4 Legs & a Tail Lebanon Winter 2018

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Winter 2019 Central NH & VT

Chinook: The Official Dog Breed of NH Does your cat have diabetes?

Controlling Your Pet’s Weight This Winter Squirrels!

Inspirational Stories from Around the World

Inside this issue of 4 Legs & a Tail

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3-7. Inspirational Stories From Around the World

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8. A Squeak in the Dark Beth Clifton

A kitten's harrowing journey from New York to New Hampshire

10. And a Shelter Was Born Kathy Wiggins

Dreams come true at the area’s newest rescue group

12. Liz Makes a Comeback Suzanne Allard

The almost miraculous recovery thanks to CDB oil

14. The Note

How the new homeowners discovered a way to pay it forward

15. Animal Drug Safety Warning 16. Diabetic Alert Dog Permits Teacher to Live Normally Kate Kelly 19. New Study could Help VT Horse Business Owners Jessica Stewart Riley

The Vermont Horse Council looks at the impact of the equine industry on the state

22. Reiki Sue Miller

Understanding the holistic healing system, that treats the whole being on all levels, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.

24. Winter Water Nicole Sicely

The importance of proper equine hydration during the winter months

26. Cold Weather Safety for Pets Erin Forbes

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28. Diabetes in Dogs and Cats Catherine MacLean, DVM Know the signs. Learn the treatments

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30. Alternatively Speaking: A Holistic Look at Matters of the Heart Dr. Anne Carroll DVM, CVA 34. Common Myths About Dental Disease in Dogs and Cats Sandra Waugh, VMD, MS 36. Weight Control for Dogs in Winter Months Patrick Sturgeon & Ben Burroughs A comprehensive plan to keep your pet fit

37. Our Favorite Blueberry Dog Biscuit Recipe Winter 2019

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Inside this issue of 4 Legs & a Tail

®

38. Taking Care of Business in the Winter

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Helpful tips to get your dog to take care of business fast

41. Downtown Etiquette Maria Karungan The do’s and don’ts when your bring dog to the city

42. CGC (Canine Good Citizen) an achievement for your dog and an achievement for you Paula Bergeron 44. Squirrel Apocalypse Scott Borthwick

Will

this be the Year of the Squirrel?

45. Polar Bears Fun facts that will blow your mind

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46. Winter Wildlife Feeding Ira Richards

Tips from the experts to keep your feathered friends happy

48. Holiday Books for the Gardner Catherine Greenleaf Fill your Christmas stockings with the latest reads on native habitat restoration

51. The Fairy Dogmother – and Other Classic Tails Tanya Sousa

52. Chinook: The History of the New Hampshire State Dog Jack R. Murray 56. Charity Begins at Home Pat Jauch

Be aware of who's asking for your donation

58. 8 Tips for Award Winning Pet Photography Joshua Dustin Pg. 52

4 Legs & a Tail Volume L.418 P.O. Box 841 Lebanon, NH 03766 603-727-9214 TimH.4LT@gmail.com 2 4 Legs & a Tail

Publishers: Tim Goodwin, Tim Hoehn Senior Editor: Scott Palzer Graphic Design: Kristin Wolff Kate Kurtz Sales: Karyn Swett Scott Palzer

60. Fun Page

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.

Winter 2019

GEO, A TRULY HEROIC DOG G

eo is a charming half-breed of German Shepherd and Collie who saved the life of his ten-year-old owner, Charlie Riley.

Charlie was playing on the street with his pet when suddenly a truck rushed onto the pavement at high-speed, racing straight at the boy. The dog instantly pushed Charlie aside and took the brunt of the blow from the advancing truck.

Geo was thrown onto the road, and the truck, trying to escape from the scene, ran down the poor animal one more time.

The brave dog miraculously survived, but he received several internal injuries, and his legs and spine were broken. Thankfully, timely veterinary care saved Geo from death, but he had to undergo lengthy treatment and rehabilitation. Now, the dog is completely healthy. He enjoys life among his family that is infinitely grateful to him for saving their son.

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Dolphin Lifeguard T

odd Endris, a professional surfer, narrowly escaped death thanks to the help of some dolphins. In August, while conquering the waves, Todd was attacked by a great white shark which was almost 16.4 ft (5 m) long.

After several attempts to get away from the fierce predator, Todd almost lost the strength to keep fighting, but suddenly a group of dolphins came to his aid. They formed a protective ring around the injured surfer, keeping the shark at a distance. This amazing team of unexpected rescuers accompanied Todd to the shore, allowing him to get first aid.

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Th e ions L t s u J photo by Jill Canillas Daley

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t turns out that even a ruthless predator like a lion can show empathy towards other animals or even people.

In Ethiopia, a group of men kidnapped a 12-yearold girl in order to marry her forcibly to a member of their community. A week later, the girl was found in the jungle under the protection of three lions. It turned out that when the lions saw the men beating the girl, they kicked away the intruders and guarded her.

When the police found the little girl, the lions retreated. However, they went back to the jungle only when the girl safely returned home.

In her testimony, she said that lions protected her until the police came.

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Rudolph and Crew Given Green Light to Fly Dr. Kimberly May

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t’s officially ON! Dr. Rene Carlson, AVMA past president and current president of the World Veterinary Association, recently trekked to the North Pole to perform veterinary exams on some very special patients: Santa’s reindeer.

Just like any animal traveling across state or country borders, Santa’s reindeer need to have health certificates and a clean bill of health.

Given their rapid rate of travel

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around the globe and the number of stops they make, if any of Santa’s reindeer were carrying an infectious disease, we could have an outbreak of disastrous proportions! In addition, if any of the reindeer were not healthy enough to travel, it would put them at higher risk of illness if exposed to an ill animal, and they could become ill and also put the other reindeer at risk.

In other words, keeping the reindeer healthy not only protects them, but also protects the other animals of the world. And let’s not forget the people – reindeer can carry some diseases, such as brucellosis and tuberculosis, which can also infect people.

Fortunately, all nine reindeer – including that famous red-nosed one – are perfect specimens of health, and were given full RTF (Ready To Fly) status. We’ve posted the official Certificate of Inspection, and there’s a short video of Dr. Carlson’s exam. We’ve also got more resources, including a press release, photos and a longer video from a previous visit, and answers to frequently asked questions about Santa’s reindeer.

Winter 2019

Dasher to the Rescue T

his wonderful German Shepherd, Dasher, lives in Mildura in Australia. When Dasher was a seven-month-old puppy, he earned the title of hero. The dog spent more than 14 hours in a forest during a storm protecting his owners’ child.

When two-year-old Dante Berry walked out of the family, Dasher was the only one who noticed. The child wandered all over the place, but luckily his faithful friend followed close behind him. Eventually, they lost their way in the forest about 1.8 miles (3 km) from home.

It took a long time for Dante’s parents to notice that their child was missing. They called the police and started looking for Dante everywhere, but a terrible storm broke out that night. It paralyzed traffic on the roads, and the search was postponed until better weather.

The next morning, 15 hours after it was noticed that the child was missing, Dante and Dasher were found in the forest. The lucky kid didn’t have a single scratch. Dasher helped Dante weather the storm and protected him from predators.

Officer Nicholas Alden and Nitro

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Eyes in the Engine - Beth Clifton

Who, Me? - Rob Fountain

A Squeak in the Dark I

Beth Clifton

t was a squeak of fright and hunger piercing through the night and into the open windows of the living room.

Two cats jumped to the window to look out but my ginger kitten was not in the room. My first thought was that he had gotten outside again. I went to the door to get him, but he was on the inside. Outside on the porch was a wee little black ball of fuzz with two piercing green eyes and a terrified squeak. When I opened the door, she bolted into the darkness, blending into the night. All I could do was put out some chow in the hope that she would come back.

The following morning the squeaking started again. We went out to the yard and looked under the car but no kitty.

Rob insisted she was under the car; I insisted she was not because I was in my pajamas, on my hands and knees in

the driveway, and looking under the car where I saw nothing. Then inspiration hit. Rob got the car keys and unlocked the car and I popped the hood. There were two little green eyes stuffed into the engine and staring back at me. I talked to her, cajoling and calm but she wouldn’t move. I lowered the hood without latching it and waited. We talked so she could hear our voices and when I lifted the hood again she had moved to the top of the engine. Still calmly speaking, I reached in and offered a finger to sniff then gently stroked her cheek until I could grab her. The squeak turned into a howl to wake the dead as I carried her through the house and to the screen porch where she would be safe. We provided food and water and a cozy blanket to curl up in and let her rest. We stayed on the porch talking and just being near her.

There are no feral cats in my neighborhood so the best we can figure is that she rode to my house in Rob’s engine.

He had his car serviced earlier in the day at a service station where a feral cat population thrives behind the building.

Rob picked up his car, drove home and packed then drove to the Upper Valley and she must have been in the engine for the three-hour trip! It was about an hour after he arrived that we first heard the squeak in the dark.

That afternoon I decided to buy her a trip to the vet. She was clearly malnourished and had the potential to be carrying parasites that I didn’t need introduced to the boys. The vet said she needed a name for their records so we called her Squeak after the sound that alerted us to her presence. The vet stated that she could only be about a month old but declared her free of parasites.

We purchased kitten supplies, returned home, and gave her a bath to remove engine grease.

The next job was to find her a home, but that came to a screeching halt the morning Rob texted me and said he thought the name Lily Squeak would be perfect for her. However, having three older brothers does not seem to suit her.

She took to pooping in the living room when she knows that the litter boxes are downstairs. We began to search for a new home for her and found one with two older sisters, but her sisters are not kitties, they are dogs and strangely enough she seems to be settling in with them. I can’t help but be happy that she found a place. We will miss our scrappy Lily Squeak but we will be able to visit her in her new home.

Beth Clifton is a nurse at Alice Peck Day with two mostly grown children, three house cats plus a wee kitten. Free time is spent cleaning litter boxes and hauling dead mice from the house.

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...AND A SHELTER WAS BORN H

ello New Hampshire! My name is Kathy Wiggin, and I am originally from the Northshore of Massachusetts. Here is the story of how I came to be here.

I had been volunteering at a shelter in MA., a self proclaimed No Kill Shelter. I started an Adopt Me program getting long time dogs out of the shelter wearing an Adopt Me vest and into the public›s eye. I fostered many, many dogs, mostly harder

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to adopt, fearful aggressive, painfully shy, unsocialized type. I would keep them for months and worked on any aspect of their personality that needed help. I would get these dogs adopted to families, cry of course and say goodbye, then move on to the next dog that needed help. I am by no means a trainer or behaviorist. I am a dog lover that has a great pack of dogs myself that understood another soul needed help.

Then things changed. The management at the shelter changed. The atmosphere changed. The realization that dogs were “being sent to the farm” meant they were being euthanized. At the beginning of Spring 2018 two dogs were euthanized. Two otherwise healthy dogs. There is an entire back story of people coming forward that were trying to save these dogs, but the shelter for some reason did not listen. This was the catalyst of me changing my entire life. I knew there had to be a better way, even if to help only one dog. I researched rescue laws and zoning in New Hampshire and knew this was where I was supposed to be.

I left my job at the North Shore Medical Center, sold my home, and fast forward to the end of summer 2018, here I am in Plainfield. While trying to move, unpack, set up, start a new job at Dartmouth Hitchcock, acclimate myself and my four dogs to a new zip code, the MA shelter euthanized 3 more healthy dogs. There is a team of fierce advocates in MA that did all they could to save these dogs, yet they were killed anyway. I was heartbroken to think if I had done things quicker maybe I could have taken at least one of them and saved them, but in realization the shelter Winter 2019

never would have let me take one, they ignored all rescue pleas made by outside rescues.

The definition of a “no kill” shelter means the facility is allowed to euthanize under 10% of the animals it houses, and can still keep the “no kill” status. This is wrong to me, and donors need to be aware that it was NOT a no-kill, but a sometime no-kill. I can promise you that unless there is a medical emergency I will never have a dog euthanized. I would rather have twenty dogs than have to put one down. I will work diligently to help save every dog that comes into my care, whether it be lost, hurt, have social, or behavioral problems.

I currently have two adoptable dogs in my care, Cherry, an extremely intelligent 2 year old terrier mix, and Denton, a loveable shepherd mix. I have been asked to rescue a litter of puppies, and hopefully will have photos of them soon on my site at Dreamscometruerescue.com. You can also follow me on Face Book at Dreams Come True Rescue. I’d love to hear stories about your rescues, and would appreciate any help or donations you may have. I thank you for welcoming me to the Upper Valley, and hope to add furry friends to as many families as I can!

