From the - Squarespace...From the Front of the Pack… By Josh Rickey, Owner, Canine Adventure I have a dog. He’s not my dog, but he was for a little while. When we take dogs out

From the Front of the Pack…

By Josh Rickey, Owner, Canine Adventure

www.canineadventure.net

I have a dog. He’s not my dog, but he was for a little while. When we take dogs out on walks, we treat them as “our dog”. We take pride in their accomplishments, we take responsibility for their bad behavior, and we handle them as fairly as we do the ones who sleep in our beds at night. Frankie was “my dog” for a long time. He was my friend. The realities of a growing business have forced me to assign many of my friends to my employees. Capable, loving employees, it’s still as difficult a decision as it would be for someone to show up and take my own boys out for walks. I’m never disappointed but always a bit nostalgic about the times I’ve spent with my friends. I’ve made lots of dog friends over the years. In the human “friend” sense of the word, I don’t have many. The dogs have accepted me for the honest, confident, and sometimes abrasive person that I am. I spend lots of time reading my favorite book. It’s a photo journal of dog body language and how to interpret it. I’m amazed how dogs communicate with their whole bodies in their social interactions and how most dogs are very adept at speaking this intricate, honest language. We humans are pretty good at masking our true selves when it is convenient or necessary. With dogs, there is no bullshit. That’s what I look for in the folks that I bring on board. A genuine love of the dogs, but also a strong leadership streak is key in working with the rowdy bunch of hooligans we run on a daily basis. (Please note, “hooligans” is used in the most endearing sense… but Richmond, you have a wild bunch of dogs on your hands!) We are always on our game with our clients, ensuring that they are getting along well with others and also having a good time. We’re always leading, and earning our dogs’ respect moment to moment, reaffirming the friendship. These traits we cannot fake.

Our leadership has facilitated many excellent and long-lasting canine friendships. Watching these dogs make friends, form a pack, and bounce around like puppies when the pack is back together is likely the most rewarding experience for us. We experience it on a daily basis. Old and young, big and small, timid and brazen, we work with our dogs to help them get along, and match them up well. They thrive! They thrive and they don’t forget. As quickly as a dog will recognize an enemy, they will remember an old friend and celebrate their reunion. This edition is dedicated to our friends. Richmond’s dog community is large, but tight. We are fortunate to work with many local businesses and rescue organizations, and deep, long-lasting friendships have flowered. We count ourselves lucky to work with our local dogs, those who live in loving homes and those still in search of a home to call their own. The challenges of making a living working with dogs are well balanced by the rewards that these friendships bring us. With spring upon us, our family is growing and new friendships are budding. Nothing could be more exciting! Marshall and I used to run Frankie every week, sometimes twice. I would often hike a seven mile loop keeping up with them as they bounded up and down the north bank of the James, always close, but insistent that we cover the trail. Frankie smelled me in the parking lot. He ran ahead of the pack, knowing what he smelled. He led the charge with more friends in tow, greeting me with his wide open grin and working the camera as he always has. Franklin was happy to meet a new friend; Marshall was delighted to see an old one. But when Frankie made it a point to greet me first, I was validated. -article submissions, feedback, questions, and comments can

be submitted via email to [email protected]

Cover Photo: Sailor and Doc sharing the coveted tennis ball.

Photo by Brian Padow

What is she going to try next??! By Sarah McLaughlin, Owner, Sarah’s Dog Day

Care/Boarding www.boardmydog.homestead.com

It is important for people in the pet care profession to

form a bond with every dog we care for. Every bond we

make is equally important, but the friendships are

different with each dog.

I often find myself having a chuckle when I think about

my own stories and the stories of business associates

about dogs who were not so eager to befriend us at the

first, second, or even third introductions. We need to

gain the dogs trust and form a base from which to grow

our relationship.

In some cases, we can't use the ignore technique due to

lack of time. We need the trust quickly to carry out the

necessary care and routine for the dog so they can

adjust as fast as possible.

Sometimes you may see dog care providers on all fours

trying to coax a small dog out of hiding from

underneath a deck, treat in hand. Or perhaps you may

catch a glimpse of us out in the pouring rain, at

midnight, trying to bring a large dog inside (often a dog

that is no mood to be approached with a leash in hand).

Now, as you can imagine, at this hour and these

conditions, you may actually hear us try to reason with

the dog aloud in a soothing tone. Did I mention that the

dog is showing no interest in coming inside even with

the ignore technique? It is the dog’s first night, possibly

first time in a strange place, so he may not be acting like

himself.

No matter the challenge, if you stick with it, show

patience, and stand your ground, you and the dog will

always pull through together on the same side,

physically and emotionally tired.

Sometimes the one session is enough to seal the bond.

