4 Legs & a Tail Rutland Fall 2017

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Celebrate National Cat Day Soccer Star Christian Press & Morena Careers in Equine Veterans and Their Dogs Are you ready for the next round of ticks?

Western Vermont Autumn 2017

Inside this issue of 4 Legs & a Tail

®

2. National Cat Day Get set to celebrate on October 29 with your favorite feline 3. Fall Fun with the Rutland County Humane Society

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Don't miss the Duck Derby and Dock Dogs!

4. Wag It Forward Make plans to attend Vermont's largest dog festival this fall 5. Narcan For K-9 Units in Vermont, Staci DaSilva

On the job protection for Vermont State Police canine officers

6. Camping With Your Dog, Mike Robertson

What you should know BEFORE you go camping with your dog this fall

7. Back to School, Jessica Stewart Riley

A look at exciting careers in the equine industry thanks to Vermont Technical College

8. What Morena Taught me About Being a Better Footballer, Christen Press

How one dog helped a soccer player reach an elite level

10. MOOOve Over Cow’s Milk: Alternative Dairy Products Alleviate Cancer Symptoms and Keep Our Pets Healthy, Holly McClelland 11. So...Are You Ticked Off Yet?, Michael Tanneberger D.V.M. Get ready as the next round of tick

season is about to begin

13. The House Call, Dr. Michaela Wozniakewicz Exceptional Veterinary Care Brought to Your Door!

15. Dogs and Children, Paula Bergeron How to handle dogs around children, and children around dogs 16. Dexter’s Day at the Dentist, Carol Gifford, DVM Don't let the dentist chair scare you.

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It didn't Dexter!

18. Low Stress Ways to Get Your Very Feisty (Claws-Out) Cat to the Vet, Dr. Patty Khuly, VMD 19. A Gift for Gus, Karen Sturtevant A happy ending thanks to the Vermont English Bulldog Rescue

20. Two of a Kind 4 Legs & a Tail salutes our veterans this Veterans Day

as one soldier finds the perfect dog

21. Smokey, Yorkshire Terrier and WWII War Dog, Kate Kelly

An accounting of the heroic efforts of the smallest hero of the second World War

23. Let's Talk Turkey Ever wonder why there are so many wild turkeys?

24. Pumpkin for Dogs and Cats…6 Reasons To Give It To Your Pet, Jill Feinstein 26. The Hunt A spooky tale about a man and his dog 27. The Cat Who Came to Thanksgiving Dinner

Sometimes you just never know who might show up

27. Mrs Doubtfire When a litter of abandoned kittens were found huddling

together with their cat "mom", the rescuers were surprised to discover that their "mama" was not a mom at all.

28. The Dundee Cat According to this old Scottish folktale, be careful

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what you wish for

4 Legs & a Tail Volume R.317 P.O. Box 841 Lebanon, NH 03766 603-727-9214 TimH.4LT@gmail.com Fall 2017

Publishers: Tim Goodwin, Tim Hoehn Senior Editor: Scott Palzer Office Manager: Beth Hoehn Graphic Design: Kristin Wolff, Lacey Dardis Kerry Rowland Sales: Tim Goodwin, Karyn Swett

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 Western VT. 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.

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AMAZING CAT FACTS A cat can make over 100 vocal sounds (dogs can make 10) A cat sleeps 14 hours a day Americans spend more annually on cat food than on baby food.

In 1987 cats overtook dogs as the number one pet in America.

NATIONAL CAT DAY OCTOBER 29TH!

Cats are the only animal that walk on their claws, not the pads of their feet.

A cat has 32 muscles in each ear.

The average cat food meal is the equivalent to about five mice.

A group of youngsters (kittens) is called a kindle; those old-timers (adult cats) form a clowder.

A cat can jump seven times as high as it is tall.

People who are allergic to cats are actually allergic to cat saliva or to cat dander. If the resident cat is bathed regularly the allergic people tolerate it better.

Besides smelling with their nose, cats can smell with an additional organ called the Jacobson’s organ, located in the upper surface of the mouth.

Like birds, cats have a homing ability that uses its biological clock, the angle of the sun, and the Earth’s magnetic field. A cat taken far from its home can return to it. But if a cat’s owners move far from its home, the cat can’t find them.

It has been scientifically proven that owning cats is good for our health and can decrease the occurrence of high blood pressure and other illnesses.

Stroking a cat can help to relieve stress, and the feel of a purring cat on your lap conveys a strong sense of security and comfort.

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o you’re a cat lover. That’s not surprising, since households with cats are at such a high percentage in New England (Vermont actually leads the nation in cat ownership with more than 50% of the households owning a cat!). This fall, celebrate the joy your feline friend brings you on National Cat Day, October 29.

Let the fun begin! Here are a few fun ideas for your consideration: - Buy your cat a premium canned food - Help an elderly person clean their litter box - Post a picture of you and your cat on Facebook - Brush your cat - Get a laser and play a game of “Catch the Spot” - Check your cat’s collar and make sure the information is up to date - Get your cat microchipped and registered - Make a donation to the Humane Society or a kitty rescue in your cat’s name - Replace cat toys which are worn or no longer used (yes, cats get bored too) - Bake some cat-shaped cookies for the office - Have fish for dinner and share the leftovers - Clean your cats bed or favorite blanket - Wash the inside of the litter box - Bring your cat to the vet for blood work and exam - Share your favorite cat story with a friend, relative or 4 Legs & a Tail

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- Have the kids draw a “kitty portrait” Fall 2017

Fall Fun with the Rutland County Humane Society T

he 10th Annual Dog Dock Diving competition, to benefit the Rutland County Humane Society, will take place on Sunday, September 17, from 12-3pm at the Palms on Lake Bomoseen (off of Rte. 30). Registration begins at 11am. There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place longest jumps in categories from Novice to Pro. There is a $10. entry fee for Dogs, and donation for spectators. Stop by to watch or compete, and enjoy an afternoon of fun on beautiful Lake Bomoseen.

The Rutland County Humane Society will be hosting their 6th annual Duck Derby at 2pm, on Sunday, September 24, at the Pittsford Recreation Area. Join in as they cheer on their adopted ducks, as they race to the finish for cash prizes. There is still time to adopt your ducks!! Stop by the Humane Society on Stevens Road, in Pittsford, or visit our website, rchsvt. org. For more information call 483-9171, or email jen@rchsvt.org.

*We will not sell or give your information to a third party R317

Fall 2017

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WAG IT FORWARD

fter a 3-year hiatus from the incredibly successful Shelburne Museum Goes to the Dogs event, we’re back and hope to be better than ever. This year, instead of planning our 4th annual in-house ‘Wag It Forward’ giving event, Pet Food Warehouse is creating a festival you won’t want to miss! On Sunday, October 8th, join PFW, the community and their pets at ‘Wag It Forward: A Festival for Pets’ held at the Champlain Valley Exposition. Both Pet Food Warehouse locations will close for the day so we can focus our energy on providing you and your pets with a fun and memorable experience.

It all kicks off with the 7th Annual VetriScience Chase Away 5K to benefit Chase Away K9 Cancer. Registration begins at 8 am and the race starts at 9 am. Runners and walkers can pre-register online at https://goo.gl/c2NhEG. All Chase Away 5K runners and walkers will receive free entry to Wag It Forward after the race with their race bib.

The gates for Wag It Forward open to the public at 10 am. Want to skip the lines?

You can pre-buy WIF tickets and pick up your canine waiver at either Pet Food Warehouse location now!

‘Wag It Forward’ was born out of a desire to raise awareness and funds for local animal welfare and rescue groups. In the last 3 years, we’ve raised more than $30,000 by donating .25¢ for every $1 spent on a single day in September. We’ve helped 38 local groups raise funds and awareness for animals in need. This year, however, we want to do things a little differently.

Rain or shine (hopefully shine), we plan to provide tons of fun and entertainment for the whole family, including your furry or scaly friends. Dogs, cats, birds and reptiles are all welcome, but must be kept leashed and in control at all times. WIF’s featured entertainment is brought to us by GlycoFlex and Zignature. The leaping canines of Dock Dogs will compete on-site and provide the opportunity for your dog to show off some water skills, too. The competition begins Saturday, October 7th at 3:00 pm and runs through Wag It Forward. If you’d like to participate in the jumps you can register on-site or online at dockdogs.com.

Demonstrations by the Vermont Police Canine Association and 802 Disc Dogs will provide young and old alike with education and fun! The Grift, Vermont’s premier good-time party band, will keep us all moving with their booty-shaking grooves. Come hungry! We’ll have tons of local food options and, for the beer and wine drinking crowd, a beer garden nestled by the band will be the perfect spot to socialize with your two, three and four-legged friends.

But, what will the kids do? They’ll bounce in a castle, collect balloon animals from Dux the Balloon Man, get their faces painted and get inked at our (temporary)

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tattoo booth! Looking to memorialize the day? Stop by the photo booth or bandana tie-dye station with your pup and walk away with a one-of-a-kind memento.

If you’re looking to show off your creative skills be sure to plan your pup’s costume and take a spot in line. After all, Halloween is just around the corner. The costume parade will start strolling in the early afternoon with prizes for a variety of categories.

The event is generously sponsored by many local and national businesses, including: Zignature, GlycoFlex, Pronature, WellPet, Natura, Vermont Dog Eats, Seventh Generation, Heritage Auto Group, American Natural Premium, Grizzly Pet Products, PetSafe, Sojos, Triumph and so many more! Without these great sponsorships, we wouldn’t be able to provide a no-cost avenue for local animal welfare and rescue groups to help raise awareness and funds as a community. Joining the non-profit organizations are tons of animal loving vendors who have dedicated their time and energy to creating unique products and experiences for your pets, including: local groomers, dog daycares and day camps, toy, collar and leash purveyors and more.

We can’t wait to celebrate you and your pets on a beautiful fall day. For questions about the day’s events, please contact Siobhan at siobhan@pfwvt.com.

Fall 2017

Narcan for K-9 Units in Vermont Staci DaSilva

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he president of the Vermont Police Canine Association wants to make sure every K-9 unit in Vermont has access to Narcan, an overdosereversal drug. Burlington Sgt. Wade Labrecque says ten years ago, K-9’s were mostly detecting cocaine, a drug that carried its own risks. Now, however, heroin, specifically heroin laced with fentanyl and carfentanyl, poses deadly dangers to K-9’s if ingested.

