400 Life April 2022 by Forsyth County News

400 LIFE APRIL 2022

JEWELRY BY SELIN

Local salon owner, longtime teacher on their mother-daughter dynamic

Family’s expertise in industry unmatched

ALSO: Try this recipe on your next hiking trip | DNA tests helps owners learn more about pets Lawyer: How to navigate cases of medical negligence

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The first time I walked into Jewelry by Selin, I was struck by the all the beautiful, unique pieces. I can rarely walk by jewelry without stopping to see the different designs, but this new shop in Dawson County is amazing. Then I met the owner, Selin, who runs the shop along with husband Sayat Dedeoglu, jewelry designer and craftsman with 30 years under his belt. Selin and her staff, including Sindy Ramirez, who carries an exclusive line at the store under 21 Blessings, welcome customers as if they’re family. And the jewelry they create is beautiful. I encourage you to make the trip up 400 to meet them and see for yourself what these incredible people can create for you or that special someone in your life. And this month we talked to Kendra Rubin, owner of Punk & Poet Cut and Color Co., and her mother, Jodie Marshall, a longtime teacher at North Forsyth High School. The two are so different — one is an artist, the other a biomedical engineer who’s been teaching students to excel for years — but they respect each other for those differences and have become a stronger team because of it. The relationship between this mother and daughter should be an example for all of us. No matter your differences, there is always a common ground to explore. Happy Mother’s Day! — Tracie Pike

contributors Publisher Stephanie Woody Managing Editor Tracie Pike Special contributors Jennifer Colosimo Alexander Popp Ashlyn Yule Photographer Jeremy Coleman @jcreative_media

Advertising Tim Anderson Stacy Clark Stephanie Tanner

4 Jewelry by Selin Jewelry by Selin opened in Dawson County in 2021, and owners Selin and Sayat Dedeoglu welcome customers like family. The expertise this family brings to the industry is unmatched and it’s the perfect spot to shop for something special, or for someone special, especially with Mother’s Day approaching.

12 Two women with an amazing mother, daughter dynamic Punk & Poet’s Kendra Rubin, and her mom Jodie Marshall, a longtime teacher at North Forsyth share secrets to a strong mother-daughter relationship.

20 OUTDOORS: Easy, delicious backpacking Italian sausage pasta

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22 KNOW YOUR

RIGHTS: How to navigate cases of medical negligence

16 DNA tests helps owners

learn more about pets 18 Pet industry is seeing boom in alternative diets

Unique creations to honor mom or other loved ones

From left, Beatriz Paez, Selin Dedeoglu and Sindy Ramirez of Jewelry by Selin.

‘It’s Priceless’

How jewelry can make an occasion even more special Story by Jennifer Colosimo | Photos by Jeremy Coleman

awsonville’s Jewelry by Selin opened in 2021, and has quickly earned a reputation as the friendly, neighborhood jeweler. There are many reasons why, but above all is the unique, unmatched expertise that this family brings to the industry – especially in Dawsonville. Jewelry designer and craftsman, Sayat Dedeoglu, was quite literally raised in the business. A tradition for young boys growing up in Turkey, he’s been trained in diamonds, gems, and jewelry craftsmanship for more than three decades. That tenure is just the beginning of the experience for their customers, because as a family business, Sayat and his wife, Selin (also the store’s namesake), want it to feel like family for

Continued, page 6 April 2022 | 400 LIFE | 5

any customer who walks in. That feeling comes in handy when it’s time to shop for something special, or for someone special; and with Mother’s Day approaching, the custom jewelry experience that Jewelry by Selin offers is something to earmark this year as one to never forget. “Any special occasion is a good excuse to design a custom jewelry piece, but Mother’s Day is just a little more special for some reason,” said Selin. “For me, when I think about my relationship with my mother, growing up in Turkey, it was very different than how it is now, with my own son. “We didn’t talk about our feelings a lot, there was a lot of pressure to be perfect, and as a result, I didn’t understand the reasons behind many of my mother’s actions or decisions when I was young. “Once [my son] Ayk was born, my whole perception of my own mom changed,” she continued. “I realized that a lot of what I thought was anger, was really just her anxiety as a mother. I came to understand that it wasn’t because she didn’t love me, but that she actually loved me so much. “I’m different from my mom because, today, I can tell Ayk how I feel, and he can tell me. I can explain how much I love him, and that’s acceptable.” She further explained that’s part of what makes jewelry on Mother’s Day so special. She remembers a story about a necklace she still wears with

