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10 inside F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 8 COLUMNS 4 ASK THE TRAINER 7 PICK OF THE PACK 9 DOGS IN THE CITY F E AT U R E S Photos Greg Murray On the cover Lorain Police Officer Rick Doc Broz has helped over 2 000 stray and abandoned Lorain dogs since becoming the department s humane officer and dog warden in 2014 Here he s seen with his own dog Skeeter who he rescued from Friendship APL 6 8 10 14 16 FROM THE CAGE TO THE COUCH LYME DISEASE PREVENTION MEET OFFICER RICK DOC BROZ ANIMAL COMMUNICATION REMEMBERING OUR BEST FRIENDS Join our email newsletter list at CLEDOG net Publishers Karen Uthe Semancik Mark Brabant Webmaster Karolina Shook Cover Photo Greg Murray Columnists Jennifer Baker Pick of the Pack Chuck Stella Ask the Trainer Amanda Roush Dogs in the City Contributing Writers Ann McDonald Skye Bar Susan Spisak Linda Slusser CLE DOG magazine is published monthly by GoFetch Media LLC P O Box 40172 Bay Village OH 44140 Copyright 2018 GoFetch Media LLC All rights are reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission Unsolicited articles are invited but the Publishers reserve the right to edit any and all materials All materials submitted to CLE DOG are considered to be CLE DOG property and unconditionally assigned to CLE DOG for publication and copyright purposes ADVERTISING INFORMATION Karen Uthe Semancik Karen cledog net 216 598 6361 PHOTO SUBMISSIONS Mark Brabant Mark cledog net 440 785 4136

BEHAVIOR B Y CHUCK STELLA Q What s the best way to manage a dog household A It s important for the human to be in charge regardless of your theories on dog training Whether it s all reward based or balanced training the pack animal follows a chain of command If you let the dog make his own decisions then chances are he will make poor choices Remember you want them to live in your world and be happy so you have to reach a balance Here are some simple rules to help you with that Control excitement As much as I like my dog to be excited about me coming home it s not healthy to have a dog bouncing off the walls when someone arrives It sets a standard of behavior that is repeated every time that door opens It in turn creates anxiety associated with coming and even going Practice ignoring the dog when you arrive and for several minutes afterward If you don t feed the excitement it will decrease Don t baby talk This is a vocal affection It s just as bad as petting an excited dog Teach a place Teach your dog to go to alocation when you arrive home and remain there till you re ready to greet This will give your dog time to relax while you are settling in from being gone This also gives the dog a task The task is to go and wait for me Potty breaks Going out to potty is another problem area especially if you re a multi dog household They love to go outside and play This is often a really excited time for them and can often cause a fight between dogs jockeying for first place out the door Door control First thing you need to do is create calm with the door open You can use a leash for this Once you establish the door open doesn t mean you get to go out you have a good start Next is the release to go out the door calmly this is where the leash comes in If the dog bolts step on the leash and start over It may take a few tries but the dog will get it 4 All things DOG in Northeast Ohio Feeding This is another area of over excitement Start with a sit command when prepping the food Make them stay in a sit even when the food is set on the floor The food is only allowed when the dog exhibits calm behavior This may take a few minutes at first but the dog will quickly learn that it needs to be in a calm state to get access to the food If the dog does not calm down after five minutes take the food up off the floor and wait for a bit before starting over Walking Walking your dog should be a stimulating adventure but not a crazy running and pulling event This is essentially the hunt for your dog It should be a time for taking in the smells and sites of his territory But there are still rules to this as well so make him walk calmly with you while allowing investigation Also we should not allow aggressive behavior with neighbor dogs In your dog s world a neighbor dog is invading your dog s territory But in our world that s not the case You should discourage aggressive behavior on walks Cars Your car is no different than your home the same rules apply calm behavior when you encounter a dog or a person Again this is a good time to have a leash or dragline on your dog so you can effectively manage the unwanted behavior Remember this is not mean Dogs live in a survival mode most of the time It s just the nature of the animal inside Be fair be consistent be in charge but most of all be calm Chuck Stella is owner of The Bark Club daycare and Elite K911 Training Behavior A professional dog trainer for 14 years he is a member of International Association of Canine Professionals a graduate of Columbia University and a Code 3 Ohio Humane Agent His pack Chupa Venus Radar and Butch who recently passed