“They don’t, unfortunately, have the awareness that we do of the different types of heroin, even the heroin itself can be dangerous not to mention the fentanyl and the carfentanyl as well,” said Sgt. Labrecque. “They can absorb the heroin and the fentanyl through their paws just like we absorb it through our skin.” Due to training and taking precautions, no Vermont K-9’s have been exposed to those deadly strains, Sgt. Labrecque says. Burlington police officers have Narcan on hand in case themselves, or their furry partners, accidentally overdose. If officers do see the signs of overdose, they can administer Narcan, or any other overdose-reversal drug, and then take the K-9 to an animal hospital.

Some veterinarian hospitals already know about fentanyl and the drugs that can be used to reverse overdoses. “After they fix a fracture or they’ve done chest surgery or abdominal surgery, they’ll get fetanyl afterwards for pain relief,” said Dr. Bryan Harnett, internal medicine specialist, from the Burlington Emergency and Veterinary Specialists, or BEVS, in Williston. Because fentanyl is administered for medical purposes, the BEVS office has Naloxone on site.

“Out in the field, if you notice that reduction in breathing rate, heart rate diminishing, body temperature going down, becoming less responsive or overly sedated then they could come in and get a dose of Narcan,” said Dr. Harnett. “Occasionally you’ll need to repeat those doses of Narcan so they’d Fall 2017

need to be admitted to the hospital and Police Canine Association specifically monitored overnight.” for Narcan purchases. Visit http://www.

While Burlington officers carry vtk9.com/ for more information.

Narcan, Sgt. Labrecque is working with Dr. Paul Howard, of the Staci DaSilva is an Anchor/Reporter with Local 22 & Local 44 News. To Vermont Veterinary Surgical Center, watch the full story visit to get overdose-reversal drugs for http://www.mychamplainvalley. all of Vermont’s K-9 teams. “Some com/news/k-9-leader-working-tosmaller agencies, it could be someprovide-narcan-for-all-k-9-units-inwhat cost prohibitive, but that’s where the Vermont Police K9 Association vermont/768512419. Local 22 & Local 44 News is the ABC & Fox network comes in,” said Sg t. Labrecque.

He says donations to the non-profit affiliates, covering local news across Northern New York, Vermont and could help provide Narcan for every K-9 in New Hampshire the state. You can donate to the Vermont

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Does Such a Dog Exist?

Most dogs who don’t receive training turn into wild little beasts, much like those children we talked about earlier. Good behavior only happens when you are willing to give Fido patient and consistent instruction or pay a trainer to do it for you.

The problem is that even if you pay a dog trainer, you still have to do your part. Your dog needs to see you as his pack leader. The best advice I can give you is to take your dog through a Basic Obedience course. Learn how to communicate with your canine friend. Most dogs want to please their owners; they just aren’t sure what you expect from them.

CAMPING with

YOUR DOG Mike Robertson

I f you have visions of a pleasant camping experience; S’mores and snuggling with your sweetheart before the fire, while Fido keeps watch and gazes adoringly

at the two of you, then you best start training. Nothing kills the mood more than a skunked-up dog or listening to him bark at every rustling leaf.

I say this, because not only is it a mood killer for you, it can also destroy the evening for everyone within miles of you. This fact is especially true if you plan to pitch your tent in a public campground.

Puppy Needs to Mind His Manners!

Your dog is a lot like a middle-school boy. He likes to get dirty. He’s loud, and he eats just about anything he can find. Then, of course, there is that peeing thing.

Wherever, and whenever - what's the big deal? You’re roughing it. Right?

Well, I find loud, obnoxious children a trial and the same goes for ill-behaved dogs. Like children, you have to train your animals to obey the rules. You can’t expect them to enter a new and exciting situation and control themselves unless you teach them self-discipline. So, how do you do that? First, YOU need to know the rules for proper canine camping behavior.

• • • • • • • •

There is no barking in the campground for any reason. Save it for the nature hikes.

Your dog needs to stay at your campsite and not be tempted “to go visiting.”

He should be able to resist “tasting” the human food.

If he is wet or dirty, don’t allow him to shake off near people.

There is no swimming in the fishing hole.

Peeing should be done away from people and poop should be picked up immediately.

Don’t let him chase cars, bikes, small children, or wildlife.

And for goodness sake, don’t wash your dog in the camp shower.

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Reap the Benefits Do you even realize how much help a trained dog can be on a camping trip? I bet it never occurred to you that your dog can dig your fire pit. What about carrying supplies? Most dogs are capable of toting things in a little doggy backpack designed specifically for that purpose.

They can help collect firewood and keep the area free from varmints. Just make sure they know not to go after them. Safety comes first, and a nose full of porcupine needles is painful.

Your dog can even be that snuggle companion if your ideal camping trip involves time away from the loved ones.

No judgment here!

Camping with the family dog can be a fun and rewarding experience.

All it takes is a bit of training on your part. So, the next time you plan for the family vacation, set aside a week or two for some Obedience Refresher courses.

Every camper will thank you.

Mike Robertson is a certified animal trainer and certified behavior consultant located in Plymouth NH. He is the owner of White Mountain College for Pets, with two locations: 661 Mayhew Turnpike & 594 Tenney Mtn Hwy in Plymouth NH. View upcoming class schedules or contact him at: www.collegeforpets.com or by phone 603-369-4PET.

pe t s in cost ume Fall 2017

Back to School Jessica Stewart Riley Randolph Center, VT

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hat is the value of an equine studies degree, and how can it help me to get a job? As the director of an equine studies program, I frequently hear this logical and valid question. The first thing to keep in mind is that there are many ways to arrive at the same goal, and every person will not take the same path. The most important consideration is what the best plan might be for the individual, based on his or her experience, resources, and desire. If you have had the opportunity to take lessons or work at a reputable barn(s) throughout your life, then an equine degree may not be as essential for you. However, many of the young people I meet are passionate about a career with horses, but have had minimal opportunities for formal education in a safe and reputable setting. They also may have been exposed to basic horse care and stable management and some riding, but not the finer details of equine health and diseases, lameness, training, formal riding instruction (including communication skills, lesson plans, and rider anatomy & biomechanics), liability, contracts, insurance, nutrition, fire safety, equine anatomy and biomechanics, or equine massage. We also prepare students for the work force by focusing on soft skills that they can use in any career, anywhere. This includes professionalism, working in a team or as a leader, work ethic, resiliency, mature conduct, interview skills, professional dress, career plans, and how to prepare a “perfect” resume and cover letter.

All of these topics are included in the courses within the Associate of Applied Science in Equine Studies curriculum at Vermont Technical College. Our goal is to turn out graduates who are professional, knowledgeable, and ethical horse people.

As with any other college major in any field, that means accepting students with whatever level of previous knowledge or experience they may have, and helping them become an employable professional in the industry. This can be challenging if a Fall 2017

student has little prior knowledge, or a lack of formal experience, but it’s something our staff and faculty take quite seriously, and we are proud of our graduates.

So what career opportunities exist in the equine industry? Based on my experience, there are many. There are diverse options for someone who wants to work with horses in some capacity. There is of course the standard trainer, riding instructor, and barn manager options, but there are also careers like equine massage therapist, equine appraiser, equine insurance, saddle-fitter, veterinary assistant, equine dentist, equine transportation, etc. Some of these options may require more work or certification to perform them, but there are people out there in these careers everywhere. Can it be difficult to find an equine job in Vermont that meets an individual’s specifications? Yes, but I have found that to be true of many jobs in this state, not just those that are equine-related. If a person is prepared to work hard for what they want, opportunities exist. I have always found that anything in life worth having or doing required me to work for it.

Through their own hard work and a quality education, many of our graduates have found success in the equine industry.

Hillary Fay, Class of 2015, is a VetriScience Customer Manager and Horse Show Judge from Huntington, VT. After working in Web Sales at the Cheshire Horse in New Hampshire, Megan Jenks, Class of 2014, has worked for over a year as a Surgery Technician at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, KY, one of the best and largest equine hospitals in the world. Lindsy Danforth, Class of 2012, is the Trainer at Prince Charles Enterprises, a top Appaloosa breeding and training facility in Windsor, CT. Lindsy also judges horse shows around New England. Sarah Roche, Class of 2012, is training Quarter Horses at Macan Farms in Kearney, MO. Her clients compete in all-around events at Quarter Horse Shows. Caitlin Bradley,

Class of 2015, works in the retail part of the equine industry as a Customer Care Representative at Smartpak in Plymouth, MA. Courtney Stearns, Class of 2015, also works in retail as a Sales Representative at Horze. Courtney is from Johnson, VT. Jenny Valley, Class of 2014, originally of New Hampshire, currently resides in Las Vegas, NV, where she has 30 monthly equine massage clients and is the assistant trainer at LC Equestrian. Marina Vitagliano, Class of 2016, works for Lazy Acres Equines in Brandon, VT, as an assistant trainer and instructor. And that’s just to name a few!

Attending an equine studies degree program opens up many opportunities for individuals who are passionate about a career in the equine industry. If you are interested in finding out more about the Equine Studies program at Vermont Tech, check out vtc.edu/equine.

Jessica Stewart Riley is and 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

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What Morena Taught Me About Being A Better Footballer Christen Press - US Women's National Soccer Team

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[THE PITCH] recently read a New York Times self-help article by Amy Sutherland called What Shamu Taught Me About a Happy Marriage, and, as my family had just adopted a puppy, I figured I would employ some of her advice as a refresher course on reward-based training. The twist of the article is that Sutherland begins to use these animal training techniques on her most important human relationship, namely her husband… I thought about that saying psychologists love … our most important relationship is the one we have with ourselves. So the real twist, of course, is that I decided to apply these very same animal techniques to myself… as a puppy… err… player in training. I’m quite familiar with the idea of being my own manager, coach, and cheerleader, so why not add personal trainer?

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O ur pup py Morena was named after a cow... a brown cow that my family had milked while visiting a farm in Ecuador.

I was actually the first “Mo” of the house, but my child hood nickname lacks any direct correlation… or any rhyme or reason for that matter.

But hey, at least I wasn’t named after a cow. Morena is adorable with her sleek, silky honey-colored coat, oversized ears, and white dipped paws. As for me, I get my paws… err… nails dipped weekly and I have to take my coat to the dry cleaners to keep it sleek. (After seeing the last bill, I am really considering licking it clean myself). Appearances aside, the main thing that Morena and I have in common is that right now we are both in training.

Unlike me, Morena is a social butterf ly. She’s clever and expressive. People and dogs love meeting her as much as she loves meeting… and jumping on them. Walking with Morena is probably the most social part of my day; she strolls confidently through the neighborhood, hips swerving, as she introduces me to her pals.

Watching her go, I sometimes wonder what life would be like if I jumped up and down, shook my butt, and kissed all over every stranger that greeted me… I digress. Jumping is bad. And this habit of hers quickly jumped to the top of the “eliminate this behavior” list!

So, how do you begin to stop a dog’s bad behavior? According to WSTMAHM, you simply ignore it. Simple? Hmmm…

The entertainment industry has a saying, “All press is good press.” Well in the world of puppy/husband/footballer training… it seems that all attention is good attention. That means that every time I acknowledge a behavior, whether

positively or negatively, I encourage it.

To Morena, shouting, “No!” and “Stop!” is likely to promote the errant behavior because the desired affect is the attention. Easier said than done, Sutherland!

Especially when it came to training myself. Morena jumps on people. I miss shots. Hey, at least I haven’t knocked over any toddlers…well, not lately! Selfchastising had been an integral part of my game for a long time. And as far as relationships go…I found the words, “Are you kidding Christen!” a real icebreaker.

So, when Morena jumps on me, I make it clear that, although incredibly adorable, I am ignoring her by physically turning my back to her and continuing whatever I am doing. On the field, if I shoot the ball off target, I turn my back to get quickly into position and continuing playing, wasting no time or attention on the mistake. Even though I’ve ignored the missed shot and turned my attention to the game, “older dog” that I am…I find it difficult to stop the peanut gallery in my head. “Bad girl!”

Sutherland also suggests that instead of training the subject NOT to do an incompatible behavior, like, in the case of Morena, biting, we should substitute something else. Instead of yelling at her for biting our hands, we offer her a chew toy as an alternative and whenever she chews on her toy we praise and reward her.

Continued Next Page

Fall 2017

As for me, instead of telling myself NOT to miss…duh!

I started saying: SCORE! In high-pressure situations like sports, the brain often does not have time to process complete phrases. In the worst of cases, the actual words can be lost and the only understood message comes from intonation…not unlike speaking to a dog…just sayin’. Studies show that this type of error-avoidant thinking has negative effects on performance. I’ve experienced this phenomenon first hand when a teammate, in the heat of a battle, screams, “RELAX!!!!!!!!” The effect is usually not relaxing. More often, under duress, the brain narrows in on the nucleus while missing all the modifiers, namely, negation. So, if you are telling yourself not to kick the ball over the goal, there’s a good chance that you will only absorb “kick it over.”

Both Morena and I are very much a work in progress. But throughout this process, I started to see how some of her natural behaviors could be really an advantage in any athlete’s training. For example, she talks with her body, and as I’ve said before, body language is paramount in team sports. Tail tucked? Out of the play; Tail up? “Just give me the Damn

How can I get in my lift, extra shots, and rehab if I took a nap?

How can I play, write, and spend time with my friends if I stopped when my body was tired? Well, what our little Morena knows is that for quality play, you need your rest! You might be thinking: That’s Impressive…but I call it: Best In Show!

ball Keyshawn!” At the dog park, Morena really gets into her tackles. She is relentless in her pursuit… chasing down the small dogs and pestering the big ones.

Most of all, Morena listens to her body. Right now, the off-season for Damallsvenskan is the time in my life that I have the most control over my fitness regimen. And when I have control, I tend to overdo it. On the other hand, I’ve had to smile more than a few times when baby Mo ever so dramatically throws herself down on the floor, as if to say, “Enough!”

At just four months old, she listens to her body and refuses to continue doing something she enjoys when she’s exhausted.

At 25, I still have not mastered this skill.

Christen Press is an American soccer striker and World Cup champion. She captains the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women’s Soccer League and represents the United States women’s national soccer team. In 2011, she was named the WPS Rookie of the Year. She was a 2010 Hermann Trophy recipient and holds the all-time scoring record at Stanford University. In 2015, she represented the United States at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Christen has been active with Grass Roots soccer in Norwich, VT which is an adolescent health organization that leverages the power of soccer to educate, inspire, and mobilize youth in developing countries to overcome their greatest health challenges, live healthier, more productive lives, and be agents for change in their communities.

Marlee on vacation from Happy Paws Daycare in Castleton at Bodie Lighthouse in North Carolina

Fall 2017

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MOOOve Over Cow’s Milk: Alternative Dairy Products Alleviate Cancer Symptoms and Keep Our Pets Healthy

H

Holly McClelland

ave you e ve r g iven your pet a cup of cow’s milk or a bowl of ice cream, and wondered if you made the right choice?

Some pet parents believe that their cats and dogs love the taste of milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream, and that ample supplies of calcium will help maintain strong bones and healthy teeth. Despite the supposed merits of dairy, the majority of cats and dogs of all breeds and ages tend to lack sufficient quantities of the enzyme lactase, which is essential to break down lactose in cow’s milk.

High quantities of lactose leads to lactose intolerance and can cause bloating, flatulence, pain, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and a number of other side effects.

While cow’s milk may cause health consequences, pet parents who are determined to feed their pets dairy are in luck.

In recent years, several alternative milkbased products have emerged, including sheep’s milk, goat’s milk, and yak’s milk.

User experience from pet parents, nutritionists, and manufacturers has indicated that each type of milk alternative is more easily digestible than cow’s milk, and offers a range of health benefits for both cats and dogs.

Sheep’s Milk: The milk composition of sheep’s milk is homogenous because the fat globules are evenly distributed, which makes it easily digestible.

Sheep’s milk is also purported to be a rich superfood with high protein content, omega 3 and 6 fats, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, folate, vitamin C, and minimal sodium. Ewegurt is a pet food company that offers several freeze-dried sheep’s milk products for cats and dogs. According to Ewegurt, the superfood ingredients delivered through sheep’s milk support relaxation, reduce 10 4 Legs & a Tail

anxiety, promote restful sleep and positive mood, protect the immune system, and aid in digestion for sensitive stomachs. The founder of Ewegurt also created the sheep’s milk products to help her golden retriever eat a digestible meal after receiving a diagnosis of gastrointestinal lymphoma.

Dogs with cancer are generally nauseous and may vomit their meals, but can tolerate omega 3 and 6 fats relatively well. Further, the antioxidants in sheep’s milk help protect cancer cells from free radicals, which may alleviate cancer symptoms, or slow disease progression.

Goat’s Milk: Similarly to sheep’s milk, goat’s milk has more short and medium-chain fatty acids than cow’s milk, so it is easily digestible and better for the stomach. Goat’s milk is a complete food with superfood benefits because it contains a robust list of essential vitamins and minerals that support digestion and help the immune system. Steve’s Real Food manufactures a raw frozen goat milk yogurt that is served as a snack or topper, and a product line called Enhance, which is three items comprised of freeze-dried goat milk. The Enhance products, including CarnaForage, DogNog, and CannaGurt contain goat’s milk and other superfoods, including hemp oil, cranberries, turmeric, yucca, spirulina, chia seed, coconut, cilantro, dandelion, and milk thistle. Each specific Enhance product is touted to improve health issues, including cancer, seizures, anxiety, pain, cognitive disorders, inflammatory diseases, urinary tract infections, and intestinal bowel disorder.

Yak’s Milk: For centuries, people in the Himalayan region of Nepal have used yak’s milk for its medicinal benefits. Over the past five

years, the number of companies that manufacture yak’s milk dental chews for dogs has surged. Churpi Durka, one of the yak chew manufacturers, states that the Journal of Dairy Science recognizes yak’s milk as a certified health food and nutraceutical – a food that increases health and has medicinal value. Yak’s milk has a high content of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, amino acids, and antioxidants, which are easy to digest, and offer the same health benefits as those found in sheep’s milk and goat’s milk. Another ingredient, glutamic acid, is available in large quantities in yak’s milk. Glutamic acid converts to glutamine to aid in cell regeneration, healing, and wound repair. Glutamine is often depleted in dogs with cancer and pain, so it is important to have an adequate supply of glutamic acid for dogs that are fighting chronic illnesses.

Sheep, goat, and yak milk products for dogs and cats are not as prevalent as cow milk products, which can be purchased through virtually any channel, and hundreds of retailers. However, several independent pet specialty stores and online retailers offer these alternative milk products, so it is relatively easy to procure these items. Pet parents who are determined to deliver functional health benefits to their cats and dogs should consider these alternative milk choices because they are nutritious, tasty, and easy to serve.

Holly McClelland leads marketing and is an analyst for Fletcher/CSI, a boutique market research and consulting firm headquartered in Williston, Vermont. Holly monitors industry trends and product developments for several brands in the CPG space, including the pet industry. The pet research is focused on tracking nutrition and ingredient trends, technological innovations, and new product launches for dogs and cats.

Fall 2017

Michael Tanneberger D.V.M. Colchester, VT

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t seems that ticks are in the news more than Hollywood stars these days. I’m hearing about them in newspapers, medical journals, magazines (like this one), on TV and Online.

Why? ..because the popularity of the topic indicates how serious the issues with tick borne diseases have become.

Environmental changes such as global warming and shifting populations of wildlife have contributed to conditions that are allowing ticks to move to new territories and thrive.

Since the 1980’s this has happened to a dramatic degree. Studies are showing that change is occurring all over the country and is causing the spread of tick diseases to new regions. The Lone Star Tick (think Texas) is now being found in southern New England. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, originally carried by early American settlers from Tennessee to the mountains out west, is now spreading throughout the midwest plains. Here in the Northeast, Lyme disease has been on the rise for years and most people now familiar with it.

Fortunately, this has created a greater awareness of tick bite prevention for both pets and their owners.

But, it’s an ongoing battle. In 2015 the state of Vermont had the highest incidence in the nation of Lyme disease in humans on a per capita basis, with Maine coming in second! The frequency of Lyme disease in dogs has mirrored that rise. Not to further your paranoia of ticks, but remember that Lyme is only one of many diseases that ticks carry.

Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, Tularemia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and others can all affect you and your dog. And that’s not to mention the new up-andFall 2017

Percentage of Visits Due to Tick Encounters

So...

Are You Ticked Off Yet?

2.5%

Surveillance of Vermont Emergency Room & Urgent Care Visits for Human Tick Encounters (Beta Version) Tick Encounter = any visit due to tick-related issues such as a recent tick bite or a request for tick removal.

