4 Legs & a Tail LK Spring 2021

FR

EE

Spring 2021

Our Cats are Getting Older A Remarkable Gesture

The First Humane Society Start Your Pet Off Right Transformation of the Horse

Inside this issue of 4 Legs & a Tail

®

3. National Pet Day Mark your calendar for April 11 and

Pg. 6

get ready to celebrate!

5. River Valley Animal Protection League Bi-Level Cage Drive 6. Guide Dog Foundation Celebrates 75 Years Placing Guide Dogs With Individuals Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired 8. Vermont Disaster Relief K-9 Team Nationally Certified Kevin Gaiss An urban search and rescue task force that trains in Vermont is now ready to serve all over the country.

10. Meet Piper, the Bird-Chasing Dog Who Kept a Michigan Airport Safer Pg. 12

12. Renee and Rieley: Love, Grieving, and Hope Karen Sturtevant How one dog gave everything he had until the very end.

15. The Four-Legged Friends Behind the Co-op’s Products: The Dogs of Five Sigma Farm Jen Risley 16. Shifting Trends in Animal Adoption Annie Guion Why it may become more difficult to find a pet in times like these.

18. A Remarkable Gesture Supporters of Lucy

MacKenzie Humane Society step up to pay it forward.

20. Challenging Adoptions: Finding the Right Fit Susan Tarczewski Looking to adopt a feline friend? Meet some potential cats at the Sullivan County Humane Society.

22. Happily FurEver After The touching story of pets who found their furever homes from the Upper Valley Humane Society.

24. Pogo’s Story: A Happy Tail! Carol Laughner How one kitten beat the odds and found the purrrfect family.

28. The First Animal Shelter in U.S. Kate Kelly The remarkable story of Caroline Earle White and her effort to organize the countries first animal shelter.

32. Help Wildlife & Gardens by Preventing Drought Catherine Greenleaf The environmental steps you take today will have a measurable impact on our wildlife in the future.

Spring 2021

Pg. 22

www.4LegsAndATail.com 1

Inside this issue of 4 Legs & a Tail

®

34. Chick Mom: Part I Joan Garuti The joys of raising chickens!

Pg. 34

38. The Poor Porcupine Scott Borthwick They sometimes get a

bad rap, but the porcupine can teach your dog a valuable lesson.

39. Dog Nutrition: What To Know About Pet Food Ingredients and How Much To Feed Your Dog 40. Kitties Are Getting Older Ingrid Braulini Expert advice to go well beyond nine lives.

42. All You Need is LOVE! Thoughts on Adding a Dog into Your Life Paula Bergeron 44. The Transformation of the Horse Sue Miller A look at the horse of today, 56 million years in the making.

46. Ready or Not: Here I Come! Dorothy Crosby It has been

said that it takes $10,000 to buy a horse; $1000 for the horse and $9000 for lessons.

48. Spring Wildlife and Your Pets: What You Need to Know M. Kathleen Shaw, DVM 50. Is This Deadly Medication in Your House?

Catherine MacLean, DVM If you have been prescribed a cream

called 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and have pets, you need to read this article.

Pg. 52

Pg. 46 52. Alternatively Speaking: Off to a Good Start Dr. Anne Carroll DVM, CVA A blueprint for long-term health for your new pet.

56. I'm Afraid of Anesthesia for My Pet, Part III Sandra Waugh, VMD, MS It's a fear many of us have, but is it really warranted?

58. Finding Trouble Dr. Bryan Harnett, DACVIM A lost golf ball could cost you more than a drop and a penalty stroke.

60. Fun Page

4 Legs & a Tail Volume L.121 P.O. Box 841 Lebanon, NH 03766 603-727-9214 TimH.4LT@gmail.com 2 4 Legs & a Tail

Publishers: Tim Goodwin, Tim Hoehn Graphic Design: Kristin Wolff Sales: Karyn Swett, Scott Palzer

If you have a tale about a tail or a photo that will make us smile, we’d like to hear from you. 4 Legs & a Tail is published quarterly and distributed free of charge throughout Central & Southern VT & NH. 4 Legs & a Tail, Inc. is locally owned and operated and acts as a moderator without approving, disapproving or guaranteeing the validity or accuracy of any data or claim.

Any reproduction in whole or part is prohibited.

Spring 2021

National Pet Day Timeline 3500 BCE WALKING THE DOG The dog collar is believed to have been invented in Mesopotamia, based on a wall painting depicting a man with a collared dog on a leash.

900 BCE HELLO KITTY Phoenician traders bring the first domesticated cats to Europe.

N

ational Pet Day is April 11, although if you’re a pet owner, you know there’s not a day that goes by that you don’t celebrate your animal companion! So hug your hedgehog, bond with your bunny, and cut your kitty some catnip! That critter makes you happy — and that’s not all. Over the past 10 years, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has been a partner in research to determine the physical and mental benefits of having a pet. It turns out that not only can pets steal our hearts, but they also contribute to overall cardiovascular health by lowering cortisol, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels.

1866 DOGGED DEFENDER Taylor Swift, Ellen De Generes, Ricky Gervais, Cee Lo Green, Jimmy Fallon, Willy Nelson, Kevin Bacon, Seth Myers, and Carrie Underwood, among others.

And social media has helped spread the celebration and promote Colleen’s cause. When President Barack Obama was in office, he warmed political hearts on both sides of the aisle with his posted pic of Bo, one of the two Portuguese water dogs who shared the White House with him. Bo was rehomed when he couldn’t get along with an older dog owned by a family in Texas.

Henry Bergh founds the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in New York after witnessing a carriage driver in Russia beating a fallen horse three years earlier.

2017 ONE-TRICK PONY Japanese feline Maru is certified as the most viewed animal on YouTube after 10 years of diving into boxes.

History of National Pet Day Colleen Paige, animal welfare advocate, and pet and family lifestyle expert, founded National Pet Day in 2006 to celebrate the joy pets can bring to us. But she also wanted to bring attention to the ongoing needs of many pets of all kinds waiting in shelters to be adopted. She encouraged people who want purebred dogs and cats to contact rescue organizations instead of going to a breeder. “Don’t shop! Adopt!” has become the holiday motto.

In 1973, the Humane Society of the United States estimated that 13 million cats and dogs enter shelters every year.

Some were strays, some were surrendered by owners who could no longer care for them, some were seized in legal actions.

Today, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter shelters nationwide. And 1.6 million cats and 1.6 million dogs find their furever homes.

Colleen’s holiday got its start in the U.S., but it soon expanded internationally. Pet lovers now mark the day in the U.K., Ireland, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Spain, Guam, Scotland, and many more nations.

Celebrities have also taken up the cause.

National Pet Day has been promoted by Spring 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 3

The press release 4 Legs & A Tail received in spring of 2020 did not include K-9 Kidz and their generous friends that sponsored a fundraiser for Nitro's vest. The following is an updated press release to thank K-9 Kidz for their help in this donation.

Lebanon Police Department’s K9 Nitro has Received Donation of Body Armor

L

ebanon Police Department’s K9 Nitro has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Nitro’s vest was sponsored by a fundraiser hosted by K-9 Kidz LLC and was embroidered with the sentiment “Honoring those who served and sacrificed.”

K9 Nitro joined the Lebanon Police Department K9 Unit in November 2018.

He is partnered with K9 Officer Nicholas Alden. Officer Alden and K9 Nitro graduated the 42nd Drug Detection Course through the Vermont Police Canine Academy in February 2019 and graduated the Vermont Police Canine Association’s 39th K9 Patrol & Evidence School and the 2019 K9 Tracking

4 4 Legs & a Tail

Nitro showing off his new vest thanks to K-9 Kidz fundraiser

& Evidence School in November 2019. K9 Nitro is a male German Shepherd purchased from Hop River Shepherds in Connecticut.

To learn more about the Lebanon Police Department’s K9 Teams, please visit the Police Department’s website.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) charity located in East Taunton, MA whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The nonprofit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 3,500 U.S. made, custom fitted, NIJ certified protective vests in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a value of $5.7 million dollars.

The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.

The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $950.00. Each vest has a value between $1,744 – $2,283, and a five-year warranty and an average weight of 4-5 lbs. There is an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.

For more info or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts taxdeductible donations of any denomination at http://www.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.

Spring 2021

River Valley Animal Protection League Bi-Level Cage Drive T

he River Valley Animal Protection League’s Bi-Level Cage Drive is off and running with two exciting grant donations. We thank Mascoma Bank for its generous grant of $2000.00 and Claremont Savings Bank Foundation’s generosity with its $500.00 grant.

River Valley Animal Protection League is an all-volunteer, member, community and friend supported non-profit dedicated to providing a shelter for homeless cats with the objective of finding each one a forever home, improving the quality of life in our community through Trap/Neuter/ Return programs, supporting low-cost spay/ neuter clinics, distribution of donated pet food to community members who might be struggling and to the local food pantry, encouraging the humane treatment of all

Spring 2021

especially when fending off a cat who wants out of the cage!”

Quarantine can last from 10 days to 4 months depending on the circumstances.

We have successfully adopted out many otherwise healthy cats who without this process would have been euthanized. The initial goal is to purchase 10 new cages. It is expensive with each cage costing approximately $1,200.00.

animals, and supporting the enforcement of animal laws.

The Bi-Level Cage Drive began with the need to purchase appropriate cages for the ongoing isolation and/or housing of cats that are under our care. For the past 13 years, the facility has limped along making use of donated cages.

However, we need to purchase bi-level cages with sliding partitions to be used for isolation and/or quarantine. These cages provide an extra level of safety for the care givers of those cats who cannot be safely handled during isolation and quarantine. As volunteer, Chris Robbins, recently said “Cats need the option of privacy; our cages are too small & open to provide that. Also, the litter boxes can be difficult to remove for cleaning—

Donations would be much appreciated and can be sent to River Valley Animal Protection League, PO Box 860, Charlestown, NH 03603 or on our website through PayPal: https://rivervalleyapl.wordpress.com

www.4LegsAndATail.com 5

Guide Dog Foundation Celebrates 75 Years Placing Guide Dogs With Individuals Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired Guide dog school carries on mission of providing life-changing guide dogs free of charge

T

he Guide Dog Foundation, an industry leader in guide and service dog training, celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.

In 1946, five community leaders founded a guide dog school in Queens, New York, to provide guide dogs at no charge for blind or visually impaired individuals, including veterans who had returned from the battlefields of Europe and the Pacific.

Seventy-five years later, the Foundation remains devoted to its mission to improve the quality of life for people who are blind, have low vision, or other special needs.

The Foundation kicked off its 75th Anniversary on Monday, February 1, in recognition of the completion of their first guide dog class in 1946, with a special birthday party–themed puppy livestream at its campus in Smithtown, New York. On Thursday, February 4, the Foundation will

6 4 Legs & a Tail

host a car parade to continue the week of celebration. Trainers, staff, puppies and dogs, dressed in party hats and holding signs, will line the Foundation’s 10-acre campus. Long Island–based volunteers, donors and supporters will caravan through the grounds to celebrate this milestone.

“The Guide Dog Foundation has achieved this milestone through the hard work and dedication of our volunteers, donors and staff, instilling a culture of service that exists throughout the entire organization,” says John Miller, president & CEO of the Guide Dog Foundation. “It brings all of us at the Foundation great pride and joy to be able to provide these life-changing dogs to individuals who are blind or have low vision for 75 years. As we continue to further our mission, we remain a committed advocate for the disability community.”

Spring 2021

To celebrate more than seven decades of this vital work, Guide Dog Foundation partners Nylabone and KONG have generously donated dog toys and bones to be presented to program puppies and dogs, and to our recent Foundation graduates and their new guide dogs. Additionally, a new virtual run and dog walk fundraising event, as well as several new 75th-themed program sponsorships have been created to support the Foundation as it continues to fulfill its mission to provide these life-changing dogs at no cost to the individual.

Recent program graduate and Team USA Paralympian swimmer Anastasia Pagonis shares the positive change in her life since she partnered with guide dog Radar: “Having Radar has just given me so much confidence and independence – and I’m so in love with him. He’s the best thing ever. We’re a match made in heaven.”

It costs over $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog, but the Guide Dog Foundation provides its services completely free of charge to the individual. All of its funding comes from the generous contributions of individuals, fundraising events (such as the canine couture fashion show “Dogs on the Catwalk”), corporations, foundations, businesses, and community organizations. To learn more about Guide Dog Foundation, or to purchase tickets to the event, slated for October, visit GuideDog.org.

Follow the @GuideDogFoundation on Facebook and Instagram, @GuideDogFdn on Twitter, throughout the year as it journeys through its storied history.

ABOUT GUIDE DOG FOUNDATION For 75 years, the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc. (www.GuideDog.org), has trained and placed guide and service dogs to provide independence, enhanced mobility, and companionship to people who are blind, have low vision, or have other special needs. The Guide Dog Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-forprofit organization serving clients from across the United States and Canada. The Foundation relies on contributions from generous individuals, corporations, service clubs, and foundations to fund its mission to serve people with disabilities. It costs over $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog, but the Guide Dog Foundation provides its services completely free of charge to the individual. Its sister organization, America’s VetDogs, trains and provides guide, service, and hearing dogs for disabled veterans and first responders. The Guide Dog Foundation was the first assistance dog school in the United States to be accredited by both the International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International.

