Lake Country Living Summer 2020 by Daily Journal

Lake Country

LIVING The

Pet Issue Daily Journal media SUMMER 2020

Safely Caring for You

IN-PERSON AND ONLINE

Thank you for allowing us time to put our expertise to work to safely care for you in the way that you feel most comfortable. IN-PERSON Yes. It is safe to come in and see us. We have extensive protocols in place in our hospital, ER and clinics. • Everyone is screened before entering and must wear a mask • Plexiglass shields protect you and our check-in staff • Enhanced cleaning practices have been implemented Find all of our comprehensive COVID-19 safety measures at www.LRHC.org

Don’t delay. Call for an appointment today. We’re ready to see you.

ONLINE If you prefer a virtual visit: • Simply call 218.739.2221 to set up your online appointment. • Or go to www.LRHC.org/VirtualAppointments and follow the easy steps outlined there.

Be the lead Little ones are watching. Learning. Mimicking. When you make the choice to save energy, they will too. Be the lead they want to follow. Learn about our rebates and start saving now!

otpco.com/SaveEnergy

The Time is Right The time is right to establish your family’s link with future generations. A personalized memorial is a permanent record that will last for eternity. Let your wishes be known. We can help you develop ideas that will preserve your family heritage.

Ryan Welle

Michael Welle 736-3228 • 800-664-2549 • 1710 Pebble Lake Rd • Fergus Falls • FergusMonument.com LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020 • 3

SUMMER 2020

FEATURES

TASTE

Well Groomed........................ 22 by Zach Stich

Pet Food.................................. 14 by Sandra Thimgan

Battle Lake vet provides treatments, surgeries and tests................................ 26 by Brian Hansel

HISTORY

Humane Society plays big roll in community........................ 36 by Johanna Armstrong DWELL WELL Love Connection.................... 18 by Joan Vorderbruggen

Pets from the Past............... 30 by Missy Hermes DRINK Pantry Perfect Pina Colada............................ 34 by Deb Erickson IN EVERY ISSUE Contributors.............................5 Editor's Note............................9

SHOP

Neighbors.............................. 40

For Pet’s Sake........................ 10

Why I Love............................. 46

HOW-TO How You can benefit from having a pet...................13 Training and taming pet birds..................................33

30 4 • LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020

Six tips to keep pets safe during storm season............ 45

ON THE COVER >>> Lake Country

LIVING The

WVF Issue Daily Journal media SUMMER 2020

Millie enjoys a sunset kayak ride with Doug Green on Norway Lake, Underwood.

CONTRIBUTORS >>>

Johanna Armstrong was a fourth-grade teacher in Shanghai, China prior to joining The Daily Journal. She has a master’s degree in journalism and another in international studies. She was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and grew up in Houston, Texas, before moving to Minnesota in 2001. Writing has been her passion since she was 7 years old.

Brian Hansel, Daily Journal staff writer, lives in Dalton with his wife, Marilyn. He has lived in Otter Tail County most of his life and enjoys spending his free time outdoors.

Deb Erickson lives on East Lost Lake and enjoys visiting her kids and grandkids on both coasts. She and her husband seldom pass up a brewery while traveling.

Missy Hermes works for Otter Tail County Historical Society as museum educator. She and her husband, Paul, have two sons.

Zach Stich is the managing editor of The Fergus Falls Daily Journal. He is lifelong Fergus Falls resident and enjoys spending time in and around Otter Tail County with his wife and two children.

“Sharing recipes is part of our culture and enriches each one of us and binds us together.” Sandra Thimgan lives on Silver Lake with her husband/ photographer/taster, Daniel.

Joan Vorderbruggen finds immense satisfaction in designing and assisting others to experience a greater sense of well-being, especially in those spaces where humans and nature meet. She is an architect, designer, artist, and a guide for Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing). Visit her websites at studiobirke. com or bircheart.com

We welcome your story ideas. Please email zach. stich@fergusfallsjournal.com or deb.erickson@ fergusfallsjournal.com. Please visit our Facebook page - Fergus Falls Lake Country Living.

LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020 • 5

Enhance your your home

luxury flooring and tile

w with ith tthe he beauty of of

PUBLISHER Ken Harty EDITOR Zach Stich EDITORIAL Johanna Armstrong Deb Erickson Brian Hansel Missy Hermes

Zach Stich Sandra Thimgan Joan Vorderbruggen

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Johanna Armstrong Brian Hansel Daniel Thimgan

Hours: Monday through Friday 10 am-5 pm And by appointment only on the weekends

It’s your health, your choice.

Learn more online at www.pioneercare.org PioneerCare Center Individualized short term therapy and long term care

Pioneer Cottages Exceptional Memory Care

Pioneer Pointe

Apartment living with custom services for seniors

PioneerLink

At-home safety and assistive technology solutions

PIONEERcare 218.998.1500 | An equal opportunity provider and employer 6 • LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020

288134

ART Art Director Deb Erickson SALES & PROMOTION Assistant Sales Director Mary Sieling Sales Representatives Sarah Johnson Jim Sturgeon Corey Eggen CIRCULATION Stacy Hanson SUMMER 2020 Volume 1, Number 3 LAKE COUNTRY LIVING is printed four times a year: March, May and August, November TO SUBSCRIBE $10 annually Send check to: LAKE COUNTRY LIVING Circulation 914 E. Channing Ave. Fergus Falls, MN 56537 EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE Write to: LAKE COUNTRY LIVING Editor 914 E. Channing Ave. Fergus Falls, MN, MN 56537 © 2020 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or reproduced without written permission from the editor or publisher. To give comments, suggestions or story ideas or to subscribe, call 218-736-7511.

The Daily Journal media

THE FUN PLACE TO SHOP! Trust your car insurance with a company named for those it serves. We’ve been taking care of auto owners since 1916. Why trust your insurance with anyone else?

Accessories, Stationery Bath & Body and more.

www.ampins.com 218-739-3316 | Toll Free 800-279-5671 920 Pebble Lake Rd, Fergus Falls

WICK272306

218-736-5433

E N J O Y

T H E

R O A D

M-F 8-5:30 Thur ‘til 7 • Sat 9-5

WICK288139

Downtown Fergus Falls

(Due to COVID ID-19 D hours may vary)

T O

289924

288158

SUMMER FUN!

2228 College Way | Fergus Falls 218-998-8878 | www.nelsonfergusfalls.com

LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020 • 7

BUYING SELLING

Kitchenware • Kids & Games • Home Accents Bath & Body • Specialty Groceries

Something for Everyone.... Including Yourself!

