2020 June Downeast Dog News

FRE E

DowneastDogNews.com

Volume 15 • Issue 6 • JUNE 2020

Animal Lovers Strengthen Their Drive During Crisis times with great nonprofit’s caring for and finding forever homes for pets in shelters and rescues. Terrific

he COVID-19 pandemic is people are continuing to aid pet food bringing many firsts; most are pantries. And the animals are paying heartbreaking and difficult. Yet animal it back - their therapeutic friendships lovers are shining during restrictive prove all-important as they’ve become 4-legged co-workers, exercise partners, and comforting snugglers.

By Susan Spisak

T

Inside

2 Hot Dog News

6 Basic

Training Tips

8&9 Doggie STAYcation

Shelters & Rescues Jeana Roth, Director of Community Engagement at Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland (ARLGP) shared that while they closed their doors to the public on March 16th, they were able to place 51 dogs in the first 6

See ANIMAL LOVERS on page 5

12 & 13 Dogs for Adoption

DowneastDogNews.com

14

Tips from the Groomer

Hot Dog News

Support the Downeast Dog News

This is the 15th year for the Downeast Dog News! We are so

pleased to provide you with news, education and entertainment while supporting local businesses and rescues by getting their message in front of people like yourselves.

It is through our paid advertisements that we are able to print and deliver our papers and make them available throughout the state each month at no cost to our readers. During these difficult times some of our advertisers may have had to close their businesses temporarily or are operating under new circumstances. If you’d like to help support us, our clients and our local rescues here are ways that you can help.

• Advertise your business in our paper (frequency discounts available) • Sponsor an adoptable dog - a portion will be donated to the Rescue of the Month and your business name, address, phone and website will be displayed below one of the dog profiles. If you are an individual we can display your name or you may remain anonymous. $55/month (6mos. or more 15% discount) • Make a donation $15 per month (as a recurring fee on your credit card or check for full amount) – receive a mailed copy of the paper each month. $25 or more per month – receive a mailed copy of the paper and a portion will be donated to the Rescue of the Month.

If you are unable to make a monetary contribution but would like to help please consider doing business with one of our advertisers and/or sharing our publication with others.

To become an advertiser, sponsor, make a donation or if you have any questions please feel free to call Jenn at (207)706-6765 or send an email to jenn@downeastdognews.com

Congratulations Kevin!

I

f you didn’t see our Facebook post Kevin the pug made his national television debut on May 3rd as a finalist on America's Funniest Home Videos. Kevin did something pretty funny when he stole a treat from his mom's business, Loyal Biscuit Co in Rockland. PJ Walter, the Inventory Manager for LBC, just happened to capture it all and submitted the video to AFV. At just 3 1/2 months old little Kevin won second place for his adorable stunt! Way to go Kevin!

Joel Neal, Heidi Neal (with Kevin), Alfonso Ribeiro, PJ Walter and Frank Isganitis

See more Hot Dog News on page 15!

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Downeast Dog News Publisher Jenn Rich Copy Editor Belinda Carter Contributors Susan Spisak Diana Logan Sara Moore Judith Herman Carolyn Fuhrer Don Hanson Nancy Holmes Cory Mosunic Elsebeth DeBiase GRAPHIC DESIGN NVDesigns • Nicole Vanorse Advertising Jenn Rich 207-706-6765 jenn@downeastdognews.com

President Wendi Smith Parent & Publishing Company Maine Pet News LLC Our Goals

• Provide the latest in dog-related news and information.

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• Support animal welfare causes.

From the Publisher Dear Dog News Readers, Nearly another month has gone by and for me the “new normal” is starting to feel a little more normal (at the moment).

I do miss seeing people. I have had a couple of brief, distant visits and we celebrated my mother’s birthday via Zoom. I think it also helps that we are finally seeing nicer weather and of course Miss Pepper is the best of company! This weekend I planted flowers in my pots and felt like they might be safe from snow and frost. So help me, if it snows in June I am going to consider moving.

I do know some people who have essential jobs and have been dealing with the public from the beginning of this crisis. It is disappointing to hear about some people’s behavior towards these folks who are out there all the time putting themselves at risk. As I mentioned last month this is a time when it is even more important that we treat each other with kindness and patience. We might not have control over our situation but we can control how we react.

While I will miss all of the events I had planned on attending that have now been canceled there is also a bit of peace that comes along with that. I no longer feel rushed or overscheduled.

I feel like there are projects that I might actually complete due to having a little extra time. This would also be a great time to spend some time with our dogs on some additional training.

This month’s special feature (pgs. 8&9) focuses on a STAYcation.

We basically have the state to ourselves at the moment so if you are able this might be a great time to do some exploring with your dogs.

Stay safe and healthy and if you are having financial difficulties and need assistance with pet food please see our website for a list of pet food pantries or feel free to give me a call to help you find one near you.

Warmest wishes, Jenn and Pepper

To all health care workers and others in essential positions thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for us all!

We owe you a debt of gratitude.

"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible."

-Dalai Lama

Dog of the Month!

Contact Us

Maine Pet News, LLC P.O. Box 1076 Camden, ME 04843-1076 Phone: 207-706-6765 jenn@downeastdognews.com www.downeastdognews.com

Maggie

4 year old Coonhound. She was "helping" make lasagna and discovered that she can't get enough cheese! Note the excitement in her eyes.

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Downeast Dog News is distributed free of charge at pet-friendly locations in Maine.

If you’d like to submit a photo of your pet to be posted on our website send it with a small description of your dog (cool trick, silly thing he does, favorite toy) to jenn@downeastdognews.com or mail it to: P.O. Box 1076, Camden, ME 04843-1076.

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Email: jenn@downeastdognews.com COPYRIGHT 2006-2020 All contents of Downeast Dog News are protected under United States copyright law. The contents may not be reprinted or reproduced without the expressed written permission of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within Downeast Dog News are those of its contributors and not necessarily those of the publisher. Content of ads is the sole responsibility of the advertiser. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the content and Downeast Dog News assumes no liability for any errors, omissions or claims made by its contributors or advertisers.

JUNE 2020

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Business directory: $45/month 1/16 page $75 B&W, $90 color 1/8 page $135 B&W, $165 color 1/4 page $230 B&W, $275 color 1/2 page $405 B&W, $485 color Full page $705 B&W, $845 color

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Contact Jenn Rich (207) 706-6765 or jenn@downeastdognews.com

Table of Contents Hot Dog News . ..................... 2 Furry Words .......................... 4 Ask the Vet............................. 4 Basic Training Tips . ............... 6 Ask Bammy............................ 7 Cataracts............................... 7 STAYcation ...................... 8 & 9 Performance Dog Training.... 10 Words, Woofs & Meows....... 11 Rescue of the Month.............12 Dogs for Adoption................ 13 Visiting the Groomer............ 14 Calendar............................... 14 Business Directory ............... 15

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Welcome to June! It’s not

the “normal” that we may be used to, and for many it’s a scary and disruptive time. I totally understand that and am sending you all prayers for peace. For others, it’s been an interesting time of slowing down and finding ways to keep busy while laying low with your family. When we first went into quarantine mode, my phone went silent. Everyone was unsure of what was happening, and I think no one thought two or three months later we’d be where we are today. Not long after, however, people started calling and wanted to know about their jobs, pets, family members, future, and what was in store for them. I think that people who were used to working full time and collapsing on the couch at the end of the day had to find their footing again, which oftentimes meant LITERALLY finding their footing. Taking pups on walks replaced board meetings and grocery store trips. This also meant people got to reconnect with what they had been missing, and many of your four legged friends have been quite thrilled!

