Best of Baltimore 2021: Home & Services

What’s the ultimate cure for this recent heaviness? Puppies, of course.

In the past few weeks, families have been using the forced time at home to finally say yes to the question they’ve been asked for months/years: “Can we get a puppy . . . Pleeeaaassseeee???”

“For years, my kids have asked—daily—for a dog,” says Jessica Klaitman. Slowly, she and her husband’s firm “no” had started to soften. “Not that we ever told the kids that,” jokes Klaitman, who lives in Towson. Then quarantine hit.

As she walked her kids home from school on March 13th, the last day that schools were open, a dog was the last thing on her mind.

“A week later though, as the reality of our collective situation started to sink in, and the tears and frustration started showing,” Klaitman says, “we realized that we needed an infusion of happiness—right now.” Her kids were so surprised when they brought Pepper home, that her daughter asked, “Is that a real dog?”

The Klaitmans’ new dog, Pepper. -Jessica Klaitman

Josie Moon joined the Siegal-Andorsky family on March 23rd, the day Governor Larry Hogan‘s executive order that only essential services remain open in the state went into effect.

The family had been considering getting a dog for about a year, but was hesitant to do so with their busy lifestyle. Their middle child was the one who had been consistently and persistently asking for a dog. She pointed out that this—meaning the pandemic—was the best opportunity to be home with a puppy. “I’ve literally been waiting 10 years for this day to come,” says 10-year old, Nava.

Since the children’s school—Krieger Schechter Day School—had moved to an online learning environment, mom Rachel Siegal had been exploring the pet possibility with renewed vigor.

“When I heard the essential-services-only executive order was coming into effect at 5 p.m., I told myself it was now or never,” Siegal says. “I went and met the puppy by myself at 1:30, leaving the kids at home with my husband, Sam.” (She had learned her lesson from a previous puppy encounter earlier in the week, when they all went and the kids left brokenhearted when she decided that particular dog wasn’t right for them.)

“When I met this puppy I had a sense that she was the one,” says Siegal. After meeting the entire family later that afternoon, the new pup was settled in her new home before the executive order went into effect that night.

“We borrowed some puppy supplies from neighbors, did a curbside pick up order from Petco, found Joy Freedman, a trainer who was willing to do online virtual trainings with us as a family, and we were off and running,” she says.

The Siegal-Andorsky family with their new pup, Josie Moon. -Rachel Siegal

The Sandhu Potter family had been talking about a puppy for a while, given that their last rescue, Freddie, is 17. “We thought we’d do it after she passes,” says Kiran Sandhu. “But since she’s still going pretty strong and we are all home now, we decided to take advantage of the time.”

Hodja, a “probably” collie/corgi mix, is named after Nasreddin Hodja, a Turkish satirist from the 13th century. “We used to read his stories to the kids when they were little,” says Sandhu.

Another big motivating factor for the family was giving the kids something to focus on that isn’t a screen.

“It’s been great having the time to dedicate to a puppy,” says Sandhu, an ESOL educational associate with Baltimore City Public Schools. “I’m not sure how we could have done it with our normal schedules.”

Klaitman agrees it’s a wonderful distraction and way to fill time. “Pepper has been such a wonderful diversion for us,” she says. “And yes, she has succeeded in increasing our happiness exponentially.”

The Sandhu Potter family poses with Hodja.

-Kiran Sandhu

The same is true in the Siegal-Andorsky household. The first day, they filled up a wall in their hallway with Post-It notes covered in possible names for their puppy. Over the course of the second day, they eliminated some names as her personality started to emerge.

Their 13-year old son, Yoni, wanted a nature-based name, like Storm or Ash, reflective of Josie’s merle coat. “We didn’t want to do a name that was anything reminiscent of coronavirus or of this terrible time for our world,” says Siegal.

After day two it became clear that Josie Moon was the name that best suited her chill personality.

“I like to think of her as an old hippie come to our family to help chill us all out,” jokes Siegal. “It’s also been great to have her around for those 15 minutes here and there when the kids have breaks between their Zoom classes. Rather than watch one more YouTube video, they’re coming downstairs to the kitchen to play with the puppy,” she says, mentioning, “That’s not to say they’re not watching hours and hours of YouTube and Netflix—which they are—while Sam and I try to continue to work.”

Says Klaitman, “The kids call her their ‘emotional support dog.’ To be honest, so do the adults. We love our ‘pandemic puppy’ and know that she will help imprint some delightful memories from a difficult time.”

When Emily Meadows took her rescue kitten to the beach for the first time, she couldn’t believe how he acted. Not only was he a natural on the leash, but he buried his head in the sand to find toys and didn’t even mind a wave or two coming his way.

“Once I saw that, I knew he was an adventure cat and that he’d do anything,” Meadows says. “I told people he was going to be famous and everyone thought I was crazy.”

As it turns out, her premonition came true. Pip the Beach Cat, as he’s lovingly called, has become a quasi-celebrity in Ocean City, Maryland, as he strolls down the boardwalk to visit local businesses, volunteers at schools and senior centers, and is even coming out with his own children’s book (he signed the contract with his paw).

“People are just drawn to him and love the way he looks,” Meadows says. “I’ve never had a cat where people see him, stop, and say how gorgeous he is. He’s very photogenic.”

Pip’s good looks have catapulted him into social media fame, with more than 6,000 followers on Instagram, 11,000 on Facebook, and a recent article in the New York Post.

At just under a year old, the orange tabby wound up on the doorstep of Meadows’ friend of a friend in Berlin, Maryland. When no one else wanted to take him in, she figured she would care for him temporarily but quickly fell in love with his, let’s call it, unique personality.

“He is different than any other cat I’ve ever seen,” says Meadows, who lives with her husband and two other cats. “He had a ton of energy and was so rambunctious, we realized we had to take him out in order to tire him out, so that’s where his adventures began.”

Those adventures have included Pip on a paddleboard and boogie board, or even simply coming along for errands since he loves the car so much.

In fact, Meadows never used to be a year-round Ocean City resident, choosing to spend winters in places like Colorado or Europe in the past. (She even spent a stint in Baltimore, bartending at Cinghiale for a year.) But Pip has shown her there’s plenty to do in the community, no matter the season.

Some of their favorite hangouts include Backshore Brewing, which is open to pets and humans all year, as well as Ocean Gallery, where owner Joe Kro-Art has a special affinity for Pip.

“Joe is Pip’s biggest fan,” Meadows says. “He’s made a bunch of art for him and named him the official greeter at the gallery for 2019. We’ve been calling it Pip’s first summer job.”

Beyond that, though, Meadows wants to use her cat’s popularity for good and regularly takes him to do “readings” at special needs schools, work with underserved kids in the community, and visits local senior centers and nursing homes to keep people company. One patient—who suffers from pretty severe, non-verbal dementia—lights up and even talks every time Pip walks in the room.

“Seeing him interact as sort of a therapy animal has been so neat to watch,” Meadows says. “It has been an eye-opening experience because Pip just naturally has this ability to show a range of emotions and people connect with that.”

So what’s next for Pip (aside from his summer job and children’s book deal)? Coming to visit Baltimore, of course. He’ll be in town on March 11 hopefully meeting up with another well-known cat, Killer of Hampden, and to volunteer at the after-school program at St. Francis Neighborhood Center and model for the Show Your Soft Side campaign in partnership with BARCS.

“At the end of the day, we want Pip’s mission to be helping people,” says Meadows, who works at Barn 34 restaurant, but may soon devote her life full-time to Pip. “He’s helped me rediscover another side of Ocean City, proved that rescue cats are the way to go, and given light to people who may not otherwise be recognized.”

Pups are our BFFs. They cuddle us when we’re sad, lick us when we’re sweaty, and they love to go outside and explore. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite pup-friendly spots in Baltimore so that you never have to leave your furry friend behind. These restaurants offer complimentary dog treats and water bowls, give pets free rein of patio seating, and some even host special events that encourage you to bring your dog as your plus-one. Wherever you go, these spots are totally paw-esome.

