LCDM- DEC-JAN 2016

Brian Foster Publisher, BUSINESS RELATIONS

Vanessa Zuloaga Publisher, CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Taco Chief Canine Correspondent

Peanut Columnist CONTRIBUTORS

Southern Vintage Design and Photography www.southernvintagedesign.com

YOUR SOURCE FOR ALL THINGS

Writers

Isabelle Maloney

Dr. Janet McKim

Julie Murray

Founded in Charleston, South Carolina as a print magazine, we have been consulting since 2005 with the area’s pet experts to bring you a complete guide to living your best life with your pet in the lowcountry.

LCDM believes that our dogs are our best friends, and that’s why we need a reliable source to turn to for information on all things “dog” in our community. Our mission is to be the number one local resource for dog owners regarding regional dog-centric and dogwelcoming events, health & wellness information, dog training, trends, and local news. We also strive to be a mouthpiece to the public for various lowcountry-based pet nonprofits, and we promote pet adoption and other responsible pet care practices.

YOUR LOCAL SOURCE FOR ALL THINGS DOG

WELCOME TO

PEANUT's

TIPS AND TREATS

TOP THINGS TO AVOID THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Mistletoe, Holly and Poinsettias are all dangerous if ingested. Stick to the fakes!

Don't leave candles untended, our fluffy happy tails can knock them over and cause a fire.

Be mindful of human food and sweets. Bones and many human foods are not good for us dogs. Stick with treats we can safely enjoy.

Watch wires and batteries, these can give us a real shock if we decide to chew on them. Make sure that tree you brought in the house is secure, you won't want us to knock it over or it fall on us and why can't we pee on it again? It is a tree, right?

EAT, DRINK & RESCUE Dog Adoption Event

Sunday, January 10 12-5pm

1234 Camp Road, James Island

NEW YEAR's RESOLUTIONS FOR ME AND MY DOG!

by Brian Foster

by Isabelle Maloney

As for most of us, my dog instantly became the love of my life. Within minutes of meeting him and barely knowing anything about him, I adopted him. My dog, Dale, is a handsome Labrador/Pitbull mix and is almost two years old. His previous owner was neglectful and denied him any chance to express the overwhelming love that he has to offer, but thankfully we were brought together and now I am the recipient of that love. I always look forward to our daily trips to the dog park, even though he manages to find the largest mud pit and immediately lays directly in it. He’s the best alarm clock I’ve ever had. His adorable face makes it impossible to be mad at him for waking me up at eight o’clock on my mornings off. He is always so excited for another day, whether he’s napping in his favorite chair, swimming in the lake at the James Island dog park, or sitting with me while I work on my homework.

While he is an amazing dog, we certainly still have things to work on. With the coming of the New Year, the first thing we are going to learn is personal space. Dale doesn’t quite understand that not everyone wants to have a dog in their lap every time they try to sit down, especially when he’s 65-pounds.

His uncontrollable excitement upon meeting a new friend is n always appreciated, especially when it’s the mailman who wa exactly pleased with Dale’s paw prints decorating his uniform Needless to say, he is now more cautious when he comes to d Dale’s monthly Barkbox. The next thing we are going to work understand that not all food is his food, which I unfortunately contribute to by giving him an occasional tater-tot on our Son My relatives were certainly not happy with his eagerness to in when he grabbed a few slices of turkey off of the table during Thanksgiving dinner. My grandmother, who had spent hours preparing the meal, was not as amused, but thankfully she ev found it as funny as the rest of us did. It could’ve been worse; he didn’t get the whole turkey. The last of our big resolutions New Year is one that will be most difficult for me, but I expect the one he enjoys the most, which is my promise to take him runs. Running is one of his favorite activities, and one of the m things I hate, but hopefully I will learn to love it like he does. W many things to improve, but having Dale be a part of my life h the most rewarding experience I have been blessed with thus Even though I grew up having dogs, cats, goats, bunnies, and have never felt such a strong connection to one of my four-leg friends.

Want for Christmas is y Two Front Teeth!

by Dr. Janet McKim

VCA Charles Towne Animal Hospital

Dogs have 42 adult teeth. Cats have 28. What happens to those choppers from puppyhood to their senior years depends on you. Dogs and cats develop gum and dental disease the same way we do. Bacteria in the mouth infiltrate the gum tissue causing infection on the surfaces of the teeth and around the gums. The gums become irritated and if plaque is not removed, infected. The infection spreads along the tooth root into the bone supporting the teeth. Meanwhile tartar begins to form on the tooth surface as calcium from the saliva settles into the plaque. This gritty surface begins to form within days and attracts more plaque. Soon we have a tooth that is bumpy and brown instead of white and slick accelerating the process.

