Tiger Ranch Rescues Need Your Help!

At Camp Bow Wow, all of us are dog lovers, but most of us are animal lovers in general, too. Therefore, when we hear of any creature, great or small, in need of help, we certainly want to get the word out.

You may have heard of Tiger Ranch in the news lately. If you haven't, you can read about it here.

Hundreds of feline survivors from Tiger Ranch have been rescued and are now up for adoption. The catch is, however, that they will be leaving their home at the Clarion Shelter soon and sent to various other places most of which are kill shelters. There are only 16 days left to adopt these cats before they are left to an uncertain fate.

All of the Tiger Ranch rescues are up to date on shots and vetting, spayed and neutered, and microchipped. The adoption fee is only $60 per cat.

If you can find room in your heart and home this Christmas to adopt one of these lovely kitties, please visit this site for more information. If circumstances prevent you from being able to adopt a cat, please help by getting the word out to your friends and family on Facebook and other social networking sites and through e-mail.

An Early Christmas Miracle

In the spirit of the holiday season, we thought we'd share a story with you that happened just the other day at Camp.

It was a typical afternoon at Camp Bow Wow Pittsburgh South. The dogs were barking, the phone ringing, and the mops swishing. Rachel was at the front desk when a woman came in with a flyer for her lost dog. We occasionally get these types of visitors, asking for our help to get the word out about their lost pet, and we're happy to do whatever we can to reunite them with their companions. This time was a bit different, however, because the dog was blind. Rachel took the flyer but couldn't help but feel like the situation was bordering on hopeless. How would a dog with no sight be able to find his way home? As the day went on, the dogs continued barking, the mops continued swishing, and the phone continued ringing. It was one phone call, though, that brought an early Christmas miracle to our doorstep. Pam, one of our Camp Counselors, called us to say she had found a dog in her back yard. She had put water and food out for him, but she thought he might be blind. Could it be that this dog that somehow ended up in Pam's yard was the same lost blind dog that we had gotten a visit about just a few hours earlier? It seemed too good to be true, but it was! Pam was able to get in touch the dog's owners, and he was soon returned to his own back yard. It could have been a coincidence, or maybe it was fate, but we are all truly glad to know that this lost-and-found story had a happy ending.

Win Big with Swiffer!

Swiffer is running a great Halloween contest for Camp Bow Wow clients. You have until October 29th at 6:00 p.m. to e-mail your spookiest, funniest, Halloween-iest photos to swiffercampbowwow@mslworldwide.com for a chance to win a year's supply of Swiffer products! Three grand prize winners from Camp Bow Wow locations across the country will be chosen in the categories of "Best costume," "Best group costume," and "Best pair costume (owner and pup)." Not only will you receive a great prize package from Swiffer if your dog is chosen as a winner, but the winning photo will be featured on CBW's website. Nothing better than fame AND fortune, right?

If you'd like to enter, please read the not-so-fine print below and provide the following information:
1. Upload photo to one or all three categories via e-mail to swiffercampbowwow@mslworldwide.com (files must be under 3 MB)
2. Full name (first and last)
3. Age
4. State of Residency
5. List your camp location as Camp Bow Wow Pittsburgh South
6. Contact info (phone number or e-mail address)

*Winners will be chosen and notified on October 30th, 2009 and will have five days to claim their prize
**Information submitted for the contest will not be sold or used for marketing purposes

One last thing -- if you're thinking what I think you're thinking, which is "Didn't I hear that Swiffer products can cause harm to my pets?," please read this article on snopes.com which thoroughly debunks the rumor.

Saturday Afternoon Humor

For some odd reason, I have a subscription to Reader's Digest. This is taken from an article they had entitled "Zoological Nicknames." These are real pet names submitted by Veterinary Pet Insurance.

Dogs:
Rush Limbark
Peanut Wigglebutt Ed
Admiral Toot
Sophie Touch & Pee
Doogie Schnauzer MD
Angus Sir Loin
Inspector Foo Foo

Cats:
Edward Scissorpaws
Buddha Pest
Rosie Posie Prozac
Toot Uncommon
Eartha Kitty
Clawed Monet

And maybe now is a time to bring up my future pets' names -- Tomato & Tomato (pronounced Toe-MAY-toe and Toe-MAW-toe).

Getaway Cafe Fund-raiser

If you would like to attend our fund-raiser at the Getaway Cafe on Thursday, 10/29, please print out the flyer below (right click, choose "Save Image" and then open the image on your computer and print it out) and bring it with you!

Daisy

Daisy, an 11-year-old Beagle, is the Camper of the Month for September. Rescued from a shelter late in her life, Daisy was not the senior-citizen adoptee her mom, Nancy, was expecting. She may look cute and innocent on the outside, but, as they say, looks can be deceiving. In Daisy’s case, her frail appearance is certain to fool any onlooker. However, both in Camp and out, she is quite the little mischief-maker.

Daisy has been known to break down any barrier her mom sets up for her at home, and if the staff members at Camp aren’t quick enough, she sneaks right out of the play yards any time the gate is opened. Daisy may be a bit of a pistol, but we love her just the same, and we are happy to bestow upon her the honor of being Camper of the Month!

**URGENT MESSAGE -- One of Daisy's owners was recently diagnosed with cancer, and they had to make the difficult decision to return her to the shelter because they could no longer care for her. Daisy does not want to spend the remainder of her years behind bars. If you or anyone you know could provide Daisy with a loving home, please contact Animal Friends at 412-847-7000*

Calling All Bakers!