Pup-Friendly Patios

Riptide by the Bay: This waterfront eatery is smack-dab in middle of Fells Point and has earned a reputation as a popular pup hangout. The outdoor patio is dog-friendly and offers scenic views that both you and your pup will enjoy. Try ordering the Maryland crab cakes, local oysters, or BBQ ribs. 1718 Thames Street, 410-732-3474

Pratt Street Ale House: The Pratt Street Ale House patio is totally furball friendly. You can indulge in great food and craft beers while lounging with your pup at the numerous outdoor tables. There’s nothing better than beer and belly rubs. 206 W Pratt St., 410-244-8900

Atwater’s at Belvedere Square Market: This local cafe has a large patio perfect for dog-watching. There’s tons of umbrellas to stay out of the sun and plenty of space for you and your dog-owning friends to meet up. And you’ll love Atwaters’ hearty soups, decadent sandwiches, and hearth baked pastries just as much as we do. 529 E Belvedere Ave., 410-323-2396

Sam’s Canterbury Cafe: Guilford locals flock to this neighborhood cafe for the brunch menu, featuring fare like the jalapeño cheddar waffles and unique flatbreads named after Baltimore spots, “The Charles,” “The Hopkins,” and “The Calvert.” Surrounded by trees and greenery, Sam’s Canterbury Cafe’s patio is a true oasis for families, friends, and pets alike. 3811 Canterbury Rd., 443-438-4545

Miss Shirley’s Cafe: Baltimoreans agree that Miss Shirley’s Cafe has some of The Charm City’s best brunch food, like the infamous funky monkey bread, broiled grapefruit brûlée, or grandpa’s cornbread squares. And the outdoor patios are pet-friendly at all Miss Shirley’s locations. Multiple locations including 750 E. Pratt Street, 410-528-5373

Dining with Dog Treats

Bmore Licks: This family-owned ice cream shop is one of Canton’s most-loved spots for a sweet treat. They offer more than 100 flavors of homemade ice cream and dozens of milkshake, sundae, and snowball creations. The best part? Bmore Licks serves dog-friendly ice cream, too, with tasty flavors ranging from Cookies & Cream to Fruity Pebbles. 2437 Eastern Ave., 410-732-5425

The Dog Chef Cafe: Handmade frozen yogurt, sweet potato fries, kale pretzels, and donuts . . . these are just a few of the dog-friendly goodies you can buy at The Dog Chef Cafe. The cafe sells tons of healthy, fresh dog food, and they emphasize locally sourced ingredients and organic meals. These treats look so good, you might be the one begging for once. 863 North Howard St., 301-785-2998

Patterson Perk: Head to this canine coffee shop, located in Canton, for plenty of pup-friendly perks. Grab your BFF a free dog treat and head outside to soak up the sun on the patio. For a sweet snack, order a blueberry scone, or try the artichoke and goat cheese panini for a savory bite. 2501 Eastern Ave., 410-534-1286

Furry Fun

DogWatch Tavern: DogWatch Tavern is a fun-house for adults, with tons of happy hour specials and bar games like Skee-Ball and pinball. And don’t worry, your dog will have fun, too. DogWatch offers free treats and water bowls for all pups, and pets are more than welcome to hang at the outdoor tables. 709 S. Broadway, 410-276-6030

The Admiral’s Cup: The Admiral’s Cup doesn’t just allow dogs, they love dogs. The lively saloon hosts frequent #DrinkWithYourDog events where they offer free pup portraits and discounts on beers from Flying Dog and Full Tilt. Check out the Admiral’s Cup Facebook page for more information about upcoming dog-friendly events. 1647 Thames St., 410-534-5555

Blue Pit BBQ: This laid-back hangout has tons of dog-friendly outdoor seating, perfect for big parties, as well as an extensive whiskey collection, an array of smoked meats, and tons of hefty sandwiches. They’ve hosted events like Yappy Hour, a specially tailored party for people who love drinking with their dogs, and many of their proceeds benefit local animal shelters. 1601 Union Ave., 443-948-5590

The starting gates will be occupied at Pimlico Race Track on Sunday, April 8, but there won’t be any horses. Instead of thoroughbreds, visitors will find purebred bulldogs ready to run the historic track at the second annual Bulldog Day hosted by Hunt Valley Animal Hospital. The event will bring lovers of the wrinkly-faced breed from near and far to raise money for local rescues.

Dr. Allan Frank, owner of the hospital and bulldog dad, specializes in soft palate surgery and other procedures that are often needed for bulldogs, who have a higher tendency to experience breathing challenges. Last year, he hosted the inaugural Bulldog Day in Cockeysville that attracted a crowd of nearly 800 bulldog lovers and 200 dogs.

“Bulldogs are one of the most lovable, comical dog breeds out there,” Dr. Frank said. “We know many people in our region love this breed, too, and after the great success of last year’s event, we decided to throw an even bigger celebration this year.”                

The day will include contests—including best French bulldog, best English bulldog, best costume, best puppy, best senior, and best butt wiggle—prizes, a kissing booth, food, and music. New this year, given the venue, will be the “Racing of the Bulls,” where participating bulldogs will compete to see who’s the fastest.

“The whole thing is going to be so funny,” said Kelly Rowe, the hospital’s administrator. “They’re bulldogs, so it’s not going to be a lengthy race. We’re talking 15 yards tops—it will be hilarious.”

There will also be a caricaturist, moon bounce, and even a little pool area for the dogs to cool off after the race. In addition to more than 30 pet-related vendors selling everything from dog biscuits to puppy portraits, there will also be seven rescues featured with their own booths in hopes of being adopted.

Expecting to double last year’s attendance, Bulldog Day will be held rain or shine, and admission is $8 per adult at the door. Children and dogs are free, but proof of up-to-date vaccinations will be required upon entry (for the dogs, of course, not the children). There will even be vets on site from Hunt Valley Animal Hospital to ensure that all dogs are safe while participating in the events and hanging out with their pooch pals.

“It’s going to be a fun, family-friendly event,” Rowe said. “The more we can give back to the rescues, the better. It’s a day to celebrate how unique and wonderful bulldogs are.”

When Adam Mittadam started posting photos of his five French bulldogs on social media, he never expected them to become stars. But snapshots of the Highlandtown resident’s charming companions—full of scrunched expressions, adorable costumes, and creative poses—have captured the hearts of dog-lovers from Baltimore and beyond, earning their cheekily named Instagram account, @we.farted, more than 52,000 followers to date.

Today, the pack can often be spotted having lunch in Fells or taking a walk through Patterson Park, but their story starts in the mid 2000s, when Mittadam was a fresh-faced college graduate who had always dreamed of owning his own pup. After doing some research, he knew that Frenchies, with their small size, lively temperament, and funny faces, were the ones.

In 2006, he bought his first, Mango, a classy “gentleman,” and before long wanted to help more Frenchies by adopting them. A decade later, he still has Mango, now age 12, as well as Vespa, 7, the “lazy cuddler,” Coconut, 7, “the cheerleading squad captain,” Moped, 5, “the football team captain,” and Chopper, 3, aka “Baby Chops, the Energizer bunny.”

But it’s not always easy being a dog owner of five. Not only do the costs of vet visits and food add up, but some of the pups have health problems. Baby Chops, for example, has an esophageal condition that makes it difficult to swallow food. Before meeting Mittadam, he couldn’t find a steady home.

“It’s a big commitment,” says Mittadam, “but I wasn’t going to be the person who returned him again.”

Mittadam and his Frenchies have received endless support from their growing brood of fans, and the 34 year old has now started sharing training tips and health advice to other dog owners on social media. Mittadam does have a full-time job as an analyst, but he’s not opposed to having his pack become Insta-famous like other leading pooches Jiff Pom the Pomeranian or Doug the Pug.

“We’re accepting sponsors,” jokes Mittadam. “I’d love to get to the point where I can take on my dream job—posting about my five potatoes with little legs all day.

Chopper

From water mains breaks to climbing energy bills, a myriad of issues arise as temperatures inevitably fall each winter.

“People might not think about this, but even if you keep your thermostat at the same temperature you always do, your heating furnace will have to work harder to maintain that same temperature,” said BGE spokesman Richard Yost. “So even if you’re not turning up the heat, you may end up using more energy.”

Here are some tips to help you (and your furry friends) through these frosty winter months without breaking the bank.

Use the sun.
Just opening the curtains and letting the sun’s natural heat do some of the heavy lifting on those cold days will help to keep your thermostat at a reasonable temperature. Just be sure to close them at night to keep the cold air outside where it belongs.

Ceiling fans can help in the winter, too.
If your home is equipped with ceiling fans, have them circulate clockwise on a slow speed to get the hot air stuck in your ceiling down to you.

If your health permits, lower your thermostat.
“The simplest thing to do is to adjust the temperature—especially when you’re sleeping,” Yost said. “If you dial it back 10 to 15 degrees, it might sound like a lot, but if you’re under your blankets you won’t notice it.” BGE customers can save up to 5 percent on heating costs every degree the thermostat is lowered. It’s also a good idea to wear socks and long sleeves when in the house to help keep your thermostat at a reasonable temperature.

Make sure your home is properly insulated.
Frozen and burst pipes are so common in the winter months due to poorly insulated plumbing. BGE customers can take advantage of the quick home energy checkup to have a licensed contractor come to your home to assess your insulation.

Keep your outdoor gas vents clear.
Homes with natural gas appliances have outdoor vents—typically at knee or thigh height. When it snows or gets icy, it is important to keep those vents clear so that the exhaust is not trapped in the home.

Make sure pets are safe.
Speaking of outdoor, we can’t forget about our furry family members in these brutal temps. By law, if the temperature is below 10-degrees, pets are required to have heated housing. Pets exposed to cold temperatures for a long period of time can experience hypothermia. Signs include low body temperature, violent shivering, and blue gums.

