Rutland Winter 2015

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Winter Wonderland 2016 Western Vermont

What Is Your Pet IQ? The Truth About Pet Obesity Welcome 2016 With Great Goals For Pet Owners What Is Your Dog Really Thinking?

4 LEGS & A TAIL FUN! What 5 Things Are Different?

Pom Pom on kids hat, Dog's Foot, Kid's Boot, Yellow stripe on dog's collar, Trees in upper right corner

So What Brand Are You Feeding Your Pet?

GAZTUNIER IIOAACLNRF TUNALRAS NSSEELLW ELAGE NANETUR LIOPUN ORTUN

A guy is driving around the back woods of New Hampshire and he sees a sign in front of a broken down shanty-style house: ‘Talking Dog For Sale' He rings the bell and the owner appears and tells him the dog is in the backyard.

The guy goes into the backyard and sees a nice looking Labrador retriever sitting there.

‘You talk?’ he asks.

‘Yep,’ the Lab replies.

After the guy recovers from the shock of hearing a dog talk, he says ‘So, what’s your story?’

The Lab looks up and says, ‘Well, I discovered that I could talk when I was pretty young. I wanted to help the government, so... I told the CIA. In no time at all they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders, because no one figured a dog would be eavesdropping.’

‘I was one of their most valuable spies for eight years running...But the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn’t getting any younger so I decided to settle down. I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security, wandering near suspicious characters and listening in. I uncovered some incredible dealings and was awarded a batch of medals.’

‘I got married, had a mess of puppies, and now I’m just retired.’

The guy is amazed. He goes back in and asks the owner what he wants for the dog.

‘Ten dollars,’ the guy says.

‘Ten dollars? This dog is amazing! Why on earth are you selling him so cheap?’

Because he’s a liar. He’s never been out of the yard!

Submitted by Wendell Nadeau

Zignature, California Naturals, Wellness, Eagle, Nutrena, Poulin, Nutro

Inside this issue of 4 Legs & a Tail

®

Pg. 2

2. Roll Out the Red Carpet for Tom Turkey

2016 calendar dog finds a new home in Vermont 3. Winter Allergies, Stewart Ketcham, DVM

Like people, pets can also develop allergies this time of year

How well do you know animals?

The dangers lurking in your yard

The importance of “playing nice” with our furry friends

Why it’s vital you read the label!

5. Avoiding Collisions with Wildlife, Nancee Schaffner 6. What is Your Pet IQ?

8. Keep Pets Warm and Safe When It’s cold Outside, Robert Macpherson, DVM 9. Teaching Kids About Cats,

10. Dog Toxicant Xylitol Appearing in Peanut Butter, M. Kathleen Shaw, DVM 10. New Year’s Resolutions for Pet owners 11. Abraham Lincoln’s Dog, Fido, Kate Kelly

With Presidents Day around the corner, we take a look at the Great Emancipator’s dog

A look at one of the state’s most popular events

$34 million in vet bills related to overweight pets. Want to save some money this year?

Where do sweaters come from?

The true Antartic adventure of Bravo and his owner Dartmouth graduate Jack Tuck

February is National Dental Month. Make an appointment for your dog.

A green- eyed Romeo meets the purr-fect women

12. The History of the Vermont Farm Show

14. Taking a Bite Out of Obesity, Millie Armstrong, DVM 16. Sweater Weather, Betty Berlenback

18. Bravo for Bravo, Sarah Tuck Gillens

20. Dexter’s Day at the Dentist, Carol Gifford, DVM 22. Love at the Hairdresser’s, Tanya Sousa

Pg. 16

23. Winter Horse care Considerations, Heather Hoyns, DVM 25. Donny and the Haypile, H.M. Howard

A horse with attitude

A happy aquarium begins with good nutrition

Emotional sensors will help you understand your pups’ feelings

26. Helping the Birds in Your backyard Durning the

Cold Winter Months, Catherine Greenleaf 27. We Are What We Eat, DJ Nelson 20. The Secret Lives of Dogs, Michael Walsh Pg. 26

4 Legs & a Tail Volume R.415

Publishers: Tim Goodwin, Tim Hoehn Senior Editor: Scott Palzer

P.O. Box 841

Office Manager: Beth Hoehn

Lebanon, NH 03766

Accounting: Elisa Speckert

603-727-9214 TimH.4LT@gmail.com Winter 2015

Graphic Design: Monica Reinfeld, Lacey Dardis Sales: Pat Pockette

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 area.

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.

www.4LegsAndATail.com 1

Roll Out the Red Carpet for Tom Turkey T

here’s no hobble and no gobble, but this Tom Turkey is settling into his new home in Vermont just fine. After traveling nearly 2,000 miles, this disabled Labrador-mix was welcomed with open arms after his year-long stay at the Humane Society of Western Montana.

Tom Turkey, named for his birthday close to Thanksgiving, suffers from a neurological disorder that affects his ability to walk. When he and his two siblings, Green Bean and Pumpkin Pie, were brought to this ‘big sky’ shelter, the Humane Society of Western Montana, they were just five weeks old. With his chances of adoption slim, Tom’s big break came after he was named a winner in the 2016 HandicappedPets.com calendar contest.

With his worldwide notoriety, Tom

Hayden, enjoying winter last year in VT.

2 4 Legs & a Tail

Tom Turkey, eager to make new friends in Mendon, VT

caught the eye of Tracey Fowler of Mendon, VT. Though she had never met Tom, she fell in love with his warm, brown eyes and was excited to adopt. Ironically, her German Shepherd, Hayden, was also a disabled dog and finalist for the calendar.

For the friends Tom left behind in Montana, the farewell was bittersweet.

“I can’t imagine a better home for him.

I’ve learned so much from him; determination, positive attitude and limitations; and the things that can help those limitations, like a cart.” explained Lora O’Conner, the shelter’s Executive Director.

The generosity of those who only knew Tom from a website was instrumental for his trip the Green Mountain state.

“All I can say is, Thank You, from the bottom of my heart,” said a grateful Tracey Fowler. “There are no words for what people have done to make this happen.”

According to the shelter’s Director of Development, Emily Adamson, “At the beginning, a lot of people questioned why we keep these dogs alive. But if you look at Tom and you meet Tom - he’s happy.

The cart is what helps him get around, he doesn’t know any different and he’s not in pain.”

While we are so excited that Tom Turkey will be a 2016 HandicappedPets. com calendar dog, one thing is for sure... he couldn’t have found a better home.

Welcome to Vermont!

Winter 2015

Winter es Allergi Dr. Stewart Ketcham, DVM.

I’m itchy all over from head to toe, The fleas are all gone, so I don’t know.

My hair’s falling out, bald spots now appear.

Could this be an allergy?

Oh my, Oh dear!

I know summer itch is a more common thing, But it’s Winter now, we’re almost to spring, Is it possible for allergies to be present with snow?

Yes it is, read on, learn what you should know!

If itching all over was not bad enough Allergies can cause wheezes, sneezes ‘n snuff.

Here Are Some Things To Consider Regarding Allergies.

What Causes Allergies?

It is the immune system reacting to foreign proteins (the allergen) in the body.

Just as it responds to disease organisms, the immune system of your dog makes antibodies against “non-dog” proteins. Similarly, cats react to “non-cat” proteins.

How do these proteins get into the body?

They can be inhaled, ingested or enter via injections or the broken skin.

Sometimes “contact” with the more hairless part of your pet’s body can result in an allergic reaction.

What makes winter allergies different from summer allergies?

The mechanism of the allergic reaction is the same for both. Some allergens are present, or more prevalent, ONLY in winter (seasonal). Others are present in winter as well as summer, and we call these “non-seasonal” or “year round” allergies.

Some examples of non-seasonal allergens are dust mites (the mite is the protein and lives on dust particles), food proteins, animal dander, molds & medications.

This is a picture of a dust mite. The dead mite or its digestive products are inhaled and can cause skin or respiratory allergies. It is NOT a parasite which bites pets or people.

QUIZ #1: Is a flea allergy a reaction to fleas?

ANSWER: No, the allergen is flea saliva which has been injected by the flea, where How can one know what is causing it binds to a protein (a hapten), and triggers an allergic reaction that can last for months after the fleas have been eliminated. It’s better to say “Flea Bite Allergy”. each sign?

There are so many choices to accept QUIZ #2: Do “snow fleas” cause flea allergy reactions in winter?

ANSWER: No. Actually these insects called “springtails” hop like fleas, hence the or decline. name. They don’t bite and they’re not parasites.

It might take some sleuthing, an

exam and a test For your neighborhood vet to help pets find some rest.

Winter 2015

Continued NEXT PAGE

www.4LegsAndATail.com 3

WORDS OF CAUTION: “Diagnosing allergic reactions is not always easy, ask your veterinarian!”

• Not all skin itches are allergies (mites: scabies and others, lice, seborrhea, dry skin, etc.)

• Many respiratory problems are NOT from allergies.

• Most causes of diarrhea are NOT food allergies (but some are).

INGESTED ALLERGENS: These can cause skin itch, hives, ear itch (and often secondary yeast infections), anal sac itch, diarrhea or vomiting (because the allergen triggers IBD- Inflammatory Bowel Disease).

• Food Proteins: your pet is most likely to be allergic to a food it has been eating for a long time (pet allergies are acquired through long term or repeat exposure to the allergen). If your pet is allergic to “chicken protein” it can be any manufacturer’s brand of food andperfectly nutritious to any pet which is NOT allergic.

SOLUTION: Ask your veterinarian to guide you to an EFFECTIVE “novel protein” diet or a “hydrolyzed protein” diet • Medications: especially if flavored with animal proteins: Eg Heartworm Medication.

QUIZ: Will Raw Food Diets cure Food allergy?

ANSWER: Nope! Chicken - raw, cooked or in pet diets is still chicken, and will trigger a “chicken protein” allergy.

INHALED ALLERGENS: These can cause skin itch, ear itch, and respiratory disease such as Asthma (wheezing), Rhinitis (sneezing), Bronchitis (coughing) and conjunctivitis (red runny eyes).

