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ALL THINGS DOG IN NORTHEAST OHIO CLEDOG NET E FRE No 7 OCTOBER 2017 NATIONAL ADOPT A THE BEST SHELTER DOG FALL WALKS IN THE CLE MONTH HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS ADOP T ME See pg 12
Lulu Fiona Taco Submit your photos mark cledog net Alfie Malley Maggie Frankie Izzie Lucy Francis Blue Lulu Coleman Rose Cleo
autumn is in full swing It s also Adopt a Shelter Dog month so if you re looking to add a 4legged member to the family check out our cover story for the ins and outs of adoption You can also get to know our doggie cover story models who are up for adoption via Cleveland APL Friendship APL and Love A Stray Of course any new addition to the family would enjoy a fall dog walk so we ve got you covered with Dogs in the CLE s trail tested locations On a more serious note dog mom Lauren Smith shares a first hand account of living with a dog with Intervertebral Disk Disease IVDD Read her story to learn if your dog is at risk for this terrible disease Fall in the CLE is gorgeous so grab a sweater and the leash and enjoy the season s bounty And don t forget to share all your Halloween and fall photos with us cledogmag It takes a pack On the cover In honor of Adopt a Shelter Dog month we recently spent the day with some goblins from Cleveland APL Friendship APL and Love A Stray We thank these pawsome groups for sharing their charges with us and for making sure dogs like Bella seen here of Cleveland APL get the second chance they deserve Photos by Chewbone Studio inside October is one of our favorite months in the CLE The leaves are turning there s a chill in the air and there are plenty of fall festivals and events to attend with our dogs O C T O B E R 2 0 1 7 4 ASK THE TRAINER 7 DOG IN THE CITY 9 PICK OF THE PACK 6 8 10 13 15 16 19 FROM THE CAGE TO THE COUCH HOWL A WEEN SAFETY TIPS ADOPTING THE RIGHT SHELTER DOG LIVING WITH IVDD THE AREA S BEST FALL WALKS COOKIE THE CEMETERY DOG OCTOBER CALENDAR Publishers Karen Uthe Semancik Mark Brabant Webmaster Karolina Shook Cover Photo Chewbone Studio Columnists Jennifer Baker Pick of the Pack Kerry Stack Ask the Trainer Amanda Roush Dog in the City Contributing Writers Ann McDonald Linda Slusser Susan Spisak CLE DOG magazine is published monthly by GoFetch Media LLC P O Box 40172 Bay Village OH 44140 Copyright 2017 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 Join our email newsletter list at CLEDOG net
BEHAVIOR B Y KERRY STACK Q My dog knows not to eat food from the counter Every time he does I tell him he s bad and he knows it and acts all guilty Why does he keep doing it if he knows he s bad A What if I told you he doesn t actually know he s being bad He s actually incapable of being bad Let s look at it like this your dog is a perfect dog acting appropriately for a dog The problem isn t that your dog is a bad dog it s that he is a bad human Even worse you re a perfectly wonderful human but not a good dog Dogs are incapable of being bad He will always act appropriately for a dog He doesn t know he s guilty What he s doing is reading your body language which is currently irate He is responding with the body language a dog will use when they are scared and just wishing for peace Neither of you is communicating with each other Rather than training your dog try communicating with him instead Your dog asks questions all day just as you do The only difference is that dogs utilize a binary system for asking questions Everything is yes or no Like a game of hot cold One of his questions is Can I take this from the counter Are you done with it The answer you wish to give is obviously no To tell a dog no simply pretend he is a lot taller and you are trying to push him back with your stomach 4 All things DOG in Northeast Ohio your navel should be pointing directly at him Back him off the counter as soon as he is asking the question about it when he starts sniffing or looking at the counter Keep backing your dog away from the counter until he is no longer asking the question Then you re done He doesn t need to know what he did was bad What he did was ask a question He s even allowed to ask it again to a dog it s a brand new question each time Fortunately the more you answer the question the more he starts to anticipate the same answer no Keep working at it keeping your body language calm and neutral No yelling no anger Just a simple answer to a simple question You are now communicating with your dog rather than scaring him Kerry Stack is the owner of Darwin Dogs and her desire to communicate with her dogs rather than to dominate them resulted in her creating the PAW Method of working with dogs She currently resides with her extended pack of two dogs two cats five ducks two kids and a very tolerant husband who only agreed to one dog