“If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for your pets,” said executive director for BARCS Jen Brause. “It may seem like common sense, but we still see pets come in with hypothermia, half frozen.”

Dogs with short coats should wear a jacket.
Unlike breeds such as shepherds, huskies, malamutes, and retrievers, breeds that do not have an undercoat can get cold quickly.

Pets should avoid salted roads.
It’s not only very toxic if ingested, but it’s very coarse and painful for their paw pads. If they happen to come in contact with it, wipe the pet’s paw off with a lukewarm washcloth to remove any residue.

Keep pets inside.
We know they have to go outside at some point, but shorter walks and potty breaks make all the difference. Less time outside may result in a bored pet, but it’s the safest place for them when the temps get below freezing. The best thing to do is find fun things to do with them indoors like training games and food puzzles.

“This is a great opportunity to interact and play with your pets,” Brause said. “It’s perfect, you can snuggle each other and keep warm.”

Still carrying his Nerf dart gun, 10-year-old Dominic Solesky ran outside and down the alley behind his family’s East Towson row home after hearing his friend, Scotty Mason, screaming.

“We’d played baseball earlier in the day, and we were playing tag,” Dominic recalls five years later. “Two of our other friends met me at the gate on the side of the alley and said they saw him get attacked. I ran down and saw his Nerf gun and blood on the pavement—and then I saw the pit bull trying to jump out of its kennel.”

The pit bull’s owner had pulled his dog off Scotty and had already begun cleaning up the 9-year-old’s face and shoulder when Dominic arrived on the scene. As the owner, in his kitchen, was warning Scotty not to tell his parents what had happened, the dog leapt off the back of another pit bull in the kennel and got free.

“I was scared and started running toward my house,” says Dominic, who weighed about 60 pounds at the time. “I looked behind me and saw my two friends—one went over a fence and the other hid next to a telephone pole—and the dog gaining ground. I kept running, but he caught me and jumped on my back and knocked me down. I tried to push him off, and he bit my arm and then he bit my face.

“It was sort of pouncing on me and barking all at once.”

By the time the owner pulled his pit bull, Clifford, off Dominic, the dog had ripped opened his thigh and severed his femoral artery.

Witnessing the attack and seeing Dominic lying in an expanding pool of blood, a neighbor dialed 911, pleading through tears for assistance.

“I just saw a dog attack a little boy. He’s covered in blood. He cannot walk,” the woman says on a tape of the emergency call. “This boy needs medical attention now . . . he’s hurt bad. . . . We need help now! We need help now!”

“Is the boy conscious?”

“Barely.”

“Please hurry.”

Another neighbor rushed over and applied pressure to the gaping wound, hoping to stem the bleeding until an ambulance arrived.

“It didn’t look like a dog bite,” says Dominic’s mother, Irene, who also ran to her son. “It looked like a shark attack.”

Later, as doctors at The Johns Hopkins Hospital emergency room worked to save Dominic’s life, the Baltimore County Fire Department dispatched a “wash detail” to the alley to clean up his blood. Dominic eventually underwent a second surgery and spent a year in rehab. Afterwards, the Solesky’s civil claim against the pit bull’s owner was discharged when the man filed for bankruptcy protection. However, Anthony Solesky, Dominic’s father, also sued the pit bull owner’s landlord for negligence, alleging knowledge of the dog’s “vicious” nature in court papers.

With Dominic left with several scars but otherwise long-since recovered and a member of his high school’s wrestling team, that lawsuit finally completed its circuitous journey through the Baltimore County and Maryland judicial systems last spring. The state Court of Appeals (Maryland’s highest court) ruling: Pit bulls are “inherently dangerous” and, therefore, a landlord with knowledge of a pit bull on their property can be held “strictly liable”—automatically culpable, in other words—for the dog’s actions. For all intents and purposes, the court’s decision set a new precedent, negating the state’s so-called “free-first-bite” rule, which held that in order for a dog’s owner—not to mention, a landlord—to be liable, a dog must be shown to have bitten previously. Suddenly, pit bulls became the exception to that rule.

State Farm, the landlord’s homeowner’s insurance carrier in Dominic’s case, quickly settled out of court with the Soleskys.

The real fight, however, was just beginning. Days after the court decision, a Baltimore Sun column by Dan Rodricks supporting the ruling and characterizing pit bulls as “four-legged time bombs” ignited a firestorm of online comments from pit-bull lovers. Over the next few weeks, Facebook, pit-bull-friendly websites, and editorial pages lit up in outrage over the court’s “breed-specific” decision. A month after the ruling, under intense pressure from pit bull advocates and the rescue community, which included a rally in Annapolis, the General Assembly set up a Pit Bull Task Force. But in a special session this fall, legislators failed to pass a bill addressing the court decision.

And while pit bull supporters and the rescue community are concerned that shelters, dog parks, animal hospitals, and third parties can be held automatically liable for the actions of pit bulls on their property, their more pressing worry has been that landlords would force tenants and families to choose between their pets and their homes. Not without good reason. In the aftermath of the Court of Appeals decision, organizations such as the Maryland SPCA, the Humane Society of the United States, and the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS), received hundreds of calls from panicked pit bull and crossbred pit bull owners about the impact of the decision. (The court has since ruled their decision only applies to purebred pit bulls.) At last count at BARCS, more than 40 pit bull owners have given up their pets to the shelter following the court ruling, with many explicitly mentioning eviction warnings from their landlords.

“It’s been heartbreaking at times, parents with children, everybody crying, including our staff members and other customers,” says Jennifer Brause, BARCS’s executive director. “This has been hard for everyone. We even had a purebred boxer come in—a dog that obviously isn’t a pit bull—because the landlord thought it was a pit bull and suddenly got nervous after the ruling. The tenant didn’t have the resources to fight and, in the end, was afraid of retaliation by the landlord.”

Meanwhile, pit bull supporters continue their campaign for legislative action to override the pit-bull-specific language in the Court of Appeals ruling. Among other events, the SPCA of Anne Arundel County hosted its first Pit Bull Appreciation Month this fall. B-More Dog, a pit bull outreach and education organization launched in 2007 as Baltimore County considered pit-bull-specific legislation in the wake of Dominic’s attack, hosted a “Holiday Pit Bulls on Parade” walk at the Inner Harbor in December. And this month, Pact for Animals will host a daylong, “Punish the Deed, Not the Breed” symposium at the University of Baltimore.

“This pit bull ruling is so difficult because it started as a court decision and not in the legislature, where it bubbled up almost immediately afterwards,” says Aileen Gabbey, executive director of the Maryland SPCA, who has testified in Annapolis about the ruling. “Animal welfare groups were really taken aback, obviously upset, and very worried about what this meant for pets and people. There was the [Annapolis] rally and animal-rights groups started getting phone calls to their legislators, who, to their credit, listened to their constituents. The more they heard, the more they realized they needed to act.”

Elected officials are readying to tackle the issue again in the General Assembly. But the question remains, can the state Senate and House find a way to protect the public from vicious dogs without harming families who love their pit bull pets? Right now, pit bull owners and landlords remain in a kind of limbo as another lawsuit—this one filed in federal court by Baltimore City pit bull owners—challenges the constitutionality of evictions based on the Maryland Court of Appeals decision.

Late last summer, the pit bull uproar galvanized when the management board that oversees East Baltimore’s low-income Armistead Gardens housing co-op, a neighborhood of roughly 1,500 homes, sent a letter to leaseholders ordering them to give up their pit bulls and threatening legal action, “including termination” of leases. In reaction, Armistead Gardens resident Joseph Weigel reached out to the law office of Barry Glazer, filing a federal suit, later joined by neighbors Joanna Profili and Jenine Gangi and amended to a class-action complaint, that alleges, among other things, the wrongful abrogation of their property rights and an unjust attempt to terminate their leases. All three express a deep affection for their pit bulls.

Weigel is described as “the disabled owner of Angel, a loving and obedient dog believed to be a pit bull or pit-bull mix” in court papers. Profili, a 28-year-old single mother of two and a machine operator recently laid off from her job, is raising her children alone after their father was tragically killed on Christmas Eve, 2011. According to the suit, she wants to avoid having to give up the family’s beloved 2-year-old pit bull, “which serves as a reminder to her children of happier times with their father.”

Gangi, a veterinarian’s assistant at the Essex Middle River Veterinary Center and a trainer at PETCO in the Golden Ring Mall, has two crossbred pit bulls, Tank Girl, 6, and Baby Girl, 2, who also serve as blood donors at her veterinary clinic.

“Since the court decision was made, it’s been very stressful,” Gangi says. “People became very paranoid that their dogs are going to be taken away or they’re going to be forced to move. For me, my dogs are my children. I think of Tank as my ‘first born.’ They’re very social animals—they play tricks, they play dead—and they’ve gotten me though some rough times. If my dogs were ever taken away, I’d be devastated.”

