The Power of Love – Pals for Life

An old man is lying in a bed at the local VA hospital. He hears a knock and the door opens to reveal a woman standing with a dog beside her. She asks if they can come in. He doesn’t answer.  She looks down at the dog and winks at him. “Let’s go in”, she says.  The dog wags his tail and puts his paws on the bed beside the man’s hand. The old man turns and hugs the dog, putting his arm around his shoulder. He keep it there for a long time. She notices that tears are running down his face. He says: “I never thought I would ever see a dog again. Thank you.”

Paula Kielich had a successful career and an MBA to boot, but she wasn’t happy. One day, getting off a train,a thought came into her mind of an old lady holding a dog. Questions came up for her. What do people do when they can’t take their animals? Do they ever see animals again? Is anybody doing any of this work?

The SPCA used to take some of their animals out to visit people in nursing homes but their budgets were already stretched and volunteers were getting scarce. They were just discontinuing their program when Paula called them to inquire whether she could take some of their dogs to visit people who would benefit from the love and friendship that dogs offer. Both would benefit. They were thrilled and that was the beginning of Pals for Life.

Now with 180 volunteers, Pals for Life makes over 700 visits per year to older people who are in nursing homes, to children in schools with reading and stuttering problems and even to colleges during final exams for stress reduction. And, the animals who visit are not limited to dogs. They have rabbits, a turtle named Turbo, a duck (no longer in this world) named Miss Peabody and even a draft horse.

Volunteers must pass a test with their animals to make sure they are appropriately behaved for the people they visit. Good manners, after all, are essential. These dogs provide a kind of unconditional love that’s hard to find anywhere else. They provide an amazing service in our community.

For more information please see: www.palsforlife.org

When the Traditional isn’t Working

Dr. Cynthia Graves got interested in alternative medicine not only after she became a vet and taught internal veterinary medicine, but when she got acupuncture and herbal treatment for herself. She started wondering if it worked for animals as well as it worked for people.

Being a person of action, she signed up to study it at the Chi Institute and obtained her certificate in acupuncture and energy work. The study has taken her in other directions which you can see on her website: www.taovet.com

A Match Made in Heaven

Meg Boscov and Liz Maslow have a heart for rescued dogs. Such big hearts with good observation skills, they noticed that so many dogs given up to rescues were simply victims of a mismatch with their former owners. Young families who thought they wanted a big Lab puppy would find it overwhelming to add puppy training to taking care of infants. Others would get a dog that was too active, too slow, needed too much exercise – you get the picture. As they talked about their observations, they started formulating an idea. That idea morphed into their business Mutt Match. They match dogs to the perfect owner. They match on temperament and traits that are identified from the owners.
Liz and Meg are both Certified Pet Dog Trainers and have extensive background in working with and training all kinds of dogs. They are providing a wonderful service to our area.
If you know anyone who is thinking about getting a new dog but might need steering to the perfect pairing, give them a call.
They can be reached at 610-547-2620 or info@muttmatch.net

A Woman Who Runs with the Dogs

Kayla Western is the person of a dog’s dreams. Kayla ditched her corporate career to start her own company, Cardio Canine. There are no fat, lazy dogs who are Kayla’s clients.

 As a smart entrepreneur, she noticed what was missing for dogs – especially the dogs of families whose heads of families were both working. She noticed that because of busy schedules, late meetings, travel, etc., the dogs often ended up with a short walk instead of the hour of exercise they needed. Cardio Canine was born.

 Kayla isn’t one of those walkers you see with ten dogs on a leash. She works with them one on one to give them an hour of outstanding exercise, hiking, running and pure, fresh air. The hour is well- spent. The dogs are also given training so they become great citizens with good manners. This makes for happy families and happy dogs.

 Kayla will be at our store talking about exercising dogs, the infinite variety of walks in our area and some training tips. She will be here Sunday, March 21^st from 2-3pm. Come and find out how you and your dog can get into your best shape for the summer.

A Chat with Sunnypaw’s Jen Lipsky

When Jen Lipsky and her husband inherited the family dog, Sarah, she had no idea that she would be the catalyst for an amazing new career.
Sarah suffered from kidney stones and had digestive problems as well. This got Jen wondering if changing her diet would make any improvement in her overall health.
Jen majored in technical communications at Drexel so was well-suited to research the subject. She also had a long-standing interest in wellness and nutrition. She started her research and two years later began making organic treats that were filled with vegetables, fruit, and contained no gluten. Sarah began to thrive. She organized canine taster groups and they wagged for more. She did more research on nutrition and stability for shelf life.
Jen will be speaking Sunday, February 21st at our store at 2pm. Please come and bring your furry buddy for some real treats!