Some of the most timid and fearful dogs, when they

first started to board with me, are now the most well-

mannered and very excited to see me.

One might have never guessed that six months ago I

had to lay half under the kitchen table for two hours

while dinner burned, the phone rang and the world

went on, trying to coax the little guy who parked under

the table and has not eaten since before he came here,

yesterday morning. I am trying to show him it is okay to

eat and come out and play. It may have taken awhile

but when he takes the first bite of food and sighs and

then comes out from under the table it really is an

amazing accomplishment, an unspoken agreement if

you will. This dog will, now and always, be comfortable

here. Perhaps a little part of the dogs may even feel

sorry for us humans, for how ridiculous we look. Maybe

they become tired of hearing our voice and resign to

the fact that friendship is going to happen no matter

how long my voice and silliness lasts. Whatever the

case may be, I will continue my silly ways so long as

they work and I can make a new friend.

A Helping Hand to Pets in Need By Dr. Lori Pasternak, Helping Hands

www.helpinghandsvetva.com (804) 355-3500

The miracle of new life is just one part of the daily routine at Helping Hands.

It's still early morning and coffee is still warm in Dr. Lori Pasternak's mug when the phone rings.

"My dog is in labor and has been pushing for over two hours and I still don’t see any puppies,” cries the frantic caller. She is told to bring the dog to the Helping Hands Hospital on West Cary Street right away. Based on the caller's description, a C-section will be necessary. Within minutes of being brought in the door of Helping Hands, newborn puppies are delivered, rubbed to a red, rosy glow of health, and are squeaking for mom’s milk. The staff and volunteers are all in awe, Pasternak included. This is her every day, but miracles never get old.

Helping Hands, along with its dedicated founders and the dozens of volunteers that help make it possible, celebrated their first anniversary on Feb 17th. In the clinic's first year, Pasternak and her crew have helped more than 800 animals. Many of those cherished pets, were their owners left to foot the bill for care on their own, would have otherwise lost their life.

This is the special mission of Helping Hands -- to see that no animal goes without the care it deserves. The fees are affordable, fixed, and all inclusive (bloodwork being the only exception). Fees are kept reasonable by a careful combination of cost cutting and volunteer dedication.

Times are tight for families right now and pet care has been put lower on the priority list. Having to choose between paying your mortgage and saving your pet’s life is a choice no one should be faced with. Helping Hands is able to achieve its mission by limiting the scope of what it offers to surgery and dental care only, cutting out office visit/consultation time and fees, and only offering outpatient care.

A unique aspect of their hospital is that every bill ends in a five. For every procedure Pasternak performs, $5 goes directly into a “good citizen” account set aside for less fortunate pets in need of life-saving surgical procedures.

Using Helping Hands services automatically makes you a good citizen, in our book. People who donate $50 or more are honored with a hand or paw print on their outside mural wall, generously donated by Happy the Mural Artist.

The people who apply for this funding are required to repay their debt in community service to any local animal welfare group of their choosing -- or to Helping Hands, which asks only for one hour for every $10 discounted from their pet's bill.

Dr. Lori Pasternak comes from a family of doctors and her love of animals drew her to the veterinary field. While at Virginia Tech’s veterinary college, she discovered her passion for surgery. After years of performing surgery at a full service hospital, she is now dedicating her time to providing quality, yet affordable surgical and dental care.

“In my 12 years of practice, surgery and dental care are the two things people will let their pets go without simply due to prohibitive high costs”, says Pasternak. She is joined by Jacqueline Morasco, her “Jackie of all trades” who has worked beside Pasternak for many years.

Jackie and Lori with hands full of newborn puppies!

Since opening its doors, Helping Hands has been a viable resource for Richmond, but has also reached up and down the east coast. “We have been humbled, honored, and surprised at how far people will travel to have their pet receive the care it deserves." For more information, visit their website, www.helpinghandsvetva.com or call them at (804) 355-3500. They are located at 3402 W. Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23221 in Carytown. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter as they post educational and entertaining photographs and updates about the animals they help.

The Rescues

Bu Josh Rickey, Canine Adventure

www.canineadventure.net

When I started Canine Adventure almost three years ago, I

had more time than clients, and a solid desire to get

acquainted with as many dogs as possible, hike with them,

help to socialize them, and make friends!

I reached out to some of our local rescue organizations,

offering walks for their fostered dogs. These dogs were

looking for homes of their own and, in the meantime, often

needed a chance to get out and be a dog for a bit! The

Adventure Walks fit the bill for many of these dogs.

Since then, I’ve worked with a very wide variety of dogs

from many different backgrounds. They all have their own

issues that they carry with them, but it is uplifting to

provide them with some time to let loose, enjoy human

companionship, and learn a thing or two about being a pet!