Continued, page 8 6 | 400 LIFE | April 2022

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Our clients have a say in how it’s designed, what it’s going to look like, and there’s always a reason behind those decisions. It feels more personal. - Selin Dedeoglu, owner of Jewelry by Selin

Ayk’s initials on it. She wore it so much, that her friends often criticized her, suggesting she had the means to wear something different, maybe even something nicer. But to Selin, this was her most special piece. It signified the boy who made her a mom, for one, but also, he loved that she wore it. It made him happy – and that made it something she couldn’t bear to ever take off. “Being a mom has given me purpose,” said Selin. “It’s taught me more about life, and helped me understand it a little more. It’s helped me realize that, because my life is very different now, I can teach my son about love, and show him what love from family is.” Because every family’s love story is so unique, like Selin’s, and often so special, representing it with a piece of jewelry seems fitting. “We’ve done birthstones in a ring or on a pendant to represent children or grandchildren, and we’ve also swapped those birthstones for significant numbers of diamonds or other gems when the color of the birthstone isn’t something the client likes,” she said. “We’ve engraved special

Continued, page 10 8 | 400 LIFE | April 2022

Jewelry designer and craftsman, Sayat Dedeoglu, was raised in the business. A tradition for young boys growing up in Turkey, he’s been trained in diamonds, gems, and jewelry craftsmanship for more than three decades.

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dates and names, and we’ve taken metal from an heirloom piece, melted it down, and created something new using the same material. “When you have the skills that Sayat has, you’re able to help create things that are completely unique, but still very special. We can help them to honor their mom by using her jewelry to make a new piece that they’ll be proud to wear.” At Jewlery by Selin, there are also a lot of jewelry lines that meet the style and tastes of a wide range of clients. That includes 21 Blessings, a local line carried exclusively at Jewelry by Selin, featuring whimsical pieces in earth tones, bright beads and interesting settings. And starting this spring, Jewelry by Selin will host hands-on jewelry making evenings with 21 Blessings. Whether for a girls’ night out, a special occasion, or simply a treat for moms and daughters, they’ll walk you through designing your piece, selecting your beads and chains, and crafting a unique piece to take home. “I like to think that every piece of really nice jewelry is special, but when you make it yourself, it takes on another level of sentimentality,” said Selin. “That’s why we love working with our clients to create custom pieces. Our clients have a say in how it’s designed, what it’s going to look like, and there’s always a reason behind those decisions. It feels more personal.” Currently, custom projects at Jewelry by Selin only take about 2-4 weeks. The customer can be as involved as they want, or wait

Sindy Ramirez of 21 Blessings has a local line carried exclusively at Jewelry by Selin, featuring whimsical pieces in earth tones, bright beads and interesting settings. She is shown with mom Beatriz Paez, left.

to be surprised. “That’s our favorite part about this process,” said Selin. “I love working with the customer, seeing how excited they are to design a piece, but then watching their face when they see it, finished, for the first time. It’s priceless, and that’s what makes it just so special for us.” — Sponsored content

Jewelry by Selin Where: 12 Dawson Mkt Wy Suite 340, Dawsonville, GA 30534 Contact: (706) 265-9044, www.jewelrybyselin.com

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Kendra Rubin, owner of the Punk & Poet Cut and Color Co., and Jodie Marshall, engineering teacher at North Forsyth High School, talk their strong mother-daughter relationship. Photo by Adam Bissonnette Photography

My mom is the most impressive human I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing, and even if I wasn’t her daughter, I would want to be her friend. – Kendra Rubin, owner of Punk & Poet Cut and Color Co.

