Miriam has been involved with dog rescue for as long as she can remember. She has fostered nearly 200 dogs, including dogs with complex needs. When Lil Rascals Dog Rescue needed a foster for two blind puppies named Aston and Martin, Miriam stepped up to foster them.
Once they were in her care, she discovered that both puppies were also deaf. Determined to set them up for success, Miriam researched and learned everything she could find to teach her how to support them. When Martin was adopted, her bond with Aston deepened. She knew Aston was already home, and ultimately, she officially adopted him.
She started using touch cues and positive reinforcement to communicate with Aston. Miriam taught him to ring a small bell by the door when he needed to go outside. Although he was a great student, Aston would still get frustrated when Miriam couldn’t figure out what he was asking for. After seeing videos of pets using buttons on social media, Miriam knew Aston was the perfect candidate, and she decided to give him the opportunity to use them.
Aston got his first set of buttons on his first birthday. Miriam started out with a practice button to get him acquainted with the device. Then, she placed buttons strategically around his environment, like by the front door and near his water bowl. Because Aston can’t hear the buttons speak the words, Miriam modified them by putting textures on them to allow him to differentiate between buttons and learn what each one represents. For example, she attached a piece of his food mat on the “food” button, a piece of metal that resembles his water bowl on the “water” button, jute twine on his “chew” button, and artificial grass on the “outside” button.
Courtesy Miriam Scheinblum @atouchofaston
Aston’s Top 5 Favorite Things
His dog brother Dax! One of the first things he does each morning is press his “Dax” button to invite him outside.
Play Fetch! The game goes like this: Mom throws a toy; Dax chases and catches the toy while Aston runs a lap around the yard. Aston and Dax then meet up to bring the toy back to mom.
Yak cheese chew! This is why there is a “chew” button!
Sniffy Walks! Aston will press his “walk” button, then press his nose to the dresser where we store his harness. He sets the pace of their walk, so he doesn’t miss a single smell.
Miriam, a.k.a Mom –Aston’s favorite person is his mom. He follows her everywhere and gets very excited every time he greets her, even if she’s only been away a few minutes.
As for advice to anyone considering adopting a dog like Aston, Miriam says, “Don’t underestimate them—you’ll be surprised how much they are capable of.”
For tips, training guides, product recommendations, dog rescue and fostering information, visit atouchofaston.com. You can follow Miriam and Aston on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook at @ATouchOfAston.
It’s that time of year again, when grandchildren visit, families decorate with sparkling lights and dangling ornaments, and the home fills with wonderful aromas of baking and cooking special treats we gather to enjoy. But imagine the scene from the point of view of your pet. New objects appear in their comfortable space. Their humans’ routine (and thus their own routine) is often severely disrupted, as we leave for hours to shop, strange people enter our homes, and amazing new aromas fill the air. Our pets may find this simultaneously distressing and terribly tempting! This article hopes to remind you of some holiday-related risks to our pets, and ways to include them in our festivities. Threats and challenges to dogs and cats (as well as pet birds, rabbits, and other animals) can be grouped into three basic categories:
Things to eat, or non-food items that might be eaten
Physical hazards
Emotional distress factors
Things to Eat Since the first is the most obvious, and most common, I’ll start there.
Unfamiliar food items are an all-too-common problem for pets. Dogs, in particular, are skilled at sniffing out forbidden foods, but they don’t always know what to avoid or when to quit! Cats seem to be irresistibly drawn to chew on certain dangerous objects as well.
Poultry or pork bones can create a choking hazard or risk for intestinal perforation or blockage. Also, they may be wrapped in packaging that smells just like the meat itself, to a dog. Keep the ham and turkey not just out of reach but securely covered or otherwise secured! The microwave is a good place to store a turkey while it thaws.
Chocolate is a well-known toxin for dogs, and a common wrapped present—you might not even realize it’s under your tree! But a dog, relying on scent, is harder to fool. Unfortunately, most dogs don’t know when to quit! Aside from the widely publicized harm to the kidneys from the theobromine compounds in chocolate, it’s also an extremely rich, high-fat meal. Veterinarians see far more cases of digestive upset from chocolate than actual poisoning.
Be wary of “diet” candy and other artificially sweetened foods. Many contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is deadly poison for a dog.
Gastrointestinal distress is very common around the holidays. While most of the turkey and trimmings we enjoy are okay in small amounts for MOST pets, moderation is key. A small portion of holiday dinner, perhaps without gravy and pie, can safely be offered IF your pet has a reliable digestive system and is not allergic. Just remember: if it’s not good for you, don’t feed it to your pet, no matter the occasion. And if they can’t handle new foods as a general rule, don’t feed it at the holidays either.
