10 Years of G Girl!

Barbie Yonce

Co-Founder, Adoption Counselor, Foster Mom, Volunteer Canine Rescue

Proud Benef iciary of G girls Cotillion event s

Shop SMILEAMAZON -- Choose Canine Rescue, North Augusta, SC, as your charity of choice and a portion of the purchase is donated to us!!

Thank You.

“Rescuing one dog may not change the world, but for that dog the world will be changed forever.”

MOSHIQA X WONDER WOMAN 1984 CAPSULE COLLECTION RETRO

These days we are so excited about our collaboration with Warner Bros., creating a pet fashion line that is inspired by the movie Wonder Woman 1984. The collection is a monumental milestone in pet fashion products. This unique Moshiqa X Wonder Woman 1984 Capsule Collection has been designed to bring some of the glitter & glamour of Wonder Woman to our pets and courage & confidence to the owner. At Moshiqa we believe a successful company has a responsibility to the greater community. Supporting non-profit organizations and

institutions as well as initiatives, supporting both Animal Rights as well as Women’s Empowerment internationally, are at the core of Moshiqa’s foundation. We are so happy and proud to have chosen to dedicate 10% of the sales revenue of our latest collaboration with Wonder Woman 1984 to The Malala Fund and Dumpster Doggies, upon the choice of the customer. When you purchase a product from the Golden Capsule Collection, your purchase directly impacts the lives of young women and the welfare of the homeless animals in shelters for the better.

AT FIRST I WAS EMBARRASSED.

ME, A CAT, LIVING WITH A SINGLE GUY. BUT WHEN I WATCH HIM PICK SOMETHING UP WITH HIS HANDS AND EAT IT, I CAN’T HELP BUT LOVE HIM.

— MARU adopted 01-10-10

assistance help up

cci.org

cci.org

Canine Companions for Independence assistance dogs are there for their human partner day, 7 days a week.

Canine Companions for Independence assistance dogs are there for their human partner day, 7 days a week.

Expertly trained to perform over 40 commands, these dogs help children, veterans and adults with disabilities open doors, pick up dropped items and much more. Each life-changing dog is provided free of charge to recipients.

Expertly trained to perform over 40 commands, these dogs help children, veterans and adults with disabilities open doors, pick up dropped items and much more. Each life-changing dog is provided free of charge to recipients.

Learn how you can enhance the lives of people with disabilities and give a dog a job.

Learn how you can enhance the lives of people with disabilities and give a dog a job.

CONNECT

CONNECT

1-760-901-4300

1-760-901-4300

cci.org

cci.org

info@cci.org

info@cci.org

BREAKFAST WITH WAFFLES PAGE 26

MY FAVORITE LICK PAGE 32

PET OF THE MONTH PAGE 34

ANIMAL CHAT PAGE 40

PFAU PFARMS PAGE 42

CANINE RESCUE PAGE 54

COVER STORY - G GIRL 10TH ANNIVERSARY PAGE 58

G GIRL COTILLION & PET RUNWAY PAGE 70

PET CRUSADER PAGE 100

BEVERLY’S ADVENTURES PAGE 102

MEMORIALS PAGE 108

PET MEMORIAL PAGE 110

Publisher/CD/ED/CRO

Barbara Jayne

Barbara has 30 years experience in Publishing, Advertising and Media working with notable entities from Andy Warhol’s “Interview Magazine” to Conde Nast’s “Self Magazine” and her own digital pet publication “Lick Magazine”.

Contributor

Mark Finley

Mark is a multi-media artist currently exploring photo-collage. Mark’s compositions reference pop culture and the idols of a generation. Mark’s “muse” is his new dog, Hazel. finley1616@gmail.com

Editor

Denise Fleck

Denise Fleck is The Pet Safety Crusader having taught 20K humans animal life-saving skills. Author of more than a dozen books, learn more about her at www.PetSafetyCrusader. com and... check her out in the pages of LICK Magazine!