2.0%

1.5%

1.0%

Week Ending July 29, 2017

0.5%

0.0%

January

February March

April

May

June

July

August

September October November

December

Month 2017

Historic Average (2004-2016)

Historic Maximum (2004-2016)

comers with great names like Bobcat Tick Disease (in cats), Powassan Virus and Mammalian Meat Allergy (both in humans).

So, are you even starting to get ticked off about ticks? If not, then remember this - not all tick diseases are easily treatable and there is much that is still unknown about them. Yes, antibiotics often (notice, I did not say always) work well against some of these diseases, but there are still many questions about how, when, and with what do we treat. Some of the newer diseases have no effective treatments yet.

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www.4LegsAndATail.com 11

The good news is that excellent products for prevention are available and are the best way to protect your pets. I wish I could say that there are highly effective, natural, and safe tick killing products available, but the scientific evidence is lacking. Although today the most effective flea and tick killers and repellents are chemicals, the pharmaceutical companies are aware of the need and have been quickly producing products that are not only safer but more effective and easier to use than older ones. Careful and proper use of these products has enabled us to protect our pets against the wide range of serious diseases that ticks carry.

Now available are monthly topicals, oral chews that are given every 30 to 90 days, and the newest generation of flea and tick collars that will last up to 8 months (and are highly effective).

Because ticks are in greater numbers these days and are surviving through

12 4 Legs & a Tail

the winter, I strongly encourage pet owners to use these products year round.

Late autumn is actually a high risk time for exposure, and the occasional winter thaws are warm enough to spur ticks into action. Also consider vaccinating your dog against Lyme disease. The vaccine should be given in addition to the use of tick killing products in order to maximize the effectiveness of Lyme prevention. Of course, you should routinely check your pets for ticks each time they come indoors (check yourselves, tool). Make sure you have a tick removal device on hand, especially when travelling or doing outdoor activities such as camping and hiking. These handy tools are inexpensive, easy to use, and easy to find. Veterinary offices, pharmacies, sporting goods stores, feed stores, and department stores are all likely to carry them. With just a simple twist the tick is easily removed.

Being mindful that ticks are now a

regular part of life is the first step in being able to prevent tick borne diseases. Taking the threat of these diseases seriously needs to be a priority - it is important to be proactive to be successful. I often see dogs in my office that test positive for tick diseases after being told by the owner that they have never seen a tick on their pet. Ultimately, getting ticked off enough to take action against ticks will enable you and your pet to enjoy the great outdoors with less worry and more comfort. It’s OK to get mad once in a while!

Dr. Mike grew up in Connecticut and graduated from the University of Connecticut before attending veterinary school at Cornell University. Prior to his arrival at Petit Brook Veterinary Clinic, he was a partner in a large mixed practice in Northern, NY and then a small animal practice here in VT.

Fall 2017

The House Call: Exceptional Veterinary Care Brought to Your Door!

Dr. Michaela Wozniakewicz - Rutland, VT

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eterinary house calls can be of great value to pets, owners, and veterinarians. A house call veterinarian is capable of doing most things available within the veterinary clinic. We perform wellness exams, vaccinations, deworming, microchipping, and pedicures; we can treat routine illnesses such as allergies, eye and ear issues, skin problems, and gastrointestinal issues; and we are able to manage a wide variety of chronic conditions such as arthritis, behavioral issues, diabetes, kidney disease, seizure disorders, and thyroid disease.

The first (and most obvious) benefit of the house call is convenience. House calls bring veterinary care into your home.

That means no driving to and from the vet clinic and less time commitment for owners. House calls also make veterinary care more accessible to people who are home bound, have mobility issues, or are unable to drive. Pets can have mobility issues too, and transporting them can be difficult. And, for multi-pet households, house calls allow us to care for several pets at a time without the hassle of you having to bring them all to the clinic.

For many pets and owners the trip to the clinic and the appointment are very stressful. Travel, confinement, motion sickness, and new sights, smells, and sounds all contribute. The anticipation of our pets becoming stressed can be traumatic too. We love our pets and want them to feel as safe and comfortable as possible. For a lot of pets, taking the vet clinic out of the equation can result in a drastic reduction in stress! Many pets are more content and relaxed at home, and a house call can turn a stressful vet visit into an enjoyable one. Moreover, stress Fall 2017

can affect certain vital parameters and diagnostic tests and doing these evaluations in the home environment can be more meaningful and accurate than in a clinic setting.

All veterinary clinics strive to be safe, healthy environments for pets. But the clinic is ultimately a hospital and we see

a lot of sick animals – some that carry infectious diseases. If your pet is very young, geriatric, or has a compromised immune system they are at increased risk of contracting these diseases. A house call minimizes your pet’s risk of exposure and is a safer alternative to an in-clinic visit.

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www.4LegsAndATail.com 13

Hospice and end of life care are both important house call services. These can be daunting enough on their own, and the thought of having to bring your pet to the clinic during these times can be extremely stressful. With house calls we can make more accurate quality of life assessments to help guide you through this difficult process. And it is never easy to say goodbye to our pets, but home euthanasia is a compassionate alternative to bringing your pet to the clinic.

It allows your pet to be comfortable in familiar surroundings and allows you to grieve in the privacy of your home.

Certain pets, however, are best treated in the clinic setting. If you have an emergent issue; if your pet requires intensive care or surgery; if your pet is very sick and may need more significant diagnostics such as emergency bloodwork, x-rays, or an ultrasound; if your pet is extremely fearful and requires full sedation for examinations; or if your pet is aggressive towards unfamiliar people in their home environment they are better suited for a regular in-clinic appointment. A house call will not provide the optimum care they deserve.

Beyond most people and pets, house calls also have benefits for veterinarians. We get to know our patients and clients on a different level than in the vet clinic. This allows us to deepen the bond we have both with you and your pets and develop a strong relationship.

Veterinary medicine is a team sport, and the stronger the relationship we have, the better the veterinary care we are able to provide. We also get to observe your pets in their home environment which allows us to see things that could affect their health and provides us with a unique opportunity to make suggestions about things like environmental enrichment and mobility improvements for arthritic animals. Additionally, house calls give us more insight into behavioral issues which your pets oftentimes cannot or do not display during in-clinic appoint-

ments. We can then offer more specific advice and achieve better outcomes.

Ultimately house calls are convenient, safer, and lower stress for a lot of people and pets, and they provide a more personal, catered, private service to our clients and patients.

Do regular vet visits stress out you or your pet? Is it difficult for you to find time in your busy schedule for your pet’s vet appointments? Is your home environment the optimum place for your pet’s veterinary care? Rutland Veterinary Clinic & Surgical Center is now doing house calls! Services offered include wellness and sick pet examinations, palliative care, hospice, and euthanasia. We will typically have diagnostic results back to you within 24 hours. We are here to provide you with the top notch veterinary care you and your pet deserve. Let us bring exceptional veterinary care to your door!

Dr. Michaela “Woz” Wozniakewicz is a graduate of Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and received her undergraduate degree from The University of Vermont. She grew up in Massachusetts but fell in love with Vermont during her time at UVM and joined the Rutland Veterinary Clinic and Surgical Center team after completing veterinary school.

Announcing Vermont Veterinary Student Scholarships

S

tudents graduating veterinary school have an average student loan debt of over $162,000 according to a survey of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

This is a crushing amount of debt for young veterinarians just starting out in their career and can take decades to pay off.

The Vermont Veterinary Medical Association Foundation’s mission is to provide scholarships for Vermonters attending

veterinary school to help lower the debt load they face upon graduation. Applicants are chosen based on their overall burden of debt, academic achievement, desire to return to practice in Vermont, and their ability to overcome obstacles which confront them upon entering the veterinary profession. Funds are raised through contributions from veterinarians in Vermont and from the New England Veterinary

Medical Association Conference.

Since its establishment in 2012, the VVMAF has contributed $49,000 to Vermonters attending veterinary school.

The number of scholarship applicants in 2017 far exceeded the number of awards given, and it was a difficult task to make the decision this year among extraordinary candidates.

The VVMAF is pleased to announce the recipients of their 2017 scholarships: Earl Brady of Maidstone is a senior at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and already has secured a position upon graduation with a large animal practice in northern Vermont.

Dylan Devino of South Hero is a senior at the Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and a graduate of the University of Vermont. He hopes to return to Vermont and work in a dairy based or a mixed animal practice.

Emily Rule of Bristol is a senior at the University of Pennsylvania and a graduate of the University of Vermont. Upon graduation and completion of a one-year internship, she hopes to return to Vermont and practice as an ambulatory equine veterinarian.

Congratulations to these Vermont students!

14 4 Legs & a Tail

Fall 2017

DOGS AND CHILDREN: How To Handle Dogs Around Children, And Children Around Dogs Paula Bergeron - Grafton, NH

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ost people have a dreamy picture of dogs and children together, playing, laughing, and bonding, however we don’t seem to be able to recreate that dream, instead we get, screaming, nipping, and crying. Not fun for kids or dogs, and can lead to hard feelings and strained relationships between family and friends. Why does this happen? Mostly because these dreams of dogs and children do not often happen without some effort and teaching on both the dog owners and parents part.

Children and dogs can often be like oil and water. Dogs are suspicious of sudden jerky movement, are startled by loud raucous noise, and are bated with a strong stare into their eyes. Children by nature More than 400,000 children receive medical attention have uncontrollable limbs, are free with their expression of joy, anger, or fear, and annually as the result of dog bites in the US want to get a good look right into a dogs face. These and many more behaviors that come naturally to both species that can him to go to his/her crate. Always be con- move your child back to a chair. If your lead their interactions to end in tears or servative when it comes to allowing your child is not able to remain calm, that is sadly dangerous life threatening bites! dog around children, end the interaction ok. It just means they are not ready to before either party gets tired, over excited, meet the dog and they should be taken How to handle your dog around children: or frustrated, and you will have a good away from the dog.

Always practice caution: Let’s begin foundation for the next visit.