Cherry

Winter 2019

Denton

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Liz Makes a Comeback!

Suzanne Allard

Suzanne & Liz

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hat we know of Liz before she came to us is an all too common story of abuse and neglect. She had been sold to be a fighting dog, she then passed to drug dealers, was stolen and ransomed, she survived a house fire only to pass to an owner who kept her locked in a small room and fed sleeping pills so she would be a “good companion”.

She was aggressive at times, but mostly fearful; It took many months for her not to cower whenever one would try to pet her head.

It took a lot of love and a lot of hiking. My husband loves the peace and breadth that walking into the forest imbues, and he goes for miles every day. It was Liz’s second chance, every day a dog’s paradise. Imagine a giant pit bull leaping over log after log like a deer with that pibble smile ear to ear. Grace and power. She also loved the water. Oh, she loved to swim, and I with her.

Everyone says their dog is so smart, but I swear, we have to spell certain words. Silly bone, swim, and bath are on that list. We can’t even spell w a l k without her getting excited. Now I can’t say CBD without her getting excited.

Three years ago we noticed her limping, but thought not too much of 12 4 Legs & a Tail

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it, then I noticed the difference in the size of her back legs. In her puppy-like excitement to go for her w a l k, she had hidden it from us. She had a torn MCL. The vet gave us three options.

Amputation and surgery were both out of the question, the first for obvious reasons, the second came with an “it might not work”. We went with the least invasive, carprofin (ibuprofen for dogs) which ended up being ineffective and very expensive, not to mention a short-term solution.

She never stopped walking, she just didn’t want to go as fast or as far. She began to walk three -legged after a time, and there were days she couldn’t even stand up without help. Her leg began to atrophy. We kept telling ourselves she’s more than just her leg pain, she’s happy and alive... We were heartbroken to take her anywhere. We were heartbroken to leave her. Every day she would get so so excited to go where we went, only to return in obvious pain. In a cost/ benefit analysis, we still thought outdoors and exercise were better for her whole well being.

Last fall we had a friend who was making CBD massage oil, and had stopped her place by to pick some up for my bad shoulder. Her dog was the shiniest happiest bounciest dog. We asked if she had gotten a new rescue.

Nope, same dog, and Orbit was eight!

We asked what she was feeding him and she said it was the CBD massage, no change in diet since last time...We had nothing to lose.

I’ve been massaging Liz with a CBD beeswax and coconut oil blend since October 2017. She now stands tall again, and the energy she has is almost immeasurable. I can only imagine how joyous it is to be free from that pain. The healing took time, but we noticed the effects immediately. We swear at nine years old she’s getting to live those puppy years her sad start never gave her.

We have our treatment time about every two days, and each time the jar comes out she thumps her tail and gets into super dog position. Thuuuper doooog! I massage her bad leg, then her good one and all around her shoulders.

I get under her armpits in the summer when they get red and chafed, and if she has a sore or bite I just rub a little bit on. She licks the areas she can, and I give her just about a 1/4 teaspoon on her tongue. Happy puppy.

CBD is an affordable palliative medication. It is far less expensive than all those supplements we tried. It far less frightening than sedation and surgery.

Our Liz jumps with all her feet off the floor when we spell w- a- l- k, now with that pibble smile ear to ear.

DEFINITION OF

Pibble

Pit bull lovers and the internet at large have mobilized to rebrand the maligned breed—they're saying "Pit bull" is out; "Pibble" is in!

Urban Dictionary defines Pibble as “the more refined and less aggressive form of pit bull".

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The Note A

young couple recently moved into their first home. As they walked into the kitchen, they found a note from the previous owners.

Welcome to your new home!

We hope you build years of memories here as we did.

You are under no obligation, but we do ask one favor.

In the backyard there is a brown, feral cat. For almost 10 years, we have fed him twice a day and left him water on the back porch.

Next to the garage, we built him a little house to provide shelter from the winter and a place to go on rainy days.

We will miss our home and this cat. Please take care of both.

Enjoy!

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It wasn’t long after the moving boxes were unpacked that the young couple met the new “neighbor.” They were more than happy to continue the tradition.

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Animal Drug Safety Communication: FDA Alerts Pet Owners and Veterinarians About Potential for Neurologic Adverse Events Associated with Certain Flea and Tick Products

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he U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting pet owners and veterinarians to be aware of the potential for neurologic adverse events in dogs and cats when treated with drugs that are in the isoxazoline class.

Since these products have obtained their respective FDA approvals, data received by the agency as part of its routine post-marketing activities indicates that some animals receiving Bravecto, Nexgard or Simparica have experienced adverse events such as muscle tremors, ataxia, and seizures. Another product in this class, Credelio, recently received FDA approval. These products are approved for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations, and the treatment and control of tick infestations.

Senior Officer Jeremy Perkins and Blesk

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Diabetic Alert Dog Permits Teacher to Live Normally Kate Kelly

I ja is a trained service dog (diabetic alert dog) who signals her owner

when blood glucose levels are changing and then alerts her as to whether the levels are rising or falling so appropriate action can be taken. Ija has made it possible for teacher Lisa Loftis to live more easily with type 1 diabetes.

“Before Ija, my glucose levels would sometimes change dramatically enough that I would have to pull out of a classroom for 15 minutes or so until the insulin took effect,” says Lisa Loftis, who teaches language arts in a high school in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

“Clearly this was not permitting me to After a good deal of research, Lisa be the teacher I needed to be.”

Loftis decided that a diabetes alert dog would make her life safer and easier.

Ija was obtained from Assistance Dogs of the West, where she was trained

by Sue Barnes, who is co-author of a book on training diabetes alert dogs. This article is to recognize the importance of service animals in our society and is part of International Assistance Dog Week (August 3-9).

The Onset of Diabetes Unlike most with this disease, Lisa Loftis’s symptoms appeared later in life. In her mid-40s, she found herself in an emergency room, and the diagnosis did not take long. Her blood sugar was very high, but even doctors were quite surprised to see a full-blown case is Type 1 diabetes present in someone her age with no history of diabetes.

Perhaps because she was older, Loftis immediately began doing research. She knew little about what causes glucose variations (primarily diet, exercise, and

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stress) and why her body was no longer able to produce insulin.

“The doctor sent me home with syringes and vials and I monitored my diabetes with finger pricks throughout the day….it was all very cumbersome for someone just learning to manage the disease.”

She researched by talking to other patients and attended conferences. Her doctor was very open to some of the new ideas she brought in with her.

“With my daughter leaving for college, I began thinking that a diabetic alert dog would make it safer to live alone, Loftis says. “But I didn’t know how to get one until I was at a conference where I learned about that Assistance Dogs of the West.”

going on in her body: “Ija is ahead of the monitor by about 15-20 minutes which makes all the difference in the world. If my levels are low, I know to grab a juice box so I can just keep going.” (A glucose monitor works with a small sensor placed under the skin and it transmits readings via radio frequency to a display monitor.)

“The variations can be so extreme that at times. If I had waited for the monitor, I would have to pull out of the classroom and sit down for ten minutes or so in order to recover before going on. This way I can make the adjustment in stride,” says Loftis.

Continued Next Page

Ija Gets into Halloween Spirit for School

From Idea to Diabetic Alert Dog Ultimately it took about 18 months for Lisa to apply for and get a dog trained to help her. The cost of training a dog at this school is currently stated as $15,000; clients are expected to pay about one-third of the cost, though assistance is available.

Before embarking on her effort, she checked with her school to be certain a service dog could be accommodated.

As a result, the school community got behind the effort. The Key Club had a bake sale and as friends heard about the project, she received donations.

“It was incredibly wonderful to have this support,” says Loftis.

How a Diabetic Alert Dog Works Dogs smell a change in a person’s molecular makeup, so diabetic alert dogs are trained to warn one’s owner of alterations in the body’s blood sugar level. Ija nudges Lisa when she detects a change.

When Lisa makes eye contact with Ija, Ija sits if the glucose level is going up.

She lies down if the level is falling.

“Ija is very persistent,” says Loftis.

“Sometimes I don’t respond to her immediately because I’m busy with a student but she keeps nudging me and will even let out a short bark if I wait too long.”

Loftis wears a continuous glucose monitor at all times (and it has to be calibrated to a blood sample twice daily), so she has been able to compare what Ija thinks with the science behind what is Winter 2019

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Diabetic Alert Dog in the Classroom Before Ija arrived, there was a change in principals, but Loftis says the school remained supportive: “There was a lot of paperwork they are required to have on file, but I had it all, and there have been no problems.

“Our school is unusual in that the layout is open and it’s the teachers who move around, so I’m very active during the day, and this can affect insulin levels,” says Loftis.

The students enjoy having Ija at school, and their only disappointment is that they are not permitted to pet her.

“I tell them all that when they graduate they will have petting privileges, and some students actually do come back to visit Ija and pet her.”

After two years with Ija accompanying her, the school has had no complaints about students with allergies, but Loftis notes that Ija is bathed and groomed regularly and brushed often to minimize dander, which is what causes an allergic reaction.

Ija’s Life Ija, now 4, goes everywhere with Loftis. At school her leash is attached to Loftis’ belt loop so that Loftis’ hands are free.

“Ija gets a lot of exercise because my job is so active,” says Loftis. “At the end of the day, another teacher or I will throw

Ija on Vacation

tennis balls for her for a bit, but she is always on duty. If my insulin changes, she still stops to tell me. And honestly, at the end of the day she is perfectly happy to go home. She’ll be fed, nap on the sofa a bit, and may play with the cat if she feels like it.

“We knew she would need time off, so the decision was made that nights were her own to get a good night’s sleep. I rely on the continuous glucose monitor then. Blood sugar doesn’t tend to alter that much then, and the CGM is adequate for that time.

“I also sometimes give her a marrow bone, and then, too, she gets to be off duty to thoroughly enjoy the bone.”

All in all, Lisa Loftis and Ija seem very content with their partnership.

To check on Ija, visit her facebook page.

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

Molly settles in to her new job at Key Communications

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Grazing horses at the Vermont Tech Equine Studies Facility.

New Study could Help VT Horse Business Owners Jessica Stewart Riley

D

o you know how many horses there are in Vermont? Or how much money the equine industry brings in to Vermont? How about how much money is spent on horse feed, veterinary and farrier care, horse trailers and towing vehicles, and farm equipment? What are the employment opportunities for someone interested in owning or working in a stable, breeding, or training horses? There are many of us that would find that information useful, and a new study being conducted by the Vermont Horse Council aims to discover the answers to these questions and more. The Vermont Horse Council is a 501c3, non-profit organization established in 1975, and focused on providing a unified voice for all horse owners in the state. The organization does this through providing educational opportunities and scholarships, establishing and helping to maintain public trail access, and enhancing public awareness of legislation and regulation that affects horse owners, as well as many other valuable initiatives related to safety and support of the industry. At the conclusion of the VT Equine Industry Summit in 2016 and 2017, the attendees, equinerelated business owners and members of equine organizations, identified an economic impact study as their number one priority. Little information exists about the equine industry in Vermont– no data about the number of horses in Vermont, how many jobs exist in this sector, or how the industry impacts one of Vermont’s most prized assets, its working landscape or Vermont’s economy. Data gathered as a part of the current study will provide inforContinued NEXT Page

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mation needed to support business financial decisions (should a new business be started? Should an established business expand or close?), support organizations providing therapeutic or rescue services, as well as equinerelated academic programs (what is the need for these types of services?), and provide information to support legislative and regulatory efforts.

A collaborative steering committee has been created with individuals representing a diverse population of horse owners, non-profit organizations, and businesses in the state of Vermont, including officials from the Green Mountain Horse Association, Vermont Hunter Jumper Association, Vermont Morgan Horse Association, Vermont Farm Bureau, and the Vermont Large Animal Clinic.

The study is comprised of two phases – in Phase 1, a volunteer corps surveyed over 400 people at 25 events this summer, including the Vermont Summer Festival in Dorset, the Vermont Morgan Heritage Days Horse Show in Tunbridge, the Festival of Eventing at GMHA in South Woodstock, weekly Rodeos held at Pond Hill Ranch in Castleton, as well as some smaller events throughout the state. These events bring many people into the state with their horses. They spend money on competing, housing, dining, fuel, etc.