PET CREMATION SERVICES INC 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 PRIVATE COMMUNAL CREMATIONS TIMELY RETURN OF ASHES Custom Urns Available 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 October 2017 CLEDOG net 5
From the Cage C uch to the Mingo a stray at the Franklin County dog pound was deemed unadoptable for bad skin allergies until Fido s Companion stepped in to help The rescue pulled and vetted him and then transferred him to Hartman s Hounds so that rescue could find him a forever home Mingo is currently in a foster home with another dog and three cats He would love a large pooch pal to play with He is a 6 7 year old big and strong German Shepherd mix fully housetrained obedient loyal silly and stubborn He loves car rides chasing the cats for fun playing ball and walks A quiet home with no kids is preferred He seems to like women more than men but once you re his human his loyalty is boundless For information on how to adopt this stunning guy email hartmanshounds gmail com Photo Laura Becka 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 Mingo Saving homeless pets four paws at a time PartnersWithPawsOfLorainCountyInc www PartnersWithPawsLC com 6 All things DOG in Northeast Ohio
AROUND TOWN BY AMANDA ROUSH BELLA MIA from Dog Life in CLE October is howling with lots of fun fall and Halloween events for dogs Many of these festivities include costume contests and pet owners definitely think outside the box with unique costumes for their pups Two of our favorite events last year were the Berea ARF s Monster Mutt Dash and Howl O Ween Party and the Lakewood Alive s Spooky Pooch Parade Hundreds of people and their dogs attend both of these annual events that have been going on for over a decade Berea ARF s Monster Mutt Dash and Howl O Ween Party is at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds in Berea This event is huge and the Cleveland Pet Expo is at the fairgrounds the same weekend The Monster Mutt Dash is a 5K run and 1 mile walk with your dog After the race you can enjoy the Howl O Ween Party with many vendors giveaways raffles contests games and photo ops This year it takes place on October 14 from 8 a m 1 p m The 1 mile walk is 20 preregistration 25 day of for adults and 10 preregistration 15 day of for kids The 5K race is 25 pre registration 30 day of for adults and 15 pre registration 20 day of for kids Dog guests and the Howl OWeen Party itself are free Dog Life in CLE will be participating as a vendor this year so come say hello Lakewood Alive s Spooky Pooch Parade is located at Kaufman Park in Lakewood Humans with their dogs dress up in costumes and parade through the business district of downtown Lakewood While judges determine winners for each category there are many vendors raffles giveaways and games to participate in Last year was our first time participating in the parade and it is amazing to see how creative people are with costumes Handmade costumes are a must if you want to win This year it is on October 2 from 12 30 3 30 p m Pre registration for the parade is 10 per dog 15 day of event humans are free Dog Life in CLE is a sponsor of this event and also a vendor Hofbr uhaus Visit www doglifeincle com for event information and a link to our Etsy shop October 2017 CLEDOG net 7
SAFE HOWL O WEEN TIP S By Karen Uthe Semancik For many of us Halloween or what I like to call Howl o ween is one of our favorite holidays but it can be a very scary and dangerous time for fur kids Make sure your 4 legged goblins stay safe and sound this year by keeping these safety tips in mind DRESS UP For some dogs costumes are more of a trick than a treat If your pet shows any signs of stress when dressing up consider letting him go as his own species You can always get a decorative bandana from Paw Kids or a collar accessory for the special occasion If your pet does don a costume make sure it doesn t restrict any movement breathing hearing or seeing and double check that there aren t any dangly pieces that could become choke hazards KEEP THE PAW OUT OF THE CANDY BOWL Chocolate sugar plastic and foil can be scary for a dog s digestive system especially dark and baking chocolate and the artificial sweetener xylitol Keep the candy bowl away from Spooky and nobody gets hurt If you do suspect your pet has ingested something toxic call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888 426 4435 SCARY D COR Wires and cords from electric lights are festive but should be kept out of reach Same thing for gory decorations Curious pooches may decide to investigate running the risk of cuts burns shocks or choking hazards 8 All things DOG in Northeast Ohio THE GREAT PUMPKIN Pumpkins