16 Puppy Social Hour
Proper socialization ensures your puppy has positive experiences with new and novel things.
18 Get Your Licks on Route 66®
Another year on the road helping to save lives of shelter animals.
22 Meet the Hosts of CBS Lucky Dog
Catching up with Eric and Rashi Wiese to see how their lives have changed since starring on Lucky Dog.
24 Next Generation of Petfluencers
Meet Tinkerbell and Belle, taking social media by storm!
40 Jane Velez-Mitchell
Jane started UnchainedTV to reach the many millions of people out there who desperately need life-saving information and are not getting it.
46 A Dogs Legacy
Brooklyn: The face of greyhound freedom.
50 Fido in Ukraine
America's Veterinarian aids pets in Ukraine.
55
Hotels and Inns that welcome Fido from sea to shining sea.
42 Adventures in Petsitting The hot winds of Africa that blew three dogs into my life.
44 Bowser
Budget From kayak trips to historic city strolls, sunset beach walks to patio dining, hotels invite travelers to get out and explore with their dog. 36 Doggy Day Out Maui Humane Society takes part in a program called Beach Buddies. 56 The Backyard A woman is inspired while vacationing to help the street dogs she discovered in one Central Mexican city.
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IT’S WITH A HEAVY HEART THAT I SHARE THE DEVASTATING NEWS over the loss of our co-founder and editor, Nicholas Sveslosky. He was also my son.
Nicholas and I started FIDO Friendly Magazine 21 years ago. With a penchant for travel, he and his dog Tasha, scouted out many Fido-friendly hotels and destinations together.
An avid snowboarder, Nicholas looked forward to his days on the slopes at Whistler, Park City Utah, Taos and beyond. You could also find him hiking and camping in the Pacific Northwest along with surfing at a California beach.
He was an integral part of building our website and managing sales and marketing. He left his position a few years ago to go back to school and get his masters in psychology. He had just started his practice two years ago outside of Portland, Oregon and in a short time, was able to help many people work through their life issues.
He stayed on as Editor at Large, ever ready to travel and talk about our wonderful world where Fido is always welcome.
His dog Tasha had long since crossed Rainbow Bridge and I have no doubt that the two of them are together again.
I would like to dedicate this Summer issue in his honor and memory. He will be forever missed.
Check our Facebook page for fun contests. facebook.com/FIDOFriendlyMagazine
Winner: MOCHA with her Dad, Randy Dodsworth; Leesburg, FL She thinks her Dad is AMAZING! She is a Daddy's girl. She was rescued along the road in the Ocala National Forest on July 31, 2019 and came to stay with us while we looked to find her owner. She claimed my husband right away as her new Daddy. We found the previous owners and they were willing to rehome her to us because she had run away from their home 15 times since they had adopted her in March of 2019. She is a 14 lb. shih tzu mix who loves long walks, snuggles, loves other dogs and/or cats, loves to dress up and look pretty and is great with people in nursing homes and with children.
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Winner: Susan Godwin and Tasha, New York, NY
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CONTEST: Mother’s Day
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AHHHH…THE JOY OF WELCOMING A NEW PUPPY, com plete with puppy’s breath and irresistible cuteness, into your home is a very exciting time. If you are a new puppy parent, you undoubtedly are already deeply in love and committed to raising a healthy, behaviorally sound, and well-mannered dog you can enjoy both in and out of your home. Cuteness aside, it may feel a bit overwhelming at times as you navi gate the developmental changes your puppy will go through, work to master the housetraining, prevent the inevitable pup py nipping, ward off potential problem behaviors, begin to introduce basic training protocol, and still meet your personal life obligations. Yes, there is a lot to focus on. But if you put in the time upfront, you will enjoy a beautiful relationship for a lifetime. An important step in helping your puppy grow into a confident, behaviorally sound dog is socialization.
The prime window of socialization spans from 5-16 weeks. While the window never fully closes, the op portunity to assist your puppy in building its confidence and trust in you and the world at large must be a priority during this time frame. Most new puppy owners think of socialization as the opportunity for their puppy to be introduced to and play with other dogs. This is only a piece of the socialization puzzle, so let’s define what socialization is.
Proper socialization ensures your puppy has positive experiences with new and novel things. These include people, places, things, sights, surfaces, sounds, and ap propriate safe puppies/dogs. Think of it simply as creating confidence-building opportunities. It is a way for a puppy to engage with the world, see the world as a safe place, and
build resilience as it learns to bounce back quickly from any hesitancy or fear.
The dilemma new puppy owners face is figuring out how to do this when they are instructed not to take their puppy out until it is fully vaccinated. But, you can provide proper and socialization opportunities while adhering to safety directives.
To help you better understand how easy this is to ac complish, I will share what I am doing with our own new labrador puppy, Emi. Shortly after entering our home, Emi had the opportunity to meet BOLO, our 8-year-old yellow lab who is patient, tolerant, and provided the best experi ence as Emi’s first encounter with an unfamiliar dog.
After her first full day in our home, I started to focus on slowly introducing her to new people. We invited various
friends to our home for short visits to interact with Emi. She was able to approach each person and as she did the individuals offered praise, petting, a piece of her kibble, and a small toy to interact with.
Our next step was to begin to slowly acclimate her to the life she will participate in on a daily basis. This meant taking her up to my office at Dog is Good Headquarters. There she met our team, explored the various offices, nav igated the wood and concrete floors, used BOLO’s potty area, got to hear the industrial sounds and noises that bil low throughout the industrial complex, and had a fabulous introduction to the UPS delivery guy.
Emi is small enough for me to carry her in a sling on walks with BOLO. As she gets heavier, she will join us in a stroller. During these 30-minute walks, she sees and hears cars and
trucks driving by, meets the different people out walkingmen, women, and children, notices the other dogs out walk ing, and hears the helicopters and planes that fly overhead.
Emi has enjoyed short outings to our local coffee shop and local downtown community where she watches the local scene from the safety of a blanket. She is participat ing in supervised puppy playgroups with age-appropriate, vaccinated puppies, and we are taking her to visit her vet and the staff just to say hello.
The bottom line is that socialization is incredibly im portant. Take the time to make every first experience as pleasant and positive as possible. Allow your puppy the chance to overcome fear by being present but not cod dling or reinforcing fear behavior. Do not take your puppy to a dog park or a dog beach, and do not put your
puppy in a precarious situation where they may have a negative experience. This could lead to long-term prob lems. Set your puppy up for success with short duration socialization activities and gradually build up as the puppy matures.
GILA KURTZ, Co-Founder/Co-Owner of Dog is Good,
Author- Fur Covered Wisdom, and Puppy Development and Training Expert (20+years)
President, Co-Founder/Co-owner
• Author of Fur Covered Wisdom ( International #1 Best Selling Book on Amazon)
• Woman of the Year - Women In the Pet Industry Network
• Top 25 Woman of Influence in the Pet Industry
WE HELPED TO PLACE OVER 1500 PETS into new forever homes in 2021 bring ing our total in the first 13 years to over 16,000 pets finding the love they deserve.
Each event brought out people looking for a new fur-child, be that a dog, cat or sometimes a goat!
My husband Greg and I traveled down America’s Favorite Highway, stop ping at shelters along the way to support adoption events and to raise mon ey for the shelters.
Attendees stood in line to donate and spin our wheel filled with prizes from our sponsors, and all proceeds benefited the shelter at the end of the day.
It takes us two hours to set up, run the four-hour event and two hours to tear
down, pack up and pick up Honey from daycare. We either head out of town for the next event or to our hotel to get some rest and start all over again.
It’s a labor of love and one we look forward to every year and thanks to our generous sponsors and host hotels, this six-week heart string adventure is only made possible with their support.
This year, the hosts of the weekly CBS series, Lucky Dog, Eric Wiese and Rashi Khanna Wiese, are our spokespeople. They will be at the kick-off event in Los Angeles on August 27th, meeting people and signing autographs.
Join us this year as we continue to travel down The Mother Road, helping to save lives, one shelter at a time. Check to see where the tour might stop near year and who knows, you might just find your new forever friend!
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A TRIP TO SEDONA WOULDN’T BE COMPLETE WITH OUT STAYING AT EL PORTAL, Sedona’s original petfriendly hotel.
Fran welcomed us and Honey to the cool ado be and Honey had her first encounter with the small birds in the lobby. She was quite eager to get as close as she could to these marvelous sing ing creatures.
Owners Steve and Connie Segner have thought of everything. The hotel was built with wood and tile flooring throughout to accommodate canine visitors and has fencing to create over 1,000 square feet of dog-friendly patio areas.
There are no pet fees and pets receive a “Wel come Basket” with a blanket, doggie bags, and treats. We made use of everything in the basket and were mindful to place the blanket on our bed where our dog, Honey likes to nap.
Because of the size of our petite pooch, our room was upstairs and had a lovely patio for us to relax and enjoy the beautiful Sedona nights. In the past when we traveled with our two large dogs, Junior, and Jake (may they rest in peace) we were allocat ed to the rooms downstairs with the fenced patio.
Behind the custom-made door of each suite, you will find museum-quality Arts and Crafts furnishings. Every suite has its own private bath room, and designs may include free-form granite counters, Jacuzzi tub, steam shower, and freestanding claw foot tub.
