FREE Fall 2022 CelebrateAsianBlackNationalCatDayJumpingWormsInvadeNewEngland!BobbyBones-ComingtoaBookstoreNearYouExploreNHonHorsebackMeettheWorld’sOldestDog
Inside this issue of 4 Legs & a Tail® 3. Celebrate National Black Cat Day And everything you need to know about these iconic cats 6. Wag It Forward! Don't miss the largest dog event in New England on October 2 in Essex Junction, VT 8. Mascoma Bank – Giving Beyond Treats Clara Cole From dogs and cats to horses and fish, Mascoma Bank supports animals and pets as well as the businesses they rely on 10. The Dog Twins Karen Sturtevant Tom and Tim Radford have more in common than just looks 15. Tis' the Season Scott Borthwick All wildlife have their own season to be excessively active and now when they tend to cause the most problems for homeowners 22. Explore New Hampshire On Horseback A Guide to Public Trail Systems in the State 28. The Five Basic Aids for Riding Sue Miller 30. Dealing with the Loss of a Pet Maya Richmond 31. Less Stress for Canine Calm Steph Du Preez, BS, CBDC, CRDT-KA Right now is the best time to start working on desensitizing your dogs for next year 32. One-eyed Cat Missing For 5 Years Shows Up on Offshore Oil Rig Baffling Owners 33. Manx Syndrome Sherry Bell Tail-less cats may have more issues than just a missing tail 34. Man Goes to Rescue One Kitty and is ‘Ambushed’ By 12 More in a Roadside Meet-Cute Pg. 10 Pg. 20 Pg. 31 16. CBD for Pet Health CBD can be used across a wide variety of species as a safe natural alternative to prescription pain and sleep medications 17. A Tender Tale Sandra Whippie Once upon a time a little kitten lost in a wild storm. Now he is living the good life in New Hampshire 18. The Secret Life of Jasper the Cat Tim Hoehn 19. The Human- Animal Bond Mark Stanley Over the course of the last two years, the importance of this bond has never been more apparent, or widely appreciated. 20. The Center of My Universe Dorothy Crosby Several exercises will help you and your horse along the road to lightness balance, and communication www.4LegsAndATail.com 1Fall 2022
45. New York Woman Finds Her Lost Dachshund — in Hilary Swank’s Lap Andy Corbley 46. Caring for Creatures of the Night Juliet Hoven The bats need your help! 48. I Believe I Can Fly A bald eagle is spotted nearly five years after rehabilitative treatment at Cummings School in Massachusetts 50. Canine Dreams Pat Jauch Have you ever wondered if your dog dreams? 51. Asian Jumping Worms: The New Garden Menace Catherine Greenleaf Pg. 46 52. The Often Forgotten Essentials for Successful Training Paula Bergeron 54. Why Do Dogs Tilt Their Heads? Scientists Look at What’s Going On in Their Minds 55. Tips for Cat Pee Aggravation 56. Canine Lymphoma Catherine MacLean, DVM Know the signs and learn about new treatments for this cancer 58. What You See May NOT Be What You Get Sandra Waugh, VMD, MS Proper dental care can make for a much happier pet Pg. 56 36. 10 Dog Breeds With the Longest Lifespan 40. Meet the new world’s oldest living dog, Pebbles the toy fox terrier Erin Keller 41. Stanley The Dog Radio & TV personality and two-time #1 NY Times best selling author, Bobby Bones releases his new picture book 42. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Inspiration for a Doghouse Kate Kelly A young boy wrote to the famed architect and received the surprise of a lifetime Pg. 41 4 Legs & a Tail Volume L.322 P.O. Box 841 Lebanon, NH TimH.4LT@gmail.com603-727-921403766 Publishers: Tim Goodwin, Tim Hoehn Graphic Design: Kristin Wolff, Allison Schulz 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. Inside this issue of 4 Legs & a Tail® 2 4 Legs & a Tail Fall 2022
ASSUMINGOFFICE
National
The black cat carries a unique status among the wide batch of different cat breeds. In some locales, notably Scotland, Britain, and Japan, the presence or appearance of a black cat is indicative of imminent good fortune and prosperi ty. Beyond these regions, though, public favor of the black cat runs sharply southward. In much of the Western world, black cats are considered to be harbingers of misfortune and wickedness. This unfortunate association stems from an image that will be familiar to many readers, which is that of the black cat serving as a companion to potion-brew ing, spell-casting witches everywhere. This relationship would prove to hold severe consequences for owners of black cats in America in the early 17th centu ry. As the Pilgrims established their occupancy on the east coast of the country, they maintained a strict suspicion of anything remotely tied to the perils of witchcraft. The black cat served a symbol of the supposed evils and Satanic sym pathies of witches, and as a result, those found harboring black cats would receive harsh punishments; some would even be sentenced to death. While, in general, the fears surrounding the demonic potential of witches has subsided significantly, the black cat will be left wondering why it still must suffer the con sequences of a damaged collective reputation. According to several animal-advocacy groups and adoption agencies, black cats experience lower rates of adoption and higher rates of euthanization relative to other cat breeds. Because of this, National Black Cat Day stands as a fantastic opportu nity to subvert these trends and demonstrate appreciation for an animal that could itself use a little luck. It’s National Black Cat Day on October 27th! Black cats need a little positive PR as their reputation as an omen of bad luck is well-known (and unearned, frankly). In the lead-up to Halloween, National Black Cat Day pro vides the chance for feline fans to show off their love for the oft-maligned, but always iconic animal.
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EDGAR ALLEN POE’S BLACK CAT Poe published his story “The Black Cat”, about a murderer carefully concealing a crime, but eventually revealing himself because of a nagging reminder guilt.
ARAPBAD This 13th century Latin PopedocumentchurchiswhereGregoryIXfirstsuggestedblackcatswereassociatedwithSatan.
THEBLACKANARCHISTCAT Since the 1880s, the color black has been associated with anarchism, and the black cat in alert, fighting stance was later adopted as an anarchist symbol.
The black cat Gladstone achieves the position of Chief Mouser to the Treasury in the United Kingdom. 1232 1843 1880 2016 Black Cat Day
HistoryTimelineofNational Black Cat Day
NationalCelebrateBlackCatDay!
It is if it’s October 27th! Show some love to black cats everywhere in the lead-up to Halloween, which is only four days after! Are black cats less likely to be adopted? Unfortunately, they are. According to PETA, black cats are two-thirds less likely to be adopted than white cats and are fifty percent less likely to be adopted than tabby cats.
Is today National Black Cat Day?
National Black Cat Day FAQs 4 4 Legs & a Tail Fall 2022
Some of the most famous cats in pop ular culture are black cats! Watch a TV show or movie that embraces the black cat. Examples include Salem from “Sabri na the Teenage Witch,” Sylvester from “Looney Tunes,” and Snowball from “The Simpsons.” Adopt a Black Cat If you’ve been thinking about adopt ing a cat, then National Black Cat Day is a great day to head to your local animal shelter and bring home a new darkfurred friend!
National Black Cat Day ShowActivitiesOffYour Black Cat on Social Media
If you already keep a black cat as a pet, today is the day to celebrate it on social media. We’re sure you never post pho tos of it on any other day, right? Show it off, drawing particular attention to its fur color, and hashtag it with a reference to National Black Cat Day! Watch a Black Cat
What should I name my black cat?
Whatever you think is best! There are plenty of directions to head in. You can choose to be straightforward (Blackie), ironic (Snowflake), or referential (Felix), among other options! What breed are black cats? Black cats can come from many differ ent breeds! According to the Cat Fanciers’ Association, there are as many as 22 recog nized breeds of cat that may have a solid, black coat of fur.
Forgetting all their cultural ties, black cats are still just as cute as any other cat! If anything, their dark fur brings greater attention to the color in their eyes, which are often a rich gold due to their higher melanin content.
Black Can Be Lucky, Too
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Why We Love National Black Cat Day
The myth that black cats bring bad luck persists, but we’d like to consider the fact that the opposite may hold true, too. As mentioned before, in some parts of the world, coming across or owning a black cat is just as likely to bring you good fortune. Why not focus on the positives?
Black Cats Match Dark Furniture Cat fur proves to be a nuisance in homes everywhere. That said, if you happen to own darker furniture, then a black cat’s fur won’t show up on it! Just one con sideration that can be factored into your decision of what kind of cat to adopt next… They’re Cute!
Dock Dogs! Dog
Y
ou are invited to plunge into the biggest annual do-good pet fest in Vermont! Pet Food Warehouse is excited to once again present Wag It
The Ghost
Dairy 6 4 Legs & a Tail Fall 2022
Forward: A nonprofit festival for pets at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction, VT, from 10am to 4pm Sunday, October 2nd! Tickets are only $5 for adults; kids 12 and under are free; and leashed pets are encouraged to join. Parking is free. All festival profits are split equally between the participating local animal nonprofit groups. Dive into pet-friendly fun with the whole family for a great cause! We had a blast raising over $10,000 for rescues and animal nonprofits last year at our outer space themed festival. This year we are bringing things down into the deep blue sea to deliver dog-gone good times with an Under the Sea theme. Start the day with the Chase Away Canine Cancer 5K fun run before the event at 9am (register ahead at doorsthe5KEssex/ChaseAway5K).runsignup.com/Race/VT/https://Yourbibgetsparticipantsintofestivalforfreewhentheopenat10am!Ifyourdogpreferstomakea splash over a lap around the track, you can register them for Dock Dogs jumping competitions throughout the day at Wewww.dockdogs/events.arekeepingthingsfun and slightly competitive for even the less athletic pups with a family friendly Under the Sea themed costume contest at 2pm. Come early to register with the PFW team for a chance to win one of 3 prize packages or jump into the parade for informal participation!Outfitted in theme, or not, swim by several selfie stations and share pics of the day on social media with the hashtag #PFWWIF for a chance to win a $50 gift card to spend at Pet Food Warehouse. We will also be joined by the 99.9 Buzz Bash Crew with coffee courtesy of Dunkin’ in the morning; live music will keep the current moving in the afternoon; animal demonstrations are scheduled all day; food trucks and beverage tent will provide fuel; and crafts and activities in the Fun Zone will entertain all. Greet some of the many nonprofit groups that work tirelessly every day
Forward!WagIt
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for animals in Vermont. Learn about pets available for adoption, find out how you can help support your community’s shelters, play games, and chat with the folk that “just keep swimming” for the sake of the pets! Explore dozens of pet-related vendors with a wide variety of premium pet products and foods, including some of our generous sponsors. Find samples and treats to purchase, spin wheels, and learn how your pets’ foods are sourced and made from the manufacturers themselves!
We can’t wait to Wag It Forward with you and your pets on a beautiful fall day. For more details about the event, visit www.pfwvt.com/wagitforward. For questions about the day’s events, please email wif@pfwvt.com. Free coffee from The BUZZ www.4LegsAndATail.com
Octopus Level: American Natural Premium; Identity Pet Nutrition; Triumph Pet Foods; and Vital Essentials Dolphin Level: Andy & Audies natural pet chews; Best Western Plus Windjammer Inn; Darford; Edward Jones; Healthy Hemp Pet; Island Memorial; OC Raw; Simply B Vermont; Sit Pretty Grooming Salon; Sticky Brand; The Honest Kitchen; and Waggle Woof & Wander!
We’d like to specifically thank these top sponsors for supporting this continuing voyage: Whale Level: Pets Global Family of Brands (Essence, Fussie Cat, Incep tion, and Zignature) and Wellness Pet (makers of Wellness, Holistic Select, Eagle Pack, Sojos, Old Mother Hubbard, and Whimzees).
GIVING TREATS
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From dogs and cats to horses and fish, Mascoma Bank shows love to them all. Yes, we have dog treats at every branch drive up, and you might even see a sweet pup lounging in a branch lobby from time to time. But, here at Mascoma Bank, we do more than provide the yummiest snacks ever and a much loved “come to work with mom or dad” day. In fact, Clay Adams, President, and CEO of Mascoma Bank says, “Mascoma Bank has shown a great commitment to animal rights and protection through strong volunteering efforts and philanthropy work. Being a dog owner myself, it is great to be part of an organization that cares and takes action to better the lives of our pets.” Mariah Davis, Community Impact Man ager at Mascoma Bank adds, “Through philanthropic efforts, we have donated nearly $20,000 to animal care causes to date in 2022. It is great to see the large impact Mascoma Bank can have on animal well-being. Through these donations, as well as through our paid employee volunteer program, Masco ma Bank shows a true commitment to animalThroughadvocacy.”Mascoma Bank’s Volun teer Time Off program, employees get 16 hours of paid volunteer time each year. Many employees choose to volun teer their time with humane societies, animal rescue organizations, and oth er nonprofits that put animal rights at the forefront of their missions. Mandy Wright, the Lebanon Branch Support Assistant Branch Manager has been vol unteering with Potter’s Angels Rescue for 6 years. This Vermont-based nonprofit is a foster and rescue organization ded icated to finding homes for unwanted and neglected animals. Mandy has fos tered many dogs over the years and says, “Watching animals get a second chance at life is the best sight. The sooner one of my foster dogs is adopted, the sooner we can pull another dog out of neglect and save a life.” In January of this year, Mandy was able to visit Houston, Texas on behalf of the nonprofit and brought 31 dogs back to Vermont to find forever homes. Mandy explains that Mascoma Bank was the reason she started work ing with Potter’s Angels all those years ago. “The bank not only supports me through my volunteer time, but also introduced me to this organization. If
BEYOND
Clara Cole
Because supporting our furry friends is so important to us here at Mascoma Bank, we have also built many customer relationships who give back to our animals. By servicing our customer’s banking needs, small business es like Willow Farm Pet Services and West Lebanon Feed and Supply are here to help our pets stay healthy, clean, fed, and more! Carolyn Tourville, owner of Willow Farm Pet Services in North Springfield, VT says, “When it came time to buy my business, I worked closely with Dan Har rington and Patti Putnam at the bank, and it went great. When I think of Mascoma Bank I think of community. They’re always willing to help business owners in this town.” Willow Farm Pet Services caters to pet grooming, boarding, and retail pet supplies.