Honoring K9 Veterans March 13 is National K9 Veterans Day By Karen Uthe Semancik After the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941 things changed Goods like oil leather and rubber were rationed men were drafted women went to work building war supplies and dogs were called to duty Yes dogs During WWI the U S took notice of how Europeans used canines as sentries and messengers and a Dogs for Defense program was initiated by civilian Alene Erianger who along with the AKC and a handful of breeders trained dogs for military use By 1942 the first Dogs for Defense canines were ready for duty in North Africa But as the war progressed Dogs for Defense was unable to keep up with the demand and the Remount Branch Service Installations Divisions took over the training of the dogs Over the years the military police and rescue groups have developed a variety of training methods to help each K9 unit meet its specific demands Today we honor National K9 Veterans Day on March 13 the official birthday of the U S Army K9 Corps which was formed in 1942 Joseph White a retired military working dog trainer originated the idea for this special day So when you thank a veteran for his or her service don t forget about the K9 veterans also March 2018 CLEDOG net 5

From the Cage C uch to the Rascal was found as a stray in the City of Cleveland A sweet senior he was blind from ulcerations on his eyes due to infections He also had poor hearing No one claimed him so Lake Erie Labrador Retriever Rescue Inc stepped up and took him in on July 13 2017 From the moment the rescue team met him this nice Lab mix had a tail wag for everyone His big Lab heart beat in time with every wag of his tail Through three baths he smelled and his vet appointments that tail wagged on Even after the surgery to remove his painful damaged eyes his tail wagged It wagged right into the heart of a wonderful senior dog loving woman in Michigan Today Rascal is living it up with his new family including fur siblings Sasha and Radar also seniors and his adoring mom Susan He loves massages and gives gentle love nibbles in return Despite his sightless state his tail continues to wag with his love of life and people PetPeople is proud to sponsor From the Cage to the Couch As your neighborhood store for pets we are deeply committed to supporting local nonprofit animal related charities Come bring your rescued pets into one of our eight Northeast Ohio stores for natural wholesome and nutritious foods and treats to help them thrive in their new life www PetPeopleStores com Partners With Paws of Lorain County Inc raises funds for pets in need like Rascal Saving homeless pets four paws at a time PartnersWithPawsOfLorainCountyInc www PartnersWithPawsLC com 6 All things DOG in Northeast Ohio

PRODUCTS BY JENNIFER BAKER NATURAL FLEA TICK PREVENTION When it comes to preventing fleas and ticks it doesn t have to be chemical warfare While it is convenient to use monthly chemical products the side effects can range from serious to deadly Not to mention the topical chemicals can rub off on to human kids and furniture So what are some of the non chemical options and do they really work We started using all natural flea and tick preventatives five years ago on our dogs and cat and have had very good results We use a combination of a daily oral product and a topical spray when we are headed to the Metroparks or anywhere we re likely to encounter woods or tall grass The Healthy Dogma Co makes Flee Flea Flee It s a blend of garlic kelp flaxseed and yeast that works by changing the taste of your pet s blood making it unappealing to fleas and ticks It s a weight based dosing formula and is given daily The Earth Animal Company has a similar product available in either a liquid or powder formula Our cat refuses the powder formula but doesn t mind the drops while the dogs absolutely love the powder so it s nice to have the liquid option For people who don t want to deal with a daily preventative the Alzoo Company makes herbalbased topical products for both dogs and cats These are applied between the shoulders and are effective up to three months but they aren t waterproof If your dog goes swimming or has a bath the product needs to be reapplied Another alternative to the daily products is a flea collar Earth Animal and Alzoo both have herbal based allnatural flea collars available for dogs and cats These collars are made to repel fleas ticks mites and mosquitoes without harsh chemicals Once you put the collar on the protection lasts for four months Also available are herbal based topical sprays Ark Naturals makes Flea Flicker Tick Kicker spray a blend of oils that repel fleas ticks flies and mosquitoes This can be used daily and works for dogs and cats I ve been known to borrow it when the mosquitoes are making my life miserable too Earth Animal also has an herbal spray as part of its all natural Flea Tick program but it s for dogs only Jennifer Baker is owner of Grateful Dog Bakery in North Ridgeville an allnatural dog and cat supply store featuring an in store dog bakery She is the proud mom of five dogs and one cat To contact her email news gratefuldogbakery com or follow her GratefulDogB March 2018 CLEDOG net 7

