Pupdate

I just wanted to write an update on Chelsea and Bryson and how they have been. Bryson is continuing to fill out and become...a dog! Chelsea, still as puppy as ever is also starting to fill out (around the middle). Next week we are dressing them up for a Halloween Party. Bryson is going to be Manny Ramerez from the Boston Red Sox. We have not chosen a costume for Chelsea yet so feel free to comment with any ideas :) You can also send me your pics of your pooch all dressed up for Halloween and I will post them on the blog on October 31st. You can email them to me at elizabeth@lowcountrydog.com. Thanks!

Upcoming Events

Friday, October 19th

7:30PM Ghostly Tide Movie at the Isle of Palms Rec Center. Bring the whole family, even your dog, for a ghoulishly good movie. Contact 843-886-8294 for more info.

Saturday, October 20th

West Ashley All is Well Open House. Lots of canine and human treats and refreshments. Call 843-573-2288 for more info.

Noon-3PM Wild Heir Lab Rescue Meet and Greet at Kreature Comforts at Shoppes at Seaside. Stop by and meet Labs for available for adoption and learn about foster and volunteer opportunities. Call 843-388-2515 for more info.

Hilton Head Humane Association Adoptions at PetSmart in Bluffton.

Sunday, October 21st

Hilton Head Humane Association Adoptions at PetSmart in Bluffton...day two...

11AM-3PM JASPCA Paws in the Park at Hampton Park. $10/dog. Humans free. Games and activities for the entire family, including our four legged ones. Visit www.jaspca.com for more info.

Dogs in Danger

Thanks to Karen at Pet Agreed Dog Training who told us about this interesting site, www.dogsindanger.com. This website is dedicated to the dogs on shelter euthanasia lists and promotes adoption of these dogs before they are put to sleep. There aren't any dogs listed in our area, but it's worth keeping an eye on.

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, October 10th

Palmetto Paws Yappy Hour at Red's Ice House. Great items will be raffled off with all proceeds going to Lowcountry Lab Rescue! Dog refreshments courtesy of Palmetto Paws and Good Dog Bakery.

Saturday, October 13th

11AM-5PM
Daniel Island Park Day! Children's park, pet park and more! Admission and parking are FREE. Exciting events, fun games, pet related vendors, food and music.

11AM-4PM
Grand Opening Howl-O-Ween Bash at My Three Dogs (418 King St) Treats, costume contest, local rescue groups, health seminar, and free coupons. Call 843-884-8818 for more info.

11AM-3PM
Palmetto Animal League 2nd Annual Shelter Party and Treat Fest at Oscar Fraiser Park in Bluffton. This event welcomes pet owners, pet lovers and of course, pets. Call Amy at 843-247-2691 or visit palmettoanimalleague.org for more info.

5:30PM
The Blessing of the Animals at Congregation Beth Yam. 4501 Meeting Street, Hilton Head.

Beautiful Vizsla Needs a Home

Cooper, a 12 month Vizsla pup, needs a good home. He's been rescued from a shelter and is doing well. He's putting on weight and it looks like he will probably top out at about 60 pounds. He is very sweet and patient, allows his foster mom to clip and dremel his nails like a gentleman. He is learning manners and will sit on command. His foster mom tells us she is still working on "mouthing" & getting him to stop jumping on people, so he would probably be best suited in a home without small children though he does get along well with other dogs. He is showing some hunting skills and likes to "point." The above photo is an early one. He's put on close to 10 pounds since it was taken.

Contact Barbara vizlhavn@comcast.net for more info.

Spaniel Mixes Need a Home!

