Weekly Local Dog Events & Downward Dog Yoga at Yogasmoga!

February 29, 2016

Happy Leap Day!

Bravo is so excited for this extra day of 2016!

February just flew by with all the fun adventures you were out having fun with your pup! Going into the first week of March, we have a gorgeous week ahead of us to check out this weeks local events. For more details please visit San Diego Happy Dogs.

***Photo by*** ***Wade Austin Ellis*** on ***Unsplash***

Adoption Events: Here's are some wonderful opportunities if you've been thinking about adding a fabulous furry friend to your family

3/5: Second Chance Adoption Event: 10 am – 2 pm; Dirty Dogs 4639 Carmel Mountain Road #101 SD 92130
3/5: Pom Play Time: 10 am – 11 am; Dusty Rhodes Dog Park Sunset Cliffs Blvd., Ocean Beach
3/5: Stray Dogs MC presents the Dogs for Dogs Black Jack Run – Benefit Event: 11 am – 3 pm; 1078 Estes St, El Cajon
Every Saturday: Baja Rescue: 9 am – 2 pm; 3495 Sports Arena Boulevard, SD
Every Saturday Labs and More Adoption Event: 10:30 am - 12:30 pm; Road Runner Sports San Diego, 5553 Copley Dr, San Diego

***Photo by*** ***Alvan Nee*** on ***Unsplash***

Meet Ups and Social: Here's another great week of opportunities for your pup and you to get out and meet some new friends!

3/1: St Pawtricks Day Bash Doggies on the Deck: 5 pm – 8 pm; Landini's Pizzeria, India Street, SD 92101
3/2: Siberian Husky Meet Up: 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm; Harbor Island, SD (map)
3/5: San Diego Spaniel Rescue Meet Up: 1 pm – 2 pm; Doyle Park Dog Park, Cargill Avenue, San Diego, CA 92122
3/5 Trail Walking With the Fluffybutts: 5 pm – 6p m; Hosp view park Canyon Dr, Carlsbad
3/5: Undy Run/Walk: 8am – 1pm; Mission Bay Park – De Anza Cove 2750 North Mission Bay Drive San Diego, CA 92109
3/6: Morris Animal Foundation K9 Cancer Walk: NTC Park at Liberty Station 2455 Cushing Rd San Diego, CA 92106
3/6: Del Mar Dog Beach Schnauzer Monthly: 10:00 am – 11:30 am; Del Mar Dog Beach, Camino del Mar, Del Mar
3/6: Boston Terrier Meet Up: 10 am – 11 am; Dusty Rhodes Off-Leash Dog Park, SD
Every Wednesday: Mission Valley Dog Meet Up: 10 – 11 am; Mission Valley Off Leash Civita Dog Park 2355 Via Alta, SD
3/6: Downward Dog Yoga: 12 pm – 1 pm; YOGASMOGA (La Plaza La Jolla) 7863 Girard Ave, La Jolla 92037
3/6: Whippet Meet Up: 3 pm – 4 pm; Del Mar Dog Beach 3200 Camino del Mar, Del Mar
Every Wednesday: Yappy Hour: 5 – 8 pm; Savoie Eatery 2015 Birch Rd, Ste 720, Chula Vista
Every Wednesday: Mission Valley Dog Meet Up: 10 – 11 am; Mission Valley Off Leash Civita Dog Park 2355 Via Alta, SD

Downward Dog Yoga at Yogasmoga!

Dempsey, our fantastic client Marjorie's best furry friend shows off his amazing Acro Yoga Skills!

Muttropolis is collaborating with YOGASMOGA and us, DogZenergy on a fun Downward Dog Yoga Class! This is an hour-long cash donation class with proceeds going to Canine Companions for Independence. To sign up, contact Yogasmoga at (858) 732-9642.

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Who Are my Local Veterinarians in La Jolla? We get to know Dr. Raichel of Windansea Veterinary Clinic

February 26, 2016

How long have you been a Veterinarian, and tell us a little about your background.

"I have been a veterinarian for almost 16 years. I received my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences with honors in 2003. Prior to that, I received a Master’s in Anatomy from CSU. I was lucky enough to be able to stay at CSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital the year after graduation as an intern in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery. After my internship, I worked in specialty and emergency small animal practice until becoming the Medical Director of Windan’ Sea Veterinary Clinic in 2011. "

Dr. Jean Spengel, Dr. Lena Stuart and Dr. Dina Raichel

What are the top 3 questions to ask when deciding on a Veterinarian?