This month, I’d like to share a few stories of dogs that I have read.

As most of you know, I’m a psychic for people and pets, and I help people better understand what their pups are thinking, feeling, and requesting. The first dog that stands out to me was a silly boy who thought that he was a cool

Skunk Toxicity Q. My sister’s dog got skunked

the other day. He ended up in the hospital for a few days and was very sick. I didn’t know a dog could get that sick from being skunked. What happened?

Furry Words

by Sara Moore

www.enlightenedhorizons.com

dude. In his words, he was “as chill as Matthew McConaughey.”

He’s the actor who once was busted for playing bongos naked in his backyard and has a sexy southern drawl. The owner burst out laughing when I described how the dog saunters instead of walks, has a dreamy faraway look in his eyes, and that he works exceptionally hard to maintain that image. Honestly, I sort of feel the actor does the same! The dog offered nothing profound but was completely at peace with his existence and thought he made the owner look pretty darned good with

Ask the Vet…

by Dr. Judith Herman

A. Being a rural state it is

very common for our dogs to get sprayed by a skunk. Most of the time all is fine except for the smell.

Sometimes the spray is so intense and so close the dog gets a toxic dose of the spray.

Skunks are generally easy going.

They used to be sold as pets many years ago. If they are threatened, they will posture by hissing, stomping their feet and lifting their tail as a warning. If the dog doesn’t listen to these social cues, the skunk will spray secretions from his anal glands. Skunks are very accurate with their aim, and the spray can go 7 to 15 feet.

The anal gland secretions are made up of 7 volatile chemicals.

Volatile chemicals evaporate quickly. Two of the chemicals are responsible for the immediate bad odor and make up 51% to 70% of the secretions called thiols. Four of the chemicals don’t initially add to the odor until they are mixed with water. When mixed with water, they change to thiols. This may explain why the dog still has the skunk smell after a bath or when the fur

4

gets damp. The seventh chemical is an alkaloid, which isn’t as volatile as the six other chemicals.

The common symptoms from skunk spray are swelling around the eyes, conjunctivitis, drooling, and squinting. Rubbing faces, rolling, sneezing, vomiting, and temporary blindness may also occur. The symptoms that occur depend on where the dog catches the spray, in the mouth, on the skin, in the eyes, or breathing it in. If the dog is sprayed on his side or legs, the symptoms are minor. Dogs sprayed directly in the face can inhale the spray.

In rare cases, the inhaled thiols in the spray can damage the red blood cells causing an anemia. This

him by her side. He requested lots of walks but preferably in a place where he’d be seen by others.

Another reading I did was for a client turned friend, and her boy Derby. He was a stout and grunty Bulldog who had just received a diagnosis of cancer in his abdomen.

They did ultrasounds, but the vet didn’t seem to think he was in dire straits, so they wanted to ask him how he felt about treatment and how he was feeling. He described the sharp pain in his belly and the icky taste in his mouth. I was shown images of tumors that were ready to rupture, and he said that they were already leaking. He said that it had spread throughout his body, and he was ready to cross over but not before having a few wishes fulfilled. He told me that he was the King. The owner laughed and later messaged me a picture of a bulldog looking through a hole in a fence with the crown and cape of a king painted on the other side.

When she had seen this on social media, she instantly thought of her boy but also figured he’d find a way to get stuck in the opening. He was a silly but not super coordinated dog to say the least.

Derby requested a day of doing everything he loved, which included going to the farm, saying hello to the horses, and ending with a brownie sundae with Hershey’s syrup on top. He wanted the brownies to be gooey, too. The boy knew what he wanted for sure!

He said he wanted a paw print to match the other dogs that had gone before him and for her to use some of his ashes to make beautiful earrings and a necklace using blown glass. He described in intricate detail what they would look like and the symbolism behind them.

Needless to say, there were many tears shed in this reading, and a few may have rolled down my cheek as well.

Before we ended the call, she asked how her other dog would do with his absence. He was not shy to announce how awesome it would be to finally claim the number one spot in the family. He said that if he acted sad, it wasn’t really accurate.

He said he’d give the owners some space, and he would feel their grief, but within a week, he’d be begging them to focus on him. His logic was that his brother’s spirit would always be around them, so he really wouldn’t miss him! He also asked for a McDonald’s hamburger with the buns. The owner laughed and said that her husband always took him for rides and snuck him treats, and in every reading, the dogs ratted him out. We laughed through the tears, and before we hung up, she promised both dogs they would each get what they asked for. The next day was Derby’s last, and in the pictures she sent me, he was all smiles. By the

can occur in a few hours to 24 hours after being sprayed. The damage to red blood cells is the same as if the dog ate a toxic amount of onions, garlic, acetaminophen, benzocaine, moth balls, and zinc.

Better than tomato juice or vinegar, the treatment from being skunked is first bathing the dog to decontaminate the skin. The chemicals in the skunk spray are not water-soluble, even with soap.

A baking soda and peroxide mixture will change the chemicals into being water-soluble. Be sure to bathe the dog outside, so you don’t contaminate your house. There is a product called Tecnu found at your pharmacy in the first aid aisle. It is a poison ivy treatment. You pour Tecnu on a cloth and wipe down the dog’s coat to break down the chemicals. Follow this with a bath.

If eyes have been exposed, flush the dog’s eyes with tepid water.

When your dog receives a heavy spray or multiple exposures, go to your veterinarian to obtain baseline blood work. The dog needs to be monitored for the next 72 hours either in the hospital or at home. Watch your dog’s mucous membranes for change of color and breathing changes. If any symptoms are present, your dog will be hospitalized for treatment.

The treatment will be I/V fluids, a possible blood transfusion, and a medicine, N-Acetyecysteine, will be given for several treatments.

I mentioned a baking soda and

peroxide mixture. Here is the formula.

See FURRY WORDS on page 15

Krebaum skunk odor removal formula (Krebaum P. Skunk odor removal. Chem Engineer News 1993; Oct 18:99.)

1 quart fresh 3% hydrogen peroxide 1/4 cup baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) 1-2 tsp. of liquid dishwashing detergent For large dogs, add one quart of tepid water to ensure complete coverage.

Mix all ingredients together Bathe the dog outdoors. Apply the formula to the pet, working deeply into the fur, and allow it to set for five minutes.

Rinse with copious amount of water after five minutes.

Repeat if necessary.

Hints The mixture must be used promptly and will not work if stored for any length of time.

Do not store in a closed container. The container could break as the peroxide releases oxygen.

The pet's fur (as well as clothing, towels, and carpeting) may be bleached by the formula.

Judith K. Herman, DVM, CVH Animal Wellness Center Augusta, Maine www.mainehomeopahticvet.com

Downeast Dog News

Animal Lovers

from page 1

weeks. For those home more, adopting during the crisis had an advantage.

“You have the ability to dedicate time and energy to welcoming an animal and helping it settle in.”

Creativity plays a role in adoptions, and the staff and community has adapted. Zoom, FaceTime, and the oldfashioned phone are used for adoption counseling. When there’s a solid match, the adopter/family come in to meet the dog practicing distancing – they have large community rooms and a play yard.