“There’s an estimated 500 pit bulls or pit-bull mixes in Armistead Gardens, but this really impacts Maryland as a whole,” says Charles H. Edwards IV, an attorney in Glazer’s office, which has taken the case pro-bono. “We made a decision to attack the law and not just seek relief for the three Armistead Gardens residents. This shouldn’t be allowed to stand in Maryland.”

Christopher Moll, another Armistead Gardens resident, a married refrigeration technician with three kids, and the owner of a 4-year-old pit mix named Dahlia, is not a part of the federal complaint, but has become a pit bull activist following the court’s ruling. He participated in a B-More Dog pit bull event outside the local elementary school as well as attending the organization’s “Holiday Pit Bulls on Parade” downtown with his family.

Moll believes that the court ruling and surrounding media attention has not just frightened pit bull owners, but likely has also scared off potential owners from adopting animals—something Brause mentioned as well. “I’ve been to BARCS and the Baltimore County Animal Shelter and interacted with the dogs there and taken them out,” he says. “They’re approachable, they’re not dangerous.”

Moll maintains, as do all pit bull supporters, that the problem is not the pit bull breeds, generally considered the American pit bull terrier, the American Staffordshire, the Staffordshire bull terrier, or mixes thereof, but each dog’s training. “Their behavior is all based on how the dogs are raised, it’s definitely not the breed,” Moll says. “Our dog has never showed any signs of aggression. My kids have jumped up and down on her, pulled her ears, and stuck their hands in her bowl when she was eating.”

In its decision, the Court of Appeals painted a different picture of pit bulls as it highlighted its long frustration with existing law, or lack thereof, regarding attacks, noting the mauling of another 10-year-old Maryland boy, John L. Clark, in a case that came before the court in 1916. More recently, over the past 13 years, the court said in its opinion, “there have been no less than seven instances of serious maulings by pit bulls upon Maryland residents resulting in either serious injuries or death that have reached the appellate courts . . . including the two boys attacked by the pit bull in the present case.”

In its opinion, the Court of Appeals cited, among other studies, research published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association that found that from 1979 through 1996, dog attacks caused more than 300 U.S. fatalities, and that pit bulls were involved in approximately one-third of the deaths during a 12-year period from 1981 through 1992.

While the pit bull controversy here garnered not just local and state headlines, but national attention, it is hardly the first time legal questions and legislation around pit bulls in the state has popped up.

In an effort to protect the public, cities and counties have often taken matters into their own hands, passing pit-bull-specific legislation. Most notably, Prince George’s County banned pit bulls outright in 1996 following several attacks. Baltimore County, as mentioned earlier, considered requiring pit-bull-specific licensing and liability insurance in the aftermath of Dominic’s attack. This summer, Hagerstown’s City Council considered strict liability legislation on pit bull owners and landlords, but ultimately placed the proposed ordinance on hold. Two small Maryland towns, North Beach and Port Deposit, also outlawed pit bulls in recent years. North Beach, however, rescinded the ban this summer.

According to DogsBite.org, a national dog-bite victims’ group, which monitors attacks, breed-specific legislation, and court rulings, more than 500 municipalities and 18 counties in the U.S. have some type of pit-bull-specific law. Founded by Colleen Lynn, whose arm was broken in a pit-bull attack, DogsBite.org also reports that 23 countries regulate pit bulls and “dangerous dog” breeds with national breed-specific laws.

Although pit bulls have a complicated history—bred in England to “bait bulls” (a popular blood sport where dogs fought tethered bulls) and, later, in the U.S. to fight each other—pit bulls and pit-bull mixes have not always had such a bad reputation. For a long time, they were the all-American dog in the country’s imagination. The Little Rascals’ dog “Petey” was a pit bull; so was Buster Brown’s dog. Theodore Roosevelt had a pit bull terrier named “Pete.” Helen Keller’s companion was a “pittie” named Sir Thomas. Gen. George Patton had a white pit bull named “Willie” and pit bulls served as U.S. military mascots and in combat during both World Wars.

Lynn believes that the number of pit-bull attacks—and, therefore, their aggressive reputation—is linked to an explosion in the number of pit bulls since the late 1970s. She puts the cause of the problem at the feet of irresponsible owners and breeders, as well as an increase in the number of dogs exploited for fighting—or at the very least—their macho image. But Lynn also believes pit bulls to be dangerous regardless of how well-bred or how well-trained they may be, due to what she describes as their “hold-and-shake” biting style and inherent tenacity.

The bottom line, says Marcy Setter of Pit Bull Rescue Central, an online resource for pit bull owners, is that there are not any easy answers.

Pit bulls can be mishandled, abused, and taught to be aggressive.

They can also be wonderful family pets.

“Everybody wants you to wave a magic wand,” Setter says. “We need to move slowly in the right direction, but breed-specific legislation doesn’t work—it’s expensive for local animal control and identification alone is too complicated.” (When is a pit-bull mix defined as a pit bull, for example?)

Instead of breed-specific laws, Setter says elected officials should propose incentives to spay and neuter and stronger leash laws, including enforcement and higher fines, that can fund a more-responsive animal control effort. “It’s a horrible situation when a victim is attacked and that should never happen to anyone,” she says. “The problem is important, and we need laws. But we should write laws so that animal control can be proactive and respond to neighbors’ complaints. Usually, there are harmful signs before something happens.”

Gabbey, the Maryland SPCA executive director, says much the same thing. “There are leash laws and in a lot of quarters of the city, the rules are broken,” she says. “Ideally, it’d be nice, when a fence is broken or a neighbor makes a complaint providing a dog’s address, that there’d be a response. Right now, typically, animal control is only reactive. I’d say in most communities, animal control is woefully underfunded, and without that, these things are hard to do.”

To the current controversy, Gabbey notes that state legislators heard from concerned constituents throughout the state about the urgency around the pit bull ruling before the second special season last year and will again during the regular session. “Pit bulls owners of Maryland want to see this resolved,” she says. The Senate and House, once they began working during the special session, took different approaches to crafting a solution—although they did find some key common ground.

Both chambers proposed bills to override the Court of Appeals’ pit bull-specific language and treat all breeds the same. Both also considered lowering the strict-liability threshold for landlords.

However, the Senate also agreed with the Court of Appeals’ decision in removing the old, “free-first-bite,” common-law guideline, says Montgomery County state Sen. Brian Frosh, a co-chair of the Pit Bull Task Force.

The House legislation, on the other hand, essentially created more liability exemptions for dog owners than the Senate bill. Pit bull owners, under the House proposal, would be held strictly liable, for example, if their dog was off leash.

“The main difference between the Senate bill and the House bill was that the Senate bill would’ve aligned Maryland with about 35 other states that have eliminated the so-called ‘one-free-bite’ rule,” says Frosh. “I’m optimistic, but we still need to reach a consensus.”

“We are all anxiously awaiting for the legislative session to start,” says Gabbey. “People who are landlords and people who own pit bulls are still worried until legislation is passed. Frankly, I think a lot of damage has already been done.”

On a clear, crisp March day, Officer Christopher Davies prepares the second floor of a long-abandoned building at Rosewood State Hospital to go to the dogs—or, more specifically, to the Baltimore County K-9 unit.

Earlier in the day, Davies had signed out dangerous controlled substances stored in a safe at Essex headquarters (many of which were seized during local drug busts) as well as an arsenal of explosives acquired through the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Now, as if preparing for a dangerous scavenger hunt, Davies plants plastic Zip-Loc baggies of heroin, hashish, meth, and explosive compounds such as R5 and PETN in various hiding places around the floor. The hash goes on a shelf in the bathroom; the heroin gets stashed in a room behind closed doors; the meth is hidden inside the receiver of a telephone that sits on top of a desk area.

“It’s like a game of hide and seek,” explains Davies. “That’s all we do out here all day.”

First to arrive on the scene is the team of 4-year-old German shepherd Bosco and his handler, Sergeant Daniel Buchler, a former lacrosse player dressed in County-issued navy cargo pants with Oakley sunglasses on top of his head and a 40-caliber sig (pistol) strapped to one leg. Bosco, with his bear-sized paws, is equally formidable—at 99 pounds, he is one of the K-9 unit’s larger animals and, like many of the canines, is a dual-purpose dog trained in explosives and patrol work.

Bosco sniffs his way across the floors of the empty, tiled hallways while Buchler eggs on his shepherd with words of encouragement.

“Let’s get the bad guy. Let’s get the bad guy,” he says.

As Bosco sniffs, Buchler guides the dog through the halls, running his hands along the walls. When Buchler points to a paper-towel holder in a bathroom, Bosco stands gracefully on his hind legs and shoves his snout along the edge of the dispenser. Suddenly, Bosco’s breathing shifts from a steady pant to a more excited one. “He’s easy to read,” says Buchler. “You can hear his breathing change as he inhales.” Bosco takes a whiff, spins around, and then offers his “final response”—”a sit,” which is what he’s been trained to do once he locates the explosives. Buchler retrieves the R5 shoved up in the dispenser and praises Bosco for a job well done. “Good boy. Good boy,” he repeats, tossing Bosco his Kong chew toy reward. “He’s a foam monster,” says Buchler as he beams at the sight of his drooling dog who appears to be foaming at the mouth. “Yes, he is.”

