KC PET top 5 reasons to own a pet pitbull problem? saving Kasey pet scarves!
Dear reader: This month’s issue of KCPET is all about the canines. The magazine features stories about the problem of prejudice and misinformation surrounding the American Pit Bull and how to combat these misconceptions, as well as about the incredible bond that can result from a caring human rescuing a vulnerable dog in need. Also, if you do not currently own a pet, the issue will enlighten you as to just how much one can benefit from becoming a pet owner and, if you DO already enjoy the company of a canine companion, you can learn simple steps to knit accessories for said furry friend. Enjoy!
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Molly Fox
editor
top 5: reasons to own a pet
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Pit bulls: Dangerous Dogs or Mistreated and Misunderstood?
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Saving Kasey: A Pet Adoption Story
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CONTENTS How to: knit a scarf for your dog
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TOP Pet Owner FIVE
Reasons to Become a Viviane Kertesz
Pets are a prescription for good health. Pets can increase a person's level of activity and ease stress. Studies have shown that seniors benefitespecially from pet ownership, since owning a pet can decrease blood presure, fight loneliness,comfort the pain of a departed spouse, and combat depression.
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Take a stand on a humanitarian cause. There are so many animals in need of adoption, yet not enough people willing to make the commitment and sacrifice it takes to look after them all. Make a difference in the future of a living being: figure out which animal would best fit your lifestyle, then adopt a pet at your local shelter. Sleep better knowing that you have taken on the responsibility of raising a pet while rescuing an animal in need.
Getting and giving unconditional love.
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Animals give you one thing better than R-E-S-P-E-C-T. They give you unquestioning, unbridled, unwavering love. Did your boyfriend or girlfriend suddenly take the high road, or your boss hand you your final paycheck? Never fear,Fluffy is near. Treat your pet with the respect it deserves and you will be repaid in kind with lifelong attention and affection, especially when you need it most. It's a great way to meet people. People generally love to talk about their pets with those who show interest. Whether walking your dog in the park or discussing your exotic reptile collection at work, pets can bea great way to break the conversational ice. Looking for a constant companion? As well as love, pets offer continual daily companionship. Even pets like fish, which have a lower maintenance factor than dogs or cats, can be steady friends. Though some pets require frequent litter care and physical attention, like walking or play-time, it’s all part and parcel of pet ownership and can quickly become a much-loved routine for you both.
other potential benefits Increase your sense of security — personal, private and psychological. Foster personal growth. Need an excuse to get physical? Preparing for parenthood? Teach kids about selflessness.
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Who couldn’t use some extra love? W A Y S I D E 3901 Martha Truman Rd
W A I F S
Kansas City, MO 64137
(816) 761-8151
PIT BULL
PROBLEM? What is the Pit Bull Dilemma
and how can it be fixed?
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Jason Mann
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I’ll cut right to the heart of the matter and pose the question so many people ask on a daily basis... ...Are Pit Bulls dangerous dogs? Depending on who you ask you will either get a yes or a no answer. If you asked me this question I would say, depends. Before we get into the rest of this article I would like to make it clear that the American Pit Bull Terrier is a dog or Canine Lupus Familiaris. Why did I mention this obvious fact? People try to make the Pit Bull out to be some sort of “super animal” or something that is not the same as any other dog you find in our society. While they are super athletic, they are still dogs.
A R E
P I T B U L L S
Dangerous Dogs or Just how dangerous are they? Fact: Out of the estimated 53 million dogs in the United States 92 fatal attacks are contributed to Pit Bulls or Pit Bull Mixes (2 were from American Staffordshire Terriers) from 1965-2001. [Source: Fatal Dog Attacks by Karen Delise] Imagine that. 53 million dogs. 92 fatal attacks out of 431 that span a 37 year period (1965-2001). Now I ask you, after looking at the numbers do we have a dangerous dog problem? During that time period for my state of Kentucky there were 9 fatal dog attacks. Only one was a Pit Bull “type” dog. Another attack during that time frame for my state was a Dachshund that killed a 14 day old baby after jumping in his crib.
