All About Pets 05.26.17

MAY 26, 2017

THE PRESS

Photo by Tony Kukulich

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ALL ABOUT PETS

MAY 26, 2017

Aquatic pet store making waves in Brentwood

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AMY SCHRADER ou could take a long journey to Christmas Island to see a gem tang fish, peruse the

waters of the Indian Ocean or the Red Sea to catch a glimpse of a frogfish, travel to the Indo-Pacific Ocean to watch majestic angelfish swim alongside vibrant coral … or you could just visit Brentwood Reef Supply.

“We specialize in hard-to-find, handcaught marine fish and live coral from around the world,” said Andy Seagraves, owner, Brentwood Reef Supply.

According to Seagraves, more and more pet owners are choosing fish as their cherished companions. If you think fish make boring pets, think again.

“Fish have personalities, and some of them are characters,” said Seagraves.

“We have several fish in our reef tanks that watch us all day, and some even spit water at us as we walk by to gain our attention.”

Besides being entertaining, owning and taking care of fish can also be relaxing.

“Owning fish, be they fresh or salt, is fascinating,” said Seagraves. “There is something about building your home

reef and maintaining it that is very stress relieving.”

Brentwood Reef Supply not only has exotic, hand-caught fish, but they also specialize in live coral from places like Australia, Fiji, Hawaii, Sri Lanka and other regions of the world. The 500-square-foot shop has five reef tanks and 13 additional tanks, with a combined total of 1,000 gallons of saltwater and hundreds of unique, beautiful fish. They also offer tanks for sale in many different shapes and sizes, from 10-gallon square tanks to 1,000-gallon round tanks.

Fish are available at every price point.

Coral catfish, which are great for reef tanks and fish-only systems, are $6.89. Valentini pufferfish, which are very colorful and known to have awesome personalities, are $14.99. Queen angelfish, which are very social and make a great centerpiece for larger tanks, are $94.99.

Some of the pricier and more exotic fish include the blue-faced angelfish, which grows to a large size and demands a large aquarium, as well as gem tangs and other rare species, with prices climbing into the thousands.

“If a customer is looking for something we don’t have, we do our best to fulfill the customer’s request and find it,” said Seagraves.

Brentwood Reef Supply, specializes in hard-to-find, hand-caught marine fish and live coral from around the world.

Photo Courtesy of Andy Seagraves

After purchasing your new aquatic pet, maintaining water quality and doing some extra research on the species will help it live longer. Regardless of the purchase, Brentwood Reef Supply customers can always expect exceptional customer service.

“Brentwood Reef Supply has the best selection and customer service of any aquatic shop from San Jose to Rocklin,” said Oakley resident John Johnson, who has three saltwater aquariums. “Andy is

so knowledgeable and will order something for you if he doesn’t already have it. I won’t be driving all over Northern California to buy fish anymore. I love that Brentwood Reef Supply is so close to where I live.”

Brentwood Reef Supply is located at 8065 Brentwood Blvd., Suite 3B. For more information, visit www. brentwoodreefsupply.com or call 925-626-5471.

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MAY 26, 2017

ALL ABOUT PETS

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Taking care of your pet’s life-long health

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AMY SCHRADER

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hoosing a pet can be a difficult decision, but the type of pet you pick is the

first of many decisions involved in owning an animal.

ON THE COVER: The staff at Brentwood Family Pet Care has been providing veterinary health care and medical support to East County residents and their pets since 2000.

Photo by Tony Kukulich

From left, Brentwood Family Pet Care veterinarians Scott Lichlyter, Lindsay Heath and Tucker Avra live up to their motto, ‘loving your pets like you do.’ Staff veterinarians also include Krista Lee and Eric Johnson. veterinarian hospital 17 years ago.

“When you come in, you can trust we will take care of your pets like they are ours. That’s why our clients keep coming

back year after year.”