Non-Food Items
Non-food items (which pets ingest with remarkable frequency) are often equally hazardous, but for different reasons. Christmas trees represent all sorts of non-food items that can potentially endanger your pet if ingested. For example—
Flocking is a toxic chemical.
Trees are sometimes treated with preservatives that can be poisonous.
Cats and birds will be tempted to climb a tree placed in their space (I mean, who wouldn’t?). With the animal on its branches, the tree can become unbalanced and topple over!
Water in a tree support stand can develop scum or mold. Dogs, who seem to love drinking from stagnant puddles, could possibly get sick.
The needles that fall off a live tree can pose a hazard, getting into eyes and ears and irritating the mouth or pharynx (back of the throat).
Cats, and especially birds, are attracted to shiny objects like glass balls and tinsel.
Many puppies, dogs, cats, and other animals love to chew on electric cords. Don’t let your pet get a nasty shock!
Tinsel and ribbon are highly attractive to cats. But once Fluffy starts chewing on it and a piece goes down the throat, she can’t simply stop swallowing—chances are, the whole length is going in! These items can create what’s called a linear foreign body. That is, the intestine bunches up along the stringy bit, like a drawstring. Unfortunately, that becomes a surgical emergency if recognized in time. Unrecognized, it can easily be fatal.
What Can You Do?
Consider an artificial tree instead. Plastic or even silk trees aren’t entirely safe—some dogs and cats will chew off pieces and swallow them. But they are considerably less appealing to most pets than a live tree.
If you must have a large tree, secure it to the wall (also good in case of an earthquake!).
Use aluminum foil around the base. Most pets HATE the way foil crackles underfoot! If you’re tech savvy, a motion-
triggered alarm can also be effective.
Likewise, wrap any electric cords with foil or coat it with a bad-tasting substance such as laundry detergent or products marketed for this purpose.
Avoid adding tinsel to your tree.
If you have ornaments made of paste or dough, hang these high enough that the pets can’t reach them. To a dog, it might smell like food. And if you are stringing popcorn or cranberries, keep those out of reach as well. Those strings, like ribbon or tinsel, can cause a deadly intestinal blockage!
Emotional Distress Factors Stress is an often-overlooked problem for pets during the holidays. We humans tend to become “stressed out” making plans and may wind up inadvertently neglecting the emotional needs of our pets. We do this with disruptions in their feeding or exercise schedules, increased time away from home (sometimes at odd hours), or even traveling and leaving pets in the care of others. Even dogs who accompany their owners everywhere may struggle with holiday upheavals. Our companions also pick up on our own emotions. When we’re feeling pressure or anxiety, they are fully aware. But they don’t understand the cause of our stress, which only amplifies their own. Knowing this, we are tempted to offer extra treats, typically unfamiliar food items, which may disturb a stomach already upset by this anxiety. Veterinarians see the resulting effects in the form of acute colitis (diarrhea that can result in accidents and may contain blood) and also gastroenteritis and pancreatitis, both of which can be severe and even life-threatening.
Help Your Pet Relax Obviously, we don’t set out to make ourselves anxious or stressed, or even depressed. So what can you do to help your pet? First: Plan some down time. Schedule time to meditate, deep-breathe, or otherwise calm yourself and spend some time playing or cuddling with your pet—whatever THEY enjoy or seek out. Make it “normal time,” to help reassure both of you that life is still good. Second: Include your pet in safe ways. Give a new toy or other distracting item before engaging in activities like wrapping packages or trimming the tree, or even sitting down to a big group dinner. Another strategy is to engage them in vigorous play early in the day, so they are not only satisfied that you still love them but are also a little tired already. (This can be a really good task for a visiting grandchild of the right age!) Do provide treats, just make sure they are safe and preferably familiar. Third: If anxiety is a known issue for your pet, check with your vet about a medication or supplement that might help them feel calm—either for a single evening or for the whole season, depending on their specific needs. Finally: Never surprise someone with a pet as a holiday gift. If you have made sure the intended recipient wants a pet, consider wrapping a photo of it for the gift exchange, then arrange to collect the actual animal a day or two after the big day.
At night, Christina wondered, “If dogs can understand words we say to them, shouldn’t they be able to say words to us? Can dogs use AAC to communicate with humans?” She was determined to find out. Stella’s training started with a few basic words like “play,” “outside,” and “water,” and she eventually grew her vocabulary, honing her language skills to an unexpected level. For help starting a button journey for you and your dog, visit the Hunger for Words website at hungerforwords.com. There you’ll find tons of resources—the inspiration for button communication, an explanation of AAC, discussions about teaching puppies and older dogs, and much more. Here’s a sneak peek:
Courtesy hungerforwords.com
Three strategies for training your dog to use the buttons include:
1: Aided Language Input: Puppy See, Puppy Do: A key strategy for teaching communication is aided language input. Aided language input is simply modeling a word by pressing your pet’s button as you say that word. You teach your pet to say words by pairing the words you say with the use of your pet’s buttons.