Kitten adopters utilize online and phone counseling and drive up to pick-up the pet without entering the building. And foster applicants have surged. “Our community has been so generous and supportive.”

But the stay-at-home order halted many programs, including their “safety net” transportation of dogs from in-state and national partner shelters and rescues. “We are eager to resume these programs when it is safe to do so,” said Jeana.

Kate Griffith, Community Programs Manager at Midcoast Humane in Brunswick indicated they’ve been closed but have adopted out pets with utmost caution. A staff member contacts the potential adopter to schedule a visit after they receive their application. They’re asked to call when they arrive, and a masked and gloved staffer brings the dog out for the initial meet with 6 ft. distancing. Then they move to a fenced-in yard so the off-leash dog can interact with them.

If they mutually blend, an adoption happens. Payment is via the phone and online forms are completed to minimize germ spreading.

Adoption numbers are down from last year – but they did place 34 dogs from March 16 to May 1. Compared to the same period last year, the number of stray animals they’ve received is down 42%, while owner surrenders were down a whopping 79%. “As more people are staying home, there is greater opportunity to spend time bonding with pets and working on training as necessary,” said Kate.

Pittie Posse Rescue and Sanctuary was co-founded by Britt Bolnick and husband Todd Sullivan. Because of

the pandemic, they needed more volunteers to handle the “off the hook” number of applications. While they’ve professionally transported some dogs from out of state partners, they’re quarantined with fosters per state guidelines.

They’re focusing on Maine owner surrenders – but they usually have behavior issues. “They’re not the kind of dogs flying off the shelves.

They’re project dogs,” said Britt. But with guidance and a calm, stable environment, her trainers are turning these into highly adoptable pets.

Pet Food Pantries Pittie Posse Pet Pantry (formerly Pittie Posse Rescue's No Bowl Empty Pet Food Pantry) is a division of Pittie Posse Rescue and Sanctuary. Britt took it over from No Bowl’s founder, Nadine Molloy. Nadine reached out to Britt, and she jumped at the opportunity. “Her mission has always been aligned with ours, in keeping pets in loving homes.” Central to that mission is to plug the hole of dogs ending up in shelters and rescues.

Providing the needy with pet food and supplies is necessary.

Britt and her crew have doubled monthly distribution dates - they offer food and supplies twice in Saco and Waterboro using distancing. (For more on times, visit facebook.com/pittiepossespetpantry/ They’ve relaxed the rule (for now) of requiring a client to have its dog licensed and registered.

They distribute several hundred pounds of food monthly. “People are so grateful; it makes me so sad.”

Following in Nadine’s footsteps, if a client needs groceries, she’ll drop in with meal makings. Britt wants to add spay/neuter and vetting vouchers so the needy can keep their companions healthy. “For a lot of these people, their animals are everything.”

About three years ago, Standish resident Journey Ramsey began volunteering for the 501(c) 3 Maine Homeless Veterans Alliance (MVHA). It was founded in 2015 to support vets living on the streets in southern Maine.

Journey often joined board member Kevin Nicholson to hand out hygiene bags, meals, and necessities.

She realized that not only homeless vets, but homeless folks had pets, so two years back she began stuffing pet

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items into backpacks for them - warm coats, booties, and food. Kevin noticed her efforts and suggested she umbrella under MVHA’s nonprofit status. The Board voted positively and Backpacks for Homeless Dogs as a MVHA project was officially founded in 2019. Journey is on MHVA’s board as their Community Pet Outreach member.

“Once COVID hit, I started getting a lot of phone calls. “People were worried about buying prescriptions or dog food,” Journey said. As her program grew, she has become multifaceted: she shares supplies with anyone who needs pet food/ supplies, donates to human food pantries, and extends assistance to onetime homeless people while they’re transitioning into housing.

Her living room is her overflowing supply station, but she doesn’t complain. “People that are donating are just as grateful. They want to help people during COVID but don’t know how.”

Effect on Pets Think pets are confused as to why their owners are around more? No worries said Sara Sokol, trainer and owner of Mr. Dog Training in West Bath. “Dogs are exceptional at living in the moment. Comparing today with their humans around more and engaging with them more to yesterday when they weren't isn’t how their brains work.”

During the stay-at-home order, people have been able to spend time providing exercise and mental stimulation for their pets. “They are seeing, firsthand, how important it is to get out for daily walks and to keep their dog’s mind active.” And they can use home time to build communication and engage with their dogs during the day, whether it’s a lunch time walk or a quick game of “find the kibble.” Every activity builds the bond.

Social distancing is having an interesting effect. “So many dog guardians struggle with dogs who are

obsessed with greeting every dog and human they see when they are out and about.” They’re learning their human is the most “exciting person.” Because of distancing, fear reactive dogs are learning that people walking their dogs don’t always invade their space.

Distancing is “planting a seed” for improvement in both types of dogs.

Before returning to work full-time, plan. Spend time apart from them every day. Work in a different room for a few hours, go for a drive, or hit the yard by yourself. To make the separation positive, treat them to enrichment toys – think stuffed Kongs.

(For more tips, see Words, Woofs & Meows, page 11) As Maine slowly re-opens, know that many of these nonprofits’ safety practices may/will still be in place.

Please continue to support shelters, rescues, and pet food pantries by donating food, supplies, and monies.

Be well and stay safe.

Writer’s Note: Maine’s IDEXX Laboratories increased the availability of human COVID-19 tests for residents.

They also made available the IDEXX SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) RealPCR™ Test for pets due to customer demand.

From their website at idexx.com/en/ about-idexx/news/idexx-makes-pet-testcovid-19-virus-available-veterinarians/.

“IDEXX’s guidance, aligned with that of medical experts, is that veterinarians order the IDEXX SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) RealPCR™ Test after consultation with a public health authority (for example, a state public health veterinarian in the United States) and three specific criteria are met: Pet is living in a household with a human who has COVID-19 or has tested positive for the virus. Pet has already been tested for more common infections that a veterinarian has ruled out. Pet (especially cats and ferrets) is showing clinical signs consistent with COVID-19. IDEXX does not expect this veterinary test to have an impact on human COVID-19 testing or availability.”

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JUNE 2020

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Catherine Sanders, DVM Jennifer Mirecki, DVM

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5

My Dog is a Terrible

Dog Trainer

A Few Tenets of Dog

Training

For reasons that have always

eluded me, the basic tenets of good dog training seem to be lost on most dogs. One would think that dogs would be especially proficient at teaching other dogs how to behave.

Sure, they learn a lot from each other, but they also fail miserably more often than I would expect.

Note: the names of the dogs in this article have been changed to protect their privacy, but perhaps not their innocence.

Tenet #1: Have good timing.

The behavior has to be rewarded or punished* the moment it occurs.

Too early or too late and the reward or punishment will not be tied to the behavior.

I observed Fitz the other day snarking at Margo when she started moving away from him. Moments before that, she had put her paw over his withers: a clear sign of her wanting a bit of control. Regardless of who was in the right about the control thing, his timing was way off.

Why didn’t he snark at her WHEN she had put her paw over him? Why did he wait?

Basic Training Tips

by Diana Logan

Tenet #2: Reward the behaviors you want to reinforce. In other words, don’t reward the behaviors you don’t want, for heaven’s sake! Reward comes in many forms but must be something the dog is seeking or values.

