SF Dogzone

new website and blog

2007-11-30T16:56:00.000-08:00

From now on, I will be posting primarily on my new website for my dog boarding and dog training business in Placerville www.sierra-dogs.com.

In my new business location, I will take clients from all of El Dorado County and the greater Sacramento area (including El Dorado Hills, Folsom, Cameron Park, Shingle Springs, Rancho Cordova, etc.), and will also retain some clients and business in San Francisco.

I will be focusing on dog training and boarding, and you can find lots of details about my services at www.sierra-dogs.com/services.htm. Boarding will be in my home on a nearly 3 acre property nestled among the trees in Placerville. It's only 5 minutes off the highway (for those of you heading up to Tahoe and wanting to drop off your dog), but it feels like it's away from everything. You can find pictures at www.sierra-dogs.com/photos.htm

I will maintain my SF DogZone website and photo albums, but the Sierra Dogs site will be updated much more frequently.

The Big Move

2007-07-03T11:21:00.000-07:00

Well, folks, I made the big move from San Francisco up to Placerville, which is 2 hours away, located in the lower Sierra Foothills east of Sacramento. You can see a map here.

While I will no longer do dog-walking, I will continue to board dogs, and also focus more on the training side of my business.

It was really tough to leave so many great friends and clients, but I will visit San Francisco frequently for both work and play, so you may still run into me and Luna at one of our favorite dog parks.

I'm in the process of buying some property up here, hopefully with a couple of acres for the dogs to romp in. Stay tuned for updates!

Farewell Party

2007-07-01T11:41:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, which was my last day in San Francisco, we had a farewell party at Upper Douglass Dog Park. Many of my friends and clients -- both 2-legged and 4-legged -- came to hang out with Luna and me and enjoy the gorgeous weather. I could not have asked for a better send-off!

My special thanks go out to Sue for getting the cake and the drinks, helping to set up, and just generally being very supportive and helpful. And thanks to Denise for taking great pictures and posting them in a spotlight on the Friends of Upper Douglass Dog Park (FUDDP) website. (www.fuddp.org)

Olive

2007-05-24T22:25:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to snag Olive, the golden retriever puppy/adolescent, as a new boarding client. What a doll! She played like crazy the entire time she stayed here, with my dog Luna and anyone else who would play with her. She has excellent dog-dog manners for one so young, which ensures that she has lots of playmates happy to see her. My dog Luna absolutely loved her, and was a little depressed after Olive left, and I think I was too.

Like most playful puppies, Olive can contort herself in seemingly impossible ways during play. I tried to get a few pictures of her in these crazy positions. It's such fun to watch her play.

For more pictures of Olive, visit the photo page on my website.

Miss Stella the pug

2007-05-16T20:10:00.000-07:00

I recently met Miss Stella the Pug (--that's what I call her, but her name is really just Stella), and she came to stay with me. She is scrumptious. There is no other way to put it. She is such a sweet little girl that I just want to scoop her up every time I look at her. She has this tiny, cute little head, and sometimes her tongue is sticking out of her mouth just the tiniest bit, which makes me laugh.

She often has a slightly worried looking expression, but then she'll follow it up with a relaxed, happy smile if you talk to her or pet her.

She is an East Coast transplant who seems to be settling in quite well here, thanks to having a sweet nature, and loving owners who take good care of her. She is a very welcome addition to the area.

Pug love

2007-04-29T17:49:00.000-07:00

I know I say this all the time, but I'm in love. Now, I love pugs to begin with, but I just boarded one named Gutterball who has completely captivated me. He is so incredibly good-natured and playful, and just loves to clown around. He also loves to snuggle up, of course.

I especially enjoyed the fact that he and my dog Luna played so much together. What a joy (and a comedy) to watch!

At the dogpark, he charmed people and dogs alike, and played with nearly everyone. And aside from splashing in the waterbowl, which I must admit was pretty cute, he had perfect manners with everyone.

Thanks for a great couple of days, Gutterball! You are welcome back any time at all.

Goodbye Tucker

2007-03-29T01:32:00.000-07:00

In loving memory of Tucker, aka Tucker Man. He started off life abandoned and left to die in a garbage can. He was discovered, adopted, raised, and loved by Deborah, and they adored each other the whole of his long life. He passed away in her arms, at home, the way it should be when the sad day comes. He will be missed.