The University of Vermont Center for Rural Studies was contracted to develop the survey tool and to manage the data and create a final report of this survey. Phase 1 funding was provided by Vermont equine businesses, individuals, and organizations including the Farm Bureau, Vermont Morgan Horse Association, Yankee Farm Credit, Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance. The Vermont Horse Council provides administration for the project.

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Phase 2 of the project will be starting this fall. The second study will look at individual horse ownership in Vermont and the economic impact it has on the state. This study is important for several reasons. There has not been a study of this type ever conducted (other states have this data). A similar study was conducted in 1996 and a demographic study was conducted in 2003. Therefore, the data is quite outdated. The study will also help gather information pertaining to outdoor recreation and working lands.

The steering committee is in the process of raising $15,000 to fund this phase. Numerous applications have been submitted to a variety of foundations, as well as the USDA in the hopes of receiving donations, but these are not guaranteed. This information is critical to support the equine industry as the most recent information is nearly two decades old and does not include any economic information.

The Vermont Horse Council needs your help. If you would like to learn more about the Vermont Horse Council’s Equine Economic Impact Study or make a donation, you can find more information at vthorsecouncil.org.

Every donation, however large or small, contributes to a study that could benefit the hardworking horse person living just down your street!

Jessica Stewart Riley is an Assistant Professor and the director of the Vermont Technical College Equine Studies Program in Randolph Center, VT. She is a graduate of Johnson State College, UVM, and Vermont Tech, as well as a member of the American Quarter Horse Association Professional Horsemen and an American Riding Instructor Association Certified instructor in Western, Huntseat on the Flat, and Stable Management. www.vtc.edu/equinestudies Winter 2019

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Reiki Sue Miller

For those who don’t believe, there is never enough proof, and for those who believe, no proof is necessary. ~ Chinese Maxim

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eiki is an invitation to wellness. Reiki does not attack or treat disease. Rather reiki supports wellbeing and strengthens the ability to heal by encouraging balance. Being balanced helps to maintain normal functioning. Reiki only flows according to the need of the recipient. Reiki is a holistic healing system, meaning that is treats the whole being on all levels, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Reiki can be used to heal all life forms.

Winter 2019

In Japanese Rei means universal.

Ki means a nonphysical energy. Reiki is thought of as a universal pulsation.

There are three levels of training. First Degree Reiki is healing through proximity – hands-on, light touch or hands just above the client. Second Degree is distant, non-touch healing, much like prayer though no religion is needed.

Third level training is to become a Reiki Master. Only Reiki masters can train others. The reiki is accessed through initiations, sacred symbols and distant treatments. Reiki is accessed through, but not by, the practitioner.

Although it makes sense to classify reiki as energy medicine this term more accurately refers to such interventions as Qigong, Shiatsu and Therapeutic Touch which reorganize the biofield.

The experience of reiki is closer to meditation than other techniques of energy medicine. The word energy is vague and doesn’t apply to reiki as well as more descriptive words such as pulsation, vibration or oscillation.

Human recipients of Reiki notice a gentle shift toward relaxation.

Breathing becomes slower & more comfortable. Some recipients feel warm tingling where Reiki hands were placed. Others feel soft waves of subtle pulsations flowing through their bodies. Some feel nothing – except they are very relaxed afterward and have a sense of enhanced well-being or homeostasis. In animals you might see them become calmer, head drooping, deeper breathing, licking, chewing, yawning or even passing gas.

Reiki originated in Japan with a lifelong spiritual aspirant named Mikao Usui. During a three-week fasting retreat, Usui came back to deliver Reiki to the world. Hawayo Takata, a first-generation Japanese-American brought Reiki to America.

Reiki is not religious in anyway.

It developed instead out of a spiritual tradition and sits at the intersection of science and spirit. You don’t need to believe in anything to benefit from Reiki. Reiki is a multilevel state of harmony and integrity both within (body/ mind/spirit) and between the environment (physical/social/spiritual).

Reiki can be administered to pets and humans alike. Reiki is a safe treatment in any situation and cannot be over dosed. There is nothing invasive about how Reiki is administered. There is no wrong dosage. There are no known contraindications to using Reiki. Reiki does not override the healing process of a conventional or complementary intervention and can be used in conjunction with medicaWinter 2019

tions and other modalities of healing.

Reiki goes to the source of the problem, even if it is unknown, and heals at a level of intensity that the being is open to receiving. Reiki is being used in hospitals, nursing homes and hospice care. Reiki is excellent for animals and is being used at animal shelters, sanctuaries and in veterinary clinics.

Many veterinarians now practice Reiki as well, check to see if yours does.

Sue Miller is a Path Registered Instructor & ESMHL, PATH Vermont State chair and Vice President of VHSA.

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Winter Water Nicole Sicely, Custom Equine Nutrition, LLC

inter is the most important time to ensure your horse has access to a constant supply of clean water. A horse’s weight consists of 70% water. For your average 1,000lb horse, that is 700lbs of water!

Horses naturally drink less water in the winter, leaving it up to us to ensure adequate intake. This reduction, combined with the increased dry matter of hay, reduction of lush pasture, decreased exercise and sometimes reduced turn out, it’s no wonder that vets see an increase in impac-

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tion colic through the winter. If a horse has inadequate water they will reduce the amount of dry matter they consume, leading to weight loss. This can spell disaster for your hard keepers already struggling to maintain weight through the season. Not only does lack of water intake increase the risk of impaction, but mild dehydration can cause muscles to get tired and tie-up.

Keep an eye on your horse’s manure, if it looks drier than normal, you will want to increase your horse’s water intake.

Having access to water in a pasture or turnout area can be difficult in New England, but it is essential. Horses cannot rely on snow as a water source. This bears repeating, horses cannot rely on snow.

The first problem with using snow as a water source is the sheer volume they need to consume. The snow to water ratio is 10 parts snow to 1 part water. For a horse to get 10 gallons of water through snow, they would need to eat 100 gallons of it!

The second problem is that calories are used to melt snow, when these calories are needed to keep your horse warm instead.

Increased snow intake can lead to hypothermia, causing our horses to have a hard time staying warm. Again, this can be very hazardous for those hard keepers. Our horses already have a hard time staying warm in New England!

Horses drink less when the water temperature is cold. Ideally, water temperature should be kept around 40-60 degrees Fahrenheit. In one study, horses drank 38-41% less cold water compared to water at 66 degrees.

Salt will also help encourage drinking.

A horse at maintenance (not in work) requires 10g (10,000mg) of sodium per day. 1oz of salt provides 14g (14,000mg) of sodium. Horses should have access to a plain white salt block. However, if a 5lb salt block is not completely consumed with in two months, your horse is not meeting his sodium requirements, and salt should be added to his meals. Two level tablespoons will provide 1oz of salt. A horse in exercise will require 2-4x this amount. You can purchase a 50lb bag of plain salt at any local feed store for around $12, costing less than a penny per day. Compare that to the cost of a vet bill for impaction colic, cheap insurance!

Expensive “Designer Salt” is not necessary, nor recommended. Don’t be fooled by the claim that these salts provide needed nutrients. The amount of these nutrients are so miniscule that they might support a fly.

Provide your horse with an adequate amount of salt, and 24/7 access to water at 40-60 degrees Fahrenheit to keep his body functioning property and reduce the chance of impaction this winter.

Nicole Sicely owns Custom Equine Nutrition, LLC. Nicole is an equine nutritionist offering consulting services and formulated Vermont Blend forage balancer.

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COLD WEATHER SAFETY FOR PETS Erin Forbes, DVM - Vermont Veterinary Medical Association

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inter has come to Vermont and this means colder weather, snow, and ice.

And importantly, winter’s cold means potential dangers for our pets. Pets are susceptible to the cold, just like people.

Some pets are more at risk if they have certain medical conditions, less body fat, or shorter coats. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to help make winter enjoyable for everyone.

• If possible, keep your cats and dogs inside during cold weather: It is a common misconception that pets are more resistant to the cold because they have fur.

Cats and dogs can get frostbitten, become hypothermic, and get seriously ill if they are outside for too long. Even dogs with thicker coats, such as Huskies, should not be left outside for long periods of time in below freezing weather.

• If you are not able to house your dog inside, make sure they have the right resources outside: your pets should have access to a warm solid shelter and fresh,

non frozen water (either change water frequently or use a pet-safe heated bowl).

The shelter floor should be off the ground and have thick, dry bedding: this helps keep the pet warm and dry. The shelter’s door should be located away from prevailing winds.

• Be mindful before starting your engine: When you are getting ready to leave in the morning, always look underneath your car and bang on the hood.

Warm engines are very appealing to outdoor and feral cats, so making noise will make sure any cats who may have taken shelter under your car will abandon their temporary bed.

• Keep them Wagging on Your Winter Walks: When you take your dog for a walk check their paws frequently and wipe their feet at the end of the walk. If you check your dog’s paw pads, you will catch weather injury right away--paw pads can crack and bleed or ice can accumulate between their toes. If your dog seems to routinely have issues with his or her paw pads consider getting dog boots for them to wear. If your dog has a short coat or seems bothered by the cold weather, consider a sweater or dog coat.

• Practice Post-Walk Health: When out for a walk, your dog may acquire antifreeze or other dangerous chemicals on their fur so make sure to wipe your dog down when you return from a walk. This way your dog won’t be able to lick these chemicals off their fur. It is also recommended to use pet-safe de-icers on your property to protect your pets.

• Be mindful of older pets: If your pet seems to slow down in the winter, they may have arthritis. Colder weather can exacerbate the pain of arthritis and you may see your pet less willing to go on a walk, not able to jump as well as they used to, or seeking more comfortable bedding.

If you see the signs, or are concerned at all, speak to your veterinarian.

These are just a few pieces of advice to help make winter a little safer for dogs and cats. If you have any concerns about your pet this winter or need information, please contact your veterinarian.

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The Vermont Veterinary Medical Association (VVMA), founded in 1898, is a professional organization of 375 veterinarians dedicated to compassionate animal care and quality medicine.

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Diabetes in Dogs and Cats Catherine MacLean, DVM - Grantham, NH

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ogs and cats can get diabetes just like humans. The most common type of diabetes in dogs and cats is diabetes mellitus, which is similar to Type II diabetes in humans. Although diabetes can happen to any pet, overweight and obese cats and dogs are most at risk along with certain dog breeds.

Diabetes occurs when there isn’t enough insulin produced by the pancreas. The cells of our body need a sugar known as glucose to function. The insulin that the pancreas produces helps the cells absorb glucose from the bloodstream and utilize it. Glucose comes from our diet. When the body needs glucose and we are not obtaining it through food, the body has to breakdown fat, stored protein and starches to provide calories to the cells. Starches and protein can be converted into glucose. Fat gets converted into ketones, which is another source of fuel that the body can use in a pinch.

If ketones can be detected in urine, it means that something is wrong. Ketones are produced when an animal is starving and is mobilizing massive amounts of fat for energy. Ketones can also be detected in diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a severe, life-threatening complication of unregulated diabetes.

The main clinical signs of diabetic cats and dogs are excessive drinking, urination, eating, and weight loss. These clinical signs occur in diabetic animals because they are not producing enough insulin for their cells to get glucose for the bloodstream. The animal’s body is also unable to detect the glucose in its blood and its body is fooled into thinking it is starving. The body then begins breaking down protein, starch, and fat.

However, with the lack of insulin being made by the animal’s body, it can’t get the glucose and nutrients it’s producing into the tissues that need it. At the same time the animal’s kidneys become overwhelmed by the amount of glucose in the bloodstream and spills the extra glucose into the urine where it is lost.

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Glucose is able to draw water into the urine, which then leads to excess urine production and excess thirst to keep up with the fluid loss.

Other clinical signs that may be seen are cataracts in dogs and urinary tract infections. Cataracts due to diabetes are seen in dogs and not cats. This is because the lens in the eyes of a dog allow excess sugar to enter it. Urinary tract infections can occur in diabetic animals because of all the excess sugar being excreted into the urine. This allows for a nice environment for bacteria to grow.

If you notice that your pet is losing weight, eating a lot, and has excessive drinking and urination it may have diabetes. Diabetes is diagnosed with bloodwork. If your veterinarian diagnoses your pet with diabetes, this is not a death sentence. Diabetes in dogs and cats can be treated and managed with insulin, diet, and dedication.