Blacklegged or Deer tick Lyme Disease Prevention What You Should Know By Ann McDonald pring will soon be here bringing with it warmer temperatures and hopefully lots of time outside exploring CLE with your dogs As temperatures begin to rise many dog owners turn their attention to protecting their dogs from ticks But did you know that protecting your dog should be a year round focus According to Dr Jason Lamb a veterinarian at the Avon Lake Animal Clinic the Blacklegged tick also known as the Deer tick can be present all year round As he explains the life cycle of a tick consists of a larva nymph and adult While larval feeding is most active July October nymph feeding is most active April November and adult feeding is most active September December The tick can even be present in the winter when temperatures rise It is important to understand that the tick can live through the winter and when we get increases in temperatures the tick becomes mobile Dr Lamb says So it is important to keep our canine pets on preventatives year round This is true for all sizes and lifestyles of our canine friends All stages of the Blacklegged tick feed on mammals It is much easier to prevent the disease than treat it Dr Lamb explains Once a dog is infected with the bacteria that causes Lyme disease the dog becomes a carrier its whole life it s just a matter of whether the disease will become active or not The symptoms of Lyme disease which include fever lameness and or swollen joints can take weeks or even months to develop Once a dog receives treatment full recovery can usually be expected or the disease can be managed well Dr Lamb says that only about 5 of cases develop into Lyme Nephritis which is a terminal kidney disease that typically progresses over four to six weeks Golden Retrievers in particular seem to be most susceptible to this he says 8 All things DOG in Northeast Ohio Prevention is also key since treating Lyme disease can be very expensive Clevelandbased pet insurance provider Embrace Pet Insurance had over 50 000 in claims related to Lyme disease in 2017 Although none were in Ohio nearby states New York and Pennsylvania had high claims numbers On average the cost to treat Lyme disease in dogs is between 530 745 says Jenna Mahan registered veterinary technician and the claims director at Embrace This includes an exam fee blood test a four week course of antibiotics and more depending on the diagnosis Preventatives can range from oral and topical medications to collars Dr Lamb says he recommends oral preventatives in particular Nexgard Dog owners should also consider the Lyme disease vaccination especially for pets that frequent wooded and grassy areas such as the Metroparks or fields The Lyme disease vaccine helps to prevent disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi the Lyme disease organism Tick preventative only controls the tick The goal is to kill the tick prior to the injection transmission of the Lyme bacteria If there is any product failure it is best to have a good immune system ready to attack the bacteria This is achieved through vaccination Dr Lamb says It s a good idea to discuss with your vet what tick and Lyme disease prevention options are best for your dog based on your lifestyle and where you live Currently Dr Lamb says that Ohio is a mild to moderate risk for Lyme disease but many of the surrounding states are high risk Ann McDonald is a writer dog foster and dog mom to two rescue dogs You can find her writing about her dogs dog friendly activities and dog rescue at dogsinthecle com

AROUND TOWN BY AMANDA ROUSH BELLA MIA from Dog Life in CLE EASTER EGG HUNTS This year Easter is on Sunday April 1st no joke so March will be filled with Easter events for dogs There are many kid Easter egg hunts but you can also take your dog to one too Last year I took Bella to a K9 Easter Egg Hunt at Jefferson Park in Cleveland At one end of the park many eggs were laid out with dog treats inside for your dog to find Bella easily learned to open up the eggs to get the treats I plan to attend this event again this year with both Mia and Bella We are also helping to coordinate this event but unfortunately a date wasn t confirmed before our deadline Check our Dog Life in CLE Facebook page for updates You can also do your own Easter egg hunt at home with your dogs It s a fun activity for them to do and gives them something special for Bella enjoyed last year s K9 Easter Egg Hunt at Jefferson Park the holiday PACKING FOR EVENTS With all the events the girls and I do I m often asked what I pack up for them before heading off to dog friendly places and events I always have a totebag with a tennis ball treats doggie bags and a collapsible water dish These are my dogs essentials for an outing Tennis balls are Bella s favorite and besides keeping her occupied they re great for getting her to pose for a photo A bag of treats are good for rewarding and also for taking photos When dogs have to go you have to pick up after them Poop bags are essential as you never know if the places you visit wll have them Many dog friendly places and dog related events do have community water bowls but it s always good to have your own A collapsible bowl makes it easy to stuff in your bag I don t bring dog food or chews when we re out and about to prevent any troubles with other dogs with food possession instincts The ONLY pet MRI unit in Greater Cleveland Accredited medical team Affordable local All vet referrals accepted We work with your current vet on all diagnostics 31371 Lorain Rd North Olmsted 440 406 8072 VetMRIservice com Visit doglifeincle com for event information and a link to our Etsy shop March 2018 CLEDOG net 9