Kendra Rubin, Jodie Marshall share secrets to a strong mother-daughter relationship Story by Ashlyn Yule

ccording to The Journal of Neuroscience, mother-daughter bonds are often the strongest amongst all parent-offspring relationships. But what makes a mother-daughter bond so solid and special? Kendra Rubin, owner of the Punk & Poet Cut and Color Co., and her mother, Jodie Marshall, an engineering teacher at North Forsyth High School, both agreed that a strong mother-daughter relationship is built on the foundation of “unrelenting love.” “[My mom] taught me that no matter what, you love someone,” Rubin said. “She’s taught me to just relentlessly love people and give everything you have if someone needs something.” While Rubin and Marshall have different jobs, hobbies and interests, their core values have remained the same for years: love of family, perseverance and kindness.

Continued, page 14 April 2022 | 400 LIFE | 13

Photo by Adam Bissonnette Photography

Life in Kentucky Before Rubin or her younger brother were born, Marshall worked as a biomedical engineer, and at the University of Kentucky and then Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington where she “worked on medical equipment.” “A [doctor] would say [they need] equipment to do this test, and it was our job to either find the equipment or design it,” Marshall said. When Rubin and her brother were born, Marshall said that she would take her “kid and the baby” to the hospital to work. But she said that couldn’t “last forever.” “I couldn’t just keep taking my kid and the baby to [work],” Marshall said. “So, something needed to change.” “I also got into a little trouble there,” Rubin admitted with a laugh. “She sure did,” Marshall agreed.

The move to Forsyth County In 1996, when Rubin was in high school, the family moved to Forsyth County. Marshall got a job at North Forsyth High School after finding “[she] was good at math and science.” She worked as a paraprofessional until she was able to take a test to teach engineering. “I now teach engineering from the lens of being an engineer,” Marshall said. “I can give kids different scenarios that actually happened to me in the field.” Marshall’s been working hard for the past 24 years at North, growing the engineering classes, and starting the robotics pro14 | 400 LIFE | April 2022

gram at the school. She said some of her favorite activities to do with her students are the robotics competitions. “I get to do fun things every day,” Marshall said. One competition is centered around building a robot from a “bucket of random parts” and programmed to play a predetermined game, like putting rings on hooks or throwing balls. “It could be a golf ball, it could be a Lazy Susan, it could be plywood, it could be a bike chain,” Marshall said. “And we are supposed to make a robot that can play a game out of that bucket of random parts.” Marshall said that she also gets to work closely with the physics teacher at North, tag-teaming projects in each other’s classes. “It’s been a lot of fun, and not just the [robotics] program itself,” Marshall said. “I’ve watched these kids grow. When you go from being really excited to having a single LED come on to having them lead teams and creating robots that can shoot a ball through a hoop, it’s really fun. I enjoy that.” Rubin bragged on her mom, saying she can get “kids into whatever college they want just with her recommendation.” “She’s literally creating the next people to make bomb-retrieval robots and spaceships, and her kids are doing that,” Rubin said. Marshall said that she has seen some of her former students move on to create impressive products and become airplane mechanics and engineers.

Art versus science While Marshall began her first years of teaching at North, Rubin was beginning her first year of high school there, but the

