Welcome to Bay Woof, June 2023

Workin’ Like a Dog!

With all that’s going on in the world, there’s little rest for the activists among us - and that’s on top of those darned day jobs we need to pay the vet bills and keep the dog food stocked up. But whether our labor is in person or remote, paid or volunteer, humans generally have some degree of choice when it comes to work. And if our dogs are lucky, they do, too.

The working pups you’ll meet in this month’s issue definitely love their jobs and then some. What’s life at home like with a search and rescue dog? Trish Moutard (CARDA) gives you the inside scoop on these pups who perform dangerous, highly skilled work with the same intensity they bring to their domestic chores (what, you didn’t want that couch cushion shredded?). 

Ever wonder what it takes to be an assistance dog for a wounded warrior? Olivia Hughes with Paws for Purple Hearts has the lowdown on their training and the path these remarkable pups travel before graduating to a lifetime of service.

Think your dog is more the desk-and-cubicle type? Stacy Braslau-Schneck with Stacy’s Wag’N’Train is here with a handy checklist to get ready for Take Your Dog to Work Day later this month. Hint: it’s not for everyone.

Whether you’re taking a lunch break or a sick day (*fake cough*), there’s much more in store in our June issue. Ren Volpe with GoDogPro explains why fetch isn’t always the right choice for every dog and why she’s chucked the ball launcher.  Dr. Ken with A Gentle Rest provides an update on how to measure a dog’s age, just in case Rover wants to get a jump on his retirement plans. Sara Scott with Dog Training with Sara shares her journey through the world of dog sports and what she’s learned about her dogs and herself along the way. And Cyd True with True Dog Training 101 offers pointers on getting your dog to listen - even when you’re not talking about walks or treats. 

Elsewhere in the issue, Michael Angelo Torres has the latest updates from the SF Animal Commission, Nose for News corrals canine headlines from near and far, Mr. Smarty Pants brings you watercooler-worthy tidbits, and Red and Howling stands ready to put a smile on your face even if it’s not the weekend.

Let’s be honest. Most of our dogs will never rescue a lost child, aid a wounded veteran, or sniff out a hidden bomb, but we can all admire those noble beasts who do. So this month, please join us in saluting working dogs everywhere. Here’s to those selfless, skilled, and courageous animals and the tasks they perform each day, wagging all the while.

And remember, whether your dog is working hard or hardly working, sharing life together is what makes it all worthwhile. 

Happy Pride Month,
M Rocket
Publisher