PROFILE Meet Officer Rick Doc Broz Serving and protecting Lorain s dogs By Karen Uthe Semancik

t s already past quitting time when the call comes in two suspects charging people causing a disturbance in a Lorain neighborhood The police officer pulls up and sees one of the suspects in the driveway He gets out of his patrol car and starts walking up to the perp Someone yells There s another one in the bushes just as the second suspect barrels toward the officer The officer tells him to sit which he does and he throws him a treat He escorts the accused to his vehicle and returns to apprehend the original suspect in a similar fashion Eventually both perps are safely captured and returned to their home through the open back door which is how they escaped to being with Facebook he has 5 000 friends where he shares daily posts of his canine captures But when it comes to advocating for animals he s all business He successfully presented an anti tethering ordinance along with updating several other Lorain City Ordinances involving animals to the Lorain City Council and convinced them to pass it and the other ordinances including removing the definition of Pit Bulls as vicious dogs Officer Broz worked with Greg Willey of Friendship APL in Elyria and animal rights attorney Lindsay Zehel on these ordinances I ve never understood the concept of outside dogs It s not a pet it s not security if it s outside the house and tethered Dogs tend to get aggressive from lack of social contact with humans and frustration from being restrained A dog s place in on the couch in my book Officer Broz says Just another day in the life of Lorain Police Officer Rick Doc Broz Since 2014 when he officially became humane officer and dog warden for the Lorain Police Department the former Navy medic has humanely captured over 2 000 Lorain dogs Officer Broz said aggressive dogs were shot by officers an average of two or more a month Since he began his assignment only four dogs have had to be shot by police in 3 1 2 years It s no different than officers being assigned to the detective bureau traffic narcotics or other specialty units Officer Broz says I specialize in enforcing the state and city animal laws but I still can investigate and enforce any city or state law during my duty day says Officer Broz The former medic for the Lorain Police SWAT Team always had a reputation for being able to capture the dogs he and other members of the department encountered during their day to day police work Many of these pooches were in the Pit Bull Terrier family which Broz says are the easiest to catch due to their natural affinity to humans One of the 2 000 dogs Officer Broz has assisted This canine cop also took care of Herbie a horribly abused and abandoned dog he found while working Herbie s story went viral unifying dog lovers from around the world helping to pass Nitro s Law and Goddard s Law Deservedly so Officer Broz is also a former Friendship APL Volunteer of the Year awardee Officer Broz is dog dad to Skeeter a 6 year old Shar Pei St Bernard German Shepard and Pit Bull mix who was surrendered to Friendship APL at one year of age He was so cage aggressive he could never be put up for adoption He even bit me the first time we met although it was my fault entirely I pushed too hard too fast Eventually we bonded but he never lost his cage aggression Greg Willey and I decided Skeeter would come home with me Officer Broz and Skeeter on the job His weapon of choice Pup Peroni Pup Peroni is the Twinkies of dog treats and everyone loves Twinkies says Officer Broz He also tells his fellow officers that he has animal magnetism That quick wit is what has made the Lorain resident a fan favorite on Since then Officer Broz says Skeeter has become a social butterfly and loves riding in his dad s Jeep Wrangler He also loves daily walks and exploring the various Metro Parks when he s not hanging out at Quaker Steak Lube schmoozing and mooching French fries Dad brags that Skeeter also enjoys the many bands who play at the Sheffield watering hole He has this funny habit of barking at the end of each song and many of the local bands consider him their biggest fan and his picture can be found on their Facebook pages Officer Broz shares March 2018 CLEDOG net 11