two “barely crossed paths.” “My mom was really sup“I mean, I wasn’t smart enough portive of all that, I guess,” to be in any of the classes that she said with a laugh. [my mom] taught,” Rubin said. “I Marshall said she could was just kind of taking the more remember Rubin “curling up artsy classes. I’d see her in the in the smallest ball” on the hall sometimes, but we didn’t top of the couch to take naps. have much to do with each other.” Just like a cat. “Right, Kendra had a mom and After her “cat phase,” a dad that could see numbers in Rubin said there was a period their heads, but I don’t know if where she was convinced that she knows what numbers look she was going to be the next like,” Marshall joked. vampire-slayer. Of course, While Kendra didn’t inherit her that was after she watched mother’s love for math, she did ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer.’ inherit her passionate spirit and “I was convinced that I was drive for success, particularly The family resemblance is strong between photos of Jodie going to be the next vampireMarshall (left) and Kendra Rubin (right) when they were slayer,” Rubin said. “I towards artistic endeavors. Marshall had to take a class both young. Photo courtesy Kendra Rubin. c o u l d n ’t t e l l m y m o m when she first started teaching, because I didn’t want her to and the first paper she turned in came back to her with the note: be in danger, but I had her sign me up for gymnastics. I whittled “Needs fluff.” sticks outside and practicing throwing them, and I started to set “So, for the next paper that I had to write, I handed it to Kendra animal traps.” and [asked her to] please fix the fluff,” Marshall said. “I would do She said in her brain, “it made sense” to trap squirrels, birds, the outlines, but she would have to really write my papers and other woodland creatures for the vampires to eat instead of because I just couldn’t do it.” eating her family. Rubin’s innate talent for the arts and “other things from that “But then the traps got really good,” Marshall said. side of the brain” led her to where she is today, the owner of a “Yeah, my dad had to go undo all the traps outside,” Rubin hair salon in north Forsyth. said. Rubin expressed her love of art at a young age, doing hair for Marshall said she remembers her husband struggling to undo friends and family since she was 14 years old. She went to school all the animal traps her daughter had set up, especially the ones to get her license at age 35 and soon after, opened the Punk & hiding in trees. Poet Cut and Color Co., with husband Elliott Rubin in 2020. Soon though, Rubin said after watching the movie ‘Space Though art and science are contradictory, both Rubin and Camp,’ she wanted to become an astronaut. Marshall agree that the two are not “mutually exclusive.” “It just looked like a lot of fun,” Rubin said. “[My mom is] an artist just as much as I’m a scientist,” Rubin She told her mom about her new dream. said. “I wanted to go to space and be an astronaut, so my mom Marshall agreed, saying she must be creative and “hands-on” immediately got very excited because of her job,” Rubin said. with designing robots, and Rubin has to be scientific when deal- “And within a few weeks, I was at Space Camp.” ing with hair color. Rubin said she quickly learned that “space is very scary and “It’s a different kind of science than what I do,” Marshall said. also you have to be good at math to be an astronaut.” “But it’s still science.” “I moved on from that pretty fast,” Rubin said. Marshall said that while their careers look different to many, “It would have been nice to have an astronaut [in the family], “the truth is that we both deal with trouble-shooting, we have to though,” Marshall joked. be determined and we—” “We might both possibly be workaholics,” Rubin finished. Lessons learned “Yeah, probably,” Marshall said. “Like mother, like daughter.” Marshall said Rubin’s spontaneity and adventurous spirit as a child made her “a fun kid.” A trip down memory lane “Kendra’s very adventurous; that’s what made her a fun kid,” Looking back, mother and daughter were having a hard time Marshall said. “I mean, you talk about being a cat, wanting to be curbing their laughter when Rubin started the sentence, “When I Buffy the Vampire Slayer — she was just always willing to do was 7….” cool things.” “When I was 7, and this might’ve gone hand-in-hand with Sometimes Rubin’s spontaneity could get her in trouble. when my little brother was born and I wasn’t getting enough Living on the Kentucky River, Marshall said the family would attention, I was a cat,” Rubin said. often go swimming at their dock. They kept life jackets there for She said she would go to school as a human girl, but as soon as Rubin so she could swim. she got home, she would paint her face like a cat, wouldn’t eat One day, Marshall said that before she had her life jacket on, with silverware, would meow at her family and get stuck in trees. Rubin, who was 2 or 3 at the time, “jumped into the Kentucky Eventually, Rubin said her teacher called home because she River 18 feet off our dock.” wasn’t finishing her homework. “I was so scared, and the only thing I could think to do to get “My mom would be like, ‘Look, Kendra’s a cat when she’s at my point across and not scare her was to fuss at her about getting home. She can’t do homework,’” Rubin said. “And somehow she her brand-new shoes wet,” Marshall said. “It was the first time I’d worked it out with my teacher so that I could do my homework during recess.” Continued, page 17 April 2022 | 400 LIFE | 15