• Pollens (in summer, or year-round in the south) • Secondary cigarette smoke (can be allergenic or irritant) • Dust mites, aerosols (including cosmetics and pet sprays),molds, kitty litter, catnip • Possibly Cat Dander (an allergen for your dog?) or Dog Dander (an allergen for your cat?)

INJECTED ALLERGENS: can cause skin itch, hives, facial swelling (ears, lips, eyelids) • Insect venom (bees, etc. in summer) (spiders possibly in basements in winter) • Flea saliva (as mentioned above) • Medications, Vaccines • Some plant venoms?

CONTACT ALLERGENS: • Poison Ivy is a question mark. But pets can transfer it on their coat to people.

• Wool carpets?

• Laundry detergents in fabric TREATMENT: • Avoid the allergen which is being inhaled or ingested (not always easy) • Suppress Itch: antihistamines, Omega 3-6 Fatty Acids a natural anti-inflammatory • Suppress immune system (the allergic reaction): drugs (corticosteroids, cyclosporine, others) Many have side effects, but this class is the most effective • Adjunctive: shampoos, lotions, topical anti-inflammatory medications • Inhalers work well for some respiratory allergies and many pets tolerate them.

See photo.

Food Allergies Food allergies tend not to be seasonal, and signs are usually seen year-round. The most obvious indicator of a food allergy is that the signs clear up when the responsible ingredient is removed from the diet.

A so-called “elimination diet” is the only proven way to determine which food is affecting a pet. Elimination diets consist of ingredients that haven’t been offered to the pet in the past, called “novel” ingredients. Many commercial therapeutic diets are available to offer hard-to-find protein sources.

The elimination diet can be thought of as a diagnostic test that may last up to 12 weeks. This test takes so long because the allergen may continue to stimulate your pet’s immune system for weeks after it is eliminated from the diet. The elimination diet will be the only food that a pet is allowed to eat during the trial period. During this time, no other food or treats may be fed unless they are restricted to the same “novel” ingredients in the elimination diet. Rawhide (usually made of cowhide), pig’s ears, and any other chew items or toys should also be avoided if they contain other ingredients. Claire O’Brien at Castleton Pet Supply has been helping her clients with this process for years. The local veterinarians send clients to her regularly to help them. She is an invaluable resource in different foods in the store, their ingredients and how to go about the process.

It bears mentioning that blood tests for food allergies are widely available and may be helpful in helping guide the choice of an elimination diet. Unfortunately, recent thinking in dermatology circles suggests these tests are too nonspecific and insensitive to replace the elimination diet as the gold standard test for food allergies in pets.

4 4 Legs & a Tail

Winter 2015

Avoiding Collisions With Wildlife O

Nancee Schaffner, RADART

ne out of every 17 car collisions involves wildlife. Between 2001 and 2011 approximately 2000 of these involved a fatality. Night get longer during the winter months and this increases the risk for road collisions with wildlife. When there is ice there may be salt, which may attract the wildlife to the road. Here are some tips to help avoid being one of those statistics.

Heed animal crossing warning signs. These signs are in highly populated wildlife areas where crossings are most likely. Be extra vigilant and slow down.

Drive at a safe speed. Wildlife experts recommend that 55mph is an acceptable speed for wildlife areas in good weather conditions.

Go slower as weather deteriorates.

It gives you some reaction time to stop.

Be especially wary at dawn and dusk. Animals are more active during these times. It is also the hardest time for our eyes to adjust to the light to see well. At night use your high beams whenever possible.

Observe your surroundings. Creeks, swamps, and wetlands are attractants to deer and moose. Look ahead and scan both sides of the road. Look for reflecting eyes. If you spot an animal expect more than one. Many animals travel in groups.

Slow down when other cars are behaving differently. If you see flashing headlights, hear horns honking, or see people waving wildly, slow down and be ready to stop.

If you suddenly have an animal in front of your car, brake firmly. Do not swerve and leave your lane. This puts other cars at risk. Many accidents are not due to colliding with wildlife, but the result of driving into another car while trying to avoid the animal.

Keep all of your trash inside your car.

Throwing food out of your car not only pollutes the environment but attracts wild life to the roads.

Let’s keep ourselves and our wildlife safe!

Nancee Schaffner is president of the Rutland Area Disaster Response Team.

RADART is a non-profit dedicated to effective and efficient recovery and emergency management assistance for animals. www.radart.us Winter 2015

www.4LegsAndATail.com 5

What is Your Pet IQ

1. What is the most popular pedigreed cat breed?

Persian Russian blue

Siamese Maine coon

2. Which of these pets communicate by chirping?

Hermit crab Corn snake

Goldfish Rabbit

3. If an animal’s coat is “Piebald” or “Pied” what does that mean?

Spotted Tabby

All white Solid color

4. Which of these birds are a popular parrot?

Canary Finch

Parakeet All of the above

5. What percentage of U.S. households has a pet?

16 34

62 87

6. What are Sea Monkeys?

Brine shrimp Fish lice Tongue worms Spider crabs Continued NEXT PAGE

6 4 Legs & a Tail

Winter 2015

7. Which of these dog breeds is considered “hypoallergenic?”

Havanese Portuguese Water Dog

Poodle All of the above

8. Which of these pets has become an invasive species in the Unites States?

European rabbit Burmese python

Cockatiel Sugar glider

9. Where do golden hamsters live in the wild?

Central America Wilder, VT

African savanna Middle East

10. What is another name for a Siamese fighting fish?

Goldfish Tetra

Betta Molly

11. Which of these senses is the most acute for a dog?

Sight Hearing

Smell Taste

12. What historical figure was the first to introduce Japanese Akitas to the U.S.?

Ben Franklin Marilyn Monroe

13. When does a cat purr?

When it’s scared Content

Helen Keller Bernie Sanders In pain All of the above

14. What is unique about the many cats that live at writer Ernest Hemingway’s Key West home?

They are deaf They have no tail

They go swimming They have extra toes

15. Calico cats are almost always __________.

Male Female

16. It’s okay to give your pet acetaminophen (i.e. Tylenol)?

True False

Answers On Page 18

Winter 2015

www.4LegsAndATail.com 7

Keep Pets Warm and Safe When It’s Cold Outside Robert Macpherson, DVM - Rutland

W

inter in Vermont can be a lot of fun, for both people and their four-legged furry friends. Some dogs really enjoy spending time in the snow frolicking around and poking their noses deep into the snow to access all of the hidden smells and scents that they can find there. There are some things to remember, however, when it comes to keeping your pets warm and safe during the cold weather.

Hypothermia, or low body temperature, is a serious condition that can be avoided by protecting your pet from prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. Outdoor pets should be brought inside when the temperature drops below 20 degrees.

Puppies, kittens, and short-haired pets are more susceptible and should not be left outside for any length of time when the temperature is below 40 degrees. Puppies, kittens, elderly pets and sick pets are all at a higher risk of developing hypothermia.

Just because pets have fur, it doesn’t mean that they have adequate protection from freezing temperatures and wind. Even pets with thick, long fur are in danger of developing hypothermia if they are left out in the cold for too long. Depending on its severity, the symptoms of hypothermia can vary.

Symptoms may include depression, lethargy, shivering, weakness, low heart rate, fixed and dilated pupils or even coma. If pets absolutely must spend time outdoors during the cold weather, it is critical to provide them with appropriate outdoor housing.

This housing shouldn’t be too small or too large for the pet and it should be kept as warm as possible through proper insulation and wind proofing and

Dr. Rob & Friends

by providing warm material for bedding like blankets, towels, hay or straw. Access to thawed drinking water at all times is also extremely important. Avoid using metal bowls when the temperature is below freezing, however, because pets’ tongues can stick to the cold metal and cause injury.

Frostbite, or damage to body tissue when there has been exposure to freezing temperatures for too long, is another concern. Below zero temperatures can cause frostbite of the feet, tail, nose or ears even with short-term exposure. Both cats and dogs are in danger of getting frostbite. This is because their bodies conserve blood in an attempt to protect the main internal organs by reducing the amount of blood flow to these extremities. Remove ice and snow from your pet’s paws right away to help prevent frostbite. Signs of frostbite are not always immediately noticeable. Sometimes it can take several days before the signs of frostbite become detectable. Signs of frostbite can include pain, swelling, discoloration, and blistering and/or peeling of the skin on the feet, tail and ears.

If you notice any signs of hypothermia or frostbite in your pet, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

Icy and slippery surfaces are as dangerous for pets as they are for people, as falling or slipping on the ice can cause injury. Also try to protect your pet’s paws from rough, icy surfaces and the icy crust that forms on top of snow, as these surfaces can cause cuts or abrasions. Remove any clumps of snow and ice from your pet’s feet after he has spent time outside.

Salt and chemicals that are used to melt snow and ice on roads and sideContinued NEXT PAGE

8 4 Legs & a Tail

Winter 2015

walks can not only hurt your pet’s feet, but they can also be poisonous if ingested by your pet when he licks his paws. To help prevent this, rinse your pet’s paws off with lukewarm water as soon as possible after exposure. This would also be a good time for you to check your pet’s feet for any cuts or abrasions.

People often need to add antifreeze to their cars during the winter.

Any antifreeze that is spilled or leaked onto the ground is an extreme danger to pets. Both cats and dogs are attracted by the sweet taste of antifreeze and ingesting even a small amount can be deadly, especially if they are not treated immediately. Clean up any spilled antifreeze immediately and store antifreeze in safely sealed containers that are not accessible to your pet.

Consider keeping your dog on a leash around bodies of water to prevent him from falling through the ice into the freezing water should there be any breach in the ice surface.

Outdoor cats often take advantage of the warmth of a parked car’s engine. They may hide underneath the car or even inside the engine compartment. To avoid the risk of serious injury or even death, loudly rap on the hood or honk the horn to warn any cats that may be present BEFORE you start your car.

More dogs get lost during the winter than any other season. Some dogs may panic during a snow storm and run away. Dogs can also lose track of scent trails and become disoriented in the snow. Make sure your dog has current identification tags and a microchip to increase the likelihood that he will be returned to you should he become lost.

