4 Legs & a Tail Lebanon Fall 2018

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Fall 2018 Central NH & VT

Cool Gadgets for Your Dog Raccoons!

A Holistic Look at Treating Cancer Keeping Your Cat Off the Kitchen Counter Testing Your Pet for Lyme Disease

Inside this issue of 4 Legs & a Tail

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3. A Cat and a Dog That LOVE Traveling Together

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4. Woman Replaces Sister's Ex-Boyfriend With a Cat 5. Ginger Cat Finds an Uninvited Guest in His Bed 6. Welcoming Fall Connor Day

A look a fun, fall activities at West Lebanon Feed & Supply

8. PetSmart Opens New Store in West Lebanon, NH

The nation's largest pet retailer settles into the Upper Valley

10. New London Pet Store Challenges On-Line Giants

Unleashed provides new services to give the big boys a run for the money.

12. Lucy Mac 5k-9

Get set for the 8th Annual fundraiser on October 7.

14. The Tail of Sullivan County Humane Society Laurie Waterman 16. Wag It Forward

Mark your calendar for October 14 and Chittenden Counties biggest dog festival

18. Chase Away Canine Cancer Debbie Safron

How one local couple was inspired to help others battle canine cancer

20. Alternatively Speaking: A Holistic Look at Treating Cancer Anne Carroll, DVM Pg. 16

25. Fall Safety Concerns for Animals

23. Why is my Dog So Itchy? M. Kathleen Shaw, DVM

Even in fall, allergies may be the culprit

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28. Tick Disease Catherine MacLean, DVM

Why it's important to have your pet tested for Lyme Disease.

30. 13 common Pet Emergencies That Need IMMEDIATE Attention!

32. Does My Cat Have Dental Disease? If So, How Can I Recognize It? How Painful is it?

OK, Then Lets Fix It! Sandra L. Waugh, VMD,MS 34. Your Pet's Nutrition Needs Compared to Yours Wendy Fries

What kind of nutrition does your cat or dog really need to stay healthy?

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Inside this issue of 4 Legs & a Tail

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36. Nemo: He Was the First of His Kind

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A tribute to all Vietnam veterans and one dog who served his country

40. What the Therapy Horses Have Shared Sue Miller

The memories of a therapeutic riding instructor

43. How is Your Horse's Nutrition Similar to His Dressage Training? Nicole Sicely 44. How Soon is Too Soon Karen Sturtevant

When the time is right, consider the Vermont English Bulldog Rescue

46. Thinking Outside the Box Holly McClelland

Alternatives to traditional clay cat litter

48. 19 Coolest Gadgets & Gizmos for Dogs

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52. Raccoons! Scott Borthwick

Sure they're cute. But what happens when "mayhem" comes to your home?

54. Leaves Are Not Litter Catherine Greenleaf

Hang up that rake this fall and save your yard

56. Simple Ways to Keep Cats Off Your Kitchen Counter Tess Wilson

57. When the School Bus Leaves Paula Bergeron

Why your dog may act up when your children start back to school and what to do about it

58. Three Men and a Cat Tim Hoehn

How much havoc can one cat make?

60. The Coolidge Dogs (and Other Animals) Kate Kelly

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4 Legs & a Tail Volume L.318 P.O. Box 841 Lebanon, NH 03766 603-727-9214 TimH.4LT@gmail.com 2 4 Legs & a Tail

A look at the four legged friends of this Vermonter and our 30th President, Calvin Coolidge

Publishers: Tim Goodwin, Tim Hoehn Senior Editor: Scott Palzer Graphic Design: Kristin Wolff, Lacey Dardis Kate Haas 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 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.

Fall 2018

A Cat and a Dog That LOVE Traveling Together C

ynthia Bennett and her boyfriend, both based in Colorado, are keen hikers, back in 2014 they adopted their dog Henry at a puppy adoption event.

“We looked around and Henry was just sitting there,” explained Cynthia. “They said he was only 3 and a half months, but he was like five times bigger than the other 3 and a half-month old puppies. And he had these long legs, and the body type of a wolf or husky.”

Even though he was only 14 weeks old, it wasn’t long before he began hiking with them. “I think we only had him for three days when we took him on our first hike, which was to Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs,” she said. “He found the steepest, tallest rock around, and he ran up to the top of it to look over the edge.”

Soon the couple decided to extend their family and began the search for a kitten. “I really wanted a rescue kitten.

I’d looked for five months, and I saw lots of different kittens, but none of them really had the right personality or fit.

I knew that I wanted to take him anywhere — camping, hiking.” It was then that they found Baloo at a local animal shelter. He was a Siamese mix and as soon as they met a bond was formed.

“He ran right up to me,” Cynthia said.

“And he was the one who played, but he wasn’t the most rowdy.”

They took Baloo home and introduced him to Henry, it was love at first sight as Baloo immediately snuggled up to the big dog. Before long, Baloo started joining the family on their trips and they have wonderful adventures together which they have documented with these beautiful photos.

It was love at first sight for Baloo and Henry and the two companions have become inseparable.

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Baloo is so attached to the big pooch that when Cynthia put him onto Henry’s head for a photo — he liked it so much that it became a favorite spot!

This loving family is so happy togeth This kitty has a taste for adventure er that I’m sure there’ll be many more and loves to go hiking with his family… adventures ahead of them.

“He’s definitely not the kind of cat we You can see more of Baloo, can leave home alone on the weekend Henry and Cynthia on Instagram anymore, I think he thinks he’s more All images @henrythecoloradodog a dog than anything.”

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Woman Replaces Sister’s Ex-Boyfriend with Cat in Family Photos W

hen 27-year-old Chloe Forsberg of Southampton, England, broke up with her boyfriend, her sister Emily decided there was only one course of action to make her sister feel better, remove him from all the family photos so that they were not a constant reminder of the failed four year relationship. But not only did Emily remove him from all the pics, she replaced him with pictures of Chloe’s cat Woof.

“My cousin got married and my boyfriend — we were together four years — he was in all the official pictures,” Chloe told Today. “When we broke up six months (after the wedding), my sister thought it’d be fun to replace him with a picture of my cat. It was a joke, really. I felt a bit bad to have the pictures ruined with photos of him. But my sister made me feel a bit better about it.”

And the best part of this story? No PhotoShop skills were required. Emily did it all using Microsoft Paint!

Bears ‘Guard’ Cannabis Fields P

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olice in Canada found themselves dealing with some unlikely criminals, when they discovered a gang of bears guarding a marijuana farm during a raid.

Five police officers had been called to the marijuana plantation to dismantle the farm and arrest two men, but found themselves confronted by 13 black bears. Fortunately police soon realized that they showed no signs of aggressive behavior and were in fact tame.

Fall 2018

Ginger Cat Finds an Uninvited Guest in His Bed A

ginger cat named George was horrified today when an uninvited guest decided to use his bed while he was having a walk in the garden.

George’s human, Meloney Blaze, couldn’t believe her eyes. “When I came downstairs, and walked past the kitchen into the bathroom, I did a double take as in the kitchen window I could see a pair of huge ears. I thought, “hmm, those are not the cat’s ears”, and I turned the light on to look at what was in the cat’s bed – and it was a fox!”

“He was very tame, he did not want to leave. George was outside the window and was not impressed, I had to let him in the bathroom window. He jumped on the side and leapt into action and was telling the fox off – he was even hissing at him, but the fox just looked at him.”

Meloney, from London, UK, explained that she had woken in the night to let George out of the kitchen window so he could go into the garden, the fox must of sneaked in after she’d gone back to bed and had made itself at home in the kitty’s bed. When George returned, he tried to scare the uninvited guest away by hissing, but the fox refused to budge until Meloney grabbed the bed and tipped the fox out of the window. “He was very tame,” she explained, “he did not want to leave.”

And with the cold spell that is sweeping across the UK at the moment, who can really blame him!

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WELCOMING FALL Y

es, fall is upon us…the heat of the summer has started to fade away and the cooler air is beginning to creep in.

The summer months, often filled with travel, activities, and having the kids out of school, can be an incredibly busy time for many of us. The season also brings Upper Valley folks out of our homes to enjoy the abundance of community

Connor Day - West Lebanon, NH

events, many of which are unique to our region. All of the outdoor farmers markets, country fairs, and local festivals are among the wonderful happenings that we cherish as New Englanders and that serve as a welcome reminder that our community still values gathering together as neighbors to strengthen that neighborly bond. And so, as the seasons

transition, we find it’s an ideal time to reflect on how we have been cultivating our relationships and considering our own impact on the community right here in our own backyard.

This is undoubtedly an age of fastpaced technology and many of us find ourselves constantly “online”. It can become easy to feel lost and isolated from the special interactions and human contact that is so important.

Thankfully our incredible roster of local events allows us to unplug from the internet and connect with our local farmers and crafters, creators of some of the finest foods and products on the planet. Indulging in those moments of neighborly interaction also provide unique experiences that strengthen our ties to our community and which are vital to preserving our wonderful way of life. They help remind us that these amazing artisans, farmers, and local merchants that we love also rely upon us to support them and their wonderful contributions to our way of life.

As always, summer was a bustling time for us here at West Lebanon Feed & Supply. The seasons and all their changes are embedded in our business too, as we serve our local farmers and crafters with feeds and needs, garden supplies, and so much more. So as fall approaches, we view it as an opportunity to renew our focus on how we can support our customers and our community.

The staff of West Lebanon Feed & Supply eagerly committed to “walking the walk” to an even greater extent in 2018 by pledging nearly 500 combined hours of their own volunteer time to help various non-profits and community organizations in need. To date, we held group projects at the Upper Valley Humane Society, Willing Hands Gardens, nonprofit fundraisers, festivals and farmers markets, and many more. We’re proud to share in the idea that what makes the Upper Valley region special is the caring and support found among our neighbors and friends; it’s about local supporting local and giving back.

In 2018 we were able to reinvigorate our “Share the Harvest” fresh foods donation program to help feed hungry neighbors and, in partnership with Willing Hands, have seen hundreds of dozens of farm fresh eggs donated in the last year alone! Share the Harvest helps Continued Next Page

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to connect those who have surplus eggs and produce with a channel for getting that extra (delicious) fresh food to local families in need. It’s another example of how we can only achieve those successes through the generous support of our customers and the greater community. If you would like to get involved with Share the Harvest or another one of these incredible community programs, please contact us for more information.

And we are once again pleased to announce the return of our popular annual Pickling and Canning competition, coming in early October! This year, we will be adding a home-baked pie component to the competition, so if you have a wonderful recipe to share and potentially be designated as “Best in the Valley”, be sure to sign up now. We cherish these events because they give us another glimpse into the hard work and dedication of our home growers and backyard farmers; those who are now enjoying the fruits of their efforts. It’s a beautiful thing…it’s local, it’s fresh, and it’s what makes the Upper Valley so special.

At West Lebanon Feed & Supply, we remain passionate about supporting our local roots and serving this community. We are here to serve our customers, our friends, our neighbors, and we’ve been that trusted partner since 1926. We encourage everyone to support those wonderful, local, and homegrown Upper Valley institutions that make this region such a truly wonderful place to live, work, and raise our two- and four-legged family members.

Connor Day is the Marketing & Communications Director at West Lebanon Feed & Supply. For more information on local community events and how you can get involved, come see us in the store, contact us at (603) 298-8600, or email us at mail@westlebanonsupply.com.

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PetSmart Opens New Store in West Lebanon, N.H. ®

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he Upper Valley is fast becoming a Mecca for pet owners in New England. Home to many locally owned businesses catering to pets, the newest addition is nationally owned PetSmart.

Now open at their new location in West Lebanon, N.H., located at 248 N Plainfield Rd Suite 130.

The West Lebanon store location will feature PetSmart’s new Pinnacle Pet Nutrition section, an expanded collection of pet food products featuring high-protein, natural, grain-free, minimally processed and raw pet food.

This food type is the fastest growing in the overall pet food category and includes brands such as Only Natural tic, paleo-inspired natural foods and Pet®, a natural pet brand featuring holis- wholesome high-protein recipes that are dehydrated, freeze-dried and airdried. PetSmart is the exclusive national retailer for Only Natural Pet. The new store features more than 18,000 square feet of space, providing pet parents with a comprehensive line of pet products. The store also offers useful services such as pet training and adoption services, as well as a full-service grooming salon where dogs and cats receive hands-on care from academy-trained, safety-certified stylists dedicated to making pets look and feel their best.** PetSmart, The Adopt Spot™, is where people save pets and pets save people.

Since its founding in 1987, PetSmart recognized the pet homelessness problem and made the decision to never sell dogs or cats. To help end pet homelessness and save lives, PetSmart joins PetSmart Charities®, PetSmart Charities® of Canada and more than 3,500 local animal welfare organizations across North America on a range of powerful adoption events in PetSmart stores.

Every PetSmart store, including this store in West Lebanon, builds long-lasting relationships with local animal welfare organizations to utilize its stores as adoption centers. PetSmart and its adoption partners have reached a significant milestone – more than 8 million pets adopted since 1994! Nearly two out of every 10 pet adoptions in North America are facilitated at a PetSmart store.

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New London, New Hampshire Pet Store, Unleashed, challenges On-Line Giants P

enny Murano, ow ner of Unleashed, a leading independent Pet Store, noticed sales of pet food were declining. She suspected that large on-line Internet sites were the cause.

These sites, such as Chewy.com, offer reasonable pricing, but Penny was not sure that was the cause.

Since opening in 2006, Penny and her team at Unleashed have offered excellent customer service, strong knowledge of the products and constant industry research to offer the best for our fourlegged friends. Yet, they were still losing customers to online shopping.