Double Trouble

2007-02-27T21:48:00.000-08:00

Venus and Finley, two gorgeous Vizslas from the same household, recently stayed with me. Despite the title of this post, they weren't trouble -- just high energy fun.

They each have really distinct personalities:

Finley is the athlete, focused on the ball. He tries to act serious, although he is quite playful.

Venus is more likely to be flirting with and charming the nearest person. She clowns around a lot and does her best to make everyone smile and pet her.

After getting to know Darda, Stella, and other Vizslas in the neighborhood, and now Venus and Finley, I've become a real fan of the breed. They aren't for everyone, of course -- they are high energy dogs originally bred for hunting, and they need LOTS of exercise. They also tend to be sensitive or high-strung if not well socialized from a very early age-- but they are excellent cuddlers, sweet and loving, and are a lot of fun to have around. Whatever breed you might be interested in, it's always a good idea to do your homework before adopting: research breed characteristics, and talk to people who own the same type of dog.

For more pictures of Venus and Finley, please visit the photo page of my website.

Dexter On Board

2007-02-15T00:35:00.000-08:00

Meet Dexter, the newest addition to my dog playgroups. He is tiny terrier mix of some kind, but has a huge personality, and will charm the socks off of any person he meets.

Dexter was a rescue animal available through the Milo Foundation, an animal rescue organization in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, and his new family brought him home only a few weeks ago. Due to their excellent preparation, Milo is taking all the changes in his life in stride. He is fairly well-socialized with people and is getting over any minor fears he started off with.

Training can play an important role in successfully welcoming a new pet into your household. There are many excellent positive reinforcement based training classes in San Francisco. Dexter's family has chosen a training class at the San Francisco SPCA (see info on their training classes here)

Dexter is still a little nervous on occasion at the dog park, but seems to be adjusting quickly, and has even made a few friends, like Thelma, who is another Milo dog.

One of my favorite things about Dexter is his prancing or strutting walk -- it's beautiful and funny at the same time, and it definitely shows off his personality. For more photos of Dexter, click here.

Stella is back!

2007-01-23T23:32:00.000-08:00

One of my clients, Stella, returned from an extended stay out of state, and today was her first day back with the group. So she is my "featured pet" for this week. I missed her while she was gone!

Recently, we discovered that Stella is fascinated by a dog toy called the Hol-ee Roller (pictured at right), made by JW Pet Company and sold at most pet stores. They make some other cool dog toys like Good Cuz and Bad Cuz, and the Chompion. (I'll write a separate blog entry soon on the best dog toys.)

Anyway, just put an item like a squeaky ball or other desirable object inside it, and then watch dogs try to figure out how to remove it; it's challenging and fun for them.

You can find more photos of pretty Stella by going to the photo page on my website.

Update on Chaca

2007-01-21T19:10:00.000-08:00

Many people have been kind enough to ask for an update on Chaca's story. (Original post can be found here.) Well, she's doing great and is ready for adoption!

Over the last few weeks, she has been staying with Larry Johnson, a San Francisco Animal Care & Control Officer and private dog trainer, and according to him, she is "a great little dog." His assessment is that she would make a wonderful pet for someone firm, loving, and experienced with dogs (ideally experienced with border collies in particular).

Earlier today, I took Chaca, along with my own dog Luna, and one of their doggie friends, Thelma, up to a small ranch property up in the Glen Ellen area. My purpose was to assess Chaca's progress, to introduce her to some people who wish to help search for a new owner for her, and of course to have a fun day romping in the countryside.

All three dogs ran, chased sticks, chewed pine cones, tried to roll in wild turkey poop (--yuck!), splashed in water troughs and ponds, and sniffed to their heart's content.

They had to wait outside on the porch while the two-legged folks ate a quick lunch, but they kept a close eye on us.
It would have been a perfect day, if not for the shadow cast by the uncertainty of Chaca's fate/future. She can only stay with Larry until approximately February 1st. I will foster her for as long as I can after that date, but also have financial and other constraints. So we urgently need to find Chaca a suitable and happy home.