Similarly, Curtis Jacques, from West Lebanon Feed and Supply says, “Mascoma Bank is the bank we choose because of their community values, and of course their support. Not just to us as a customer, but to the commu nity at large.” West Lebanon Feed and Supply offers a variety of pet, large animal, and wildlife products for sale. With the bank’s value of mutual respect and trust at the forefront of all our customer relationships, we are able to give back through philanthropic efforts, as well as through supporting businesses like Willow Farm Pet Services and West Lebanon Feed and Supply. We thank our partners who continue to help our pets each day.
“Every year my Volunteer Time Off (VTO) goes to res cue organizations. It is so nice to be able to use my VTO, help these animals, and do something I love.”
Clara Cole is a rising senior at Bryant University. This is her second summer as an intern in the Mascoma Bank Marketing Department. www.4LegsAndATail.com
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Tim and Tom Radford Photo courtesy of Cat McKeen Photography
Tom Radford became a police offi cer with the Burlington Vermont Police Department in 1995. His love of dogs led him to the coveted position of Police K-9 handler with German shepherd, Stoney, in 2000. Pushing himself and his dog to learn everything he could from his instruc tors and peers regarding what it took to be an extremely successful K-9 team, the next few years were used fine-tuning tech niques. This innate drive set the precedent for Tom Radford’s professional life. Whenever I’ve asked K-9 handlers about their dogs, the emotional reaction is always the same: one of compassion, of respect. Tom speaks with reverence about his canine companion. “Stoney was the best. He was put on this planet to find drugs.” And, he did. The team was honored with numerous awards including being named the Vermont Police K-9 Drug Team of the Year three times and were inducted into the Vermont Police K-9 Hall of Fame in 2008 by the Vermont Police Canine Asso ciation. Stoney unexpectedly passed away on the drive home from that ceremony. With admiration Tom comments, “Stoney gave us a gift. What a better send off than at that Protectingtime.” and serving for 21 years, then-Sargent Radford retired from the Bur lington Police Department in 2016. “I’ll bleed blue for the rest of my life. I loved being a police officer.” Karen Sturtevant
As my friend and artist, Cat McK een, maneuvers her Subaru into a shaded parking spot beside the Town Commons, I gather my sunglasses and apply Chap Stick. The drive from Vermont was smooth sailing with blue skies and lots of girl talk. With Cat’s fancy camera safely secured in her bag, we walk to our destination. Our trek to Newport, New Hampshire has led us to this lush, green location to connect with The Dog Twins, Tom and Tim Radford. When I first met Tim Radford, I had to remember not to say things like, “Oh my gosh! You look just like your brother. Amaz ing!” I was an adult, after all, and would act accordingly. I know his brother Tom from working with rescue dogs. Tim and Tom are fraternal twins. Boy, are they twins! On this sunny morning, the two were teaching puppies and their owners the basics of obedience. This adorable class was in session. The Radfords are the type of broth ers who, admittedly, get along well with one another. Their similarities don’t end with their friendly smiles and easy-going laughs. They share a devotion for family, sports (Go, Patriots!), and all things having to do with canines. Between them, they have nine children and ten dogs! They not only roomed together as boys, but also as students at The University of New Hamp shire. Tim earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics; Tom in Communications. Life’s big-picture plan would separate them after graduation only to reunite them decades later.
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courtesyPhoto of Cat PhotographyMcKeen
Sandy Radford began Paws In Motion in 2013 visiting homes to offer dog sitting and training. In 2020 she took a leap of faith and leased a physical location bring ing Paws In Motion more visibility and opportunity to the dog owners of Newport and surrounding New Hampshire towns. Within the first six months, the business grew in clients and standing. It was then Tim resigned from his job to join her full time. A self-proclaimed logistics guy, Tim’s mind is continually reconfiguring the business model. With canine blood running through the Radford veins, the natural progres sion was to bring the trio together. Shortly after returning to Newport, the brothers and Sandy committed themselves to make Paws In Motion a one-of-a-kind destina tion. The services increased to include Continued Next Page Cody
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Keeping his interest in canines sparked, Thin Blue Line K-9 Training was founded in 2018, spe cializing in solutions for aggressive dog behaviors. With a shiny, newly-built training center and milelong agility course in Williston, Vermont this was the premiere place for New England dog owners seek ing expert guidance. At its peak, the center employed ten people with a board ing capacity for five dogs. “There were dogs coming and going all day. It was awesome!” com ments Tom. With hard work, long days, and riding on the reputation of being a former K-9 cop, Tom quickly sealed his prominence as a five-star trainer.
Tom made a cameo appearance in the children’s book, K9 Duke The Comfort Dog, available through amazon.com.
Just when life is sailing along, an unex pected wave sometimes hits and our best laid-out plans get sidetracked. Such was the case in 2022 when the last dog maneu vered the ramps and tunnels and Thin Blue Line K-9 closed its doors. As fate always wins, Tom was headed back to his home town to be with his family, including his brother, Tim. With an Bachelor degree in math, it’s not surprising how Tim Radford describes himself: “I’m a numbers person, a poli cies and procedures guy.” After college he found himself in Arizona and Texas, often talking to his brother, in Vermont, sever al times a day. Using his mastery of facts and figures he managed several success ful companies. Years later circumstance would bring him back to his childhood stomping grounds where he and his wife, Sandy, reside today.
The clients accepted the outcome know ing all other avenues were explored. We mostly have super successes, but there are exceptions to the rule.” Although not the original sought-out outcome the clients were hoping for, in this case, the resolution of using a long lead was the right answer.
The majority of clients are looking for assistance in teaching their dog to calmly walk on a leash, show proper recall skills and act in a controlled behavior (not show reactivity) when meeting another dog. For more intense, aggressive behaviors, Tom comments, “Our job is to solve or resolve the problem, find a solution for the own er, and get a game plan going forward.”
Combining Sandy’s expertise with Tom’s motivation, Tim became a quick study and today is comfortable leading classes with Tom and Sandy as mentors. With Tim’s managerial know-how, he is continually studying ways to improve, be competitive, and offer additional services without com promising quality.
Tom invented what he calls “The Shield.” This apparatus was made with the intent to introduce multiple dogs without hav ing them make physical contact with one another. Constructed with plexiglass and wheels, safety for both handlers and the dogs is at the forefront of each day. After seeing this post on social media, a New York dog trainer reached out asking per mission to use it in his work. Networking is encouraged within the group as well as
“I feel like we can take on any dog, any problem and we’re going to have a game plan, the knowledge, and experience. If we can’t do it, nobody else can. That’s the mindset I have,” comments Tom. With an array of equipment ranging from various collars, bite suits and sleeves, catch poles, and different leads, the team has handled every temperament including challenging behavior such as dogs who have previous ly bitten or shown aggressive tendencies.
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In this case, the solution was the use of a long lead each time the dog went out as he simply refused to return on his own. “We still had a game plan and did not give up.”
“With the three of us and our combined knowledge I truly feel we have a huge advantage. It’s almost like we’re a threeheaded dragon and we can handle any situation. Every day is new a challenge. It’s not always easy but the dogs are why we do it. Working with dogs is amazing,” comments Tom. Bringing different strengths to the team creates a workable synergy. “We’re always learning. Because we run both a daycare and boarding facility, we see dogs interact ing each day. We have a fine mix of dogs who we utilize in our training,” says Tim. With experience in the veterinary health care field, Sandy brings her knowledge to sticky situations as when Tom’s dog got a face full of porcupine quills or when a pup has a minor medical emergency.
The home area was on 100 acres frequent ed by deer—too much of a stimuli for the dog to refuse. After an extensive period of training time and with prior proven techniques exhausted to no solution, the problem was deemed unsolvable. Instead of being solved, it now had to be resolved.
The facility currently offers large ken nels, agility equipment, cute individual cubbies for each pup’s belongings along with outdoor kennels for socializing and fresh-air play. Future plans may include additional locations as well as offering a more specialized, higher level of a train ing agenda for those looking for advanced options. This program would be especial ly popular for working dogs. Trainings are often held on the Newport Town Common as was the case on this Saturday visit.
“We know how to navigate the real ly dangerous cases because if you don’t know what you’re doing, you’re going to get bit,” comments Tom. Even the most astute trainer will be injured. Taking regu lar precautions to minimize that inevitable injury is crucial.
He shares a story of a couple who con tacted him because their dog refused to come (recall) to them when he was called.
one-on one-training, boarding, packages, and group classes for all ages and levels.
“There are great trainers but I would put what we have to offer against anybody in New England,” comments Tom. Welcomed with open arms into their community, the future looks bright for the team. Smiling, Tom says, “My life is dogs, dogs, dogs.” In between the sessions, behind-the-scenes preparation, and resting tired muscles from dog wrangling, Tim describes this time in their lives as, “Nuts and bolts every day training dogs. We love it!”
Testimonials from former Thin Blue Line K-9 Training employees: Nancy Davis
Tom adds, “The trick to dog training is that every dog is different. It’s a different puzzle, so you’ve got to have a lot of tools in your toolbox because if one thing’s not working you’ve got to transition to the next. It’s a really interesting, fun job.” Tom and Tim Radford may be the only twin brothers in the U.S. in business togeth er offering dog training services—great bragging rights! Tom, Tim, and Sandy Radford believe that every day being greeted with enthu siastic, tail-wagging canines is a blessing. This is their calling. Their passion. The trust placed in them by dog owners is a responsibility they do not take lightly. The energy is palpable. The professionalism, unmatched. They embrace the philosophy that training is a group sport, success can be measured, and is within reach. Each dog brings a unique history. Meeting them where they are to create a custom plan catered to their specific needs is impera tive for long-term success. Reading canine body language while being open-minded and innovative are traits this team offers. Their goals are lofty and attainable. With their can-do attitudes and streaks of determination, I am confident this is the beginning of a successful and fulfilling journey for the Radfords, their human cli ents, and of course, all those dogs.
“I loved working for Tom at Thin Blue Line K-9, I learned so much from him, especially about working with aggressive dogs. Tom is a great boss and an even greater trainer. It was definitely a fun and busy place to work. I enjoyed it so much I quit my job as an LNA and start ed my own business (just part time as I also work at a kennel) when he closed his and moved to NH to work with his brother. I know he will do well in any place he trains dogs!
with other professionals. Sharing informa tion along with challenges and possible solutions is another piece of success.
We had some interesting moments, one that I am thinking of now is a dog who was in the board and train program, a shepherd, had broken his collar while on the agility course working with another trainer while I was in the yard working with a dog at about the same time. I get a text from my coworker about this dog I see the dog running down the drive way! It was a little comical watching the four of us (Tom, me and the other two trainers) trying to coral this pup! But we did it and the dog learned not to escape and went home well trained.”
Continued Next Page withRadfordTimBlitz courtesyPhoto of Cat PhotographyMcKeen www.4LegsAndATail.com 13Fall 2022
Connect on social media Email: pawsinmotionnh@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/SandyTRadford Instagram:YouTube:www.instagram.com/pawsinmotiondogtrainingWeb:www.pawsinmotionnh.comyoutube.com/thedogtwinschannel
Vermont Police K-9 Team of the Year (2004, 2005, 2006)
Burlington Vermont Police Distinguished Service Award (2006, 2007, 2008) Lifesaving Award (2005, 2006)
“One major take away I got working for Tom is dog training is 90% in the mind of the dog owner. When he/we educate the owners we make them more confident which builds confidence in the dog. Building confidence is one of the first steps and that starts with ear ly basic Anothertraining.major takeaway is discipline for unwanted behavior, posi tive reward for completed tasks. Patience, patience, patience and name once, command once. After working with Tom I realized I was a helicopter parent and actu ally taught my dog how to be afraid of everything. After a year of my new knowledge, my little Japanese Chin has made a great improvement. Dog training is very hard work. Time, consistency and repetition. He always said that if you’re frustrated, you’re doing it right. Have fun with training. It is so rewarding when a cranky pants/reactive dog in a weeks’ time turns into a completely different well-behaved dog. I remember form ing a very special bond with 100+ pound Rottweiler who would growl when you did anything with his neck. Three weeks later he was put ty in my hands. He would do just about anything. We had a mutual respect for each other and I know how much he loved me. We had a great team. Tom is very easy to work with and for and I wish them both the very best.”
Vermont Police K-9 Drug Team of the Year (2000, 2003, 2007)
Instructor at the Vermont Police Academy (current) Chairperson of the Vermont Police Academy K-9 Committee (2007 - 2016).
Inducted Vermont Police K-9 Hall of Fame (2008)
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Currently active with the Committee.
Tom Radford’s Professional Accomplishments
Lauren Sullivan
VVMA Lifetime Achievement Award (2007)
Vermont Police K-9 record of 1,010 drug finds. Seized over one million dollars in illegal drugs and currency.
Founded Vermont Police K-9 Hall of Fame (2007)
Amanda Lee Wagner “Tom Radford is exceptionally good with canines. There is no dog that Tom cannot help. He specializes in tuning in to what each spe cific dog needs, and executing a plan specially created for that dog. In an environment like board and train, you will inevitably get dogs that are scared to be away from home or out of their element. It was impressive to see how dedicated he was to ensuring that not only did each dog get proper training and care, but most importantly the prop er energy release that is so essential for every dog.”
Tis’ the Season
If you do not want problem beavers removed you should install heavy wire fencing around the trees you want to save. However, make sure it is high enough in case of an early snowfall.
A few years ago we did a job where an early snowfall gave the beavers just enough height to chew down the tree just above the wire.