gourds and Indian corn are considered relatively non toxic but they can produce stomach upset in dogs who nibble Keep them up or outside away from Casper Also instead of using a lighted candle inside your carved Jack consider a battery powered flicker light Fluffy tails and wiry whiskers will thank you ID PLEASE Consider keeping your canine in a safe room within your home such as a favorite bedroom Put a radio or TV on for background noise and maybe even spoil your fur kid with a new and safe Howl o ween toy This will help keep your pet calmer during trick or treating hours It also keeps Chloe away from the front door preventing dart outs and strange hands to bite Even the most social pets can become stressed and nippy And don t forget to make sure your dog has proper identification on her collar just in case she does get out
PRODUCTS BY JENNIFER BAKER COLLARS LEASHES HARNESSES OH MY There are many different types of collars on the market and getting the right one goes a long way to make a walk with your dog safe and enjoyable rather than a frustrating game of tug THE BUCKLE is the most basic and comes with either a plastic snap or a belt type buckle The snap type is designed to give way under heavy pressure if your dog is caught on a fence or tangled with another dog Don t use this variety with a tie out since your dog can break free The belt type buckle won t break but it can be dangerous if your dog gets caught on something If you must use a tie out for your dog use a belt buckle collar MARTINGALE collars are made to tighten when your dog pulls and to release pressure smoothly when they stop pulling This can be a valuable training tool when used correctly but can be dangerous if your dog gets caught on something Never leave this type of collar on your dog when he or she is unsupervised Tip A collar fits well when you can get two fingers between the collar and the dog s neck For puppies and young dogs check frequently to make sure the collar isn t too tight For collar width the larger the dog the wider the collar For smaller dogs select a 1 2 collar 3 4 for 30 60 pound dogs and a 1 wide collar for dogs over 60 pounds Training collars such as a choke prong or electronic collar should only be used after you have been trained by a qualified instructor They can be valuable training tools when used correctly but can cause serious damage if used the wrong way One of the most common questions we at the Grateful Dog Bakery get about HARNESSES is Which one will stop my dog from pulling The answer is none of them While there are many different types of no pull harnesses on the market they won t stop a determined dog from pulling A dog who will choke himself on a collar will figure out how to pull against a harness Some no pull harnesses can actually cause nerve or muscle damage if the dog strains against them long enough If you do decide to use a harness with your dog get one that the dog can t easily back out of Make sure it is adjustable for a snug yet not too tight fit LEASHES are very important Get a 5 or 6 foot one with a handle that feels good in your hand Make sure the hardware is sturdy you don t want to lose your dog to a broken leash Whether you decide on leather paracord or synthetic material make sure it s strong enough to hold an excited or lunging dog A well trained dog is the best walking companion you can find and worth the time invested Jennifer Baker is owner of the Grateful Dog Bakery in North Ridgeville an all natural dog and cat supply store featuring an in store dog bakery She is the proud mom of five dogs and one cat To contact Jennifer email news gratefuldogbakery com or follow her GratefulDogB October 2017 CLEDOG net 9
INSIGHT By Susan Spisak
I N S I G H T Thinking you d like to give a homeless dog a second chance at a good life Pawsome But before you run out to your local shelter or contact a rescue group these non profits pull many of their animals from shelters too consider a few things to make a well informed decision in finding the right dog for you and your family Adopting a dog is a financial commitment Initial costs include a collar leash ID tag food and water bowls crate and training if necessary Your pet will need kibble monthly heartworm and flea preventatives and regular grooming unless you can do this yourself And don t forget the vetting medical emergencies annual check ups and vaccinations The good news is that shelters and rescues provide initial vaccines and spay or neuter the pooch before adoption There s also going to be the adoption fee which will vary by organization Younger dogs are more expensive while seniors and special needs can be a bargain Your pet will also need a county license tag annual Cuyahoga County fee is 20 while Lorain