Editor’s Letter

The winter season is upon us and I couldn’t be more excited. Here in the Pacific Northwest, we love it when the rain turns to snow. It might be cold, but the sparkly magic of winter dog walks makes up for it.

Whether your winter weather is Rockwellian or you’re still in shorts, we’re here to help you make the very most of the magical winter and holiday season. We threw ourselves into the making of this issue, filling it with inspiring stories, expert how-to’s, and must-haves to make a life with dogs easier, more fun, and more beautiful.

We take a look at how something as simple as play can be harnessed to help dogs with stress and depression (p 28), delve into which natural joint supplements can help dogs with osteoarthritis (p 60), explore the benefits of CBD (including pain relief and seizure management), and share clear, expert-authored how-to’s for dealing with roughhousing and growling dogs. And that’s not all. The incredible Alexandra Horowitz, a cognitive scientist who studies dogs, reflects on the unique role our pups play in our lives (p 40), Rachel Brathen shares advice on how to heal after the loss of a heart dog, and “America’s vet” Dr. Marty Becker discusses how to use his Fear Free principles to help your dog live a happy, healthy, and full life. We also take a look at four career choices for dog lovers, breaking down what’s involved and salary expectations, and even speak with a pet psychic (p 86). And then there’s our run down of inspired gifts for all the dogs and dog lovers on your list, as well as our Dog Gear Look Book and Dog-tastic Décor features, in which we’ve curated the best dog finds out there, from collars and coats to beds to wall art. In short, it’s all in here! We hope you enjoy it as much we loved putting it together for you.

Thank you so much for being a part of our amazing community of dog lovers! Wishing you and your dogs a wonderful winter season.

With Love,

Connie Wilson, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief