By Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com
Dock Diving made a splash this weekend returning to Long Island for a 2nd time in the past few months with the most recent event that just took place in Westhampton Beach, N.Y. Friday and Saturday, July 29 & 30, 2016. DockDogs, a Canine Aquatics Competitive company, was hosted by the Greater Westhampton Kiwanis & Hurricane Educational Foundation held at the Westhampton Beach High School.
My dog Cody tried out and competed, but he is still a novice at it and didn’t do great – but we only are in it for fun – he loves, loves, loves to swim, but jumping off the dock can be a bit intimidating for newbie dogs. While he jumped in 5 times total in two days, he really only got to go up and try/compete a total of 8 runs.
Awesome photo by Cathy Pratt Williams of Precious and Few Photography!
Cody!
The first time he tried it was at the dog shows at the Oyster Bay Planting Fields in May – and he was able to try as many times as he wanted with the NADD AKC Diving Dogs. He jumped a few times then, so it was great to be able to try again with him this weekend. Many of the dogs at today’s event were pros and just so much fun to watch them fly through the air, like this dog, Tango the Pit Bull – what a sweetie! And he competes a lot.
Tango the Pitbull
Pet vendors and people from all over brought their dogs to try it or compete. There were dogs there from Arizona and Connecticut, Queens and of course LI.
This pup was from Arizona
If you missed it and you are thinking of trying out with your dog, first remember it is for fun – and if your dog actually is good at it then competing may be for you. Your dog needs to have a strong toy drive, be able to swim well – and loving to swim really helps. You have to give your dog time, some dogs take right to it where others, like my own dog, don’t always jump, no matter how much they love their toys or the water. And that’s ok, he had fun is what counts. One of the local DockDogs instructors is hoping to start Long Island Dock Jumpers, email LIDockJumpers@gmail.com for more information.
Thanks to Terrie Bauer and everyone who helped put this event together – we know how much work it takes to put on any event! For MORE pictures of the event, click here! I also really enjoyed the music and MC for the event – he did a great job the entire time. If you missed this event and want to be sure to never miss another pet event happening here on our isle and beyone, click here to sign for the free weekly Pet Events Newsletter!
by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com
The 30th Annual ARF (Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons) Garden Tour took place this Saturday in the towns of Wainscott and Sagaponack in the Hamptons. I believe this is my 4th time going, I feel like this was the best year yet.
We joked at the first house, that we didn’t need to go to any other houses, because the Landis house was pure bliss, the gardens the pool, the view overlooking Georgica Pond, frankly I don’t even remember looking at the house at all! It was exactly what you think of when you think of summering in the Hamptons – and why some people would just be happy staying at their homes – so much to do on that property, really no need to leave!
I have said it before, if you have yet to go, be sure to go next year – you will not be disappointed! (And as a pet pro – it’s such a cool way to host a fundraiser for pets, because you tap into an entirely different crowd – not just pet parents. Wheels spinning yet with ideas?) 🙂 Enjoy the photos, link on bottom to access all pictures:
- Beautiful lines of flowes adorn the sides of the pool
- Upon entering the backyard, you see Georgica Pond and the end of the pool
- View from the garden surrounding the poorhouse
- From behind the pool house looking at the main house
- Pink Roses, lots of them
- Heading to the pond
- Canoe and kayak ready to go in the water!
- Beautiful view
To see MANY more pictures of the amazing houses and gardens, CLICK HERE!
by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com
June is adopt-a-shelter cat month and also known as kitten season, especially here on Long Island – where there are no natural predators (like coyote), and many feral cat communities across our isle. We do have amazing groups of people, animal rescues and organizations that help with taking care of the feral cat colonies and do T and R programs (trap, spay/neuter, return).
However many of our animal shelters are very full with wonderful cats and kittens looking for their furever homes. Recently we visited the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation, (SASF), in Hampton Bays, NY to see their ‘Catio’ and meet many kittens 8 weeks and under.
If you are a cat afficiando, a cuteness warning overload if you click on the video below:
However, if you are thinking about adopting, SASF currently has 2 for 1 match making promotion happening this month – which is just the purrfect way to adopt two cats that are in need of that furever home. After a potential adopter picks out a cat they fall in love with, the shelter will match that cat with their buddy so you can bring home 2 cats and the cats will have a life long companion. Such a cute idea! See the video here to learn more about it:
For more information on how you can adopt a cat from SASF go to www.SouthamptonAnimalShelter.com or call (631) 728-7387.
by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com
The month of June is National Microchipping Month and a common misconception among pet owners is that having your pet is microchipped, that once the dog or cat is chipped, then your pet is protected. If your pet ever gets lost, the microchip will help bring your beloved pet back to you.
Yes, the microchip has brought countless pets back to their owners – we have all read the amazing stories of pets being reunited after long journeys all because of the microchip. Did you know how many pets are microchipped – but their pet parents fail to register them?
I know you might be sitting there reading this, saying, “What? I thought the rescue I adopted Buddy from registered him?” Or, “I thought when I got him from the animal shelter they registered him with my info before I left with him.”
Yes the shelter or rescue group may have registered your dog, but it’s under their name. Or they may have microchipped your pet but did not register it, it is up to you to register the microchip with your information in case your pet ever gets lost.
