Grab a cup of tea and join me while I chat with Denise Fleck, Pet Safety Crusader. Denise and I connected the minute we met and she has been an inspiration to me ever since. She is an expert in Pet First Aid, senior dogs and so much more. I trust that you will learn a lot from her, enjoy her heart-warming stories and laugh out loud at least once. 
DRS: How did you get started in your pet business?
DF: For our first wedding anniversary, my husband and I “became a family” by adopting a dog from the local animal shelter. Her gentle cry and soft brown eyes drew us in while her excitement for life won us over the moment we approached her. We stood there wondering how such a loving canine could have ended up in such a predicament — it was her last day at the shelter before being euthanized. We adopted that yellow Labrador Retriever, named her “Sunny” for her color and disposition, and she quickly became the sunshine of our lives. All our friends knew “The Sunny-dog” (as we affectionately called her), and she loved everyone. The morning of February 14, 1997 began a harrowing day for Sunny. Upon waking, our precious girl was unable to move and in agonizing pain. We didn’t know what was wrong, though we deduced some sort of back or neck injury and we feared picking her up could make it worse. So we waited for a Veterinary Technician to come to our house, put Sunny
on a stretcher and quickly get her medical care. Sunny had ruptured 3 discs in her spine and needed surgery. After recovering, she bounced back to her full-of-adventure self, and I was determined to never again be unsure how to help when my furry child needed me. Thus, my company Sunny Dog- Ink began.
I left my job as a motion picture publicist and developed my proprietary Pet First-Aid & Cardio Pulmonary Cerebral Resuscitation (CPCR) program. I’ve instructed more than 15,000 humans plus millions more via television appearances (CBS “The Doctors,” Animal Planet’s “Groomer Has It” and “Pit Boss,” Kirstie Alley’s “Big Life” and more). It seemed a natural complement to create a line of Pet First-Aid Kits because people prefer having things ready to purchase! After Sunny crossed The Rainbow Bridge, I wrote an article about my next love, Sushi the Akita. Sushi’s story appeared in “Dog Fancy” Magazine which led me to a freelance writing career. The success of the classes coupled with adopting senior dogs (Mr. Rico the Black Lab, Rex the Border Collie-Akita & Bonsai the Akita) led me to writing books and developing classes on Senior Pet Care. Volunteering at my local animal shelter led me to teaching high school animal care and realizing that although kids don’t always listen to their parents, parents often do listen to their kids. This made me think that by writing books for children, I would also be capturing the attention of their parents and grandparents too, so I wrote the award-winning “Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover” series and the third installment will be out Fall 2018.
Teaching Pet First-Aid led me to teaching all types of animal people and groups. One, the Southern California Animal Response Team, taught me how to rescue animals from disasters. Couple this with another decade of training, practice, workshops and being deployed and I drafted Burbank California’s Animal Disaster Plan and then wrote my 9th book, “The Pet Safety Crusader’s My Pet & Me Guide to Disaster PAWparedness.”
DRS: Wow Denise- you are so accomplished. I know you’ve been a champion for senior dogs as well as pet safety. In fact, I attended one of your Pet First Aid and CPCR classes last year and learned so much!
How does your business help both animals and people?
DF: The tagline for “Sunny-dog Ink” is “Helping People Help Their Pets,” which is my main focus. Since I can’t be everywhere, other humans need to know what I know so that they can help an animal in need. By teaching them to bandage a wound, alleviate choking or actually being the pump for a dog’s heart (aka performing CPR), I help people to save their pet’s lives or at least keep them from further harm until they can reach veterinary help.
DRS: Can you tell us about your relationship with animal rescue?
DF: PAWSitively! I thrive on getting down and dirty doing rescue work. Over the decades I have volunteered with the Best Friends’ animal helpline and brigade, Southern California Labrador Retriever Rescue, Akita Buddies (where I adopted two amazing fur kids) and the Burbank Animal Shelter where I served as both Publicity Director and President of the volunteer organization. For two years, each week I would take animals from the Shelter onto KTLA in Los Angeles to share their furry faces and bring their plight, as well as educational tips, to viewers. I worked with Warner Bros., Disney and other corporations to help the shelter get much-needed assistance but found the greatest satisfaction in working hands-on: walking dogs, bathing & brushing them so they would look their best when potential adopters came by, as well as spending time with cats and rabbits. I always say that I get my best ideas hosing poop, because I’m in the moment, clearing my head and can let the thoughts flow. LOL
DRS: Denise I love that! While it is Laugh Out Loud funny, it is true that it’s in those moments that we do get out of our head and can really listen.
What other types of organizations are you involved with?
DF: Though I just recently moved across the country, I’m already in touch with several rescues and animal welfare organizations, but am spending most of my volunteer energy as an active Board Member with The Grey Muzzle Organization (GMO). Grey Muzzle is a non-profit that funds hospice and dental care, senior adoption, medical screenings, and other special programs for senior dogs at animal welfare organizations across the country. GMO’s vision is a world where no old dog dies alone or afraid. Being able, for now, to work for GMO from home allows me the time I crave to devote to my buddy Haiku, my Chikita – part Chow/part Akita as he embarks on his 13th year.
