Kibble by Kamloops Daily News

Kamloops

The Go-To Guide for Pet Life Fun in Kamloops & Area

Spring 2013

Natural horsemanship Travelling with Fido Q & A: Avoiding Ticks Mountain Biking with your dog

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Table OF Contents

Publisher Tim Shoults

Director of Advertising Kevin Dergez

Sales

Claudine Sleik

Stories

Larkin Schmiedl Amber Harding

Layout & Design Mike Coulter

PHOTOGRAPHY Keith Anderson

Jandana Ranch Murray Mitchell

Cover CREDIT: Jandana Ranch

Produced by

Kamloops Daily News 393 Seymour St. Kamloops BC V2C 2Z6 250.372.2331 www.kamloopsnews.ca

5 Natural Horsemanship 7 Travelling with Fido 11 Kamloops Mounted Patrol 12 Kamloops dog park map 15 Mountain Biking with your dog 17 Q & A: Ticks 22 A message from KDHS 23 The SPCA City Challenge fundraiser www.kamloopskibble.ca APRIL 2013 l KIBBLE

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Natural Horsemanship

By Amber Harding

Most

people associate training and animal obedience with the animal, but when it comes to natural horsemanship it’s the owner who needs to be trained.

Natural horsemanship has become more predominant over the last two decades and the philosophy behind it is to work with horses by appealing to their instincts and communicating with them in the same way they communicate with each other. “You need to work with the horse from their point of view,” Janice Jarvis of Jandana Ranch in Pinantan Lake explains. “Your relationship with your horse is built on trust and when that horse respects you it’s amazing how they look at you.” Jarvis maintains that the type of saddle a rider chooses is up to personal preference and not

what natural horsemanship is all about. However, riders who have mastered the technique often ride without a bridle or a saddle because instructions are communicated through feel and touch rather than force or manipulation. “Riding is the act of not falling off. Natural horsemanship has nothing to do with what kind of saddle you use,” she says. Jarvis has been coaching since 1974 but didn’t discover natural horsemanship until almost 20 years later when she was searching for a way to truly connect and communicate with her horse. She describes a partnership between a rider and his or her horse as being developed on love, language and leadership. According to Jarvis it is a different way of thinking entirely. “I’ve had many people say to me that I’ve not only changed their relationship with their horse but that APRIL 2013 l KIBBLE

I’ve changed their outlook on life,” she says. Even how they board horses at Jandana Ranch follows the natural horsemanship philosophy. The horses are not kept in a barn or stalls but are allowed to run free and with the herd throughout the 500 acres available. “Horses want to be together. They are happier mentally and emotionally

as a herd,” Jarvis says. “I’ve had a lot of troubled horses who are crazy and we put them with the herd for four to six months and they come out a changed horse.” There are many tips and techniques online about natural horsemanship but Jarvis recommends working with a coach if someone is serious about pursuing it.

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Travelling with Fido By LARKIN SCHMIEDL

Whether

you’re travelling by car, plane or train, there are things to keep in mind when you’re getting ready to take your dog along for a trip. From

car safety to border crossings to breed-specific laws, when travelling with a pet, preparing ahead of time is key to enjoying yourselves on the road and avoiding unnecessary stresses.

HOW TO TRAVEL?

If you’re planning a road trip in your car, find a way of safely restraining your pet while they are travelling. “I have a truck and she sits in the front passenger seat,” said Kim Sirrs from Vancouver, who travels with her dog Lilli. “I put Lilli in a harness and buckle her in.” Crates and carriers will keep your pet contained while you’re driving, and restraints will protect them from injury. Make sure to deactivate any airbags in seats where pets are travelling. In your own car, your dog is welcome. But if you’re planning on using a rental car or RV, make sure to check ahead of time if the company allows it. Many do, so long as owners take responsibility for any mess or damage. If you’re planning on travelling by plane, different airlines allow pets for a wide range of fees. Shop around: some planes allow

small pets in the cabin, and others carry all pets with the baggage. VIA Rail allows pets, and dogs travel in the baggage car inside their kennels for a fee of between $15-$50. Greyhound buses do not allow any type of pets, nor does American train Amtrak.

