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The Scoop features health, recreation and activities for you and your pet. The popular Clickable Calendar highlights the month’s pet-friendly events. Dig-able Web finds gives you the lead on fun and informative resources that’s just a click away!

(Take a peek at past issues of The Scoop here!)

Petsguide also wants to lend a helping paw by putting the spotlight on area animal shelters and organizations in the Adoptable Pet column. Looking to expand your furry family, or know someone looking for a pet? The Scoop provides leads on reputable organizations that care deeply for the homeless animals they rescue and foster.

The best part? It’s all free, and you can sign up on the front page!

A happy, active boy, loves other dogs and people, this sweet boy likes walks, frolicking at the dog park and riding in the car. He would like a home with another dog to play with and is ready to give you love and sloppy kisses. Carmichael is also housebroken.

If he sounds like the hound for you, contact Basset Rescue at www.bhrsc.info

The holidays are a time to bask in the pleasures of good company and good food, and to reflect on the blessings we reaped over the year.

Before you and your family go on your merrymaking way, remember that yuletide celebrations bring with them potential hazards to your pet.

Luckily, you won’t have to worry as long as you keep the following tips in mind:

Keep them feisty by refraining from sharing your feast. Sometimes, we can’t resist spoiling our pets with a teeny bite of our dinner table bounty. The Safe Dog Handbook cautions against this, as certain foods are actually harmful to dogs. Among them: turkey skin; cooked turkey bones and ham bones; chocolates and raisins; and sweets that contain xylitol (a popular sweetener poisonous to dogs). Keep alcoholic beverages out of Fido’s reach, too.

Pretty lights, not-so-pretty dangers. Tree lights and colorful ornaments are holiday staples. Keep your home pretty and pet-safe by keeping loose cords bundled or discretely taped up to the wall. This extra precaution will help prevent electric shock accidents for curious cats and dogs tempted to chew on a cord.

Wrap up after wrapping. Materials such as ribbons, bows, tape, glittery tinsel and foil can pose choking hazards to animals, so be sure to clean carefully when you finish wrapping your presents.

Hey, that’s my spot! Avoid placing your tree at Fido’s favorite window or at Fifi’s favorite sunning spot. A tree can be knocked over by an overeager critter, said Handbook author Melanie Monteiro.

What’s all the commotion? Like us, our pets also get overwhelmed by the gaiety. If your cat or dog is shy around strangers, alleviate their anxieties by keeping them in a quiet, safe room while you entertain guests at your home.

German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County knew that Elisa had something special about her.

They just didn’t know how special she was until she was spotted by a scout for a detection training academy during one of GSROC’s weekly adoption events.

Elisa’s great disposition and incredible ball drive earned her an “audition” with Falco K9 Academy to become a detection dog. During her test, Elisa wowed everyone with her proficiency at finding hidden things – she even found a toy that had been missing from the school for months.

Today, Elisa is happy and enjoying her four-week training experience and from there, she will be matched with a civilian handler and live in a home with a family. Elisa’s mission is not to search out drugs or money or bombs, but instead to hunt for…..bed bugs! She will be visiting hotels, theaters and other public places as a private search dog to help protect the public.

The German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County (GSROC) is a non-profit 501c(3) charity organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing purebred German Shepherd Dogs. This nonprofit volunteer organization has no paid staff, and is funded entirely by private donations. Dogs for adoption are housed in foster home situations and in private boarding facilities.

GSROC annually rescues and adopts between 300 and 400 dogs. Approximately 50% of the dogs rescued come directly from owners who are no longer able to care for them. The other 50% of the dogs are plucked from public animal shelters throughout Southern California. For more information and to see available dogs, visit www.gsroc.org.

Losing your pet can be the worst feeling. But, would you know what to do if you found someone else’s best friend crossed your path? Petsguide has advice for those who misplaced their pet, as well as for those who can make joyful reunions a reality.