It is the parent's responsibility to keep with the most difficult thing… children their child calm around the dog, or the dog asking to pet your dog. Just Don’t! Do not How to handle your children may interpret your child as another dog allow unknown children to come up and around dogs: and rough play begins and then ends in a pet your dog… it is a good for children to Teach responsible behavior: When it bite. When it is time to end an interaction learn to give a dog space, and it is the way comes to dogs and children, too many folks it is a good idea for the child stay still and you teach your dog that you have their put all the responsibility on the dog, but have the dog move away, if not the dog may back and can trust you. If you are having half of this interaction requires the basic feel the need to bark or lunge or herd the a gathering where children are involved skills of parent and child. Never assume a child back into his pack. plan ahead. Begin with your dog in their dog is safe, not even when an owner says, There are so many things to be aware crate placed somewhere away from the “He’s friendly!” Teach your child to NEVER of when you mix children and dogs. The excitement. Wait for any introduction until approach a dog they do not know… no above are just a small sample of what can after the initial excitement of arrival has matter what. Children should not go up be done to keep interactions safe and enjoyworn off. Then bring your dog out “on to dogs on the walk and ask to pet, even able for all. Remember the most important leash” and tell the kids you are going for thought that is what is normally taught, the things are that dogs and children should a walk. Allow the kids to walk parallel to answer should be no from the dog walker ALWAYS be supervised. Keep the interacthe dog. Get the kids attention on the sur- because it is an unpredictable place, and tion calm and have a safe place to go for if rounding nature or buildings so that the the dog may react from a street noise or there is too much excitement. Remember dog can get used to the children without the crowd. Teach your child how fun it is real life is not the same as those facebook their direct interaction. If all has gone to watch dogs but not touch and practice photos, or greeting card images. Real life well and the children seem to be able to this together. needs more thought and care if you are follow direction, allow your dog to sniff Next teach your child that when it is going to have a lovely memory of your chilwhile the children are still, with no pet- ok to meet a dog, they need to let the dog dren with dogs, or your dog with children. ting or bending over. Once the dog is done get used to them first. Allow the dog to Have Safe Play…and Happy Training! sniffing you will be able to read if he/ approach and then stand very still and she is comfortable or stiff, if stiff you tell silent while the dog sniffs… I call it the Paula Bergeron and the gang at Good the kids, that was great now let’s let Rover 4’s - Stand Silent and Still while puppy Dogma embrace a holistic approach to bringing balance to your dog’s go rest in his crate. If the dog is wiggly Sniffs. Once the dog is done sniffing then behavioral issues. Exercise, training, and comfy then you can allow a bit more we encourage the child to sit on a chair and relaxation, massage, grooming, play, interaction with the kids… but always with to pet under the dog’s chin or chest. If the socialization and energy healing are your supervision and preferable with his child moves to the floor, the excitement incorporated into your dog’s routine. leash dragging. If the excitement gets too of the dog may ratchet up and overwhelm high… calmly remove the dog and allow your child so stay vigilant and prepare to www.Goodogma.com Fall 2017

www.4LegsAndATail.com 15

y a D s ’ r e t x e D at the Dentist

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Carol Gifford, DVM

hen a dog or cat visits the dentist there are a lot of similarities to our visits to the dentist. They have a thorough exam of their teeth and gums.

They also get their teeth cleaned and polished. X-rays are taken to detect any problems below the gum line. If extractions are need they are done with appropriate medication for pain control. After extractions follow up x-rays are done to be sure all roots are removed. Of course, some things are different. Pets receive anesthesia during dental procedures.

Anesthesia allows them to sleep through the procedures and gives us full access to their mouth.​This means there are some additional important steps to a pet’s dental visit. Dexter and his family have graciously allowed us to photograph his recent visit to show you a typical dental visit at the veterinary hospital.

The first step in Dexter’s visit is a complete physical exam by the veterinarian who will be performing the procedures.

Because he is going under general anesthesia it is important to listen to Dexter’s heart and lungs, check his temperature and check him all over for any signs of illness. Dexter also has a blood screen done to evaluate liver, kidney function and blood counts as well as other parameters that could signal illness. Dexter gets a clean bill of health and is cleared for his dental care.

intravenous fluids during the procedure and any other medicine he needs while under anesthesia. Once he is fully anesthetized the veterinarian places a tube in his airway. This allows us to keep him asleep with a combination of anesthetic gas and oxygen. While under anesthesia Dexter is constantly monitored by a veterinary technician. The technician monitors heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and other parameters with the help of special monitoring equipment. These values are recorded Kathy Lewis and communicated to the veterinarian throughout the procedure.

Once Dexter is anesthetized a complete exam of the oral cavity is performed by the doctor. Each tooth and the gums are examined thoroughly. The oral cavity is checked for growths or any other abnormalities. The gums are probed with dental instruments to evaluate the health of the gums and teeth. Loose teeth, broken teeth, gum infections and growths in the mouth are among the many problems that may be found. Cavities are rare in dogs and cats. After the exam the teeth are cleaned and polished in the same way it is done for people. Because Dexter is sleeping with a relaxed jaw the doctor can reach all 4 sides of all the teeth. In this photograph the doctor is polishing the teeth with an ultrasonic polisher​​.

If extractions will be performed the veterinarian administers medication similar to novocaine to ensure the procedures are as painless as possible during and after the visit. These injections, or nerve blocks, also allow us to use less anesthetic during the procedure. This photo shows the doctor administering a nerve block to Dexter.

Dexter is given a sedative to relax him before the procedure. Once he is sedated the veterinary technicians place an intravenous catheter in his front leg.

This allows us to give him the anesthetic, 16 4 Legs & a Tail

After the teeth are cleaned and polished we take x-rays of Dexter’s teeth.

Infections, fractured teeth, resorbing teeth, bone loss and unerupted teeth are among the many problems that are revealed by dental x-rays. This x-ray of Dexter’s premolar shows a significant problem. The blue arrow shows where Continued Next Page

Fall 2017

the bone that holds the tooth in place should be. The green arrow shows where there actually is bone. This tooth is loose, unhealthy and likely painful to Dexter so it needs to be removed. ​​The doctor removes the molar with dental instruments and a drill. The second x-ray of the area is done to be sure the entire root has been removed. Retained roots can cause infection and continued pain.

Kathy Lewis

Dexter sleeps through 8 extractions.

The doctor x-rays each site to be sure the roots are gone and then sutures them up with dissolving sutures. Dexter is given several injections to prevent post surgical pain once the nerve blocks wear off.

In this case, she also gives antibiotics because there are some infected areas in the mouth. As this photograph shows, Dexter now has clean polished teeth and we are ready to wake him up.

Fall 2017

​​ Although Dexter is still a little groggy in this picture, he wakes up quickly and shows no evidence of pain from his extractions. He is sent home with medication to control pain for the next few days. His owners are advised to give him soft food and to come back in a week to check the incision sites. Because his diseased teeth have been removed he should be a happier etc.

www.4LegsAndATail.com 17

Low Stress Ways to Get Your Very Feisty (Claws-Out) Cat to the Vet Dr. Patty Khuly, VMD

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recent veterinary industry megastudy concluded that while cats significantly outnumber dogs in the United States, cats are much less likely to see their veterinarians on a regular basis. In fact, plenty of cats never see a vet unless they’re on death’s doorstep.

The No. 1 reason for this canine-feline discrepancy? It comes down to a simple thing: transportation.

Although veterinary conventional wisdom tends to lay the blame on clients’ unwillingness to spend on their cats (relative to dogs), the truth is that getting a cat inside a box is considered a colossal

18 4 Legs & a Tail

stumbling block for many pet owners.

In my experience, this is absolutely a factor –– a big one. At least once a day, our office fields a call from a cat owner who has to cancel at the last minute because kitty isn’t amenable to carrier confinement.

You may think that this happens only with cats who live outdoors or whose feral origins don’t lend to easy capture, but you’d be wrong. Plenty of otherwise mild-mannered housecats will pull out all the stops (teeth and claws included) to stay out of the dreaded box.

So what’s a responsible owner to do?

After all, waiting until she’s sick enough to resist less violently is not a reasonable option — even though a startlingly large percentage of cat owners resort to this very tactic.

In the interest of avoiding this worstcase scenario, here are my top tips for cornering, capturing and confining cats for safe transport to the vet.

Get the right size carrier. A large carrier is sometimes the only way to go because it can be impossible to squeeze a big cat through a narrow door. My personal favorite: a top-loading carrier. I even have a client who uses a rolling plastic file cabinet with a top that latches. He got it at OfficeMax for $12.99. Score!

Keep the carrier out. One mistake owners make is to leave a pet carrier in the garage or a closet, ensuring that kitty bolts for the wiliest hiding place when the box comes out –– at least until dinnertime.

Cozy up the space. Smart cat owners know that desensitization works. Try feeding your cat inside the carrier, which is an especially good trick for those who need to feed their cats separately for weight control. You should also line it with newspaper to soak up urine, and always keep a clean towel inside.

Opt for a shadier carrier. Most stressed-out cats seem to find a dark cubbyhole more comfortable than a wide-open space. You can achieve this by either buying a carrier designed for darkness or cover the box with a towel.

Try a towel wrap. Burrito your kitty before placing her in the carrier. This nifty trick works great when you need to medicate your cat, too. Plenty of YouTube videos can show you how to burrito a cat with perfect aplomb.

Spritz pheromones. Certain cats respond well to relaxing pheromone sprays that you can spritz inside the carrier or diffuse in your home on the big vet visit day.

Consider catnip. Some cats love it.

If nothing else, your kitty may be disoriented enough to make it easier to capture and confine her. Others felines may be chilled out by a little catnip in the carrier.

Reach for drugs — as a last resort. Sometimes it’s better than the alternative. No cat should suffer veterinary neglect over a simple issue like cat carrier transport.

Patty Khuly was one of the “25 Veterinarians to Watch in 2013” by Veterinary Practice News, among the “25 People to Watch” by Pet Product News in 2008, and a “Rising Star” by the Veterinary News Network. Her My Dolittler blog has also been listed among the “Ten Best Blogs in Pet Health” by Fox News.

Fall 2017

A Gift for Gus Karen Sturtevant

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notice the paper towels will need to be replaced soon. Using several sheets multiple times each day has a way of quickly depleting the supply. Do we have more newspapers? Excellent for easy clean-up of dropped tasty morsels. After washing my hands, I say to my tiny friend, “Gus, chair.” My four-legged buddy trots to kennel number three and backs up to his awaiting throne. It’s dinner time!

Gus is a three-year old English bulldog diagnosed with megaesophagus.

Before Gus scurried into our lives at the Vermont English Bulldog Rescue, he was a very sick boy. Malnourished, neglected, abused, underweight with a host of medical issues and craving kind human attention.

During the autumn and winter of 2016, little Gus endured three major surgeries, numerous minor procedures, daily doses of antibodies and weekly medicated baths.

