Ava Joins The “Crew” on Upcoming Episode Of Super Fetch

Calling all boaters! You’ve planned a day on the sea, a time for fishing, basking in the sunshine, and enjoying the fresh smell of the salty air. When you arrive at the marina you load all the essential things that you’ll need  into the boat and begin to prepare for the trip. Luckily, your good friend assists you by untying the boat from the cleat and taking in the bumpers. But wait-that good friend is your dog?

Yes, that’s right. Most people would think a regular house dog wouldn’t be able to learn such a strange task, but that’s just what Nicole Meunier from Plymouth Massachusetts taught her beloved Ava to do. With the help of Zak George from Super Fetch, Nicole learned some training techniques and taught Ava how to help out around the boat, and over a few months Ava officially became part of their crew!

Super Fetch, with Zak George, is a new TV show on Animal Planet.  You may recognize Zak and his dog Venus as a dog-frisbee-duo, they’ve been actively involved in extreme dog competitions. On Super Fetch he shows pet parents a three step training process that teaches their dogs new and unbelievable tricks, while strengthen the bond between them in a loving and fun way.

Ava, a three year old, Old English Bulldog caught the attention of the scouts at Boston Casting, who were looking for potential people and their dogs for the taping of the new show Super Fetch. Nicole Said. “I guess Ava’s great personality and cute face won them over.”

Nicole and her fiance do a lot of boating from Spiniker Island in Hull, MA and she thought it would be fun to teach her dog how to untie the rope from the dock and surprise her fiance. When they called to tell her she would be on the show, she was very excited. Ava’s three step process was “Getting The Rope”, “Come On In Let’s Go” and “Pull The Bumpers In”.

What makes this work so well for all involved is having and developing a strong

bond with your dog. “Ava and I have a strong bond already,” said Nicole, “she’s curious and always wanting to learn so she took to this right away.” On the final taping where Nicole shows the world Ava’s new trick, she revealed it to her fiance for the first time too. Nicole laughs a bit and says, “He was so surprised, he had no clue what the trick was going to be, until I showed it to him at the end.”

Ava will be on one of the upcoming episodes of Super Fetch which airs on Saturdays at 8pm Eastern Time on Animal Planet. Wanna See Nicole, Ava and Zak George in action- tune in Saturday November 21st at 8pm on Animal Planet! Learn More

Paws In The Park Success For “APCSM”

Sunday October 11th was a beautiful fall day and the Animal Protection Center of Southeastern Massachusetts benefited from the sunshine and warm weather, along with hundreds of animal lovers who came out to support the 1st Annual Paws in the Park benefit event, held at Borderland State Park.

Volunteers, and community businesses orchestrated a fun and well-organized event for participants. The APCSM reached their initial goal of $50,000, and with an event as successful as Paws In The Park, they demonstrated that they’re well on their way to getting this new organization off the ground.

The APCSM, recently formed to step in and take over the MSPCA’s closing shelter in Brockton, is a tight knit group of animal experts, local business leaders, animal lovers, and volunteers, and they’re opening their doors-and organization- with an invitation for more people from all backgrounds to step forward and become a part of what they’re hoping to do to help animals.

Paws In The Park attracted dogs of all shapes and sizes, and ages. When I first arrived I recognized Sheena, a beautiful, sweet shelter dog. Sheena is an eleven years old girl who’s been looking for a new home for months-she’s a well behaved, and lovable girl, who is looking for a home without cats or kids. Although tired from the dog walk, she rested and was enjoying being out in the sunshine, laying in the grass, and being around people for the day.

While Sheena took a break for pictures, I got a chance to chat with Megan Plante, who works at the shelter and was there when it was the MSPCA. I was curious to know what happened to the animals in the shelter when the MSPCA’s management ended at the end of September. “Some were transferred,” she said, “Rabbits went to a rabbit rescue, and some animals, like Sheena, stayed in the shelter.”

Afternoon activities at Paws In The Park included a canine agility demonstration. Amy White, a volunteer who helps run agility classes at the shelter, was helping direct dogs owners through the agility course with their dogs. “This is a great way for beginners to see first hand if they’d like to sign up for classes” said Amy. Dogs of all sizes were walking up the double wide planks, and having fun.

The Pet Pantry, a group of teens from the Easton area, were collecting pet food donations and promoting their efforts to help area pets stay in their homes. Jessica Stone said “We collect pet food donations and money, and we buy pet food and supplies and donate them to area food pantries, so families struggling financially can feed their furry friends too!” To join their efforts go to: www.helpfeedpets.org or call 508-587-3752.

The best part of the day was talking with so many interesting people and meeting so many beautiful dogs. For more information on the Animal Protection Center of Southeastern Massachusetts go to apcsm.org.