Production Director/ Contributor

Beverly Houwing

Beverly Houwing is an award winning photographer whose work appears in magazines and galleries. She is also a graphic designer.

Social Media

Nikki McFarling

Nikki is the founder of the podcast “Livey and Opinionated”. She loves to write short stories and poetry but is also a master at social media helping many Hollywood VIPs, including LICK, keep their latest happenings current.!

Daniel DiCriscio is an award winning TV/Media

Personality, Celebrity Hairstylist, Recording Art ist, and Model. Daniel is most widely known for his historical makeover on Paula Jones, his work on Pamela Anderson, Stevie Nicks, Barbi Twins, Anna Nicole Smith, and his TV interview with Sa cha Baron Cohen / Da Ali G Show. Daniel is active in various animal rights causes. Stay tuned for his upcoming Hollywood Tell All book. https://danieldicriscio.net

I met my dear friends Celeste and Tom Pfau at a G Girl Productions NYC fashion event years ago and with our mutual love of animals and fashion we became fast friends. Celeste who is descend ed from the Poarch Native American Indian Tribe (https://pci nsn.gov) and her husband Tom re cently created the beautiful "Pfau Pfarms" in Mil ton, Florida and are thoroughly enjoying peace and contentment amid the beautiful vistas, rolling hills and farm or should I say "Pfarm" environ ment. New members of their little animal family include horses, cows, chicken, goats and people!

Beverly Houwing has had a passion for pho tography and a love for animals her whole life. She feels images have a profound effect on our perception of the world. Her photography has been exhibited at galleries and numerous curated exhibits. Her work has been featured in Smith sonian, Africa Geographic and other magazines. Check out more of her work on her web site: www.squidgallery.com

Wendy and Gregg Di Pinto own and operate the upscale (non chain rarity) pet store for pam pered pets "Gigi's Pet Market" based in Jupiter, FL. and named after their gently spoiled and very beloved pet "Gigi" of course!! Gigi's carries the "best of the best" in everything "pet‑centric" be cause this loving couple wanted the best for their "Gigi!" And they know you want the best for your pampered pets too! We welcome Wendy, Gregg and Gigi's personal product selections. And if you happen to be in Jupiter, stop by and say "hello".

Neely Elvidge Waring, aka The Diva Dog Mom, began photographing shelter dogs while working with rescues in South Florida. Her love of dogs and photography blossomed into a pet photogra phy business. She now runs Hoosier Bulldog Res cue in Indianapolis, Indiana. She currently has six Bulldogs, two Sphynx cats, and an African Grey Parrot.

https://neelywaringphotography.smugmug.com

J. Michael Huls is an academician, zero waste pro ponent, and business leader. He is the CEO and the co founder of Online Marketing Staff (digital marketing solutions), and the Principal of Sustain able Environmental Management Co (SEMCO). In his career spanning 45 years, he has consulted to the World Bank and United Nations, the US EPA, the Chemical Manufacturers Association, Fortune 500 businesses such as IBM and Verizon, and over 100 municipalities.

https://www.sustainable env.com/about us

Laurren Darr is an award winning author that’s written numerous pug, children’s and pet fashion books. She’s the founder of the Pet Fashion Guild, Left Paw Press, and House of Laurren. Pet Age named her a Woman of Influence. She earned her pet fashion certification from Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in 2015. Beyond pet interests, she spends most of her time traveling to race tracks with her husband and her son, who races in the NASCAR® ARCA series. www.LeftPawPress.com

Laura is the owner and fashion impresario of G Girl Productions, West Palm Beach, Florida. She created the "Cotillion" and “HomeComing” events which took place in Palm City, Florida for this issue. You can check Laura out on her Face book page or at a G Girl fashion event coming to a town near you.

https://www.facebook.com/Ggirlproductions/

"Breakfast with Waffles": The only thing Micheal Al bert's dog "Waffles" has in common with a breakfast waffle is that they are both warm and fluffy. "Waffles " is a long haired miniature dachshund who hit the big time 9 years ago when he found Papa Micheal and He's been living in the lap of luxury on San Fran cisco's prestigious Nob Hill ever since. Waffles has a nice pre breakfast walk with trips to Huntington Park before lunch and, an evening walk as well. Papa re tired at 43 having enjoyed a career in the publishing world working with 'San Francisco Magazine' and later, with 'Smithsonian' Into the 'Golden Years', only miniature Dachshunds seem to be able to bring the joy of another heartbeat in the house.