County s tags are 16 So what does that mean in dollars and cents According to a Drs Foster and Smith pet education article on the cost of owning a dog a first year low end estimate is 511 for a 50 pound dog living in the Midwest Install a fence and you can tack on 750 to that tab depending on yard size and material used Low end costs for subsequent years are estimated at 287 but from my own experience with older dogs medical costs increase as they age Ok so you re certain you have the time energy and extra dollars for Kip you ve already picked out his name The next step is to search local pounds shelters and rescues online When you find an organization or a specific dog that piques your interest set aside a time to either visit the facility or fill out an application Some organizations require an ID to verify that you re 18 years of age have you sign a contractual agreement and if you re a renter require your landlord s permission Generally speaking rescue organizations operate a bit differently Expect them to check vet references if applicable and some may require personal references and or a home visit Rescues utilize fosters which is an added benefit Some shelters do have foster families but they re often for those animals not quite ready for adoption the young sick or those with behavioral issues The foster is able to gain insight into the dog s disposition likes and dislikes and depending upon the home environment they may be able to tell you if he is kid friendly or good with other pets Whether you go through a shelter or rescue be honest when filling out the app and talking with a rep from the organization Detail the canine energy level you can manage your residence type and outdoor area space job or retirement situation immediate family and other live ins and any other companion animals you have canine feline or otherwise All these factors guide the organization s adoption team in its pursuit of the best dog for you Even though you ve outlined what you re looking for on your app be flexible Don t fall in love with a dog by its breed or picture on the Internet An in person meeting often changes perceptions You may be a big burly macho guy determined to adopt that shelter Shepherd you ve seen online but you may change your mind once you meet and click with that heartstealing tiny white mutt Find a dog that s well suited for your routine If you re a jogger search for a dog that can not only keep up with you but will enjoy your outings together Maybe you have a busy career a calmer dog who doesn t require housetraining or lots of exercise may be the right fit Adopting that laid back or older dog they re often overlooked can actually soothe your hectic life his companionship and unconditional love may alleviate stress at day s end October 2017 CLEDOG net 11
I N S I G H T OCTOBER IS NATIONAL ADOPT A SHELTER DOG MONTH Ask if the organization uses the nationally recognized ASPCA SAFER canine evaluation or any type of temperament test This is a tool to identify possible behavioral issues It s best to adopt a dog that breezes through this evaluation especially if you have little ones at home Same goes if you hope to utilize your new pet in canine therapy endeavors Once you hone in on that match it s a good idea to have all members of the family including any resident canines meet with the potential new dog prior to the adoption to assure there s not a major compatibility issue Be choosy when looking for a furry companion you want this to be a successful adoption By honestly evaluating your personality family and lifestyle and working with the organization during the match process you can find the right dog that blends in perfectly and brings you tons of joy Looking to add a 4 legged member to the family There s no better time than now The weather is still nice there are plenty of Halloween events to attend and it s also National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month CLE DOG recently spent the day with three furry friends who are looking for furever homes Let s make this Halloween all treats and no tricks for these three boo ti ful ladies and all shelter dogs Name Bella 9 year old female Where Cleveland APL www clevelandapl org Breed White tan black Rat Terrier mix Story Bella was surrendered to us when her owners moved and couldn t take her with them Bella hasn t lived with other dogs or cats but she doesn t seem to be bothered when she s around them Likes She loves to play with children is potty trained is very friendly and loves treats Adoption fee 125 plus Cuyahoga County license Name Callie 6 year old female Where Friendship APL www friendshipapl org Breed Black brown white Beagle Basset Hound mix Story Callie was rescued from Lorain County Dog Kennel