What’s my dog made of? DNA tests helps owners learn more about pets By M. Gillan Ritchie

t had been almost two years since Lauren Kime and her family lost their canine companion. Loki, their 15-year-old rescue dog, was struggling with muscle and bladder control, and the family decided it was time to put him to sleep. In December 2020, Kime’s 6-year-old daughter started begging for a new dog and the family realized that they were ready to welcome a new four-legged member into their home. Kime logged onto Petfinder.com and found a 6-month-old female puppy available for adoption at their local shelter. They decided to head to the shelter to see if the puppy would be a good fit for the family. “We saw her in the puppy room and they took her out to the room for a meet and greet,” Kime said. “She just was so friendly and licking everyone.” A week after meeting with the puppy, Kime and the family brought her home. Kime’s daughter decided to name the puppy Ginger. “[My daughter] thought she looked like a gingerbread cookie and we thought ‘Ginger’ was appropriate with the holiday timing and her somewhat ginger coloring,” said Kime.

ing at rescues for a dog to get.” After Ted and Lynne Bayer adopted Gabe and Annie Rose, Palestrini and her siblings gave their parents’ dogs DNA tests as birthday gifts to learn about the new fur babies. According to Palestrini, the family came together during the pandemic to have a doggie DNA reveal party in August 2020. During the reveal party, the family spent time guessing the breeds, eating from newly purchased dog bowls, a dog-themed music playlist, dog-themed treats and trophies. Palestrini’s mom carried the test results around in a dog-shaped tote bag until it was time to reveal Gabe and Annie Rose’s DNA and family trees. Palestrini joked that the reveal resembled the Oscars. “There were [child] tears when my nephew, Cameron, swept the wins for both dogs while randomly guessing their breeds,” Palestrini said. “I actually brought my old test results for Punky [my dog] to try to guess Annie’s mix since they sort of look similar. So much for strategy. All in all a memorable, fun way to pass the time and reveal dog breeds …”

Uncovering the DNA

DNA Testing Boom

Most dogs in a shelter or at a rescue, like Ginger, are considered a mutt — a dog that is made up of several different breeds rather than one identifiable breed. At first glance, Kime thought Ginger was an American Staffordshire Terrier and Boxer mix. The family’s veterinarian recommended that they do a pet DNA test such as Wisdom Panel or Embark. “We used [the] Wisdom Panel brand as it was highly recommended by our vet,” Kime said. “We wanted not just the DNA results, but also the medical complication screening they offered.” To Kime and her family’s surprise, Ginger’s DNA results showed that she was a mixture of American Pit Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier. The test also showed that Ginger was not at risk for any chronic or terminal illnesses. According to the test, Ginger is at risk for hip dysplasia, like Loki, which is common in older dogs. Kime and her family are not the only people that have tested their four-legged friend out of curiosity. Allison Palestrini’s parents, Ted and Lynne Bayer, adopted Gabe and Annie Rose separately from Ruff Dog Rescue of Milton, in early 2020. In 2019, Ted and Lynne lost Palestrini’s grandfather at the age of 96 and then shortly after, they suddenly lost their dog Heyward on Thanksgiving. “He [Heyward] had a heart issue that was a total surprise,” Palestrini said. “He was great one day, sick and dying on their stairs with a rush to the vet the next [day]. My parents’ house got very quiet and they knew they needed puppy energy back in so they started look-