Devin is a graduate of NYU with a BA in Film & Television. He co founded a video production company (dog army.com) that specializes in real estate and has filmed over 300 apartments in NYC, as well as web series pilots, and events. His sound work has been featured in the Sundance Film Festival, New York Film Festival: Projections, International Film Festival Rotterdam, and other film festivals. www.devinmadethis.com

lick - ads of the month

lick - featured fan Waffflles “Breakfast with Wafflflflflflfles”

Micheal Albert and his beloved “Waffles” for whom this story is appropriately named, have lived on San Francisco’s prestigious Nob Hill for as long as I can remember. My association with Micheal dates back to when we were both wee newbies at San Francisco’s thriving city publication “San Francisco Magazine”. I lived on the Bay (as my husband preferred) but Micheal and his current/ previous pups have lived on 'the Hill'. Surrounded by the watchful gaze of San Francisco’s gorgeous jewel box Grace Cathedral and Grand Dame hotels (from the Huntington, The Mark Hopkins, Stanford Court and Fairmont), these establishments from bygone eras are evidence of the historic wealth that built the City. To this day, luxury, style and sophistication are showcased and revered with these architectural marvels.

Micheal and Waffles walk this neighborhood daily, greeting young and older residents during what Micheal labels the Sniff N Squirt. Having such a friendly companion has afforded constant opportunities to meet new and fascinating people, with a warm, uninhibited spirit. Our pets are so much more than animals; they open the door to a kinder world and are our ambassadors of humanity. This pictorial column showcases Micheal and Waffles' daily walks with individual commentary on their San Francisco experience. Enjoy!

MICHEAL ALBERT-San Francisco

A Pound of Pups

Geralynn Cada - Animal Trainer

lick - ads of the month

Actor/Model: Harry Styles and baby lambs

my favorite lick - Lil Bit

lick - Pet of the Month

Nelson Mandela

lick - Pet of the Month

Kami Kat

Lick Spotlight - pet art

Artistic Creativity!

Rolland Berry is a cutting edge contemporary artist known for his figurative work and unique color palette. Reminiscent of a futuristic Andy Warhol his work bridges the gap between graffiti and pop art.

His series include the Rolland Berry “Butterfly Series,” “American Buffalo,” and more. Rolland currently resides in Los Angeles, California.

Artist - Rolland Berry

Find out more about Rolland, visit: www.rollandberry.com.

"Every action begins with a thought and what you’re seeing is the wake of my thoughts in a physical form. This is the definition of art to me."

— Rolland Berry

Animal Chat lick pet person

“We’re Mad About Belinda Carlisle”

“Heaven is a Place on Earth” a song by Belinda Carlisle is more than just a song; it’s a goal that embodies the spirit of Belinda‘s current co-founded organization “Animal People Alliance” (APA).

Everyone knows Belinda Carlisle the stunning lead singer of “The Go Gos,” Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductee, uber successful Solo Recording Artist, and now adding to her list of accomplishments a lifelong “Animal Advocate.” On a recent interview Belinda gave on “E! News” she was asked, “Belinda, Why do you like animals better than people?” and she quickly responded “It’s just the way it is!”

APA was formed in 2014 and helps the multitude of stray animals on the streets of India. It has also expanded into Thailand and Southeast Asia. APA has helped create employment for the lower caste and trafficked in India by helping stray animals get the proper care they need. APA has already treated over 30,000 animals with life saving medical services and other urgent needs.