• POSITIVE • PERSONAL • PROFESSIONAL

ww ww.marketfergusfalls.com

288146

Call, text or email!

MARY PETTIT

218-205-7086 | marypettit@kw.com

WICK255448

REAL ESTATE

120 S. Union Ave. Fergus Falls • 218-998-3663 122 S. Lake Ave. Battle Lake • 218-864-2555

Home Care

by KNUTE NELSON

Committed to providing uniterrupted care .

when you need it most

Knute Nelson Home Care offers: Cardiac and Blood Pressure Monitoring Chronic Disease Management | Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Skilled Nursing and Case Management | Smart Home Technology Wound, Ostomy and Continence Care |

and more!

Home is the

safest place to be. Let us help keep you there.

287751

More than 8,448 locally written stories, columns, letters to the editor and photos in the past year.

EDITOR’S NOTE >>>

ave you ever had a hard day at work or school and came home upset? When you reach for the door handle, you hear movement Zach Stich inside your home — anxious, excited movement. By the time you push the door open, there is something hopping up and down at your waist, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. I know I have a number of times and that is why we decided to make this edition of Lake Country Magazine about our best nonhuman friends — pets. In this edition, you will hear from two groomers about the services they offer and what owners should know before taking in their pets. We also visit with the Humane Society of Otter Tail County (HSOTC) and talk to them about the operations at the site. Do you want to volunteer? HSOTC also has opportunities for those looking to adopt an animal. But make sure to get the proper shots … and speaking of shots, we talked with Dr. Jeffrey Lukken of Lakes Veterinary Hospital in Battle Lake about his days at the animal hospital. Don’t forget our columnists with their insightful take on this edition’s theme. Sandra Thimgan presents animal-themed treats for the family, while historian Missy Hermes talks about some of Otter Tail County’s pets from the past. Joan Vorderbruggen discusses her time at an equine therapy retreat and the emotional connection between animals and humans. So cuddle up with your best friend, give them a good pet and take a look at this edition of the Lake Country Magazine.

Get informed. Stay connected.

Go to www.fergusfallsjournal.com/newsapp to download the APP

Download the APP directly

Get notiﬁcations on breaking news and top stories on your mobile device. Save and share the articles with your friends and family. Get local stories on the go.

(218) 736-7511

www.fergusfallsjournal.com LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020 • 9

for pet’s sake Weaver Stable Blanket $74.99 Fleet Farm

Wide Deluxe Easy Clean Tube Feeder $19.98

Beatrise 4’’ Kitty Loft $79.99

Home Depot

Fleet Farm

10 • LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020

Pet supplies for the domestic and wild animals in your life!

OurPets Tail Spin & Chase $29.99

Garmin Delta XC Dog Training Bundle $169.99

Fleet Farm

Kaytee Premium Timothy Hideout $19.99 Fleet Farm

ShieldTec Plus for Dogs $12.99 Fleet Farm

LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020 â&#x20AC;¢ 11

Pet Lodge Bunny Bottle $13.99 Fleet Farm

Kurgo Car Door Guard $19.99 Fleet Farm

Conair Pro Dog Deluxe Pet Washer $31.99

Pennington Premium Birder’s Blend $9.98

Fleet Farm

Home Depot

Purina Tidy Cats Naturally Strong Cat Litter $14.99 Fleet Farm 12 • LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020

How you can benefit from having a pet Pets have been kept for centuries. Statistics from various sources indicate North Americans own millions of dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, and reptiles. Pets’ affable nature and loving looks are enough for many people to welcome them into their homes, but the benefits of having a pet extends beyond their appearances and temperaments. • Pets can help prevent loneliness. Loneliness affects people of all ages, but it is particularly problematic among seniors. Older adults who may be isolated can benefit from having a pet around. According to a study published in Aging & Mental Health, older adults who owned pets were 36 percent less likely to say they were lonely compared to those who didn’t have an animal companion. • Pets can save lives. Pets can be trained to perform various tasks around the house and in the community. Rescue animals assist in finding people after natural disasters. Medical alert pets can help people with debilitating illnesses and assist physically impaired people with everyday tasks. • Pets help lower allergy risks. Keeping pets around can reduce a child’s likelihood of developing allergies by as much as 33 percent, according to a study by pediatrician James E. Gern that was published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. People exposed early on to animals tend to develop stronger immune systems overall. • Pets provide socialization opportunities. A pet can be the common denominator to strike up new friendships and connect with others. Whether walking around the neighborhood or being part of a pet obedience class or interest group, pets can help their owners expand their social circles. • Pets can help combat stress. Talking to or stroking a pet can make stress easier to handle. A study from researchers at the State University of New York at Buffalo found that, when conducting a stressful task, people experienced less stress when their pets were with them. Various other studies and data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have found having a pet around can lower blood pressure, ease anxiety and may even help to lessen aches and pains. Pets provide unconditional love, which can be

beneficial to someone facing depression or post traumatic stress disorder. • Pets help teach responsibility. Taking care of a pet can help children and adults become more responsible. Pet owners say their pets help teach their kids to be responsible through routine care, exercise and feeding of the animal. Pets are more than mere companions. In fact, pets can offer numerous health and well-being benefits to people of all ages. LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020 • 13

TASTE >>>

Pet Food: Cats and Dogs can

finally get along – in the kitchen! Article by Sandra Thimgan | Photos by Daniel Thimgan

This issue’s theme is PETS? Hold your horses! How do I make THAT fit into a food column? I’m fairly sure they didn’t want recipes that use pets as an ingredient, so luckily, as it turns out, some my favorite recipes are for made for humans but named for pets, like CATS & PUPPIES! Borrowing from our Southern states’ heritage with these recipes, I also included is a dog-tested recipe that’s sure to please your furry friends. Above: "Snoopy" is photographer Dan Thimgan's beloved childhood pull toy. 14 • LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020

Cajun/Blackened Catfish Cajun cuisine is named for the French-speaking Acadian people who settled in Louisiana. It incorporates West African, French and Spanish influences and is thought of as “rustic or country” cuisine. 2-4 catfish fillets (or any other white fish i.e. cod, walleye, pollock) 2-3 T. melted butter for brushing fillets Oil for frying Lemon for garnish Cajun seasoning (if you want to make your own see recipe below) Pat the fillets dry with paper towel. Brush each side lightly with butter, sprinkle each side generously with Cajun seasoning. Heat oil in skillet, when hot, add the seasoned fillets and cook 3-4 minutes each side, depending on size of fillets. Turn on your range fan as spices may smoke a bit. Add a squeeze of lemon just before serving. Cajun seasoning 1 T. each of garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, dried thyme, ground black pepper 1-1/2 T. paprika 1/2 - 1 tsp. cayenne pepper (to taste) 1 tsp. salt (optional) Mix together and store extra in small jar for next time. LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020 • 15

Hush Puppies No Southern fish fry is complete without hush puppies. A favorite part of Southern cuisine, they are traditionally served with fried catfish, of course. These delicious small bites of deep-fried dough, similar to fritters, date back to the Civil War period when soldiers are said to have tossed fried cornbread to quell the barks of their dogs or to “hush the puppies."