Does your home often smell of fresh-baked chocolate-chip cookies (and the scent doesn't come from an air freshener)? Do you subscribe to Martha Stewart Living magazine? Do you have an apron collection? If you answered yes to any of these questions, we need your help! For you serious bakers out there, we are holding a pie bake-off, and we need entries! The entry fee is just two dollars, and all proceeds are going to The Cesar and Ilusion Millan Foundation. Registration is due by October 20th (e-mail caity.tarbert@pair.com with your name and intent to enter the contest). Pies will be judged by esteemed CBW staff members as well as a special guest judge from The Pie Place in Bethel Park. Prizes will be awarded to the judges' favorite as well as the fan favorite. Pies will be judged on taste, presentation, and originality. For more details or to sign up, e-mail Caity at the address above.

We are also attempting to have a bake sale in conjunction with our garage sale at the Fall Festival on October 24th, so if you know the difference between folding and whipping, please bake something and donate it to our cause. Even if you can't tell a teaspoon and a tablespoon apart, there are these things called break-and-bake cookies...trust us -- no one will know the difference!

Bake sale guidelines are as follows:
-Bake whatever you'd like -- cupcakes, cookies, pies, bread, etc.
-Please bring your baked goods to Camp (971 Killarney Drive) on Friday, October 23rd or contact a staff member personally to arrange an alternative drop-off point
-Please package all baked goods in disposable containers. Your container will be sold with the baked goods, so don't put the devil's-food cake on your good wedding china.

So, pre-heat your oven, grease your cookie sheets, and get a-bakin'!

Puppy Patty Bingo

Have you ever heard of cow patty bingo? It's a popular fund-raiser where a cow is released into a field marked with a grid, and whichever square the cow drops a "patty" on first is the winner. We're putting a twist on the game to become puppy patty bingo at our Fall Festival on October 24th.

Squares are on sale now for $10 apiece, and we hope to sell 100 so that the winner will receive 50% of our revenues, or a maximum prize of $500. You can purchase a square by contacting any Camp employee, stopping in at Camp, or calling us at 412-885-2267.

Rules of the game are as follows:

• Each participant will be randomly assigned a numbered square in a 10x10 grid.
• Participants are permitted to buy as many squares as they wish.
• The Bingo game will take place at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 24th, either in a play yard at Camp or in an enclosed area in the parking lot.
• A puppy will be released into the enclosure for a time period of 15 minutes. If the puppy does not poop within the set time period, a winner will be chosen in a random drawing.
  
• The winner is considered to be the owner of the square in which the puppy first poops.
• If the puppy poops while walking, the winner is the owner of the first square in which the puppy poops.
• If the puppy poops on a line, the owners of all squares sharing the line will divide the winnings.
• If all 100 squares are not sold and the puppy poops on an empty square, a winner will be chosen in a random drawing.

All proceeds from this fund-raiser will benefit The Cesar & Ilusion Millan Foundation.

Fall Festival

Mark your calendars! On Saturday, October 24th, CBW Pittsburgh South is going to be a happenin' place (or at least, more happenin' than it always is). To raise money for our Spay and Neuter campaign, we are putting on a Fall Festival with the following activities:

-Garage/Bake sale from 8 a.m. to noon (donations of clean, saleable items and baked goods are needed. Contact caity.tarbert@pair.com for details)
-Puppy Patty Bingo (Buy a square on the grid for a one-in-one hundred chance to win $500!)
-Face-painting for the kids
-Halloween costume contest for the dogs
-Pie Bake-off with a guest judge from The Pie Place
-Raffles
...and more!

We'll elaborate upon some of these ideas in later posts, but for now, turn the page on your calendar to October 24th, save the date, and start looking around your house for things to donate to our garage sale!

Books for Sale

An avid reader was generous enough to donate much of her collection to Camp Bow Wow for our garage sale on October 24th. Since she donated so many books, we thought we'd post a few each day on this site and do a presale of sorts. Please leave a comment if you are interested in purchasing a particular book. All proceeds will go to our Bow Wow Buddies/Cesar & Ilusion Millan Foundation campaign. Prices are listed next to each title.

1. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan: paperback, 50 cents
2. I is for Innocent by Sue Grafton: hardback, $1
3. Skipping Christmas by John Grisham: hardback, $1
4. Empire Falls by Richard Russo: paperback, $1
5. She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb: paperback, $1

Buy the whole list for $3.50

We Want Your Stuff!

You may know that we were attempting to plan a pet supply garage sale for sometime in September. Well, we did receive a few very generous donations, but we don't feel like we have enough to do a solely pet-related sale, SO we are now accepting donations of anything that is clean and in good enough condition to sell. Household items, books, clothing -- whatever you would like to re-home. We are planning the sale for October 25th, so please contact caity.tarbert@pair.com by October 20th with any donations. We can pick them up or they can be dropped off at Camp.

Our New Foster Dog

Meet Roscoe, a 4-year-old Golden Retriever. Roscoe's former family said he was "too pushy," but we're not quite sure what they meant by that. All we see is a gorgeous young boy who seems to love both people and other dogs. Roscoe does not have papers, but he appears to be a purebred Golden. He knows how to sit and give his paw.


We will let you know more about Roscoe as we get to know him better. If you'd like to meet him or if you have any questions, please call us at Camp at 412-885-2267.

Fund-raising Ideas

If you'd like to participate in our campaign to raise funds for Bow Wow Buddies/The Cesar & Ilusion Millan Foundation, but you need a few ideas to get you started, look no further. Here are our suggestions for ways to raise money:

-Casual Fridays -- Ask employees to contribute $5 for every Friday remaining in September and October and they will be permitted to wear jeans or dress casually to work on those days.

-Donut/Bagel sale -- Buy bagels and donuts in the morning and sell them for a slightly higher price than you purchased them for. Donate your proceeds.

-Used book/DVD sale - Set up somewhere in your classroom or office and ask people to bring in their gently used books and DVDs. Mark them at reasonable prices and watch the money flow in!

-Pot luck luncheon - Ask coworkers to bring in an item to contribute to a pot luck luncheon. Charge everyone who attends $5 to enjoy the homemade food.

