2020 Winter DogCruces Magazine

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Winter 2020

Happy Neuter Year!!

Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary and Spay/Neuter Action Program have resolved to tackle the high-priority problem of pet overpopulation with low-cost Spay and Neuter surgeries.

Page 14

Rolling Right Along Chew on This...

February is Pet Dental Health Month, and Dr. Schumacher takes on the myths that abound about Fido’s teeth.

Page 10

Tiny Mango has a mission...to help other paralyzed dogs regain their mobility, like she did.

Page 19

Blind devotion NMSU’s Community Puppy Raisers ensure future Guide Dogs for the Blind get the best possible start to their lives as heroes.

Page 21

PLUS . . . Litter-ally, the Clay Stuff is Bad News...Shopping Smart for CBD...Parrot Heads are Dog People, Too...Farewell to a Good Scout...and More!

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A Somber End to 2019

ow, here I am trying to write my Editor’s Letter, and I can’t do it! I keep typing and erasing what I’ve written. I know I should introduce the articles that are inside this issue, reflect on 2019, and have grand wishes for this new decade, which I am dubbing the Decade of Dogs!

I hope it will be the decade of dogs and for dogs, with more and more people doing right by them.

But right now I just have to acknowledge the pain we are in about losing our good boy, Scout.

Vic and I have loved and lost so many dogs over the years—mostly due to cancer (all too common in our beloved Goldens), and just as I had begun to write this letter, we received test results from the vet that Scout had some rare, freaking cancer. It took him so quickly, it still does not feel real—but we lost him on Christmas morning. So I am just going to write about him and what a beautiful boy he was. Special. Gifted. And only five years old.

About four years ago, we were contacted by Connie Jimenez from Golden Retriever Rescue of El Paso to pick up an owner-surrendered Golden here in town, keep him overnight, and deliver him the next day to GRREP. We did just that—picked him up and took him home to spend the night with our girls (who were not super keen on a rambunctious giant in the house). He was exceptionally big and, boy, was he a beauty! We knew he would get adopted right away.

The next day, we loaded Scout into the car and were already on I-10 when Connie called to ask if we could keep him for a week, because she’d had a dog come in with kennel cough and didn’t want Scout to get it. So, we borrowed a giant crate and took him back home, where we were greeted by

“WTF?” expressions on our girls’ faces as they realized we had returned with the giant.

Scout was a year old at the time. Vic’s Search and Rescue (SAR) K9, Ruby, was nine—and it was time to retire her from SAR. We had a week, so we decided to test Scout’s SAR aptitude. Why not? He passed all the tests, and we decided to add him to our pack and start training him.

Another Foster Fail!

Scout was an awesome SAR dog, but he truly excelled at the highly-specialized skill of human remains detection — so much so that he earned the nickname of “Grave Digger,” because he would dig or paw at the source as his alert. Scout and Vic went on many missions together, not just for SAR, but for various law enforcement agencies throughout the state. Vic would always post pics of them together. His bond with Scout was different from any of the other dogs we have loved through the years, and I attribute it to the fact there were finally two guys in the house—we had only had girls before.

We were so lucky to have Scout. He was wild and crazy, and he never completely outgrew his puppy energy. But he was a focused professional when it came to his job, and a devoted, loving companion at home. We are devastated by the sudden upending of our world, but this is not the first time we have had to face this kind of loss, and it most certainly will not be the last. It never, ever, ever gets easier. But we would do everything all over again to have Scout in our lives—even if we knew it would only be for four short years!

Whew! Our cover story to kick off this new year/ decade is about a cause that is very near and dear to my heart—spaying and neutering our domestic

pets. SNAP and SHAS give us a look inside the great work they’re doing to bring low- or no-cost spay/neuter surgery options to people who want to be responsible pet owners.

This issue is loaded with stories about people (and pets) who are selflessly devoting their time and talent to helping others! Mango’s mission is offering freedom to paralyzed dogs by providing custom wheelchairs—for which she received an American Humane Hero Dog Award! And a new club at NMSU has partnered with Guide Dogs for the Blind to begin the training and socializing process of puppies that will, hopefully, become true lifelines for blind and visually impaired people. They have an amazing track record of success so far!

There is so much more inside, but you can explore this issue for yourself! I feel it is my responsibility to leave you with some solemn words of wisdom with which to start 2020: Never go hiking with John Connell (page 25).

All good wishes for a happy, healthy, productive New Year.

Shannon Murray First Lady of Dog’Cruces

Write to us at: Dog’Cruces Magazine 151 S. Solano, Suite E Las Cruces, NM 88001 or email us at : Vic@DogCruces.com Dog‘Cruces Magazine

151 S. Solano • Suite E • Las Cruces, NM 88001

575-523-8511

www.

.com

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Publishers Sonya Ruiz, Vic Villalobos Managing Editor/Mayor of Dog’Cruces Vic Villalobos Senior Editors Charissa Paskowski, Jenifer Woods Contributing Editors Shannon Murray, Phyllis Wright Graphic Artists John Connell, Jenifer Woods Advertising Patrick Montelongo, Charissa Paskowski, Wayne Sinclair, Vic Villalobos Contributors Melanie Coleman, John Connell, Delores T. Craig, DVM, Janice English, Gaylene Fasenko, Margaret Dubbin, Kat Lacy, Julie Miller, Shannon Murray, Laura O’Conner, Kyle Schumacher, DVM, Sydney Schumacher, Julie Walter, Jess Williams

Dog‘,Cruces

Winter 2020

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Dog‘,Cruces

Winter 2020

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RECURRING & ONGOING EVENTS

WINTER 2020 Safe Haven Adoption Promotion with Radio NM Every Wednesday, January 22 – April 29 Radio NM is a local radio program audio stream. See the Live Facebook stream on myradionm.com.

SHAS is a weekly contributor to the show and brings pets to the Round Table show that are available for adoption at 6890 Eagle Rd. For more information, contact SHAS at 575-805-5338.

Safe Haven Adoption Events at Petsmart Saturday, January 25 Saturday, February 22 Saturday, March 28 2200 E. Lohman (next to Old Navy)

from 10:30am to 2:30pm. Find your petmate and learn more about Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary (SHAS).

575-805-5338.

Rudy’s Adoption Promotions

Friday, January 24 Saturday, January 25 Sunday, January 26

Snip, Snip, Hooray!

Spay/Neuter Clinic

Thursday, February 6 Thursday, March 5 Thursday, April 2 Rudy’s Country Store and BBQ, 1020 N. Telshor Blvd from 4pm7pm. Leashed and well-behaved dogs welcome on the patio. For more info, call 575-805-5338.

Domestic cats/dogs only. Registration is required, but there are NO income qualifications. For registration and payment information go to SHASpets.com or call 575-8055338 for more information.

JANUARY

This anniversary celebrates the founding of the first seeing-eye dog training facility in the US in 1929.

Read about how NMSU’s Community Puppy Raisers help prepare dogs to become Guide Dogs for the Blind (page 21).

Friday, January 24

Change a Pet’s Life Day Make a difference in your community by adopting, fostering, and volunteering to help change a pet’s life!

Wednesday, January 29

Seeing-Eye Guide Dog Anniversary

FEBRUARY

Pet Dental Health Month Take care of your pets’ teeth like

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you would take care of your own, and schedule a dental checkup with your veterinarian. Dr. Schumacher debunks some doggie dental myths in The Vet’s View (page 10-11).

Monday, February 3

National Golden Retriever Day

pets! It is key to reducing the number of deaths in our community every year. Our cover story highlights the efforts of two local animal advocacy groups working tirelessly to help make this a reality (pages 14-17).

MARCH Friday, March 13

Thursday, February 20

K-9 Veterans’ Day

Love Your Pet Day EVERY day! Today is just an extra celebration to show your pets your love for them, just like their own Valentine’s Day. Sunday, February 23

Take time to acknowledge the courage of all dogs who serve and protect. This day honors all military, police, search and rescue and all working dogs for their hard work and sacrifice. Thank you for your service!

APRIL

International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day Enough said. You know what to do.

Tuesday, February 25

World Spay Day! Spread the word about the necessity of spaying or neutering domestic

Heartworm Awareness Month By protecting our dogs from heartworms we, as pet parents, can also protect ourselves from the heartache that can come from the loss of a canine companion or the expensive and difficult treatment due to this

preventable health issue. To learn more go to www.heartwormsociety.org

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month Report animal abuse! Call Police Dispatch at 575-526-0795. You can remain anonymous or provide your name if you would like the Animal Control Officer to contact you.