She had pneumonia when she came to FAPL and it was touch and go for a while but she is ready to find her new home Likes She is super sweet and carefree She likes other dogs and all people UPDATE We are happy to report that Callie was adopted shortly before press time Name Frankie 2 year old female Where Love A Stray www loveastraydog com Breed Tan Chihuahua mix Story Frankie was found as a stray pregnant She had five puppies in early July Likes She loves to go for walks and sit on her person s lap She is good with cats dogs and all people She also enjoys car rides Adoption fee 165 Photos by Chewbone Studio These are just three of the thousands of shelter dogs in Northeast Ohio looking for their new families Please celebrate Adopt a Shelter Dog Month by adopting donating volunteering or networking for dogs like Bella Callie and Frankie AdoptDon tShop 12 All things DOG in Northeast Ohio
MEDICAL CREATING A NEW NORMAL Living with IVDD By Lauren Smith inston was fine the night of January 10 2017 In fact he enjoyed a mile long walk through the neighborhood By 9 p m January 11 Winston was checked in to Metropolitan Animal Hospital with no feeling or movement in his hindquarters By Noon on the 12th he was in surgery to remove two herniated spinal discs disc his chance of paralysis increases The foremost symptom of a dog suffering from an IVDD emergency is severe pain Dogs exhibit pain in a variety of ways but some of those pain signals include Vocalizations of pain like crying out or yelping Reduced or lost appetite Change in behavior and personality or seeming depressed Susceptible Breeds One of the most aggressive spinal occurrences in dogs Type 1 IVDD most often plagues Dachshunds afflicting 25 of the breed Winston isn t a dachshund but he has a long back and short legs like a Doxie traits that make him vulnerable to IVDD The disease genetically favors small boned dogs with a long spine making them more susceptible to a wearing down and calcification of spinal cartilage and spinal trauma The most commonly afflicted dog breeds are Basset Hound Beagle Bulldog Corgi Dachshund French Bulldog Lhasa Apso Pomeranian Poodle Pug Shih Tzu and Spaniel Telltale Signs With IVDD time is of the essence With every hour a dog suffers from a slipped or bulging We got Winston to the hospital within hours of his decline during which time he went from walking and standing to sitting to lying very still He had already had nerve damage and his damaged discs were bruised and slipped Surgery was his only option Treatment Depending on the severity of a dog s spinal damage pet owners have a few options 1 Crate Rest can last from weeks to months and dogs tend to gain some weight from the inactivity 2 Surgical Intervention sometimes the only option for saving mobility but can be prohibitively expensive This surgery wasn t even an option 10 years ago 3 Rehabilitation can include massage and passive therapy water therapy range ofmotion exercise accupuncture and wheelchairs and slings This wasn t a mystery diagnosis Rather it was one of those conditions that you don t know about until it strikes down your own canine companion Winston was downed by Intervertebral Disc Disease IVDD IVDD is a degenerative disease in which spinal discs slip bulge or herniate and press on the nerves in the spinal cord resulting in severe pain nerve damage and paralysis Winston was the smallest nimblest hiking dog around and now we re doing our best to give him a quality of life that is worthy of his amazing spirit I am by no means any kind of medical professional but am telling this cautionary tale to protect the lives and spines of susceptible dogs in Northeast Ohio Nails scuffing floor while walking or paws folding under while walking Winston Staying very still avoiding barking running jumping moving Standing atypically favoring certain paws arching back tense tummy or holding head unusually high in the air or unusually low to the ground Trembling shivering or shaking A secondary symptom of a dog suffering from more advanced IVDD is nerve damage and surgical attention within 12 24 hours of losing function is critical Signals of nerve damage include Weakness or stiffness in limbs Wobbly walking or crossing legs while attempting to walk Inability to wag tail Loss of bladder control I facilitate at least one hour a day of massage and motion exercises with Winston and he is approaching his fifth month working with Dr Huppe and her team at Up Running Canine Rehabilitation in Avon Lake where he gets hydrotherapy walking on an underwater treadmill and acupuncture Winston also has a Walkin Wheels wheelchair which lets him walk run and feel the breeze through his hair We take him on wheelchair walks every other night to keep his front legs strong he truly turns heads I believe the underwater treadmill is one of the most valuable treatment tools for IVDD patients after surgery and we often see pets walking in the water before they take their first steps on land For pets that are already paralyzed non surgical candidates or those who have not recovered after surgery physical rehabilitation continues to be important in October 2017 CLEDOG net 13