Please share Chaca's story with anyone who might be interested in sponsoring or adopting her. I am happy to answer any questions. This little freckle-faced dog started off life with the deck stacked against her, and in spite of it all, she is smart, healthy and loving. She deserves a happy ending.

Air travel with pets

2007-01-12T00:12:00.000-08:00

Several of my clients have asked my opinion about traveling by plane with a dog or other pet. So here are my thoughts, and some links that may help you decide whether or not to bring your pet on your next vacation.

My personal opinion is that you should avoid taking your pet on an airplane, especially if you are unable to take it with you in the cabin. It's stressful to them, and can be physically dangerous. Airlines treat pets like luggage. I don't know about you, but I can get over lost or damaged luggage, but not a lost or injured/killed pet. And most cargo compartments are not temperature controlled, are extremely noisy, and don't necessarily provide enough oxygen to your animal. They are not designed to transport live animals.

In the spirit of full disclosure, part of my business is taking care of animals while their owners are away, so I have a vested interest in people NOT taking their pets. Therefore, below are some sources for unbiased information.

If you do decide to fly with your pet, don't forget to talk to your vet first, and read the information in the links below to try to make the experience as safe as possible. In addition to checking your airline's safety record (see below), be sure to check with them about specific requirements they may have.

Links to more information:

The Humane Society of the US has a web page that provides Tips for Safe Pet Air Travel
Since 2005, airlines are required to report all incidents of lost, injured, or killed pets. You can find these reports on the Aviation Consumer Protection section of the Department of Transportation website here. However, these reports are cumbersome and don't provide easy summaries. Also, because there is not really a good mechanism for tracking/enforcing consistent and accurate reporting, I believe these numbers significantly under-report the problem. But they are all we have in terms of hard data, for now.
There is a website that has compiled the data for you here (thank you to Jol A. Silversmith at ThirdAmendment.com!)

I've also provided a table of incidents from May 2005 through November 2006.

Carrier	Death	Injury	Loss
Alaska Airlines	2	3	1
American Airlines	9	0	0
ATA Airlines	0	0	2
Atlantic Southeast	1	0	0
Comair	0	1	0
Continental Airlines	16	11	0
Delta Airlines	3	0	3
Frontier Airlines	0	2	0
Hawaiian Airlines	1	3	1
Horizon Airlines	2	1	0
Midwest Airlines	2	1	0
Northwest Airlines	0	2	2
Pinnacle Airlines	0	2	0
Shuttle America	1	0	1
SkyWest Airlines	1	0	0
United Airlines	7	0	1
US Airways	1	1	1
*Total*	46	27	12

(Of the deaths, 38 involved dogs, 5 involved cats, 2 involved birds, and 1 involved a rat. Of the injuries, 20 involved dogs and 7 involved cats. Of the losses, 2 involved dogs, 9 involved cats, and 1 involved a bird. In addition, 1 of the lost cats was subsequently reported to have been recovered, while 3 of the injured dogs were reported to subsequently have died of their injuries.)

Goodbye to Gilbert

2007-01-06T15:11:00.000-08:00

Gilbert the pug, who belonged to Loretta (the dogwalker), got lost on New Year's Eve and was later found dead on January 4th. A friend, Julie, has arranged a brief, informal gathering of friends and supportive dog owners at Upper Douglass Park for tomorrow (Sunday the 7th) at 2pm. This is meant as a remembrance of Gilbert, and as a show of support to a fellow dog-owner who has suffered a loss that all of us can relate to.

Plea for help -- save Chaca

2006-12-20T03:08:00.000-08:00

Chaca, the beautiful, endearing, complex, difficult, wonderful dog, has received a temporary stay of execution, so to speak. But she needs your help in order to survive.

Some of you know this story, or parts of it, and some don't. I've provided details below, and it's a long story, but a compelling one. Basically, she needs funding for training & fostering, and she also will need a new home. I know that there are many demands on your good will and charity, especially during this holiday time, but if you can help even a little bit, I will be eternally grateful, and so will Chaca.

I love this dog more than I can possibly describe. Chaca started off life abandoned and discarded, but she deserves a happy ending -- Will you help give one to her?

