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Lakewood’s Spooky Pooch Parade Going Virtual in 2020

By Submitted to Northeast Ohio Thrive
September 19, 2020
It’s been said that when times get ruff, dogs serve as the ultimate source of comfort. So here's a safe celebration of costumed canines paw-sible for all. To ensure health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, LakewoodAlive announces that the 13th Annual Spooky Pooch Parade will be held virtually. Twelve lucky winners will have their dogs highlighted in LakewoodAlive’s 2021 calendar and one grand prize “Best In Show” winner will be determined by public voting. ...
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Local Shelters Make Adjustments for Adoptions, Donations

By Compiled by NEO Thrive Staff from Outside Sources
August 6, 2020
Do you know who loves all of our time at home? Dogs who need forever homes. The pandemic has led to an uptick in pet adoptions throughout the country. People have discovered that having a pet makes at-home time a lot more fun. Local shelters have had to be creative during the pandemic because many volunteer programs have been on hold while the need for help and money hasn't changed. ...
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Boomer Bash West Returns to LaCentre

By Northeast Ohio Thrive (formerly Boomer) Staff
February 19, 2020
The Bash is Back, and this time we're over on the West Side for another afternoon and evening of entertainment, food and information, all geared to people 50+. And if you're an animal lover, you'll like our "pet" charity: The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs. ...
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Dog Agility, Tall Ships, Parkinson’s Walk

By Marie Elium
May 14, 2019

 

 

If you want a case of dog envy, check out the All-Around Dog Agility Championships, July 4-7 at Cleveland Metroparks Polo Field in Chagrin Falls.

The free event brings in more than 200 dogs and their handlers who will cajole, encourage and coax their canine charges to jump, climb, run, see-saw and weave their way through agility challenges.

No, your dog probably can’t do what they do. And, yes, it’s perfectly fine if yours takes power naps and begs for treats. Stop by anyway. Well-behaved dogs are welcome to watch as long as they’re on a leash. See how yours stacks up. You can test their agility aptitude on Saturday and Sunday in the Agility 101 ring for a $5 donation. Proceeds benefit Geauga County Humane Society’s Rescue Village.

To learn more about what your dog probably can’t do, but could if either of you really tried, go to usdaa.com

 

Tall Order

Ship Shape

You can enjoy the thrill of tall ships this summer without swabbing a deck or hoisting a sail.

The Tall Ships Challenge returns to Cleveland’s waterfront on July 11 for a four-day festival of live entertainment, historical exhibits, food and tours of the traditionally rigged sailing ships.

The event starts with a dramatic Parade of Sail at 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 11 with 10 ships from Canada, the United States and New Zealand. The Captain’s Reception and Opening Ceremony are at 7 p.m.

Gates open at 9:30 a.m. July 12, 13 and 14 with festival activities, exhibits and public ships boarding from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. Ninety-minute excursions aboard the Appledore IV, Appledore V and Inland Seas ships are available for an extra charge over regular admission.

You’ll find the Tall Ships Challenge just north of FirstEnergy Stadium. Buy discounted presale tickets at tallshipscle.com.

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Play with Your Pet

By Dr. Anna M. van Heeckeren
May 18, 2017

Pets

Paws for Play

Have Fun with Your Dog This Summer

 

By Dr. Anna van Heeckeren

Are you and your dog connecting through play? It might be of benefit for you and your dog, for body and mind.

Each dog has a unique personality, play preference and health status. Consider the health and interests of both you and your dog to help you find an activity that you’ll both enjoy.

Play Styles

Some play may take physical work. There may be running, jumping, squatting or even dancing involved. Some dogs are perfectly happy being a couch potato. Others need extra play in their lives to keep them happy at home. Activities include agility, herding sheep (check out Lake Farmpark in Kirtland), freestyle musical dance and dock jumping. Go to Wikipedia.com to find a much longer list of dog sports.