PET CREMATION SERVICES INC Skeeter also has two Russian Blue cat sisters who he likes but they could do without him So what does this divorced happily single pet parent of three do in his spare time NOW SERVING THE GREATER CLEVELAND AREA Pet Cremation Services Inc was founded in 1996 on the principle of providing the public with an honest and reliable service after the loss of a pet Over the years veterinarians and pet owners have been loyal to our company because of the dedicated service provided by our employees Our service area covers 43 counties in Ohio We recently opened a branch office in Wickliffe due to the number of requests in the greater Cleveland Akron Canton and Youngstown areas We always have the respect and dignity of the pet in mind Our Motto is For The Dignity Your Pet Deserves I also enjoy landscaping and growing Bonsai trees but in the last few years my life seems to have gone to the dogs But that s okay as long as I at least get my lawn mowed every week Officer Broz says From searching for a stray in sub zero temperatures to removing dogs during narcotic raids Officer Broz serves and protects to keep 2 and 4 legged civilians safe Dog owner at a glance RICK DOC BROZ DOG DAD TO SKEETER THE SHAR PEI ST BERNARD GERMAN SHEPARD AND PIT BULL MIX AGE 6 Breeder or Shelter Rescue Shelter rescue Skeeter is actually a designer dog a St Sharshepbullnard Designed by whatever jumped over the fence Flexi or Web Leashes Rope leashes are actually my favorite Easier on the hands Regular or Raw Feeding Regular and of course table scraps Don t judge me Custom Urns Available PRIVATE COMMUNAL CREMATIONS TIMELY RETURN OF ASHES Free Feeding or Fixed Meal Schedule Free Feeding He eats when he wants to I just control the amount to which he has access to each day Your Bed or Dog Bed My bed along with one or two cats Dog Park or Metro Park Metro Park or neighborhood walk We ve had a few bad experiences at the dog parks EXCLUSIVE OFFERING Custom Made Glass Jewelry Memorial Tributes By Lee Guttentag WWW PETCREMATIONCOLUMBUS COM Have your vet call us to oversee your pet s cremation or contact us directly Wickliffe 440 347 0950 Toll Free 800 669 7629 12 All things DOG in Northeast Ohio Doggie Daycare or Daily Walk Daily walk I don t think doggie daycare could handle him Trainer or Homeschool Skeeter is a Friendship APL Prison Program Graduate but the rest of his training was at home Pet Sitter or Boarding Neither If Skeeter can t come I don t go Purebred or Mix All American Mutt

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INSIGHT Communication l a m i n A Dogs Have a Lot to Say We Just Need to Listen By Skye Bar T The idea of talking animals has fascinated the human race for millennia appearing everywhere from Aesop s Fables to popular video games The reality is a little different but no less compelling Animals communicate with each other to find mates and food warn of predators and to mark their territory Since humans are very social creatures it s only natural for us to want to communicate with our pets but interspecific communication is unfortunately not as simple as fairy tales would have you believe Most of us communicate with our pets on a daily basis by giving our dogs commands praise or just talking to them They have different ways of expressing their feelings to us too but we must be receptive enough to notice them A dog bringing his owner his favorite toy with a wagging tail and a pleading look in his eyes is clearly an invitation to play but later on he may hold his tail between his legs and avoid eye contact to express submission the other side and to bring some closure to surviving pet parents Madsen is a natural healer reiki practitioner and pet psychic After struggling with her own health issues she discovered natural health practices and now works with multiple modalities herself She has been communicating with animals since 2009 and offers her services to pet owners hoping to gain insight and a closer bond with their living pets or to get closure after a pet has passed on Liz communicates telepathically with animals sometimes even hearing the tones of their voices Often she will make house calls to meet with the pet although she is able to work remotely as well On speaking with animals she says When I talk to them it is just like me talking to a person If a dog has a behavioral issue she can urge him to stop that behavior or ask him why he is misbehaving in the first place helping the owner to work with the pooch So what do our dogs want us to know The thing that I L iz di e M ad d From the day you bring a new puppy home you ll want to hear most is that they love their people Liz responds a s e n a nd h er d og M communicate with it first to train it and to scold it occasionally Whether they re acting out feeling sick or they re on the other and then to express companionship and love Eventually our pets have side our pets love us as just much as we love them if not more to cross the rainbow bridge leaving us with holes in our hearts and all too often words left unspoken That s where professional animal Madsen offers her animal communication services starting at 40 for communicators like Rev Liz Madsen come in a 15 20 minute reading with a reasonable extra charge for her travel time if necessary For more information vist her website Madsen is blessed with the ability to speak with animals living and on revlizmadsencnhprmt vpweb com 14 All things DOG in Northeast Ohio