TIPS

Before heading off on a trip, make sure your dog is well-trained. Be aware that you will have to find pet-friendly places to stay, whether they are campgrounds, hotels or friend’s homes. Make sure you have plenty of your pet’s food and treats with you, and don’t forget any medications.

APRIL 2013 l KIBBLE

If you need a can-opener, bring one. Have a water dish, and bring a towel for cleaning your dog. Remember plastic bags for poop, and bring a couple of your dog’s favourite toys. When you’re planning your time, estimate longer than you think, as things will move slower with a pet. Make sure your dog has contact information on its collar where you can be reached, such as a cellphone “When you’re you will have planning your with you. While you’re on the time, estimate road, you can use local pet-sitting longer than services if you need to, which allows you you think, as to do things you things will otherwise couldn’t.

move slower

If you’re planning with a pet.” on crossing the U.S. border, be aware a valid rabies vaccination certificate must accompany your dog. Your dog must also appear healthy. These same rules apply when you bring your dog back into Canada, even if that’s where it came from. Pet-owner Lindsay Kearns said, “One thing I wish I’d known before first taking my dog over the border into the States is that there are restrictions on dog food... It [has to] be in original packaging, and can’t contain certain things.” These include lamb, sheep and goat meat. Check the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Services website for more information. Kearns said of her dog, “We’d taken Murdoch’s very expensive fancy kibble and measured it out into a couple of small sealed buckets for our road trip, S8

KIBBLE l APRIL 2013

and it was confiscated at the border!” She ended up having to buy new food, and unable to find Murdoch’s usual, she tried a food his stomach didn’t like. “It didn’t help with how much he already hates the car,” she said, “nor our enjoyment of the trip, as he got very smelly.”

HEALTH:

Before leaving, take precautions for your pet’s health. Know your dog’s medical history, and have

first aid supplies with you. Have your regular vet’s phone number on hand. If you do end up needing a veterinarian in another town, get a local to recommend one. Have your dog checked before you leave, and make sure all vaccinations are up to date. Even if you’re not crossing the border, get documented proof that your dog is vaccinated, as you may need it. If you’re going someplace hot, watch for heat stroke. Always make sure your dog has plenty of water, and don’t leave them alone in the car.

BREED-SPECIFIC LAWS

Make sure you know the law of the land where you’re going. Within Canada and in other places, there are laws and bylaws known as breed-specific laws. It’s vital to know how these laws apply and

what the consequences are. Many different breeds can be banned, require muzzling, or be under other legal restrictions. Penalties can be as serious as jail time or the execution of the dog, so it’s best to know what you’re getting into. For more information about breedspecific laws, and for an extensive listing of pet-friendly traveller information, visit :

www.gopetfriendly.com.

The website includes a road-trip planner where you can map your trip and find pet resources along the way. When travelling with your dog, remember – plan ahead, stay flexible, and enjoy one another.

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Kamloops

Mounted Patrol By Amber Harding

Anyone who has spent time down by the Thompson River and at Riverside Park is probably familiar with the Kamloops Mounted Patrol. In the summer, the riders in red spend three evenings a week there interacting with the community and greeting the Rocky Mountaineer train. Once you get involved with the Kamloops Mounted Patrol you don’t want to leave, horse or human. The group has been active in the community for 22 years and two of its original members are still holding strong. Rick Wanless is the Director of the Mounted Patrol, and Rocky the quarter horse is one of the original horses. Rocky isn’t used on a regular basis anymore because of his age but he still thinks of himself as quite important, says Wanless, laughing. “The way he runs around here it doesn’t look like he’s been bothered by age.” The horses that make up the Mounted Patrol come from a variety of backgrounds but generally are nice and calm with friendly dispositions and have had a good upbringing. The Patrol does purchase its horses but Wanless says that many people approach them because they want their horse to go to a good home. He tells the story of a horse that was acquired from a couple in the North Thompson who came down to less than half of what they were originally asking in price because they knew with the Kamloops

