Here we are nearing the end of another year, which is hard to believe. In some ways equally hard to believe, we’re still actively involved in a journey we started 20 years ago: to explore—with a distinct literary voice—the special relationship between people and their dogs. So this issue officially marks our 20th year anniversary. Staying true to our core values of promoting animal rescue, we have a couple features about relocation efforts. The first one, Overground Pet Railroad, tracks one that uses a decked-out school bus to move dogs from southern California up “north” to shelters and to future homes, in Oregon. Then on the international rescue front we get a report from Twig Mowatt about how the organization Galgos del Sol, lead by by the remarkable Tina Solera, is saving Spanish Greyhounds by ferrying them to homes throughout Europe.
Just in time for making winter travel plans, we look at how you can now bring your dog to Hawaii, it takes advance planning, but it can be done and we’ll show you how. Our behaviorist, Karen London offers us 10 tips to improve the happiness quotient for your dog—’tis the season to share the joy. We look at how the amazing organization, Search Dog Foundation, rehabilitates shelter dogs and turns them into invaluable SAR canine partners. Also on the working dog front, we look at how hearing assistance dogs can unlock doors for their people. We look at hypothyroidism and how best to diagnosis and treat it. And we learn how acupuncture can bring relief to anxious dogs.
On the lit front: Mat Zucker tells us about how his city dog has made many cross-species pals out in the country; Jim Minick tells a story of how a very special dog found a unique place in the heart of a family; and Tim Henschel’s short story is about a young boy learning to welcome a new love into his life. We also cover small house living, what is at the heart of Danish hygge, and why in 2018 we will be celebrating the Year of (Earth) Dog.
So with 92 issues of The Bark under our treat belt, and we have you to thank for it. That’s it for now. Happy reading, and hope that we’ll be seeing you next year, and your pals as well.
FEATURES
The Overground Pet Railroad: Transporting shelter animals to safety. By Karin Brulliard
Fiction: Remembering Jackson: A boy slowly welcomes a new dog into his life. By Tim Henschel
Self-Portraits with Dogs: Masterful selfies with muses. By Cameron Woo
Saving Spanish Greyhounds: Rescue groups offer hope for used and abused “disposable dogs.” By Twig Mowatt
Find It: A dog takes his place deep in the heart of his new family. By Jim Minick
Interspecies Frenemies: A dog and her many cross-species pals. By Mat Zucker
Endpiece: Laika The power of the small. By Joe Elliott
IT’S A DOG’S LIFE
CARE: Needlework Acupuncture can help anxious dogs. By Rachel Barrack, DVM
TOOLS: Pet Tech Making life with dogs (and cats) easier to manage. By Hunter Bowen, DVM
ASSISTANCE DOGS: Two Peas in a Pod A hearing-assistance dog opens many doors for his person. By Carmen Lee
TRAINING: iSpeak Dog New website clues us in to what our dogs are trying to tell us. By Tracy Krulik
TRAVEL: Maui Bow-Wowie Plan ahead to skip Hawaii’s canine quarantine. By Elissa Van Poznak
HEALTH: Hypothyroidism Is your dog lazy, or is an underactive thyroid to blame? By Sara Greenslit, DVM, CVA
INSIGHTS: Learning Curve How a Husky taught me acceptance. By Crissi McDonald
BEHAVIOR: The Gift of Happiness 10 ways to add more joy to your dog’s day. By Karen B. London, PhD
ON THE JOB: Shelter Dogs Go Pro High-energy shelter dogs get a second chance in search and rescue. By Jen Blood
REVIEWS
Let Dogs Be Dogs; Craig & Fred; Chancer; Rescued
DOGPATCH
POV: Puppy Blues By Karen Louis DVM, MS
Happy Hygge Days: Get ready to canoodle.
Time to Share and Get Along
Year of the Brown Dog; Myths; Dogeared
Groundbreaking Humane Law, Huge Victory for Off-Leash Advocates.
Living Small: Tiny house, many dogs. By Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell
Our Guide to Holiday Gift-Giving
Smiling Dogs: Readers’ Favorite and Always Irresistible
Poetry
Elizabeth Swan
Michele Britton Birkenshaw
Phyllis Sanchez Gussler