Stand up against animal cruelty!

April 6 – 12

Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week Say thanks to the hard-working men and women of Animal Control who work tirelessly to return lost animals to their owners and make the community safer for humans and animals alike.

For a complete calendar of events, visit

DogCruces.com

List is updated as events are announced

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9

, The Vet s View by

Kyle Schumacher, DVM

Dental Neglect: The Root I Smoothie

Fruit For

DogS! DrooLY DeLiCiouS

’m switching gears to talk about one of my least favorite—but most important—areas of veterinary practice…dentistry. I’ll readily admit that one horse accident, followed by multiple crowns/root canals/extractions, have made this subject personal and emotional for me. I hate going to the dentist, but experience has proven that maintaining good dental health results in significant improvements in my quality of life and also that of my patients.

Standard veterinary approaches to dentistry have shifted significantly, even during my tenure as a vet. “Dog-breath,” pain/lack of appetite, and loose/fractured/abscessed teeth have always been red flags, but we now realize the impact that subclinical dental disease can have on a pet’s comfort and health. Multitudes of human studies establish links between oral health and cardiovascular disease, diabetes, pneumonia, and other serious medical problems. Accumulation of dental debris serves as a constant source of infection and inflammation—ultimately affecting not only the mouth but the whole body.

February is National Pet Dental Health Month— many veterinarians offer special packages and services during this time. So, I’d like to take this chance to bust some calculus [mineralized plaque] and also a few of the common myths regarding veterinary dental care.

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Winter 2020

“Dog breath is normal.”

Gross!! Bad breath [halitosis] results from bacterial growth. This is unpleasant and unhealthy for you and your pet.

“It doesn’t seem to hurt.

They’re still eating.”

Pets are masters at hiding discomfort and there are many subtle signs which precede obvious pain or loss of appetite. Your veterinarian will do a full exam to identify potential dental disease and grade its progression. Many owners don’t realize that their pet was feeling poorly until they see them feeling better!

“My pet is too old/sick/infirmed for dental care.”

Dental care is even more important for these patients. Geriatric pets, or those with concurrent medical issues, have a higher risk of complications secondary to infection or inflammation originating in the mouth.

Radiographs (X-rays) can help identify problems hidden beneath your pet’s gum line.

“I’m afraid to sedate my pet for dental work.”

Take time to discuss any concerns with your veterinarian before making this blanket decision. Sedation and anesthesia always carry risk, but with proper drug choice and monitoring we can greatly mitigate this. Every doctor should be willing to discuss pros/cons and tailor his or her protocol to each individual pet.

“I’ll just have them cleaned without sedation.”

This really isn’t a good idea. Without anesthesia and proper control of your pet’s airway, there is a greater risk of aspiration and injury. Ultrasonic scaling creates tiny grooves in the surface of the tooth and may also cause injury to the tongue or gums if your pet moves. These grooves must be smoothed out afterwards by proper polishing. This can be impossible to do in an awake patient and may actually result in more harm than good.

“Dental x-rays are unnecessary and expensive.”

Dental radiographs have revolutionized our ability to detect problems at an early stage before they

Surround Yourself of So Many Problems begin to cause obvious pain and discomfort. Visual inspection of the tooth really is the tip of the iceberg—pictures I’ve included clearly illustrate how small changes in the crown [visible portion of the tooth] correlate poorly with more profound changes under the gumline. Regular x-rays are widely considered to be standard of care in human dentistry, and we would expect nothing less for pets. Radiographs are a relatively small investment to help detect problems early and prevent [very expensive] emergencies in the future.

“I’ll just start brushing.”

Great idea! We work hard to help owners establish a regular pattern of brushing for their pets. Unfortunately, most of the visible plaque in our pets actually occurs as calculus—debris that is calcified and mineralized to the surface of the tooth. Brushing can help prevent further accumulation, but usually cannot remove the calculus that is already in place.

“I can’t brush/clean my dog’s teeth.”

Granted, this is easier in some patients than in others, but really comes down to training, patience, and positive reinforcement. Your veterinarian can give you advice and suggestions in this regard. Different types of brushes and wipes can help make this easier and more comfortable for everyone. Even starting with just a couple of teeth at a time or just once or twice weekly can yield long-term benefits. As an important aside—remember that it is important to use toothpaste that is specifically designed for pets—they can’t share yours!

“I’ll just feed my dog bones or hard food.”

The abrasive action of chewing can help to naturally remove some of the debris from your dog’s teeth—but be cautious in using very hard chews/ bones in this capacity. As a general rule, any object that is too hard for you to dent with pressure from your fingernail carries an increased risk of causing a fractured tooth.

There are many chews and toys designed specifically for this

purpose—please speak with your doctor about choices that might be appropriate for your pet.

“Veterinarians just love to pull teeth.”

Untrue. I personally hate performing extractions unless absolutely necessary (the smell/sound makes me squeamish). Dental radiographs help immensely in determining not just which teeth should be extracted but in deciding which teeth can be treated conservatively with root-planing or medication so they don’t have to be removed.

Please speak with your veterinarian beforehand about these concerns.

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We, as human patients, understand how vitally important preemptive care and regular examinations are for both dental and overall health.

These measures are standard of care in human medicine, and veterinarians strive to achieve the same level of excellence for pets, as well. Please make sure your pet gets a dental check in the near future!

There are an astounding number of peerreviewed articles available that explore many facets of this complex subject. A good general summary is available in the first [circa 2000] and subsequent Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health available online at nidcr.nih.gov/ research/data-statistics/surgeon-general Thanks to those clients who allowed me the use of their pets’ pictures and radiographs and to Leonard Nelson, DDS, for his advice both in editing and consulting on difficult cases! And to everyone (dogs included!) at Dental Associates who helped me conquer my own dental fears and trepidations.

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Winter 2020

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Bards of a Feather by

Jess Williams

S

everal years ago, I was president of the board of directors of the Doña Ana County Humane Society, an organization whose mission and programs I continue to support. Three of the programs I am particularly enthusiastic about are: 1) Ruff to Ready, which provides in-house training for qualifying adopted pets; 2) The Animal Relief Fund, which helps low-income pet owners with qualifying veterinary bills; and 3) the Pets for Seniors program, which—for adopters 60 or older—greatly reduces the adoption price for dogs and eliminates the adoption price for cats, so long as the animals are adopted from the Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley.

The challenge with sustaining programs like these is, of course, financial. As a board member of nearly any community non-profit, one of your most pressing and ongoing obligations is to find ways to keep the money flowing to the programs you care about, and which seem to be working to further the organization’s mission.

This will sound like an odd segue, but I’m a big fan of Jimmy Buffett and the whole trop-rock community that his music has inspired across oceans, islands and land masses since back around 1974, when “Come Monday” hit the charts. It was followed up in 1977 by the little beach song upon which Mr. Buffett has built an empire: “Margaritaville.”

As a result of attending Buffett concerts and Parrothead gatherings all over the USA in the last few decades, I’ve met some amazing musicians, and five of them—Jim Hoehn, Keith Sykes, Michael R. Miller, Jimmy Parrish and John Frinzi—all traveled to Las Cruces during my tenure on the DACHS board to play fundraising concerts for the organization. Those were sweet times, and everyone who attended gladly parted with some money to support DACHS and be entertained.

In every case, they got their money’s worth.

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Winter 2020

One of the great things about the Age of The Internet is the ability to access content that once was difficult to see or hear. You Tube—among other sites—has alleviated that problem, and I invite you—as an animal lover—to do yourself a favor and do some searches. As you listen, remember that these songs were sung by these artists right here in Las Cruces in the not-too-distant past, all to benefit our community’s critters.

Jim Hoehn performed “Calling in Gone,” “Redneck Riviera” and “Tree House Peace of Mind,” along with maybe 30 other songs when he was here. Jim is a dear friend who’s been in my orbit since 1996, when he played a gig called RACAfest in Cincinnati. I drove with two friends across the country to see him and Kevin Mulvenna perform at RACAfest. I’m even in one of the photos on the live album cover. It appears a conga line of some sort was being initiated. Jim’s music is quirky and wonderful and tropical all at the same time. Do yourself a favor and check him out!