Mounted Patrol their horse would have a good and long life. And who are these people on patrol? There’s a teacher, a physiotherapist and an executive secretary, just to name a few who make up this diverse volunteer group that is all about public service. “All of our riders do so on a volunteer basis and actually pay a yearly rate for their membership,” Wanless explains. “The time commitment is over 100 hours a year.” The patrol has a presence at upwards of 30 events a year on top of meeting the Rocky Mountaineer three times a week. The events usually start in April and go through until October. “People love the horses,” Wanless says. “We take great pride in serving the community and being there to welcome people into Kamloops.” APRIL 2013 l KIBBLE

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Kamloops Dog Park Map ra

Batchelor Park

12th St

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10th

8th Av

6th Av

4th Av

Columbia St

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11th Av

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On-leash - Dogs Under Control

Rivers Trail - On-leash and Dogs Under Control

Aberdeen Hills Park - not playground

Mt Dufferin Park

On-leash Parks - Dogs Under Control

Batchelor Park - not playground

Overlander Park

Off-leash Dog Parks - Dogs Under Control

Brocklehurst Park

Parkcrest Park

Off-leash Dog Beaches - Dogs Under Control

Crestline Park - between gardens and ball field

Pineview Valley Park

Prohibited Areas - Off-limits to Dogs

Dallas Park - walkway only

Pioneer Park

Len Haughton Park, Heffley Creek

Rae-Mor Park

McBeth Park

Todd Hill Park, Dallas

McDonald Park

West Pines Park

Memorial Park

Westmount Park

KIBBLE l APRIL 2013

Halston Ave

Lake

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Parkcrest Park

Brocklehurst Park

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Westmount Park

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16 Rae-Mor Park Spurraway Rd

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Franklin Rd

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Dallas / Barnhartvale Park

Gleneagles Park

Gordonhorn Park

Kenna Cartwright Park

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Mission Flats Park

ander Park

Ord Road Dog Exercise Park

rest Park

Peterson Creek Park

iew Valley Park

River Street Dog Exercise Park

Off-limits Areas

er Park

Rose Hill Park

Albert McGowan Park

Mor Park

Sahali Terrace Park

Exhibition Park & Charles Anderson Stadium

Hill Park, Dallas

Strathcona Park

McArthur Island Park

Pines Park

Valleyview Recreation Centre Park

Prince Charles Park

mount Park

Westsyde Centennial Park - NE of dyke only

Riverside Park

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Off-leash Beaches - Dogs Under Control 35

Mission Flats Park Beach

Overlander Park Beach

Pioneer Park Beach

APRIL 2013 l KIBBLE

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Mountain biking with your dog By LARKIN SCHMIEDL

Most of the Kamloops

area is a playground for mountain bikers, and for those with pooches who like exercise, it can be a playground for dogs, too.

With proper physical training and enough water, dogs can learn to run alongside mountain bikers, allowing both owner and canine to get a workout on the hills. Cheryl Beattie is part-owner of Kamloops’ Bicycle Cafe bike shop. The shop’s mascot happens to be a boxer named Hayden who loves to follow bikes down the trail. “I take her to Batchelor, I take her to Kenna, I take her all over,” said Beattie. “She just stays with me. She’s super smart and good.”

Between three to five times a week, Beattie and Hayden are out on the trails. “We started Hayden as a pretty young dog,” she said. Hayden got used to being around bicycles in a small area, where Beattie would ride around and get her to chase the bike. “I’d slowly work up to a little bit longer and longer rides until she was comfortable,” said Beattie. Now Hayden can free run beside her, and loves it. “She’s much more interested in bikes than anything else, so she just follows the bikes mostly. She doesn’t wander off or anything.” Beattie says it took time. “I did train her. You have to get her good at

APRIL 2013 l KIBBLE

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not running in front of the bike.” If Hayden got in front of the wheel, Beattie would give her a gentle nudge, and eventually Hayden learned to be out of the way.

brutal for them,” he says. “I’ve seen people biking with very stressedlooking dogs because the dog won’t leave their side but is clearly past its physical comfort level.”

She cautions that if someone’s not a good cyclist, they should work on their own technique before including a dog in the mix. Dogs are free spirits, and a cyclist has to be prepared to dodge or stop quickly. Beattie advises new riders take their time.

Dogs are not allowed at the Kamloops Bike Ranch, but may be taken along on many other trails in the area.