This little fighter didn’t miss a beat, loving his caregivers; climbing on their laps them leaving tiny foot bruises to mark his stay.

After we noticed his vomiting, more often than not, portions of his meals, again off to the vet we went. We were given the news that Gus had aspirated pneumonia.

His lungs were full of liquid. More antibiotics and a new diagnosis: Megaesophagus.

This is condition in which the muscles of the esophagus fail and food cannot travel successfully to the stomach. The contents remain in the esophagus and are then regurgitated. If the food pools in the esophagus, the dog will typically aspirate into his lungs leading to aspiration pneumonia. Although English bulldog have more than their share of health challenges, megaesophagus isn’t limited to this stocky breed, but is cause for alarm to make immediate changes.

Dawna Pederzani, founder of the rescue, discovered through her research that dogs with this condition can live a healthy life with some feeding modifications. Instead of the typical feeding dish on the floor, dogs with MegaE need to be placed in a vertical feeding position, allowing gravity to help. The dog should remain in that position up to 30 minutes after feeding.

No small feat when a dog like Gus can’t sit still for more than two seconds.

On-line investigation brought Dawna to The “Bailey Chair,” designed by Donna and Joe Koch after their mixed-breed, Bailey, was diagnosed with MegaE at just twelve Fall 2017

weeks of age. Bailey lived a long, wholesome life with the help of his chair namesake passing away just shy of his thirtieth birthday. This chair design has made the lifesaving difference to countless dogs.

Dawna, the Martha Stuart of handy women, would normally have gotten out her tool box, extra sheets of plywood and 2x4’s and built a chair in an afternoon.

However, after recently having major shoulder surgery, that was not an option.

She suggested a trip to her home-awayfrom-home, The Home Depot in Williston to ask for help.

I will admit I was skeptical. Why would total strangers want to help us and a dog that they had no connection with? With Gus dressed in a fancy harness and holiday jingle bell collar, off we went. While I was busy talking to people that had assembled around Gus in the Home Depot shopping cart, Dawna was telling the story to store manager, Corey Shanteau. Without hesitation Corey said, “Absolutely, bring me the plans.” Maybe the northern stars were aligned just right, perhaps the holiday spirit had something to do with his decision, whatever the reason, Gus was given a lifeline.

Within a few days, Corey had built a feeding chair, specifically to fit little Gus. After a few more days, Corey’s generosity and news of Gus’ story were spreading.

Alexandra Leslie, from Local 22/Local 44 FOX created a beautiful tribute, which aired on Christmas day. National FOX-TV affiliates, People magazine, Yahoo News and several on-line news channels would later pick up and share the good-news tale.

Little Gus was going viral.

While the search to find Gus a perma-

nent home continued, he would associate the chair with food, treats, all things positive. He quickly learned to trot up to the chair and allow us to turn and lift him into place. With plenty of paper towels at the ready, newspaper lining the floor and a bath towel, we would hand-feed him kibble mashed into a meatball-like consistency along with wet food made into Gussized bites. Add in supplements (cut into tiny pieces) and a tablespoon of pumpkin, feeding time became messy and loads of fun. Smacking his lips and happily awaiting the next meatball, Gus became a professional.

I often heard my juvenile voice asking, “Can we keep him?” My grown-up brain new better as what he needed was a full-time family. Applications and comments poured in, including David and Celine’s of Rhode Island. They’ve had experience with special need dogs, including their female English bulldog, Twiggy, who coincidentally is the same size and stature as Gus. On the day of their visit, being the natural charmer he is, Gus immediately climbed on Celine as she sat on the floor and then walked over to David to reach up with his little front feet and looked up as if to say, “What’s not to love?” They were smitten and so was he.

With teary eyes we watched as his feeding chair and supplies were loaded up. The adoption was official. Little Gussy had his forever family. His condition will never be cured; it must be carefully managed and observed each day. With his fighting spirt, Gus taught us courage and forgiveness. All of the dogs pull our heartstrings and some tug a bit harder. This pint-sized peanut was extra special. I miss his sweet face every day.

Thank you, David and Celine, for welcoming this sweet boy into your home and hearts. Stand tall and proud, little Gus. You are loved by so many.

Karen Sturtevant is a freelance writer, works at the nutritional supplement company, FoodScience Corporation, is editor-in-chief and contributing writer of Vermont Bride magazine, and the author of two children’s books, The Adventures of Gert & Stu and Zippy too and The Rainy Day Adventures of Gert & Stu and Zippy too. She volunteers with Green Mountain Animal Defenders and Vermont English Bulldog Rescue. She shares her home with two guinea pigs, two Russian tortoises, fiancé, Mike and her beautiful English bulldog Penney. www.4LegsAndATail.com 19

More than 350,000 veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan have sought help for PTSD

Two of a Kind B

ob Landry and Coco were as different as night and day. Or more accurately, as different as a human and a dog. Yet these two would come to find out that they had more in common than you could possibly imagine.

Bob grew up in a happy household in New England. Surrounded by family and friends, he was a starter on his high school football team and made it to the state finals. A top ten graduate, he had scholarship offers to universities, but not a full ride. He chose a path with the US Army instead.

The military can offer you the opportunity to “Be All That You Can Be,” but the Iraqi desert was More than just half a planet from home. There was nothing he could find in common

20 4 Legs & a Tail

with the Green Mountains, nothing an infantry soldier could embrace beyond survival of yourself and your buddies.

The mission that Tuesday, was described as “routine.” Bob repeated the word to himself as he packed a magazine of 30 rounds against his Kevlar helmet, while dressed in body armor. Riding point escorting a supply caravan, the IED hit with such sudden velocity Bob was almost unaware he had been thrown 20 feet from his Humvee. He convulsed as the pain of searing metal tore through his leg, and then there was darkness.

Coco also reveled in his early years.

A Christmas morning puppy, he was as elated as his new loving family. Just outside of New Orleans, Coco thrived in the Big Easy.

It was early August and that particular day was unusually busy. There was no play. They were so busy Coco had to bark to remind them about dinner. If Coco had known about hurricanes, that this could be his last decent meal, he might have barked more.

Katrina struck. The plywood did little to preserve Coco’s home. Wilmot Street was consumed by storm surge, and looked like a raging river as the rain and wind pounded the city. It was dark when rescue workers found the family perched on the roof, water approaching life-threatening levels. The boat already at capacity, Coco watched as his people cried, disappearing into the night without

him. The water crested, and Coco was swept away by the wind and tide, more than six miles from the place he once called home. Finally coming to rest on a muddy hillside, blood rushed from a wound, debris protruding from his leg.

Bob woke two days after the attack on his column, in a hospital outside Baghdad. His recollection of the days to follow were foggy, but included talk of amputation, physical therapy and medical discharge. Several months later he set foot in the United States. The transition into civilian life was a challenge many veterans have faced. The scars of war are not just visible to the naked eye. PTSD is a simple acronym, not a simple affliction.

During one appointment at the VA in White River Jct., Bob spoke with a guy from boot camp, “Maybe you should get a dog. They’re specially trained to help with issues like yours.” Bob wasn’t looking for a dog trained to help him pee in the night. He needed someone who could relate, feel what he was feeling.

Coco scavenged through the aftermath of the storm. So much had changed, his people now hundreds of miles away, building a new life without him. Local agencies gathered these displaced, now feral dogs such as Coco in temporary shelters. Veterinarians examined Coco, his condition was near critical.

Malnourished and disease infested, euthanasia was a distinct possibility.

His injured and infected leg would need to be removed. Fortunately, he healed rapidly and soon found himself aboard an airplane for New England as part of a rescue group.

Bob limped through the kennel of newly arrived dogs who jumped and barked, “Pick me! Pick me!” he contemplated his decision to get a dog. Was this the right idea? He could barely take care of himself, how could he take care of a dog?

“It didn’t take long for us to become best buds. During the day, Coco was by my side constantly and at night he would curl up at the foot of my bed. Soon after, we found ourselves certified for the local therapy dog program. These days we are regulars at VA hospitals, retirement homes and schools.”

They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. When Bob came across Coco sitting calmly among the chaos, he didn’t see the physical scars of the dog and thinly smiled at the irony of the dog’s missing leg. For a moment he wondered if the dog was sizing him up and coming to the same conclusion. Neither of them had the life they expected. The trials and tribulations both experienced had, at times, felt unjust and painful. Although they might be as different as night and day, in the end you never know who the path may lead you to.

Fall 2017

Smoky, Yorkshire Terrier and WWII War Dog Kate Kelly - Courtesy of Bill Wynne

S

moky, a four-pound Yorkshire terrier, went to war by happenstance.

She was found in New Guinea near an American military base in 1944. No one was going to send home a lost dog, no matter how tiny. She soon embedded with a unit of the U.S. 5th Air Force and was adopted by one of the photographers working reconnaissance near the front line in New Guinea.

Smoky was found in a foxhole and brought back to the base by a fellow who was happy to sell her so he could get into that night’s poker game. William A. Wynne offered to buy Smoky for 2 pounds Australian ($6.44 US). After that, the two were inseparable.

War Dog? Describing Smoky as a war dog, a mascot, or as therapy dog for the wounded military men doesn’t do her justice.

She was all of those things. But most important, she became a soulmate for Bill Wynne. Wynne spent two years of his childhood in an orphanage, so he knew loneliness firsthand. When he adopted Smoky, he staved off what would have been many lonely hours by training his bright little companion. Then he did a loving thing: He turned and shared her with all those with whom Smoky and Bill came in contact.

Smoky accomplished many things while in the service, but her most important job was keeping smiles on the faces of the men with whom she served.

develop the film, which would reveal the whereabouts of the enemy.

They were part of a larger group moved to the Philippines to establish a full-scale military base. The goal was to move in quickly and keep everyone on the ground safe. Setting up the operation was going to require that new telegraph wire be run under the an existing runway that the Allies needed to keep open if at all possible.

The original airfield builders had provided a 70-foot long pipe that ran under the runway. The problem was that soil had shifted around the pipe joinings. In some places, dirt partially filled parts of the pipe.

The engineers knew that there was

a strong likelihood that they would need to dig up the airfield in that section to get the wire buried, and this was a bad thought. It meant wasted days and potential risk to the men while the airfield was out of service and under construction.

Someone on the team had a bright idea and approached Bill Wynne with it: Did he think he could coach Smoky to make her way through the pipe? If so, they could tie a string to her collar.