Before starting any kind of play, make sure you and your dog are fit. Ask your doctor if you’re healthy enough for the physical stress associated with the planned play. Make sure your dog is current on all recommended vaccinations, is on year-round parasite control and doesn’t have any physical ailments that could make play painful.

You may want to consider using a professional dog trainer. The veterinary team led by Dr. Elizabeth Feltes at The Behavior Clinic in Olmsted Falls strongly recommends finding a trainer who has certification through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (ccpdt.org). Be aware that many dog trainers do not have this certification because it’s not required by law. They will tell you they don’t need it or may try to discredit the certification.

To find a dog trainer, consider reading “How to Choose a Trainer,” available through the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB.org). One dog trainer in the Cleveland area is veterinarian Dr.

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Gimme Shelter – Before Choosing a Pet, Choose the Right Shelter

By Dr. Anna M. van Heeckeren
January 31, 2017

Many places call themselves a shelter. Get to know the facility before getting a pet from it. Here are are a few recommendations:

• Visit the shelter during normal visiting hours.

• Staff and volunteers should present themselves professionally.

• The shelter should be clean, free of clutter and have minimal pet waste odors.

• Pets should be clean, free of mats in their fur and be healthy.

• Pets should be spayed or neutered to reduce the number of unwanted puppies or kittens.

• Dogs for adoption should be leash trained and be able to obey simple commands.

• Cats for adoption should want to be near people.

Adopting a shelter pet can be a wonderful experience. Finding a good shelter will have positive repercussions for both you and your new pet.

Dr. Anna M. van Heeckeren, MS, DVM, is founder, president

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Doggone Great Gifts – Practical Presents for Pets and Their People

By Dr. Anna M. van Heeckeren
January 12, 2017

For many, this is the season of gift-giving. Most older adults have all the things they need. It’s a challenge finding just the right present.

If you have a loved one in this category and they have a dog or cat living with them, there are plenty of items or services you can provide to help make the holiday a bit brighter for pets and their owners.

Want to keep up appearances?

Offer to pay for pet grooming services.

Feeling generous?

Make a donation to their favorite pet-related charity in their honor.

More time than cash?

Give a coupon book filled with chores you can do to help them care for their pet over the year.

No time?

Pay for pet cleaning services so they don’t have to pick up pet waste from the yard. Or ask their favorite veterinarian if you can pay for their veterinary care services.

Feeling strong?

Buy heavy supplies such as pet food or cat litter and deliver it to older friends or family members to save them a trip to the store.

Like the outdoors?

Schedule a walk with them and their dog once a month or once a week.

 

 

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A Guide to Charity Walks with Dogs – Paws for a Cause – So you hear that there is a charity walk and you can bring

By Dr. Anna M. van Heeckeren
January 10, 2017

Does the registration process require that your pet be vaccinated? If yes, you can trust the organizers know that some diseases might be spread if your dog or other dogs are not vaccinated. This is a great safety consideration. If not, do not enter this charity dog walk. You never know if other dogs are vaccinated. You might risk your dog’s health.

Is your pet current on all vaccinations and parasite control? If yes, then your dog is probably prepared to be around other dogs. If not, make sure you make an appointment with your veterinarian well in advance.

Is your dog comfortable around strange people and strange dogs? If yes, then you reduce the risk that your dog may become scared and bite another dog or a person out of fear. If not, this might not be the right opportunity for an outing.

Can your dog walk for as long as you plan to walk? If yes, then you’re doing a great job keeping your dog exercised well. If not, consider working up to that distance so your dog can enjoy the experience.

Will your dog be walking on pavement? Pavement can be very hot for dog paws, and they might get burned. If the day is sunny, and your dog is walking on pavement, feel the ground with your own hands and make sure it feels comfortable to you. If it’s too hot for your hands, it’s  probably too hot for your dog’s paws.

What do you need to bring? Bring a water bowl and some water for you and your dog. Walking is great exercise, and both of you need to be well hydrated. Snacks are optional. Have a well-fitted collar and strong leash. Retractable leashes are not advis- able because they can cause injury o your hand.

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