CELEBRATE AMERICA'S BIRTHDAY SAFELY:
ASPCA Offers Pet Safety Tips for Independence Day

For many, nothing beats spending the Fourth of July with friends and family-including the four-legged members of the household. While it may seem like a great idea to bring Rover along to watch the fireworks or reward him with scraps from the grill, it's important to remember that loud noises, rich foods and other hazards can be harmful to your pet. The ASPCA® offers the following tips for keeping your pet safe this Fourth of July holiday:

Loud, crowded fireworks displays are no fun for pets, so please resist the urge to take them to Independence Day festivities. Dr. Jennifer Lander of the ASPCA Pet Adoption Center in New York City recommends keeping pets indoors or-if need be-on secure harnesses and well-fitted collars when outside. "Each year pets are lost around this time," she says. "Frightened pets have a tendency to bolt when confronted with uncomfortable noises or situations."

Fireworks are very dangerous and should be used with extreme caution. "Pet parents should take extreme care to keep their loved ones out of harm's way of any fire or explosion," adds Dr. Lander. "Although they play a big part in celebrating of Independence Day, fireworks or sparklers can cause severe injuries when precautions aren't taken."

Keep pets cool when it's hot. Make sure your pets have plenty of water as they can get dehydrated very quickly. "It's very important that your pet has a shady spot to cool off in, especially if the weather is particularly hot," says Dr. Lander. "Animals can develop heatstroke, which can be fatal.

Keep citronella candles, insect coils and oil products out of reach. Dr. Steven Hansen, a board-certified veterinary toxicologist and Senior Vice President of the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) has this reminder: "We should always be careful when we are around candles and fire, and pets are no exception. However, citronella candles, oils or insect repellents can produce stomach irritation in pets, and possibly even central nervous system depression-so make sure to keep them out of reach of your pets."

Do not apply sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. "The ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy in pets," adds Dr. Hansen. "DEET is a common ingredient in sunscreens and repellents and is especially damaging to animals' nervous systems, so never use a product on your pet that has not been specifically formulated for her."

Always keep matches and lighter fluid out of your pets' reach. Dr. Hansen also cautions pet parents that certain types of matches contain chlorates, which if swallowed could result in difficulty breathing, or kidney disease in severe cases. "Also, lighter fluid is equally harmful. It can be irritating to the skin, and if ingested can produce digestive irritation, breathing problems, as well as weaken the central nervous system."

Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended where pets can reach them. "Never give any animal alcohol," alerts Dr. Hansen. "Alcoholic beverages can be poisonous to pets and if ingested, the animal could become extremely weak, severely depressed or could go into a coma." Death from respiratory failure is also a possibility in severe cases.

Keep your pets on their normal diet. Any change can give your pet severe indigestion and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals that have more delicate digestive systems and nutritional requirements. And keep in mind foods such as onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes & raisins, salt and yeast dough can all be potentially toxic to companion animals. Please visit www.aspca.org/apcc for a complete list of harmful foods for pets.

3 Dog Bakery

For an experience that will blow your mind (and your dog's!) take the trip to 430 King Street and meet owner Dustin Guthrie and his helpful staff at 3 Dog Bakery. Don't forget your dog either, because dogs are welcome inside to take a peek at what they might like to dine on and even sample what fits their taste! All treats are 100% natural, fresh baked, and irresistible, even to the human eye.

3 Dog Bakery is a national chain of stores inspired by the plight of an albino and blind Great Dane named Gracie. Her owners decided to cook for her special needs and turned her diet into an enjoyable place for all dogs. You can read her touching story by purchasing her book at 3 Dog Bakery. You can also find dog beds, purses for the little pups to ride in, leashes, fun 'dog people' gifts, your very own bone shaped cookie cutters, and mouth watering display cases of well priced treats.

Reaching across the US and selling over 200 products, from full diet meals to birthday collars and treats, 3 Dog Bakery has recently landed in Charleston to share the goodness with our local friends. Be sure to drop by and see the plethora of tasty options; after all I think we all know that our dogs deserve more than a little spoiling!

Pupdate

Yesterday was Bryson's 6 month birthday! We decided to use this occasion as an excuse to have a party for him. This party consisted of a cupcake from Three Dog Bakery on King Street, as well as a party hat, also from Three Dog Bakery. Humans ate human cupcakes too. He thoroughly enjoyed his celebration. Now that he is 6 months we are making an appointment to have him neutered. Even though we had thought about spreading this wonderful puppies genes to make other wonderful puppies, the possible downsides to not neutering were too large. Many times, male dogs who are not neutered will wander if they smell a female in heat. The thought of losing our baby is just too much to take that risk. Anyway, now that he is 6 months old we hoped he would stop chewing things...not so much...:)

Upcoming Events

June 9th 11AM-3PM. Coastal Jack Russell Dog Wash at Paws. Bring your dog for a free bath and make a donation to a wonderful rescue. Paws is at Freshfields Village, at the corner of Kiawah and Seabrook Islands.