These two male pups were found running on the side of the road on Wadmalaw yesterday. They appear to be some sort of cocker/springer/boykin Spaniel mixes and are probably less than a year old. They are painfully thin and very matted. They have been bathed, but still need plenty of TLC. Michelle and Beth, who are currently caring for the dogs are both leaving town this weekend and are desperate for help! At least for the weekend...Please contact Beth if you can spare a bit of room this weekend - crate will be provided. Beth Griffin - 722-3303

The French Hare Gallery and Galleria Announces
Three Day Portrait Event to Benefit Dee Norton Lowcountry Children's Center

Charleston, SC - October 13, 14, 15, 2007 - Renowned portrait artists Susan Westwood, painter, and Susan Lucas, photographer, will hold a special event this coming weekend at the French Hare Gallery, 418 King Street, from 11-5 Saturday, 12-4 Sunday and 11-5 Monday. Westwood will sketch charcoal portraits in the courtyard for the special price of $50 per subject. Lucas will take mini-portrait sessions free of charge, and show the results at Design Walk on Thursday, October 18th, where photographs may be ordered at a special price in time for Christmas gift-giving.

Subjects may be babies, children, adults and pets. A portion of the proceeds from all portrait sales will benefit the Dee Norton Lowcountry Children's Center, whose mission is to reduce the incidence of child abuse and its impact on the child, family and community.

About Susan Lucas
Susan Lucas has been making intimate, painterly photographic portraits of children since 1998 in Boston, New York and Charleston. Her work is on permanent display at The French Hare Gallery and Galleria.

About Susan Westwood
Susan Westwood's portraits are commissioned through galleries in New Mexico, Colorado, Charleston, SC and England. Her dreamy, sometimes whimsical charcoals and oil paintings of children make her a popular choice for discriminating clients.

About The French Hare Gallery and Galleria
Located in Charleston's Upper King Design District, the French Hare offers home decor, fine art and gifts. It's Charleston... with a French accent.

For additional information or questions contact Susan Lucas, 843.303.1113

Flickr Fido

Click on the links to check out more memorable moments by these photographers...Neville_S


smurph2010
Altweibersommer
lulu.photo
logomomo

Tips to Create a Safe Halloween for Fluffy and Fido
American Animal Hospital Association

Halloween can be a frightening time for pet owners across the country. It can be scary for our furry friends too. The American Animal Hospital Association encourages pet owners to protect their four-legged family members this October by being mindful of their F.E.A.R. – food, environment, attire, and recovery.

Food
Halloween means candy and tasty treats are plentiful and easily accessible to young children and pets. Candy, especially chocolate, is toxic to animals and can cause vomiting, restlessness, heart disturbances, and even death. Although grapes and raisins are a healthy alternative snack for humans, they can be potentially deadly for dogs. These fruits contain an unknown toxin that can damage dogs’ kidneys and cause kidney failure.

Candy wrappers can also cause health problems. Animals may eat the wrapper, causing obstruction or irritation to the pet's digestive system. Candy and wrappers should be kept out of pets’ reach and young children should be taught not to share Halloween goodies with their pet.

Seasonal foods such as pumpkins and corn may cause minor stomach irritation; however, they are relatively safe for Fluffy and Fido. Pumpkin seeds may cause digestive system obstruction if consumed by smaller animals.

Environment
Due to the increased foot traffic and commotion in your neighborhood, outdoor pets should be kept indoors during the days surrounding Halloween. Unsupervised outdoor animals are susceptible to stress, inhumane practical jokes or theft. Providing a safe, stress free environment reduces the probability of your beloved friend injuring himself or others.

Loud and excessive noise created by trick-or-treaters can frighten your cat or dog. Animals should be kept away from the door and out of hearing range of a constantly ringing doorbell and excited children. Fluffy or Fido should be put in a room where they will not be disturbed by noise and activity. A frightened or upset pet may run out the door at the first opportunity and could harm the children in its way.

Be sure decorations are safe from the paws and teeth of curious pets. Crepe paper streamers, fake cobwebs, glow sticks, plastic spiders and cardboard wall hangings can easily be chewed and swallowed, damaging your pet’s digestive tract. Animals can also tip over the candle in a jack-o-lantern and burn themselves or start a fire. Keep decorations out of animals’ reach, and maintain supervision if they play nearby.

Attire
Transforming your pet into a superhero, witch, ghost, or goblin can be a stressful and unpleasant experience. Some animals love to dress up, but others dread it. If your furry friend doesn’t mind dressing up, make sure that you select a costume that doesn’t restrict his normal movements, breathing or vision. Costumes that interfere with these things can cause ligament or joint injuries, and animals are more likely to bite if their vision is impaired.