Plaque bacteria smell awful. To make it worse your dog and cat licks its fur spreading the foul odor from paws to his tail. You might also notice your pet doesn’t chew comfortably, tips his head slightly to slide the food away from an infected or loose tooth. He might drop food or even refuse it. There may be bleeding when he tries to chew his favorite toy. In the most severe cases you may notice a lump develop on his face under his eye – this is an abscessed tooth root. Not all abscessed roots form a lump on the face. But all rotten teeth hurt. Ask anyone unfortunate enough to have experienced a dental abscess. Your dog and cat can’t tell you but they are living in chronic pain. The damage doesn’t stop here. The normal barrier provided by healthy gums has been breached; bacteria from the infection are entering the bloodstream (bacteremia) heading to the liver, kidney, and heart tissue. Your pet’s health is at risk.

Help your pet keep more than his two front teeth!

Following these steps can can help keep teeth and gums healthy in dogs and cats:

1. Have your pet’s teeth evaluated by your veterinarian.

2. Have them professionally cleaned if recommended to begin your home care plan with a clean surface (remember you get your teeth cleaned every 6 months and you brush! It’s no surprise your pet may be due for a cleaning if he’s never brushed his teeth!)

3. Start brushing your pet’s teeth at home – this is the gold standard and your veterinarian or veterinary technician can help teach you how.

4. Not every pet will allow their owners to brush their teeth, no matter how much they love them. If you own one of these go to step 5!

5. Formulate a home plan using products approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC.org); tested by veterinary dentists for safety and efficacy.

I recommend a combination approach for home care, a supplement in their water (they have to drink right?), a dental diet (you’re going to feed them, right?) And a variety of chew toys to encourage removal of plaque before it has a chance to be evil.

The results will surprise and possibly delight you and your pet.

A Home for the Holidays!

HANK WISHES FOR A FOREVER HOME!

Photography by Southern Vintage Design and Photography

Hank is a 2 year old terrier mix with an abundance of energy. He is not a bad dog, but Hank is scared and afraid and in order to compensate for his fear he shows a lot of nervous energy and requires lots of attention. He was found as a stray, never given the chance to develop important social and behavioral skills. The only dog at Pet Helpers deemed ‘dog aggressive’ by behavior expert Amy Sadler, Hank’s anxiety is often mistaken for aggression. He is just a nervous dog trying to deal with his own fear and emotions of living a lonely life in the shelter. Let it be known that while Hank is most certainly a highly energetic dog, he is one of the sweetest, funniest, best-pal kind of dogs around. He wears a perpetual smile and never seems to be able to keep that wagging tail still.

At first, Hank was considered one of our difficult cases. Labeled aggressive, unable to socialize with other animals at the shelter, and a requiring a lot of work and constant attention from Pet Helpers’ animal care technicians. Day after week after month, our staff worked so very diligently with Hank, aiming to help Hank become a well behaved dog, one no one could say no to when seeing him on the adoption floor.

Meet Dixie (RIGHT) She is a sweet girl but is shy. Dixie responds to her name and basic commands.

Lucky and Cricket (BELOW) are very attentive and loving dogs. Cricket is the attention hog but Lucky becomes more social quickly. Cricket likes rib rubs, tennis balls, digging in the dirt, and getting his backside scratched. Lucky likes getting his neck scratched and laying in the sun They suffered a traumatic experience when their previous owner was the victim of a violent crime.

Pet Helpers’ behavioral staff and animal care technicians continue to work tirelessly on his behavior, social skills, and hyperactivity. Leash walking, play time, and socialization have been big developments for Hank. While months ago he was labeled ‘dog aggressive’ , now Hank even skateboards with staff to the dog park, enjoys play groups and can be leash walked appropriately. Hank has made some major changes and improvements in his behavior, but it is still recommended that he is the only animal in the house, and that Hank’s adopter be fully aware that continuing training is extremely important for Hank’s continued behavioral growth.

We were so glad when Hank arrived at Pet Helpers. He has been at Pet Helpers for 375 days and counting. Far too long for a great dog like Hank. We know with more hard work, behavioral training, and care, Hank will one day find a forever home with the patience and love he so deserves. Until then, Hank continues to need your help. Your strong and steady support allows us to help animals like Hank get a second chance at a bright future. He is an amazing dog. Incredibly smart, active and charismatic, he’d be a great candidate for a CEO job! Hank couldn’t have come to a better place.