All photos are the property of SouthShorePet.Com and Pam Weber.

Pet Fashion Show Organized By Local Teens

You’re never too young to make a positive impact on the lives of our animal friends.

I was impressed and inspired by six animal welfare activists between the ages of eight and twelve years old whom collaborated to host a fundraiser fashion show for dogs to benefit the Scituate Animal Shelter.  The fashion show team Mikaela Kelly, Morgan Tedeschi, Madison Muha, Brooke Dubois and Sam and Megan Pender relied on their friends and family to participate with their dogs for a five-dollar donation.

The event was held September 1st at 1:30pm in the Walnut Tree Hill neighborhood in Scituate and drew a crowd of more than one hundred people. To raise additional funds the team also set up face painting, paint your own dog biscuit, a bake sale and sold tickets for twenty-five cents to take a turn on the zip line set up in their yard.  “I liked the face painting the best,” said three-year old fashion show participant and budding philanthropist Lexi Washburn.

The fashion show featured twenty-four dogs across various breeds.  Some of the contestants dressed as famous athletes, hula dancers, ladybugs and cheerleaders.  The categories included Small Dog, Medium/Large Dog and Best in Show. The winners included Sammi the Corgi, Sonny the Chocolate Labrador Retriever and Mia the Shia Poo, respectively.  Each winner received a generous gift bag and a Golden Sneaker trophy.

When asked what inspired them to hold a fundraiser Mikaela Kelly explained, “I went to the animal shelter to volunteer but I am not old enough. They gave me a list of ideas to help them and we have been planning this event since June.”

The even was a tremendous success raising $550 for the Scituate Animal Shelter.

Spotlight On Animal Artist-Andrea Zimon

By Tonia Evans:

Andrea Zimon has a passion for animals; horses especially. She expresses that passion in her paintings of vibrant colors, textures and designs. It’s Andreas special connection with horses that adds the spark in her art-because she’s so in tune with their spirits. “My favorite subjects are the creatures of nature-especially horses and dogs.” shares Andrea.

She grew up around horses since she was a child, spending time with them at summer camp, taking riding lessons, and in high school she focused on horses and art. She went on to attend the Rhode Island School of Design, and her art started to gravitate toward horses, dogs and other animals.

I visited Andrea in her studio, located among other artists and small businesses, at the Trackside Building at 2 Canton St, Stoughton,MA - a quiet little hole in the wall that she’s had since 2002, a place where she can spread out and create her art in peace -paintings of acrylics, water colors, and textures. When I arrived she was working on a piece she called “Alchemy”, which means; changing something to gold. The painting is a beautiful, brightly colored acrylic of two horses. “Actually-it’s the same horse, just painted differently, side by side.” She said.

At her Norton home, she shares her life with her husband, two retired Greyhounds that inspire her canine art and two horses that board at the Fox Merle Farm. She also supports Greyhound Pets of America as a long-time member, and by donating some of her designs of Greyhounds to be sold at fundraising events.

Andrea is available for commission work, and appointments can be made to see the art she has for sale. Open Studios begin in December, when she sells cards, magnets, and smaller pieces that make great holiday gifts. For more information go to her website at www.andreazart.com or call 508-285-4132.

Please leave comments below!

Pug Picnic Party

By Tonia Evans:

On Memorial Day weekend my mom and I went down to the Cape for a Pug Party. A group of about 50 or more pug enthusiasts from around the New England area gathered for a cookout with their dogs. Pug lovers benefit from these events because they get to hang out with other people who feel as excited about pugs as they do, and the dogs get to play off-leash with each other in a secure fenced in yard.

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MassArt Students’ Artwork Shines At NEAFA Gallery Opening

By Tonia Evans

The New England Arts For Animals kicked off another art exhibition in Weymouth on Sunday, this time to reveal the selected artwork for the 2010 Calendar -which will go to print this summer. The gallery opening was held at the New England Wildlife Center in the Catbird Cafe, from 4-7pm, and consisted of a casual mingling of supporters and artists alike.

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Pet Love-It’s Written On The Wall!

By Tonia Evans

Speakeasy Walls Pet Quotes and wall Art!

You love showing off how much you Love, Love, Love your pets, I do too, and this new product will let you have some fun expressing your pet passion in a new way-in your home.

Speakeasy Walls, a Bridgewater based company, has a line of “Pet Wall Quotes” (No Quote Intended), and wall art that will fit in with any style home or apartment. I know that you’ve probably seen something similar in Pottery Barn Baby, right? These are even better than that and now pet lovers can have the same kind of fun decorating and celebrating their snuggly babies too!
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