Pets are better off left at home during trick-or-treating excursions. However, if they do tag along, it is best to keep them on a very short leash and harness to keep them from fighting with other animals, eating the treats, becoming victims of practical jokes – as black cats often do – or biting strangers they encounter.

Recovery
It is important to have a plan if your pet becomes sick, injured or lost this Halloween season. Since time is critical during any unfortunate incident, pet parents should always have contact information for their veterinarian and local animal shelters easily accessible. Also, pet owners need to be aware that not all veterinarians are available 24 hours. However, all AAHA-accredited hospitals have access or referral to 24 hour emergency care.

It is also important to update your pet’s identification tags and micro chip information each time you move or change phone numbers so that current contact information is always available on your pet.

The American Animal Hospital Association wishes all two and four-legged critters a happy and safe Halloween.

Established in 1933, the American Animal Hospital Association is the only organization that accredits veterinary practices throughout the U.S. and Canada for dedication to high standards of veterinary care. More than 3,000 AAHA-accredited practices pass regular reviews of AAHA’s stringent accreditation standards that cover patient care, client service and medical protocols. For pet care information or referral to an AAHA-accredited practice, visit www.healthypet.com

Abby Needs A Home.

Click on the photo below for a closer look at this great dog!

World's Smallest Dog

Click on the link to see a video of the the new Guinness Book of World Records "World's Smallest Dog" (and cutest if you ask me) on CNN.

Pupdate

On this rainy Wednesday afternoon, we came home to our two labs Bryson and Chelsea running wildly around the house. They clearly needed to let out some energy. Since letting them out in the backyard would only result in muddy dogs, a muddy house and an even muddier shower, we decided to go play tennis in the rain and bring the pups along to run around on the tennis court. Since it was raining, there was no one playing who could get annoyed by the dogs.

We (the humans) had a lot of fun playing tennis in the rain, but not nearly as much fun as Bryson and Chelsea did being "ball dogs". Just like ball girls and boys would in real tennis matches, Bryson and Chelsea sat on the side lines and waited for balls to go off the court. They would then run and retrieve the balls and then go back to their position on the side lines.

However, sometimes Bryson couldn't help himself and would run in front of a serve that had just gone over the net and intercept it. We played for about an hour in the pouring rain until both dogs lay down in puddles, exhausted from this massive game of fetch. After returning home and toweling off, the two dogs slept the remainder of the afternoon :)

A word from Marley, a rescued dog from the JASPCA with a true survivor's heart

Dear Friends,

My heart is overwhelmed with feelings of gratitude. I can not believe how many of you turned out for my first birthday! Together we raised $ 4,000 for the John Ancrum SPCA and their Injured Animal Program!!!
On behalf of the other 11,000 animals taken to the JASPCA yearly...I thank you for making a difference!

Woof, Woof... hope to see you next year!
Marley

Upcoming Events

Friday, October 5th 6-8PM
Greyhound Meet and Greet at Paws Pet Boutique in Freshfields Village with Greyhound Pets of America Adoptable greys will be on site.

Saturday, October 6th
"Walk for the Animals"
Park Circle, North Charleston
WEZL 103.5 TJ and the Morning Crew’s “Walk for the Animals” $10 entry fee per dog.
Join hundreds of animal lovers and their pets as we walk around Beautiful Historic Park Circle in Olde North Charleston to raise awareness and funds for the John Ancrum SPCA’s new state-of-the art facility. This new 31,000 square foot shelter will provide high-quality care, triple adoption facilities and expand our education services to the community. The new building features indoor climate controlled rooms and kennels, expanded surgical suites and a community room open for use by the public. Visit www.wezl.com or www.jaspca.com for more info.