1 cup cornmeal 1/2 cup all purpose flour 1/2 tsp. salt 1 tsp. sugar 1 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1 large egg 1 cup buttermilk 3 cups oil for frying Optionals: 2-3 T. grated onion, 2-3 T. chopped jalapeños, dash cayenne pepper

Combine first six dry ingredients in a bowl. Separately, whisk the egg with the buttermilk. Combine the two mixtures. Add any optional ingredients you wish — I would add them all. The dough should be thick enough to drop from a spoon or from a scoop. Heat oil in deep, heavy skillet or deep fryer (360°) — oil should be deep enough for hush puppies to float. Drop batter by spoonfuls/scoops into hot fat and fry, turning to evenly brown. Remove hush puppies to paper towels to drain and finish frying the rest. Makes about 24 hush puppies.

Dog Biscuits Fed the humans, now something for the pets — these received two “paws up” from our official biscuit testers, Peanut and Cooper! 3/4 cup whole wheat flour 1/4 cup quick oats 1/2 cup water (more if needed) 1 egg

1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 cup cornmeal 1/4 cup canola oil 2 T. peanut butter

Preheat oven to 350°. In a mixer, combine water, oil, eggs and peanut butter. Mix until well combined. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients. Pour dry into wet ingredients and mix until well combined. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to about 1/8” thickness. Using cookie cutters, cut dough into shapes. Place shapes on baking sheet lined with silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Bake for 10 minutes, remove from oven, turn treats over and return to oven to bake for another 10 minutes. Turn oven off and leave treats in the oven for another 20 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Yields 18-25 depending on cutter. 16 • LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020

MARKETPLACE 218-998-5539

Monday-Wed. 10am-6pm Friday-Sat 10am-6pm Closed Thursdays & Sundays

Ph: 218-998-9082 Fax: 218-739-9082 204 W. Lincoln Ave. Fergus Falls, MN 56537

Sam Norman - Artist

Abigail Norman - Permanent Makeup Artist @TheBeeHiveTattooParlor @

KNUTSON ELECTRIC REBUILDING

For all your home projects, we can help!

292418

Shop our new website

Rebuilds Alternators • Starters • Electric Motors & Generators

Appliances & Service • Blinds • Cabinets Counter tops • Fireplaces • Flooring • Furniture Hardware • Lighting • Mattresses • Skate Shop 1005 North Tower Rd • Fergus Falls

218-998-5070 LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

fergushomeandhardware.com

1516 N. 1st Ave., Fergus Falls,MN

218-736-7065

Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm • Sat 8am-4pm • Sun 10am-4pm

SURPRISE SOMEONE SPECIAL WITH A SUBSCRIPTION. Lake Country

LIVING LAKE COUNTRY LIVING

ING LAKE COUNTRY LIVING

Lake Country

Only

$10

a year

Lake Country

LIVING LIVING JOHNSON'S

SPRING 2020

HOLIDAY EDITION 2019

GIRLS NIGHT OUT WITH

JUNKYARD CHICKS TRASHION FASHION

CHRISTMAS VILLAGE CHRISTMAS IN VENEZUELA

SMART

Address_________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ Phone__________________________________________________ Email___________________________________________________ ❑ Payment Enclosed ❑ Visa/Mastercard/Discover #___________________________________________________________________ Expires____________________

Lake Country

HOUSE

VOL. 1 NO. 1

VOL. 1 NO. 2

SPRING 2020

Name___________________________________________________

Signature___________________________________________________________

THE

FRILUFSTLIV al Daily Journ media

288094

marie.business.service@gmail.com

643 W. Fir Ave. • Fergus Falls

WICK272316

Marsha Williams Enrolled Agent mwilliams@prtel.com Marie Narimani

• Tax Preparation • Payroll • W-2s & 1099s • General Ledger • Quarterly Reports • Accounts Payable • New Business Set-up

287970

BUSINESS SERVICES OF FERGUS FALLS

Daily Journal media HOLIDAY EDITION 2019

LIVING

Mail to: The Daily Journal 914 East Channing Avenue Fergus Falls, MN 56537

LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020 • 17

DWELL WELL >>>

L ove CONNECTION 18 â&#x20AC;¢ LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020

...I found myself face to face with a very real, living, breathing manifestation of my youthful fantasies...

Article by Joan Vorderbruggen

t was an intensely passionate love affair – as much as a preteen girl could have. It consumed my daily thoughts and nighttime dreams. Each day, my best friend and I would exchange stories as we huddled together in the seat of our school bus, her having the advantage of being part of an actual relationship, me still in a state of wishful yearning for one. I would listen intently as she described what seemed to me to be true love - magical… transcending. At that point in my life, my deep desires were only physically realized through posters, drawings, figurines and books scattered about my bedroom. Then one day when I was 13, after school and out of the blue, it happened. I watched a truck pull into our farm and as one of the vehicle’s occupants stepped out, I found myself face to face with a very real, living, breathing manifestation of my youthful fantasies. I thought I had died and gone to heaven! Several horse-less decades later, I felt a strong pull to reconnect with the magnificent animal again, but no degree of my younger self’s love and infatuation with horses could have prepared me for the powerful experience I had at a daylong equine therapy retreat. I attended the workshop for a few reasons: I had recently trained to be a nature and forest therapy guide, and was realizing how powerful and healing our connection to the more-than-human world could be; I had some areas in my emotional life that needed attention; and I just wanted to be around horses again, to feel their soft muzzle, to breathe in their “intoxicating” aroma, and to be transported back to the delightful days when I was hit hard with a major case of “equine fever.” Even just a few hours of pairing up with horses in the equine therapy retreat revealed stunning results. While never riding the horses that day, we were instead guided through a series of exercises to interact and communicate with the animals without any use of gestures, words or noises, reign or rope. During the years when I was riding my own horse, I knew she could sense my emotions, but never to the degree

LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020 • 19

that I witnessed at that equine therapy retreat a few years ago. Because horses are actually prey animals, they’re incredibly aware, intuitive and sensitive, and the one I was partnered with mirrored my emotional blocks, my moods, my resistances. It is no wonder equine therapy is so effective in helping people who have suffered emotional trauma, are dealing with depression or emotional issues. With the onset of the coronavirus, you probably have heard about the uptick in pet adoptions by people suddenly seeking the comfort of an animal companion. Connections with animals have been proven to reduce stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure and enhance well-being. It’s now commonly accepted that animals can provide physical, emotional, and even spiritual support for us. Most animals in Western culture are no longer seen only as a creature needing to have a “job” pulling our plow, serving as a means of transportation for us, or in the case of Lassie, saving little Timmy from falling down another well! Our pets have become, to many of us, a genuine part of our family, whether than implies a single household or the community at large. Humans are animals too, and have coexisted with other nonhuman species since our collective beginnings. Anyone who has shared a deep gaze with a pet, seeing their love or fear – or having them see ours – knows we communicate non-verbally with each other all the time. It really isn’t a stretch, then, to extend past the realm of the 20 • LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020

house pet or domesticated animal and begin to witness a broader inter-species connection we can have with the wilder animal kingdom beyond our home’s walls or backyard. The intelligence, compassion, sensitivity, joy and playfulness of animals in the wild is well documented. We hear stories of whales “thanking” humans after being rescued from the entanglement of fishing nets. We know of the strong familial elephant clans and can witness their sense of deep mourning when a family member dies. Animals have and express emotions and feelings, likes and dislikes. Having empathy for them can make it easier to have empathy for other humans. Caring for the animals we share this planet with heightens our own sense of compassion for all life. I am still moved by an incredibly strong love of animals – not just horses! And the more I connect mindfully with the beings in the natural world, the more I recognize that how we see and treat other life is really a window into ourselves. Like the horse in the equine therapy session I attended, our relationship with other beings is mirrored back at us. Mahatma Gandhi said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way in which its animals are treated.” I would expand that further to include the broader plant and animal kingdoms of this planet. Honoring, protecting and loving the life on this beautiful earth is of profound benefit to us all. When we recognize ourselves in the natural world, understanding that what we do to this living earth we do to ourselves, then we will become a kinder, gentler, more loving species.

Please continue to remember...

Ready... set...

grow!

The only locally owned and operated funeral home

291118

those who are grieving in these uncertain times. People still need compassion and support from people, now more Contact Chris Marvel or D Dus tin i Mor MChris riis to get or D Contact Marvel Dustin i Mor M riis to get than ever. Phone calls, Contact Chris Marvel, Jackie Marquardt Morris Contact Chris Marvel or D Dus Du tin i Mo Mor Mor ias home to get pre-qualied for a home loan. pre-qualied forrriDustin loan. cards, text messages Mortgage loans are simpli to get pre-qualifi ed aFederal. home loan. pre-qualied forfor aare home loan. ed at American Mortgage loans simpli ed at American Federal. Mortgage loans loans are are simpli simplified ed at Mortgage at American AmericanFederal. Federal. and video chats are so appreciated.

Chris Marvel

Jackie Marquardt

Dustin Morris

Ag 117 & Business 117 11 7 S.Associate Mil M Mill illl St St.. Banker 11 7 S. Mil M Mill illl Banker St.. St NMLS #1933795 NMLS #504051 Ferg Fe Fergus rgus us Fal F Falls alls ls, , MN 5 565 56537 6537 37 Ferg Fe Fergus rgus us Fal F Falls alls ls, , MN 5 565 56537 6537 37 11 117 7 S. Mil M Mill ill l St. St . 117 S. Mill St. 117 S. Mill St. (218 (2 18)) 73973Falls, 9-33 3377 77MN • (88 (rgus 888) 8)F 389 3alls 89-3 9-3377 -337 377 7 (218 (2 18) ) 73973 9-33 3377 77 • (88 ( 888) 8) 389 389-3 9-3377 -337 377 7 Ferg Fe Fergus us Fal Falls ls, , MN 565 5 56537 6537 37 Fergus 56537 Fergus Falls, MN 56537 117 S. Mill St. (218 (2 18)) 73973389-3377 9-33 3377 77MN • ((88 888) 8) 3 389 89-3 9-3377 -337 377 7 (218) 739-3377Fergus (888) (218) 739-3377 (888) 389-3377 Falls, 56537 291116

Business Banker NMLS #504048

711 Pebble Lake Rd., Fergus Falls, MN 56537 www.OlsonFuneralHome.com | 218-736-7586 • 800-530-8937

(218) 739-3377 (888) 389-3377

Age well.

Where

FRIENDS become FAMILY

There is a strong connection between family members and that is what is created between the staff and the members of the community who call Mill Street Residence home. Nothing is better for each of us than being around a large, loving, close-knit family, being active together, making memories and just being ourselves. All of those things are part of life at Mill Street Residence.

FOR MORE INFORMATION call 218.739.2900 or visit Millstreet.lrhc.org.

Mill Street

RESIDENCE A LAKE REGION HEALTHCARE ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY

LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020 • 21

22 â&#x20AC;¢ LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020

Well Groomed Local pet groomers offer services, tips Article by Zach Stich | Photos submitted

s summer starts to show, it is time to roll down your car window, get the wind in your hair and smell the aromas of fresh cut grass, rainfall and — friends? But as a family pet, you are reliant on your owner to make these decisions (especially rolling down the window). There isn’t anything worse than sweating through the summer months with a shaggy coat of hair or smelly fur. In Fergus Falls, two facilities — Soapy Puppy and Canine Acres — provide different styles of grooming and care. Krystyne Frandson, owner of Soapy Puppy, has been involved in animal care and rescue for as long as she remembers. “I don’t recall exactly when I began grooming pets, but initially for several years it was to help rescues and then for family and friends. I was a professional photographer for many years and becoming a professional groomer never really crossed my mind,” Frandson said.