-Chinese auction -- Everyone loves raffles! Ask a few people to donate a basket of goodies valued at 10 to 15 dollars, then sell raffle tickets and pick a winner (or two or three).

-Donation jar - This one is easy! Simply put a jar on your desk and ask people to donate their spare change. You'd be surprised how much you might end up with!

Find lots more creative ideas here. Remember, the sky is the limit, and it all goes to a great cause!

Spay and Neuter is Nothing to Whisper About!

Camp Bow Wow is teaming up with the The Dog Whisperer to raise awareness about the importance of spaying and neutering your pets. From the end of September until October 31st, CBW Pittsburgh South will be working to raise money for Bow Wow Buddies & The Cesar & Ilusion Millan Foundation, and we're asking for your help! We need you to go out into your schools, workplaces, and communities to help us fund-raise. As a thank-you for contributing to our campaign, CBW Pittsburgh South is offering the following incentives:

Level One -- Raise or donate $50 to $100: Receive a free bath for your dog

Level Two -- Raise or donate $101 to $250: Receive a free day of day care

Level Three -- Raise or donate $251 or more: Receive a free night of boarding

The top fund-raiser or donor* for Pittsburgh South will receive their choice of UNLIMITED FREE day care for a month OR five FREE nights of boarding!

There are no limits to how you can raise money, but check back soon for a blog of suggested ideas. Please note that all contributions are due by October 29th to allow us proper calculation time.

Happy fund-raising!

*Top fund-raiser must contribute more than $250 to be eligible for this prize.

Shopping for Your Best Friend

Erin and I manned a booth today at the craft show to benefit the Distinguished Doberman Rescue. Usually we don't sell things at our event booths, but because the whole point of this particular event was to do exactly that, we decided to bring some products along for the haul. We got a lot of looky-loos, many of which had multiple-dog households, but a substantially smaller amount of purchases were rung up through our handy-dandy calculator. I personally think Camp Bow Wow has a unique selection of items for sale, and they are all reasonably priced compared to other pet suppliers in the area, so I'm wondering why we didn't sell more today. Are people spending less on toys and treats for their dogs because of the economy? Are there certain products and brands you prefer because you know your dog enjoys them? What things would you like to see CBW carry for retail? Your feedback is always welcome and appreciated, so please let us know what you like and dislike about our product selection at Camp!

Guard "Lion"

One of our favorite customers forwarded this to us, and we thought other people might find it entertaining...

This is a true story of a garage owner in the Southwest.

He was sick & tired of thugs breaking into his garage shop to steal tools, etc., so he came up with this idea. He put the word out that he had a new "Mexican lion" at the shop that would attack anyone who tried to break in or climb his fence. The would-be thieves saw the “lion” from a distance and fled the scene.

Ingenious guy!

CBW's Technology Revolution

You may have noticed a glazed-over look in the eyes of the front-desk staff at Camp Bow Wow Pittsburgh South lately. No, our coffee maker isn't on the fritz. The cause of said zombie-like symptoms is actually a recent changeover in our computer software. In order to serve you better, we are in the process of learning and implementing a new program to take reservations, manage client accounts, and basically perform every day-to-day computer function that is necessary for Camp to run smoothly. We are working hard to quickly transition to the new system, but we would greatly appreciate your patience as we "old dogs" attempt to learn a few new tricks. Furthermore, though we don't anticipate any glitches in our new software, please let us know if you notice any discrepancies on your account. Your watchful eye will help us fix mistakes promptly and avoid problems in the future, so don't be afraid to speak up if something seems fishy!

As always, your patronage is extremely valuable to us, so please bear with us as we attempt to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of your service by implementing this change in technology.

Looking to Adopt?

Look no further!

Check out these beautiful Great Pyrenees dogs who are in need of loving homes.



Hi, my name is Sara, I am a 3-year-old female Great Pyrenees. I am spayed and up to date on all of my shots - but more than that, I am ready to go to my loving forever home.

Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I have had some obedience - so I'm looking forward to showing you how nice I walk on a leash. I know my basic commands, and I'm always pleased to give you my paw. I'm an easygoing, happy girl. I enjoy long walks, or long cuddles. I have a silly side that I'd like to share with you - but I can also be the super new best friend that you've been looking for. In short, I'm a wonderful dog, and I hope that you will think that I can be that great new member of the family that you've always wanted to have.
I eagerly look forward to meeting you and showing you what a great companion I can be.


Sara will need a fenced in yard for safe play and exercise.
Please contact
Lynn Pilarski at (412) 431-6732




Next, meet Dante. Dante is a young Great Pyrenees boy - possibly mixed with Maremma.
As a young dog - typically he loves going for walks - car rides, or just being your new best friend hanging out together. Please come and visit with Dante so that he can show you all the love that he has to give.

Great Pyrenees are known for being courageous, loyal, obedient, and gentle and affectionate to those they love. Dante will make a great dog for that special family.

I am looking for a rural, open area to live. I will do best in a home with no children. Dante truly is a wonderful boy - he would benefit from a owner who has large breed experience. Dante will also need a fenced yard for safe play and exercise.
Please call, or come by and visit with Dante today.

For further information, please contact Warren County Humane Society Warren, PA 814-726-1961 e-mail wchspets@choiceonemail.com

Getting to Know You...

If you've been in to Camp recently, you may have noticed the addition of a new bulletin board in the lobby. We thought that our clients might like to know a little bit more about the Counselors that take care of their dogs every day, so we posted a new board with pictures and fun facts. The new bulletin board will also soon show each Counselor's paw print stickers earned for volunteer hours. At Camp Bow Wow, we strongly support community service, and when a Counselor completes 20 hours, he or she earns a paw print.

Make sure to check out the new board the next time you stop in for a visit!

Home Buddies by Camp Bow Wow is Open for Business!

Have you heard about Home Buddies by Camp Bow Wow yet? If not, check out our website and read on!