Here's the scoop:
Chaca is approximately 1 1/2 years old and is a small border collie mix. At around 4 or 5 months old, she was abandoned in a drop box at a shelter, and probably was abused before being discarded. She was fostered briefly, and then adopted by a family that is loving, but very inexperienced with dogs.

I have been taking Chaca out in small dog playgroups for almost a year, and have occasionally boarded her in my home for short periods. She has made progress in many areas, but is not a good match for the family she has been living with (-- one of them never wanted a dog to begin with, and Chaca knows it).

Chaca is a wonderful and loving dog, but needs to live with someone experienced with border collies or other herding dogs, someone who can be not only loving, but consistent and firm.

Chaca plays well with other dogs, and many people at the park remark upon what a good playmate she is. Being a border collie, she is semi-obsessed with chasing the ball, of course, but also enjoys play with other dogs and will not guard her toys.

She has always been uncomfortable with being reached for (--god knows the abuse she probably experienced as a puppy!), but while she used to allow me and some others to put on her leash or take her collar, she now sometimes attempts to flee, or failing that, to growl, snap, and eventually nip as a last resort. She has nipped several times and has broken skin and clothing, and/or caused bruising, but no one has required medical attention other than bandaids, etc. She has shown mild leash reactivity, and some food-guarding issues, as well, but has made progress with training. She wants to please, and is extremely smart.

Over the last several months the relationship between Chaca and her family worsened until, not knowing what to do, the family believed they had to euthanize Chaca. However, at the last minute, they were put in contact with Larry Johnson, an Animal Care and Control officer with a background as a dog trainer. (He is featured on the television show Animal Cops San Francisco; see his bio here.) Larry met Chaca and is willing to board Chaca privately while he attempts to assess and train her; he is doing this for a very reasonable discounted fee, but it is still a financial burden on the family.

I have donated time and services for Chaca, and am willing to foster her for a while, but cannot adopt her myself or pay for the full training period. So I appeal to you, my friends, colleagues, neighbors, and fellow dog-lovers: Please contribute toward her training (even $10 or $20 will be of great help), and spread the word so that we can locate an experienced dog person who might be interested in taking on this "project dog." You can click on the link below to donate via Paypal (you don't need to have a paypal account), or if you prefer to talk to me, the family, or the trainer directly, please send an email to savechaca@gmail.com

Honestly, how can you resist this face...?

Kennel Cough -- a misnomer

2006-12-18T09:17:00.000-08:00

Two of my clients recently took their pets to the vet for vaccination boosters, and when asked whether they wanted to vaccinate for "kennel cough", replied something to the effect that they didn't put their dogs in kennels, so no they did not.

This made me realize that a little helpful information spreading is in order...

Kennel cough is a bronchitis characterized by a harsh, hacking cough which most people describe as sounding like “something stuck in my dog’s throat.” It is analogous to a chest cold for humans. It is usually caused by airborne bacteria, most commonly bordetella, but can also be caused by viruses or other organisms.

It is highly contagious among dogs, although usually not serious to any but the very young/old or immuno-suppressed, but despite it's nickname of kennel cough, it is just as easily spread anywhere at all that dogs congregate, for example the dog park, the corner cafe where dogs are often tied up, etc. Particularly since many owners will not recognize the symptoms in their dog, which may be quite mild, and will unknowingly take their dogs out while contagious. Vaccinations are available (given either annually or even twice per year) -- discuss with your vet whether your dog should receive one.

For more info, you can Google "canine bordetella" or visit sites like this one or or talk to your vet.

There, that's the lesson of the day. ;-)

Petunia update

2006-12-15T01:58:00.000-08:00

I previously chronicled the plight of Petunia, who needed some operations, and her foster mom, who needed some financial assistance. Well, I'm happy to report that a number of people donated small amounts, and thanks to their help and the foster-mom's dedication, Petunia is recovering nicely from a successful surgery.

Now that she is healthy and in a loving environment, Petunia is letting her playful, sweet personality show through.

Thanks to all who helped, and asked about her.

Citipets (new pet store in West Portal)

2006-12-08T22:50:00.000-08:00

Today's post is a shameless plug for a new pet store in West Portal called Citipets (183 West Portal Ave., S.F., 415-564-1183). I attended the opening party on this rainy and chilly night, and was really impressed.

