feature story "It's What I Can Do" Friday, Sept. 5, 12 08 p.m.
Two local artists give back to their community and its people by using art to fuel life. Read More 0 comment(s) / read/add comments
feature Story The Imaginary World of Highlands Friday, Sept. 5, 12 06 p.m.
Best-selling novelist Cassandra King lets us a peek into her next book, Bridal Falls. Read More 0 comment(s) / read/add comments delectable delights True Southern Spirit Friday, Sept. 5, 12 05 p.m.
We have enjoyed exploring, tasting, and celebrating with you and sincerely thank our loyal readers. Read More 0 comment(s) / read/add comments A Lowcountry Life A Different Kind of Animal Friday, Sept. 5, 12 02 p.m.
Local vet Dr. Michael Forcier trades records and microphones for dogs and cats to live out a dream. Read More 0 comment(s) / read/add comments Just dogs Bonkers for Bassets Friday, Sept. 5, 12 01 p.m.
These floppy-eared hounds are stealing hearts all over the Lowcountry. Read More 0 comment(s) / read/add comments Essay Discovering the Sounds of the Lowcountry Friday, Sept. 5, 12 00 p.m.
Musician and professor Trevor Weston searches for "exotic" sounds and gets a lesson in Gershwin and Gullah culture. Read More 0 comment(s) / read/add comments Feature Story Sustainable Seafood: On The Bubble Tuesday, July 1, 12 00 a.m.
Efforts to make sustainable food more visible and available are increasing. Read More 0 comment(s) / read/add comments get outta town Kendall Lukas Visits Wilmington, N.C. Tuesday, July 1, 12 00 a.m.
Kendall Lukas has stars in her eyes and history under her feet as she explores the neighboring port city of Wilmington, N.C. Read More 0 comment(s) / read/add comments A Lowcountry Life From Ballet Shoes To Bikinis Tuesday, July 1, 12 00 a.m.
Poland native Maria Dobrzanska Reeves uses her dance discipline to achieve success in Charleston. Read More 0 comment(s) / read/add comments essay Splashing Through Childhood Tuesday, July 1, 12 00 a.m.
Author Ron Daise looks for joy and finds it in remembering his children in their youth. Read More 0 comment(s) / read/add comments homestyle Cooking in the Great Outdoors Tuesday, July 1, 12 00 a.m.
More on Megan Westmeyer and Jennifer Smith’s visit to Swimming Rock Fish Farm Read More 0 comment(s) / read/add comments from the editor Water World Tuesday, July 1, 12 00 a.m.
I love being in water. I love that clear, cool swishing feeling around my ears. In fact, on a warm, sunny day, I like to go outside and get as hot as possible and then dive into a cool pool. For me, it’s refreshment at its finest. Read More 1 comment(s) / read/add comments distinctively charleston Beach Music Tuesday, July 1, 12 00 a.m.
You can see the shrimp boats from your restaurant table, so that shrimp pasta on the menu has to be fresh and local. Right? Read More 0 comment(s) / read/add comments just dogs Water Babies Tuesday, July 1, 12 00 a.m.
We celebrate what we treasure in the Lowcountry and beyond that gives us an interior smile. Read More 0 comment(s) / read/add comments from the editor Maxximum Style Thursday, May 1, 03 49 p.m.
My 14-year-old niece visited Charleston with her parents in March. She’s from Moscow, Russia, and I had not seen her in more than 10 years. There’s a big difference between 4 and 14! Read More 0 comment(s) / read/add comments feature story Holy City Style Thursday, May 1, 03 49 p.m.
When Nancye Starnes decided to move out of Memphis, she drew up a list of “must haves” for her new hometown: it had to be a walkable city, located on the water, and sizeable enough to support a vibrant performing arts community. Read More 0 comment(s) / read/add comments just dogs Citadel Charmers Thursday, May 1, 03 48 p.m.
Move aside – bulldog coming through. In January, the American Kennel Club announced that the Bulldog, one of the most recognizable and iconic purebred dogs, has muscled its way into the 10th spot on the organization’s annual list of the most popular breeds in America. Read More 2 comment(s) / read/add comments delectable delights Beyond Cookie Cutter Thursday, May 1, 03 48 p.m.
Prime ingredients, Nostalgic tastes and creative bakers transform Lowcountry cookies into high-style confections. Read More 0 comment(s) / read/add comments A Lowcountry Life Working for Peanuts Thursday, May 1, 03 48 p.m.
Anthony Wright, the man known throughout the Lowcountry and across the nation as Tony the Peanut Man, never intended to make his living selling boiled goobers. Read More 0 comment(s) / read/add comments get outta town Kendall Lukas Visits Charlotte, NC Thursday, May 1, 03 48 p.m.
I had never been to Charlotte … not really. Well, I’ve gotten my kicks at Carowinds because that was part of being a kid in the Carolinas, and I’ve been to concerts at the open-air Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre because it’s a large complex for big-time acts. I’ve visited my sister at UNC Charlotte and have flown through the city’s major transit airport many times. But as for the metropolis of Charlotte, I’d only ever viewed its high-rises from afar. This time I took an up-close look at the interior and found a lot of reasons to relish in North Carolina’s top travel destination. Read More 1 comment(s) / read/add comments distinctively charleston Turning Heads Thursday, May 1, 03 48 p.m.