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.
www.4LegsAndATail.com 15Fall 2022
Scott Borthwick - Canaan, NH A ll wildlife have their own sea son to be excessively active and it’s when they tend to cause the most problems. Late summer and early fall are very active for a lot of them. Young bats are flying on their own and getting into places they shouldn’t. Just yesterday I removed one from a library and one from an apartment. Remember that just because one got into your house doesn’t necessarily mean they are living there and just because your house may have been sealed up to keep bats from living there doesn’t mean one can’t get inAtaccidentally.thissametime of year, skunks are on the move. The young ones are now old enough to head out on their own and are looking for a place to winter. Old woodchuck holes, under decks and sheds, and open garages full of clutter are some of the places they are attracted to too search for food and shelter. Woodchucks are stuffing their faces with your plants and vegetables getting ready to hibernate by mid to late Octo ber. Fox, coyote, bobcat, and members of the weasel family’s young are also on the hunt for an easy meal. You know like free-rangeHowever,chickens.themost active this time of year is the beavers. Right now they are starting to get their dams secure, their lodges weatherproofed, and their feed piles in. Depending where they are set up can determine whether or not they are a problem. Backcountry brooks and streams are ideal locations for them to set up shop. Re-arranging the habitat and creating ponds is ideal for them and oth er wildlife. Plugging road and driveway culverts, flooding yards, and dropping trees on houses is not so good. Beavers can have two or more kits every spring. I have counted as many as seven from one lodge. The young hang around for roughly 2 years before the parents kick them out. They move on down or upstream in the spring looking for a mate and a place to call home. If you have new activity on your property it is most likely a pair of two-year-olds. Despite popular belief, beavers don’t eat wood. They eat the bark. Prefera bly softer hardwoods like Poplar, White Birch, and Maples. They eat the bark and then use the peeled sticks to build their dams and lodges. Their feed piles con sist of unpeeled branches stashed under water usually around the lodge entranc es so they can feed all winter.
The information on these pages are designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. Do not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your veterinarian. Please consult a veterinarian with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your pet’s health condition.
CBD can be used across a wide variety of species as a safe natural alterna tive to prescription pain and sleep medications. Furry, scaly, feathered, bald—the testimonials from pet own ers are abundant. These statements have not been evalu ated by Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diag nose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
“Rebah, our German Shepherd, had an Achilles strain. Rather than load her with pain meds and such, we opted to try a 10mg CBD chew. Prior to CBD she had tenderness in her affected leg and such. After a few days of regimented CBD chews, we noticed Rebah was less tense with better activity tolerance. Her pain improved after about 2-3 weeks of consistent CBD therapy.”
CBD for Pet Health
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of 100+ cannabinoids contained in full spectrum hemp extract. It is a non-psychoactive (it does not get you or your pet “high”) that can be given as a tincture oil, edi ble, and topical ointment. Humans are using CBD as a natural way to relieve stress, joint and other chronic pain, promote a healthy metabolism, and get better sleep. Did you know your pet can benefit from CBD too? The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is part of an organism’s regulatory system. Depending on the creature’s needs and anatomy, it helps control energy levels, metabolism, stress responses, balance, and more. The ECS is still undergoing much study, but endocannabinoid sys tems have been observed to be prevalent in both vertebrates and some invertebrates, from rats to ball pythons to cockatoos. When CBD interacts with the ECS, it has shown a positive effect on the autonom ic nervous system (ANS). The autonomic nervous system controls the involuntary actions of the human body, like digestion and heart rate. The following are some specific examples of how CBD influenc es pet CBDhealth.helps reduce physical pain and promotes mobility. CBD has anti-inflam matory properties, which helps animals with joint pain, like elderly dogs, stay active. A dog who is able to play, go for walks, and sleep comfortably is a dog who will be able to enjoy life more. A cat who can still climb their kitty con do, groom, and chase the laser pointer into old age is more content than one who is not ready to slow down. Reduced stress. CBD promotes a calmer mood in general and is especially valuable in situations that are commonly distress ing to pets. For instance, some pets love to ride in the car, but it terrifies others, and a safe, well-tolerated substance to keep stress at bay is good for the animal and their humans. No one wants to see their friend cry, cower, struggle, shed feathers, and exhibit other signs of unhappiness with circumstances that can’t be avoid ed, like trips to the vet or moving house.
Animals’ immune systems show ben efits from CBD treatments. Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis are not just a consequence of old age. Inflammation that contributes to joint pain is an autoimmune response from the body that goes too far. In such instances where the body fights against itself, CBD helps curb those misdirected defenses. CBD will not transform the immune system, at least through our present knowledge of it, but it does help produce a more sta ble immune response. This assists in the management of autoimmune diseases like lupus and inflammation of the bowels.
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-Russ, Bennington, VT
And I enjoyed sneaking up on Richard Parker’s twitch ing tail to surprise him as he trundled down the hallway. I would leap on his back, even though I was only one-third of his size, just to see if he remembered his new little sister was around. He was patient and long-suffering in his adjustment to me, but it was clear that the person most in need of my affection was the old man. When I first arrived in my new home, the old man was still able to sit up and had an energetic touch. But as time passed he grew weaker and needed help to sit on the edge of the bed to eat his meals. His need for care increased. People came in to push his wheelchair and take him into the shower, but then an aide started coming to bathe him in his bed. I arrived as his friend but now had become his constant companion. All through the winter when the old woman left the house to get groceries and do errands, I kept him company. I would snuggle against his knee or lay on his lap to remind him that he was loved. I remembered what it felt like when I was all alone those early weeks of my life, and I was devoted to my new family.
Now neither she nor I had any idea who Mookie Betts was, but we soon learned he was a baseball player. I had a new name, a new home and I was happy. As time went by the old man and I often cuddled to keep company, nap in the sun or watch a baseball game.
Some people wonder what goes on inside the minds of pets who have four legs and a tail. Even though we can’t actually explain what we think and feel, animals are capable of profound under standing, attachment and loyalty. Through actions to our humans, we demonstrate an appreciation of how blessed we are to love one another. Once upon a time I was just a little kit ten lost in a wild storm. With the kindness and compassion of many people along the way, I found that my purpose was to offer devotion to an old man who became severe ly disabled and confined to a hospital bed in his living room. For the last months of his life my job was to keep company with him. And so we cuddle together in the sun shine and get very excited when the REAL Mookie Betts is on TV. Seeing how much spunk this great baseball player still has, I know I was well-named. And sometimes, I think I can even hear the old man purr.
www.4LegsAndATail.com 17Fall 2022
After a while there was a very long ride and I was in another place. It wasn’t as noisy and things settled down to regular meals and sometimes a gentle voice with words of comfort and kindness, but still I understood that I just didn’t ‘belong’ here… wherever I was. I was transported from Louisiana after a hurricane and brought north to New Hampshire through an agency called the Humane Society, but these things I don’t really understand. What I do understand is that it was a long ride and I didn’t know what was happening to me. The only con stant in my life was that somebody fed me and occasionally spoke softly with a tone to encourage my patience as they tried to work things out. After many long and lonely days, tender hands deposited me into a much bigger room, a room that didn’t seem to have anything in it until I noticed that there was an old woman sitting on the floor on the other side of the room. I sidled over to her, gingerly leaned against her and then climbed into her lap. She tickled my ears, gently stroked my head and after a while, she asked me if I would like to GO HOME with her. After a short ride I arrived at my new home. She set me down on the floor so that I could explore. A home is very dif ferent than living at the Humane Society. As kind as they had been to me, there had been many different people who fed me and patted me and talked to me gen tly with encouragement. Now there were only two people to care for me and, to my surprise, another CAT! He was a big fellow with the unusu al name of Richard Parker. He didn’t know what to make of me because I had lots of spunk and knew right away there was nothing to fear. So now I had the old woman and Richard Parker in my world, but there was one more person I had to meet... the old man. His bed was in the living room set beside some long windows that reached to the floor. On sunny days the warm sun shine made a pleasant place to sleep and watch the birds and squirrels on the deck outside. The old woman sat me down on his bed and cheerfully exclaimed, “Look what I brought home! They said her name is Dorothy, but I think it doesn’t suit her. She has way more spunk than a Dorothy. What do you think?”
Sandra Whippie - Keene, NH
She tells me that I was born far away in the midst of a terrible storm, but I don’t remember who my mother was or how I came to be in a small cage all by myself. Some people fed me, but things around me were very noisy and confusing.
The old man looked at me for a few minutes and said with a smile, “I’d like to call her Mookie Betts!”
Jasper’s pattern stayed consistent that summer. He would show up unexpectedly and stay for a spell and be gone just the same. This happened several times. It had been longer than usual when Jasper came to visit on Labor Day. Although this time was different. We noticed Jasper was limping and had blood coming from his leg. We live in a typical New England town. Small enough not to have a local high school, but large enough to have two animal hospitals. My wife called our veterinarian to see if they could take a look at Jasper’s injury but being a holiday the answering machine said they were closed and that the other vet in town was covering for them in case of an emergency. We quickly called the other vet and they asked us to bring Jasper in as soon as possible. Jasper is such a great cat and let us put him in a cat carrier without incident. We walked into the animal hospital and the vet tech behind the counter asked us for preliminary information; i.e. billing info, the cats’ name, etc... As she gently pulled Jasper from the carrier, a confused look came across her face, “This cat is not a Jasper. He’s Winston!”
We talked for a while and he shared that Winston was 19 years old and he had him since he was a kitten. When his daughter was little, Winston was her best friend.
I t was almost a typical early spring day. My wife and I were doing outside clean-up, raking, pulling out patio furniture, and hosing off the deck. When we stopped to take a break, we suddenly noticed that we had a visitor. A Maine-coon cat with green eyes and a sunny disposition. He was very affectionate and well kept, but had no collar. He hung out with us most of the day and our young daughter took to him instantly. We’ve had cats before and most will quickly bolt at the sight of kids. But not this cat. Not only did he let her brush his thick coat, but was more than willing to play the starring role of “baby” and gladly paraded around in her doll stroller. She even gave him a name; Jasper. After an entire day, we told our daughter it was time for Jasper to go to his own home. “But he’s hungry. We can’t let him leave on an empty stomach!”, exclaimed our daughter. Jasper quickly lapped up a bowl of milk and we said ourMuchgoodbyes.tooursurprise, the next morning Jasper was on the back deck, resting on the lawn chair. Our daughter was very excited. Since he didn’t have a collar, we called our veterinarian to check Jasper for a microchip. We were certain his owner would have taken that precaution for such a wonderful cat. But the scan came up negative. Jasper stayed as our house guest for almost two weeks. He would play with our daughter. Watch TV with the family. At the end of the evening, we would put him out, wondering if we would see him in the Thenmorning.oneday he was gone. We were all sad to see him go, but we were thankful for the time he had spent with us. Over the next few days, the first thing our daughter would ask in the morning was, “is Jasper back?” Soon he became just a fond memory. It was Memorial Day weekend and we were having friends over for the first official barbeque of the summer. As I pulled the grill out I noticed an old familiar face. “Hello, Jasper.” Everyone was excited to see him again and he was a big hit with all of our guests that afternoon. Jasper stayed with us for a couple of weeks and just like his previous visit, one morning he was gone again.
It seems this was the cat’s regular veterinarian and was as loved by the staff as he was by us. As the doctor quickly patched up Jasper/Winston, the tech called his owner.
“I often wondered where he went on his excursions because when he came home he always appeared happy and well fed”, said Winston’s man. We wondered the same.
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To find out more about the Lucy Mac 5K9, visit lucymac.org or call 802-484-5829. We look forward to seeing you on the trails!
THE HUMAN –ANIMAL BOND
Throughout this period, our companion animals were a large part of the reason we were all able to get out of bed in the mornings, and were able to sleep peacefully at night. They were the ones who brought joy into our lives at a time when we needed it most. They were our shining, guiding lights during the most darkest of days and the precious human-animal bond that had existed between us for so long was what ably carried us through. It soon became clear that we needed them perhaps even more than they needed us. As time has moved on, and the world has slowly stumbled onto a more even track, the human-animal bond has only grown stronger, becoming more prominent in each of our lives. Our intrinsic need for companionship, and for caring and for loving one another, has never felt more relevant. As Lucy Mackenzie looks to continue supporting and caring for each of the animals and people in their community, this all important and unbreakable bond helps shape the day-to-day caring and support they offer to those in need, and helps determine how they best put their foot and paw forward into the future.
It is at the heart of everything they do. To celebrate this wonderful bond, watch “The Human Animal Bond” on Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society’s YouTube channel. Just search “Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society” on YouTube and click on the short film entitled “The Human Animal Bond.” Mark Stanley www.4LegsAndATail.com 19Fall 2022
Mark your calendars and start training now: the Lucy Mac 5K9 is October 15, 2022 at Ascutney Outdoors! In addition to the 5K, we’re thrilled to welcome back the 1-mile option this year and encourage all to build a team to support the work of Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society.
As always, runners or walkers can participate solo or with a team of family and friends and, of course, dogs are welcome to join in on the fun!
T he human-animal bond is at the core of Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society’s mission and has been for over a hundred years. Over the course of the last two years, the importance of this bond has never been more apparent, or widely appreciated. Beginning in 2020, shelters throughout the country, and even the world, were emptied as people found themselves rushing to adopt and foster cats and dogs, as well as all other animals, at recordDuringnumbers.thischaotic, scary, and confusing time, the psychological and emotional benefits of companion animals truly came to the forefront as people were advised to shelter in place within their homes. It was there that the humananimal bond, defined as the mutually beneficial, dynamic relationship between a human and companion animal, really came into its own.
Here’s one way to find it and then use it: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart with your knees relaxed. Place your thumb over your belly button with your hand open and below it and the palm of your hand resting on your abdomen. Place your other hand behind your back, directly behind the first hand. Close your eyes and become aware of the space between your hands; get a sensation of the energy or presence that is there. Try an experiment with changing yourself: see how deep breathing vs. shallow breath ing, tension in your shoulders or legs, or curling your toes affects it. Notice how the heaviness or lightness of that spot or its actual relocation occurs. Next, try walking with an awareness of that spot; perhaps keep your hands placed there as a reminder of where your focus should be. See if you can take your first steps initiating the movement from that Center; instead of leaning forward with your shoulders or stepping way in front with your feet either pulling or propel ling, experience how your whole body moves in a flow starting from your cen ter. Then, shift direction, or halt a few times, directing or stopping your cen ter; check how it impacts this. Repeat and alternate until you can do this with less effort on your part and it feels light er and more natural. In our culture, we tend to not prioritize this, but movement from our center first is balanced, good for our posture, and creates calm, confidence, and smooth movement in humans even when not on a horse!
it. One’s Center can move and be con trolled by the rider; unlike your appendix, it cannot be surgically removed, but it is very real. It is affected by emotions, ten sion or tightness, movement, and other environmental or anatomical situations. It sits at the bottom and middle - or cen ter - of your pelvis, directly in front of your spine. Think of it as a ball of ener gy, or something moveable like sand or water (one little boy asked if he could use a bowl of M & M’s!), that sits at the bottom of your pelvis, and helps direct your movement and intent. If you are truly sitting on the middle of your seat bones, you are in the best position to be balanced over your feet and under your shoulders, the ultimate position for Build ing Blocks. Every directive on the part of the rider emanates from their Center, and every movement of the horse affects and emanates from theirs.