Besides loving your pets, Brentwood Family Pet Care provides a high quality of care with a team of 23 highly skilled

members, including five doctors – Dr. Scott Lichlyter, Dr. Kristi Lee, Dr. Lindsay see Health page 8B

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Whether you choose a cat, dog, guinea pig or even a rat, there are many more important choices to make regarding your new family member, including finding the right veterinarian care to help you keep your new pet healthy. Brentwood Family Pet Care has been providing veterinary health care and medical support to East County residents and their pets since 2000. Their motto, ‘loving your pets like you do,’ is more than just a slogan.

“We know how important our pets are to us, so we understand how important yours are to you,” said Dr. Scott Lichlyter, who started the

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MAY 26, 2017

NorCal K-9 helps find a purpose for every dog AMY SCHRADER

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here are no bones about it – dogs are man’s best friend – but according to NorCal

K-9, East Contra Costa County’s top dog-training facility, they can be so much more.

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“Dogs are the most loyal creatures on the planet,” said Garry Reynolds, owner, NorCal K-9. “Besides providing comfort as

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pets, they can also provide protection, and if they’re trained properly, they can save lives and do the work of 10 or more police officers.”

Dogs trained by the company have not only won top recognition at North American Dogsport Federation’s canine obedience and controlled protection trials, but have also attracted the attention of several police departments across the country, as well as the Department of Defense and California’s Department of Corrections, which have purchased their pretrained dogs.

NorCal K-9’s training helps dogs achieve that larger purpose, which includes providing protection for families; searching for lost or runaway people, narcotics or explosives; and being an obedient pet owners can bring anywhere.

Chihuahua, Australian cattle dog, German shepherd or pit bull owners can also benefit from NorCal K-9’s expertise.

The organization’s obedience training gives owners reliable and responsible control of their dogs, on or off the leash, no matter what circumstances or distractions are present.

“Our training makes it so dogs are unlimited in what they can do and where they can go,” said Reynolds. “After our training, you can take your dog into any

Photo courtesy of Renee Chiea

Photo courtesy of NorCal K-9

Erik Chiea, 12, works with Oakley’s NorCal K-9 to train Nightmare, his family’s Belgian Malinois.

NorCal K-9, in Oakley, offers the most advanced and recognized dog-training techniques known worldwide.

situation, and they will know how to respond and follow your commands.”

Their obedience training uses positive and negative reinforcement to guide and

correct behavior.

“We like to think of dogs as see NorCal K-9 page 5B

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NorCal K-9 from page 4B teammates and dog owners as their team leaders,” said Reynolds. “Dogs and even people need a combination of positive and negative reinforcement throughout life to teach boundaries and to reinforce positive behavior.”

Besides obedience training, NorCal K-9 also offers protection training, women’s protection training, search and rescue and more. The benefits to having a dog trained for protection are numerous.

During home invasions, protection dogs will alert you as soon as someone attempts to get into your home and will fight off the perpetrator, giving you time to get to your firearm – if you own one – or get your family to safety.

“The dogs we train for protection don’t know fear, so if someone is coming at you with a gun, they will continue to protect you even if they are shot,” said Reynolds. “It’s why they are such a vital tool to the police force and to the homes in which they live.”

Women’s protection dogs receive the same training as regular protection dogs, but are trained by a female, which allows them to get used to taking commands from softer voices with different pitches and tones.

“Protection dogs provide a comfort,” said Reynolds. “Their owners know that if something happens or if someone physically tries to hurt them, their dog will respond.”

NorCal K-9’s search and rescue

Dogs are the most loyal creatures on the planet.

– Garry Reynolds, owner, NorCal K-9 training is invaluable to police departments, which depend on dog’s training, ultra-sensitive hearing, night vision and endurance to carry out policeforce tasks.

Regardless of the training, NorCal K-9 offers a lifetime guarantee, which ensures their clients will be satisfied.

They also sell trained dogs to customers across the country.

“NorCal K-9 trained our first dog, and we were so happy with the result, we decided we wanted another dog and purchased it directly from them,” said Woodland resident Renee Chiea, whose 12-year-old son Erik works with trainers from NorCal K-9 to train his family’s pets. “The level of training they give is exceptional, and I have never seen greater success from a dog trainer anywhere. They really care about the dogs, the people and the environment the dogs are in.”