Frandson began working as a kennel supervisor in 2015 and moved to Fergus Falls two years later. In December of 2017, Frandson opened Soapy Puppy with encouragement from the Humane Society and veterinarians. Working with her son, Jette, Frandson grooms all breeds/ sizes of dogs and a few cats. “Occasionally bunnies and guinea pigs,” Frandson laughed. Frandson has also worked with pets that were “fired” from other groomers. Many of those pets have anxiety issues and require short appointments that consist of a bath and dry. Working out of her home, Frandson says that these pets find the home grooming situation more relaxing and usually “graduate” to regular grooming after establishing a relationship. Providing a home environment for pet grooming, Soapy Puppy gives owners a different element compared to other groomers. Frandson, who has a background in photography, will also take

LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020 • 23

portrait photos of her animal clients for the business’ Facebook page, garnering several followers. According to Frandson, she uses natural products and purchases several items locally or regionally, including doggy treats, Gracie’s Doggy Delights, out of Wisconsin. But what if you are not only looking for a pet stylist to cut and groom your pet’s hair, but someone that could take care TIPS FROM THE GROOMER: Start flea and tick regiment (oral meds are best) in February/March and don’t stop until November/ December. Extreme early spring and very late fall are the biggest surge of flea and tick population. It’s when I see my biggest numbers. Many people think that as soon as it starts getting cooler, they’re safe from fleas. That’s when they multiply the most. — Krystyne Frandson, Soapy Puppy of your family friend overnight? Canine Acres in Fergus Falls is just such a place as they not only offer grooming, but day care and boarding for pets. According to general manager Amy Sund, owners are able to customize their pets amenities for all services in a clean and serene setting, while also having a staff 24 • LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020

that enjoy their work. While the business typically boards dogs and cats, they do have some accommodation for different pets as well. If you are looking to get your animals boarded, Canine Acres requires that owners are up to date on their vaccinations including rabies, distemper and bordetella. It is also recommended that

TIPS FROM THE GROOMER: All breeds have regular grooming needs. For some it may just be bathing and brushing and for others they may need that and haircutting. We can customize a grooming plan for any breed. Regular grooming maintenance is very important for a dog’s health and well-being. — Amy Sund, Canine Acres owners bring their pet’s choice of food. “Pets can easily get an upset stomach when you change their food so its always a good idea to send food along with your pet when boarding them,” Sund said.

Being in business for 12 years, Canine Acres has several perks that other facilities can’t provide. “Dogs get to come here for more than just grooming so they know Canine Acres as a fun place where they get to “play with their friends” and get treats and cuddle time,” Sund said. Sund also mentioned that customers really like that they can send their pet to the business for day care and choose to have their pet bathed before they return home. Sund mentioned one of the best parts is providing comfort for owners when their pets are in their care. “Helping the animals feel safe and secure while their owners are away and the satisfaction of giving owners peace of mind to enjoy their time away,” Sund said. She also mentioned that it is fun to come to work where everyone loves what they are doing. Both groomers enjoy their work but also have a few not-so fun parts of the job. “There is always work to be done when you are taking care of animals. You have to be able to anticipate the needs of the animals and multitask,” Sund said. Working with pets that are older or special needs, Frandson has a lot of great times but also knows that there are several hard goodbyes. “I love my quiet one-on-one time with dogs that need a little extra TLC. I massage them during the bath, swaddle them in warm towels and sometimes even sing to them,” said Frandson. “Unfortunately, that means I’ve said many goodbyes. It’s hard to explain, but sometimes I know it’s the last time I’ll be grooming them.” LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020 • 25

A laser is used on a dog’s hindquarters at the veterinary hospital in Battle Lake. 26 • LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020

Battle Lake vet provides treatments, surgeries and tests Regular exams are the best way to keep pets healthy Article by Brian Hansel | Photos provided Dr. Jeffrey Lukken’s patients can’t tell him where it hurts. “They don’t talk but they use claws and teeth sometimes,” Lukken jokes. Come July 1, Lukken will celebrate his 35th year practicing veterinary medicine at Lakes Veterinary Hospital (LVH) in Battle Lake. Lukken is a doctor on the go. Not only does he see dogs and cats as part of his hospital work, he also spends part of his time treating cattle and some of it testing fish. His work with canines and felines involves a lot of preventative medicine. Vaccines are available for Lyme disease. Both Lyme disease and anaplasmosis are tick-borne diseases. LVS recommends some very effective flea and tick preventative medications. It also has effective heartworm disease preventative medications. A few winters back when Minnesota was without its usual coating of snow, LVS saw a huge outbreak of deer tick disease in dogs and for 45 straight months their owners were bringing in their pets for treatment. It is a prime reason why Lukken considers it very important to use flea and tick prevention year-round. Spaying and neutering pets is also a part of veterinary work but the current crisis has led to some changes of operation at the hospital. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, only sick and injured dogs and cats with medical conditions are being treated. Yet Lukken is a big believer in wellness exams for dogs and cats. He considers preventative measures and regular exams to be the best way to keep pets healthy. “We’re limiting the number of people we have coming in,” Lukken said, adding that the LVH personnel are using personal protective equipment to protect their clients as well as staff members. Pets are picked up outside the hospital by staff members and brought into the facility while their owners remain behind.

LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020 • 27

g t

H e Two Lakes Veterinary Hospital staff members team up to treat a dog’s ears. Every pet has its own personality according to Dr. Jeffrey Lukken. 28 • LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020

p a t

Lakes Veterinary Hospital staff perform dental work on a canine patient.

Lukken’s many decades of experience with dogs and cats have given him certain insights into what these animals like - one of those things is having a routine. “Dogs and cats are creatures of habit,” Lukken observed. He has also seen many different personality types. Lukken spends plenty of time on the farm helping livestock. He occasionally does surgery on cattle and also conducts examinations. The calving season has been underway for beef and dairy producers so Lukken has been making house calls on Holsteins and Angus who might be having delivery problems. Many of these calls have been nocturnal ones. Lukken has found how a

midnight call to help a cow with a delivery can lead to a mighty stretch the following day. Lukken’s work with fish is not with clown fish or guppies. He is looking for problems in bait fish - fatheads, shiners and sucker minnows that might have viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS), a deadly infectious fish disease caused by Piscine novirhabdovirus. The work Lukken does is for bait wholesalers who ship out large quantities of minnows. As a resident of Otter Tail County, he is strategically located for this work, working out of one of the largest lake counties in both Minnesota and the United States. LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020 • 29

HISTORY >>>

PETS FROM THE PAST By Missy Hermes Photos courtesy of Otter Tail County Historical Society

