We are honored to have interviewed Christine Barnett, lover of dogs and pet therapist.
K9 Cuisine: What is your story-how did you get into helping animals?
Christine: Since the day I was born, I have always had a dog. As an only child, I counted my dogs as my best friends. My dog passed when I got divorced, and I was on my own with no animals. About 5 yrs ago, I received a surprise Christmas gift…a kitty, which was my first cat and a total surprise to me. I immediately loved her. She was a rescue and had been living as a stray at the animal shelter. She had been picked up off the street , homeless and pregnant at only 1 yr old. At the shelter, they gave her an abortion. When she was brought to me, she put her head on my chest and fell asleep. She slept for almost 3 days straight, walking only to eat and visit the litter box. She seemed emotionally and physically exhausted.
Having this close relationship and basically nursing a grieving mother back to emotional mental health made a huge impact on me and my understanding of animals and their feelings. Soon thereafter, I decided to go to a volunteer orientation at the San Francisco animal care and control where I found a tremendous need. I started working with Give a Dog a Bone, which is a quality of life program for long term, legal custody dogs. These are the forgotten dogs, the neglected, abused, brutalized, forced to fight and breed. Many people do not know about them, however anytime someone is hurt, dies, is arrested, jailed, cited for cruelty – we take these dogs. While its the most heartbreaking thing I have ever done, it is also the most important thing in my life. Many have to be euthanized, but i give them endless love as long as they are with us (and beyond – I never forget any of these dogs). This morphed into working with Grateful Dogs Rescue, a group of angels who rescue dogs slated for euthanasia. Many of the dogs in Give a Dog a Bone are rescued by GDR, and I have been able to continue my socialization and healing work that starts in the SF ACC and then ongoing after they make it out of the shelter. It’s wonderful to see the dogs outside in the real world!
K9 Cuisine: What is the secret to your success with the your business-how have you gotten to where you are today?
Christine: I am a Reiki specialist and perform energy healing for people and animals. My secret? I found my passion. My calling is to be a friend to the animals. I volunteer, take classes, and I have become a Reiki Master and a Spiritual Animal Healer.
K9 Cuisine: What makes you different?
Christine: I will never stop trying to make a difference in the lives of all animals and of all the people who have a connection with an animal. It could be as simple as talking with someone on the street and telling them that they are a wonderful guardian to their animal – this causes a mental shift for many who see animals as possessions and people as owners. I take every opportunity to better the lives of animals. I am also a licensed psychotherapist and have helped people deal with their issues for years. I believe that my background as a mental health clinician and my current spiritual practice of Reiki allows me to help people and animals from both a scientific and spiritual perspective. I am always seeking additional ways to help. I incorporate Tellington T Touch with the Reiki I do on animals, which is slightly different from what others do.
K9 Cuisine: What is it about dogs that you love?
Christine: Dogs are so zen – right here, right now. I admire their ability to forgive and trust, and find this to be the most incredible quality any being can carry. People hold grudges- dogs are the embodiment of love, compassion, joy, lightheartedness, and simplicity. Even if they have been abused, starved, or beaten, when you come to them with a loving kindness and a soft voice, their little tails start thumping.
K9 Cuisine: What is the neatest part about your work?
Christine: Helping people and animals open the only thing that really matters – love. It’s so rich to bring animals and their guardians to a place of understanding one another and respecting one another. Animals and people can have amazing experiences of the simplest, purest nature, and it is astounding. This is something I love to see: joy. Playing in the shelter park with a dog who never learned to play and seeing them bounce and chase after a ball is an uplifting feeling. Another very important part of this work is helping animals cross over. This is an indescribable experience and I am always deeply honored to be part of the transition from this life to the next realm.
K9 Cuisine: How can people find out more about you and your work?
Christine: I have a new website featuring my reiki practice and also my reiki products: www.SassyMonkeyReiki.com. You can also visit the sites of Give a Dog a Bone http://www.gadab.org and Grateful Dogs Rescue http://www.gratefuldogsrescue.org.
K9 Cuisine: Tell us a little about you!