2: Focused Language Stimulation: Repetition, Repetition, Repetition: When teaching a pet to communicate, it can be helpful to choose one word to teach during a specific interaction. This is the foundation of focused language stimulation, targeting one word during an interaction by providing frequent models of the word in a short amount of time.
3: Increased Wait Time: Hurry up and Wait! This strategy is deceptively simple but can be a real challenge to practice. Increasing wait time means allowing a longer time for your pet to respond during interactions.
If you’re a dog owner, you’ve likely said to yourself (more than once), “I wish my dog could just tell me what she wants!” Well, if you’re serious and don’t mind committing some time and effort, your wish could actually come true. All thanks to the pioneering work of Christina Hunger and her adorable chocolate-colored dog Stella—the world’s first “talking” dog.
Known as the founder of the Talking Dog Movement, Christina Hunger is a speech-language pathologist who taught her dog Stella—who she adopted in early 2018—to “talk” using buttons. These buttons are augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)/augmentative interspecies communication (AIC) devices, often used by children with language delays to communicate nonverbally. Inspired by her passion for using technology and other adaptive equipment to help people communicate when speaking is difficult, as well as her desire for Stella to be understood, Christina set out to see what would happen if she provided Stella with a way to say the words she was hearing and understanding. A few shared videos to her blog, demonstrating her training process and Stella’s progress, went viral and made international headlines. In 2019, a media frenzy ensued that catapulted Christina, Stella, and the concept of teaching dogs to “talk” into homes around the world.
How It Started
As a college student, Christina was looking for a career that would combine her interest in healthcare with her passion for education. At the recommendation of a friend, she took an introductory class, part of the Communication Sciences and Disorders major curriculum, and fell in love with the field. She realized that practicing speech-language pathology would give her an opportunity to make an impact on people’s lives—empowering them with their own voice.
Through her work as a speech-language therapist, Christina became passionate advocate of communication boards that displays photos, symbols, or illustrations to help people with limited language skills express themselves. These AAC devices empowered her clients to have a voice and express how they were feeling, it helped reduce their frustration with communication barriers, and it empowered them to make decisions for themselves.
Courtesy hungerforwords.com
Puppy Love
In 2018, Christina brought home her puppy Stella, a Cataula and Blue Heeler Australian Cattle Dog mix. Like all pet parents, Christina’s race was on to navigate her care schedule, teach her the basics like where to potty, when to eat, what not to chew, and all the things welcoming a new puppy into your family brings. While Stella’s personality blossomed, Christina noticed that her learning patterns were a lot like those of her clients. She seemed to display the same language milestones as she was learning the language of her new home. This was the “aha” moment that prompted Christina to try a little experiment. She wanted to see if Stella could learn and express language using the same tools she used with her clients. The idea was to see if Stella could learn to associate specific words with a designated button, giving her the opportunity to “talk” to her parents.
Christina began streamlining her communication with Stella, much like she would with a toddler. Instead of speaking to her in sentences like, “Do you want to play?” She would instead, pick up a toy and say “Play?” to Stella. Stella learned quickly and, over time, Christina began to expand on what words she used. To “play,” she added the word “want,” and began asking Stella, “Want play?”
With Stella showing significant progress very quickly, Christina wondered if there were any AAC-type devices available for use with dogs. Surely someone out there thought dogs could communicate this way, right? Well, no. There was very little information available on the topic, much less devices specifically created for dogs. When she couldn’t find a device to suit Stella’s needs, Christina started looking for a way to create something on her own.
Courtesy hungerforwords.com
She started with a small set of recordable buttons like the ones she used with her clients. Only a week into Stella settling into her new home, Christina started off with the goal of learning one single button. She wanted a button for “outside” that would let her know when Stella needed to use the bathroom. Every time Christina or her now-husband Jake would walk by the button or offer Stella an opportunity to go outside, they would press the button and say “outside.”
After two painstaking weeks, Stella still would not acknowledge the button, and she certainly wasn’t lifting a paw to push it. Christina wondered if there was something else she could try to pique Stella’s interest. Finally, she noticed that when Stella went over to stand at the door, she was stealing a look at the button for “outside,” then peering up at Christina. It required faith and patience, but in her own time, she was getting it!
Finally, one night Stella stood by the “outside” button, looked at it and looked at Jake. Jake, as usual, looked down at the button and said “Outside?” He watched, stunned, as Stella picked up her paw and pushed the button all by herself. Quickly stirring himself into action, Jake took her outside, where she used the bathroom. He waited a few minutes, let her sniff around some more, and she used the bathroom again, then turned to go back inside. This was a real breakthrough!
