”“

hey may come to us from family members, breeders, or the pound. They may join our lives as spirited puppiesor mellow adults. They may feast on our garbage or drench our houseguests with unwelcome kisses. But soon-er or later, our dogs always seem to find a place deep in our hearts as faithful companions and trusted friends.

Hike in the woods at Frick Park or stroll along the arboretum trail in Oakmont. Wander through RidingMeadow Park in Fox Chapel or do some urban backpacking down Walnut Street in Shadyside. No matteryour location, you will inevitably find someone out walking a dog—welcoming the morning or windingdown in the evening with a relaxed, content stride.

For many people, time spent with their dogs is the most peaceful part of each day. That relationship is acherished—often unexpected—gift any time of year, but especially during this season of joy and thanksgiving.

In the wise words of late naturalist Roger Caras, “Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our liveswhole.” Read on for seven “tails” of wholeness.

8 4 S H A D Y AV E H O L I D A Y 2 0 0 9 8 5

BY CALLY JAMIS VENNARE

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOANNA TOTOLICI

Unexpected

GiftTHE

Nero and Eric To meet Nero is to fall in love with him. It begins simply enough with a knock on

the door of Eric Shiner’s expansive East End loft space. The next thing you hear is theclicking of little paws hurriedly racing toward you.

Shiner, a tall, commanding presence, steps forward to shake hands. Born in NewCastle, he recently returned to Pittsburgh to serve as The Andy Warhol Museum’sMilton Fine Curator of Art after years spent studying, teaching, and working in Japanand New York City. Yet it is Nero—Shiner’s two-year-old dachshund—who draws yourattention with his bright eyes, friendly bark, and silky bronze mane. You can’t help butkneel down and scoop him into your arms, where he lingers happily.

But the attention is short-lived. Nero is most content sitting next to Shiner. Orjumping on a billowy, makeshift couch made of parachute-like fabric. Or simply peo-ple-watching from one of the large windows that overlook bustling Penn Avenue below.

His defining personality trait? “Nero knows how to work a crowd, just like his‘father’ does,” Shiner remarks. “And he loves to burrow under blankets and intowomen’s purses. He’s quite the social butterfly and loves people and other dogs.”

Looking around the room, one can’t help but worry about Shiner’s contemporaryfine art collection, much of it within easy reach of the inquisitive pooch.

While the artwork seems to stay safe, Nero has been known to possess a slight ani-mosity toward a certain brand of designer shoe. “He’s only eaten two things of mine—both times it was a pair of Prada shoes,” says Shiner, laughing. “But for some reason hedoesn’t like Gucci. So I guess the rest is just fine.”

THe loves to

burrow under

blankets and into

women’s purses.

He’s quite the

social butterfly

and loves people

and other dogs.

Eric Shiner in his PennAvenue loft with Nero.

“It was love at first sight,” explains Elvira Eicheley of her young pit bull mix named Finnius, or Finn for short.Eicheley and her husband, Jeff, just couldn’t resist the 11-month-old, feisty brown-and-white puppy when he

caught their eyes at the East End’s Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania. Among all his canine friends,Finn just stood out.

Joyful, compact, and energetic, Finn has now grown to 65 pounds of lean muscle. “We’ll both be happy whenhe mellows a bit,” remarks Eicheley, as Finn dashes through the living and dining rooms of the couple’s stylish, art-filled home in Highland Park.

Yet for all his puppy playfulness, Finn unconsciously exudes an elegance and sophistication atypical of his breed.In profile, his body is firm and sleek. His mottled coat is smooth and soft to the touch. A prominent dot adorns hisregal head. It’s just one more thing Eicheley adores about her dog.

“I also love when he stretches,” she says. “He dislocates his joints and goes absolutely flat.” As if on cue, downFinn goes like a pancake on the living room floor. Tail wagging, he waits for Eicheley to scratch him. She obligesand adds, “I also love how soft he is behind his ears and the side of his mouth.”

Eicheley’s role as a board member of Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures and Sheldon Cavalry Group, in addition to hervolunteer work with The Sprout Fund and Quantum Theatre, keep this creative director and copywriter busy.