June 9th 9AM-4PM. JASPA Koi Pond Tour. The Charleston Showa Koi Club has arranged for 27 private koi ponds and water gardens to be open for your viewing. The Grand Finale will be on Johns Island where hot dogs and hamburgers will be served. There will be plenty of raffles and door prizes as well. Tickets are $10. Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. All proceeds will be donated to the John Ancrum S.P.C.A. For ticket information, call Robert Lewis at 843-830-7677 or visit www.charlestonshowakoiclub.org.

June 9th 11AM-3PM LCGRR Pool Party Reunion at Isle of Palms. Check website for directions. www.lcgrr.org.

June 11th 4PM-7PM LCGRR Meet and Greet at Paws at Freshfields Village, at the corner of Kiawah and Seabrook Islands.

Tastiest Treats

According to Petsmart.com, its top-selling doggie treats include:

Beefeaters Freeze-Dried Liver Treats starting at $5.99

Science Diet Jerky Plus Treats $2.99

and Bryson's personal favorite...

Purina Beggin' Strips starting at $3.29

You can purchase these treats at any PetSmart or petsmart.com

Upcoming Events

June 3rd 6:00PM. Small Doggie Beach Ball on Sullivan's Island. Come take a short romp on the beach with the doggies and enjoy appetizers on the beach at Sully's. There will be a Costume Contest for the most tropical/beachy dog so break out the sunglasses, bikinis, and tacky tropical shirts! More info at http://www.dachshund.meetup.com/406/venue/?venueId=277349.

Canines Take a Bite Out of Cancer

This May, a cancer tissue bank in Maryland started accepting canine biopsy samples. This is adjacent to the human tissue bank. Scientists have discovered that "malignancies that occur in dogs provide vital clues to human cancer" because their cells are very similar to those of humans, genetically speaking. Humans are not only genetically similar to dogs, they also share the same environment as dogs and are exposed to many of the same things that could possibly cause cancer.

Scientists hope to open at least five more dedicated specimen-collection sites around the nation. Three of these sites have already begun collecting biopsy and blood samples as of May 1st.

To read the entire article, "Man's Best Friend Joins the Fight Against Cancer," click here.
To read more information on the canine biospecimen repository click on Canine Health Foundation.

Pupdate

Bryson is getting bigger every day! We just came back from another vacation in Florida. As usual, he did great on the six-hour drive. He is about 60 pounds now and does not realize how big he really is. He has been playing regularly with his girlfriend, Shine (pictured above). Well, it is almost 4PM and Bryson is sitting here waiting patiently for me to take him to the dog park! Check back next week for more updates! :)

Ruff Yoga

"Doga" classes seem to be popping up in many cities in the United States. Doga is when people and pets team up to do doggie yoga. Brenda Bryan, a yoga instructor for both dogs and humans in Bellevue, Washington says that "as we get into it, the dogs all kind of calm down." In the class, the humans do poses while staying in contact with their dogs. Click here to get the full story.

Decorative Doggie Steps

Fashionable, simple, and safe, these sturdy pet steps help your pup reach his or her favorite sleeping spot whether it be a bed, sofa or chair. Made with solid wood, carpeted stairs and no-slip pads, this mini staircase is perfect for your little puppy or your arthritic old dog who still loves sleeping with you. The classy and timeless design is perfect for any home. Find this elegant dog decor at Doctors Foster and Smith.

Upcoming Events

May 19th- 11AM-3PM. Carolina Basset Hound Rescue Meet and Greet at Paws at Freshfields Village. Call 843-243-0857 for more information.

May 19th- 8AM registration. Walk begins at 9:30AM. Palmetto Animal League's Bluffton Pet Trek. A fun 2 mile walk or 5K run to benefit PAL's Animal Shelter Building Fund. Run or walk with family, friends and leashed dogs to celebrate our friendship with those furry-four-legged companions and raise money for the new animal shelter being built on donated land. Registration and Pledge forms are available online at www.palmettoanimalleague.org and at designated registration sites listed on the PAL website.

May19th-9Am walk to fight Arthritis at Franke at Seaside, 1500 Franke Dr., Mt. Pleasant. Gather your friends and family and help raise funds and help raise awareness to fight the nation's leading cause for dog's and their owners. Visit www.lowcountry-walk.kintera.org for registration.