And clearly, it was a breakthrough in Stella’s cognitive development, too, as her ability to learn new words and increase her vocabulary took off quickly. Very soon, Stella was adding words, using her buttons to express at least one new word concept a day without much prompting. And Stella left no doubt that she was truly learning—she used the buttons exactly as intended, to express her desire for something, pushing the correct button to ask for it. As Stella started using her buttons consistently, Christina added more words. The words she added were carefully chosen to help Stella communicate her wants and needs—walk, eat, beach, bye, play and come, for example. “As her vocabulary grew, so did her button board,” Christina says. Four words became eight, eight became twelve, and so on. As her vocabulary grew, so did her button board.
In less than two years, Stella has amassed a working vocabulary of more than 32 words. And, most impressive, she’s learned to combine her words (and her buttons) to convey more complex and specific concepts. Today, her vocabulary is about 50 words and Stella regularly presses several buttons in a row to communicate phrases like “bed want outside” before taking a nap in the sun or “love you come come” before flopping over for a belly rub. It’s an astonishing development, proving that dogs—and likely other pets—have the ability to master new tools to help them genuinely communicate with their owners.
Courtesy hungerforwords.com
The Talking Dog Movement Takes Off
Christina didn’t set out to become a media sensation—she simply wanted to communicate and understand Stella on a deeper level. When she began posting videos and information on her blog, she saw no hint of the avalanche of interest in what she was doing that would follow.
To bring accessible tools to pets and their parents, Christina created her company Hunger for Words and developed a set of buttons pet parents could buy and use in their homes. Each product has a guide written by Christina with step-by-step instructions and activities to try at home with your pet.
As the product reach has grown, she has seen dogs of all ages and abilities learn to use the buttons. She relates that what surprises parents of older dogs is that they typically learn how to use the buttons fast, much more quickly than expected. Christina offers that one reason for this may be that they’ve been listening to you for much longer than a new puppy, and so they’re already familiar with your spoken vocabulary.
Courtesy hungerforwords.com
How Stella Learned to Talk becomes a New York Times Best Seller
In 2021, when Christina published her first book, How Stella Learned to Talk, it quickly became a New York Times Best Seller. The book is a moving account of Christina’s career journey, an in-depth look at her work with Stella, and the personal and professional growth she experienced along the way. It also reveals the techniques Christina used to teach Stella, broken down into simple stages and actionable steps any dog owner can use to start communicating with their pets.
So what does this communication mean for our relationships with our pets? It’s a game changer! Pet parents want to give their pets not only what they need but also what they want (within reason). And it’s not hard to imagine they want the same for us, if only they knew what we wanted. The possibilities of a relationship based on communication are endless.
Christina says it best when she explains, “Language is often viewed as the last barrier we have between the human and animal worlds. But what happens when that barrier dissolves? We realize that we all think, we all feel, we all have options, we all communicate, and we all want to connect.”
This is Tinker’s story. Before being rescued by his loving family, Tinker was a homeless stray. Tinker’s family found him on a rainy desert night—cold, alone, and scared. That was 8 years ago, and his adoptive family has loved and cared for him ever since.
His owners say Tinker was always a happy, healthy dog. Then one day, his owner noticed that something about his eye looked different. He explains that Tinker’s eye “suddenly became cloudy,” so they booked an appointment with Animal Samaritans Pet Ophthalmologist, Dr. Pamela Ko.
Dr. Ko has been treating Tinker for several months. Dr. Ko determined he had developed glaucoma in his right eye and was suffering from a painful deep corneal ulceration. For the sake of Tinker’s well-being, the doctor strongly recommended enucleation of Tinker’s right eye.
PHOTO COURTESY ANIMALSAMARITANS.ORG
Tinker’s owners had done everything they could to treat his eye condition, but unfortunately, they exhausted their financial means and could not continue to help him. They feared they might have to consider euthanasia.
When Animal Samaritans realized they were struggling to provide for Tinker’s treatment, his owners were encouraged to apply for assistance through Animal Samaritans grant funds. These funds, supported by the Annenberg Foundation and donations through the Animal Samaritans Senior Fund provide qualified seniors with financial aid for their pets’ medical treatment.
PHOTO COURTESY ANIMALSAMARITANS.ORG
With the help of Animal Samaritans grant funds, Tinker’s family paid just over $400 for his treatment. Thanks to a generous Annenberg Foundation grant and donations through the Animal Samaritans Senior Fund, Animal Samaritans was able to cover the remaining $3,740 owed for Tinker’s surgery.
PHOTO COURTESY ANIMALSAMARITANS.ORG
If you or someone you know has a pet in need and are struggling to cover the cost of that pet’s treatment, email us at info@animalsamaritans.org to learn more about our programs. Or, for more information, visit animalsamaritans.org.