But no matter how hard she works or how long her days, Finn is always there waiting. “I don’t know how notto have a dog,” she says, as Finn settles by her side in front of the fireplace. “He brings us companionship. He is partof our family. He is the joy at the end of a hard day.”

Y O U R T O TA L P E T C A R E P R O V I D E R415 Gettysburg Street • Point Breeze

412.726.8876

SERVICES PROVIDED:Dog Grooming

Self Serve Dog Wash

Dog Walking

Dog Day Care

Pet Sitting

DOG TRAINING: Puppy to Adult Dogs;

Group Classes or

in-Home

One on One Training

Insured, Bonded, Registered

Members of Pets Sitters International

”“He brings us

companionship.

He is part of our

family. He is the

joy at the end of a

hard day.

Finn & Elvira

Noris V. Ortenbergand Emma & SallyNoris V. Ortenberg and Emma. They

share a German homeland, a common shep-herd breed, and most importantly, SallyWiggin as their owner. But they couldn’t bemore different in personality.

Five-year-old Noris defines the stereotypi-cal German shepherd—sable in color and big,bold, and statuesque with a gregarious, com-manding nature. He mirrors his owner in fre-netic excitement and energy. His 12-year-oldcounterpart, Emma, lounges on her large bedon the floor of Wiggin’s Fox Chapel livingroom. Quietly, but steadily, the black-and-tanshepherd watches your every move.

Make no mistake, Noris and Emma aredevoted guardians of their owner. Each wasacquired right from Germany, and both aretrained protection dogs. As a WTAE-TVbroadcast journalist with a highly visiblecareer, Wiggin originally chose the breed foradded safety and security at home and at work.Now though, when she speaks to Noris andEmma in German, they respond not only toher commands for the sake of obedience, butalso for an affectionate hug.

Wiggin unapologetically speaks of her ini-tial love of “tall, elegant” Scottish deerhounds.But then Noris and Emma—together repre-senting several hundred pounds of animal—snuggle into her arms on the couch. “I havefallen in love with this breed,” she says, asNoris drops his head into her lap.

After thoughtful reflection, Wiggin alsoshares a deeper concern for her dogs’ well-being. “I wish they could tell me what they’rethinking,” she says with emotion in her deep,familiar voice. “If so I’d ask, ‘Where does ithurt when you have pain?’ because animalscan’t tell you when they are hurting.”

There is no mistaking Wiggin’s loyalty toNoris and Emma, and their allegiance to her.“When I look into my German shepherds’eyes, I know that they would die for me,” shesays.

The Unexpected Gift

8 6 S H A D Y AV E

”“When I look into

my German shepherds’

eyes, I know that they

would die for me.

Sally Wiggin and her dogsat their Fox Chapel home.

Elvira Eicheley gets down with Finn on the floor of their Highland Park house.

H O L I D A Y 2 0 0 9 8 9

The Unexpected Gift

Ali & Dan andDebbie

There was no vote needed on the floor ofthis house when Aaron Frankel, the son ofPennsylvania State Representative DanFrankel, asked his parents to adopt a two-year-old Shetland sheepdog/cocker spaniel mixfrom their local shelter nearly a decade ago.Ali’s solemn face and soulful eyes hookedyoung Aaron from the start.

The elder Frankel and his wife, Debbie,are quick to point out that Ali later providedthe ideal alibi for a teenage boy. “She’s thescapegoat of the family,” he says, chuckling.“Whenever something goes wrong, ‘It wasAli!’ is the general fallback position in thehousehold.”

Frankel readily admits that Ali is easy tomisjudge. While she is small in size and statureand seemingly mellow and demure, the politi-cian in Frankel knows better than to underes-timate her. “She is an escape artist who getsout all the time,” he says. “Ali is also a hunterwho loves squirrels and rabbits.”

Frankel also concedes he was initially “lessthan enthusiastic” about Ali’s presence in theirSquirrel Hill home. But that sentiment haschanged, as the bond between Frankel and hisdog has grown and intensified in recent years.“I honestly look forward to our time together,”he says. “She is my companion. My walkingbuddy. A very sweet, loving dog with a greatsmile.”

With a demanding travel schedule of threeto four days a week spent in Harrisburg morethan half the year, Frankel values his time withhis wife and children—and of course, with Ali.