May 19th-9AM-2PM. Children's Park, Daniel Island. 3K Dog Walk in memory of Mary Beth Clarke, Lowcountry Lab Rescue board member, to benefit LLR. Lots of family-oriented activities including a pet photographer, dog agility demonstrations, jump castle, face painting, pet microchipping, pet and people vendors, food and beverages and more. The course route will start at Children's Park up River Landing Drive to Seven Farms Drive towards Family Circle Tennis Center. Participants will then cross under I-526 and circle back to Children's Park alongside the Wando River. Registration is $20 per walker and includes a t-shirt and a goodie bag. Additional dogs in the family can walk for $5. Participants can register online at www.lowcountrylabrescue.org.

May23rd-6PM-8PM. Lowcountry Dog Magazine and Fish Restaurant "Whine" Evening, 442 King Street, Downtown. Bring your pooch out for a wonderful evening of half price wine, live music courtesy of Eddie Stonaker, and free doggie treats compliments of Three Dog Bakery. Call 843-478-0266 for more information.

Doggie Beds

If you are looking for a reliable, long-lasting, high-quality dog bed, buy one from L.L.Bean. Their beds last for your pup's entire life. My 14-year old lab has had hers since she was a puppy. She has slept on it every single night since then. Check them out LLBean.com

Pupdate

Well, Bryson's adventurous vacation has come to an end. Throughout the past ten days, he has met his grandmother, aunts, uncles, cousins (also his canine cousins). The first cousin he met is a 195 lb American Mastiff named Watson. The two dogs bonded while Bryson cleaned the massive amount of drool dripping from Watson's jowls with his tongue while cuddling between his two huge front paws. The next cousin he met was Luna, a cute little black and white mutt who had almost as much energy to get out as he did. He loved her. Bryson figured that since the two cousins he had already met were super friendly and loving, the next cousin, Charlotte, a Japanese Chin, would be the same...not so much. Charlotte could best be described as "self-proclaimed royalty" and did not enjoy having Bryson in her space. Her space being a ten foot radius around her. She did not approve of sitting on the ground and preferred my aunt's lap. She made it quite clear to Bryson that he was not welcome near her and that she certainly did not want to play.

Bryson's next adventure was in Washington D.C. We stayed at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, a very classy, prestigious hotel. We had looked it up and booked it online the day before. The website said they were pet-friendly so we figured it was a good match. Upon arrival, we entered the hotel with our Labrador puppy. The hotel was magnificent. It had huge chandeliers, marble floors, beautiful paintings. Men were all dressed in suits while women all wore ball gowns or at the very least a beautiful dress. Needless to say we felt very out of place. We left Bryson in the hotel room with the television on while we went to dinner. When we came back, he was sprawled out on our king-size bed watching figure skating on t.v. It was priceless.

Bryson is slowly becoming a very cultured little canine!

Mid-Century Pooch

For the Fido with the affinity for modern design with a mid-century throwback, the Wowow Pet Pod from Modern Tails fits the bill. It's custom made with a choice of snazzy wood veneers. And according to maker Verve Design, the piece is "more of a recliner than a pet bed; it's like an Eames chair for your best friend."

Watch a puppy who has adopted a duckling. It is the cutest video ever. Copy and paste http://www.cnn.com/video/partners/clickability/index.html?url=/video/offbeat/2007/05/04/vo.puppy.duckling.reut into your web browser. (Can't get the link to work)

Pupdate

The road trip to Massachusetts went quite well. It ended up being about 17 hours which included at least five bathroom breaks for both us and Bryson. Bryson enjoyed a couple hours riding shotgun with Daddy while I slept in the back. He was quite disappointed when Mommy ruined his father-son bonding and made him sit in the back. He slept most of the way and never complained.

After arriving in Massachusetts at about eight thirty, he was extremely excited to see he would be not only sharing a house with another dog, but also would be continually spoiled by his "grandmother." He quickly realized that Mosie, my parents 14-year-old yellow lab could not and would not play with him. He spent the rest of the evening placing his toys in front of her to just throw out a polite offer.

Today we took him to a special needs school where my mother works. He went around to each classroom and let every child pet him. He was extremely gentle and loved the attention (I am looking into training him to become a therapy dog). I have heard of many dog being frightened at the first sight of a wheelchair or the scream of a child. However, today Bryson experienced both and did not seem to be phased whatsoever.

This weekend we are taking him to the beach, and visiting friends. Check back for more updates and possibly pictures!:)

Moving up to Grow More for You...Doolittle's Pet store

They haven't left us behind; in fact, 13 years later Doolittle's is still providing quality services, unique products, and a place for our community to socialize...with their best friends! Their new location, just a bump away in South Windemere Shopping Center of West Ashley, is a huge store dedicated to providing more for their clients. There is a training center, a self serve dog wash center (complete with all you need to wash and dry your pup!), Doolittle's brand toys, and a great supply of quality dog foods.
Behind the long aisle of fun gifts and needed dog supplies stands another huge aisle stocked with all-natural foods that cater to the specific needs of our much loved family members. Ric makes sure to know his distributors well enough that he can trust their product. This dedication kept Doolittle's free and clear of the recent food recalls.



