Not Your Average Play Group

By Alexandra League, HSSV Volunteer

Picture the scene at some neighborhood dog park. Do you see people huddled together, gabbing about Jennifer Aniston's haircut (three inches!), on their cell phones or simply disengaged from their dog's play? If you are the owner of bully breed dogs, like American Pit Bull Terriers and American Bulldogs, you likely approach dog parks differently. Why? According to Certified Pet Dog Trainer Marthina McCray, your dog's bully play style combined with the potential poor manners of other dogs (jumping, excessively mouthy, etc.) could lead to a bad experience at the dog park. McCray, who is also the owner of Dog Training for People, and the Founder of Our Pack, Inc., says in most cases, dog parks aren't the best option for socializing your bully play style dog. A better option for your pup is to socialize them in a controlled play group of two to four well-matched playmates. This can set you and your dog up for a positive experience.

I learned that Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) has partnered with Our Pack, Inc. to facilitate a dedicated Bully Play Group at HSSV's private dog park and had the chance to visit the group recently – check out the video below. The play group is all about active participation of owners to set these great dogs up for successful socialization (you won't see anyone on a cell phone!) and is open not just to pit bulls, but to all dogs who have bully play styles according to Michelle Suarez of HSSV's Behavior and Training Department. "HSSV and Our Pack are there to help the owners learn how to read their dogs' body language and how to safely manage their own dog to have a positive experience," Michelle told me. "Ultimately the owners become more in tune with their dogs' body language and are able to step in when their dog needs a break."

During my visit, I also met Caroline, who recently adopted a three-legged pit bull named Izabella (formerly Sweat Pea) from HSSV. Caroline shared, "I love watching Izabella run wild with the other (four-legged) doggies; it makes me happy to see her so happy, and it makes me really, really happy to see her nap for four or five hours after play group!"

HSSV and Our Pack staff carefully match playmates based on play style, temperament and age. The group meets Wednesdays and Sundays at 1PM. If you're interested in joining the fun, email HSSV's behavior department for more information at: behaviordept@hssv.org

Learn more about becoming a member of the HSSV dog park online or in the Whole Pets store at HSSV's Animal Community Center.

The video below is from my visit to the Bully Play Group.

Happy Tails: JIMI

by Jamie Emming, Satellite Adoption Manager

When animals leave HSSV their story is just beginning. I love going through our inbox searching for tales to share. It was one such email from an adopter named Robert that has sparked an on-going search for an elusive green toy mouse.

Robert adopted JIMI in December. Known to us as Dallas, the 8-month-old teenager was one of 18 cats we brought in from the South County animal shelter. Our cat volunteer Bea was on hand to introduce the pair while our staff member Amy finalized the adoption paperwork and set up the pair for success. Amy placed JIMI in his new carrier with a few of his favorite toys to make the car ride home a little more enjoyable.
A few weeks later Robert sent us an update, and like most adopters included photos of JIMI in his new home. What peaked my interest were a couple close-ups of a well-loved mouse toy that was sent home with the black kitty and a request asking where to find more of them.

Most pet parents have been through a similar quest to several pet stores and online vendors looking for a duplicate of a beloved toy or that special treat. Last year I drove to three stores to find my border collie a particular Tuff Toy because she had to have the sheep one before having it specially ordered through HSSV’s Whole Pets store.

As for Robert’s search, our adoptions staff has looked far and wide to locate another green mouse, but we do not know where this donated toy came from. Since we are out of leads, I am putting this out to our blog readers and asking have you seen this mouse? Leave a comment if you can help JIMI and Robert’s search come to a successful end!

Man's Best Friend Design contest

By Jennifer Bush, HSSV Volunteer

What images come to mind when you think of your pet? What makes our connection to our pets so strong? Earlier this month, Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) sponsored a t-shirt design contest with these questions in mind. The theme of the contest, “Man’s Best Friend,” was intended to inspire artists to create a design that embodied the spirit of HSSV. The contest was led by Robin Poncy, manager of HSSV’s pet store, in partnership with Goodjoe.com, a community based t-shirt company with “a passion for doing good.”

Robin hoped to find a t-shirt design that would appeal to everybody, whether man or woman, young or old. She needed a cutting edge design that she could sell in the pet store at HSSV, called Whole Pets, as well as around the community. It would also become the official t-shirt for fundraising and marketing activities. The winning design would need to have broad appeal and fit HSSV’s mission of enhancing the human-animal bond.

Out of 25 designs submitted, Robin picked one titled “Our Very Own Island” as the winner. Simple and sweet, it features a boy and his cat napping comfortably on a private island. The winner, who goes by “kingmilk,” said the design is about “owning your very own island and sharing it with somebody you love.” The inspiration came from a cat that once wandered the neighborhood. The cat was always very friendly, but one day stopped showing up. Kingmilk, who designs as a hobby, has wondered about that cat for years. Robin Poncy loved that the design showed the best of what animals bring to our lives. Though alone on the island, the two are “in harmony and at peace with each other.”

On a personal note, this design really spoke to me. When I was pregnant with my first child, I was on bed rest for a few weeks. I would take naps on the couch and, although my dog, Berkeley, wasn’t usually allowed on the couch, I made an exception. I’d fall asleep, and she would curl up in the crook of my bent knee. Though these days she’d need an island big enough for a good game of fetch, “Our Very Own Island” reminds me of those blissful naps with my first “baby.”

How does the winning design speak to you? What is your favorite place to escape with your pet? Post your comments below!

The shirt will be available for pre-order at this Sunday’s Music and Wine event, for a discounted price of $15. Shirts with the new design will be available in the Whole Pets store later this summer.