“Spending time with Ali is often one of thefirst things I do when I come home,” saysFrankel, who takes marathon walks with hisdog through Carnegie Mellon University andChatham College, where she is greeted by dot-ing students. “That’s one of the things I likemost about living in Squirrel Hill—the vitali-ty of the nearby college campuses,” Frankelsays. “And Ali shares that passion.”

8 8 S H A D Y AV E

”“She is an escape artist who

gets out all the time. Ali is

also a hunter who loves

squirrels and rabbits.

Want Fido in YourFamily Photo?

Holiday picture time is here again. It’shard enough to dress up the kids and getthem to smile for that card-worthy shot.Now how are you going to wrestle thefamily dog into the photo? Dogbehavioral therapist and trainer AvramMachtiger says the key to getting yourdog photo-ready is practice, practice,practice. Dogs learn by association, saysMachtiger, who owns Greater PittsburghBark Busters Home Dog Training. Bypracticing your photos in a deliberate,relaxed way ahead of time, it will teachyour dog that it’s just another familyroutine. Here’s how it works:

• A couple of weeks before the big day,take the dog and some familymembers to the place in your housewhere you will take the holiday photo.Set the scene, placing everyone intheir positions for the shot.

• Point and lead the dog to his positionand have your pet sit.

• Step back and act through the photo-taking, remaining calm. If your dogbreaks the sit, simply return him toposition without drama or emotion.

• Praise the dog for listening and goodbehavior.

• Repeat several times for a fewminutes, break, and then return in fiveminutes, 15 minutes, and at randomtimes over the course of an hour andthe day. Continue to practice the sameway over the next couple of weeks.

• When the real photo time comes, yourdog will know what to expect—evenif there is a heightened sense ofhuman fuss that day—and willhopefully flash his canines in a picture-perfect smile!

For more dog training tips, visitwww.barkbusters.com or call

412-361-3454.

Debbie and Dan Frankelwith Ali on the steps of theirSquirrel Hill home.

Imagine five dogs riding in a convertible, top down, with Dr. Thomas Starzl and his wife, Joy.“Each dog takes its turn riding in the prized front seat,” notes the modern-day father of organ trans-plantation. “They’ve got a signal system—one leaves the seat, signals an ‘OK,’ and the next onetakes its turn.”

Unbelievable, but true. Basta, Ophelia, Maggie, Shelby, and Teki not only take turns ridingshotgun, but they also share the same bowl of food. They are companions to one another—and tothe Starzls—in every sense of the word.

The eight-year-old golden retriever Basta (named for the Italian word for enough) is the first toassert himself. Clearly there is never enough excitement for the spirited Basta, who sprints severaltimes around the yard.

Moments later, Ophelia, a 12-year-old border collie mix, enters the fray. She heads straightdown a long staircase and briskly sprints along a private path that serves as her dog run—the fea-ture that sold the Starzls on their picturesque home in Oakland’s Schenley Farms neighborhood.

“Ophelia was named after Hamlet’s girlfriend, who was a bit crazy and committed suicide,”Starzl notes. “She was a bit like that at first, but now she is the smartest dog. Very alert. I’m quiteattached to her.”

Within minutes, Joy joins the festivities, followed in quick succession by three toy poodles—Maggie, the matriarch, trailed by her seven-year-old daughters, Shelby and Teki. The round, petitepuffs of dark curls are hardly bigger than the palm of the surgeon’s hand, with sweet eyes and smilesto match.

“We have a very familial relationship with our dogs,” he says. “They are given the respect ofhumans.” And in return, the Starzls receive unconditional love—you couldn’t find a better matchfor this transplant pioneer.

The Unexpected Gift

Basta, Ophelia, Maggie, Shelby, and Teki & Tom and Joy

”“Each dog takes its turn riding in the prized front seat.

They’ve got a signal system—one leaves the seat, signals an ‘OK,’

and the next one takes its turn.

Pampered PawsLooking for a gift for your four-legged friend?Eric and Marci Caplan—owners of Petland inthe Village at Eastside in East Liberty—suggestyou concentrate on the health and welfare ofyour dog with sensible gifts that won’t break thebank:• Quality foods like the ones made by Natura

Pet Products (e.g. Evo, Innova, CaliforniaNatural) provide pets with essential dietaryelements without fillers. Your dog will stayhealthier and eat less.