Keeping these things in mind can help keep your pet both warm and safe during the winter season and make it as enjoyable as possible for them.

Dr. Macpherson graduated from Ontario Veterinary College in 1992 and has worked in Vermont since 1999.

His passion is surgery and he specializes in orthopedic issues like cranial cruciate ligament disease and knee cap luxation repairs, as well as more advanced soft tissue surgeries.

He knows his success is owed in large part to having a tremendous team of individuals who share the passion for providing animals and their owners the very best in medical and surgical care at Rutland Clinic & Surgical Center.

Winter 2015

Teaching Kids About Cats

A family cat can bring endless joy to a household, but it is important to teach children of all ages how to appropriately interact with their furry friend.

Whereas with older children you can have a simple conversation, younger children often have a harder time grasping how to properly handle and play with a cat.

Younger children are more likely to unintentionally play rough and take their frustrations out on people or pets. If your children are too young to understand spoken instructions on “playing nice” then your best bet is to lead by example.

Teach Your Child Respect Teaching your child to respect all creatures is a gift for both child and cat.

You know when your cat is scared or overwhelmed. Let your child know the cat wishes to be left alone, not touched when sleeping, and to respect the kitty’s feelings.

Play Modeling the behavior you want will show your child how to “play nice.”

Have your child watch you play and speak gently to the cat. Then have them do it as you supervise.

Safety Showing your child how to handle the cat will keep them both safe.

Explain that cats do not feel secure when ‘big people’ suddenly pick them up. If age appropriate, show them the proper way to pick up and hold your cat with their arm under the cat’s bottom. Explain that this should only be done when you are there to supervise.

Care Letting your child help care for your cat by giving her/him age appropriate tasks will allow the two to form a bond.

Even a very young child can help with feeding when supervised. Make sure to let your child know what you are doing and why it is important.

For more information visit www.catvets.org

www.4LegsAndATail.com 9

Dog Toxicant Xylitol Appearing in Peanut Butters

By M. Kathleen Shaw, DVM - Vermont Veterinary Medical Association

E

very dog owner knows the challenge of medicating a dog with pills that taste bad. Most people hide the pill in cheese, deli meat, or peanut butter. What you need to know is that many peanut butter manufacturers have started using xylitol to sweeten their product. Xylitol is toxic to dogs.

Xylitol is a sweetener that until now has been used primarily in sugar free gums and candies, baked goods, desserts, toothpaste, and other oral care products in the United States. It is increasingly found in some over the counter items that are prescribed by veterinarians including certain antihistamines, fish oil, melatonin, and Vitamin B12. Beyond its use as a sweetener, xylitol also can be used to preserve moisture and is used in non-food products such as shampoos and lotions. Humans can consume xylitol with no problem but because of differences in metabolism, it can be toxic to dogs. (Xylitol is toxic to cats too; we just don’t see as many toxicities because cats tend to be choosier about what they eat.)

The number of xylitol poisonings in dogs is on the rise. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control center reports that since they started tracking calls in 2007, the number of cases has more than doubled to over 3,727. The actual number is likely much higher since some veterinarians have treated enough cases that they no longer need to call the center for guidance. When dogs ingest xylitol, it causes a rapid increase in insulin which can cause a serious drop in blood sugar. This can lead to vomiting, weakness, staggering, and seizures within 30-60 minutes of consuming even small quantities of xylitol. It can also lead to liver failure.

If you suspect your pet has ingested a xylitol containing product, call your veterinarian immediately. Do not attempt to remedy the situation at home. Prevention includes keeping pets away from xylitol containing products. Known companies that add xylitol to peanut butters include Go Nuts, Hank’s Protein Plus Peanut Butter, Krusch Nutrition, Nuts ‘n More, and P28.

Because xylitol can appear in other products and under other names, be on the lookout for any ingredient that includes the letters “ xyl” and keep those products away from your pets.

New Year’s Resolutions for Pet Owners O

ur pets provide us with so much unconditional love that we should find ways to improve our relationship with them in the coming year. One way is to include them in our New Year’s resolutions.

At the top of almost everyone’s resolution list is to exercise and lose weight. Why not let your pet help you keep that promise? Like their humans, many pets are overweight or obese.

Increasing walks and play time will not only help weight loss, but it can help prevent medical and behavior issues. (A tired dog is a good dog!) Studies show that dogs kept close to their optimal weight will live on average two years longer and have fewer health problems than their obese counterparts.

Saving money is another popular resolution. Pet owners can save money by keeping pets up to date on vaccinations and parasite prevention. It costs less to prevent disease than to treat it.

Likewise, if your pet is injured or ill, don’t procrastinate: delaying veterinary care not only results in unnecessary suffering for your pet, it can lead to higher expenses.

Consider investing in pet insurance or a pet health savings plan as the New Year begins. No one ever expects Fido to slip his lead and get hit by a car but it can happen, and having a fund set aside for pet emergencies can help prevent “economic euthanasia”.

Volunteering is on many people’s resolution list. You can keep that promise by volunteering your time at your local animal rescue or shelter. Walking the dogs, playing with the cats, or even fostering an expectant mother are always appreciated and can be a fun way for you to introduce your children to volunteering.

Finally, a great resolution for all pet owners is to discuss all aspects of their pets’ care with their veterinarian before acting on information found online. “Dr. Google” can provide a lot of misinformation and bad advice. Your veterinarians are the true health experts, and are happy to answer your questions and concerns.

The Vermont Veterinary Medical Association (VVMA), founded in 1898, is a professional organization of 340 veterinarians dedicated to compassionate animal care and quality medicine.

Winter 2015 10 4 Legs & a Tail

Abraham Lincoln’s Dog, Fido

By Kate Kelly

W hile living in Springfield, Illinois, the Lincoln family had several animals including a dog named Fido (ca. 1855-

1865). Fido was a yellow, mixed-breed dog who was said to accompany Lincoln when he went into town, sometimes carrying a parcel home from the market for Lincoln, or Fido would wait outside the barbershop while Lincoln went in for a trim.

When Lincoln was elected president, the occasion was acknowledged locally with great celebration. Fido was quit terrified by the booming cannons, the fireworks, the ringing of the local church bells and the sounds of the excited community.

This gave Lincoln pause when he considered taking Fido with the family to Washington.

The family ultimately decided to make an arrangement to leave Fido in the care of another family. A carpenter, John Roll, who had done some work for the Lincolns, had two sons who were a little younger than Tad and Willy. The Roll family agreed to take responsibility for Fido. They also promised the Lincolns that the dog would be returned to them when the Lincolns came home from Washington.

Fido Was Accustomed to the Run of the House Fido was very much a “house dog” and the President specified that Fido was to be allowed to come into the Roll family home; if his paws were muddy, Fido should not be scolded for it.

The Lincolns had always shared table scraps with Fido at mealtime, so the Lincolns also asked that Fido be permitted to join the Roll family at mealtimes as well.

Fido slept on a favorite sofa. Arrange-ments were made to leave this horsehair sofa with the Roll family so that Fido would have every reason to feel at home. It is unclear when the photo of Fido was taken. It may have been taken before the Lincolns departed for the White House. Perhaps they wanted a memento of their beloved dog. However recently, it has been speculated that Fido’s photo was taken after the assassination. The town was overrun by people who arrived for the funeral, and visitors wanted to buy items related to Lincoln. A townsperson may have decided that that a photo of Fido would sell well.

Either explanation leaves us with the undeniable fact that we have the first photo ever taken of a Presidential dog.

A couple of years after Lincoln had assumed the presidency, the barber wrote a letter to the president, filling him in on local happenings. He added: “Tell Taddy that his (and Willy’s) Dog is alive and Kicking, doing well, he stays mostly at John E. Roll’s with his Boys who are about the size now that Tad and Willy were when they left for Washington.”

Fido at the Funeral Fido was still living with the Rolls family when Lincoln was assassinated. When the funeral was held, mourners stopped in at the Lincoln family home in Springfield to pay their respects.

The Roll family brought Fido there to say good-bye to his master, too.

At the time, photographs were sometimes copied and made into carte-de-visite (calling cards of a sort which were very popular during the Civil War when family members wanted to be Winter 2015

remembered). Shortly after Lincoln’s death, the photo of Fido was reproduced as a carte-de-visite and sold to souvenir collectors.

Fido is Killed Within the year of Lincoln’s death, Fido himself was killed.

John Roll wrote of Fido’s sad fate: “We possessed the dog for a number of years when one day the dog, in a playful manner, put his dirty paws upon a drunken man sitting on the street curbing [who] in his drunken rage, thrust a knife into the body of poor old Fido. He was buried by loving hands. So Fido, just a poor yellow dog met the fate of his illustrious master- Assassination.”

Other Animals in the Lincoln White House Nanny and Nanko were two goats kept at the Lincoln White House. The boys liked hitching the goats to carts—or even kitchen chairs—and being pulled around. The goats were not always popular with the White House staff as they tended to chew up things that they weren’t supposed to.

The boys also had ponies and some white rabbits, and Tad became very attached to a turkey that was being raised for Christmas dinner. At Tad’s behest, Lincoln had little choice but to spare the turkey. The turkey lived on with the Lincolns as a pet, and Tad gave him full run of the White House. (Lincoln’s own childhood was filled with fear and disappointment, so he chose to raise his boys with much more leniency.)

Lincoln himself was particularly fond of cats. According to the staff at Abraham Lincoln’s birthplace, if Mary Lincoln was asked about whether her husband had a hobby, she was very likely to answer “cats.”

In March of 1865 as the Civil War was winding down and all the requirements of rebuilding the country were being presented to the President. He would frequently sit at the telegraph office in Washington so he could send and receive messages easily. While there one day, Lincoln became distracted by three stray kittens. When he was informed that the kittens’ mother had died, he sat with them on his lap for a few minutes and then before he left, he made certain someone there committed to taking care of them.

Lincoln called his horse, Old Bob. In the funeral procession, Old Bob, wearing a mourning blanket with silver fringe, walked immediately after the hearse carrying the President’s body.