Penny used her list of customers to conduct some research and after speaking with several customers who were shopping online, it was clear that the convenience of home delivery offered by the Internet giants was the primary motivation. So, Penny decided to fight back!

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“Many people have told me that I can never take on the on-line universe, there is no chance” says Penny.

“But, I believe in local retailing, customer ser vice and supporting my customers through our extensive research and knowledge. We will succeed.”

They decided to offer delivery to regain lost customers and encourage shopping locally. The first step Penny took was designing the vehicle in the shop’s signature orange color and make it a rolling billboard for shopping locally. Now Unleashed can provide many more brands of food so that their limited space will no longer be an issue. They have always followed the motto “if we don’t have it, we will get it for you”.

Since the new service serves a mostly rural area (10 towns), orders will be delivered on a monthly schedule and route. With other independent pet stores closing their doors, consideration of expanding the towns served may be in order. Fortunately, a database of

customers has been maintained and Unleashed is actively reaching out to former customers to offer them the new service.

The delivery service was launched in Summer 2018, and many customers have indicated that they will make the switch back to Unleashed. But it is early. Whether a small-town pet store can really challenge the giants remains to be seen.

The store’s loyalty program, buy 12 bags of dog or cat food and get the 13th free, ultimately offers better prices than the Internet giants. Plus, a hand signed thank you note accompanied by a custom made Unleashed dog bone or cat toy is left with each customer.

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LUCY MAC 5K-9 RACE – SPONSOR – DONATE AT ASCUTNEY TRAILS ON OCTOBER 7, 2018 Jackie Stanley

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og tails will be wagging on the Ascutney Trails in Brownsville, VT on October 7th! Animal-loving walkers and runners of all fitness levels are encouraged to show their support for one of the oldest humane societies in the country at Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society’s 8th annual Lucy Mac 5K-9.

For the third year in a row, the 5K-9 will be held at the Ascutney Trails in Brownsville, VT where participants will enjoy a scenic 5K trail course that will lead them across fields, over streams and through the woods before winding down the Western base of Ascutney Mountain.

For those wanting to participate, but not quite up for the full 5K course, there will be a similar 1-mile course available.

Walkers and runners of all ages and athletic ability are welcome to participate with or without their canine best-friend, and are encouraged to fundraise, either as an individual or as part of a team, to help earn much-needed funds for the century-old shelter.

Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society was founded in 1915 by Frank Mackenzie in memory of his late wife, Lucy Collamer Mackenzie. Lucy had spent her life tirelessly advocating for and supporting those who needed help, especially those without a voice of their own – children and animals, and as such, the Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society was originally established to care for abused and neglected children and animals.

The shelter spent the majority of the following century in various locations throughout Woodstock, until relocating to West Windsor in 2007.

Nestled in the shadow of Ascutney Mountain in West Windsor, VT, Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society now sits on 12-acres of semi-wooded land and open fields, and features a bright, warm shelter that provides a safe haven to Continued Next Page

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hundreds of cats and dogs every year as they await their adoption. Serving Windsor County, the Upper Valley and surrounding communities, Lucy Mackenzie’s staff and volunteers provide each and every animal that enters their doors the care and attention they need. Many of the animals admitted have never been seen by a veterinarian, or are long overdue for vaccinations and treatments; some are in need of immediate medical intervention in order to relieve pain; some have arrived as strays and are in need of a healthy meal and a safe place to get some much-needed rest. Regardless of the circumstance and condition they arrive in, each animal is guaranteed to receive whatever it is they need in order to thrive, and to ultimately find a loving family and home of their very own.

In addition to helping animals find loving, caring homes, Lucy Mackenzie also offers programs designed to help people and animals in the community when they need it most. Programs such as low-cost spay and neuter clinics, the Lucy Mackenzie Animal Food Shelf and Jake’s Friends Fund, which helps fund necessary medical treatment to animals when owners are financially struggling, are all designed to support responsible pet ownership.

All of this comes at a great cost. Lucy Mackenzie receives no state or federal funding and relies solely on donations, fees and fundraising endeavors, like the 5K-9, to remain in operation. The 5K-9 has become one of Lucy Mackenzie’s most successful fundraisers in recent years, due in large part to a change in venue that is only four miles down the road from the shelter. In efforts to increase participation, the event location was moved from the shelter to the Ascutney Trails in Brownsville, VT in 2016. Since then, participation has steadily increased, as has much-needed event revenue.

To register for the Lucy Mac 5K-9 or to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, visit www.lucymac.org or call 802-484-LUCY. Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society looks forward to another exciting, beautiful and successful 5K-9 on October 7th at the Ascutney Trails and hopes to see you there!

The Ascutney Trails, co-managed by Ascutney Outdoors and the Sport Trails of the Ascutney Basin (STAB), offer a 30-mile network of recreational trails located on the western base of the Ascutney Mountain that is open to the public. Mountain bikers, hikers and trail runners are welcome year-round to explore the trails that feature a variety of terrain. And, one of the best parts?

The trails and property are dog-friendly!

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The Tail of Sullivan County Humane Society

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ullivan County Humane Society is a no-kill shelter for cats. It is located at 14 Tremont St. in Claremont. We opened our doors on August 6, 2012, but have been a 501C non-profit business since 2004. We are a community engaged nonprofit committed to improving the quality of life for animals within our county and to putting an end to animal overpopulation, abandonment, and neglect. In support of our mission, we have found safe, loving homes for over 1500 cats; our low-cost spay-neuter program which started in 2011 to date has spayed/neutered 4000 cats, 41 dogs, and 12 rabbits.

We provide humane education and outreach in support of responsible ownership. Lastly, through programs for low-income pet owners, we have helped pets remain and thrive in their forever homes.

SCHS is comprised of a 6 member passionate “working board”, a group of outstanding volunteers who help with fundraising, fostering and shelter duties and 1.5 dedicated employees. At any one time, we can have 40 cats in our care with up to 30 or more in foster.

Each cat that is surrendered goes through a strict intake process. Once we receive a surrendered cat, it receives any medical care it needs as well as all vaccinations and treatment required for the health of the animal. If an animal requires additional medical care, it is provided by Springfield Animal Hospital which is located in Springfield VT. Each cat then enters a 14 day quarantine period. Once this period is over they are available for adoption.

When we receive a cat that is either surrendered by its family or by a kind person who rescues them from the street we do not know the health of the cat. Some of our surrendered cats have had significant health issues and have needed extensive medical care before they can find their forever homes. Because we are a no-kill shelter, we work with our Veterinarian to determine the best course of medical care required to bring the cat back to health. It is difficult to put a price on the care of an individual cat, but some cats can cost hundreds of dollars, while others may cost over a thousand dollars to bring them back to health and prepare them to find there forever home. A few examples of such situations is a cat that may need their eye removed due to untreated respiratory illness or a leg amputation for malformations.

To achieve this goal we need donations. We receive tremendous financial support from the public and we are grateful for this support. We hold many fundraisers that range from a 5K run/walk, bingo games, Common Man Dinners, bake sales, bowling nights and spaghetti dinners to name a few. The reason for all these fundraisers is that we receive no funds from the city of Claremont, State of New Hampshire or Federal funds. Without the public’s help, we can not continue our good work.

Some would say they are only cats but to us, they are lives worth saving. In the last few years, we have almost doubled our shelter expenses. The reason for this is there has been an increase in awareness of our shelter which means we have had an increase in surrendered cats.

With the public’s support, the board, staff, and volunteers of Sullivan County Humane Society will continue to work hard to help as many cats as we can for as long as we can. We hope to see some of you at our local fundraisers but please know that donations are appreciated all year long. Donations can be mailed to Sullivan County Humane Society PO Box 111 Claremont NH 03743, brought to the shelter during open hours and placed in our donation cube or directly deposited into our bank account @ Bank of New Hampshire. Donations can be dedicated to one of the programs mentioned above or go directly towards our operating expenses. For more information on how you can help visit our website www.sullivancountyhumanesociety.org.

To keep up with all our shelter news and activities like us on FaceBook.

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WAG IT FORWARD D

o you love animals? Do you want a fun and meaningful way to “pay it forward”? Then do we have the event for you! Last year Pet Food Warehouse presented the first annual Wag It Forward: A Festival for Pets.

Despite some dodgy weather in the morning, it was a blast and a smashing success with an estimated 1558 human attendees, 714 dogs, 50 nonprofit groups, and 30 vendors.

This year, as part of celebrating Pet Food Warehouse’s 35 years in business, the 2nd Annual Wag It Forward

Festival will be the dog event of the year; a benefit party you won’t want to miss!

On Sunday, October 14th, Pet Food Warehouse will close up both stores for the day and head over to the Champlain Valley Exposition to host the community and their pets at this fun filled fest.

It all kicks off with the 8th Annual VetriScience Chase Away K9 Cancer 5K. Registration begins at 8 am and the race starts at 9 am. Runners and walkers can pre-register online at https://runsignup.com/Race/VT/ EssexJunction/ChaseAway5K. All Chase Away 5K runners and walkers will receive free entry to Wag It Forward after the race with their race bib.

The gates for Wag It Forward open to the public at 10 am. Want to skip the lines? You can pre-buy WIF tickets and pick up your canine waiver at either Pet Food Warehouse location now! Tickets are $5 minimum donation for adults. Kids and pets are free! All profits equally benefit participating non-profit animal welfare groups.

At Wag It Forward we love wet dogs!

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Dock Dogs will compete on-site thanks to the generous support of GlycoFlex and Pets Global, providing the opportunity for your dog to show off some water skills, too. The competition begins Saturday, October 13th at 3:00 pm and runs through Wag It Forward. If you’d like to participate in the jumps you can register on-site at 9am each day or, preferably, online at dockdogs.com.

A variety of other demonstrations will be running throughout the day courtesy of 802 Disc Dogs, MotoDog Training, Comfort Hill Kennel, A Passion for Pets, and the Humane Society of Chittenden County! The Grift, Vermont’s premier good-time party band, will keep us all moving with their booty-shaking grooves. Come hungry! We’ll have tons of local food options and, for the beer and wine drinking crowd, a beer tent nestled by the band will be the perfect spot to socialize with your two, three and four-legged friends.

But, what will the kids do? They’ll bounce in a castle, get their faces painted and get inked at our (temporary) tattoo booth! Looking to memorialize the day? Stop by the bandana tie-dye station or step up to Photobooth Planet with your pup and walk away with a one-of-a-kind mementos.

Be sure to get there early to participate in our costume parade and contest

that starts at noon sharp. Place in the top three of any of the categories to win some goodies!

The categories this year are : Matching Duos; Superheroes; and in honor of Pet Food Warehouse’s 35 anniversary, the 1980’s!

The event is generously sponsored by many local and national businesses, including: GlycoFlex, Pets Global, Pronature, WellPet, Grizzly Pet Products, Healthy Hemp Pet, Sojos, American Natural Premium, BEVS, Koha, Laurie’s All Natural Products, Oma’s Pride, Petmate, PetSafe, The Honest Kitchen, The Pour House, PetSafe, Triumph, Vital Essentials, and so many more! Without these great sponsorships, we wouldn’t be able to provide a no cost avenue for local animal welfare and rescue groups to help raise awareness and funds as a community. Joining the non-profit organizations are tons of animal loving vendors who have dedicated their time and energy to creating unique products and experiences for your pets.

We can’t wait to celebrate Pet Food Warehouse’s 35th anniversary with you and your pets on a beautiful fall day. For more details about the event, visit www. pfwvt.com/wag-itforward-a-festival-forpets.html. For questions about the day’s events, please contact Ginny at ginny@ pfwvt.com.

Photo by Melanie Tata Photography, Charlestown, NH

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Chase Away Canine Cancer Debbie Safran

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e (my now-husband and I) noticed something was wrong in October 2006. The vet thought it was probably arthritis—Ellie was almost 10 after all—and sent us home with a bottle of carprofen.

When the pills stopped working after a few days, we scheduled x-rays.

That’s when we got the devastating news. Osteosarcoma.

It’s one thing to know osteosarcoma is the leading cause of death in greyhounds.

It’s another thing to know it will cause the death of your greyhound. The next few days

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were a blur. Crying. Meeting with specialists. Calling friends and family, “Ellie is dying!” And the guilt, oh, the guilt. All the signs she gave us, which we chalked up to her age. Truth is, it’s hard play when there’s a tumor at the head of your femur, jamming into your hip socket.

But guilt doesn’t change the decision we needed to make. Euthanasia. Amputat ion. Pain management. How to treat your dog’s cancer is deeply personal. You have to consider what you can emotionally and financially handle. What your dog can

emotionally and physically handle. I looked into Ellie’s big brown eyes and saw that she wanted the pain to stop. But she wasn’t ready to go. She had three good legs, a clear chest x-ray, and lots of life left. So, on November 6, 2006, little Ellie’s lost her left hind leg. The dog community showered us with more love and support than I could have imagined. And I knew, after Ellie recovered, I’d pay it forward.

That same year, Cera Reusser got devastating news of her own. Her dock diving champion, Chase, was also diagnosed with cancer—nasal carcinoma—and was gone before her first chemotherapy treatment. To cope with this loss, Cera set her sights on a cure for this devastating disease. And founded Chase Away K9 Cancer. This grassroots campaign, under the National Canine Cancer Foundation, has so far raised $1.2 million and funded 17 research grants.