Understanding the moral lives of animals can be mysterious and challenging. There is still much we don’t know about how they perceive the actions of others, including ours. Do our dogs make moral judgements? Do they understand concepts such as altruism and selfishness? While we don’t yet have the answers, there are some intriguing studies that attempt to explore these concepts.
One example is a 2015 study at Kyoto University that aimed to look at how dogs perceive sharing. In the first experiment, dogs watched a scene in which a person was trying to open a can. When they weren’t able to, they asked another person for help. In some trials, the second person would help, while in others they would refuse. Sometimes a third person was present, who would be neutral and do nothing at all.
During the second experiment, the dogs watched two people turn up with three balls each. The first person would ask the other to give them all their balls. The second person would agree and hand them over. They would then ask them to be given back. In some instances, the first person would return the balls. In other instances, they would refuse. A bit like a conflicted game of fetch!
So, what did the researchers learn? At the end of each experiment, those involved in the trials offered the dog a treat at the same time. In every scenario, dogs were happy to take a treat from the helpful or neutral person, but were reluctant to receive a treat from those they saw acting “selfishly.” Which just goes to show, we should be on our best behavior around our dogs! In fact, the researchers suggested that dogs may make social judgments in very similar ways to human infants.
Dogs are masters of observation – they are constantly studying us and the world around them for clues and information. This skill allows them to live successfully alongside us and helps to keep them safe. So, don’t forget – your dog is always watching!
RESCUED AMY FEATURED ON CBS LA BEING GROOMED AFTER RESCUED
On February 23, 2015, after an anonymous tip, San Bernardino County Animal Control discovered an apocalyptic sight at a run-down property in DeVore, California. Nearly 200 dogs had been abandoned by backyard breeders, most crammed into cages and wooden crates with barely any room to move. They’d been left without food and water. They were forced to live in their own filth, as well as with the dying or dead bodies of their companions. Older purebreds were found weak and malnourished from over-breeding that resulted in producing too many babies – some of whom were blind.
PHOTO COURTESY AMYSPURPOSE.NET
All the dogs, including a timid gray and white terrier with one blue and one brown eye, were rounded up and taken to the Devore Animal Shelter. They were checked by a vet (many could not be saved because of their grave condition). A local pet groomer volunteered to clean up the survivors. The plight of these dogs made national news. And the little 10-pound terrier with one blue and one brown eye was featured getting groomed on television screens across Southern California during the evening newscast of a Los Angeles news station.
Lindi Biggi, president and founder of the animal rescue nonprofit Loving All Animals based in Coachella, California, was in line with other rescue groups responding to the DeVore emergency. Lindi and her friends were on hand bright and early to be a part of a lottery to obtain as many of the mill pups as possible. They were given seven rescued dogs, including the adorable terrier. Lindi and her team made plans to place the puppy mill dogs into local foster-to-adopt programs to rehabilitate, socialize, and train the feral pups to make good companions. After weeks of social training, I was blessed to adopt the terrier with two different-colored eyes. I named her Amy.
Painful Lesson
Amy was as cute as heck, with an outgoing personality that garnered her many awards and an impressive Facebook following.
Then, four years later – on December 22, 2019 –- tragedy struck. I opened the French doors to let precious Amy and our 75-pound American Bulldog Sugar go out into our backyard to sun themselves on the chaise-lounge, as they loved to do in the California high desert. Our property overlooks wide vistas of rugged desert terrain. We were aware there were predators – coyotes, bobcats, hawks, owls, and rattlesnakes – but we’d never encountered any in the few months we’d lived in our new home near Joshua Tree National Park in the Mojave Desert.
Amy and Lindi Biggi, PHOTO COURTESY AMYSPURPOSE.NET
Until we did. I let the dogs out one day, as usual. I turned back briefly to pour some tea, and in that instant, my Amy was gone. Killed by three large coyotes. We were utterly heartbroken. I was traumatized and shattered.
To honor our special fur-baby, my fiancé Jeffrey and I decided to start a foundation, Amy’s Purpose, to help educate and bring awareness to pet owners to better safeguard their dogs and cats, and even themselves.
About a year after Amy’s death, our American Bulldog Sugar injured her back leg and was in extreme pain. I contacted my local veterinary clinic, a five-minute drive from my house. The doctor/owner was on overload and could not take my dog. I ended up calling every vet and emergency clinic in the high and low desert to no avail. Sadly, the answer was always the same, “Sorry, we are too busy.” We ended up driving almost an hour to the nearest clinic willing to accept our emergency. When all was said and done, I initiated an online poll. I asked, simply, “What the heck is going on?”
Amy and DeAnn Lubell, PHOTO COURTESY AMYSPURPOSE.NET
Where are the Veterinarians?