Christine: I am Christine Barnett, MFT and DD, and a working and licensed psychotherapist for the past 10 years in SF, CA. My love for animals has been lifelong and my current focus is on spiritual animal healing (both in person and distant) and in co creating more effective human/animal relationships. I am an Usui Reiki Master who has received approximately 200 attunements to date. I am an avid animal rights advocate on many fronts from local city government to national and international issues. My specialty is in energetic healing of emotional and physical traumas and with animals crossing over. I am currently studying for my Doctorate in Metaphysics. I also a vegan chef and am more than happy to share my recipes to save more animals!
C.A.R.E. (Castaway Animal Rescue Effort) rescues neglected and abused animals. A great success story of theirs is about a sweet dog named Cody. Cody lived with a family where he received very little, if any, attention or care. For over a year, he was changed in the same spot. He was seldom fed or given water. Most nights Cody fell asleep at night hungry. Had this continued, Cody would have been destined to certain death. Lucky for Cody, a C.A.R.E. volunteer was informed of his situation.
Volunteer Heather spoke with the owner about Cody’s living conditions. Somehow, the owner thought Cody’s conditions were fine and claimed she was taking proper care of him. Heather explained that Cody was being neglected and if she was not able to provide a healthy, happy environment for an animal, she shouldn’t have one. Luckily, The woman agreed to turn Cody over to Heather.
After a thorough examination at a local clinic, it was determined that other than malnourishment and dehydration, Cody was healthy and only needed some love and good food. Sadly, many people, like Cody’s owner, grow up thinking this is an acceptable way to keep a dog. That is why it is up to us to teach them that this environment and way of life is not acceptable for any animal. As you can see in the after photo, Cody is doing great at the shelter. He has regained his self-confidence now and is starting to put on weight. He is eager to please and thanks his helpers each day with lots of kisses. He is up for adoption right now. If you would like to meet Cody, please call the shelter at (417) 875-6565. They are located in Aurora, MO.
This story is from the C.A.R.E. website, at www.carerescue.org.
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K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.
Following is our next post in our series of articles on “Evaluating Your Dog’s Health”. This week — Mouth and Teeth!
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A healthy mouth has nice white teeth and pink gums. To check your dog’s mouth, lift their lips to look at the color of the gums. Red and pale white gums could mean a serious problem. Next, examine their teeth. Dark yellow or loose teeth are also signs that attention is needed. Bad breath can be another bad sign. Problems in their mouth can spread to the kidneys and heart.
Look for redness or pale gums
Look for dark yellow, loose or discolored teeth
Look for tarter build up: usually along the gum line
Bad breath could be a sign of an infection or stomach problems
Good dental hygiene can begin in puppyhood to greatly reduce the chance of your dog developing periodontal disease. To brush a dog’s teeth, use a small, soft toothbrush or finger brush with toothpaste or tooth-cleaning solution formulated for pets. Human toothpaste foams too much, and the additives can upset your dog’s stomach.
Ideally, you should brush your dog’s teeth every day, but even a weekly brushing will help. Although dogs don’t usually get cavities, they are prone to gum disease caused by tartar buildup. Tartar is a by-product of plaque. Tartar buildup has to be removed by your veterinarian, so the extra effort of regular brushing will save you, your dog and your vet.
HINT: To make toothpaste for your dog at home, mix baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) with a little salt and water. Apply it with a toothbrush or with gauze wrapped around your finger. Don’t use this recipe if your dog is on a sodium-restricted diet.
This information was provided by Susan Hartzler with AlphaDog PR, which is based in Los Angeles and a chosen resource for editors, producers, writers and reporters. Alpha Dog PR is dedicated to providing the media with the most up-to-the-minute information about the rapidly growing pet industry. For more information, please visit www.alphadogpr.com or call (818) 998-6299.
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K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.
There are many reasons a family might be moving into a rental home. Just a couple might be needing a new location or moving from a single home to a rental. However, this often means the family dog needs to find another home. With forethought and responsibility from landlord and renter, there’s no reason the family dog can’t be a welcome tenant. Below are links to several resources for keeping dogs in their homes.
Canine Good Citizen
The American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen® program is a certification program that is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community.The Canine Good Citizen Program is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test may receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club. Mixed breed and purebred dogs are eligible. Visit website here http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/index.cfm.
S.T.A.R. Puppy
The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy(sm) is an exciting new program designed to get dog owners and their puppies off to a good start. The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program is an incentive program for loving dog owners who have taken the time to take their puppies through a basic training class. Mixed breed and purebred puppies are eligible. Visit website here http://www.akc.org/starpuppy/about_the_program.cfm.