After she was all the way through, they could then use the string to pull the wire to the other side.

“Can you see daylight all the way Continued Next Page

Smoky and the Telephone Wire The most frequently told story about Smoky concerns her “war work.” This heroic deed came about because someone realized Smoky’s potential.

The Photo Reconnaissance Squad of which Wynne was a part, was with a unit that was moved forward to Luzon, the northernmost island in the Philippines.

In that day, photo reconnaissance planes had to be very near the frontlines as the planes were only big enough for the pilot and a camera mounted to the plane. The pilot had to return to base quickly so the photographers could Fall 2017

www.4LegsAndATail.com 21

Learning to parachute; courtesy Bill Wynne

through the culvert?” Wynne asked.

The answer was that there were a couple of places where dirt had almost filled the pipe but “yes, you could still see some daylight coming through.”

Wynne figured it was worth a try. He and Smoky went out to become familiar with the sights and smells of the field.

When Wynne felt Smoky was comfortable, he tied the string to her collar and left her with one of the engineers.

Wynne went to the other end of the culvert to try to coax her through. Her first steps were exploratory, Wynne wrote.

She ran in about ten feet and then ran back out again.

"But I stayed on the other end and said sharply, ‘Come Smoky.’” She reapproached the pipe and began to scamper and then crawl through the tighter sections.

“At last, about 20 feet away, I saw two amber eyes and heard a faint whimpering sound….At 15 feet, she broke into a run. We were so happy at Smoky’s success that we all patted and praised her for a full five minutes,” wrote Wynne. She kept the airfield open and saved the men from additional danger.

22 4 Legs & a Tail

Smoky’s Tricks From the beginning, Wynne spent his downtime working with Smoky. He started with basic obedience commands and then went on to various tricks. One of the tricks Wynne invented was quite a complex version of “play dead.” Smoky would drop down on command, and she didn’t move even when poked until Bill lifted her “lifeless” body up by the feet.

She also learned to cross a tightrope— blindfolded. Others in the unit made her a scooter that she learned to ride. Bill was always teaching her something new.

While Smoky initially performed for the men around her barracks, she soon became well enough known that Wynne would be asked to bring her to nearby military hospitals to perform.

Everywhere they went, the two of them brought smiles.

Smoky and Hollywood After the war, Wynne returned to his hometown of Cleveland and married his sweetheart. He suggested that they honeymoon in Hollywood so that he could see if Smoky could make a living in show business.

Wynne got a part-time job working with some of the dogs belonging to Rennie Renfro. This put him on set with all the Hollywood trainers of the day, including Rudd Weatherwax (Lassie) and the young Frank Inn (eventually Benji).

Unfortunately, no roles came along that were right for a 4-pound Yorkshire terrier.

Wynne’s wife waited for a time, but she was pregnant and wanted to have her baby in Cleveland with her mother nearby. This made Wynne’s decision obvious. He started applying for jobs in Ohio and was soon hired as a flight photographer with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA; becomes NASA in 1957) in Cleveland, studying the de-icing of planes.

The Wynnes settled in Cleveland where they eventually had nine children. Bill supplemented their income by performing with Smoky on weekends.

By the mid-1950s, Smoky was still bright and funny and energetic, but her performing days were behind her. In 1957, she died. She was probably 14 at the time.

In closing the book, Bill Wynne writes of Smoky and how she happened into his life: “One wonders, could this have been an angel in a foxhole—a buddy sent to teach me how to share her comical antics in a bigger task? That task being the sharing of her with others in a time when joy was scarce? Sometimes under stress it only takes a delightful moment of diversion [to steer away from]… mental disaster.”

Smoky in a Helmet?

As you’ll see from the photographs, the statues of Smoky that are part of the memorials to her, generally show Smoky in a helmet. This was not a “cute” pose; it was a practical one. Because of Smoky’s hair and the jungle climate, Wynne found that he needed to bathe her regularly to keep her pest-free.

How best to bathe a four pound dog?

Why in a helmet, of course!

Yorkie Doodle Dandy I usually try to save my readers time by presenting to them a “story in a nutshell,” but in this case, I highly recommend that you read Wynne’s memoir, Yorkie Doodle Dandy: The Other Woman Was a Real Dog. The book is a delight because the bond between man and dog is so tight.

During the war, Bill frequently needs to hide Smoky from superiors as dogs were not an accepted part of the corps.

His anxiety radiates—not for himself or his own safety–but with a fear that Smoky might be taken away from him. It is clear that this man and this dog are a true pair.

If you read the book, you will also learn the possible solution to a mystery: How did a Yorkshire terrier, quite a special breed in the 1940s, find her way to a foxhole in New Guinea?

But I don’t like to trick readers, so if you really don’t think you’ll read the book, email me and I’ll explain what Wynne thinks happened that brought such an unusual dog to a war zone: kate@americacomesalive.com This article appeared on the website, www.americacomesalive.com During the summer, America Comes Alive publishes more stories about American dogs and other animals.

Visit the website and sign up for “American Dogs” to receive the stores in your In Box. Or email Kate Kelly at kate@americacomesalive.com Fall 2017

O

Let’s Talk Turkey

or not,” said Scott whose agency

nce upon a time it was oversees Vermont’s spring and unusual to see a wild turkey. And fall turkey hunting seasons. that was just 30 - 40 years ago!

According to what traditionally During the 19th century the wild is known as “The First turkey population was just about Thanksgiving,” the 1621 feast extinct due to farming practices between the Pilgrims and the that clear-cut forests in much of Wampanoag at Plymouth Colony the state. The comeback has been contained waterfowl, venison, nothing short of historic in the fish, lobster, clams, berries, fruit, field of wildlife management. pumpkin, and squash. William According to Mark Scott, Bradford noted that, “besides Director of Wildlife for the waterfowl and cider, there was Vermont Department of Fish great store of wild turkeys, of and Wildlife, “The revival of which they took many.” Many of the birds in Vermont grew from the foods that were included in the release of turkeys in Rutland the first feast (except, notably, County during the winters of the seafood) have since gone on 1969-70 and 1970-71. A total of 31 In this circa 1970 photo provided by the Vermont Fish & to become staples of the modern were released during that time.

Wildlife Department, Game Warden Ross Hoyt, left, and Thanksgiving dinner. Early feasts The state now has a population biologist Joseph Artmann release a wild turkey in Saxtons of the Order of Good Cheer, a estimated at 45,000 to 50,000 River at a time when they were almost gone from the French Canadian predecessor birds from one end of the state Vermont countryside. (Photo: John Hall/Vermont Fish & to the modern Thanksgiving, to the other.”

Wildlife Department via AP) featured a potluck dinner with In the 1960s, a Vermont freshly-hunted fowl, game, and biologist who once worked in fish, hunted and shared by both French New York state developed a program Hampshire began its turkey restoraCanadians and local natives. that brought the 31 turkeys that had tion in the 1970s. Now there are an The use of the turkey in the USA for been trapped in New York’s Alleghany estimated 35,000 to 45,000 statewide.

Thanksgiving precedes Lincoln’s nationand Steuben counties to Pawlet and “There are no empty spaces in the alization of the holiday in 1863. Alexander Hubbardton, according to a history of state that need wild turkeys,” said Ted Hamilton proclaimed that no “Citizen of the program provided by Vermont Fish Walski, a turkey project biologist with the United States should refrain from and Wildlife. The area was considered the New Hampshire Fish and Game turkey on Thanksgiving Day,” and many ideal because of the combination of Department. of the Founding Fathers (particularly forests and farm fields littered with And Vermont has helped other Benjamin Franklin) had high regard for cow corn. states in the region and beyond restore the wild turkey as an American icon, but Within a year, the population was or build their populations, sending turkey was uncommon as Thanksgiving estimated at 150. By 1973 the poputurkeys to places including Maine, fare until after 1800. By 1857, turkey had lation had rebounded enough for a Rhode Island, New Jersey, Canada become part of the traditional dinner in limited hunting season in the area and Germany.“I think people like to New England. where they were first released. New see turkeys whether they hunt them

2017’s Biggest Turkeys United Airlines The Friendly Skies hit turbulence when passengers took (and shared) video of a man being forcibly dragged off a plane by security when he was randomly selected -and declined -- to forfeit his seat to airline maintenance workers.

The Oscars Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway had the unfortunate luck of being handed the wrong envelope at the 2017 Oscars, and as a result they announced La La Land had won Best Picture. Unfortunately, it didn’t. Moonlight was the true victor.

Fall 2017

The Discovery Channel Viewers were hugely disappointed after the networks hype of Olympian Michael Phelps vs. a Great White turned out not to be a true side-by-side race.

They were in separate bodies of water.

The Atlanta Falcons Blowing a 28-3 lead in the third quarter. Tom Brady and Patriot fans have much to be thankful for.

Adidas This failure boiled down to a simple, and probably innocent, but very poor choice of words. After this year’s Boston marathon, the company tweeted out, “Congrats, you survived the Boston Marathon!”

The Federal Department of Education Spelling errors aren’t that big of a deal -- unless you’re the federal Department of Education. This year, the Department of Education sent out a tweet misspelling W. E. B. DuBois’ name, then misspelled “apologies” as “apologizes” in its follow-up apology for misspelling in their tweet.

www.4LegsAndATail.com 23

Pumpkin for Dogs and Cats…

6 Reasons To Give It To Your Pet F

Jill Feinstein

all is here and pumpkins

abound this time of year.

Halloween brings them out in all their glory. Now that the tricking and treating is done, what do you do with that big orange squash?

Well, if it’s carved… enjoy it a little longer and then throw it out. But if your pumpkin is untouched and undecorated consider cooking, pureeing and adding it to your pet’s food.

From the flesh to the seeds, pumpkin’s got essential fatty acids, nutrients and fiber that are beneficial for our cats and dogs.

Here are 6 reasons you should consider feeding it to your pet… if not fresh pumpkin then canned pumpkin from the store. It’s full of good stuff.

Constipation is common in senior cats. If your kitty suffers from it, talk to your vet about adding a little pumpkin to your cat’s food.

The increased fiber—3 grams per cup—makes the stool bulkier. Bulkier stool stimulates the colon and makes the muscles contract to move the stool through the colon and out the tush.

And pumpkin’s helpful with diarrhea too. If your dog eats something they shouldn’t and they end up with loose stools, give them a little pumpkin. The fiber in pumpkin bonds together in your pet’s digestive tract and acts like a sponge to absorb excess water in the diarrhea.