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?
Mistreated and Misunderstood Do we have a dangerous dog problem or is it being sensationalized to sell newspapers and create panic?
and a tongue lying in wait to lick the first face that gets close enough.
Fatal dog attacks by dangerous dogs are almost non-existent. 20 a year out of millions of dogs. The percentages are estimated to be somewhere around .0000004% of dog attacks are fatal.
I have rescued dogs and I have seen dogs that were abused and neglected hop in my lap, look deep into my eyes and plant a smack of a lick right on my forehead.
If Pit Bulls Are Not Dangerous Dogs Why Do We have a Pit Bull Problem? Personally I think the Pit Bull problem has more to do with people having a problem with Pit Bulls not the other way around.
Pit Bulls are different for sure. They expose humans for the cruel and inhumane beasts we are and it makes us feel very uncomfortable. Pit Bulls are not dangerous dogs. They are however, abused, sold to irresponsible owners, the favorite dogs of drug dealers, and street gangs and this is by far the most damaging part of the problem.
Pit Bulls are outstanding dogs, like any dog that is well Even with these record numbers of dogs these days the loved, trained, exercised, and cared for properly can be. fatal attacks caused by Pit Bulls is nothing compared to the inhumanity we face on a daily basis. We are talking However, Pit Bulls are different. They are infectious about 20 fatal attacks by dogs a year, most of which are with their energy and their wiliness to suffer the not Pit Bulls, this is not a Pit Bull problem folks. abuses of society and come back with a big goofy grin
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Responsible ownership
starts from the
time your Pit Bull comes to live with you. Irresponsible owner’s are one of the major causes for all the problems the breed faces today. It’s our hope here at Pit Bull Lovers we can spread the word and educate more owners to take responsibility for their dogs actions. In order for things to change, we must change the way we look at our own actions and how they effect the world around us. Until we do that, things will simply stay the way they are right now.
Exercise your dog -------------------------------
Pit Bulls are high energy dogs that need some way of burning off that pent up energy. Even a short 10-15 minute walk or game of fetch in the backyard will help burn off energy that can lead to behavior problems.
Never leave pit bulls alone with other dogs -------------------------------Even if you're dog gets along great 99.9% of the time with other animals the Pit Bull is known for animal aggression and it is possible something will happen. A good piece of advice I received a long time ago was, Never trust your Pit Bull not to fight.
Always have your dog on a leash in public --------------------------------
Most if not all towns, cities and states have leash laws. Obey these laws. This will help people see your dog in a positive light.
Always supervise your dogs and never allow them to roam free. -------------------------------
Loose dogs are often hurt by cruel people and accidents can happen as well. Always know where your dog is.
Supervise your dog with children. -------------------------------
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Small children are often hurt by
dogs not out of anger, but because dogs can scratch them, step on them, and otherwise injure them.
Spay or Neuter your dog. ------------------------------This will reduce accidental breedings and stop roaming males from getting loose.
Train your dog. -------------------------------
Take your dog to obedience classes or hire a private trainer to help you train your dog. This is very important for Pit Bull owners. If you can not control your dog bad things will eventually happen. Get your dog into training as soon as possible.
Avoid dog parks. -----------------------------Dog parks are a breeding ground for disaster. A better choice is to enroll your puppy into puppy
socalization classes. Some trainers do have them for older dogs. Your dog will have a far better chance at proper socialization in one of these classes than at a dog park.
Socialize your dog. -----------------------------
Take your dog to as many places as you can, meet new people and while they are young meet as many other dogs as possible. Socializing your Pit Bull will help curb any future problems that might occur.
Keep your dog properly confined. --------------------------------
Pit Bulls are known to be great escape artist. Make sure you have the means to keep them in your yard and properly confined. Installing a six foot privacy fence is not a bad idea either.