Dug, the young Doberman, constantly harasses his older housemate Danny by jumping on him, barking at him, and being a general

pest. Danny snarks some, tries to escape and resists for a while, then ultimately gives in and plays with Dug. Danny therefore rewards Dug’s bratty behavior with what Dug wants: play. Do you think Dug will use that strategy again? You betcha! He will probably use it with other dogs, too.

Tenet #3: Ignoring the bad behavior isn’t always the best course of action. Take Callie, for example. Callie pretends that she doesn’t notice George humping her. To be clear, humping in and of itself isn’t the worst thing in the world, but if the interaction consists mostly or exclusively of humping, it should be interrupted.

George may turn his hump-o-matic tendencies into his “go-to move” and generalize it with interactions with other dogs if it’s left unchecked.

Callie is, for all intents and purposes, training George to hump purely by letting him practice it.

Tenet #4: Punishment needs to be dished out in the right dose, with the right intensity, and at just the right time. It’s a tough thing to execute perfectly, especially for humans: if it’s too intense or too long, the dog at the receiving end may be traumatized. If it’s not intense enough, it can negatively affect both parties.

The “snark” is a dog’s standard move when it comes to the preferred method of punishment, and if done

properly, it’s highly effective. It usually consists of a very sudden, loud and low bark or series of barks combined with a directed lunge towards the offender’s head. Rarely, is there any contact and if there is, there is no actual tooth contact. With an ineffective snark, the dog snarking learns that he doesn’t have any control over the situation. The dog receiving it learns that he can keep practicing the bad behavior. I’ve seen more dogs on the too much or too little end of the scale than those who can dish it out correctly. How about you?

Whenever I meet a dog who is a good dog trainer, I celebrate her!

These good dog trainer dogs are gems and are deserving of medals of honor. Now, if we could just get other dogs to emulate them, we’d have much better behaved dogs in our midst.

In the meantime, it’s up to us to step up to the plate and become good dog trainers, including being good at managing the interactions between our dogs. We don’t have to let our reactive dog train our other dog to become reactive, or our fencerushing dog set the example for our other dogs; we can and should intervene appropriately to prevent those things from occurring. *Punishment is something that reduces the possibility that the behavior will reoccur. Technically, punishment can simply be the failure to reward.

Diana Logan, CPDT-KA Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge-Assessed Pet Connection Dog Training, North Yarmouth, Maine | www.dianalogan.com | 207-252-9352

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Downeast Dog News

I am a Carolina Dog, a breed that

long ago owned Native American people. We were designed by natural selection to be so intelligent and physically superior that we survived without human help.

My great-grandfather was caught from the wild. I can offer advice based on the natural instincts and attributes of wild dogs. In addition, my adoptive person and I have had lots of training classes and other experiences. Some humans call themselves Mom or Dad of their dog, but I refer to my human, tongue in cheek, as Boss.

Much as I love her, I admit she has many of the same odd notions as most humans, so I can relate to other pet dogs with problem humans. If I can’t help, at least I can offer sympathy, and we can have some fun talking about our amazing humans. Please send your questions! N. Holmes, 280 Pond Rd., Newcastle, ME 04553, or email: askbammy@tidewater.net.

Hey, doggies! I have a new

training method for all of you who have a passion for peoplefood. Isn’t that all of us? Most of the time this only works in onedog-one-human packs, but there must be a lot of us out there just drooling for a steak or salmon filet when our pack-mate leaves food on the table.

I’ve gotten really good at snatching a treat while Boss is just a few steps away, but there’s an

Ask Bammy An Advice Column for Dogs by a Dog

awful row when she comes back to an empty plate and I’m running away with the prize clenched in my jaws. In a previous column I told you about the canine Food Law which states that any food that can be grabbed is the rightful property of the grabber. I’m sure you have all discovered that humans think the law does not apply to them.

They seem to believe that food left on a table or kitchen counter automatically belongs to them.

What a silly idea. It would be a disaster in a wild pack. How would

young dogs survive if they couldn’t snatch pieces of the kill and clean up the left-overs?

Luckily, humans, like dogs, can be trained with praise and treats. Start with something easy.

Like spinach soup or lettuce. I discovered that when Boss went to the kitchen for crackers or something, she was pleased when she came back and found me gazing hopefully at the bowl on the table. “Good leave-it!” she said.

“What a good dog!”

The next step is harder. For example, your pack-mate jumps up quickly to tend to a fizzy noise on the stove. You could eat that half cheese sandwich in one gulp.

But don’t. This is your chance to get her thinking. When she comes back, you should be standing with your nose so close to the sandwich that you could get it in a snap. She will probably yell, “NO!” first and then feel guilty that she left the food to tempt you, and you are just standing there drooling at it.

“What a good dog!” she says, and you think at her, “What a good human!” and wag your tail a lot.

Now your training project is up and running. Just keep encouraging her to praise you a lot. Wag and smile at her with your mouth a little bit open. Ham it up. You might even offer her a cute trick.

You want her to think of giving you a food reward for leaving her food alone.

Boss has gotten really good at

rewarding me with food when I point at food she has absentmindedly left in my reach. And she is SO absent-minded that we have lots of training opportunities. Now I whine to get her attention if she doesn’t notice me begging.

Be patient and almost always reward her by begging for the food instead of scarfing it. Last night after supper, she left a lovely pot of chicken soup cooling in the kitchen while she talked on that thing that makes a ringing noise, and then she holds it against her face, and talks to it as if she was talking to another human. What is that about, anyway? She couldn’t hear me whine for the soup, so I had to bark. She came running with heaps of praise and a big handful of treats. What a good human she is!

So trainable!

I say “almost always” reward her by begging instead of grabbing.

Because if she takes it for granted that you won’t steal food, she will gradually back-slide and stop giving you treats. You don’t have to do it often, but when something smells so good it almost drives you crazy, go ahead and eat it. It will keep her alert and generous.

Happy human-training, my friends, Bammy The Ask Bammy column is intended for humor and entertainment.

If your dog has behavioral issues please contact a veterinarian or professional trainer.

Do You See What I See? Ask the Ophthalmologist: Cataracts in Dogs What is a cataract?

A cataract is any opacity of the lens within the eye. The lens is normally a clear structure within the eye that help bring objects into focus. It can be a small cataract (incipient) and not interfere with vision, or it can be larger and interfere with vision.

There are also aging changes that can occur in the lens of older dogs which are not cataracts but often can be mistaken as cataracts. This condition is called nuclear sclerosis and usually does not interfere with vision.

Why do cataracts form?

Cataracts can occur for my many reasons. Dogs can develop cataracts at a very young age (congenital), or they can form due to an inherited disease and develop later in life.

Cataracts often occur secondarily to diabetes and sometimes after

JUNE 2020

traumatic events to the eye.

Can cataracts be treated?

Yes, a surgical procedure can often be performed to remove the cataracts. This procedure is called phacoemulsification. This is the identical procedure which is used to remove cataracts in humans, but unlike in humans, it is performed under general anesthesia. This procedure is performed with the assistance of a surgical microscope. A special instrument is placed through a small incision in the eye and high frequency ultrasound is used to break up and aspirate away the cataract lens material. There are no topical medical treatments that can remove cataracts.

How well are pets able to see after surgery?