For decades now, police dogs (thought to have originated in Belgium in 1859) have been widely employed throughout the United States, although in the wake of 9/11, they’ve become an increasingly common tool used against terrorism, especially for explosives. And Baltimore has benefited. Thanks to a federal grant from the Department of Homeland Security in 2010, Baltimore County received six Suburban SUVs for the unit. (They’ve since tricked the Suburbans out with a customized HVAC “hot-dog” system to keep temperatures just right for the dogs who often have to wait in cars before their officers bring them out to sniff around.)

Even before the events of 9/11, the Baltimore area was ahead of its time in using man’s best friend to assist the men and women in blue. Founded in 1956, Baltimore City’s unit is thought to be the oldest in the country with Baltimore County and the Maryland State Police units—both founded in 1961—not far behind. (Baltimore County has a relatively large unit for the state, with 25 handlers, one bloodhound, four Labradors, and 23 German shepherds.) As of today, Maryland has a K-9 unit in almost every county.

It was the Baltimore County K-9 Unit that presided over Obama’s visit to Towson University in 2011 and guarded the perimeter of a Dundalk row house during the 2000 fight-to-the-finish standoff with spree killer Joseph Palczynski. Throughout the Old Line State, the K-9 units patrol our streets, our malls, and our airports. They are called to the scene during armed robberies or when citizens are lost or on the lam.

According to Lieutenant Stephen Troutman, top dog of Baltimore County’s K-9 Unit, his team handled 6,600 calls for service last year (in Baltimore County and beyond), which led to 129 apprehensions. Though, interestingly, Troutman notes that “the mere presence of a dog is such a powerful deterrent” that of those 129 apprehensions, only 25 times was a dog actually directed to bite.

Yes, the dogs are trained to bite, but using force is a last resort. And this reflects a certain shift in policy. In the “olden days,” explains Maryland State Police Corporal Rick Kelly, “These dogs were known as ‘alligators on a leash.’ Nationally, that’s how it was done. We’d say, ‘You have five seconds to show yourself before you get bitten.’ Those days are over—now, we ‘play fair’ and give one-minute warnings. When a dog is present, that’s often enough for people to turn themselves in.”

But it’s not just their bite that makes them an effective tool against crime. Simply put, dogs can do things that humans cannot.

“They can sweep a stadium with 40,000 to 80,000 people,” says Sergeant Eric Fogle, unit commander of the Maryland State Police’s Special Operations Division. “Or [inspect] a school with 1,000 kids that’s been shut down because of a bomb threat, or seize 39 kilos of cocaine. It’s hard to put a price on what they do. It’s immeasurable.”

Police canines are genetically blessed super soldiers of sorts. For starters, their olfactory senses can be up to “40 to one hundred times stronger than humans,” says John Pearce, associate director of the Canine Detection Research Institute at Auburn University where scientists have proven that dogs can smell 10 to 50 particles (that’s the size of something so small it could fit on a pinhead) per one trillion particles. In many cases, dogs have superior hearing, eyes equipped for night vision, and the ability to run up to 30 mph. In other words, dogs may be man’s best friend, but they can be a bad guy’s worst nightmare.

“As human beings, I don’t think we could genetically create something that would be a better tool for the tactics that we do,” says Davies. “If we sat back and said, ‘We are going to create an excellent tool for law-enforcement search and rescue, companion work, and public service, and let’s figure out how were going to do it,’ the first thing we would say is, ‘Let’s make sure he’s very stable—let’s give him four legs. Let’s make sure he’s very strong and can withstand the elements, so let’s give him fur and muscles everywhere.’ And as you went along with your list, you’d probably say, ‘That looks a lot like a dog.'”

Back at North Point’s headquarters in Essex, Steve Troutman is the guy who reads all the reports, deals with the litigation (Troutman can cite chapter and verse on seemingly every legal ruling involving K-9 dog bites), and oversees everything from the veterinary calls (because the work is so physical, it’s not uncommon for dogs to get injured in the line of duty) to the purchasing of new unit dogs.

“These dogs are living creatures and they become a companion to the [officer’s] family,” says Troutman, sitting in his office near a tiny memorial to Duke, Baltimore County’s first police pooch. “But the dog is still owned by Baltimore County, and is considered ‘equipment.’ It’s difficult to say that because it’s an animal, but it’s really like my handgun and my radio.”

Because of strict breeding standards, strong bloodlines, and a long history of using canines for police work, the “equipment” is most often imported from countries such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Germany. And though the price tag can be steep at upwards of $7,000 per dog, canines have proven to be quite cost effective. “One dog team [one cop and one canine] can replace the efforts of five officers,” points out Troutman.

Which is why ongoing training is so essential.

At Rosewood and other area training grounds, the point of the exercises is to expose the dogs—and their handlers—to an infinite number of scenarios they might encounter in the field. “You can never replicate everything that happens on the road,” says Davies, “but we try to be as creative as we can.”

The officers and their dogs go through a 16-week basic patrol school (think agility training, obedience, bite and hold work), plus an additional six-to-eight week “scent training” camp for the dog to learn to detect narcotics or explosives. Beyond that, each team is also required to “retrain” an additional 18 days a year to keep all involved on their paws and toes. It’s one thing to train in a controlled environment, says Troutman, “but the million-dollar question is if you move that task to a different location, from roadside to a ship to the interstate, can they do that simple task you trained them to do? And that’s why we never stop training.”

By the end of boot camp, the dogs and their handlers form a unique working relationship that extends off the job as well.

“Picture being married and being with [your spouse] 24 hours a day,” says Baltimore County Corporal Joe Putnam, who has a narcotics dog named Carbo. “At work. At home. On weekends and whenever you go somewhere—just because I’m off, doesn’t mean he wants to be. All he wants to do is work.”

Occasionally, a dog doesn’t have the right stuff to serve as a police canine, such as Buchler’s yellow Lab, Rusty, who is now happily living out his “retirement” at Buchler’s home. “The Lab is a washout,” laughs Buchler. “He was a bomb trainee who decided he preferred the permanent vacation concept. We got to that fourth week of training, and he just lost interest.”

Not so Buchler’s Bosco, Officer Chris Strevig’s Jett, and Corporal Michael Stricker’s Jack (who was given a set of titanium teeth after chewing through his cage—talk about a crime deterrent), who appear eager and ready to go. First, Davies calls out a series of military-style commands to the handlers, “Halt. Line up on your left. March. Pass your dogs. Leave them down.” Then, their handlers speak to the dogs in a mix of their “native” languages, most often German and Czech. “Sitz (sit), lehne (lay), zustat (stay), propustit (release),” and the dogs follow their every command.

In the ultimate test of canine self-control, Davies dresses as a decoy in a blue “scratch suit.” He comes within inches of each of the handlers and their charges, making sudden movements with his arms and loud cracking sounds with his whip. The dogs seem unbearably tense as they screech and whine, but none of them come within a wet nose of Davies. “He’s doing everything in his power to keep in control,” explains Putnam looking at Jett. “They have to ignore the decoy because the handler is telling them it’s okay.”

During “tug play,” the dogs let loose for a job well done, but Bosco’s tooth inadvertently nicks Buchler’s hand. “Almost all of the handlers have been bitten by their dogs at least once,” says Buchler. “You know what we say as a guy is standing there with two to four holes in his hand bleeding?” asks Buchler rhetorically. “We say, ‘Welcome to K-9.'”

But while dogs such as Bosco are fierce enough to apprehend suspects with a “bite- and-hold” technique usually aimed at the extremities (“Picture the pressure of three refrigerators on top of you,” cracks one of the officers), even more amazing than all the doggie derring-do is their ability to transform from ferocious warriors to beloved family fuzzballs.

“This is how terrible mine is,” laughs Buchler showing a photo of his 13-year-old daughter laying on the floor while hugging Bosco who, mere moments ago, looked like a ringer for Cujo. “On the weekends, he just plays,” says Buchler smiling at his partner. “On the weekends, he’s just a dog.”

Sure, Baltimore has always been a great place for people, but lately it’s really gone to the dogs—and cats, and ferrets, and finches, too. Witness the boom in first-rate dog obedience schools, self-serve dog washes, doggie day care centers, bustling dog parks, and AKC-worthy groomeries. With that in mind, our pet primer aims to help you find everything you and your little buddy need—from organic oat grass for your tabby, to the perfect playdate spot for your pug, to a first-rate obedience class for your (mischievous) malamute. Read on, and happy tails!

