Winter is Coming! Jenny Kline

Winter is Coming…

By Jenny Kline

We get our homes and vehicles ready for winter and all that entails—snow, ice, and cold temperatures. But what about our canine family members? How can we keep them safe and warm and healthy when old man winter shows up?

Our dogs are completely dependent on us to take care of all their needs. Feeding them species-appropriate food, taking care of their medical needs, exercising them, and making sure they are comfortable, warm, and dry are OUR responsibilities. Dog lovers agree: NO dog should be left outside in the winter! If it is too cold for you to be outside without a coat on, then it is too cold for your dog. Dogs can get frostbite and hypothermia just like us! Here are some important things to keep in mind to keep your dog healthy, warm, and safe in the cold months ahead.

Leash walks are best when the sun is out, in the warmest part of the day. That’s easy to do here in New Mexico, since the sun is almost always shining! But if you must take a walk in the evening, try putting a sweater on your dog and keep your walk short. A dog’s extremities will get cold first, and they can get frostbite. Protective booties will help not only keep the paws warm, but also protect them from ice and snow build up in the paw pads. To help keep snow from accumulating in the pads, keep the hair around and in between the pads trimmed short.

Sidewalk ice melting products will BURN your dog’s feet! If your dog steps in this, it will start to burn within a few minutes, and your dog will let you know something is wrong. I’ve seen this happen to one of my own dogs, and I knew right away what had happened. It really was an immediate reaction. Carefully wipe off any granules stuck to his feet and rinse off completely with warm water once you get home. Discourage licking, as it is also TOXIC! Long-haired breeds may look like they wont be cold, but their coat only works as insulation if it is free of mats and dead undercoat. That means if you have not had your long-haired dog thoroughly brushed out at the groomers within the last month, chances are there will be dead undercoat packed in his fur. Even when properly brushed out, they cannot tolerate long exposure to the cold. Although our dogs share similarities with their wolf, coyote, and fox ancestors, they are now DOMESTICATED animals and have lost their survival skills. In other words, domestication has made dogs wimpy!

Just like humans, the very young or elderly dogs are even less able to handle the cold. Conditions such as arthritis are exacerbated by the cold. Skinny, unhealthy, un-groomed (matted), or short-haired dogs are also more susceptible to frostbite or hypothermia. Wind, snow, or sleet further reduce their ability to withstand low temperatures. Windchill numbers don’t just apply to humans!

Dogs can become dehydrated even in the winter, so make sure your dog has plenty of fresh clean water—not ice in his bowl!

Snow accumulation in your yard can make it possible for your dog to climb over your fence and get out. It is also possible for small dogs to literally get stuck in drifts and be unable to climb out. If there is snow on your roof, it can slide off and injure your dog, so make sure your dog isn’t hanging out under the eaves!

Around the holidays, don’t forget that Poinsettias are POISONOUS to dogs (and cats). Make sure to decorate with plants that are not toxic to your fur-kids! Anti-freeze is also deadly to dogs (and cats). Always make sure to clean up any spills or leaks.

But don’t let all the warnings stop you from having fun with your dog outdoors this winter! Short hikes and romping in the snow are great for chasing away the winter blues and burning off some energy.

From gallupARTS: A BIG “THANK YOU” for 5 Years of ArtsCrawl!

Dear ArtsCrawlers,

ArtsCrawl: Let’s Have a Ball, on December 8th, will be gallupARTS’ final ArtsCrawl event. In July, gallupARTS announced its strategic decision to make the 2018 season its last producing ArtsCrawl. After five years with gallupARTS at the helm, ArtsCrawl is well-established and perfectly primed for a pass-off to a new entity to carry it forward.

Since 2013, gallupARTS has nurtured ArtsCrawl from its infancy to the fully grown, exceptionally impactful event it is now. gallupARTS has enthusiastically dedicated significant time and resources to increasing the structure and organization of the event so that it can maximize its potential.

As a result of gallupARTS’ efforts, ArtsCrawl has achieved several very important goals: making a major economic contribution, strengthening the region’s creative ecosystem, creating arts engagement opportunities for a diverse audience, and building community, and contributing to a higher quality of life for Gallupians.

With an average attendance of 1,100 people per event, ArtsCrawl will generate an estimated $140,000 this year for the local economy. That’s $7,000 per hour of event-related spending, which translates into more than a customer per minute for some downtown businesses! Some downtown businesses have reported doing 30 - 40% better (in terms of sales) on ArtsCrawl Saturdays than nonArtsCrawl Saturdays, having record sales during ArtsCrawl events, and practically selling out of merchandise during ArtsCrawl.