I received dozens of responses, horror stories from pet owners who experienced the same challenge of having to drive miles outside of their communities to obtain medical treatment for their dogs and cats. Some of these stories did not have happy endings. Pets died along the route. The critical shortage of veterinarians, vet technicians, and vet assistants is activating a major crisis in animal emergency healthcare. Panicked pet owners seeking urgent medical aid for Fido and Fluffy are regularly being turned away as veterinary hospitals are critically short staffed to handle the demand.
I was determined to get to the bottom of this mystery. I contacted my veterinarian, Dr. Linda Colburn, owner of Companion Animal Clinic. Dr. Colburn was a wealth of information. She said that there are three major reasons contributing to the crisis. One, too few veterinary medical vet schools exist in the United States. Vet medical schools are as expensive and as academically challenging as human medical schools. For every veterinarian in this country, there are 18.5 positions available. Vets can choose to work wherever they wish to practice. Second, people were obtaining more pets than usual during the pandemic, which caused an overload of veterinarian healthcare needs on top of what was already an impossible scheduling feat. Third, there are simply not enough qualified and certified veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants.
My first call was to my friend Michael Phipps-Russell, executive director of Loving All Animals. He is a walking encyclopedia of information regarding animal welfare, rules, and regulations. We discussed the problem at length. It seems that animal rescue groups were facing the same roadblocks as pet owners. It was not that long ago when it was a breeze to get a veterinarian to see a newly received rescued animal. Now it can take days, if not weeks. It became clear that the best way to help was to offer, through Amy’s Purpose, veterinary assistant scholarships to individuals interested in animal sciences.
This is when the award-winning journalist, Bruce Fessier, along with the College of the Desert (COD) Personal and Career Education (PaCE) Veterinary Assistant Program located in Palm Desert, California, came into play (the only veterinary assistant program in the Coachella Valley). Fessier became actively involved with Amy’s Purpose and its missions after his little dog Gracie was hit and killed by a car. Bruce realized that if Gracie had required emergency care, trying to find an animal care facility in an emergency would have been a nightmare. He became especially interested in an Amy’s Purpose scholarship program to help educated individuals interested in becoming veterinary assistants.
Sydney Villavicencio, PHOTO COURTESY AMYSPURPOSE.NET
“We learned that the tuition to the seven month class costs $3,195, plus accessories, and the average pay for a veterinary assistant is $16 an hour,” said Fessier. “We felt we could encourage more students to enroll in a class to become certified as a veterinary assistant if we could provide scholarships for students who couldn’t afford that tuition. The course includes an externship at local veterinary clinics and hospitals, including the VCA Rancho Mirage Animal Hospital. It also prepares students to be placed in veterinary assistant jobs after they graduate with an American Veterinary Medical Association certificate. We prepared questionnaires for our scholarship applicants to fill out to ensure they will work in the Coachella Valley or Morongo Basin, and we placed a highest priority on students interested in continuing their education to become veterinary technicians or veterinarian doctors.”
For some nine months, Fessier and I worked around the clock to organize a fundraiser at the Palm Springs Art Museum – we called it “Pet Love and Rock & Roll.” Our goal was to raise a dozen or more scholarships at $3,200 each for the seven-month course, which includes remote and classroom learning, culminating with hands-on externships at local veterinary clinics and hospitals.
Through a partnership with the COD and PaCE, 18 scholarships have been underwritten so far (including 5 that were matched by the COD Foundation), with enough net proceeds to help Amy’s Purpose sustain its pet safety programs. Amy’s Purpose scholarship recipients will make a difference in filling needed positions in the desert communities. Six attended the 2022-23 fall/winter session; six are currently attending classes; and six more will start the program this fall of 2023 thanks to generous underwriters – a team of dedicated Amy’s Purpose executive board and advisor board members; and loyal supporters.
“Because of the Amy’s Purpose Veterinarian Assistant Scholarship,” said Sydney Villavicencio, “I got the opportunity to receive an education in animal sciences. I probably would not have been able to take the course without it, especially coming from a lower income family. Hopefully, I can continue in this career field without having a financial burden. I really appreciated this scholarship. It has enabled me to get a jumpstart into the very competitive career path of veterinary medicine. I am extremely grateful.”
To learn more about Amy’s Purpose, its missions, and upcoming events, please visit amyspurpose.net or call 760-831-3090.
Make sure your pet always has access to clean fresh water, which is even more important during summer months.
Stay active:
Have your pet exercise indoors in a climate-controlled environment.
Outdoors:
If you do take your pet outside for a walk or to play, make sure you have them wear booties on their feet. At the very least, always touch the ground with your bare hand. If you can’t keep your hand on the ground comfortably, then your pet’s feet should not be touching the ground, either.
Eating habits:
Most dogs eat less food during the warmer months. Don’t be alarmed, but make sure your pet is still receiving the necessary nutrients daily.