Home For The HolidaysDogs for Adoption

GHoliday ift Guide Shop Local!

GHoliday ift Guide

Harry Barker designer beds- various sizes, colors and prices

Harry Barker Holiday Toys from $8

Lola & Foxy Leashes from $18

Many more items, come shop today!

Taco's Picks GHoliday

ift Guide

Choosing the Right Dog for your Lifestyle

By Julie Murray

Photo by Southern Vintage Design

You have finally decided that the time is right to get a dog! Life is good. Then it hits you - where the heck do I begin?!?

You are not alone in your struggle. There are more than 400 dog breeds worldwide and it may seem like a daunting task. However, we are here to help make things easier and make sure you and your new furry family member are as happy as possible!

Dogs come in all shapes, sizes and personalities. You may have an idea in your head of your “perfect dog” but there are lots of things to consider before you make your final decision.

Here are some questions to ask yourself before adopting?

How long will the dog be alone each day?

Do you have a flexible job that will allow you to go home at lunchtime for walks?

What is your usual level of activity? Are you a couch potato or a ball of energy?

Do you want a dog who is very affectionate or one who will do his own thing?

Will you be able to keep up with grooming for certain breeds?

What is your living situation? For example, if you live in a small one-bedroom apartment, a large, active dog is probably not for you unless you can commit to daily trips to the dog park.

Do you have small children? Not all breeds may be compatible with kids.

This list is not all-inclusive, but it should provide you with a good jumping off point. Also, you may want to complete this 10 question survey from Animal Planet - it asks you all the right questions and provides a recommendation of your “top breed” as well as a list of “runners up” . http://www.animalplanet.com/breedselector/dog-breeds.html Once you have your lifestyle figured out, it may be time to head over to your local animal shelter. If you are still unsure of the kind of dog that is right for you, ask to speak with an adoption counselor and they can provide you with additional guidance and recommendations based on their experience and knowledge of dog behavior. Another resource to take advantage of is Petfinder.com. They help you find the type of dog you are looking for and provide all kinds of information on adoption, local shelters, pet care and much more.

Another important thing to do during this process is keep an open mind! If you restrict yourself to looking for the “ideal dog” you can miss out on an amazing animal. For example, if you are set on adopting a puppy, you may want to branch out and consider a dog who is a bit older. He may be past the chewing and jumping phase and perhaps is already housetrained! Or, if you had your heart set on a purebred dog, consider adopting a mixed breed. They are more likely to be free of genetic defects common to purebreds.

By now, you should be feeling confident in your knowledge of how to choose the dog that is best for you! Just do your research, take your time and before you know it, you will have a furry friend who fits right in with your family.

Hank- 3 y

Luna

H O M E M A D E

P

E

A N U T B U T T E R

C O O K I E S .

A simple and easy recipe to make your favorite dog a treat they will love.

INGREDIENTS

2½ cups rice flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup natural peanut butter

1 cup water

2 tablespoons honey 1 egg

Happy Holidays!

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350F

In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, and the egg. Add peanut butter, water, honey and stir until you have stiff dough. the dough becomes very firm and sticky. you may need to use your hands, or the paddle attachment on your mixer.

Roll out the dough about ½ inch thick between 2 sheets of cling wrap and use a cookie cutter to make fun shapes. the treats barely spread and rise, so get creative with your shapes.

Bake for 20 minutes, until golden.

Keep in an airtight container or give as gifts!

Bear

Sassy Susie

Email us about your events to be featured here!

contact@lowcountrydog.com

EVENT CALENDAR

December

12/12 Santa Paws for Valiant Animal Rescue Doggie pics with Santa Claus ­Greystar Daniel Island Village

12/12 SHARE the LOVE at Crews Subaru of Charleston, toy donations, pictures w Santa. 11­2pm

12/12 Folly Beach Christmas Parade

12/13 20th Annual Christmas Light Parade and Tree Lighting, Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant 5:30pm

12/9, 12/16, 12/23, 12/30 BARN JAM­ Awendaw GreenDog Friendly Venue­ 6 pm

ALL MONTH­ Holiday Festival of Lights­ James Island County Park

January

01/10 Lowcountry Dog's Adoption BBQ and Brew Local rescues show off their pups ­Smoky Oak Taproom, James Island 12­5 pm

01/06, 01/13, 01/20, 01/27 BARN JAM­ Awendaw GreenDog Friendly Venue­ 6 pm