For more stories like this one, please visit www.americacomesalive.com where many other dog stories have been published. On the website, you may also sign up for regular mailings of upcoming dog stories. www.4LegsAndATail.com 11

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History Of The Vermont Farm Show

he Vermont Farm Show was formed by the old Vermont Dairymen’s Association and Maple Sugar Makers’ Association meeting.

In 1930, Memorial Auditorium in Burlington was a few years old, and the Dairymen’s and Maple Sugar Makers’ winter meetings were held there.

Orlando Martin was Secretary of the Dairymen’s Association. He published a program containing a few advertisements and sold exhibit space to a half dozen dairy and farm equipment people in the basement of the Auditorium.

Income from advertising and exhibit space covered program

speaker expenses, printing expenses of the booklet and shared in program expenses for the Wives and Daughters of Vermont Dairymen.

In late 1930, Orlando Martin asked Harold Dwinell, Director of the Department of Agriculture, Division of Markets, to exhibit in the basement of the Auditorium. Commissioner of Agriculture, Edward H. Jones, considered it an opportunity for the new Division of Markets.

1930 sugar makers were just beginning to use glass for packing syrup; potato growers experimented packing potatoes in 15 pound bags;and poultry farmers were beginning to use egg cartons. Mr. Dwinell displayed special glass syrup bottles; potatoes in special burlap peck bags; eggs in 3x4 and 2x6 cartons colored and marked; and Macintosh apples in baskets of peck size. .

Mr. Dwinell discussed a products competition with Commissioner Jones and prominent Vermont agriculturists.

The consensus: “Let’s go!”

Soliciting active farm organizations soon had $100 from Farm Bureau, Grange, Horticulture, Society, Potato Growers Association, the Maple Sugar Makers’, Dairymen’s Associations, and a few individuals.

The Vermont Farm Products Contest was launched in 1932, three years before the first Vermont Farm Show. About 50 entries were displayed outside the ropes of the fighting ring in the Burlington Memorial Auditorium basement.

Extension Service, Experiment Station and Department of Agriculture personnel were judges.

Family members of exhibitors, relatives and friends, came to see how their entries made out. Meetings of the dairyman and sugar makers were the largest ever. Potato growers, then Poultry and apple growers asked “Why can’t we have a program?” Discussions led to the belief that there should be a new overall organization to operate the whole affair, all Vermont farm enterprise organizations could participate.

UVM Agricultural College Dean, Joseph Carrigan and Commissioner Jones pulled the agricultural enterprise organizations in Vermont into a council to hold a large mid-winter show, Ed Jones was the moving spirit in bringing it about.

Mr. Carrigan, Commissioner Jones and Harold Dwinell can rightfully be called the founders of the Vermont Farm Show. Their efforts led to the formation of the Vermont Union Agricultural Council, organized to unify agricultural organizations in conducting a winter agricultural meeting, in which member organizations could participate. Its chief objective was the Farm Products Show and a commercial and educational exhibit of farm and home equipment and supplies.

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The first Union Agricultural Program was held in Burlington January 1935.

Council members were the Vermont Dairymen’s Association, Vermont Maple Sugar Makers’ Association, Vermont Poultry and Egg Producers’ Association, Vermont Certified Seed Potato Growers’ Association and Vermont Horticultural Society. Executive delegates were the President and Secretary of each organization, the Commissioner of Agriculture and the Director of the Extension Service, with Director of the Bureau of Markets as general manager. The 1935 meetings were a success, member organizations participated in the program and with an educational exhibit. All exhibit space was used by commercial concerns.

In 1938, The Vermont Agricultural Extension Service noted that the Vermont Farm Products Show was having a pronounced effect throughout the state in stimulating the production of quality hay. During 1937, hay instruction had been added to the agricultural curriculum statewide. 65 samples of hay were judged at the show in 4 classes, Timothy, Timothy-Clover, Alfalfa and mixed hay.

In conjunction with the show, the 5th Annual Rural Electrification Institute was held nearby, the theme, “Electric Power as a Farm Business Proposition.”

The Union Agricultural Meetings and Farm Products Show grew through 1946, except in 1943 and 1944, when wartime restrictions prevented the event from being held. Gas rationing started in October, 1942, severely limiting travel.

The agricultural fairs were back in 1945.

Sugar was rationed until June of 1947, spurring maple production for home use.

By 1947, there were 11,206 dairy farms in Vermont. Memorial Auditorium in Burlington had been leased to the Veterans Administration. So, the Union Agricultural Meetings and Farm Products Contest were moved to Barre Municipal Auditorium, and held there until 2012.

Even before Thunder Road, the Barre “Aud” was exciting as the home of the state basketball championships and The Vermont Farm Show. Downtown merchants planned sales, local churches held special dinners and suppers, and provided meeting spaces. Parking was at a premium in Barre during the snowy 1950›s.

In 1957, the Vermont Farm Show, Inc. was officially incorporated. Official bylaws were revised and adopted May 15, 1979. Barre’s central location near the newly created interstate highway brought visitors from south and north to the midwinter show. In Barre, the show and meetings were held in February, but since the early 80’s the show has been on the last Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of January. The 75th Farm Show had over 10,000 visitors per day.

The Political Pull, a milking contest, pitted state legislators against each other. In 2011, the Political Pull became the Capital Cook-Off and moved from the milking parlor to the kitchen. Three Winter 2015

Keewaydin Farm in Stowe was named the 2015 Vermont Dairy Farm of the Year. Family members, Les, Claire, Suzi and Dan Pike , operate a 141-head registered Jersey Farm which has been in the family since 1921. (photo credit: Peggy Manahan/UVM Extension) Since 1961 this coveted award has been presented annually to an outstanding dairy farm by University of Vermont (UVM) Extension and the Vermont Dairy Industry Association in cooperation with the New England Green Pastures Program. Nominated farms, all exemplary dairy operations, are evaluated on herd, pasture and crop management; production records; pasture quality; conservation practices and contributions to the dairy industry and the local community.

teams from the Vermont House and Senate agriculture committees and VAAFM, compete in an “Iron Chef”-style challenge and create a dish from a bag of Vermont-based ingredients. This coincided with Consumer Night. Vendors with Vermont made products, offered free samples and made sales to hundreds of visitors.

Due to space and parking constraints, the Show moved to the Champlain Valley Exposition grounds in Essex Junction, in 2012. Over 150 exhibitors participated in 2015, with more requests for space than is available inside. We credit that boom to the growth in Vermont’s diversified agricultural sector, which has generated new products from farmers in large and small markets and new markets for those products.

Don’t miss this year’s Vermont Farm Show January 26-28. For more information on the web www.vtfarmshow.com

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TAKING A BITE OUT OF OBESITY Millie Armstrong, DVM - Colchester, VT

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s a veterinarian, I see a lot of obese patients. One of my most recent patients gained 12 pounds this past year. He could hardly get on the exam table, his belly was drooping to the floor. If he didn’t go on a diet soon, he was on the verge of developing very serious health risks, some of which might be life shortening. The patient, a beagle named Snoopy, should ideally weigh 25 pounds, but tipped the scales at 48.

Fortunately, his human friends were willing to listen to my advice and we planned a course of action to regain Snoopy’s waistline. By his first weigh-in one month later, he had lost 2 pounds! As he continued to shed weight, he became more active, more eager to be involved in family outings, and was a much happier member of the family.

With animals, a common axiom is “Food is Love.” Unfortunately, people take this to the extreme and really pile on the love when it comes to the dinner bowl. Well-wishing friends add to the problem by saying, “One cookie won’t hurt him.” How accurate the phrase “killing them with kindness” can be.

A recent survey of veterinarians indicates that between 25 to 44% of dogs are obese. The Body Condition Scoring Chart designed by Nestle-Purina makes it relatively simple to determine where pets fit into the scale of body condition.

Looking at pets from above reveals a definite shape to the body. Ideally, this should be an hour glass, where the waistline indents nicely in front of the hips. Some pets are more tube-like, forming a long continuous shape from neck to hips. Others appear more round, bulging outwardly at the midsection. When petting these rotund animals, it is not possible to feel any features, like ribs, along the outside of the body. Some dogs will even develop proverbial “love handles!”

REASONS FOR PET OBESITY People feed their pets too much, and supplement their food with table scraps or fatty snacks.

Many brands of lower cost pet food are full of fillers, animals can be overweight but nutritionally imbalanced.

Some dogs and cats are driven to eat non-stop until they find the bottom of the food dish.

Certain medical conditions can cause obesity in pets, such as hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease.

Health risks associated with obesity in pets are a major concern. Obese animals pose greater anesthetic risks during surgery. Fat buildup around the heart makes it harder for the heart to pump efficiently, potentially leading to cardiac arrest. Managing the health effects of obesity increases the costs of veterinary care. Painful back, hip, and joint problems are often treated with pain medications that carry risks of kidney and liver impairment. If pain cannot be controlled, euthanasia may have to be considered. As in people, obesity predisposes animals to diabetes, another disease that is potentially challenging to manage and increases the cost of care. Obese cats that stop eating for a few days, for whatever reason, risk developing fatty liver disease. This life threatening form of liver failure is often much more serious than the original problem that caused the cat to stop eating. An annual health exam performed by a veterinarian will identify areas of concern and determine if additional testing is necessary.

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HOW TO HELP YOUR PET LOSE WEIGHT Speak to your veterinarian about an appropriate course of action for your pet’s unique situation. Often, simply reducing the amount fed and replacing table snacks with appropriate low calorie treats will reduce the weight. Other tips include: Changing to a lower calorie weight loss diet. Mix the new food with the old food slowly to allow time for the pet to adjust to the new diet.

Feed the amount of food specified for the animal’s ideal or target weight, not its current weight.

Use treats such as low-calorie biscuits, low fat rice cakes, hard vegetables or fruit.

Do not feed grapes, raisins, onions or chocolate, as these can be toxic to pets.

Exercise to burn off calories and increase “quality time” with your pet.