The products are great quality, and the prices are very fair. But best of all, it's a family business run by local people who are involved in the community and really experienced with pet care. They've been doing dog-walking, training, and pet-sitting for years, and it shows.

Check it out -- it's an easy stop on the way to Fort Funston or Stern Grove, for those of us who don't actually live in West Portal. Their prices on food like Innova, Solid Gold, Wellness, and other premium brands are great. The store is also well-laid out, and inviting, so check it out, and bring your pooch with you! Tell them Eden says hello.

New Addition -- a Pug Puppy!

2006-12-05T08:48:00.000-08:00

Meet Willy. Could he be any cuter? I think not.

He's still too young to come out with the group, but I'm enjoying my visits with him, and watching him develop.

While Leroy's family is still grieving his loss, I am happy they were able to open their hearts and home to a new life. There's nothing like a puppy to keep you in the moment!

He will definitely keep us all on our toes, I think. All that puppy energy...

I told them about some of my favorite resources for new puppy owners, including the book After You Get Your Puppy by Ian Dunbar (can be purchased from Dogwise.com by clicking here), and the organization SF Puppy Prep (see their site here) which offers both a Puppy Happy Hour and a Small Dog Happy Hour every Friday evening.

Boy, I'd forgotten how tough it is to get a puppy to hold still long enough to get a non-blurry picture! Especially with my old digital, with its unbearable lag-time between pressing the shutter, and the picture being taken.

For more pictures of Willy, both blurry and not, you can navigate from my homepage www.sfdogzone.com, or go directly to Willy's album.

Thanksgiving

2006-11-24T23:27:00.000-08:00

As many of my friends and family know, it's been a rough few weeks... my house was burgled (while I was home!), and I had a few other setbacks and emotional things going on.

But one of the great things about my work is that I'm reminded every day by the dogs around me of how to enjoy the moment.

They also know how to be eternally optimistic, especially when it comes to eyeing food on the Thanksgiving dinner table!

So, I give thanks to my dog Luna, and to all the other pups who know how to put a smile on my face no matter what.

Take a look at these pics of a few of my Thanksgiving houseguests this year and last year, and think about what you are thankful for. Sounds hokey, I know, but that doesn't mean it isn't worth doing.

The Petunia Fund

2006-11-17T00:42:00.000-08:00

Julie, a fellow dog walker, has rescued a dog, Petunia, from a kill shelter and is fostering her. She has already paid for treatment for worms, fleas, kennel cough, anemia, and bloody diarrhea, but she still needs to get an operation for the fistula (open wound) on Petunia's mouth, since food and stuff can get directly into her sinuses, causing painful and serious infections, and she needs to be spayed. Her foster mom will do what she has to for the dog, but this is pretty expensive (around $1200 for the operation on top of what she's already invested), and she would certainly appreciate any help she gets.

You can donate directly either by contacting the SF Pet Hospital at 415-931-8312 and saying you'd like to contribute to the Petunia Fund, or by going to the Paypal page I've set up for her. Any amount at all that you can give -- $10, $25, $50, whatever -- will be deeply appreciated. It is not tax deductible, but 100% of the money will go directly to Petunia's healthcare.

The whole story, as well as more photos, can be found on Petunia's blog.

Lia, a new client

2006-11-14T23:06:00.000-08:00

Lia, a beautiful English yellow lab, just joined one of my dog playgroups. What a sweet girl, and a welcome addition to my other wonderful "pack" members! She has very good doggy manners, and is a dream to spend time with.

So far, her favorite things are splashing, playing, and running at Fort Funston (--duh, I know, that's EVERYBODY'S favorite activity!),
and playing with a plastic water bottle. She can be hanging out at the park, all mellow, but when she sees that water bottle, she lights up, and gets into that great, mischievous play mode. Beautiful.

For more pictures of Lia, please visit www.sfdogzone.com or go directly to Lia's photo album.

Bumbledog

2006-11-01T09:56:00.000-08:00

For Halloween this year, my dog and I were both dressed as bumblebees. Very LARGE bumblebees. I know, I know, but I swear that it's the only day of the year I put clothes on my dog. She's just not that kind of dog, and I'm not that kind of owner. But come on, it was *Halloween*!