At this time there are no oral insulins that work well in animals, so insulin must be given as an injection. Your pet will also need a high fiber, low carbohydrate diet. After your pet has been started on insulin, your veterinarian will have your pet come in for a blood glucose curve in several weeks. Blood glucose curves usually involve your pet staying at the veterinary office for the day while blood glucose levels are measured and monitored. Some owners are able to perform the glucose curve at home. After the curve is done, your veterinarian may make adjustments to your pet’s insulin dose. Sometimes several adjustments and curves need to be done before the correct dose of insulin is found for your pet.

Occasionally a pet may be very difficult to regulate. This may be due to improper administration of insulin, very fast metabolism of insulin, steroid administration, and progesterone interference in unsprayed female animals.

Dental disease can also contribute to unregulated diabetes. There is also the possibility that the insulin selected for your pet was not the right fit and a different type of insulin is needed.

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If at any point a diabetic pet becomes disoriented, lethargic, or ill you should contact your veterinarian right away.

Once an animal’s insulin is regulated, their weigh usually regulates, their appetite returns to normal, and their increased drinking and urination stops.

If those clinical signs return, then you should schedule your pet for a recheck with your veterinarian.

Diabetic pets can have long, happy lives once they are regulated. Diabetes can be frustrating for owners when it takes a while to regulate their pet’s insulin dose since it can be expensive to treat and hard to deal with the excessive drinking and urination. The best way to avoid diabetes in animals is to keep your pet at a healthy weight and to have regular check-ups with your veterinarian.

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, and their three pets: Jack and Misty, two cats, and Arrow, a dog.

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Alternatively Speaking:

A Holistic Look at Matters of the Heart Dr. Anne Carroll DVM, CVA

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umans are used to constantly hearing about heart health in the news, but this is not a typical focus for animals since it is a far less common issue for them. However that changed this July after the FDA issued a statement regarding a possible dietary link to heart disease in dogs. Veterinarians are still investigating this mystery and it may turn out not to be diet related, but now seems a good time to look at how diet is related to heart health, what breeds are prone to heart conditions, and how to prevent and treat heart disease holistically in both dogs and cats. Before we get into the dietary connection, let’s look at the bigger picture of heart function in our furry friends.

The heart is certainly an amazing organ. With each heartbeat, the left muscular side of heart pumps oxygen and nutrient-rich blood around the body and

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back to the heart, while at the same time the right chambers are sending returned blood back to the lungs to re-oxygenate.

An electrical system in the heart muscle synchronizes contractions and valve openings to rapidly move blood. We can compare this modern description to the Chinese portrait of the heart, which has its roots in intuition and observation.

They equally recognized the heart’s vital role in maintaining life but more poetically describe it as “the shape of a closed lotus flower”, situated underneath the lung and above the liver, where it functions as Master of the blood and vessels. Emperor of the body, it has a dual function of also being the seat of consciousness and intelligence, or ‘”shen”.

Both Western and Eastern perspectives agree that the heart provides essential circulation to feed the entire body, including the heart itself, which needs a good supply of oxygen and nutrients to be able to exercise nonstop. The heart’s need for nutrition increases in disease since it is working harder to pump blood when it is weakened by damage and trying to heal itself. Even before damage occurs, nutrition affects the development of heart disease. Certain breeds such as Newfoundlands, Boxers, Great Danes, Dobermans and Cocker Spaniels can have trouble assimilating taurine, an amino acid found in meat. Affected dogs need higher levels of dietary supplementation to avoid damage to their heart muscle. In contrast, smaller breeds like Miniature Poodles, Yorkies and Beagles tend to develop problems with their valves as they age. In either group, part of this genetic tendency may involve a tendency to have inflammatory damage to their hearts. Studies have found a link between inflammation markers and heart disease in cats and dogs, and that inflammation is often a result of dietary stresses. Because of these links, nutritional supplements and therapeutic foods are a mainstay of holistic treatment of heart disease.

As an example we can look at the case of “Kellyn , an 8 ½ year old Doberman who seemed tired, and was diagnosed with heart failure. Dobermans are especially prone to heart disease, and like Winter 2019

Kellyn

other large dogs the disease is silent until the heart muscle is so damaged they go into failure. His cardiologist started him on medications, and advised his owner that his expected survival was 6 months. We started him on nutritional supplements specific to supporting the diseased heart. At his recheck ultrasound a month and a half later, his cardiologist was amazed at how much improvement he had, beyond the effects his heart drugs would have on his condition. Kellyn continued on supports for a year and a half before his liver failed as a result of his heart disease at the age of ten.

Alfie

Alfie was a cat determined to use up all of his nine lives. Adopted in middle age, he was allergic, and then diagnosed with heart failure when poor circulation created fluid build-up in his lungs and weakness from lack of blood supply. His heart did better on medications for several months but his kidneys declined, so they had to cut back and in the meantime the new meds for his allergies aggravated his liver. So he came to us on six medications trying to juggle all his issues but Winter 2019

he was still very itchy and not eating or feeling well. Over a period of time we used herbs, medications and nutrition to alleviate the allergies, and as those helped we slowly removed or reduced some of the drugs we felt may be bothering him.

From a Chinese perspective, heart failure is a stagnation of Qi (energy), Blood and fluids in the Upper Burner (chest). So we used Chinese herbs to address that pattern and Alfie was able to feel better on fewer drugs, which also helped his kidneys and liver feel better. He lived a year and a half longer with a good quality of life overall, far exceeding our expectations given where he started from.

As important as nutrition is, without improved circulation those nutrients can’t reach the heart well. As in Kellyn’s case of heart failure, often drug therapy is needed to restore circulation to give us time to use other therapies. But sometimes the drugs can cause problems too, so in our practice we use acupuncture and Chinese herbs with or to replace drugs when needed. “Alfie” the cat and “Sana” the Pomeranian are good examples of this.

Sana the little Pomeranian was seen for a routine checkup, but in listening to her heart a murmur was heard. Murmurs are the sound of blood turbulence created when the valves are allowing blood to flow backwards in the heart. She was feeling well but the ultrasound of her heart showed that her heart was close to failure and the cardiologist gave her medications to use if she began to cough.

When she started the heart medications, like Alfie she did not tolerate the drugs and her kidney failure was suddenly worse than her heart disease. She was not eating, her weight dropped dangerously, and she would fall over trying to walk. We used nutrition, acupuncture, and herbs for her heart and kidneys, and it took months but she slowly stabilized and eventually returned to her old self.

At her recheck a year later her murmur was improved and since she could not take any other medications, her cardiologist felt she did not need another ultrasound. She did finally pass at the age of 16, almost three years after she began treatment.

These cases all involved advanced disease, and we always encourage early diagnosis or better yet prevention when possible to improve success. Especially if you have a breed at risk, prevention is invaluable with heart disease! Starting when young we encourage nutritional supplementation and a diet including fresh ingredients to reduce inflammation. Knowing the effects of emotional stress on the body, we address anxiety, timidity or anger in all patients Continued Next Page

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since those are signs of imbalances that affect health over time, not just the heart. Annual checkups are very important to detect murmurs, allowing us to start early supports to minimize the use of drugs. As little dogs age, owners can watch for coughs or reduced ability to exercise. For at-risk large breeds we suggest an ultrasound between the age of 4 and 6 to see if the heart muscle is showing signs of disease before failure occurs that is seen outwardly. For cats, disease is often unpredictable and silent until it reaches advanced stages. The best prevention is avoiding processed dry

Sana

cat foods and obesity to reduce the metabolic stress and inflammation in a carnivore trying to process starchy materials they are not designed to eat.

So as usual, we end up talking about diet as a major factor in health. This brings us full circle to that FDA statement about diet and heart disease.

The reason these handful of cases are drawing attention is that the dogs affected were not the typical breeds, but instead Retrievers, Whippets, a Shih Tzu, a Bulldog, Miniature Schnauzers, and even some mixed breeds. Veterinarians are focusing on a possible dietary cause because we saw the same issue in cats getting inadequate taurine in the first diets made in the mid 60’s. Dogs have never had that issue, but the trend in dog food today is to feed unheard of quantities of potatoes, peas, chickpeas, and lentils in place of undesirable grains. So far, we have no idea why these dogs developed heart disease, since most of them had normal taurine levels when tested.

It may be that there is a limit to how many non-animal proteins you can use in dog food, or something unrelated to diet at all. In the meantime, no matter what dry or canned foods you feed your pet, consider some form of fresh meat as part of their diet, or a taurine supplement. Talk to your holistic veterinarian about what would be appropriate for your pet’s individual needs and how to introduce that. And until the time when advances in science can explain this and the other medical mysteries out there, we can rely on the poetry of Chinese medicine and the inherent knowledge of whole food nutrition to promote health for not just the heart, but the whole.

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

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Common Myths About Dental Disease in Dogs and Cats Sandra L Waugh VMD, MS

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n my practice of veterinary dentistry I hear, over and over, these same myths from my clients. Many of the conditions that I see in dogs and cats would, if present in a person, cause complaint and an urgency for treatment. Unfortunately, dogs and cats do not complain about dental pain. Or, they do complain, but in a way that is not very obvious to their owners. They most certainly feel pain from and are adversely affected by dental disease.

In my practice of veterinary dentistry I hear, over and over, these same myths from my clients. Many of the conditions that I see in dogs and cats would, if present in a person, cause complaint and an urgency for treatment. Unfortunately, dogs and cats do not complain about dental pain. Or, they do complain, but in a way that is not very obvious to their owners. They most certainly feel pain from and are adversely affected by dental disease.

MYTH #1: “Dogs and cats do not feel dental pain the way people do. They have a higher pain threshold.”

Basis for Myth: Serious dental problems are often found on a routine physical examination, and the owner will say that they have had no indication that anything was wrong. The pet still eats and may even still chew on hard toys.

THE TRUTH:

Dogs and cats feel dental pain in the same way and to the same degree as humans. It has been shown that dogs and cats have the same pain threshold and tolerance as humans.

Then why do they continue to eat? The simple answer is that eating is necessary in order to survive. The dog or cat will often adopt various strategies, such as preferring canned food over dry, chewing on the less painful side of the mouth, or eating small amounts of food numerous times per day. And why not complain? I wonder, sometimes, exactly how a dog or cat should “complain” about pain in the mouth. If a leg hurts a limp will result. But what is the corresponding action with dental pain? The signs are often subtle and often increase slowly over a long time and thus are not as apparent as a limp.

A general decrease in enthusiasm, drooling, pawing or rubbing the mouth, decreased enthusiasm for games, discharge from the eye, sneezing are some of the signs that are seen.

Also, because dogs and cats still have behaviors left over from prior to domestication, there is a in-born desire to look strong and pretend that everything is fine. A display of weakness can make one vulnerable to becoming a meal to another predator. So, “stiff upper lip” and “fluff out that fur” to look as big and strong as possible.

Recommendation: If you see a condition that would cause pain in your mouth, assume that it is causing pain for the pet.

If you see a condition that would cause you to seek dental care for yourself, then seek out dental care for the pet.

MYTH #2: “If a broken tooth does not seem to be bothering the pet, there is no need to treat it” or “it is ok to just wait and watch it.”

Basis for Myth: Teeth that are fractured or worn with exposure of the in-side of the tooth (the pulp) are commonly seen in dogs and cats. Yet the owner will often state that the tooth is not bothering the pet. (see Myth #1).

THE TRUTH:

If a tooth has been broken or worn to allow pulp exposure, it is a problem that must be treated.

A tooth with an open pulp chamber becomes a direct pathway for bacteria to enter the inside of the tooth and then to eventually exit out the bottom of the root and infect the bone. I know from personal experience that this can cause excruciating pain! These teeth need to be treated with either a root canal procedure or an extraction. To “wait and watch” the tooth makes no sense.

When I hear this I wonder “For what are you watching?” Since dogs and cats often do not show signs of dental pain, then watching for the appearance of pain is an unreliable indicator that the tooth needs treatment.

Recommendation: A fractured tooth, a worn down tooth or a discolored tooth with an intact crown are all likely to be non-vital teeth and should be treated with a root canal procedure or an extraction. Antibiotics often will temporarily relieve pain, but will not cure the problem.

Fracture upper right canine. The darker area surrounding the tip of the root was due to an infection in the bone. (red arrow).

MYTH #3: “For minor tartar accumulations and mild gingivitis, a simple scaling without anesthetic will often be sufficient.”

Basis for Myth: Owners may be reluctant to put a pet under anesthesia. Some groomers and veterinarians will offer this service. When finished, the visible parts of the teeth will look clean and there may be some reduction in odor.

