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3 LETTER TO THE EDITOR PUBLISHER/EDITOR Casey Dean COVER ART Some Like It Shot Photography CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kendra Hartmann Martin Jones Westlin GUEST WRITERS John Carlson K.R. Johnson Arden Moore Judith Pierce Lori Albee Sid Shapira Stefanie Schwartz, DVM Jason Sweitzer, DVM We thought we would send you a couple of cute shots of our latest family member, Nikki, who was totally enamored with one of our goldfish, Willy, when we brought Nikki home to our downtown condo from a farm in Fresno in August (Nikki was three months old). Yep it was love at first sight. The little farm kitty fell in love with the goldfish (note the "love" rock in the fishbowl in the shot)! Kevin McKay and Mary Grissom CARTOONIST Barbara Fuscsick Puppy Paws Productions ADVERTISING Casey Dean (619) Casey@SanDiegoPetsMagazine.com Marjorie Kirby (858) mkirbykirby@gmail.com San Diego Pets Magazine is published by Dean Publishing, Inc. P.O. Box , San Diego, Ca No part of this publication may be duplicated or reprinted without express consent from 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 opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to approve or accept advertising orders and content. All contents are copyrighted All rights reserved. /SanDiegoPets San Diego Pets Magazine P.O. BOX San Diego, Ca (619) SANDIEGOPETSMAGAZINE.COM APRIL

4 Dave Mason (left) is a staple at Helen Woodward Animal Center fundraisers, telethon benefits for the San Diego Humane Society and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Dave Mason s connection with animals is a two-way street By 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 Finally, Chance s life was back on track. The 19-month-old retriever mix, who d miraculously bounced back from a near-fatal bullet wound to the torso the morning of Feb. 20, was adopted late last month from the San Diego County Department of Animal Services shelter in Carlsbad (see page 7). Chance reportedly has a way to go in his recovery, but by all accounts, the department matched him to the best possible home, thus ending the latest chapter in one of the area s most compelling news stories of the year. Dave Mason, midday host at XHBCE-FM (105.7, a greatesthits station popularly known as The Walrus), took in the information with a seasoned animal-lover s perspective, the good news fueling a mix of memories within his activist s track record. The Jack Russell terrier (now Mason s dog Jack) found wandering the streets of La Jolla after the Fourth of July fireworks five years ago; the two dogs kept in a garage for at least seven years amid the owner s contempt; the disfigured midsection of a canine burn victim: Mason reflects on them with equal passion. His love of animals is a cause and a calling, his normally upbeat, cultivated DJ voice halting at the thought of it. There s no reason to shoot a dog, he understated to San Diego Pets. There s no reason to keep two animals locked in a garage. It s it s sad. It s absolutely heartbreaking. Maybe it s a dysfunction of what s going on with society. But even as Mason bristles at each of the 1,500 animal cru- 4 APRIL

5 elty reports that cross humane society desks each year, he takes enormous pride in the happy endings, a good number of which he s helped engineer. Stories of abuse and rescue come with the turf when you re as visible as Mason is. He s a staple at Helen Woodward Animal Center fundraisers, telethon benefits for the San Diego Humane Society and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and pet adoption and humane education programs too numerous to count. He reports that this year s humane society telethon, which he hosted on March 17, took in $263,000 that s not a record, but the money was raised in only three hours. Last year s benefit, which netted just under $200,000, lasted five. Mason is quick to add that the money is a product of an enlightened local climate. San Diego is one of the best, if not the best, [animal care] cities in the country, he said. When you see the [humane society s] Gaines Street location, you see that many of the habitats are apartment-like, with carpeting and furniture. The reason for that is that animals can become better accustomed to a home environment as opposed to a kennel environment. Even the animals that need to be quarantined and aren t ready for adoption are handled with heat and light and as many comforts of home as [officials] can think of. I ve been involved with the humane society for most of my time here, Mason continued. I ve seen animals here treated so much better than I saw when I worked in Pittsburgh, for example, or all over Allegheny County. The conditions there were just awful. Just awful. Mason, 64, also saw time in Rochester, N.Y. (his hometown), Buffalo, Cincinnati and Binghamton, N.Y. before landing in San Diego in 1999 at the defunct KJOY-FM. He s been with The Walrus since it went on the air in He lives in Scripps Ranch with his registered-nurse wife Diane and has two sons, Jon, 24, and Adam, 19. Jack the terrier and a bird round out the household and for Mason, the animals may be the key to something bigger than themselves. I am thrilled, he explained, that my two children, who have been in a house with animals all their lives, are so compassionate. The younger one has brought home no less than COVER STORY Dave Mason's animal activism sometimes comes at the expense of his freedom. He's shown in this 2004 photo at a benefit at Grossmont Center, having been locked in a kennel for 36 hours. three dogs he saw running in traffic. Fortunately, we found the owners for all three. He ll go out of his way to find an owner. In fact, Mason said, Adam isn t that far removed from an institution in which animals could take on life-changing roles. There needs to be space for all of us, Mason continued. I think it s very sad that if someone grows up with the capacity to harm an animal, it s probably because the person was treated that way as a child. What I d like to see done in schools is, Here s how you go through life. You go through life getting along with your fellow man and your fellow woman. And here s why animals should be a part of your life. If schools could take kids and animals and put them together, I think we d have nowhere near the trouble we have in schools today. After all, he said, animals are as much an extension of our personalities as we are of theirs. When I see a dog or a cat or a kitten or a raccoon or a fox, he continued, I m just fascinated. Maybe it s because of the crummy zoo we had in Rochester back in the 50s. Or maybe it s because I m married to a nurse. I see how she interacts with people with all sorts of medical conditions. And I ve been to the hospitals. I ve seen kids 3 and 4 years old walking down the hallway with IV trees, four and five bottles hanging off the tree. The kids are, Hey; it s me. Just another day. Animals are the same way in facing adversity, whether it s the dog who B d D 5 H SEE MASON, Page 7 APRIL