Moreover, gallupARTS leverages ArtsCrawl to deliver on its mission to foster Gallup’s creative economy. The event is one of the few paying gigs in town for artists, musicians, and performers— gallupARTS collaborates with an average of 37 creative partners per event. ArtsCrawl is also the area’s only free vending opportunity for artists and is the setting for monthly art gallery openings. At ArtsCrawl, everyone from kids to older adults can enjoy seeing, making, and hearing art. The event serves up an average of 15 different arts-based activities each month, including live music, dance and theater performances, artist demonstrations, artist meetand-greets, and art-making workshops. Above all, gallupARTS views ArtsCrawl’s highest purpose as helping downtown regain its rightful place as the heart of our community. Over 60% of event attendees report that attending ArtsCrawl has improved their image of downtown, noting that ArtsCrawl makes downtown feel more welcoming and vibrant. As one Crawler put it, “Before ArtsCrawl, my family didn’t venture downtown to look at the shops or check anything out because it didn’t seem family-friendly.” Another says, “Growing up around the Gallup area, I always thought only bad things about downtown. But seeing the ArtsCrawl—the families getting together, kids running around, and everyone coming together and just enjoying the entertainment—it is a different story.”

The August issue of New Mexico Magazine, with subscribers nationwide, includes a rave review of ArtsCrawl in its article entitled Gallup Revival: “by the time [ArtsCrawl] kicks into gear, downtown Gallup has blossomed into a community party…Navajo, Zuni, Anglo, and Hispanic participants mix together…There are belly dancers, a girl rap group, and a pile of giant Jenga pieces for kids to practice their architectural skills….Smiling, applauding, and getting along with one another, they craft a community of love.” ArtsCrawl is truly a jewel in Gallup’s crown; it’s art in all of its definitions, and it’s the people that make it happen.

So, gallupARTS would like to first and foremost thank YOU—the community—for making ArtsCrawl the incredible success that it is. gallupARTS would also like to share its deep appreciation to its partners, collaborators, and supporters for their contributions over the last five years. Thank you very much to: • The Gallup Business Improvement District for funding the event; • The City of Gallup and its Public Works, Streets, Fire, Parks, and Police departments for the significant amount of technical and logistical support they lend to the event; • All of the previous ArtsCrawl Coordinators, including Amy Coats, Dee Santillanes, Nitasha Manning, and Aaron Mingus, who each brought vision and energy to the event, carrying it forward with few resources and big ideas; • Millennium Media, the Gallup Journey, KGLP, and Suzanne Hammons for their generous in-kind marketing donations; • Our regular creative collaborators—including BK Taiko, Foundations of Freedom, Gallup Repertory Theater, Kevin Schemp, Lynette Curley, Lynn Huenemann, the Octavia Fellin Public Library, Padma Komaravolu, and Steve Marti—to all of the amazing artists, musicians, performers, and bands that have contributed their talents to ArtsCrawl, and to all of the community organizations, schools, and teachers who have made ArtsCrawl extra special; • Our extremely dedicated and hard working current Ambassador corps—Alicia Palacios, Jimmy Thomas, Tera Selleck, and Tasha Nez—and to our former Ambassadors—Jonathan Yazzie, Maya Ross, and Nicole Pete; • Our terrific volunteers: Anne Price, April Forman, Evangielene Leslie, Shannon Gurley O’Donnell, Scarlett Selleck, the Miyamura High Key Club, and the Gallup High Cheer Squad; and • All of the downtown businesses who have gone above and beyond to enhance ArtsCrawl over the last five years: Bill Malone Trading, Camille’s Sidewalk Café, City Electric, Coal Street Pub, Crashing Thunder Gallery, Downtown Flea Mart, El Morro Theatre, Free Spirit Gallery, Gallup Downtown Conference Center, Gallup Service Mart, Jerry’s Café, La Montanita Co-op, LOOM Gallery, Nizhoni Music Therapy, One80 Productions, opo gallery, Quintana’s Music & Indian Jewelry, Sammy C’s Rockin’ Sports Pub & Grille, Silver Stallion, Southwest Indian Foundation, The Consignment Boutique, Weaving in Beauty, and Yazzie’s Indian Art.

gallupARTS’ commitment to ArtsCrawl has been unwavering. Our organization strongly believes Gallup deserves a regular event where people and families can come together, experience art, enjoy each other’s company, and take pride in their community. gallupARTS is looking forward to continuing its commitment to ArtsCrawl by taking on more fully its role as an art gallery and downtown business participant in the event and to celebrating ArtsCrawl’s continued achievements. gallupARTS’ dedication and contribution to downtown Gallup and the broader community will continue to grow through its ongoing myriad programs and projects and many new and exciting ones. This year, gallupARTS is on track to serving 26,000 McKinley County residents and 1,500 professional and student artists, through 13 different art-based community programs. gallupARTS received and executed eight grant awards totaling $207,400 in the last year, including three major federal grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. In the next year, gallupARTS will be applying for over $150K in state and national grants to bring unparalleled arts experiences and resources to the community.

Thank you, Gallup and the surrounding area, once more for an incredible 5 years of ArtsCrawl! Help us celebrate at ArtsCrawl: Let’s Have a Ball on Saturday, December 8 from 7-9:00pm, with live music, a radio production of A Christmas Carol by Gallup Repertory Theater, ballet and belly dance performances by FOF, and a dance party!

With sincere appreciation,

Rose Eason

Executive Director, gallupARTS