NorCal K-9 is located at 5111 Sellers Ave., in Oakley.

For more information, call 925-3005262 or visit www.norcalK9.net.

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MAY 26, 2017

Fascinating facts about felines

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any cat owners are fascinated by their

What’s in a pet name?

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cats – those quirky and amusing feline

hoosing a pet’s name can be

friends.

But there is more to cats than their quirky personalities. The following are some interesting facts about felines, courtesy of Animal Planet: ♦ Just as humans can be right-handed or left-handed, cats can favor their right paw or left paw. ♦ Cats spend roughly one-third of their waking hours cleaning themselves. In fact, cat tongues are so strong that they can lick animal bone clean. ♦ A single litter of kittens can produce cats from multiple fathers. ♦ Selkirk cats are known for their distinctive curly coats. But Selkirk cats slowly lose their natural-born curly coats in the months after birth. The coat begins to grow again when Selkirk cats reach 8 months of age. ♦ While cats are partial to litter boxes, some can learn how to use toilets. ♦ Though cats might not have the skill set to operate blow driers, 25 percent of cat owners use driers to dry their cats’ coats after bathing. ♦ Kittens may be adorable and cuddly, but their teeth are most sharp at this stage of life. Upon reaching 6 months of age, cats lose their needle-sharp milk teeth. ♦ Once they reach 1 week old, cats start to dream while sleeping. ♦ Cats don’t just close their eyes because they’re tired. In fact, many cats close their eyes when they’re happy or pleased. ♦ Cat pregnancies last just nine weeks. ♦ Cats can jump up to five times their own heights. ♦ While not all cats with blue eyes are deaf, many cats with blue eyes cannot hear. Many kittens are born with blue eyes, only to have their eye color change with age. ♦ Cats have a naturally strong aversion to all things citrus.

just as challenging for pet owners as naming children is

for parents.

Courtesy of Twitter.com

With quirky personalities and independent behaviors, cats have amused and mystified mankind for centuries. ♦ Cats of the opposite sex tend to make better housemates than cats of the same sex. ♦ Cats can become addicted to tuna, potentially resulting in a vitamin E deficiency. ♦ The majority of cats do not have eyelashes. ♦ Cats tend to have 12 whiskers on each side of their face.

More fascinating facts about felines can be found at www. animalplanet.com.

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Many pet owners want a name that encompasses the animal’s personality and rolls off the tongue. Some names are gender-specific, while others are universal. If you need help naming that new bundle of fur or feathers, you may find some help by looking at the most popular pet names.

Each year, Veterinary Pet Insurance releases its list of popular pet names. Some of the most popular pet names for today include Bella, Max, Bailey, Lucy and Charlie for dogs; Bella, Max, Oliver, Chloe and Lucy for cats; and Charlie, Kiwi, Baby, Coco and Mango for birds.

For those who appreciate a little humor with their pets’ names, Nationwide Insurance listed a bulldog named McLoven the Stud Muffin and a kitty called Agent Jack Meower as 2016’s top Wacky Pet Names. Kanye Westie and Optimus Prime Rib were some other clever pooch names, while Shakespurr and Butch Catsidy made the list as funny feline monikers.

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MAY 26, 2017

ALL ABOUT PETS

When you lose a small pet

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mall animals like gerbils and hamsters make great first pets for animal-loving youngsters, as

they are relatively easy to care for and don’t take up much space.

Small animals often provide the experience children need to grow acquainted with the responsibilities of caring for larger, more needy pets. But sometimes, things go awry. Children may overfeed a pet or forget to clean out the cage. Leaving a cage door open and unintentionally allowing pets to escape is another common problem when kids care for small pets.

Finding a missing gerbil, rat, hamster or mouse can be challenging, but it should be done promptly to prevent injury to the pet and damage to a home. These rodents can chew, burrow and hide out, and parents do not want pets chewing on electrical cords or making holes in sheetrock walls.