Though we live 3,000 miles apart, it was only a matter of time before my and Cera’s paths would cross. Maybe because of the catchy nonprofit name. Or the Stephen Huneck-designed custom logo. Or maybe it was our shared passion. It was probably a combination of all three. Regardless, I needed to bring Chase Away K9 Cancer to Vermont. Because my husband and I have runners, not dock-divers, I took a different approach. In 2011, I organized the first-ever Chase Away 5K. Experts told me to expect about 50 runners that first year. We had almost 100. And the event keeps growing. It means so much to our repeat runners. To those who include their dogs’ names on the back of the event tee (which lists “We’re Running For…”).

Who share with me their stories—and photos!—at fundraising events, before the run, and after. Who use the Chase Away 5K to build their own support network.

Everyone wants to feel like part of the solution. Chase Away K9 Cancer gives them that chance.

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Alternatively Speaking:

A Holistic Look at Treating Cancer Dr. Anne Carroll, DVM, CVA

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ancer can be a daunting and very intimidating diagnosis to receive for a loved pet. It comes with a stigma that causes us to go to that worst place, fearing a disease that is impossible to treat. But if we take a moment to put those knee-jerk emotions aside, cancer is just like many other diseases. Modern research is constantly identifying the mechanisms by which specific types of tumors operate in the body, and in doing so uncover their vulnerabilities.

This information allows us to develop modern tools to use in the fight against cancer, some of which rely on harnessing the body’s own immune system to engage in the battle. Meanwhile, we also have far older tools long used by alternative practitioners. In our hospital, we use Chinese medicine, homeopathic remedies and nutrition to treat the imminent threat of a cancer and attempt to subdue

it into a manageable condition while preserving a good quality of life.

Before launching into a discussion on cancer itself, let’s back up to before we reach that diagnosis. After all, holistic medicine is as much about prevention as it is about treating illness.

When pet guardians and veterinarians team up to promote ideal health in advance that is where we see the most impact on quality and length of our animal’s lives. When I am assessing a young healthy animal from a Chinese perspective, I am looking for that animal’s weaknesses or areas of imbalance, some call that their ‘constitution’. Every medical philosophy I can think of, even Western medicine to a lesser extent, takes the patient’s constitution into account when trying to prevent or treat disease. Do they struggle with obesity, get lots of infections that are smelly, and tend to be hyper? Or are they thin, timid, and have a dull dandery coat? Just as their constitutions differ, so will these animal’s medical complaints, and when using Chinese medical philosophy the nature of those medical complaints are fairly predictable in advance. Ideally we take this predictive information and use diet, herbs, etc. early on to minimize that basic imbalance, because without intervention the body will take its own measures to function as best as possible in the short term. The issue comes over time when these quickfix workarounds interfere with the ways the body was ideally designed to operate, and that opens the door for acute, then chronic disease, and in many cases finally a cancer.

So let’s say we did not have an opportunity to identify and address imbalances in advance and now our dog or cat has an illness. We use the same assessment technique to treat disease issues when they occur, and that includes cancer. Identifying imbalance is often not as straight forward in this case as in younger pets, since over time the body has made many different attempts to ‘fix’ things. We are often addressing patterns like layers in an onion, dealing with the current situation and slowly working back to the Continued Next Page

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known to hamper cancer cells such as Vitamin A and medical mushrooms to try to slow her cancer’s progression and spread. Perhaps more importantly, holistic supports often achieve our primary goal, to make patients like Elsie Mae feel well for whatever time they have left, however long that may be.

Not all cases require an aggressive intervention using so many tools. Some tumors are slow to cause issues and we are not as pressured to do a lot quickly.

Take Rudy for example, a 13 year old mixed breed dog who came in for his annual checkup with complaints of being a bit less active than usual. An

examination found some enlargement of his abdomen and an xray confirmed a large mass that was taking up enough of his midsection that his intestines were crowded into his lower belly.

His person decided that any invasive intervention was not the best choice for Rudy. So Dr Black, our homeopathic practitioner, prescribed a remedy and afterwards Rudy felt better. His energy improved, and over the next year and a half his mass reduced in size as he took nutritional supports and a series of adjusted homeopathic remedies to Continued Next Page

Rudy and best friend Gypse

core issue as we discover it. We can use Elsie Mae as an example. She is a 9 year old Golden Retriever, diagnosed with an aggressive and inoperable thyroid cancer by MRI. The thyroid gland is in charge of the body’s metabolic rate, and Elsie’s tumor was forcing it into an overactive hyperthyroid condition that is not typical in dogs. She had a fast heart rate, was panting all the time, and unable to settle quietly due to a constant feeling of restlessness. Medications were used to bring her thyroid levels down, but her symptoms were not going away, so her owner wanted to explore any alternative options. When we saw Elsie she was just as described above, by all impressions a hot and slightly restless dog which is not unusual for the types of imbalances we see in her breed. However, her tongue and pulse showed a different story, that Elsie’s problem was metaphorically one of stagnant circulation of blood and a lack of that cooling fluid. Her ‘heat’ in this moment was more a side condition, like a car radiator that overheats when it doesn’t have enough coolant. Elsie had already outlived the time her veterinarians had predicted for her and now her quality of life was declining, so we used acupuncture and homeopathy to try to get some immediate relief. Elsie’s response was dramatic and rapid. That same evening after her first treatment, her panting and restlessness were gone, and those symptoms did not return for two weeks. This type of symptom management is not always so complete for every patient but most do have some response, enough to give us time to address the pattern of imbalance with slower acting herbs and diet. In Elsie’s case we also used aggressive supports Fall 2018

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fit his changing condition. The mass is still there, but is being effectively managed so it does not pose any immediate concern to his well-being, and that is all we ever hope for when dealing with any serious disease.

These cases show a wide difference between how dramatically a cancer can affect the body, and how fast. Just as we mentioned above, that early intervention to manage imbalances is best done before serious disease occurs. It is equally important to seek out alternative therapy as soon as a cancer or any disease is diagnosed. The longer illness is allowed to progress and do damage, the less resources and energy the body has to fight it. Holistic medicine is not magic, it simply uses tools that modern medicine has not researched and developed into mainstream therapy or pharmaceuticals yet. Its methods can modulate circulation and tissue oxygen levels to create improvements that can seem magical in that they exceed conventional expectations, but we still rely on the body’s ability to respond and do the work. As such we always recommend starting early, even integrating therapy alongside conventional care.

Research has indisputably shown that alternative therapies do not interfere with conventional cancer care, and overwhelmingly they help to improve

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quality of life. In our experience, they improve response to treatment as well by affecting tumor vulnerability in ways conventional medicine can’t harness, and since multi-modal tumor attack is the goal in any oncology protocol, the safe application of alternative therapy can’t hurt and often helps enormously.

We do treat patients who are receiving conventional care differently, tailoring their program to maximize their Western care and minimize its side effects. Once the patient is stable on their conventional care, new alternative additions are given slowly so as not to overwhelm the patient with too much at once.

Trying to tackle the daunting task of treating cancer is not for everyone, nor every animal, whether using alternative medicine, surgery or chemotherapy. The first step is to get educated since each type of cancer is different.

Exploring the details of what each therapy entails, its prognosis and cost is the first step in deciding what is best for your family and pet. Then if you decide that alternative medicine is going to be part of your therapy, embark on early coordinated treatment when possible and give yourselves the best chance for success and don’t wait until all western options have been exhausted and your pet is in decline. Unfortunately sometimes a critical condition arises so fast that you find yourself having to make immediate decisions, often without the benefit of past holistic care to give you confidence to try. In these cases follow what your heart tells you is best.

Perhaps in the future specialists will include alternative options as front line therapy in acutely critical cases, but for now it is up to the individual to seek out those options when they feel their pet still wants a fighting chance.

The same goes for patients that have had a tumor removed, but the expectation is for it to come back. Sometimes chemotherapy or tumor vaccines are options, but keep in mind using alternative medicine addresses the imbalance that allowed that condition to arise in the first place. Doing so may slow its return, and give us more time to relish playing ball or snuggling on the couch with our furry friends.

Dr. Anne Carroll is owner of the Chelsea Animal Hospital where she practices conventional medicine and surgery as well as several alternative modalities including traditional Chinese acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.

Her associate Dr. Betty Jo Black brings classical homeopathy to the practice.

For more information on alternative veterinary medicine visit their website at www.chelseaanimalhospital.com Fall 2018

Why is my Dog So Itchy?!

It Might Be Allergies M. Kathleen Shaw DVM Vermont Veterinary Medical Association

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easonal allergies (atopy) is one of the most common skin disorders in dogs. It is an inherited allergic reaction to pollen, grass, mold, or one of many things Mother Nature makes. These dogs also have certain areas of the body where the skin is defective and doesn’t form a good barrier, allowing these allergens to contact it and trigger an immune reaction. The result is your dog is miserable: it’s intensely itchy and uncomfortable and it’s made worse by secondary bacterial and yeast infections. This includes the ears. Imagine how it would feel to have mosquito bites all over your body all of the time, and you’ll get an idea of how your dog feels.

Before we even begin to try to control atopy, it is crucial that we start by preventing another main cause of itchy skin: fleas and ticks. Even though you don’t see fleas or are only seeing a few fleas on your pet, monthly flea/tick prevention is crucial. If your pet is allergic to them, just one flea bite can make your dog intensely itchy and this can mimic atopy. Your veterinarian can identify and treat any other skin problems such as other parasites, bacterial, or yeast infections. Sometimes a hormonal problem such as a low thyroid level (dogs) can make the skin barriers weak and lead to infection and itching.

Once these other contributors are under control, treatment options for the atopy can be explored.

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Treatment for atopy often starts with symptomatic care, which is always a good place to start if your dog is mildly itchy. The advantage is it doesn’t cost as much, is very safe, and you see relatively quick benefits. It doesn’t require monitoring blood work or more expensive medications. The downside is that it is not as effective as the drugs and is labor intensive. The single most important thing you can do to help your itchy dog with atopy is bathing. Despite the widespread belief that frequent baths will Continued Next Page

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dry out the skin, most dermatologists agree that you cannot over- bathe an allergic dog provided you use a veterinary skin barrier repair product and moisturizer after bathing. Wipe down your dog’s feet and undercarriage after coming in from outside twice a day. This will help remove the allergens from the skin. Keep the hair coat short to decrease the “dust mop” effect where it collects even more allergens when outside. Remember if your pet has atopy, you will want to choose a flea/tick preventative that is not susceptible to being washed away from repeated bathing.

Other symptomatic treatments for atopy include essential fatty acids, topical anti-inflammatory products, and antihistamines. Your veterinarian can help you come up with the doses and frequency of administration of medications to symptomatically treat atopy.

If symptomatic care is not controlling your pet’s itching, we must then consider additional therapies. There are two options: Allergy Specific Immunotherapy (ASIT) or medications.

ASIT involves blood or skin testing to determine which allergens are affecting your pet. It can be one of the easier, safer, and more cost-effective therapies and a long-term track record of safety and efficacy. Once results are obtained, the dermatologist can formulate a plan for treating your pet with “allergy shots” much the same as in human medicine.

Medications can be very effective for controlling atopy and are used in conjunction with symptomatic therapy. As with any drug, it’s important to look at the risk vs. benefit to the pet. Your veterinarian, who knows your pet, can tailor the treatment.

It is important to understand that atopy is a frustrating, chronic disease and the goal is to improve your pet’s quality of life and decreasing the itching. It is a disease that is controlled, rather than “cured”. Your veterinarian will tailor a treatment plan to your dog, considering your pet’s tolerance to the treatment and also your ability to administer it. Your dog will likely have flare-ups from time to time, making it necessary to alter the treatment plan, so keep in contact with your veterinarian and don’t assume because one treatment is not helping that none of them will.

Celebrating 120 years of service in Vermont! The Vermont Veterinary Medical Association (VVMA), founded in 1898, is a professional organization of 370 veterinarians dedicated to compassionate animal care and quality medicine.

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Fall Safety Concerns for Animals - Large and Small M. Kathleen Shaw, DVM - Vermont Veterinary Medical Association

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ith dazzling colors on the trees and harvest festivals abounding, many people love the autumn season.

But, with the holidays and cooling temperatures, the fall brings some potential dangers to our animals-large and small.

As we winterize cars, houses and barns, remember that antifreeze is highly toxic to pets. Just one or two licks of antifreeze can cause kidney failure and death. Look for the newer, safer version of antifreeze which does not contain the sweetener so tempting to pets. Another toxin, rodenticide (rat poison), is formulated to be tasty to rodents, but is also appealing to dogs, cats, and wildlife.

These poisons prohibit blood clotting, leading to fatal blood loss and death. If you must use these products, put them up high or in a place where dogs and cats and larger wildlife cannot reach them. Every year veterinarians see cases where owners have forgotten that they put out the poison or where they put it.

Don’t assume that “out of sight” means the dog or cat won’t find it-- they have an excellent sense smell and, given the chance, will make a beeline to it once they detect it.

Fall decorations including stringy fake spider webs (cats like to eat them), candles (burns), and potpourri (toxic to cats) can present serious dangers to pets.

Most people are aware that chocolate is toxic to cats and dogs, but many don’t realize that xylitol is also toxic. Xylitol, used to artificially sweeten gums and other candies, causes a potentially fatal drop in blood sugar. The easiest way to help prevent accidental exposure to Fall 2018

these dangers is to keep all people food out of reach of pets. Also, keep a close eye on pets around household decorations to minimize the temptation to chew or eat them.

Mother Nature also produces health risks for pets: mushrooms and other fungi. With the cooler, damper weather, mushrooms sprout, and many can be toxic to pets, causing liver and kidney damage, and seizures. Dogs seem irresistibly drawn to the compost pile, where they often gorge on decaying food of all sorts. Rotting debris often leads to vomiting and diarrhea, requiring a trip to the veterinarian. Compost piles contain an additional, more serious hazard: mycotoxins. These toxins, produced by the fungi growing in the compost as it decays, cause seizures. It is often necessary to keep the poisoned pet in the hospital for a day or two to treat the seizures with intravenous medications.