Celtic Canines In honor of St Patrick s Day we celebrate these Irish dog breeds Glenn of Imaal Terrier This short statured intelligent dog is a vermin hunting expert hailing from County Wicklow Irish Water Spaniel These water loving and retrieving dogs first appeared in Ireland in the early 19th century Irish Lurcher Emerging in the 14th century this sighthound is popular with hunters Irish Wolfhound This gentle giant came to Ireland over 5 000 years ago This breed has the shortest of all canine life expectancies Irish Red and White Setter Similar to the regular Irish Setter this breed has spots of mahogany Clergyman Noble Huston saved the breed from extinction in the early 1900s Irish Terrier A lean powerful dog with a harsh red coat they require action and activity Irish Toy Collie Collie is a Celtic term for useful dog and this breed s lineage includes the Shetland Sheepdog Irish Setter Beauty brains and personality are included in this breed They enjoy affection and activity Kerry Blue Terrier The breed emerged in the 1700s in County Kerry The coat has a very distinctive color and texture Wheaten Terrier An athletic and playful breed that doesn t like the heat they often excel at obedience activities March 2018 CLEDOG net 15

Remembering OUR BEST Friends Being Prepared By Linda Slusser The words of Dog Love author and Harvard University professor Marjorie Garber remind us that to get a dog is to open yourself to profound joy and prospectively to equally profound sadness When you welcome a new canine companion into your life you re focused on the wonderful times you will share and seldom think about the end of that pet s life But before that inevitable loss occurs it might be wise to know about some choices for making your pet s final arrangements and for dealing with the accompanying grief Making Final Arrangements Pet Cremation Services Inc has been serving Columbus pet owners for the last 21 years and opened a Cleveland office last year Gary Reynolds corporate operations manager says a basic package includes the cremation and the dog s ashes with a half heart token right in a decorative metal tin the other token half is placed into a remembrance card for the owner For a small additional fee an ink paw print fur clipping or wooden box with an engraved nameplate can be provided Prices are provided through the vet or to the owner Pet Cremation Services also offers a large selection of custom urns in metal stone wood or ceramic petcremationcolumbus com According to owner Dave McComb Suburban Pet Cremation Services has been serving pet owners for 30 years and tries to accommodate the level of involvement each family wants The cost for cremation a certificate of passing and the dog s ashes in a velvet pouch and cloth tote bag left begins at 90 for a dog up to 20 pounds and increases with the dog s weight Extras such as a clay paw print nose print or an urn are also 16 All things DOG in Northeast Ohio available Owners may choose to view the initial stage of the cremation process or have a small memorial service Suburban also offers a free online guestbook where the dog s family and friends can post tributes suburbanpetcremation com DeJohn Pet Services in Willoughby Hills opened in 2010 Pet Care Specialist Sherri DiPietro says their services for pets mirror those provided by DeJohn s funeral home for humans The basic package includes pet pick up cremation visitation a paw print and fur clipping a packet of grief information and family support calls and an urn The cost for a pet up to 50 pounds is 345 DiPietro works with each family to meet their wishes whether to put a special toy with their dog or to have a memorial service dejohnpetservices com Not everyone may want a private individual cremation For owners who do not want their pets ashes returned a less expensive communal group cremation can be requested Pet Cremation Services scatters the ashes on private farmland and DeJohn Pet Services sprinkles the ashes in a woodland area Suburban Pet Cremation Services does not offer communal cremations Although less common today some owners still prefer the traditional option of burying their dog Joe Pavone of Paws Awhile Pet Memorial Park in Richfield says a basic burial rite for the dog s body or for up to six dogs cremated remains starts at 750 Caskets start at 75 headstones at 199 Memorial services are also available And if someone already has a dog buried in the cemetery that person s cremains can be buried with the pet pawsawhilepet com All of these options from the simplest to the most elaborate strive to honor the special relationship between owners and their dogs