If you have lost your pet:

1) Call your local animal control office (See Petsguide’s directory listing for “Animal Control“) for recent activity in your area, including pick-ups and found pet reports.

2) Search www.petharbor.com, a service of the Humane Society, for listings and pictures of animals brought into shelters, updated hourly. If you have not found your pet after searching, register your pet as lost to receive an e-mail when a matching animal is listed by a shelter or registered as found on the site.

3) Personally visit all of the local and regional shelters in your area to look for your pet; neighboring cities often contract with different shelters. Visit as often as possible as animals are brought in continuously. If the shelter policy allows, leave your contact information with a recent photo of your pet; shelter staff cannot always provide notification, but most will provide as much assistance as possible. (See “Shelters” for contact and location information.)

4) Visit www.amberalertforpets.com or www.findtoto.com. Fees apply.

If you have found a domesticated animal without tags:

1) Register the pet as found at www.petharbor.com; matching descriptions will be emailed to owners who have registered lost pets.

2) Check “Shelters” for a shelter that will accept animals found in your city; if possible, take the animal to a no-kill shelter. At the shelter, the animal will be scanned for microchip ID and logged. Stray animals are generally held for a owner-reclamation period prior to being available for adoption; unless it is a no-kill shelter, the animal may be euthanized if the animal is not claimed or adopted.

3) Call your local animal control office to report the animal as found. If necessary, they will transport the animal to the local shelter.

4) For additional no-kill options, contact the appropriate rescue organization. (See “Adoption and Rescue” to locate area shelters.)

Surf City USA again plays host to the dog-gone fun and fur-lanthropic Surf City Surf Dog.

Watch the bravest, most bodacious canines take on the waves on Sunday, Sept. 19 in this annual event benefiting local dog rescue organizations.

Surf City Surf Dog will also hold on-land festivities. Stop by The Hot Diggity Dog Expo, where two- and four-legged guests are welcome to sniff, shop and get to know some 40 pet-related vendors and organizations.

Other fun activities include the Cowabunga Canine Costume and Owner Look-Alike contests, and the one-mile Woofin’ Walk. A portion of the proceeds from the Surf Dog Competition, costume contests and Woofin’ Walk will directly benefit Coastal German Shepherd Rescue, Huntington Dog Beach, Orange County Humane Society, and The Pet Rescue Center.

First-timers and participants can even get some practice in and receive helpful pointers at a Surf Clinic coming up on Sept. 11, 9-11 a.m., at Huntington Beach Dog Beach. The clinic is free for pre-registered participants, or $15 for others.

Surf City Surf Dog
· Sept. 19, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Registration begins at 7 a.m.
· Free to spectate and attend The Hot Diggety Dog Expo, contest fees vary.
· Surf City Surf Dog at Huntington Beach Dog Beach, 100 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach (map it!)
· www.surfcitysurfdog.com

Nothing says dog days like the smell of summer/fall Petsguide hot off the printing press!

In this issue, writer Steve Lowery lets us know that there’s more to playing fetch with your dog. When the adventurous and creative have become mainstream, play has evolved into something more meaningful, and, ultimately mutually healthy for you both.

For example, shy dogs could benefit from socialization-centric activities such as walks to dog parks. It gives them structure and allows them the opportunity to become better adjusted.

For the adventure-driven canines and canine-parents, Lowery has got a list of unusual, challenging “dog-tivities”: sheep-herding classes (like Jerome Stewart’s Long Beach and Anaheim herding classes); doggie bootcamps that let pets and owners work out together; dog sports for the competitive pup; and even urban mushing.

Looking for a softer touch? Establishments like Chateau le Pooch and Pussy & Pooch regularly hold pet and owner socials, not to mention offer party-planning services that let you create one-of-a-kind get-togethers to celebrate your pet. Places like them also typically hold pet-friendly “yappy” hour events gathering fellow pet parents.