Spring 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 7

Vermont Disaster Relief K-9 Team Nationally Certified A

n urban search and rescue task force that trains in Vermont is now ready to serve all over the country.

They’re called Vermont Task Force 1 and inside that unit is an even smaller team. The K-9 unit is made up of four people and their highly trained dogs that are capable of doing tasks humans aren’t made for. The dogs have a very specific job to do. When a disaster strikes, whether it be a singular house

8 4 Legs & a Tail

Kevin Gaiss

fire with structural damage, or a parking garage hit by an earthquake, they are trained to seek.

“People can be entrapped in houses that we can’t physically go into initially, that’s where these dogs really shine,” said Emily Fitzpatrick, the K-9 Coordinator for Task Force 1. She says they aren’t only benefiting Vermonters. Three of the K-9s are nationally certified as of this year to respond to disasters all over the country. “Having these dogs enables us as a team to be activated more and go out to different events.”

But the team is only four-years-old, so responses have been minimal. Although they never wish for disaster to hit, they will be ready when it does and the unit is called on. “We train once a week, as a team,” said Tyler Cootware, K-9 Sniper’s handler. The two are the newest members of the team.

Sniper is a product of the Penn Vet Program in Pennsylvania, where he was trained from 8-weeks-old for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. It’s intense for the handler, too. “That two weeks was a lot, mostly for me,” said Cootware.

He had to learn everything from Sniper’s commands, to body language while working, to patience. But now that they work as a unit, he says the returns for the hard work are invaluable. “It can take humans 2-3 hours to clear a pile of rubble properly, but it takes these dogs just minutes,” said Cootware.

And although Task Force 1 says they are more likely to be called on nationally than here in Vermont, Cootware says small or large disasters are exactly what they train for. “Great knowing that we have a very valuable asset that we can deploy at any moment and that we are truly ready,” he said.

The in-state search certification is a combination of basic skills and a simple search problem. But Fitzpatrick says the national test requires travel and a much harder test than the in-state. “It’s just two very complex search problems. There are distractions, like human remains on the pile. You know, day-old cheeseburger, clothing, so they can proof the dogs to know, yup, the dog is alerting on live human scent and not just your sweatshirt that you left in the pile for two days,” said Fitzpatrick.

To be nationally certified, the dogs and handlers had to go to Maryland for the certification test and one of their dogs had to go to Kansas. Cootware says one of the most interesting parts of these dogs is that they want to work. They see the searching part as a big game and their goal to find the scent they are supposed to. But as much as they love working, he also says they do love to go home and just be a dog as well.

This story originally aired on WCAX, Channel 3. To see the full story, visit www.wcax.com/2021/01/08/ vermont-disaster-relief-k-9-teamnationally-certified/ Spring 2021

Spring 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 9

Meeter, Pip The Bird-Chasing Dog Who Keeps a Michigan Airport Safer C

herry Capital Airport staff know the dangers birds can pose to aircraft.

Several years ago, a loon struck an incoming plane 10 miles out and crashed through into the cockpit.

The pilot, flying at about 3,500 feet, managed to land safely at Traverse City airport, but the plane was left severely damaged, said Dan Sal, the airport’s operations director.

Birds of all sorts congregate around the runway at Cherry Capital, as they do at other airports. In the winter, the issue is with snowy owls. The summer brings gulls, loons, ducks, and geese.

Airport staff use sirens, pyrotechnics, and more to keep the birds away and prevent trouble for planes flying in and out.

But in 2015 they added a secret weapon named Piper. The 6-year-old border collie may be their best chance at keeping their runways bird-free.

While pyrotechnics keep birds away for a short time, eventually they come back. Piper works differently, Sal said.

Piper will continue chasing the snowy owls, which fly low to the ground until he is limited by a gate or the owls are off the airfield. And the owls seem to remember.

By late winter, Brian Edwards, Piper’s owner, would only have to drive out onto the airfield in the red SUV used to 10 4 Legs & a Tail

handle Piper, with Piper peering out an open window. The owls sometimes wouldn’t stick around long enough for the dog to even jump out.

“The birds would see the SUV before they got out onto the field,” Sal said. “We’re told to use different techniques to scare the birds, so that’s what we’re doing.”

Piper is one of a small number of dogs specially trained to clear runways across the U.S. Sal believes Cherry Capital is the only airport in Michigan with a canine designated for wildlife control.

Piper seems to truly enjoy his work, said Edwards, who came on staff at the airport in 2008. Edwards attended air traffic control school in 2011, going on hiatus from his work at Cherry Capital. When he returned, he came back to his job as airport operations supervisor but wanted something more, a new challenge to look forward to each day.

He began reading about dogs used for wildlife control and saw potential in Piper, the border collie he had at home.

So Edwards began reading -- a lot -- looking into the techniques he needed to teach his dog to make the canine into an effective partner.

“I figured, ‘Well, why don’t we give this a shot?’” Edwards said.

He began training with Piper on about 100 acres of land in his backyard, teachSpring 2021

ing him to work off-leash and come back when asked. Edwards brought Piper to the airport last August just to get acclimated with the setting and the people.

Eventually, the two would sit in a vehicle on the taxiway so Piper could get used to the loud noise of airplanes without being frightened. Then the windows were rolled down so the noise was louder.

They eventually stood outside together next to the red SUV, which had become Piper’s “safety zone,” Edwards said.

Over time, the dog’s fear of noise lessened. The two started on perimeter checks outside to get Piper used to the area he had to manage.

“He’ll look at the airplanes and he knows it’s a bad thing, but it doesn’t scare him anymore,” Edwards said of the aircraft noise.

Piper comes out onto the field in the SUV only after being cleared by traffic control. At first, the canine would run out onto the field and just move in circles, Edwards said. This was quite a sight for those looking down from above.

“I always used to get made fun of up in the control tower,” Edwards said.

But Piper eventually caught on to the bird-chasing job at hand -- one that is a natural instinct for his border collie breed. He truly enjoys the work, Edwards said.

As Edwards drives onto the airfield and picks up his radio to alert the control tower that he will be releasing Piper, the canine often will whine with impatience. Piper is more than ready to go.

The new challenge has become a fun part of Edwards’ workday and the challenge he has needed to keep his job interesting. He enjoys having Piper around and looks forward to working with the dog when his own tasks are complete.

Edwards may have a formal title as airport operations supervisor, but he’s just fine with being known as “the dog guy.”

Harley

Spring 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 11

Renee and

Rieley

Love, Grieving, and Hope Karen Sturtevant

D

o you consider yourself an optimist or glass-almost-empty type of person? Do you embrace challenges or yank a blanket over your head and assume the fetal position? Each of us react differently to stressors and difficult times––some coping methods are more effective than others.

When life becomes demanding, we innately gravitate towards our inner circle for comfort. When Renee White’s gleefully ordinary life was pulled out from under

12 4 Legs & a Tail

her, she turned to her sweetest support, her dog Rieley.

With a constantly wagging tail attached to an infectious smile, Rieley was the essence of the perfect friend. As she grew from a mere pup into mature girl, they enjoyed a beautiful life with walks in the woods, Frisbee play, carrot and ice-cream treats, and snuggles with the softest of blankets.

With her smooth fur and muscular physique, Rieley would always greet Renee

from the end of a work day with enthusiastic devotion and the gaze of her soft brown eyes. “I called her ‘My Horsey Girl’ because she was so muscular, like a horse.”

As dog owners know, thinking about being with our buddies at the end of a trying day always makes the trudge a bit lighter.

Just as Renee’s days were sailing along without a wave in sight, an unexpected storm was silently churning and would break soon. Her husband of 15 years abruptly filed for divorce, causing understandable emotional upheaval and a subsequent move from their house into an apartment.

With family out of state, her solace came in the four-legged variety. Just as she was adjusting to her new normal as a single woman with all that entails, without warning, she was told her employment of 18 years was terminated. Rieley again was her foundation.

Taking time to settle in to her new life, making it her own, she and Rieley now had full days together. “When I lost my job I was very angry. I didn’t deserve that.”

More time to spend with Rieley would turn out to be a blessing. “I’ve become strong and independent. Things can get better,” Renee said. Seeking new employment while staying socially connected during a world-wide pandemic proved to be daunting. On days that became draining, Rieley was there with her gentle ways and quiet cheerleading.

When Covid-19 arrived making travel difficult, if not prohibited, visiting Renee’s mother in a Pennsylvania assisted living facility was not allowed. More challenges for emotional well being. They communicated electronically once a week, with Rieley often vying for screen time. Shared walks proved restorative in body and spirt for both human and canine.

As we all adjusted to stay-at-home-orders, Renee used her time constructively immersing herself in her art. A talented artist (a Spring 2021

gift she shares with her father), she created landscapes and animals with strokes of watercolors and acrylics while Rieley kept steady watch over paintbrushes. Taking each day one step at a time, Renee comments, “I’m okay where I am now. My art is helping me.”

In spring of 2020, another bombshell.

Renee’s father passed away. Friends offered condolences. Ever the dutiful presence, Rieley was the one to assist in shouldering the pain. Renee continued to lean upon Rieley’s affection while falling apart at times, gaining inward strength during others.

Her most shattering news would come during this growth process. On an otherwise typical weekday, Renee, noticed that Rieley’s throat glands appeared swollen. Without hesitation, she phoned her veterinarian; they were soon on her way to an appointment. After running tests and performing a biopsy, the results were conclusive: Rieley had cancer.

Rieley was diagnosed with canine lymphoma, a blanket term used to describe a group of cancers (the uncontrolled growth of normal cells) which stem from the lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). Lymphocytes are found in high concentration in organs that play a role in the immune system. The cancerous cells had spread to Rieley’s liver and spleen.

Spring 2021

After the shocking news, Renee commented, “My heart sank.” She needed a few days to digest and formulate a plan.

What would be best for Rieley and how would she weigh that decision with keeping her comfortable in a high quality of life? After a consultation with an oncologist, six chemotherapy treatments, once every three weeks, ($600 plus $40 in prescription drugs each time) were recommended.

The emotional toll combined with the burden of finances can defeat the strongest of us. A GoFundMe fundraiser was established. “People I did not know donated to help with her treatments.”

The final tally totaled just over $1,000.

A friend suggested she reach out to Emma’s Foundation for Canine Cancer, a Vermont organization working to educate, provide resources and financial funding for pet owners like Renee.

“They really cared about us and supported me through my pain.” With the assistance of Emma’s Foundation, fundraising and private means, Rieley was able to complete the advised six rounds of chemotherapy.

This brave dog summoned her intrinsic warrior and responded well with only Continued Next Page

www.4LegsAndATail.com 13

occasion bouts of adverse reactions.

Her appetite was good and she was still energetic, although she did sleep more and for longer durations.

At the conclusion of the treatments, Rieley’s cancer was said to be in remission, meaning some, but not all signs and symptoms of cancer had disappeared/or were undetectable for the time being. A break in treatments was recommended.

Shortly after, Renee noticed Rieley began to lose muscle mass in her hind end and legs. Once a cuddle partner on the big, soft bed and couch, she could no longer jump up on her own. Renee commented, “The vet said with lymphoma dogs don’t usually have pain, but I saw how she suffered

and her hind end started having trouble walking. She cried with a yelp three times before I could decide to let her go.”

With a heavy heart, Renee made the call all dog owners dread. With her favorite cozy pink blanket and mom by her side, Rieley peacefully passed at nine years of age on December 8, 2020. “She was my fur baby, my protector, my emotional support and so much more.” The following weeks were a mixture of anguish and sadness.

As part of her grieving process, Renee plans to make a series of cards “with a spiritual feeing” with a portion of the proceeds to benefit Emma’s Foundation.

“I am using the pain and grief that I have for something good, to honor Rieley in art.” For people experiencing a diagnosis of cancer in their dogs, Renee advises, “Research and talk with your veterinarians about what to expect with the illness. Stay with your pet as long as you can. You will know when the time is right to let them go.” She recommends Only Gone From Your Sight: Jack McAfghan’s Little Guide to Pet Loss and Grief, a book by Kate McGahan. Written from the dog’s perspective, it’s another tool for mending.

Enduring the ending of a marriage, termination of a job, death of a loved one, being unable to visit an ailing parent, or the passing of a beloved pet on its own merit is difficult. Having each occur within a span of a few years is immense for anyone. The pain for Renee is palpable; her emotions raw. She admirably navigated each obstacle with grace and courage the best she could. In talking with her, even through her tears, I felt a growing sense hope, a spark of healing.

Rieley’s energetic spirit lives on within the pages of a memory book, a shadow box of special tokens, and so many images in the minds’s eye. Her cherished pink blanket, still with her scent, brings joy as well as tears.