Further down the length of the new location you'll find a sparkling clean dog wash station that comes with individual stations that are stocked with shampoos for your dog.



When you can finally say "been there, sniffed that," the founder Ric will ring up your purchases and even gift package it for you. They also make great gift buckets!


Not in West Ashley? Check out their other locations in Mt. Pleasant and Summerville.
"All the bitches love them," don't you?

Upcoming Events

May 5: 8:30AM-3PM. Charleston Dog Show at Marion Square is a wonderful family event for Lowcountry Dogs and their owners! In addition to friendly canine competition and canine good citizen testing, they will have a dog vendor village, silent auction, pet portrait artists' corner, microchip clinic, educational exhibits highlighting area Dog Rescue groups, gourmet lunch boxes, children's PB&J stand, canine concessions and much more! Visit www.charlestondogshow.com for more information.

May 5th, 6th, 26th and 27th: 11AM-4PM. Palmetto Animal League Adoptions at Bluffton, SC PetSmart. Visit www.palmettoanimalleague.org for more info.

Check out this video of Sugar. a two-legged dog. It's adorable!

Paw pads bring animal anxiety out in the open

Researchers in Tokyo, Japan have developed a patch that sticks to the bottom of your dog or cat's paw that monitors your pet's stress level. These patches, similar to one developed for humans, measure stress level by excessive sweat secretion. The patch changes colors depending on how sweaty (stressed) your pet is. For the complete story click here.

This is one hilarious dog bark

Pupdate

While on the topic of Leah's blog earlier in the week (World's Largest Dog), Bryson has become HUGE! We took him to the vet's office on Monday. We figured he was maybe close to 40lbs. However, we were greatly mistaken. He is now 51 lbs! A little over 4 months old and 51 lbs. That is a big Labrador pup! We also recently changed his food to Nutro Lamb and Rice Puppy Chow. Along with containing more natural ingredients, it also has growth-control. This will help him not grow so fast and avoid joint problems that many large breeds often have. During this visit he also received his last set of shots until next year! Yay!

Later this week we took him to the beach and he went into the water all by himself for the first time! We are very proud parents.

Bryson's next adventure will be a 17-hour road trip to Massachusetts to visit my parents on Wednesday. Good thing he loves car rides! Check up next Friday for updates on how he did on the drive and meeting his Auntie Mosie (a 14 year-old, one-eyed, arthritic, happy-as-can-be yellow lab)!

Upcoming Events

TONIGHT: 5-8pm. Lowcountry Golden Retriever Rescue Doggie Dining at Dog and Duck in Mt. Pleasant. Visit www.lcgrr.org for directions.

April 28th: 10-6pm. Three Dog Bakery GRAND OPENING in downtown Charleston at 430 King St. The JASPCA will be showing off adoptable pooches and will be the recipient of the day's proceeds. Special door prizes for dogs and their humans will be awarded throughout the day. There will be plenty of our delicious home-made bones, paw-shaking, intriguing canine-versations and tail waggling galore. Call 843-937-9895 for more information.

April 28th: 10-3PM. Southeastern Therapy Animal Resources (STAR) Introductory Therapy Dog Workshop at the Franke Home in Mt. Pleasant. Registration forms and additions information can be obtained by contacting Barbara Dengler at 843-849-8201 or via e-mail at fluffydogtherapy@comcast.net.

April 28th: 10-2pm. Lowcountry Lab Rescue Meet and Greet at Whole Foods Market, Houston Northcutt Blvd., Mt. Pleasant. Talk with Lowcountry Lab Rescue volunteers and find out more about adoption and foster opportunities. Adoptable Labradors will be on-site.

April 29th: 10am. Hilton Head Humane Assoc.'s 10th Annual Dog Walk on the Beach. The walk takes place on Hilton Head, at Coligny Beach. 200 walkers and sponsors registered last year. Prizes for canine contests, top money collectors, and companies. There will be vendors set up for free give-aways and several fabulous raffles. Information or registration by calling HHH at 843-681-8686.

Hercules: The World's Biggest Dog According to Guinness World Records

Hercules was recently awarded the honorable distinction of Worlds Biggest Dog by Guinness World Records. Hercules is an English Mastiff and has a 38 inch neck and weighs 282 pounds. With "paws the size of softballs" (reports the Boston Herald), the three-year-old monster is far larger and heavier than his breed's standard 200lb. limit. Hercules owner Mr. Flynn says that Hercules weight is natural and not induced by a bizarre diet: "I fed him normal food and he just grew".... and grew. and grew. and grew.

Bark After Dark

If you've ever wanted a place to walk your dogs after hours make sure to vote for the Bark After Dark project . It's one of the ideas presented in the New Ideas for a New South Carolina Contest. Vote here.