These tips can make the process of locating missing pets a little easier. ♦ Search in the evening. These small pets tend to be most active at night and rest during the day. Therefore, it’s best to begin searching after the sun has gone down. ♦ Start in the room with the cage. Close the door of the room where the cage is located once the pet goes missing. The pet may have not ventured too far, if you are lucky.

Photo courtesy of Metro Creative

An empty cage can be a scary sight when pet parents realize a small animal is lost in the house. ♦ Block off any exits. Look for exits the pet may use to escape, including open vents, gaps in the molding, cracks in the floors or any other areas that offer holes large enough to squeeze through. ♦ Think like a small animal. The pet is likely frightened and will want to hide. Check obvious places like behind and beneath furniture. Look for cozy crevices, such as in shoes or under clothing. Bags, backpacks and open drawers can also be great hiding spots. ♦ Listen closely. The sense of sound is often more helpful than sight when trying to find missing gerbils, hamsters and other rodents.

Listen for sounds of scratching or chewing. ♦ Leave foods stations. When all else fails, place a few food dishes around the house to draw out the animal. Monitor the dishes for activity. Try not to startle the pet if you get a chance to retrieve it. Place the cage by the dish being used and wait. A humane live trap can also help catch a lost pet.

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Estate Planning For Pets

by Joan Grimes, Esq.

For many people, their pets are a very what you want. However, if you want your other important part of their lives, especially after the beneficiaries to have access to the assets, you need children have left and a spouse has died. Many to be sure that it is clearly spelled out in the trust people come into my office wanting to make agreement. arrangements for the financial support and care of 4. As long as the value of the trust assets for their animals after they die or in the event of their the animals do not exceed $40,000, there is no incapacity. separate requirement for periodic accounting and Estate planning provisions can provide for reporting. animals either through a will or trust agreement.

5. Outright Gifts to Animal Protection If you already have an estate plan, we can usually Organization: If you do not have a friend or amend existing documents to add provisions for relative who can care for the animal in a trust, the animals. Another option is to provide for the you may prefer to name an animal protection animals through a durable power of attorney. organization that can provide permanent care or When considering estate planning for animals, guarantee placement for the animal. Locally, we you should keep several things in mind: have the Animal Rescue Foundation in Walnut 1. Statutory Requirements: Under California law, Creek and the Hopalong Animal Rescue Pet an outright gift to an animal is void. The animal Survivor program in Oakland. cannot be a beneficiary. However, starting in Providing for your pets after your death will 1991, the California legislature has permitted not only give you peace of mind, but will give peace trusts for the care of “a designated domestic of mind to your children who may not be in a or pet animal” to be performed by the trustee during the animal’s life. Therefore, do not make a position to care for the animals. If you have a pet you distribution directly to the pet. It should be a trust would like to provide financial support after your death or incapacity, I will be happy to meet with you for the benefit of the pet.

2. Make your intentions clear: In the trust and review your current estate planning documents provisions, be clear about which animals you are at no charge. I see people for a free 30 minute providing for, i.e. is it the animal you own now or consultation in my Walnut Creek and Brentwood the animal you own at your death, what is the life offices. expectancy of the animal and what is the standard THIS ARTICLE PROVIDES ONLY GENERAL LEGAL of living you wish to provide for the animal.

INFORMATION, AND NOT SPECIFIC LEGAL ADVICE. 3. The distributions of principal and income from INFORMATION CONTAINED IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE the trust can only be for the care of the animal FOR A PERSONAL CONSULTATION WITH AN unless the trust instrument expressly provides ATTORNEY. LAW OFFICE OF JOAN M. GRIMES, for other uses of the assets. Therefore, if it is your PHONE 925 9391680 1600 S. MAIN STREET, SUITE intent that trust assets are to be used only for 100, WALNUT CREEK, CA 94596 © 2016 JOAN GRIMES your animal until its death, a pet trust is exactly – Advertisement

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ALL ABOUT PETS

MAY 26, 2017

Health from page 3B Heath, Dr. Eric Johnson and Dr. Tucker Avra. A sixth doctor will join the team in June.