Playing fetch, swimming, walking - all burn calories and keep the bones and joints in good working order. Cats can be more challenging to stimulate; feathers, ping-pong balls, catnip toys and laser lights will trigger outbursts of energy.

(Do not play with strings, yarn or rubber bands, as these may be swallowed and lead to an obstruction in need of surgery.)

Involving children in pet exercise and games adds to the enjoyment and instills a sense of responsibility.

Do not expect great changes in 1-2 months. It is best to lose weight gradually over the course of 6-12 months to avoid drastic changes in metabolism. Regular weight checks will follow the course of success. If the weight is not coming off, adjustments can be discussed with the veterinarian. Once the weight is off, a maintenance-feeding program can be developed.

Dr. Millie Armstrong is a small animal veterinarian at Petit Brook Veterinary Clinic in Colchester, VT. She is a member of the Vermont Veterinary Medical Association. For more information visit www.vtvets.org.

Winter 2015

www.4LegsAndATail.com 15

Sweater Weather Betty Berlenbach - Weathersfield,VT

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A Little Hair of the Dog

A dog is for life, not just for Christmas. Many people have a potential "sheep" right in their house. In North America, indigenous tribes were spinning dog hair into yarn long before the Spaniards introduced sheep. Chiengora (pronounced she-an-gora), or dog yarn, is up to 80% warmer than wool, very soft, similar in appearance to Angora, and sheds water well.

To collect, simply save the brushings from your dog!

hilly Vermont mornings are here.

Every morning, before doing chores, I reach for a sweater. You too?

Do you know where that sweater comes from? I don’t mean Kohl’s or Walmart or Macy’s. I mean the fiber…

Perhaps from petrochemicals, now acrylic, nylon, fleece or microfiber. Perhaps it’s from plants: cotton, linen, or rayon. Or from animal fiber: wool (sheep’s fiber), alpaca, llama, Angora rabbit, mohair (Angora goat), musk ox, camel, or other fibers from animals. As a shepherd, I hope it’s from wool! So do my sheep, since it justifies their existence and purpose in life, aside from being meat for my table.

“Wool” is a big category, there are many, many breeds of sheep in this country and the world over. They may be Romney, Merino, Shetland, Jacob, Corriedale, Coopworth, or any number of other breeds, each with their own characteristic fiber: some fine, some coarse; some soft enough to make underwear out of, some great for outerwear you wouldn’t want next to your skin; white, black, grey, brown (moorit), or caramel

colored (mioget), even mixtures of several colors or shades of one color, so that it looks tweedy or heathery.

How does that sheep fiber, which looks so fluffy and warm in winter, get from the sheep to your back? It’s a satisfying story, if you raise sheep and spin yarn.

The shearer comes, your friends gather early, there is hot coffee as it’s 30 degrees. You want to get that wool off before lambing, so the mothers don’t give birth outside at 10 degrees. You want the babies to have only two things to suck on, not bits of fleece stained with feces or urine.

The shearer arrives, either on time, or late (shearers have reputations for being one or the other!) They set up the shearing machine, put a piece of plywood on the floor so sheep aren’t sitting on anything that messes up the fleece, and call for the first sheep. They have been corralled with no food that morning, so that full stomachs will not add to their “ordeal”.

The sheep is brought to the shearer, who seems to effortlessly turn it up and into a sitting position. In minutes the sheep is naked, and there is a big lump of fiber on the plywood. A helper picks up the fleece in a special way and throws it up into the air, over a skirting table, an 8’ x 4’ frame with chicken wire for dirt to fall through. It lands (on a good throw) in one piece spread out over the table.

Folks surrounding the table go to work, picking off bits of hay, burrs, spots that are stained, or seem too coarse for handspinners or the wool pool (a big truck that can collect wool for industrial preparation).

The fleece is rolled up, put in a bag, weighed, and put aside. Three minutes since the last sheep was shorn, there’s another fleece ready to “skirt”. From there, the fleece goes into a workroom where small lots are immersed in very hot water. You thought cold, right? Wool felts and shrinks if put into hot water, then cold, then agitated. If you keep the rinse water the same temp as the wash water, it gets clean and doesn’t felt.

After soaking for a half hour in the hot water with dish soap or shampoo, it is rinsed and spun in pillow cases (just spun!) in the washer, and laid out on window screens all over the house or the porch to dry.

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Sheep Before Shearing

Then, every lock is pulled apart to release dirt or plant matter still caught in the fibers. After that time consuming process, it is “carded” with hand cards or a drum carder (infinitely faster).

Next, you spin it, and then ply two or three strands together to make yarn, then knit it, and finally, wash and block it, and wear it, making sure to say thank you to all who compliment you on such a beautiful sweater!

Now, there’s one more step. The above gives you a sweater the color of the sheep. You want red, or three different colors? Then, somewhere along the line, either as washed fleece before picking, or as roving/batts, the fiber off the carder (which combs the fleece fibers in the same direction), it must be dyed. As yarn, or after it is knitted. Each way of dyeing produces different effects in the yarn/sweater. It takes a lot of tries to get the dyeing part right.

You could get a sweater made of wool, from the store. If so, it has generally been prepared industrially. The wool has been cut in short pieces, dipped in an acid to eat up vegetable matter, then machine carded, spun, and knit.

This is what makes a sweater scratchy, the quality of the wool, the cleaning agent and acid bath, and number of ends per inch of the fibers. Fibers cut into l/2 inch pieces, have many more ends per inch than, fibers that are six inches long. Acid baths and “scouring agents” are much more drying than dish soap or shampoo.

Every step of the way, a process can make a sweater yummy soft and luxurious, or scratchy - blech! Buying sweaters made the old fashioned way, means you are paying for all that work on an individual basis.

When I make a sweater, it works out to about 25 cents an hour. However, raising sheep and knitting is very satisfying and therapeutic, so I guess I save on my healthcare bills with the mental and physical benefits.

Winter 2015

Sheep After Shearing

Acrylic: A neighbor of mine used to make acrylic mittens for her grandkids. One frigid morning, she put on her acrylic mittens, walked 800 feet for the mail and back, her hands were red and freezing cold.

She threw away all the acrylic mittens and replaced them with wool ones!

Wool is warmer, AND, gives off heat when drying. It is said that Maine lobstermen have felted wool gloves they dip in water on the way out to sea in winter, to keep from getting frostbitten. Down jackets, though warm, are useless when

wet. Wool jackets keep you warm, wet or dry. Even if more costly, think about wool, next time you buy a sweater! You won’t regret it, and my sheep will be grateful!

The Rev. Betty Berlenbach is a retired Episcopal priest who has raised Jacob and Coopworth sheep in Weathersfield, VT for 18 years. She lives on a farm with her husband along with their smiling border collie, Elizabeth and Eloise the purring lap cat.

www.4LegsAndATail.com 17

Bravo for Bravo I

By Sarah Tuck Gillens

n 1956, I was just a pup. I woke up one morning six feet from the floor, cradled in the warm hands and silky beard of a tall man, John Tuck, Jr., a Naval Seabee officer known as Jack. My name is Bravo.

I was born at McMurdo Station in the Antarctic. Jack’s job was to handle sled dogs. My job was to follow Jack around.

“How’s that pup of yours?”asked an older trainer, Dutch Dolleman.

“Bravo’s growing bigger every day, watches everything like he knows something important is going to happen.” Jack replied setting me down in the dog pen.

Jack smelled like leather, he and Dutch were making sled dog harnesses.

I ran over to Mom who sniffed me all over. She said that Dutch knew a lot about dogs and surviving in cold climates. Settlements would be built around Antarctica as the International Geophysical Year was starting, the first worldwide scientific survey of our planet.

Scientists would come from all over the world to study the climate, the environment, and atmosphere. My brother and I do our own studies of the environment at our dog hut, “Dogheim”. We sniff the frosty air and smell penguins. We dig the hard packed ice and find more ice. We

watch the sky come alive with shooting, waving colors at night, it makes our hair stand on end.

“Mom, what’s your job when you are done raising us?” I asked as I burrowed into her thick fur.

“We dogs are here just in case,” Mom said, “If any transport planes land and can’t get back to McMurdo, then drivers, dogs, and sleds would be dropped by parachutes for a rescue operation.”

“Yikes! I’m glad we’re not sled dogs yet!”

I wandered outside and listened to Jack and Dutch. Jack had graduated from Dartmouth College and studied reindeer in Greenland. When he heard about this opportunity, he wanted the Navy to send him. He worked with the other Seabees gathered around Dick Bowers, the building leader. I loved listening to the plans for the pole. Dick was warning the guys about the dangerous, difficult adventure ahead.

“No one has attempted this before.

We’ll be about 850 miles inland from here and 9000 feet about sea level. We’ll be flown in by ski planes and our supplies will be dropped from the air. October is the start of summer here so we can expect temperatures to rise to around zero

degrees. We will have some blizzards but the sun will be visible until March.”

“What’s the first building to be erected?” asked Jack.

“We’ll build a Quonset hut with a heater and cook stove. Some men may sleep in tents and some will sleep inside,” Dick answered. “We’ll use the bulldozer to even out the ice and snow for the bases of all the other buildings, if it drops from the plane safely.”

“Heater and cook stove,” sounded Continued NEXT PAGE

PET IQ Answers 1. Persian.

13. All of the above 2. Hermit crab 14. They have extra 3. Spotted toes 4. Parakeet 15. Female 5. 62 16. False (It can cause

severe illness or death) 6. Brine shrimp 7. All of the above 8. Burmese python 9. Middle East 10. Betta 11. Smell 12. Helen Keller

HOW DID YOU DO?

More than 10 correct - Congratulations!

On your next Facebook post, include the fact that you are a 4 Legs & a Tail expert.

4-9 correct-Not bad, but you may want to consider reading 4 Legs & a Tail cover to cover.

1-3 correct- Call the 1970's and consider adopting a pet rock.