Dorothy Crosby- Stoddard, NH I recently taught an Open Centered Riding Clinic where we went over Sally Swift’s 4 Basics…the group wanted to focus on Centering because the challenge for so many riders involves balancing and staying “with the horse” so that smooth, non-jolting riding can occur. Many riders find themselves being jostled, especially during transitions or unexpected chang es in Sallymovement.Swiftcalled it centering, but one could consider that shorthand for cen ter of gravity, center of balance, center of communication, center of your pel vis, …of stability, …of lightness… Along with the other 3 Basics: Soft Eyes, Breath ing, and Building Blocks, centering is an important piece of balanced, soft, and effective riding that is gentle on both the rider and the horse. Together the Basics culminate in a solid, secure, balanced feeling that Sally Swift called Grounding.
There are many exercises, both mount ed and unmounted, that contribute to us finding our center and learning to use
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The Center of My Universe
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 rid ers 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.
We want to ride our horses back to front and they must engage their hindquar ters to do so. Horses could be said to have two centers: one is in their forehand, between their shoulders, which is why they stand in balance with 60% of their weight on their front legs; the other would be when they adjust their balance, so it lies underneath their rider, shifting more weight onto their hindquarters and requiring them to engage their hind legs. Try these:
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1. Lead your horse in-hand, beginning to walk while initiating from your center. If he hesitates, don’t pull on him; wait a second, take a deep breath and try again. Repeat to establish success. Then halt a few times. You might be pleas antly surprised at how your horse begins to follow your lead as you initiate from that center.
Dorothy offers clinics, lessons, work shops, and fascia-release bodywork sessions both on and off the farm.
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2. Transfer this to under saddle. Initi ate a walk – it’s ok to use leg aids, the lightest you can, but generate starting the movement from your center first. Repeat. Success? Attempt a few walk/halt transitions. gen erating the starting or stopping of movement from your center. These exercises will help you along the road to lightness balance, and com munication.Happyexperimenting, and may you find your Center both on and off a horse!
Hit The Trail
Explore New Hampshire on Horseback Continued ON Page 24 M ost equestrians agree that the best way to experience the beauty of New Hampshire is on your horse. After all, what compares to the “view between the ears”? Many of our employ ees and customers are avid trail riders, enjoying spending time with their hors es and equestrian companions while exploring the great outdoors. We have compiled a list of some of the best trails in our great state to help you get out and enjoy the scenery. Let us know if you have more suggestions for incred ible trail riding!
Whenever possible, ride with a friend or acquaintance — it is generally recom mended to head out on trail rides with a companion so you are not alone in case of an unforeseen problem. Be sure that you are prepared in case of emergen cy, and carry the necessary emergency equipment, including a map, compass, a charged cell phone, first aid kit, extra water, and high-calorie snacks.
A Guide to Public Trail Systems in the State
Common Courtesies Before you head out on your ride, it is important to treat the trails and park ing areas with environmental awareness and respect. It is a true privilege to ride on well-maintained trails with your horse. Many different outdoor enthusi asts utilize these trails, so it is essential that equestrians do their part to share the trails wisely with dogs, hikers, bicy clists, and even motorized vehicles. When utilizing the public trail sys tems, an in-depth understanding of proper trail etiquette is imperative. Make sure that you treat everyone that you meet on the trail courteously. If your horse is afraid of bikes, dogs, or ATVs, try to safely get off of the trail and allow space, or quickly dismount for the safety of everyone involved. It is important to remember that all sports men are welcome on the trails and, in fact, make public trail systems possible. In the fall, you will also want to wear brightly colored clothing and make an effort to make a bit of noise (i.e. talking with your riding companion or using a trail bell, like the Weaver Leather Hiker Bell). This is to alert hunters that you are on trails and to make sure that you are as safe as possible. Consider outfit ting your horse in bright colors as well — we carry a number of products that make it easy to ensure your horse is highly visible, including the Waldhau sen Reflex Hind Exercise Sheet and the Shires Equi-Flector Mesh Exercise Sheet. To learn more about proper trail riding attire and behaviors, we encour age you to read our blog post, Safe Trail Riding and Hiking in the Fall.
Here are a number of public trail systems that, at that time of writing, were appropriate for horses and wel comed them. Before heading out to any of these locations, we recommend that you verify that you and your horse will be welcome, safe, and allowed on the trails. If you are headed out to a New Hampshire State Park, please refer to their updated rules for equestrians prior to visiting. Many of these options also allow camping, which is a great way to travel with your horse. Refer to our blog post, Explore Camping With Horses, for more information regarding necessary equipment for your camping trip.
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The Cheshire Rail Trail
Monadnock Recreational Rail Trail
The largest state park in New Hampshire, Pisgah State Park encompasses over 13,600 acres in the southern portion of the state with over 20 miles of multi-use trails through the Ashuelot Riv er Watershed. The park has four highland ridges and seven ponds which can be reached by many of the trails. There are a number of trailheads including Horseshoe Road in Chesterfield, NH, and Kil burn in Hinsdale, NH, that can accommodate horse trailer park ing. Trails range in length from .6 miles to nearly 5 miles. Bear Brook State Park With over 10,000 acres, Bear Brook State Park in Allentown, NH, has a number of trails and camping areas that are suitable for horses. Because of the popularity of the park, it is important to make reser vations ahead of time. In addition to hiking/riding trails, the park also offers archery, swimming, and fishing. There are over 40 miles of trails that are suitable for horses.
Southwest New Hampshire Trails
This 9-mile trail in Hinsdale, NH, is relatively flat with wonderful views of the Connecticut River. In the summer, it is a quiet trail, with a few hikers. However, in the winter months, it is very popular for snowmobiling and snowshoeing.
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Running from the Massachusetts border to Jaffery, NH, this 7-mile trail passes by a number of ponds and wetlands. There is a busy road crossing (over 202), so please make sure that your horse is prepared to encoun ter traffic prior to trying out this trail.
Fort Hill Recreational Rail Trail
Pisgah State Park
This 42-mile trail runs through Fitzwil liam, Troy, Keene, Westmoreland, and North Walpole, NH. However, there are a number of parking areas along the trail, allowing you to make the ride as short or as long as you would like. There is a break in the trail in Keene, so make sure you plan on this prior to your ride. This is a popular trail system for walking, biking, and riding in Southern New Hampshire.
Running from Keene, NH, to Winchester, NH, this former railroad track follows the Ashuelot River. With over 20 miles of wellgroomed trails, this is a popular trail in both the summer and winter months. You can see scenes from this picturesque trail on the blog, Ashuelot River Inspiration.
Horse Hill Nature Preserve
Hillsborough Recreational Rail Trail Located in Hillsborough, NH, this 8-mile trail follows the Con toocook River. This trail also meanders through historic mill sites and crosses over antique rail road tracks and tresses.
Lamson Farm
Pawtuckaway State Park
Lake Massabesic Trail
The Beaver Brook Nature Center in Hollis, NH, has over 35 miles of trails to enjoy. These multi-purpose trails are utilized by hikers, equestrians, and wellbehaved dogs, and are open to public use (even though it is a privately owned property). This is an incredible nature preserve as well, so you will encounter a variety of local plant and animal species.
This wooded park with easily acces sible trails in Northwood, NH, is beloved by equestrians and hiking enthusiasts alike. The park also contains a serene pond that is popular for fishing. It has trails from .4 miles to 5 miles long.
This loop in Auburn, NH, is just under 4 miles, making it a wonderful trail for a morning ride or an afternoon amble. With relatively flat terrain, it is appro priate for equestrians of all skill levels. The trailhead shares parking with the Audubon Society, so we encourage you to keep your eyes open for the birds you may encounter!
Southeast New Hampshire Trails
Owned by the town of Mont Vernon, this 310-acre farm includes miles of rec reational trails. The farm was founded in 1770 by the early settlers and has been preserved by the town for its historical significance. The trails are open to the public and all are under 1 mile each, but you can connect the trails for a leisure ly day of trail riding.
Rockingham Recreational Rail Trail This 25-mile trail runs from Manches ter, NH, to Newfields, NH. It traverses through small scenic towns, historic sites, and diverse wetlands, making an interesting sightseeing experience. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for wild life on this trail! www.4LegsAndATail.com
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This trail system in Merrimack, NH, is a network of old logging trails which have been carefully maintained. Offer ing a variety of terrain, from flat sections to steep hills, the Horse Hill Nature Preserve is popular for hikers, bikers, hunters, snowmobilers, and horseback riders. The loop is just over 4 miles, but there are a number of shorter trails to enjoy as well.
Ashuelot Rail Trail
Continued Next Page
Pawtuckaway State Park in Notting ham, NH, showcases a number of points of interest that are accessible via its extensive trail system. Sights include a fire tower, a marsh (where you can often see blue herons), and a field with glacial erratics which were deposited when gla cial ice melted during the end of the Ice Age. The most popular trail is 2 miles long, but the park has both shorter and longer trails.
Beaver Brook Nature Center
Northwood Meadows State Park
Northern Recreational Rail Trail
This 18-mile trail in Gorham, NH, passes through the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge. It offers spectacular views of the Presi dential Mountain Range.
With over 48 miles of trails, this is the longest trail in the rail-trail sys tem. The beautiful, scenic trail runs from Franklin, NH, to Lebanon, NH, and meanders through many of the small towns along the way. The trail even leads you by Highland Lake, with spectacular views.
Ammonoosuc Recreational Rail Trail
Photo courtesy of @nhstateparks, showing a covered bridge on the Sugar River Rail Trail Sugar River Recreational Rail Trail
A 9-mile trail from Newport, NH, to Claremont, NH, follows along the Sug ar River. This lovely trail also has two covered bridges — be sure to bring your camera for these great photo ops! Hopefully, we have inspired you to saddle up and head out to hit the trails! If you prefer trail riding in a group, consid er referring to the New Hampshire Horse and Trail Association for a list of orga nized trail rides. As always, we implore you to use caution and discretion when ever utilizing a new trail system.
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Northern New Hampshire Trails
Running from Woodsville, NH, to Lincoln, NH, this 19-mile trail follows along the Ammonoosuc River. Be ready to see historic sites, such as a massive 345 foot bridge built in 1832 and the Lis bon Trail Depot.
Presidential Recreational Rail Trail
This trail in Warren, NH, is only 4 miles long, making it a wonderful short and sweet ride. The trail offers beautiful scenery, including Black Brook and a Red stone Missile (an actual NASA rocket).
Warren Recreational Rail Trail
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Your lower arm and the reins should make a straight line from your elbow to the bit when viewed from the side.
The Five Basic Aids for Riding
In riding you can use your voice as an aid. Not all horses know what our words mean. But horses certainly pick up our intentions from the sound of our voices and body language when using it. When spoken repetitively hors es will have an idea of what to expect.
The rider’s legs are not gripping to the horse or impeding the horse's move
In therapy lessons I tend to count to three to prepare rider, volunteers and horses for upward or downward tran sitions. I have never “trained” a horse to this, but they catch on surprisingly quickly and when they hear me count, know that they are going to trot with little prompting from a leader. Horses also often recognize the word “whoa” and will halt when they hear it. Tone and inflection in the voice offer cues to the horse as well. An upward lilt to the voice lends itself to higher gaits while a lower tone will decrease speed.
T here are five basic aids in horse back riding that help you communicate most effectively with your horse. They are: The eyes, your voice, your hands, your seat/how you use your posture and weight, and your legs. As a rider you are using some part of your body in motion with the horse to have a dynamic con versation in movement. These aids will help you stay in balance, turn, stop, increase speed and decrease speed. Your position on the horse should stay active. If the horse is moving, then so are you with each step your core engag es to keep you centered and topside. A really good rider may look like they are sitting still, when in fact they are balancing and rebalancing constantly.
Reins should never be the only aid that helps to turn a horse. Your upper arm should hang naturally close to your body. You'll be holding the reins just in front of you, with your thumbs up.
Your hands and how you hold the reins have a lot to do with how the horse will respond when being ridden or driven.
Think of your reins being attached to your pelvis. The pelvis helps to direct turns. Your shoulders mimic the shoul ders of the horse. The reins should never pull a horse around a turn, but help draw or block motion. Your hands on the reins speak most directly to the horse's front legs.
Your seat refers to how you sit on the horse and use your posture and weight to help the horse move. A rider is most in balance and helpful to the horse if they sit in the deepest part of their sad dle with weight distributed evenly from seat bone to seat bones with an erect posture that isn’t slumping, or lean ing too far back. Square shoulders not leaning to one side or the other. A good rider moves with the horse and doesn’t force motion on the horse by moving the pelvis, shoulders, or hands out of sync. The rider moves with the motion.
Sue Miller - Sharon, VT
Although I mentioned eyes first, I saved it for last because where you set your gaze adds weight to your posture. If you continually look down, you continue to weigh the front end of the horse making the most wanted end goal of lightening the front legs of the horse and having the horse step under from behind hard er to achieve. The rider should keep their head and eyes up scanning the horizon, just as the horse does. Keeping a plum bline posture from the side it would be a level head from ear, shoulder, elbow, hip to heel. So that if the horse were to disappear out from under the rider they would land on their feet. Again, if you are looking down or at your hands all the time, you are adding weight forward and would land so that you would have to take steps to catch yourself from fall ing on your Rememberface.tokeep your eyes up, weight even forward and back and side to side, use your words kindly & with inflec tion, and think of using your reins and legs to either block or allow energy and movement from the horse. Smile and be grateful for the lovely time you share with the horse.
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ment in any way. Your foot should be directly under the knee, so the stirrup leather hangs straight down. If your low er leg is placed so the foot is ahead of or behind the knee, you will find yourself just as much out of balance on the hors es back as you would if you tried to stand on the ground. Your foot should be placed in the stirrup with the tread of your boot under the ball of your foot. Your weight should be placed evenly from foot to foot so you are as balanced as possible in the middle of the horse. Your heel should be a bit lower than your toe. You want to be nice and loose in your joints through your ankle, your knee, your hip, and your shoulders. Your ankle joint can work as a very good shock absorber if it is kept open. It absorbs a great deal of motion that would otherwise bounce you around on the horses back. The rider’s leg could be thought of as an old-fashioned clothespin that doesn't have a pinching mechanism, the clothespin only holds on as needed, it never increases its pinch. If you pinch with one area of the leg the rider will tend to begin to lean, the horse sometimes picks up speed trying to get away from the uncomfortable pinch coming from the rider. The rider’s legs impart infor mation to the horse's hind legs.
