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Have you ever noticed how dogs are instant ice-breakers in social settings? Ask somebody about their line of work, their family or how they’re doing and the response might include a grunt, shoulder shrug, and two words at best: it’s okay; they’re fine; I’m good. But ask somebody about their dogs, and the floodgates open right up.

When the first issue of The New Barker dog magazine rolled off the presses seven years ago, we didn’t have a problem filling its pages with fun content about Florida dogs. Our concern as to whether or not we would be able to continue to provide readers with original, relevant content in subsequent issues was quickly put to rest. Stories abound, and we find ourselves planning which future issue will feature a developing story. There are just so many wonderful stories to tell.

Still, we’d like to get back to our grassroots and hear more about the dogs of Florida. Your dogs. The everyday heroes, the lap dogs, the heart dogs, the dogs who make us laugh.

And, so here are three fun ways for your dog to be part of an upcoming issue of The New Barker dog magazine.

One: We’ve partnered with Summerhill Television, an international production company based in Canada. They’ve been given the green light to develop a television series, Dog’s Best Friend, that will document incredible friendships between dogs and other animals. They have asked The New Barker to reach out to Florida dog lovers for a possible audition. Does your dog have a friendship with a dolphin, a donkey or a horse? Do you think your dog’s relationship with the family cat or bird is particularly special (yes, of course you do). Please drop us a line or two about the friendship via email (anna@thenewbarker.com). In the subject line put “incredible dog friendship.” Please be sure to include your contact information (phone number, name, Florida city in which you reside).

Two: Is your dog swimsuit-ready? Send us a photograph of your dog in his or her best swim suit attire or beach gear. Beer belly or six-pack abs, we want them all. Email your photos with the dog’s name and your contact information to anna@thenewbarker.com. In the subject line put “swimsuit ready.” Your angel could be in a centerfold.

Three: While going through personal belongings, we came across some old family photos. One was of Sonny Cooke, our publisher’s older brother, and the family’s first dog, Tippy (circa 1943). We started wondering how many old photos of family dogs have long ago been tucked away in albums or drawers or envelopes. We’d like to develop a story and feature some of those photos. So, take a look around and send us a note via email (anna@thenewbarker.com). If you’re able to scan the photo, send that along too. If not, just send us a description and your contact information so that we can call you. We’ll take care of the rest.

As always, we look forward to hearing more about you and your Florida Dogs.

In the Company of Dogs is an occasional column that appears in The New Barker dog magazine that tells the story of a family-owned Florida company improving the lives of dogs. In the spring issue of The New Barker dog magazine, Mastro Subaru was featured.

The story of Mastro Subaru is the Great American Dream. Peter Mastro, Sr. emigrated from a small town in Italy more than 40 years ago. He opened a Volkswagen repair shop that soon became well-established with a good reputation for customer service. Peter was the kind of person who could see opportunities where others did not. While mainstream America chuckled at the thought of small cars, Peter bought a franchise for a then-unknown Japanese car called Subaru. When the oil crisis of the 1970’s hit, the future of Mastro Subaru was set. Growing up, brothers Pete and Stephen learned the value of customer service early on from their father.

“When we were younger, we would clean cars, sweep the lot and even cleaned parts,” recalls Pete. “Whenever we had a day off from school, our father would bring us to work with him.”

“By fifth grade, we were the detailing department of the dealership,” adds Stephen. As they grew older, the brothers worked throughout the dealership in various departments. Stephen spent most of his time in sales, while Pete worked in service and parts. When their father became ill in 1990, the two sons took over the task of running the family business. Today, Mastro Subaru is the highest volume Subaru dealer in Florida. In October 2007, a second dealership was opened in Sanford after the brothers found that many of their customers were traveling from Central Florida for both sales and service. At both locations, Pete oversees service and parts, Stephen is responsible for sales, and Stephanie (Stephen’s wife), handles finances and marketing. The family continues to grow the business, now the number one Subaru auto group in the South.

Steadfast animal lovers and community advocates, the Mastro family is very involved with the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and the SPCA of Central Florida. Several years ago, with the economy in a tailspin, adoptions at the shelters were dramatically decreasing, while owner-surrenders were increasing. It was the perfect storm of a downward spiral: as more people lost their jobs and/or homes, many were unable to care for their pets, and/or find rental homes that would allow them.

“Six years ago, just before the holidays, we decided to do something a little different with our holiday television commercials,” said Stephanie Mastro. “We advertised that we would cover a family’s pet adoption fees when they purchased a car from our dealerships.” The program was such a success that it has become a holiday tradition. It also inspired Mastro Subaru in Tampa to dedicate one Saturday a month for an adoption event. Volunteers from the Humane Society of Tampa Bay bring adoptable cats and dogs, which always draws a big happy crowd.

“The really cool thing is that the animals we use in the holiday commercials are never our own. We always use cats and dogs from the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. Within two days of the commercials airing, the animals are always adopted,” said Stephanie. “And after the commercials air, adoptions at the shelter always double,” she added. Stephanie estimates that about 1,000 dogs and cats have been adopted over the last six years since they’ve implemented the monthly adoption events.