Keith Sykes writes original material all the time and cowrites songs with artists like Buffett and John Prine, among many others. He was a fixture in Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band for many years, and he cowrote “Volcano” with Jimmy while they were recording an album in Montserrat. He also penned “Coast of Marseilles,” which Buffett recorded and released to critical acclaim. But by far my favorite of the songs he sang on my patio one night is titled “Gray Beard and Whiskers” about a dog he loved and lost. Listen with a tissue nearby.

Mike Miller is the lead singer of a band called The Boat Drunks, but he plays a sassy/classy solo show, as well. The night he came to Las Cruces, he blew us away with “Hollow Man” and his acoustic version of “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd. He also played his band’s biggest hit (written by Jim Hoehn!), titled “Calling in Gone.” I already invited you to hear Jim’s version, but I think you’ll like the treatment given it by The Boat Drunks, too.

If—like me—you’re getting long in the tooth while nurturing a youthful spirit, you have to listen to “When Did I Get Old.” Mike nails it!

The night Jimmy Parrish came to play for DACHS, we were set up for him at The

Game on Espina. He arrived on time to play, but he had an emerging case of bronchitis that just wouldn’t let him hit his normal range with his usual energy. We even tried soothing his voice with a shot of really good tequila, but that night was not meant to be. He made a donation to DACHS anyway, and a few years later he returned to LC to play a private concert at my house. Check out “It’s Not Your Boat Anymore” and “Put a Little Hot Sauce On It” to get an idea of his range.

John Frinzi spends most of his time in Florida, where he’s a regular at Buffett’s shoreline Margaritaville resorts. He played for DACHS at the old Hurricane Bar on Solano, which—in hindsight— was not an ideal venue. The bar was loud, and John’s music is decidedly calming and serene, for the most part. He got playful when he wrote “Paradise Quickly,” but my favorites of his remain “Shoreline,” “The Mexican Ring” and “Miranda.”

I really enjoyed showing him around town the next day before he had to leave for the next gig, in Phoenix, I believe.

All of these musicians are animal lovers with gentle souls, easy smiles and tons of talent. They’re all welcome on the back porch of Mirandavilla Bay any ol’ time they want to play!

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FIX-

Do the Math!!

A single pair of dogs or cats can result in hundreds of THOUSANDS of homeless puppies or kittens in just a few short years!

When we started Dog’Cruces Magazine

more than eight years ago, our staff was unanimous that one of our steadfast values is our belief that domestic pets should be spayed or neutered. This is hardly a unique point of view—every animal advocacy group champions this idea. “Fixing” your dogs and cats can lead to longer, healthier lives for your furbabies, as well as curb some of the hormonallybased behaviors that can prove to be annoying and potentially dangerous if left unchecked.

Spay/Neuter surgeries are cost-effective, as well, when you consider the alternative of raising litters of pups and kittens, or having to pay for non-routine veterinary care related to your pets’ reproductive systems—or even for someone else’s vet bills or legal claims if your intact male dog jumps your fence and initiates a fight over a female in heat.

But most of all, spaying and neutering your dogs and cats can help to control the rampant pet overpopulation that has plagued our area for years and lead to the tragic execution of thousands of innocent, unwanted pets—the inevitable result of too many unfixed animals and too few homes willing or able to adopt more than they already have.

The two groups featured in our cover story provide low-cost—or NO COST—spay/neuter surgeries to people in our area who want to be responsible pet owners, but need a little financial help to get started. They do outstanding work trying to stem a tide that, literally, can grow exponentially.

Safe Haven’s semi-annual SNIP, SNIP, HOORAY! events provide low-cost spay/ neuter opportunities for area pet owners.

14 Dog‘,Cruces

Winter 2020

H

ow can a person save hundreds of cats and dogs? Just spay or neuter one.

This is the message that needs to find its way to many more people in the Las Cruces area and New Mexico in general. It seems simple enough, but there are numerous barriers to overcome.

d e t a on

s t l u s re

Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary (SHAS) was established in 1995 as the first no-kill cat and dog rescue facility in the Las Cruces area. To the people who started Safe Haven, it was evident that there was a mind-boggling number of unwanted cats and dogs in our community, which was leading to thousands of euthanasias at our county shelter each year. We were a very small organization at the time, so it was also clear it would take many more rescue groups and several years to make a difference in those numbers.

Pet overpopulation is not a mystery when you consider the overwhelming statistics. According to PETA, an unspayed female dog, her mate and their offspring can produce 67,000 dogs in only six years. And for cats, it’s even worse. An unspayed female cat, her mate and their offspring can produce 370,000 cats in seven years!

Other sources say that in just seven years, an unspayed cat can produce 420,000 kittens, and one unspayed dog can produce 97,000 puppies.

Regardless of whose math you use, it results in a number that is insurmountable for the animal advocate groups of Doña Ana County.

Every year, millions of cats and dogs are euthanized in our nation’s animal shelters because there are more pets than there are responsible homes for them. The problem is so daunting, that we cannot simply adopt our way out of it. Each day, SHAS receives more calls inquiring about surrendering pets than we do about pet adoptions. As I write this article, I am hoping that I will receive a revelation that will inspire the multitudes to take action and solve the problem. But the truth is, I know I am likely preaching to the choir. If you are reading this article, it is probably because you are already an animal advocate, and, let’s face it — those who get it, get it, and those who don’t, don’t.

I moved to Las Cruces from the Dallas-Fort Worth area in 2007, and I was astonished at how different the outlook for companion animals was here.

In Dallas, you could throw a rock and hit a rescue!

I also noticed that there were considerably more stray and intact animals in Las Cruces, which was not the case in the Dallas area. It felt like I had traveled back in time 50 years.

by

During my college days in Texas in the 80’s, I found a small kitten in the parking lot of my apartment building. I took her in, hoping to find a home for her eventually. I didn’t have much money, but I wanted to get her spayed.

Someone told me about the local ABC (Animal Birth Control) Clinic. The clinic spayed and vaccinated her for a price I could afford. I ended up keeping that kitten for 16 years. But if an easy and affordable option for fulfilling her basic medical needs had not been available, I most likely would have given her up. That was more than thirty years ago, and we still have not figured out how to accomplish a concept like that in this area. Why not?

surgeries? The local veterinarians have full-time jobs helping their own patients. And where would we hold the clinics? We would need to find a location that could hold a large number of animals and people (volunteers, vet staff and pet owners), as well as offer ample parking.

In September 2018, SHAS held its first “SNIP SNIP HOORAY!” two-day spay/neuter clinic. We were able to secure a grantor to fund our clinic.

One of our board members found someone who was willing to donate the use of their commercial building. For the surgeries, we contracted with a veterinarian from another state who has a large mobile surgical vehicle and is able to perform surgeries in high volumes. With our large volunteer base, we had no problem finding people willing to help out. The clinic was a tremendous success.

In 2016 I took the job as executive director of Safe Haven, full of hope and inspiration thinking that I would strive for change. But I have to be The primary reason our spay/neuter clinics are honest, it’s easy to lose hope. Sometimes it feels successful, is that they are low-cost to pet owners. like a lost cause. But we cannot give up, because We use the grant money we receive to bring down animals deserve better. A member of another the prices that are offered to those who sign up animal welfare group approached me that first for our clinics. We serve all income levels of the year about SHAS sponsoring a spay/neuter community and proof of income is not required. clinic. Several businesses came together and Having to provide income verification is a major held a three-day spay/neuter clinic in which 167 hindrance for the people who would benefit the dogs and cats were spayed or neutered. Some most from our services. Let’s be realistic, unaltered of the volunteers worked 12-hour shifts for dogs or cats do not know or care if their owners those three days. I remember getting home after are rich or poor, they merely want to procreate. one of those days and feeling so exhausted that Safe Haven sponsored the I couldn’t decide whether I should eat or shower—I ASAVET Mobile Vet Clinic at needed to do both, but I the 2019 Dog’Cruces Pet Expo knew I only had enough in September. During the energy for one. Although two days of the Expo, the physical me was ASAVET’s Dr. Neal (seen here spent, the feeling I had with SHAS Executive Director was amazing. I knew that our efforts that day had Laura O’Connor) performed saved lives. I was hooked.

150 spay/neuter surgeries!

I knew we must find a way to hold more clinics.

To move forward, we had to figure a few things out.

First, where would we get the funding? And what veterinarian would do the

Laura O’Connor, Janice English & Julie Miller

Dog‘,Cruces

Winter 2020

15

Rich or poor, all intact cats and dogs are contributing to the pet overpopulation problem of our community. So, we want to “fix” them all.