Susan Miller is a PATH Advanced instruc tor and ESMHL, former Program Director at High Horses Therapeutic Riding Program and serves on the boards of the Vermont Horse Council and Vermont Horse Shows Association
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The increased number of pet bereave ment groups, a plethora of pet sympathy cards, and more access to mental health services to cope with the loss of a pet, underscore the importance pets have in people’s lives. With reports of loneliness among Americans and pet ownership at an all-time high, it is important to support people after they lose their “best friends.”
A pet’s number one job is to love and support their person. Often today’s dogs, cats, and even chickens and rabbits are with us during magical moments like when we get married or welcome home a new family addi tion. They are also there during times of stress providing a head to pat, or
If someone you care about is struggling with the loss of a pet, please consider the following tips to help them as they journey through the stages of grief.
It is this connection, unconditional love, that makes the loss so much more difficult to weather.
Just two decades ago, it was not com mon for people to publicly mourn their pet. It is relatively new. Or at least the degree of mourning is new with pet funerals and paid days off from work becoming more common. Mourning a lost pet might not be a relatable expe rience but leaves the owner feeling a reason to wake up in the morning. They know our secrets, and our rou tines, and a third of Americans say they would pick their pets over their spouses if they had to decide between the two.
Accept that their grief is real and val idate their feelings without judgment. Each person’s grief is their own expe rience. Don’t compare how you felt when you lost your pet.
Bereavement comes with a tinge of guilt. There is never a “good time” to say goodbye to a pet and often pet own ers question if they waited too long, or didn’t wait long enough, or missed a symptom that could have helped their beloved pet live longer. Share positive memories and stories that bring laughs, as these can lessen the grip grief has on one’s heart.
Some people will be open to anoth er pet immediately while others may not be open to it ever again. Each pet is unique. Adding a new pet sooner than later is not a betrayal of the beloved pet.
Our pets enrich our lives and when they depart it is devastating. The relationship people have with their pets is special. Many pet owners say that the loss of a pet affects them as much as the loss of a family member or close friend.
Maya Richmond is the Executive Director of Windham County Humane Society in Brattleboro, VT
Dealingwith the Loss of a Pet Maya Richmond - Brattleboro, VT alone and isolated. With over seventy percent of households owning at least one pet, it is very common for some one in our lives to be grieving over the loss of a pet at some point. It is important to be empathetic when help ing a friend or family member grieve.
For new puppies, and dogs that don’t yet have any association between these noises and anxiety or fear, start early, pairing the sounds with food or play. Set them up to succeed when it comes to these scenarios as they mature. Thunder storms mean tug or fetch; make treats rain from above as lightning streaks across the sky. While many of us are reactionary when it comes to noise phobia with our dogs, it can pay off today, tomorrow, and for years to come if we set aside the time to make our dogs lives better when they aren’t stressed and panicking. Let’s be honest, it will make our lives better too. Why wait? There are plenty of qualified trainers and behavioral consultants who would be happy to help you and your dog live better lives and come up with a specific plan for your dog. For a list of suggested trainers, or to set up a consult with one of the trainers at Monadnock Humane Society, contact us today at society.org/dog-training/https://monadnockhumane
T he Fourth of July is over, so you can breathe a sigh of relief and put fireworks out of your mind until next year, right? Wrong! Right now is the best time to start work ing on desensitizing your dogs for next year. Some dogs who have firework phobia also have thunderstorm phobia, why not take some time and invest in your dog’s future comfort now? Many of us rely strongly on man agement to get our dogs through these acute events, calling our vets in a panic for medication, setting up specialized rooms with sound buffers, throwing on thundershirts, and holding our shaking dogs while we pray for our neighbors to stop with their backyard fireworks displays. While some of these options can be helpful in the moment, and for some dogs will always be a necessity, there are simple steps we can take to helpthemacclimatetothese stressors so that we aren’t sent into panic mode next July, or any time a summer thunderstorm is predicted on our weather app. Systematic desensitization can be as simple as playing realistic sounds of fire works and or thunderstorms, at a low volume that the dog can tolerate without stress. Thanks to youtube and white noise apps, these sounds are easy to access for everyone. You can pair these sounds with high value food such as cheese, chick en or hot dogs, and relaxation exercises such as settling on a mat. Increase the volume slowly over time in increments that your dog can remain calm through. If you find yourself caught in a sud den thunderstorm or with inconsiderate neighbors setting off fireworks on a ran dom day, and your dog’s stress level is mild enough, you can simply shower them in treats or kibble. This can help build up Classical Conditioning between the sounds they are hearing and the appearance of something they like, food! If you put the work in with get ting them accustomed to these sounds, when an event sneaks up on you, you will be prepared to handle it, and your dog will be much calmer.
Steph Du Preez, BS, CBDC, CRDT-KA
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“We are so glad that he was well looked after for the time he was missing but we’re even more delighted to be able to reunite him with his original own er, thanks to his microchip being up to date,” Findlay said.
One-eyed Joe was microchipped, and upon scanning the staff learned his name was actually Dexter, and that his owner had lost the cat five years ago.
A five-year odyssey for a cat named Dexter seems to have finally come to an end, after a long, covert stay at a prison was interrupted by his arrival onboard an offshore oil rig, which finally result ed in a call to animal services.
One-Eyed Cat Missing For 5 Years Shows Up On Offshore Oil Rig Baffling Owners
“We were alerted to an incident of a cat being found in a shipping contain er offshore,” Aimee Findlay, a Scottish SPCA animal rescue officer, said in a statement. “We’ve no idea how the cat ended up there, but attended the heli port to collect him.”
The cat was a regular “well-loved” hang about at Her Majesty’s Prison Grampian in Peterhead, Scotland, where staff used to “fuss over” him and even gave him the nickname One-eyed Joe. Then a most unexplainable thing hap pened: One-eyed Joe somehow ended up in a shipping container a mile-anda-half away at the town’s port, before being shipped onto an offshore oil rig, where workers “ran away frightened” after the all-black cat jumped out of theAftercontainer.filling out an incident card, (which must have been humorous) the staff aboard the rig took to Joe most kindly, who was now quite comfortable with living alongside the rig workers. According to The National, he was “spoiled rotten” during his time there.
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Eventually though, someone called the Society for the Prevention of Cruel ty to Animals (SPCA) in Aberdeen, who retrieved Joe after the cat had been flown off the rig on a helicopter—a remarkable feat considering how hard it is normal ly just to get a cat into a carrier.
Each year many animals are sur rendered to shelters with special needs. There are many different ailments, dis eases, and syndromes that animals are surrendered for. One of these syndromes is Manx Syn drome. Our shelter has seen an influx of this syndrome throughout the last fewWhatyears.isManx Syndrome? Manx cats originated on the Isle of Man, with a nat urally occurring mutation that shortens the tail. As with many animals who are bred for a certain aesthetic look there will be some deformities. With Manx cats being bred comes the chance of “Manx Syndrome” aka Spina Bifida. This syndrome causes many problems that involve the function of the hind legs, urinary bladder, and colon of tail less cats....and some who have tails (as not all Manx cats have shortened tails). Signs that a Manx cat may have Manx Syndrome are lameness in the hind end, hopping like a bunny, and incon tinence of urine and feces. In some cases, cats with Manx Syndrome are born with paralysis of the hind legs. These are just a few problems associat ed with this syndrome. Sullivan County Humane Society has seen 4 cases of cats with Manx Syn drome. Pip was the first case we had seen in 2020. Pip was owner surren dered, she was incontinent and hopped like a bunny. We brought Pip to the vet and it was confirmed she did have Manx Syndrome. She was put on cer tain meds that helped, but she needed an experienced home. We did a lot of research into finding Pip the best home that could give her the best chance at a wonderful life. We were lucky to find a special needs sanctuary where Pip would get all the care she would need and be very much loved. Flopsy was the second kitty we had surrendered in 2021. Flopsy also hopped like a bunny and was incontinent. knew that she too had Manx Syndrome and consulted with our vet who con firmed she had this syndrome. Later in 2021, we had a mom and two one-day-old babies surrendered to the shelter. The mom was a Manx and one of her two babies was as well. Mom, sadly, was producingnotmilk to feed her babies so they were placed with an experienced bottle feeder. The baby who we named PeeWee thrived during her first few months of life. When PeeWee started walking, her foster noticed the hopping....the first sign of Manx Syndrome, and then when teaching to potty train PeeWee was not able to control her bladder or bow els. It was confirmed that PeeWee had Manx Syndrome. Our fourth case of Manx Syndrome came in early 2022. A kitten who we named Forrest Gump. He had lameness in his back two legs and he could not control his urine or feces. He was con firmed to have Manx Syndrome as well. Sadly, Forrest did not make it. We highly encourage having tailless cats fixed as far too many offspring are born with Manx Syndrome.
Manx Syndrome Sherry Bell- Claremont, NH
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Sherry Bell has been involved with SCHS for almost 10 years. She sits on the
Roadside Meet-Cute 34 4 Legs & a Tail Fall 2022
A Louisiana man was surprised to find a stray kitten in the middle of the road. The poor thing was weary and dirty, and not shy about approaching him. Robert Brantley picked up the grey-striped kitten, an act which was, to quote Gandalf the White, “the falling of small stones that begins an avalanche.”
A stampede of kittens soon came pattering out from the bushes. They swarmed Brantley’s feet, clearly wanting to be the next to go for a hand-held ride through the air. There were a dozen in all, but that didn’t stop Brantley from loading them up into his car and taking them all home for a bath and some“Anyonemilk. wanting a kitten at a screaming price? I’ll cut you a deal,” he wrote as the caption of a video that went viral on Instagram. Soon he was receiv ing hundreds of adoption offers for the little ones. Shortly after, he posted another video when all 12 kittens were loaded up in his car—he noted that “the tactical Honda was not prepared for this.”
It bears repeating that in many instances, peo ple think they’re rescuing kittens when in reality, the mother cat is out hunting, or hiding from the approaching rescuer. Indeed some of the Instagram comments note that when people find kitten(s) who seem lost, they should look around, or wait a few hours, to see if they can find the mother.
Man Goes to Rescue One Kitty and is by 12 More in a
‘Ambushed’
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10 LifewithBreedsDogTheLongestSpans Jennifer Jones Beagle Average Lifespan......................................... 11-15 years Defining Trait........... Tri-colored coat & floppy ears Breed Origin....................................................... England Average Adoption Cost.......................................... $500 Lhasa Apso Average Lifespan......................................... 12-15 years Defining Trait......................................... Very long coat Breed Origin............................................................. Tibet Average Adoption Cost...................................... $1,300 Shih Tzu Average Lifespan........................................ 10-15 years Defining Trait........................................Long, lush coat Breed Origin............................................................. Tibet Average Adoption Cost...................................... $1,000 Dogs have been repeatedly referred to as “man’s best friend,” and many peo ple form extremely deep bonds with their canine companions. Since most dog owners want to enjoy as many years as possible with their pets, many gravitate towards breeds that have long lifespans. So, which breeds boast the longest lifespans of all? Today we’ll be looking at 10 of the dog breeds with the longest average lifespans and ranking them accordingly. We’ll also learn some fun facts about each dog and see what makes them unique!
While many varieties of hound dogs are on the larger side, Beagles run fair ly small by comparison and are often described as looking like miniature Fox hounds. Their large eyes often give them a puppylike, pleading facial expression that many people find to be endearing. Beagles are scent hounds and track by smell while hunting. Did you know? Since Beagles were bred specifical ly for pack hunting, they generally get along quite well with other dogs. #9 #8
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While the temperament of any dog breed is bound to vary, Shih Tzus gen erally have a very cute, friendly, and playful disposition. These dogs were originally bred in Tibet, and people continued to evolve the breed in other areas of China as it became more popu lar. Many Shih Tzus sport long coats of fur, but some varieties have shorter coats. Did you know? The Chinese name of the Shih Tzu breed means “lion dog”. has been said to own “a little bit of everything.” These alert, wise-looking dogs were bred to serve as sentinels in palaces and Buddhist monasteries by sounding the alarm in case of intruders. Lhasa Apso dogs have excellent hearing and a pro tective nature, loyal to anyone they consider to be family. These dogs are best suited for people with few allergy problems, since their long coats trap a lot of dust and dander. Did you know? The breed name Lhasa Apso is said to mean either “long-haired Lhasa dog” or “woolly Lhasa dog.”
Cockapoo Average Lifespan........................................ 12-16 years Defining Trait................................................... Lush coat Breed Origin............................................................... USA Average Adoption Cost...................................... $2,500 Maltese Average Lifespan......................................... 12-15 years Defining Trait............................Drop ears & lush coat Breed Origin............................................................ Malta Average Adoption Cost...................................... $5,000 This charming breed has been known by a number of quirky names, includ ing “Roman Ladies’ Dog” and “Maltese Sleeve Dog.” Some people believe that the lively Maltese was formerly used for rodent control. One thing is cer tain: These friendly, playful little dogs were thoroughly bred to serve as com panions! Maltese are known for being extremely gentle and loving towards their family members. Did you know? Along with being very friendly, these dogs are also quite agile and love a vig orous play and workout session. The American Kennel Club and other similar organizations do not recognize the Cockapoo as its own official breed, but that doesn’t stop it from finding a place in countless people’s hearts. Cock apoos are made by crossing a Cocker Spaniel with a Poodle, and the variety in traits is very broad as a result. These dogs have coats of all kinds of different textures, lengths, and colors. Did you know? Many Cockapoos offer the sweet, out going personality of Cocker Spaniels alongside the low-shedding convenience of Poodles. Continued Next Page #7 #6 www.4LegsAndATail.com 37Fall 2022
Dachshund Average Lifespan........................................ 12-16 years Defining Trait Long, stout build & very short legs Breed Origin..................................................... Germany Average Adoption Cost...................................... $1,500 Pomeranian Average Lifespan........................................ 12-16 years Defining Trait....................... Tiny stature, flu y coat Breed Origin......................................... Central Europe Average Adoption Cost.......................................... $950 Toy Poodle Average Lifespan........................................ 16-20 years Defining Trait.......... Long, flu y coat & small build Breed Origin....................................................... England Average Adoption Cost...................................... $4,500
The name “Dachshund” means “bad ger dog” in German, but many people love to affectionately call these little hounds “wiener dogs” in reference to their long, sausage-like shape. The breed standard allows for both standard-sized and miniature varieties and includes three coat variations: smooth, long haired, and wirehaired. Did you know? These cute little dogs are grouped together with scent hounds in the UK and US, but are set apart in their own group within the Fédération Cynologique Inter nationale, or World Canine Federation.
