Holly Edition: Don't forget about your pets

Thinking about adding a canine companion to your life? The holidays are often a popular time to do so, but people must be aware of the proper way to adopt and care for a pet.

Right here in Ahwatukee Foothills The Canine Connection can help you find the dog of your dreams while you get the satisfaction of rescuing a canine in need.

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Through temperament testing and behavioral evaluations Ahwatukee Foothills resident Stefanie Strackbein, co-founder of the organization, and others can help you see how a particular dog might fit into your lifestyle.

"Sharing your home with a dog is an important decision, but is often made without many facts," Strackbein said. "There is much more to finding the ‘perfect' dog than good looks or breed generalities. Temperament testing can show us how a dog is likely to respond to (various situations) before bringing a dog into your life for the next 10 to 15 years."

The Canine Connection is staffed with canine behavior evaluators and counselors with more than 20 years combined experience in animal welfare and companion animal behavior. They will go with you to the shelter and temperament test dogs you may be interested in.

For the holidays, using The Canine Connection's services at Maricopa County Animal Care and Control facilities entitles you to a 10-percent reduction in adoption fees. They have several animals of their own that are looking for permanent homes. These are dogs that ran out of time at county shelters, but evaluators knew them to be temperamentally healthy. They are highly social, kid- and dog-friendly and just waiting to become your new best friend.

For more information, visit www.azcanineconnection.com or call (602) 358-3256.

Pet training

Once you get that new dog home you'll undoubtedly be anxious about your canine's behavior during the holidays. Does your dog jump on every guest, knock over young children or steal food? Then give the gift of in-home training!

Ahwatukee Foothills resident Beth Friedman, with Canine Companion Consulting, said in-home training allows consultants to observe the dog in their natural environment and cater to specific needs.

"Training comes easier to a dog that does not have distractions and is in the comfort of their own home," Friedman said.

For more information, call (602) 790-9430 or visit www.CanineCompanionConsulting.com.

Also try our regular Ahwatukee Foothills News contributors Brad and Tamara Jaffe of Team Canine, (602) 954-8353 or www.teamcanine.com; and Mark Siebel of DOGGIE STEPS Dog Training, LLC., (602) 318-0122 or www.DoggieStepsDogTraining.com.

Pictures with Santa

- On Dec. 6 and 13 get your pets picture taken with Santa at the Ahwatukee Foothill PETCO, 5011 E. Ray Road, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The fee is $8.95, and $5 from each photo purchased will go to Maricopa County Animal Care and Control.

- Malinda's Pampered Pets, 4302 E. Ray Road, is hosting Santa photos with the Arizona Golden Retriever Connections Rescue from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 13 and 14. The cost is $25 for two 4-inch-by-6-inch photos and a CD with the image. All proceeds go to Arizona Golden Retriever Connections.

Gift-giving ideas for pet lovers

- Need a gift for your dog-loving friend or family member? Want something unique that will make a difference? Then sponsor a refugee dog!

Your gift of $50 provides the ultimate gift for a dog awaiting its fate at Maricopa County Animal Care facilities. With the money The Canine Connection can take a dog who has run out of time at the shelter and bring it to their safe haven. The $50 will allow them to vaccinate and spay/neuter one dog. Your friend will receive a personalized card letting them know a dog has been sponsored in their name, from you. They will receive a photo and description of their dog, along with the opportunity to name him or her.

More details are available at www.azcanineconnection.com.

- The Bone Appetit Bakery and Boutique in Ahwatukee Foothills offers an array of specialty pet-friendly merchandise, from homemade pet pastries and non-alcoholic "Bowser Beer" to T-shirts and toys.

Bone Appetit is located at 4810 E. Ray Road, Suite 5. For more information, call (480) 785-9499 or visit www.azboneappetit.com.

- At Malinda's Pampered Pets dogs and cats will receive a free toy during the month of December with any service. The holidays are here and those four-legged family members are going to need their hair done for parties, pictures and special guests.

"Before we all get completely overwhelmed, start thinking about making those grooming and boarding reservations now," owner Malinda Malone said.

For those of you going out of town for the holidays, Malinda's does overnight boarding for dogs and cats. For more information, reservations or questions, either visit www.malindaspamperedpets.com, call (480) 753-5766 or visit the Ahwatukee Foothills facility at 4302 E. Ray Road.

While you're out and about shopping for your pets this holiday season, don't forget to stop by other Ahwatukee Foothills pet-friendly establishments: The Pawz Spa, (480) 460-2526, and Foothills Pet Resort, (480) 460-9126, both located at 1331 E. Chandler Blvd.; Arizona Pet Spa, 4747 E. Elliot Road, Suite 12, (480) 598-3647; and Fluffy Tails Pet Salon, 3646 E. Ray Road, (480) 704-0557.