Grieving the loss of pet can be just as painful as grieving the loss of a family member. The way in which one moves through the process is based on a variety of factors; each experience is unique. We can help by

offering to listen, encourage talking––without judging–– and sharing experiences.

Hearts, even when a little piece is missing, heal in their own time. Perhaps one day, another canine companion will find her way to Renee, and together, they will make new memories to honor the legacy and love of sweet Rieley.

To learn more about Emma’s Foundation, please visit: EmmasFoundationForCanineCancer.org

Message from the Rainbow Bridge Angel I met your dog on your walking trail alongside the lake, by the old church.

In joyful sprints she ran uphill leaping into my open arms.

I cradled her, my wings folding around her like a blanket.

I carried your horsey-girl across the Rainbow Bridge.

This in-between is not separation for love is ever tethered between heart-to-heart.

Separation is an illusion.

It’s more a suspension, an ever-burning rainbow light bridges from your heart to hers— she plays in cloud field skies.

She continues to watch over you, now, as a guardian angel who is joined by passed love ones, by her pack: siblings and parents, too.

Hold on, keep watch for joy resides in small places— all winged creatures are messengers, reminders you’re never alone.

–Ava C. Cipri

14 4 Legs & a Tail

Spring 2021

The Four-Legged Friends Behind the Co-op’s Products:

The Dogs of Five Sigma Farm Jen Risley - Keene, NH

I

love shining a light on all the farmers and producers who provide a bounty of local food and other locally made products to our community. In this article, however, I move the spotlight over and down, from the businessperson to their four-legged friends -- the working dogs, cats, and other animals who also make these local products possible. Our first Four-Legged Farm Friend Feature of 2021 highlights the dogs at Five Sigma Farm in Sullivan, NH. Farmer Milton Trimitsis has a hard-working canine crew that includes Ze’ev, Luc, Cass, Becq, Bravo, Fanny, Sandy, Athena, and Zorbá. “Here, with my team of working dogs, I raise lamb on lush, rotationallygrazed pastures,” Milton shared. “The sheep and chickens are protected by my livestock guardian dogs so they can focus on grazing without fear of predators. And my border collies work with me to gently manage the animals as they move from field to field.”

During the winter, the border collies hold the flock while Milton brings out feed bales with his tractor. When it’s time for an auction, the dogs drive the sheep into a handling system so Milton can sort through who will stay and who will go. Summer brings a different set of chores. The flock needs moving twice a day to graze at various fields spread out among his neighbors’ land. “We walk the public roads to access the different fields,” Milton added.

No matter the season, the farm’s guard dogs keep up their guard. They protect the farm’s flock from predators by barking and scent-marking the territory. Ideally, they don’t attack intruders but deter any unwanted guests from approaching the sheep and chickens. “We have bears, bobcats, coyotes, and foxes,” said Milton. “Our neighbors lost half their chicken flock to predators, but none were lost on my farm.”

As individuals, each dog has its own job preferences. “Cass likes to work in the handling system, and Becq likes to move the lambs,” Milton shared. “Cass hates lambs – they make her uneasy. She has no problems with the rams, though.” However, no matter the job, they’ll get it done.

Spring 2021

When I asked Milton about the dogs’ unique names, he shared, “I like to encourage thinking in the dogs.” For example, Cass is named after Cass Sunstein, a constitutional law professor and a proponent of animal rights. All I can say is their names definitely got me thinking!

One of Milton’s favorite stories about the dogs is the day he absentmindedly turned his back on the rams, bending over to open the fencing. As he bent, one of the biggest, meanest rams set his sights on making Milton his target. Cass saw the story unfolding, and the 35-pound dog ran from the other side of the field and rammed the 225-pound ram, saving Milton from a knock-out. “Cass had never done that before,” Milton gratefully shared. “It’s an example of how a good herding dog is always thinking and acting independently.”

“People ask why not just get human helpers?” Milton closes out our discussion. “Eight helpers couldn’t replace one of them. The dogs help with moving the sheep makes all the difference in working efficiently – or else I’d spend my whole life chasing sheep!

Without them, I couldn’t do it.”

Learn more about Five Sigma Farm at fivesigmafarm.com.

Know of a farm animal I should highlight in a future article? We want to hear from you! Please email me at marketing@monadnockfood.coop.

www.4LegsAndATail.com 15

Shifting Trends in Animal Adoption Annie Guion - Brattleboro, VT

I

f you have been trying to adopt a dog in New England during the pandemic, you know the search can be frustrating. Where are all those homeless dogs we see in TV ads that make us cry? The good news is that all the hard work that your local humane societies have done over the past few decades has paid off. Affordable spay/neuter programs have dramatically decreased pet overpopulation, microchips and ID tags are getting pets home faster and more often, improved training programs help pets stay in their homes, and a more open and less judgmental approach means people are more comfortable surrendering a dog rather than dumping it and hoping it makes it’s to the local shelter. (Shelters can more quickly find a new home for a dog with vet records and a known history than a dog who arrives as a stray.)

Because of these successes, most humane societies have been transporting dogs for years. The Windham County Humane Society (WCHS) started a transport program in 2009. The percentage of dogs that come into our facility via transport has gone steadily up, to a high of 60%.

WCHS Dog Intake 600

70%

500

60% 50%

400

40%

300

30%

200

20%

100 0

10% 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 local dogs

transport dogs

This is not just a southern Vermont phenomena. All over New England, the intake of local dogs has been decreasing while euthanasia for space continues in the south. New Hampshire shelters started talking about transport in 1998 and implemented a program in 2000. They had their first transport with Indiana in 2002. A decade later, Indiana had no more need to transport dogs to New Hampshire.

Enter 2020 and COVID-19. The lack of local dogs available for adoption, the challenges of transport during a pandemic and varying state restrictions on travel has resulted in a lack of dogs at shelters across New England.

All of which has driven those looking for a dog to the internet. Despite travel restrictions, many foster based rescues 16 4 Legs & a Tail

total dog intake

continue to bring dogs up from the south.

Most of these adoptions are done online and the pet parent picks up their new family member in a public parking lot. In our area, multiple trucks arrive weekly with up to 200 dogs on them and travel on to other stops in New England. Some of these rescues do excellent work, while others do not. Here are some suggested guidelines when adopting a dog online: Do your research and make sure the organization is truly a non-profit. Check them out at irs.gov or guidestar.org to see their financials, mission and more. Ask them for their Federal EIN number (like a social security number for non-profits and businesses) as this is the best way to search for them online. Organizations can go by more than one name, but will

0%

Percent transport have a unique EIN number. Any group transporting dogs that is not a non-profit might be taking dogs from puppy-mills and marketing them as “rescued” to profit from the sale of dogs.

All pets being transported over state lines should have a health certificate, signed by a veterinarian within 10 days of transport.

While many places will list their animals as located near you, the dogs are often many states away. If you go on Adopt-a-pet or Petfinder and put in Brattleboro’s zip code, you will see as many as 500 dogs listed as being in Brattleboro.

Most of them are actually in foster homes in Arkansas or Texas.

Some rescue groups are doing great work pulling dogs from shelters and ensuring that adopters get excellent post-adoption Spring 2021

support. Some, however, have no staff, facility or foster homes in New England. Ask any group you are working with to share their policy for post-adoption support and ask what happens if the adoption does not work out.

The future of transport is difficult to predict. As the places in the country still dealing with overpopulation make changes and see the success we have had in New England, they too will see a decrease in homelessness. Indeed, the shift is happening all over the country. It’s gratifying to meet these goals, but it does not mean our work is over. There is plenty to be done around affordable veterinary care, training, addressing the increased anxiety we see in pets, education for pet owners and more. And there is one big question on the table for New England humane societies whose main mission is supporting the human-animal bond – where will people get affordable family friendly pets and what is our role in that process?

Annie Guion is the Executive Director of the Windham County Humane Society.

Spring 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 17

A REMARKABLE GESTURE I

t was only a few weeks into 2021 when something truly remarkable happened at Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society – all of the adoption fees for their adoptable animals had been sponsored!

The story of this wonderful gesture first began in mid-January when a kind supporter sponsored the adoption fees of Lucy Mackenzie’s two longest residents, Lilly and Mitchie. This kind gesture caught the eye of another longtime supporter, who thought it was such a fantastic idea that he wanted to do the same for all of Lucy Mackenzie’s current adoptable animals. His hope was that it would inspire other supporters to not only give these deserving animals a second look (as many have been with Lucy Mackenzie for quite some time), but it would also inspire others to take action, and “pass it on” – be it through a donation in the animals’ honor, via a matching gift, or an adoption donation.

In these dark times, he believed, it was the least these beautiful little creatures each deserved.

Though the supporter in question w ished to remain anonymous, his incredibly kind gesture soon caught fire across social media. Within minutes, the word had been widely spread, and the reaction was unanimous: what a wonderful gesture this was, and let’s help find each of these animals a home!

To date, three of the ten animals whose adoptions were sponsored have found their new homes, living now with their new, loving families. Interest in the remaining seven (six cats, and one dog) is very strong and the hope is that it won’t be long before they, too, find their very own homes.

Lucy Mackenzie was simply blown away by this incredibly kind gesture but ultimately was not surprised. Throughout the years, Lucy Mackenzie’s supporters have been the bedrock of what they do – being there for all of the animals, every moment of every day, and helping each of them to find their very own loving home.

18 4 Legs & a Tail

To see all of the animals available for adoption at Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society, visit lucymac.org or call 802484-LUCY. Due to the pandemic, the shelter is open to Vermont residents by appointment only.

Jake

Spring 2021

Spring 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 19

Challenging Adoptions:

Finding the Right Fit Susan Tarczewski

A

s anyone in the world of rescue can tell you, some animals have a harder time finding their forever homes than others. Reasons range from chronic medical problems requiring special care and expense to quirky personalities needing just the right match. Some of our favorite rescue tales at Sullivan County Humane Society involve cats who, like Goldilocks, needed that “just right” situation.

Nikki is a beautiful, shy cat who lived with her first family for four years.

They tried their very best, but she was simply terrified of the children in the home. The family made the difficult decision to surrender her to Sullivan County Humane Society to give her the best possible chance of finding a home in which she could feel safe and secure.

She is declawed, making it absolutely essential that she be in an indoor-only home. She is currently at the shelter, awaiting that perfect placement.

20 4 Legs & a Tail

Lovely long-haired Biggles was brought to a local veterinarian to be euthanized although she was young and perfectly healthy. Her sensitive nature led to her being very stressed in the home she was living in, and her former owners did not see any other solution. Luckily, the vet convinced the owners to surrender her instead, and she was brought to SCHS. When she arrived, she was fearful and shy, yet very sweet. Volunteers worked patiently with her to help her feel safe and secure, a challenge in the stressful environment of a shelter. Shelter staff knew she would need to go to a quiet calm home in which she would be given the space to come out of her shell at her own pace. When a prospective adopter came to the shelter looking for a cat, she just knew that Miss Biggles was the one for her. She was planning a move to a new home, and the adoption was not formalized until this was completed in order to minimize the stress for this

Nikki

Biggles

sensitive cat. The adoptive mom continued visiting the shelter during this time, for seven weeks, to build a trusting bond with Biggles. They are living their happily-ever-after life together now.

Graham and Marie were kittens from separate litters in foster care with SCHS volunteers. They were adopted together in 2017. Cats living together sometimes form a special relationship, becoming a “bonded pair,” which is what happened with these two. If separated, bonded cats truly suffer so shelter workers do everything in their power to keep bonded pairs together. Changes in the adopter’s home life proved stressful for Graham in 2019 and the two were returned to the shelter. They were adopted a second time and all went well until the Pandemic. Sadly, the second adopter had to move and felt that the changes would be too difficult for Graham so the pair were returned to SCHS a second time.

Spring 2021

Graham

Graham and Marie found a third home with loving adoptive dads, and are doing well. The third time proved to be the charm for this duo! It is important to note that there are times an adoption doesn’t work out in the long term. Part of what adopters agree to when they adopt a cat from SCHS is to return the cat to the shelter if this unfortunate situation occurs. SCHS is committed to the welfare of these cats for life.

Marie

National Hairball Awareness Day April 30, 2021 Falling on the last Friday in April every year, National Hairball Awareness Day, on April 30 this year, aims to promote awareness of our pets’ health and happiness.

Predominantly a concern for cats, rabbits, and cattle, hairballs are a healthy part of animals’ routines, but can also be evidence of an underlying health issue.

The mission of the Sullivan County Humane Society is to preserve, protect, and provide for stray, neglected, and abused animals. It is a no-kill shelter located in Claremont, NH, and provides many other services to Sullivan County, including regular low-cost spay and neuter clinics. For more information about SCHS, please visit their website at sullivancountyhumanesociety.org or their Facebook page.

Spring 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 21

Happily FurEver After

Mia

Toby

A

t the Upper Valley Humane Society, we envision a world in which every pet is loved. Oftentimes, we receive emails from families who have adopted from us, sharing how much they cherish their new companions. These stories brighten our days and remind us of our vision. They motivate us through some of the tougher times and help us continue to work hard to find loving homes for each animal that walks through our doors.