In 2019 we held two more clinics, one in February and the other in September in conjunction with the Dog’Cruces Pet Expo. Each of these was successful, and to date, we have been able to serve 466 animals and their owners. While it might not sound like an impressive number, it most certainly is when you consider the numbers of puppies and kittens that were prevented from entering our already overpopulated animal community!

Safe Haven has committed to holding two lowcost spay/neuter clinics each year for the foreseeable future. The next “SNIP SNIP HOORAY!” clinic will be our first three-day clinic, and will be Friday, January 24th through Sunday, January 26th. We expect to spay or neuter more than 150 cats and dogs. To register and pay for the clinic, please visit www.shaspets.com or call 575-8055338. Registrations must be received no later than January 20th. Space is limited, and we expect to sell out well in advance of the clinic.

What can you do to help? To start with, become a spay/neuter advocate. Inform your friends, family, neighbors and co-workers of the startling statistics sited previously in this article. Many people in our community do not spay or neuter simply because they are unaware of the consequences of NOT doing so.

But most importantly, we need to come together as a community to tackle the problem of pet overpopulation head-on. Just as it takes several groups joining their efforts together for our spay/ neuter clinics to be successful, it will take a collaborative effort between our local animal advocate groups and the community to ensure the continued availability of easily attainable low-cost clinics.

Laura O’Connor is the executive director of Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary, a nonprofit, no-kill adoption center for cats and dogs in the Las Cruces area. She may be contacted at info@ shaspets.com.

Spay/Neyter Action Program

W

hen SNAP (Spay/Neuter Action Program) was asked to write a feature article for the 2020 Winter edition of Dog’Cruces, we were thrilled. Then reality set in…where to start?

How to thank so many people who have been and continue to be a part of SNAP’s journey—in 2000 words or less?! When you read this, please know that whenever and however you helped SNAP, you are a part of SNAP’s story, and we are deeply appreciative of your support.

SNAP has a long history—more than 21 years— of providing educational awareness and low cost spay/neuter surgery to pets of low income individuals and households in Doña Ana County.

SNAP was originally called “Pet Overpopulation Defense” and was started by a group of women lead by Alice Davenport. They organized in an attempt to take action against the out-of-control I know it may be easier said than done, but our pet overpopulation at our local shelter, which pet overpopulation problem will not go away if we resulted in the euthanization of healthy, adoptable do not take action immediately and continuously animals. Joy Miller, Pat Grimmnitz, Sherry Gara, until the problem no longer exists. The truth is, we Alice Davenport, Marilyn Fleming, Sue Patterneed to do more. It’s a matter of life or death. son, Lynn Mulholland and others o str Bi & mbes Winery started Yappy Hours at D.H. Lesco rs for both SNAP and gathering ise ra nd fu ve sti fe are recurring of y da es data, ordn We ird th rs for the ganizing a DACHS. Mark your calenda March to October! board, and every month, from asking local vets to participate in their cause. The program’s first dogs had to travel to El Paso for their

surgeries, and during those early days there were fewer than 50 surgeries performed each year.

When local veterinarians, such as Carol Calista, agreed to participate, things began to change.

Gradually, more and more veterinarians offered to help. Participating veterinary clinics today include Arroyo Veterinary Clinic, Animal Hospital, Calista Animal Hospital, Jornada Animal Hospital of Las Cruces, Paws-N-Hooves Mobile Veterinary Services, Mesa Veterinary Clinic and William J. Schumacher, DVM PA. We are very thankful for the support we receive from each.

In 1998, SNAP was incorporated as an educational 501(c)(3) nonprofit under the name “Spay Neuter Awareness Program.” SNAP’s official mission was expanded in 2001 to include subsidized spay/ neuter surgeries to pets of low-income individuals and households. The SNAP Board saw this as an effort to help with pet overpopulation in Doña Ana County by decreasing the number of animals received and euthanized at our local shelter. It remains the focus of the program today. Our name changed again, this time to the more dynamic “Spay and Neuter Action Program.”

The program is open to all residents of Doña Ana County who meet certain income criteria (we use HUD low income guidelines for our area).

Potential clients can visit our office or mail an application (available on our website or by calling the office). They must provide a photo ID, total income information, and a small co-pay for each pet. Individuals who qualify will either receive a Spay/Neuter voucher they can use at a participating veterinarian clinic, or they will make an appointment for one of our Paws-N-Hooves mobile clinics held each month. The veterinary clinics we partner with provide discounts for spay/neuter services. Once the vouchers are redeemed—and our clients’ pets have received their surgeries—the clinics return the used vouchers and an invoice to SNAP, and we pay the bill. We measure our effectiveness by the number of surgery vouchers redeemed and are very proud of our 90-95 percent redemption rate.

SNAP clients are also given discount coupons for vaccinations, if needed, courtesy of Dr. Elizabeth Carver of Mesquite Animal Vaccination Clinic.

Dr. Carver provides these services at her mobile clinics throughout Doña Ana County. She also advocates for SNAP at every stop and hands out our fliers to all of her patients. She has been doing this for over ten years, and our community is lucky to have her services.

One of our most dedicated friends and advocates has been Kat Lacy, owner of Better Life Pet Food.

Before SNAP had its own office, Kat was gracious enough to provide us with office space in her store. We had about 100 square feet filled to the brim with client chairs, a desk, copier and a file cabinet. There was barely room to turn around!

Our clients often milled about in Kat’s store, waiting for their turn to get a voucher. We bothered Kat’s staff for change and called upon them to

translate for us when needed. They took care of our clients and answered countless questions about our program before and after our official office hours. Kat served on the SNAP Board for nearly 12 years and continues her involvement today by holding fundraisers benefitting SNAP at Better Life’s new location on Telshor Blvd.

In 2009, we got our own office on Picacho Avenue, which we renovated with the help of then-Board-Member Linda Parmeter. We had been there only a few weeks when we received a generous donation of office furniture (free of pet hair at the time!) from a neighboring organization that was going out of business. Having our own space was a big deal. We had room to help multiple clients and recruit more volunteers. We had space to hold fundraisers, like Pet Photos with Santa, offer mobile clinics locally, and invite other animal advocacy groups to hold special meetings. SNAP shares the office space with Doña Ana County Humane Society (DACHS), with whom we collaborate on Yappy Hours at D.H. Lescombes Winery & Bistro.

Unitil we got our own space, SNAP operations were totally volunteer-based. But Board President Sherry Gara recognized our new potential for growth, and the Board voted to staff SNAP with two part-time positions. Over the next ten years we needed more and more volunteers and staff to accommodate the tremendous number of people seeking our spay/neuter services. We embarked on a campaign of community education and outreach through social media, public service announcements via radio and print media, school and community center visits, partnering with local animal advocacy organizations and Doña Ana County Animal Control, and posting flyers wherever permitted. All of these efforts have certainly helped to inform our community that there is help available to “fix” their pets.

Today we have three part-time staff and two or three volunteers helping daily to assist clients with vouchers, appointments for our mobile clinics, answering phones, data entry, and other daily tasks. Our program could not function without our wonderful, dedicated, and generous volunteers.

SNAP welcomes and needs volunteers and Board Members to help with many areas of operation.

Please stop by or call the office Tuesday through Friday, 11 am to 3 pm to speak with our Volunteer Coordinator, Rachael Snow or Director, Sue Daily.

From 1998 to present, over 21,200 animals have been “fixed” at a cost of over $1.2 million dollars paid to veterinary clinics. The 2019 numbers where not complete as of this writing, but SNAP was on target to fix over 2500 pets—a far cry from the 50 we were doing when SNAP began all those years ago! The demand for low cost spay/ neuter services is huge, and is growing. One reason for this increase is that in November 2018 our local shelter discontinued its public low-cost spay/ neuter program. This has had a significant impact,

resulting in many more families asking for SNAP’s help. Another reason is that in August, 2019 Doña Ana County changed the contract awarded to SNAP to provide a FREE spay/neuter program for qualifying residents in the unincorporated and rural areas of Doña Ana County.

Fernando Macias, Doña Ana County Manager, has made a concerted effort to increase the number of animals spayed or neutered, in order to help reduce pet overpopulation, lessen the intake of animals at the ASCMV, and help pet owners who reside in the unincorporated and rural areas of Doña Ana County. Terms of the contract included free spay/neuter surgeries, free rabies vaccinations, and free microchipping. With the help of massive outreach throughout the targeted areas, word spread quickly, and SNAP has seen a huge increase in the number of households applying for this new program. We are hopeful this will continue in the 2020-21 County Budget.