GROOMERS & SPAS

Bark ‘n Bean, 130 Hillsmere Dr., 410-268-7387. We’d be hard pressed to find a cuter concept than the one behind Bark ‘n Bean—a coffee bar and dog wash all in one. This dog wash is both self-serve and full-serve, and no appointment is necessary. You can do-it-yourself with one of four easy-to-use wash systems or leave the washing, drying, combing, and ear cleaning to one of the pros and sit back and enjoy a Café Cubano (as well as free Wi-Fi access) under this Annapolis shop’s private label in the coffee bar or adjacent lounge, where you can also shop for unique pet products.

Fells Point Pet Center, 1916 Fleet St., 410-276-2433. The best human stylists have a way of connecting with their clients—and that’s true of dog groomers as well. At Fells Point Pet Center, groomer Diane Wallace (who has groomed several first-place American Kennel Club and Eukanuba champions) understands that getting beautified can be a stressful experience for your pet. To ensure the experience is a pleasant one, a single session can take up to six hours with plenty of naptime, walking breaks, and TLC in between bathing, shearing, and blow-drying sessions. 

The Groomery, 1619 Sulgrave Ave., 410-367-3647. Human hair salons have come and gone in the village of Mt. Washington, but The Groomery—open for grooming since 1986—has stood the test of time. Owner Kathy Phillips runs her shop like an old-fashioned business. She doesn’t have a website, she doesn’t take credit cards, and she doesn’t use any of the new-fangled equipment you see at more frou-frou shops, but she works wonders with hand scissors, a blow dryer, and the knowledge that a Portuguese water dog has different needs than a Lhasa apso. Phillips’s fans include Nest magazine editor/former Baltimore resident Joseph Holtzman, who commuted from Manhattan for years so Phillips could groom his standard poodle, Guido.

Pampered Paws Salon, 203 Old Padonia Rd., 410-628-7055.  Donna Weiner’s groomery is set inside a charming old, yellow clapboard house with pink and white zinnias spilling out of window boxes. Everyone feels at home here, and dog owners (including WBAL-TV anchorwoman Marianne Banister with her King Charles Cavalier, Kelsey) linger to catch up on their canines or eat a Hershey’s Kiss out of the crystal candy dish. Groomers Beth Bachran and Kelly Ingman—who have nearly 50 years of experience between them—hand fluff and hand dry every dog, and treat every furry customer like their own.

Scrub-a-Dub Dog, 5909 Falls Rd., 443-919-7909. Giving a dog a bath can be a full contact sport, but the days of wrestling your bull mastiff into the kitchen sink are behind you with this newly opened dog wash in Mt. Washington. Self-serve washing and blow-drying stations, plus stacks of towels and disposable aprons, help make washing your dog hassle free. Scrub-a-Dub also sells a unique line of Uppity Puppy spa shampoos, Revitalize doggie vitamin waters, William Wegman-designed dog beds, and a doggie treadmill for those down days when Rover wants exercise, and you don’t. Send in a photo of your grubby dog for the dubious honor of winning the monthly “Dirty Dog” contest. (The winner gets a free makeover!)

Wash the Wag, 3508-3510 Harford Rd., 410-366-PAWS. At Wash the Wag, you can stop by for a self-serve pet wash, a lion cut for your cat, or a cutting edge ‘do for your poodle from one of several experienced groomers. But the experts at this year-old Lauraville-area shop also aim to shower you with useful information on what to do when your tabby has itchy skin or which holistic supplements add luster to your dog’s coat. This dog wash is also one of the few we’ve found with a special hydrotherapy bathing unit for thick-coated dogs or dogs with skin conditions.

KENNELS/DOGGIE DAY CARE

Best Friends Fur Ever, 1009 Philadelphia Rd., 410-671-7529. With an acre-and-a-half area for swimming, sunning, and sniffing; large indoor areas with radiant heated floors; and a caring, dedicated staff, Best Friends Fur Ever is the kind of day care center and boarding facility your dog will never want to leave. With a 24/7 on-site manager, Best Friends is also one of the few outlets in the area that boards geriatric dogs, many of whom are often turned away by other kennels because of their special needs (be it incontinence issues or requiring middle-of-the-night medication). It’s nice to know that when it says forever—er, furever—it means it.

Camp Bow Wow, 7165 Oakland Mills Rd., 410-964-BARK. Just opened in August, this day care and overnight boarding facility in Columbia is one of 90 Camp Bow Wows across the country (and the first in Maryland). Playtime prevails in spacious indoor and outdoor play areas supervised by one of Camp Bow Wow’s certified camp “counselors” trained in dog behavior, pet first aid, and CPR. Overnight accommodations include comfy, cozy cabins with sleeping cots and a fleece blanket, a frozen peanut-butter-filled Kong campfire treat, and classical music to lull your lovey to sleep. Joys of modern technology alert: A high-speed webcam allows you to check up on your little guy anytime, day or night.

Cat Hospital of Towson (CHAT), 6701 York Rd., 410-377-7900. At CHAT, one of the few feline exclusive veterinary and boarding facilities in the Baltimore area (and the U.S. as a whole), staffers understand that cats are not small dogs but their own unique furry beings. “Cats have different needs and different personalities, and that’s what we focus on and celebrate,” says Dr. Jane Brunt, owner of CHAT. Located inside a 1920s colonial home, the bark-free atmosphere is so cozy, your cats will be purring in no time as they enjoy a sleepover filled with plenty of playtime (think catnip pillows, mylar sparkler teaser toys), brushing, and healthy treats. Other options include medically supervised boarding and nutritional and behavioral counseling.

Charm City Dogs, 401 N. Gay St., 410-637-3647. Charm City Dogs operates more like a preschool than a pet day care center. There are two cage-free playground areas filled with brightly colored Little Tykes toys, a time-out area for those in need of a little downtime, and a dry erase board with every dog’s name to help keep all the details (medicine, snacks, bathroom times) straight. Owner David Crowther greets his furry charges by name, and thanks to a focus on socializing, your canine will be as dog-tired as you are at the end of each day. Don’t expect to receive that annual goofy preschool picture, though. Instead, three webcams enable you to get your Fluffy fix in real time as you procrastinate over that pile of paperwork.

Good Doggie Day Care, 3500 Ash St., 410-889-3031. What is it about Good Doggie Day Care that makes clients so happy? Is it the ultra-professional staff? (Owner Jo Anne Garrett, a former accountant and Peabody classical ballet teacher, favors hiring women 40-plus who have raised children.) Is it the playtime periods with loads of great toys in more than 9,600 square feet of space? Is it the ridiculously inexpensive pick-up and drop-off van service ($4 from Hampden to Federal Hill, for instance)? Is it because the center is so spotless it could double as the Board of Health headquarters? All of the above, no doubt, but we think it’s the puppy love that exudes from every corner of this cheerful, wonderful place.

Reisterstown Boarding Kennel Pet Resort and Spa, 14454 Hanover Rd., 410-833-2090. Feeling guilty about that upcoming vacation to Tahiti while your furry friend stays home? At Reisterstown Boarding Kennel (RBK) your cat or dog can enjoy a little R and R time, too. The choices are endless, from visiting the indoor heated pool (for aquatic conditioning or therapeutic swimming) and great grooming services (coat conditioning, a facial and paw scrub) for your dog, to playtime with toy mice, scratching posts, and bird watching for your cat. “Room” upgrades are also available. (The Taj Mapaw suite is our personal favorite with a color television and plush bed for your pooch or a four-level “townhouse” with a handmade oak bed from Maine for your feline.) But whatever your wallet, every RBK guest is treated like a V.I.P. (That’s Very Important Pet!)

PET STORES & SPECIALTY SHOPS

Bark, 5805 Clarksville Square Dr., 443-535-0200. Lots of pet food stores say they carry natural or organic products, but at Bark, all products—including humanely sourced, free-range meats; high-quality natural skincare products (homeopathic flea and bug bite ointment); and non-toxic toys—are carefully screened to exacting standards. There’s something for all the pets in your household, too, from natural wheat cat litter and farm-fresh oat grass to preservative-free finch food to organic chinchilla chow. Another reason to celebrate: Bark is situated on one of the healthiest blocks in Clarksville—aptly known as the “Conscious Corner”—where owners Jeff Kaufman and Jody Cutler also own an organic market (Roots), a natural green cuisine restaurant (Sage), and an earth-friendly clothing store (Nest).

dogma—life, with your pet, 3600 Boston St., 410-276-3410. Thanks to this Brewer’s Hill boutique, becoming a pet owner doesn’t have to mean your sense of style has gone to the dogs. Owners Scott Stanton and Virginia Byrnes carefully select every product on their shelves, including “Who’s your doggie?” onesies, handmade snowflake sweaters, natural dye chew toys, collars and leashes from preppy (pink-and-green polka dot) to punk (leather and spikes), and more than 200 upholstery fabrics so that Fido’s boudoir bed can coordinate with yours. Finally, your dog can be as fabulous as you are. (Bonus: Dogma groomer Linda Burton is one of the best in the biz!) 