Paying Tribute By Susan Spisak If your treasured dog recently crossed the Rainbow Bridge or you re still hurting from the absence of that special canine that left a hole in your heart know that many of us have experienced that pain as well Losing a pet brings with it grief and anguish he was a family member after all and he provided unconditional love Keep him in your heart with positive and uplifting ways to remember him Glass Remembrance an Ohio based company founded by Leatrice Guttentag creates handmade blown glass keepsakes containing a small portion of your pets or loved ones cremains Pieces include bracelet beads pendants key chains and crosses The company also offers encasements such as a glass orb for leashes or other cherished items Guttentag is a soft spoken gal all too familiar with loss She barely survived the 9 11 World Trade Center attack she worked on the 80th Glass Remembrance floor of Tower One and escaped minutes before it collapsed Searching for solace after losing many friends she moved to Ohio and turned to her two loves art and her Mastiff Dozer When Dozer passed Guttentag made a yellow glass flower with her cremains because the Mastiff often trounced through her garden She realized her glass art could not only bring joy to others but ease their grief Glass Remembrance s exquisite works are sold through Pet Cremation Services petcremationcolumbus com Call Pet Cremation Services Corporate Operations Manager Gary Reynolds with questions 614 272 6550 If you re a fan of ink a tattoo of your dog is a beautiful and permanent way to keep him near There are plenty of shops in the area including 252 TATTOO in Columbia Station and Cleveland Owner James Bulloch and several of his artists have distinctive dog art in their portfolios and they offer custom portrait work If your tastes are simpler a tattoo with your dog s name may be your thing commission a painting for your home this personal art allows you to remember your dog at every glance and hopefully have a laugh at his past antics jamesrubyworks com Take to social media and share pictures videos and memories about your pooch This online memorial provides you with support and feedback from your network of friends and family and their sympathy can help you cope Portrait by James Ruby Send a monetary gift to an organization in his name If your dog passed due to a specific illness contribute to a research institute that s working on its cure If you rescued him mail a check to that shelter If your dog received extraordinary medical care from your vet pay it forward and make a donation to a fund that helps pet owners who need veterinary aid Create a memorial area in your home Place a framed version of a meaningful poem or quote near his ashes and clay paw print Include pictures his collar and tags and any books that embody his spirit I like For Every Dog an Angel by Christine Davis If this isn t for you have your favorite picture blown up and hang it By James Bulloch 252 Tattoo If you enjoy spending time in your yard plant a tree in your pet s honor so you can watch it grow bloom and change seasonally Add a garden bench and stepping stones so in time they bring you peace A statue can be another wonderful celebration of his life There are plenty of options online and in garden centers from a small cherub holding a pup to fullsize breed specific metal or concrete dogs Add a small garden flag with your dog s picture to finish off your outdoor space flagology com James Ruby a local artist with national gallery exposure specializes in creating oil on canvas portraits of pets from pictures As a painter and dog lover he understands the emotional bond we have with our animals My vision is to capture an image that every pet owner can connect with the adoring face that fills us with happiness every day If you Make a scrapbook to detail his years Try Shutterfly s Make My Book service Upload pictures and instructions and they ll design an unforgettable book for you shutterfly com In the last few years my husband and I have lost three of our four Goldens They lived good long lives 13 14 1 2 and the most recent 15 Even though we knew each was on borrowed time at the end saying goodbye was devastating While we know we can never replace them we re honoring them by rescuing a dog in need With the adoption fee we ll add a donation in their memory Once you re up to it have a party to celebrate your best friend s life Invite all who knew him and hash over the good the bad and the funny It can be a unique and stirring experience and remind you of all the happiness and joy he brought you March 2018 CLEDOG net 17

Dealing with Grief By Linda Slusser The grief felt by the absence of a beloved companion can be overwhelming Studies and surveys have shown that many people actually feel more upset at the loss of their dog than that of a friend or relative This pain can be so intense because in addition to providing structure to the day and giving a sense of security and comfort dogs offer unconditional love Dr Robert Hutchison of North Ridgeville s Animal Clinic Northview explains Pets are not animals anymore Pets are part of the family You come home it doesn t matter if you ve had a good day a bad day your pet s always glad to see you It is important to realize that there is no right way to mourn the loss of a dog and no right amount of time to get over the grief Since every relationship between a person and a dog is unique how a person mourns will also be unique There are many resources to help understand and cope with this grief Online resources such as the Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss Grief Center sponsors a Monday night candle ceremony and two pet loss chat rooms one for adults and one monitored for teens 13 17 where individuals can share their stories and feelings with others who have lost a furry friend rainbowsbridge com Grief_Support The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement with professionally trained volunteers has a grief chat room and an anticipatory bereavement chat room aplb org Both sites also include links and phone numbers to pet loss grief support hotlines Print and audiovisual materials can be useful too A good list for adults 18 All things DOG in Northeast Ohio and children is available at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine under the Resources for Grieving heading at 2 vet cornell edu aboutus outreach pet loss support hotline More personal help through counseling or a bereavement support group is another valuable resource Special training in pet loss grief and years of experience qualify Tina Bulucea MSSA LISW and Patty DeJohn MA to offer these services to Northeast Ohio residents Bulucea offers individual counseling sessions at 65 per hour She prefers to see people in their homes where they may be most comfortable and can show her things about their dog immortalpawprints com DeJohn s individual counseling sessions are 75 per hour and take place at the DeJohn Funeral Home in Willoughby Hills She also facilitates a Pet Loss Bereavement Group on the third Thursday of the month from September through May at the Animal Hospital Inc in Willoughby Hills PatriciaDeJohn com Comfort and healing for one s grief come from memorializing a cherished dog in a manner meaningful to the individual or family And as we have found out there are many possibilities for honoring that pet Linda lives with two Shelties in Wellington She enjoys writing about dogs and has had articles published in Heart of Ohio s Focus issue on Pets Maine Dog Magazine and The Bark