& DANIEL DICRISCIO BELINDA CARLISLE

This past December, In “VIP Style,” I attended Belinda Carlisle’s Christmas Party at “The Abbey,” in West Hollywood, Ca. This amazing APA fundraiser was attended by celebrity guests taking to the stage in support of Belinda’s cause.. the likes of Margaret Cho, Wilson Phillips, and Lisa Loeb were in attendance and of course, Belinda closed the event singing some of her solo hit songs like “Heaven Is A Place On Earth” and the Go-Go’s hit song “We Got The Beat” which blew the roof off the Abbey!

I was pretty much backstage a lot chatting and taking pics with everyone including Margaret Cho (who brought her pooch), Carnie Wilson, fellow celeb hairstylist Chaz Dean and Abbey owner David Cooley.

Belinda raised over $155,000 for APA that night with one person donating $10k on the spot! “Wow!”

Belinda and I took photos privately and chatted. She’s as sweet and pretty as one could imagine: a beautiful woman with a beautiful heart. And yes, “Heaven is a Place on Earth” when you’re around Belinda!

News Flash!

Belinda’s lending her vocals to a new song “Gonna Be You” written by Diane Warren, singing alongside Dolly Parton, Debbie Harry, Gloria Estefan, and Cyndi Lauper. It is featured in the “80 For Brady” movie! Legendary! Check it out!

Daniel’s Site: http://www.danieldicriscio.net

APA Website: https://www.animalpeoplealliance.net/

Belinda Carlisle’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ BelindaCarlisleOfficial/?mibextid=LQQJ4d

lick spotlight - natural farm

"A Little Piece Of Paradise.."

"My husband Tom and I have been together for so many years and have enjoyed a lovely life living in some of the wonderful old historical homes and cities around the south.

We really felt we came upon our own little piece of paradise when we discovered the property that we now proudly call 'Pfau Pfarms.'

And to think this little piece of heaven 'our heaven'... was practically around the corner from our old life.

This column is dedicated to our new pfarm!! -'Pfau Pfarms!' And we invite you to come on by and meet some of our new pfarm friends who just might be four legged!

Enjoy and hope to meet you sometime!

Celeste &‑ Tom Pfau!

'Til Next Time! Pfau

Pfarms!

Karma Rescue 1158 26th Street #155

Santa Monica, Ca. 90403

www.Karmarescue.org

Dept of Animal Services Administrative Office: 221 N Figueroa Street, Suite 600 Los Angeles, Ca. 99012

888-452-7381

LA Animal Services & Locations 888-452-7381

www.laAnimalservices.com

East Valley Center 14409 Van Owen Street Van Nuys, Ca. 91405

Harbor Center 957 N Gaffey Street San Pedro, Ca. 90731

North Central Center 3201 Lacey Street Los Angeles, Ca. 90032

South Los Angeles Chesterfield Square Center 1850 W. 60th Street Los Angeles, Ca. 90047

West Los Angeles Center 11361 West Pico Los Angeles, Ca. 90064

West Valley 20655 Plummer Street Chatsworth, Ca. 91311

New Orleans, Louisiana

Pit Bull Rescue:

Villalobos Rescue Center

P.O. box 771127

New Orleans, LA. 70177

504-229-4229

www.vcrpitbull.com

New York, New York

Pit Bull Rescues:

Ny Bully Crew/Animal Rescue & Adoption Center 1457 Montauk Highway East Patchogue, New York 11772 Out of the Pits

P.O. Box 2311 Albany, New York 12220

www.outofthepits.org

NY Pit Bull Rescue www.rescueme.org

Rescue Pit P.O. Box 10219 Rochester, New York 14610

info@rescuepit.org

Queen City Pits Queencitypitties.com

Info@queencitypitties.com

CusePitCrew P.O. Box 195 Clay, Ny 13041 www.recycle_a_bull@yahoo.com

Second Chance Rescue Nycsecondchancerescue.org AnimalAlliancenyc.org

Mayors alliance for nyc’s animals 244 5th Avenue, suite R290 New York, New York 10001-7604 #212-252-2350