How Pets Can Be a Landlord’s Best Friend
“In what may be the only published research on the subject, a 2003 survey (.PDF file) by FIREPAW found that apartments that accepted pets not only didn’t lose money, they actually gained more, to the tune of nearly $3,000 per apartment, per year.” Visit article here.
What to put in it, how to write it. Visit website here.
Condos Go Dog Wild
“Doggy interviews are mandatory prior to moving in at Porto Bellagio and Aventi complexes.” Visit website here.
How To Create Pet Policies For Rental Properties
“Just look at all of the issues that need to be policed and enforced for pet policies to work. On the other hand, there’s a growing demand for apartments and condominiums that cater to pets.” Visit website here.
With honesty and responsibility, the family, the pet, and the landlord can all benefit.
This article was provided by Marilyn Wolf, BS, CPDT-KA, Pet Trainer & Behavior Consultant, www.KorrectKritters.com, 727-372-9825.
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K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.
K9 Cuisine: What is your story-how did you get into the dog treat business?
Dan: We wanted to develop a healthy dog treat better than what could be found on the market. The receipt was inspired by two recently rescued Greyhounds.
K9 Cuisine: What is the secret to your success-how have you gotten to where you are today?
Dan: Success comes from producing quality products with out compromising the integrity of the ingredients and staying within out niche market of Mom & Pop boutique pet stores.
K9 Cuisine: What makes you different?
Dan: The quality and pureness of ingredients. Listening to our customer base. Innovation, experimentation and most of all for the love and welfare of all dogs.
K9 Cuisine: What is it about dogs that you love?
Dan: Companionship and loyalty. They give more than they receive, something we all can learn. In the case of ex-racing Greyhounds-after all the abuse they go through, they forgive us.
K9 Cuisine: What is the neatest part about your business?
Dan: Building rapport with our customer’s and hearing their positive feedback.
K9 Cuisine: How does your company give back?
Dan: We are pretty much an extended family business. Our staff and owners are all animal nuts. Dan is on board of directors for Greyhound Friends for Life. His wife Ginny and daughter Keri do volunteer work for Fix our Ferals including fostering. Son Garrett and the rest of the family also foster Greyhounds when needed, transport greys from the track to our rescue kennel and anything else that needs to be done. Co-owners Mim and Kate attend meet and greets with their greys, volunteer their time for fund-raising events for GFFL and local humane societies.
Two years ago Mim made the largest dog bone biscuit in the world (9′ 8″) for the Berkeley East Bay Humane Society (they said they were going to Guiness it–don’t know if they did). www.berkeleyhumane.org BarkStix beat the previous record of 9′ which was an event sponsored by Microsoft!!!! A kind of David beats Goliath story. At least when it comes to giant dog biscuits.
We also give 5% of our profits to Greyhound Friends for Life, all volunteer, rescue, adoption and advocacy group for former racing greyhounds. www.greyhoundfriendsforlife.org
K9 Cuisine: How can people find out more about you and your company?
Dan: Twitter and Facebook, but most importantly www.Barkstix.com. Our doors of communication are always open, give us a call.
K9 Cuisine: Tell us a little about you!
Dan: I love dogs and especially Greyhounds. In regard to the rest of me, you can talk to my shrink!
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K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.
Getting a new puppy is always an exciting time. It’s also a crucial time as you start developing the relationship with you and your new puppy.
For young puppies, it is imperative you use a lot of encouragement, praise and rewards (positive reinforcement) to train your new addition. As soon as you get home, start your training right away…the sooner the better.
Work on developing good habits and preventing the bad habits from the start, as opposed to trying to correct bad behaviors later on. Keep your training sessions fun, consistent and short. Start out with easy commands and build from there. Really celebrate the successes, and reward your puppy for good behavior.
Developing a strong sense of trust between you and your puppy is essential…the puppy needs to trust you, and you need to trust the puppy. Avoid harsh corrections, punishment, and any other kind of negative punishment. The goal is to make your puppy enjoy the training sessions and look forward to them, not be afraid or anxious.
