1001 Places to Pee Before You Die
By Mari K. Eder
Local Springfield, VA resident Mari Eder’s endearing book gives you a glimpse into the life of her rambunctious, miniature schnauzer puppy, Benson. Written from Benson’s point of view, he “writes” monthly letters to his “grandparents,” the North Carolina couple who where his breeders and care givers before he was adopted by Mari. The letters are whimsical, autobiographical, and filled with fantasy, and wonder. Retails for $12 from www.amazon.com.

First Pet
The Presidents and Their Beloved Canines, Felines and Other Four-Legged Creatures Who Made Their Home at the White House
By The Associated Press
This book is an exciting and rich photographic record of the presidents and their pets. Every one of the ten dozen or so photographs either entertains, educates, or informs us about the presidents and their relationships with their pet.
Retails for $15 For more information and to order: http://www.ap.org/pages/about/pressreleases/pr_050310a.html

Every Dog Has a Gift
True Stories of dogs who bring hope & healing into our lives
By Rachel McPherson
As anyone who has ever gotten home after a long, hard day to be greeted by that soulful look of adoration that only a dog can give will tell you: Dog love is one of the best kinds of love there is. Rachel McPherson draws on her experience as founder and executive director of The Good Dog Foundation, the largest dog-assisted therapy organization on the East Coast, to tell the amazing stories of dogs who bring home and healing into our lives.
Retails for 23.95 (hard cover) and available at www.thegooddogfoundation.org.

The New Holistic Way
for Dogs & Cats
By Paul McCutcheon, DVM
Prevention has always been the best guarantee for long-term wellness, and this is as true when it comes to managing our pets’ stress as it is for managing our own. This book makes a convincing plea for care givers to stress-proof their pet’s home life, environment and general care. The author encourages an integrative approach to veterinary care, one that goes beyond treating superficial symptoms, in order to achieve overall wellness for the animal. Retails for $18.99  available at www.crownpublishing.com.

For Kids:

Remembering Oakley
By Carl J. Schutt
An inspirational and educational story about a family that has chosen to euthanize Oakley, their beloved family dog, who is dying of cancer.  The story follows young Jacob as he works through an array of emotions, ranging from anger and hurt to fear and denial, as he learns the difficulty of saying goodbye.  This book offers young readers ways to cope with death and grieving and is appropriate for all ages. Retails for $9.95 and is available at www.rememberingoakley.com.

Two Bobbies
A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival
By Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery
Bobbi and Bob Cat are the best of friends. When their hometown of New Orleans was struck by Hurricane Katrina, they lost everything, as did many others. Only by staying together could Bobbi and Bob Cat survive. This is a true story of their remarkable friendship. Retails for $16.99 from www.amazon.com.

Pet Airways – Travel For Your Best Friend
Most dogs love to hop in the car and go for a ride! Now they are going to love hopping on a plane and going for a flight!

Pet Airways is a newly launched company that caters strictly to the K9’s flying needs (ok, ok cats are allowed too). Pet Airways’ goal is simple: transport your pets safely and comfortably. That means your pet will travel in the main cabin, not in the cargo hold! The main cabins of their planes are specially designed for pets. It is climate controlled, and securely holds crates of all sizes (from Mastiff to Chihuahua) to ensure your pet is comfortable for the trip. That’s just the basics, though, on to the pampering!

Drop your pet off at the Pet Lounge before the flight, if you don’t have a crate Pet Airways will provide one free of charge. If you need to drop off your pet off especially early you can check your pet into the PAWS Lounge up to 72 hours pre-flight, and Pet Airways will ensure your pet makes his flight. Using the Pet Airways Pet Tracker you can check on the progression of your pet’s flight, and will be notified of any delays.

Potty breaks are taken very seriously at Pet Airways. The time of your pet’s last break is monitored, and though it may slow down the flight a bit, regular potty breaks are taken along the way. In addition, a Pet Attendant monitors and checks on your pet every 15 minutes during the flight, ensuring your pet is safe and comfortable. Upon landing pets are given another potty break, then your pet is available for pick-up at the Pet Lounge.

Pet Airways currently caters to New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles. Visit the Pet Airways website to read the rave reviews and make a reservation.

Rudy’s Friends Dog Training, Inc.

Kids and dogs, they seem like a perfectly suited match, smiling, wagging, running and chasing—best friends for life. Contrary to popular belief this kind of bond doesn’t just magically happen. It takes a little bit of education for the dog and the child to establish a respectful, but fun relationship.