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7 B d D H 5 D MASON CONTINUED FROM Page 5 COVER STORY was so badly burned or whether it s Chance. Get em up and running, and it s like nothing ever happened. But something has. For Mason, it started in his Rochester boyhood when a drunk driver hit and killed an Irish setter in plain view. It continued in Cincinnati when he, like an idiot, accidentally let a pet parakeet escape (incredibly, the bird was found five miles away). Heartwarmingly, it came full circle as an elderly couple adopted the burn patient. And so it goes for Chance, who s happily marking his turf in a brand-new yard. Just as he s claimed his owners hearts, there s at least one local media figure who has his back. For more on the San Diego Humane Society, see sdhumane.org. For further information on San Diego County Animal Services, visit sddac.com. Visit for more info on Dave Mason. North Park family welcomes new member On Monday, March 19, San Diego County Animal Services announced that Chance, whose brush with death held the area s attention for several days in late February, has been adopted by a North Park family Sean and Adria Cavanaugh and their two children, Finn, 6, and Molly, 3. Animal Services had received hundreds of applications for Chance s adoption, fielding several requests even before it had begun accepting them. On the morning of Monday, Feb. 20, Chance was shot through the torso and left for dead in a state of shock on the side of an East County road. The county s Department of Animal Services rushed the animal to the VAC emergency animal hospital in Mission Valley, where luck and quick thinking saved his life. The Cavanaughs were chosen from three finalists and welcomed Chance to his new home on Wednesday, March APRIL

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9 Paws for Parkinson s By S I D S H A P I R A G U E S T C O L U M N For nearly four years, Honey Bear has been the constant companion of San Diego s Catherine Rodriguez. They re never far apart -- they walk together, relax at home together, accompany each other on outings, and even travel by plane together. Diagnosed with Parkinson s disease in 1999, Rodriguez wasn t getting enough exercise, something that concerned her neurologist, Dr. Anchi Wang. Regular exercise is extremely beneficial for Parkinson s patients and Dr. Wang recommended to Rodriguez that a dog might fit the bill. Enter Honey Bear in June At the time, Honey Bear, a Great Pyrenees and German shepherd mix, was just two years old. But, she was a trained service dog. I ve always been a dog lover, said Rodriguez, Ed.D., a retired educator who taught in area schools for more than 25 years. From the very first time I walked with Honey Bear, I knew it was going to work. She s the right size and she s just perfect. It made sense for me. A past president of the Parkinson s Association of San Diego (PASD), Rodriguez walks about an hour a day with Honey Bear. In addition, the two regularly attend meetings and appointments. Honey Bear ably assists Rodriguez with presentations to patient groups, state and local government officials, as well as local service groups. Under Rodriguez s direction, the PASD has developed the Paws for Parkinson s program designed to pair service dogs with Parkinson s patients. If a person is interested in the program, they can call the PASD and learn about trainers in the area who train service dogs for Parkinson s patients. Honey Bear sets my gait, so I don t shuffle any more, said Rodriguez. Her step and mine are in perfect harmony. My walking has improved dramatically and I can walk much further because of Honey Bear. Research has shown that people with Parkinson s can benefit greatly from dog ownership. In addition to offering a mandatory opportunity for exercise several times a day, the companionship can also alleviate depression, a condition that is common in Parkinson s patients. Moreover, by assisting with day-to-day tasks and helping protect against falls and resulting injuries, service dogs can help Parkinson s sufferers maintain their independence and stay active. The Paws for Parkinson s program will be on display as part of the Pet Festival at the annual Parkinson s Step By Step 5K Walk/Fun Run on Saturday, April 21 at NTC Park at Liberty Station in Point Loma. It s a great event for the entire family, including dogs. The event supports a wonderful cause by raising funds for research and local programs while offering attendees the opportunity to discover the latest news on caregiving, support, and the benefits of dog ownership. To register for the Step By Step Walk/Fun Run and to learn more about the Paws for Parkinson s program, please visit: or call the PASD office at APRIL

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11 B d D 5 H Behavior Bytes Stefanie Schwartz, DVM, MSc, DACVB Veterinary Behavior Medicine drstef@petbehavior.org Dear Dr. Schwartz, My dog Casey is not well behaved at events. He likes to pull and lunge at other dogs. Sometimes there is a dog off leash that approaches us; I'm not sure what to do. Do you think I should just avoid the situation and leave Casey at home? Casey s Buddy VET Q&A Dear Casey s Buddy, Crowds are stressful for everyone. Some people avoid crowds (and I am one of them I must admit). We become hypervigilant during times of stress; I have no doubt that dogs do too. It sounds to me like Casey becomes defensive in these situations. He may be defending you, or himself, or both. If you think he isn t having fun, and you don t seem to enjoy restraining him at these events, it might be better to leave him at home. The question becomes does he need to be there, or do you need him to be there? Bottom line is this: whatever is best for Casey has to be best for you. Dear Dr. Schwartz, We have 6 cats and live in a 2 bedroom condo. We are also expecting to adopt a baby in the next year or so. Since we introduced Bonkers (cat #6) last year, things have been more complicated. He keeps going after our oldest cat Whiskers, who is a timid and solitary cat. We think he s playing because he chirrs at her and no one is getting hurt, but she definitely doesn t enjoy it and we re losing sleep. What should we do? Going Bonkers Dear Going Bonkers, That s a whole lot of kitties in a small space. High population density means more tension and less places to get away from each other. Try creating more vertical space with cat trees and shelving. Keep Bonkers busy with more play time and keep one of them confined at night so you can all get more rest. Meanwhile, start shopping for a larger home ASAP. It will be better for everyone to get used to a new home before a new child arrives! Dr. Stefanie Schwartz is a board certified veterinary behaviorist based in Southern California. She sees patients at California Veterinary Specialists in Carlsbad and at The Veterinary Neurology Center in Tustin, CA. For more information, please call (949) or visit APRIL