We want to share some of these stories with you in hopes that they warm your heart.

“We adopted Mia (aka Charlie Bucket) in October 2020 and she has brought so much joy to our family.

She is sweet and playful and make the cutest little chirping noise to get our attention. She is fitting in with her two older sisters nicely.

Thank you for taking such great care of her and allowing us to welcome her home.”

“We adopted Toby in November 2020 and he’s doing great! No nervous adjustment or down time needed – just sweet, chill, go with the family flow. He’s super curious and adventurous. He has a cozy crate and lots of floor time in his bunny proofed room where we can all enjoy him running and playing! You do such important work; you have our sincere thanks and respect! Toby is a welcome addition to our family!”

Franklin

“Franklin (who we adopted this January) went to the vet today and is doing great! He has minor shell issues, but we are working on that.

He is a very happy turtle and swims to us when we go near his tank. He also got a completely new setup. He is now in a 65 gallon breeder tank, so it’s wider and taller. He loves the deep water. He loves to bask in his new basking platform. It took him a while to get used to it, but he loves it now. Feeder fish are his favorite food. He loves to swim after them, chasing them all around!”

22 4 Legs & a Tail

Spring 2021

Rosie

“We adopted Rosie (aka Rosie Lee Toesie because of her 27 toes) in August 2019. We have a bit of a name theme because my family is from the UK - and Rosie Lee is cockney for tea.

Rosie is a real character - she’s very chatty and bouncy and keeps me company while I work (often very helpfully sitting on my keyboard or mouse). Rosie does everything on her own terms, like most cats. She comes to sit with me on the couch and when I’m in bed, but doesn’t like being picked up for a cuddle if it isn’t her choice. She also likes to put her toys in water bowls to be drowned. She is very eco-conscious and reminds me to use reusable shopping bags because she likes to chew plastic bags! She brings a lot of joy to our lives.”

And finally, we have another update on Charlie. If some of you remember, we shared a story about Charlie in an edition a couple of years ago. Charlie was adopted in January 2019 by Aaron, a truck driver. Since then, he’s been traveling all around the USA and Canada. There’s not a state he hasn’t been to and he’s loving all of the travel! Aaron got in touch with us recently and had this to say:

Charlie

Spring 2021

“Charlie is doing great! He is getting a bit grey in the face (me too). We were just in Calgary, AB Canada earlier today. We’re now in Shelby, MT for two days and then we are off to Modesto, CA. Charlie is absolutely amazing. He is (outside of his issues with other dogs and small animals) just a perfect companion. He is very well behaved, and I know someone loved him before and invested time in training him. I am a very lucky person to have him.”

Luna

“We adopted Scout last December and named her Luna. She is doing well and has even made a dog friend! She’s made great progress with nail trims and is slowly getting used to baths.

She’s such a smarty pants and is learning ‘stay’ and ‘touch it’. We are so in love with her and couldn’t be happier!”

If you have adopted from UVHS and would like to share an update on how your pet is doing, please email Marina at marina@uvhs.org. Make sure to visit our website for other ‘Happy Tails’ at www.UVHS.org.

www.4LegsAndATail.com 23

Pogo’sA Happy Tail!

Pogo enjoys participating in life with her foster family

S tory

Carol Laughner - MHS Marketing Communications Manager

I

t had been a long day at the Monadnock Humane Society veterinary clinic.

Dr. Martino, MHS shelter veterinarian, had just finished working a 10-hour day doing spay/neuter surgeries. But,

24 4 Legs & a Tail

when someone reached out earlier that day to Emily, MHS Shelter Director, for help with a tiny kitten with a traumatic leg injury, she knew that kitten needed immediate attention.

Pogo was only 4 weeks old and weighed about 1.5 pounds. Her front leg had been crushed in an accident and began to deteriorate quickly. It wasn’t healing and it started to have other negative health effects on the rest of her fragile body. After consulting with Emily, Pogo’s owners made the difficult decision to surrender her to MHS. When Pogo arrived, Emily and Dr. Martino fully assessed her injuries. They knew her chance of surviving a significant surgery was a long shot, but there was a chance. And, it was one well-worth taking. Her situation grew worse by the minute, and they worried she might not make it through the night. She would not

survive much longer without surgery, and so the medical team made the lifesaving decision to operate and remove her injured leg that night.

Thankfully, the surgery was a success … however Pogo was still not out of the woods. Emily knew she would require close monitoring and medication for the next several days. Emily had taken many pets home post-surgery to nurse them back to health, so it was not a surprise to her family when she came home that night with a tiny, helpless kitten who needed them. They also knew this would be a longer recovery than others due to the extremely difficult surgery Pogo had just been through.

In addition to her injuries, Pogo was semi-feral, so Emily’s family prepared for managing possible behavioral challenges during her recovery. But this tiny kitten came around quickly. She hid in her carrier for the first day, and by the second day she was purring and interacting with Emily’s family. It was truly a miracle how she bounced back from such a traumatic injury and subsequent surgery. She learned how to navigate with three legs – first crawling on her stomSpring 2021

ach, then hopping on her front leg. By the second week of her Livy meets convalescence, she was jumpPogo for the ing up on the couch and even first time crawled up Emily’s leg to sit on her lap. Emily had always been amazed by how quickly kittens bounced back, both behaviorally and medically, but Pogo amazed her even more.

Having three legs didn’t hold this feisty little girl back one bit. Emily now felt certain that Pogo would continue to live a full and happy life.

Emily hoped for a home for Pogo where she would grow up into a confident, social cat who loves to play with dog tails and climb up on sofas or onto a windowsill to get a better look at what’s going on in the outside world. While Pogo was recovering, a good family friend and her 4-year-old daughter, Livy, had visited her.

Little Livy had always wanted a cat to call her own, and she immediately fell in love with Pogo. Emily could sense another miracle about to happen.

Livy gently held Pogo for the first time and petted her, whispering “I love you, Pogo.” From that moment on, an excited Livy would frequently ask to visit Pogo at Emily’s home. Whenever Livy visited, she would spend all of her time doting on the little kitten. Livy began to ask if she could take Pogo home. She talked Continued Next Page

Spring 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 25

about what it would be like for Pogo to join their family, how she would pet her, feed her, and snuggle with her. She was completely smitten with this tiny kitten.

Livy’s mom had been allergic to cats in the past, which presented a potential obstacle to adopting Pogo. They decided to foster/babysit her for a week to see if mom had an allergic reaction to her.

Luckily (yet another small miracle!)

Livy’s mom was not terribly allergic to Pogo. They were ready to adopt Pogo!

When they told Livy that Pogo would be coming home with them, she was over-themoon happy and could not wait to share the good news with everyone she knew!

The family arrived at MHS for their adoption appointment. Livy was so excited and couldn’t wait for Pogo to be by her side. They finalized the paperwork, and began the journey to her new forever home. Livy sat next to Pogo in her carrier in the back seat of the car, talking soothingly to comfort her. Whenever Livy stopped talking, Pogo would start to cry!

They had already formed a strong bond.

Livy and Pogo now have a wonderful life together. Pogo is growing up quickly and is learning what she can and can’t do with her disability – but it doesn’t stop her from having the full and happy life that Emily envisioned for her.

She loves to play with balls and strings,

and she loves to chase the wagging tail of her sister, Jules (a 12-year-old dog also adopted from MHS). Pogo lays on the windowsill to watch birds, and she darts around the house, keeping her balance pretty well! Livy gives her lots of love and treats. Pogo is now living life to the fullest, and has made little Livy so happy. Therein lies the true miracle – the bond they share and the experiences they will have together in the many years to come.

Would you like to help more animals like Pogo receive the care they need, and help them find a loving home like Livy’s? Please consider making a donation to MHS at their website www.monadnockhumanesociety.org.

Thank you!

Cooper

Simon & Sally

Sammie

26 4 Legs & a Tail

Spring 2021

Spring 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 27

First Animal Shelter in U.S. Due to Caroline Earle White Kate Kelly

T

28 4 Legs & a Tail

he first animal shelter in America came about due to the efforts of Caroline Earle White (1833-1916) of Philadelphia.

White was also the power behind several other animal protection organizations.

She was among the first to launch the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and she created an offshoot of that organization to create a welcoming environment where women, too, could work for animal welfare. Later she became aware of the medical testing that was being done on animals, and she was first to establish the American Anti-Vivisection Society in the United States.

Early Life Caroline Earle White was raised in a well-to-do Quaker family. Her father was an attorney and fully devoted to abolishing slavery. Her mother, a cousin of suffragist advocate Lucretia Mott, worked for suffrage as well as abolition.

Both Caroline’s parents placed high value on education, so Caroline had more learning opportunities than most girls her age. In addition to a general educa- fast enough. As a young girl, Caroline tion, she studied astronomy and learned hated witnessing scenes like this, and she then tried to avoid walking down five languages other than English. certain streets that had caused her particular pain.

Marriage Offers More Opportunity In 1854 she married out of the Quaker religion, marrying Philadelphia attorney Richard P. White, a Catholic. At that time, Women’s branch of PSPCA Protestants and some Quakers found Catholic beliefs to be objectionable, but Caroline’s parents were open-minded and felt that whatever religion Caroline followed would be fine. (Caroline did eventually convert to Catholicism.)

Richard White was very supportive of his wife. He recognized her sincere interest in animal welfare, and he knew that Animal Life in the Mid-1800s well-to-do New York businessman HenDuring the mid-1800s, horses and ry Bergh had just formed the American mules were work animals and were Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to vital to the delivery of goods within a Animals (1866). White encouraged Carcity. Any big street would have been oline to set up a meeting with Bergh, filled with horse- or mule-drawn wag- which she did. ons. It was not uncommon for drivers Bergh offered suggestions on what to beat the animals when they felt the needed to be done to get an organizaanimals weren’t pulling the heavy loads tion launched in Philadelphia. Caroline Spring 2021

Women's Branch of PSPCA

White returned to Philadelphia, and in 1867 she began seeking funds and signatures for the cause. In doing so, she found that another fellow, Colonel M. Richards Muckle, was interested in the same thing. They teamed up to work together.

When it came time to legally establish the organization, Caroline White offered the services of her husband since he was an attorney. When the board was formed, Richard White and Colonel Muckle were among the board members of the organization. Caroline Earle White was not.

The inability for the men to give Caroline Earle White her rightful place at the table was indicative of the time. Women were welcome to help with causes but not to run them. It is not clear that Caroline White was particularly bothered by this. She continued to work with the organization, and after only 18 months, the association had 600 members.

In 1869, Caroline White set up an offshoot of the PSPCA so that women could become more actively involved.

The Women’s PSPCA, later known as the Women’s Human Society, undertook different causes.

Welfare of Small Animals The main focus of the women’s organization became the number of stray dogs on the streets of the city. Rabies was common at this time, so animal management was important for the human population, too.

When considering household animals, there is a vast difference between “then” and “now.” In the mid-19th century, cats would have been kept at houses and in businesses to keep down the rodent population. City dogs would have been kept as guard dogs. Many would have been considered “pets,” but not the pampered pets of today. A family might have provided dinner scraps and a place for a dog to sleep, but the animal would have had a lot of latitude to travel the town.

This freedom during the day would have guaranteed an active number of puppy births on a regular basis.

First Animal Shelter Spring 2021

At the third meeting of the women’s branch of the PSPCA, the women passed a motion that “one of the objects of this Society shall be, to provide as soon as possible, a Refuge for lost and homeless dogs, where they could be kept until homes could be found for them, or they be otherwise disposed of.”

The women raised funds to have a facility, which was the first animal shelter in the nation and was the model for all others. The “refuge,” as they called it, was located in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, about 20 miles northeast of downtown Philadelphia.

The group also undertook other issues: Dog fighting and rooster matches were popular at that time, and the WPSPCA worked actively to end this form of ani-

mal abuse. They also brought an end to “animal baiting,” which involved tying up an animal and letting other animals attack it for the amusement of spectators.

Alcohol Part of Problem Many society women of that time believed that alcohol was the root of much evil, and they campaigned for restriction of alcohol. Those who also supported animal rights felt that alcohol fueled mistreatment of animals of all types. While the bigger issue of temperance was being fought separately, the WPSPCA launched a program to raise money for more water fountains in cities all over the country. The animals would definitely benefit from more convenient access to water. It was hoped by giving the men a free alternative to liquor that it would reduce drinking.

Medical Testing on Animals During White’s time with the animal shelter, she was contacted by a doctor who made a request that bothered her. The man wanted her to send any unwanted dogs to him to use in medical testing and animal experimentation.

This was an era when great medical progress was occurring, so there was great enthusiasm for learning more through experimentation. But Charles Darwin’s Origin of the Species was also Continued Next Page

www.4LegsAndATail.com 29

beginning to bring focus to animals as part of an evolutionary process. This made the issue of animal rights a topic of conversation for some.