Vision is restored immediately after surgery and continues to improve over the first weeks postoperatively. It is so rewarding to observe patients regain their vision and confidence after surgery.

Additionally, some patients are

candidates for a “replacement lens” or “false lens”, which provides clearer vision especially for objects “close up”.

Are there any complications?

Typically, cataract surgery has a 95% or better success rate, however there are some complications that can occur and need to be recognized. The most common postoperative complications are intense inflammation (uveitis), infection, glaucoma, and retinal detachments. Typically, these postoperative complications are minimized with early surgical and medical intervention after cataracts are diagnosed.

How do I know if my pet has cataracts or is a candidate for surgery?

If cataract or vision difficulties are suspected, it is best to have a complete ophthalmic examination performed. If cataracts are diagnosed, consultation with a board certified ophthalmologist is recommend. The ophthalmologist will be able to address candidacy for surgery or recommend other types of treatment. Typically, your pet will receive topical eye medications at this exam to start treating the inflammation that already exists within the eye caused by the

development of the cataracts. Prior to surgery, testing of the retinal health would be performed.

This testing consists of an ERG (electroretinogram) and ocular ultrasound. These are non-painful tests that are performed to test the health of the retina to ensure that when the cataracts are removed that the retinas are healthy so that vision will be restored after surgery.

What if my pet is unable to receive surgery?

It is still very important to have your pet’s cataracts evaluated even if you do not plan on pursuing surgical removal. The development of cataracts within the eye can cause intense inflammation (lens induced uveitis) which should be treated with topical eye medications to hopefully prevent other potentially painful complications such as glaucoma or retinal detachment.

These complications are why it is better to perform cataract surgery early in its development rather than waiting until the cataract matures or ‘ripens’.

Dr. Cory Mosunic, DVM Board-certified Ophthalmologist Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care

7

Doggie STAYcation Attention Maine residents! There is a reason we say, “Maine, the way life should be.” We live in a magnificent and beautiful state. During these uncertain times when we are perhaps unable or anxious about traveling, let’s consider a staycation right here in our home state. This could be a great opportunity to visit an area and stay someplace you have never been while supporting Maine businesses. The advertisers below welcome you and your furry friends. Please contact the individual businesses for their pet policies and current COVID-19 guidelines. If you live outside of Maine and would like to plan a future trip, please visit www.maine.gov/covid19/restartingmaine for the most current information and timeline for re-opening our state.

Traveling with your Dog Bring something familiar with you from home, a blanket or a favorite toy to help them feel more comfortabale during the trip. Keep them hydrated and depending on how far you are traveling, be sure and make frequent stops for a bathroom break and for them to get some exercise. The American Veterinary Medical Association suggests you stop every 2 – 3 hours.

You might consider restraining your dog with a pet barrier, pet seat belt, or travel crate to ensure a safer trip for everyone.

According to AAA, about 30,000 accidents are caused each year by an unrestrained dog in the front seat. While they may enjoy riding with their heads out the window, it is not recommend as they could suffer ear damage, lung infections, or get something in their eyes.

DO NOT leave them in the car.

On an 85 degree day, 10 minutes is all that is needed for the inside temperature of your car to reach 102 degrees. Even on a bright sunny day when the temps are in the 60’s, your vehicle can reach the danger zone, and rolling down the windows or parking in the shade doesn’t guarantee protection.

Make sure your dog’s vaccinations are up to date and travel with a copy of their vaccination records. You should also make sure your dog has been treated for fleas and ticks. If you plan to spend time outdoors even if you don’t go in the woods, you should still check yourself and the dog for ticks before you head inside.

Your hotel may have a designated area where they want you to walk your dog to do their “business.” Please adhere to their guidelines, and clean

Thank you for voting for us for Best Maine Pet

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up after your dog. This applies to anywhere you go and will help ensure that our four legged friends will remain welcome.

For a full list of pet-friendly parks, beaches, and trails, pick up a copy of petMAINE, a statewide resource published

in collaboration with Downeast Dog News (to request a copy via email: jenn@downeastdognews. com). Note: Some places may currently be closed due to COVID-19. Please do some research before venturing out.

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• Make sure your pets have some type of identification on them in case they should stray away from camp.

• Carry proof of vaccinations.

• If you leave, take your pet with you.

• Pick up after your pet and properly dispose of all pet waste in trash receptacles.

• You are responsible for your pet’s behavior.

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Bring along your pet and enjoy your Maine camping vacation with your entire family!

Pets are often an important part of camping families. Many campgrounds in Maine allow pets. Some campgrounds just allow small dogs while other campgrounds allow dogs of all sizes as well as other pets. Management has to be sensitive to non-pet owners’ comfort levels when formulating their properties rules. Please call ahead to be sure the campground you choose has a pet policy that works for you.

You are better off knowing in advance than arriving and finding your pet is unwelcome or will incur extra charges that you weren’t previously aware of.

JUNE 2020

9

Training Your

Performance Dog

Agility, Obedience, Tracking

by Carolyn Fuhrer

Exciting News for Performance Teams!

M

aine has a new dog club – On Track Agility Club of Maine. The club was formed to bring more quality and supportive AKC tracking tests to Maine – a real bonus for all of us who like to track but really do not like to travel far and wide to find tests. The club plans to offer tests at all levels and also provide instruction and follow up workshops for all levels of training.

The club will offer a tracking match this year with possible tests this fall and a full schedule of tests next year.

The club is very fortunate to have access to many beautiful

parcels of land in central Maine to assure that tracks offered in tests will be of excellent quality and full of fun and challenging obstacles.

Besides the wonderful new tracking opportunities, the club will also be offering an AKC Agility trial next year This year, they will offer an agility match and an ACT test.

The philosophy of the club and its 25 charter members is to provide a friendly, supportive atmosphere for all participants with an emphasis on encouraging beginners and juniors. The club is very fortunate to have a wide range of experienced, very talented members – many with a high degree of expertise in their field and also several AKC judges.

One of the aspects of performance sports that the club emphasizes is education and training of everyone who will assist at the trials and tests. if you have ever been to an event where stewards, ring crew, or tracklayers are knowledgeable and confident in their jobs, you know what a great feeling this is! Things run

smoothly, people are happy, and everyone enjoys the day. Being a worker at an event is a very important job, not just any warm body will do. Quality events are a reflection of the quality of the workers and how well they have been taught. In tracking, a poor tracklayer can cost you a pass. In agility, unskilled workers cause trials to run much longer than necessary.

Congratulations to On Track Agility Club of Maine for recognizing the need to educate workers. I am sure the judges and exhibitors will appreciate your efforts.

If you are new to dog sports and have an interest in tracking and/or agility, check out Maine’s newest club. There is no better way to learn than to be a welcome part of a group of enthusiastic experienced club members.

For more information, call Kathy at 207-691-2332.

Thanks to all of you in OTAC and GOOD LUCK!

Carolyn Fuhrer has earned over 100 AKC titles with her Golden Retrievers, including 2 Champion Tracker titles. She has recently become an AKC Tracking Judge.

Carolyn is the owner of North Star Dog Training School in Somerville, Maine. She has been teaching people to understand their dogs for over 30 years.

You can contact her with questions, suggestions and ideas for her column by e-mailing carolyn@dogsatnorthstar.com.

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207-593-7913

Downeast Dog News

Thoughts on the Pandemic & Our Dogs The COVID-19 pandemic has

changed the way we live, at least for a time. Unfortunately, many of the changes have great potential to impact our dog’s lives and not necessarily for the better.