30 â&#x20AC;¢ LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020

We turn to our pets for safety and comfort Like many cultural organizations and businesses, the Otter Tail County Historical Society has currently shut its doors to the public to comply with social distancing and keep people healthy. The staff is working at home while also taking care of duties that do not involve personal contact with the public. We hope the public is aware that while the museum and research library may not be open, we continue to care for the precious artifacts and archival materials – priceless photographs, books, newspapers and one-of-a-kind records – that tell the story of Otter Tail County. During the first weeks of the museum closure and stay at home order, I was pet sitting my son’s darling cat. His friendly nature and feline hijinx brought me comfort and joy in a trying time. Even now he participates when we FaceTime with my son at NDSU. The idea of indoors animals, piles of pet toys and FaceTiming a cat would seem like foolishness to our distant ancestors. For them, animals had a purpose whether it meant a dog pulling a Dakota travois or herding a flock of Latter Day Saints’ sheep. Ann Whiting Barnard was a member of the Cutlerite Mormon Colony that came with sheep to Otter Tail County by covered wagon in 1865. She described the journey from Iowa with her parents and seven siblings in the “Old Clitherall Story book”. Barnard wrote, “the only real heartache I remember was when we drove off and left our little dog Ring behind. He had been our little playmate for so long that to see him sitting there wagging his tail and watching and listening for an invitation to go with us made the big lumps come up in our throats.” On that same trip, Ann’s mother was surprised to discover a snake curled up in the Dutch oven she used for baking bread. How shocked would Mrs. Whiting be to know the infinite variety of reptiles, insects and spiders that people keep as pets today? Stories and photographs that include beloved pets are some of our Historical Society staff favorites. A longtime volunteer at

Top left: Elmer Adams and Family at Swan Lake in 1940. Back row: Samuel, Jr., Anne, Thomas Eschweiler, Alexander, C. Eschweiler II, John, Robert, Lucy. Front Row: Peter Eschweiler, Lucy, Sam, Marjorie. Dogs: Clipper, Gerry, Cricket.

Interior of the Grand Hotel c. 1897 In the photo: Mike Curry, W.E. Stringham , Frank Curry ( famous race horse driver), O.T. Flaget (hotel employee). The two children and their dog are unnamed.

Log cabin home in Candor Township of Mrs. and Mrs. Nick Ebersviller. The family’s cat sits on the front step, at a social distance from the family’s border collie. LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020 • 31

Dr. William Morgan, dentist at the Fergus Falls State Hospital, was an avid outdoorsman who always had a furry companion along on his hunting and fishing trips.

Janice Marie Stroschein Stenger and her pet cat, Carlisle Township c. 1941. #66024

the museum and the Center for the Arts was a well-known cat lover. We treasure photos of Jan Stenger as a toddler with her pet kitties. She famously doted on her fur babies. One famous furry resident of Fergus Falls was “Jack” Brown, who belonged to James and Mygatt Brown. Mr. Brown practiced law and Mrs. Brown was involved in organizations such as the DAR and Women’s Study Club. The couple had no children and doted on their fur baby, Jack. They even held a birthday party for the little fellow. The first emotional support animals in the county may date back to 1981 when State Hospital rehabilitation workers Sharon Loyce and Debbie Wahl began pet therapy sessions for residents in a partnership with the Otter Tail County Humane Society. Then, as now, we turn to our pets for safety and comfort. Stay healthy, stay home and pet your pet. 32 • LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020

Janice Stroschein of Carlisle Township, sitting on a pumpkin with her cat in the Fall of 1942.

Jack Brown, pet pupper of James and Mygatt Brown.

Ralph and Walter Kromer with cats, dogs and chickens. The boys lived at 607 E. Beech in Fergus Falls.

Training and taming pet birds Interacting with a companion animal is one of the joys of pet ownership. While certain pets seem more naturally inclined toward interaction than others, such as cats and dogs, many pets can be made more social with the right training. Many people love having tame and trained birds as pets. Opinions vary as to which birds may be the most amenable to bonding, but many birds make great companions. First-time bird owners are often advised to start with a young bird, as it is often easier to tame and train a young animal than one who is older. Certain pet stores or bird specialty retailers will hand-raise the birds from babies so they become acclimated with humans very early on. Taming is largely about trust. Therefore, it may need to begin slowly. Gradually go from simply being in the company of the bird to allowing it to grow accustomed to your hand in the cage. Eventually, after you and the bird are comfortable with each other, allow it to sit on your finger or shoulder. According to Rob Marshall, an Australian avian veterinarian, as a bird comes to trust, he or she will also allow touch from the top of

his head to the back of the neck. Repeated handling can build up an attachment. According to the experts at VCA Hospitals, do not overdo your avian acclimation or training when the bird is first brought home. He or she may need to settle in to its new home. Everything is new, and new sights, sounds and smells can be stressful. Once the bird has acclimated, aim for taming sessions between 15 and 20 minutes per day. Also, allow the bird to have some alone time to entertain itself; otherwise, you may end up with an overly attached bird. Birds can bite, and when they do, it is important to remain calm. Keeping fingers together and curled inward can make them harder to grab. A short, downward shift of the hand if the bird is sitting on it and a firm verbal “no” may prevent the bird from biting. Never hit a bird as discipline. Having a bird’s flight wings clipped is recommended when letting the bird loose in a home and during training. This also may help the bird be more dependent on you and more trusting of your handling. LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020 • 33

DRINK >>>

34 â&#x20AC;¢ LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020

Pantry Perfect Pina Colada Article and photo by Deb Erickson I have not been to a brewery in months. Grocery and liquor store visits have been limited. My complaining has also been minimal as I am very fortunate to have my health, employment and great outdoor space to roam. The surge in kitchen creativity, as well as a goal of using ingredients on hand, led me to this whimsical, banana dolphin garnished pina colada. The original recipe can be found on Pinterest; the recipe below substitutes ingredients from my pantry. BANANA COLADA 2.5 oz gold rum 1 banana 3 oz. coconut milk 3 oz. pineapple/orange/guava juice 1/2 cup crushed ice 2 whole cloves Blueberry Cut banana in half, setting aside top half (with the stem) for dolphin garnish. Add the peeled bottom half of the banana, rum, juice, coconut milk and ice to a blender. Blend until smooth and pour into a hurricane glass. Cut off the end of the banana’s stem, then slit the remaining stub to make the dolphin’s mouth. Slit the body of the dolphin from the bottom to an inch below the stem to allow the garnish to sit on a glass rim. Insert cloves for eyes, and put a blueberry in the dolphin’s mouth. Pour blender contents into a hurricane glass. Then prop the banana dolphin on the rim, and add any other garnishes like a tiki umbrella. Add a straw and serve. 1 serving.

Fill the glass with equal amounts of cranberry juice and cola. Stir well THE POMERANIAN 1.5 oz pomegranate vodka 2 oz grapefruit juice 1 Tbsp honey Shake all ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a glass full of ice, and then garnish adorably with a bit of mint. BLACK COW 1/2 cup evaporated milk 2 cups rootbeer 2 oz bourbon chocolate sauce Combine evaporated milk with root beer and bourbon. Mix then split between two tall cocktail glasses. Add ice to fill the glass. Drizzle chocolate sauce on the top.