White was horrified at the thought of sending these homeless dogs off to be used in experiments. Because of this, in 1783 White started her third animaloriented organization: the American Anti-Vivisection Society.

The Anti-Vivisection Society brought animal medical testing to a national audience by arranging to distribute literature at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. They handed out many leaf lets concerning the horrors of lab animals and live testing on animals.

White also served as the editor of The Journal of Zoophily, a publication that began to document the history of animal rights.

Society Still Exists The organization that began as the women’s PSPCA is now known as the Women’s Humane Society and still runs the animal shelter. They are no longer affiliated with any other animal organization but still maintain an active presence in the

community with a low-cost veterinar y clinic, an adoption program, and an education program to teach children and communit y g roups about animal care and dog obedience.

They also operate a cruelty investigation unit and an animal ambulance service.

The Society still plays an active role in legislative issues to safeguard animals. They have worked to get birds, mice, and rats included in the protective clauses of the Animal Welfare Act, and they have helped reduce the use of rabbits in cosmetic testing. Part of this work has been encouraging exploration of alternative methods to animal experimentation. They also monitor and advise on the laws that are being put in place regarding animal cloning.

Caroline Earle White’s Greatest Pride When asked what changes she was most proud of bringing about, Caroline Earle White described the 28-Hour law that the Women’s PSPCA spearheaded.

The move toward this legislation came about when organization became aware of inhumane treatment of animals in transport.

Under her leadership, the Women’s PSPCA stationed agents at specific locations along the major railroad routes to observe how the animals were handled.

They kept records by telegraphing back to headquarters what they observed on the rail lines.

Eventually they had a strong enough case to take the Reading Railroad to court in 1896 for transporting a shipment of horses over a 52-hour period without ever stopping to feed them or give them water.

They won their case and were able to pass legislation (1907) that mandated that animals be fed and watered after 28 hours in transit. Fines and convictions of various train lines followed.

Caroline Earle White was a very talented woman with numerous interests.

She was also involved in children’s causes and has several travel novels to her name.

Animal Rights Most Important From early in her life, White was always especially invested in animals.

She explains her passion this way: “There are many people who when we ask them to join us say that they prefer to work for human beings. But are we not working for human beings? Are we not constantly striving to make men and women more humane and disposed to all kindly feelings and to teach children to become gentle and merciful? Is not everything which tends to elevate man in the mortal scale a benefit to him?”

This article first appeared on the website, www.Americacomesalive.com.

America Comes Alive publishes more stories about American dogs and other animals. Visit the website and sign up for “American Dogs” to receive the stories in your In Box. Or email Kate Kelly at Kate@AmericaComesAlive.com

30 4 Legs & a Tail

Spring 2021

Spring 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 31

Help Wildlife & Gardens

by Preventing Drought F

Catherine Greenleaf

or those of us who love gardening and helping the wildlife in our backyards, last summer’s drought proved a major roadblock to providing the water needed for our flowers, birds, and pollinators. Wells went dry, restrictions were placed on the use of outdoor water, and incidents of brush fires were on the rise.

And despite all of the snow received over the winter, New England is still experiencing drought and droughtlike conditions, according to the USDA drought maps, which may be setting us up for another very hot and dry summer.

If you follow the USDA drought maps, you can see that, ironically, the most impacted areas are close to large bodies of water, like lakes, rivers, and the ocean, with some of the most extreme dryness

32 4 Legs & a Tail

occurring along the Connecticut River.

Why is that? Climatologists are saying we have reached a tipping point regarding impervious surfaces. The unchecked installation of impervious surfaces like asphalt driveways and parking lots is causing rainfall to race as fast as it can along paved roads and sewers to large bodies of water. Impervious surfaces prevent the rain from staying put and being reabsorbed into the ground to regenerate the soil and the water sheds in our local areas, as it has normally done for generations.

What goes down must come up. When water is slowed down and held in our yards and communities, it soaks into the soil and condensation occurs. The condensation vapors rise upwards, giving us the formation of clouds and local rainstorms. We get plenty of rain, trees and plants grow lush and green, and we experience no droughts. The birds and bees are happy. This is what is called a small water system.

Water sluiced away in high-speed fashion to remote areas results in fewer but bigger and deadlier storms that cause flooding and high winds, followed by periods of extended drought. Think “Tropical Storm” Irene.

Drought can have a severe impact on birds and other wildlife. Birds, mammals and turtles depend upon fresh water from creeks, streams and ponds to survive, and when these dry up animals are often forced to leave behind their nests of young to search for new territories with water. Birds can also be compelled to migrate south earlier than anticipated, resulting in a perilous migration that is out of synch with food resources.

Drought can cause the trees and shrubs in your yard to dry up and die. It can also prevent bushes from providing berries for hungry birds. Tree nuts are often in short supply during drought-like conditions, affecting the survival of mammals, like bears. Flowering plants stop producing nectar, which is vital to pollinators like butterflies and bumblebees.

According to renowned water scientist Dr. Michael Kravcik, as more and more wetlands are sold for rock-bottom Spring 2021

prices and paved over to build big box stores, we lose vital opportunities to store and hold precious rain water in our local areas. In addition, the more rainwater races away from local communities, the more water must be pumped for agriculture, resulting in huge zones of depleted groundwater, he said.

Your typical wooded area contains a dense network of roots growing 20-30 feet downward, turning the soil to a spongey consistency that can hold 90 percent of rainfall. Compare this to a lawn, which immediately loses 90 percent of rainfall due to run-off, not to mention the fertile soils that are washed away with it, according to Sara Stein, author of Noah’s Garden, the seminal book on restoring native habitat.

What can you do?

You can break the vicious cycle of drought and flooding by slowing down the water on your property. Pull up the asphalt on your driveway and get rid of it. Install rain barrels to catch the overflow from your roof and use it to water the flowers. Create rain gardens to hold rainwater where it falls so it absorbs back into the soil to regenerate the water table. Don’t cut down trees, which hold thousands of gallons of water in their roots. Plant native trees.

Kill your lawn and grow a native meadow.

Put a pond in your backyard for rainwater retention. And keep bird baths filled with cool, clean water for your feathered friends and other critters in the backyard.

And most importantly, talk to local government officials about development in your area. Voice your concerns about the over-abundance of impervious surfaces in your town. Tell your officials it’s time to take a look at antiquated water-management policies. This includes the outdated attitude that rainwater is a “waste product” that must be gotten rid of as quickly as possible.

Catherine Greenleaf is the director of St. Francis Wild Bird Center. If you find an injured bird or turtle, please call (603) 795-4850.

Spring 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 33

Chick Mom: Part I Joan Garuti Starting Down the Path of Raising a Flock I have always dreamed of having chickens, and just four short years ago I decided to make this dream a reality on a very small scale in a residential district.

In speaking with our customers at The Cheshire Horse, I have quickly realized that many of us share this same dream. I am hoping that in starting this new miniblog series, I can help everyone realize just how much fun raising poultry can be and how simple backyard birds are to integrate into your life.

Meet the Flock Fortunately, I live in a town that has no restrictions on backyard chicks, but I still visited with my closest neighbors to make sure that they were comfortable with my plans. To my neighbors, it was fairly important that my flock would stay in my yard and would not make too much noise (they were concerned about that infamous cock-a-doodle-doo!). Because of this, I decided to start my flock with three black sex-linked girls. These chickens are a heavy breed and therefore are not overly inclined to fly. Sex-linked chicks also have the added benefit of being able to definitively separate the roosters from the hens based on color.

From the start, each chick had a unique Continued ON Page 36

34 4 Legs & a Tail

Spring 2021

Spring 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 35

personality. Hazel loved to sit in laps and cuddle for hours; on the other hand, Willow knew that she was a black beauty and wanted nothing to do with humans unless it was treat time. Finally, Olive was clever and didn’t mind occasional affection, but preferred to perch on my arm so she could decide when cuddle time was over. I soon began to see them as more than just egg layers and insect control, these sweet girls became pets that came running to greet me each time I returned home from work.

Last fall, we moved from our residential neighborhood to a three-acre farm.

After four years, sadly, two members of

my original flock have passed away. One of my friends gave us an Ameraucana so that my remaining girl, Olive, wouldn’t be lonely over the winter. When this new hen first met Olive, she ran to her and pecked her in the face, so I decided that I would name her Rocky. With no further boxing matches, and after one day and night of getting to know each other, they quickly became best friends.

It is so much fun gathering eggs each morning, as I can always tell which bird laid which egg. Olive lays light brown eggs and Rocky lays light blue eggs.

Now that we have additional space and more experience, we are planning

to add to our flock this spring. There are several roosters all around the neighborhood, so boys are welcome, but we are only planning to add a few for our sanity. I have ordered straight run Lavender Orpingtons and Guinea Keets; I am looking forward to meeting them, learning their individual personalities, and adding them to our family.

Tools of the Trade I realize that I am relatively new to raising chickens, but I have learned so much during my short time as a chicken farmer. By jumping into the deep end with both feet with my flock, I needed to get up to speed quickly. My journey began with lots of reading about chicken breeds, their care and feeding, and housing options. One of my favorite resources was (and continues to be) Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens. This excellent book helped to answer any and all of my questions.

I was fortunate that I was able to speak with many seasoned chick parents, including my son and nephew who helped considerably with coop design.

When it came to our coop, we referred to the Reinventing the Chicken Coop book that I picked up in the store. If you aren’t inclined to build your own coop, there are many coop and housing options available both in-store and online.

Hungry chicks love to eat! I chose to feed Purina Start & Grow Medicated Chick Feed for the first four months.

There are also several medicated and non-medicated starter feed options. It is also essential that you have a feeder and waterer that accommodates your flock size and housing situation.

Chickens are so fun to watch, and they are simply a joy to hang out with. I never realized that it would be so rewarding, and I kick myself for choosing not to raise chicks sooner. I now know that as long as I am able to, I will continue to raise and keep a flock.

Joan Garuti became a chick mom about 6 years ago inspired by her friends at The Cheshire Horse where she was employed. She has since retired to a small farm in Claremont where she cares for her mother and grandchildren as well as a flock of 15 birds and numerous other pets. If you would like to continue Joan's journey as a chick mom, please visit our blog at cheshirehorse. com/blog/tag/chick-mom

36 4 Legs & a Tail

Spring 2021

Spring 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 37

The Poor Porcupine Scott Borthwick- Canaan, NH

T

he poor porcupine seems to be one of the most unwanted creatures we have to deal with. Skunks at least are cute until things go badly. Bats eat tens of thousands of mosquitos, snakes and weasels eat mice and fishers will eat porcupines but only if there is nothing else on the menu. But what do porcupines do? I went online to see if there was some underlying value I was not aware of. The first thing that popped up was a recipe for Porcupine Meatballs. Not exactly what I was looking for. There must be some benefit of their existence other than paying off student loans for Veterinarians?

My company deals with nuisance animals so let’s take a look at the reasons we get porcupine calls. The first and foremost reason is either my dog got a face full of quills or we saw a porcupine and are afraid our dog will get a face full of quills. Most of my dogs have suffered this fate. In fact, years ago I was bragging to someone that despite living in the woods my dogs had never been quilled or sprayed by a skunk.

Within a week they got both. The second reason for calls is the destruction of private property. Porcupines love salt and are known to chew the bottoms of garage doors, leather seats, canoe paddles, etc.

We pulled one out of a dirt floor basement once that it had lived in for some time and had converted the dirt floor into a poop floor. You can always tell where porcupines live because of the massive amount of droppings and horrendous smell. The third reason is the destruction of trees.

Especially fruit trees. The Quill Pig will climb trees and either eat the tree bark or nip off small branches. Years ago New Hampshire had a bounty for porcupines because of the damage they cause to pine trees. So none of these seem beneficial.

Next, let’s look at biology. Porcupines are the second-largest rodent in North America. Second only to the beaver, who also eat tree bark. They can live up to 28 years providing they stay away from roadways.

One to three young is born annually.

Which reminds me of the old joke “How do porcupines reproduce? Very carefully.” Nothing all that useful here.

What have we learned? Well, they are great at tree trimming. Provide needed revenue for Vet Clinics and Nuisance Wildlife Control businesses. Highway workers keep busy scraping them off the road and they teach dogs a valuable lesson. So depending on your perspective they can be a useful part of the ecosystem.

38 4 Legs & a Tail

Scott Borthwick owns Estate Wildlife Control. He lives in Canaan, NH with his wife Donna, two dogs, a couple of horses, and one tough old chicken named Henrietta.

Spring 2021

AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT ESSENCE PET FOODS

P

ets today are considered family members, which means we want them to eat healthy, nutritious foods to help them live their best life. This is especially true with Essence Pet Foods. With so many pet food brands on the market today, Essence may be one you haven’t heard of, but the creators of Essence have a strong reputation in the pet food industry.

Essence Pet Foods is a premium pet food brand made with the highest quality ingredients and loaded with animal proteins.

The recipes are very simple, with meat, fish or poultry as the first and second ingredients and containing at least 85% animal or fish protein ingredients, the highest available on the market today with ingredients sourced from all over the world.