Puppy Socialization & Habituation Social distancing, restrictions on group meetings, and stay-athome orders make sense as the world faces this insidious virus.

Unfortunately, these temporary restrictions make it very difficult to meet the developmental needs of a puppy during its critical period from 8 to 16 weeks of age. It is during this time that a puppy is very open to well-planned and controlled exposure to everything we expect it to encounter during the rest of its life. The more we expose puppies to, the better adjusted they will be. For example, if they have not had a positive experience with a man with a beard before 16-weeks of age, they are likely to perceive bearded men as being dangerous.

Socialization is about exposing our puppy to a wide variety of living things, which is difficult during a pandemic. Habituation is about exposure to novel objects, sounds, scents, surfaces, and more, which is equally critical during these eight weeks. I encourage anyone with a puppy to find a way to work with a local trainer on this essential process.

Many of us are offering online programs specifically to meet this need. FMI – http://bit.ly/SocializationPuppy & http://bit.ly/MEPetPros &

Words, Woofs & Meows

by Don Hanson ACCBC, BFRAP, CDBC, CPDT-KA

photo credit: debra bell

https://bit.ly/GAPuppyHeadstartOnline Pandemic Specific Acclimatization (Facemasks) It is unlikely that most dogs were socialized to people wearing various types of facemasks while they were puppies. As a result, they may be finding the “new look” on people frightening. We are teaching our current puppy headstart students the importance of socializing their puppy to people wearing facemasks of all kinds and

will continue to do so in the future.

Although dogs older than 16-weeks of age are past the socialization period, they may still need to be slowly acclimated to facemasks.

The following link describes an acclimation process suitable for puppies and older dogs. It also discusses why dogs often find a covered face to be threatening.

FMI – https://bit.ly/Dogs-Facemasks Alone Training to Prevent Separation Anxiety Dogs, like humans, are social creatures; at least most of them.

Most dogs and humans enjoy and thrive by having ample opportunities to interact with their own species as well as others within their family circle. When we remove a puppy from its mother and littermates on “gotcha day,” we become part of that puppy’s inner circle. One of the first things we teach our students in our puppy headstart class is the importance of teaching their puppy how to cope with being left alone.

FMI – http://bit.ly/AloneTraining. I warn them that a perfect recipe for creating a dog with separation anxiety is to bring it home just after the kids break for summer vacation. The dog gets constant attention for several weeks. Then when summer vacation is over, family members go back to school and work, and the dog is left alone.

It is a situation where the dog may not be able to cope. The stay-athome requirements of COVID-19 may last longer than the typical summer vacation and have the

potential to create a perfect storm of separation anxiety cases. It is a concern of pet care professionals from around the world.

I encourage anyone that is working at home during the pandemic to be practicing Alone Training with their dog daily.

Otherwise, when you do go back to work, you have the potential to be dealing with a dog with separation anxiety. Dr. Calder recently discusses this in the past two issues of DEDN FMI – https://bit.ly/SepAnx-Calder-1 & https://bit.ly/SepAnx-Calder-2.

This medical disorder causes great suffering for the dogs that experience it and is much easier to prevent than it is to cure.

Social Distancing & Dogs For me, social-distancing has had more than a personal health benefit. It has allowed me to discuss social distancing from the dog’s perspective. Unlike western culture, where a direct approach to greeting one another is considered normal, dogs have a more subtle, less “in-your-face” approach.

Unfortunately, we often force our dogs to greet one another as we do and allow them to be off-leash when we should not. As I noted in my column one year ago, dogs running off-leash and not under control can be very frightening to other dogs and people. Please, think of others when you allow your dog off-leash. It is the right thing to do.

FMI – http://bit.ly/Leashes-YES Please, take care and stay well!

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Don Hanson is the co-owner of the Green Acres Kennel Shop (greenacreskennel.com) in Bangor where he has been helping people with their pets since 1995. He also produces and co- hosts The Woof Meow Show heard on AM620 -WZON every Saturday at 9 AM. Podcasts of the show are available at www.woofmeowshow.com. Don also writes about pets at his blog: www.words-woofs-meows.com. He is committed to pet care and pet training that is free of pain, force, and fear. The opinions in this column are those of Don Hanson.

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JUNE 2020

11

Rescue

of the

Month

Rescue of the Month: Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County Caring for & Finding Homeless Animals Loving Owners

By Susan Spisak

Since 1989, Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County (PMHSKC) has been devoted to caring for and placing unwanted and abandoned animals in loving homes. They promote responsible pet ownership, the human-animal bond, and the humane treatment of all animals.

The initiators of this non-profit had the foresight to purchase seven acres on Buttermilk Lane in Thomaston for their original shelter’s site. When they outgrew that facility, they held a capital campaign and thanks to community support and large donations, they were able to build and open a debt-free10,000 sq. ft. stateof-the-art facility on the same acreage in 2016. They included an outdoor covered pavilion and indoor meet-andgreet and community rooms. These areas have served them well, especially

of late.

“We had a run on adoptions at the beginning [of the pandemic shut down],” said Tracy Sala, Executive Director of PMHSKC. “In Maine and across the country, people realized, what a great opportunity to get a dog.’” They had the time in their day to bond with the pet, train, and exercise him.

Those adoptions were handled by appointment only and will remain the norm until the facility opens to the public. “We’re still trying to do everything we did before, just doing it apart.” Applications are completed online; once it’s approved an appointment time is scheduled.

A masked staff member meets the potential adopter for the distanced meet and greet with a dog matching the adopter’s needs in one of their large indoor or outdoor areas.

They do have some dogs still

available. “The dogs we have now have more specific needs, are older or special needs,” Tracy explained. They receive stray intakes from their almost 20 contracted area towns – so more adoptables may trickle in.

They’ll continue to offer the “Slumber Party” during the restricted time. “That still works,” Tracy said.

It’s a foster-to-adopt scenario where an interested adopter, after signing necessary paperwork, leaves a deposit and takes the dog home to see if they click.

The community has stepped up to assist them. Judy Sala, Tracy’s mom and avid quilter, donated masks in fun animal prints for the staff. Warner Vaughan, the shelter’s handyman and onetime board member and co-chair with Tracy on their capital building campaign, built two stunning wood benches that reside outside the community room and covered pavilion,

so potential adopters can sit.

Tracy mentioned that they passively began a food pantry two years back.

“We realized it’s something that’s been needed.” Since early March, they’ve given out 1,800 pounds of food and litter. It’s really wonderful. Donors donate.” She indicated it’s a plus for them to keep it going and are happy to have the community behind the program. “We don’t want their animals [because they can’t feed them]. They have perfectly good homes. If this helps, it’s a win-win.”

All dogs in their care are examined, vetted, spayed or neutered, receive preventatives, and are treated to a mini-groom. To view all their adoptable dogs, cats and kittens (it’s that season), visit hskcme.org. For more info, check the website or call the shelter at 207-594-2200.

Lucie, 4 yrs., Coonhound

Harley, 5.5 yrs., Pit Bull/Boxer Mix

A southern gal who came to us after having a litter of pups. With a bit of a stubborn streak, she went off to the K-9 Corrections program to learn behavioral skills including all basic commands. Lucie's a good girl but needs a family willing to set boundaries and keep them, as she'll use her sweet, innocent face to take advantage. She is house-trained and crate-trained as well. She is now ready to find a home of her very own.