12 D 5 d H B PET PRESS See ad on page 26 Reality Rally Who will let the Dogs out and the snakes out and the horses out Reality Rally Temecula Valley will on April 14th all day at the Temecula City Hall. Reality Rally is a weekend of Fun for Funds raising money for Michelle s Place, breast cancer resource center in Temecula that provides low cost and no cost services to women who are fighting the battle for their lives. Join us all weekend and help us in that fight. Reality Rally is bringing 100 Reality TV Stars to Temecula to meet the public for autographs. We want something for people with many interests so we have the So Cal Surf Dogs and Chopper to meet the public and do Pawtographs.!!! In addition we have Snakes on TV which includes a 21ft python who was on Big Brother and a 8 snake reptile petting zoo. We also have 2 horses who will tell us what our true personality is.no we don t have Mr Ed but close. The weekend is packed full of fun and activities to suit any interest. Winery Parties, Golf and Amazing Race type game and 31 things to do for free. We will also honor our Military with a family photo booth. Free to Military families and a small donation for all other families. Check it all out and don t miss this amazing weekend. April 13th-15th all over Temecula. and Like us on Facebook. facebook.com/realityrally Questions Gillian@realityrally.com In Home Pet Hospice Care Now Offered at Mohnacky Animal Hospital s Mohnacky Animal Hospitals expands offering to include In-Home Hospice and Euthanasia. Our services now include customized home-care dedicated to address and assist with End of Life care for our patients. Our offerings consist of Quality of Life Consultations, In-Home Hospice Care, In- House Euthanasia and Post-Loss Emotional Care for the family. Our veterinarians can help inform the decision to choose between ever intensifying medical treatment, hospice care or euthanasia says Dr. Craig J. Mohnacky, owner and CEO. Dr. Mohnacky continues to add, We will work with each pet s owner to explore all the options and their consequences ethical, medical and financial - as a part of the decision making process. Hospice care can provide the family more time with their ill pet and help the family adjust to the pet s approaching death. Dr. Mohnacky concludes that Hospice can allow the pet to enjoy the last days of life in familiar surroundings in the company of loved ones. Our customized care options help transition patients from standard to palliative to hospice care. Hospice begins at diagnosis and offers a combination of standard, palliative and hospice care options for life-limiting diseases by focusing on pain management and 12 APRIL

13 B d D 5 H minimizing the impact of adverse events. The ability to expand the owner s choices for End-of-Life for their pet was the motivation behind developing this unique offering says Dr. Mohnacky. Our industry has generally overlooked this option and we wanted to fill that gap and be a resource to our clients when they may need us the most Dr. Mohnacky added. Mohnacky Animal Hospitals has three convenient locations, Carlsbad, Vista and Escondido. In-Home Hospice Care is being managed exclusively out of the Vista location. For more information please contact Vista at (760) or visit their website at PET PRESS Ray HAPPILY EVER ADOPTED STORIES Ray was found by a Good Samaritan and brought to the San Diego Humane Society s North Campus last fall. Initially, the year-old Chihuahua was extremely fearful of strange noises and being handled. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the San Diego Humane Society s Behavior & Training team, the timid Ray was able to blossom into a very friendly flower. Today, Ray is known as Mr. Huggins, and his new family absolutely adores him. Mr. Huggins is a wonderful companion and a great addition to our small family. Without the trainer s guidance, I wouldn t have a good dog who loves to give kisses and show lots of love. About the San Diego Humane Society & SPCA The Humane Society offers San Diegans a wide range of programs and services that strengthen the human-animal bond, prevent cruelty/neglect, provide medical care and educate the community on the humane treatment of animals. More informations at APRIL

14 The art of Jim Bates A dog s eyes are compelling to me, says watercolor artist, Jim Bates. That s where he starts to capture the animal s personality. Some dogs are more difficult to paint than others, Bates says. For instance, an almost white dog will have subtle shades of other colors in its fur. I look for those often pale blue, yellow or pink hues. A black dog s coat absorbs color, so its shape the contours and muscles show up as blue or purple. But if the dog s eyes are perfect, regardless of the coat color, the animal comes to life on the paper. A commission of a wiry mixed breed he painted early on became the basis for art demonstrations at the San Diego County Fair. I had fun with that dog, he says. I changed its color from yellow and gold, to brown, to white. I added sunglasses, a baseball cap. He confesses he painted the dog so frequently during the demonstrations he could complete a painting in thirty minutes. Little kids watching me work were fascinated. I loved giving the paintings away to the ones hanging around to see the painting finished. His dog paintings have won a lot of awards. Tango and Ginger, a painting of Bates own Labs earned his first ribbon at the San Diego County Fair in Black Lab in Water, won in 2009, followed by Yellow Lab in My style is representational, and dogs are not the only subjects I paint, he says. Bates uses only three primary colors applied in translucent layers of watercolor glazes to get the bold colors in his work. For me, the planned and frequently accidental experience of mixing water with pigment is spiritual. Bates portrait commission offer is simple. If the owner doesn t like the work, there s no charge and I keep the painting. He works from the owner s photos and photos he takes of the dog. I like to meet the dog to see its expressions and body language. Portrait sizes range from 12 x 12 to 20 x 25. Jim Bates studied art and graphic design at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles. His paintings are exhibited in galleries and shows throughout the West, and are in private collections in Europe and the United States. Bates lives in Fallbrook, California with his wife, and Lab mix Mika. Jim's next show is: April 28-29, Mission Federal ArtWalk, Booth 582 on Date Street, Little Italy, San Diego. See his portfolio at 14 APRIL