Essence Pet Foods is a pet food brand that utilizes sustainability sourced plant-based, locally farmed ingredients and a farm-to-plate philosophy. The poultry in the Essence Landfowl limited Ingredient Recipe, for example, is cage-free, antibiotic, and hormone-free. These factors can have a positive effect on the health and well-being of your dog. “Antibiotic-free ingredients are important because there are studies that show that using antibiotics as growth promotants in livestock can contribute to antibiotic-resistant bacteria in humans and other species,” said Dr. Quest.

“Sustainability is important in pet food ingredients just like it is in human food ingredients,” said Dr. Bradley Quest, DVM. “To continue to supply the industry with healthy, wholesome plant and animal ingredients while having minimal impact on our natural environment is something most people agree about.”

Essence Limited Ingredient Recipes utilize two poultry, meat or fish ingredients followed by two meals and two sources of fiber. Their recipes reflect the dog’s ancestral diet: protein-rich and limited in content. It’s also free of potatoes, legumes and gluten and any other ingredient that doesn’t serve a natural, clean diet philosophy. The recipes are rounded out with such healthy ingredients as quinoa and pumpkin.

Let’s take a deeper look at each recipe created by Essence Pet Foods: Essence Ranch Limited Ingredient Recipe The Essence Ranch Limited Ingredient Recipe is excellent if you’re seeking dog food loaded with powerful proteins. This recipe includes Lamb, pork, lamb meal, pork meal, quinoa and pumpkin. It’s also free of potatoes, chicken, and fish, so if you have a dog with a sensitivity to chicken, he may do well on this recipe.

Essence Landfowl Limited Ingredient Recipe This recipe comes packed with a range of proteins, including turkey, chicken, turkey meal, chicken meal. Essential vitamins and minerals are also included in the recipe and are balanced out with healthy vegetables such as pumpkin, which provide additional beneficial nutrients and fiber.

Essence Ocean Limited Ingredient Recipe If your customer has a dog who loves fish, the Essence Ocean LIR recipe may be perfect for him! This recipe comes complete with whitefish, herring, whitefish meal, herring meal, quinoa and pumpkin. The formula is rounded out with vitamins and minerals such as vitamin E supplements, D-calcium supplements, and zinc proteinate.

With the variety of formulas and the use of only eight main ingredients, including two sources of protein and two sources of fiber, combined with essential vitamins and minerals, you can be confident in feeding your furry friend Essence Limited Ingredient Recipe to help them live a long and happy life.

Essence is available at: Willow Farm Pet Services 21 VT-106, North North Springfield, VT. 05150 802-886-5000 Spring 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 39

Kitties Are Getting Older C

Ingrid Braulini - Grantham, NH

ats have the luxury of living longer than most dogs; in fact, indoor cats like Tom and Lola can have a longer lifespan than we would expect from many pets.

With the right genes and proper care, including neutering, many cats can live to be quite elderly. The oldest cat on record lived 38 years! Generally speaking, they reach middle age around their 7th year, their senior years at about 11-12, and their elder years after 14-15. Many cats live until their early 20’s, although their chances of looking spiffy and running after dust balls and mice are probably not up to par with that 6-month old kitten.

How is it that some cats make it way past their middle age? Like with humans and dogs, a lot of it is found in their breed, genetic make-up, the time spent in either a shelter or wandering the streets, their food, and their maintenance. Just like the rest of us, some cats lead a pampered life. They get the best food and care, lots of attention, plenty of toys, and stimulation but they die at an earlier age from some condition or disease. If you have been doing a head-to tail-assessment every month you will catch the changes in their

40 4 Legs & a Tail

health if possible in time to do something.

Your first aid-trained pet sitter is probably doing it too for her own knowledge. They don’t like surprises.

Many issues more likely in elderly cats can range from kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, dental issues, and the mother of them all: obesity. Now you throw in old age, and you can add dementia (yes indeed! Even in cats), and/or sensory loss.

How to help avoid and to cope with some of these changes is through prevention and maintenance. Prevention is something many cat lovers don’t understand. After all, don’t cats pretty much do it all on their own? The same goes with maintenance, right? Cats are singularly not “needy” like dogs, but they still need that annual vet check-up until they are 12, and then in best case scenario, every 6 months after that. Just like our teeth. If they are outdoor cats they need to be vaccinated against all kinds of nasty stuff in addition to the regulars like rabies, FVRCP, and Feline Leukemia. Ideally, they should be kept indoors (good luck!) as they age so they don’t wander off, get hit by a car, or be eaten by something.

One of the pleasures you can look out for as your senior cat ages is the need for more bathroom breaks. Best to keep a couple of extra litter pans around just in case Tom decides going into the basement is just a bit too far or the steps are too much trouble. You should have had Lola and Tom on a mixed diet of grainfree canned food and dry kibble for their kidney, urinary tract, and dental health anyway. But if not, now is the time to do that and put Tinkerbell on that diet while you’re at it. Their kidneys will thank you.

Keep the fish content of those cans at a minimum for maximum benefit. You may want to increase the number of times Tom eats a day to make it easier for him and add a bit of broth or water to his wet food if he seems to have digestion and or dental problems.

You may also have a roaming senior: Lola roams around at night in the dark crying. This can be due to dementia or a sense of loneliness. Regardless, the answer can sometimes be as simple as helping her find her favorite sleeping nook. If she hears your voice when you call out it reassures her that you are close. She may want to get up on your bed, but arthritis could be preventing her. Now is the time to set up blocks or a low stool so she can get up more easily.

Vision may be going on good ole Tom so Spring 2021

other ways of communicating may be necessary, You might try making a specific sound like clapping or whistling when you need him to react. Since he can’t see danger zones, putting up kiddie gates at stairs or closing doors to rooms and closets may help him. If hearing loss is a problem, use something with a flashing light or flick lights on and off to get his attention.

Human-caused age issues are those that cause even the youngest of cats like Tinkerbell to suffer. Smoking (you, not the cat) is one of the number one killers in all pets. People who smoke and have pets generally are burying the animals sooner than later. Cancer, heart disease, and respiratory disease are directly influenced by smoking. Another slow killer can be chlorinated water. You should not give your cat chlorinated water if at all possible especially if it is highly chlorinated as it can cause bladder cancer.

A big human-caused issue is obesity. Being a fat-cat is NOT supposed to relate to your tubby Lola’s figure. Lola is going to have mega-problems if she is obese, including possible diabetes, joint issues, pancreatitis, cancer, heart disease, and a fatty liver. Rules for any chubby cat, do not let her graze, give her exact times and smaller amounts to eat several times a day. However, make sure that what she gets during the day does not add up to the amount you have been feeding her all along. Cut WAY down on treats. Treats may look small but they are packed with fat and calories. Make sure that she gets lots of exercise. Have her chase a feather, light beam, mechanical mouse, or other exercise toys.

Seizures in many cats can be idiopathic (having no obvious cause), or they can be age-relate, be caused by epilepsy, poisoning, head trauma, tumors, liver disease, diabetes, or hyperthyroidism. If your cat develops seizures keep him calm, reduce any noise or light, and note the time and duration of the seizure for your files. If this is the first seizure, when it has ended, contact your vet and tell the person the circumstances, time, and duration of the seizure. In some cases, there are medications that can help.

Age is not a disease, it is a fact of life. It is important that you learn to do a headto-tail assessment on every pet you own so that you have a standard to which to compare not only their health but also their age progression. If you know how your cat has developed since you first adopted her, you will be more informed when she goes in for a vet appointment. It is also important information for her pet sitter or caregiver.

Ingrid Braulini is the owner of Pet First Aid & Wellness. She is a certified Pet Tech and Wellness Instructor, a NAPPS Board Member, and NAPPS Certified. For more information, visit www.PetAidClasses.com

Spring 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 41

All You Need is Love!

Thoughts on Adding a Dog into Your Life

E

Paula Bergeron - Grafton, NH

very week I get phone calls asking for advice on whether a client should add a dog to their pack, or bring a dog into their family. We relish the idea of having a dog, receiving the unconditional daily love that only a dog seems able to give.

In fact, I saw an advertisement the other day for a dog rescue group captioned…

All they need is love. I caught my breath

and thought YIKES! … dogs need a whole lot more than love, in fact, it is almost insulting to think that love from us is all a dog requires to live a full life.

Dogs have a hierarchy of needs that should be acknowledged when considering adding a pet to your home and life and affection is lower on the list than you might think.

A DOG’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS 1. Your dog needs to feel healthy and physically safe.

Providing healthy nutritional food, routine vet care, and a safe environment out of the weather, away from traffic, off-leash dogs, and wildlife takes more than an abundance of love, it requires a certain level of financial commitment and stability.

2. Your dog needs to feel mentally safe.

To feel safe a dog needs a trustworthy and competent leader. As the leader, you provide routine in their day, structure within your home, and boundaries with follow-through regarding acceptable behavior.

3. Your dog needs an outlet for its physical and mental energy as well as their specific breed’s behavioral instincts.

A dog with frustrated energy will have to find a way to release it, and that doesn’t usually end well. Dogs in general need to walk or travel with a leader that they trust every day. A dog’s breed will significantly influence other needed exercise as it dictates their impulse to dig, chase, retrieve, swim, herd, guard, bark, play, run , etc...

Research can help you find suitable outlets for your dog breed related impulses.

4. Your dogs crave affection attention from their pack.

We tend to excel here so I will only say we need to be mindful as to how and when we give affection. Too much becomes damaging. Constant contact, protection from anything challenging, and giving excuses for behavior set dogs up for emotional imbalance. Separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, unwanted and guarding behavior are often a result of unrestricted privilege and attention.

It is important to take the canine hierarchy into account as you decide on bringing a dog into your daily life. Do you have the time, energy, finances, and disposition to provide for your dog not only what you WANT to give, but what they actually require to have a full and happy life, something I know we all want for our beloved canine friends. Food for thought my friends.

Happy Training, Paula and Company Paula Bergeron and the gang at Good Dogma embrace a holistic approach to bringing balance to your dog’s behavioral issues.

Exercise, training, relaxation, massage, grooming, play, socialization, and energy healing are incorporated into your dog’s routine. www.Goodogma.com 42 4 Legs & a Tail

Spring 2021

Spring 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 43

The Transformation of the Horse I

Sue Miller - Advanced PATH International Instructor & ESMHL

find it amazing that the horses you see today are a marvel of qualities that have adapted from descendants some 56-million years ago. What is astonishing to me is that the horse started as something so far removed from the magnificent, majestic creature we know today. Horses have been called the noblest of creatures, and it’s easy to see why. Depending on which scientific accounts you believe, horses have been one of man’s best friends since anywhere from 4000 to 2000 B.C. They’ve taken us wherever we’ve asked them to including the fields of battle.

The domestic horse is an innovation – a never ending process of modification.

From caterpillar to butterfly if you will.

Watching horses is an invitation to fall in love with them, but also their longterm evolution.

44 4 Legs & a Tail

Horses have been shaped and reshaped by ice ages, heat spikes, volcanic eruptions, and tectonic forces. Horses can live in the most challenging of environments.

Horses are resilient and malleable to their surroundings.

The first horses were more the size of a fox and had toes. The front legs of the dawn horse, called Eohippus found around the time of the Eocene stage had four-fingered toes on each fore-limb and three-fingered toes on each hind limb making them an odd-toed ungulate.

Today, horses have the largest eyes of any land mammal.

It’s hard to believe that Eohippus that stood not much more than 14 inches at the shoulder and was about 2 feet long could one day become the size of a Shire draft horse standing some 5 foot 6 inches at the shoulder and weighing close to a ton.

It is the large middle toe that was key to the horse’s survival. Over time horses placed more weight on the middle toes, until the other toes became useless. The vestigial toes are still present on horses t od ay. They h ave become the chestnut and the ergot respectfully. The wart like areas on the inside of each of the horse’s legs and the small growth at the back of the pastern, above the hoof on each leg.

The f ive m ajor changes that brought about modifications in the horse started with Eohippus at about 50 million years ago. Mesohippus had a larger body with longer limbs than its predecessor (Eohippus), it stood about 2 feet tall. Gradually it improved its body features suitable for running faster. The face of Mesohippus became longer and larger and teeth evolved suited to grind grass.

Next came the Merychippus at about 10 million years ago. Merychippus lived in the middle of Miocene to Pliocene age. This was thought to have been the first horse to have grazed. In this version of our equine friend, their middle toe started to become a hoof and the side toes began to recede.

This was followed by the Pliohippus at about 5 million years ago. Pliohippus became the first horse in the evolution with a single toe (hoof). With its long and slim limbs, Pliohippus was able to run faster than other creatures, had teeth similar to modern day horses, and stood a little over three feet tall.

It was originally thought that no horses had roamed the American West before the Spaniards brought over horses in the 1400s during their explorations, some of which escaped to roam free eventually becoming the American Mustang. However, fossil findings in Wyoming and the Rocky Mountain regions of the west Spring 2021

Skeleton of Horse Eohippus 50 million years ago

dispel that notion. While the area was once covered by the sea, it now shares a plethora of history about the horse.

