It’s May! That lovely month when everyone goes blissfully astray, as they say in Camelot, and here at Bay Woof, too. In keeping with this free-wheeling season, our May issue is all over the place, kind of like a puppy on a springtime romp!
We do love romping as much as the next pup, especially on our irresistible Bay Area beaches, but we also love it when those pups are safely and blissfully conked out at home. To help you make sure everyone gets safely home again from a day in the sun and sand, we start the issue with some excellent beach safety advice from a woman who should know, U.S. Coast Guard Petty Office Pamela Boehland.
May brings us outdoor adventures, International Workers Day, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, and… Lyme Disease Awareness Month! It’s not as random as it sounds, of course. When we take our bowsers from the beach into the fields and the woods, we face a new danger. Robin Krop encourages us to get “tick smart” when it comes to our pets and gives us a quick 101 on avoiding and recognizing Lyme Disease.
When our next two columnists start from very different perspectives and come to a common conclusion, we not only celebrate the synergy, we pay attention. In Good Dog!, trainer Lisa Gunter tells us to think like detectives when we’re dealing with canine behavior issues and clearly observe what really works with each dog (and what doesn’t). Kelly Gorman Dunbar’s Monthly Woof lets us in on the fact that a big part of her job as a trainer involves training us how to communicate with our dogs. Both Lisa and Kelly emphasize the same essential message – true partnering is the key to all the best relationships.
In Ask Dr. Dog, 2013’s Beast of the Bay Best Vet Gary Richter shares exciting news about regenerative medicine. Treatments that once were thought the stuff of science fiction may actually be at your veterinarian’s office today. But when even the most modern care can’t keep your loved one from taking that final trip, in-home euthanasia can help make it a little easier for both of you to say good-bye. Dr. Vanessa Wensing shares compassionate advice on this sensitive subject here.
You may have noticed all the tail wagging over one of the Bay Area’s coolest new concepts: City Dog Share, which uses Facebook to match dogs who need a little short-term care with people who like to care for dogs. The non-profit is based in San Francisco but participants come from everywhere in our dog-loving community. Suddenly called out of town and looking for a last-minute sitter? Can’t keep a dog permanently but appreciate the occasional fur fix? New Bay Woof writer Aimee Rancer explains how City Dog Share works and tells us where it’s going.
And speaking of City dogs, we’re glad to have the opportunity to alert our readers to San Francisco’s new Article 39, the Commercial Dog Walking ordinance which goes into effect on July 1. Kat Brown, Deputy Director of San Francisco Animal Care and Control (ACC), talks about the legislation, why it was needed, and what it hopes to achieve. If you walk dogs for a living in San Francisco, this article is a must.
This month’s Shelter Zone column features one of our favorite stories in quite awhile: A young volunteer at Furry Friends Rescue in Fremont decided to celebrate her 12th birthday by inviting friends to join her in collecting donations for the animals at Furry Friends. The event was a huge success, for the dogs, for Natalie, and for her many besties. Great big Woofs to Natalie and her friends from all of us at Bay Woof. We hope you’ve started a trend!
This month’s Tails of the City reveals another one of the sources of May’s soaring spirits – we have photos from the terrific Beast of the Bay Awards party and DogFest 2013! Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate with us, to everyone who supported Muttville by buying raffle tickets, to our sparkling performers, to everyone who contributed to our incredible raffle prizes (wow!), and biggest thanks to all our winners and honorees – you’re the ones who make such a difference in so many lives all year long.
— Deb C.Z. Hirsch, Managing Editor
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