Outside the suites, guests can enjoy spectacu lar views, a private garden or sitting terrace, and their Greene & Greene and Santa Fe suites each have a balcony.
Always time to take a look at Steve’s artwork. Over the years, we have amassed quite the collec
tion of hand-thrown pottery. This year we were delighted to see that Steve is working with glass, so we picked up a few unique pieces. Donate what you can with all proceeds benefiting the Sedona animal shelter.
Just steps from El Portal you find the enchant ing village of Tlaquepaque featuring 45 specialty shops (including 19 art galleries), as well as a va riety of restaurants and cafes.
Ready to turn in for the night, we first enjoyed our private patio which gave us the chance to lis ten to the sounds of Sedona and talk about what tomorrow might bring.
Don’t miss staying at this exceptional boutique hotel on your next trip to Sedona and be sure to tell them Honey sent you!
Honey delighted in meeting her first ever parakeet.
El Portal Sedona Hotel was selected as an archi tectural masterpiece by “Keep Sedona Beautiful” and is Sedona’s only Arts & Crafts adobe hotel. We are dedicated to providing an extraordinary lodging experience for guests and their pets in unpretentious luxury. We are not a traditional hotel or resort; we provide our guests with the comforts of home and the superior services of a four-star hotel at an excellent value.
ELPORTAL SEDONA
95 Portal Lane
Sedona, AZ 800-313-0017 elportalsedona.com
El Portal is proud to announce that we have re cently received two new awards in recognition of the excellent experience we provide our guests: a 2022 Travelers’ Choice Award from TripAdvisor, and a 2022 KAYAK Travel Award. In addition, we were recently notified that we passed our AAA Four Diamond inspection, marking another year that we have maintained this coveted designation.
EL PORTAL SEDONA HOTEL VOTED AS THE BEST PET FRIENDLY HOTEL BY 10BEST.COM AND USA TODAY (2013)
El Portal Sedona Hotel is a gorgeous pet-friendly Sedona hotel where there are no pet fees! We love pets, but our human guests come first. We are a hotel first and foremost, and our guests come first. Pets must not be left in their rooms.
Sedona Dog Park – an off-leash dog park now open in Sedona. Located off of 89A on Soldier’s Pass Road in West Sedona at the NW corner of Soldier’s Pass and Caruth Drive.
Slide Rock State Park – 6871 N H 89A, Sedona • 928-282-3034
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IT’S BEEN A YEAR SINCE WE LAST SPOKE WITH HUS BAND-AND-WIFE TEAM ERIC AND RASHI Wiese and we wanted to catch up with them to find out if the dust had settled from their new roles on Lucky Dog.
FIDO Friendly: How has being part of Lucky Dog changed your lives?
Eric and Rashi Wiese: It has been an abso lute honor to join the Lucky Dog platform. Lucky Dog has given us an opportunity to pursue what we love to do on a much larger scale. We get to meet so many wonderful people with incredible life stories and of course, amazing, resilient dogs that have so much love to give.
In particular, Rashi has been able to reach many more individuals and help get dogs adopted from local rescues and shelters outside of the show through our foundation, the WRARE Foundation. She’s also had students and social workers con tact her, whether about career advice or simply to share pride for social work degrees and spreading
the word about the valuable work social workers do for the community. It’s been an amazing expe rience to showcase our passion for helping people and animals and inspire others to do the same.
Eric has seen an increase in individuals reach ing out to to learn more about positive reinforce ment training. It’s exciting to know that more humane ways of working with animals are being recognized and sought out. We hope to continue educating the public on positive reinforcement training and create significant changes in the world of animal care and behavior training.
FF: Any downside?
ERW: The major downside is our lack of time. There are so many things we want to do, and we find ourselves juggling responsibilities with the demands of filming the show, running our business and rescue foundation, and spending quality family time with our fur family and our new (human) baby girl, Asara. Luckily, we do
get time off between seasons and we are getting better about priorities and time management.
FF: During filming an episode, how much time does it take before we see the finished product?
ERW: It can take about six weeks for us to res cue a dog and film an entire episode. When a rescued dog goes to their forever home, the dog is not necessarily 100% acclimated yet– it can take time for a dog to build trust and feel com fortable in their new space, but our production team and team of animal handlers and trainers continue to work with families after filming to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible.
FF: How do you choose the candidates to ap pear on the show?
ERW: We have a wonderful team that helps review family applications. When we receive ap plications, we look for stories that truly reveal a love for dogs and how a new shelter dog could
potentially change their life for the better. A back ground check as well as a home check (whether in-person or virtual) is required, and our team works with the families through several inter views to ensure they are ready and prepared to welcome a new family member into their home.
FF: If you can choose an episode so far, which one or two dogs did you fall in love with?
ERW: This is a tough question! Every single dog has won over our heart in one way or anoth er. Some dogs that we have special memories of include Zoe and Wolf (a dog featured in an upcoming episode) for Rashi. Blue and Cookie were two dogs Eric really bonded with while they were at the Ranch.
FF: Which dog was easiest and hardest to train and why?
ERW: Some dogs come to us with more chal lenging back stories and circumstances. One of the most challenging dogs to train was a young, energetic lab named Boomer (upcom ing episode). Trying to harness his energy and gain his focus required a little extra time and patience. Another pup that was challenging was Benji – because of his poor eyesight, lack of hearing, absence of teeth, and the fact that he never saw the outside world for the majority of his life, there wasn’t much training we could do with him. It was most important that he went to a loving home that could embrace his circum stance and accept him as he was.
The easiest dog was Choo Choo. The reason we consider him the easiest is because he really took to the cues quickly. He was already wellsocialized with both humans and dogs and was just an absolute pleasure to be around.
FF: Do you stay in touch with the new adop tees to check in and see how everything is going?
ERW: Yes, our team checks in with the fami lies to make sure their newly adopted dog is settling in. We provide them with resources including a training video as well as access to our trainers for a certain amount of time. It can take about six months to one year for a newly adopted dog to acclimate so we try to set expec tations and reiterate to the families that it may take some time for their dog to build trust and show their true personality.
FF: What do you do when not filming for Lucky Dog?
ERW: We own and operate a boarding & training facility called Happy Puppy L.A. in Los Angeles. We also help animals in need, whether through financial resources or helping to foster and/or adopt dogs out via our 501c3 organiza tion, the WRARE foundation. In our free time, we enjoy hanging with our pup squad and fam ily and friends. Now that our daughter Asara is almost eight months old, we are really enjoying little getaways and outdoor activities with her.
FF: What would you like your viewers to know about adopting a new dog?
ERW: We spend so much time encouraging the public to adopt dogs but when doing so, we should also set expectations that adopting a dog is not necessarily a quick or easy process. Shelters have certain protocol they must follow, especially since the pandemic, and rescue organizations, understandably so, hold very high standards for the families they are adopting dogs to.
If you aren’t hearing back or the dogs you are interested in are no longer available, be patient
and don’t give up. It can be a frustrating process but it’s important to keep an open heart and mind. The right dog for you will come along! In fact, you may find yourself falling in love with multiple dogs (especially ones that you original ly may not have been interested in) if you get the opportunity to interact with them in person. It’s worth going through the process knowing you saved a life and are providing an amazing home for a dog that will love you unconditionally. Lastly, we want to thank our viewers and followers for their continued support of Lucky Dog. We love when people reach out to us and share stories of how much their rescue dog has changed their life for the better. We are so grate ful for our platform, and we hope we can con tinue to inspire others to adopt dogs and spread our #adoptdontshop mission.
Eric and Rashi are co-owners of Happy Puppy L.A., a Los Angeles based company that provides personalized dog care as well as in-home private dog training and canine behavior consulting for veterinary practices. Throughout the process of building Happy Puppy L.A., Eric and Rashi always knew they wanted to create an organization that allowed them to give back to animals. In 2018, the WRARE foundation was created as a tribute to their rescue dogs. Given the impact their rescues have made, they wanted to make sure they give back to the same organizations that have brought so much joy into their lives. With the foundation, Eric and Rashi hope to not only provide for ani mals in need but also hope to educate the public on humane ways to interact and care for animals.
https://www.wrare.org https://www.happypuppyla.com
by Sam Carrell PHOTOS PROVIDED BY MAYHEM ENTERTAINMENT.
We heard Tinkerbelle is a rescue pup. Can you tell us about her rescue story and how Belle joined the family?
TINKERBELLE: I was in a shelter for a bit just waiting for the right human to adopt me. I knew I wanted to be a star, so I just had to be patient. And then one day, along came my human Sam. As soon as she opened my cage door, I knew she was the one. I leaped out into her arms to make it impossible for her to say no. Then our journey began, and I knew human Sam would help me be a star. Once I took to the streets of NYC, my life changed instantly.
BELLE: I lived in Oklahoma with my mom, who is a papillon, but my previous human knew that I belonged with Sam and Tinker belle. She would show me photos daily of Tinkerbelle and told me she knew I belonged with Sam too. For over 3 months, my human sent photos and videos of me to Sam. She knew that one day Sam would say yes to me. And finally, it happened! I was on the next flight to NYC! I was sad to leave my home but excited to be a diva like Tinkerbelle.
You both have a passion for supporting rescue animals. Tell us how you two and your owner Sam Carrell got involved with some of those organizations? How can your fans help support this mission?