18 4 Legs & a Tail

Winter 2015

Photograph by: Cliff Dickey, National Science Foundation, Date Taken: Austral winter 1957 The first group of men to spend a winter at the South Pole. Back row: Cliff Dickey, Floyd Johnson, Mel Havener, Earl Johnson, William Hough. Middle Row: Ed Flowers, Robert Benson, Paul Siple, Herbert Hansen, Ed Remington, Howard Taylor. Front row: Tom Osborne, Jack Tuck, Bravo the dog, Arlo Landolt, Chet Segers, John Guerrero, Ken Waldron, William McPherson.

good to my puppy ears. I wasn’t sure about bulldozers falling from the sky, that sounded scary!. Our mom taught us survival skills such as digging into the snow to keep warm in a blizzard. I was hoping these men knew how to dig in too!

The time of departure for the pole arrived, but so did bad weather. After several days of frantic activity, the men and equipment settled down like new fallen snow. Piles of bags were everywhere and the sled dogs, going to the pole, were snoozing.

“Why aren’t they more excited?” I yipped to my brother, as I paced in my pen pleading to go. I wanted to be with the guys; Jack, Bowers, Bristol, Woody, Montgomery, Nolen, Randall, and Powell. No one had ever lived at the pole, it was an awful place. Now these men were going to build places to live for the winter and carry out science projects like: movement of glaciers, gravity experiments, seismology studies, the airglow and auroras, geomagnetism, ionosphere physics, and cosmic rays.

I sensed that these brave men were anxious, but they were strong and smart too. I loved to watch them work together, joking as they got a lot done. I wanted to be part of the fun and work with Jack!

On November 20, 1956, I watched two ski planes with Jack, Lt. Bowers and his crew of builders, and eleven sled dogs take off. A third ski plane carried more men, and big Globemaster planes flew Winter 2015

along to help locate the Pole, drop the dog food, sled and harnesses, and heavy equipment. I thought my heart would break when Jack climbed into the plane and disappeared. I ran in circles in my pen until Old Dutch came over and held me tightly against his big jacket.

“He’ll be back. He’ll be OK,” Dutch kept telling me.

“29 degrees below zero at the pole, the men are in tents and the dogs are sleeping outside,” I heard the radioman report to Dutch. Brrrr! Supplies were streaming onto the pole damaged, because the ropes tying them to parachutes broke when released from the supply planes.

One bulldozer buried itself thirty feet in the snow. Parachutes would land and sail away across the snow because of high winds. I love to chase things, but the men were getting tired of chasing them down, and wanted to solve the problem.

A week later the scientist, Dr. Siple, came to visit Dutch. He said that mail was delivered for the first time at the South Pole. Dr. Siple was a big man, a leader. I sat and behaved myself when he was around.

He told Dutch that Jack had been asked to be the Navy officer in charge at the pole “You’re mighty lucky,” he told Siple, “Jack’s as fine as they come. This pup Bravo, you’ve been eyeing as mascot for the Pole Station will be all yours now. He’s really Jack’s dog, and Jack will insist on having him.”

Jack came back to McMurdo to work

out a solution for the wrecked supplies. I turned myself inside out, I was so glad to see him! Jack let me roam around with him and played tug of war with me. He tied supplies onto wooden pallets and wrapped them in canvas. Hopefully these pallets would drop safely. Besides building materials, delicate scientific equipment would be flown in by ski planes along with nine scientists led by Dr. Paul Siple.

“I just heard the admiral has appointed you as the Navy support officer in charge at the pole this winter. Long, dark days in that awful cold, what are you going to do for entertainment?” Dutch said, smiling at Jack, but winking at me.

“Dutch, we’ve seen most of the movies by now. The men like to read and we plan to give lectures.” Jack turned and looked at me. I sat very still except for my tail, which couldn’t help but wag.

“What do you say, Bravo? Do you want to spend the winter with eighteen guys and a lot of cold weather?” Jack asked as he hugged me. I licked his bearded face and howled in delight. All I needed was to be with Jack. We were off on a great adventure!

Sarah Gillens lives in Plainfield, NH, is an Medical Technologist and writes stories that will interest children in science and history. Finding her distant relative, Jack Tuck, led to this story about Jack’s dog, Bravo www.4LegsAndATail.com 19

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Dexter’s Day t s i t n e D e h t t a 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.

venous 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 and communicated Kathy Lewis 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, intra20 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

Winter 2015

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.

Winter 2015

​​ 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 21

Love at the Hairdresser’s A

ll the stations were filled at the hairdresser’s that day. The door was left open to let in whatever breeze would come, although it was sweltering air.

Along with one fresh breath of breeze, a slate gray, teenage cat with a white bib and double paws sauntered in.

He padded in confidently to the first chair and circled a bit while the woman perched there cooed compliments. He stayed a few moments then moved on in an unhurried manner to the next woman.

“Whose cat?” I asked Leni as he prepared my long red curls for a color touch-up that would take about an hour and a half.

“Stray. He’s been here all day coming in and out. He doesn’t stay long,” Leni told me.

I watched the cat visit the woman just before me. He concluded with a respectful rise and curl of his tail before making his way to me. I was careful not to give him more than a passing glance. Was it my imagination that he was staying at my chair longer?

“I think you’ve got a friend,” Leni mused. “I think you’ll end up taking him home.”

Tayna Sousa - Orleans, VT “I have a cat. I don’t need another one,” I set my mouth firmly. A half hour into my appointment, the grey teen was still sitting by my chair. I couldn’t help but sneak a peek and saw the green eyes looking at me with a nearly indescribable look of contentment and adoration. I met his eyes and was rewarded with a flurry of squints, blinks, and chin lifts. “That cat writes love sonnets with his eyes,” I laughed.

“You’re weakening,” Leni said nonchalantly.

“No. I have a cat already. I don’t want another cat.”

The woman in the last chair clucked and wiggled her fingers to my suitor, but he remained at my side. She finally gave up.

I tried not to look, but a few times in the next hour I did let my eyes wander. Each time, the young male regaled me with those love sonnets written only with eyes and a little body language. “He is cute,” I conceded as Leni finished blow-drying my hair and pulled away the protective apron.

When I stood, the cat stood too, rubbing

against my legs and pushing himself off his front paws in a feline wheelie. “Oh! You are a Romeo,” I told him, and reached to pick him up – only for a moment. The instant he was at my shoulder, he plunged his face and front paws into my long newly coiffed curls and began kneading furiously and – yes – drooling a bit.

Without a word, I managed to pay Leni, cat still buried blissfully in my hair, and left with a cat in my arms who seemed to have waited all his life just for me. The last sound I heard was Leni’s boisterous laughter and the purring of one who chose me, then graced me with sonnets for the next sixteen years – written only with love-filled green eyes.

Tanya Sousa is a published author of many magazine articles and several children’s picture books. Most recently, her environmental novel,The Starling God, made the short-list for the national “Green Earth Book Awards,” in the Young Adult Fiction category. www.RadiantHen.com www.forestrypress.com

Continued NEXT PAGE

22 4 Legs & a Tail

Winter 2015

Winter Horse Care Considerations Heather K. Hoyns ,DVM. Evergreen Equine of VT, Reading, VT

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ow that winter is here, you want horse “sharp-shod”, either with borium horses with a full winter coat and access to give your horse the best care. Here are or studs, and consider snow pads. We’ve to a shed generally do not require a blansome winter horse care tips to help: been fond of the “Hoof grips” rim pads. ket under most circumstances. Their They allow the sole to be open, but (usu- insulating coats will keep the snow on Water: One of the most important ally) keep snow from balling up in the top, and keep them dry underneath. But things you can do for your horse this win- foot. If your horse is to be barefoot, try a cold, driving rain when temperatures ter is to provide him with liquid water, not to pull his shoes or trim him just be- hover around freezing will penetrate their ideally warm. Horses are more prone fore the ground freezes hard to avoid sore, coats, so this would be a good time to wear to colic, especially impaction colic, dur- bruised feet. The wet fall weather we’ve a rain sheet. For horses in work throughing the winter, and supplying plentiful had recently has led to a larger number out the winter, clipping part or all of their water helps to keep your horse hydrated of hoof abscesses, as well as an increase coat will allow them to sweat less and cool and helps to prevent colic. Horses will in thrush. Daily cleaning & occasional out more quickly. Clipped horses do need drink up to 30% more water if it is warm, thrush medication application can help to be blanketed, but don’t overdo it. They so it makes good sense to provide warmed keep thrush at bay. Remember, that even need to be warm, but not to the point of water for your horse. Heated stock tanks though you are riding less, your horse sweating. They will probably need a lightor heated water buckets are convenient still needs to have his feet trimmed dur- er blanket when inside than when turned ways to provide ‘round-the-clock warm ing the winter too. out. A lighter blanket will be needed for water for your horse. If you don’t have access to electricity for water, bring warm water to your horse at least twice a day. In either case, wrapping your bucket or tank with Tek-foil (an insulated, foil-covered bubble wrap, available in most hardware stores) will help to keep the water warmer longer. While horses will eat some snow, relying on this it to provide your horse’s water is not a good idea. They don’t consume enough, and warming it to body temperature requires a lot of energy.

Feed (Hay/Grain): This is the fuel to keep your horse warm and healthy.

Hay should be the major portion of his feed. While many people increase their horse’s grain in the winter, it is actually the hay portion of his diet that should be increased. The digestion of hay produces more heat (which keeps him warmer) than the digestion of grain. Providing a bit of extra hay, especially in a slow-feeder hay bag, also keeps him occupied lonFor every degree below 18˚ F, a horse requires ger and mimics grazing, so your horses an additonal 1% energy in their diet. is less likely to chew on your barn or develop stomach ulcers. This is a good time to assess your hay supply. Do you have Vaccinations: Winter can be cold and warmer weather, a heavier one, or layered enough to get your horse through until flu season for horses, too (just like it is blankets, for colder days. Old horses may May/June when you’ll get next year’s for us). They are often moved to barns also benefit from winter blanketing. If hay? If you don’t store all of your winter’s where there are more horses, the doors your horse is blanketed, have you looked hay in your barn, have you arranged for a are kept closed, and dust and moisture at your horse’s blankets recently? Are steady hay supply for this winter and into levels rise. This can lead to coughs and they clean, repaired & ready to go for the the spring? If not, check now with your flu. We strongly recommend that horses winter? Do they fit your horse and not hay supplier. Don’t wait until April when (especially those that are boarded, are old rub at the withers or point of shoulder? all the hay is gone. Look closely at your or are very young) receive a vaccination Whether your horses is blanketed or not, horse’s body condition. Is he too fat or too against Flu and Rhino in the late fall/ it is important to regularly groom your thin? Does he need more (or less!) hay or early winter. horse, and check for any skin conditions grain? If you are concerned about your Body/Blankets: Blanketing horses is such as dermatopholis (aka “rain rot”). horse’s body condition, or have specific probably one of the most contentious Lameness Issues: If your horse is feeding questions, you should consult winter issues. While many horses can go lame, why wait until spring to see if he without a blanket most of the time (pro- “has healed”? Wouldn’t it be great to get your horse’s veterinarian.