When I adopted Cody, he was microchipped, but I had to then change the microchip information to my name, number and address. And you have to pay a fee yearly to keep him registered.
Many pets go missing especially during the in the summer as gates are left open by landscapers, pool cleaners, etc., loud fireworks can scare your pet away and newly adopted pets are not used to your home yet.
While the pet may be microchipped, more often than not, if they are found by a good samaritan and brought to an animal shelter or veterinarian office to be scanned for a microchip – and the chip is not registered. So the shelter then has no idea who the pet belongs to and most shelters after a 7-day hold on the pet, the pet is then put up for adoption.
You are usually given paper work from a rescue group, animal shelter or pet store with what company the pet’s microchip is registered with, new pet owners need to call that company and have the microchip put under their name. Many shelters chip pets and put the information in the adoption packet and on the number of the chip on the medical records to so that when the pet owner brings their newly adopted pet to the vet, the vet also has the microchip info.
So what to do? You need to register your pet with a microchip company. Putting in your information, means putting in your most up to date info. Most people keep the same cell phone number, so having that in there would be my first choice. And also your home number and alternate number just in case they can reach you at the first number.
Shelters often get pets in as strays that have a microchip, that are not registered. Defeats the point of even having your pet chipped.
Here are some companies you can look into on microchipping your pet.
www.avidid.com – microchipping company
www.24petwatch.com – 24PetWatch’s Lost Pet Recovery is there to not only identify your pet, but to reunite you as soon as they’re found. Thanks to 24PetWatch’s microchip, you can be reunited safely and quickly.
Cats too should be microchipped and registered, even if your cat is an indoor cat, accidents happen and indoor cats do get outside.
If your pet is not microchipped, most animal shelters can microchip your pet, as well as rescue groups and even your vet’s office may provide the service. A lot of private rescue groups also offer low cost microchipping on a regular basis.
If you’re pet is lost, and he does not have a collar with ID tags or a microchip, the first thing you should do is contact your local town municipal shelter and let them know, and if you can bring them a picture with all your appropriate contact info. I would also contact the privately owned animal shelters too – to let them know your pet is missing, send them a picture, age if the pet is on meds, etc.
Social media has exploded over recent years with ‘Lost and Found pages on Facebook’. Look in your local area, town, city, state to see if there is one set up for you. Post the picture of your pet, where and when he was lost, if the pet is in need of meds, friendly, nervous around strangers, etc. This will be very helpful in finding your pet.
On Long Island – https://www.facebook.com/Lostandfound.petslongisland
In Queens – https://www.facebook.com/QueensLostandFoundPets
In Staten Island https://www.facebook.com/lostand.statenisland?fref=ts
Another website that is very helpful is Pet Amber Alert, they offer many services to help you recover your pet if gone missing, even putting out a phone call to thousands in your surrounding neighborhood letting your community know a pet is missing.
You can also easily search Facebook for pages near where you live for similar pages. Craigslist is another popular site to post your missing pet in the pet’s section where you live. And the good old fashioned way of posting fliers around your neighborhood with photo, and contact number for someone to call you if they have your pet.
Bottom line? If your pet is microchipped, stop what you are doing and make sure your pet is registered with your info!
by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com
You’re a good dog, we often say that to our dogs. But is your dog a Good Dog? This past Tuesday, I headed to New York City for The Good Dog Foundation Gala event held at Guastavino’s. It was a lovely event, extremely well coordinated, and what most non-profit organizations should strive for when hosting a gala. Many dogs were in attendance trotting around among Broadway stars, pet professionals, pet media like Pet Age Magazine, volunteers and just many amazing supportors of this wonderful organization.
The Good Dog Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and nationally recognized leader in animal-assisted therapy whose mission it is to ease human suffering and promote healing among those experiencing trauma from disease, disability, disaster, aging and other stressful conditions. Good Dog trains and certifies hundreds of volunteer teams (dog and handler) annually. The organization works in collaboration with esteemed institutions such as Yale University and Mount Sinai Beth Israel to further scientific research on the benefits of animal-assisted therapy.
Unleashed by Petco was the signature gala host at the event that honored Planet Dog for its charitable giving of more than $1 million to nonprofits – including Good Dog – that foster human-canine wellbeing and healing. They provided this adorable Dog Bar with lots of dog cookies to choose from, to bring a doggy bag home with you.
Rachel McPherson, founder, Good Dog Foundation with Colleen McCracken, CEO/Partner, Planet Dog and Alex Fisher, Founder/Chief Creative Officer, Planet Dog.
Of course we jumped in the fun photo booth to have our pictures taken before dinner.
(l to r) Nancy Hassel of American Pet Professionals, Stacy McCosky and her dog Sadie and Caroline Loevner
Award-winning actor Robert Sella, most recently a star in the Broadway comedy, SYLVIA, about a dog that helps heal the lives of its human companions, served as the evening’s emcee. The event drew dozens of canine guests along with nearly 300 humans.
If you are interested in learning more how your dog can become a Good Dog with The Good Dog Foundation, please visit their website www.thegooddogfoundation.org.
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