TINKERBELLE AND BELLE: Being a shelter pet, I love to support others. I volunteer for meet & greets, fundraising walks, and more. Belle and I joined together for Betty Whites’ 100th Birthday Celebration and crashed the internet at a shelter! Our most loved shelter is our friends at The Animal League. We try to help them as much as possible. They rescue pups from all over the worldand kittens too! Here is the link to donate! https://www.animalleague.org
Can you tell us how you two became pet influencers? And why did you want to become a pet influencer?
TINKERBELLE: I was on a photoshoot and the stylist asked to follow me on social media. Human Sam thought she was crazy and told her that I didn’t have any social media accounts since I was a dog. Well, my Insta gram account was started on set that day! As my followers grew, emails came in for me to work with brands on social media and travel. It was easy for me to fall into this new world as I was already a professional model, so I knew all my camera angles. I love being an Influencer and the perks are amazing!
BELLE: I became a pet influencer the minute I got off the plane from Oklahoma. I had seen photos and videos daily of my new sister so I knew that I could do it too! Human Sam did a photoshoot of my new sister and me as soon as I arrived and saw that I was ready to work. So, once I joined Tinkerbelle’s social media platforms, I became an Influencer!
Who are some of your favorite people you have met or worked with and why?
TINKERBELLE: I have met so many celebrities, but the top of my list is Taylor Swift and Lizzo. I have been lucky enough to meet Taylor twice now. Once at her concert and she even took me on stage during the show! Lizzo is such a fun lady and when I got the email from her team that she was per forming on the TODAY show, Sam said that Tinkerbelle will be there! I got to hang out with her in the green room, take epic photos together and watch her perform. It was an amazing day, two divas together!
BELLE: I have not met nearly as many celebrities as my sister, but my latest was Ryan Seacrest. He is amazing and we shared lots of kisses and snuggles! I met Ryan while shooting a German TV Morning show segment in NYC. He heard we were nearby working and came over to meet us in person. He is such a great guy, and I can’t wait to see him again! I also got to meet Willem Dafoe while I was working on Saturday Night Live. He was hosting the show and he stopped to talk to me and then took a selfie, he was such a nice guy!
What have been some of your career highlights? What are some things you still want to do?
TINKERBELLE: My career highlights are my Google Pixel 6 commercial/ short film and my first job ever, for Ralph Lauren. I had my own trailer and loved everyone on set, especially my costar Jane, she was the best! For my Ralph Lauren shoot, it was my launch to stardom since it was my first ever booking and I was selected to be the face of the campaign! My face was full page in every magazine, billboards, and banners for Ralph Lauren. My
professional wish list is a starring role in a movie or on a long running tv show. I want to see my name in lights!
BELLE: My career highlight is being cast on Saturday Night Live. I got to spend long days and nights at NBC on set with some of the best humans in the business. I made so many friends, everyone on the cast and crew kept coming to take selfies with me during their break and I gave them lots of kisses! I felt like a real star and performed for the cameras and two live audiences perfectly! But I also am very proud that within three weeks of being in NYC with Sam, I landed a national com mercial for an eyewear company. It was my first time on set, and I got to work with a nine-year-old girl and by myself. My goal is to be on a long-running television show where I can have my own dressing room to decorate and bring all my toys. It will be a second home and I would love to be there each day.
How does it feel being able to work with each other on different proj ects? Who is the bigger diva?
TINKERBELLE: I enjoy working with my little sister Belle on set. It has been fun but sometimes she tries to upstage me! She can be annoying, but that is bound to happen with sisters. Somedays I want to be a star alone on a booking but then I miss my sister. So, it’s most fun being together because of how much I love her. But I am definitely the diva of the family. She is in training to be a diva, but I am “it” for sure and everyone knows it!
BELLE: My first experience with a booking was alone and it was great! I missed my sister but told her all about it when I got home. Since then, I have worked both alone and with her. I love to work with Tinkerbelle be cause then I don’t have to tell her everything that happened. So, when we work together, she is in charge and definitely the diva! Everyone knows my sister is more diva than me, it’s a known fact!
If you could work with another celebrity on a project, who would it be and why?
TINKERBELLE: Well, if you know me, you know my idol is Anna Win tour. Since my puppy days, she has been my role model and true inspira tion. A true fashionista! This is the one person that I would love to meet. I know that it will happen one day, maybe even at the Met Gala, and I will be ready. I want to share fashion tips and find out some of her secrets too! I would convince her that we need to create a new magazine called “Anna & Tinkerbelle Take NYC”. It will be all about our diva and fashion lifestyles.
BELLE: Since I just made my SNL debut, I would love to meet Tina Fey. My sister met her already and she was so nice! But I have big plans, I want to meet Tina and tell her all about how she should write and create a brandnew show about me and starring me! I just know that it would be a huge hit! Tina could even be my human in the show. I think the show should be called “Baby Belle’s World”.
TINKERBELLE & BELLE: We have some exciting things in the work, but we pawtographed NDA’s so we can not disclose much. But we will say that everything in the works will be so exciting and fun for all. Stay tuned...we are very excited!
Huntington Beach is this summer’s best place to stay and play with Fido.
by Susan Sims, Publisher
GROWING UP IN ORANGE COUNTY, CA, I MADE MAY WAY TO HUNTINGTON BEACH as soon as I was legal to drive a car. Just the smell of the ocean brings me back to days of body surfing, eating greasy strips at Jack’s and burning my body with baby oil.
Fast forward to today, and I am back at the beach, this time with hubby and Honey along for the ride. Talk about a dogs’ life? Honey never had it so good. With plenty of sunscreen (oh the innocence of youth) and floppy hat, we were off to adventure.
To say that the Paséa Hotel & Spa is pet-friendly is like saying most copy paper is white. Duh. Voted as the #1 “Best Pet-Friendly Hotel” by USA Today Readers’ Choice Award (2021), Paséa offers a stay as engaging for your pet as it is for you. Paséa Hotel & Spa elevates pet-friendly to pet-passionate with exclusive dog park access, gourmet treats, and more.
Paséa is less than two miles from the famed Huntington Dog Beach. A little closer to home, enjoy Paw-sea – an 1,100 square foot outdoor play area with a lifeguard station doghouse and a local artist-commissioned wall mural, accessible only to dogs registered with their pet-friendly hotel in Huntington Beach, CA.
Located just steps from the Huntington Beach Pier, at the heart of a vibrant and emerging community, Paséa Hotel & Spa is a modern oasis with an unrivaled sense of clean, coastal style and comfort. With 250 spa cious guestrooms and suites, almost all with ocean views, Paséa Hotel & Spa is designed to connect guests with nature and bring the warmth and artistry of the destination to life in a vibrant and energizing way.
While it was difficult to tear ourselves away from our balcony with ocean views, we traded our flip flops (included in our room) for walking shoes and started exploring.
Adjacent to the hotel is Pacific City outdoor mall. Had to stop for photo op with Honey on a surfboard. Strolling through the mall, we did a bit of window shopping on our way to dinner at the pet-friendly restaurant, Pacific Hideaway. Part sophisticated SoCal restaurant, part international beach shack, Pacific Hideaway makes its presence known with a striking design, highlighted by a colorful, floral mural on brick known as Frida.
Tucked unassumingly above bustling 5th Street inside the Kimpton Shorebreak Resort, Pacific Hideaway is the little secret you hope not too many people find out about, yet you can’t stop talking about. We enjoyed dinner on their dog-friendly patio and took in the views of 5th Street.
Trust me when I say that I had the best salmon in my life. Period. How ever, dinner started first with Turmeric Roasted Cauliflower. To die for. And my husband, who is not a fan of cauliflower, devoured it. Back to the salmon: Miso Glazed Salmon served atop egg fried forbidden black rice, sautéed broccoli, roasted red pepper butter. So, you say you have not en joyed egg fried forbidden black rice before? Neither had I!! My husband, Greg had the perfectly cooked to his liking (medium well) Bacon Wrapped Filet with duck fat fingerling potatoes, baby carrots, mushrooms, aspara gus, port wine garlic herb butter. Stuffed but not too stuffed, we enjoyed the Baked Alaska. First time for everything, it was delicious. Honey was kept occupied in her carrier on the chair next to me, people watching the entire time.
We waddled over to Top Dog Bakery and purchased a toy and a treat for Honey since she had been such a good girl. Thank goodness we were walking back to the hotel so our food comma could not set in. Just a ½ mile away, we took our time.
If all dogs go to heaven, they’re probably going to Huntington Dog Beach.
Next morning it was off to Dog Beach! But hold on, we need sustenance. Located at the hotel, Tanner’s features the best in fresh, California coastal cuisine inspired by the diversity of South ern California and blending with it the flavors of renowned surf cultures from around the world, paired with stunning floor-to-ceiling views of the Pacific Ocean.
From Puppy Parfaits to Protein Bowls, Pup cakes, and a Banana Split that’ll make even the most well-traveled tail start wagging, the dedicat ed doggie menus at Tanner’s are just one more way to spend time with your four-legged bestie. The city of Huntington Beach launched a FREE all-electric transit service that services the Down town area called Circuit. This service covers 1.5mile stretch and 0.4 acres of Downtown, includ
ing the oceanfront hotels, and operates Mon-Sat from 10am-10pm and Sun 10am-9pm. You can either hail down one of the vehicles or request a free ride through the Ride Circuit mobile app with an average wait time of 8-10 minutes. This is a pet-friendly mode of transportation, PAWfect for getting over to dog beach.