Harley is an energetic dog who loves to play. So much so, that she is a star in our dog play groups here at the shelter. Although she loves the people she knows, she is a bit of a worry wart and anxious around strangers. She's looking for a home that will build up her confidence and sense of security so she can relax and enjoy being a dog.

These dogs are available at Pope Memorial Humane Society. Adoptions are by appointment only until further notice.

Please call (207)594-2200 or visit popehumane.org for more information.

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12

Downeast Dog News

Dogs for Adoption View more available dogs on our website, downeastdognews.com.

See a dog you like, but don't have a computer? Call Jenn to help you reach the rescue: (207) 706-6765

Most rescues are showing dogs by appointment only right now.

Please visit their website or give them a call if interested in one of these dogs.

HESTER

Riley Mae

5 yrs., Terrier Mix

4 yrs., Catahoula

Very shy, but once she learns to trust, she is a love. She's quiet, house trained and crate trained. Hester needs a dog pal, and she must have a fenced yard. Would do best in a quiet home with a human that is good with shy dogs.

FMI: www.fetchinghope.com

Enjoys vigorous exercise and needs it!

Riley loves most dogs and is very friendly to those that she knows.

Riley will need an experienced Catahoula home that understands the breed and can provide the exercise and leadership that is necessary to keep her happy as well as the mental stimulation!

E-mail: catahoularescuene@gmail.com

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SECRET

7 yrs., Shepherd Mix

Super intelligent and very loving. She gets along great with other dogs! Secret needs a fenced yard where she can run and play every day. She has a good amount of energy but also settles down nicely.

Sunray Animal Clinic

73 Admiral Fitch Ave., Brunswick • (207) 725-6398 sunrayvet.com

Harley

12 yrs., Cocker Spaniel

Harley is a special needs pup. He is mostly blind and deaf, but finds his way around his home well.

Mellow, affectionate, and gets along with other dogs and cats.

Harley has some other medical conditions – please inquire if interested.

FMI: www.olddogsnewdigs.com

Nelly

2yrs., Lab Mix

Sweet, sensitive, shy girl. Would love a quiet, adult only home without other animals that offers daily exercise and training. She is very intelligent. She will need a very patient adopter who will treat her gently and with kindness.

Midcoast Humane, (207)449-1366 x206 or 207

JUNE 2020

Loving, loyal, but also independent, Delia is a smart dog who loves to hike & swim. She is also a good couch buddy.

Would do best with someone who will enforce rules, and in a home without children.

FMI: www.almosthomerescue.net

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Scarborough Animal Hospital

29 First St., Scarborough • (207) 883-4412 scarboroughanimalhospital.com

Punzi,

Queenie

8yrs., Hound

Such a loving girl.

She enjoys getting attention & is affectionate. She has a very sweet nature. Needs a cat-free home, but seems to do fine with other dogs. A mature household would probably be best.

FMI: www.olddogsnewdigs.com

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Delia

8 yrs., Corgi/Terrier

Hello Doggie Daycare

1311 Roosevelt Trail, Raymond • (207) 655-6521 hellodoggiedaycare.com

Audra

2 yrs., Catahoula Leopard Mix

Sweet loving girl, loves to be around people and cuddle on the couch. She is very quiet. She likes to snuggle! Needs work on the leash, has a little bit of the stubborn Catahoula attitude at times. She would really enjoy a family of her own where she gets to be spoiled.

E-mail: catahoularescuene@gmail.com

Scarlett

7 yrs., Catahoula Leopard Hound

Super sweet girl that is looking for a peaceful home that will provide support in her golden years.

Her current family has taken fabulous care of her, however due to allergies and schedules it just isn’t giving her what she needs at this time in her life.

E-mail: catahoularescuene@gmail.com

Captain

10 yrs., Hound

As awesome as they come. He has a great mix of energy and mellowness, and enjoys adventures as well as his couch potato time. Gets along great with other dogs. He is funny and smart and has a great personality.

FMI: www.olddogsnewdigs.com

Momo,

1.5 yrs., Whippet/ Chihuahua

5yrs., Beagle/ Chihuahua

Midcoast Humane, (207)449-1366 x206 or 207

Midcoast Humane, (207)449-1366 x206 or 207

A nervous girl who is looking for an adult only home! A behaviorally special needs dog. She is a very shy girl, once she has warmed up, she is an absolute love! Will need an experienced dog owner that is willing to provide time, patience, and love that she needs to succeed.

Looking for an adult only home with no other animals. Momo is a behaviorally special needs dog.

Needs an experienced dog owner, willing to provide her with consistent care and training. She is a very smart girl. A high energy pup who LOVES her toys.

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Has Your Dog Been Waiting for a Trim?

Visiting the Groomer During COVID-19 Dear Pet Owner, Pet Grooming was officially allowed to open on May 1, 2020, as part of Maine’s staged approach to reopening businesses. Many rural Maine counties continue to have few reported cases of coronavirus. As a result, businesses with lower risk have been given the green light to operate with precautions. Pet owners can safely visit grooming facilities by following the direction of groomers and familiarizing themselves with industry guidelines developed by the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development.

The Maine DECD partnered with industry experts to develop a safe operating checklist for specific business sectors as well as general health safety guidance from the Centers for Disease Control.

The following summarizes the steps customers need to take when visiting a grooming facility: • Review the grooming salon’s website for COVID-19 procedures and protocols • Schedule an appointment for grooming services • Communicate grooming instructions and specific pet concerns via phone, text, or e-mail • Be prepared for curbside drop off and pick up

• Text or call when you arrive at the salon and be prepared to wait outside • Groomers will supply their own leashes when moving dogs • One person should oversee handing off the pet to the groomer • Online or phone payment is encouraged • Grooming is not permitted if someone in the household is currently ill with COVID-19 • Face coverings are encouraged for groomers and clients

Photo Credits: Coastal Creations Pet Salon.

More information on Maine’s structured reopening and industry checklists can be found at: www.maine.gov/decd.

Additionally, groomers would like to remind you that this is a remarkably busy time. We understand this is a stressful period in everyone’s lives and share your concerns regarding your pet’s wellbeing. The greatest gift you can give us right now is your patience.

Social distancing customers from employees along with disinfecting takes time. Moreover, several weeks of grooming industry shutdowns has taken a toll on the condition of pet’s coats. We are happy to restore your four-legged family to a clean and comfortable condition, but navigating matted fur can be time consuming. Please understand many post pandemic shutdown grooms will require shorter summer trims.

As businesses reopen, safe

operating procedures might change.

It is important to stay informed and communicate with your groomer. Do not be afraid to ask questions and voice concerns. The safety of our customers and the pets in our care is of the upmost importance to us.

We are here for you!

Sincerely, Elsebeth DeBiase Maine Professional Groomers Association, President

June C lendar

These events are currently scheduled for June as of our production date however please check with the event organizers to ensure they are still taking place on these dates.

Toe Nail Tuesday

Nail Trimming Clinic Saturday, June 6 Rockland, 1PM – 3PM

Is your pet in need of a pedicure? Bring them down to Pet Quarters located at 235 Camden St, Rockland and Shannon from Catahoula Rescue of New England will be on hand to make your fur kids look their very best! We trim not only dogs, but cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, you name it! Nail Trimmings and Ear Cleanings are $10.00 each or a combo price of $12.00 for both.