With the fall comes hunting season.

Although hunters try to be safe, accidents occasionally happen. Animals and humans should take precautions to avoid being mistaken for game. Hikers and horseback riders should wear bright colors to make themselves more visible.

Dogs should wear bright orange collars or vests. Keep horses and small ruminants close to home, and post “Hunter Safety Zone” signs to make hunters aware that there are domestic animals in the area.

These common sense precautions during the fall season can help keep you and your animals safe. For more information, contact your veterinarian, or go to www.vtvets.org. www.4LegsAndATail.com 25

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Tick Diseases Catherine MacLean - Grantham, NH

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f you live in New England, you are aware of the fact that we have a tick problem. When most people think about ticks, they think about Lyme Disease. However, there are two other tick borne diseases that we are seeing more frequently in pets. These other tick borne diseases that are becoming

more common are Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichia. Although cats can get Lyme Disease, Anaplasmosis, and Ehrlichia, it is less common since they are fastidious groomers and often remove ticks before they have time to attach. For the purpose of this article, I’m going to focus on these diseases in dogs.

Lyme Disease is most commonly spread by the deer tick and is caused by the bacteria known as Borrelia burgdorferi and other emerging sub-species of Borrelia. Clinical signs of Lyme disease include fever, swelling of joints, shifting leg lameness, decreased appetite and Lyme Nephritis. Lyme Nephritis occurs when the kidneys have long term exposure to Borrelia, which causes an immune reaction within the kidneys. As the body is trying to fight the Borrelia organism, it creates antibody complexes which get deposited within the kidneys and causes damage. As a result, the dog’s body may start losing protein through its kidneys, which can be life threatening and eventually lead to renal failure.

Ehrlichia Canis and Ehrlichia Ewingii are the two most common species of Ehrlichia that affect dogs.

Ehrlichia attacks the white blood cells and platelets in dogs and is transmitted by the brown dog tick. There are three phases of infection that occur in dogs when they are infected with Ehrlichia.

The first phase is the acute phase and occurs 1-3 weeks after the tick bite.

During this phase the Ehrlichia organism will attach to the dog’s white blood cells and cause the dog’s platelets to drop. Clinical signs during this phase include lethargy, lymph node swelling, and decreased appetite or anorexia. If treated during this phase, infected dogs usually recover. If they go untreated, they will move on to the second phase which is called the subclinical phase.

During the subclinical phase, dogs will often appear normal. The Ehrlichia organism is living in the spleen at this time. Dogs can harbor the organism in their spleen for years and may never progress to the chronic phase. There may be clues on bloodwork that the dog is harboring the Ehrlichia organism in its body.

The final stage is the chronic stage.

In this stage the dog will become sick again. Dogs in the chronic stage will often have abnormal bleeding due to low platelet numbers. Other clinical signs include deep inflammation, uveitis, a severe decrease in white blood cells and possible renal involvement. This stage of the disease can be fatal.

Anaplasmosis is another tick borne disease that has become more common Continued Next Page

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Percentage of Visits Due to Tick Encounters

over the last decade as well. It is also spread by the deer tick as well as the Surveillance of Vermont Emergency Room & Urgent Care Visits for Human Tick Encounters black legged tick. Anaplasmosis affects (Beta Version) 2.5% platelets and white blood cells just like Tick Encounter = any visit due to tick-related issues such as a Ehrlichia. Anaplasmosis has similar recent tick bite or a request for clinical signs to Ehrlichia. The clinical tick removal.

2.0% signs are often vague and can include fever, lethargy and decreased appetite.

It can also cause bleeding issues.

The good news is that all of these 1.5% tick borne diseases are treatable with antibiotics. Early detection and treatment is often key. Most veterinarians will test their canine patients annually 1.0% for the three tick borne diseases mentioned above. Based on those results and what the current recommended protocol Week Ending July 29 0.5% (which is constantly changing as more research is being done) is, will determine what the next step for your dog is.

The good news is that for Lyme dis0.0% ease there has been a vaccine available January February March April May June July August September October November December for dogs for years. Through advances Month in research, the vaccine has evolved 2017 Historic Average (2004-2016) Historic Maximum (2004-2016) and is very effective. Nothing is 100% though, and there are no vaccines for the other tick borne diseases. That is why it’s a good idea to have a really good tick preventative. There are many tick preventatives available over the counter and through your veterinarian. They are not all created equal. Many over the counter products have been around for decades and may not be the best choice for your pet. Which tick preventative is best for your pet should be discussed with your veterinarian.

Another common misconception is that it takes 24 hours or more for a tick to transmit diseases to your pet. The latest research is showing it takes less than 8 hours to transmit tick borne diseases, so it is very important that whatever tick preventative you use has a quick killing time. You should also use tick prevention year round. Ticks are not just a spring time or fall issue. They are not out every day of the year, but they are out every month of the year. For the last three years I have picked ticks off of my patients every month of the year.

Tick borne diseases can be fatal, but when detected early their damage can often be reversed or prevented. With annual tick testing, appropriate vaccination for at risk dogs, and good tick prevention, many tick borne diseases can be prevented.

If you want to know what tick borne diseases are being seen in your county go to www.capcvet.org where you can look at prevalence maps. Veterinarians that do the annual testing and report the results contribute to the data on these prevalence maps.

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

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13 Common Pet Emergencies That Need Immediate Attention H

aving a pet is a commitment. Most people misunderstand the most common pet emergencies, and don’t call for help until it’s too late. Understanding and keeping a list of the most common emergencies that require a veterinarian’s attention will help keep a pet healthy for a long time.

1. Severe Bleeding This is the number one emergency because too many people believe an animal’s first aid can be done at home. If bleeding is severe or lasts more than five minutes, it must be checked by a vet. The fur could be hiding a bigger problem, or the animal might need stitches to heal without infection. The cut could be deeper than it appears, or there could be internal bleeding that needs surgery.

2. Choking and Difficulty Breathing As with humans, it’s never a good idea to “wait and see” when an animal cannot breathe. Never try to clear the airway, and learn animal CPR to keep the animal safe. Take the vet to emergency care, even if CPR helps the animal breathe again, to make sure the animal is safe. A vet is the best trained person to make sure the animal does not have internal damage that caused the breathing issues.

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3. Blood from Extremities If there is blood in sputum, vomit, excrement, nose, ears, eyes, or mouth, it’s important to find out why. Perhaps the animal was injured while out of your sight, and needs emergency procedures to live. Blood should never be taken lightly. Seek emergency care immediately if blood is found coming from an animal. There could be unseen internal injuries.

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4. Inability to Toilet If the animal has pain in urination or defecation, or can do neither, it’s important to find out why. The animal could have an issue larger than you can handle, and may need a doctor’s care.

Animals often do not express pain, so an ongoing issue can progress to a life threatening problem without your knowledge.

11. Severe Vomiting/Diarrhea Many people like to wait these out, but either of these items in their severity will cause dehydration and death quickly. It’s important to find out why the animal is having this reaction. Take the animal to the vet, and try to remember what the animal has eaten. Consider any poisons the animal may have encountered using the 5. Injury to Eyes An animal’s eyes poison list mentioned above. The inforare structured differently than a human’s mation you can provide about your pet’s eyes. If the eye is injured, there could be most recent activities will help the vet internal damage to structures close to the find out what’s wrong. brain. Asking a vet for help will save your pet further harm.

12. Refusal to Drink An animal will 6. Eating Poison Many things that are fine for humans are toxic for animals.

Items such as antifreeze, multivitamins, chocolate, pest poison, and more are very dangerous. They are also items an animal will ingest willingly. Learn what items are poisonous to your pet and call a vet emergency service immediately if you suspect your animal has ingested any poisonous substance.

7. Seizures If an animal seizes, vet attention is required immediately. Staggering also falls under this category. These activities indicate a problem with the brain, and the animal needs immediate help. A vet can assess the situation, and might require more tests to find out how to best help the animal.

8. Lameness and Broken Bones It’s never a good idea to allow an animal to “heal” when he or she displays leg issues. Allowing this to happen will cause the animal unnecessary pain later in life.

Avoid these issues by taking the animal to the vet and help him or her live a longer, healthier, happier life.

drink consistently. If the animal has had nothing to drink in the past 24 hours, despite available water, take the animal to the vet. It’s important to understand your animal and keep the water dish clean, but even if the dish is dirty, an animal will eventually drink from it. Any refusal to do so over 24 hours is an indication of an emergency situation.

13. Unconsciousness This item seems obvious, but some pet owners may think their animal is simply sleeping.

If the animal cannot be roused from a sleep, contact a vet right away. The animal may have passed out. The vet will need to evaluate the animal to find out what could be happening to make the animal lose consciousness.

9. Pain and Anxiety As stated above, pets will not tell their humans when there is pain. If an animal is exhibiting signs of pain, it has progressed to a severe state and the animal must see a vet right away.

Another method of expressing pain or illness is anxiety. If your normally happy dog suddenly snaps at your hand or does not welcome visitors, there might be a physical issue. Call a vet right away to have the animal evaluated to check for any possible pain. If you can pinpoint the area of the pain, it will help the vet’s diagnosis. Note the animal’s change in behavior and anxiety activities as well, as these notes will also help the vet.

10. Heat Stroke As more stories of animals left in cars surface, so does the awareness of heat stroke. If an animal is suffering from heat stroke, he or she must see a vet immediately. Some signs of heat stroke are: - panting excessively - dark or bright red gums - dry tongue - staggering, stupor or seizures - bloody diarrhea and/or vomiting Fall 2018

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Does my Cat Have Dental Disease? If So, How Can I Recognize it?

How Painful is it? OK, Then Lets Fix It! Sandra L Waugh VMD, MS

10 year old Domestic Shorthair with severe periodontal disease. The green arrow points to exposure of the root with plaque and pus on the root. This tooth was extracted.

Cats tend to push their canine teeth out of the socket.

This is called root extrusion. The black arrow points to the crown - root junction.

Cats with severe periodontal disease tend to get both bone loss (periodontal disease) and tooth resorption (holes in the teeth).

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oes my cat have dental disease? Over 80% of cats over the age of 3 have some degree of periodontal disease.

If your cat is 3 years of age or over and does not receive routine dental care, then it is very likely that your cat does have some degree of periodontal disease. As discussed before in 4 Legs & a Tail, periodontal disease starts with bleeding gums and ends with very loose teeth and infection in the mouth. This infection can spread to other organs in the body. Early periodontal disease can be reversed, but once bone is lost the disease can be halted but not reversed. Too much bone loss and the teeth must be extracted. Periodontal disease is very common in cats

7 year old Domestic Shorthair cat with tooth resorptions with no periodontal disease. The dental radiograph is included to demonstrate just how much destruction of the tooth occurs with this disease. These holes are very painful. Typically cats will refuse to eat dry food and eat slowly.

The green arrow points to an area where the gum has grown up onto the crown to cover over the hole in the tooth and lessen the pain. With practice these areas can be readily seen.

Cats can fracture their teeth. The most common teeth to fracture are the canine teeth. If just the point of the tooth has fractured off, the tooth may be OK. If more than just the point is gone, the tooth may become infected from the bacteria that live in the mouth and become non-vital.

Just like the dog, a non-vital or dead tooth can become discolored. The blue arrow points to a non-vital, discolored tooth. Compare the color of the opposite upper canine at the tip (green arrow). This tooth has a small fracture at the very tip but is still OK.

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An uncommon (fortunately) but extremely painful dental disease in the cat is Stomatitis. It is thought that this occurs because the cat has become allergic to plaque. The entire mouth turns red and swollen. (The inside of the mouth has been described as looking like “raw hamburger”.) This disease is so painful that cats will stop eating due to the pain. The disease is treated by extracting all of the teeth.

Cats and dogs do not stop eating just because they have some pain. They will chew on the less painful side, or not chew the food very much before swallowing. Eating is pleasurable and necessary to stay alive. Pain must become quite severe before a pet actually stops eating.

How might I recognize dental disease in my cat?

You need to get a good look at the teeth! Train your cat to allow you to look at and touch the teeth. Routinely getting a good look at the teeth and gums will then allow you to notice any changes in the mouth.

What if I don’t see such dramatic changes in my cat’s mouth? Then what?

In addition to using your eyes, use your nose! Periodontal disease creates bad breath of the “rotten egg” or “swamp gas” variety. This smell comes from sulfur compounds emitted by the bacteria that cause periodontal disease.

Carefully watch your cat and observe any changes such as: • Difficulty picking up food • Tipping the head to one side while chewing • Chewing on only one side of the mouth • Dropping or spitting food out of the mouth • Preferring soft food over hard. A change in preference from dry to soft is significant.

• Eating slowly or eating a small amount at a time (when normal behavior was to eat the bowl clean) • Listen for chattering jaws when your cat eats.

Other things to look for: • Red or bleeding gums • Blood in the water bowl or on a chew toy.

• Lumps or bumps in or around your cat’s mouth, especially any swelling present on one side but not the other.

• If you are brushing the teeth, be alert for increased resistance to toothbrushing and note what teeth were being brushed if it occurs.

• If tartar is much thicker on one side of the mouth than the other, then your cat is chewing on the side with less tartar, which is the less painful side.

• Loose teeth • Head shyness (your cat not wanting you to touch their head) • Nasal discharge and sneezing (advanced gum disease in the upper canine teeth can lead to bone loss between the nasal and oral cavity) • Banging one side of the head on a cabinet or other solid object.