“This has been an endeavor that the whole Mastro family has embraced, including our extended family of customers and employees,” said Stephanie. “When the economy tanked, we saw what was happening in our communities. We saw people turning in their pets, or finding that they couldn’t afford to buy food for them. We knew we wanted to do something to help out and make a difference,” added Stephanie, who also sits on the advisory board for the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.

In addition to the monthly adoption events, the dealership holds annual food drives, encouraging customers and the community at large to bring in pet food, which is then transported and donated to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and the SPCA Of Central Florida from its Sanford location.

“What we have is a true family operation,” said Stephen. “We’re proud of that, and take it very seriously. We have so many long-term employees and customers who have seen us grow up. They are our family, and continue to be our reason to come to work every day.”

About Mastro Subaru:

Mastro Subaru was the first Subaru Signature Facility in Florida, and the first to be re-certified as a Stellar Performance Dealer, the highest recognition for excellence from Subaru. It’s no coincidence that Subaru has been big supporters of animal advocacy and the ASPCA. 75% of all Subaru owners have dogs. To watch the Dogs Tested, Dogs Approved television campaign, visit http://www.MastroSubaru.com and click onto “Get the Full Canine Experience.” The interactive fun includes getting a Florida Driver’s License for your dog (because, of course, every dog needs one), and putting your dog’s photo in a Subaru.

The Mastro Family,including their pets: Pete, Darlene, Nicholas, Jovanna and Max Mastro have a cat named Macy that they adopted from St. Francis Society Animal Rescue, Tampa, and a dog, Sam. Lisa Mastro and her son JP have a Labradoodle named Desiree. Stephanie, Stephen, Stephano and Sophia Mastro live with Rocco, Sasha, Romeo and Dolce, all dogs, and a cat, Donatello from St. Francis. “Rocco is our most recent adoption from the Humane Society of Tampa Bay,” said Stephanie. And mom, Jaye Mastro has two dogs, Picasso and Monet. Mastro Subaru 6402 West Hillsborough Avenue Tampa 813.884.7513 411 South Orlando Drive, Sanford 321.206.1792 http://www.MastroSubaru.com and http://www.MastroAutoGroup.com

Picture This by Jacqueline Sheehan is the third book read and reviewed by The New Barker. We enjoyed it just as much as her first bestseller, Lost & Found, one of our all-time favorite books. The second book we reviewed by Sheehan, Now & Then, is the story of a remarkable journey involving one big dog, Madigan, an Irish Wolfhound, and a wonderful cast of characters.

Picture This is actually the sequel to her bestseller, Lost & Found. But you needn’t read Lost & Found (which has been optioned for film by the actress Katherine Heigl) to enjoy Sheehan’s latest book. Like the two previous books we reviewed, Sheehan writes about love, heartbreak, inner strength and the courage to restore and rebuild.

Rocky Pellegrino, the book’s heroine, lives on an idyllic spot, Peaks Island just off the coast of southern Maine. She works at what seems to be the perfect job for her, as the animal control warden. As with the storylines in her first two books, this one is a mystery, with several plots that will eventually lead to an amazing ending. Sheehan’s training in psychology is certainly integral to her writing, especially in understanding motivation, she says, which is at the core of character development. Her descriptions of people, animals, Peaks Island and even the houses, are as alive and robust as if watching them unfold on stage.

Rocky’s constant companion is a Black Lab named Cooper. They protect and support one another, and Sheehan provides knowing insight on the special relationship shared by Rocky and Cooper. It’s a description that every dog lover is familiar with. “You don’t have to make choices like this,” Rocky says to Cooper. “As much as you might disagree, I can’t stay in the almighty now, every single minute like you do. I know, you’re the dog, and you are constantly rejoicing.”

Yes, dogs remind us of the importance of living in the now, not only for our health and well-being, but to keep an eye out for what might be waiting for us – good or bad. By not focusing on the moment, what things could we possibly be overlooking?

Rocky is a cool, tough woman on the outside. She seems to have contentedly settled into a comfortable life, while still recovering from the sudden death of her husband, Bob some time ago. A bit guarded when it comes to love, she opens up to it, only to be hurt once again. She throws herself into renovating an old house, which to her seems haunted bittersweetly by lost love and forgotten secrets. The house speaks to her soul, and it’s fun to discover those secrets while we live vicariously through Rocky, and the home’s renovations.

Then, a mysterious phone call from a young woman looking for her biological father, throws the story in to full mystery gear. Bob was Rocky’s soulmate, her true love. Could the girl possibly be Bob’s long-lost daughter? Could this be the connection Rocky has longed for, maybe even a message from Bob himself?

The women in Sheehan’s books are all vulnerable, but tough. They live life as it comes, and fall hard in love. Luckily, they have a dog who is forever their protector, and the one constant in all of their lives.

Special Note: Jacqueline Sheehan was also recently featured in The New York Times Sunday column, Modern Love. Read, Though Now Apart, We Faced a Common Enemy. Another poignant piece of writing.

The New Barker is Florida’s top dog lifestyle magazine. To subscribe, visit www.thenewbarker.com. A one year subscription is only $16/four issues, mailed to you (or your dog).