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17 Arden Moore, ACCBC, ADCBC Pet trend, behavior and safety expert Showing true love for your pet can be as easy as A-B-C. I m not talking about the alphabet, but rather these life-saving acronyms: airway, breathing, circulation. That s why I encourage you to enroll in a pet first-aid/cpr class for your pet s sake. April is National Pet First Aid Awareness Month. Ask yourself: If your cat suddenly started choking, would you know what to do? If your dog suddenly collapsed, would you know how to revive his breathing? In emergency situations, every minute counts. One of the most important ways to show how much you care for your pet is by being trained in pet first aid. That s what motivated me to become a certified instructor in pet first aid, CPR and safety. The intensive, threeday, hands-on training program was taught by Pet Tech, the internationally recognized leader in pet CPR, first aid and care training. Less than one week after graduation, I had to put my safety skills to the test. Chipper, my 60-pound Golden retriever-husky, excitedly raced to the front door to greet one of my friends. Somehow, Chipper s back right foot got caught in the rug. Her fast movement caused her to rip off one of her back nails. I heard a yelp and saw Chipper limping my way with a trail of blood on my white tile. Quickly, I grabbed my pet first aid kit. We placed Chipper on her side and my friend kept her from wiggling. I elevated Chipper s right back leg above her heart and placed one hand on her pressure point to slow the spewing blood. I then placed gauze pads on her wound. After the fourth gauze pad, the bleeding had stopped. I wrapped her foot and contacted my veterinary clinic to alert them we were on our way. My quick action made this situation from becoming worse and the veterinarian praised me for my bandagewrapping skills. Chipper s foot was examined, re-wrapped. To hasten her recovery, she received pain medications and antibiotics. Thom Somes, the Pet Tech founder who is known as The Pet Safety Guy, has dedicated his life to saving pets lives. This Carlsbad resident is on a mission to improve those odds. He teaches people not only how to react to pet emergencies, but how to be proactive to keep pets out of harm s way. Consider these pet safety tips: Safeguard your pet from a surprising poison. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in sugar-free gum. Curious canines who snatch gum from a purse or off a counter can become quite ill and even die if not given immediate veterinary care. Treat your gum like Download PetSaver App Got a smart phone? For $4.99, you can download the PetSaver App that provides instant access to pet health and safety with the push of a button and the swipe of your finger. Enter the code word: ARDEN. household cleaners and keep it out of paw s reach. Create two kits: pet first aid and pet disaster preparedness. Keep these kits in your home or garage. I also keep a small pet first aid kit in my car along with spare leashes, collars, bottled water and a bath towel. Store pet carriers that you can quickly grab should you receive orders to evacuate in case of a fire or earthquake. Dial S for safety. Make sure your cell phone contains the phone numbers for your veterinarian, emergency vet clinic, pet-welcoming hotels, boarding centers and other key pet contacts. Also have a photo of your pet on your phone so you can show it in case your pet gets lost. Post it on your fridge. Create a document that contains info on each pet, their medical needs, temperaments, names of contacts (veterinary clinic, friends willing to help your pets) along with each pet s photo. Put this in a sealed envelope and taped to your refrigerator door with the words: Pet Emergency Care Info. Also post the phone number for the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on your fridge door. I hope that I never have to perform CPR on my pets, but I feel better able to act should an emergency occur. I encourage you to enroll in a pet safety and wellness course taught by a Pet Techtrained instructor or through the American Red Cross. We love and adore our pets. Each time I come home, I hug my dogs, Chipper and Cleo and my cats, Zeki and Murphy. They respond with sloppy kisses and purrs. When you know pet first-aid, delivering TLC to your pets is as easy as A-B-C. Founder of Four Legged Life.com and creator of National Dog Party Day, Arden Moore is an animal behavior consultant, best-selling author, professional speaker and certified pet first aid instructor. Tune into her Oh Behave! Show on Pet Life Radio and enroll in her pet first aid classes. For more information, please visit and MARCH

18 Age is only a number, especially for pets! By K R J O H N S O N S A N D I E G O P E T S I ve written a number of columns about my cat Coco and how she came to me. What I may not have mentioned is that I have no idea how old she is. Although I feel she is around 9 or 10, there is no way for me to know. An 11-year-old cat, or a 10-year-old dog, is approximately 65 in human years. But what does it matter? She is a happy, healthy, sweet-tempered cat who loves to pounce on her catnip mice when they get a little too rambunctious. But she s one of the lucky ones. So many sweet animals are put down simply because they are too old to be adopted out. They are elderly. They are now disposable. I hate the word elderly. The word is uttered in the same hushed tone as one might say cancer or brain tumor or pink-slipped. Since when did a person or a pet become elderly just because they have lived 65-plus years on this planet? (I m not making this up. It s the definition.) My mom is 73 and is healthier and more spirited than I am! She works fulltime, she drives all over the place, she does not need glasses (where I sometimes wear two pair my regular seeing glasses and then a pair of readers over them; talk about looking ridiculous!) and she never needs a doctor. If she does have to have a yearly physical, she takes me with her because they don t believe her when she tells them she is on no medications. And you should hear the conversations she has with my little Coco-nut when she thinks I m not listening. Talk about kindred spirits! Oh, she grouses to me about having to occasionally feed Coco when I m out of town, but the conversation actually goes something like this: MOM: Good morning, Coco. COCO: Mmmrrrroooww. MOM: Are you hungry? COCO: (Loud purring) MOM: Yes, I know Kris abandoned you. But don t worry. I m here to take care of you. (Sets food down and gives her a scritch under her chin.) COCO: Mmm, no one opens a can of tuna like Grandma! How about we start a free adoption program of pairing elderly pets with elderly humans? Think about it what a win-win proposition. The pets get adopted to wonderful, kind, caring homes, and the people get the amazing love and companionship that only a furry friend can give. Adult pets are so much easier to manage. They are already housebroken and used to feeding routines and walking routines, and they sleep more than puppies and kittens. You get twice the love for half the work of a much younger pet, and for those people with elderly issues, this makes opening your doors to a furry friend that much more attractive. Let s just do it. Forget the numbers and focus on the love. 18 APRIL