Hoof Care: Now is a good time to decide viding they have shelter from the wind/ the lameness issue diagnosed and treatif your horse will be barefoot or shod this rain), every horse should at least have a winter. If shod, it may be time to get our waterproof rain sheet available. Healthy Continued NEXT PAGE Winter 2015

www.4LegsAndATail.com 23

ed now, rather than waiting until spring/summer riding & competing?

Deworming: Don’t forget about parasite control during the fall/ winter. Late fall is a good time to deworm for tapeworms with a product containing Praziquantel. It is also a good time to deworm for bots and strongyles so they don’t overwinter in your horse. Pinworms, while not dangerous, occasionally is a problem of stabled horses; increased tail rubbing can be a sign that your horse has pinworms. Call your veterinarian if you have any questions about winter fecal egg counts or which dewormer would be best for your horse now.

After graduating Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Animal Science from Cook College, Rutgers University, with a special interest in Nutrition, Dr. Hoyns then went on to Cornell University, where she received her DVM degree in 1981.

She practiced Equine Medicine in New Jersey for 5 years before relocating to Vermont in 1986. www.evergreenequinevt.com

24 4 Legs & a Tail

Winter 2015

Donny and the Hay Piles

by H.M. Howard

F

or several years, in order to help offset the cost of feed and hay, I have boarded a couple of extra horses at my farm. The mix of breeds, ages and sizes makes for quite an eclectic but homogeneous herd that all turnout together in one large pasture. One boarder’s horse named Donny is a dark bay “old type” Morgan; the type you seldom see anymore.

Donny is NOT a horse built for speed or beauty. He is almost as wide as he is tall with short legs, a large body, thick cresty neck, and a long roman nose.

Somehow, though, the whole package is kind of endearing in an “ugly duckling” sort of way. Donny’s dominant herd personality is not, on the other hand, endearing to his pasture mates. Regardless, this attitude manages to serve him well, especially in the herd we have. He insists on always being the first one out in the morning and the first one in to be fed at night— perks awarded as tokens of respect for being leader of the herd. Donny dictates where the other horses go, where they eat grass and when they will all get a drink from the water tub. For the most part he is a benevolent dictator if just a little pushy, especially when it comes to food.

My usual winter morning routine involves trudging through the snow to the barn at a very early hour to check on everyone and feed the much-anticipated breakfast. The satisfied munching sounds I hear heading back to the house tell me how appreciated my efforts are.

After grabbing a quick cup of coffee and taking my daughter to school, I return to the barn to let the horses out. Then I go up into the loft and throw down hay to put out on the snow. I am careful to space evenly sized piles of hay at least 15 to 20 feet apart; one more pile than the number of horses. This democratic method makes sure that no single horse (a dark bay “old type” Morgan, who shall remain nameless) can guard or hog more than one pile of hay for himself. The extra pile also serves as a safety measure for the inevitable chasing that goes on to determine who finally eats where. Being the boss, Donny is the sort who has to taste each hay pile to determine which has the choicest most flavorful flakes; driving off the poor soul who haplessly chose to eat there in the meantime.

Winter 2015

One winter morning the horses went out as usual but the phone rang and I became involved in a conversation. I didn’t put the hay out for quite a while.

By the time I finally tossed it outside the horses had pretty much given up on waiting and wandered off down the hill looking for whatever green shoots were available poking up through the snow.

As I went through the “pile” ritual, one by one, each of the horses noticed my activity and slowly wandered back up the hill to start munching. Donny was the furthest away, facing downhill, with his back towards the barn. He was so intent on pawing through the snow for grass that he hadn’t noticed when the other horses left him. Unfair as it might seem, I didn’t yell to him, I just waited and watched, wo n d e r i n g w h e n he would figure out that the toothsome hay was finally available. After the rest had all been eating hay quietly for several minutes, Donny finally picked up his head to calmly look around. Then he saw the rest of the herd up the hill at the barn eating hay—without him!

It was a hilarious case of “feet don’t fail me now!” He went into panic mode trying to gallop up to the barn. But, with the soft snow, slush underneath and no shoes, poor Donny just couldn’t get any traction! He looked like a Saturday morning cartoon come to life where the character’s body is perfectly still and all you see is a whirlwind where his legs and feet ought to be. The more Donny tried, the more he couldn’t get anywhere. It took soooooooo long—an eternity—before he made any headway at all. The footing was just too slick. During all this, he should have landed right on his nose, I can only assume that his center of gravity was so low—that couldn’t happen. I was laughing to myself “see, wider is better.”

Once he finally got a foothold—lookout! He came barreling into the piles of hay and his stablemates and hay went flying in all directions! He chased each one out of a hay pile at least three times just to make his point, before finally settling down to make up for lost time to eat. I was still laughing as I made my way back into the house for a second cup of coffee! www.4LegsAndATail.com 25

HELPING THE BIRDS IN YOUR BACKYARD DURING THE COLD MONTHS

By Catherine Greenleaf

T

8.

There is some amount of controversy about bird feeders in New Hampshire & Vermont because of the bears that can be attracted to your yard. Many local residents are solving this problem by converting their yards back to native trees, shrubs and perennials. It’s the native plantings that provide the insects, berries and seeds that birds need. The more non-native, ornamental trees and shrubs you have on your property, the more the birds will struggle to survive, since these plantings offer little or no nutrition to birds. If you are concerned about bears, let Mother Nature be your bird feeder by planting natives, and resort to birdfeeders only in the dead cold of winter, when birds need it most.

9.

4.

Don’t cut those dead trees! One of the best sources of tasty insects and warm holes to hide in, is a dead tree. If the tree poses no safety hazard, allow it to stand, and you will benefit species from owls to the tiniest songbirds. In fact, keeping dead trees on your property will prevent woodpeckers from drilling for insects in the wood frame of your house.

his is the time of year when we watch the many birds that visit our backyards pack their bags and migrate south to warmer climates for the winter. However, a good number of bird species attempt to tough it out here in New England. These species include Cardinals, Nuthatches, Juncos, Redpolls, Tufted Titmice, Evening Grosbeaks, Purple Finches, American Goldfinches, and Pine Siskins. There is a great deal you can do to help these birds survive:

5.

1. Don’t be too fastidious a gardener!

Many gardeners chop down all of their perennial plants after the frost. Leaving some of your plants standing will offer hungry birds delicious seed heads to feast on. Sometimes, seed heads are the major source of food that keeps birds, like the Black-Capped Chickadee, alive through the freezing winter.

6. Provide

2.

Don’t rake all your leaves. By allowing some leaves to stay put, you provide shelter for insects, a rich source of protein for birds. Insects have a tendency to hide under leaf litter, and birds need to eat protein-rich insects to survive, especially young birds.

3. Create

a branch pile. Instead of carting off all your dead twigs and sticks to the dump, start building a brush pile in your backyard. This pile will provide a much-needed warm and dry place for birds to roost during major snow and ice storms. It’s also a perfect hiding place to stay safe from predators.

26 4 Legs & a Tail

Birds need water, especially during the winter. You can place a shallow bowl of clean, warm water outdoors, in an elevated location safe from predators. You can even go high luxury with your birds by providing a heated birdbath! Birds need water to stay hydrated and digest their food. They also need the water to clean their feathers, since soiled feathers can prevent the bird from maintaining adequate protection from the cold and rain.

Install bird feeders at least 30 feet away from any sliding glass doors or windows. Many birds die each year from flying into glass. In warmer weather, if the injury is mild, the bird may recover in just a few minutes. However, in cold weather, a bird with even the mildest of concussions quickly succumbs to hypothermia.

10. Don’t

shoo the Blue Jays away!

Blue Jays, unfortunately, have gotten a bad rap over the years, often portrayed as bullies who eat the hatchlings of other birds. The truth is, Blue Jays will only resort to eating other birds when there is an inadequate number of native plantings in your yard. This overwintering bird is often referred to as the sentinel of the garden. They emit their loud cry to warn other birds of the presence of predators in the yard.

11. Did you know owls can catch prey even if they have to thrust their legs through several inches of snow? However, once a crust of ice forms over the snow, owls begin to starve. You can help owls by breaking up the ice on backyard pathways and shoveling snow to create some grassy patches. Please remember, it is not normal to find an owl standing on the ground. If you see a starving owl, please call St. Francis Wild Bird Hospital.

roosting pockets or shelves. Roosting pockets are tiny, little huts made of braided grass that you can hang up on tree branches. These huts provide a warm place for cold birds to hang out in while a storm is raging.

Roosting shelves are made of wood and attached to trees. They have a roof with a deep shelf inside. Often you may see half a dozen or more birds huddled together inside to stay warm during a sub-zero 12. Lastly, enjoy your birds! Watching the antics of our feathered friends procold snap. vides hours of fun and enjoyment for 7. If you elect to hang birdfeeders in children and adults alike. So make youryour yard, you’ll want to make sure the self a big cup of hot chocolate, throw in a feeders are clean. Birdfeeders can collect few marshmallows and sit by the window dirt, feces and mold, which can make to watch the show. birds sick. Scrub the inside and outside of your feeders with a long-handled Catherine Greenleaf is state-licensed brush, using a diluted bleach solution, with the New Hampshire Fish and and then rinse thoroughly. Only fill the Game Department as a wildlife rehafeeder when completely dry to avoid bilitator. She is Director of St. Francis Wild mold contamination. Be sure to buy Bird Hospital in Lyme, N.H. If you find seed only from the highest quality com- an injured bird, please call 795-4850 or panies. Always give your bag of birdseed go to www.saintfrancisbirds.blogspot. the sniff test. If it smells moldy, put it in com to read about the biology and the garbage can. behavior of New Hampshire birds.