If all dogs go to heaven, they’re probably going to Huntington Dog Beach. This stretch of sand sits along the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) between Seapoint Avenue and 21st Street, and it’s a great chance for Spot to stretch her legs and snag some play time with other beach-lovin’ dogs while you catch some sun. Dogs can go unleased here at Dog Beach and socialize with other pup friends.
Not a lot of energy left, however we did want to explore the Dog Park at HB Central Park. The
Best Friend Dog Park sits on a 1.7-acre fenced area with shade trees and plenty of room for dogs to play. The dog park is separated into two sections: Big Dog Park consists of a larger portion of the property, while Small Dog Park was cre ated for smaller dogs or larger dogs with handi caps. Each dog park has waste bag dispensers and trash cans, dog drinking stations with fresh water, canopied seating areas, and a variety of donated tennis balls and dog toys.
Ready for lunch, we headed to the VERY popular Sancho’s Tacos on Pacific Coast High way. The tacos and burritos are made fresh to order and you can dine al fresco on the petfriendly patio just steps away from the beach. You can’t go wrong with anything on their menu with choices such as the Federale, a slow roasted carnitas, fresh onions & cilantro, sour cream, chubbie sauce taco to their Grande Que sadilla with freshly grated cheddar jack and your choice of meat: Tri-Tip, chicken or carnitas, the food is authentic and so good, you don’t mind standing in line. Well, almost.
Tuckered out and ready to head back to our digs at Paséa Hotel & Spa, we looked forward to enjoying our sunset views from the privacy of our balcony where we could dream of our return to the best bow wow beach in California.
21080 Pacific Coast Highway; (714) 698-6100; https://meritagecollection.com/pasea-hotel
With dog-friendly accommodations that include an in-room bed, food and water bowls, a dog treat welcome amenity and pet gift shop items, The Paw-séa package, offered at $150 in addition to the room charge, has all you need for a seaside getaway. On-site is the fenced in Paw-séa Pup Play Park featuring 1,100 square feet of outdoor space complete with a lifeguard station doghouse. Perfect for some off-leash lounging. The hotel concierge can also arrange for a dog walker or pet-sitter. Adjacent to the hotel is Pacific City, an al fresco lifestyle center brimming with shops and pet-friendly dining.
TOP DOG BARKERY
180 5th Street, #110, Huntington Beach, CA 92648; 714-960-3647 (DOGS); topdogbarkery.net
500 Pacific Coast Hwy (located upstairs inside the Kimpton Shorebreak Resort); (714) 965-4448; https://pacifichideawayhb.com/
TANNER’S
(Located inside the Pasea Hotel & Spa); (714) 698-6130; http://tannershb.com/
SANCHO’S TACOS 602 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92648; (714) 536-8226 sanchostacos.com
EXPLORE HUNTINGTON CENTRAL PARK 7111 Talbert Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92648; https://www.surfci tyusa.com/about-huntington- beach/neighborhoods/central-park
EXPLORE HUNTINGTON DOG BEACH 20211 Huntington Beach Bike Trail, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 (located between Goldenwest Street and Seapoint Street); https:// www.surfcityusa.com/things-to-do/beaches/dog-beach/
DOG SURFING COMPETITION
Be sure to plan your trip around the annual dog surfing event. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6qIMa4qkNE
VISIT HUNTINGTON BEACH SOCIAL MEDIA @SurfCityUSA @HBSurfCityUSA Visit Huntington Beach SurfCityUSA #BeHere
Don’t miss the annual dog surfing competition.
Honey at Tanner’s waiting to enjoy her Puppy Parfait.
WHAT TEXAS CITY IS HOME TO THE STATE’S FIRST RECOGNIZED CULTURAL ARTS DISTRICT? How about a world class performing arts center or home to the largest, best-selling winery in Tex as? I’ll give you a hint…it’s not Austin.
The most surprising aspect of this High Plains treasure is the “small town feel” it manages to maintain in spite of its explosive growth. It is a place in love with its cowboy roots and heritage, but doesn’t shy from the new. It is not unusual to see cowboy boots and jeans, Y2K, ‘60s fashion, or haute couture at local events.
The city also boasts an internationally-rec ognized university, and if you haven’t guessed already, it is rockabilly legend Buddy Holly’s hometown of Lubbock, Texas! The best part… Lubbock is one of the friendliest and Fidofriendliest I’ve ever visited!
The Cotton Court Hotel is the perfect place to begin your exploration of the area. It is cen trally located, just minutes away from the Depot District, Lubbock’s newly revitalized area, com plete with boutique shops, restaurants and bars. It boasts an open green space, complete with comfortable seating and fire pits that invite you and Fido to relax with a glass of wine or Lub bock’s signature cocktail, The Chilton.
The Texas Tech University art walk is a great way to start your exploration of Lubbock. It gives
you and Fido a chance to stretch your legs and take in one of the top ten public art collections in the USA. Stroll among more than one hundred outdoor displays by some of today’s leading art ists. Plenty of benches and shade trees invite you to linger, even on a hot Texas day.
While not pet-friendly, except service dogs, the National Ranching Heritage Center de scribes the ranching way of life and its develop ment. Dog-lovers can visit virtually through The Ranch Life Learning Center’s on-line podcasts and books. Featuring the popular Hank the Cow dog by John R. Erickson, this five book series ex plains ranch life to children through the humor ous voice of Hank the Cowdog.
After walking through the Texas Tech art collection and visiting the NRHC, you might be ready to try some of Evie Mae’s famous BBQ and gluten-free desserts. Evie’s made the Top 50 Bar beque Joints in Texas list in 2017, and it’s my bet they will make the list again in 2022. Evie Mae’s is in Wolfforth, just outside of Lubbock, and it has plenty of outdoor seating for you and your furry pal…so stand in line, get your food, and enjoy some of the best BBQ in Texas!
Not in the mood for BBQ? Try some delicious fried chicken at Dirk’s on 13th Street. Chef Cam eron West also offers fresh Gulf oysters, fine cocktails, and a gluten-free menu.
For a special evening there is no better place to celebrate than The Nicolett, a fine dining des tination that showcases the talents of Chef Finn Walter. Drawing from his experiences in Paris, Austin, Napa Valley, and Santa Fe, Chef Walter focuses his elegant menu on High Plains cuisine, paying homage to West Texas culture and high lighting local ingredients.
Of course, no trip to Lubbock would be com plete without a visit to the wineries surround ing the area. English Newsome Cellars, McPher son Cellars, and Llano Estacado Winery all have outdoor spaces and patios for you to enjoy with Fido. Llano also offers picnic baskets for guests and their furry friends to enjoy out in the vineyards.
The First Friday Art Trail is one of the best venues for fun with Fido. Held mainly in the Cul tural District, this evening event brings together artists and vendors, and features live music as well as many of the museums, galleries, and businesses in the area. Two Dogs Brewery is an Art Trail regular and offers a large outdoor area for you and Fido to sit awhile and soak up the festive atmosphere.
Lubbock may be off the beaten path, but it is well worth considering for your next adventure with Fido!
You will find sculptures of all sizes and materials on the Texas Tech campus where you can enjoy the manicured gardens and shady spots as well.
English Newsome Cellars is one of the many wineries that make outdoor spaces and patios available for you and your furry pal to take a stroll or just sit and admire the view.
COTTON COURT HOTEL
Doggie welcome package
Senna House
Scottsdale is a stylish new hotel welcoming you and Fido.
Limit two dogs per room with a 50 pound weight limit. Dogs only.
$179 - $239 per night with $50 pet fee (per dog) Book a pet package on-line and receive a $10 mini-bar credit. All pet friendly rooms are the Deluxe rooms on the courtyard level and have concrete floors. 1610 Broadway Street Lubbock, TX 79401 www.cottoncourthotel.com
THE BREWERY LBK
Fido friendly sidewalk seating available 1204 Broadway #104 Lubbock, TX 79401 www.thebrewerylbk.com
EVIE MAE’S PIT BARBEQUE
Fido friendly atmosphere with outdoor sidewalk seating 217 Highway 62 Wolfforth, TX 79382 www.eviemaesbbq.com
ENGLISH NEWSOME CELLARS
Fido friendly outdoor patio and spaces 408 E. Woodrow Road Lubbock, TX 79423 www.englishnewsome.com
LLANO ESTACADO WINERY
Fido friendly outdoor patio and spaces, can picnic in vineyard 3426 E. FM 1585 Lubbock, TX 79404 www.llanowine.com
MCPHERSON CELLARS
Fido friendly outdoor patio and spaces 1615 Texas Avenue Lubbock, TX 79401 www.mcphersoncellars.com
SAN LUIS OBISPO (LOSSAN) RAIL CORRIDOR AGENCY, which manages the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service, introduced a pet program for the Southern California train route. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner passengers can now bring their dogs and cats weighing up to 20 pounds onboard Pacific Surfliner trains for only $26 or 800 Am trak Guest Reward points.
“We’re always looking for ways to better serve the needs of our passengers, and allowing pets to come along for the ride is something our cus tomers have expressed a strong interest in,” said Jason Jewell, Interim Managing Director of the LOSSAN Agency. “This pet program will provide more options for our customers in a way that will be safe and convenient, and we’re thrilled to in
troduce it ahead of the summer travel season.”