Scientists think that much of equine evolution took place in North America.

Horses became extinct around 10,000 years ago during another tectonic shift.

Horses may have stepped onto a floating landmass and not arrived back to North America until humans began to explore the world and bring their steadfast companions with them.

It is interesting to note that along with the earliest known horse fossil, paleontologists found in the same time period the earliest known fossil of what is thought to have evolved into man.

It seems that horses and humans have always shared a bond as evidenced in the cave drawings of France’s Chauvet Cave, dated to at least 32,000 years ago.

Perhaps at some point in time past, horse & human were closer kin. Perhaps the visceral bond modern day humans feel toward their noble horses is a more tangible DNA particle found deeply in the bone. Perhaps time will tell.

Sue Miller is a PATH Registered Instructor & ESMHL, PATH Vermont State Chair, and President of the Vermont Horse Council.

Spring 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 45

Ready or Not: Here I Come !

Dorothy Crosby - Stoddard, NH

I

t has been said that it takes $10,000 to buy a horse; $1000 for the horse and $9000 for lessons…

At this time of the year, riders look forward to spring, summer, and fall riding seasons. With horse prices elevated and ads in abundance, one can find diverse and varied types of horses – and prices – to suit their preferences and needs.

Occasionally there is a “free horse” ad out there. Everyone looks forward to acquiring their new trail, barrel, dressage, eventing, or jumping partner.

Parents might think it would be fun for their child and a young horse to grow up together; they can learn, bond, and have fun playing! A relatively inexperienced rider hears of an older been there/done that horse needing a home. It’s a perfect opportunity to care for, bond with, and ride (read: save) a horse; a win-win situation!

Perhaps money is no object; an equestrian purchases a well-trained horse, thinking it should be easy since the horse knows more than they do.

No offense to anyone, but the saying that

46 4 Legs & a Tail

“green plus green equals black and blue” holds true, and there is no such thing as a free horse!!

I am a teacher; by definition, I am supposed to think that people need to have formal learning with someone to guide the process of increasing their knowledge and skillset rather than being self-taught.

Personally, I wouldn’t presume to have any pet without knowing something about the habits and daily care of that animal. Or grow a garden without first learning something about planting it: what suits specific types of plants? There is always more to learn; I don’t have to be an expert, but there is a minimum level of proficiency needed for the best, safest, or most pleasurable results. Sometimes I don’t realize what I don’t know, but it’s my responsibility to research…and make choices based on actual information. That being said, some situations really do lend themselves well to learn-as-you-go adventures; the experiences that come from them are invaluable.

Not so much with a 1000 lb. prey animal whose strong instincts for survival, a pattern of learning by repetition, and very clear, but subtle, communication patterns which can escalate when not understood or training’s not reinforced.

As a prey animal, a horse’s first question is: “Is it gonna eat me?” Once established that something or someone is safe and trustworthy, the working relationship begins. But it’s not so simple; safety is paramount, but the natural herd hierarchy is essential to everyone having their role. Horses want to know whether you or they are in charge; it’s the way they operate with each other. However, I need to know enough about this role to be able to assume leadership over this 1000 lb. comSpring 2021

panion or we are both not safe. I need to be able to speak horse, read the communication and know how to respond – not react – for the best results.

But that’s just the beginning.

While large and strong, horses require precise and regular care; without certain feeding and riding protocols, we endanger their health and well-being.

Training happens every time we handle them; the question is who is training who? Because neither of us is going to be the same in an hour…

There’s management and care: daily chores, grooming, tack, vet and farrier needs, stabling, and pasture issues.

Can I efficiently and easily choose and adjust tack, fitting bridles, halters, and girths on my own? Can I lead a horse without being dragged to the grassy spot, or deal with any excitable moments that arise? Do I understand quantity, nutritional and calorie needs in relation to workload?

And then there is the matter of riding. Being overmounted is both unsafe and unwise; how will I know if I am? With so much more to riding than being atop the horse, all the previously mentioned aspects of horse care and knowledge come into play, as well as the partnership and working relationship that needs to be established, maintained, and nurtured. Reality check: how developed is my skill set, how clear my communication, how effective my horsemanship for those less than perfect moments?

“No worries; I’m ready for that!” “I’ll improve with practice!” True enough. But is the situation the right one for that to happen; is it beneficial for both of you to be partnered together on an ongoing, committed basis? Perhaps some regular lessons, and then the experience of leasing or finding a suitable horse with a reputable trainer is a good way to begin.

I am the last one to want to see anyone miss out on a wonderful horse ownership experience. But I am the first one to want it to be safe, constructive, and beneficial for both horse and rider!

Owner of Equi-librium and based in Stoddard NH, Dorothy Crosby is certified as both a Level III Centered Riding®Clinician/Instructor and CHA English and Western Instructor. Director of the Riding Program and Barn Manager at Southmowing Stables in Guilford VT, she loves working with riders and horses of all ages and abilities. Recently certified with Conformation Balancing, a program for fascia release in horses, Dorothy loves the softening and changes in the horses. Dorothy offers clinics, lessons, workshops, and fascia release bodywork sessions both on and off the farm.

Spring 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 47

Spring Wildlife and Your Pets: What You Need to Know S

M. Kathleen Shaw, DVM

pring is finally here and young wildlife is everywhere. With this abundance of young wild animals, it is important to be aware of the more common animals your pet may encounter and what to do if it does.

It is quite common in the spring for our dog or cat to present us with a live baby rabbit. In addition, children may find one in the yard and bring it inside, thinking it has been abandoned by its mother. If the bunny’s eyes are open, it can eat and fend for itself in the wild.

If you come across a nest of bunnies in the wild and the mother is nowhere to be seen, DO NOT disturb them - this is normal. By removing them from the nest you are greatly reducing their chances of survival. The wild rabbit mother only feeds in the middle of the night; she leaves her babies all day to not alert predators, so don’t assume she is not caring for them and take them from her!

So if your pet or child presents you with an uninjured baby rabbit, confine your pets in the house, and return the bunny to wherever it was found, immediately. It will do fine and the less time it spends in human hands, the better. If it appears injured, contact your veterinarian for the name of the closest wildlife rehabilitator near you. (Not all veteri48 4 Legs & a Tail

narians are licensed to treat wildlife.)

Skunks present a smelly problem.

They possess two small glands under their tail that produce a foul-smelling material that the skunk can spray in the face of a predator or curious pet. While the spray is not toxic to our pets, it can cause tremendous irritation to the eyes, causing them to water and sting.

Furthermore, if you think skunks smell bad, imagine how it is for our dogs and cats, whose sense of smell is up to 30 times stronger than ours! That horrible smelly material is usually sprayed right in the face of our curious pets, and the smell is so bad to them they will often vomit. Because these encounters are always a surprise, it helps to be prepared by having some products on hand to clean up your pet. Your local pet store or veterinarian has products available to clean up your pets if they are “skunked.

Another option is a homemade solution made by mixing one quart of hydrogen peroxide with a half box of baking soda, and 1 tsp of a grease-cutting dish soap. You must mix and use it within an hour as it won’t keep. Whichever you use, remember you shouldn’t get the pet wet first: put the de-skunking material right on the pet. AVOID the eyes! If your pet will Spring 2021

allow, you can rinse around the face with plain tap water. If your pet persistently paws or rubs at the eyes and they are red and tearing, call your veterinarian.

Porcupines have sharp quills that can imbed into your pet’s face, skin, and paws. If your pet has been “quilled”, do not attempt to remove them yourself.

The quills can break off under the skin, and also it is very painful for your pet.

Call your veterinarian immediately for help with this problem. The longer the quills remain in the pet the more difficult they are to remove.

Baby birds are commonly found on the ground or retrieved by pets. If there is no obvious injury, the baby should be replaced in the nest or in a tree or bush as close to the nest as possible. Parents will not abandon their offspring, so even if you don’t see any adults around, leave the area so as not to frighten the parents away. Do not attempt to treat any wounds or feed the baby bird – they require specific types of food and are VERY difficult to care for. For any injuries or wounds, contact your veterinarian, who will help get the bird to a licensed rehabilitator.

Keeping your pet on a leash or in a fenced yard will greatly reduce the encounters with spring wildlife. Also remember with any wild mammal rabies virus is a concern. Rabies is always fatal to the animal, and it can be transmitted to people through saliva and bites.

Vermont law requires your pet to be vac-

cinated for rabies, so make sure your pet is up to date on rabies vaccination, avoid handling wildlife, and report any wildlife acting in an unusual manner to the game warden or wildlife officer.

If you have any questions or concerns about spring wildlife and your pet, contact your veterinarian or visit the Vermont Veterinary Medical Association website at www.vtvets.org.

The Vermont Veterinary Medical Association (VVMA), founded in 1898, is a professional organization of 330 veterinarians dedicated to compassionate animal care and quality medicine.

Simon

Remy & Yona

Spring 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 49

Is This Deadly Medication in Your House?

Catherine MacLean, DVM - Grantham, NH

I

f you have been prescribed a cream called 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and have pets, you need to read this article. 5-FU is a prescription cream that is used to treat some human skin cancers and actinic keratosis in humans. If a dog or cat ingests even a tiny amount of this cream, your pet has a 60% chance of dying.

Clinical signs of toxicity start in as few as 45 minutes after ingestion of this medication. The pet may start having tremors, seizures, difficulty breathing, ataxia (incoordination), hypersalivation, act very lethargic, or have diarrhea. The seizures often don’t respond to anti-seizure medication, and most pets die within 24 hours of ingestion due to uncontrolled seizures that lead to non-cardiac pulmonary edema and cardiopulmonary arrest.

If the pet survives the initial intoxication, they are not out of the woods yet.

5-FU can cause bone marrow suppression (i.e. the body doesn’t produce red and white blood cells and platelets like it’s supposed to, which can compromise the patient) and gastrointestinal toxicity which kills important cells in the lining of the GI tract.

If you suspect that your pet has gotten into 5-FU, immediately seek veterinary attention for your pet. There is, unfortunately, no cure, and only supportive care can be administered. There is an antidote for people, but it doesn’t appear to work in dogs or cats. Your veterinarian will probably call animal poison control and start IV fluids, anti-seizure medication if necessary, warming measures, anti-vomiting meds, and oxygen if needed. If seizures cannot be controlled, the patient may need to be heavily sedated to try and stop the seizures.

5-fluorouracil toxicity in animals is not well known by most pet owners and can be a commonplace medication in some households. Many prescription topical medications can pose a risk to your pet. If you are not sure if a medication you’re using may be risky to your pet, ask your veterinarian.

50 4 Legs & a Tail

Dr. MacLean completed her Bachelor of Science from Penn State University, her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Atlantic Veterinary College, and her pet acupuncture certification from Chi Institute. Her areas of special interest include general practice and acupuncture. She opened Sugar River Animal Hospital in 2013, and she has been practicing veterinary medicine since 2010. Dr. MacLean’s family consists of her husband Matt, her daughter Katarina, son Alexander and their three pets: Jack and Misty, two cats, and Arrow, a dog.

Spring 2021

Spring 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 51

Alternatively Speaking: Off to a Good Start Dr. Anne Carroll DVM, CVA

T

hanks to COVID, many of us are looking for ways to entertain ourselves, engage our kids, and let’s face it, add a little joy in these hard times.

For many families, a new puppy or kitten fits the bill perfectly since being home more means having time to care for and supervise a new pet. There is a lot to prepare for those new arrivals, not the least of which is their first veterinary visits, and holistic approaches start early to give them advantages that can last a lifetime. For young animals, that means a visit in the first 8 to 10 weeks, often before their next vaccines are due. For older adoptees, they too should have an individualized plan to foster their health, so for any new pet, it is good to plan for a checkup the first week they arrive.

Why go to the vet before any shots 52 4 Legs & a Tail

are due? Compared to humans, animals fit that first 18 years of development in their first 8 to 12 months, so seeing your vet at 8 weeks of age equates to a first pediatrician visit at 2 years old!

Given this timeframe, the first months of life are full of rapid transitions, during which the foundation for long term health is established and influenced for good or bad. Weaning occurs, requiring a digestive transition in the face of parasite irritation. Families and routines change, which is an emotional stress.

Vaccines, dewormers, and sometimes other medications are given which their bodies have to process while they are still growing. Puberty, and possibly neutering, comes soon after. Some babies navigate these first hurdles without much fuss or intervention. Others struggle and whether or not they have Spring 2021

visible issues, early stresses to their digestion, immune system, and psyche can set the stage for physical and emotional problems during adulthood. This is why in our practice we suggest letting your new pet settle in for several days as long as they seem healthy, but then getting them in for their first visit right away to start them off on the right path to health.

The focus of those first visits is as always, digestion and nutrition. Many new pet owners are eager to improve the quality of food their new puppy or kitten is eating, or want to feed fresh foods instead of processed kibble. These are great goals, but an immediate diet change is not always helpful given all the potential digestive stresses going on inside. Most babies come with worms that are causing irritation, immune stress, and nutritional loss, so it’s best to first address intestinal parasites as soon as possible.