“Having this many choices means we probably have a doctor everyone can be comfortable with,” said Rochelle Walker, hospital administrator.

The hospital’s staff uses the latest technology to benefit their patient’s health.

Urinalysis can indicate if a patient has a danger of forming kidney disease in the future. Taking baseline blood panels on healthy pets through the in-house lab and checking how those values change can indicate an issue before a pet starts exhibiting symptoms.

“Prevention is key,” said Lichlyter.

“We want to catch issues while they’re still small and easy (inexpensive) to treat, so the pet’s quality of life or lifespan doesn’t suffer.”

Having in-house technology gives their clients reliable information regarding pet health, in an age when so many people get unreliable health advice from the internet.

“Dr. Google is something we hear about from time to time, which can be a very dangerous thing,” said Walker. “The information can do one of two things. It can give you worstcase scenarios, so you get scared to death, or it can give you a false sense of assurance.”

There is no substitute for good, old-fashioned, face-to-face meetings when the health of your family is in question.

“We have doctors who have spent years expanding their knowledge just to help pets live healthy and happy lives,” said Walker. “We also have digital X-rays, ultrasounds, full surgery available, dentistry with X-rays, an

We know how important our pets are to us, so we understand how important yours are to you.

– Dr. Scott Lichlyter

area specifically for kids and a very comfortable waiting area that feels like you’re visiting a friend’s house.”

The real difference separating Brentwood Family Pet Care from other veterinarian offices is how they do their jobs.

“We have a phenomenal team that really gets to know our clients and their pets on a personal level,” said Dr. Lichlyter. “Our clients become our friends.”

This level of care has not only led to longevity in pets’ lives, but also to happy clients.

“Brentwood Family Pet Care offers the highest level of care for being your local family veterinary hospital,” said Brentwood resident Holly Brand. “They truly focus and follow their slogan, ‘loving your pets like you do,’ and I like that their doctors work together as a team with my dog’s health as their priority.”

Brentwood Family Pet Care is located at 4221-A Balfour Road. For more information, call 925-240-7387 or visit www.brentwoodfamilypetcare. com or www.facebook.com/ brentwoodfamilypetcare.

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Keep pets cool, comfortable this summer vacations and recreational activities for human beings,

but pets may not be privy to the same luxuries.

Summer recreation may not always include our four-legged friends, as summer heat and other issues can pose a threat to companion animals. As a result, pet parents must make pet safety a priority when the weather heats up.

The Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS) notes summer months can be uncomfortable and dangerous for pets.

Temperatures that may be tolerable for adults and children who are dressed accordingly may not be so for animals covered in fur. It’s vital to help pets stay comfortable and safe as summer temperatures heat up.

Pet parents also must be aware of particular dangers that go hand-in-hand with summertime activities. ♦♦ Practice vehicle safety. It is never acceptable to leave pets in parked cars, even for a minute. Temperatures inside vehicles can rise quickly and considerably in a matter of minutes, even with the windows opened

slightly. HSUS says on any day reaching 85 degrees, temperatures inside parked cars can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes.

Pets can suffer irreversible and even fatal organ damage in that period of time. If you have to run errands, keep dogs and cats at home, where they will be more comfortable. ♦♦ Stay off hot asphalt. If you’ve ever walked on the hot sand or an asphalt driveway on a hot day, you understand just how scorching those surfaces can get. Dogs and cats do not have protective shoes to wear, so safeguard the delicate pads of their paws by keeping companion animals off hot surfaces.