Info@animalalliancenyc.org

Get your pet www.getyourpet.com/adopt-a-pitbull-or-rehome-a-pit-bull-in-newyork/

Florida Pit Bull Rescues: Luv a Bull www.luvabull.org

Adopt A Pet www.adoptapet.com

Pit Bull Happenings www.pitbullhappenings.com

PitBull Rescue Me www.pitbull.rescueme.org

Plenty of Pit Bulls www.plentyofpitbulls.org

www.Popb.org

gainesvillepitbulls@gmail.com

REPORT ANIMAL ABUSE. STOP DOMESTIC

DOMESTIC ABUSE. SPOTABUSE.ORG

lick spotlight - Canine Rescue

Barbie Yonce

Barbie Yonce developed a love for animals when she volunteered at an animal rescue. Since then, Barbie has personally saved many a stray soul and that passion and love of pets turned into her own formal non profit rescue organization "Canine Rescue." Since that time, Barbie has saved 100's of unwanted animals giving them a new lease on life and uniting them with people who really care, offering so many pets a new beginning. We hope you will donate to Barbie's foundation and help her continue her wonderful work for many more years to come. Her contact information can be found at the end of this article. No donation is too small and All are appreciated. Thank you.

LICK MAGAZINE: Why did you decide to create a pet non-profit?

BARBIE YONCE: I developed a love for animals as a child. We always had a family dog or cat. This was back in the day where your children could play outside and neighbors watched out for neighbors. With that being said, I was always taking walks and looking for animals that looked homeless, hurt, or hungry.

My first animal rescue was when I was around 6 years old. I found a small puppy that was crying so I took her home and told my mom where I found her and that she was lost and needed our help. I fed her a hot dog. We did end up finding her rightful family and they were so glad to get her back. I learned at an early age that animals have feelings and depend on us to love and care for them.

to the Rescue!

As my children grew up and left the nest I realized my calling was to continue to help animals. In the early 2000's I began networking with several rescue organizations.

After fostering dogs with one local rescue group for 2 years I decided that rescue was where my heart was and is! In 2002, Jean Strein and I partnered and created "Canine Shelter Rescue" (we only rescued from high kill shelters).

Over the years came marriage, children and more pets. I did my fair share of saving animals throughout my young adulthood. My children always had various pets as they were growing up. They experienced how to care for numerous dogs, cats, guinea pigs, sugar gliders, hedgehogs, hamsters, gerbils, and more.

After having an eye-opening experience with puppy mills we changed our name and mission. We became "Canine Rescue" and adopted our mission to include saving as many animals as possible from the horrors of puppy mills, backyard breeders and hoarders.

"Canine Rescue" is a volunteer organization. I do not draw a salary for what I do with the rescue. When I began doing rescue my employer was not happy.

After a few years of trying to balance my work place duties with my rescue duties; I made a decision to leave the corporate world for my passion. In 2016, I began working for our veterinarian. Now I have the best of both worlds. I have a job to take care of my lifestyle and a volunteer job that brings a smile to my face.

Rescuing these "fur kids" in need is what gets me up everyday. Working in rescue, I see both the good and the bad in humanity. Rescuing is heartbreaking and rewarding at the same time. We cry when we lose one and smile when we see them smile.

Doing rescue is a costly venture. Our rescue does all the medical work on each and every animal we bring into our hearts. If a dog needs to see a specialist then we raise the funds to cover the medical treatment. We give 150% of our heart and care to each of these precious babies.

We care for them for the remainder of their life. These special needs kids deserve to have a good life too.

Since our existence began in 2003, we have managed to save over 14,000 animals in need. The motto below is what I live for each and every day!

"Rescuing one dog may not change the world, but for that one dog the world will be changed forever."

When our rescue takes in a dog, it is a total commitment on our part. When we take on a dog and he/she does not get adopted for one reason or another (Biter, various medical issues, etc.); we do NOT euthanize them, trade them to other rescues or turn them in to animal control.