Some people can smell plaque, which has a sour smell, similar to milk that has just gone “off”. Plaque breath is unpleasant, periodontal disease breath makes you want to run away from your pet to get to fresh air.

As dental disease advances it not only can cause significant pain but also causes a generalized lack of energy and enthusiasm. Dental pain is generally not expressed by whining or whimpering but by a gradual withdrawal from activity and interest.

The cat that used to great you at the door carving figure eight’s between your legs is now nowhere to be seen.

This is often attributed to changes with age but it certainly can be caused by dental pain. I compare this to a person with a really bad headache.

How much enthusiasm does that person display? How grouchy are they?

And what a change once the headache goes away.

The photographs and radiographs shown in this article and the previous one on dogs show obvious changes in the teeth and gums. However, dental disease can be quite subtle and not so obvious on a visual examination of the mouth. Two thirds of every tooth is below the gum line inside the bone of the skull. To maintain oral health in your pet a yearly cleaning and examination under anesthesia with dental radiographs is the best way to determine if any dental disease is present, and if it is, to get it treated promptly.

All of the photographs in this article were taken at my dental practice within the last 4 months. These conditions are routine in cats and can be treated to restore the mouth to a healthy state. If you are worried that your cat may have dental disease, make an appointment with your veterinarian. Diagnosing dental disease in cats requires that dental x-rays be taken, in addition to using a probe and explorer on each tooth. Treating all of the dental disease in the mouth and restoring the mouth to a healthy state can make a dramatic difference in your cat’s life. I have so often been told by clients “My cat is like a kitten again!! I can’t believe what a difference getting the teeth taken care of has made. Now I feel guilty for not doing this sooner.” Don’t feel guilty, get your cat’s teeth examined and treated.

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 Veterinary & Dental Services.

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Your Pet’s Nutrition Needs Compared to Yours What kind of nutrition does your cat or dog really need to stay healthy?

Wendy C. Fries

Y

our kitty probably loves a lot of the same foods you do and is happy to eat a small square of cheese when offered. Your dog may relish just about anything you’re willing to share. It›s so easy to please our pets with food -- but is it good nutrition?

Pet nutrition needs are not the same as ours, but many of us are clueless about what exactly they are. This primer on dog and cat nutrition will fill you in on what your pet needs to stay healthy and fit.

Consider these facts: Small, low-activity dogs need only about 185 to 370 calories daily, while a large pooch between 67 to 88 pounds

may need between 1,000 to 2,000 calories, depending on activity level and gender. Yet many of our dogs get far more food than they need. More than one-third of U.S. dogs over 1 year old are overweight.

A healthy 10-pound kitty needs just 220 to 350 calories a day -- about the number in a few ounces of cheese. No wonder the weight stats are about as bad for cats as dogs. At least one-quarter of U.S. felines are considered overweight or obese.

Here’s how vet experts break down the nutrition needs for dogs and cats to stay lean and healthy.

Cat Nutrition: The Meat of the Matter Next time you look at your cat snoozing in a sunbeam, think tiger. Pound for pound, cats need twice the protein humans and dogs do. And the building blocks of good cat nutrition can be summarized in one word: Meat.

About 17% to 21% of adult human calories should come from protein. We can get it from meat, but also through beans, legumes, and dairy sources. Cats need double that amount of protein for good nutrition and it must come from meat or fish.

Why? Cats are “obligate carnivores,” which means they need to eat animal protein to obtain all the amino acids they need in their diet, according to Marla J. McGeorge, DVM, a veterinarian with a special interest in felines.

The vital amino acid cats can’t get from any source other than animal protein is taurine.

Taurine is critical for a cat’s normal heart, eye, and reproductive function, but cats can’t make it from other amino acids, as most mammals can. A meatrich diet not only provides cats the taurine they need. It also gives them vitamin A -- a nutrient they’re unable to convert from beta-carotene.

Pets and Nutrition: Feline Fat Facts Fats are a good energy source for cats. In the wild, cats consume about one-third of their calories as fat. Fats Continued Next Page

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not only taste good, but they also help cats get the fatty acids they need and aid in absorbing fat-soluble vitamins like vitamins A, D, and E. The problem is that some cats enjoy the taste of fat too much – just like some people. If you find that kitty is digging into her food bowl too often or you’re sharing tidbits of people food with her, be careful. Obese cats can suffer many of the health problems people face, including diabetes and arthritis.

Carbohydrates and Cat Nutrition Domestic cats fed on commercial dry cat food may get up to 40% of their calories from carbs. Yet cats “do not need them in the percentages that are found in the majority of processed dry foods,” McGeorge tells WebMD. In fact, there is no minimum recommended requirement of carbohydrates for cats, and too many carbs can be a prime reason domesticated cats put on pounds.

Water Is Vital to Cat Nutrition Cats, people, and dogs are all made up of about 60% to 70% water. But unlike their canine and human friends, cats evolved with a low thirst drive, probably a legacy of their desert-dwelling ancestors.

Add a cat’s low thirst drive to a diet rich in dry foods -- which contain only 5% to 10% water -- and it’s clear cats can run the risk of dehydration. This may lead to serious urinary tract problems.

Although a diet that includes wet cat food (about 78% water) helps, you should always have multiple sources of fresh, clean water available for your cat.

Fat Cats and Feline Fitness If you can’t feel kitty’s ribs without pressing or if he doesn’t have a visible waist, chances are good that your cat is a bit overweight. Fortunately, cats love exercise, as anyone who’s experienced an ankle attack knows. Your job? Provide enriching play for both of you.

Because cats are geared toward short bursts of intense activity, get out the laser pointer, feathered toy, or string and play for five or 10 minutes several times a day (less at first if your feline friend is unfit). Always play it safe and let your vet know your fitness plans for your Fluffy. And don’t forget, even a svelte kitty needs exercise and the bonding attention playtime provides.

Dogs: How Meat Helps Meet Dog Nutrition Needs Dogs love many of the same foods we do. But if you think your precious pooch as a hairy little human, think again.

Although your canine companion needs protein and good fats, he may need far fewer carbohydrates than you think.

Protein should make up about 18% of your dog’s diet, as it should for you.

Animal protein from meat and fish Fall 2018

offers the balanced protein dogs need.

Unlike cats, dogs also eat -- and enjoy – some vegetables, too.

Does this mean your dog could be vegetarian? The pros generally don’t recommend it unless you feed your dog an Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) compliant diet. This ensures that all the essential amino acids are included. (Check the dog food label for the AAFCO designation.) If you feed your dog a homemade plant-based diet, you may need to supplement it to provide all the amino acids vital to good canine health.

Dogs Love Fat, But How Much Is OK? For good nutrition, dogs need fats to keep their coat, skin, nose, and paw pads healthy. Fats are also a great energy source and contain more than twice the calories per gram than protein or carbs.

That doesn’t mean your pooch should have all the fats she craves. About 9% to 15% of an adult dog’s calories should come from fat. But it’s easy for dogs to get too much fat, especially if they get treats from the table or sneak cat food tidbits. (Cat food has more fat, protein, and calories per mouthful than dog food, which is why dogs love it so much).

Carbohydrates and Canine Nutrition Carbs aren’t a natural energy source for dogs. Their bodies can make use of carbohydrates for energy, but they have naturally evolved to get most of their nutrition needs met by fats and protein.

As with cats, there’s no minimum recommended amount of carbohydrates for dogs. The exception is at the end of gestation and early in lactation, Bartges tells WebMD. “Likewise, dogs do not have an absolute fiber requirement – although a no-fiber diet often results in diarrhea.”

Dog Nutrition: Water Is Vital Animals can’t survive without plenty of clean water, and your dog is no different. Refill her water bowl daily and be sure to give her extra water after a long walk, game, or any other energetic activity.

Dog Obesity and Exercise We’ve all heard the old saying that dogs tend to look a lot like their owners -- especially around the middle. Dogs need exercise to stay healthy -- and they’re a great motivator for you to get exercise too. In fact, one study suggests that walking a dog daily can give as big a health boost as quitting smoking.

Although little dogs need less rambunctious play than medium- and large-breed dogs, all canines need activity at least once and preferably twice a day to maintain healthy bones and muscles. Talk to your vet first before starting an exercise program for an unfit pooch and be careful of heatstroke, which is a danger for all dogs, no matter how fit they are.

Obesity boosts a dog’s risk of degenerative joint disease and chronic pain.

If your canine companion doesn’t have a waist, you can’t feel her ribs without pressing, or there’s no “tuck” in her tummy, she may be too heavy for good health. Ask your veterinarian to be sure.

Making Sense of Pet Nutrition So is your cat or dog getting all the nutrients he needs? It can be difficult to understand all the fine points of pet nutrition and translate them into your pet’s daily diet. Your vet can help you optimize your pet›s diet for good health, offer advice on exercise and behavior modification, and help your much-loved companion get the preventive care he needs for a long, healthy, and active life.

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I

n March 1965*, military working dogs were approved for use in Vietnam. By July 17th, forty teams had been deployed to three bases - Tan Son Nhut, Ben Hoa and DaNang. This was only the beginning, by the end of the year there were 99 dogs in the country. By September 1966 more than 500, dog teams were deployed to ten bases. In the seventeen months between July 1965 and December 1966, not a single Viet Cong sapper team penetrated a base guarded by sentry dogs.

He Was the First of His Kind...

H

e was the first hero of his kind to return from the Vietnam War. The welcoming committee watched him walk down the ramp of the plane that had just landed at Kelly Air Force Base.

He was wounded, his right eye was missing and a scar ran from below his right eye socket to his mouth. But his wounds weren't what made him different from other returning Vietnam veterans...it was because he was a dog.

Of the many dogs that served this country in Vietnam, Nemo is probably the most famous.

Nemo was whelped October 1962 and was procured by the Air Force in the summer of '64, from a sergeant, for sentry dog training, when he was 1 1/2 years old. *The United States Air Force K-9 was in After completing an eight-week trainVietnam as early as 1960, with a sentry ing course at Lackland's Sentry Dog dog research and development project, Training School, in San Antonio, Texas; located at Go Vap, an old French dog com- the 85 pound, black and tan German Shepherd, and his new handler, Airman pound on the outskirts of Saigon.

Bryant were assigned to Fairchild AB, Washington for duty with Strategic Air Command.

In January 1966, Nemo and handler, Airman Leonard Bryant Jr., were transferred to the Republic of South Vietnam with a large group of other dog teams and was assigned to the 377th Security Police Squadron, stationed at Tan Son Nhut Air Base.

Six months later, in July, Nemo's original handler rotated back to the States. The dog was then paired with 22-year-old Airman 2nd Class Robert Thorneburg.

It's here that we begin our story, on how and why Nemo was to become famous...

Nemo No. A534, 377th Security Police K-9 Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam.

Tan Son Nhut: The story took a tragic turn on December 4, 1966. During the early morning hours, a group of 60 Viet Cong emerged from the jungle. Several sentry dog teams stationed on preventive perimeter posts gave the initial alert and warning almost simultaneously.

Immediately, Rebel, a sentry dog on patrol, was released. The response was a hail of bullets that killed the dog.

Forty-five minutes later the group was detected by sentry dog Cubby. Cubby Continued Next Page

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was released with the same results. It was clear that the VC had learned to handle the attack dog.

Another dog, Toby, was killed and several handlers wounded before the attackers were finally driven off.

As a result of this early warning, security forces of the 377th Air Police Squadron successfully repelled the attack, minimizing damage to aircraft and facilities. Although wounded, one dog handler maintained contact with the enemy and notified Central Security Control of their location and direction of travel.

Two security policemen in a machine gun bunker were ready and waiting as the Viet Cong approached the main aircraft parking ramp. In a few seconds, they stopped the enemy, killing all 13 of the attackers.

Security forces rapidly deployed around the perimeter and prevented the infiltrators from escaping, forcing them to hide. Three airmen and their dogs had died in the fighting. By daybreak, the search patrols believed that all of the remaining Viet Cong were killed or captured.

Unfortunately, supervisors did not include dog teams in those daylight patrols.

Airman 2nd Class Bob Thorneburg and his dog Nemo were to become legends later that night.

The sentry dog teams that climbed into the back of the army truck that night were quieter than usual. Many of the handlers were thinking about the events of the previous night. They were saddened by the loss of their fellow K-9s. They were also anxious about what awaited them on their patrols. There was a good chance that stragglers from the previous night's attack could still be out there.

etery. But before Thorneburg could radio the CSC, that "something" opened fire.

Thorneburg released his dog and then charged firing into the enemy.

Nemo was shot and wounded, the bullet entering under his right eye and exited through his mouth. Thorneburg killed one VC before he too was shot in the shoulder and knocked to the ground.

That might of been the sad end of the story. But Nemo refused to give in without a fight. Ignoring his serious head wound, the 85-pound dog threw himself at the Vietcong guerrillas who had opened fire. Nemo's ferocious attack brought Thorneburg the time he needed to call in backup forces.

A Quick Reaction Team arrived and swept the area but found no other Viet Cong. However, security forces, using additional sentry dog teams, located and killed four more Viet Cong. A second sweep with the dog teams resulted in the discovery of four more Viet Cong who were hiding underground. They, too, were killed.

Although severely wounded, Nemo crawled to his master and covered him with his body. Even after help arrived Nemo would not allow anyone to touch Thorneburg. Finally separated, both were taken back to the base for medical attention. Thorneburg was wounded a second time on the return to the base.

Lt. Raymond T. Hutson, the base vet, worked diligently to save Nemo's life. It required many skin grafts to restore the animal's appearance. Nemo was blinded in one eye After the veterinarian felt Nemo was well enough, the dog was put back on perimeter duty. But it turned out his wounds needed further treatment.