DNA testing in dogs has been quietly happening for more than two decades – researchers were using methods to examine certain conditions in canines. But the industry took off in 2005 when scientists mapped out dog genes and then published the results. According to The Harvard Gazette, an international research team, led by scientists at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, decoded the DNA of the domestic dog. Results of the study, published in the Dec. 8, 2005, edition of Nature, show genetic similarities between dogs and humans, and could lead to discoveries that improve the health of both species. Wisdom Health Genetics-maker of Wisdom Panel Essential, Wisdom Panel Premium and Wisdom Panel Complete for Cats and a business unit of Mars Petcare – has tested more than 3 million cats and dogs worldwide. The Essential DNA test includes breed, traits and 25-plus actionable health tests. The Premium includes everything Essential offers pet parents, and includes a health analysis made up of more than 250 health and trait tests. According to Mars Petcare, part of Mars Inc., the company’s DNA tests can detect contributions from 350 different breeds, types, and varieties. The Wisdom Panel Essential and Wisdom Panel Premium tests are the only ones in the marketplace that features MDR1 gene mutation screening. Developed by Washington

16 | 400 LIFE | April 2022

Continued, page 19

ever been really scared over her like that.” After that, Marshall said the life jackets were kept on the back porch and Rubin wasn’t allowed to go down to the dock unless she had one on. “She was just fearless as a kid,” Marshall said. “Even that scary [event] didn’t stop her. She was still swimming in the river.”

Their relationship today Rubin said that her relationship with her mom has “evolved into a friendship built on respect, mutual admiration and trust.” “My mother is the smartest person I know, but she has never made me feel like I’m not as smart as she is,” Rubin said. “[She] is the most impressive human I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing, and even if I wasn’t her daughter, I would want to be her friend.” Marshall agreed and remarked on how proud of her daughter she was; proud of the business she has grown and proud of the family she has created. “[Rubin and her husband] have made [the Punk & Poet salon] thrive,” Marshall said. “And seeing who she is around other people and how she treats other people, I’m proud of that.”

Photo by Adam Bissonnette Photography

“Basically, I’m just proud of the essence of the person she is,” she said. While the two agree that mother-daughter relationships can “have their ups and downs,” neither would be who they are today without the other. “My mom helped mold me into who I am today,” Rubin said. “I’ve learned to

love relentlessly, give relentlessly and … never give up. “In my life, I’ve never seen failure as an option because she never did, and she has always been my inspiration,” she said. “I just don’t know what I’d do without my mom.”

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Pet industry is seeing boom in alternative diets Story by M. Gillan Ritchie

Wellness – it isn’t just for humans anymore. Since the pandemic, more people are focusing on physical and mental well-being. But improving the quality of life isn’t just about mankind. Exercise regimens and alternative diets have extended to furry, four-legged companions over the last two years. In 2021, nearly 1 million animals were adopted in the United States while birth rates declined – both statistics can be attributed to the pandemic. Many pet owners, primarily younger adults, are devoting more time and consideration to what their companions consume. When Kelly Peak and her husband, Mike Tompkins, adopted their second greyhound, Bear, the animal rescue advised that the dog should be on an alternative diet because of his sensitive digestive system. Their other dog, Barney, was already on a grain-free diet so they decided to use the same food for Bear. But Bear didn’t respond well to the diet. “We tried various kinds of food and found one that he liked and didn’t throw off his stomach,” Peak said. Bear, now on a low-fat diet, is just one of many pets in the U.S. on an alternative diet. The pet wellness industry has been seeing a boom in raw food, vegan and vegetarian, gluten-free, and grain-free diets. There’s even specialty items like immune support for dogs and cats, and daily nutritional greens supplement. With so many different food options available to pet owners, it can be hard to decide what to feed pets. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not require pet food products to have pre-market approval. The FDA’s website states that products should be made out of safe ingredients and have an appropriate function within pet food. Outside of that, guidance from the FDA on pet food ingredients is vague. But in July 2018, the FDA announced its investigation of a potential link between grain-free diets and non-hereditary canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). According to the FDA, anything 18 | 400 LIFE | April 2022