It is important to remember you are dealing with essentially a baby. Don’t create unrealistic expectations…it takes time to learn new behaviors. Be flexible, loving and patient. This is all new to the puppy, and he is not going to learn it overnight. Don’t focus on the mistakes, focus on the positive behavior, and the bad behaviors will eventually subside.
Have fun with your puppy…they grow up so fast! But keep in mind this is a very important time, as you are laying the groundwork for his life with you and your family. You are also developing a relationship and bond with your new puppy, so this time is precious and critical.
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K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.
K9 Cuisine: What is your story-how did you get into pet behavior/training?
Marilyn: I started studying training in earnest when we adopted Tommy at about two months of age. When I saw that little brown face and yellow eyes — that puppy was going to be mine. Tommy was never a cuddly pup. He was always curious, always interested in his environment. Before he was a year old, he had decided his job in life was to be our Sheriff. He took his job very seriously. My fat, round puppy grew into a 90-pound dog that was solid muscle.
I wanted to be as good a partner to my dog as I could be. I learned different techniques, training, behavior analysis, more body language specific to dogs, and environmental management. I became a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT). I used every tool I could find to help my dog.
A more complete story is on my website on the page entitled, “Tommy.”
K9 Cuisine:What is the secret to your success with your business-how have you gotten to where you are today?
Marilyn: When training for other organizations, I was always asked to do something with which I was uncomfortable. Even if it was something as minor as putting on a Gentle Leader when I didn’t think the dog needed it, I didn’t want to have to do it. So I started my own company, Korrect Kritters, LLC. Now I can help the dogs in any way I think is appropriate. And I do.
About that same time, my husband and I decided to foster dogs. We were lucky enough to meet the District Director with Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida (LRRoF). We have fostered several dogs over the years. Once she found I was a professional trainer, I started fostering the dogs with problems. I also do in-person or phone consults for behavior problems on any dogs owned by the rescue. I’ve made amazing progress with a couple of dogs and improvements with all of them.
K9 Cuisine: What makes you different?
Marilyn: I use skills such as analysis, team building, and managing multiple projects in manufacturing (in the Midwest) and the Federal government (in the Northeast). Decades of being a “hobby trainer” preceded becoming a professional trainer. As a parent, stepparent, and grandparent who has lived with dogs of all sizes, ages, and temperaments over the years, I have insight to many family situations.
I am willing to meet people and dogs “where they are” when I do an in-home consult. In the beginning, I do a lot of listening and watching to get an idea of household dynamics. I am usually calm and quiet around the dogs, sometimes whispering to get their attention. I am usually calm and quiet around the people, sometimes teaching them relaxation techniques. Timing and technique in both scenarios is key.
K9 Cuisine: What is it about dogs that you love?
Marilyn: Their almost constant communication. The way they live in the moment. In even bad circumstances, their efforts to make the best of any situation. Their talent for reading people.
K9 Cuisine: What is the neatest part about your work?
Marilyn: I get paid to play with puppies!!! How great is my job!!
I use reward-based training and teach people how to ignore what they want to go away and reward what they want repeated. For some dog owners, this is a new way of thinking about the interaction with their dog. I like seeing the way it improves the relationship. More broadly, a change in the behavior of my clients and their dogs has a ripple effect within the community. Their friends, families, and neighbors often begin to use my techniques, too, because the dog is behaving and having fun doing it.
K9 Cuisine: Where do you see the pet training/behavior industry going?
Marilyn: Dog trainers are becoming professionals, not just people doing a job. Different organizations are developing standards of operation and methodology. More of us have college degrees and/or specialized education. Most of this is going without the attention of the dog owning public currently.
K9 Cuisine: How do you fit into that-what are your future plans?
Marilyn: I’m a member of several professional dog training organizations. I’m on the Board of Directors of the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. I also work behind the scenes in many ways.
K9 Cuisine: How can people find out more about you and your organization?
Marilyn: My website http://www.korrectkritters.com, or my blog http://korrectkritters.blogspot.com , or at Lab Rescue of Florida http://www.labradorrescue.net .
K9 Cuisine: Tell us a little about you!
Marilyn: My parents had dogs before they had me. I’ve lived with dogs most of my life and consider myself lucky to have been able to do so.
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K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.