The residents eligible for this program always let us know they are grateful for this opportunity and want to fix all the pets in their household. They are eager to talk about the program to their neighbors and to hand out flyers so more and more people will become responsible owners of spayed/ neutered pets.

We are often asked why SNAP requires income qualification. Studies show that a large percentage of cats, kittens, dogs, and puppies that end up in shelters come from low-income households. These

are families who simply do not have the means to spay or neuter their pets. Over 40% of households in Doña Ana County qualify for our program under the HUD guidelines. By offering low-cost, subsidized surgery, SNAP believes our program has contributed to lowering the number of animals entering our shelter, where many animals still do not find a permanent home and are subsequently euthanized.

We are grateful to all our community donors, sponsors and participants in our fundraising events. However, due to this recent surge in demand for our services, SNAP is struggling to receive sufficient monetary support to help all those who ask for our assistance. We need your help to continue saving lives in our community.

Saving lives is a SNAP when our community joins us in this very important endeavor. Our job will not be done until our local shelter no longer has to euthanize over two thousand dogs and cats a year. Join us in supporting the SNAP program by donating, volunteering, or becoming one of our Board Members. Please visit www.snapnewmexico.org to donate, or mail your donation to 2405 W. Picacho Ave, Suite 103, NM 88007, or stop by during our business hours and talk with one of our awesome volunteers to find out how you can become part of our family. With your help we can save more innocent lives!

Julie Miller is President of Spay/Neuter Action Program.

Janice English is SNAP’s former Vice President/Treasurer.

SNAP’s devoted staff and voluntee rs are always eager to assist potential clie nts.

Stop by their office at 2405 W. Pica cho Ave. for information on how to apply for SNAP’s spay/neuter services for you r pet.

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Workin ,’ Like a Dog Mission: Pawssible!

M

ango turned eight years old on October 11, 2019. This is the day I picked for her birthday six years ago when I adopted her from a rescue in Fort Worth, TX. We are not certain when she was born, because Mango was found in a ditch in Texas. It was a rainy day, and a woman was driving to work when she saw a little head peeking out from the ditch. She didn’t know the dog was hurt until eight hours later when, returning home from work, she saw the dog was still there in the ditch. The woman notified Animal Control, and they picked up Mango and took her to a shelter. When their vet examined Mango, they discovered she had been hit by a car and had broken her back and pelvis in three places.

Surgery couldn’t put her back together again, and Mango was left with complete and irreversible paralysis from the waist down. The odds are stacked against any dog getting adopted from a shelter—but “broken” dogs like Mango are usually passed over by potential adopters. Seven days into her eight-day hold, and looking at euthanasia, Mango was pulled from the shelter by a rescue group. They kept her for a year, fitted her with a wheelchair, then put the sweet little girl up for adoption—preferrably by a veteran. I lived in Ohio at the time, and saw Mango’s picture and story on the internet. The rescue group flew her to me and when I picked Mango up at the airport and looked into her big brown eyes, there was an immediate bond.

I was recovering from a car accident that had ended my career in the military. Like Mango, I had broken my back in three places and had also lost part of my leg. I adopted her thinking I could “heal” her, but soon realized that Mango was healing me. She gave me a purpose and a reason to believe I wasn’t worthless because my injuries had ended the career I loved. I focused on her and not on myself. The way she dealt with her disabilities showed me that limiting oneself is a mental state, and

“handicapped” is just a label life gives you. We decided we had a mission, and together we would conquer our disabilities.

Mango has an amazing ability to make everyone around her happy—so I got her certified as a therapy dog by Therapy Dog International (TDI). She passed all their tests with flying colors, naturally, and I started taking her to our local VA rehab center to visit with recovering veterans. Everyone loved her. What’s not to love about a tiny dog in a wheelchair rolling around and smiling?!

A few years later I learned about the Hero Dog Awards—a search for extraordinary dogs— sponsored by American Humane. One of the seven qualifying categories was for Therapy Dogs. Not only was Mango a hero dog, but she was also working to help our country’s wounded heroes, so I entered her to be considered for the award. She already had a Facebook page, so I used this forum to tell people about the Hero Dog Awards and ask for them to vote for Mango. Voting begins in March every year and ends the first of September. In early September, 2016, American Humane called to let us know that Mango had won and that the two of us were invited to Beverly Hills to attend the big event.

Mango became an Ambassador for American Humane, and she continues in this role today. This notoriety has brought us many television appearances and a small acting role on a children’s TV show.

We had hit the BIG time! Mango’s Facebook page grew to over 38,000 followers.

One of Mango’s Facebook followers asked about her wheelchair. This woman’s dog had been paralyzed recently, and she thought a wheelchair would benefit her fur baby. Mango’s chair had been built by Ruff Rollin’ Wheelchairs, a family business that builds custom chairs in their home, starting at around $450. Unfortunately, the woman was on a limited income and couldn’t afford the chair. Mango posted a picture of the doggie on her Facebook page and asked for donations. Within two hours we had collected the full amount—and people were still wanting to donate to other disabled dogs. That’s when we decided we had found our calling, and Mango’s Freedom Wheels was born! We collect funds, screen dogs, and purchase custom wheelchairs for them. Since we began, we have purchased over 2,000 wheelchairs! Many dogs now roll because of Mango and her generous followers.

Her Mission continues to this day and is totally dependent on donations.

To help other dogs, you can visit her web page and donate to Mango’s Freedom Wheels: MangosFreedomWheels.com To follow Mango and her sissy’s daily adventures, visit her Facebook page: Mango on a Mission.

Mango has changed my life and taught me that a disability doesn’t have to be a handicap. My life will never be the same after bringing this little girl with the big brown eyes into my home and heart. I walk because of her, and dogs roll because of her. She has never given up on me, and I will forever be grateful that I was the first person to benefit from her huge heart.

Judy Walter is the founder of Mango’s Freedom Wheels, and—even more importantly—Mango’s mom.

Dog‘,Cruces

Winter 2020

19

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raining dogs, training students, and helping people: this is the focus of NMSU Community Puppy Raisers— a new student club formed in the spring of 2018, when NMSU forged a partnership with the non-profit organization Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB). We are a group of dog-loving students committed to raising and training puppies to become future guide dogs.

GDB was founded in 1942 and is the largest and oldest Guide Dog Training School in the U.S. GDB relies heavily on volunteers — in fact, they estimate it takes 251 volunteers to raise a single guide dog! All of their services are provided free of charge, and they receive no government funding.

Guide Dogs for the Blind has its own breeding program to ensure the dogs are very healthy and have great temperaments—both of which are crucial factors for trainability. GDB breeds Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and Lab/Golden crosses at its National Headquarters in San Rafael, CA. The organization operates a second campus in Boring, Oregon. More than 14,000 guide teams (dog and handler) have graduated since its founding, and there are approximately 2,200 active teams in the field.

For club members, our main job as volunteer puppy raisers for GDB is to teach our pups good manners and basic obedience, while providing new experiences in which they can be socialized. Students receive the puppies when they are about two months old and are with them 24/7 for about a year. Training begins the moment we receive a new puppy and only ends the day the pup leaves. Lots of love, patience, and consistency during training are keys to success in this endeavor. Each pup is trained as an individual and progresses and matures at its own rate.

As the months go by, the pups grow from wiggly youngsters to confident, well-behaved dogs. These dogs will go everywhere their blind handlers go, and they have to have impeccable behavior. The best compliment puppy raisers can get is when we are leaving a meeting, classroom, or restaurant and hear people say “Wow, I didn’t even know there was a dog in here.”

These puppies spend most of their early lives with their puppy raisers, and all the socialization, training and experiences to which the puppies are exposed during this time provide an excellent foundation upon which to build the next phase of their training.

Puppy raisers do not do any of the guide work training—that is left to the professional mobility trainers at Guide Dogs for the Blind. When the pups are between 14-18 months old they go back to one of the GDB campuses in California or Oregon. The dogs are first thoroughly examined to make sure they are healthy and ready to start the next leg of their training journey.

The dogs go through eight phases of formal guide work (mobility) training. Each takes about a week, but every dog is allowed to progress through training at its own pace—there are no set timelines.

