San Luis Rey Rd.Otay Ranch Town Center Park2015 Birch Rd.Pacific Beach Capehart ParkSoledad Mountain Rd.,Poway Dog Park13094 Civic Center Dr. www.ci.powa.ca.usUTC Doyle Community Park8175 Regents Road

FIND MORE INFORMATION ONLINE AT:SanDiegoPetsMagazine.com

This has got to be some kind of record! Five dogs surfing on one board at the Loews Coronado Surf DogCompetition early June. Starting from the back of the board:Nani (Peter and Gabi Noll), Dozer (Doug Hokstad andGigi Bagaporo), Deagan (Jeremy and Stephanie Duenas), Toby (Jack Kuerzi) and Jack (Dawn Celapino and Jim Hahn).

Dog Parks and Beaches


Margaret Fleming, age 5. Hyaebin Kim, age 5.

THANK YOU!For participatingin our color page.It was a lot of funto see whateveryone cameup with.

/SanDiegoPets

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Have an

awesome

summer!

H BdD 5MARKETPLACE


san diego pets magazine | july 2011

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