19 A Woof n Rose by any other name... By M A R K C A R L S O N S A N D I E G O P E T S Luck often plays a role in our lives, and never more so than when a special animal comes along. This was the case for Marilyn and Steve Kahle (pronounced Collie) of Ramona, who own a small winery called Woof n Rose. The label tells part of the story but not all. It hints at the remarkable story of how a dog, actually several dogs, inspired a couple to find happiness in a vineyard, spurred on by their furry partners. After meeting in college in Missouri in 1968, Marilyn and Steve were married the following year. Marilyn, who goes by the nickname Woofy freely admits to being a dog lover. Steve learned I was an animal lover because I always petted and played with them whenever I was around one, Marilyn said. He gave me a puppy for Christmas. Marilyn s mother, upon seeing them bringing home the new dog, said to Steve, I was going to tell you about her and dogs. This was Steve s first clue to what he could expect in the future. Several other furry friends joined them over the years, including an AKC registered red dachshund named Anastasia Alexandra. The Kahles moved to Poway before buying land in Ramona to raise their family in the 1980s. After a trip to the Napa Valley, the idea of a vineyard took root, so to speak. We were just enchanted by the beauty of the vineyards and decided to try growing grapes here, Steve commented. We just planted some and sure enough, they grew. Their small vineyard eventually expanded to include Grenache Noir, Cabernet Franc, and Alicante Bouschet grapes. When asked about how they learned the business of making wine, Marilyn said, No matter where we went we found people willing to help us learn. There s really no dog-eat-dog in the winery world, she chuckled. The family s dogs played a pivotal role. The name Woof n Rose was born with the first fifty grape plants in Rebelle, a black Labrador/Cocker Spaniel mix who looked like a black Irish Setter was a staple of Woof n Rose. Rebelle was always down in the vineyards with me, Steve said. She was right next to me while I was digging and planting. She licked my ears or lay in the sun. She was more a vegetarian than a carnivore, Marilyn observed. She loved grapes, broccoli, green beans, asparagus, whatever. We knew dogs shouldn t eat grapes but she never had a problem. Marilyn s artwork of Rebelle adorns their label. Our son Ehren s chocolate Labrador Kona actually helped dig the holes, she said. He was an old dog. And when he passed, we put his ashes in the vineyard. The dogs were part of the land, and on hand for plantings and harvests. In 1999 came Liberty and Champagne. I went into town to pick up some Liberty Ale. But I came back with two puppies, Marilyn said unabashedly. They were sisters, white German Shepherd and Yellow Labrador mixes. I got them from a box in front of K-Mart. Liberty was more my dog than Steve s, and when she died in July of 2010, I was very down. But sometimes salvation comes in furry packages. One morning in September we were watching the news and at the end of the broadcast they showed this dog at the Humane Society needing a home. We took off and were at the Humane Society before the dog came back from the TV station. She was a beautiful Shepherd mix and hopped up to my lap and gave me kisses. That was love at first sight. I saved her life and she saved mine. They named the new dog Syrah, a dark flavored wine. SEE WINERY, Page 21 APRIL

20 D 5 d H B RABBITS So it s Easter time, and you want to adopt a bunny! RABBIT EVENTS STORY TELLING & BUNNY TOY MAKING FOR KIDS Saturday, April 7 1 to 2:30 p.m.; FREE Recommended for children 4 to 8 years 4805 Mercury Street, Suite C, San Diego, CA For more info or to register: events@sandiegorabbits.org BUNNY 1O1 Saturday, April a.m. to 1 p.m Mercury Street, Suite C, San Diego, CA $15 each or $20 per family (limit 3) Thinking of getting a rabbit companion or just got one for Easter? Learn how to properly care for a rabbit including diet, housing, litter box training and more. Supplies available for purchase. RSVP to: ducation@sandiegorabbits.org ARE YOU READY FOR: - INITIAL COSTS of $ for supplies (rabbits grow up fast, so we do NOT recommend buying a cheap starter cage ) plus $ for a spay or neuter if your bunny hasn t been altered? - TAKING THE TIME to bunny-proof your house before bringing the rabbit home, to keep bunny safe and reduce the possibility of damage to your house and possessions? - 10 YEARS OF DAILY CLEANUP, fresh food, water and hay, exercise and attention, even if the family member who initially most wants the rabbit soon loses interest? - $ A MONTH for litter, fresh vegetables, hay, pellets, toys, and other necessary items? - 10 YEARS OF GROOMING and nail trims and the associated expense if you don t want to do it yourself? - YEARLY TRIPS TO THE VET for well-bunny exams, with the accompanying fees, and more often if your rabbit becomes ill? STILL INTERESTED? Here is an interactive website you can visit to help you get started: REMEMBER- stuffed toys, chocolate rabbits, and baskets of colored eggs or cut flowers are perfectly appropriate gifts for the season that don t need ongoing care. Bringing home a live animal requires a lifetime commitment to that animal- a big responsibility for anyone, and one that no child can make on his or her own. Parents are always the ultimate caretaker if a child loses interest in a pet, so make certain that the adults in the family want another animal in the household before bringing one home. No one wants to abuse, neglect, or abandon a pet! Be sure of a lifelong home before you buy or adopt! Happy Spring! By Lori Albee, House Rabbit Society 20 APRIL