Maintaining a dog’s coat, free of tangles, knots, and mats, can often be a challenging task for dog owners. Some breeds require near daily combing or brushing to sufficiently maintain the coat; others are fine with a weekly brush-out. By addressing the grooming needs of their dog in a timely manner, owners are able to properly monitor the skin and coat condition of their pet. Does the dog have fleas or ticks? Any embedded foxtails? Any skin rashes or irritations? Besides that, the dog will no doubt appreciate the attention and affection you provide during these sessions – even if they last just few minutes.
Some dog owners shun caring for their dog’s coat and only address the issue when it becomes totally unbearable. Unbeknownst to them, failure to adequately bathe and/or groom a dog can have sinister results and can seriously jeopardize the dog’s health. Such was a case that my groomer and I found this past week.
We were enlisted to groom a 90-pound, elderly Malamute/Samoyed mix, which was very dirty and severely-matted. The owner sheepishly admitted to not properly caring for the dog’s coat for an extended period and requested we do what we could to thoroughly clean and groom the dog. We immediately knew we had our work cut out for us.
As my groomer began to shave away the severely matted hair from the dog’s sanitary area and rear, she exposed a huge patch of open sores and badly-irritated skin that had been covered over by the mats – completely hidden from view. The dog apparently suffered from incontinence and the dog’s mats now contained stool as well. Worse yet, an infestation of fly larvae had developed inside the mats and on the dog’s skin. We were aghast. Grooming was halted. We notified the dog owner and promptly transported the dog to a nearby veterinarian. Under the vet’s treatment, which includes antibiotics and pain relief, we anticipate this pooch will be on a steady road to recovery.
While this was an extreme case of matting that grew over an extended period of time, I was awe-struck at the potential health risk that severe matting could cause. In this case, the large, thick mats both contributed to the underlying skin condition and prevented the owner from detecting the situation.
Had the dog owner taken the time to examine the dog’s coat at a reasonable frequency – brushing or combing as needed to resolve any developing mats – and bathing or grooming the dog as needed — the above situation would have been avoided.
Pets depend on our good care and attention to be healthy. Frequent attendance to brushing, combing, bathing, and grooming is a wonderful way to bond with your dog and stay abreast of any developing skin or coat issues. Your dog deserves it!
Provided by Dave Ely of Aussie Pet Mobile Marin, 415-686-4248
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K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.
The day I made the call to FOCAS regarding a sweet dog (named Little Joe) they had advertised, is a day I will forever be thankful. This dog was found laying on the side of the road by a highway patrolman last Valentine’s Day. The story drove me to tears. Little Joe had been viciously attacked by coyotes. He suffered multiple wounds on his legs and neck, and he was unable to walk. His foster mom assured me that he had bounced back from his ordeal and was now ready for a forever home.
I couldn’t wait to meet him. He seemed to possess all the characteristics I was looking for in a new pet…good with cats and liked playing with other dogs. We arranged a meeting with myself and my 10 year old dog, Sylvie. We had to make sure they got along…and Sylvie would have final veto power. When this little bundle of energy popped out of the car, Sylvie and I instantly fell in love. He had great social skills, and he and Sylvie started playing together immediately! Foster mom, Cyndi and I brought both Sylvia and Little Joe to a big grassy area so we could watch them and see how they got along. We both felt great joy at how well they were playing together and knew this was a match made in heaven. I adopted Little Joe that day and to this day, couldn’t be happier!
Sylvie and Sailor (formerly Little Joe) are the best of friends. Sailor is a great playmate and has also restored Sylvie’s confidence in other dogs. Sylvie was attacked over a year ago by another dog and was generally afraid of other dogs. Sailor has an amazing spirit. He’s full of confidence, smart as a whip, and charms every person and dog that crosses his path. I was told about all of the things to expect with this new dog: he needed to be housetrained, he may be leery of men, and the potential that he may chew…but I felt well-prepared to take him on. What I was not prepared for, however, was how much I would love him from the very beginning, and how he would brighten up every single day of my existence. Thank you to FOCAS for all the hard work they do in helping to give animals a second chance. There are so many incredible personalities just waiting to blossom as they wait to be placed in a safe, secure, and loving home. If you don’t believe me, just ask Sailor.
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This story was provided by Katie Bauer, Programs Coordinator of FOCAS, Friends of County Animal Shelters at http://www.focas-sandiego.org.
K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.