On June 23, 1967, Air Force Headquarters directed that Nemo be returned to the United States with honors, as the first sentry dog to be officially retired from active service.

Thorneburg had to be evacuated to the hospital at Tachikawa Air Base in Continued Next Page

Airman L. Bryant and Nemo

That night, Thor neburg and Nemo were assigned duty near an old Vietnamese graveyard about a quarter mile from the air base's runways. No sooner had they started their patrol...

Nemo alerted on something in the cemFall 2018

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Japan to recuperate. The handler and the dog who saved his life said their final goodbyes. Airman Thorneburg fully recovered from his wounds and also returned home with honors.

Nemo flew halfway around the world accompanied by returning airman Melvin W. Bryant. The plane touched down in Japan, Hawaii, and California.

At each stop, Air Force vets would examine the brave dog for signs of discomfort, stress, and fatigue...after all he was a War Hero!

Finally, the C-124 Globemaster touched down at Kelly Air Force Base, Texas, on July 22, 1967. Captain Robert Nemo Having His Monthly Checkup At Lackland

M. Sullivan, was the officer in charge of the sentry dog training program at Lackland and was the head of Nemo's welcome home committee.

"I have to keep from getting involved with individual dogs in this program," Sullivan said, "but I can't help feeling a little emotional about this dog. He shows how valuable a dog is to his handler in staying alive."

After settling in Nemo and Captain Sullivan made a number of cross-country tours and television appearances, as part of the Air Force's recruitment drive for more war dog candidates, until the US involvement in Vietnam started to wind down.

Nemo then spent the rest of his retirement at the Department of Defense Dog Center, Lackland AFB, Texas. He was given a permanent kennel near the veterinary facility. A sign with his name, serial number, and details of his Vietnam heroic exploit designated his freshly painted home.

Nemo died December 1972 at Lackland AFB, shortly before the Christmas holiday; after a failed attempt to preserve his remains, the Vietnam War hero was laid to rest on March 15, 1973, at the DoD Dog Center, at the age of 11. Until then, his presence at Lackland reminded students just how important a dog is to his handler - and to the entire unit.

--- Dedication -- Vietnam ...was to become the longest war ever fought by the American armed forces and certainly one of the U.S. most unpopular. For almost ten years, we sent our young men and women to serve, fight and died alongside each other without the full support of a country, whose flag they served.

This article is dedicated to all those, who served their country!

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What the Therapy Horses Have Shared I

can never thank my coworkers – the horses - enough for all the amazing magic they bring to each lesson. The horses are blessings and the

Sue Miller

clear reason that riders want to take part in the programming. The horses are celebrities. Each has a fan club of admirers. Riders often don’t remember my name, but they never forget the horses and that’s the way it should be.

I enjoy teaching the lessons as much as the participants enjoy time riding, but the horses deserve all the credit.

Over the years I have learned so much about what makes a good lesson good. What each rider enjoys. But most importantly how much the horses can tell me if I take the time to listen to them. The horses are never wrong.

The horses relay information about their riders that the riders often can’t articulate or don’t even realize.

One instance several years ago. I had a rider out on what we called a trail ride.

This ride was a walk around the perimMy past coworker, Dudley

eter of a hay field where our program was running. It was a beautiful sunny day and quite hot. We had walked up and down hill and were on the straight stretch back toward the barn. We were most of the way back to the ring when I noticed a change in the horses’ gait that alerted me to look the horse in the eye. The horse, Dudley, let me know that the rider was about to have a seizure.

Because Dudley gave me warning, I was able to talk my volunteers through the seizure and what we should do to protect the rider. I had a radio with me and was able to relay the information to the team back at the barn. A car was dispatched to come out to the field to pick up the rider. We all got the rider down safely and into the car where the rider’s parent awaited with the medication they needed. Dudley never flinched. He was so careful in taking care of the rider and I am so grateful that he was able to give me the information I needed to calmly talk everyone through what should have been a very scary incident. But because we had enough warning, everything was handled with great care and tact. This potentially scary situation was just a walk in the park because Dudley let us know what we needed to do.

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In another instance, I had been teaching all day in the hot sun. The ring would get incredibly dusty and if a little wind would blow or the horses feet would kick up dirt, it would swirl around and get in your clothes, your mouth and it certainly stuck to any sunscreen that was applied. The volunteers and myself were coated in dirt and grit. We had one lesson to go and I asked the rider if they would like to take a trail ride around the hay field. The rider replied with enthusiastic, “yes”.

We were all delighted to get out of the dusty ring. I hadn’t realized that this rider had never been out of the riding ring. The volunteers and I were looking forward to getting out of the hot, grimy, ring and into the cooler grass where there was no dust to stick to us.

We left the ring and proceeded into the field. When, once again, my friend, Dudley lifted his head and slowed down.

I looked at the rider and asked how they were doing. The rider confessed that they were scared. The field was too big, too wide open, like the ocean. The thought of going out there was just too scary. Once again it was Dudley that let me know there was a problem. Tuning into Dudley is what prompted me to ask further questions where the rider could express their fear. Once the incongruity was addressed we could adjust the situation. Instead of going out in the big field we took short walks back and forth and went just a bit father each time. We called it a win as the rider got braver and had more trust in all of us.

Especially in Dudley. It became a goal to eventually ride all the way around the field and it started with short walks because Dudley let us know that was a much better choice.

Another memorable instance was the time I had a brand-new young rider.

This was to be their first ride. I had a trusty steed named Joe waiting and I gave introductions all around introducing the rider to the volunteers and the Fall 2018

Joe, foreground ridden by me & Dudley, ridden

by Liz Claud in the Wassial Parade 2015.

horse, Joe. After getting to stroke Joe’s coat and feeling Joe’s soft warm breath on his face the rider was ready to get on.

They climbed aboard with little issue, and off we went for our first laps around the arena. I could see quite quickly that the rider was going to have an issue with their balance. I talked to the invaluable volunteers to let them know I could recognize that the rider was going to get sideways. I suggested that they not say anything to the rider or try to correct them. Even though we think we’re helping in this situation, if the child can’t correct themselves they will never be able to find their center of gravity to keep them safe. So, we continued to walk around the arena and spot the rider Continued Next Page

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as they slid sideways to the left. At first it wasn’t bad they were just a few degrees off midline. But the tipping continued to happen even though the child was engaged in an activity with a ball they hadn’t noticed that they were tilting to the left. I’ll admit that I’d be reluctant to do this with a bigger rider, but this child was a size I felt comfortable in catching and with two of us on the left side we knew we’d be Joe Dudley fine if they went past the point of no return. My volunteers were amazing that day and continued to check in with not only me, they continued to be sure that Joe was alright with what we were letting transpire. I can say with no uncertain terms that I have never seen anyone remain this far off center and not begin to drop off. I swear the rider was just about at a 45-degree angle we were all sure we’d have to make a catch.

When suddenly and with no prompting the rider finally made the realization that they were off center and righted themselves! It was such a triumph for us all that we cheered, and the child had no idea why we were so happy. They just got caught up in the happiness too. Because none of us interfered with the offbalance rider the child was able to make the adjustments they needed and soon began to recognize when they were out of plum much more quickly & needed no prompting from anyone.

I am so fortunate that I get to spend my time helping others with some of the best coworkers anyone could ask for – therapy horses. I’ll have other stories to share another time.

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How is your horse’s nutrition similar to his dressage training?

Nicole Sicely

W

hen you walk down the supplement aisle of your local feed store, a lot of products may catch your eye. With fancy labels and claims that are typically not backed by studies. We want the best for our horses and reach for supplements to provide a shiny coat, joint health, or a promise of a more “relaxed” horse. What is often overlooked is the vitamin and mineral supplements that are needed to balance out the largest part of your horse’s diet, his forage.

A good analogy for your horse’s nutrition is to think of the dressage training pyramid:

Pyramid of Training Collection

Impulsion

(Increased Energy & Thrust)

Connection

(Acceptance of the Bit through Acceptance of the Aids)

Relaxation

Nicole’s passion for equine nutrition started in 2002 the day her Tennessee Walker gelding “Chance” was diagnosed with PPID (Cushings Disease).

Stumbling across the “Equine Cushings and Insulin Resistance” Yahoo group opened the door to a complete fascination (some would say obsession!) with the benefits of nutrition for PPID and IR horses. Chance lived to the wonderful age of 31 yrs old. Diagnosed at age 18, Nicole contributes these years to a tightly balanced diet, amazing vet and farrier.

s

(with Elasticity & Suppleness)

nes gh ou Thr ce” ng dien e asi cre d Ob an

“Ph

Straightness

(Improved Alignment & Balance)

“In

ysi Pro cal D gre eve lo ssi ve pme Con nt dit thro ion u ing gh ”

(Increased Engagement, Lightness of the Forehand, Self-carriage)

way to do that is to have it tested. Armed with this knowledge you can proceed to the next level; vitamins and minerals.

Vitamins and Minerals are needed to balance what is lacking in your forage, or nutrients that are in excess causing secondary deficiencies. The next level in dressage is Relaxation. Which is ironic as one of the most common feedback I receive from clients after their hoses is on a balanced diet, is that their horse is more relaxed. Most horses will not need a hoof supplement once their trace minerals are balanced.

These two levels of nutrition may be all that some horses need. If necessary, the next step is to provide immune and digestive support. Supporting your horse’s immune system will reduces stress, protects against disease, reduces allergic reactions, and may negate the need for supplements for heaves, allergies, etc.

With a balanced diet, strong immune system, and healthy digestive tract, there are only special situations left where additional supplements are needed. For example, joint health, electrolytes, etc.

Following this Supplement Pyramid

will not only help your horse, it will help your wallet.

Rhythm

(with Energy & Tempo)

In dressage, each level builds upon the previous. If a level is not mastered, proceeding to the next is impossible. Each level is interconnected.

This is the same with your horse’s diet. Creating a proper foundation is key.

Then you build onto it as needed. Most owners will find that with the correct 1-3 levels, your horse may not need additional supplements such as hoof, calming, coat enhancers etc.

Here is your horse’s Supplement Pyramid: Specific Needs: joints, electrolytes, respiratory, calming etc.

Immune and Digestive Support

Vitamins and Minerals to balance Forage

FORAGE Forage is the foundation of your nutrition pyramid, like rhythm is your foundation for dressage. In order to master this level and proceed to the next, you must know what is in your forage. The only Fall 2018

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How soon is too soon?

Karen Sturtevant

S

ome questions don’t have a black or white answer as we live in a colorful, multi-faceted world. Many inquiries have multiple, acceptable responses that fit somewhere between the rainbow’s hues. After a beloved pet passes, we often ask ourselves, “When is the right time for another?” Animals have a way of wiggling their way into our hearts, our lives. We elect not to see the light dog hair on the dark couch, the carpet stain from the time kitty wasn’t feeling well or the nibbled-on door frame from puppy days gone by. We focus on the positive, the serotonin-filled moments.

When our little buddy is not around anymore, our perspective changes.

When we, at Vermont English Bulldog Rescue (VEBR) / Bulldogs and Buddies Rescue (BABR), meet an adopter for the first time, we often hear their stories of loss. Whether dog, cat, bird, horse or chinchilla, the hurt is always profound. I wholeheartedly agree as this past winter I said goodbye

to my sweet adopted Eng l i sh bu l ld og, Penney. She was like no other. To this day, I still miss her and everything about her.

After her passing, adopting another dog wasn’t on my radar.

The Universe had other plans.

At VEBR/BABR We have the pleasure (and challenge) of meeting and aiding in the healing of several breeds.

From the tiny to the giant, each brings their own history, trauma and inner strength. Although I am fond of all creatures, I would not have put ankle-biter-type dogs (think Papillon, Pomeranians, and the like) on my All-Time Favorite Top 10. Again, the

Universe was working overtime.

When a Chihuahua-mix female and her two teacup-sized babies arrived one snowy day, my long-held anti-little-dog view began to soften. Found living on the streets of San Antonio, Texas, they were petrified of every person, movement, and sound within their range. The babies were more trusting than the mom, who would shake uncontrollably when held and cower in the furthest corner of her crate when people approached. She’d been abused and tossed around, but managed to stay alive and care for her babies. She was a survivor.

We’d sit quietly with her nested inside our sweatshirts, talk to her and stroke her little head as we slowly gained her trust. It would be several months before she would make eye contact, untuck her tail and interact with us without fear of punishment. The babies, since weaned and independent, would be adopted together and today enjoy a happy, healthy life.

We opted to list the mom for adoption as she was physically healthy but in need of an especially patient and understanding person who would appreciate her for who she was under her imbedded layers of fear. Sauri, as she was named by the Texas shelter, had some interest and visitors. Potential adopters were compassionate when they heard her story, but none felt they could give her what she needed and deserved.

As time went on, Sauri became Mommachi (as she was a mother and Continued Next Page

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obvious a Chihuahua mix) and decided there were three people she trusted enough to show her spunky and silly side: Dawna, founder of the rescues; Jessica, a top-notch volunteer and me.

When my Penney was with us, I would take Mommachi home for field trips and afternoon visits. She’d march around the house, bound up the stairs and sprawl out on my bed with her stuffed hedgehog (“heggie”) in tight clench.

Penney would watch all of this action with the patience of a saint. They would nap together, share marrow bones and relish cuddle time. Mommachi was becoming quite attached and decided that I was her person.

After Penney passed, I continued with our excursions and slipped her extra cookies when the other dogs weren’t looking. Folks came to visit her in hopes of adoption. She’d promptly hop up on my lap and bury her head in the crook of my arm while we told the story of how spirited and sweet this little girl was––really, she was!