“Nobody likes to be left behind, which is why we are pleased to expand Amtrak’s pet program to Pacific Surfliner trains,” said Amtrak Vice President of California, Jeanne Cantu. “With pets being an integral part of the family, custom ers can bring their pets, making traveling with a four-legged friend easy and enjoyable for the entire family.”
The Pacific Surfliner travels along a 351-mile route through San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, with portions of the route hugging the Southern California coastline. All Pacific Surfliner trains feature comfortable, reclining seats with power outlets, Wi-Fi, bike and lug gage racks, a free and generous baggage policy,
and an onboard Market Café that offers fresh food, snacks, and beverages, including Califor nia wines, cocktails, and local craft beer.
In alignment with Amtrak’s national pet policy, a limited number of pet reservations are available per train and each customer is limited to one pet reservation per trip. Pets will be al lowed in all cars, except for Business Class and the Café car. Pets must remain in a carrier at all times and carriers should remain under their seat. Amtrak continues to welcome service animals on board at no charge.
For more than 50 years, Amtrak has connected America and modernized train travel. Offering a safe, environmentally efficient way to reach more
than 500 destinations across 46 states and parts of Canada, Amtrak provides travelers with an experience that sets a new standard. Book travel, check train status, access your eTicket and more through the Learn more at Amtrak.com and connect with us on Twit ter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
The Pacific Surfliner travels along a 351-mile coastal rail route through San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, serving 27 stations. It is the busiest state-supported intercity passenger rail route in the United States. To learn more and plan a trip, visit pacificsurfliner.com.
The Los Angeles San Diego San Luis Obis po (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency is a joint powers authority composed of rail owners, operators and planning agencies along the entire LOSSAN rail corridor. In addition to working to improve passenger rail ridership, revenue, on-time performance, operational flexibility, and safety, the LOSSAN Agency assumed management responsibility for the Pacific Surfliner service in July 2015, follow ing the execution of an interagency transfer agreement with the state of California. For more information, visit Lossan.org
MAUI, HAWAII IS PARADISE FOR MANY DIFFERENT REASONS. The tropical air, the vibrant flowers, the soft sand and so much more.
But for me, the best part of Maui is the Maui Humane Society!
This rescue is home to hundreds of home less dogs, cats, and various animals in search of forever homes. They do a great job getting their animals adopted, but it is not always easy. While all shelters face a difficult time finding great adopters, it is even harder on a small island. There are only so many locals looking to adopt at any given time.
To combat this roadblock, Maui Humane So ciety takes part in a program called Beach Bud dies. This program allows residents and tourists to foster a shelter dog for a day of fun and adven ture. This gives the dog a much-needed break from their kennel, and the chance to, hopefully, find their furever home. If a tourist falls in love with their Beach Buddy date and wants to adopt them, the Humane Society will even help coordi nate the transportation.
This was my second time taking part in the program and I was excited to meet my shortterm foster Fido, named Kane.
Kane was a long-term resident and had a few factors working against him. He had lived out side his whole life, was dark in color (which can make dogs harder to adopt) and was a Pitbulltype dog.
And because of all that, I was smitten!
I always fall for the harder to adopt dogs be
cause I have a soft spot for the ones who need a little extra tender loving care.
This scared boy was absolutely dazzling. He had jet black, velvety fur, a smile for days and the pinkest tongue you ever did see.
As the shelter staff walked him toward us, we could sense his nervousness. His tail was tucked, his eyes were scanning the situation and he was attempting to make himself as small as possible.
In that instant, I knew it was my job to help this pup overcome his worries and have the best day ever.
After we listened to the Beach Buddy rules and received our backpack full of necessities,
we walked Kane over to our rental car, opened the door and waited for him to jump in. Kane looked back at us as if saying “What would you like me to do here?” That’s when we real ized Kane did not understand the purpose of a car and had no intention of jumping in. After a moment of discussion, we realized our only option was to squat low, lift him high and hoist him inside!
While sitting in the backseat, Kane started to feel more comfortable and slowly eased into his newfound freedom. He poked his head out the window and leaned his entire body weight onto mine. It wasn’t the most comfortable, but I did not want to ruin the moment, so I just sat there
being squashed. Hey, if it makes Kane feel bet ter, who am I to make him move?
When we arrived at our hotel, the staff was just as excited to meet Kane as we had been. The Fairmont Kea Lani is very Frido-friendly and welcoming to pets. It is just one of the many reasons I highly recommend their hotels.
After our initial introductions to everyone at the front desk, we set out on our adventure.
As a Beach Buddies foster, it is important to take lots of fun, vibrant photos of your dog out and about and provide the Humane Soci ety with notes about how he or she did. These notes are not mandatory but are extremely valuable to the shelter and potential adopters.
Our first stop was to the beach for some ex ercise. Kane enjoyed meeting all types of peo ple and animals from a safe distance and we praised him for his leash skills. The one thing we quickly learned was that poor Kane had a fear of wheels. Anytime a golf cart or stroller came by, he would cower in fear. Again, this was great information to tell the Humane Society to help them find him the perfect, forever home.
Then it was time for some good old-fashioned rest and relaxation. Kane did not seem to mind. He was exhausted from his walk and quickly found a nice spot under the lounge chair.
After a quick snooze, we went to lunch and enjoyed some burgers and tacos, while Kane got a few under the table treats as well.
As the day wound down, we hoisted Kane back into the car and returned to Maui Hu
Maui Humane Society Beach Buddies Program Guidelines
• Residents and tourists can participate, but must be at least 18 years-old
• Residents must sign up as volunteers prior to their Beach Buddy outing
• Tourists must schedule their outing date on line ahead of time and confirm the day before
• There is a $50.00 donation fee required for tourists to participate
• Dogs must always be leashed and kept away from other dogs
MAUI HUMANE SOCIETYmauihumanesociety.org
FAIRMONT KEA LANIfairmont-kea-lani.com
Larissa and Skye at Fairmont Kea Lani.
mane Society. His favorite Humane Society staff member was there to greet him and give him a big hug. We then provided them with all the photos and information from the day and reiterated what a wonderful boy he had been. Clearly, we were not the only ones who thought so because just a couple days later we got the news that Kane had found his forever home. We were over the moon about the news and look forward to our next Beach Buddy ad venture when we return to island life!
Kane’s big smile made everyone happy.
Story and Photos by Susan Sims, Publisher
How else would the sod on the roof be maintained?Al Johnson’s goats usually go onto the restaurant’s sod roof at the start of each tourism season, in late May.
Honey, hubby and I were looking forward to the leisurely cruise as we set out to witness one of Door County’s magnificent sunsets. We en joyed the live music and brief narratives iden tifying breathtaking sites on shore and on the waters of Green Bay.
Luxury vacation rentals in Baileys Harbor and Fish Creek. Four pet-friendly homes. doorcountystay.com doorcountystay.com/blog/ (224) 522-9575
Book your next Door County adventure and stay with Fido in one of the beautifully ap pointed homes. Ask about pet policy.*
Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant & Butik 10698 N Bay Shore Dr, Sister Bay, WI aljohnsons.com
A
TO DOOR COUNTY IS NEVER COMPLETE WITHOUT STOPPING TO GAZE AT GOATS ATOP THE ROOF of Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant. Why are there goats on the roof you ask? Well, why not?
The first roof-grooming goat was added ini tially as a joke by one of Al Johnson’s friends, but the goats have become a tradition. The res taurant, now run by Al Johnson’s children, has trademarked “Goats on the Roof” and the herd can be seen on the restaurant’s “Goat Cam.”
As journalists on assignment, my husband Greg and I were granted rare access to climb up to the rooftop and gaze into the very curious eyes of a few goats.
The walk up the same old wooden planks the goats use, wasn’t that much fun for me. I saw headlines “Writer breaks neck on way to view goats,” or something along those lines.
Fabulous food on the patio; the question is “How many scoops of lingonberries are you put ting on your pancakes?”
Dogs are welcome at Al Johnson’s Swedish Res taurant & Butik. You and Fido will find lots of petfriendly tables on the outdoor patio. All you need to do is order your food inside, take it to go, and eat outside with Fido. For breakfast, you could try the Swedish pancakes, served with optional Swedish meatballs and for lunch, the perch sand wich is smothered in coleslaw and tartar sauce.
Ahoy there matey, time for a scenic boat cruise where your friendly dogs are welcome aboard!
Fish Creek Scenic Boat Tours offers a sunset and live music cruise with views of the enchant ing coastline filled with beautiful homes. They of fer daily narrated tours to Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, Peninsula State Park, Millionaire’s Row, Eagle Cave, Egg Harbor, Ephraim and the many islands, bluffs and beaches surrounding Door County.
Working up an appetite, we headed out to ex perience the best grilled cheese sandwich, ever!
As a pop-up last year, we found Thyme Restau rant + Catering and Twelve Eleven Wine + Provi sions, located on Hwy 57, about one mile south of downtown Sister Bay. It’s a must stop on any trip to Door County.
In addition to slinging juice, the shop offers a selection of artisanal cheeses and charcuterie, bread, and a carefully curated selection of lo cal wares. Our evening spent there under a cool October sky, was warmed by great company, hot soup and I kid you not, the best grilled cheese sandwich ever.