21 B d D 5 H WINERY CONTINUED FROM Page 19 THE TALE WAGGING THE DOG Woof n Rose Winery has a long history of canine paw prints among the grapevines. Visitors are sure to see dogs running happily around the yard, welcoming them as they sample the excellent vintages. Besides Syrah, one of them would be Tawny, a Yellow Labrador. Her full name is Tawny Miss of Woof n Rose, Marilyn said. Her name comes from Tawny Port, another wine. Their successful rescue of dogs and giving them a warm and unique home has reaped benefits even they can t describe. Liberty, Champagne and Kona live on in the rows of verdant vines ripe with the golden pearls of sweet grapes. One of our blends is called Puppy Love, while our Eglatine is a variety of Briar Rose, grown in Europe. Its Latin name translated into English means Dog Rose. Is it pure chance that Marilyn and Steve found their happiness among the grapevines? Being adventurous and loving the land helped but they can t ignore how luck in the form of canine love led the way. The couple plan to release a year-end wine called Happy Tails later this year. For more information, go to: MARK CARLSON, 51 lives in San Diego with his wife Jane and his Guide dog Musket. A docent at the San Diego Air & Space Museum and aviation historian, Mark writes for several national aviation magazines. He is a featured speaker for many local adult education programs. His first book, Confessions of a Guide Dog The Blonde Leading the Blind is a humorous memoir about the adventures of life with Musket. It is available in through Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com and iuniverse.com. You can reach Mark and Musket through APRIL

22 The American Dream goes organic Marie Svet might perhaps perfectly embody the American Dream at least insofar as that dream still exists. Her story isn t one of rags-to-riches, but she has certainly achieved something many only dream of: she built a company from the ground up, simply because she wanted a particular product and couldn t find it on the market. When Svet moved to California from Paris in 2007, she fell in love with the health-conscious lifestyle that seems to rule this part of the country. She realized By K E N D R A H A RT M A N N S A N D I E G O P E T S I immediately fell in love with my two girls and wanted to provide them with the best products possible, the way that I would for any member of my family, she could live a life here almost entirely based on healthy choices for herself and the planet from where she shopped to where she ate. It was only after she adopted two rescue dogs, Nola and Sweetpea, however, that she realized those choices were limited when it came to the lives of her pets. I immediately fell in love with my two girls and wanted to provide them with the best products possible, the way that I would for any member of my family, Svet said. I searched everywhere but was disappointed when I was unable to find a quality product that met my eco-friendly and healthy choices. But, as Svet said, America is known as the land of dreams, and so she couldn t simply sit idly by while there was progress to be made. I figured that if I couldn't find the products that I was looking for, I would just create my own, she said. And create her own she did. Svet went to work designing a line of all natural dog shampoo and conditioner that eventually emerged as Organic Oscar. The products are organic and biodegradable, and are especially useful for dogs with sensitive skin. The desire to create something that would allow her dogs to live a lifestyle similar to her own was natural, she said. People are becoming more aware of the importance of being healthy and environmentally friendly, and that lifestyle is just as important for pets, Svet said. As one of the few organic dog-grooming products, I like that we provide people with a more natural option. And it didn t hurt that Svet happened to live in one of the most petfriendly places around. San Diego, she said, has been particularly welcoming to products like hers. Almost any day of the year you BUSINESS LISTINGS Ark Animal Hospital Small animal veterinary hospital 6171 Balboa Avenue, SD, CA Open Mon Sat (858) Bark Avenue Resort and Kamp 655 Benet Road, Oceanside, CA (760) Ext. 7 info@barkforpets.com California Veterinary Specialists 2310 Faraday Ave., Carlsbad, CA 92008, (760) days 24 hrs. County of San Diego Department of Animal Services (619) Dog Beach Dog Wash Do-It-Yourself Service Accessories 4933 Voltaire St., San Diego, CA (619) EasyTurf A Field Turf Company Request a FREE DESIGN consultation 2750 La Mirada Dr, Vista, CA GET LISTED! Call (619) for rates. Four Legged Life Pet event speaker Arden Moore Dog/cat behavior consults Host dog parties (760) Fuzzy Wolf Canine Training Academy Cert. Trainer Program, Group & Private Pet Parent training. (831) fuzzywolfservices@gmail.com Home Buddies by Camp Bow Wow Dog Walking, Pet Sitting & Dog Training Bonded and Insured (619) APRIL