Therapy Dogs Help Virgina Tech Students Cope

Watch the full CNN report here.
Hooray for Therapy dogs (and the people who take the time to train them!)

Pupdate

First of all, I added a pic to last week's Pupdate. Check it out, it's pretty cute.

Bryson is getting huge. Monday we are bringing him to the vet for his 4months checkup. I am estimating that he weighs about 40lbs now. HUGE! We have become regulars at downtown Charleston's dog park on Rutledge. We go about three times every week. Most dogs are there around 5pm. There have been anywhere from two to twenty dogs there at a time. Bryson has made a lot of friends there. His favorites to play with are Bailey the boxer and Bailey the black lab. They are both about his age (not his size though!). He has so much fun running around with them. The dog park is a great place to take your dog for some socializing and exercise.

As you can see from the picture above, Bryson is good as socializing with humans too!!

Upcoming Events

April 22: 6:30PM "All Things Italian"-A benefit for the Pet Helpers Rescue at Sienna Restaurant on Daniel Island. The evening will feature a four course meal prepared by four area chefs and each course will be paired with an appropriate wine. A silent auction will also offer incredible items such as a brunch prepared for six by Sienna chef Ken Vidrinkski during a private cruise on his boat. Tickets are $125 and are very limited. Call Beverly McElroy at Pet Helpers for more information, 906-6673

April 25: 5-8PM Lowcountry Golden Retriever Rescue Doggie Dining at Dog and Duck in Mt. Pleasant. Visit www.lcgrr.org for directions.

Labbie Hour!

Wednesday, April 18, 5-7PM @ Parson Jack's Cafe: Come share a cold beverage with Lowcountry Lab Rescue volunteers and America's favorite breed. Find out about volunteering, fostering and adopting. Adoptable Labradors will be there for slobbery kisses and tail wags. No cover. Entrees $5-$10

Parson Jack's Cafe
3417 Shelby Ray Court
West Ashley, Charleston, SC
(off Glenn McConnell Parkway)

*Pets must be restrained/leashed at all times

lowcountrylabrescue.org

Pupdate
Bryson's First Pet

So it may be cliche, but we bought a bunny on Easter. His name is Bunny. We decided to introduce Bunny to Bryson, slowly. During their first meeting, Bryson was semi-rough with Bunny, nipping at him and shoving him with his nose. Each time he did this we pulled him away from the bunny telling him to be gentle. And each time he did this Bunny pretty much didn't move (I think he may have gone into shock). His second meeting, however, was much different and very successful. We put both Bunny and Bryson on the bed together. Within minutes Bunny and Bryson were cuddling. If Bryson moved away, Bunny would hop towards him to get closer. Over the past week they have become best buds. Unfortunately, my camera is out of commission and I am still trying to figure out how to download the pics from my camera phone onto my computer. Once I figure that out I will put up the pics of Bryson and Bunny, as I have several :)

Upcoming Events

Saturday, April 14th...so much to do with your pup!

-10am-4pm: PetFest 2007. Mt. Pleasant Palmetto Islands County Park. Pets are encouraged to bring their humans to this fun outdoor event featuring entertainment, educational exhibits, vendors, a microchip clinic, charity dog walks and great food for all. Fee $3, pets get in FREE! Call 795-FUN for more information. Lowcountry Dog Magazine will he hosting our annual cover model contest at PetFest. Entry into the contest is free and a winner will be chosen to grace a future cover of LCD! While you're there, come meet and greet black lab puppy Bryson from lowcountrydog.com's "Pupdates."

-9am-1pm: Lowcountry Lab Rescue & Charleston Dog Show Meet and Greet. Farmer's Market, Marion Square, Downtown Charleston. Come talk to Lowcountry Lab Rescue volunteers and find out more about the upcoming Charleston Dog Show!

-April 14th and 15th. 11am-4pm. Palmetto Animal League Adoptions at Bluffton, SC Petsmart visit. www.palmettoanimalleauge.org for more information.

Great Dane Design My husband and I are building a house so I've been searching the net a lot for sources for everything from door hinges to lampshades. Ran across Decor Maison on Desire to Inspire when I was looking for wallpaper and found this fantastic image of a Great Dane and their black print wallpaper. Love it!

Ah, joy.

I love internet treasures like this one. Followed by this shot. With this gem as the grand finale.

When Raising Children, Lead By Example

Wow, this is nuts. Maverick researcher Shaun Ellis raises abandoned wolf cubs and teaches them by example how to survive in the wild. In A Man Among Wolves, see Shaun's unorthodox approach to understanding wolves’ every move—living and behaving like them, howling, licking, and snarling like them, even eating carcass meat like them. (now that's commitment!) According to the National Geographic Channel: " This one-hour special documents this man’s incredible journey to better grasp the complex nature of wolf society by immersing himself in their world as their accepted leader. It is a curious study that provides Shaun with one-of-a-kind insight into this feared predator."