Home Buddies is owned and operated by Doreen Valentine-Martin, the owner of CBW Pittsburgh South and other Camp Bow Wow locations in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Scottsdale, Arizona. If you have visited Camp, you probably know that the social environment in our play yards is not for every dog out there. If your dog is unaltered, elderly, or even shy, the services Home Buddies now offers may be better suited to your needs. Whether you work long hours or you're going out of town, the Home Buddies staff can accommodate your schedule and plan home visits to walk your dog, feed him, let him go out to the bathroom, and even poop-scoop your yard!

Better yet, Home Buddies is not exclusively dog-related pet care. We can do in-home visits for cats, birds, reptiles, fish, or any other domesticated animal you may have. The possibilities are endless!

The Home Buddies staff is currently made up of trusted Camp Bow Wow employees, and every caregiver entering your home is bonded and insured. Services are available 365 days a year, and pricing is very reasonable.

If you would like more information about Home Buddies or would like to set up a meeting with one of our staff members, please call 888-444-PETS today!

Bagger's Story: Hope in the Midst of War

It's difficult to imagine the number of lives affected by the War in Iraq. Countless individuals have lost their homes, their belongings, and even their lives in the fight for freedom. In a devastating subject such as war, stories of redemption and hope are often overlooked. That's why we would like to share with you the story of Bagger, a sweet dog who was rescued from war-torn Iraq.

When Bagger was just a puppy, American soldiers witnessed children stuff him into a bag and kick him down the street. The injuries he received that day were not permanent, but the name "Bagger" stuck with him. The soldiers brought him back to the Joint Security Station (JSS) and adopted them as their own. In time, he became the official JSS guard dog.

Unfortunately, Bagger's hardships were not over. Several months later, he was attacked by wild dogs and was injured within an inch of his life. Thankfully, he was able to be ground medivac'd to a nearby Army post with veterinarian services. Although he sustained multiple gouges and severe bite wounds, Bagger fought back to health and was returned to the soldiers at the JSS.

When the PAANG 56th Brigade became the interim caretaker of the JSS between incoming and outgoing units, SSG Dan Irvin befriended Bagger and began contemplating his future. He soon discovered that the incoming unit was not dog-friendly and was planning on executing Bagger. Determined to save a dog that had won his heart, SSG Irvin contacted his wife, Renee, in an attempt to locate a viable rescue option. Renee's search led her to an organization by the name of Operation Baghdad Pups, an SPCA International program that facilitates the rescue of befriended Iraqi dogs and cats. Although many hurdles stood in the way of a successful rescue, SSG Irvin began the process of saving this one special dog. With the help of many PAANG soldiers, Bagger left the Joint Security Station with the 56th Brigade and remained with them until the rescue mission was planned.

Upon his arrival in the United States on May 2nd, Bagger became a permanent member of the Irvin family. He is in awe of his freedom and enjoys the companionship of the Irvins' other dog, Kinsey, a Border collie mix. Kinsey attends Camp Bow Wow in the North Hills, and, hopefully, after a little more time and training, Bagger will join her in the play yards.

Through the goodwill of American soldiers, assistance from Operation Baghdad Pups, and a little luck on his side, Bagger was fortunate enough to be saved from a life of abuse and adversity. His story has a happy ending, but there are still many animals in need of rescue. For more informatioon how you can help, please visit www.baghdadpups.com.

Camper of the Month

Quozzy is the Camper of the Month for July. He is a 3-year-old bichon-poo who has been camping with us since November of 2008. Quozzy can be timid at first, but he is an energetic young fellow who has made quite a few canine friends during his day care and boarding visits.

When he's at Camp, Quozzy loves to spend time outside in the sun, and he especially likes playing on the bridge. Recently, Quozzy became a big brother. His mom and dad had their first child, Rozalin, on July 16th. We're sure Quozzy will be as friendly to his new sister as he is to all of the other campers. Congratulations, Quozzy!

Activities Galore!

Looking for something to do this week? There are plenty of dog-friendly or dog-related events happening, and Camp Bow Wow will be at all of them! Stop by to see us at...

Sample of Station Square

Brookline Breeze & Breeze the Boulevard

Love Your Pet Day at SouthSide Works

A Short Survey

Please take a moment to complete our communication survey on polldaddy.com. Your participation will take less than five minutes and would be greatly appreciated.

All participants who respond by August 16th will be entered in a drawing for a free day of day care!

Go to the survey

In case of an emergency...

Boarding your dog overnight can be a stressful experience. At Camp Bow Wow Pittsburgh South, we do everything in our power to make sure your companion has a seamless visit, but sometimes incidents occur that are beyond our control. When a dog becomes ill or injured during his stay at Camp, our counselors can often treat the problem with over-the-counter remedies, restricted feedings, or other simple first-aid procedures. However, despite the precautions we take to keep our campers safe, occasionally a situation arises when we believe a dog would be better served under the care of a medical professional. In these instances, our preferred course of action is to get in touch with the emergency contact listed on your client file and ask that person to transport your dog to the appropriate veterinary facility. If need be, the emergency contact may be required to care for and house your dog for the remainder of his planned boarding stay. That being said, it is extremely important to list a reliable and easy-to-reach emergency contact (or two!) on your camper’s file. Be sure to make arrangements with these individuals before your dog’s boarding stay and make them aware of the responsibilities that will be asked of them if your dog is in need of emergency care.

99% of the time, our campers’ boarding stays go off without a hitch. Nevertheless, in the slim chance that something does go wrong, we cannot stress enough the importance of choosing an appropriate emergency contact. If you would like to update the emergency contact on your dog’s file, please contact us at Camp at 412-885-2267.

More Dog Humor

A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead.

He remembered dying and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them.

After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight.

When he was standing before it he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side.

When he was close enough, he called out, 'Excuse me, where are we?'