What can you do, right now to help? Walk your dog in public and show your part of the world theyare not vicious baby killers, but misunderstood dogs. Pass along a hand out you print off the web to friends, co-workers, and people you meet on the streets. Train your dog and show people neat little tricks they can do. Win them over with laughter and humor. Smile and be proud you share your life with the American Pit Bull Terrier.
PPii tt b u l ll ss
raised and treated
correctly, can
make fantastic cuddle-buddies even for the smallest of humans.
I’m sorry we scare you, but we need love too. IncrediBulls
Mid-America Bully Breed Rescue non-profit working to place pit bulls and bulldogs into safe, loving homes. MABBR PO Box 410233 Kansas City, MO 64141-0233
mabbr@mabbr.org
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Saving Kasey
A Pet Adoption S t o r y Story written and submitted by Krysha Thayer
It was a hot June Saturday in Las Vegas and the temperature must've been well over a hundred ten. Most of the dogs were laying in whatever shade they could find in their kennels to save their energy until someone interesting walked up. My father and I had walked down every row of kennels and not one dog had really caught my attention. Well, except for the German Shepherd puppies, but I knew they would be adopted quickly - they were puppies. It was a little backwards, but my dad was going to get me a dog that day although it was Father's Day weekend. I asked to walk around one more time and he sat down on a bench halfway down the first row of kennels. But this time there was a dog that wasn't there the first time. It was very obviously malnourished, and it had visible scabs on her back and hindquarters. I stood back a bit and watched as it took a small mouthful of food out of the bowl and set it down in the shade to slowly eat. I walked up slowly and it watched me with a leeriness that shouldn't have been there. Kasey was lucky Crouching down, I set my fingers on the chain link and it slowly enough to find an owner walked up and smelled them. that will love her forever. The pound had given me a few treats to give to the dogs, so I pulled one out and offered it. Help other pets in need It was taken quickly back to by visiting local animal the shaded place the food had been taken to. shelters and providing love
and care to a furry friend in need.
While the treat was quickly devoured, I stood to read what little paperwork there was for the dog. She had been adopted out at 8 weeks old, and then recovered when someone had reported animal abuse. She was listed as a retriever/lab mix but that was obviously wrong. She looked to be very clearly a boxer, with possibly a few other breeds
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mixed in. She was now nearly 6 months old and had already been there over 3 weeks, which means she was very close to being put down if she wasn't adopted soon. I kneeled back down to find her standing at the chain link watching me. Some of the leeriness was gone. This
time, when I placed my fingers against the fencing, she licked them. Since no name was given on her paperwork, I wasn't sure what to call her. "Would you like to go for a walk, Little One?" Dad was already behind me with a leash and a pound worker who was ready to unlock the kennel. "I thought you might want one of these," he said as he handed me the purple, braided rope. His smile seemed knowing.
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I placed the leash around her neck and she was ready to go! She didn't pull, but she was obviously the one in charge of where we were going. New smells and new dogs greeted her and she enjoyed meeting new people, especially the children she would sit down and wait for pattings from. The pound worker found us again after about a half hour and seemed to already know the answer to her unasked question. I kneeled in front of her, petted her, and gave her another treat. "So... You ready to go home and meet the rest of your new family, Kasey?" I got my answer when she left her half-eaten treat to tackle me to the ground with her front paws on my shoulders.
The pound worker was already there with her brand new collar that Dad had bought at the store up front with matching leash. "I guess I'll go ahead and scratch her from the euthanasia list this afternoon then. Looks like you guys came just in the nick of time." She patted her head with a smile and shook my hand as she winked at Dad. We headed home with a new member of the family that day, and today she's a happy and very healthy 5 year old puppy-at-heart.
Saving Kasey:A Pet Adoption Story
WHO KNOWS WHAT COULD BE HIDING IN THERE?!
Protect your pet.