When they complete their training with the GDB mobility trainers, the dogs are matched with someone who is blind or visually impaired. The dog and blind handler then complete two weeks of training together in which they bond and learn to work as a team. The end of the course culminates with a graduation ceremony where the puppy raisers are invited to meet the new handler of the dog they raised. It is a very special moment.

The NMSU Community Puppy Raisers club currently has five puppies of various ages we are training. Our very first puppies arrived June 2,

2018, and Koi and Shuttle just graduated as working guides on November 23, 2019! Our club’s third puppy, Cici, is currently at the GDB campus in California and has just completed Phase One of her training. (See Cici’s picture in our Make a Difference Section, page 30.) It truly takes a village to raise these pups, and Guide Dogs for the Blind provides amazing support for our club—like our Community Field Representative, Sandi Alsworth, who helps us with the training.

Shuttle

The number one question we get as puppy raisers is “Isn’t it hard to give up a puppy when you have raised it for over a year?” Yes, of course!

But our passion and commitment comes from knowing that the puppies we raise will help provide independence to visually imparied people with the love and companionship that a cane, alone, can’t. These dogs will literally save their handlers lives every day. The bond between a guide dog and its handler is like no other. These dogs are truly four-legged superheros.

For more information on Guide Dogs for the Blind visit: guidedogs.com Donations to help offset the costs of raising these puppies can be made directly by going to NMSU’s “Make a Statement” website: mas.nmsu.edu/puppyraisers

Dr. Gaylene Fasenko, Melanie Coleman, and Sydney Schumacher are NMSU Community Puppy Raiser Volunteer Leaders.

I Want To Be Just Like My Heroes!

We do a lot of gradual socialization with the pups so as not to overwhelm the puppy. Busy city streets, livestock, NMSU sporting events, classrooms—you name it, our pups are exposed to it! Club members help each other with training and trade pups with each other at least once a month. This ensures the puppies are exposed to different types of living situations: dorm rooms, apartments, and family homes. It also helps the puppy to learn to listen to many handlers—not just its primary puppy raiser.

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The Alternative View

by Delores T. Craig. DVM

Buying a Better CBD Product In our Fall 2019 issue, Dr. Craig answered some basic questions about CBD products for people who are considering adding these to their pet’s medical care. She continues this discussion below by outlining ways to identify products that are accurately labeled, safe, and effective for your companion animals.

K

now the Source of the CBD Plant A Consumer Reports article advises buyers to purchase CBD products from states that authorize the sale of both recreational and medicinal marijuana. Why? They have stricter product guidelines for both marijuana and CBD products. Colorado, Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Vermont, and Michigan have all legalized medicinal and recreational use, as of this writing.

Read the Label All labels should tell you the exact amount of CBD within the bottle. If it is a liquid, the ideal label should state how many mg per cc, per ml, or per teaspoon. Dropperfuls are not accurate.

If the product is edible, it should list the amount of mg per edible.

Buy CBD Products Extracted from the Whole Plant, Flowers, or Leaves Extracts from the whole plant, flowers, and leaves are ideal. Why? The combination of all the different phytocannabinoids and terpenes within the entire plant increases the medicinal effects. Look for products that are labeled “Full Spectrum.” The highest concentration of THC and CBD is in the flowers and the leaves. There is virtually NO CBD in hemp seed. Let me state that again, there is NO CBD in hemp seed. And stalks have very little CBD, so you need a lot of stalks to produce the same amount found within the flowers and leaves.

Require a Certificate of Analysis There is NO oversight of the CBD manufacturing process. Buy ONLY from companies that provide a certificate of analysis for each of their products. The analysis must be done by an outside laboratory. The report should include the amount of CBD and the amount of THC to assure that there is NO THC within the product.

It should also indicate the presence or absence of benzenes, pesticides, and heavy metals. The certificate must be for the specific product you are purchasing, dated no more than a year prior, preferably less. If the company cannot provide this document, they cannot guarantee the product’s safety or the amount of CBD.

Know the Extraction Method The safety of the product is also influenced by the extraction process to remove the CBD from the plant. Because there is no oversight of the manufacture of CBD products, the extraction methods between companies are not uniform or standardized. CO2 extraction is the safest method. Ethanol extraction is “generally regarded as safe” by the FDA. Avoid the use of extraction processes that use harsh solvents.

Buy in Bulk and Be Flexible About the Dosage As I stated in last issue’s article, we do not know the actual treatment dosages for humans, let alone our companion pets. The experimental and anecdotal doses are different for different medical conditions. One dose does not fit all.

Some studies indicate age also affects the treatment response by the patient. Aging decreases the number of receptors, so in theory, older patients need more than younger patients. In most situations, purchase the more concentrated bottle. Bulk volume is financially prudent, especially for the larger patients.

Administer With Food It is better to give CBD with food. The absorption of CBD increases when given WITH food, especially foods with high-fat contents. The more of the chemical a patient absorbs, the better his or her response will be.

Be Aware of What is in Edibles Be sure to look carefully at the ingredient list, especially if you are giving a human edible to your pet. Human CBD products frequently contain xylitol, chocolate, raisins, macadamia nuts, and other foods toxic to dogs and cats, some of which can be lethal.

In Summary It is my humble opinion that CBD, safely manufactured, can be helpful for a variety of medical conditions. It should never be used as the first line of treatment, but as an adjunct to other medications and procedures. Based on the anecdotal therapeutic dose ranges, the use of CBD is expensive, especially for the larger patients. The amount suggested by most manufacturer’s labels is generally inadequate for the majority of medical conditions. You will need to give far more than the bottle suggests. If you want the best response, consult your veterinarian on how much is necessary for your pet’s specific medical condition.

Delores T. Craig, DVM, is an instructor and President-elect of the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS).

Dog‘,Cruces

Winter 2020

23

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You Can ’t Win a Pissing Contest With a Dog HELP US SAVE LIVES BY:

by John Connell

Y

“

ou got a what? A dog? I thought you didn’t want pets? YOU GOT A PITBULL?!” Ok, maybe my reaction was a little too harsh when my then-fiancé, Heather, called to inform me about Lola, the Pitbull.

Let me clear the air: I love dogs. I grew up with a Dachshund for 14 years! But, she had adopted a Pitbull. That was what bothered me. I, at the time, believed the stigma that Pitbulls carry. They were “mean, jealous, ferocious child killers.” Of all these things I’d heard, none were true except for one—they are jealous.

Lola, Heather’s new 50-pound brindle and white Pit, would bark and growl at me for the first couple of weeks I knew her. I didn’t take much offense to this, because I could tell that her last owner had abused her. More than likely that owner had been a man, because she only acted this way with men. Me, especially!

When she calmed down, Lola sat at Heather‘s feet. When I sat down next to Heather, Lola jumped up on the couch and got between the two of us and just watched me. “SHE’S MINE!” is what her eyes said. This was the beginning of the war between me and Lola to win Heather.

I quickly learned that Lola loved to irritate me.

She’d walk in front of me then stop, squat, and pee in the apartment. I could neither play with her nor feed her. She would steal food from me.

She was also very territorial and peed on everything when we went hiking. SO . . . I took it upon myself to pee on top of her pee. This is probably where I messed up. She knew that I was claiming the territory for myself. This included my future wife. (And, no, I did not pee on Heather.)

Wedding bells! Heather and I got married and went on a wonderful, nine-day honeymoon.

When we came home, Lola was so happy to see Heather—not me. That night I got up to relieve myself. As I came out of the bathroom, Lola jumped up on my side of the bed, looked me straight in the eyes, squatted, AND PEED. I yelled and chased her out of the room.

This, of course, woke Heather, and she started jumping all over creation, too. She

was screaming, “What’s going on?” I was yelling at the dog. Lola was barking at me. Heather was yelling at us both. I yanked the sheets off the bed, and Lola jumped up — AGAIN—on my side of the bed! I said nothing. I knew her bladder was loaded and ready to fire.

All of my peeing on top of Lola’s pee had come back to bite me. She let me know, without any doubt, that she was making a play for my wife.

Once Heather knew what had happening, she started laughing. I, however, did not see the humor in it at the time.

From that night on—for the next year and a half—the dog and I fought for the right to sleep next to Heather. And every night I won. Or so I thought. In reality, Lola would simply wait until I was sleeping soundly, then crawl in-between us, lie with her back against Heather, and push with all of her might (and claws!) against my back. I would roll over to glare at her—and be met with the mischievous grin on her face.