Canine Rescue is located in North Augusta, SC

Here is our contact information:

Website: www.caninerescue1.org

Rescue email: caninerescue1@gmail.com

My cell number: 706-955-3992

My email: barbieyonce@aol.com

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PET FASHION PET FASHION

lick - pet crusader Dangers of

Foxtails (also known as grass awns, diaspores, and spear grass) are annual summer grasses that bloom during spring and, as the weather turns warm, dry out and hitch a ride on anything that passes by. That is how they become dangerous for our pets. Shaped like the tail of a furry fox, the seeds are arranged in spikey clusters at the top of the grass with backward facing barbs that get stuck everywhere! The spikes are designed to burrow further and further into an object or into your pet with every movement the animal makes. The real danger of foxtails is that they can be swallowed, inhaled, travel into the ear canal or lungs, and penetrate your pet’s skin often requiring surgical removal.

Foxtail Prevention

The challenge is preventing Fido from encountering foxtails in the first place, so where do they grow? Everywhere! Most pervasive in the Western U.S. (particularly California), these grass awns can be found in all but seven states. Only Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia remain foxtail-free, so be on the look-out for grass awns on hillsides, trails, open fields, and

in overgrown areas of parks. When out hiking, fitting your dog with protective dog shoes and a mesh face mask could help prevent these hitchhikers from catching a ride on Fido. Additionally, groom your four-legged pal immediately after walks removing foreign debris from his coat and inspecting the undercoat, inside the ears and between the toes. Keeping fur neatly trimmed between the toes may also help you more easily spot these dangerous intruders.

Signs Your Pet Has Gotten into Foxtails

Foxtails can create abscesses, pockets of infection under the skin that requiring draining by your veterinarian. In the ear canal, lungs or nasal passages, these culprits may need to be surgically removed. They can inflame the eyes and eyelids and can also cause inflammation and swelling to the back of the throat and around the private areas. Along with the barbs, dirt and bacteria enter the pet’s body so foxtails can lead to even more serious conditions as internal organs may be affected. According to a study of 182 cases, the most common site of grass awn localization was the external ear canal, involving 51% of all foxtail cases.

Foxtails!

If you notice these signs and suspect your pet is in pain, it may be due to spear grass penetrating one of these respective body parts:

’ Eyes: Pawing at the eye, squinting, excessive tearing or discharge preventing the eye from opening

’ Ears: Head tilt and/or shaking, discharge, odor

’ Nose: Violent sneezing and pawing; even bleeding.

’ Mouth or Throat: Gagging, coughing, difficulty swallowing or making exaggerated swallowing motions, bad breath

’ Paws, Legs, Privates or anywhere on the skin: Licking and/or appearance of an abscess

the skin or nose, but if it has moved deeper into the nose, ears, privates or lungs, an endoscopy (high-tech miniature video camera) may be required to locate and remove the spears. If a grass awn enters the belly or lung, surgery is likely the only treatment possible.

While the best strategy is to avoid areas with foxtails and to keep your yard free of them, anytime your dog is out and about, brush his coat well and give him a head-to-tail check. At the first sign of distress, get veterinary help! Additionally, sign up Pet First Aid & CPR Class before you pet encounters an injury or illness. Many pet parents do not know what questions to ask about caring for their pet, but once through a pet first aid course, they are adept at spotting problems at onset and often prevent emergencies from happening in the first place. We can’t keep our precious furry family in a plastic bubble however, so for the time illness strikes, knowing how

What is a Pet Parent to Do?

If you see a foxtail, remove it as quickly as you can with a pair of tweezers however, if it is has helically twisted into the skin, you may not be able to remove it without it breaking apart. Also, by the time your dog is exhibiting signs, you may no longer be able to see the barbs of this dangerous grass, so should you notice any of the above signs or suspect that your dog is in pain in general, seek immediate veterinary care! Your vet may be able to remove a foxtail from a superficial area of

to handle it with confidence is priceless!