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ADOPTION
TRAINING
4010 S Bolger Rd, Independence, MO 64055 (816) 350-2100 8600 Ward Pkwy, Kansas City, MO 64114 (816) 363-3306
SUPPLIES
GROOMING
5810 Antioch Grooming, Mission, KS 66201 (913) 384-2552 5810 Antioch Rd, Mission, KS 66202 (913) 384-4445
8500 N Evanston Ave, Kansas City, MO 64157 (816) 407-9195
11501 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS 66210 (913) 338-5544
8970 N Skyview Ave, Kansas City, MO 64154 (816) 746-5392
15255 W 119th St, Olathe, KS 66062 (913) 393-4111
1157 E North Ave, Belton, MO 64012 (816) 348-7956
15200 Shawnee Mission Pkwy, Shawnee, KS 66217 (913) 248-9300
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HOW Knit TO
Casting On
1) Choose your yarn and needles according to the
scarf you want to achieve. Choose a thin yarn and thin needles to create a tightly knit scarf, or choose wide needles if you’re using a thick or heavy yarn.
2) Make a loop in the yarn, approximately 4 inches
your dog an adorable scarf
from the end, leaving the tail of the yarn hanging behind the loop. Insert the end of one knitting needle into the front of the loop. Push it behind the tail, and then back forward through the loop. Pull on the tail with your free hand. Transfer the needle with the loop attached to your left hand.
3) Grasp the other needle in your right hand. Place
your thumb on the top of the needle and your index and middle fingers on the bottom, similar to how you hold a spoon.
4) Insert the tip of the right needle through the front of
the loop, under the left needle. Drape the yarn from the roll through your palm and over your right index finger.
5) Hold both needles in your left hand, with the right needle crossed under the left. Lift the yarn from your right index finger under the crossed needles, and then over the tip of the right needle. Pull the yarn through the loop on the left needle, creating a loop on both the left and right needles. Insert the left needle through the bottom of the loop on the right needle, transferring it to the left needle. Repeat this step until you have the desired width for your dog’s scarf.
Knit
6) Hold the needle with the cast-on stitches in
your left hand. Push the tip of the right needle through the bottom of the first stitch, front to back.
7) Drape the yarn from the roll through your
palm and over your right index finger. Lift the yarn from your right index finger under the crossed needles, and then over the tip of the right needle.
8) Pull the yarn through the loop on the left
needle, and then pull slightly to the right so the stitch transfers from the left needle to the right. Repeat for the remaining stitches in the row. When the right needle is full and the left is empty, switch hands and repeat.
9) Continue Steps 1 through 3 until your scarf is the desired length, and then bind off.
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Bind Off
10) Knit two stitches onto the right needle. 11) Push the tip of the left needle under the first
stitch and pull it up over both the second stitch and the tip of the right needle, leaving only one stitch on the needle.
12) Knit another stitch onto the right needle, then
repeat Step 2 until the left needle is empty and only one stitch remains on the right needle.
13) Trim the loose yarn 3 inches from the needle with scissors. Slip the last stitch off of the right needle and push the yarn tail through the stitch. Pull it tightly to keep your scarf from unraveling. Thread the tail through a large needle and weave it through the knit to hide it.
Advertising Index Wayside Waifs
3901 Mar t ha Tr uman Rd Kans as City, MO 64137 (816) 761-8151 wayside waifs.com
IncrediBulls
MA BBR PO B ox 410233 Kans as C ity, MO 64141-0233 mabbr@mabbr.org
Frontline
Front line.com 1-800-dief le as
Barney’s Bones (816) 555-4439 b ar ne ysb ones.com
Contact Information Editor
E lizab e t h C arol l
Editorial Assistants
Amy Ad ams, Nanc y C ow ing
Art Director
Anna Svob o d a-Stel
Photography Coordinator
Jana Ayers
Graphic Designer
Ju li a St apinsk i
Contributing Writers
Sara h Fox, Ford Muel ler
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F OU P Ts
P T A s O Y R E
OR R IT
contact: [816] 555 0403 louise@scoobylous.com.au