Does Your Dog Do This?

Is your dog concerned about his dental health? Does he bring you his toothbrush to remind you to take good care of his teeth?…..Our dogs like many things IN their mouths – balls, toys, and mmmmm! especially treats!  But when the toothbrush comes out – watch out. They can escape faster than a well-greased pig at a rodeo.

Our wellness series is starting Thursday night at 6:45 or Sunday at 2pm- come learn about some good ways to approach dental care. On Sunday we are also hosting Jen Lipsky, owner of Sunnypaw Organic Treats. She has an interesting story to tell and some yummy treats to share – please feel free to bring your best friend for samples.

The Memory Wall

Our best buddies are with us for what seems like such a short time. Over and over we hear wonderful stories about great pets. We created the Memory Wall to give our customers a place to write down their thoughts and stories about their pets who are no longer with us.

Here’s our first story:

Remembering Tank

I knew something was wrong that Sunday morning when Tank didn’t make his usual appearance.  Every morning, without fail, Tank would join me for my morning ritual of brushing my teeth, washing my face, and getting my running clothes on.  He would purr and rub and bat at the end of my toothbrush; I would pet and coo and scratch his chin. 

Tank was aptly named.  He was a grey tabby, weighing in at 18 pounds.  I always wondered if it was a self-fulfilling prophecy – that if we had named him ‘Tiny’, he would have been half the size.  A vet once said he looked like a bob cat.  Despite his girth, Tank was a gentle giant; a loving companion with a sweet spirit.

It’s hard for true animal lovers to put into words how we feel about our pets.  They are part of the family, with all the rights and privileges of the humans they share their lives with.  We co-exist: we get to know their habits; they get to know ours. But perhaps the greatest miracle of having a pet is how we communicate without ever saying a word.  More than anything else, I’ll miss ‘talking’ to Tank.

Tank was very affectionate.  He loved to be picked up – it started when he was a kitten.  A friend said that if we wanted an affectionate cat, we should pick the cat up and hold him in our arms.  Apparently it worked, because Tank loved nothing more than to be picked up and held.  When he wanted up, he would stand on his hind legs and stretch imploringly. Once he was there, he would snuggle and purr, quite content to stay as long as you would have him.

Like any cat, Tank demanded attention on his terms.  Like when we’d be working at the computer, and Tank would sprawl across the desk right in front of the keyboard.  He would alternately drape himself across the equipment, or monopolize your arm with rubbing and kneading.  Either way, the only work that got done was what was on Tank’s agenda.

That fateful Sunday, we took Tank to the emergency hospital because he was listless and lethargic, too tired to get up for our sacred morning routine.  After a diagnosis of necrotizing pancreatitis and four days of rapidly declining health, we made the decision to end his suffering. 

I guess you always wonder whether you did the right thing … to end a life so dear to you … a life so intertwined with your own … knowing that no matter how many pets may come and go, there will only be one Tank.

Not So Stupid Pet Tricks

One of our favorite dogs was a Corgi named Filbert.  She had the most amazing trick. She could crack a walnut and then would sit and daintly eat the meat out of it. However, we could never teach her to clean up the mess!

We came across this clip from the Letterman Show and had to post it. We cannot even begin to imagine how the owner taught this dog this trick. It’s hilarious!

http://funsizebytes.com/post/85607072/play-dead

If you have a pet who does interesting tricks we would love your story.

The Sign is Up!

First there were coffee bars, then wine bars….but…they were just for humans. Braxton’s Animal Works has created true diversity in inventing the first water bar in the Philadelphia area. It’s a place where humans and their best buds can sit, hydrate and sip or slurp to their heart’s content… Everyone can socialize and catch up with friends while infusing themselves with the healthiest drink around – water… Opening Sunday, March 15 it is the first Water Bar for you and your best friend – Cooper, Truffles, Winston, Rover or whatever his or her name is.

Braxton’s has always been a great place to introduce dogs to new friends. Now it’s more comfortable with tables, chairs, checkers, and water at floor and table level.

Come and join us for the opening of the The Sit & Stay Café – Opening March 15th. 2009, from 3-5 pm- open seven days a week- enough to quench the thirstiest woof.

The newest watering hole in town is Braxton’s Animal Works, 620 W. Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, PA. For Directions go to:
www.braxtons.com

The Sit & Stay Cafe

The Sit & Stay Cafe is the very first water cafe in the Philadelphia area for dogs and people! Water at two levels!

Opening March 15th at 3 pm. Everyone is invited to come.

Sit! Stay!