that is labeled as “grain-free” contains high levels of peas, lentils, other legume seeds, and/or potatoes in various forms within the first 10 ingredients. DCM cases previously reported to the FDA include dog breeds that aren’t previously known to have a genetic predisposition to DCM. Some pet health experts are cautioning against alternative diets due to misinformation on the internet and the lack of regulation currently from the FDA. Alternative diets – whether for humans or pets – aren’t backed by substantial research, and pets become at risk for potential health problems. “Due to the potential link for grain-free and legume heavy diets (peas, lentils, etc.) to cause diet related dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) we recommend feeding all the dogs in our care a complete diet including grains and ideally one of the three major brands (Royal Canin, Purina, and Science Diet) to avoid any potential risk for dietrelated heart disease,” said Sam Orr, vet director of Angels Among Us Pet Rescue. ”We also consult with our valued vet partners for nutritional advice to make sure we are doing the best thing for each individual dog.” Despite the FDA’s investigation into grain-free diets and DCM, there has been a significant increase in the number and sales of foods and treats over the last decade. According to Dr. Stephanie Clark, a board-certified companion animal nutritionist at BSM Partners, there is no research that indicates a definitive connection between grain-free diets and DCM. “Our team of animal nutritionists, veterinarians, and veterinary cardiologists is undertaking projects to help bridge the gaps in DCM research,” Dr. Clark said. “We recently collected cases of DCM from around the country diagnosed by veterinary cardiologists and found no signifi-

cant increase in DCM cases in recent years, while at the same time sales of grain-free pet food rose 500%. Another study we are actively working on is evaluating the relationship between nutrition and canine cardiac disease.” As misinformation continues to spread on social media platforms, pet owners feel a sense of distrust with their veterinarians and veterinarians feel frustration as a result. Animals have different dietary needs from humans – what works for pet owners will more than likely not work for their pet. Diets such as raw food can be very dangerous for pets because of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in meats, and homemade meals lack certain nutrients. There are also certain foods that pets can’t digest and detoxify from their bodies such as onion and garlic. “At a September 2020 symposium on DCM hosted by Kansas State University, which brought together veterinary nutritionists, cardiologists, researchers, and personnel from the FDA, Dr. Steve Solomon, the director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, noted it is best to talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s specific dietary needs based on their health and medical history” Dr. Clark said. “Moreover, with no reason to believe pulse [lentils, peas, chickpeas, field beans, and cowpeas] ingredients are inherently dangerous, more research is needed to fully understand this issue.” Every pet is unique and that means that their diet should fit their nutritional needs. Humans may benefit from certain diets and exercise regimens – but that doesn’t mean pets will. If a pet owner has questions about what to feed their companion, they should consult with their vet before making any lifestyle changes.

Continued from page 16 State University, the screening can detect medication sensitivities in dogs. Embark, Veterinary, Inc., another well-known company in dog genetics, announced its first-ever canine health discovery at the beginning of March. Scientists at Embark found a genetic mutation in the EPS8L2 gene which is associated with early-onset adult deafness in Rhodesian Ridgebacks. The research comes after a decade of collaboration between breeders, scientists, and dog breeders. The study was conducted on more than 185 Rhodesian Ridgebacks and used more than 220,000 genetic markers. “When we started this research over 10 years ago, we knew a discovery in early-onset adult deafness – one of the most common disabilities in humans and dogs – could provide valuable tools for life science companies using regenerative medicine to develop therapeutics for childhood hearing disorders,” said Dr. Mark Neff, Embark senior director of scientific discovery, in a recent press release.