• For a sweet stocking-stuffer, try the gourmettreats from Claudia’s Canine Cuisine. Theylook and smell like real candy and bakedcupcakes, but they’re made with dog-friendlyingredients like carob and yogurt. Then graba canine toothbrush with poultry-flavortoothpaste.

• Doggie car seats and harnesses make it saferto hit the road with your dog in tow—aperfect gift you will both appreciate.

• No need to sacrifice style this winter. Outfityour dog in a new coat, sweater, and evensnow boats to keep the salt off his feet.

For more information, visit www.petland.com orcall 412-363-PETS (7387).

Thomas and Joy Starzl in theirconvertible with their brood.

Laura Sauereisen & Eileen Lusk

Certified Howard Hanna Homes of Distinction Specialists Multi-Million Dollar Producers 412.963.6301, ext 264 and 277 eileenandlaura@howardhanna.com

WW here is your home for the holidays?

www.howardhanna.com

QUALITY SERVICE SELECTION DESIGN VALUE

Tribune-Review's 2007 Best of the City Award Winner

Gather your friends home to celebrate the New Year.

SUE ANDERSON

CEO

Lucy & LynnAt first glance you’d swear you are in the presence of Sandy, the

devoted canine companion of Little Orphan Annie. Large and cud-dly, her shaggy, beige coat is flecked with accents of white and black.Big, expressive eyes stare back at you, peering directly into your heart.A soft, pink tongue spills from her lips. A gentle smile lingers.

But it is Lucy, not Sandy, who sits contently by Lynn Cullen intheir Point Breeze home. “Lucy and I are a lot alike,” notes the localbroadcasting legend who can now be heard live weekday morningson the Pittsburgh City Paper Web site. “We’re neurotic, middle-agedfemales with creaky joints. And we both seem to think of food a lot.”

A ten-year-old “canine cornucopia of indeterminate origin,”Cullen rescued Lucy from her place of birth—the local pound—afteryears of misfortune. Initially adopted at birth, by age three Lucy hadbeen returned twice by two separate owners. She was anxious andlonely when Cullen found her, and understandably distrustful ofhumans.

Seven years after her rescue, Lucy is “adorable and delightful,” ifa bit irrational at times. “She sometimes feels the need to go in thebackyard at 3 a.m., dig holes, and lay in them,” Cullen laughs. “Bythe time she gets her act together, she’ll be dead.”

But Lucy’s favorite trick is building custom-made, dog-friendlyscreen doors. In fact, it is her annual ritual. “Every spring, after I’verepaired the last one, she rips a new hole out with her nose, jerks her head to the left, and opensthe newest door whenever she pleases,” Cullen sighs. “I replace the screen door every year.”

Regardless of Lucy’s quirks, Cullen can’t help but love her dog, who is the perfect companionfor long walks in Frick and Mellon parks.

“I think mutts are the best animals,” Cullen says. “Sometimes when you go to a pound, youdon’t know what you will be dealt. But that is all the more reason to give them a home.” SA__

__

H O L I D A Y 2 0 0 9 9 3

Rocky & Art andMary

At first glance, Rocky Reilly Rooney isnothing less than impressive. He is standing bythe glass door, regal and reserved, well-groomed, with big, solemn eyes that evoke adeep soul. Well, he is a Rooney, after all. Whatelse would you expect?

But after a few minutes, Rocky lets hisguard down and sprints toward his owner—Pittsburgh Steelers President Art Rooney II—who stands with his teenage daughter, Mary.

“Mary is the reason we have Rocky,” saysRooney, as she laughs in the background.“The campaign started when she was in sec-ond grade.”

Four years later, Mary finally prevailed andthe Cavalier King Charles spaniel found itshome. Even so, her dad (always the toughnegotiator) made his young daughter sign acontract committing to Rocky’s care.

Today Rocky has locked down the quar-terback position by winning over the entireRooney family, especially Art—even thoughthe pup has no apparent interest in watchingfootball. “He’s the first one dad looks for whenhe comes home at night, and in the morningwhen he starts his day,” Mary shares.