'This is Heaven, sir,' the man answered. 'Wow! Would you happen to have some water?' the man asked.
Of course, sir.. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up.' The man gestured, and the gate began to open.

'Can my friend,' gesturing toward his dog, 'come in, too?' the traveler asked.

'I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets.”

The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog.

After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence.

As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.

'Excuse me!' he called to the man. 'Do you have any water?'
'Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there, come on in.'

'How about my friend here?' the traveler gestured to the dog.

'There should be a bowl by the pump.'
They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it.

The traveler filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog.

When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree.
'What do you call this place?' the traveler asked.

'This is Heaven,' he answered..
'Well, that's confusing,' the traveler said. 'The man down the road said that was Heaven, too.'

'Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's hell.'

'Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?'

'No, we're just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind.'

Champ's Film Debut

A Day in the Life of Champ

Champ is our foster dog at Camp Bow Wow, and if you haven't heard about him yet, you may just be living under a rock. We have fostered Champ for around five months now, and it's about time he finds a forever home. To give you a better idea of what a sweet boy Champ is, we took some videos of him in the play yard and did a little photo shoot. Take a look!

Camper of the Month

The Camper of the Month for June is Jonathan, a Border Collie mix. At 14 and a half years old, Jonathan is no spring chicken, but you wouldn't know it from the way he plays during his stays at Camp. We first met Jonathan in February of 2008 when he boarded with us, and he has graced us with his presence quite a few times since then. He was an instant hit among the staff, especially Cathy, who says of him, "Jonathan is such a lovable guy, I wish I could hug him and never let go!"

Whether he is romping in the play yards or taking a rest break in his cabin, Jonathan is a pleasure to be around. He is a sweet old soul, and we are proud to have him as the Camper of the Month!

Sir Eats-a-Lot

Every dog owner can probably tell stories of things their pets have eaten that were never meant to pass through the digestive system. However, our hopes are that once dogs get through their "puppy" stage, the habit of eating any accessible item will fade away. Unfortunately, that's not the case for some dogs. Yesterday at camp, Patrice, Robyn, and I shared stories of the strange and unusual things our dogs have found appetizing. Sinatra, Patrice's dog, has an appetite for all things in the pantry -- like protein bars, spaghetti, oil, and flour. He eats the boxes and wrappers, too. Someone must have told him there are starving kids in China...
My dog, on the other hand, likes to eat non-food items that she finds around the house. This past week alone, I have had to call Poison Control twice because of things Lola was able to sneak into her mouth before it was too late. I caught her grabbing a pill I had set on the desk to take before I went to bed, and today she woke me up with Orange Flower perfume breath. Apparently she got a hold of a sample perfume bottle I didn't even know I had. Luckily, both times the friendly folks at Poison Control said she hadn't ingested anything dangerous.

When you find your dog eating something potentially hazardous, it can be a nerve-wrecking situation. Your dog probably doesn't time his snack-fests with your vet's office hours, so you may not know who to call. The ASPCA has a poison-control phone line, but they ask for a $60 fee before they will do a consultation. You can try calling an emergency vet, but sometimes they won't give you information over the phone. What I've found to work best is calling the Pittsburgh Poison Center's emergency hotline. They are knowledgeable, fast to respond, and free. If you need to contact them, their 24-hour phone number is 1-800-222-1222. Hopefully you will not need to use their number, but it doesn't hurt to keep it in a handy place, just in case.

Sometimes Good Looks Aren't Everything

In fact, in the annual "World's Ugliest Dog" contest, it's exactly the opposite. It pays to be ugly. Check out photos of this year's winner, Pabst, a rescued boxer mix. I personally don't think he's that bad-looking, but I guess ugliness is in the eye of the beholder.

Q&A with a Humane Society Intern

Emily Spivak is a 21-year-old Penn State graduate with a degree in political science and a minor in civic and community engagement. This summer, she is serving as a Capitol Hill intern for The Humane Society of the United States in the Legislative Affairs Department. I had the chance to speak with Emily regarding her internship and some of the issues that Camp Bow Wow friends and animal-lovers alike might be interested in.

Q: What is your job like on a daily basis?

A: I am always doing a variety of research projects for my supervisor, Heather Carpenter. The interns also make calls to constituents whose state or federal senators will be voting or could be co-sponsoring a bill that we have an interest in. I have many types of projects -- anything from banning the export of horses to Canada and Mexico for slaughter to working to change the type of chemicals used in the euthanasia process in shelters.

Q: What are some of the most important issues to The Humane Society at the moment?

A: One issue at the moment has to do with fur coats. As of now, companies are not required to label what type of fur a product is made from if it sells for under a certain dollar amount. Believe it or not, cheaper furs can be made out of dog or cat fur, so that is something the Humane Society is looking to change.

Also, Michael Vick will be joining our anti-dogfighting campaign, and there is some controversy about that.

Q: Are you working on any special projects?

A: Yes, I am currently collecting information about each state's permit distribution for exotic species. Each state has the authority to distribute permits and has its own discretion as to what animals are considered "exotic," how individuals can get permits, and how many permits are given out.

Q: What will the Humane Society do with this information?

A: Well, they have an exotic animals department that is one of the smallest in the organization, so I am gathering this information for them. It's important to know the state-by-state legislation because there is a lot of illegal activity in the world of exotics.

Q: Are there any issues specific to Pennsylvania that you know of?

A: Puppy mills in Lancaster County are horrible. They are far from wiped out because there is a profit to be made. And pigeon shoots also take place in Pennsylvania and are horrendous. If you haven't heard of a pigeon shoot, what takes place is that pigeons are illegally trapped in New York and brought to PA, where the birds are then shot out of launchers and individuals pay to shoot at them. The pigeons that are not shot in the sport are killed in very inhumane ways.

Q: So, what can individuals do to voice their opinions and help shape animal-related legislation?