M E D I C A L keeping the body strong and free of other compensatory pain and problems says Dr Kimberly Huppe of Up Running Canine Rehabilitation Many paralyzed pets also do great in carts and with proper nursing management can have long high quality lives even without full mobility Prevention You know what they say about a dose of prevention ignorance is part of what exacerbated Winston s disease so just knowing some of the off limit behavior for susceptible breeds will help arm other dog owners better than I was No jumping up off furniture No running jumping up or down the stairs Maintain a healthy weight for your dog excess weight will put pressure on the spine Walk Fido using a harness not a collar It will put less pressure on the neck and spine Limit top speed running or chasing behavior Don t play tug of war the jerking action is dangerous for susceptible breeds 14 All things DOG in Northeast Ohio A New Normal Like me you can do everything right and everything in your power to rescue your dog from this condition but you don t always win Make no mistake Winston is alive and well but isn t a whole lot closer to walking standing or going potty on his own than he was in January It s a lifestyle 180 but if you re anything like me it s worth trying to restore your companion s quality of life Overall with good preventative care and management most dogs with IVDD maintain a high quality of life Many people don t realize how happy paralyzed dogs can really be in carts I have seen many amazing cart dogs that can run and play living a comfortable and happy life says Dr Huppe Instead of restoring his former quality of life I m managing to establish a new one Different for sure but hopefully one that Winston will enjoy for years to come wheelchair or not Lauren Smith is a lifelong westsider who enjoys fawning over her dogs painting volunteering with Berea ARF and sewing a collection of tiny hound hoodies to keep Winston warm
RECREATION Best Fall Walks to Take With Your Dog By Ann McDonald Between the lake the beautiful Metroparks and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park CVNP we are spoiled with all the beautiful places to walk our dogs in Northeast Ohio As fall approaches and the leaves change color now is the best time to get out and explore the area s many trails and parks with your dog I ve made it a goal of mine to visit as many Metroparks and parts of the CVNP as I can and have developed a few favorites over the years Here are my top 10 favorite dogs walks in Northeast Ohio Whipps Ledges Hinkley Reservation If you re looking for a little rock climbing adventure with your dog you have to visit Whipps Ledges This is a great walk for the adventurous dog but you don t have to be a rock climbing enthusiast to visit here The beautiful walk around the ledges gives you great views of the fall foliage and there is so much to explore at Hinkley Reservation from the lake to the ledges that you could spend all day here dog may not appreciate the history but will definitely enjoy the walk This area of the trail has some great views of the valley and the canal You can also access the Towpath Trail here as well Holden Arboretum As one of the largest arboretums and botanical gardens in the U S Holden Arboretum is one of the most beautiful walks you can take with your dog in Northeast Ohio There are 13 different trails at the Arboretum so you can see something different every time you visit Fort Hill Rocky River Reservation The 1 3 mile Fort Hill trail includes the Fort Hill Stairs recently reopened that lead you 90 feet above the east and west branches of the Rocky River for a stunning view especially in the fall Taking a walk on this trail on a beautiful fall day will make you appreciate living in Cleveland CVNP Towpath Trail Peninsula area For a festive fall outing with your dog I recommend the Towpath Trail near dogfriendly Szalay s Farm so you can get your pumpkin picking and a hike in at the same time If you have a dog that loves to walk you can take the trail outside of Szalay s for miles stopping at many historic spots along the way Squaw Rock Loop South Chagrin Reservation If you like a little history with your walk check out the Squaw Rock Loop Trail The trail leads you to an outdoor sculpture known as Squaw Rock which was carved by artist and blacksmith