Denise Fleck is the Pet Safety Crusader™ having personally taught more than 31,000 humans to rescue Rover or help Fluffy feel better. She is now training the next generation of animal care instructors but continues mission to help YOU make a difference in the life of an animal through Pet FirstAid, Senior Pet Care and Disaster Preparedness classes, her “The Pet Safety Bible,” and the dozen other books she has penned. Learn more at www.PetSafetyCrusader.com.

Faces of Southern Angola

Beverly’s Adventures Visiting Remote Tribal Areas

I never thought I’d ever have a reason to go to Angola given its history and my being more of a wildlife and landscape photographer, but in 2019 I remarked over a lunch with a friend who leads many African tours for both wildlife and tribal photography, about why we’d never met up in Africa given the amount of time we both spend there.

She said, “Bev, you must come to Angola and see it while it’s still pristine. There is nobody going now and you should photograph the tribes there. They are amazing!” It was a valid point and very intriguing, so I went with her in June 2022.

A little history about the Republic of Angola... it was formerly a Portuguese colony. It has been one of Africa’s more isolated countries for tourism and one of the last great travel mysteries. It has is been virtually untouched by foreigners because it was closed off to most outsiders for decades due to stringent visa policies, high prices, and the travel warnings - all that before COVID even happened. With the exception of the development of the country’s substantial petroleum reserves, Angola’s economy has long been unable to take advantage of its natural resources because of the devastation caused by the protracted civil war lasting 27 years and only ending in 2002.

Angola has beautiful tribes that follow the time-honored traditions and ways of life largely untouched by the modern world. By traveling in a mobile tented camp with an amazing support team, who set up spacious tents for us to sleep in, showers, toilets, a kitchen, a dining tent and a battery charging area that ran off a generator, we were able to go into very remote locations and live right next to the villages, spending a few days

at each place to establish more of a connection with the local people.

Instead of just dropping in and taking pictures for a few hours and going on to the next place, we stayed and brought food - bags of maize and flour, goats and threw parties in the villages to get into the spirit of their culture. It was greatly appreciated and facilitated their willingness to be photographed by our group.

People from the tribes were constantly dropping by our camp, when we weren’t in their village, so we took advantage of having more photo opportunities with them and set up a makeshift “portrait studio” under our large dining tent.

We were encouraged to bring items that we wanted to use to enhance portrait photography. I brought a silver/gold reflector and others brought large cloth backdrops (the black one was the most popular), other reflectors and full flash set ups. We even improvised with tilting tables on end that had an interesting

texture, and attaching table clothes and fabrics to the sides of our vehicles for backgrounds. Otherwise we were out photographing in the villages to capture their daily lives.

The Mucubal Tribe are beautifully dressed in multiple layers of strikingly vibrant colorful African fabrics that are becoming scarcely visible in modern day life. The women make square hats from the fabrics by using sticks to support the shape. Mothers use goat skins to make a “papoose” to carry their babies on their back. They are still living a traditional semi-nomadic lifestyle relying on livestock, due to excellent water access in their area.

They were the first stop on a two week trip in the southern part of Angola. We started in Luanda, the capitol and had a night there before getting a regional flight to Lubango, a large city in the south, which is close to the main tribal areas. From there, we set our on our “road trip” getting to very remote areas - often driving on desert tracks when the roads vanished, through sand, over boulders and traversing dry river beds. Miraculously getting stuck happened only once, getting lost a couple times and thankfully no breakdowns at all. These areas have no cell service and there were places where we passed one vehicle and a couple people on motor bikes the whole day.

The Himba tribe has very striking women, covered in a mixture of ochre and fat, called Otijize. They spend as many as three hours a day maintaining their beautiful appearance. The different neck pieces and hair styles

determines the importance and status of the individual person. The jewelry of married woman is a main necklace that has a shell or cone shell, which symbolizes marriage and is strung with iron and ostrich egg beads. Their ankles are covered with iron bracelets. On their head they wear an ornate headpiece called the Erembe, which resembles cattle horns. Their wrists are banded with coils of iron and plastic etched bands. Their hair is braided with mixture of animal hair, cow dung and ochre. Unmarried men wear a simple braid toward the back of their heads. Village life is simple with the young girls tending to herding and milking the goats and the women cooking a goat milk and flour or maize porridge to feed their families.