THE TRUTH:

Proper dental care requires general anesthesia. A dental cleaning includes the removal of all of the plaque and tartar, including underneath the gum. There is a space where the gum meets the tooth, and it is this space that is the most important part to clean. All the teeth should be probed. A polishing is necessary to create a smooth surface that will easier to keep clean. Under general anesthesia every tooth can be fully examined and dental radiographs taken to determine if the entire tooth, meaning the crown and the root, are healthy. In the awake pet, most of this is not possible. Only the outside Winter 2019 34 4 Legs & a Tail

surface of the tooth can be cleaned, leaving behind all the plaque and tartar on the inside of the mouth. Subtle problems will be missed, leaving them to become worse over time.

Recommendation: Have your pet’s teeth cleaned under general anesthesia. Concern about anesthesia is reason-able, so ask about the monitors used, what parameters are being monitored and if a technician will monitor the anesthesia continuously.

MYTH #4: “Old animals are not suitable candidates for dental treatment.”

Basis for Myth: Generally, older patients have higher anesthetic risks and so some veterinarians feel the benefits of treatment do not justify these risks. In the past, anesthetic risks were higher and the level of dental treatment available lower and so the risks might not have been justified. Things have changed!

THE TRUTH:

It is true that some patients are too systemically ill to be candidates for a general anesthetic, however, I feel that no animal should be denied the benefits of proper dental care merely because they were born a long time ago.

As a veterinarian, I was sworn to prevent and relieve animal suffering (see the Veterinarian’s Oath). Many dental conditions are not only sources of chronic pain, but also serious sources of chronic infection. These situations have significant negative impact on both the quality and quantity of life for the patient. With our present re-sources for pre anesthetic diagnostics, risk management during anesthesia and post anesthesia care, the risk of loosing a patient to a general anesthetic has been greatly reduced (there is always a risk with any procedure in any patient). Also, the level of dental care available has increased incredibly over the past fifteen years. It is now safe to say that the risk to the quality and quantity of life associated with dental treatment is less than the risk associated with dental neglect.

Recommendation: If you hear yourself thinking or are told that your pet is too old for a needed dental procedure, find a veterinarian who will take all factors into account, not just the age of your pet.

MYTH #5: “Doggy Breath or Kitty Breath is normal” Basis for Myth: Treatment of periodontal disease has not always been emphasized by veterinarians and owners were not made aware of dental disease in their pets. I am often told by owners that the dogs and cats they had in the past did not have any dental disease. This, of course, is not true, rather dental disease was prevalent in the past but was not diagnosed and treated.

THE TRUTH:

Bad breath is a sure sign of significant infection in the mouth, and while there are other causes, periodontal disease is by far the number one cause of bad breath (halitosis). Periodontal disease has a “rotten egg” or “swamp gas” type of odor, while plaque has mildly unpleasant odor. If the odor from the mouth makes you gag or want to run away, then significant periodontal disease is highly likely.

Recommendation: Have your pet’s teeth examined and dental x-rays taken under general anesthesia. This can usually be immediately followed by performing whatever dental procedures (extractions, etc) need to be done in order to return the mouth to a healthy state.

Teeth do not have to end up in this state! This dog lost most of these teeth at 7.5 years of age.

MYTH #6: “Periodontal disease is an inevitable consequence of aging.”

Basis for Myth: Many old dogs and cats have severe periodontal disease.

THE TRUTH:

Periodontal disease is entirely preventable. Through the judicious use of abrasive foods and toys (nothing too hard), appropriate home-care programs and timely professional oral hygiene procedures, it is very possible for a dog or cat to live a long life and lose no teeth to periodontal disease. They may lose teeth to other conditions, such as broken teeth or tooth resorptions.

Recommendation: Adopt a preventative approach to oral health by starting dental care before disease is established.

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.

Parts of this article were adopted from “Dental Mythology” by Fraser Hale, DVM, FAVD, Dipl AVDC at tooth-vet.ca and “Pet Dental Health Month: Debunking Common Myths About Periodontal Disease” by Brook A. Niemiec, DVM, FAVD, Diplomate AVDC at dogbeachvet.com.

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Weight Control for Dogs in Winter Months

to closely monitor your dog’s activity.

Accurately tracking your pet’s activity levels is possible with one of many pet activity monitors available today.

These small devices mount on Fido’s collar and can double as a GPS Patrick Sturgeon & Ben Burroughs to locate a lost pet. Most devices generate simple reports and even offer pet

s the leaves change and the Step 2: Monitor & Plan for Activity: parents reminders if too much time has first dusting of snow sets in, we often Once you understand your pet’s elapsed since their dog was active. This notice our four-legged friends are not as physical status, then you can evaluate is a simple way to track Fido’s activity excited to run outside first thing in the activity needs and encourage additional playtime. morning. Then, the temperature drops based on breed, further, we have less daylight, and these age, and behavStep 3: Assess Lifestyle & trips outside become shorter and less ior. We all know Nutritional Needs: frequent. This can be a bad combination “that dog” – the Dogs who live predominantly indoors for many pets as it can lead to weight one smiling and vs. those who spend most of their time gain. It can also compound health & joint bounding through outdoors regardless of the temperaissues in many older pets. A variety of snow with a thick ture have very different caloric needs. steps can be taken however to ensure our coat of fur. Not all Experts explain that dogs who spend four-legged friends maintain a healthy our pets possess most of their time outdoors during weight without sacrificing on nutrition. a robust coat, but winter months shiver just like humans. they want to go Shivering can have a massive caloric out regardless of Step 1: Assess your Dog’s Health: impact on your dog. So, understanding This step considers many variables, the cold. So, by this need may result in more feedings. such as your dog’s age, breed, and ten- understanding breed and behavior, a Consult with a veterinarian or pet food dencies. When in doubt, consult a pet parent can invest in winter coats nutritional expert before changing your veterinarian. Veterinarians can do more to ensure even short hair breeds can pet’s meal plan. than give you the eyeball test; they can enjoy the snow if they have a drive to If your four-legged friend spends let you know whether your dog is at a venture out. more time indoors during the winter, healthy weight or potentially flag Fido If an unbridled desire to run free is feeding less for regular meals is not the as overweight. Together, you can create not in your dog’s nature and the thought answer. However, cutting back on treats a plan for increased activity and better of walking your pet in the cold gives you early in the seathe chills, you may need to develop a plan son may offer nutrition during the winter months.

A

caloric savings to offset the lower activity levels.

Or, if you cannot resist treating your four-legged friends, seek out low calorie training treats. Zuke’s and Fruitables “minis” training treats offer generous portions at a low-calorie point.

If you still have concerns about diet, consult with a veterinarian. A lower calorie diet may be needed. Lower calorie over the counter (OTC) diets can include lean proteins such as chicken, turkey, and fish and have lower added fat contents. Brands such as Merrick, Annamaet, Blue Buffalo, Weruva, and others manufacture lower calorie diets that meet all other nutritional requirements. In drastic situations a veterinarian may suggest a prescription diet which takes many of the previous OTC formulas and layers in added fiber to promote satiety. These diets are also backed by extensive clinical trials.

If you follow these steps, your dog should emerge from the winter cold in peak health and ready to run through the mud come April!

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Blueberry Dog Biscuits • 1½ cups King Arthur Oat Flour • 2½ cups King Arthur Quinoa Flour • ¾ cup King Arthur Golden Flax Meal • ½ cup frozen organic, unsweetened blueberries • ¼ cup olive oil • 1 large egg

DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350° and line a baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat or parchment paper.

In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients with 1 cup water to form a dough. Roll out mixture to ¼ inch thick between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Remove the plastic wrap and cut out biscuits with a cookie cutter.

Space biscuits 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes, until nicely browned and firm.

Transfer biscuits to a wire rack.

Winter is the season of dandruff and dry skin, and these treats are full of nutrients that will help keep your dog’s skin and coat soft and healthy.

REMEMBERt:for

trea These are a part of yo ur dog, not the daily diet. plenty!

One biscuit is www.4LegsAndATail.com 37

Taking Care of Business in I the Winter

t can be a challenge to get even the best housetrained pet to do their business outdoors on a bitterly cold, snowy day. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to encourage your pet to use outdoor bathroom areas and avoid indoor accidents all winter long.

Why Pets May Avoid Outdoor Potty Time in Winter

Understanding your pet’s reluctance to use an outdoor bathroom area in winter can help you take steps to keep your pet comfortable. Both cats and dogs are sensitive to very cold temperatures, particularly if they do not have a heavier winter coat, and extreme cold can be painful on their delicate paws and noses. Deep snow may brush against their bottoms if they must squat, and that sensation can be disturbing. An icy surface is slippery and unsteady, and can make a pet more tentative about being outdoors. Snow and ice will also cover scent markers that indicate a familiar outdoor bathroom area, making your pet more nervous about where they are. Even large landmarks – visual, auditory and scent clues – can be changed or eliminated in winter, making your pet feel nervous and vulnerable. When all these factors are added up, it’s no surprise that your pet may prefer an accident indoors rather than using an outdoor potty area.

Encouraging Outdoor Winter Bathroom Breaks

It is possible to encourage your pet to do their business outdoor even on stormy, chilly winter days, but it takes some dedicated effort on your part to be sure they are safe and comfortable.

Walk and Play Outdoors

Many pets are reluctant to use the bathroom outdoors in winter because they are not used to winter weather conditions. Taking short walks, playing outdoor games and otherwise exposing your pet to snow, ice and cold in safe, fun ways can help them feel more at ease in winter conditions so they are not too nervous to do their business.

Train Your Pet to Go on Command Using a verbal command – “Do your business!” “Go pee!” “Get busy!” etc. – to train your pet to do bathroom business 38 4 Legs & a Tail

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can help them feel more comfortable in uncertain conditions. They will trust your command, and that training will be reinforced if you offer praise or a treat after they perform appropriately.

Once your pet is trained, they will follow that command even in winter weather.

Create a Winter Potty Area Give your pet a safe, comfortable area to do their business outdoors in winter by clearing snow and ice. This will also make existing scent markers stronger, encouraging your pet to use the same area. Providing a simple windbreak can ease any discomfort on windy days, and if the area is under cover – such as under a large patio table or trampoline – it will be easy to keep the snow accumulation minimal.

Bundle Up Pets that naturally grow heavy winter coats will be more comfortable outdoors on cold days, but if your pet does not, it may be necessary to use a snug sweater to help them keep warm. Be sure the sweater is the appropriate size so your pet’s waste will not create a bigger mess. Boots, booties or socks can also be helpful to give your pet better traction outdoors and to keep their feet comfortable.

them, but do not return indoors until they have gone potty. This is a great opportunity to reinforce verbal bathroom commands so your pet will go more easily even in unusual conditions.

Consider Indoor Potty Areas

Despite the best training and all the appropriate steps to help your pet feel comfortable doing bathroom business outdoors in winter, indoor accidents are to be expected. It may be worthwhile to consider an indoor potty area using puppy training pads or newspapers, not only to provide your pet an indoor alternative to accidents, but in case there are days when the weather is just too bad and dangerous for you or your pet to be outside. Keep the area clean and take your pet outdoors whenever possible, and eventually they will learn to be comfortable outdoors even during the coldest winter days.

To learn more about taking care of your pets, talk with the experts at the Pet and Aquarium Center or visit their website at www.NHPets.com

Accompany Your Pet If your pet seems nervous outdoors in winter, it may be necessary for you to accompany them on bathroom breaks.

Stay near your pet without crowding

Rosie Celebrating Winter

Winter 2019

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Etiquette for Downtown Dogs E

Maria Karunungan

tiquette is such a funny word, especially in connection to dogs… it has a whiff of being old-fashioned and stuffy.

And yet, when you decide to head downtown, and bring your adorable four-legged companion with you, many people will harbor certain expectations for you and your dog’s behavior. Below are some common ones that you may or may not agree with personally, but people may hold you to nonetheless: 1. Pick up your dog’s poop. Especially downtown! (It goes without saying: remember to bring poop bags with you if you are planning to take your dog with you downtown).

2. Avoid letting your dog randomly approach people. Interesting fact: 37.7% of Vermonters have a dog at home. Which means that lots of people in Vermont like dogs. Which is great; but doesn’t mean that every person who sees your dog will want to say hello. When you are downtown, your dog should be kept on leash and the leash should be kept short enough to prevent your dog from willynilly reaching unsuspecting people who may be passing by.