Often referred to simply as the “Pom,” this lovely little variety of the Spitz type was originally bred in northwest Poland and northeast Germany, and is often still referred to in Europe as the “Zwergspitz” or dwarf-spitz. These com pact dogs make great companions and love engaging activities such as agility courses. Poms are also rather alert and receptive to obedience training. Did you know? Queen Victoria owned an especially tiny Pomeranian, which kick-started the popularity of the smaller breed variations. #5 #4 #3
The official Poodle group comes in three formal breeds: the Standard Poo dle, the Miniature Poodle, and the Toy Poodle. People often see Poodles as fan cy show dogs above all else, but they’re actually the second most intelligent breed behind the Border Collie! Toy Poodles are especially spunky and love stimu lating activities such as agility courses and puzzles. Did you know? Poodles’ hair never stops growing! It must be consistently clipped and groomed in order to avoid matting and unhealthy skin conditions.
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Chihuahua Average Lifespan........................................ 17-20 years Defining Trait............... Large eyes & petite features Breed Origin......................................................... Mexico Average Adoption Cost.......................................... $800 Jack Russell Terrier Average Lifespan........................................ 16-20 years Defining Trait........... Folded ears & a working drive Breed Origin....................................................... England Average Adoption Cost...................................... $1,500 The Chihuahua has the longest aver age lifespan of all domestic dog breeds. These petite, perky dogs are known for being some of the smallest in the world, but that doesn’t stop them from hav ing big personalities! Chihuahuas can sometimes bond so intensely to a per son that they’ll become aggressively loyal, exhibiting a level of fierce defen siveness that’s surprising for their size. Did you know? One of the most famous Chihuahuas in the world serves as the Taco Bell mas cot, delivering the well-known punchline “Yo quiero Taco Bell!”
The Jack Russell Terrier is a work ing breed that was originally formed for the purposes of hunting foxes in England. Some people misinterpret the Jack Russell’s cute appearance and adopt one expecting a mild-man nered lapdog. However, these dogs are fearless and require tons of activity in order to thrive! If Jack Russells are left alone, they’ll often create their own fun through destructive activities. Did you know? Jack Russells often enjoy good health throughout their lives since they’ve been so carefully bred.
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MEET the NEW WORLD’S OLDEST living dog, PEBBLES the toy fox terrier Erin Keller
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T
When asked about Pebbles’ secret to longevity, Julie said, “Treat [your pet] like family, because they are. Give them a happy, positive environ ment as much as possible, good clean food, and proper health care.”
Pebbles celebrated her recordbreaking achievement with a special meal and bubble bath.
Pebbles’ parents, Bobby and Julie Gregory, told Guinness they decided to reach out to the record-keeping company after seeing TobyKeith’s story all over the news. “Bobby was sitting on the couch and friends and family started tex ting and calling about a story they saw about a 21-year-old dog getting the record,” Julie said. Julie said the pocket-sized dog and her husband had an immedi ate connection when they visited an adoption center, originally searching for a big Althoughdog. Pebbles didn’t fit their ideal description, they couldn’t pass up the bug-eyed canine. In her spare time, Pebbles likes to play under palm trees in the back yard, go on walks with Bobby and sunbathe by the pool. She also enjoys getting dressed up in different outfits, and a cowboy hat is her favorite accessory.
Pebbles the toy fox terrier poses with her Guinness World Records certificate.
obyKeith the Chihuahua had a quick reign as the world’s oldest liv ing dog, but that’s before Guinness World Records met Pebbles the toy foxTheterrier.4-pound pup from Taylors, South Carolina, is now the oldest dog alive at 22 years and 59 days old.
Publishers www.4LegsAndATail.com 41Fall 2022
Bobby Bones is the two-time #1 New York Times bestselling author of Bare Bones: I’m Not Lonely If You’re Reading This Book and Fail Until You Don’t: Fight Grind Repeat. In addition, he’s a radio and TV personality, two-time CMA Award winner, four-time ACM Award winner, and winner of the 27th season of Dancing with the Stars.
& TV Personality and Two-Time #1
STANLEY THE DOG: THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL is the perfect companion to soothe back-to-school jitters and welcome in a new chapter for kids and parents. In the vein of BAD DOG, MARLEY! and ENZO RACES IN THE RAIN, STANLEY THE DOG: THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL follows the irrepressible antics of Bobby’s pup, Stanley, who is anxious about his first day of school. With his stomach turning into tighter knots by the minute, Stanley’s worried whether a bulldog like him will ever fit in with the other pups at school. He’s never had to make new friends before. But when disaster strikes, Stanley realizes all he needs to do is be himself to save the day.
Radio New York Times Bestselling Author Bobby Bones to Release New Picture Book with HarperCollins
HarperCollins Publishers is excited to be publishing STANLEY THE DOG: THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, the debut picture book from radio and TV personality and two-time #1 New York Times bestselling author Bobby Bones. Inspired by Bones’ real-life bulldog, STANLEY THE DOG: THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL is a hilarious and heartfelt story about a bulldog pup named Stanley and his adventures during his first day of school. “I’m pumped to finally share more about my upcoming children’s book,” Bones said. “It follows our bulldog Stanley as he navigates his first day of school jitters and being himself in a brand-new situation. True to real-life Stanley, there are plenty of antics along the way! My hope through writing this book is that it will serve as reminder to kids that it’s okay to not fit in with the crowd; your differences are what make you soAsspecial.”partof the book launch, Bones will be making a donation to the dog rescue Wags & Walks Nashville. “I couldn’t be more thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with Bobby and Stanley on their firstever children’s picture book,” said David Linker, Executive Editor at HarperCollins Publishers. “I think kids will find Stanley’s story about surviving and thriving during his first day of school both heartwarmingly hilarious and doggedly reassuring. I can’t wait to share their story with the world.”
Frank Lloyd Wright is among the best-known architects in the world, but few know that among his commissions was a doghouse.
I wrote about the Berger doghouse in a previous article for my website. After my article appeared, I heard from Paula Washow, a Spring Green resident and a volunteer at Taliesin. She wrote: “May I put you in touch with my cousin? He has a Frank Lloyd Wright doghouse story.”
How It Came About After Frank Lloyd Wright designed a home for the Berger family of San Anselmo, California, in the mid-1950s, he received a request from their 12-yearold son. Jim Berger wanted a plan for a doghouse that would complement their soon-to-be-built Wright home. Young Berger would pay Wright out of his paperboy earnings.
“In the mid-1940s, my father, Curtis Longseth, was the herdsman at Taliesin. Our residence was Midway, which was the dairy farm. We lived there about three years, and Brandoch Peters was a favorite playmate. Thus, I was often around the Wrights.” [Peters was the grandson of Olgivanna, Wright’s third wife. The Wrights raised Brandoch because his mother had died.]
Kate Kelly Wright was preoccupied with his com mitment to design the Guggenheim Museum. He told Jim he did not have time, but Jim could contact him again in a few months. Berger followed up with his second request in the autumn of 1956. A month or two later, Wright’s design team sent plans for the request edButdoghouse.thisstory had an earlier begin ning. The first doghouse built at Wright’s home, Taliesin in Spring Green, Wis consin, was built by a 10-year-old boy who lived on the property and played frequently with Wright’s grandson.
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Longseth continues: “The doghouse event would have been in late summer 1948 and I was not quite 10.” [By this time, Wright and his wife Olgivanna, had opened their property to students looking to study architec ture under Wright. If the young people were selected as Fellows, they had the opportunity to connect with Wright, and
Frank LLoyd Wright’s InspIratIon for a Doghouse
I’ll let Martin Longseth tell you the story himself, but it turns out that Wright may have looked back to 1948 and Longseth’s doghouse for inspira tion as to what a Frank Lloyd Wright doghouse might look like: Martin Longseth’s Story
Wright gave them hands-on experience by letting them carry out construction projects on the property.]
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“I roughed out a plan for a two-room house for our Spitz, Pat. There would be an entry room with ample head space and then a lower sleeping room. The roof peak would be about where the two rooms met. This meant two different roof pitches and in turn meant some miter angles to figure out the framing. [A couple of the students] helped me determine the angle cuts. There was a lot of scrap lumber to use so I had no problem making it work. The rest was all my doing. “I don’t remember the exact height but the whole thing was probably 4' wide. The “day room” was about 1½ feet wide and the sleeping area was about 2½ feet. Siding boards, I think, were ver tical. And, I topped off the roof with broken slate shingles that the students couldn’t use for the Dugway roof. (I then cut them down to smaller size.) “With the doghouse assembled, the last thing I needed to do was paint it. I found light brown paint left over from another project, so I set up to paint near where the students continued the roof“Aswork.Iworked, a shadow fell on me. Then a cane came over my shoulder and tapped all over the doghouse. I didn’t have to turn around to know who was behind me. Not one word was said. When I finally got the courage to turn around, I saw Mr. Wright going down the path with his cape flying in the wind. Call from Main Office of Taliesin “Later that day, my mother got a call from the main office at Hillside. The Wrights wanted my parents to come over that night after the milking was done. Immediately, my mother figured that I was in big trouble for using material and tools to build the doghouse. “This meant four or five hours of misery for me, knowing that I was not going to like what might be in store. My thought was probably, “just give me a strap now and get it over with…” instead of prolonging the agony. “With milking chores done, my parents went to the office while I dreaded their return. When my mother walked into the house, there was no angry look but a somber face.
“At Midway, one could go from the house to the barn without going outside via what was called the Dugway. That year, the roof of the Dugway was in bad shape. Replacing it meant hands-on chances for the students to experiment and learn. I only remember one, a Nor wegian named Godman Martinson. The students let me help them as I was inter ested in what they were doing, and there was not much else to do. Then I had an idea: build a doghouse.
“’The Wrights have offered you a free schol arship,’ she told me. I was probably as shocked as she had been. If I ever wanted to study to be an architect, Taliesin was open to me. “Life went off in other directions quickly after that. My father accepted a different job a month or so later, and we were gone from Taliesin.
“Many years later on June 9, 1966, I attended a First Day Ceremony at Spring Green where the stamp cover of the Frank Lloyd Wright twocent stamp was to be unveiled.
Doghouse Plan
While there are other design differenc es, it is notable that Frank Lloyd Wright, overwhelmingly busy with plans for build ings around the world, still took time to think back to the doghouse dreams of a young boy whose work he admired. Martin Longseth may have been part of the reason that Wright took Jim Berg er’s doghouse request to heart. Many thanks to Paula Washow and Martin Longseth for this story. Working with them has been a delight. This article first appeared on the web site, “Americananimals.storiesAmericawww.americacomesalive.comComesAlivepublishesmoreaboutAmericandogsandotherVisitthewebsiteandsignupforDogs”toreceivethestoriesinyourInBox.OremailKateKellyatkate@americacomesalive.com
Frank Lloyd Wright original sketch for Berger doghouse Photo of original Berger doghouse. Credit–fair use. Replica on display in Mason City, Iowa. Epilogue Neither the Longseth doghouse or the Berger doghouse were preserved, but there is now a replica of the Berger doghouse in Marin County in northern California. This is the county where the Berger house stands. A documentary producer who heard the story of the doghouse suggested to Jim Berger, now a cabinet maker, that he re-build the doghouse from the plans. Berger did so, and the doghouse was placed on display in a civic building designed by Wright. Berger then donated the doghouse to the county. The replica of the doghouse shows that Wright picked up on Longseth’s idea of the unique style of the pitched roof that used tiles that matched those that would have been on the original house.
“The event was held in the River Val ley High School auditorium. Olgivanna Wright was the speaker. As she stepped to the podium, her eyes searched the crowd for any familiar faces. She stopped at mine and I will never forget her words: “Why, it’s Martin! When are you com ing back to us?” “I could have used that doghouse to crawl into at that moment!”
Written for America Comes Alive by Martin Longseth
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ChelseaHillaryBlueBlackwell,andSwank
L osing a dog is distressing, losing a 15-year-old dog is worse—and losing a 15-year-old dachshund is a grim sit uationLuckilyindeed.fordistraught owner Chelsea Blackwell, her dog had made its way into the arms of a person who could help. Blackwell lost Blue the dachshund in her home town of Albany last Monday, prompting her to drive around looking and asking passersby if they had seen the dog. Then, nearing the Greyhound bus stop, she noticed something out of the ordinary. “I noticed there were like eight police cars and people with cameras—I thought maybe somebody got shot,” Blackwell told an Albany paper. “I asked them if anyone saw a little brown dog.” What happened next is that a mem ber of the crowd replied, “yes, we’ll call her,” sparking curiosity in Blackwell. Inquiring as to the “her,” the person said that a celebrity had found her dog, and the next thing she knew, a car had pulled up and out came Million Dollar Baby star Hillary Swank, with Blue cra dled in her arms.
The two-time Oscar winner offered to take a photograph with Blackwell, who said that Swank was not going to “blow her own horn” about the good deed. Swank has a history of animal advocacy, including co-founding the Hilaroo Foundation, which helps connect at-risk teens with shelter dogs in order to fos ter a healing connection.
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“I was like, ‘No way,’” Blackwell said. “As soon as she got out of the car, I kissed Blue and said, ‘Thank you so much.’”