Henry Church in 1885 The legend is that Church walked through the Chagrin River at night to create this sculpture Your Blue Hen Falls Buttermilk Falls Brandywine Falls CVNP This is a fun hike to take with your dog to see some waterfalls and enjoy the beautiful fall foliage of the CVNP The Blue Hen Falls is located off Boston Mills Road and about another mile from there is the Buttermilk Falls Brandywine Falls the most impressive of the three is also located nearby The 1 5 mile Brandywine Gorge Trail takes you around the waterfall and is definitely worth a visit Squire s Castle Trail North Chagrin Reservation This is a great dog friendly trail with dog water fountains placed throughout the park You can walk through the old Squire s Castle and then continue on to walk the 2 2 mile trail around it to explore the beautiful North Chagrin Reservation Ohio and Erie Canal Reservation Any part of this trail will make a good fall walk but the area near the Leonard Krieger CanalWay Center is really beautiful in the fall Edgewater Park Lakewood Park Although these two parks are about three miles apart on Lake Ave if you are making a visit to one and have the time visit both Edgewater has stunning views of the lake and city skyline not to mention a Cleveland sign for great photo opps Lakewood Park is worth a visit for the Solstice Steps which you can sit on with your pup to enjoy a beautiful view of Lake Erie Hemlock Loop Trail Huntington Reservation This trail is located off Wolf Road past the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center The path goes along a small overlook where you can look out on Porter Creek There s also a big open space near the trail to hang out or play fetch with your dog 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 www dogsinthecle com October 2017 CLEDOG net 15
PROFILE Cookie the Cemetery Dog By Linda Slusser W hen visitors to Riverside Cemetery in Cleveland approached the office counter the first staff member they saw was Cookie usually resting comfortably on her chaise lounge bed Cookie a certified therapy dog had the primary duties of providing emotional support and comfort and unconditional love Cookie s story began when Greg Kapcar and his wife Sally were searching for a black and white puppy to adopt They had lost their beloved Golden Retriever Sasha three years earlier Even though Kapcar and Sasha had visited hospitals and a children s home as a therapy team he was not looking for a potential therapy dog When the Kapcars arrived at the Berea Animal Rescue Fund late one day in January 2014 to see the last black and white puppy in a litter of four Kapcar admits I m a little embarrassed to say I wouldn t have picked her out because she was skittish she was scared But as soon as Sally held the puppy the two of them just clung to each other and Cookie stopped shaking she just snuggled in Cookie had claimed her forever home Riverside is a 90 acre cemetery where Kapcar had become general manager in November 2012 His first issue of the International Cemetery Cremation and Funeral Association magazine featured an article profiling grief therapy dogs in funeral homes and some cemeteries He put the magazine in a basket on his desk where it remained As life with Cookie developed Kapcar couldn t help noticing that the 16 All things DOG in Northeast Ohio pooch had physical and personality traits that could make her an effective therapy dog People often stopped the Kapcars while they were walking Cookie The admirers commented on how striking beautiful or adorable the pup was and wondered about her breed a mix of Collie and American Staffordshire Terrier on dad s side with bits of Boxer Retriever Bulldog and Mastiff from mom Training with Lorenzo s Dog Training Team built Cookie s confidence with positive reinforcement and petting or verbal praise as rewards Cookie thrived on the training the attention and the affection Shortly before her first birthday with the support of the cemetery s board of trustees and the staff Cookie started to accompany her owner to work She grew accustomed to the sounds and activity of this new environment She learned new manners such as when to stay on her spot that comfy dog bed until invited to interact with visitors After passing the temperament evaluation and the 13 behavior tests required for certification by Therapy Dogs International TDI in June 2015 Cookie became a full time cemetery employee At 7 a m she rode with Kapcar on the morning rounds stopping at the chapel touring the grounds and meeting with the crew at the garage By 9 a m Cookie was settled at her workstation ready to greet and console visitors looking for the location of a loved one s grave or arriving to arrange a funeral Cookie s looks now charmed cemetery visitors lightening the atmosphere and encouraging them to share stories about their own dogs And Cookie proved to be a lover offering affection that made a difficult situation a little less painful In addition