Bessie is almost 50 and looks as good today as she did in her youth – maybe even better. After all, back then she was hanging from a pole. Now she runs circles around the rest of us, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Read More 0 comment(s) / read/add comments homestyle Café Comfort Thursday, May 1, 03 46 p.m.
Banquettes are big. Heidi Walker, Allied ASID, of Walker Design Group, is currently working on three different kitchens that have banquettes. For this kitchen in a young couple’s home on Sullivan’s Island, Walker created a café atmosphere by building on the existing element of the laminated floor. “This promotes a casual impromptu gathering space,” she says. Read More 0 comment(s) / read/add comments ESSAY Lowcountry Style Thursday, May 1, 12 00 a.m.
If you want to experience real Lowcountry style, you need to come to the Hebron Saint Francis Senior Center. Its members are long time Johns Island residents, a hardscrabble group of African-American women who meet every Wednesday for devotion and quilt making. Read More 0 comment(s) / read/add comments homestyle Jewel Box Saturday, March 1, 12 00 a.m.
Although one of the smallest rooms in a house, a powder room is nonetheless important since most of your guests will pay it a visit. Jennifer Rhodes, ASID, principal designer of J. Rhodes Design, took the popular concept of making this room a “jewel box” and ran with it, creating a luxurious surprise in this 3-foot by 7-foot Daniel Island room. Read More 0 comment(s) / read/add comments
Recipe box On the table or on the rocks, Firefly Vodka is HOT, HOT, HOT!
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just dogs
Water Babies
Written by Kim Catanzarite
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Provided by Diane Williams with Lowcountry Golden Retriever Rescue
"Ashley" the ocean-loving golden retriever.
Water lovers dog paddle to the beach, parks and pools.
Diane Williams knows something about dogs and swimming. As mother to Ashley, the ocean-loving golden retriever, and foster parent to several goldens over the years, she heads toward the beach nearly every Sunday morning. If not the beach, then to a friend’s swimming pool, a kiddie pool, or even a boat destined for Dewees Island.
“Goldens are big water babies,” she says.
You can often find Williams, Ashley, and other retriever friends bounding through the waves of Sullivan’s Island, where dogs may roam without a leash until 10 a.m. (or later, see below). “They chase the birds and body surf,” says Williams. “It’s a great time.”
Williams is an active member of the Low Country Golden Retriever Rescue. Each summer, the group throws a pool party in honor of the 125 or so dogs for whom they find families during the year. The president of the rescue hosts the party; she and her husband built their in-ground pool especially for their dogs. “Some just lay in the kiddie pools,” says Williams, “but others leap and belly flop into the [in-ground] pool, climb the stairs to get out, and do it all over again. It’s really wonderful to watch.”
In the world of canines, certain breeds are more inclined (and physically prepared) to swim than others. For instance, the Labrador retriever and the landseer Newfoundland have webbed feet; if you spread their paws, you’ll see that skin connects one toe to the next. And the wiredhaired pointing griffon has an undercoat of fur that keeps water away from the skin. Though the golden retriever loves to splash around, its paws are not webbed; but Williams believes their bigger chest and hourglass figure help keep their heads above water. “They’re also really good paddlers,” she says.
Swimming is an excellent source of exercise for dogs of all kinds because it works so many muscles in the body. However, if you’re going to take Boomer into the pool, be sure to teach him how to safely enter and exit. If you’re taking him to the beach, choose a safe place without a strong undertow. And if the two of you will be sailing, dress him appropriately: “Ashley wears a floatation device with a handle on the back in case I have to reach in and pull her out,” says Williams.
Another place for dogs and their humans to enjoy aquatic activity is the James Island Dog Park, a local favorite. Mandi Sandstrom, publicity coordinator for the Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission, visits often with her two dogs. “On a nice day during the week, around 4 p.m. and anytime after work hours, you’re sure to find dogs swimming. And well over 100 dogs show up on a Saturday or Sunday.” The atmosphere, Sandstrom says, is laid-back and friendly.
(One precaution: Watch for alligators when your dog takes a dip in any lagoon or pond in the Lowcountry. Unless an alligator is a certain large size or has shown aggressive behavior in the past, it’s entitled to be there.)
Next time you think about cooling off at your favorite beach, pool, or park, remember your trusted buddy. She may just love the water as much as you do.
Dog-Friendly Watering Holes
James Island Dog Park
Wannamaker County Park
Sullivan’s Island beach: Dogs allowed off-leash 5 to 10 a.m. daily April through October and 5 a.m. to noon November through March.
Lowcountry Living is a bi-monthly magazine of The Post and Courier, 134 Columbus St., Charleston, S.C. 29403-4800. Copyright 2007 by The Post and Courier.
No portion of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without express written permission from The Post and Courier. Printed by R.L. Bryan, Columbia, S.C. Click here to email the editor
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