Saturday, October 6th 10-2PM
Lowcountry Golden Retriever Rescue will be at Freshfields Fall Festival near Kiawah. Stop by, Hug a Golden, and learn about our organization. Members will be on hand taking adoption and foster applications.
Contact: 571 - 7177

Saturday, October 6th 10-2PM
"Rescue Row" at Paws Pet Boutique in Freshfields Village
Saturday October 6th 10am-2pm
"Rescue Row" at Paws Pet Boutique in Freshfields Village
Thinking about getting a new best friend or adding a second?? The following Rescue Groups will be available for you to talk with and also have adoptable dogs for you to meet.
Coastal Jack Russell Rescue
Greyhound Crossroads
South Carolina Search and Rescue Dogs
Lowcountry Golden Retriever Rescue
Pet Helpers Animal Shelter
Greyhound Pets of America
Carolina Basset Hound Rescue
Lowcountry Lab Rescue
Grateful Golden Rescue

Saturday October 6, 5-7PM
"Dog"toberfest at Juanita Greenbergs (439 King Street)
Get your "leasher-hosiens" ready! Dogs, beer, live music, a raffle to benefit the JASPCA, and yappetizers from Three Dog Bakery. Rain Date Saturday October 20th.

Click on the links below to see more adorable pup pics from these photographers...


1. Yankees Man
2. nra45acp
3. mygrain64
4. Vincents changed his...
5. Gloria Hopkins

Pupdate

New pics!

Kinda Creepy, Kinda Cool. Morphing Dogs

Why the sad music? Still pretty neat though. Click here.

Check out PETA's new Animal Birth Control Campaign Video

The campaign's heart is in the right place, and brings up some good points. But PETA condemns all dog breeding, even responsible dog breeding. And they also question the long term value of what they term "warehousing" dogs in no kill shelters. What is YOUR opinion of PETA's new campaign?

Upcoming Events

Monday, September 24th
Lowcountry Golden Retriever Rescue "Golfing Fore Goldens" at Snee Farm in Mt. Pleasant. Come join us for a day of golfing and fun. Lunch and dinner provided. Please call 843-571-7177 for more info. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year. All proceeds help pay for the medical care of the goldens. www.lcgrr.org

Flickr Fido

Click on the links below to view more adorable pictures of these dogs...

1) Bulldog Americano de Sagarmatha
2) forweims
3) martinjson76
4) Dana Allred
5) AnomalousNYC

Cute Puppies for Adoption

Please help to find these puppies a good, loving home! My Mom found 8 puppies. They are believed to have been lost or abandoned by a stray that has been roaming the area. They are believed to be about 6 weeks old. Four girls and Four boys. Please forward this to those in your address book who may be interested or if you are interested please call Martha Brown at 803 793 3746 Johnny Brown at 803 245 9549.

Dedicated Bird Dog

Watch one dog's hunting skills as he climbs up 40 ft. high spruce trees to help his owner with bird hunting...

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/offbeat/2007/09/10/gupta.kodi.wonderdog.whoi

Pupdate

We decided to take Bryson and Chelsea to their usual romp at Sunrise Park today on James Island since it was such a beautiful day out. They did their usual running, swimming, chasing routine for about an hour until it was time to go home. We had forgotten towels but conveniently brought the pickup so the dogs could ride in the back. Bryson was pro at this since he had already done it a million times. Chelsea, on the other hand had only ridden in the back while I held her to try and get her used to it. We decided to give it a go and see how the two dogs did in the back without one of the humans getting involved. They loved it. Both of them had their heads hanging out of each side of the truck letting the wind whip through their ears and under their lips. We were almost home when we looked out the rear view mirror and saw Chelsea, standing...or "surfing," if you will...on top of the pickup truck's tool box. Fortunately, she managed to stay on long enough for us to pull over and put her back in the bed. Chelsea continues to amaze, scare and entertain us every day :)

***Please note that the park is just a few blocks away through our residential area. We would never drive with the dogs in the truck bed on major roads or highways. That's just too dangerous!

Flickr Fido

Here is some awesome photos I found on flickr.com capturing these pooches proudest moments.

From the top down...

1) Parnelli 97
2) Nick C. Carlson
3) Orrin
4) jobee59
5) Warren Lynn

Click on the links above to see other great photos taken by these dog lovers!

Upcoming SCoot Agility Run-thrus
SCoot Dog Agility will be offering our first run-thrus on September 22 and 23, from 10 am - 12 pm on John’s Island, SC. We will have a nested Masters and Novice Standard course each day. $3 for the first run, $2 each additional run. A separate jumpers course will be open for practice. All levels welcome!

For more information and directions visit our website at www.simplesite.com/SCootDogAgility or call John at (404) 373-5730 or Lori at (843) 270-4857 or agilpaws@comcast.net.

Come out and enjoy the countryside on John’s Island, SC and practice for the upcoming fall trials! We look forward to seeing you!

Way to Go DUDES!

Sweet little pooch Shelby, a trained assistance dog, was swept of a pier and into the choppy waves of Lake Michigan. Struggling in the waves, Shelby was rescued by two surfers. Matt Smolenski says he rode a wave on his stomach to reach the dog. The 25-year-old says he grabbed its collar just as the exhausted pooch stopped dog-paddling. A Muskegon Heights police officer witnessed the rescue and says the dog rode the surfboard in to shore.

Two Beautiful Shepherds Need a Home

Duke is a beautiful male German Shepherd. He is about 4 years, sweet and loving and very trainable. He is a blank slate since he came to the John Ancrum SPCA as a stray. Duke is smart and easily trained.

Luke is a young boy with a sad face. He is a little shy and is heartworm positive. Luke is also a stray and between 1 and 2 years old.

These two boys are currently boarded at Animal Medical West, courtesy of Dr. Hentges, so we need homes for these two ASAP.

They each need a warm bed and some big hearts. For more information, please contact Aasta at 763-0364 or norsk2u@comcast.net

What a fun new product

It might look like a gun from a sci-fi B-movie but this wooftastic little device is actually a dog treat delivery system. And yes, that's a fancy way of saying it fires doggie biscuits. The idea is to load up the refillable launcher with special Disco Flying Dog Treats (pack included) and fire them around in any direction or style (Clint, Samuel L., Arnie) you like. Your four-legged friend will then run, jump, catch and chase after the flying treats as fast as his little paws can carry him.
Although the Snackshotz Treat Launcher is undoubtedly entertaining for owners and onlookers, it actually encourages the human/bow wow bond and helps exercise dogs who are hip to all that stick-chucking, ball-hurling jive. You really can teach old dogs new tricks!

The treats will soar up to 12 feet, so it doesn't matter if you've got a Great Dane or a Chihuahua - Rover will still get a decent workout. He'll also get a decent snack because Discos are totally delicious (so we hear) and easy to digest. They also clean teeth and freshen breath (yes, we are still talking about your dog here).

Armed with a Snackshotz Treat Launcher, your daily dog walking routine will never be the same again. What's more, you can even fire a few Discos around the house and garden to keep Fido happy when you're trying to watch television. If only they made a Snackshotz for humans as well. Woof!

Get yours here.

Pupdate

Great news! Chelsea is officially house-trained. After a month and a half or so, she has finally got it. She has had all her shots and weighs almost 30 lbs. Her birthday is on Monday, she'll be turning 4 months old! How time flies...Chelsea and Bryson are doing great together and are having a blast reeking havoc in our house :) Also, Bryson is turning in to such a handsome young dog...he turned 9 months this week! Check back for more updates and pics as Chelsea grows up.

The men might be wearing skirts, but they've got some incredible dogs!

At the 36th Charleston Scottish Games and Highland Gathering on Saturday, kilted men will compete in amateur weight lifts, Border collie demonstrations and more to celebrate their Scottish heritage. Events kick off at 8:30 a.m. with more than 20 bagpipe bands, Scottish and Celtic musicians and dancers performing until 4:30 p.m. at Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant. Gate admission is $15; $5 for children 6-12. Parking is $5 per car (includes program). This year’s event also will recognize the nine Charleston firefighters who died in June. In addition, the Scottish Society of Charleston will make a $1,000 donation for help purchase a thermal imaging camera that deceased firemen Brandon Thompson and Michael French were raising money to purchase. For more information, call (843) 552-2563.

Fab Idea

What a good idea. A travel pet bed. Granted, it isn't suited for someone like me with a giant breed, but for those of you with the little guys this would be perfect!