23 B d D 5 H PET BUSINESS can find dogs and pet parents at the beach, hiking or visiting a local farmer s market, she said. San Diegans take pride in their community and there is something very special about that. We are very proud to be a San Diego company. As for how proud San Diego is to be the host to Organic Oscar, Svet s clientele can be the gauge of that. Her customers, she said, epitomize that famed Southern California lifestyle, those who, she said, live a healthy lifestyle, are outdoorsy and support local companies. Our clients care about the values of the company, not just the products, Svet said. Organic Oscar is an environmentally friendly product biodegradable formula, recyclable bottle cruelty-free and believes in giving back to the community. We are a socially responsible company and people seem to really appreciate that. That appreciation, meanwhile, isn t lost on Svet. After all, Organic Oscar came about because she wanted a worthwhile product for herself and her pets, not simply to make money. We spent a lot of time creating the perfect product, she said, something that every dog and dog parent would love. Organic Oscar s offers Organic Oatmeal Shampoo: Made with organic oatmeal and organic chamomile to gently clean and soothe dry, itchy skin. Organic Aloe Vera Shampoo: Replenishes skin with organic aloe vera and organic leaf extracts. Organic Aloe Vera Conditioner: Uses organic aloe vera and organic jojoba oils to clean deep while creating a softer and stronger coat. Organic Oscar products are organic, all natural and biodegradable and do not contain soap, parabens, sulfates, petroleum based ingredients, artificial dyes or artificial fragrances. The products were created under veterinarian supervision and are made in the USA to adhere to and exceed high formulation standards. The products are specially recommended for puppies, sensitive or dry skin, and frequent wash. BUSINESS LISTINGS Iceland Pure The Clean Power of Nature Unscented pharmaceutical-grade salmon oil for your pets. Leashes and Love Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Company Serving San Diego and surrounding areas (619) Leash Your Fitness Fitness class for you and your DOG. Classes / events throughtout San Diego Lu Meyer, Obedience Academy K-9 Family Matters, Only the best will do! Trusted, Experienced, Award Winning Obedience Training. (760) Mission Animal & Bird Hospital 655 Benet Road, Oceanside, CA (760) info@missionanimal.com National Cat Protection Society A shelter whose mission is dedicated to the protection and welfare of cats Birch St. Spring Valley (619) Pet First Aid 4 U Dog and cat 1st aid, CPR classes Hands-on training. Earn certificate. Throughout S.D. (760) PoopPac Dog Walkers Case BAG IT PAC IT TRASH IT! Enjoy your walk in style No Odor - No Mess - It Works! Project Wildlife Wildlife rehabilitation and education 887 1/2 Sherman Street, SD, CA Wildlife Hotline APRIL

24 D 5 d H B Rescue, Adoption and Service Organizations A Passion For Paws (Akita Rescue) (818) assionforpaws.org Baja Dog Rescue (619) Bat Rescue Boxers N Birds (all breeds rescue and adoption) Like us on Facebook Mission Ave. Oceanside, CA (760) x224 Cat Adoption Service (760) Chihuahua Rescue of San Diego Forgotten Paws Animal Rescue German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue (760) Greyhound Connection Independent Therapy Dogs, Inc. A non-profit therapy dog organization providing therapy dog visits for anyone who would like one. itdi-2010@att.net It s The Pits Specializing in the Bully Breeds (858) List Srv 4 Therapy Dog Teams A listing service/electronic bulletin board. listsrv4therapydog@att.net Operation Greyhound (619) Paws of Coronado (619) Pit Bull Rescue of San Diego (858) Rescue House (760) San Diego House Rabbit Society (858) S.D. Turtle & Tortoise Society (619) Second Chance Dog Rescue (619) 721-DOGS (3647) Westie Rescue of California (619) RESOURCE GUIDE Emergency Hospitals BONITA/CHULA VISTA Pet Emergency & SpecialtyCenter of South County (619) Canarios Court, #108, Chula Vista, CA CARLSBAD California Veterinary Specialists (760) Faraday Ave., Carlsbad, CA 92008, 7 days 24 hrs. ENCINITAS VCA North Coast Veterinary & Emergency (760) Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas, CA 92024, ESCONDIDO Animal Urgent Care of Escondido (760) A S. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, CA 92025, 7 Days 24 hrs. KEARNY MESA/CLAIREMONT Animal ER of San Diego (858) Kearny Mesa Road, San Diego, CA M-F 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. Sat. Sun. 24 hrs. LA MESA Pet Emergency & Specialty Center (619) Jackson Drive #105, La Mesa, CA 91942, 7 Days 24 hrs. MISSION VALLEY VCA Emergency Animal Hospital & Referral Center (619) Hotel Circle South, San Diego, CA 92108,7 Days 24 hrs. MURRIETA California Veterinary Specialists (951) Hancock Ave. #116, Murrieta, CA 92562, 7 days 24 hrs. POWAY Animal Emergency Clinic (858) Poway Road, Poway, CA M-F 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. Sat. Sun. 24 hrs. SAN MARCOS Veterinary Specialty Hospital (760) Montiel Road, Suite 104, San Marcos, CA SORRENTO VALLEY Veterinary Specialty Hospital (858) Sorrento Valley Road., San Diego, CA Days 24 hrs. Animal Shelters & Humane Societies ACCEPT STRAYS & HAVE ADOPTION BAY PARK/MISSION VALLEY County Animal Services 5480 Gaines St., CA (619) Hours: Tues-Sat 9:30am to 5:30pm BONITA County Animal Services 5821 Sweetwater Road, CA (619) Hours: Tues-Sat 9:30am to 5:30pm CAMP PENDLETON Camp Pendleton Animal Shelter 4th St. Area 25 Bldg CA (760) CARLSBAD County Animal Services 2481 Palomar Airport Road, CA (619) Hours: Tues-Sat 9:30am to 5:30pm CHULA VISTA City of Chula Vista Animal Shelter 130 Beyer Way, CA (619) Hours: M-F 10am to 5pm Sat. 10am to 4pm CORONADO Animal Control Facility 700 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA (619) Hours: 7 days 8:30am to 4:30am EL CAJON City of El Cajon Animal Shelter 1275 N. Marshall Ave., CA (619) Hours: Tues-Sat 10am to 5:30pm ESCONDIDO Escondido Humane Society 3450 E. Valley Parkway, CA (760) Hours: 7 days 10am to 5pm OCEANSIDE San Diego Humane Society-North (For dogs) 2905 San Luis Rey Road, CA (619) Hours: 7 days 10am-4pm San Diego Humane Society-North (For cats ) 572 Airport Road, CA (619) Hours: 7 days 10am-4pm ACCEPT OWNER RELINQUISHED ANIMALS BAY PARK/MISSION VALLEY San Diego Humane Society-San Diego Campus 5500 Gaines Street, CA (619) Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-6pm Sat-Sun 11am-5pm EL CAJON Friends of Cats Olde Highway 80, CA, (619) Hours: Tues-Sun 10am to 4pm ENCINITAS Rancho Coastal Humane Society 389 Requeza Street, CA (760) Hours: 11am -5pm every day except Tues. 11:30am-5pm RANCHO SANTA FE Helen Woodward Animal Center 6461 El Apajo Road, CA (858) Hours: 7 days 11am to 6pm SPRING VALLEY National Cat Protection Society 9031 Birch Street, CA (619) Hours: Tue.-Sat. Noon to 5pm 24 APRIL