Water is another concern. Since Kamloops summers are so hot, owners must be careful their dogs don’t get heat stroke. Carrying more than enough water for yourself and your dog is important, as is avoiding the hottest days of the year altogether.

Bringing a leash along is good for times when the trail crosses roadways. For ideas about where to go mountain biking around Kamloops, see:

www.kamloopstrails.net/ category/mountain-bike-routes.

Beattie said she also chooses rides that are flatter to take Hayden along on. “[It] lets her pick the pace a bit more,” she says. Vancouver Island-based biker Jay Evans says it’s key to make sure your dog is in good physical shape before taking them VIEW along. “They will follow you, but if they’re not in shape, it can be really

WITH

TO WATCH A VIDEO OF JAK, THE MOUNTAIN BIKE LOVING DOG

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Q & A: Ticks Ticks become a

big nuisance for pet and livestock owners in Kamloops and the surrounding areas through spring. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

important to keep a close eye on your animal friends, and to remove the insects as soon as possible. Dr. Paula Davies of the Kamloops Veterinary Clinic takes a moment from her hectic schedule to answer some of the most commonly asked tick-related questions. Q. When does tick season in Kamloops start? How long does it last? A. Typically tick season starts late February and can continue into early June. The peak months that we see ticks on animals are March and April. Q. Are some years worse than others for ticks? What makes for a really bad tick season? A. Yes. Some years may be worse than others. I think when the winter is mild or we have an early spring we see more ticks seeking a blood meal as soon as the snow melts. This usually makes for a particularly bad year. Q. What animals are particularly at risk? A. Many animals are at risk including dogs, cattle, llamas, horses, sheep and goats. Cats seem to be pretty fastidious groomers and so we rarely see ticks on cats.

Q. Is there anything we can do to prevent our animals from being bitten? A. Yes. Thorough inspection of your pet after being outdoors, especially in wooded or grassy areas, is important. As well, if you spent a lot of time hiking or biking you may want to consider a topical preventative. These products are easily applied and usually last a month. If the product contains permethrin you need to be aware that this is toxic to cats. In addition, if you have small children who spend a lot of time hugging their dogs, use an alternative topical that does not contain permethrin. Even if you do apply a topical preventative, it is important to still check your pet after outdoor activity. This includes the undercarriage, the ears, groin and armpits. Q. If they are bitten, what should a pet owner do?

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A Rocky Mountain Wood Tick during various degrees of engorgement.

A. If you find a tick on your pet, you should remove it as soon as possible. Use a pair of tweezers and, after putting on gloves, grasp it as close to the skin as possible. Pull straight out, without twisting and ensure you have all body parts. Do not squeeze the body or you may squish saliva and stomach contents of the tick into the wound. Wash the area with soap and water. Keep the tick in a jar in case there are any concerns about the identity.

Q. Are animals like horses and dogs susceptible to Lyme’s disease? Are there any other illnesses that can be transmitted to pets via tick bites? A. Most ticks do not carry disease. Dogs can get Lyme’s disease but it is rare, especially in this area. It is possible for horses to get Lyme’s disease, but not even really a consideration if it the horse resides in this area. The tick that we should be concerned about most in Kamloops and vicinity is the Rocky Mountain Wood tick (Dermacenter andersoni), which typically is just responsible for tick paralysis. The ticks that carry Lyme’s disease are the Ixodes species, which are found on the Coast of B.C. Other diseases that can be spread by ticks are Rocky Mountain spotted fever (Alberta and the U.S.), anaplasmosis, and babesia. These are all very rare in B.C. Q. If you know your pet has been bitten by a tick and the tick has been removed, is there anything you should keep an eye on in terms of infection? A. If the area swells and gets red, or if there is a discharge where the tick was removed, your dog should be seen by a veterinarian. These bites can become infected, especially if some of the mouth parts of the tick were left behind upon removal.