Time rolled on without a break in the stalemate, until one fateful outing in the desert. Lola broke away from where I was sitting and chased a squirrel under a mesquite bush. While digging for that squirrel, she got a thorn stuck very deep in her paw and started wailing and screaming in pain.

She crawled over to me, laid her paw upon my lap and looked at me for help. Just as in Aesop’s The Lion and the Mouse, I pulled the thorn out of this wannabe-lioness with tears in her eyes. Our relationship changed in an instant. The fable—believe or not—came true that day.

The war was over! The flag of truce had been raised, and peace reigned over the land! Lola laid her head on my lap and licked my hand as I rubbed her velvet ears until she fell asleep, in peace. We both learned that day that there was more than enough room in our hearts to love Heather, together. Finally, we were family.

DONATING, VOLUNTEERING, FOSTERING & ADOPTING

APA FURREVER HOME ADOPTION AND EDUCATION CENTER 800 West Picacho Ave. Las Cruces, NM NEW HOURS

Tues & Thurs 11am to 4pm, Saturday 11am to 2pm, and by appointment.

PET FOOD BANK PROGRAM Tuesday 11am - 4pm • Saturday 11am - 2pm

www.ActionProgramsForAnimals.org Contact us: 575-644-0505 Dog‘,Cruces

Winter 2020

25

PET.RELEAF

EDIBITES

Pet Relief Hemp Health Edibites are Available at Better Life Pet Foods.

315 Telshor Ste. C, Las Cruces, NM. 575-556-9117.

BetterLifeNaturalPetFoods.com

BOW WOW

BLENDS

Bow Wow Blends is an all-natural power fruit smoothie for dogs! It’s full of healthy ingredients that support digestion.

Available now at your LOCAL pet store.

Locally made in a FDA approved facility.

BowWowBlends.com

DOG

PHOTOGRAPHY & FRAMING

Framed prints, beautiful pieces of art for Dog Lovers by Top Dog Photographer Ron Schmidt. At Pet Planet, 971 Sand Castle Ave., Las Cruces. 575-528-8180.

PetPlanetComplex.com

FROMM FAMILY

PET FOODS

Since 1904, The Fromm Family has maintained a tradition of quiet innovation dedicated to the health and nutrition of animals. In 1949, we introduced the concept of premium pet food to the public. As the country’s first and oldest premium pet food company, we have earned the reputation as the industry leader, producing only the highest grade pet foods with the finest ingredients. Available at Mesilla Valley Pet Resort, 2500 W. Amador, Las Cruces, NM. 575-523-8853.

MVPetResort.com ,

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Winter 2020

MERRICK

FRESH KISSES

All-natural dental treats that deliver two big benefits at once: clean teeth and truly fresh breath. The innovative double-brush design and all-natural, breath freshening ingredients. As dogs chew, Fresh Kisses put in the hard work—removing plaque and tartar and freshening breath—all in a soft-texture treat dogs will simply love eating. So pucker up! Available at Horse ‘N’ Hound Feed ‘N’ Supply, 991 W. Amador St., Las Cruces, NM. 575-523-8790.

HorsenHoundFeed.com

PETS

,Cruces of Do g

WWW.POOLTECHPLUS.COM

NEW SPAS STARTING AT:

$

89

/Mo.

WE HAVE USED SPAS TOO!

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In studio or on location, make a lasting memory with a professional photoshoot.

Pet Portraits Family Portraits High School Senior Portraits

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Please send photos of your favorite pets to:

photos@dogcruces.com

575-993-4558

TabithaRossman.com tabitha.rossman@gmail.com Dog‘,Cruces

Winter 2020

27

Sweet Potato Applesauce Halos

Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together wet ingredients until thoroughly blended. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until a stiff dough forms. Knead dough until all ingredients are thoroughly distributed.

Divide dough, shape into ‘halos’ or round cookies and place onto parchment-lined cookie sheets. Bake for 30-45 minutes or until center of cookie is firm. Leaving cookies in the oven, turn off oven and allow cookies to completely cool.

NOTE: ALWAYS consult with your veterinarian regarding ingredients, serving sizes, and special dietary requirements prior to changing your pet’s diet.

Road Apples 1 lb Lean Hamburger (or turkey or chicken) 1 Egg ¼ C Flax Seed Meal 1½ C Finely Diced Fruit and/or Veggies (carrot, sweet potato, zucchini, squash, apple) 1 Tbs Coconut Oil ¼ C Low Sodium Broth or Water Mash together all ingredients (except coconut oil and broth) with hands. Shape into bite size (depending on breed size) meatballs. Heat coconut oil in a frying pan and brown the meatballs on all sides. Insides will still be raw. Once nicely browned, arrange meatballs in a single layer on a shallow baking dish. Pour approximately ¼ inch of broth in the bottom of the dish and place in the oven at 375°F for approximately 20 minutes, until done. Cook time will depend on the size of meatballs. Allow to cool before serving. Store leftovers sealed in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Short cut: skip the pan browning and put directly into the oven, increase temp to 400°F and up the cooking time.

Time-Saving Substitution: use 1/3 C SoJo’s® Dehydrated Fruit and Veggie mix (rehydrated)2020 in place of the Dog‘,Cruces Winter fresh veggies/fruit.

28

Lunchbox

by Buliwyf Dubbin (as told to Margaret Dubbin)

In the Beginning...

H

appy New Year, Peeps! I hope you had a fantastic holiday and hopefully SantaPAWs was good to you and your fur kids. Not too many exciting adventures for me and Goober this winter. Mostly spending the lazy days patrolling the yard, wrestling, and napping in the winter sunshine (between meals, that is). It’s hard to believe that yet another year has already come and gone—I’ll be eight years old this summer!

It seems like only yesterday I was a wee pup running down Alameda towards El Paseo during morning rush hour, when a scary man came chasing me out of the road and down a back alley. But I was quick and spry and evaded that man down the alley, through a fence, and across at least a dozen back yards until he cornered me.

With my back up against the wall, I fiercely defended myself from this uniformed man with dark sunglasses by baring my four razor sharp puppy teeth and peeing myself. He reached out for me, and I lunged towards him, causing him to retreat. He reached out again, and again I lunged towards him snapping my four little teeth and growling with the deepest most vicious growl I could muster. Again, he pulled his hand away to avoid being mauled by me.

He was about to make a third attempt at grabbing me, and I locked eyes with him and dared him try yet again; when out of nowhere, an Angel swooped in between us and scooped me up! Panicked, I peed again in self defense, but to no avail— she didn’t relinquish her hold on me.

She cradled me and held me tight to her bosom. I froze, in fear. As she brought her face in close to mine, I could

hear the scary man shout “Be careful! He could bite you!” She just smiled and talked to me sweetly. I melted and licked her nose.

I was about eight weeks old then. That “scary man in uniform” was Dad, and that “Angel” was Mom. They were on their way to work with my bro, Walter, when they spotted me about to run into heavy traffic. That was the day they rescued me. Once in Mom’s arms I was a lump of mush, and I figured out very quickly which one of them I needed to suck up to if I was going to get to abandon my life as a street dog and keep them as my family.

Despite that traumatic start to our relationship, life with my family has been fantastic. I am loved and cared-for, well-fed and active. I realize just how lucky I am to have been adopted (even informally), and it makes me sad to think of the probability that many of my littermates didn’t survive their first few months—and if they did, but didn’t find a family like I did, they likely were subject to starvation or abuse.

If there were enough good families for all the stray pups out there, we would have no need to discuss the crisis of overpopulation and the necessity to spay and neuter our pets. However, the reality is that there are not enough wonderful homes out there for us all, and if we want to make any impact on the grossly high numbers of suffering animals, we have to address it where it starts. Of course, Mom and Dad had me neutered as soon as my vet said the time was right.

I wasn’t happy about it...but I understand it was the right thing to do.

Clearly...

... I e wa s irr e sisti bl

.

4 C Brown Rice Flour 4 Tbs Dry Milk Powder ½ C Flax Seed Meal 4 Eggs 1C Sweet Potato Puree (appox.½ can) ½ C All natural, no-sugar-added applesauce

Walter’s

Here’s wishing you all good health and happiness for you and your fur kids in 2020.

I hope your pups enjoy these healthy throwback recipes to start off the new year.

Kat ’s Korner

by Kat Lacy

The SCOOP on POOP Disposal

T

he type of cat litter you use in your household has an impact on the environment, as well as on your cats. If you use a clay-based, sodium bentonite clumping litter, you have chosen the most popular and cheapest type of litter—but it is the worst for you, your kitties, and the environment.