If you see a human passerby’s face light up in pure joy at the sight of your beloved companion, and they ask, “Can I pet your dog?”, then you can let your dog greet him or her – politely. A polite greeting means that your dog’s paws remain on the ground, and your dog does not jump on the person. While some people don’t mind jumping at all (and they may even tell you this), it can be confusing for your dog to be allowed to jump on some people but not others. It’s easier to be in the habit of greeting all people without jumping. If you have trained your dog well enough, meaning you are confident your dog would not jump on the person while being petted, Winter 2019

actually imply a character deficit in the other dog!)

Before taking your dog downtown, you will also want to consider whether your own dog would enjoy this kind of outing.

Some dogs do perfectly well on hiking trails, but downtown throngs of people just might not be their thing. Other dogs love people, but may become overly barky or excited when they see other dogs. A loud voice – whether human or canine – is not necessarily fun or considerate in a public environment intended to be enjoyed by a wide variety of people.

Lastly, consider if YOU will enjoy taking your dog with you! Perhaps you think your dog would have a complete blast, but you will be spending all your time managing your dog and preventing him or her from running up to other dogs and people. If you do want to take your dog downtown, but don’t want it to be a hassle due to lack of training, consider taking a suite of training classes geared towards, firstly, basic obedience, then being able to perform routine obedience in the presence of distractions, then being able to be completely zen and chill in a downtown area. Recommended skills include being able to walk on a loose leash in the presence of distractions, a solid “leave it” in case they are tempted to eat something unsavory or unhealthy off the sidewalk, a nice polite automatic sit-stay for greeting people, and the ability to focus on you when you ask them to, even if they are tempted not to. If you and your dog would both enjoy being downtown, the effort to set your dog up for success will be well-worth it and you’ll be able to share many urban adventures together!

you might say something like, “yes! go right ahead!”

Otherwise, you might say, “We’re working on being polite with people. I’d love for you to pet him, but let me see if I can get him in a sit first.” Then, pull out an amazing, mind-blowing treat---if your dog is pro-social and likes human beings, you are going to want to make sure your treats trump the human factor. Ask your dog to sit, hold that scrumptious treat near your dog’s nose as a promise in exchange for maintained good behavior, then invite the human to go ahead and pet. If your dog successfully sits through this exciting encounter, reward him with the treat! If your dog blows it, however, you might walk away apologetically and say, “one moment please!” With repetition over time, your Maria Karunungan is an honors gradudog will learn that the consequence of ate of The Academy for Dog Trainers, jumping on people means not getting to where she earned her Certificate in say hello.

3. Similarly, avoid letting your dog Training and Counseling. Maria also holds a Ph.D. in Educational Studies. She has randomly greet other dogs passing by.

This is particularly important. Another trained service dogs, therapy dogs, shelwell-behaved dog walking calmly on leash ter dogs and pet dogs for over 15 years with its person in a downtown area isn’t and currently works with Fetch the Leash in downtown Burlington. necessarily a socialization opportunity for your dog. Take a moment to look at the person handling the dog. If the handler is distracted and/or juggling bags, children, etc. in addition to the dog, this may not be a good time to try to engage in a social encounter. Or sometimes you’ll see the handler politely stepping off to the side or moving in a deliberate half-circle to skirt around you. If this is the case, definitely take the cue that this is not a good time to let your dog approach. Even if the handler seems to be open to the interaction, always ask before letting your dog’s leash be loose enough to reach the other dog: “Is it okay for them to meet?” (Note: try to avoid saying, “Is your dog friendly?”

While it’s common to say this, it might

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CGC (Canine Good Citizen) = An Achievement for Your Dog

OCG = An Achievement for You

Do you have what it takes?

Paula Bergeron - Grafton, NH

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ost dog people have heard of the Canine Good Citizen Program where your dog is tested on 10 skills to determine if they are CGC quality.

Although I know many dogs who have achieved the CGC certificate, I do not know anyone who has achieved an OCG certificate.

What is the OCG certificate you ask?

Well it stands for Owner Good Citizen and no one has achieved this certificate because, to be honest, it only exists in my head. I have come up with 10 behaviors that I feel would constitute a responsible dog owner, making our dogs world of walks, hikes, family gatherings, outdoor cafe’s, airplane travel, neighborhood parties, and community living enjoyable and safe for dog owners and non dog owners alike.

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Here is my OGC Skills list: 1. When choosing your dog, did you look at more than his/her cute factor? When acquiring your dog did you think as much about what you could provide for them( time, exercise, vet care, structure, proper environment) as you did about what the dog could provide for you?

2. Do you have an environment that is suitable for your dog, enough room for them to enjoy the outdoors, or conversely do you take your dog to parks or hikes that will fulfill their need to be in nature?

3. Does your dog get enough exercise so that they are not frustrated by too much energy stored in their bodies causing barking, digging, chewing, whining, howling… well, you get my drift a whole bucket load of unwanted behavior?

4. Do you notice and care if your dog is causing a racket when you leave the house? Rather than forcing your neighbors to live with your dog's frustration have you found a solution or are actively trying to solve the problem?

5. Do you follow the guidelines concerning service and emotional support dogs? Is he or she trained properly to spend time in public, to prevent them from being overwhelmed to the point of barking, jumping, peeing, and biting in public buildings, restaurants busses, and planes?

6. Do you provide good nutritious food for your dog and protect them from obesity as well as malnutrition? (For help in learning about your dog’s food nutritional value go to www.dogfoodadvisor.com) 7. When you are out in public do you monitor your dog’s behavior, and do you have the ability to change it if they are acting in a manner that is either a nuisance or danger to those around you?

8. Do you have a chosen vet that you trust for your dog's health care, and do you ensure that your dog does not spread disease through vaccinations and or titer evaluations? Do you routinely groom and examine your dog to ensure they do not suffer from injury or illness that has gone unchecked?

9. Do you pick up your dog's poop and keep them from peeing on your neighbor's lawns and gardens?

10. Do you walk your dog on a leash to give then leadership each day? If you walk your dog off leash does he or she have at least 98% recall which means your dog turns and comes to you right when you call no matter the distraction, so your fellow hikers, walkers, bikers, and general public can be free from worry about what your dog might or might not do when they approach?

Well, were you able to check all 10 boxes? If not, why not make a commitment to acquire what you lack, It is important to take our dog ownership seriously and be responsible not only to our dogs but to our family, friends, and community. Let's see if we can’t all achieve the honor of Owner Good Citizen. 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 Winter 2019

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Squirrel Apocalypse 2018

Scott Borthwick

fter 40 + years in the nuisance wildlife control business and meeting lots of people I often hear “ I was thinking of you the other day when I saw a dead skunk in the road”. Of course, any roadkill will do. But this year more people than ever are thinking of me after witnessing the carnage on New England roads. On the off ramp from I-89 to I-93, I must have counted over a hundred dead gray squirrels.

Even the news media were thinking of me as I was contacted by a NHPR reporter who wanted to drive along with me to see what impact this squirrel epidemic has had on my business. The story is on their website.

Unfortunately, more than just gray squirrels are affected by this event. Birds of prey, foxes, bobcats, coyotes, and even bears are lured into the highway of death. Tempted by a free meal of smooshed squirrel. A large crop of nuts and apples last year lead to a large crop of squirrels this year which will lead to a large crop of predators. Population cycles like this are not uncommon.

When I was a child we were told about lemmings running off a cliff and falling into the ocean due to overpopulation. I do not believe animals deliberately kill themselves to cull the population it’s more of a desperate search for food to sustain themselves through the winter.

With a lack of acorns, this year squirrel populations will decline to force predators to seek alternative food sources.

Everyone with livestock should use extra precaution in protecting their animals.

We are already getting calls relating to predators in chicken coops. It is not just a fox in the henhouse either. Raccoons, skunks, opossums, coyotes, mink, fisher, weasels and foxes are all making visits this year to the hen house.

The number of people who hunt and trap in today’s world is declining.

Because of this, to a certain extent, animal populations are not being properly managed. Which leads to events like this year’s squirrel apocalypse. Large populations are great for my business and we certainly have had a ton of calls.

However large populations lead to disease and other unpleasantries.

If you know anyone interested in hunting or trapping and don’t know where to start, give us a call. If we can’t help we can certainly send them in the right direction.

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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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The

Polar Bear

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olar bears live at the periphery of the northern polar ice cap, in the Arctic circle. Polynyas (water areas surrounded by ice) or patches of unfrozen sea, along with shore leads (patches of water between ice sheets and coasts) are their favorite hangouts, as these places are populated by seals. No polar bears are found at the South pole and the surrounding Antarctic region. That’s where penguins reside.

pounds. Their average weight is about 352 to 680 kg (770 to 1,500 lb), which is just about half a ton! Adult females are about half the size of male polar bears.

Now you may be wondering how polar bears manage to stay warm and alive in such freezing temperatures.

The reason is a 4 inch thick layer of blubber fat, which lies under their skin.

It is like a layer of insulation which protects them from the cold, helping them maintain their body temperature. In Polar bears are champion swimmers. fact, the layers of fat lock down the heat They can swim at a rate of 6 miles per hour in sea water at sub-zero temperatures. None of our gold medal winning Olympic swimmers would stand a chance against a polar bear. These bears have been known to swim for hundreds of miles non-stop, on the trot, resting on ice sheets for a while in between.

On land, polar bears can travel at top speeds of 40 kilometers per hour.

in their body so efficiently, that they almost don’t show up on an infra-red sensitive (night-vision) camera!

Polar bear’s fur is not white, even though it may appear to be so. Each hair in the polar bear’s fur, is in fact transparent. They look white because they reflect the white color of the ice.

The polar bear fur is also oily and waterrepellant, so that it can easily dry itself.

Contrary to popular perception, the color of polar bear skin is in fact black, which is well disguised by their fur.

Polar bears are the largest bears on earth. They are also the largest land carnivores (meat-eaters) in the world.

Newborn polar bears are as small as rats, but as they grow up, they tower up to 10 feet in height and weigh more than 1400 Winter 2019

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Wild Bird Feeding A Great Alternative to Screen Time!

Ira Richards

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ith the end of daylight savings and the last warmth of fall giving way to daily frosts, it’s that special time of year when our family finally rehangs the bird feeders and gets ready for the first real snow!

This relatively new tradition in our home of feeding wild birds has become a wonderful and fun way for us to connect with our children, teach them more about nature and the great outdoors, and take a welcome break from this world of mesmerizing blue screens. What a novel idea to peer out the window from our breakfast table with anticipation of the flurried activity of the chickadees and finches as they flutter about the feeder! It’s always exciting to hear our preschooler shriek with delight when one of the two pairs of Cardinals or Gold Finches unexpectedly graces us with their presence. Feeding wild birds is a surprisingly captivating activity for all of us to share and I’m so glad that we have chosen to continue in this beautiful tradition.

I’ll admit that in my younger days, I never really gave much thought to feeding the wild birds. It was something my parents and grandparents did, but it didn’t seem to hold up to the excitement of on-demand movies or online gaming. Now, with kids of our own, we have learned to appreciate the need to provide moments of education and entertainment for our little ones that don’t require the bright flashing lights and incessant stimulation of televisions and tablets. We’ve come to appreciate our weekend walks in the woods to talk about which trees the acorns are falling from or how to identify the trailblazes and stay on the right path. We’ve even learned that it’s okay to be bored sometimes, or to think of how we can use our imaginations to create our own fun, rather than just staring blankly into a screen. So in many ways, this incredible activity of feeding the birds fits very nicely in the mix, complete with the fun of identifying the species, seeing how those little winged rascals behave, and always for the possibility of seeing something rare and extra-special!

Getting started with your own wild bird feeding experience is really quite simple, but you’ll want to get acquainted with any concerns or best-practices that might be recommended by your local and state 46 4 Legs & a Tail

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officials. Obviously one big concern is If you’re just getting started with the potential draw for bears and other wild bird feeding, you’ll really want unwanted critters, so it’s important to to visit West Lebanon Feed & Supply follow those recommendations for safe, (www.westlebanonsupply.com) in West Lebanon, NH to get acquainted with fun feeding. When you are considering the best location for your feeders, the basics. With the largest selection of you’ll want to account for visibility to bird feeders and feeding supplies north of Boston, WLFS is definitely the area’s you, but also proximity to nearby cover go-to location for all-things wild bird for the birds, as well as avoiding easeof-access for those birdseed-gobbling feeding, plus tips and advice (and the squirrels! Many folks enjoy feeding best prices on quality bird seed!) Don’t the squirrels and there are even some be afraid to ask questions, find the suphighly-entertaining feeders that will plies that work best for your unique situshowcase their acrobatics, but squirrels ation, and get out there and start feedcan also be known to monopolize the ing those wild birds! It’s very rewarding and tons of fun for the entire family! feeders and will occasionally keep the birds away. Another bird-feeding rule of thumb is to be consistent; remember that once the birds come to rely on you, especially during the harsh winter months, it’s best for them to have a reliable place to find food at your feeder.