The Mohacahona are another tribe that lives a nomadic life. The tribe we went to see one morning was in a very established village with a large cattle kraal and goat enclosures. They had sturdy huts and were busy storing large amounts of maize in them. The next afternoon we decided to go back and photograph them in the afternoon light and the village was deserted! We couldn’t figure out how a village of 80 or so people could just disappear like that. But in this area, people wander from village to village and eventually venture back at some point.

The women also have very intricate hairstyles. The women’s haircut is made with a mix of cow dungs, fat, coal, and herbs for the fragrance. Their traditional headdress is called Kapapo, and decorated with colorful barrettes, beads, leather, aluminum strips from cans and jewelry.

The Mwila are said to be one of the earliest Bantu people to undertake the migration into Angola. The women are famous for keeping their traditional African culture with some of the most astonishing hairstyles.

Hairstyles are very important and meaningful in Mwila culture. Women coat their hair with a red paste called, oncula, which is made of crushed red stone. They also put a mix of oil, crushed tree bark, dried cow dung and herbs on their hair. Besides this, they decorate their hairstyle with beads, cauri shells, buttons, and even dried food or feathers. In addition to beading their hair, they wear heaving bead work around their

necks. Their necklaces change as they mature, with each being meaningful for each period of their life.

I’m very happy I got to experience a place like Angola. Despite the turmoil of its past, it is a remarkably peaceful and friendly place now. As more tourists visit these remote parts of the country, and as the local population pursues living a more modern lifestyle, these traditional ways will not be around indefinitely. •

See more images from my Angola trip: https://www.flickr. com/photos/squidgallery/albums/72177720301330002

I worked with Long for over 30 wonderful years at a few different cutting edge publications where he held the editorial fashion director position. Long was well respected in his craft. He was a natural fashion influencer and leader and I still can’t believe he suddenly left us one day last fall. I had the pleasure of accompanying Long to Italy many moons ago. What a lovely adventure. I’m sure he is up in heaven giving the angels styling tips and discussing the latest Dolce & Gabbana collection. A true fashion maverick. Miss you my dear friend.

Memorials Long Nguyen John Spillman

It seems like just yesterday I was chatting with John a wonderful friend and client for over 30 years. John was an athlete and a runner whose interests and abilities pushed him into natural alignment with the sports industry. He ran the advertising and marketing for top clients like Reebok, PF Flyers, Supra and Royal Elastics. He was great at what he did but the best job he did was being a friend. I miss John very much but have been very blessed to have known such an awesome human being. The emphasis on”human”. One of the last great guys! Rest in peace.

Love

Is patient and kind

Does not envy or boast

Is not proud or self seeking

Keeps no record of wrongs

Is not easily angered

Does not delight in evil

But rejoices with the truth

Always protects, always trusts

Always hopes and perseveres

Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13

Cindy Williams

Cynthia (Cindy) Williams was an American actress known for her “Shirley Feeney” character on the popular “Happy Days” and “Laverne and Shirley” tv sitcoms. Cindy also appeared in films such as “The Conversation” and “American Graffiti.”

Our Fab Contributor Daniel Di Criscio had just met Cindy recently and was surprized as we all were that she had passed seemingly so young. We offer our condolences to her family and close friends. Cindy or “Shirley,” as most of us knew her will certainly live on in perpetuity through the wonderful characters she portrayed.

Pet Memorial - Katja

“Waiting at the Door”

I was just a pup when we first met, I loved you from the start, You picked me up and took me home and placed me in your heart, Good times we shared together we shared All life could throw, but years passed all too quickly my time has come to go

I know how much you miss me

I know your heart is sore

I see the tears that fall when I’m not waiting at the door

You always did your best for me

Your love was plain to see for even though it broke your heart you set my spirit free, So please be brave without me one day well meet once more, for when you’re called to heaven I’ll be waiting at the door.

END BREED-SPECIFIC LEGISLATION