A: The number-one thing anyone can do is call their state representative. A coworker and I recently worked on a bill involving puppy mills that had to go through the appropriations commitee, and it was not expected to pass. We made a lot of calls to constituents, asking them to contact their legislators, and we later found out that the bill made it through. It is wonderful to see that we can make a difference.

I'll hopefully be touching base with Emily again this summer to find out more about The Humane Society's Taking Action for Animals event in Arlington, VA, from July 24-27.

To find out what issues are currently being debated in your area, go to The Humane Society's legislation webpage. If you see something that tugs on your heartstrings, click here (if you live in PA) to contact your state legislators. You can also find contact information for your state Senators and House rep here.

March to the Beat of Camp Bow Wow's Drum!

On July 4th, Brentwood Borough will be hosting its annual parade, and Camp Bow Wow wants you to join us in the celebration. Our mascot, Scout, will be leading the pack along with Camp employees and friends. You and your dog(s) are both welcome, and we will have water and an air-conditioned truck available for any dogs who may need a break.

If you would like to participate, please call or e-mail us at Camp. If you can't march with us but would like to enjoy the parade as a spectator, the festivities will begin at 10:00 a.m. We hope to see you there!

Rover Alert

Losing a pet is one of the hardest things a pet owner can go through. It's a very helpless feeling, knowing your dog is wandering the streets somewhere but not being able to find him. While things like microchips make it easier to reconnect with your lost pets, it doesn't make the time they are gone any less difficult. In addition to contacting your area's Animal Control, calling local shelters, and posting flyers, we want to let you know that if your dog (or cat, for that matter) ever runs away, we will do whatever we can to help you find him. If you send your dog's photo, date he was lost, location he was lost in, and your contact information to our camp e-mail (pa19@campbowwowusa.com), we would be happy to send out a "Rover Alert" on our Facebook page and blog. Hopefully this will extend the network of people who are aware of your dog and will be willing to keep their eyes out for him.

Though we hope that you never have to go through the experience of having a pet run away, if the situation does occur, make sure to keep Camp Bow Wow in the loop so that we can help reunite you with your friend.

A Serious Post for a Change

An incident at Camp in the past week led us to believe that it would be a good idea to refresh everyone's memories (or introduce you for the first time) to the issue of bloat. Bloat, though often unheard of amongst dog owners, is the second leading killer of our canine companions. It is a gastrointestinal medical emergency that involves either the swelling of the stomach from gas or the stomach twisting on its axis. If you've read the book or seen the movie "Marley & Me," bloat is actually what caused Marley to pass away. When bloat occurs, immediate medical attention is necessary, as it progresses in hours or even minutes.

The symptoms of bloat include:
-excessive salivation
-extreme restlessness/pacing
-unproductive attempts to vomit/defecate
-evidence of abdominal pain
-rapid breathing/panting
-collapse

Risk factors for bloat are:
-using a raised food bowl
-speed-eating (for dogs who weigh from 49 to 100 pounds)
-age (risk increases as dogs get older)
-chest depth/width ratio (dogs with a barrel-like chest, like boxers, are at a higher risk)
-having a first-degree relative that has had bloat (mother, father, sibling, or child)

If you've ever wondered why we keep dogs in their cabins for an hour and a half after they eat here at camp, now you know. Please inform us if your dogs have eaten within an hour of being dropped off at camp so that we can let them rest in a cabin before playing, and if you have any questions about bloat, do not hesitate to ask. Our counselors know the signs that bloat is occurring and do their very best to pay close attention to the behavior of all the dogs in our care. Thanks to their quick thinking, the incident this past week had a happy ending.

Camper of the Month

Bailey is our Camper of the Month for June. He is a most handsome Bernese Mountain Dog who just turned one year old on June 1st. He is definitely a favorite with all of the counselors. Who could resist that teddy bear face and loving personality?

Bailey comes to day camp about once a week and boards regularly as well. We also enjoy seeing him and his parents out at many dog-related events around town. Bailey keeps a busy social calendar! We would love to have more Bernies at camp, so if you have one or know someone that does, bring them in to play with Bailey. He is a friend to all the dogs at camp. Congratulations, Bailey!

Disappointing Results to Electronics Recycling Program

Many of you may have donated your old and no-longer-needed electronics to the recycling drives sponsored by the Western PA Humane Society and the Washington Area Humane Society that took place over the last month or two. While supporters came out in droves to help the Humane Societies raise funds, it was the recycling company, Earth ECycle, that dropped the ball. Check out the recent stories in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette describing the sad-but-true story.

New Doubts Raised Over Electronics Recycling

Humane Groups Think They've Been Duped

EPA Says it is Looking Into Electronics Recycling Company

Lost & Found

Is your dog's favorite toy missing? Have you been searching everywhere for that tote bag you brought to camp during his last boarding stay? Though we do take an inventory of what each dog brings to camp with him, things still occasionally get left behind. We currently have quite the collection of toys, blankets, and more Glad containers than you can imagine, so if you think you may have forgotten something at camp during your dog's last stay, please let us know and we will do our best to reconnect you with your lost belongings!

Presidential Dog Bowls

Here's an interesting video, originally posted by Yahoo!, about the non-spill water bowl the Presidential Dog, Bo, will soon be drinking from.

Road Refresher Video

And, after watching the news clip, if you're curious to find out more about Road Refresher bowls, check out their website here.

Remembering Our 4-Legged Troops

On this Memorial Day, it's important to remember the sacrifices made by the noble men and women who have served our country in the armed forces, both past and present. However, the oft-forgotten servants on the front lines are the ones who have no way of understanding the extent our gratefulness, even if we were to tell them outright. I'm talking about the K-9 troops who stand by our soldiers in battle and who, like the men and women on active duty, can often use a pick-me-up.