Grooming:
Brush your dog’s coat regularly to remove excess hair. During the heat, many dogs will shed their undercoats, and this will help keep them more comfortable.
Parasites:
Be sure to guard against fleas, ticks, and lice, all of which become more active in the warmer months.
Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or a lengthy vacay, traveling with your furry friend can be tricky. Hotels claiming to be “pet friendly” sometimes offer nothing more than admission—with no notable pet amenities. Even then, they may have breed restrictions, weight restrictions, or high fees that don’t accommodate you and your dog.
If you want to stay somewhere that “gets” pets, look no further! From Santa Barbara to San Diego, these eight Southern California hotels are committed to catering to your canine companion.
La Valencia Hotel
Vintage meets modern luxury at the La Valencia Hotel. This hotel overlooks the Pacific Ocean and is a remarkably beautiful getaway for you and your dog. Your best pal can pick their favorite dish from La Valencia Hotel’s restaurant dog menu and savor their meal from the outdoor patio. The nightly pet fee is $50 per pet with a maximum of two pets in each room. Plus, there’s a “Pampered Pooches Package” that comes with a plush dog bed and dog bowls, $25 daily credit on the dog menu, a tennis ball and waived nightly pet fee with two dogs included in the rate. La Valencia Hotel is located at 1132 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037. Learn more at lavalencia.com.
COURTESY FAIRMONT-MIRAMAR.COM
Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows
If you’re looking for a luxury experience and breathtaking beach views to enjoy with Fido, Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows is a must-visit. Located less than a mile from the Santa Monica Pier, pets are welcome in every guest room, suite and bungalow hideaway. The hotel provides your dog (or cat!) with a lavish bed, collapsible travel bowl, all-natural treats and waste bags during your stay. There’s a $100 pet fee, with 10 percent of the fee donated to Wags & Walks. Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows is located at 101 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401. Visit fairmont-miramar.com.
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San Ysidro Ranch
Ready for a magical stay with your canine companion? Practically designed right out of a fairytale, San Ysidro Ranch has had a historic guestlist in its 130 years, including Audrey Hepburn, Lucille Ball and John and Jackie Kennedy. The hotel offers a “Pampered Pet Program,” where your dog can sign in alongside you in the registration book and get their very own welcome in the form of a pet-friendly cookie treat! The program also provides plush pet bedding, personalized welcome amenity, water bowls and an in-room dining menu. Dogs of all sizes can stay at San Ysidro Ranch’s pet-friendly cottages with a one-time cleaning fee of $150 per stay. San Ysidro Ranch is located at 900 San Ysidro Ln, Montecito, CA 93108. For more information, visit sanysidroranch.com.
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Kimpton Hotel
A trip to La-La Land wouldn’t be complete with a stay in the Kimpton Hotel. This sleek and stunning boutique hotel is about as pet friendly as it gets. There’s no size or weight limit, no limit on the number of dogs you can bring, and no deposit or cleaning fees charged (!). Additionally, there are courtesy bags for walking your dog and dedicated floors for guests with pets. The Kimpton Hotel has also partnered with Wag! in case you’re seeking pet walking, boarding, or sitting services over the course of your stay. Kimpton Hotel Palomar Los Angeles Beverly Hills is located at 10740 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024. Learn more at hotelpalomar-beverlyhills.com.
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Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
Looking for a hotel with a convenient location with stunning views of downtown and Petco Park? Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp Quarter welcomes all pets with no pet fee, complementary treats and accommodations and access to their rooftop pad. That way, you and your pooch can bask in the sun or catch a nice evening breeze. Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp Quarter is located at 509 Ninth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101. Visit hotelinsd.com.
La Quinta Resort & Club
This peaceful Palm Spring oasis knows how to create a wag-worthy experience. The La Quinta Resort and Club has an exclusive PAWS La Quinta Canine Experience that includes seemingly endless dog-friendly, in-room and resort amenities. There are more than 45 acres of open grounds to trek and sniff, including hiking trails and doggie relief stations. Your BFF will be thrilled to have their own comfy dog bed, high-quality food and water bowls, and even a PupJoy box filled with a treat, toy and travel bowl. La Quinta’s dog fee is $150 per stay. The hotel is located at 49-499 Eisenhower Dr, La Quinta, CA 92253. To learn more, visit laquintaresort.com.
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Loews Coronado Bay Resort
Just five minutes away from the beach, you can overlook Coronado Bay with a downtown skyline view at Loews Coronado Bay Resort. This lovely, luxury resort is the perfect hideaway from the daily hustle and bustle for you and your pup. You can expect your canine companion to get treats, bowls and placemats upon check-in, as well as gourmet room service menus designed by the chefs themselves, luxurious bedding, and even dog-walking route maps. There’s a $150 per stay fee with a limit of two pets per room. Loews Coronado Bay Resort is located at 4000 Coronado Bay Rd, Coronado, CA 92118. For more information, visit loewshotels.com/coronado-bay-resort.