P R O F I L E if available Cookie practiced another component of her job description geese dispersal A foreman would call Kapcar stating Cookie s assistance needed in section 6 He would take Cookie on leash to encourage the messy geese to move on Cookie quickly showed the value of a therapy dog in this relatively new setting She cuddled with a young widow who came alone to purchase a gravesite for her husband She walked calmly among eight family members comforting those who reached toward her including the three children She brought smiles daily to staff and delivery people who would inquire Where s Cookie on her occasional day off Cookie even had fans One lady whose husband is buried at the cemetery came regularly just for her Cookie fix Another gal who lives out of state and only met Cookie through the cemetery s newsletter always sent a treat along with a donation to the cemetery s foundation Cookie even had her own column in the newsletter Kapcar has recently left Riverside to start a new job but he remains active with Riverside as he has been appointed to the cemetery s board of trustees His new job at a consulting firm doesn t require Cookie s assistance so she s enjoying her time at home being a family dog She enjoys runs and walks with her owners as well as playing with her favorite balls savoring a special peanut butter treat or just watching the world go by as she stretches out near the door or window Although Cookie s trailblazing career as Riverside Cemetery s comfort dog was not planned in advance perhaps it involved a bit of serendipity After all on Cookie s white chest is a large black mark in the shape of a heart Riverside Cemetery is located at 3607 Pearl Road in Cleveland the gateway to the Brooklyn Centre neighborhood The cemetery was founded in 1876 and is one of Greater Cleveland s oldest and most historic communities Linda Slusser 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 October 2017 CLEDOG net 17
18 All things DOG in Northeast Ohio
HOLIDA YS CALENDAR OCTOBER Adopt a Dog Month Adopt a Shelter Dog Month National Pet Wellness Month National Pit Bull Awareness Month National Service Dog Month POOCH PARTY October 1 from Noon 3 p m at PetPeople 35901 Detroit Road Avon Join Love A Stray for an adoption event More info at loveastraydog com GRIN HOWL O WEEN PARTY October 8 from Noon 3 p m at Oakgrove Pavilion in Brecksville Reservation This third annual event features a canine and human costume contest raffles and new this year a chili cook off Event registration is 15 for adults 5 for kids and pets are free This event is open to all friendly dogs and humans Deadline to register is October 5 at grinrescue org For more info on the chili cook off email development grinrescue org INAUGURAL CLEVELAND APL DAWG WALK October 14 from 9 a m Noon at First Energy Stadium Cleveland Join the Cleveland APL and Cleveland Browns for the Inaugural Cleveland APL Dawg Walk Bring your dog to the stadium any time between 9 a m Noon to walk the Main Concourse during this rain or shine event Dogs and their families will walk the concourse check out local vendors and even take a photo on the field With the purchase of a human ticket you will receive a complimentary ticket to the Fan Appreciation game against the Baltimore Ravens on December 17 Go to clevelandapl org for details National Walk Your Dog Week October 1 7 National Black Dog Day October 1 National Fire Pup Day October 1 National Pit Bull Awareness Day October 27 HALLOWEEN PHOTOS October 14 15 from 11 a m 4 30 p m at Grateful Dog Bakery 31966 Center Ridge Road North Ridgeville 10 for a 4 x 6 framed print which will also be shared on social media Proceeds benefit Friendship APL Go to gratefuldogbakery com for more info SPOOKY POOCH PARADE October 21 from 12 30 3 30pm at Kauffman Park 15450 Detroit Ave Lakewood Dogs rule the day at Lakewood Alive s 10th annual Spooky Pooch Parade The event includes a festival with dogrelated vendors entertainment for the whole family and the much anticipated costumed dog parade Awards will be given for the best costumes in a variety of categories For more info visit lakewoodalive org SpookyPooch CLAM BARK October 29 from 4 6 30 p m at Rookies Sports Bar and Grill 6913 W 130th St Parma Heights 35 a person and tickets must be purchased in advance Dinner includes a dozen clams clam broth baked 1 4 chicken baked sweet potato coleslaw rolls and butter and 2 beers Fun includes sideboards and raffles Visit parmashelter org for more information October 2017 CLEDOG net 19