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Q. How common is tick paralysis in this region? A. We see several cases of tick paralysis per year at our clinic. It occurs when a female tick has been feeding for approximately four hours on the dog. The tick secretes a neurotoxin that gradually paralyzes the dog, starting with the hind legs. The dog becomes increasingly uncoordinated, has difficulty walking, then collapses. They usually seem quite bright (nonpainful) and happy, and some are still able to wag their tail despite not being able to get up. If the tick is not removed and the paralysis moves up into the respiratory nerves, there is a chance that the dog could suffocate. This usually takes a week or more of the tick being on the animal. It can be amazing how quickly a dog recovers (a few hours) after the tick is removed.

We see another tick in Kamloops, present during the fall and winter and even into early spring, called the Winter Tick or Moose Tick (Dermacenter albipictus). This tick does not carry disease. If high in numbers on moose it can suck their blood and cause anemia and weakness. These ticks found on dogs are just a nuisance. They are usually a grayish with brown dapples, unlike the Wood tick, which is a dark reddish brown with a white shield.

Pet of the Week There are two kinds of hairdressers out there: â&#x20AC;˘ Those who just cut your hair â&#x20AC;˘ Those that give you that extra special pampered feeling We work in your pet's comfort zone, giving them the time and loving they need. Using T-Touch techniques we calm, relax and introduce ourselves to your pet. Gently working through their problem areas, we invite them to offer us their paws.

DO YOU HAVE A PET YOU'RE PROUD OF? Then upload a picture of your furry, feathered or hooved friend to kamloopskibble.ca and share with our readers the special bond you and your pet have. Watch the Kamloops Daily News, as each week we'll choose one special critter to be the Kamloops Kibble Pet of the Week!

Contact Laura for an extra special grooming TTouch

250-578-7715 4642 Strawberry Lane Kamloops (Rayleigh)

Photo Credit: LiseAnn Dore

Your Best Friend's Grooming Shoppe

YourNewsNow.ca

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Message from the

Kamloops and District Humane Society The Kamloops and District Humane Society would like to remind pet owners that the time to spay and neuter is now. Kittens and puppies are cute, but they quickly grow into

adults. Last year, the KDHS was overrun with unwanted kittens and cats and as the non-profit agency has no shelter, it had nowhere to send them. Please prevent unwanted litters.

KDHS Adoptables

Lucy is a personable year and a half old orange tabby with white chest and paws. She is outgoing, loves to play and likes other cats - preferably they like to play, too. She came to the Kamloops and District Humane Society after her owner couldn't afford to have her spayed and Lucy had a litter of kittens. The landlord said all the cats had to go. Lucy's kittens have been homed, now it's her turn. Call Barb at the KDHS at 250-554-1371. S22

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Lucy

The SPCA City Challenge Fundraiser By Lindsay Curry BCSPCA Kamloops & District Branch

The Kamloops and District

Branch of the BC SPCA is about to take on Prince George and the North Cariboo Branch in the Stanley Cup of fundraisers.

The two districts are competing against each other, with bragging rights to the one who raises the most cash for their local SPCA.

The annual City Challenge runs from May 1 - 31, and there are events throughout the month. Our goal this year is $40,000, and we’re sure that we’ll leave Prince George in the dust! (Honestly, the true winners are the animals in both districts. But we still like to win!)

Some of the events that will be happening during the City Challenge are: • May 4 – Open House and Craft Fair at the Shelter at 1211 8th Street, 11 am to 3 pm • May 10 – McCracken Station Pub Night, 6:30 to 9 pm, tickets $18 • May 10 – Stout House Feature Item Dinner • May 11 – Market Fresh Foods BBQ and Car Wash, 11 am to 3 pm • May 11 to 18 – Book Sale at Northills Mall, regular mall hours • May 25 – M&M Sahali Wrap Up BBQ, 11 am to 3 pm • May 26 – Spay-ghetti and No Balls Dinner, Mt. Paul Golf Course, 5:30 to 7 pm, tickets $18 ($10 for children under 10) We remind the public that all funds raised during the City Challenge stay in our district! We care for more than 1,200 animals each year, and this is one of our two major fundraisers. For more information or to buy tickets for the Pub Night or the Spay-ghetti and No Balls Dinner, please call 250-3767722 or drop by the Shelter. Visit us online at:

www.spca.bc.ca

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ALL NATURAL HOLISTIC PET FOOD