A Dog’s Life

By Brianne Harrison

It’s a dog’s life—or, at least, it should be, according to the author/photographer team behind Dogplay: The Canine Guide to Being Happy, a charming little gift book that urges people to approach life the way our canine companions do (example: “Explore new backyards, but know your way home.”) The platitudes, while cute, aren’t exactly groundbreaking; the photography, by Little Silver-based pet portraitist Kim Levin, is the real winner here. Levin’s black and white pics catch man’s best friend at its cutest, happiest, and sweetest. It’s impossible not to have your heart warmed at least a little by this quick read.

The book is coming out in March (but can be preordered here), and Levin will be signing copies from 1-3 p.m. at the following locations:

Barnes & Noble, Holmdel, March 6
River Road Books, Fair Haven, March 13
Barnes & Noble—Monmouth Mall, Eatontown, March 20

Meanwhile: St. Hubert’s has taken its pet adoption campaign to the streets—literally, by posting digital billboards on some of the state’s major highways, touting the benefits of pet ownership and adoption. The new billboards, which were created by Branchburg-based Mint Advertising, can be seen on Routes 80, 287, 78, 280, and the New Jersey Turnpike.

Rabbit Rescue

By Brianne Harrison

Many of us believe that the people who owned animals that needed to be rescued must be monsters—how could any feeling person neglect an innocent, trusting animal? But the truth is, oftentimes these people aren’t monsters. Many are ill and can no longer care for their pets properly, but like many animal lovers, they’re reluctant to relinquish those pets they love so much.

This was the case with a recent rescue by the Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital and the New Jersey House Rabbit Society. An elderly owner had become ill and could no longer care for the 14 rabbits in their care. The rabbits were living outside and lacked adequate food, water, and shelter.

Luckily, this story has a happy ending. The rabbits were rescued and taken to the Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital, which is now caring for them, giving them medical exams and performing spays and neuters. They will be available for adoption starting Sunday, November 15.

Anyone interested in adopting a rabbit may visit the candidates at Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital (225 Monmouth Rd., Oakhurst) from 3:30 to 6 p.m. In addition to showing the rabbits, Dr. Michael Doolen, a veterinarian with the hospital, will give a presentation on rabbit health care. The event is free, but anyone interested should RSVP to tturner@oakhurstvet.com.

Pet Health Alert
PetSmart is voluntarily recalling Dentley’s Bulk Cattle Hooves and Dentley’s 10 Pack Beef Hooves due to potential salmonella contamination. If you purchased either of these products between Oct. 2 and Nov. 3, please return them to your nearest PetSmart store for a complete refund for exchange.

Deerisistable

By Judith Garfield

Plenty of dough is spent on plenty of deer.

Hundreds of new products appear every year compelling us to spend yet another dollar with the promise of keeping those stealthy snackers away from our beautiful gardens.

They say money talks, but so far the deer are not listening. All the money I have spent on revolutionary deer repellents has not eliminated the problem at all. It seems everything works temporarily, but sooner or later the deer figure out how to outwit, outplay, and outlast. True survivors.

We go to bed with our lovely daylilies looking lush and colorful, and in the morning we pull back the curtains only to see we have again been ambushed…not a bloom left. Sigh.

These voracious nibblers are relentless. And of course they spread the news quickly at impromptu deer conventions, so every deer in town makes it over to your back yard when the eating is good.

I suppose you could try one of those ‘deer resistant gardens’, but I have not had much success with them. Seems the deer in this neck of the woods eat everything on the ‘do not eat list’, including the list. Or you could fence in some smaller areas. The deer will not enter an area if they see no escape route. Nor do they like to deal with chicken wire, but this makes cutting flowers a bit of a nuisance.

Last week we once again bravely planted a little herb and vegetable garden next to our house. Basil, thyme, rosemary, dill, and lots of lettuce. The deer have not yet heard about our salad bar, but I expect business to pick up dramatically once the rabbits give it a four-star rating.

If only the deer liked stink bugs.