Beyond Curiosity The majority of DNA tests ordered by pet owners are done to satisfy curiosity about breed identification. But others, like Kris Chapman of Marietta, use DNA tests with a specific intent. Chapman, a volunteer at Angels Among Us Pet Rescue, has used test kits on foster puppies to identify the breed and help market the puppy for adoption since potential adopters may search for certain breeds or avoid others. According to Chapman, she also uses the test to help rule out breeds that are restricted on a potential adopter’s lease. Chapman used Wisdom Panel twice and Embark once to test three

foster puppies – Ragsdale, Thanos, and Henree. The test showed that Ragsdale was more than 35% Labrador Retriever, Thanos was a mixture of Saint Bernard and German Shepherd, and Henree was 50% Boxer and 16% Bulldog. The DNA test found that each puppy had three or more different breeds in their family trees. “Identifying a dominant breed helps you know how to work with them as well as making sure you find a home that is a good fit,” Chapman said. “For example, you may know the size that they will grow to be, whether they will be super active or working dogs and may need a fence or large yard or might not be the best ‘starter’ dog. Of course, the results do not predict every dog’s future, but it can serve as a guide.” Thanos found his furever home with Chapman.

Flaws of Testing DNA tests offered by Embark and Wisdom, along with other companies such as DNA My Dog, give dog owners the chance to understand everything from personality traits to family tree to allergies. Despite Wisdom Panel and Embark’s growing databases and resources, DNA testing for dogs and cats is relatively new. Some scientists argue that the accuracy of these tests – or their ability to predict health outcomes – are not validated. Canine and feline genetic tests are also not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and could potentially be misinterpreted by veterinarians or pet owners that don’t understand the limits of testing. Without regulations or peer-reviewed publications reviewing these tests for accuracy, there are risks for potential breed misidentification or misinformation on illnesses. If you have any concerns about your pet’s health or risks for potential diseases, talk to your veterinarian.

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Easy, delicious backpacking Italian sausage pasta Story by Alexander Popp | alex@worldsbestadventures.com

There’s a reason why classic Italian dishes are loved the way they are. Good Italian foods are simple, filling, and most of all, comforting. When I think about what I want to eat in the backcountry, those three qualities are almost always what I’m looking for. And of all the Italian dishes out there, almost nothing is more comforting or simple than a good red sauce, pasta, and Italian sausage with onions and veggies. With this recipe, you don’t need to miss out on any of those reasons we love Italian cooking, even when you’re miles away from civilization in the backcountry.

Quick Tip: You might be worried about taking Italian sausage out into the backcountry, where refrigeration isn’t really a thing, but it can be done, provided you are careful and follow a few rules. Rule No. 1, any non-cured/preserved meats can be taken into the backcountry as long as they are kept insulated and used within 12 hours. Rule No. 2, fully freezing a meat product like Italian sausage and wrapping it in newspaper is a great way to keep them insulated. Rule No. 3, always opt for cured/preserved/precooked meat options whenever possible.

Ingredients 3 Cloves minced garlic 1 Small diced onion 4 Tbsp. Olive oil 1 Cup halved cherry tomatoes 5 Tbsp. tomato paste 4 Pre-cooked Italian-style sausage,

chopped in 1/2-inch pieces. 2 cups Penne pasta Basil Oregano Red pepper

Recipe Boil pasta until Al Dente in a pot of salted water, reserve a small amount of pasta water before draining, if possible, then set pasta aside in another pot or bowl. In a fresh pot, heat olive oil over a medium-high flame and sauté sliced sausage until it begins to brown, then add cherry tomatoes, sauté until softened, and set aside. Add another splash of olive oil then sauté onions, garlic, and mushrooms until vegetables are fragrant and soft. Deglaze pan with a few splashes of red wine. Return reserved pasta water to the pot, then stir in sauce packet, tomato paste and olive oil. Simmer over low heat until sauce reduces by 1/3. As the sauce begins to thicken, return sausage and tomatoes to the pot. Taste and season with basil, oregano, red pepper, and salt as needed. Divide into bowls with pasta and top with shredded parmesan and chopped basil. This article comes to us from our sister company World’s Best Adventures. World’s Best Adventures provides guided luxury backpacking adventures in Georgia, North Carolina, and the Great Smoky Mountains. For more articles on backpacking and hiking, and to learn about the services World’s Best Adventures offers, visit www.worldsbestadventures.com or call 770-535-6323. 20 | 400 LIFE | April 2022

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Pet industry is seeing boom in alternative diets