All funds raised go directly to the rescue.

“Wining” for Dog Days of Summer

2-DAY WORKSHOP

In Good Company is sponsoring a benefit for Pope Memorial Humane Society. Our wine list will be discounted 10% for your take-out, with 50% of each bottle’s proceeds going to help fill the bowls of our furry friends and support the staff taking care of them during this crisis. For more info. the list of wines and take-out menu (must accompany a food take-out order) go to: popehumane.org

June Rockland

Is your pet in need of a pedicure? Bring them down to Pet Quarters located at 235 Camden St, Rockland and Shannon from Catahoula Rescue of New England will be on hand to make your fur kids look their very best! And remember we trim not only dogs, but cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, you name it! Nail Trimmings and Ear Cleanings are available for $10.00 each or combo price of $12.00 for both. All funds raised go directly to rescue.

TRACKING WORKSHOP Saturday, June 13 Augusta, 9AM – 12PM

North Star Dog Training School Tracking Events with Carolyn Fuhrer, AKC Tracking Judge at Viles Arboretum. Followed by meeting of On Track Agility Club of Maine. $60 Call Kathy at 691-2332 for more details.

Tuesday, June 16 Rockland, 11AM – 1PM

Saturday/Sunday, June 27 & 28 Somerville, 9AM – 4PM

The Art and Science of Tracking. Held at North Star Dog Training School, 252 Jones Rd. $250/2 days. Working teams must attend both days. Audit, 2 days, $125 or 1 day, $75.

Call Kathy at 691-2332 for more details.

COASTAL CREATIONS PET SALON

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We are just minutes from Portland

Charlies Friends doggy dayCare We offer full grooming services for Dogs 207-829-6580 42 Middle Road, Cumberland, Me Daycare, Boarding and Grooming Small playgroups Large outside areas Daily dog walks for no additional fee

WWW.COASTALCREATIONSPETSALON.COM

‧ MASTER GROOMER ‧ (207) 479-0248

80 CENTRAL STREET, BUCKSPORT, ME 04416

Now taking new clients.

625 Bridgton Road Westbrook, ME

AWARD WINNING GROOMING FOR DOGS AND CATS VOTED BEST GROOMER IN 2016 & 2019 THANK YOU! ELSEBETH DEBIASE

DOG GROOMING (207) 854-8523

Charlies-friends.com

Charlies Friends

A PLACE WHERE YOUR DOG IS PART OF OUR FAMILY!

A place where your dog is a part of our family!

829 -6580

Charlies-friends.com

Downeast Dog News

Business Directory Midcoast

CENTRAL MAINE p? a tri n Come home to a o g Goin Clean House & Happy Pets

Betty McBrien 701-8491 • Loving pet caregiver in your home within a 30 mile radius of Camden • Professional housekeeper • Farm animal care also available

STATEWIDE Sara Moore

Wiscasset, Maine • 207-882-6128 redseatsmaine.com

Psychic for People & Pets

Communicate with your pets, living or deceased with Sara Moore. Long distance sessions available!

www.enlightenedhorizons.com As heard on 94.9 and Magic 104.5

More Hot Dog News COVID-19 Update

Don’t Forget the Ticks!

Below are Key Points taken from the CDC’s

During these times while we all have COVID-19 on our minds don’t

Key Points

• CDC is aware of a small number of pets worldwide, including cats and dogs, reported to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19.

• Based on the limited information available to date, the risk of animals spreading COVID 19 to people is considered to be low.

• It appears that the virus that causes COVID-19 can spread from people to animals in some situations.

• Treat pets as you would other human family members – do not let pets interact with people or animals outside the household.

If a person inside the household becomes sick, isolate that person from everyone else, including pets.

Ticks typically hang out on long grasses, bushes, and brush. You can reduce your risk of being infected by ticks by wearing insect repelling clothing treated with Permethrin. Light colored clothing will also help you spot the ticks easier. Ticks work their way from the bottom up. They do not fly or jump. Wearing long pants tucked into your socks, long sleeves and a hat can prove to be helpful. There are also non-chemical, homeopathic remedies to explore such as the use of many different essential oils, Rose Geranium being one of the most effective.

website in regards to COVID-19 and our pets.

Information changes frequently, to stay up to date visit www.cdc.gov

forget about the ticks. They are still a concern and we all need to take precautions to protect ourselves and our pets so we can avoid a tick borne illness.

Ticks like to attach behind ears, in hair, body folds, groin, and underarms. When you get home, be sure and remove your clothing and tumble dry them on dry heat for at least 10 minutes (if damp additional time is needed), hop into the shower and do a full body check.

Speak with your veterinarian about preventative treatments available for your dog. Options vary from topical treatments and chewables to natural sprays and homeopathic remedies.

If you find an attached tick, remove it immediately with fine tipped tweezers or a tick spoon/key.

Be careful not to puncture the tick and do not twist it as you may leave in the mouth parts leaving infectious fluids behind. It is not recommended to remove unattached ticks with bare hands as you could be infected through mucus membranes or cracks in your skin. Your risk of infection will depend on what type of tick bit you and how long it was attached. If you do become ill or develop a rash after a tick bite, seek medical assistance.

FURRY WORDS from page 4 afternoon, he lay down, and it was clear his body had given up.

He ate his delicious sundae and not long after had crossed the rainbow bridge. These are the readings that are so hard to give because I can feel your grief and

JUNE 2020

pain, but also the most rewarding because there was no doubt in their minds that it was in fact his time much sooner than the vet had anticipated. I think that this is something that we can all empathize with, and the amount

of love and kindness being sent to the family is what has helped get them through. Before I go, I ask you to send them some light and love and give your pups a squeeze for me.

Sara Moore has an office in North Conway, NH and also offers long distance readings.

You can learn more at www.enlightenedhorizons.com and follow her on Facebook at Sara Moore Enlightened Horizons.

All information given in a reading is not a replacement for licensed veterinary care.

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• • • • • • ME License #F251

•

Boarding & Daycare Dog Grooming Dog Training Classes Behavior Consulting Wholesome Pet Foods Quality Pet Supplies Educational Events

Your pet’s home away from home 1653 Union St., Bangor - 207-945-6841 www.greenacreskennel.com

FMI—https://bit.ly/GAPuppyHeadstart-Online Rated as one of the Top 10 Best Kennels and Top 20 Best Dog Trainers in New England by Best Businesses of America for 2019

GREAT SELECTION, GREAT PRICES AND A HELPFUL STAFF. WE HAVE IT ALL! Hbusgiede f o r u C tion pcat Seliecck u d e! p dog ialn bl a a av foods!

Bring your dog to check out our huge selection of dog treats and toys!

Acana Blue Buffalo Blue Seal Bravo Canidae Earthborn EnTrust Eukanuba Friskies Fromm Health Extension Iams Max Merrick Natural Balance Nutrisource Nutro Orijen Pedigree Pro Pac Pro Plan Purina Science Diet Solid Gold Stella & Chewy’s Taste of the Wild Triumph Wellness Weruva Whiskas & More!

Ames Supply 447 Bath Road/US Rt1, Wiscasset Mon.- Fri. 7:00 - 5:30 • Sat. 7:00 - 5:00 • Closed Sun.

207-882-7710