Clay-based cat litter is obtained by strip-mining, so its negative environmental impact begins there. In addition, due to its popularity, these litters add over two million tons to landfills every year, where they will remain forever.

But that is only part of the problem. Because many people flush litterbox contents down the toilet, they end up in our waterways, and waterborne pathogens in cat feces can have an adverse effect on birds, otters and shellfish. Fortytwo percent of live otters and 62 percent of dead otters were infected with Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that can cause fatal brain inflammation in sea otters—and is often found in cat feces. As a result, California has implemented legislation to deter cat feces being flushed. Wastewater treatment facilities are not equipped to eradicate toxoplasma, and the concentrations of toxoplasma in the otter’s diets from mussels and other filter feeders has likely caused this terrible impact on these innocent creatures of the wild.

Toxoplasma can also affect your human family.

Small children, pregnant or nursing women, and immunocompromised people can suffer serious consequences from this disease.

Silica litters last longer and take up less landfill space as a result. But they are the priciest option—and people still end up flushing the poop.

the septic breakdown. If you are on a municipal water system you can bag the feces in biodegradable grocery bags and bury it if you have enough yard to do so.

Composting is a great option! If you compost plant- or paper-based litter with feces, you will need to add nitrogen in the form of vegetable matter, green grass cuttings, and leaves. Your cat litter compost should be separate from your regular compost and used only on ornamentals—not plants grown for food. Adding digestive enzymes to this compost will facilitate the process. Be aware that T. gondii, the bacteria causing toxoplasmosis, can live in the soil for up to a year.

The two best litters on the market with the least environmental and health impact are Feline Fresh Pine Litter and Oko Cat (German for “eco,” meaning green or organic). These natural litters take the form of cracked pellets that have incredibly long-lasting odor control and amazing absorption properties. They last much longer than clay-based litters, so your overall cost is less. Pine pellet litter creates less dust and costs less than clumping litter and has fantastic odor control. These plant-based litters are the best to compost as well. Seven pounds of Feline Fresh Pine Litter is equivalent to 20lbs of clay litter! No trees are cut down in the manufacturing process.

Instead, shavings are reclaimed from lumber production and compressed into pellets. Oko Cat is made entirely from sustainable sources.

Both compost easily. Switching your cat to one of these litters is usually an easy process. Just sprinkle your old litter on top of the new for a few days (up to a week), and your cat will take to it in no time at all.

The newer generation of plant-based cat litters and paper litters are the best answer so far— although switching to these is not a complete solution for safely eliminating cat waste. Many manufacturers claim that their plant-based product is flushable and biodegradable, but you should be hesitant about flushing for the reasons I mentioned above. And landfills are usually so tightly packed that even plant-based products cannot biodegrade effectively—especially if you put the waste in plastic grocery bags!

Before you head to the grocery store or dotcom to buy more cat litter think about the impact it will have on our environment and your health— not to mention your pocket book. Consider your local environmental impact, as well, and shop local. Keeping your dollars close to home sustains local jobs and requires less fuel and packing material. Sometimes “easier” does not translate to “better.” Mention this article next time you come into Better Life Pet Foods, and we will give you $5 off your next purchase of Feline Pine or Oko Cat.

So what can cat owners do in addition to changing their litter to plant- or paper-based products?

If you have a septic system, you can flush the cat feces but should add digestive enzymes to help break down the feces so you do not disrupt

Thank you for shopping local and supporting a clean environment!

Kat Lacy Local Entrepreneur for 25 years and still going!

Low cost spay/neuter surgery for pets of low income households.

Bajo costa de esterilización para mascotas de hogares de bajos recursos.

Thousands of animals are put to death or suffer unnecessarily in Doña Ana County each year!

You can help us solve this community problem!

Miles de animals son condenados a murir o sufrir innecesariamente en el condado de Doña Ana cada año! Usted puede ayudarnos a resolver este problema comunitario!

FIX YOUR PETS! Please call SNAP for information on how to qualify.

Esterilizar o castrar a sus mascotas!

Mail-In Application On Website:

www.SNAPNewMexico.org

2405 W. Picacho Ave., Ste 103 Las Cruces, NM 88007

(across from Peddler’s Pavilion)

OPEN:

TUESDAY thru FRIDAY 11:00AM - 3:00PM

(575) 524-9265

(Please leave a message if there is no answer.)

Dog‘,Cruces

Winter 2020

29

DRIVERS & DONATIONS NEEDED

Make a Difference In LOVING MEMORY of Lola.

A Supporter and an Ambassador of Forever Homes Animal Rescue.

Adopt, Foster, Volunteer, Donate

L

ocal Animal Organizations always need good people to help them meet their goals. Contact the groups below to see which one(s) would be the best fit for you!

2 Hearts 4 Paws Refuge 575-642-9614 or 575-642-6589 email: twohearts4pawsrefuge@yahoo.com www.2Hearts4PawsRefuge.com ACTion Programs for Animals (APA) /Doña Ana Pets Alive! (DAPA) 800 West Picacho, Las Cruces, NM 575-644-0505 or 575-571-4654 email: mail@apalascruces.org www.ActionProgramsForAnimals.org

PLEASE CONSIDER SPONSORING AN ANIMAL FOR TRANSPORT. MONETARY DONATIONS OR GAS CARDS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

Animal Service Center of the Mesilla Valley (ASCMV) 3551 Bataan Memorial West, Las Cruces, NM 575-382-0018 www.las-cruces.org/departments/ascmv

donations can be made:

Cat’s Meow Adoption Center 2211 N. Mesquite, Las Cruces 640-0011 or 639-3036 www.TheCatsMeowLasCruces.com

PAYPAL: FOREVERHOMESAR@AOL.COM MAIL TO: FOREVER HOMES ANIMAL RESCUE (FHAR) 700 1ST Street ALAMOGORDO, NM 88310 TAX ID # 47-3947873

Broken Promises SW 575-680-1955 or 575-915-7985 www.facebook.com/HelpKittenArthur

Cherished K9 All Breed Rescue 575-496-6085 email: cherishedk-9s@hotmail.com www.CherishedK-9.com Coalition for Pets and People (Zero in 7) 575-386-9212 www.ZeroIn7.org Deming Animal Guardians 575-544-2209 www.DemingAnimalGuardians.org

find us on facebook!

30 Dog‘,Cruces

forever homes animal rescue

Winter 2020

Cici is the third dog to have finished her preliminary training/socialization with NMSU’s Community Puppy Raisers—a club at the University which has partnered with Guide Dogs for the Blind to prepare young pups for a very special job. Cici is currently at GDB’s California campus, completing her specialized training to become a certified Guide Dog. Read about this wonderful program on page 21.

Deming Animal Guardians Sunshine Haven Intake Project & Rescue 575-545-8862 www.DagShipRescue.com Doña Ana County Humane Society (DACHS) 575-647-4808 www.DACHSLC.org Forever Homes Animal Rescue email: foreverhomesar@aol.com Facebook: NM Forever Homes Animal Rescue Humane Society of Southern NM (HSSNM) /PetSmart Cat Adoption Center 575-523-8020 email: mail@hssnm.org www.hssnm.org Las Cruces Dog Park Coalition PO Box 13345, Las Cruces, NM 88013 575-520-4382 www.LCDogParkers.com Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary (SHAS) 575-805-5338 email: info@SHASpets.com www.SHASpets.com Spay/Neuter Action Program of Southern NM (SNAP) 2405 W. Picacho, Las Cruces, NM 88005 575-524-9265 www.SnapNewMexico.org Therapaws 575-524-2026 email: therapaws@gmail.com www.TherapyDogs.com (parent organization) Uncaged Paws, Inc. Tails from the Shelter 575-323-1157 email: SavingLives@UncagedPaws.org www.TailsFromTheShelter.org (rescue work) Facebook: facebook.com/TailsFlights

Wholesome nutrition for all life stages

Premium formulas with no added corn, wheat or soy

991 W. Amador Ave. • 575-523-8790 horsenhoundfeed.com

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ANY 30 LB OR LARGER BAG OF

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PMI BRAND DOG FOOD

RED FLANNEL, EXCLUSIVE, OR INFINIA ONLY. LIMIT ONE COUPON PER VISIT. SOME RESTRICTIONS APPLY. EXPIRES 3/31/20

Dog‘,Cruces

Winter 2020

31

32 Dog‘,Cruces

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