There are a few organizations I have found that take donations for K-9 troops, so if you're interested in supporting the country's most patriotic dogs, please check out these websites:

Soldiers' Angels

Give 2 the Troops

Dog-tested, Owner-approved

For the record, I did make the recipe for Frosty Paws Ice Cream today. It was super easy to make, and it used simple ingredients -- no special wheat flour or anything odd that you sometimes need if you're going to make your own dog biscuits. I basically just threw everything in the food processor, blended for about ten seconds, and then poured it into an ice cube tray. I also poured some of the mix into a Tupperware container so that I could scoop it out as needed instead of having cube-sized portions. I was a bit worried as to whether the mixture was going to actually freeze well, but it's only been about 3 hours since I put the results in the freezer, and the part I put in the ice-cube tray is already ready to go. I'm guessing the Tupperware container portion will take a bit longer to set up, but it looks like it's well on its way.

When I discovered that the ice cream was done, I couldn't wait to try it out on Lily & Lola. Lola is the world's least picky dog when it comes to food. I mean, the girl will eat watermelon, for heaven's sake. So I was pretty sure my efforts to make a treat would not be lost on her. Lily, however, is a little more discriminating. I put two ice-cream cubes in each of their bowls, but by the time Lily realized I had something for her, Lola had already eaten both of their shares. So, I took Lily aside and gave her her own cube, which she licked for a few seconds but did not totally eat. Still, I'd call the recipe a success.

A few tips if you are going to try making the ice cream at home:
1. Spray a tablespoon with PAM or another cooking spray before you measure out the honey and peanut butter. It makes it slide right off the spoon and helps you get a more accurate amount in the blender.

2. Don't microwave the ice-cream cubes like the recipe says. I found that they were a perfect ice-cream consistency without being nuked first.

It's Not Easy Being a Pit Bull

When is the last time you visited an animal shelter or a pet-search website and noticed the disproportional amount of Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes available for adoption? Unfortunately, due to high-profile stories in the news of dog-fighting and other incidents involving Pit Bulls, the breed has gained a stigma and is often difficult to adopt out.

Though Pits may have received some unjustified bad press, it does take a special owner to raise this type of dog. Hello Bully, a Pittsburgh-based group, strives to educate dog-lovers regarding the myths and facts about owning a bully breed. If you do make an informed decision to adopt a Pit Bull, know that one of the most common problems plaguing these often-misunderstood dogs is over-breeding. Spaying or neutering is an absolute must since Pit Bulls can have litters of 8 to 12 puppies, which only increases the likelihood of some or all of them ending up in a shelter. To combat this issue, Animal Friends has created a spay-and-neuter program especially for Pit Bulls called Project Pit Bull. For a $20 deposit, owners are able to have their dog fixed and, as Bob Barker always said, "help to control the pet population"!

For more information on Project Pit Bull, e-mail Animal Friends at spayneuter@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org.

Loveable Rottweiler Looking for a New Home

One of our clients came to us a few weeks ago because she reluctantly must give up her 4 1/2-year-old Rottie named Tiki. Tiki is a very sweet and loving dog and is up to date on his rabies and distemper vaccinations. He is a very big boy, weighing in at around 115 pounds, and he needs regular exercise either in a fenced-in yard or on daily walks.

If you might be able to give Tiki a home, please contact us at camp for more information.

Lend a Hand

We've had quite a few inquiries at camp recently about volunteer opportunities for kids who are soon to be out of school for the summer. While we do not use volunteer staff at Camp Bow Wow due to liability reasons, we know that both the Washington Area Humane Society and the Western PA Humane Society would be delighted to accept ready-and-willing volunteer help. Whether you and your child are interested in volunteering for a day, a week, or the whole summer, there are dozens of ways you can contribute to the well-being of shelter animals in our area. Dogs need to be walked, cats need to be cuddled, envelopes licked and grass cut. Even if you don't live close by to either Humane Society location, volunteers are often needed for off-site events, so don't let distance deter you. You should note, however, that there are often age requirements for volunteers. The WPAHS requires that volunteers be at least 16 years of age. At the Washington Area Humane Society, volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. If you have a young child who is desperate to help out, consider encouraging him or her to have a lemonade stand or a toy sale and donate the proceeds to the cause. Any little bit helps, whether it comes in the form of time or money. So, after lazy days at the pool and bike rides around the neighborhood become old-hat this summer, keep in mind the local animal-rescue organizations that would benefit immensely from the work of a volunteer.

To find out more about volunteering for the Washington Area Humane Society and the Western PA Humane Society, please visit their websites at:
WAHS
and
WPAHS

A Friendly Reminder

Summer is the busiest time of year at CBW, so if you have plans to go out of town and would like to give your dog a vacation of his or her own, please try to book your reservations at camp as soon as possible. All that we require to book a boarding stay is a 50% deposit for the cost of the stay, and we ask that if you need to cancel your dog's reservation, you do so at least 48 hours beforehand (or 72 hours if the stay is over a holiday).

As for daycare, due to the number of dogs that are boarding on certain days, daycare spots may be more limited than they are throughout the rest of the year. To ensure that we have space for your dog(s) to come and play for the day, give us a call 24 hours in advance to save your spot!

Hope to see your and your dogs in the coming months.

We All Scream for Ice Cream!

Ice cream is one of my favorite things about summertime. Well, maybe it's one of my favorite things all year 'round, but I feel like I have a better excuse to eat it when the temperature is above 70 degrees. As much as I'd love to share the joy of my ice-cream treats with the pups, I'm never quite sure how their stomachs would handle some of the strange (but delicious) flavor combinations out there nowadays, so I figure it's best to avoid giving them a taste. However, dogs don't have to be completely left out of the ice-cream experience. There are many brands of dog-friendly ice cream in the frozen section at the store, but you can also make your own doggy ice cream at home! Here is a recipe I found online. I haven't tested it out yet, so if you decide to try it, please leave your feedback in the comments section. Otherwise, I will post a review of how it turns out once my dogs have had their fill!