Staying in Door County is made easy by book ing with DoorCountyStay.com. Four properties are Fido-friendly and range from half an acre to two acres of mowed lawn making it easy for dogs to run and play. As an additional bonus, a dog park is within a few minutes walking distance from two of their homes.
Traveling back again and again to Door County might seem curious to many. If we didn’t love living in Idaho so very much, we might consider living in Door County in one of the many hamlets that dot the coast. For now, we are content to visit year after year, exploring and finding new adven tures to share and memories to last a lifetime.
Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant & Butik offers menus for dine-in eating and children at their restaurant. The Stabbur beer garden offers drinks and food menus.
Al Johnson’s goats usually go onto the res taurant’s sod roof at the start of each tourism season, in late May. The goats then spend the winter in a barn and pasture from mid-Octo ber to the start of the next season. Al John son’s Swedish Restaurant and Butik is open every day of the week from 6am to 8pm.
FISH CREEK SCENIC BOAT TOURS 9448 Spruce Street
Fish Creek, WI (920) 421.4442 fishcreekscenicboattours.com
Come cruise aboard the 69 passenger partly covered, partly open tour boat docked down town Fish Creek. Daily tours starting at $29/ person, $27/seniors, kids 12 & under $5. De parts daily from Fish Creek Marina. Captains are Licensed and USCG Masters Certified. U.S. Coast Guard Inspected. Vessel Certified for 69 passengers.
TWELVE ELEVEN + THYME CUISINE
(920) 421-5113
10339 N Hwy 57, Sister Bay, WI
Twelve Eleven + Thyme Cuisine are pleased to collaborate in a full-service restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining, private events, separate wine bar and provisions shop. thymedoorcounty.com thymecateringdoorcounty.com
Stacey Blanchet: Why did you start this net work?
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So, UnchainedTV is giving people a portal into a new way of living that will improve their health, while simultaneously combating climate change, habitat destruction, wildlife extinction, human world hunger, drought, water pollution and animal suffering.
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JVM: FREE is the #1 search term of streaming
device users. As we’ve seen, people do not want to pay or must sign up for a subscription to watch something. We all have too many monthly bills already. UnchainedTV, our global streaming APP, is 100% FREE to download from the APP store on your iPhone, Android phone, Apple TV device, Roku device or Amazon Fire Stick! You can also put it into the search bar on LG and Samsung SmartTVs and get it.
At UnchainedTV, we make it as easy as pos sible. No email, no subscription, no fee. We are offering free content to entice people to watch.
As a 501c3 non-profit, our mission is not to make money. UnchainedTV’s only goal is to edu cate people about this crucial subject so they can make informed decisions. How much will money mean if the planet is uninhabitable? There is something that each of us has the power to do 3 times a day to tackle climate change: eat a sus tainable, plant-based meal. UnchainedTV shows you how to make delicious, nutritious meals, with hundreds of cooking shows, including New Day New Chef, our award-winning, in-studio, veg an cooking show!
SB: How long did it take you to develop this network from thought to going live?
JVM: As an activist, I know we must use all the technology available to be effective. With 8 bil lion people on the planet, we can’t talk to them all one on one. Social media is changing rapidly with platforms going in and out of favor. This APP has the potential to reach tens of millions of people or more. We were in beta testing until the start of 2022. We’ve already surpassed one mil lion views and are growing fast. Emmy-winning producer Eamonn McCrystal suggested the APP in the fall of 2021, and we jumped on it! It’s still in its infancy but growing exponentially. I was in the TV news business for decades, where I of ten had just a couple of hours to whip together a story. So, we work fast at UnchainedTV. Also, we run a non-profit news organization through our network hub: UnchainedTV.com.
SB: How do you get your content?
JVM: Many streaming networks are spend ing billions of dollars and hiring hundreds of people. We, at UnchainedTV , are using ingenu
ity and creativity in place of big budgets. We produced our first Original Series, Pig Little Lies , on a tiny budget but with experienced cinematographers. Eamonn McCrystal is a brilliant director/producer who brought it all together. We also rely on the passion and talent of hundreds of vegan content creators around the world who donate their time, expertise, and videos. So, we offer award-winning docu mentaries and cooking shows, along with news reports, travel shows, talk shows and even mu sic videos that have been given to us to stream by people who share our mission of a kinder, more sustainable world.
SB: Your first reality show for UnchainedTV is a show about Pigs called ‘Pig Little Lies.’ What other shows would you like to develop around animals?
JVM: Pig Little Lies follows the saga of two pigs, a mother, and a dad, who escape from a kill shel ter and go on an extraordinary adventure. And it all really happened. Dante and Beatrice are what they call a bonded pair, meaning they love each other. This series is really a love story about a family that just happens to be a pig family. We are already planning another mini-series about a chicken named Hope who lives with a family in Southern California and who rules the house!
SB: Your network is filled with content that is healthy in terms of cooking shows, films,
documentaries, how do I figure out how to navigate what to watch?
JVM: The network is made up of a slew of channels and it’s easy to navigate. At the top is New and Noteworthy... containing the latest trending videos. Other categories include docu mentaries, mini-docs, cooking shows, news, etc. When a vegan content creator provides us with six or more videos, we can create a whole chan nel around them.
Many major vegan organizations/chefs/com panies have given us videos to stream including PETA, In Defense of Animals, Animal Outlook, An imal Save Movement, Plant Based Treaty, Switch 4Good, NutritionFacts.org, Their Turn, Wicked Kitchen, The Vegan Roadie, Chef AJ and more.
SB: There is graphic content of cruelty to animals on your site. Are there warnings on those shows so audiences can be prepared?
JVM: Much of our content, including Pig Little Lies and our cooking shows, have ZERO graphic footage. We do show some graphic footage. Often, we will have a warning. Other times, the images are up just briefly. Let›s face it. It›s the truth. What›s happening to factory farmed animals is cruelty beyond comprehension. If you did to a dog what the industry routinely does to cows, pigs, and chickens, you›d be thrown in jail. People need to see the truth. The challenge is: many people would prefer to avoid seeing the reality, so they don›t have to think about changing their lifestyle. But, what UnchainedTV also
shows is that giving up animal products is not a sac rifice. It’s a joyous adventure.
SB: Your network is growing at an enor mous rate and just surpassed a million views, why do you think you have been so successful when other streaming services are failing?
JVM: We are not seeking to compete with any one. That’s the joy of a non-profit model. I think the fact that our content is completely FREE, and the APP is so easy to download has been a real benefit to consumers. Just putting in an email can be a roadblock to viewers. When people say, “I’ll do it later,” they often never do it. So, we just urge everyone to download UnchainedTV right now! No fee or email required.
SB: As a VEGAN, do you feel hopeful for the future, or do you feel scared and why?
JVM: I am both scared and hopeful. I’m scared because we are destroying the planet and the other beings on it at such an alarming rate, we are in danger of crossing the point of no return. Yet, I’m also hopeful because people are waking up in huge numbers. The younger demograph ic is going vegan in droves. Others are turning vegan-ish, consciously reducing their meat and dairy intake and seeking out other options. As Nelson Mandela said, “It always seems impossi ble until it’s done.” We are on track to hit the tip ping point and I believe it’s coming sooner than anyone imagines.
I SUPPOSE I COULD HAVE DONE A LITTLE MORE RESEARCH BEFORE HEADING THERE. Maybe if I’d have read about this being ‘Spain’s premiere windsurfing destination’ I’d have concluded that it might be just a touch breezy in the area. But I was driving back from Portugal to France and wanted to break the journey, and ten days of snuggles with an aging Setter seemed too good to pass up. I didn’t stop to investigate be yond ‘roughly the right location’.
Running is my overriding memory of the sit. Running after the dogs when they’d fooled me into thinking – with their big eyes and wagging tails – that they’d behave this time and not race after rabbits. And running around the garden gathering up the plant pots and cushions and throws that were strewn liberally about the place as another gale swept emphatically through.
When I arrived, the homeowner had proudly brought out the electric bike I was welcome to use and I’ll admit I had inwardly scoffed. It was flat as a pancake out there, the view of a
distant horizon broken only by the occasional tree leaning at an impressive angle. It turns out this bike was a lifesaver: with fuel prices sky rocketing and a truckers’ strike in Spain, super market visits were daily in the desperate hopes that something had been delivered. The wind blasted me towards the shops and the bike, set to Ultimate Lazy Mode, whisked me back with my precious cargo.
The three dogs were accustomed to being blown about the place. Tiny Alba, a black bun dle of manic energy, was all but turned inside out on occasions. She would just lie on her back, wave her paws about, then leap up and go into battle with the elements again. Broxi, a solid German Shepherd, plodded cheerfully along. Only a few minutes from the front gate stood a vast nature park that was perfect for exploring (and getting moderately lost in) at least once a day. The three of us barreled around the place, me with sunglasses clamped in place in a bid to stop the swirling sands blinding me.
Back at home in the garden, Shadow would flop from pillow to cushion, his long hair and ears rippling like silk in the wind. At 17 years old, Shadow was due a life of laziness and the only thing that might induce him to move was the possibility of being petted. He could lie for hours with his head in my lap, dreaming con tentedly of days when he too raced after rabbits. Sometimes, the hot afternoons would be punctu ated by his urgent barks: if he lay in one place for too long his back legs would become stiff and he’d need to be helped up.