Earlier deworming before adoption can reduce parasite loads and serious problems, but usually can’t eliminate worms due to constant re-exposure between mom and siblings. Stools look fine? With few exceptions, adult worms stay inside the intestines, their passing eggs too small to see. It is important to have a fecal lab test done right off to identify parasites and plan how to deworm all the household pets properly.

If there are any issues such as soft stools or being underweight, more testing may be needed, or simply more supports such as probiotics, nutritional supplements, or Chinese herbs to address the needs specific to a youngster’s digestion. Food therapy for pups or compromised dogs involves the slow introduction of easily digested foods like sweet potatoes and bone broth, which provide easily absorbed nutrition while supporting gut healing.

Once parasites have been addressed and your puppy or kitten is thriving, diet changes can be discussed. For cats, introduce a canned or dehydrated waterrich, animal-protein based diet early on so they don’t get hooked on dry food that will only contribute to health issues down the road. Puppies can get fresh foods as a small part of their diet to help establish the healthy gut bacterial population necessary for ideal digestive and immune function.

However, a puppy’s nutritional requirements are strict for growth and differ for large or giant breeds compared to small dogs, adults, or those with pre-existing medical issues. Using a commercial diet, or home-cooking recipe specifically balanced for your puppy’s life Continued Next Page

Spring 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 53

stage is recommended during their first year. If fresh feeding is not a good match, then a probiotic supplement is helpful as a digestive and immune support.

As dogs mature and their nutritional requirements are less strict, holistic diet plans will address constitutional patterns and the risk of any breed-related issues.

Dry dander, waxy ears, rashes, soft stools, or timid behavior are all signals of imbalance. Just as we would use food therapy to help support illnesses later in life, we can use it in wellness plans for young animals to help regulate their systems and fortify against the development of problems later on.

While diet is super important, there are many other topics to cover early on for your new pet. Besides internal parasites, there are fleas, ear mites, and ticks to treat and decide how to protect against. Have a southern puppy? They will need to be on heartworm protection until they test negative, six months after leaving their southern home. Training, socialization, and evaluating your puppy for tendencies toward anxiety is super important to talk about in advance of developing phobias.

This is true not only for rescue puppies and dogs but all pups due to COVID making socialization more difficult. Your vet can recommend how to use predictable routines, reward-based games, and safe “den” havens to create a secure environ-

54 4 Legs & a Tail

ment in which dogs learn to navigate the world confidently, greatly impacting everyone’s quality of life. For those more anxious pups, pheromone collars that mimic a mother’s soothing, homeopathy, supplements that reduce baseline stress, and fresh foods or herbs that help ground emotions are all options to start discussing early on while your puppy is forming their opinions of the big world.

Let’s not forget where we started, the vaccines! Immunization is an important discussion and one to plan for ideally before the first shots are given. For some animals a traditional vaccination schedule starting at 8 weeks old makes sense.

But understanding that a mother’s immunity can last up to 3 months, there may be some room to delay, especially in a puppy or kitten still struggling with parasites or digestive stresses. Mindfully reducing the risk of exposure while taking the time to help the immune system be ready to handle a vaccine well maybe a better approach, and deserves a conversation with your veterinarian before 12 weeks of age when vaccination becomes more important to begin.

So if you are ready to embark on a wonderful journey with a new companion, plan in advance as much as you can. Arrange for all the things you will need ready to provide a safe environment. Read up or contact your vet for information so the family can be ready with a consistent training plan. Consider emotional supports for the newcomer, as well as other pets who may need help adjusting to the change in the household too. Lastly, schedule their first checkup so after a little time to settle in and getting to know each other, you can collaborate with your vet to get them on a solid footing of good health for a long, happy life together.

Dr. Anne Carroll is the owner of the Chelsea Animal Hospital where she and her associates practice conventional medicine and surgery as well as several alternative modalities including traditional Chinese acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. For more information on alternative veterinary medicine visit their website at www.chelseaanimalhospital.com.

Spring 2021

Spring 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 55

I Am Afraid of Anesthesia for My Pet - PART III Sandra L Waugh VMD, MS

W

hen we ended article two in the last issue of 4 Legs & a Tail, our patient was under general anesthesia, wrapped in a “pet burrito” for warmth, connected to the anesthesia machine by the endotracheal tube and to the intravenous (IV) fluid pump and the IV pain medicine pump via the IV catheter. He was also connected to the various monitors by wires and sensors. Now the task of monitoring the depth of anesthesia begins. While anesthesia holds our patient still so we can do the procedure, it depresses the heart rate, blood pressure, temperature and respiration. Our job is to keep the patient still enough to allow surgery to be performed while keeping the depth of anesthesia as minimal as it can be. The goal is for the animal to wake up quickly “as if nothing had happened”, be able to walk out the door and act basically normal by the next day.

Let’s start with the cardiovascular system (heart and circulatory system, which is composed of blood vessels, including arteries, capillaries and veins) and the respiratory system, composed of the lungs and trachea. The heart is actually two pumps. The left side of the heart pumps blood throughout the body, except for the lungs, providing oxygen, electrolytes (salts), and glucose (food) to the cells of all of the organs. Oxygen, electrolytes and glucose leave the blood to provide the cells with what they need to produce energy. CO2 and lactate go out of the cells and into the blood which is then pumped back to the right side of the heart and then through the lungs. The lungs allow CO2 to leave the bloodstream and exit the body through the exhaled gas and more oxygen to load onto the red blood cells. The blood is then returned to the left side of the heart and the whole process repeats. (Lactate and electrolytes are taken care of by the liver and kidneys which we will not describe!)

Heart function is monitored in several ways: Pulse Rate, ECG, Blood Pressure, Lactate concentration in the blood, CO2 concentration in the expired gas, and Oxygen saturation in the blood. The last two measurements also monitor the respiratory system.

ECG dots must make good contact with the skin in order to work correctly. The hair must be clipped off. Then a small amount of gel is used between the pad and the skin. Wires lead from the dots to the monitor.

Appearance of an ECG with artifacts (red arrow) introduced by movement of the wires. Sometimes we need to adjust things and the wires get bumped.

Since we know when we were moving things we know what is an artifact and what is real.

Blood Pressure: we attach a blood pressure cuff to a leg or the tail so we can see the high, mean and low pressure of the blood flowing through an artery under the cuff.

The green arrow points to the pulse rate on both the ECG and the blood pressure monitor. Our blood pressure monitor is made specifically for animals from the very small to the very large.

56 4 Legs & a Tail

Blood Lactate: We also measure peripheral blood perfusion by a l a c ta t e measurement . Lactate builds up if the blood flow and oxygenation to the tissue is poor. To measure the lactate level in the blood we clip a toe nail slightly short, so that a drop of blood can be captured on a lactate test strip connected to a lactate meter. 5 seconds later and the result is displayed on the meter.

Spring 2021

Blood Oxygen: A Pulse Oximeter (SpO2) is attached to the tongue, ear flap or skin webbing in between the toes. (If you go to your doctor a clip is attached to your finger for this purpose.) We also get a tracing of the movement of the level as blood pulses by the sensor. The number represents the percent of saturation of the blood i.e. 97 = 97% saturation. Pulse rate is also measured by the pulse oximeter. SpO2 is affected both by the function of the lungs and of the heart.

CO2 concentration in the expired gas, referred to as End-Tidal CO2: Again our monitor gives us numbers but also give a tracing of the measurement over each cycle of breathing. This information is quite useful. The respiratory rate is also shown on this monitor. Again, the heart and the lungs both are involved.

When we first start anesthesia we closely monitor the respiratory rate. If the rate is too low we can press the rebreathing bag to mechanically cause a breath. Sometimes at the very beginning our patients are slow to breath but quickly start to breath well on their own. No intervention is then required.

Some patients just don’t want to breath well on their own. In this case we use a mechanical ventilator which breaths for the patient. The machine is set at the beginning according to the weight of the patient and then adjusted for that specific patient’s needs. The ventilator can be used on large dogs (left) or cats and small dogs (right).

Miley hopes you are still awake after all that technical information!

In the next issue we will wrap up this series on anesthesia by talking about the most important component for excellence in anesthesia...

Dr. Waugh is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. She also holds a Masters Degree from Washington State University of Veterinary Medicine and is owner of Windsor Pet Dental, PLC. Spring 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 57

Finding Trouble

by Dr. Bryan Harnett, DACVIM

X-Ray reveals a potentially fatal golf ball

B

ogey*, a big, funny golden retriever, wasn’t quite acting like herself. She was sleeping for most of the day and didn’t have her usual enthusiastic appetite. When she wouldn’t chase her tennis ball, her owners knew something was wrong. They took her to the vet, who performed an abdominal x-ray on Bogey and saw the problem immediately: a round, spherical object stuck in the dog’s stomach.

The vet sent Bogie and her family to BEVS right away to get it out.

At BEVS, we put Bogey under general anesthesia to make her more comfortable. To remove the object, we used an endoscope, which is a long, flexible tube with a camera and light on one end that allows us to see inside an animal’s stomach, throat, colon, and bladder. We use it to perform biopsies, insert feeding tubes, or in this case, remove foreign objects without surgery. The scope revealed that Bogey had eaten a golf ball. Not only was it important to remove the ball before it blocked her intestines, but golf balls also contain lead and zinc that are toxic to dogs. Using the scope to see, we eased a Playtex baby bottle insert into the stomach and guided the bottle insert over the golf ball. Once the ball was securely 58 4 Legs & a Tail

Spring 2021

within the bag, we carefully removed it. The whole procedure took less than 30 minutes and Bogey was on her way to feeling a whole lot better.

We’ve seen bot h pup pies and adult dogs swallow a lot of interesting things over the years, from fish hooks and sewing needles to coins, bottle caps, bones, squeekers from toys, corn cobs, and more. Socks are especially popular. If your dog seems to have lost his appetite, has vomiting or diarrhea, or is acting particularly lethargic, he may have swallowed something when you weren’t looking.

Get your pup to your veterinarian as soon as possible, where he or she can determine if the symptoms are being caused by an inappropriate snack or something else. * Name has been changed to protect the dog’s privacy

International Guide Dog Day April 28, 2021 Guide dogs provide opportunities for social interaction and greater independence for legally blind adults. International Guide Dog Day pays tribute to the dogs who do this impressive work.

Guide dogs help the visually impaired make their way through the world while offer love and comfort in so many ways.

References to guide dogs date back to at least the 16th century, so for the hundreds of years of service that these faithful companions have provided, we say thank you on April 28 (the last Wednesday in April).

Guide Dogs of America, founded over 70 years ago, sponsors this event.

Spring 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 59

4 LEGS & A TAIL FUN! What's Different?

No eggs, center of flowers different color, no evergreen in upper left corner, purple ears on dog, brown spot on dog, no stem on carrot, no road.

The Truth about Rabbits

According to RabbitBreeders.us - The World’s Largest Rabbit named “Darius” weighs approximately 50 pounds and is currently 4 feet, 3 inches long is currently insured for around $1.6 million, and has his own personal caretaker, aka body guard. (Not that anyone would be brave enough to mess with a 50 pound rabbit anyhow, lol) - In the wild some female rabbits can produce about eight litters of bunnies per year.

- The largest litter of bunnies every reported consisted of 24 kits.

- Rabbits are natural runners and can reach speeds of up to 30 to 40 mph.

- Baby domestic rabbits are actually born fur-less.

- The World’s oldest rabbit on record lived to be 16 years old.

- The average lifespan of a domesticated rabbit is around 5 to 8 years.

- It is estimated that over 2 million U.S. households own a pet rabbit.

- Male rabbits are referred to as “bucks” and female rabbits are referred to as “does”.

- Believe it or not, a rabbit’s teeth never stop growing through out its life.

- Rabbits can jump up to 36 inches or higher.

- In general rabbits are very clean animals that will groom themselves and even each other.

WORD SCRAMBLE Inside 4 Legs & a Tail UACSHHDDN BLMA AEOPCKT MAOESRPWT KNESHICCK

DACHSHUND, LAMB, POTCAKE, TAPEWORMS, CHICKENS

60 4 Legs & a Tail

Jokes

My half blind mother was turning 90. My older brother wanted to get her something special and bought her diamond earrings. My younger brother bought her a new recliner. Not to be out done, I went to the local pet store looking for the perfect gift when the sales associate point to a beautiful parrot.

“He even recites poetry”, said the clerk.

Several weeks after the celebration, mom was complaining about the gifts she received. “Those earrings are way too heavy for my ears”, she said to the oldest. “And that chair is way too soft”, she scolded the youngest. Then she turned to me and smiled, “I just loved your present! That was the best chicken I ever tasted.”

Spring 2021

FR

EE

Spring 2021

Our Cats are Getting Older A Remarkable Gesture

The First Humane Society Start Your Pet Off Right Transformation of the Horse