RAISE a Paw For This Happy Rescue
New York Woman Finds Her Lost Dachshund — in Hilary Swank’s Lap Andy Corbley
F or centuries bats have car ried a negative stigma in Europe and the U.S., but they have crucial roles in their environments. These creatures have been given a negative stereotype as bloodsucking, disease-carrying ani mals. While they carry disease, they do to a lesser extent than other animals, such as dogs or cats. It is important to recognize that bats contribute substan tially to their ecosystems and humans. Most importantly, bats are on the larg est decline in history in the American Northeast. A fatal disease called whitenose syndrome has wiped out over 90% of bats in Vermont and New Hampshire. Attention to this issue is needed by the public to continue to find a resolution.
To begin, bats are unique and fas cinating animals. Bats are the only mammals that can truly fly. They can flap their wings to propel them in flight rather than glide. A bat’s wings are thin skin membranes stretching between its finger bones, hind legs, and tail. This adaptation has earned them a special classification among mammals called Chiroptera. Chiroptera quite literally translates to “hand wing.” Furthermore, bats live in numerous types of habitats. They prefer locations with swarms of insects and sustainable resting. Dur ing the winter months, they must find suitable places to hibernate or migrate south. Bats are also nocturnal, doing their hunting from dusk until dawn and sleeping during the day. Bats con sume more than 50% of their own body weight in insects each night effectively making them nature’s best pest control.
Several bat species native to the north east including the northern long-eared bat, little brown bat, and tricolored bat, are affected by white-nose syndrome. White-nose syndrome is caused by a fungus called Pseudogymnoascus destruc tans. The fungus originated in Europe and spread to the U.S. through human travel in the early 2000s. It has since made its way throughout the Ameri can northeast and affected every bat species living here.
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The fungus thrives in cold, damp, and dark environments, or unfortunately, the same conditions where bats hiber nate. The fungus disrupts the wing
Juliet Hoven
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extension.psu.edu/a-homeowners-guide-to-northeastern-bats-and-bat-problemsvtfishandwildlife.com/node/236vtfishandwildlife.com/node/261Resources:www.wildlife.state.nh.us/nongame/bats-nh.htmlwww.wildlife.state.nh.us/nongame/white-nose-syndrome.htmlReportedsightingscanbesubmittedthrough:anrweb.vt.gov/FWD/FW/BatColonyReporting.aspxwww.surveymonkey.com/r/batcolonies
As stated previously, bats can eat up to half their own weight in insects each night. If they were to disappear, we would not know how insect popu lations would be affected. In addition, when populations of one species change in an environment, we do not know how the others in the environment will change as a result. Bats are also the pri mary consumers of mosquitoes and other agricultural pests, so it would be in our best interest to make sure these pests have a predator.
their
Now with the idea of mosquito control in your mind, you might ask yourself, “What can I do to help?” There are several ways you can help!
membranes, blood tissue, and nerves. To fight the infection, bats need to increase their metabolism and keep warm. This ultimately forces bats to come out of hibernation and use the fat they reserved, to fight the fungus. With out their stored fat, bats cannot survive the remaining winter months.
Moreover, why would you want to help an animal with such a bad reputation?
Bats consume more than 50%
Juliet Hoven is currently a double major in zoology and ecology at UVM, excited by any opportunity to do ecological work with amphibians or reptiles. She wrote to us at the suggestion of Green Mountain Animal Defenders.
One way is to leave bats alone if you find them! We want them to remain at peace and breed. Another way to help is to participate in the statewide col ony surveys! In New Hampshire, you can contact the Wildlife Division and have a professional come out to record data on bat colonies. This helps us gath er general data about summer colonies and guide us to where we should focus next. A third way to help is to build or buy bat houses. This provides a safe designated place for bats to stay, while also providing an opportunity for us to watch bats from a distance. Lastly, bat colonies can be reported through the Vermont or New Hamp shire Fish and Wildlife Department state website. We can gather more gen eral data and give biologists an idea of how bat colonies in the area are doing. Overall, bats have an undeserved bad reputation. They play critical roles in our environment and do more good for people than one would ever expect. Let’s hope we can make some progress in their conservation! of own body weight in insects each night, effectively making them nature’s best pest control.
At
T hanks to the Tufts Wildlife Clin ic, injured birds can rehabilitate and return to the wild. When an avid local bird watcher spot ted a bald eagle in a nesting area in March 2022, he reported information from the bird’s identification band to the state’s Maureenornithologist.Murray,V03, clinical asso ciate professor at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and director of Tufts Wildlife Clinic was contacted by the Massachusetts official to let her know that one of her former patients had been located. Murray was thrilled to hear. “Bald eagles in Massachusetts are a conservation success story,” she says. “Prior to the 1980s, breeding pairs of bald eagles had disappeared from the state, due in part to the DDT crisis.” One of the first synthetic insecticides, the use of Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroeth ane (DDT) was canceled by the EPA in 1972 due to its adverse environmental effects. “Because of conservation efforts, the bald eagle population in the state is increasing with more nest sites, which is very Whenencouraging.”theeaglearrived for treat ment at Tufts Wildlife Clinic in 2017, it had identification bands on both legs.
The eagle stayed at the clinic for two months of treatment and rehabilitation. Once the eagle had recovered, clinic staff collaborated with officials from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to release it back to the location where it had been found.
“We can track the bird based on the ID bands,” explains Murray. “It had been banded as a chick in Massachusetts in 2006, and 2017 was the first time it had been spotted again.”
In March of this year, the bird was spotted not too far from where it had been released in 2017, Murray reports. It had found a mate and was observed exhibiting nesting activity almost five years after it was treated at Cummings School.
The bird was found on the ground near a nesting site, according to Mur ray, with an injury to its elbow and a significant wound which was infest ed with maggots. Known as flystrike or myiasis, this is caused by flies lay ing their eggs on a bird, which hatch into“Thismaggots.isasignificant complication to a wound because the presence of fly larvae can cause tissue damage,” says Murray.
The news was well received in the Wildlife Clinic. “The sighting of a released bird nesting is a positive indication that the treatment and rehabilitation process can successfully reintroduce these birds into the wild and into the breeding population,” Murray says. “We are also excited to have the data to show the longevity of these birds in the wild, and hope that this bird will continue to contribute to the state’s bald eagle population for years to come.” Bald Eagle Spotted Nearly Five Years After Rehabilitative Treatment Cummings School
I believe I Can Fly
“This bird suffered massive tissue dam age along the length of its wing in the area of the radial and ulnar bones, which required intensive wound management. “It was a notable accomplishment to facilitate the proper healing of this severe wound,” Murray contends. “After the wound was fully healed, the eagle then went to our large flight cage here at the Clinic for reconditioning and to ensure its flight was normal and strong.”
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ave you ever wondered if your dog dreams? If so, do you wonder about what your dog dreams? According to experts, dogs do dream.
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The body will stiffen in an aggressive posture and a sense of agitation prevails.
Pat Jauch Caledonia Animal Rescue, Inc.
Some seem to be comforting, reliving the events of a pleasant experience. Some dreams seem troublesome, accompanied by harrumphs, soft whimpers, or outand-out barks. The feet will start moving, eventually achieving a racing pace.
Someone approached the house or passed by noisily, and the dog is in total protective mode even in sleep. Following a peaceful interlude filled with playful interaction with its master or another animal, you may find that your dog is relaxed, quietly almost purring, and obviously happy even to the point of gently wagging its tail. When awakened from a disturbing dream your dog may remain agitated for a short time, just as humans react when their slumber has been interrupted. Likewise, a pleasant dream may find the canine slightly disoriented but still carefree and happy to be in familiar surroundings. Thunder or fireworks often upsets pets and the ensuing dream state seems to elicit heightened activity and the appearance of discomfort. Meanwhile, following a day of calm, you may find your pet enjoying a night of what seems to provide happy dreams. Think about this the next time you find your dog growling, grinning, or grumbling during sleep. If you provide a loving atmosphere for your pet you may be helping to create a happy dream state, that is, if you could truly understand what dreams are being dreamed.
At other times there will simply be a sense of contentment and relaxation. After a day of barking at delivery people or protecting the home from loud outside noises, some dogs assume a defensive posture, sprawled out from total exhaustion, and growling into a crescendo of ear-splitting barking. No doubt the canine’s dream has revived a memory of the events of the day.
H
Following a busy day of activity, interaction with other canines, or just plain taking it easy and being lazy, there may appear to be a difference in the dreams.
Canine Dreams
The adult worm averages eight inches in length. Its coloring is a greyish-brown and its smooth, milky-white reproductive col lar, or clitellum, wraps all the way around the worm and is located close to its head. Compare this to your average European earthworm, which is reddish-brown in color, sports a raised clitellum that only encircles three-quarters of the worm’s girth, and is located half way down the body.
The other problem?
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JUMPINGASIANWORMS: The New Garden Menace
Like so many invasives, this species hitchhiked in the soil of exotic plants shipped from Southeast Asia as far back as the 1890s. For several decades, millions of the worms were shipped to the U.S. and sold as fish bait. Over time, the species has managed to branch out across the coun try from nearly every major shipping port and their far reach into all six New Eng land states has scientists greatly alarmed.
WHAT DO THEY LOOK LIKE?
HOW YOU CAN HELP Avoid buying bagged soil or mulch, since state authorities are now claiming that some commercially sold amendments are infested with Asian Jumping worms. Buy only native plants. Native plants are already accustomed to the soil and climate in your region and don’t require amend ments to survive. Plant only bare-root plantings. Since bare-root plants are usually shipped without soil, you can avoid accidentally introducing the worms to your property. Avoid buying plants from commercial nurseries. Garden centers can rarely guar antee that third-party growers and shippers are free of worm infestations. Give your business to native nurseries who go the extra mile to insure their soil is worm-free. Also avoid buying plants from commu nity plant sales or swapping plants with neighbors or friends. The worms can enter your property from your neighbors’ yards. Be sure to regularly check the perimeters of your property and be sure to look under leaf litter.
IF YOU HAVE THEM
Catherine Lyme, NH
There’s a new menace in the garden and it is a real doozy. Amynthas agrestis, also known as the Asian Jumping worm, aggressively consumes the vital top lay er of the soil on your property, damaging plants and trees and leaving behind a dis torted soil composition that can render your garden sterile.
Greenleaf -
According to Professor Josef H. Gorres, a plant and soil scientist at the Universi ty of Vermont, Asian Jumping worms are also a danger to the health of New England forests since they permanently damage the soil food web. These worms eat the duff layer, the highly nutritious and spongey top three inches of soil that tree seedlings need to become established, bringing the growth of forests to a halt and preventing everything from insects and salamanders to turtles and birds from finding the food they need to survive.
If you think you already have Asian Jump ing worms, there has been some success in using tea seed meal, a form of saponin that kills the worms. Follow instructions care fully and do not use near any water source. Scientists are saying that heating soil under plastic to 104 degrees for three con secutive days appears to kill the worms and the cocoons. State officials are urging New England residents to keep a close eye on their prop erties and to report any sightings of Asian Jumping worms to their Cooperative Exten sion service.
Catherine Greenleaf is the director of St. Francis Wild Bird Center in Lyme, N.H. If you find an injured bird or turtle, please call (603) 795-4850.
This worm exhibits a characteristic thrashing behavior when disturbed. It wig gles wildly when attempting to escape, which has earned it various nicknames, including crazy worm, disco worm and Alabama jumper.
The most important tell-tale sign is what it leaves in its wake, which is a wide trail of black, desiccated castings that resem ble a big pile of coffee grounds or burnt ground hamburger. While the castings of your average earthworm are considered beneficial, the castings of this worm turn your property’s soil more acidic. Scientif ic testing shows higher levels of nitrogen, phosphorous and ammonium nitrate, ren dering the soil unfit for growth of plants or trees, according to Dr. Gale Ridge, chief entomologist at the Connecticut Agricul tural Experiment Station.
HOW DID THEY GET HERE?
An Asian Jumping worm doesn’t need to find a mate since it reproduces parthogenically, and produces thousands of cocoons in a single season. While the adults die off once temperatures drop, the cocoons can survive through even our coldest winters in New England and have been shown to hang on for two full years before hatching. What is most confounding to scientists is how fast they move. An Asian Jumping worm can cover the distance of a football field in a single growing season. The devas tation of these worms is so extensive there are Facebook support groups for garden ers experiencing emotional distress after watching their beloved gardens destroyed.
The Often Forgotten Essentials for Successful Training
Paula Bergeron - Grafton, NH
D og Training means different things to different people. Some people want the basics… pee and poop outside, don’t eat the furniture, and don’t eat the neighbors. While others want off-leash reliability, to compete in agility or obe dience trails, or the ability to provide emotional support or complete specif ic tasks for their person.
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If you now agree that training is more about building a relationship with your dog than accomplishing behavioral tasks, then it follows that training begins when your relationship begins, and only ends when your relationship ends. When my students complete a training class or board and train program I end by saying that the training can now truly begin. When you learn how to train you gain the skills of communication and that is just the beginning. It is very common however that once a course is completed, or a skill has been learned the human retreats from being the leader. They fall away from the intimate connection, of request, reward, and follow through that is the heart of good training. I assure you that as the human retreats from the role of leadership, so too will the dog retreat from following the commands. Training is the communication that happens throughout the life of your dog. Training can be wonderful fun, it can also be frustrating and tedious but you are never in it alone. Your canine companion is right alongside you doing theirTrainingbest. is about the two of you so if it is not going well it might not just be your dog who needs to step up. Ask yourself, are you making a connection to your dog or are you phoning it in, do you put in the amount of energy and effort establishing and holding bound aries that you expect from your dog in following them, and are you willing to invest in this commitment for the life of your Understandingdog? that training is not just about your dog but about your relation ship with your dog will give you the basis for the best results in whatever training you take on. What is even more exciting is that it will set you up for a truly deep and fulfilling friendship between you and your dog. Happy Training Paula Bergeron and the gang at Good Dogma embrace a holistic approach to bringing balance to your dog’s behav ioral issues. Exercise, training, relaxation, massage, grooming, play, socialization, and energy healing are incorporated into your dog’s www.Goodogma.comroutine.