Rooney, who had a boxer and a SaintBernard growing up, admits he has grownquite fond of Rocky. “He is my good buddy,”he says. “We enjoy taking long walks throughFrick and Schenley parks.” For Rooney, theirtime together provides a valued respite, apeaceful, calming routine before the start orend of a hectic day.

“Even though he’s mellow, he really likespeople—more so than dogs,” Mary confesses,as she kneels beside her dad and scoops Rockyinto her arms.

As the picture-perfect opportunityunfolds, Mary cuddles Rocky and flashes ahigh-five…touchdown! The dog’s expressiveface lights up, and he immediately obliges witha paw in the air. Then he is off-and-running tothe dining room. Rocky has more importantthings on his mind. It’s time for dinner, andthen a walk.

The Unexpected Gift

9 2 S H A D Y AV E

“

”“He’s the first one dad looks

for when he comes home at

night, and in the morning

when he starts his day.

”

Lucy and I

are a lot alike.

We’re neurotic,

middle-aged

females with

creaky joints.

And we both

seem to think

of food a lot.

A father-daughter team: Art andMary Rooney with Rocky at theirSquirrel Hill home.

One of the many faces of Lynn Cullen,with Lucy at their Point Breeze home.

H O L I D A Y 2 0 0 9 9 5

A Painful LossIt is never easy to cope with the loss of adog, but surviving this grief can be evenharder during the holiday season. RegentSquare-based pet bereavement counselorKaren Litzinger—who recently released aCD entitled Heal Your Heart: Coping with theLoss of a Pet—offers several ways to helpresolve the pain. There is no right or wrongway to grieve, Litzinger says, or right orwrong time period. And if your grief isinterfering significantly with your dailyliving, she recommends seekingprofessional counseling.

• Allow yourself to fully experience yourgrief and know it is natural and normal.Similar phases of grief can beexperienced as with the loss of aperson—shock, denial, anger,depression, and eventually, acceptance.

• Find supportive friends and family toshare your feelings. Stay away frompeople who say, “It was just a dog,” or“Just get another one.” Seek out petloss support groups. One is availableonline through the Association of PetLoss and Bereavement at www.aplb.org.

• Take care of yourself during your time ofgrief physically, emotionally, andspiritually. This could include cancelingengagements or calling off work, just asyou would for the death of anotherfamily member.

• Consider some way to memorialize yourdog’s death and remind you of yourhappy times together. This could includeinitiating a memorial service, creating aphoto album, planting a flower, orhaving a memorial portrait painted.

For more resources, visitwww.HealFromPetLoss.com.

Cold Weather CareWinter can be a time of bitter cold andnumbing wetness. Veterinarians Dr. AndreaM. Cangin and Dr. Kenneth S. Fisher of EastEnd Veterinary Medical Centre in Shadysideurge dog owners to take extra precautionsthis season to ensure the safety of theircompanion animals. Help your dog remainhappy and healthy during the colder monthsby following their expert prescription forprotecting your pooch from winter woes.

• Remember to wipe off your dog’s paws,legs, and abdomen after coming in fromthe snow and ice. Salt, antifreeze, andother potentially dangerous ice-meltchemicals can be ingested by licking ormay cause damage between the toes asa skin irritant. If you have antifreeze athome, store out of reach from yourpets—the sweet-tasting, but deadlypoison is hard to resist.

• Some small, short-haired, or thin-coatedbreeds need the additional warmth of asweater when outside for extendedperiods. Older pets may chill easier, too.

• Remember to be safe when walking insnow and ice, as both you and your petcould slip. Strong dogs that pull on theirleashes can cause you to lose balancewhen the conditions are icy. A GentleLeader headcollar, or other similar leashthat is designed to prevent pulling, canbe very helpful in this situation.

• As the days become shorter anddarkness comes early, both you andyour dog are less visible to oncomingtraffic. Consider reflective outerwear forboth you and your pet if you will begoing outside in the dark.

• Don't leave dogs outdoors when thetemperature or wind-chill factor drops.

For more information, visitwww.eevmc.com or call 412-361-5000.

9 4 S H A D Y AV E

The Unexpected Gift