PHOTO: THE MERITAGE COLLECTION
Paséa Hotel & Spa
PHOTO: THE MERITAGE COLLECTION
Located less than two miles away from the doggie paradise that is the Huntington Dog Beach, you’ll find an equally marvelous destination known as Paséa Hotel & Spa. This hotel knows how to spoil dogs! Your four-legged friend will bark in delight for tasty gourmet treats, exclusive dog park access and dedicated doggie menus. There’s also an option to upgrade with the hotel’s VIP Paw-séa Room package, which includes dog-friendly accommodations, keepsake items and more. Paséa is located at 21080 CA-1, Huntington Beach, CA 92648. Visit paseahotel.com to learn more.
Who remembers the blistering summer we experienced last year? Some parts of Southern California reached well above 110 degrees. Heat that intense is dangerous. During heat waves like we experienced last year, we need to be intentional about taking care of ourselves and the ones we love. Of course, this includes our dogs.
Our Dog’s Unique Way of Regulating Heat
Dogs have a unique way of dealing with heat. While humans are able to cool down by producing sweat, our dogs have very few sweat glands, and most of these are located around their paw pads. So when things heat up, dogs can’t cool themselves down as efficiently as we can.
Instead, dogs rely on panting to regulate their body temperature. When a dog pants, they evaporate moisture from their tongues, nasal passages, and the lining of their lungs, and this process helps to cool them down as water vapor is carried away with their breath. Additionally, a dog’s coat can help regulate heat by insulating their skin from the sun and directing airflow to cool them down.
However, while these mechanisms can help dogs cope with heat to some extent, they are not enough. Dogs can still easily become overheated or suffer from heat stroke. So it’s important to be aware of the dangers and take precautions to keep your dog cool during the hot Southern California summers.
Risk of Dehydration
Dogs can quickly become dehydrated if they don’t have access to water, especially when they’re out and about on hot days. Always ensure you carry plenty of water for your dog during outdoor activities. Dehydration can lead to serious health issues, so keeping your dog hydrated is crucial.
Potential Paw Pad Damage
A dog’s paw pads, when directly exposed to hot pavement or asphalt, can be severely burned. If the ground is too uncomfortable for you to press your hand against for ten seconds, then it’s too hot for your dog.
Dangers of a Hot Car
Leaving a dog in a car, even for a few minutes, can be extremely dangerous. The temperature inside a car can rise quickly, even with the windows cracked. On a 75-degree day, the inside of a car can jump to 85 degrees in just five minutes and 122 degrees in an hour. This can lead to heat stroke and even death for your pet. Never leave your dog in a parked car.
Signs of Heat Stroke
Dogs can suffer from heat stroke if their internal temperature reaches 104 degrees. Signs of heat stroke in dogs include heavy panting, thick saliva, dark gums or tongue, dizziness, disorientation, collapse, and vomiting. If you suspect your dog is experiencing heat stroke, immediately take action to help them cool down. Place cool, damp cloths on their chest and paw pads, offer them cool water to drink, and seek veterinary attention.
How Do I Help My Dog Stay Cool?
Helping your dog stay cool during the hot Southern California summers is crucial for their health and well-being. There are several strategies you can employ to ensure your furry friend remains comfortable and safe in the heat.
Keep Them Inside
One of the easiest ways to keep your dog cool is to simply avoid the heat altogether. If possible, during particularly hot days, consider keeping your dog indoors in an air-conditioned environment.
Water-Based Outings
One of the most enjoyable ways to help your dog cool down is to take them to a dog-friendly beach or lake, especially in the evenings when the temperatures are lower. Soaking their skin and fur in cool water is an effective way to lower their body temperature.
Frozen Treats and Toys
Because dogs cool down through panting, frozen treats can be extremely helpful. You can fill a Kong or puzzle ball with canned dog food, broth, or a homemade mixture of dog-friendly ingredients, and then freeze it. You can also try soaking a rope toy or a soft, absorbent stuffed toy in water and then freezing it.
Cooling Mats and Vests and Surfaces
Cooling mats and vests for dogs can be very effective in helping to lower your dog’s body temperature. These products are typically filled with a gel that can be refrigerated for added cooling power. Alternatively, providing a cool area of tile or concrete for your dog to lay on will do wonders for helping them keep their internal temperature down.
Wrapping Up
The hot Southern California summers can be tough on our furry friends. But by understanding how dogs handle heat and the risks of extreme heat, we can ensure their safety and well-being. Remember, your dog’s comfort and health should always be a priority, no matter the weather. They rely on us to keep them safe, comfortable, and cool—especially when summer gets intense.