BLACK CAT COCKTAIL 1 ounce vodka 1 ounce cherry brandy 3 ounces cranberry juice (more or less as needed) 3 ounces cola (more or less as needed In a highball glass filled with ice, pour the vodka and cherry brandy.

291333

While it is illegal to own a dolphin as a pet this recipe was chosen because of its ingredient-convenient qualities for this pet-themed issue. Additional animal or pet themed drinks for interested boozehounds follow.

LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020 • 35

i a f o

g h c s c t

36 â&#x20AC;¢ LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020

Humane Society plays big role in community Article and photos by Johanna Armstrong

The shelter relies on its volunteers to keep things running. The Humane Society of Otter Tail County (HSOTC) has been in operation for more than 40 years, bringing in about 1,100 animals a year that staff and volunteers either help to make fit for adoption or return to worried owners. The shelter takes care of all kinds of animals, including cats, dogs, rabbits and more. In addition to taking care of animals that come in by grooming, vaccinating and spaying or neutering, the shelter also helps the community by assisting people who can no longer take care of their pets and must surrender them, they help county services with cruelty and neglect cases, they help educate the community and they are a part of emergency management for the county taking care of pets who are left behind in the event

their owner is hospitalized. When a pet is lost, they’re often brought to HSOTC either by concerned citizens, animal control or the sheriff’s office. In some circumstances, they pick up lost animals themselves if they receive a tip. If you’ve lost or found a pet, the HSOTC website is an excellent primary resource for figuring out what to do next. They also keep an updated list of stray animals currently at the shelter. “Otter Tail County relies on us to help with animals, it’s a very important part of our community,” says shelter manager Jaclyn Keenan. The shelter relies on its volunteers to help keep things running and they average about 30 volunteers in winter and close to

LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020 • 37

Kids from ten to 16 years old can volunteer in the Jr. Pet Pals program 50 in the summer. “We ask for a commitment of at least six months and most come at least once a week,” says Keenan. “Most volunteering is done during our normal business hours.” Volunteers have a variety of job options to choose from including animal photography, animal transport, dog and cat socialization, dog walking and foster care. The shelter could also use help with general shelter care like laundry, washing dishes and cleaning kennels. When they host special events throughout the year, they need volunteers to help spread the word and get the community involved. They also have a Jr. Pet Pals program for parents or older siblings (age 21 or older) to volunteer together with a kid aged 10-16. There’s more to volunteering at the shelter than just helping with the animals, though. In fact, some volunteers never need to come in contact with the animals, such as Tim Pardy of Pardy Painting & Portraits, who painted a mural for the HSOTC on their garage door. Volunteers go through a volunteer training and then can commit to an hour or two each week to help out around the shelter. 38 • LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020

Looking to adopt? Here’s what you’ll need: • Completed adoption application. This can be done online or on site. • A valid ID with a current address and year of birth. • Landlord’s name and phone number, lease or other proof of consent to have pets on the property. • Verification that all other dogs or cats in the home have updated vaccines. • Adoption fee, ranging from $125 to $350 for dogs and puppies or $50 to $80 for cats and kittens. (Prices are listed alongside animal bios on the Humane Society website.)

Waiving Fares (temporarily)

RIDE FOR FREE Please use discretion:

Ride only for essential trips and please remember to wear masks when riding the bus. Thank you!

NOW OFFERING FOOD DELIVERY

CALL FOR INFO

Please reserve your ride two days in advance (Correct charge required as drivers have no cash to make change) Open 9:00 to 3:45 on Saturdays.

LOCAL: 218-998-3002 TOLL FREE: 866-998-3002 Pick-up Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30am-5:30pm 1225 North Tower Road, Fergus Falls

291358

If volunteering is too much of a commitment, the shelter is also always appreciative of community donations. Beyond monetary assistance, which goes toward the cost of vaccines, spaying and neutering, they also need item donations like cat litter, pet food and cleaning supplies (laundry soap and dish soap). Humane societies play a key role in the communities they are part of by not only connecting families with future fur friends, but also by keeping people and animals safe and healthy.

LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020 • 39

NEIGHBORS >>>

Bobbie Flink with one of many baby Boer goats. Gavin and Brooklyn Dolan with Gravy.

Reed and Ethan Johnson with Zeke. Avery and Toby on Lake Ethel. 40 â&#x20AC;¢ LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020

NEIGHBORS >>>

Fergs.

Heidi Chamberlain with Ziggy (Corgi) and Luna (Pug) and Butters, the dachshund.

John Bamberg with two baby goats and old dog, Woofie, who has since passed away, but he really liked babies! Madden Christenson and Ace.

LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020 â&#x20AC;¢ 41

NEIGHBORS >>>

Nicki Gale-Youngberg’s 9-year-old son, Weston and his beloved pet, Jack, a year-old Goldendoodle.

Eleanor Tingelstad and Baby Love. For Eleanor’s 81st birthday, she received two little zebra finch birds from a friend. She named them Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee (from the nursery rhyme), nicknamed Dum Dum and Dee Dee. In March 2013, Dum Dum and Dee Dee had three babies that Eleanor named Faith, Hope and Love. Love, now six years old, is nicknamed Baby Love. Baby Love lived in a small cage next to his parents’ cage while they were still alive. He sings the same song as his daddy, but theynever shared a duet. Females don’t sing – they chirp and chatter. Nor are they as colorful as the males, although both have back and white striped tails. Sara Carlson and Birdie in Fergus Falls. 42 • LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020

NEIGHBORS >>>

Finn (Bodach) and Rey (Chihuahua) with their human, Stacy Hanson.

Sydney and Toby.

Gravy with Annie Deckert. Madden Christenson and Ace. LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020 â&#x20AC;¢ 43

NEIGHBORS >>>

Leah Landwehr and her nanny goat, Rosemary, with just born kids. Rosemary gives Leah a kiss to show that she trusts Leah with her babies.

Kayla Jahnke, Ottertail, MN, and Buddie.

Jill Beithon and her rescue golden retriever Chi. Tim Dolan and Gravy.