Poor Luna, she kept shooting me miserable looks when I first put her in the costume:

But once she was able to shake the antenna completely off to the side, and get out to meet people and attempt to scavenge for dropped candy, she was much happier:

I joke about the candy, but it's not funny, really. I had to be very vigilant, since candy and wrappers can be dangerous to dogs. See my previous post on Halloween safety. 'Nuff said.

We went down along 24th Street in Noe Valley with my niece and nephew et al, and had a great time.

Lots of people commented on my "bumbledog" and how cute she was. A few people thought she was supposed to be a "killer bee," but clearly those are people who know nothing about my extremely friendly pooch! Even she was getting a little overwhelmed by the crowds and excitement, however, so I gave her some periodic breaks away from the crush. She was a good sport.

Unfamiliar Shapes & Dog Socialization

2006-10-31T16:56:00.000-08:00

Wow, a lot of dogs seemed really wound up at the park today; there were extra scuffles, barking, and general energy. I think that all the excitement, schedule changes, and unfamiliar shapes (i.e. costumes) that come with Halloween were to blame.

Dogs don't change their shape dramatically by putting on outfits or costumes, and so they don't always know what to make of Darth Vader, dragons, or giant milk carton shapes suddenly walking the streets. It can make many of them nervous, and people sometimes forget that. Just one more reason to socialize your puppy/dog as much as possible --introduce them over and over in positive ways to people and things of all shapes and sizes, to bicycles, skateboards, wheelchairs, umbrellas, backpacks, headphones, shopping carts, etc.

Not sure how to socialize, or what that means? Just do a google search on "socialize dogs OR puppies" and you'll come up with a ton of stuff.

Pet Loss & Grief -- Leroy is gone

2006-10-29T01:00:00.000-07:00

I learned that Leroy was killed yesterday: hit by a bus after he slipped his harness while out walking with his owner. Leroy, my beloved, trouble-making, utterly irresistible pug client. Client isn't even the right word -- I loved him like crazy. My heart aches. Not for him, but for myself, and for his owners, because we won't have him to cuddle with, talk about, and do stuff with anymore. Because he's dead, just like that.

I wish I could tell my dog that he's gone. She won't know, and for some reason I can't get that out of my head. She loved him, too, and I can't explain to her or give her something to smell that would let her know. I think I just need everyone to *know*. Know that he's gone. Know how much we loved him. Know how much it hurts.

I've lost dogs in my life before. It is incredibly painful, and the grief is sometimes worse if those around you don't understand why the loss of "only a pet" is so devastating. Luckily, I surround myself with other dog people. We understand. We get why it's so horrible each and every time, and also why it's so worth it anyway, to have these creatures in our lives, even for the short time they are here. (Also, here in SF we're lucky to have great resources like the San Francisco SPCA monthly drop-in pet loss support group. Link)

The owners and I were able to talk, cry, and reminisce tonight. Mostly cry. It was cathartic, but of course the grief is still there.

Leroy, you will be sorely missed. I will remember you as you were on our last outing together: we went to the beach at Fort Funston, and you played with the other dogs and ran around for hours, king of all you could see, and got so tired that you fell asleep nestled against my leg on the ride home, snoring, of course.

Halloween Pet Safety

2006-10-25T08:19:00.000-07:00

Halloween is just around the corner, and here is a link to the ASPCA's tips to keep your pets safe:Link

Have fun, and for any of my clients and friends, I would love to see pics of your pets in costume, if you have them! Here is a pic of me and Luna from 2005; I was Little Red Riding Hood and she was the Big Bad Wolf in grandma's nightie.

Upper Douglass Park Clean-Up Day

2006-10-22T22:13:00.000-07:00

I organized the first of (hopefully) many clean up days at Upper Douglass Park (see map here or photos of the park here), and the response was even better than I'd hoped. Over 30 people showed up to work this morning, and several people who couldn't make it today came earlier in the weekend and worked on their own.

Together, and with the help and direction of Brian, the gardener for the park, we picked up innumerable bags of dog poop, broken glass and other trash, as well as filled in holes in the field and patched gaps in the fence. The weather was beautiful, the dogs were well-behaved, and a good time was had by all!

My only mistake was not taking more pictures... I guess I'll have to remedy that next time. :-)