Empty feeders means wasted energy for the birds, which is something they can’t afford in sub-zero temperatures!

Choosing the right feeder really just depends on what you prefer. If you want to attract the widest variety of birds, it’s best to choose a mixed-seed feeder that is designed to dispense large-kernel seeds such as black oil sunflower seed or most of the mixed seed blends. There are tube feeders, platform feeders, wooden “ranch” style feeders, and a wide assortment of others, each with certain pros and cons depending on your unique setup and goals. I would recommend getting started with a tube feeder and to consider those options that can hold at least a couple pounds of seed, so you don’t have to fill quite as often. You may also want to look at adding a rain guard or baffle for extra protection against the elements (and squirrels!) and a seed tray so that the spilled seed doesn’t all fall to the ground. Choosing a quality seed is important, as many of the cheaper varieties have added fillers (such as red millet or milo seed) that in my experience the birds tend to avoid.

Other feeding options include using a nyjer seed (or “thistle seed”) feeder, which is a much smaller kernel and requires a different type of feeder port. This is a fun addition to your bird buffet because it specifically attracts finches, siskins, and some other songbird favorites. It’s also a nice option because the seed is generally less-preferred by squirrels and critters over some of the sunflower seed or corn-based blends. Once you really get going with your feeding routine, you’ll probably want to add a variety of feeder types so that you can attract the widest assortment of colorful birds to your yard.

And don’t forget to add a high-energy suet, which is a favorite of woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, and others.

Winter 2019

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Holiday Books for the Gardener Fill Your Christmas Stockings with the Latest Reads on Native Habitat Restoration Catherine Greenleaf

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here are many new gardening books hitting the market, and some of them are turning traditional gardening on its head by steering away from formal lawns with foreign ornamentals and instead focusing on restoring the native habitats in our front and backyards. And all just in time for Yuletide giving!

Native Plants for New England Gardens

by Dan Jaffe and Mark Richardson (Globe Pequot Press, $21.95) Hot off the press is one of the most important reference guides to be published in a long time regarding native habitat restoration. There are thousands of plants native to New England, and Jaffe and Richardson, both of whom help run the New England Wildflower Society in Framingham, Mass., explore 100 perennials that are especially rugged, beautiful and essential to restoring biodiversity to rural and urban areas.

Both Jaffe and Richardson urge New Englanders to stop thinking of their front lawns as a sterile landscape that must be adorned with foreign plantings.

The big bonus with natives they say, is there is no need for irrigation, fertilizer or pesticides, since the plants have co-evolved over the millennia with the regional environment to survive harsh droughts and diseases. This book includes not just plants but also trees, ferns, grasses and vines that support wildlife and biodiversity Continued ON Page 50

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A New Garden Ethic: Cultivating Defiant Compassion For An Uncertain Future

by Benjamin Vogt (New Society Publishers, $18.95) Author of the best-selling book, Sleep, Creep, Leap: The First Three Years Of A Nebraska Garden, Vogt has this time written a psychological tome that explores the emotional distress urbanites can experience without daily exposure to nature. We are genetically programmed to love the wild, he says, but over-population and crowded cities with their concrete, asphalt and tall buildings are robbing us of the tranquility of forested areas. What better way to cure oneself of nature-deprived malaise than by gardening? The author urges gardener activism in the local community by planting native trees and plants anywhere you can (including rooftops), thereby issuing a welcome to birds and pollinators and a big thumbs-down to projected mass extinction.

Garden Revolution: How Our Landscapes Can Be A Source Of Environmental Change

by Larry Weaner and Thomas Christopher (Timber Press, $39.95) Traditional American gardening doesn’t make any sense, say authors Weaner and Christopher. Your yard contains several different micro-climates and the odds are pretty good you will end up trying to force perennials you bought from the nursery to survive in a climate in which they are not accustomed. And, of course, they will end up dying. Instead, these two accomplished, award-winning horticulturists are suggesting you try planting seeds in all of the climates in your yard and allow the plants to choose which areas they would most like to grow. Sounds like a simple idea, but, it is truly revolutionary. This forward thinking method will certainly save you a lot of time and money, not to mention backbreaking digging, along with watering and fertilizing. They also issue a big vote for native plants. Loaded with beautiful, full-color photographs.

Grow Native: Bringing Natural Beauty To Your Garden

by Laura Steiner (Cool Springs Press, $24.99) It used to be all the rage in the 1950s and 1960s to plant exotic trees like Chinese Lilac and Japanese Maples in the yard. The horticultural industry marketed foreign plantings as a welcome change from so-called “ho-hum� native trees and shrubs, which were relegated to the back rooms of garden centers. The problem is nurseries have been selling exclusively non-natives for decades and now we, as a nation, have reached a tipping point where wildlife and pollinators are rapidly declining due to lack of native habitat.

Steiner, the former editor of Northern Gardening magazine, thinks it is not too late to save our birds and insects, and extols the virtue of responsibility that each of us has to prevent a total ecological collapse.

Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities For Resilient Landscapes

by Claudia West and Thomas Rainer (Timber Press, $39.95) This book is truly a call to action.

While West and Rainer, both highly accomplished ecological landscape design experts, admit terrible damage has been done to the native habitats of the United States due to greedy developers and over-use of non-natives, they still inspire the reader with hope and optimism by suggesting gardeners use a combination of traditional perennials mixed with wild plantings in their yards. The combined effect is the beauty of nativars for color-scaping and true native plants to help pollinators and birds.

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

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The Fairy Dogmother – and Other Classic Tails Tanya Sousa

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ittle Pogo bounces all day. She digs in the dirt and sniffs in the grass. She jumps and bumps people hello and races the train along the fence of her yard.

When the day is over, Pogo and Dear Person snuggle in bed. Pogo’s eyelids are heavy as she rests on her back. She tucks her head under Dear’s chin. “Do you want to hear a bedtime story, Pogo?” Dear asks every night. Pogo wiggles. She loves to hear bedtime stories!

“What will tonight’s story be about?”

Pogo asks, but Dear Person can never seem to hear her. Little Pogo can only wait for…

ONCE UPON A TIME… a spotted puppy named Pretty Little Pogo was adopted into a home with two sisters. The sister dogs were jealous. They didn’t like that she wanted to share their toys. They didn’t like to share their soft, warm dog beds.

Instead of a soft warm bed, Pretty Little Pogo spent the first year sleeping in the ashes of the hearth.

One day a message came to the house by hound dog howl that all the dogs in the kingdom were invited to a Play Ball. Each dog was asked to bring a toy to gain entry into the Grand Yard.

Pretty Little Pogo bounced around her sisters. “We will go to the Play Ball! Which toys should we bring?”

The first sister pointed her long nose in the air. “We will go?” She sniffed. “These are all our toys and we will not let you take any of our squeakies or pullies or chewies or bouncies. You’ll have to bring one of your own toys or stay home!”

Pogo looked around and saw many wonderful things to play with…but none that were hers. She hung her head as her sisters chewed and tossed them all to see Winter 2019

what would be best to bring to the Play Ball. “This one will surely impress Prince Barkley!” The first sister sniffed again.

“He’ll like mine even better!” The second one yipped.

The two sister dogs lifted their heads high, each of their mouths full of a toy to present at the Grand Yard Gate. They pranced off and left Pogo standing in front of the house.

No sooner were the selfish sisters gone than Pretty Little Pogo saw a bright cloud of white fur flashing in the sunset. There in front of her stood a dog with a glowing coat and kind eyes. Pogo perked her ears.

She shivered with fear and excitement all at once and fought the urge to sniff the newcomer. “Who are you?”

“I am your Fairy Dogmother of course!

I’ve come to help you go to the Play Ball.”

“I can’t go to the Play Ball like my sisters,” Pretty Little Pogo explained. “I don’t have my own toy to show at the Grand Yard Gate.”

The Fairy Dogmother threw back her head and howled a laugh. She began to wag her tail faster and faster. It started whirling.

It started twirling. It moved so fast Pogo almost couldn’t see the lovely long white hairs anymore. Then there was a POP! There on the green grass was a new toy.

It had a long rope middle with a knot at one end. The other end was soft. It looked like it would make a mighty squeak if Pogo bit down on it. But was it really a new toy?

Pogo lowered her nose. She sniffed one end of it. She sniffed the other end. She sniffed the middle. It didn’t smell like any other dog. It was her first wonderful toy! She bit down on the soft end, and it did make a mighty squeak!

“Now you may go to the Play Ball,” the Fairy Dogmother said.

When Pretty Little Pogo arrived at the Grand Yard Gate, she showed the Dobermans her toy and was immediately allowed in.

She had never seen so many dogs! So many toys! So much running and jumping and playing and squeaking. There were barks and play-growls and play-bows every-

where she looked. “That’s a fine toy!” A voice said behind her. Pogo whirled around and saw none other than Prince Barkley.

He play bowed and she pretended to pull the toy away. He grabbed one end and they tugged and tugged until they finally had to each drop their ends and lay down panting and happy.

The two dog sisters saw Pretty Little Pogo playing with Prince Barkley and pranced over. “That is one of our toys! You can’t have it! Give it back to us now!” The first sister sniffed. Prince Barkley narrowed his eyes. He sniffed the sisters and then sniffed Pretty Little Pogo. He sniffed the toy. “This toy only smells of Pogo,” he announced. “The toy is hers.”

The sisters’ ears drooped low. If they drooped lower they might have dragged on the ground. “That looks like a better toy than any of ours,” the second sister whimpered.

“I will happily share my new toy with both of you,” Pretty Little Pogo said.

“But we have never shared our toys with you,” the sisters both whined.

“I know, but I will still share this toy anyway.”

Prince Barkley’s eyes twinkled. “That’s what the Play Ball is all about! Sharing our toys and having the time of our lives!”

The three sisters played together with the new toy. They had contests to see who could tug the hardest or find the squeaky part first. Sometimes Pogo won. Sometimes one of her sisters won. They took turns with the other toys, and invited Prince Barkley and many different dogs to play too. By the end of the Play Ball they knew what happily ever after meant.

Tanya Sousa is the author of many magazine articles and several children’s picture books. She is also a painter and photographer. Her environmental novel, The Starling God, made the short-list for the national “Green Earth Book Awards,” in the Young Adult Fiction category. Contact her at tanyasousa@yahoo.com. Find her art and writing at https://www.etsy.com/market/natureartsexpressed.

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The History of the Chinook Jack R. Murray

The Beginning In 1896, Arthur T. Walden, the 24 year old son of a Boston minister, left Wonalancet, New Hampshire and his job as farm manager of Katherine (Kate) Sleeper’s Wonalancet Farm, and headed for Alaska. Driven by his sense of adventure, he took every job that came his way while there: prospector, logger, stevedore, river pilot; and the job that he was most taken with, “dog punching” (hauling freight by dogsled). Walden returned to Wonalancet six years later,

and in December of 1902, he and Kate Sleeper married.

Walden now had dogsledding in his blood, but quality sled dogs were not available in New England, where horses and oxen were the draft animals of choice; so he brought a variety of dogs to Wonalancet Farm and began breeding for dogs that possessed his ideal combination of strength, endurance, speed, and good nature. He put together a team of four half-bred St. Bernards in 1910; they were reportedly the first sled dog team to work in New England since the Deerfield (MA) Massacre of the French and Indian War, in 1703!

Chinook

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The Life of “Old Chinook” Foundation Sire of the Breed On January 17, 1917, a litter of seven puppies was born on Wonalancet Farm to Walden’s Greenland Husky, Ningo (a granddaughter of Polaris, Admiral Robert Peary’s lead dog from his 1909 Arctic expedition); and sired by Kim, a large mixed breed dog of unknown origin that had been picked up as a stray.

In this litter were three large, tawny colored pups that Kate Walden first named Rikki, Tikki, and Tavi; taken from Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book”.

Walden soon realized the intelligence of these pups, and finding the names Rikki and Tikki unworkable when calling them, renamed them Chinook and Hootchinoo after two outstanding lead dogs he had owned in Alaska.