Can a human teach wolves to be wild? Are they learning real skills to survive from this man? Or is this just TV magic? What can we learn about interacting with our dogs from this human/wolf experiment?

Check out the trailer here.

Airs on the National Geographic Channel at 9P on Monday, April 16th. Also airs: Tuesday, April 17 Friday, April 2.

Preventing "Puppy Overboard!"

The weather's getting warmer and you know what that means...time to hit the beach, take a dip in the pool or have a nice afternoon cruise on the boat. All these activities can, and for most pet owners, will involve your dog. To be sure that your dog is safe this summer during his or her water activities, consider purchasing a doggy life vest. My favorite life vest that I have found is made by Paws Aboard. Their life jackets are fashionable while still providing buoyancy and security for your dog. It also features a mesh underbelly for draining and drying. This doggy life vest as well as other Paws Aboard products for your sailor pup are available at petstreetmall.com or by clicking here!

Poet Pics.

People sometimes wonder why I don't post more photos and stuff about Poet, so here's some recent photos of her. We went to visit dad ( my husband, Chris) in his office but he was busy talking on the phone with a client. So we entertained ourselves with a little mini photo shoot and had a great time distracting him.

Wild Orchid


Bonny Lass

Homeward Bound

Last week, Boston Terrier Mickey, originally from Kansas City, was found 1,100 miles away from home in Billings, Montana. He had disappeared from his home 4 years ago and had not been seen since. Mickey was picked up and brought to the Billings Animal Shelter. Fortunately, Mickey's owners had microchipped him as a puppy. The shelter used the microchip to find his family back in Kansas City. He was returned to his owners last week. Read the full story and watch a video of Mickey's happy homecoming by clicking here. Or type http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/05/missing.dog.ap/index.html into your browser.

Pupdate

Having a puppy is full of fun, excitement and love. But more often cleaning, scrubbing, sweeping, vacuuming and scolding. Bryson has been a good dog for the most part. He was house-trained in 2 weeks and understands what "NO!" means. However, lately he has become quite the Houdini. He has learned to open the gate as well as his crate. Therefore, his daddy decided to give him a "trial run" and leave him out of his crate while we were out. Needless to say, Bryson made sure that everything that could have been shredded to pieces was, by the time we came home, shredded to pieces. His breathe reeked of sunflowers, as he had devoured our three sunflower scented candles on the night stand. In addition to the candles he tore up papers, wooden boxes, toys, plastic bags and chose the bathroom trash as his lunch. Unfortunately, the age old cliche excuse, "My dog ate my homework," has become a reality to me. In short, he failed his "trial run." However, no matter what Bryson eats, shreds, chews and destroys, one cannot help but love that adorable face and those innocent (looking) eyes.

Cadwallader Design

Doghouse
I love photos of dogs in fabulous interiors. So I'll be posting a few from time to time. Here's few to get us started that I found via Desire to Inspire.

Elle Decor

Bolig Magsinet


Richardson Sadeki design firm

April/May Photospread Sneak Peek

Enjoy this little sneak peek of photos for the April/May issue.
All photos by Julia Lynn.

Menu Foods Recall Update

Recalled pet foods contained a chemical used to make plastics, but government tests failed to confirm the presence of rat poison, federal officials said Friday.

The Food and Drug Administration said it found melamine in samples of the Menu Foods pet food, as well as in wheat gluten used as an ingredient.

Cornell University scientists also have found the chemical, also used as a fertilizer, in the urine of sick cats, as well as in the kidney of one cat that died after eating the company's wet food.

Paws Boutique

Located in the Freshfields Village Shopping Center at the crossroads of Kiawah and Seabrook Islands is a "truly unique boutique" offering a variety of fantastic items for pets and their owners. At Paws you can find everything from a wine bottle of all natural gravy to personalized embroidered collars.

Paws caters to the individual with the many options that you will find for designing your pet's life. You can design your own bed, buy a soft walking harness that is homemade by the store owner's mother, choose from 214 breeds on ceramic tiles with fun greetings, or commission a portrait of your pet by artist Greg Stormer who owns Paws along with his wife Denise.

Creativity, fresh color, and great style for your pet is just the beginning of what you can find at Paws. To see the rest make a visit to Denise and Greg! Also be sure to pick up a magazine to see their ad and check out Dog Deals Coupons on lowcountrydog.com!