I posted pictures of Mommachi visiting at our house, playing in our yard, riding in my car through the car wash, being a happy dog. The response was an overwhelming, “When are you going to adopt Mommachi?” I asked myself the question that has no definite answer, “Was it too soon?” It was clear this little goof ball connected with me and I with her. Her outside prospects were thinning by the day and I had love to spare. In honoring Penney’s memory, I adopted this little anklebiter and made us official.

Fall 2018

To say that she has made herself at home would be an understatement. With throws covering our dark couches and chairs, we dog-proofed our once-spotless house to accommodate our new family member. She rarely lets me out of her sight and forget about setting an alarm clock. Mommachi is a morning creature and thinks I should be too. I can count on her to jump on my head and start power licking my face with her extralong tongue between 3 and 4 a.m. It’s time to start the day. A new day that she now embraces.

She is still very cautious of new people and places, but we continue to

tackle each situation as it comes up.

For me, this decision was right. When a pet passes, we need to allow ourselves time to grieve and reflect––that span is different for each person. A new pet can never replace another. A family pet enriches our lives, becomes a teacher for our kids, and shows us unwavering devotion. We respect the memory of our former pets by caring for and committing to our current ones.

I often see Mommachi gazing down our hallway. When her tail starts to wag and her posture relaxes, I wonder if she sees Penney as it would be just like our sweet Penney to welcome Mommachi home.

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THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX: Alternatives to Clay Litter Holly McClelland

M

ost cat owners are familiar with scoopable clay formulations, which account for 73% of U.S. litter purchases, according to https://globalpets.community/. This same segment of cat owners is accustomed to purchasing their big-brand, clay litter products through mass-market channels, such as Walmart and Costco, as well as grocery stores. Clay litter products certainly get the job done when it comes to providing cats with a place to go and controlling odor, but they are not the most innovative litter products on the market. Some of the drawbacks of traditional clay litters are that they are heavy to maneuver around the house and not environmentally-friendly. In recent years, several unique litter products have launched in pet specialty stores that offer additional benefits for the environment, home cleanliness, and cat health. Here is a list of five litter brands that surely stand out from the crowd.

Boxiecat’s BoxiePro Deep Clean Probiotic Cat Litter – This functional product is marketed as the world’s first cat litter to eliminate 100% of bacteria contained in the litter box with natural probiotics. The elimination of bacteria keeps homes, cats, and pet parents healthier by reducing odors and preventing the spread of germs that could be tracked out of the box. Additionally, Hard Flat Top™ clumps form on the top of the litter box, which makes it easy to scoop, and an advanced dust suppression process keeps dust levels low, which increases household cleanliness. BoxiePro is soft on cat’s paws and resists tracking, so cat parents can spend less time worrying about cleaning their homes.

SaniCat Oxygen Power Clumping Litter – This is the first clumping cat litter to use active oxygen for complete disinfection. Active oxygen is touted as an excellent clumping agent that eliminates bacteria naturally because it does not contain antibacterial chemicals. The natural elimination of bacteria keeps cats healthy and cat owners do not have to fret about the negative effects associated with litter chemicals. This litter is comprised of thicker granules, which improves home cleanliness by preventing cats from dragging litter on their paws throughout their houses.

Poop Bags Catfidence – A 100% organic bamboo cat litter is made from natural bamboo, so the absence of chemicals and additives makes cats healthier and helps protect the environment. The manufacturer states that Catfidence has 5x the water absorption capacity of other litters due to the cellular structure of bamboo, which improves odor control and makes the product last longer. Furthermore, Catfidence is a USDA Certified Biobased Product with a 98% biopreferred rating.

It is very eco-friendly because it is made from sustainably-harvested bamboo farms, as opposed to harmful strip mining.

Customers that choose Catfidence can feel good about protecting the environment, their homes, and their cats simultaneously.

CatSpot Organic Cat Litter – A 100% coconut-based, all-natural, organic cat litter is touted as beneficial for the home, cat Continued Next Page

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health, and the environment. Coconut, which can absorb 560% of its weight in liquid, naturally absorbs ammonia without the use of chemicals and additives. This level of absorption is very powerful for odor control. The product is also sustainable because the litter is biodegradable and can be repurposed in yards, compost, or flower beds. CatSpot is easy for cat owners to use because it is marketed as the lightest litter on the market.

World’s Best Cat Litter Picky Cat and Attraction Action – Picky Cat, available in pet specialty stores, and Attraction Action, sold in the mass/grocery channels, combine corn with a natural, plant-based ingredient to attract cats to the litter box.

This formulation is ideal for newly adopted pets, senior cats, and fussy cats. Both products are also effective at clumping and have strong odor control which keeps the home environment clean. Additionally, these lightweight, natural products are environmentally-friendly, and the products are flushable and septic-safe.

The products highlighted above are only a few of the specialty niche cat litters that have launched in recent years.

There are dozens of other small players who are trying to make a name for themselves. It is challenging for these smaller manufacturers to stand out in a crowd that is dominated by only a few large litter manufacturers with large marketing investments behind their brands.

However, it might become easier for these niche players to gain recognition over time as cat owners continue to become more concerned about how litter ingredients are impacting the environment, their homes, and their cats’ health.

Holly McClelland leads marketing and is an analyst for Fletcher/CSI, a boutique market research and consulting firm headquartered in Williston, Vermont.

Holly monitors industry trends and product developments for several brands in the CPG space, including the pet industry. The pet research is focused on tracking nutrition and ingredient trends, technological innovations, and new product launches for dogs and cats.

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19 Coolest Gadgets & Gizmos for Dogs T

hese are some of the coolest dog gadgets on the planet, and any one of them is sure to improve your dog’s lifestyle and give them a taste of the doggie good life. There have been many advances in high-tech dog products, linking up your smartphone to many of your dog’s daily routines. Choose any one of these for your dog and they’re sure to thank you in their own special way.

Dyson Groom The Dyson groom makes quick work of all of that dog care that gets onto upholstery, carpets, and clothing. Dyson is known for making high quality vacuum cleaners, and they have really outdone themselves with this affordable dog hair solution. It’s designed to be used right at the source, and is said to get the undercoat before it ends up all over the house.

Prices Vary

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Tagg Pet Tracker The Tagg tracker lets you drive right up to your dog when they get loose. It features GPS capabilities, which beams a signal so that you can easily track your dog using your smartphone’s maps app.

No more lost dog worries and stress.

You can even get text and email alerts so you know right away when they’re off the grid.

Prices Vary Continued Next Page

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GoDogGo Machine Ball Fetcher This ball fetcher from GoDogGo will keep your dog busy for as long as they want to be. It doesn’t take long for a dog to wear out its master with a game of fetch, but this fetch machine makes it so your dog can keep playing even when you tire out.

PRICES VARY

Pet Cube The Pet Cube lets you interact with your pet while you are away, and even play games with them using a laser pointer. You can keep your pet company even when you are not at home, just by using your smartphone. It also lets you give your pet some encouraging words, or even scold them for getting into the trash. $199

Petnet The Petnet lets you feed your pet from anywhere using your smartphone. This is a great way to make sure your dog gets their meal at the right time each day, even when you are not there. All that we need now is a gadget that can walk your dog when they need to go out, and you can put this dog ownership thing on autopilot. $179

Wigzi Tangle Free Dual Dog Leash The dual dog leash by Wigzi makes it so you won’t have to deal with a tangled leash ever again when walking two dogs at the same time. The solution comes from the way it is designed, so that neither leash can cross over the other, causing the dreaded tangle. $36.96 Continued Next Page

Garmin Astro Dog Tracking System The Astro Dog Tracking System by Garmin helps you pinpoint exactly where your dog is at any given moment. This can let you rest at ease knowing that they are still in the yard, or it can help you locate them if they’ve gotten lost. You no longer have to wonder where they are, since you’ll have their GPS coordinates.

Prices Vary

Jan and Daryl of Milton, NH caught this great pose. Nakia, you're famous!

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Halo Mini Dog Collar The Halo mini color lights up so you can see your dog at night, and cars can see them too. This makes a great gift for your dog if you like to take nighttime walks with them. It’s important that you wear bright colored clothing and lights, and now your dog can have a special collar. $35

Dog Cooling Bed Keep your dog cool with this cooling bed, and they’ll definitely be thanking you all summer long. Dogs can overheat pretty easily, even though they are quick to pant when they start to get hot. It’s important to keep them cool, and this bed can really help with that as it diffuses heat when they lay on top of it. $46.17

Pet Chatz Pet Chatz lets you have a video conference with your pooch, just by using your smartphone connected to their video monitor display. This makes it so you can check in on them from time to time while you are at work, or otherwise out of the house. You can even give them treats using the device, so your dog knows you’re still thinking of them.

PRICES VARY

Dart Automatic Laser Pet Toy This laser toy lets you have playtime the easy way by simply turning on the toy and letting it do its job. It will keep your dog entertained with a laser beam that moves around in random ways that your dog won’t figure out, and won’t get tired of. $27.95

Pavlovian Puppy Potty Trainer This potty trainer uses Pavlovian methods to train your puppy to go outside when they feel the urge. This will help FitBark The FitBark is a great way to track prevent accidents and also strengthen your dog’s activity each day so that you’ll your bond with them because you won’t have a clear picture of whether or not have to get upset when they do their busithey have been getting enough exercise, ness inside or on your favorite rug. and when they were fed last. It is similar $99 to the kind of tracking devices they have for us humans, but specifically made for a canine.

PRICES VARY

Go-Go Dog Pal The dog Pal is a way for you to use an RC controller to play with your dog.

You get to control a little critter powered by you that drives around the backyard beckoning your dog to chase it. It will be interesting to see who wears out first, your dog or the batteries on this Dog Pal. $229 Continued Next Page 50 4 Legs & a Tail

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The Canine Shower Stall Have a specially designated shower stall for your dog so they don’t have to use the family bathtub, or avoid your washing attempts using the backyard hose. This stall keeps the dog contained, and makes it much easier to get them all cleaned up. Turns bathtime from a task to a breeze for you both. $1,250

PetZen Dog Treadmill This dog treadmill will keep your dog in top shape even when the weather doesn’t permit a walk outside. This is handy for those that live in very cold and snowy winter regions, and it means you don’t have to feel so guilty if you can't take them for a walk each day.

This also makes a great alternative for those that don’t have a lot of mobility but still want to keep their dog in shape. $1,082.48

Nite Ize Light Up Ball The light up ball lets you play fetch with your dog even when the sun goes down. Dogs love it because they want to play at any time of day, and night time is no reason to stop playing just because it got dark. Just be sure you are playing in an area that is clear of any objects so your dog doesn’t get hurt. $8.88

Whistle Dog Activity Monitor The Whistle Dog Activity Monitor is a way to track your dog’s activity throughout the day, and get a better idea of how much activity they’re getting in addition to other statistics. It is a way to visually see your dog’s daily activity, and it gives you an objective way to size up how they’re doing. $99

WaterDog Automatic Pet Drinking Fountain If you have an outside dog, this is pretty much a necessity. It’s an automatic drinking fountain that turns on when your dog approaches, and turns off after they leave. They’ll quickly figure out that they can get a drink whatever they want by walking up to it, and this means they’ll stay properly hydrated even through the hot summer months.

Prices Vary

Sam Gould of Woodstock found Sam & Roses favorite hiding spot

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Raccoons Scott Borthwick - Canaan, NH

W

hen I was a kid I read a book

by Sterling North called Rascal. It’s a tale of a young boy with a pet raccoon who gets into all sorts of mischief. As a child, I thought it would be cool to have a pet raccoon. However, Fish & Game laws prohibited ownership of wild animals much to the relief of my parents.

In over forty years of being a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator, I have seen lots of “mischief” that raccoons have gotten into. Nine were removed from an attic in a condominium in Vermont.

They tend to have a designated toilet area. In this case, it was over a closet

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filled with expensive ski clothing and equipment. After months of use, the closet ceiling gave way to dump urine and feces all over everything. If the neighbors hadn’t complained about the raccoons trashing their grill it might have been months before their destruction was discovered. Six were removed from an adult novelty store after one of them fell through the ceiling tile into an assortment of adult gifts. They had gained entrance into the attic by ripping the cover off of a roof fan. Eight were removed from a doctor’s office.

A large section of the ceiling had to be replaced after they were removed. These raccoons got in through an unfinished soffit. Four were evicted from an old farmhouse after the owners returned only to find raccoon footprints all over the kitchen. These rascals entered the basement through an old attached barn and then made their way to the kitchen looking for a snack. Seven were removed from two boats stored at a local marina.

Not only did they use them as a toilet they also ripped up every seat cover. I could go on and on.

Raccoons mate in mid-winter and usually give birth to 3 or 4 kits around the beginning of May. The kits stay with mom for up to a year. As long as they stay out of trouble they can live up to 13 years. When I started trapping back in the seventies raccoon pelts were fetching as much as $80.00 each. Today it would take 80 pelts to make $80.00. Because of this downturn raccoon populations are not being managed as they should.

Overpopulation tends to spread rabies and distemper. So if you have an encounter with a raccoon you should make every effort to avoid it and if necessary call a professional.

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.

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LEAVES ARE NOT LITTER:

H ang Up That R ake Save Your Yard

and

Catherine Greenleaf

W

hat comes around, goes around, right? For hundreds of years, property owners in the U.S. left the leaves in their yards where they fell, with the understanding Mother Nature knew what she was doing, namely replenishing the soil with the rich nutrients that leaves release as they decompose. The first commercial garden rake wasn’t invented until 1874, and as far back as 1894, the Farmer’s Almanac was urging homeowners to leave their leaves on the ground.

