Billy Rafferty - Happy Dog: Caring For Your Dogs Body, Mind and Spirit

Table of Contents

Illustrated by Justin Graham

Photographs by Michael Vistia

BILLY

JILL

Acknowledgments

Many people had a role in the creation of this book. First of all, this book would never have happened without Ms. Oprah Winfrey, who has inspired us personally and professionally. Billy is grateful that he had the opportunity to help care for Solomon and Sophie for almost fourteen years. Billy sends thanks and hugs to Sheri Salata, Lisa Erspamer, Novona Cruz, Libby Moore, Chris Hill, Carla Bird, Danita Ruiz and Louise Price at Harpo for their friendship and support over the years. We thank Art Smith, who graciously provided us with a recipe, advice and wonderful dogs to photograph. Tremendous thanks to our photographers, Michael and Tracy Vistia and Sheri Berliner, and our illustrator, Justin Graham, for their undying creativity and patience, even in the face of multiple revisions. For their assistance with technical review, thanks to Dr. Sheldon Rubin and Dr. John Kasmersky, who were extremely helpful and insightful. A special thanks and big hugs to all the owners and their beautiful dogs who endured long photo shoots full of crazy canines, and a shout-out to Brenda Holdrenthe Portie Porter. Thanks also to Guadalupe Rodriguez of Este Lauder, makeup artist extraordinaire, for making us look like a million bucks; and to Molly Boren of Simplicity Works, for introducing us to our fabulous agent, Rebecca Oliver, at Endeavor, the ultimate master at managing fresh-man expectations. Truly, there are not enough words in the English language to express our gratitude to Becka for her assistance and willingness to talk us in off the ledge on countless occasions. Mindy Malkin and Emily Cappo read and reread this book until their eyes hurt; their comments and advice were invaluable and helped us keep only the things that truly mattered. A robust thank you to our production, publicity and sales crew at NAL. We appreciate all your hard work and attention to detail. Enormous thanks, hugs and kisses to the ladies at Goldberg McDuffie Communications, Inc.: Lynn C. Goldberg, Angela Hayes and Megan Underwood Beatie. We could not have asked for more skilled or delightful publicists! Thank you and big hugs to Carol Bell, Jill Katz and Lara Shiffman of the Patton Group for their outstanding work on our events and publicity. Thanks also to Billys assistant, Alfred Laurie. Others who helped, supported and guided us on our journey include Mark Mitten, Lisa Ross, Blythe Mendelson, Joan Cusack, Jackie Petree, Lori Ovitz, Jacky Ferro, Meredith Cusick, Elaine Moss, Julie Mora, Paul Payton, Richard and Beverly Bernstein, Michael and Naoma Cahr, Jim and Erin Kaese, Jennifer Berman, Rob, Davida, Sammy and Rachel Pesick, Tom, Patrick, Jim, David and Ray Rafferty and Joann Rafferty-Reed, Eric Arnson, Randy Stearns, Stacey Bashara, Cheryl Russell-Miller, Tamron Hall, John J. Lanzendorf, Rolli Grayson, Lynn Brezina, Judi Feiger, Michael Povsher, Sue Naiden, Alice Lerman, David McMillan, Grace and Tom Wood-ford, Paul Bryant, Pam and Chuck Lauritzen and Mary and Susan, from Billys early years.

We offer our deepest gratitude and biggest hugs to our editor, Tracy Bernstein, a wonderful and caring book mom whose counsel and advice shaped and nurtured our baby and allowed it to blossom and shine; and to Darren and Ian Cahr, who were supportive when not complaining, and always willing to help us with a joke, editing or an idea.

Finally, Jill also wants to thank Bob and Barb Malina of Small Dog Adoption in Plantation, Florida, for giving me and my family Shadow when our hearts needed mending; kisses to Shadow who served as my canine model and foot-warmer while I hovered over my computer; and HUGE hugs to Billy, my coauthor and dear friend, whose astounding expertise and passion made this book possible and who was especially hilarious at two oclock in the morning. Billy also wants to thank Tiger, my first paying client, for being a trooper, and his owner for actually paying me. Thanks to all my wonderful clients over the years for allowing me to take care of their special four-legged furry angels, high-fives to Michael Vistia for being the best personal trainer Ive ever had and I want to thank my coauthor Jill for giving me the kick to get up and do this book that needed to be done. Her persistence and attention to detail have helped make this book a beautiful thing.

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.

MAHATMA GANDHI

Heaven goes by favor; if it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.

MARK TWAIN

So who am I, and why should you listen to me, a nice guy from the burbs south of Chicago? Lets just say that I know a few things about dogs. OK, maybe more than a few. But before we get into the details, perhaps you should know a bit about your guide and how my background has shaped my opinions. As youll see, you and your dog are in good hands, indeed.

Some people are born knowing that they want to be doctors or lawyers when they grow up. Well, fate revealed my professional destiny when I was a young child too. At the ripe old age of eight, I was incited by a mysterious drive to steal into my sisters room to cut her dolls hair. She never actually caught me red-handed, but that hardly stopped her from going ballistic when she discovered my handiwork. While my sister did not approve of me bobbing Chatty Cathys hair, the experience was transcendent. Right then and there, as I was holding Chatty Cathy, something clicked inside me. I knew that I yearned to do something creative and artisticI wanted to style.

But something else was inside me as wella love for animals. Animals provided a safe refuge from my childhood, which was tumultuous, to say the least. I was a sensitive child in an emotionally complex environment. Unlike many people I encountered, animals always responded positively to me. They loved and understood me even though I was different from other kids. Animals, and dogs in particular, brought happiness into my otherwise gloomy childhood. I longed to return the favor and bring joy into their lives. Later on, when I discovered that I had a flair for the creative, I realized that I could pamper animals and make them look and feel fabulous using my artistic talents. Deep in my heart, I understood that animals were my true love, and I knew that I wanted to be surrounded by them, help them and work with them.