Dog Saves Life Using His Version of Heimlich Maneuver


Toby, a 2 year-old golden retriever reportedly rescued his owner Debbie Parkhurst, 45 of Maryland after she was choking on an apple. Parkhurst attempted to perform the Heimlich maneuver on herself. However, after a failed attempt Toby came to the rescue, pushing her to the ground with his paws and consequently dislodging the apple from Parkhurst's throat. For the complete story click here

Pup Update

We took Bryson to the vet last week for his third set of vaccinations and his monthly weigh in. Turns out he gained 11 pounds in 3 weeks and now weighs 35 lbs at 3 months!! Still happy and healthy. He is currently sitting next to me waiting patiently. I promised him a trip to the beach on this beautiful day. More updates coming soon! :)

Happy Sails, Happy Tails

Inspired by the love for the sea, PoochStyle has designed a doggy bed in the shape of a boat. It has a comfortable cushion in the stern and a small storage area in the bow. The beds are made from solid hardwood and come in natural oak or painted white wood. The soft cushion inside the boat is 100% cotton and comes in a variety of prints, patterns and colors. Click here for prices, patterns etc.

South Carolina Dog Team Locates Lost Boy Scout in Blue Ridge Mountains

A South Carolina woman and her search and rescue dog Gandolf found lost Boy Scout Michael Auberry in the rugged Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina today around noon. Michael had been missing since Saturday after wandering off from the Boy Scout group he was camping with. What an amazing discovery! We'll update you as we learn more. But how thankful Michael and his family must be for this rescue volunteer and her dog Gandolf!

UPDATE: South Carolina Search Dog Team Member Misha Marshall was the handler for Gandolf ,who scented out Michael, saw him in the distance and alerted Marshall to the boy's location. We covered the Search and Rescue Association of South Carolina in an 2005 article, but if you'd like to learn more about this fantastic organization click here.

The Perfect Pee Spot

Every puppy searches for the perfect spot to pee. Unfortunately that spot is sometimes in the house. There are so many products on the market claiming to help your puppy house-train as quickly as possible. However, I came across one that seems pretty effective as well as creative. It's called the PuddleStopper Indoor Potty. It is basically a patch of artificial grass with a detachable vinyl underlying to catch what leaks through the grass. According to their website, the dogs who tried it loved it! Check it out... puddlestopper.com

Give A Dog A Home

Here's two more GSDs who need good homes. See the dog info and contact details below.I'm trying to find a home for a friendly seven year old male, pure bred
German Shepherd named Panzer. Here is the information:
He's registered with papers. He is not neutered. He weighs aprox. 95 pounds. He's always been an outdoor dog. His hips are in good condition. He's very gentle and good with children. He has had occasional seizures in the past couple if years. The vet says it's common and that there are pills available to control them but he has never had the pills.His dog house comes with him if you want it. He is FREE to a good home. Contact Iris Knapp at 678-549-9115 for more info.


Doggy is truly soooo sweet, gentle, loving and playful. He's a beautiful 8 year old male, fixed, with shots and documentation of superior breeding. All you have to do is spend 5 minutes with him to see how true this is. He needs a new home because his owner died and the extended family is unable to care for him. Please contact Ms. Walton Salley at salleyw@bellsouth.net for more info.

Classy Pooch Quarters

Paris Hilton's dogs sure have a classy space of their own. Paris herself? Well, that's another story.

Pet Food Recall

Menu Foods, an Ontario, Canada-based company that produces pet food, said Saturday it was recalling dog food sold throughout North America under 48 brands and cat food sold under 40 brands including Iams, Nutro and Eukanuba. The food is distributed by major retailers such as Wal-Mart, Kroger and Safeway. An unknown number of cats and dogs have suffered kidney failure and about 10 died after eating the affected pet food, the company said. Two other companies — Nestle Purina PetCare Co. and Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. — said Saturday that as a precaution they were voluntarily recalling some products made by Menu Foods.

The recall covers the company's "cuts and gravy" style food, which consists of chunks of meat in gravy, sold in cans and small foil pouches from Dec. 3 to March 6.

A complete list of the recalled products along with product codes, descriptions and production dates is available from the Menu Foods Web site, http://www.menufoods.com/recall. The company also designated two phone numbers that pet owners could call for information — (866) 463-6738 and (866) 895-2708.

Menu Foods' chief executive and president Paul Henderson told the Associated Press on Friday that the company was still trying to figure out what happened.

Sarah Tuite, a company spokeswoman, has said the recalled products were made using wheat gluten purchased from a new supplier, which has since been dropped for another source. Wheat gluten is a source of protein.

Food and Drug Administration' spokeswoman Julie Zawisza said it is still too early to determine what could have affected the food. Zawisza added that even if wheat gluten is the source "it doesn't necessarily mean the wheat gluten per se. It could be another substance associated with the wheat gluten."

Simpsons Co-Creator Helps Stray Dogs

Sam Simon, co-creator of The Simpsons, spends thousands of dollars to assist homeless dogs. Watch his interview on 60 Minutes, here.

Benjamin Wojcik and his Australian Shepherd Arlo Gunthrie

James Island Residents at the J.I. Dog Park

Come check out Lowcountry residents with their dogs in the most popular places for humans and dogs alike! Dogs About Town is a new Lowcountry Dog photo feature that gives a little bit of fame to locals and their furry friends. Click here to see the latest posts online or wait for your copy of the April/May issue - hitting stands April 6th!

This is such a funny little documentary. Just wait for the cow scene.

Upcoming Events

March 17: 7PM...The magic of Jonathan Bayme at the Sottile Auditorium on George Street. Tickets available for purchase at I Sold It in the South Windermere Shopping Center or by phone at 693-5465. A portion of the proceeds from advertising and ticket sales benefits Pet Helpers Rescue and Adoption Shelter.

Give a Dog a Home!
Here's info on some great dogs that need new homes due to extenuating circumstances. If you are interested in adopting a dog, these two are worthy of your consideration! Chloe's owner had to move to a nursing home which did not allow pets. The dog is living right now with the family of one of my staff members. However, they already have a lot of other pets and the residing dog does not tolerate Chloe at all. Chloe three years old. She is very sweet and gets along well with other pets, including cats, and people (behavior with children not known). She is a black Labrador retriever with no tail. She has been spayed and is current on all of her shots.She comes with all her medical records, toys, treats, food, a bed, and leash.She likes to be inside with people and then taken for walks. All she asks for in return is love and attention :) She is a very sweet dog and deserves a loving home. If interested please get in touch with Katherine at 843-708-1418.



Phoenix is a 1 - 2 year old German Shepard. She was rescued in December and gave birth to 10 puppies on January 5. All puppies have homes, but Mom still needs a loving home to go to. She is 84 lbs, has had her shots, but is Heartworm positive. She is being Spayed on March 20. She loves people and is very playful. She also loves walks so she can smell every mailbox and sign on the way. She has had some training and can sit and laydown when told and is housebroken. She tries very hard to please her person. If interested, please contact Kathy at (843) 425-0100.

Vineyard Crates For the Gourmet Pooch

Are you a wine connoisseur? Is your dog? If you can answer yes to either of these questions then you should definitely check out Whiner and Diner Dog Dishes. This company has been making unique and timeless dog dishes since 1997. Each dog feeder is hand crafted using wine crates from European and Californian vineyards. To find out more about these classy canine accessories, click here to go to Whiner and Diner's website or type http://whineranddiner.net/default.aspx into your browser.

Upcoming Events

March 10: Noon to 5:00PM
Dogmore Stew Festival at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. All proceeds benefit Lowcountry Animal Rescue. A day of fun for ALL members of your family! Call 843-821-3175 for more information.

Good Reason to Keep Your Dog on a Leash

Check out this video via CNN.

Yes, we don't have frozen ponds around here, but I bet something similar could happen on the beach if a dog got overcome with the waves.

Bryson, SIT!!!

So, this video pretty much sums up my daily routine with Bryson...constant movement. It is adorable and hilarious. Watch and enjoy Animal Planet's interpretation of the typical puppy.
Click here to view.

Dirtiest Mouth Contest

Does your pet have a "dirty mouth"? If your pet likes to ravage through the trash, stick their nose in the litter box or do other not-so-sanitary tricks -and you capture it on video - you have the chance to win one of three prizes as part of the Dirtiest Mouth Contest for Dogs and Cats, sponsored by the Keep it Clean™ Pet Dental Kit. Simply submit a video in VHS or DVD format depicting why your pet needs its teeth brushed by March 30th to:

Keep It Clean: Dirtiest Mouth Contest for Dogs and Cats

884 Johnnie Dodds Blvd, Suite 101

Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464

Prizes include:

First Place

A gift certificate to have your dog's picture transformed into an 11x14 watercolor painting from: MyDaVinci.com worth $150 and a Keep it Clean™ Pet Dental Kit.

Second Place

A gift certificate to your favorite pet store in the amount of $50 and a Keep it Clean™ Pet Dental Kit

Third Place

Fifty stamps with your dog's photo and a Keep it Clean™ Pet Dental Kit

Company executives will judge submissions, looking for videos that are funny and in good taste. Obscene, harmful or illegal videos will be eliminated from consideration and may be turned in to authorities. Please read the complete Official Contest Rules before submitting your video.

For more information, please e-mail: info@mettlerpr.com

Deadline: March 30, 2007

Beach Bums!

Last week we took Bryson to the beach. He absolutely loved it. He played in the sand and in the water. He was a very good boy and never wandered too far. However, his favorite thing was collecting seashells and sorting them into a pile...such a character! He also had a vet appointment last week and I am happy to report he is nice and healthy 23 pounds!! He is growing incredibly fast. That's all for now, I will keep you all updated on his progress!