Pumpkin is good for general stomach upset in your dog or cat.

1) Digestive Health Because pumpkin is such a fantastic source of fiber, it’s helpful for constipation and diarrhea.

2) Urinary Health The seeds of the pumpkin are a healthy treat for your pet too. They are rich in essential fatty acids (omega3) and antioxidants (Vitamin C) that support a healthy urinary tract.

If your pet suffers from incontinence, kidney stones or crystals, talk to your vet about pumpkin seeds as a wholesome treat.

3) Weight Loss The high fiber and water content (90%), and low calories and fat in pumpkin can help your overweight pet slim down.

Replace a little of their food with pumpkin. It tastes great. And even though you’ve cut calories and fat, the fiber helps your pet feel full.

24 4 Legs & a Tail

4) Nutrient Dense Pumpkin is not only high in fiber and low in fat and calories, it’s full of nutrients.

The omega-3 fatty acids found in pumpkin are good for the skin and coat.

Omega-3s have anti-inflammatory benefits as well. My post Omega-3 Fatty Acids… Your Pet Needs Them Too! talks all about that.

Pumpkins are loaded with beta-carotene (cancer fighting), magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, manganese, copper, and Vitamins A and C. So although there’s no documented science that pumpkin is beneficial to the immune system, it seems logical that it couldn’t hurt.

Beware… some of these vitamins and minerals can be toxic though if levels get too high. So never give your pet more than a teaspoon or two of pumpkin a day. And always check first with your vet to be sure it’s okay for them to have it.

5) Hairballs Are hairballs a problem for your cat?

Well, pumpkin’s a natural solution. The fiber helps move hairballs through the cat’s digestive tract. And if your cat eats pumpkin regularly, it can prevent hairballs from forming in the first place.

6) Hydration If your pet eats dry kibble, their bodies need to secrete more gastric acid and pancreatic enzymes for digestion than with wet food. Adding a moisture rich food like pumpkin to dry kibble reduces the dehydrating effect.

Continued Next Page

Fall 2017

How do you make pumpkin edible for your pet?

Well, definitely don’t feed it to them raw.

Cook it or buy it canned. But if you buy the canned stuff, be sure it’s just pureed pumpkin. Don’t buy pumpkin pie filling. It’s loaded with sugar, spices, preservatives and fat, which can all add up to stomach upset for your pet.

If you’re going to cook fresh pumpkin, it’s simple. Cut the pumpkin into small pieces. Cut off the pith and the seeds. Put the pumpkin skin-side down in a roasting pan. Add ¼ inch of water and bake uncovered for 1 hour or until tender at 300 degrees. When the pumpkin’s cool, cut off the skin and mash or puree the flesh.

To feed the seeds, cook them on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray.

Roast them at 375 degrees for 5 - 10 minutes. Let them cool and then give only 1 or 2 a day as a treat. They are high in fat which can cause diarrhea if you give your pet too many. Store the leftovers in an airtight container.

Because pumpkins are big and canned pumpkin is plentiful too, you can end up throwing most of it away if you don’t plan.

Pumpkin puree will only last a week in the fridge. And since you will only give your pet about a teaspoon a day, a good amount will end up in the garbage

Fall 2017

the end of the week. But here’s what you can do.

Use ice cube trays to make individual daily servings. Once frozen, separate a weeks worth into small containers.

Then each week defrost one container at a time.

If you freeze the pumpkin puree, be

sure to mix it when it defrosts because the water will separate from the pulp.

You can feed your pet a teaspoon of pumpkin by itself as a treat, or mix it in with their food. But get the okay to add pumpkin and find out the right amount from your vet. Otherwise, you may end up with a case of diarrhea.

www.4LegsAndATail.com 25

O

ne of my favorite episodes of the Twilight Zone was written by Earl Hamner Jr. and aired in 1962. I could share the story, but I think Rod Serling would do it best...

"An old man and a hound-dog named Rip, off for an evening's pleasure in quest of raccoon. Usually, these evenings end with one tired old man, one battle-scarred hound dog, and one or more extremely dead raccoons, but as you may suspect, that will not be the case tonight. These hunters won't be coming home from the hill. They're headed for the backwoods—of The Twilight Zone."

Hyder Simpson is an elderly mountain man who lives with his wife Rachel and his hound dog Rip in the backwoods. Rachel does not like having the dog indoors, but Rip saved Hyder's life once and Hyder refuses to part with him. Rachel has seen some bad omens recently and warns Hyder not to go raccoon hunting that night. When Rip dives into a pond after a raccoon, Hyder jumps in after him. Only the raccoon comes up out of the water. The next morning, Hyder and Rip wake up next to the pond. When they return home, Hyder finds that Rachel, the preacher, and the neighbors cannot hear or see him, and are tending to the burial of both him and Rip. Walking along the road, Hyder and Rip encounter an unfamiliar fence and follow it. They come to a gate tended by a man, who explains that Hyder can enter the Elysian Fields of the afterlife. Told that Rip cannot enter and will be taken to a special afterlife for dogs, Hyder angrily declines the offer of entry and decides to keep walking along the "Eternity Road," saying, "Any place that's too highfalutin for Rip is too fancy for me."

Later, Hyder and Rip stop to rest and are met by a young man, who introduces himself as an angel dispatched to find them and bring them to Heaven. When Hyder recounts his previous encounter, the angel tells him that the gate is actually the entrance to Hell. The gatekeeper had stopped Rip from entering because Rip would have smelled the brimstone inside and warned Hyder that something was wrong. The angel says, "You see, Mr. Simpson, a man, well, he'll walk right into Hell with both eyes open. But even the Devil can't fool a dog!" As the angel leads Hyder along the Eternity Road toward Heaven, he tells Hyder that a square dance and raccoon hunt are scheduled for that night. He also assures Hyder that Rachel, who will soon be coming along the road, will not be misled into entering Hell.

"Travelers to unknown regions would be well advised to take along the family dog. He could just save you from entering the wrong gate. At least, it happened that way once—in a mountainous area of the Twilight Zone."

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Fall 2017

The Cat Who Came for Thanksgiving O

ur house and garage always seemed to attract strange cats. They would find the cat door in our basement, enter and hide there, terrorizing our own cats. One November, a shy tiger cat became a regular, sneaking up the basement stairs to help himself to the cat food on our basement stair landing, but scooting away if we tried to lure him closer. One night we saw him in the basement covered in oil that he must have gotten into in our neighbor’s repair shop.

pe t s in cost ume

Bathing a Stray Cat Is No Fun! Knowing that the oil or whatever he had gotten into would not come off by itself, we cornered the cat in our basement and wrapped him in old t-shirts while we gave him a bath – no easy task, let me tell you! Because he was soaking wet and sickly looking, we locked him in our bathroom with food, water and a litter box for a few hours until he dried off. Try as we might, we could not get him to trust us, and ended up letting him go back down into our basement where he found his way back out into the cold November night again.

A Surprise Thanksgiving Visitor But the most interesting part of this story was yet to come. A few days later, our family gathered in our dining room for Thanksgiving dinner. It was our first family dinner together since our son and his family moved to our town, and our grandson was telling us how much he missed his cat that had been gone for more than a month in spite of all their efforts to find him.

A Boy and His Cat Are Reunited As Stevie spoke, our stray tiger cat walked up from our basement and stood there staring at him. Stevie spied him and said, “That’s my Cat!” and, sure enough, Tiger walked in to greet his young owner. We’ll never know if he negotiated the small river that flowed between us, or if he followed the road over bridges to get to our house. But somehow this remarkable cat knew that we were a safe haven and that it would only be a matter of time until his master came to claim him.

Mrs. Doubtfire A

litter of abandoned kittens were found huddling together with their cat “mom,” but when the rescuers came they were surprised to discover that their “mama” was not a mom at all.

Homeless Animal Adoption League (HAAL), a rescue in Bloomfield, New Jersey, received a call about kittens abandoned in a laundry basket on a curb.

The caller was walking home when he discovered the kittens. The weather was getting colder by the minute and it had started to rain. “He said (the kittens) seemed to be placed there by someone,” the rescue group said.

They quickly sent out rescuers. “With GPS in hand we found the street. Once we parked we started walking and in seconds, we saw a recycling container on the curb.”

They found an adult cat cuddling with the kittens, trying to keep them warm, and thought it must be their mom. The cat calmly looked up to the rescuers as if to say “Thank you for finding us.”

“We covered the container with a blanket and off to HAAL we went. To our surprise there were not four but six kittens,” the rescue group said.

The furry family looked healthy with no infections or cold. The fur babies were all eating on their own. It was apparent that the kittens had been well taken care of before the rescuers came.

When they took a close look at the sweet feline family, they got quite a surprise.

It turned out that the mom was not a mom at all. She was a he! That sweet cat taking care of those little babies was a male. He could have been the dad or a big brother from another litter, but to those little kittens he was their protector and surrogate mom. He groomed them and gently played with each one.”

They named him Mrs. Doubtfire.

Fall 2017

www.4LegsAndATail.com 27

The Dundee Cat T

his is an old Scottish folktale.

The moral of the story? Be careful what you wish for.

In an attic room in Dundee town This poor old woman spread the tale around She lived fifty years in her old top flat With no other company than her old tom cat Well, I hope so, say so, fifty years in an old top flat...

Now one night they sat by the fire quite glum When who do you think come down her lum (chimney) “I’m your fairy Godmother, have no fear To grant three wishes they sent me here” Well, I hope so, say so, I’m your fairy Godmother have no fear...

The old woman looked down at her empty purse I could always use some cash of course The fairy waved her wand around And lying on the floor was a thousand pounds Well, I hope so, say so, the fairy waved her wand around...

Now a lovely face and a figure divine For just one night I wish were mine The fairy says, “I’ll have a go” She made her look like Bridgette Bardot Well, I hope so, say so, the fairy says I’ll have a go...

This lovely girl by the fire she sat She turned her attention to the old tom cat “He’s my only love and here’s my plan Tonight change the cat into a handsome man” Well, I hope so, say so, he’s my only love and here’s my plan...

This handsome man at last drew near And he whispered softly in her ear “The night is young but you’ll regret the day you had me “fixed” by the vet...!!!”

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Fall 2017

FR

EE

Celebrate National Cat Day Soccer Star Christian Press & Morena Careers in Equine Veterans and Their Dogs Are you ready for the next round of ticks?

Western Vermont Autumn 2017