ABOUT US 

Who’s behind MoreBarkForYourBuck.com?

We’re a small mom and pup operation. My name is Anu Roots and my dog’s is Pukak.

What’s up with your names?

Pukak means “first snow, sugar snow” in the Inuit language - my nod to her American Eskimo breed heritage. Because I don't know anyone who speaks Inuit, I chose to pronounce her name POO-ka. Her fancy shmancy, registered name is August’s First Snow CGC, PTD.

My name (AH-noo) is a traditional Estonian name. It doesn’t have a swell story other than it’s often mistaken as a typo for Ann.

My little old dog - a heartbeat at my feet.

Edith Wharton

These are the most frequently asked questions I’m asked about Pukak.

How old is Pukak?

Pukak was born August 1, 1998. She doesn’t look a day over three and still acts like a knucklehead much of the time.

How much does she weigh?

Between 20 and 22 pounds. I’m conscientious about her weight. (My own, not so much).

Does Pukak shed a lot?

Not much volume-wise, but some every day.

Do you have to brush her every day?

Yup.

Is she hard to keep clean?

Not for me. In between brushing and cleaning her with baby wipes, I’ve got her daily grooming down to a routine.

Does Pukak get a bath every day?

Nope. Unless she finds something especially vile to roll in, her monthly grooming appointment keeps her looking beautiful.

How long have you been training your dog?

From the day she came home at nine weeks old, back in 1998.

What kind of training has Pukak had?

Puppy class, basic manners and obedience; agility, Rally O, freestyle; therapy dog visitation training and supervision. But most important was the extensive, and positive, socialization she got at the doggie daycare she grew up in and I worked at for many years.

What does your dog do?

Pukak is the star of our therapy dog team. She tenderly shares her affection by regularly visiting residents at an end of life comfort care home, as well as at an assisted living facility here in North Carolina.

Pukak’s third modeling gig’s coming up as Miss April 2010 in an American Eskimo breed calendar. Previously, she was a model for two different Eskie calendars in 2004.

She is my constant companion and favorite muse for MoreBarkForYourBuck.com.

And when Pukak’s not barking at everything, including giant sunflowers waving over our fence, she’s power napping.

Blessed is the person
who has earned the love of an old dog.

Sidney Jeanne Seward

What are your dog creds?

Since 1998 I’ve trained Pukak in basic manners, agility, and Rally Obedience. We first tried canine freestyle and jump chute at Camp Gone to the Dogs in Vermont.

My dream to work professionally with dogs came true in 2000 when I started working as a doggie daycare chaperone at Gail Fisher’s All Dogs Gym, the largest dog training and activities center in the northeast. For more than six years I worked and learned from Gail and her talented staff, which includes some of the best and brightest dog trainers in the country.

I’m a founding member of, and one of the inaugural directors for, nonprofit Luckdragon’s Angels Pet Therapy Group in southern New Hampshire. I volunteered as a LAPTG therapy dog handler, mentored new teams for our group, and helped create its website.

Pukak and I started her therapy dog career at the Veterans’ Administration Medical Center in Manchester, New Hampshire in 2003. We volunteered there every month for three years before our move to North Carolina. Now Pukak and I dedicate time to visit residents at two different facilities here down south, advocating the benefits and rewards of therapy dog visitation.

More dog friends and I started another group called Canine Capers – Dancing Dogs of New Hampshire. We performed in shows at the VAMC to rave reviews despite our numerous missteps. What Pukak lacked in regard for choreography, she made up with exuberant improvisation.

And since my husband doesn’t dance much anymore, these days I’m looking to join another freestyle group in my new home state. I miss this hilarious way of dog training!

Your special report is invaluable to me [because my] vet bills average
$200-$300 per visit.

The recommendations you listed
in your report will help me to reduce
my bill by a significant amount.

I also love the idea of putting a flea collar
in my vacuum! Brilliant!

Jo Ann Dearden, Egg Harbor Township, NJ