I am also an honored Board Member of the Emma Zen Foundation that supplies pet oxygen masks to First Responders. Founded by a dear friend who got the idea after taking my Pet First Aid Class in 2008, she has made amazing strides in supplying professionals so they can help our four-legged friends.
DRS: Do you have a favorite pet or animal story?
DF: I will never forget the concern exhibited by our doggie friend and neighbor, Pooches, the day Sunny suffered her back injury. It was one of the most touching moments I have ever experienced and proved beyond the shadow of a doubt that humans are not the only ones who express emotion (as if I ever doubted it). The Vet Tech was strapping Sunny to the stretcher preparing her to be carried down all those steps while I stroked her head trying to reassure her that all would be okay. Pooches wandered into our yard through the open gate and with such a look of concern on her graying face, licked Sunny’s cheek. She then nudged Sunny’s ear several times with her nose to comfort her and whimpered a gentle sigh. As we lifted the stretcher, the small black dog stood back to clear the way and then let out a sharp and forceful bark addressed to Sunny as if to say, “Don’t worry pal. You’ll be alright, and I’ll keep watch until you get back.” Pooches paced self-confidently back and forth at the top of the hillside as we carried the ailing Sunny-dog down the long and winding steps. It just melted my heart in my time of pain.
DRS: Oh Denise- that’s the sweetest story!
Can you offer 3 professional tips to my readers?
DF:
1. KNOW HOW TO GET YOUR PET TO EMERGENCY HELP
Thinking “It will never happen to my pet” is just tempting fate, and emergencies often happen after business hours and when we are home alone, so it’s important to have a plan. Know how to lift & transport your injured animal (especially if it’s a bigger dog) and know where the closest Animal ER is located. I encourage people to drive there, learn where to park or pull up for assistance BEFORE you need it.
2. TUNE INTO YOUR PET – PUT ON A NEW SET OF “EYE BALLS” WEEKLY TO NOTICE SUBTLE CHANGES
Sitting down weekly and gently feeling your pet from head-to-tail can be a life-saver. If you notice any changes you can get medical attention quickly. But it’s also time to tune in and notice if your pet is properly grooming himself, if he has any sores, in need of a nail trimming or anything that isn’t quite right. It’s great bonding time, and a chance for us to observe the more subtle aches and pains, whether he’s eating and drinking enough or needing to go “out” more often.
3. LEARN PET FIRST-AID & HAVE A WELL-STOCKED PET FIRST-AID KIT
Although veterinarians are the experts, most of us aren’t lucky enough to have one velcroed to our hip 24/7, so we MUST know what to do BEFORE we can get our ill or injured pet medical care. Learning to check vitals, knowing pressure points to stop bleeding, how to properly cool down an over-heated animal or induce vomiting in one who has ingested poison are priceless skills. And should the worst happen, being able to alleviate choking or perform CPCR can mean life or death for your best friend! Additionally, just like a plumber or carpenter needs the right tool for the job, you need to have a well-equipped Pet First-Aid Kit (and know how to use the items in it) to best render help when needed.
DRS: What’s next up for your biz? What can we be looking for?
DF: January will see the release of my 10th book “The Pet Safety Bible”, a 260+ page compendium that takes the reader from thinking about adoption, through making that choice, building his pet’s team of humans, pet safety, senior care and of course…Pet First-Aid & CPCR. At about the same time, my 6-hour video class will become available online, so that pet lovers can train with me in animal life-saving skills from the comfort of their own home.
DRS: I’m super excited for all of this- especially your video class! I’m sure many people would love to see you teach live and this is a great option.
Where can we learn more about you and your business?
DF:
www.PetSafetyCrusader.com
http://www.youtube.com/thesunnydog
Books on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Denise-Fleck/e/B00J7MFGU6/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_3?qid=1452038445&sr=8-3
DRS: Is there anything else you would like for people to know about?
DF: I have been amazingly blessed…I have a husband who loves our dogs as much as I do, and he gave me the freedom to follow my heart and passion working with animals. People have taken my class, and as a result, they have saved the life of an animal! It is so rewarding and makes me feel like I’m doing what I was meant to do.
Yes, I have personally instructed more than 15,000 pet parents and future ones, professional pet sitters, obedience trainers, groomers and daycare providers. I’ve had the honor of teaching in the homes of Oprah Winfrey, Kirstie Alley, several Playboy Playmates and other celebrities. I have won awards for my writing and my Pet Safety Crusader Radio Show (currently on hiatus), but mostly though, I have been loved by 11 dogs and a cat (and lots more at shelters) and benefitted from their lessons of unconditional love and undying loyalty. In a nutshell, I would say: “Every dog who has entered my life has led me to another path of helping people help their animals. Dogs are my muses, my inspiration, my teachers and healers, and they have made me a better human.”
Denise Fleck
Pet Safety Crusader™
Sunny-dog Ink
PetSafetyCrusader@gmail.com
You can find more of Denise’s tips and her dog adoption stories in What to Expect When Adopting a Dog.