Schedule walks in the early morning or late afternoon when temperatures are cooler. ♦♦ Schedule a pet-grooming visit. The American Veterinary Medical Foundation suggests speaking with your veterinarian to see if it’s appropriate for your pet to get clipped shorter or to be shaved in the summer. Also take into consideration that a fur coat can offer protection from the sun, so weigh the pros and cons before taking action. Apply sunscreen to your dog’s skin if he or she has a thin coat. ♦♦ Provide a way for pets to cool off. If you’re hot, chances are your pet is hot, too. Use a wading pool when you are outside, and

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Human foods pets should avoid eating

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he revenue of the pet-care industry is testament to the lengths people will go to

ensure their pets are comfortable and receiving a high level of care.

Well-meaning pet owners may pamper their pets, and many believe giving treats of human food is the ultimate indulgence for their animals. However, these individuals may be unwittingly exposing their beloved pets to health problems by feeding them the wrong foods.

Although any food not specifically designed for cats and dogs can affect the digestive system, resulting in vomiting, diarrhea or intestinal distress, the following foods are particularly problematic for companion animals: ♦♦ Alcohol Alcoholic beverages can cause liver and brain damage, because it has the same effects on pets as it does on people – it just takes far less alcohol to negatively affect pets than it does humans. Just a little alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, central nervous system depression, problems with coordination, difficulty breathing, coma and even death. ♦♦ Chocolate The toxic component of chocolate is theobromine. It’s present in all types of chocolate, but more so in dark varieties and baking chocolate. At its worst, chocolate can cause an abnormal heart rhythm, seizures and death.

Pets from page 9B offer plenty of fresh water. Keep pets that do not enjoy the heat indoors with the air conditioner running on hot days. ♦♦ Look for indicators of heat stress. The American Veterinary Association says heat stress is marked by heavy panting, dry or bright red gums, thick drool, vomiting, diarrhea or wobbly legs. Move pets exhibiting such symptoms to a cool place, drape a damp towel over the animal’s

♦♦ Dairy products Pictures of cats lapping up bowls of milk are misrepresentations of what they should be consuming. Many cats and even some dogs are lactose intolerant. Eating dairy products can cause digestive upset and may lead to food allergies and discomfort. ♦♦ Fat trimmings, raw meat, raw eggs and raw fish Each of these can cause vomiting, diarrhea or a painful condition called pancreatitis (from excessive fat). Plus, there is a risk of salmonella or E. coli associated with these foods. ♦♦ Grapes and raisins Cats may shy away from them, but dogs can suffer acute kidney failure from these fruits. ♦♦ Macadamia nuts According to WebMD, dogs shouldn’t eat macadamia nuts or foods that contain them, because they can be fatal, and as few as six raw or roasted macadamias can make dogs seriously ill. Symptoms of poisoning include muscle tremors, weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters, vomiting, elevated body temperature and rapid heart rate. ♦♦ Sweetened candy Candies, gums, toothpaste and any product containing xylitol can cause more insulin to circulate through a pet’s body, making blood sugar drop. That can result in liver failure and loss of coordination.

Foods that people consume should not be shared with pets, unless they have been recommended by a veterinarian. Even then, human food should be shared sparingly.

– Courtesy Metro Creative

body, rewetting the cloth frequently, and get the animal to the vet as soon as you possibly can. ♦♦ Exercise caution in the water. Dogs can get swept away by rip currents, just like human swimmers. If you will be boating, invest in a life jacket for your pooch and look for water hazards, such as currents, sink holes and blue-green algae in lakes and ponds.

– Courtesy Metro Creative

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Heading out of town?

Call the Animal Nannies

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but in the midst of all the excitement, you realize you have to leave your furry, four-legged family members behind.

It’s never easy to leave your pets at home, but with The Animal Nannies, your beloved companions will be in reliable hands. Julie Rezendes, sole owner and operator of The Animal Nannies, started her business in 2007 and has been actively pet sitting for home owners in Discovery Bay ever since.

During her 10 years in the business, Rezendes has taken care of many pets, ranging from dogs and cats to saltwater fish and reptiles.

“Every animal has their own distinct personality, and I enjoy getting to know them all,” said Rezendes. “I’ve not yet come across a pet that hasn’t been wonderful in these 10 years. Lucky, right?”