44 â&#x20AC;¢ LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020

Six Tips To Keep Pets Safe During Storm Season While no one is immune from the devastation of a natural disaster, preparing before a storm hits is key to keeping everyone in your family—including your pets—safe. It’s even more important now – in an era of social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic – that pet parents have a plan to keep their furry family members out of harm’s way if forced to take shelter elsewhere. “What’s good for us is good for our pets,” said Kris Kiser, President of The TurfMutt Foundation, an environment education and stewardship program, and President and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), an international trade association representing manufacturers and suppliers of power equipment, small engines and battery power, utility and personal transport vehicles, and golf cars. “My dog is a member of the family, so we have a plan for keeping her safe in the event of an emergency, and we encourage all pet parents to do the same.” Here are six ideas from the TurfMutt Foundation to include pets safety when mapping out a disaster preparedness plan. 1. Have pets microchipped. In the event of an emergency— natural or otherwise—you want to ensure your pet can get back to you if you’re separated. Collars and ID tags, though important, can break or detach. Microchips—computerized and scannable implants about the size of a grain of rice—are more fool-proof since they’re inserted under your pet’s skin. 2. Bring pets inside at the first sign of danger. Disasters can be disorienting for pets, and they could run away or hurt themselves reacting to loud noises and strange changes to their landscape. Also, rain, flying debris and high winds pose a danger. 3. If you have to leave, keep pets with you. Leaving your pets behind during a natural disaster is never a good idea because they could escape or become exposed to a number of lifethreatening hazards. Keep them on a leash or in a pet carrier so they don’t escape, even if you are in a “familiar” neighborhood. 4. Determine where you’ll go. You need a Plan B if you are advised by government officials to leave your home. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, staying with family or friends may not be an option. Not all emergency shelters will accept pets and physical distancing guidelines may reduce capacity in public shelters. Make a plan and develop a list of pet-friendly hotels open for business and outside your immediate area that you might evacuate to. 5. Create a pet-friendly resource list. Research a list of veterinarians in the area should your pet need medical care

(your regular vet may have some recommendations). Also, figure out which boarding facilities are nearby in case you need to separate from your pet for a time. 6. Pack an emergency bag. Pack emergency provisions for pest well in advance of a catastrophe so you can evacuate your home quickly if needed. Choose an easy-to-carry bag, label it and keep it where everyone in the family can find it quickly. The bag should include a pet first aid kit; enough food and bottled water for a week (rotate this every couple of months to keep it from going bad); medications (check periodically to ensure medicines in your emergency bag don’t expire); cleanup supplies; food and water dishes; bags (or litter for cats) for collecting waste; an extra collar and leash; photocopies of medical records; towels; recent photos of your pets; and a favorite toy or chewy for comfort. It’s also a good idea to have a sturdy carrier or crate for each pet. By keeping in mind these ideas, pet preparedness plans can be put into action ahead of a storm instead of spending valuable time trying to determine what needs to be done to best protect pets. For facts, tips and fun activities for families from the TurfMutt environment education and stewardship program, visit www. TurfMutt.com. LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020 • 45

Why I love my

PETS

with

Jamie Lill

Jamie Lill lives an active lifestyle. As a physical education teacher at McKinley Elementary School in Fergus Falls and as a head coach for the Otter girls’ tennis team, it isn’t surprising to see Lill out and about. On top of that, Lill is an owner of two dogs and enjoys taking them on family camping trips. As a pet owner, Lill enjoys playing with her dogs and going for walks with them. The two have also been a big hit at her house and provide opportunities for her children to learn responsibility, while also having animal friends. Lill resides in Fergus Falls with her husband, John, and three daughters, Ashtyn (12), Dillyn (9) and Carsyn (9). How did you get your pets, what are their names and how old? We got Stan, our standard poodle, from a breeder in Missouri after researching poodles to find a great family pet. He is 6 years old and we’ve had him since he was a pup. We added Dug to the mix about a year and a half ago from our local Humane Society. He is a miniature poodle/bichon mix and is also 6 years old. What do you enjoy about being a pet owner? The dogs are a big hit at our house. We enjoy family walks and playing outside with them. The girls love cuddling up with them, playing with them and watching them play tug-of-war over toys with each other. During the pandemic, what is nice about having a pet? Dogs are always happy! The boys have been a nice distraction for all of us during our extra time at home. Playing with them and getting them out for more frequent walks are great stress reducers. What is the hardest part of being a pet owner? I wouldn’t say anything about being a pet owner for these dogs is very hard, but cleaning up the yard after them isn’t the most fun I’ve ever had! Have you had/thought about different pets other than dogs (ex. cats, bird, etc.)? We have ventured as far as a fish before, but I think we’ve established that we are just dog people. The girls want a chicken and a ferret, but we’re not convinced. 46 • LAKE COUNTRY LIVING | SUMMER 2020

As someone that is a coach and physical education teacher, what are some activities that you do with your pets? We take a lot of walks with Stan and Dug. They can run with us for a little while, but aren’t really into running for much distance! They are both great camping dogs and enjoy life on the road and at the lake. They love swimming with us, although Stan does need a life jacket as he hasn’t mastered the art of swimming yet. In your opinion, how have pets benefited your life? Pets have definitely benefited our lives. They’re accepting and loveable no matter what and are always up for an adventure. Having them around gives our children opportunities to learn responsibility as well. If you could have one pet (not your own), either real or fake, what would it be and why? I’m very content with the two dogs we have, but this is an easy answer looking through the eyes of one of my 9-year-old daughters. A unicorn. We’d love a unicorn at our house because they are beautiful and they can fly. Have you tried to train your dogs? If so, how did it go? Our dogs are both trained with some basic commands like sit, stay, lie down, shake and high five. Training was fun as the girls took ownership of the training using clickers and treats and the dogs responded well. Do you see yourself as a lifelong pet owner and why? I am certain that we will always have at least one dog in our home. They are a source of joy and I can’t imagine life without a pet.

Fergus Falls of the YARD WEEK PRESENTED BY

The Daily Journal AND Be part of making Fergus Falls a great place to live by sponsoring â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yard of the Weekâ&#x20AC;?. Yards are featured on Wednesdays in The Daily Journal through September 30. Ad sizes: 1 column x 2 inch or 2 column x 1 inch

514 North Union Avenue, Fergus Falls

Thank you Fergus Falls Police Department for nominating the weekly yard.

The Daily Journal fergusfallsjournal.com

Sarah Johnson 218-739-7037 Mary Sieling 218-739-7021 Corey Eggen 218-739-7018 Jim Sturgeon 218-739-7011

RESORTER COMPLE TE VACATION GU I D E FOR L AKES COU NTRY

Why YOU should be a part of

RESORTER 2020... ✔ Most recognized vacation guide in Lakes Country ✔ Available at 250 locations in the lakes area & distributed throughout the summer ✔ Has a reputation among readers as a marketplace for visitor-oriented businesses ✔ Attracts a target audience of visitors to the lakes area ✔ Lakes country map included FREE! ✔ Attracts visitors looking to buy lakeshore, build, remodel or maintain property 218-736-7511 • fergusfallsjournal.com 914 E. Channing Ave., Fergus Falls, MN 56537