Enter the television era and the $60 billion a year horticultural industry, and we ended up brainwashed into thinking we needed to spend untold hours raking

up or blowing leaves, bagging them, and transporting them to the local transfer station so they could overwhelm our nation’s landfills. Thanks to inescapable corporate advertising, we thought we were required to strip our properties of the beneficial nutrients our trees, shrubs and perennials plants so badly needed, so that we could spend a fortune buying bags of commercially prepared soil “amendments,” many of which are poisonous to wildlife and snuff out the very micro-organisms needed to grow healthy yards and gardens. We all drank the Kool-Aid. The National Wildlife Federation explains it this way: Leaves are soil. Trees shed their leaves as a way to create and fortify the soil along their root zone, their own special brand of fertilizer. As leaves decompose and break down, they become the main component in building healthy, robust dirt. Plant biologists claim leaves contain twice as many beneficial minerals as manure. They say leaf hummus helps new plants become more strongly established, lightens heavy clay soils, increases the moisture retention of dry, sandy soils and protects the mycelium network that transports nutrients from plant to plant. And guess what? It’s free.

But wait. There’s another bonus.

Many species of butterflies and moths cocoon inside leaves for the winter as egg, pupa, chrysalis or adult, and, if left undisturbed, emerge in the spring. Luna moths and Swallowtail butterflies create cocoons and chrysalises that resemble leaves so they can blend in with the landscape. Woolly Bear caterpillars hide under piles of leaves to stay warm during the winter months as do Great Spangled Fritillaries, according to the North American Butterfly Association.

You can greatly enhance the enjoyment of your yard by not bagging up these beauties and sending them to their demise at the dump.

The other contentious issue surrounding leaf removal involves the growing Continued Next Page

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unrest Americans are experiencing as more and more neighborhoods are inundated with loud and obnoxious leaf blowers. These machines not only create a wind force of up to 180 mph, destroying vital topsoil, drying up tree roots, and redistributing toxic pesticides people spray on their lawns, they also spew 100% of their emissions and hydrocarbons into the environment, creating localized smog and adding to greenhouse emissions. The noise pollution created by these machines is causing a noticeable spike in hearing loss, tinnitus, asthma and headaches, particularly in children, according to the organization Moms Clean Air Force. A gas-operated leaf blower can top 100 decibels, while OSHA requires hearing protection at 85 decibels, says the non-profit organization Quiet Communities. It has been estimated that by 2020, there will be 50 million Americans going deaf due to loud noise, a great deal of which is contributed by garden machinery like leaf blowers and lawn mowers.

Here are a few more tips: 1. Commercially bagged mulch can kill beneficial micro-organisms and often consists of shredded wood pulp from the forestry industry or is painted different colors using toxic chemicals that leak into the soil, poisoning ground water and killing insects and birds. Instead apply leaves and compost to reduce unwanted plant growth. In addition, leaving leaves in the garden over the winter not only protects your plants from penetrating, icy winds but also provides nutrients to the soil, making for more robust plants the following season.

2. If you absolutely cannot stand the idea of leaving the leaves laying across your yard, rake them, whole, into a designated wildlife area at the back of the yard. Running them over with a lawnmower to shred them is a big no-no if you want beautiful butterflies in your yard come spring.

3. The more leaves you leave in your yard, the more birds you will be supporting.

Insects like to hide under leaves and birds routinely patrol the underside of leaves, looking for tasty insects to feed themselves and their little ones. These protein-laden insects are vital to a bird’s survival. In addition, numerous species of birds use dried leaves to build their nests.

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

Mel Tata Photography

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Simple Ways to Keep Cats Off Your Kitchen Counters A

Tess Wilson

n all-too-familiar dinner party scenario: At the home of friends, you’re sipping a glass of wine while your hosts put the finishing touches on dinner. Soon later, their beloved cat does its business in the litter box, licks itself a bit, and proceeds to hop up on the kitchen counters right where your dinner is being made.

The cat wanders all over the counters, pausing now and then to lick and paw particularly interesting spots, perhaps even nosing the ingredients. Particularly bold and limber cats will step over the prepared food, forcing you to imagine the hair and kitty litter they're leaving behind.

You as a guest are eternally grateful for your hosts’ generosity and good company, but you’re no longer psyched about the dinner aspect of the dinner party.

How to Keep Cats Off Counters There might be moments when you might want to allow your furball to have free rein of the countertops, but there are also some instances when it’s best to set up the kitty equivalent of a “keep off” sign.

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So what’s a devoted cat-lover to do?

Let’s start out with an excellent quote from the ASPCA: Rather than spraying your cat with water when they jump on a forbidden counter, “arrange for the environment to punish your cat directly.”

“Balance some lightweight cookie sheets on the edge of the counter. When your cat jumps up, she’ll land on the sheets. They’ll move and possibly topple over, making some unpleasant noise while she leaps back onto the floor.”

If you don’t want your cats on your cookie sheets and your cookie sheets on the floor (or if you only own one cookie sheet), Huffington Post recommends using cheap, recyclable aluminum foil.

The Humane Society advises making your counters unpleasantly sticky, either DIYstyle using double-sided tape, or using ready-made products.

This Old House notes that cats hate the feel of sandpaper underfoot, so you could lay it on your counters when you're not cooking.

If your counters are your cat’s idea of a little piece of heaven, Petfinder recommends simple ways to make them less enjoyable, like pulling down the blinds to block the basking sun — and the view of the bird feeder.

According to The Nest’s Pet column, a peppermint solution can be sprayed on countertops to deter cats — and to make your kitchen minty fresh.

WikiHow has similar advice involving black pepper, lemon, eucalyptus, cinnamon, rosemary, and lavender — delicious.

One of my favorite solutions comes from Pawnation: “Some experts recommend clicker training. This method involves training your cat to jump off the counter on a cue word, like ‘off’.

When the cat follows your cue, click the clicker, then reward your cat with a treat.” Positive reinforcement! ..And Don’t Forget to Clean Well After Cats Have Been on the Counters If your cats do occasionally traipse around your countertops, VetStreet wants you to protect your health —and the health of your guests — by cleaning the surfaces thoroughly before preparing food. Hot water, soap, and an antibacterial agent should do the trick.

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WHEN THE SCHOOL BUS LEAVES: Why your dog may act up when your children start back to school and what to do about it.

S

Paula Bergeron - Grafton, NH

ummer in New England, what a wonderful time for families to be active together! Ahhhh, but what happens when we return to our fall routines to that bundle of energetic fur who accompanied us on all those summer outings? Not many people think about how a change in schedule, affects our dogs… at least not until something happens such as destroyed couch cushions, a chewed door frame, or a soiled bed forces us to figure out what might be causing Rover to act up.

Let’s take a look at some reasons why our dogs have problems when our lives return to a school centered schedule. Dogs thrive on routine, exercise, and being a confident member of their pack. When summer turns to fall many of our dogs find themselves spending long hours waiting for their wayward pack members to return.

Chewing while home alone is a significant sign of boredom and frustration. Frantic behavior such as scratching at doors and window frames, barking and whining, and an inability to settle are signs your dog is feeling anxious. And if your dog begins to mark the house or beds… well, your dog is letting you know that he/she does not approve of all of this absent behavior.

Of course, we have no choice but to adjust our schedule as we move from summer into an academic fall, so what can we do to ease some of the discomforts your dogs feel due to this change? Set up an exercise routine that includes structure for before you leave in the morning. A romp in the yard may not be a good choice because it can activate a dogs instinct to roam and does not work his brain to allow him to rest. Throw the ball but ask him/her to wait before retrieving it. Go for a structured walk where you ask them to walk in the heel position, or do a training session where you practice skills both known and those you are working towards. These activate and tire their mind allowing them to rest after you leave. If your dog acts anxious, create a schedule for your dogs day and stick to it. The same routine relieves the stress of not knowing what comes next. If possible hire a dog walker that can come at the same time every day. Have another routine for the evening and get your kids involved so your dog gets to interact with all the pack members every day.

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And lastly, if your dog begins to mark in the house or family members beds, it means that they are displeased that their pack members are not following their rules. This dog has taken on the leadership role of the house and is in need of a new mindset. Adjustments such as not being allowed on the bed or furniture, not being the first to the door when guests come, and not allowing demands for affection can help your dog understand who is in charge. However, in the case of this misplaced leadership role, you may want to get the advice of a trainer or vet because a dog who feels the need to lead the family can acquire many unwanted behaviors such as guarding, nipping and biting.

Change can be daunting for anyone, but even more so your dog who does not fully understand why his existence has become unpredictable. If you find your dogs’ behavior declining due to a change in your life’s routine remember to provide them the exercise, structure, and leadership they require in order to find their new normal where they can be a comfortable and content member of your family. Happy Training.

Paula Bergeron and the gang at Good Dogma embrace a holistic approach to bringing balance to your dog’s behavioral issues. Exercise, training, relaxation, massage, grooming, play, socialization and energy healing are incorporated into your dog’s routine. www.Goodogma.com

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Three Men and a Cat

It isn’t difficult to imagine three young men working crazy hours, sharing a home with a cat. As I was one of the three, I will state for the record that the cat in question did not belong to any of us. In fact, she was there

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before any of us moved in. Because we all had different shifts and seldom saw each other, I thought she was one of my roommates’ cat. It was weeks before we realized that we had a freeloader!

The cat looked a little like a childhood friend of mine, Billy Grady. Thus he had a name. That is until I left my sock and underwear drawer open one day. Later that evening, Billy Grady decided it was the perfect place to have a litter of six kittens. Needless to say, it was a good time for a Wal-Mart run.

We also changed her name to Billie.

Motherhood did nothing to slow down this cat. Although we all talked about getting rid of the kittens when they were old enough, poor followthrough on our part resulted in long-term housing for the cat family.

Now, this wouldn’t be so bad except for a couple of factors. First, we were young men and barely able to take care of ourselves (Yes, we only washed dishes when we ran out of clean dishes and paper plates.) Most importantly, cleaning the litter box was definitely not a priority for any of us. Only when the cats would start using our beds were we motivated to scoop.

I was working the night shift when I woke up late one afternoon. It seems that one of my roommates left the front door open earlier that day. Imagine my surprise when I walked out of my room to the largest cat party I have ever attended. Apparently, every cat in the neighborhood could make it! There were cats on the top of the couch, cats licking dirty dishes in the sink and there was one cat hanging by its claws from the window screen (we would later be charged $10 from our deposit for that one.) It took the better part of an hour to finally break up the party!

It was almost two years later when one of my roommates took a job in Minneapolis and my other roommate decided to move in with his fiancé. I decided to find a smaller place and go out on my own. As I packed up the car I went inside for a final look and to say goodbye to the cats. However, there were none to be found as they were probably outside on a good hunt.

About six months later I stopped in the market that was just around the corner from the old house. While standing in line I commented to a woman with a large bag of cat food and a big box of litter, “You must really love cats.” She smiled and began to share her story, “I moved into the house around the corner...”

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THE COOLIDGE DOGS (and Other Animals) Kate Kelly

I

f the American population divided itself into pet people and non-pet people, Calvin Coolidge—our 30th president (1923-1929)—and his wife Grace, would definitely be on the “pet” side of the line. They had cats, birds, two pet raccoons, and of course, dogs.

Peter Pan, a terrier, came with the Coolidges to the White House but he did not

like the hustle and bustle of Washington life, so the Coolidges found a quieter home for him. Paul Pry, an Airedale, was the next dog to arrive, and he was fiercely loyal to the Coolidges, to the point that he would not permit the housekeepers to enter a room where the president was.

Rob Roy and Prudence Prim were two white collies that joined the family. Prudence was a particular favorite of Grace’s.

Beans was a Boston bulldog who arrived and took position as lead dog, which put Rob’s nose out of joint so the Coolidges gave Beans to Mrs. Coolidge’s mother who lived in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Tiny Tim and Blackberry were chows.

Tiny Tim soon became “Terrible Tim” in the president’s eyes, so he was soon moved to other quarters. The family picked up Blackberry on a trip to the Black Hills.

Blackberry was all black including the inside of her mouth, and she became a gift to their son John Coolidge’s “intended.”

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Calamity Jane was a Shetland sheepdog who joined the family, but there were still more (though not all were at the White House): There were two other collies, Bessie and Ruby Rouch, and a German shepherd named King Cole. There was also a bird dog named Palo Alto.

As definite pet people, they also created homes for many other animals.

Rebecca was a raccoon given to the Coolidges to be part of Thanksgiving dinner but Grace Coolidge spared her.

They built a pen around a tree at the White House, and they got her a friend, Reuben, but he soon escaped.

In addition, the Coolidges received a wallaby, a bobcat, a black bear, a donkey, a Pygmy hippo, and two lion cubs (named Tax Reduction and Budget Bureau) , a duiker (a small antelope), and 13 Pekin ducks (a type of domestic duck from Long Island) while Coolidge was president. The Coolidges attempted to raise the ducks in one of the bathrooms in the White House, but they soon became too large, and along with the other more exotic animals, had to be given to the zoo.

This article first appeared on the website, www.americacomesalive.com America Comes Alive publishes more stories about American dogs and other animals. Visit the website and sign up for “American Dogs” to receive the stories in your In Box. Or email Kate Kelly at kate@americacomesalive.com

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Fall 2018 Central NH & VT

Cool Gadgets for Your Dog Raccoons!

A Holistic Look at Treating Cancer Keeping Your Cat Off the Kitchen Counter Testing Your Pet for Lyme Disease