Anne Davis of Rudy’s Friends Dog Training offers many dog training and dog care services, but her primary focus is educating children about dogs. Anne has published two children’s books, Rudy’s Friends and Be Safe with Rudy and His Friends.

Rudy’s Friends teaches children to value the differences in each other through photos of Rudy and his wide assortment of friends; short, tall, long hair, short hair, curly hair, straight hair, black, brown, white, red and gray, Rudy loves all his buddies! Be Safe with Rudy and His Friends instills the importance of being safe around dogs and how easy it is to do. This endearing book uses photos of Rudy and his friends to illustrate the very basic ground rules all children should learn whether they have a dog in their family or not. For the child that is fearful of dogs this book will instill confidence, and for the child that is overly rambunctious with the family dog this book will help lay down the rules of proper behavior with and around the dog.

Anne and Rudy can often be found visiting children at schools spreading the message to children about how to be safe around any dog while still having fun! Anne strongly encourages parents to include children in training the family pet. Visit Rudy’s Friends Dog Training for more details.

Continuing with our doggie party theme from the Spring issue (www.novadogmagazine.com/recentissue.html), we wanted to announce that our friend Rocket at the Puppy Party Place is turning three years old! For the remainder of the month of May, take 20% off your order when you use the promo code:  rocket.

Stock up on all the party supplies you need for YOUR pups big day! Visit www.puppypartyplace.com

At Fur-Get Me Not (www.furgetmenot.com) it’s all about the dogs! Doggie daycare, boarding, pet sitting, dog walking, grooming, a boutique for the dogs and special events (including birthday parties) are just some of Fur-Get Me Not’s services. It is only fitting that one of Fur-Get Me Not’s training programs truly is all about the individual dog…okay maybe the human too.

Levels Training is a unique program that is quickly gaining popularity in the metro area. Levels Training focuses on the needs and learning pace of the individual dog and owner. Fur-Get Me Not’s program has four levels. Each level has requirements that must be accomplished before moving on to the next level, allowing dogs to have similar skill sets as they progress. You and your dog can stay put in a level for as long as needed to feel comfortable with the behaviors that are taught. All dogs start in level one, some dogs may progress to the next level in a week or two while others may stay in the class longer before progressing. That’s the advantage, you and your dog move at your pace!

Dog owners purchase a two or four month membership, as opposed to signing up for a session of classes. During the membership period dog and owner may attend as many or as few classes as they’d like. Currently level one and level two classes are offered twice a week, the membership allows owners the flexibility to attend one, both or none of the classes as your schedule permits.

Check out Fur-Get Me Not’s website, www.furgetmenot.com, for more details on getting started in Levels Training.

Vital tools for keeping your dog safe in an emergency situation

Wag’N Enterprises actually wants pet owners to think about the worst: house fire, traffic accident, natural disaster or mass evacuation. Now think about your pets and their dependence on you in those situations to keep them safe and alive. It brings up a panicky feeling doesn’t it?

Wag’N Enterprises has made it their mission to inform pet owners on how they can prepare, what they need to prepare for, and the many ways to mitigate and respond to an emergency. Visit Wag’N Enterprises’ website (http://www.wagn4u.com) to see how they intend to accomplish their mission through educational classes, fund raising for the public safety sector and an on-line store dedicated to pet safety.

The on-line store offers first aid and evacuation kits—priceless tools and supplies—pre-packaged in one easy-to-grab bag. You’ll be ready for any emergency situation. The pet passport keeps all your pet’s important health information in one place, vital in emergencies and handy in everyday life. The Wag’N Enterprises store is a great first step in getting prepared!

The Wag’N O2 Fur Life Program provides Pet Oxygen Masks to emergency responders who would otherwise be unable to treat pets for smoke inhalation or revive pets that have lost consciousness. The cone shaped mask fits dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pig and birds. The program offers three methods for obtaining the masks: sponsorship of local first responders, first responders can purchase them directly or departments that lack funding can apply for a Wag’N O2 fellowship. Many fire departments are only permitted to spend tax dollars on equipment intended for saving human lives, therefore it is especially important for pet owners to assist their local emergency responder in obtaining a pet oxygen mask.

The Wag’N Enterprises’ website offers invaluable information on pet safety and the opportunity to sign up for three different types of pet first aid classes and workshops. By educating yourself now with the skills and information needed to assist your pet in an emergency situation, you can get rid of that panicky feeling by being prepared!