Hootchinoo was the first to prove his competence as a lead dog, and Chinook Winter 2019

Kim (left) Ningo and Chinook

and Tavi were perfectly happy running in the team behind their brother. It was a full year later before Walden tried Chinook in lead position, and the unassuming Chinook astounded everyone with his intelligence, understanding, and trail sense. Walden was so taken with this dog that Chinook became Walden’s most trusted leader, foundation sire of his continued kennel lines, and Walden’s constant companion.

Chinook team International Dog Sled Race 120 miles Berlin NH February 1922

With Chinook’s children, Walden was finally getting the quality of dogs that he was accustomed to; and in 1920 his new line of “Husky half-breds” (as he called them), made their debut at the Gorham, NH winter carnival, and he started seriously promoting dog sledding for draft, recreation, and sport. Racing in New England began a year later, at the 1921 Gorham carnival; it was a modest race (two teams of three dogs each, over a six mile course) and Walden lost, but interest built rapidly from there. Walden had also been promoting freighting by dogsled to the woodsmen as a faster, more economical way to move supplies to their logging camps, and convinced the Brown Paper Company of Berlin, NH to sponsor the first Eastern International Dog Derby in 1922 in part to encourage more people to breed quality sled dogs in the region. Four teams competed in this 123 mile race; and Walden, with Chinook in lead, won hands down.

Competition was keen, however; and Walden realized that Chinook, weighing just over 100 pounds in fit working condition, was too massive an animal to continue leading winning race teams.

He started breeding Chinook with an eye for lighter boned, faster offspring, who still carried Chinook’s intelligence Winter 2019

and trademark coloration.

In 1923, a distemper outbreak in Chinook Kennel took its toll, and Walden lost his entire winning team, except for Chinook himself. Walden took two years off from serious competition to concentrate on breeding another competitive team, but never stopped supporting the sport. In 1924, the New England Sled Dog Club (NESDC) held its organizational meeting in the Waldens’ home and elected Arthur Walden its first president.

The NESDC is still actively promoting sled dog racing today.

In 1925, Walden returned to racing with a young but promising team of Chinook’s sons, and proclaiming his Chinook/shepherd crosses as his ideal for strength and stamina. The popularity of Walden’s “Chinook dogs” was growing; and, boosted by his January Continued Next Page

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1926 win at the Poland Spring, Maine, race, interest was such that Walden was beginning to sell a few matched teams of his dogs to other racers as well. In March of 1926, Walden and his team set out on an adventure that he had been considering for years, but which most people considered impossible: the first ascent of Mount Washington, the highest peak in the eastern United States, by dog team. While turned back by a blizzard on the first attempt, Walden and his team, with old Chinook in lead again, successfully made the 8 miles to the summit in 8 hours time!

Chinook Becomes World Renowned The Chinook dogs’ popularity among the racing community was short lived, however. After gaining recognition for their part in the 1925 Nome Serum Run, Leonhard Seppala and 40 of his Siberian

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"Adventurer Arthur T. Walden with his sled dog Chinook at the Winter Carnival in Portland, Maine. This photograph was published on the front page of the Portland Evening Express on February 11,1922

Arthur Walden giving rides on Meredith Bay for Carnival

1928 Ad for Chinook Stuffed Dog

Huskies left Alaska on a national tour timed to land him in New England in late 1926 for the winter’s race season.

At The Poland Spring race of January 1927, Seppala’s Siberians proved themselves much faster than anything the New Englanders had to offer and gained instant popularity. Seppala established a breeding kennel in Maine to supply his Siberian Huskies to the racers in New England, and interest in Walden’s dogs waned. Walden didn’t dwell on the loss; but instead went seeking the next adventure. Hearing that Commander Richard Byrd was planning a two year expedition to Antarctica, Walden volunteered; and even though over the maximum age limit, was selected as lead dog driver and trainer for the expedition. During the winter of 1927/28, dogs and drivers were assembled at the Waldens’ Wonalancet Farm, and training began.

Winter survival gear was also evaluated there, in the harsh conditions of New Hampshire’s White Mountains.

When Byrd’s expedition departed in the summer of 1928, Chinook, now eleven years old, and fifteen of his sons were included among the nearly 100 dogs selected to provide surface transportation on the Antarctic ice.

Conditions were severe when they Winter 2019

arrived in Antarctica, and there was little time to unload the 500 tons of supplies and build their new “city”, Little America, before the four month long “night” set in. Walden, Chinook, and their 13 dog team amazed everyone. Of Walden, Byrd wrote: “Seeing him rush his heavy loads along the trail, outstripping the younger men, it was difficult to believe he was an old man. He was 58 years old, but he had the determination and strength of youth.” Of Chinook, Byrd wrote: “... there was no doubting the fact that he was a great dog. ...Walden used him as kind of a “shock troop”, throwing him into harness when the going turned very hard.

Then the gallant heart of the old dog would rise above the years and pull with the glorious strength of a three-yearWalden and Chinook old.” And of their team, Byrd wrote: “On January 17th (1929) Walden’s single team of thirteen dogs moved 3,500 pounds of supplies from ship to base, a distance of 16 miles each trip, in two journeys. Walden’s team was the backbone of our transport.” The night after this record was set, Chinook woke Walden several times by putting his paw on Walden’s shoulder. Each time, Walden gave Chinook a pat on the head and told him to lay back down. The next day, as Walden and his team left Little America, Chinook wandered away and was never found.

Walden was devastated by the loss of his companion of so many years, and the disappointment was deepened by the fact that Walden was unable to honor his desire to bury Chinook in harness. Walden was, however, able to find a fitting way to memorialize his old friend. When he returned from Little America to Wonalancet, a new highway was being built on the rough trail that led from Wonalancet to Tamworth, over which Chinook had passed countless times leading his team. The people of the area wanted to name the road Walden’s Road, but Walden requested instead that it be named the Chinook Trail; the name which it still bears today.

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A

CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME Pat Jauch - Caledonia Animal Rescue, Inc.

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nyone who has contributed to a national charitable organization can attest to the huge quantity of unwanted trinkets that follow the initial gift. Even some of the most reputable groups will eventually inundate your mailbox with address labels, t-shirts, umbrellas, stationery and other assorted items designed to entice an unwary animal lover to up the ante and make a greater financial donation.

While many of these groups provide great services for animals, it is wise to verify where your funds are going and what programs they support. Many organizations have excessive overhead costs associated with their fund raising either because of their practice of hiring “professionals” to target certain individuals or because of the “free gifts” that accompany their solicitations. Others may simply be a sham, claiming to support animals in need when, in fact, they do no such thing.

One source to check before making a contribution to a large organization is www.charitynavigator.com This website has researched various charities and rates them based on their actual services, rate of overhead, and legitimacy. Not all charities are listed but the ones that do appear are reliable and worthy of consideration.

Recently a new scam has appeared in the guise of making purebred puppies available to loving homes.

Apparently it is another one of the Nigerian scams designed to appeal to animal lovers. Beware of this and do not fall victim to the heart-wrenching stories that may accompany the request for funds.

When contributing to any charity it is important to do your homework. Research the organization. Find out what it does. Learn about its fund raising efforts and how much of its income goes directly to the programs that it represents. Better yet, look toward your local, state and regional groups that are making a difference on behalf of the animals in your area.

Many of these groups have volunteers who administer the funds and have no paid employees. This allows your full contribution to go directly to the programs that benefit the animals in your town, county and state.

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8 Tips

for Award Winning Pet Photography Joshua Dustin

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ou’re playing with your four legged friend on a nice fall afternoon and once again you catch him posing, picture perfect as usual. You snap a photo- it’s adorable, but it lacks something. It’s not the eye-grabbing advertisement you saw at the big chain pet store, but what’s different?

Surely Fido is cute enough. Right? My name is Joshua, I’m a Professional Pet Photographer/owner of The Dog Blog, and I’m here to teach you my top 8 tips that will take your pet photos from dust-collecting to awe inspiring.

1. Focus on the Eyes

This is a common rule of thumb for just about any portrait photography, capturing the “soul” of the subject (in this case, your dog). This can be done in a number of ways, but if you own a dslr, my go-to solution for tack sharp eye focusing is switching to a continuous autofocus mode that will track the eye whether it moves closer or further away from you. This allows you to focus more on composition of your pet photos and less on focus acquisition.

2. Control the Depth of Field Mastering this alone can make your pet photos go from boring to eye-catching. Controlling the depth of field can allow you to “blur the background” more or less. For DSLR users this is done by manipulating the aperture value. A lower number indicates a more shallow depth of field, and applied along with tip #1 this can make for some beautiful subject isolation. For cell phone photographers, many new cell phones incorporate a “portrait mode” in the camera app that will simulate the “blur effect” with great results!

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3. Get Down to Dog Level!

Most pet photos I see are taken from the same angle; eye level. Taking photos of your pet while standing gives the viewer an average experience, they always see animals from this view! Getting down level with or lower than an animal yields much more interesting results, giving the viewer a new look at a subject that they are already familiar with. It also allows you to capture more of your pets surroundings, which adds complexity and context to a photograph and brings me to my next tip.

4. Consider the Landscape This is a technique I find to be very unutilized and I practice it a lot in my shoots with clients. If you and Fido are taking pictures at a beautiful beach, INCREASING your depth of field and allowing more of the landscape to be in focus can really draw a viewer in and give them an idea of what inspired you to take the photograph in the first place!

Including colorful landscapes in some of my portrait photos almost always leads to an unexpected “wow” moment for my clients.

5. Capture Your Pets’ Personality!

Building context for an image is important for any type of photography, but I’ve found that animals are by nature so expressive in body language it becomes almost a prerequisite for an outstanding final image. One of the questions I’m most commonly asked while I’m at a shoot is “What should I have him do?” My answer? Nothing. I think capturing a pet in its most natural element is critical to displaying what type of dog Fido is, how he was behaving during the shoot, and how he interacts with his surroundings. It makes the photo much more personal and relatable.

6. Action This one might go without saying, animals in action is, simply put, awesome. Capturing Fido jumping through that hoop however is much easier said than done! On cell phones, it can be very, very difficult to capture these moments due to a lack of features that these portable cameras bring to the table. For DSLR users however, you have some options. Raising the shutter speed by shooting in manual or shutter priority mode can eliminate motion blur and stop your pet mid-air. By utilizing the continuous autofocus mode that your camera offers, you can ensure that the focus tracks your pet throughout its erratic movements. Combining these two features is the best way to get tack sharp stop-motion photographs.

7. Compliment Your Colors Finally, an easy one! Being aware of color is crucial when taking photos of animals. If Fido has orange fur, compose the photo so that a complimentary color is present in his surroundings. I often choose a blue sky, a body of water, or even some very green foliage! This creates more contrast in your photos and allows you to isolate the subject of your photo even further. You can even use color to guide the viewer's eyes towards important subjects!

8. Get Comfortable Last but not least, let’s not forget that our pets are animals and above all they need to feel comfortable.

Dogs especially can get a bit nervous around cameras and unfamiliar noises. For this reason, I shoot utilizing only natural lighting with no flash.

A terrified dog doesn’t make for a cooperative model! At the end of the day, it’s all about having a good time and loving animals - so give lots of treats and go have some fun!

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Word Search

WHAT’S DIFFERENT?

ARTHRITIS BEAGLE BIRDS FERRETS GOLDEN HUSKY PARTRIDGE PERCHERON RESCUED SANTA SIBERIAN SKUNK SUMMIT TOOTH

Bailey & Cliff Watching for the Nor’easter.

Julie Ireland-Hartland, 4 Corners, VT

KIDS LEARN MORE BY OBSERVATION - OR NOT:

Holiday shopping is the cats meow!

A priest was invited to attend a house party. Naturally, he was properly dressed and wearing his Priest’s Collar. A little boy kept staring at him the entire evening. Finally, the priest asked the little boy what he was staring at. The little boy pointed to the priest’s neck. When the priest finally realized what the boy was pointing at, He asked the boy, “Do you know why I am wearing this?” The boy nodded his head yes, and replied, “It kills fleas and ticks for up to three months.”

Don’t Forget Mistletoe In The Barn!

Jessica Hollis, Lebanon.

What’s Different: Cat’s Tail, Dog’s Ear, Curtains, Couch Pillows, Building Outside

Photo by Jill Tassinari, Plainfield, NH • Pictured: Anna and Emily Tassinari

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Winter 2019 Central NH & VT

Chinook: The Official Dog Breed of NH Does your cat have diabetes?

Controlling Your Pet’s Weight This Winter Squirrels!

Inspirational Stories from Around the World