This was an easy housesit, with the only dai ly requirement beyond walking the dogs being to spend time vacuuming the snowdrifts of hair. The wind that rushed in through an open door sent the little mounds scurrying to the farthest corners under settees and tables, and I soon learned why this is the first place I’ve encountered with one of those disconcerting vacuums that takes itself off for walks about the place.
CREDOTS" JANE THOMASThe beach was only about a ten minute drive away and I’m sure the dogs would have loved it, but they proved time and again that ‘heel’ was not in their vocabulary and I didn’t dare risk it. The first few days of a sit are spent establishing the reality of the situation for you – it’s rare that I’ve met owners and their dogs at the start of a sit without the line, ‘oh, he’s never done that be fore!’ coming into play.
As long as the dogs get their walks and snug gles and keep out of too much mischief, I regard a sit as a success. This one was a sure success. Judging by their beaming faces and enthusiastic leaps towards the door every time the harnesses appeared, I’d say Alba and Broxi would agree. As would Shadow, easing his old bones against my body for one last hug before I left.
JANE THOMAS is a freelance writer, constantly moving around the world thanks both to housesitting assignments and an insatiable desire to see beautiful places. She loves
writing about cycle touring, eighteenth century women poets, and unusual people and places. Jane is usually accompanied by at least one dog. booksandbicycles.com
Many experts will tell you – and rightly so – that, in general, dogs don’t like hugs. While it’s great to get a photo of you grinning broadly alongside your pooch, maybe they’re not so happy with the situation. Look for the obvious stress signals: a dog licking his lips, yawning, flattening his ears and turn-ing away from you are clear signs that he isn’t happy.
But I have yet to meet a Setter who doesn’t adore hugs. Shadow was a little too ancient for typical Setter antics, but each one I’ve known has climbed on board for a full-on, wraparound hug, paws en-circling my waist and shoulders and head nuzzled into my neck.
Remember when choosing your future pooch partner that not all canines like cuddles. But if this is high on the list of things you’d like to share with a dog, seek out a Setter. I think there’s a high chance you’ll get more snuggles than you ever dreamed of...
WAS ALL BUT TURNED INSIDE OUT ONAlba takes off. The chaos of a walk: which way are we going?! Broxi, a solid German Shepherd.
NOTHING SAYS SUMMER LIKE A FEW DAYS AWAY WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND.
From island getaways to historic city excursions, hotels are welcoming Fido travelers with innovative packages and the opportunity to create memories of this special season.
SUMMER MEANS PAWS IN THE SAND
Located on the Chesapeake Bay, Wylder Tilghman Island is synonymous with summer. What started in 1898 as a boarding house has evolved into a waterside retreat on a three-mile-long island. With just 50 rooms (most with outdoor access), this extremely Fido-friendly getaway invites guests to slow down and take out a kayak or canoe, dine on locally-sourced seafood on the outdoor patio of Tickler’s Crab Shack, unwind on the expansive porches and make new friends in the dog run. Dogs are welcomed with beds, food bowls and a “barkuterie” board. Wylder Tilghman Island, 21551 Chesapeake House Drive, Tilghman, MD 21671; (410) 886-2121; https://wylderhotels.com.
St. Louis’ Angad Arts Hotel can be your gateway to summer thanks to its Pup Package with treats, bandana and tennis ball—tied to the color of your emotions. The world’s only hotel that lets you book your room by color of emotion, you and your dog can opt for a blue, green, yellow or red room to suit your vacation mood (and match your dog’s new tennis ball). The hotel’s Fido-friendly vibe dates back to its earliest days when a severe snowstorm required shelter workers board to be near the shelter. Today the hotel’s “Canine Concierge” program helps bring awareness to rescue dogs. Angad Arts Hotel, 3550 Samuel Shepard Drive, St. Louis, MO 63103; (314) 561- 0033; https://www.angadartshotel.com.
The Conch Republic just might be the Canine Republic thanks to The Marker Key West Harbor Resort. Guests are greeted with champagne while Fidos are
From kayak trips to historic city strolls, sunset beach walks to patio dining, hotels invite travelers to get out and explore with their dog.Paris Permenter and John Bigley Over nine acres fringed with the Chesapeake Bay invite exploration at Wylder Tilghman Island. PHOTO CREDIT: WYLDER TILGHMAN ISLAND
What color is your dog’s mood?
welcomed with a customized welcome bag loaded with toys, treats, and a Marker Key West pet tag—and even puppy turndown service. Guests can also request a dog walk on Smathers Beach, Fido-friendly paddle boarding, kayak or pontoon trips, a spa session at a local pet spa and dinner under the stars with a multi-course dog food menu. The Pups in Paradise Package must be booked a minimum of 14 days prior to arrival. The Marker Key West Harbor, 200 William Street, Key West, FL 33040; (855) 485-9291; www.themarkerkeywest.com.
Escape the heat with a mountain getaway in the Mile High City, Den ver. Through September, book the Pet Getaway package at Denver’s Kimpton Hotel Born and be greeted by the Bark Bundle inclusive of a plush bed, bowls, area walking map and Hotel Born-branded bowtie. You’ll also receive a two-hour pet watching service during your stay. Located near Union Station, the downtown hotel’s concierge can point you to the best dog walking areas, patio restaurants and pet boutiques. As a Kimpton, the hotel charges no pet fee or deposit; there is also no size or weight limit or a limit on number of pets allowed. The Pet Get away package must be booked at least 48 hours in advance. Kimpton Hotel Born, 1600 Wewatta Street, Denver, CO 80202; (303) 323-0024; www.hotelborndenver.com.
FIDO-CENTRIC
THAT CONFIRM THAT THE LIVIN’ IS EASY WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND AT YOUR SIDE.Hang out on the traditional porches of The Marker Key West before catching a classic Key West sunset. Angad Arts Hotel matches your emotions to your room color. PHOTO CREDIT: ANGAD ARTS HOTEL PHOTO CREDIT: THE MARKER KEY WEST HARBOR RESORT
It feels like yesterday that I brought Brooklyn the greyhound home from one of the deadli est racetracks in the world.
Born on December 10, 2008 in New South Wales, my white and brown-spotted boy was a poor racer. So at the age of twenty-four months, he found himself shipped across the ocean to race in Ma cau. No dog ever got out alive from the infamous Yat Yuen Canidrome, the only legal dog track in China.
In 2011, his luck changed. Our board member Charmaine Settle travelled to Macau to gather evi dence about what was happening at the Canidrome. She learned that approximately 650 greyhounds were living in a prison compound behind the grand stands. Each dog was kept in a barren and solitary concrete cell with metal bars. The greyhounds had no beds and no toys and were fed a noxious gruel that caused their teeth to rot.
According to the track website, thirty Australian dogs were shipped in each month and thirty more were killed to open space inside the crowded ken nels. This cruel calculation meant that nearly 400 young dogs were destroyed each year, a practice that had started in 1963!
Greyhounds who did not “place” (win money) in five consecutive races were given the needle, as were all injured dogs. There was no adoption pro gram at all. The bodies of dead dogs were left out each week with the trash.
Watching the greyhounds as they were led to race, Charmaine took a photo of a particularly stunning pup. His dirty, makeshift collar read “Brooklyn.” It was this beautiful face, peering beyond a wire muz zle, that inspired an international campaign to #Clos etheCanidrome.
Grassroots rallies were held around the world. It took eight years, but we convinced the Chinese government to cancel the track’s license and allow us to airlift all the sur viving greyhounds to safety. Brooklyn was finally free, and made his way home to me on New Year’s Eve 2018.
But no sooner had Brooklyn arrived, he was diagnosed with osteosar coma. His front leg was amputated, the surgeon saying that his bones lit erally disintegrated in her hands as she operated. One year later, he suf fered a spinal stroke and my husband had to carry him up and down the stairs several times a day so he could go out. And yet, through all this, our sweet hound remained one of the happiest dogs I have ever known.
Brooklyn’s early suffering and weakened medical condition are not the exception, but the rule for dogs who find themselves bred into the racing industry. But following twenty years of intense advocacy, dog racing is now illegal in 42 American states and soon there will only be two tracks, both in West Virginia. Sadly, 10,000 greyhounds have been injured at the Tri State and Wheeling Island racetracks since 2008. In 2021 alone, 627 greyhound injuries were reported and 12 dogs died.
Even as greyhound advocates continue to push for change in West Vir ginia, lawmakers in Washington DC have joined in to help as well. Rep resentative Tony Cárdenas of California is working hard to pass the US Greyhound Protection. This humane measure is designed to shut down the business of greyhound gambling and prohibit live lure training na tionwide. Live lure training or “blooding” refers to the use of small ani mals to excite and enhance a chase instinct in young greyhounds. Inno cent animals, most commonly rabbits, suffer cruel and miserable deaths.
The Cárdenas bill now has one hundred co-sponsors from both sides of the political aisle and has earned the endorsement of nearly 300 shelters, animal protection groups and civic organizations from across the coun try and around the globe. Once passed into law, Americans will no longer be able to bet on dog races taking place here or in foreign jurisdictions, as they once did on the cruel races held in Macau. The miraculous rescue of Brooklyn is a reminder that dog racing is an international problem and that the greyhounds now racing in Australia, Ireland, Mexico, New Zea land, the United Kingdom and Vietnam are crying out for help.