Through her personalized pet care, Rezendes not only feeds, interacts and gives needed medications to pets, but she also tends

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Photos courtesy of Julie Rezendes

Amy is one of The Animal Nannies’ many satisfied customers. The Discovery Bay-based establishment has been caring for many four-legged friends since 2007. in the Discovery Bay area, she also volunteers for Lindsay Wildlife Museum in Walnut Creek.

Through this organization, Rezendes nurses injured or infant squirrels back to health in her home. Along with the occasional foster squirrel, Rezendes dedicates much of her time to her own cats, fish, birds and other rescued animals.

“Animals are my heart,” said Rezendes.

“I’ve always wanted to do something like this, and I enjoy it so much.”

For more information, visit www. theanimalnannies.net.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

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to her client’s homes as requested. More than willing to assist her clients in any way possible, Rezendes has watered plants, collected mail, taken out the garbage and more. She also maintains communication with her clients while they are away, giving updates and sending photos of their pets.

Rezendes’ personalized pet care has generated a large clientele over the years, and due to her dependable work ethic, she has many return customers.

“She’s always been really responsive, personable and reliable,” said Victoria Kimble, a customer of Rezendes for more than six years.

“I’ve actually given her the key to my house in case of any out-of-town emergencies or day trips – I trust her that much.”

Kimble is just one of the many loyal customers Rezendes has kept throughout the years, and via word of mouth, her business has continued to flourish.

“I think in Discovery Bay, everybody knows the go-to pet sitter is Julie,” explains Kimble.

“Someone just recently moved into the neighborhood and asked if anyone knew of a pet sitter in the area. Before I even had the chance to pipe in, someone suggested Julie, and I quickly added, ‘I second you on that one.’”

When Rezendes is not tending to pets

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Pets for those with allergies

For more information, email contacthalo@yahoo.com or visit www.eccchalo.org.

clean. The combination of these factors can reduce allergen potential. ♦♦ Poodle mixes Many breeds are being bred with poodles to create a coat that is more conducive to allergy sufferers.

CATS ♦♦ Sphynx cat This animal is furless and could be better for allergy sufferers, because it will not shed allergen-laden fur throughout the house. ♦♦ Devon rex cat This breed of cat has a short, downy fur coat. Because it has less fur than other felines, the Devon rex cat does not need to lick itself as frequently to groom its fur. ♦♦ Balinese Although this cat has long fur, it may be good for allergy sufferers, because it produces less of the Fel D 1 protein than other cats. ♦♦ Siberian Perhaps due to lower enzyme levels in their saliva, Siberian cats may produce minimal reactions among allergy suffers.

– Courtesy Metro Creative

Meet Ernie

PT O D A PET A

Ernie is a sweet, male, Lhasa Apso mix, who was born on March 8, 2014, and weighs 19 pounds. He is very loving and wants to be near you most of the time. Ernie really loves going for walks and will stay right next to you. He rides very well in the car. He tolerates other dogs, but he is a little territorial and would prefer to be the only dog. He is also a little shy around children. He is housetrained and will go outside to do his business.

For more information, call 925-473-4642.

Meet the kittens It is kitten season and H.A.L.O has an abundance of adorable kittens that are not quite ready for adoption, but will be very soon.

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There are no guarantees that pets won’t trigger allergic reactions, however, certain animals could be a bit friendlier to those who are generally intolerant to animals.

DOGS ♦♦ Portuguese water dog This breed is active and has a coat that requires frequent grooming. The grooming process helps to wash away dander and oils that may contribute to allergies. ♦♦ Kerry blue terrier This fun-loving, active dog is thought to be low-allergy, because it sheds less dander than some other breeds. ♦♦ Standard poodle This intelligent breed has a long hairgrowth cycle, which minimizes shedding. ♦♦ Bichon Frise Much like the poodle, the Bichon Frise is less likely to trigger allergies, because its short, curled coat makes it difficult for dander to escape. ♦♦ Lhasa apso This small breed does not shed its coat and requires frequent bathing to remain

MAY 26, 2017

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