CALENDAR MARCH HOLID A Y S If Pets Had Thumbs Day March 3 K 9 Veterans Day March 13 Professional Pet Sitters Week March 4 10 National Puppy Day March 23 EASTER PARTY AT PETVALU Saturday March 3 Noon 3 p m at PetValu in Sheffield 5275 Detroit Road Join Love A Stray for an adoption event Come visit do some shopping and hang out with dogs available for adoption There will also be an Easter Egg Hunt for the dogs and an Easter backdrop for you to take your own pictures with your pet Visit loveastraydog com for more information PICTURES WITH THE EASTER BUNNY Saturday March 3 Sunday March 4 11 a m 4 30 p m at The Bark Club in North Ridgeville 33549 Liberty Pkwy Bring your furry family member for a photo with the Easter Bunny 12 for a 4x6 framed print plus photos posted on social media Gift basket raffle Hosted by Elite K911 Grateful Dog Bakery and The Bark Club Proceeds benefit Mutts in a Rut and Fido s Companion Call 440 353 1990 for more information POOCH PARTY AT PETPEOPLE Sunday March 4 Noon 3 p m at PetPeople in Avon 35901 Detroit Road Join Love A Stray for an adoption event Come visit do some shopping and hang out with some awesome dogs available for adoption Visit loveastraydog com for more information BARK MADNESS Thursday March 8 6 8 30 p m at Boss Dog Brewing Co in Cleveland Hts 2179 Lee Road Raffles games food drinks and fun 25 50 Proceeds benefit PetFix Northeast Ohio Purchase tickets at petfixnortheastohio org BARK BRUNCH Sunday March 11 11 a m 2 p m at Grantwood Golf Course in Solon 38855 Aurora Road Second annual event features Chicago Deli buffet brunch bottomless bloody Marys and mimosas 25 adults 15 kids 12 under Reservations only Proceeds benefit Doberman Underground Tickets can be purchased at dudobes org PINTS FOR PUPS CALENDAR CONTEST Sunday March 25 2 4 p m at Railroad Brewing in Avon 1010 Center Road Join Love A Stray and Railroad Brewing for this monthly dog costume contest On the last Sunday of each month a winner will be chosen to be featured in the 2019 Pints for Pups calendar for that month be creative Winners also receive a 25 gift card and a goody bag A 10 donation is requested to enter the contest with proceeds benefiting Love AStray Dog Rescue Visit loveastraydog com for more information PHOTOS WITH HOPPY PAWS Sunday March 4 1 4 p m at Pet s General Store in Lakewood 16821 Madison Ave Join Friends of the Lakewood Dog Park for their annual spring fling fundraiser Bring your pets and your peeps to pose with the super size bunny Hoppy Paws No appointment needed Photographer Martha Widdowson of Portraits by Martha will be behind the camera TH E B A R K E TP LACE Check out these dogcentric businesses

Let s talk about Lyme Disease In 2017 there were 253 cases of Lyme disease in Cuyahoga and Lorain counties according to the Companion Animal Parasite Council Lyme disease is a bacterial illness transmitted to pets by ticks Don t let your pet become a statistic Use preventatives year round and consider the Lyme disease vaccination SYMPTOMS OF LYME DISEASE Reduced energy Diarrhea Lameness stiffness Fever Loss of appetite and or swelling of joints Avon Lake Animal Clinic is offering free tick exams during the month of March Come on in and we ll show you where to look and how Hint in between toes Just mention CLE DOG when booking your appointment 440 933 5297 Schedule your pet s annual health exam and blood test Share a photo of your pet on our Facebook avonlakeanimalclinic and Twitter avonlakeanimal pages or tag us and you could win a FREE TICK REMOVAL TOOL The Blacklegged tick or Deer tick can be present all year round so it is important to keep our canine pets on preventatives year round Lyme disease is much easier to prevent than to treat Dr Jason Lamb Avon Lake Animal Clinic