"My top 3 questions would be 1 – Education/experience - Are they internship trained? If not did they get well-rounded experience including emergency work after veterinary school? There is so much to learn in veterinary school that additional training/mentorship is vital for a new veterinarian. 2 – Are they exceeding the standard of care? – this means full monitoring during any anesthetic procedure, IV catheter placement and fluids with surgery, dental radiographs with dental procedures, and pain management is a REQUIREMENT (it should never, ever be optional with surgery). 3 – Stress-free hospital environment – do they make sure to limit stress? Stress can have many negative effects on the body. Care of patients in the hospital should reduce stress as much as possible. Not only is it good medicine, but it makes visits more pleasant for everyone involved."

What’s the most common question you receive from a dog owner?

" I’d say one of the most common questions I get is about nutrition. There is a lot of misinformation out there about what to look for in pet foods. The pet food industry is big business, and unfortunately just because a food has a big price tag doesn’t mean it is any better than another food. There are a lot of pets that need certain types of food (like prescription diets), but some do not and would do very well on a good, balanced maintenance diet."

What is the most common reason a dog comes to see you?

"I think the most common reason we see a dog is for routine wellness exams – which is a GOOD thing! Preventative medicine is very important, so we recommend yearly exams for healthy pets under 7 years of age, and twice yearly after 7. It’s so important because we can catch problems early before they become bigger problems. Everything from dental, cardiac, renal, and other diseases which affect our older pets are best caught in the early stages.

How often should you bathe your dog?

"It’s hard to give a good guideline on how often a dog should be bathed – it depends on the dog! A good guideline is once monthly, however some dermatologic problems might require more frequent bathing. Obviously if your dog likes to get muddy at the park, rolls in that inviting smell they found, or tangles with a skunk bathing sooner might be needed!"

What is your number one piece of advice to give a client when getting a brand new puppy?

"My biggest recommendation for new puppies is telling people to do their homework! The more time spent with socialization and training in those important first few months the better companion they will have for a lifetime! I tell people the first 100 days your new puppy should meet 100 people, and after they are done with their vaccine series they should meet 100 dogs. The more positive the experiences they have the better! Have treats ready for new visitors if needed too."

Thank you to Dr. Raichel for participating in this week's Zen Veterinarian feature, Nessa for helping put it all together, and the fantastic team at WindanSea Veterinary Clinic!

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Zen Dog Spotlight: Nelson

February 25, 2016

Welcome back to our Zen Dog Spotlight! This week's feature we are thrilled to introduce you to energetic and always excited labrador Nelson! Every time we see this happy boy for his walks with DogZenergy, he flashes us his gorgeous smile. Adorable Nelson has been featured on our social media, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest, he's such a photogenic boy! Nelson's high spirited energy and ready to go attitude ensures an awesome experience for our DogZenergy team members and him on his weekday daily walks. Nelson has the biggest heart and only wants to share his love with the world. Take it away Nelson!

State your full name and let us know a bit about your background.

"Nelson! I suppose Nelson Shalygin if I had to have a last name…I was actually raised and trained to be a guide dog for the blind but I decided about a year into that career that it just wasn’t right for me and that instead I’d rather play in the sun on the beach or in the snow on the mountain. I’d say it has worked out quite well. I grew up in Seattle but my owner moved to San Diego to be a doctor two years ago and now I live here."

What’s your favorite toy and why?

"My blue bone. I carry it around everywhere I go and like to (literally) put it in peoples faces, but I don’t want them to take it…just see how cool it is."

What does your typical day consist of, and what would your ideal day include?

"Well, my owner works a lot and is gone often from sunrise to sundown so during the day I hang out outside, usually laying in the warm sun listening to the sound of the ocean. I get walked really early in the morning and late at night by him but also in middle of the day by my DogZenergy friends. When’s my owner is not working we usually go to the beach, for a hike, or to fiesta island."

Who is your best friend and how did you meet?

"My best friend is Lloyd, he’s a chocolate lab, we met in Seattle but he now lives in Salt Lake City. My other best friend is Pippa, she’s a shepherd mix, we met in Seattle too and she now lives in Portland. I have some new friends here in San Diego but no one like them yet."

What is the one question you wish your human would stop asking you, and the one question you wish your human would never stop asking you?

"I wish he would stop asking me to stop peeing on the sidewalk…sometimes I just want to pee on cement vs grass, sue me! I hope he never stops asking me if I want a fish skin or kale stem…because the answer is always going to be yes!"

If you were going to win an award at the "Oscar Pet Awards" would you want to win it for 1.) Cuteness 2.) Heroism/Courage 3.) Sassiness 4) Loyalty 5) Fashionista. Give us a quick example/story of why we should pick you!

"LOYALTY…I never leave my owner’s side. Whenever we hike in a group I always run up and down the trail to make sure the people in the back are not lost and the people in the front know where they are going. I like to keep tabs on everyone."