Get yours here.

The Pet Care Place offers Walk-in Vaccine Clinic

Ladson, SC, 09/11/2007 – Effective immediately, The Pet Care Place Low Cost Spay Neuter Clinic will offer vaccines for walk-in clients on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. as part of it’s mission to promote responsible pet ownership. Paige Beatty, DVM, will be on site for wellness exams at an additional fee if needed.

The Canine Vaccine package will include DA2PP/DA2PPL, Rabies and Bordetella for $25 for previously sterilized dogs and $40 for non-sterilized dogs. However, the owners of the non-sterilized dogs will receive a coupon for $15 off spaying and neutering surgery for future use at The Pet Care Place.

The Feline Vaccine package will include FVRCP and Rabies for $20 for previously sterilized cats and $30 for non-sterilized cats with a $10 off coupon given for future spaying and neutering at The Pet Care Place.

Heartworm tests for dogs will be offered at $20.

Feline Leukemia test will be offered at $20 and FELV vaccines will be available for any cats that test negative for the virus.

Any questions, please call 572-9155. NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY FOR VACCINES.

MISSION STATEMENT: To instill the principles of responsible pet ownership in the community by providing sterilization services, pet care services, education programs and rescue adoption services.

Upcoming Events

September 20th
Pet Ownership Seminar for College Students. Get schooled on being a responsible pet owner while in college. The program will be held at the College of Charleston bookstore in Cougar Mall from 2-4PM.

Polar Bear and Husky Play in the Wild

Thanks so much to Dooce for posting about this incredible photo series of a wild polar bear playing with a husky. Click here to view.

photo via Sexy Beast

It Ain't Cheap - But it Smells like a Dream

Introducing Sexy Beast. A unisex blend of bergamot and vanilla-infused musk combined with natural patchouli, mandarin and nutmeg oils. This distinct and highly-addictive eau de parfum will keep your dog smelling fresh and clean long after the trip to the groomer. Iconic Karim Rashid bottle designed with an integrated seamless pump and a beautiful sensual soft touch finish. Low-alcohol fragrance formulated specifically for a dog's sensitive sense of smell. Hypo-Allergenic.

Beauty expert Renee Ryan created Sexy Beast fragrance and pet grooming products after adopting a lovable, but stinky white Boxer. She felt there was a need for products to keep her pooch smelling fresh from the dog spa between appointments. Why the high cost you ask? Renee believes that since she enjoys the good life, her pet should too!

Get yours here.

German Shepherds Need Foster Homes

Emergency plea from the German Shepherd Dog Club of Charleston. We need two foster homes for two male Shepherds. They are sweet, but due to an overfilled shelter, these two boys need at least temporary homes ASAP.

Contact Aasta at 763-0364 or norsk2u@comcast.net.

More Pup Pillows

Thanks to Desire to Inspire I just learned about Karen Hilton's Etsy Shop where she sells these killer hand-made puppy pillows.

Pupdate

Chelsea is getting bigger and bigger every day but she is still a little devil. House-training has not been going so well, we are still having accidents...however, there have been noticeable improvements. Her "successes" happen most often when she sees her big brother Bryson go to the bathroom. She models exactly what he does and will go to the bathroom as well. She is also modeling other behaviors such as barking when someone comes to the door, jumping on the bed, couches and chairs, and begging for table scraps. Despite all her recently acquired bad habits, she continues to entertain and love us. She loves to cuddle more than anything else and just wants to be held. Also, she loves her big brother as you can see from the pictures. Check back next week for updates on Chelsea's house-training process :)

Upcoming Events

The month of September is AKC Responsible Dog Owner Month! Celebrate with fun and free events designed to recognize the importance of responsible dog ownership. For up to date event info visit www.akc.org/clubs/rdod/events/

September 8th 11:00am-3:00pm
Greyhound Pets of America meet & greet at the French Hare, 418 King Street, Downtown Charleston. Meet gorgeous greyhounds seeking homes, enjoy meeting other greyhound families, refreshments and surprises. 843.577.0451 or frenchhare.com for info.