Howl, 3531 Chestnut Ave., 410-235-2469. Recent FDA recalls on tainted pet-food products remind us that pet owners need to be more informed than ever these days. At Hampden’s Howl, owner Robin McDonald and her expert staff of animal lovers will guide you through the well-stocked aisles of affordable, organic, grain-free dog foods and healthy, high-quality, filler-free cat foods. It feels good to be an educated consumer.

Lucky Lucy’s Canine Cafe, 1126 S. Charles St., 410-837-2121. Don’t go to Lucky Lucy’s Canine Café on an empty stomach or you’ll be tempted to try one of their home-baked, peanut-butter crabs and cats, chicken-and-cheese squirrels, mini chicken fire-hydrant treats, or bone-shaped banana bread birthday cakes. (For the record, they’re for your dog, not you.) Truth be told, owner Nancy Dixon, who was in the human food business for 15 years, bakes most goodies on the premises of her Federal Hill shop, and, with human-grade ingredients—including unsalted butter, nonfat milk, cheddar cheese, peanut butter, and chicken stock—there’s no reason you can’t have a nibble. Just no begging at the table.

Paws Pet Boutique, 64 State Cir., 410-263-8683. Located in the heart of Annapolis, this Best of Annapolis 2007 winner has it all—Go Navy dog collars, breast-cancer-awareness leashes, organic crab-shaped catnip toys, and animal-themed apparel, jewelry, and gift items such as baseball caps embroidered with basset hounds. But the best part of this shop (which was featured in the Sarah Jessica Parker movie Failure to Launch) is that husband-and-wife owners Michelle and Larry Ullrich-Kownacki are extremely community minded and support numerous canine causes including the Animal Legal Defense Fund and the Emergency Guide Dog Fund. High paws all around.

Pet Depot, 2151 Greenspring Dr., 410-561-0931. In a business distinguished by chi-chi boutiques with items that are borderline ridiculous (does Rover really need a gold lamé, monogrammed carrying case?) and mega-warehouses long on volume and short on quality (how many squirrel-shaped plastic chew toys can you throw out in one year?), Pet Depot strikes the perfect balance. The place is big, but not too big, and its merchandise is both fanciful and functional. In addition to a full line of quality products for cats and dogs (and first-rate obedience classes), Pet Depot has a huge selection for every conceivable kind of creature—alfalfa nibble sticks for rabbits, birdseed for cockatiels, and skin and coat supplements for the family ferret. Also, check out the hydrotherapy pool for Fido—the perfect recreation for your four-legged Michael Phelps.

Pretentious Pooch, 1017 Cathedral St., 443-524-7777. When nothing but the best is good enough for your BFF (best furry friend), head to Pretentious Pooch for exclusive, one-of-a-kind splurges you just won’t find anywhere else. (In fact, if you do, owners Christopher Lee Woodside and Tom Berger are apt to stop carrying it.) Swarovski crystal collars, 24-karat gold-rimmed monogrammed doggie dishes, Italian cashmere coats, a full line of Isle of Dog spa products, and an assortment of other over-the-top accessories (amassed from more than 200 outlets) will make your dog the most pampered pooch on the block. What recession?

PARKS

Gunpowder State Park, 877-620-8DNR. Spanning about 18,000 acres across Baltimore and Harford counties and with many miles of trails, the hiking opportunities are limitless inside Gunpowder State Park. Enjoy a moderate hike with sloping hills and valleys along the Jerusalem Village trail if you have a small dog or, if you really want to take a hike, cross the border with your Border collie into Pennsylvania on the Northern Central Railroad Trail (now known as the Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail).

Hannah More Park, 12035 Reisterstown Rd., 410-887-1142. A cautionary “tail”: Hannah More’s new Baltimore Animal Recreation Center (B.A.R.C.) is the only sanctioned off-leash park in Baltimore County, so unless you want to risk heavy fines, this is your only chance to let Rover roam free. The B.A.R.C. Park includes a one-and-a-half-acre park for large dogs and a three-quarter-acre park for small dogs with water fountains as well as plenty of wide-open grassy spaces to play games of fetch and tug-of-war. Annual dues are $25.

Meadowood Regional Park, Falls and Greenspring Valley Rds., 410-887-3678. This Baltimore County Park is an ideal place to strut your mutt if you like knowing exactly how far you’ve walked without using a pedometer. Each well-paved loop is about a quarter-mile long, with clean bathrooms, vending machines and water fountains to slake your thirst, a fresh supply of pooper-scooper bags, and a small tributary to the Gywnns Falls just deep enough for cooling those tired dogs (yours and the four-legged variety).

Oregon Ridge, 13555 Beaver Dam Rd., 410-887-1815. For a wide range of trails and bucolic beauty, it’s hard to beat the 10 trails of Oregon Ridge Park winding through 1,100 acres. Not much in the way of paved paths here. Think rugged beauty, white-tailed deer, red fox, and some hills so steep, hearty Baltimore denizens have been known to ski here in the winter. Need something short for your Shih Tzu or more substantial for your shepherd? All trails are connected, so you can go under a mile or as many as you like on the site of this old iron-ore mining village.

Quiet Waters Dog Park, 600 Quiet Waters Park Rd., 410-222-1777. This Anne Arundel County Park, nestled between the South River and Harness Creek, has something for everyone, including 340 acres of open woodland space, six miles of paved hiking trails, two enclosed dog parks, and a designated dog beach for the doggie paddler in your family. The park, which sponsors dog-friendly seasonal events such as the annual Howl-O-Ween Barkin’ Bash, also has all the amenities that can make an outing more pleasant—an abundance of poop bags, trash cans, water fountains, pet rinsing stations, and clean bathrooms for when you’re the one whose gotta go. Closed in the winter (Nov. to March) and on Tuesdays.

TRAINERS

4 Paws Pet Services, 410-321-PUPS. When it comes to dog trainers, Joy Freedman is as pedigreed as they come. A dog behaviorist and obedience instructor for 12 years, she studied at the National Institute of Dog Training and, last year, when Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan came to the Hippodrome, Freedman was the only area trainer personally selected by Millan to assist on stage. Freedman—who writes the “Ask the Trainer” column for Baltimore Dog Magazine and makes expert appearances on local radio and television—is a behavioral specialist who recognizes the different learning styles of dogs. “If I’m trying to treat a jumping issue, I’m not going to treat a husky in the same way I’m going to treat a chihuahua,” she says. Makes sense to us.

All Star Canine at The Maryland SPCA, 3300 Falls Rd., 410-235-8826. No one understands the need for a well-trained pet better than the Maryland SPCA, which receives about 2,000 unwanted dogs a year. “Our training focuses on how to live with your pet,” says executive director Aileen Gabbey. “The goal is, ‘How can we keep you from driving us crazy so we don’t end up giving you away?'” The SPCA has a number of classes taught by expert professionals, including puppy play groups, a six-week doggie basics class, and a free Saturday morning Positive Pooch class for owners who adopt a dog from the SPCA.

Angela Mowry, 16511 St. Mary’s Church Rd., 301-928-6686. Traveling professional dog trainer and behaviorist Angela Mowry, who serves all of Maryland (including the Eastern Shore) and Virginia, has trained police dogs and worked in high-end competitions. She has taken on the hardest cases out there: obedience school dropouts and shelter dogs that were scheduled to be euthanized for aggression. So, needless to say, she’ll have no problem taking on your little guy, whether he’s an excessive barker, furniture chewer, or fence jumper.

B-More Charming School for Dogs, 443-825-1414. Like electrical appliances, a new dog should come with an operating manual, but the next best thing (and maybe even easier to understand) is the B-More Charming School at Howl in Hampden. Co-owners Lauren Bond (whose experience includes therapy dog training, and aggressive behavior issues) and Carolyn Stromer (a former professional dolphin trainer at the National Aquarium in Baltimore) are up on the latest scientific methods to teach new behaviors and break bad habits. Classes and seminars include: Puppy Kindergarten, Basic and Advanced Obedience, and for those who really want to impress their friends, Parlor Tricks.

Rachel Lachow, Positively Obedient, 410-833-4844. Dogs don’t just go fetch for certified pet and dog trainer Rachel Lachow. They ring bells to signal they want to go outside or swim to the steps of a swimming pool instead of flailing in the shallow end. In fact, dogs are so obedient around the soft-spoken Lachow that conspiracy theorists believe she wears meat-scented perfume. The truth? After 28 years as a dog trainer, Lachow is just doggone good at her job. She sees the potential in every pet and helps train us to be better pet owners.

PET WALKERS

Canine to Five, 410-375-9202. The motto for this pet-sitting service, serving Harford County, Baltimore City, and Baltimore County, is “We sit, we walk, we fetch for you.” Canine to Five does all that and so much more. Services include pet sitting (includes walking, feeding, playing, paw cleaning), pet walking, veterinary visits, home delivery of pet supplies, and even housesitting. Owner Chrissy Wohltmann has a loyal customer base of retirees, corporate types, and young moms who need a pinch hitter to lead their pack.