-Caity

Recipe for Frosty Paws Ice Cream:
-32 oz. vanilla yogurt
-1 mashed banana
-2 T. peanut butter
-2 T. honey

Blend all of the ingredients together and freeze in either 3 oz. paper cups or ice-cube trays. Microwave for a few seconds before serving. Enjoy!

Dog Humor

This month, Reader's Digest had an article on America's funniest jokes. Two of the jokes were dog-related, so I decided to post them here.

Drum roll, please...

Joke #1:
A poodle and a collie are walking together when the poodle suddenly unloads on his friend. "My life is a mess," he says. "My owner is mean, my girlfriend ran away with a schnauzer, and I'm as jittery as a cat." "Why don't you go see a psychiatrist?" suggests the collie. "I can't," says the poodle. "I'm not allowed on the couch."

Ba-dum Ching!

And, without further ado, here is joke #2!

A guy spots a sign outside a house that reads, "Talking Dog for Sale." Intrigued, he walks in. "So, what have you done with your life?" he asks the dog. "I've led a very full life," says the dog. "I lived in the Alps rescuing avalanche victims. Then I served my country in Iraq. And now I spend my days reading to the residents of a retirement home." The guy is flabbergasted. He asks the dog's owner, "Why on earth would you want to get rid of an incredible dog like that?" The owner says, "Because he's a liar! He never did any of that!"

If you have any dog jokes of your own to share, please leave them in the comments section. Hope you got at least a bit of a chuckle from these zingers.

Hot Time, Summer in the City

If you watch "The Simpsons" on Fox, you may remember an old episode where the family takes an outing in the scorching heat and brings their dog, Santa's Little Helper, along for the ride. When Bart, Lisa, Homer, Marge, and Maggie all pile out of the car, they somehow forget that Santa's Little Helper is still cooped up in the backseat and all of the windows are rolled up. After making it a short distance away from the car, Homer remembers the dog and returns, only to shout through the closed window, "There's water under the seat!"

Obviously this is a cartoon's way of making light of a serious situation, but since warm weather will soon be upon us, we thought it'd be a good idea to post a refresher on dog-safety tips in the summertime.

Here is an article from the American Dog Trainers Network that sums things up very well.

Shameless Self-Promotion

As you may have heard if you've stopped in to camp lately, Pittsburgh Magazine is conducting their annual "Best of Pittsburgh" contest, and for the first time ever, they are including categories for "Best Pet Day Care" and "Best Dog Kennel." Winners will be featured in the September issue of the magazine, and we would really appreciate your vote! Here's what to do:

• Follow this link to Pittsburgh Magazine's website
• Scroll down and click on the "Best of Pittsburgh" link.
• The categories we are eligible for are on the third page of the survey.
• You do not have to vote for a business in every category in order to successfully submit your ballot.
• When you vote, please make sure to use our full name - Camp Bow Wow Pittsburgh South - since there are multiple CBWs in the Pittsburgh area.

The deadline for votes is May 31st. Each person can only vote once, so don't forget to tell your friends!

We really appreciate your support!

What's in a Name?

At Camp Bow Wow, we have over 300 clients, so there are bound to be many dogs with interesting names walking through the doors. A lot of dogs at CBW have the same name. We have many Baileys, Lilys, Mollys, and more. So, sometimes we need to identify a trait on a particular dog in order to distinguish her from the other dogs of the same name. For instance, we have "Soft Max" and "Red Maggie." Their owners may not call them that, but it helps us to keep things straight.

It's also very easy to tell what the current naming trends are from the pups that come to visit us. There is quite the influx of dogs named after Penguins players lately. We have Sids, Crosbys, and even a Malkin! Strangely enough, there are no Roethlisbergers or Polamalus. ;)

In 2008, VPI Pet Insurance took a survey of the most popular dog names and compiled a list of 100 for both males and females. Check out the list and see if your dog's name is on it!

Newsworthy Dog

You might enjoy reading this article from the New York Post about the world's oldest dog. She is a 21-year-old dachshund named Chanel. Chanel's secret to old age? Apparently it's nothing new -- just diet and exercise. She used to run three miles a day with her owner, and she eats boiled chicken and whole-wheat pasta.

Read more about Chanel here.

Cinco de Mayo Pictures! Ole!

Cinco de Mayo pictures are now posted on our Facebook page. If you are not a member of Facebook, have no fear. You should be able to access the albums through the links at the bottom of this post.





Some of the dogs took to the scenery more than others, but all of the different personalities at camp led to a lot of hilarious pictures.




As you can see, it was definitely a fun day at Camp, and we're looking forward to more festivities over the summer.








To view all of the pictures, click on the links below:

Album One

Album Two

Fiesta!

Today was Cinco de Mayo at Camp Bow Wow Pittsburgh South, and, boy, did the dogs have a great time! The staff donned beaded necklaces and festive tattoos (temporary, of course), and the lobby was filled with the sounds of Latin music, courtesy of Sirius radio. In addition to $5 off a full day of day care and 50% off baths, each dog that attended the celebration got a picture with our authentic Mexican scenery, otherwise known as a blow-up cactus and a few miniature sombreros. All of the little muchachas and muchachos also went home with a spicy bandanna to remember the occasion by. We will have a link to pictures from the fiesta posted here soon, so be sure to check back if you want to catch a glimpse of all the fun that we had today.

In other news, a top-secret Mother's Day project is in the works. Bring your dog in to camp before Sunday to find out what we have up our sleeve!

Welcome!

Welcome to the Camp Bow Wow Pittsburgh South blog!

We hope to keep you up to date with all the happenings at camp, as well as interesting dog news, product reviews, dog-friendly events in the Pittsburgh area, and more.

Stop by often and see what's new!