Winter 2015

WE ARE WHAT WE EAT W

DJ Nelson

e are hearing about nutrition/ foods lately. Diagnosed as diabetic a few years ago, it has left me thinking about foods and how our bodies break down foods, not only in myself, but in our Pets also. My weight went down, my blood sugars are regulating, and my joints hurt less since dramatically decreasing processed foods. I don’t exercise as much and I do still have that piece of cake or cookies (but they are homemade). A big thing I have noticed is how my body works with a nice variety of good quality foods.

“We are what we eat.” If we eat pizza all day every day we won’t turn into a pizza, but our bodies react to it. We feel sluggish, as we age our joints hurt more, if we suddenly after months of eating just pizza had something else, our bodies would react badly, not being used to breaking it down. Our bodies and our pet’s bodies need to have a well-rounded diet to keep digestion and immune systems working properly.

We are seeing changes in dog, cat, and bird foods addressing some of these issues. I talk about pet nutrition with customers daily.

I have been told of a big chain store that sells live fish, the fish always seem to be sick or many dead fish are seen in their aquariums. In our store the fish look nice, colorful, plump and swim happily.

I figured I would check out the situation and allegations against this huge retailer.

The systems they use are fantastic systems. The filters can handle the load of many fish, the flow rates on these systems are decent. So systems check out fine.

Where are they getting their fish? Some other stores get them from the same places. Other mom and pop stores buying from the same places are not having these same issues. So if they are coming in healthy and the life support is excellent, what could be the issue? Water quality, perhaps? What else could it be?? Then I considered one big culprit in the issue of ailing and dying fish.

Nutrition!!

They feed vacation feeders as a sole source of food. Vacation feeders offer food to fish by breaking down gradually, and the fish pick the pieces. Ingredients used to bind the feeder together are like a plaster based material and aren’t healthy.

I feed my in-store fish as well as my fish at home a variety of high quality foods. Not all flake foods are equal in qualWinter 2015

A popular ingredient to look for in fish food is Spirulina. This superfood is a type of cyanobacteria that contains a wealth of minerals and vitamins. In general, the darker color a vegetable has, the more nutrients it contains. Spirulina is such a dark green that it almost appears purplish black.

ity or ingredients. There are many excellent brands, just ask your local Pet Store aquatic specialist. We feed two times a day and switch up the foods. In the morning we feed flake or pellet food (depending on the type of fish) at night we feed a frozen food.

There are many different types of frozen foods for freshwater and saltwater fish: Mysis shrimp, Blood worms, Super Brine, Community blend, Cyclops, and many more. As a treat we feed freeze dried foods, my favorite is Tubifex worms.

Press some up against the glass and it sticks, the fish will come up and eat making it nutritional and interactive. When feeding a frozen food, fish go crazy, definitely entertaining. For Saltwater fish we mix Seachem Garlic Guard in with the frozen. This Liquid Garlic acts as an appetite stimulant for those finicky fish, helps the immune system on all fish, and is safe for invertebrates, corals etc. Since the fish get a varied diet they are more vibrant in color, more active and most importantly, healthier.

Frozen foods come in Flat packs, cubes or pods.

- In Flat packs the food is frozen in a sheet.

You have to break or cut out the portion and let it thaw.

- With Cubes the food is frozen into cubes.

Just pop a cube right into the aquarium or into a container to let it thaw.

- Pods, new from Omega One, are a convenient way to feed frozen foods. You let each container (pod) thaw, rip off the cover, and pour into the aquarium. So much easier.

Flake/pelleted foods: With so many varieties of fish, it is difficult to cover all of the proper flakes to feed here. For example; live bearing fish (mollies, platies, guppies, swordtails) should have more vegetable protein in their diet, and the diet for South American Cichlids is different than for African Cichlids? This is where visiting the aquatics specialist in your local mom and pop pet store comes in.

Stop into your local pet store for some frozen or freeze dried foods and you will start seeing a difference. The enjoyment of watching your fish go crazy over it will happen immediately.

DJ Nelson has worked in the pet industry for almost two decades and is the owner of AquaRealm Aquarium & Pets in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. He works with Reptiles, Birds, Small Animals, Fresh/ Saltwater fish, and Dog & Cat Nutrition.

Since proper care is constantly changing, educating customers about their pets is most important. www.aquarealmaquarium.com and Facebook www.4LegsAndATail.com 27

The Secret Lives Of Dogs:

Emotional Sensor Helps Owners Understand Their Pups’ Feelings

A dog’s tail wagging could be worth a thousand words, and with the

help of a new gadget, we’re a little closer to translating its message.

Believing a dog’s tail is a window to the canine soul, founders of New Yorkbased tech company DogStar Life, created a smart device to help owners decode the messages transmitted when pups wag their tails to better understand the emotional lives of their furry friends.

TailTalk is a lightweight sensor that sits on a dog’s tail and documents the peaks and valleys of the pup’s feelings throughout the day, according to the creators.

“It basically combines an accelerometer and a gyroscope, much like the Fitbit, but it’s picking up on the way the tail is moving,” DogStar Life COO and co-founder Mike Karp said, in an interview with Yahoo News.

“The idea is to capitalize on all the research that’s been done in the last two to three years on what tail movement means, and translate that into emotion.”

DogStar Life launched an Indiegogo campaign recently to raise $100,000 to further develop the technology and prepare the hardware for production.

TailTalk will connect to the company’s DogStar app to update owners on their pets feelings

28 4 Legs & a Tail

Michael Walsh-Yahoo News

TailTalk transmits the emotional data to a companion app for iOS and Android via Bluetooth. Ideally, the information will enable owners to emphasize the environments, people, toys and so forth that bring their pets the most happiness, while avoiding stress inducers.

Left wagging, Karp said, usually indicates negative feelings like anger or aggression, while right wagging typically indicates positive feelings like happiness or excitement. But their tails convey even more subtle cues to other dogs.

Yannis Tsampalis, CEO and co-founder of DogStar Life, told Yahoo News that the product should not make anyone feel guilty; rather, it should empower an owner to improve his or her pet’s quality of life.

“If you know that your dog is really unhappy during the day, it’s probably in the best interest of both of you to have a dog walker or dog sitter come over,” he suggested. “We feel that pet parents are wonderful, but if they had more data, they can probably make better decisions and create a stronger bond between them and their dog.”

Tsampalis, who previously worked in smart accessories for Verizon Wireless, and Karp, who worked in data for several organizations, decided to join forces shortly after meeting in September 2014 while pursuing MBAs at Cornell Tech in New York.

They started DogStar Life by combining Tsampalis’ passion for the rapidly growing field of wearable technology and Karp’s love of dogs.

“It was extremely exciting for both of us,” Tsampalis said. “Mike had grown up with dogs in his life. ... I consider wearables to be the new wave of computing — there’s a tremendous amount of opportunity and a lot of untapped territory.”

Early on in the project, Tsampalis and Karp spent a lot of time talking to dog owners and veterinarians to understand what was most important to them, because they did not want to be swayed by their own biases.

TailTalk is a small smart device that is placed on a dog’s tail.

“And one of the things that always came up was the health and happiness of their dogs,” Tsampalis said.

The key to understanding a dog’s happiness, they said, is its tail.

Pamela Perry, a veterinary behavior resident at Cornell University, said tail wagging does not automatically indicate happiness. It signals behavioral nuances that dogs understand but humans do not always recognize.

“Fortunately, there are ways to monitor and record dogs’ body language, and ongoing research offers a more detailed understanding of how our pets express themselves,” she said in a press release.

Karp explained that most of the research done so far involves still photography, but he hopes the release of the product will enable further research, which will be reinvested in the hardware.

The team at DogStar plans to prepare TailTalk for delivery in mid-2016 for Indiegogo backers.

Winter 2015

4 LEGS & A TAIL FUN! What 5 Things Are Different?

Pom Pom on kids hat, Dog's Foot, Kid's Boot, Yellow stripe on dog's collar, Trees in upper right corner

So What Brand Are You Feeding Your Pet?

GAZTUNIER IIOAACLNRF TUNALRAS NSSEELLW ELAGE NANETUR LIOPUN ORTUN

A guy is driving around the back woods of New Hampshire and he sees a sign in front of a broken down shanty-style house: ‘Talking Dog For Sale' He rings the bell and the owner appears and tells him the dog is in the backyard.

The guy goes into the backyard and sees a nice looking Labrador retriever sitting there.

‘You talk?’ he asks.

‘Yep,’ the Lab replies.

After the guy recovers from the shock of hearing a dog talk, he says ‘So, what’s your story?’

The Lab looks up and says, ‘Well, I discovered that I could talk when I was pretty young. I wanted to help the government, so... I told the CIA. In no time at all they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders, because no one figured a dog would be eavesdropping.’

‘I was one of their most valuable spies for eight years running...But the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn’t getting any younger so I decided to settle down. I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security, wandering near suspicious characters and listening in. I uncovered some incredible dealings and was awarded a batch of medals.’

‘I got married, had a mess of puppies, and now I’m just retired.’

The guy is amazed. He goes back in and asks the owner what he wants for the dog.

‘Ten dollars,’ the guy says.

‘Ten dollars? This dog is amazing! Why on earth are you selling him so cheap?’

Because he’s a liar. He’s never been out of the yard!

Submitted by Wendell Nadeau

Zignature, California Naturals, Wellness, Eagle, Nutrena, Poulin, Nutro

FR

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Winter Wonderland 2016 Western Vermont

What Is Your Pet IQ? The Truth About Pet Obesity Welcome 2016 With Great Goals For Pet Owners What Is Your Dog Really Thinking?