Recently, Brooklyn’s seeming immortality was challenged once again when his bone cancer returned. He died in my arms at the age of 13 years, six months old. It was the second day of summer and a few days af ter we had paid a happy visit to Plymouth Beach. I will always remember my boy’s astounding resilience and most of all, his forgiving nature. He taught me that change is possible and that every dog deserves a home.
CHRISTINE A. DORCHAK, ESQ. Christine is the President and General Counsel of greyhound protection group, GREY2K USA Worldwide. The grassroots non-profit works to end dog racing and promote the adoption of ex-racers across the globe. To learn more about dog racing, please go to GREY2KUSA.org or visit @GREY2KUSA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can help by sending a message to your congressional representative to co-sponsor H.R. 3335, the Greyhound Protection Act. Just go to grey2k.org/stopusadogracing today.
DR. MARTY BECKER, KNOWN AS AMERICA’S VETERI NARIAN, feels as comfortable treating a dog in a veterinary exam room as he does settling into a seat on a plane bound for a foreign country. He has practice veterinary medicine for more than four decades. And, he has traveled to more than 85 countries in all seven continents.
But when war broke out in Ukraine earlier this year, he instinctively knew his worlds of veterinary medicine and love of travel would unite. But his abrupt decision caught his family off guard.
“My wife, Teresa, and I have been married 45 years and we are very close,” says Dr. Becker, from his home in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. “I men tion this because she went to lunch with our
granddaughter, Reagan and when she came back two hours later, I had booked a trip to Romania to help out animals at the Ukraine border. See ing all the trauma happening on TV to the people and their pets, I felt I was called to do it.”
Dr. Becker is the founder of Fear Free Pets (www.fearfreepets.com), a game-changing pro gram that helps veterinarians, pet parents and others learn ways to effectively reduce FAS – fear, anxiety and stress in pets.
He packed four suitcases full of dog toys and only one small bag of clothes and headed to the Romania-Ukraine border in April. He arrived in a small town called Galati in the fog at 2 a.m. He teamed up with veterinary leaders from Romania and a local group there called Save a Safe Haven.
“I arranged to talk to veterinary schools about Fear Free because they were seeing a lot of dog bites and injuries at the border,” says Dr. Becker. “So much of that is due to fear-based aggression. Think of pets here with noise phobias to the sound of a loud vacuum cleaner or fireworks. The pets at the border were traumatized by the sounds of military artillery and bombs.”
Dr. Becker, who serves on the board of World Vets (www.worldvets.org), was stationed in a blue veterinary tent at the border.
“I have never been to a war before and did not know what to expect,” he says. “But what I saw and what I was able to do to help was life changing.”
He then begins to share what he experienced. He helped a man in his 60s who crossed the bor der in a wheelchair, cradling his two cats.
“He told me that his apartment had been bombed and he threw himself on his two elderly cats to protect them,” says Dr. Becker. “He took shrapnel in his back and was in bad shape when he arrived. He was crying out of joy more than pain because his cats were safe.”
He also helps a woman crossing the border with 10 leashed Jack Russell terriers.
“She also somehow managed to pull a wagon with dog food, water and medicine and had been walking for 10 days straight with her dogs,” says Dr. Becker. “She told me she had drank water, but had not eaten. She fed her dogs. She no lon
ger had shoes and her feet were frostbitten, but she was so thankful that she and her dogs made it to the border.”
And, Dr. Becker did share one moment that made him smile and even laugh with joy.
“At the border, volunteers had trays of sand wiches and bottles of water they were handing out to those coming across and I saw something I never think I will see again in my lifetime,” he says. “They started to limit five dogs per person to enter into Romania. I spotted a medium-sized car with five people and 25 dogs! It looked like a canine clown car. The volunteers came by with the sandwiches and the dogs smelled them and all the dogs raced over to one side of the car and it actually leaned over. One dog stuck his head out the window and grabbed a bunch of sand wiches because he was so hungry.”
Dr. Becker has traveled the globe. He has spo ken at many prestigious conferences and he is a best-selling pet author. All of these accomplish ments pale in comparison to the life-changing impact he experienced by volunteering to pro vide veterinary care at the border.
“I ask that we take a look at that affection con nect we feel with our pets and then look deeply at people in Ukraine who are willing to risk their lives to save their pets,” he says. “All of us can help in some way. There is a real need there and I will definitely go back.”
Dr. Gary Weitzman, DVM, serves as the presi dent of the San Diego Humane Society. When the war erupted, he felt called to action. So, he quickly made arrangements with two organizations, Greater Good Charities and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). Within days, he landed in Warsaw, Poland and headed immediately to the Ukraine border.
“I brought suitcases filled with medical sup plies and equipment and was stationed in tent number two – the veterinary tent – at the bor der,” he says. “There was a mile-long corridor at the border of people giving to other people – food, supplies whatever they needed. And, we were right there to help their pets.”
He witnessed displaced families coming across the border with dogs on leashes and cats in their arms while holding on to a single suitcase.
“These people had to leave their possessions behind to escape the war,” he says. “Seeing family pets being part of the exodus is proof that companion animals are so important to people, even in bleak situations like this.”
Dr. Weitzman also has Ukrainian roots. Both sides of his family are ancestors who lived in Kiev and Odessa.
“I wish I learned to speak Ukrainian, but we had interpreters there,” he says. “Each day, I drove two hours from my hotel to the border. It was pitch black, snowy, and very cold.”
He shares a small victory. It took a few days, but he helped catch a scared, lost shepherd mix dubbed Slava who got separated from his family while crossing the border into Poland.
Fittingly, Slava means victory in Ukrainian.
Like Dr. Becker, Dr. Weitzman is planning to return to help.
“And, I hope to bring some of my staff from the humane society with me,” he says. “I have never done anything in my life that has felt better than this. I will be back.”
To learn more, please visit www.sdhumane.org
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Vacation for the Dogs. We are a one-of-a-kind pet resort that offers 24-7 boarding and day care to southern Califor nia residents since 2006. It’s a fun and active environment where the dogs have plenty of room to run and play. Two locations! Riverside, CA 92507; (951) 588-1200; Tustin, CA 92780; (949) 559-4200; ruffhousepetresort.com
The newly opened Fairfield by Marriott Springfield, MO features free hot breakfast, parking, WIFI & more. Pets staying with Fairfield receive a 5-star experience at an incredible price. Pet packages include treats, head scratches, and a surprise gift! https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sgfsn-fairfield-inn-andsuites-springfield-north/
Are you a busy pet parent and you don’t want to leave your ca nine companion at home all day, alone on the couch? Bring your pets to Woodland West Pet Resort, the ultimate pet vacation! Boarding and doggie daycare available. Ask about our Pampered Pet Package. 9380 S. Union, Tulsa, OK 74132. (918) 299-5720; woodlandwestpetresort.com
JUATO. While in the city, she noticed numerous dogs living on the streets, many of which had obviously suffered abuse and neglect. When she expressed her concerns to any of the locals, they seemed puzzled by her distress. She was left with the impression that they see the animals as part of the scenery—a very different point of view from her own.
Davis always felt a sensitivity towards animals while growing up, but was discouraged from expressing that sentiment. She was well into adulthood when she became involved with an animal rights group and later worked as an assistant in a veterinary clinic. See ing these pooches in Guanajuato tugged at her heart strings and she vowed to help them.
Rescue groups were already in place in the Mexican city; however, they were brim ming with animals. Davis established Mex-Can Pet Partners back home in Victoria, Brit ish Columbia knowing there would be more support and the money raised would go further in Mexico. As for finding furever homes for the dogs, she was not willing to risk them ending up on the streets again, so she has always looked to Canada for adopters.
Eventually, Davis bought a home in Guanajuato, where she now spends half the year. All the strays brought to her shelter are thoroughly vetted, plus scrutinized for any be havioral issues. She has found that a dog’s true disposition can sometimes take weeks or months to reveal itself. Any exhibiting an unfavorable temperament or health issues are not considered for adoption. The organization also surpasses what Canada Border Services and Agriculture Canada require for entry into their country.
Davis has had difficulty finding volunteers and has hired paid staff as a result. None theless, she has seen more involvement over the years among the locals in animal rescue and animal rights, as well as more effort put into upholding the animal cruelty laws—laws that have been in place, but not necessarily enforced. Furthermore, much needed educa tion has also increased.
Looking back at the point in time that set her on this path, Davis says “I don’t think I would be here if it weren’t for that serendipitous moment when I saw a poster promoting spay/neuter in Guanajuato and made the effort to meet the people behind it.”
‹ CHERYL SMYTH is a freelance writer and photographer, who revels in road trips and exploring nature with a doggy companion along for the ride. She loves to share her discoveries with others in hopes to inspire them to enjoy the world around them with their own fur pals.
Considering many of these dogs are born as strays, their numbers can be significantly reduced by spay and neutering them. According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), “One unaltered female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 puppies in only six years.” Mex-Can info at mex-can.org.
A woman is inspired while vacationing to help the street dogs she discovered in one Central Mexican city.Simon places an appreciative paw on Marlene Davis’s shoulder for rescuing him. PHOTO CREDIT:MARLENE DAVIS.
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