Along the way, I’ve made friends with many great dogs and

seen them go to homes one by one. I even adopted one of

my own along the way! Of course, if I had room, the house

would be full of my rescue friends!

The lessons these dogs taught me along the way are

invaluable. My employees also thrive on the opportunities

to get rescued dogs out for walks and learn their own

lessons along the way.

Of course, the dogs love getting out as well!

The following photos are dedicated to the rescues that

we’ve worked with along the way. Special thanks to our

friends at ADRATI, Odessa Rescue and Rehab, Ring Dog

Rescue, Richmond Animal League, AARF, and Richmond

Animal Care and Control and to all of the volunteers and

foster families that give these dogs a chance!

You can sponsor an Adventure Walk for a dog with Richmond

Animal League or Richmond Animal Care and Control. Visit

www.canineadventure.net/sponsorarescuedog.html for more

details.

Ask the Trainer: You Never Get a Second Chance to Make a First Impression!

By Brandy Schofield, CPDT-KA, Spot on Spot Dog Training www.spotonspot.com [email protected]

Not only are dogs social creatures that can develop

strong bonds with one another but keeping your dog

social with other dogs can help prevent a number of

unwanted behaviors. As canine companions, it is up to

us to make sure we encourage positive interactions

with other dogs as well as make sure all introductions

start off on the right paw. Here’s a list of things to

remember when your dog is going to have a new

encounter…dogs learn by association so it is best to try

to do it right the first time.

1. The best introductions start with a walk. It may be seem like such a little thing but it helps with pack building as well as taking the edge off of a potentially stressful situation. You don’t need to have any interaction, just walk. Most dogs will benefit from the sheer nonchalance and you will see their body language change within a block or so.

2. Follow up to #1, watch your face to face contact. Dogs do much better if their initial meeting is done nose to butt. Think about it from your perspective, how would you feel if you first met a person by them rushing up to your face? It is not only intimidating but completely inappropriate. Make sure your dog doesn’t have to react to a pushy dog.

3. Your dog doesn’t have to be friends with everyone. Just like people, dogs can be selective with whom they associate. Not all dog’s play style match and for that reason you are going to have to accept that your dog may be choosy with whom they have fun with.

4. Learn dog’s body language, especially your own. There a thousand little subtle communications between dogs that can preempt play or a dog fight. I suggest going to the dog park without your dog and just watching. The more you learn about the silent messages dogs send one another, the closer you will come to understanding your own dog’s cues.

5. You need to remain calm and confident. All of your nervousness can travel down the leash

and can create a very ugly circumstance. Your dog should be looking to you for guidance and if you are frantic or panicked, your dog will quickly find themselves in that state as well.

6. Keep introductions in neutral and relaxed settings. The less distractions and possible triggers your dog has to deal with, the more positive the “friend making” will be. Some dogs will be out of sorts if they have to assimilate to outside factors, and sometimes just getting acquainted will be too much to digest.

7. Not all dogs want to be friends. When on a walk I think it best to communicate with other dog’s handlers before approaching, do not base it on the appearance of the dog. Assuming that a dog is going to be friendly with your own can be hazardous.

8. Some dogs need to “burn it off” first. If your dog is a high energy dog then it is important to find a way to get rid of some of that before an introduction with another dog (i.e. a pre-walk walk or basic obedience exercises). If your dog comes to a new introduction over-excited it could change the dynamic between the dogs and is quite often disagreeable in these scenarios.

9. Do not add food or toys into the mix. These can be triggers for many dogs and not until the dogs have built some semblance of a relationship would I consider presenting them.

10. Always end on a positive. To reiterate, dogs are associative learners and therefore we want all interactions to end on good terms so that is the memory (association) they are left with. So if there is some sort of scuffle, break it up and let things die down before walking away completely. It may seem minor but will help make the next attempt smoother.

Brandy answers reader’s questions in every issue of “Something to Bark About”. If you’d like to submit a question for her to answer, simply email it to [email protected].

About Canine Adventure “Something to Bark About” is a free quarterly publication brought

to you by Canine Adventure, LLC, a locally owned and operated

dog service provider, specializing in dog walks, Adventure Walks,

and pet sitting.

To find out more about the newsletter or Canine Adventure,

please visit our website at www.canineadventure.net. Thanks for

reading!

Spring is the time to get out and do fun stuff with your dog!

Many of our rescue friends are hosting dog friendly events

throughout the spring and summer.

Come out and support their cause and help homeless

animals find a loving family of their own. These are fun

times and excellent opportunities to make new human and

canine friends, as well as socialize your dog!

We will be at many of these events too, so please drop by

and say hello. We’d love to meet you and your best friend!

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