25 Welcome to the Dr.'s Corner. I am Dr. Jason Sweitzer and I am a veterinarian at Mission Animal and Bird Hospital in Oceanside with a specific interest in Emergency Medicine, Behavior, and Exotic Animals. This column is your chance to ask a vet your questions. I ll pick topics that are the most timely and useful to pet owners but will try to respond to all s. Please submit your questions to info@missionanimal.com. Q: I AM WORRIED THAT MY DOG MIGHT BE GETTING FAT. WILL THAT CAUSE HIM ANY PROBLEMS AND HOW DO I KNOW WHAT HIS IDEAL WEIGHT SHOULD BE? you have to remember that not all dogs are created A:First, equal. A bulldog should not look like a greyhound or a maltese. That being said, the best guideline may be feeling your dog's ribs. Ball one hand into a fist and gently rub across your knuckles with the other hand - this is too thin. Now open your hand flat, palm up and gently feel over your knuckles on the palm side - this is too fat. Now flip your flat hand over and feel the knuckles again - this is the Goldilocks point. Now place your hands barely touching the skin over the ribs and compare. At least 25-40% are overweight or obese. For more tips and advice specific to your dog, please see your veterinarian. Secondly, you have to consider the health risks of an overweight animal. Diabetes is one, but did you also know about the increased risk and severity of hip dysplasia, arthritis, and even skin infections. Two hidden risks: money (feeding more food, higher doses of medications, and more frequent/serious vet visits) and it shortens their life span. I am not talking about days or months, I mean years. A major study showed nearly two years less for labradors, and an increased risk of several health problems. My dog was 75 lbs. and needed pain meds twice a day for her hips. She lost 5 lbs. and hasn't needed the meds for more than 5 years. You want to tackle this but your dog has his imprint on the couch and your cat laughs at you when you show him the leash or the treadmill. Now what? While exercise is great and always recommended, it only goes go so far. Diet and treats have the greatest affect on weight. Your pet food probably says "AAFCO: Approved for all life stages." That means that a pregnant dog or a puppy of the same weight will get enough calories and nutrition from the same food. Remember that pet food companies make more money if you feed more so they play a dirty trick. The feeding guide is meant for an Olympic sprinter. My dog is supposed to get 5 cups a day but any more than 2, and she gains weight. First try to cut out the treats, especially any table scraps or human food as they can be more calories than the whole meal. Second, switch to a true measuring cup and decrease 10% every month until you start to notice weight loss. Many vets will let you weigh your animal any time you want at no charge so weigh them each month and have them note it in the record. Tip: use several kibble from their next meal as their treat. Slow and steady wins the race. With swimsuit and dog park seasons nearly upon us, now is the time to get your dog in top shape. Remember that a thin and healthy dog will cost you less, have less medical problems, a better quality of life, and live longer. Until next month, stay healthy, stay active, and ask yourself "Would you rather give the treat or have several extra years with your dog. List your Business, call (619) for rates. BUSINESS LISTINGS Puptown Doggie Daycare th Street. San Diego, CA (619) San Diego Humane Society & SPCA (619) SD House Rabbit Society (858) Shelter Dogs To Dream Dogs Learning With Love Dog Training Animal Behavioral Specialist (619) , k9andk8@gmail.com Whole Dog Sports Center Dog training agility sports. All levels. 6,000 sq ft indoor field. Classes available. Located in Carlsbad (760) Silva s Dog Training Training Puppies and Adult Dogs From the Moment They Arrive Home! (760) Sophie Bella's Studio Professional Photography Call Us for Your Holiday Photos Star Grooming on Fifth Professional Pet Stylist 1845 Fifth Ave (Between Elm & Fir) (619) The Total Dog, Swim & Gym 3060 Industry St., Ste. 108 Oceanside, CA DOG (1364) TouchNpaws & MakeNscents Comfort * Wellness * Mobility Serving the North County area (Mira Mesa up) (619) TTouch for dogs, cats and rabbits By certified practitioner Mary E. Cannon VetDepot Discount Pet Meds & Supplies Save up to 60% on all leading brands including: Frontline, Cosequin, Greenies & Heartgard APRIL

26 CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS April is National Pet First Aid Awareness Month Meet The Vet Night Whole Dogs Sports Center First Friday of Every Month. Reality Rally April 13-15, More info on page 12 Del Mar Pet Expo April 14-15, 2012 Parkinson s Step by Step 5K Walk/Run, April 21, 2012 Liberty Station, See page 9 Walk For The Animals Crown Point, May 5, Pet Day on the Bay May 12, :30am, 12pm & 1pm See page 13 M ore events and details posted online: 26 APRIL

27 B d D 5 H MARKETPLACE Be Your Pet s Health Ally! Pet First Aid/CPR classes APRIL

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