Although the intensity, objective, and style of training vary, the foundations for training remain the same, but for many, the building blocks of good training are ignored or not understood. Below are the often misunderstood but essential ingre dients for successful training. When people begin training their dog the focus is on what their dog is to learn. People are quick to identify what moti vates their dog and what doesn’t, and their dog’s level of intelligence or lack there of. These are good things to know when training your dog but what is neglected is that training is not something done to your dog it is something we do WITH our dog. Training is an activity of com munication. You provide consistent boundaries your dog can rely on build ing trust that you mean what you say with the expectation that your dog will respond. Training is not so much exer cises in obedience as it is building your communication and understanding of your dog. YOU are more than half of the training equation because you must be relied upon to give direction, consisten cy, and feedback. If we agree that the human is more than half of the training equation then it fol lows that you need to be more invested in the training than your dog. If I had a penny for the number of times I witness humans telling their dogs what to do in a monotone, half-hearted way, I would be the owner of the largest, most luxuri ous dog sanctuary in the U.S. Even when commands are given with half-hearted intent there is still the expectation our dogs will wholeheartedly comply. This uneven energy interaction just doesn’t work. Often when a dog doesn’t respond it is because they are actually unaware they have been called upon to act. If you want your dog to pay attention to you then you need to begin by being present in that moment with your dog. This is harder than it sounds because it requires slowing down and making a connection with our dog first then say ing a command and paying attention to how your dog responds. If you slow down and make this mental connection I guarantee you will marvel at the dif ference it will make in your training.
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The Gifted dogs—who can be seen in the Genius Dog Challenge, a series of live broadcasted experiments that become viral over social media—very often tilted their head upon hearing the owner’s request for a named toy, while typical dogs rare ly did. That is why the researchers then decided to observe head tilts only in the gifted dogs during two further similar experiments, with more toys involved.
The researchers found that the side towards which the dogs tilted their heads was stable for each individual, across the experiments that spanned over 24 months.
“It seems that there is a relationship between success in retrieving a named toy and frequent head tilts upon hear ing its Thatname.iswhy we suggest an association between head-tilting and processing relevant and meaningful stimuli” clari fies Shany Dror, co-author of the study.
My dog often tilts its head, why?
“Over the course of two studies, carried out in several months, we observed the two groups of dogs: 33 typical dogs and [what turned out to be] seven Gifted Word Learner dogs”, continues Dr. Sommese.
The researchers of the Family Dog Proj ect also show a new way of conducting science. Just as they did in a recent study, they had to collect part of the data while COVID-19 regulations were in place, which meant to virtually bring their activity to the owner’s households.
For this study, the group of scientists recorded the presence (or absence) of head-tilts when the owner requested the toys, and also analyzed the side of the tilt.
in another, together with the experiment er. In each trial, the owner asked the dog to fetch a specific toy by saying its name.
Often owners observe dogs tilting their heads and we still do not have a full understanding of the function and circumstances in which this behav ior happens. However, this study is the first step in a direction that shows how this trait could be related to dogs’ sweet attempts to understand us.
“It is important to notice that this study only investigated head tilts during a very specific dog-owner communicative inter action: when the owner asks the dog to fetch a named toy. Hence, it is important to refrain from thinking that only Gift ed Word Learner dogs tilt their heads in other situations not tested in this study” adds Andrea Temesi, another researcher working on the project, published in Ani mal Cognition journal.
Y
Why Do Dogs Tilt Their Heads?
ou’ve probably seen dogs tilt their head. It’s adorable, but why do they do it? According to scientists, it may be a sign of concentration and memory recall. Several animals, including humans, present an asymmetry in the way they move or perceive the environment through their senses. For instance, one can pre fer an ear or an eye over the other when processing a vocal signal or an image. In dogs, these asymmetries manifest in behaviors such as tail wagging, nostril use while sniffing, or even paw prefer ence when trying to grasp something out of their “Tiltingreach.the head is yet another asym metrical movement in dogs, but it had never been studied. We investigated the frequency and direction of this behavior in response to a specific human verbal vocalization: when the owner asks the dog to bring a toy by saying its name. We did so after realizing that it often happened when the dogs were listening to their own ers,” explains Dr. Andrea Sommese, lead researcher for this study, from the Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest. The researchers analyzed the videos col lected during a previous study that showed not every dog could learn toy names after three months of intensive training. The test was fairly easy to execute: the toys were placed in one room and the owner
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“To do this, we asked the owners to set up two cameras connected to a Livestream software, so we could fully monitor the dogs’ and their owners’ behavior,” says Dr. Clau dia Fugazza, co-author of the study. “This way the COVID restrictions and lockdowns did not stop our research”.
Scientists Look at What’s Going On in Their Minds
Tips for Cat AGGRAVATIONPee
• What box? Many cats actually favor a simple, open top litter box. (If too much spray while peeing is the issue, look for a box with higher sides.)
• Hot water extraction is the most reli able way to remove pet urine from your carpet (TIP: if the smell won’t go away, urine may have leaked through to the pad or sub-floor, and will need to be replaced.)
• Treat with an odor-eliminating enzyme spray.
“Why does my cat always pee on the carpet right after I get back from vacation? Does she do it out of spite?” Some variation of this lament is very common among cat owners (and even some dog owners). The thing is, while our pets are very clever, cats and dogs don’t engage in those types of com plex thoughts and predictions. Spite is a behavior driven by very human emo tions and thought processes! The truth is, while your cat may seem very independent, he or she has grown accustomed to you, your scent, and routine. When you leave, it’s distinct ly Theyunsettling!wantto feel more secure, and one way for them to do that is to do what cats do to protect their territory... They lay down a scent mark—it could be anywhere in your home, but especial ly areas where your scent is rich (your bed, shoes, laundry and yes, your car pet!). The mixing of their scent with yours gives them comfort at a time when they may feel like home is potentially unsafe. And once begun, that response to scent is not going to stop just because you get home. So, what do you do to prevent it?
• Which litter? Try a variety: soil, sand, clay, scoopable, wood pellets, mulch, etc. (TIP: unscented is generally what cats prefer!)
• A black light will let you see any spray marks on the wall, floor or furniture.
Do you have multiple cats? Consider providing multiple litter boxes, and/or take extra steps to keep the litter clean: scoop daily, change the litter weekly, and clean the box with an odor-elimi nating enzyme spray. Cats are, in fact, very trainable. Keep sessions very short and highly motivat ing: their attention span (and desire to please) are just 16th that of a dog. Cats can learn to walk on a leash, use a human toi let, fun tricks, AND to pee in the proper place. You just need a plan and patience! (And possibly a trainer that can help, of course: CollegeforPets.com)
From the Folks at White Mountain College for Pets - Holderness, NH www.4LegsAndATail.com 55Fall 2022
2. Make the litter box a “happy place.” Cats tend to prefer privacy, so place your litter box in a location away from household bustle or appliances. Choose the style your cat likes best, and fill it with their favorite fresh litter.
3. Eliminate scent marking left by other cats. If wall spraying is the issue, check for other cats (or cat-family wildlife), out side the window or wall being marked.
• What surface? Some cats like to scratch around their box; if yours does, expand their “place” safely by setting the litter box on a piece of rug or small blanket.
1. Make sure there’s no medical problem Consult your vet to rule out condi tions like UTI (urinary tract infection) or crystals. And if you have, or plan to get, a kitten, neutering before the spray ing starts can be helpful.
Catherine MacLean, DVM - Grantham, NH Lymphoma is a type of cancer that can affect dogs of any age. It is estimated that it makes up about 24% of all canine cancers1,2. Golden Retrievers, Saint Ber nards, Boxers, Scottish Terriers, Basset Hounds, and Mastiffs tend to be more prone to canine lymphoma, but it can affect any breed. Dogs that are immuno compromised with other health conditions are also at higher risk of lymphoma3. Dogs with canine lymphoma usual ly present with ambiguous signs in the beginning. They may have decreased appetite, decreased energy, vomiting, and just seem “off” to the owner. Bloodwork is usually unremarkable and on the physi cal exam, there is usually one lymph node that is Aspirationenlarged.ofone or more lymph nodes will help diagnose lymphoma. After a diagnosis of lymphoma has been made, staging needs to be done in order to determine if cancer has spread beyond the lymph nodes. Chest radiographs and abdominal ultrasounds are usually rec ommended for staging. Other specialized tests are also done to decide the pheno type of the lymphoma. A diagnosis of cancer is scary and upset ting. Not everyone wants to put their pet through chemotherapy, radiation, etc. There are a lot of things to consider with a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Unfor tunately, there are not a lot of oncologists in our immediate area, so travel is a fac tor. Cost is another factor, as well as your pet’s quality of life and your relationship with your pet. The lymphoma phenotype (B cell vs. T cell) and staging influences the prognosis of canine lymphoma. Chemotherapy has been the treatment of choice. Depending what protocol is used, and what type of lymphoma your dog has, will determine which type of chemotherapy is used. Sur vival time with chemotherapy varies from four months to a year on average. Twen ty-five percent of dogs using the CHOP protocol were alive at two years4. Many owners choose not to pursue
Lymphoma
Canine
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2. Molten JE, Harvey JW. Tumors of lymphoid and hematopoietic tissue. In: Moulton JE, ed. Tumors in Domestic Animals. 3rd ed. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press; 1990. 3. Weiden PL, Storb R, Kolb HJ, et al. Immune reactiv ity in dogs with spontaneous malignancy. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1974;53(4):1049-1056.
chemotherapy and elect for palliative care which involves high doses of ste roids. Survival time with palliative care is 1-3 Recently,months.two new drugs became avail able in the United States for the treatment of canine lymphoma. In 2021 a drug called Tanovea was approved by the FDA for the treatment of canine lymphoma. It involves a 30-minute infusion once every three weeks for up to five treatments. The median survival time is about 168 days. The second new drug that has been conditionally approved by the FDA for the treatment of canine lymphoma is Laverdia-CA1. Laverdia-CA1 is an oral medication that can be administered by the owner at home and is given twice a week. It is used in patients where referral is not an option, but the owner wants to do more than steroids. It can also be used while waiting to get in for a referral if the patient hasn’t responded to chemothera py or the lymphoma is atypical amongst other uses. Laverdia-CA1 is meant to sta bilize the tumor and keep the pet more comfortable. No survival time informa tion is available currently. Cancer is scary, and just like in human medicine a lot of research is happening to try and find a cure. If your pet gets diagnosed with cancer you are not alone, and your veterinarian wants to help. We understand that going to an oncologist and pursuing advanced care is not for everyone. To me, the most important thing is for my client to be able to make an informed decision about the treat ment options available for their pet, and for them to continue to have a good rela tionship with their pet.
References 1. Kaiser HE. Animal neoplasms: A systemic review. In: Kaiser HE, ed. Neoplasms: Comparative Pathology in Animals, Plants, and Man. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins; 1981.
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 acupunc ture. She opened Sugar River Animal Hospital in 2013, and she has been prac ticing veterinary medicine since 2010.
Dr. MacLean’s family consists of her hus band Matt, her daughter Katarina, son Alexander and their three pets: Jack and Misty, two cats, and Arrow, a dog.
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4. Withrow and McEwen’s Small Animal Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. In: Withrow SJ, Vail DM, eds. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders-Elsevier; 2007.
The other teeth in the photographs look normal as do the canine (fang) teeth in the photograph of the front of his mouth. After an awake oral examination it would appear that 4 teeth would need to be extracted.
W hen a dog or cat is brought in for an awake examination, I always warn the owner that we often find more dental disease once we have our den tal x-rays. Why is this? Dogs and especially cats are often not very compliant for an awake exam. Even if they are willing to hold still, we get to look but rarely get to touch much less use any instruments on the teeth. And teeth are like ice bergs - the crown is 1/3 of the entire tooth, the remainder is in the jaw bone. The only way to see the roots is to take dental x-rays. And dental x-rays can only be taken on a pet under general anesthesia. In my experience both dogs and cats can have hidden disease, but it seems much more likely in cats. I have an example to show you. “Oscar” was only 4.5 years old and under general anesthesia when the photographs and x-rays were taken. There are some problems visible in the photographs, indicated by the green and blue arrows. The green arrows point to areas where the gum tis sue is growing up on the side of the tooth. This happens when there is a tooth resorption underneath. The blue arrow points to an area of very rough tartar with pink tissue underneath. All of this could be seen during the awake exam ination, but the examiner needs to be able to spot these areas very quickly!
For comparison this is a normal canine tooth. It has a consistent white density in the entire tooth. The darker area in the middle of the tooth is normal and is the pulp chamber in the crown and the root canal in the root. Oscar’s teeth are undergoing root resorption, meaning that the structure of the roots is being removed (by Oscar’s cells). This process starts at the bot tom of the roots and in this case it has reached the crown. These teeth are likely to break off at the crown root junction (red arrow) if not extracted. They can be a source of intense pain once the resorption enters the crown, as it exposes the inside of the tooth to the bacteria that are pres ent in the mouth.
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Sandra L. Waugh VMD, MS Windsor Pet Dental Upper Incisors Lower Incisors
As the saying goes “Don’t count your extractions before x-rays have been hatched” (well, taken). Here are the x-rays of Oscar’s upper right, lower right and left and upper left canine teeth.
WHAT YOU SEE WHATNOTMAYBEYOUGET
This much resorption in a 4.5 year old cat is very unusual and was a totally unexpected finding from the outward appearance of beautiful white teeth.
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The blue arrow above points to the same tooth in the photographs with a blue arrow. That tooth had the very rough tartar, but now you can see that most of the tooth is gone! This tooth has three roots and it is easy to imagine that in the near future the crown of this tooth will be gone and the roots may very well be left behind. The red arrow points to a tooth root left behind (retained) from the similar tooth on the other side of the mouth. The other teeth in these x-rays are also undergoing tooth resorption but it is not as obvious. And here we have the lower jaw teeth with the green arrows matched to the photographs. The destruction occurring these teeth is easy to see, as well as the tooth with the yellow arrow. The other two teeth are also undergoing resorption but it is not as obvious. Tooth resorptions can also be found using a dental explor er. I always examine all of the teeth in a cat’s mouth with an explorer because tooth resorptions are so common in cats. At the end of the day Oscar had all of his remaining teeth and retained root extracted except for the upper incisors! This added up to 21 teeth and 1 retained root extracted. Cats without any teeth do well because they have loving owners to provide them with easy to eat foods during recovery. Once the mouth has healed in 14 days, they can eat what ever food they like. Cats that like dry food will usually go back to eating dry food, even if all of the teeth are gone. Oscar’s teeth were no longer function ing as teeth. Instead they had become a source of pain and a reason to find eat ing difficult or unpleasant.
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.
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