Of course, you’ll find more ideas throughout Petsguide. Plan your summer days with its multi-month calendar, and save big at Long Beach Metro and Orange County pet stores, pet-sitting establishments and hospital services using your Petsguide-exclusive coupons.

Pick up your free copy today at your local vet, groomer, pet boutique and other pet-friendly establishments. (Need help locating a local distributor? Contact us and we’ll point you in the right direction.)

The world’s largest consumer pet show returns to the Orange County Fairgrounds.
Petsguide Magazine Online
April 7, 2010

There’s plenty to see, do and marvel when the world’s largest consumer pet show, America’s Family Pet Expo, returns to the Orange County Fairgrounds on April 16-18 for a weekend packed with family-friendly entertainment, educational demonstrations and seminars, and animal showcases.

The Expo – presented by the nonprofit World Pet Association – connects thousands to professionals from the wide field of a companion animal industry. Gain insights into pet well-being and trends from product manufacturers and retailers, veterinarians and groomers, as well as animal humane organizations. Whether you’re looking to learn about different dog breeds, pony rides, or looking to give an adoptable pet a forever home, America’s Family Pet Expo provides educational opportunities to boost your avian, canine, feline, equine, fish and reptile knowledge when you attend the event’s numerous training, care and grooming demonstrations and seminars. The Expo also gathers together merchants, giving shoppers the opportunity to purchase quality pet products at discounted rates.

Also at the heart of the family-friendly event is a top-notch entertainment lineup fit to awe and inspire pet-lovers of all ages. Debuting this year is Equine Entertainment & Attractions, which feature a variety of horse superstars including the horse played the titular racehorse in “Seabiscuit,” and Lukas, dubbed the World’s Smartest Horse for his spelling and counting aptitude.

Make sure to catch the Expo’s popular shows: the skill of scooter-pushing dogs and acrobatic cats in Popovich Comedy Pet Theater; the “splashy” pooches of the dock-diving Splash Dogs; Joe “The Birdman” Krathwohl’s Free Flight Bird Show; and the CFA Cat Show’s array of award-winning feline breeds.

America’s Family Pet Expo
• Friday, April 16, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Saturday, April 17, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sunday, April 18, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Admission, $6-$12. Kids under 6 get in free. Save $2 when you purchase tickets online.
• Orange County Fairgrounds, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa (map it!)
• (626) 447-2222, (714) 708-1500. www.petexpooc.org

Dog walking is a healthy, daily ritual with physical and mental benefits.

However, what’s good for a full-grown German Shepherd isn’t necessarily ideal for a Pomeranian or a puppy. Below are some insights from American Kennel Club spokeswoman and pet advice columnist Lisa Peterson.

What’s normal? Generally, a minimum of 30 minutes is recommended to maintain good canine stamina. Be aware of signs that your dog is overexercised, such as heavy panting and limping. Breed also comes into play. For example, “herding dogs like German Shepherds can use more exercise versus toy breeds.”

Age matters. Don’t overwalk dogs under 2 on hard surfaces like concrete, Peterson advises. The reason: their skeletons are still growing and forming. Shorter walks are better for puppies. Peterson recommends 10-minute walks, done several times during the day; for young dogs, two 30-minute walks a day until maturity.

Life’s a beach. Some breeds are more sensitive to heat, among them pugs, bulldogs and terriers. As much as we love our beaches and beach walks, “many times, people don’t realize that sand gets very hot, and when you walk in the midday sun, [sand] can burn a dog’s pads,” Peterson said. “If you choose to take your dog on the beach, do it early in the morning or dusk when it’s not very hot.”

Location, location. “Dogs when walking in an urban setting walk through a variety of chemicals and toxins unbeknownst to us.” Tip: Rinse off paw pads after a walk. Check for residue and other outdoor detritus like thorns and bits of rock. If you own horses and enjoy taking Fido along for visits, washing his paws is especially important. You want to prevent him from accidentally ingesting horse manure, which contain parasites that can wreak havoc in a dog’s system.