Dog House Girls, 410-276-1284. Entrusting your dog (or cat, or bird) not to mention your house keys and alarm code to a stranger can be tricky. Dog House Girls takes all the worry out of going to work or on vacation. Rates are reasonable ($12 for a 30-minute walk), the staff is dedicated and friendly, and the hours are incredibly flexible (7 a.m. to 11 p.m., 365 days a year). Dog House founder Pauline Houliaras is a true pet lover with a great resume: She has a graduate degree in clinical psychology from Loyola (comes in handy for discerning the difference between tail wags and ones tucked between the legs) and is vice president of the Canton Dog Park, which she also helped found.

Gotta Go Pet Sitting, 410-483-4853. With eight pet children of her own (five dogs, two cats, and a horse), we’re amazed that Gotta Go’s Jenny Hildebrand has time for sleeping, let alone time to own and operate a first-rate pet-sitting service on top of her work as a part-time veterinary technician with Stevenson Village Vets. Hildebrand, who primarily services Baltimore County, lovingly tends to your dog or cat, writes a detailed daily diary, and offers personalized service, whether it’s canine car service to the groomer or a rousing game of Frisbee with your Lab.

Luv My Pet, 410-685-6939. The last thing you want at the end of your work day is to find that your flokati living-room rug has been soiled beyond repair, or, even worse, to look into the excitable eyes of your raring-to-go puppy and feel guilty that you weren’t around to play tug of war all day. For dependable dog walking or pet sitting 365 days a year, call Luv My Pet, covering Owings Mills to Federal Hill. Luv My Pet owner Jeff Rothschild is a former Morgan Stanley financial adviser who turned in his briefcase for biodegradable poop bags. Rothschild will do one-on-one walks or match your pup to a play group. He comes highly recommended by local day care centers, vets, and high-end condo concierges.

Walk the Dog, 410-366-0400. When Walk the Dog co-owner Molly Doherty walks a city street, it’s not uncommon for her to bump into one of her many satisfied customers. “The dogs will wag their tails at me,” says Doherty, “and then I have to introduce myself to their owners!” While Doherty and her cohorts—including co-owners Julie Benoit and Kelly Zimmerman—walk up to 200 dogs a day, Walk the Dog maintains a customized approach to pet sitting, whether you need a slower-paced walk for an older animal or someone to look after your cat while you’re away. Walk the Dog is one of the premiere go-to pet-sitting services in the city and is known for its reliable staff and philosophy of taking care of all members of the family. (Doherty has even been known to unplug that curling iron left in the “on” position.)

Extreme Puppy Love
Can You Dote on Your Pet Too Much?

When Evan Feinberg, a veterinarian for Pikeville’s Stevenson Village Veterinary Hospital, was a graduate student, he treated a dachshund that arrived in a baby stroller because it was too fat to walk.
“She was a sweet lady, and I’m sure she meant well,” says Feinberg of the dog’s owner. “But especially when it comes to obesity, it’s always so much about the owner. This is definitely an area where you can love your dog too much. More food does not necessarily equal love.”
Dogs have long been known as man’s best friend, but can that love go too far? Is all that puppy love really what’s best for your dog?
“Dogs are babied way too much,” says Adam Goldfarb, an issues specialist with The Humane Society of the United States. “They are pushed in strollers and carried in purses. This is reflective of a larger problem of people treating their dogs not as dogs, but as fashion accessories.”
The ironic part is, dogs actually prefer a little discipline and structure, say experts. “You’ve got to have the dog work for things,” advises Allison Nozemack, a training and behavior manager for the Maryland SPCA. “Nothing in life is free. You have to make them sit for a treat or sit for attention. They need to learn to defer to you, and if they don’t, they have lost their place in the family. You have to instill that you are the leader, and if all you do is lavish them with attention, you are doing the dog a huge disservice. It’s just like having a spoiled child.”
Trainer Joy Freedman of 4 PAWS Pet Services concurs. “People discipline their children,” says Freedman, “yet they treat their dogs like stuffed animals, letting the dog run all over them. Something you would never put up with from your kids, you put up with from your dog. People will say, ‘My dog jumps all the time,’ but you either want it to jump or not. If you don’t, it has to be taught that sitting on someone’s lap is by invitation only.”
Freedman believes that extreme indulgence can actually be harmful to your pet’s health. “A dog’s total dependence on you can actually be bad for them,” says Freedman. “There are people who take their dogs everywhere. I know people who don’t go on trips because they don’t want to leave their dog in the house or with a pet sitter. The more the dog depends on you, the less healthy and capable it is.”
What are some of the warning signs to look out for? “If your dog is growling at your husband when you’re in bed, that’s ridiculous,” says Nozemack. “Put the dog in the dog bed. The problems are often human driven—we create these little monsters by what we do.” —JM

Pit Crew 
More and more shelters are filling up with pit bulls. But are they safe to adopt?

Last spring, Baltimore County speech therapist Dana Schnepf fell in love with Taos, a seven-year-old pit bull up for adoption at the Maryland SPCA. Unlike many pits who end up in shelters because they have been abandoned or who have become too much for their owners to handle, Taos came from a good home and was known for his sweet temperament. Schnepf, who lives with her mother in Owings Mills, was all set to adopt Taos and brought her mother to meet the dog before completing the adoption process.
“Everyone got along fine,” recalls Schnepf, “but my mom is a tiny person, and she was intimidated by his size and how big his head and mouth were. She said if I wanted to get him I could, but she’d never feel comfortable with him in the house. I couldn’t do that to her.”
Schnepf found an Australian cattle dog at The Baltimore Humane Society that she thought she could learn to love, but it just wasn’t the same. “After we left the shelter,” recalls Schnepf, “my mother told me that if I thought Taos was the right fit for our family then she would not stop me from adopting him. She was willing to give him a try.”
A few days later, Schnepf brought Taos home. It didn’t take long before Taos ingratiated himself with the whole family. “Now my mom loves him!” says Schepf. “I catch her giving him little pieces of steak and cutting the fat off for him. I had the same stereotypical view of pits, and now my friends who know Taos say, ‘I could see getting a pit bull.’ I’m glad to think Taos has helped change that perception.”

Revere them or fear them, there is no breed of dog that evokes a stronger reaction than the pit bull. The fear is understandable, given the history of these dogs. Historically, pit bulls were bred for the Elizabethan blood sports of bull and bear baiting. Modern-day versions of that—pit-to-pit combat—occur clandestinely in basements and backyards across the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released a report stating that pit bulls were responsible for more dog
bite-related attacks than any other breed during a 20-year period.
Having been banned from some area counties (including Prince George’s County), and left to languish in shelters, pit bulls have become the ultimate underdog. “We had one potential adopter who came to meet one of our dogs,” says Bonnie Hurwitz, founder of the Baltimore-based Adopt a Homeless Animal Rescue, a group dedicated to helping pit bull terriers and mixed breeds find  “forever homes.” “She was kissing him and everything and really seemed to connect, and then when a friend said something about the dog being a pit bull, she left almost indignant that we were trying to adopt out this dog.”
The plight of the pit is often a sad one, although it wasn’t always so. “If you go back in history, Anne Frank’s dog was a pit,” says trainer Joy Freedman. “Petey from Little Rascals was a pit bull. Through history, they have been known as extraordinarily good dogs. They are easy to train, but if they are fearful, they become aggressive. They are one of the sweetest, smartest breeds, but with all the inbreeding, they have become so foreign to who they really are.”
At Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS), the majority of dogs are pit bulls and pit bull mixes. “Pit bulls are what’s left sitting in our shelter,” says Mead, BARCS’s executive director. “The other dogs get adopted out.” At BARCS, where they get 12,000 animals a year, pits are the most frequently euthanized breed. “It’s a shame because they are absolutely wonderful animals and we’ve had great success in adopting them out,” says Mead. “We call them our ‘wiggle butts.'”
City Paper managing editor Erin Sullivan helped found her own awareness group, B-More Dog, as a reaction to Baltimore County legislation in the fall of 2007, which would have required pits to be muzzled in public at all times and crated in concrete kennels even when in the owner’s backyard. Although the legislation did not pass, “We thought, ‘Why stop the momentum?'” says Sullivan, who has owned pits for six years. “Let’s start promoting better ownership practices: Keep your dogs leashed in the parks, be careful around small children, get the dogs the exercise they need. Physiologically, they are no different than any other dog. There’s no locking jaw, no brain that outgrows their skull—these are myths.”
At the Maryland SPCA, the adoption process for pits and pit mixes is more stringent than for other dogs. The application is a two-day process during which the potential owner receives information about the breed as well as training tips and background information on a particular dog. “We have to correct the myth that these dogs are unfriendly with people,” says Kat Knauff, an admissions counselor for the Maryland SPCA. “but people do need to know they are a high-maintenance breed.”
Experts say that the key to pit bull ownership—as well as ownership of any dog—is knowing their needs. Sums up Sullivan, “I’d like to see the entire universe of dog owners up their game and be more responsible so that no one has to be the pariah in the dog park.”  —JM