March 2015
Articles 5
5 Celebrate the Green by Going Green with Your Pets 8 Canine Grief — When Our Furry Friends Lose Their Buddy
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10 Trapped • Neutered • Returned 13 Creature Feature 14 A Lot of Veterinary Appointments Start the Same Way
16 Is Having Company Causing Chaos? 19 Breed of the Month 20 Easter & Real Rabbits - A Bad Choice
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24 The Importance of Microchipping Your Pet 26 Moving to a New Apartment or Home? 28 The Next Adventures of Chip 32 Pawzzle 34 Pet Services Directory
Dear Readers Happy Spring! The first day of Spring is just around the corner on March 20. While January seemed mild, February has seen bitterly cold temperatures and slick roads. March brings hope of tulips, daffodils and time outside. It will also bring Easter and bunny season! If you are thinking about adding a bunny to your family, please read the Easter and Real Rabbits article on page 18. It provides some important facts about bunnies, including how to feed and care for bunnies, the amount of exercise they need, healthcare and more. Please consider all the facts about bunnies before you add one to your family. Go Green this Spring! Now is a good time to think about using green products in your household and with your pet. Take just a minute to check out the article on page 5 - Celebrate the Green by GOING GREEN with your Pets! This issue also has a great article about what pets feel
when they lose a buddy. Canine Grief – When our Furry Friends Lose Their Buddy on page 8 provides some thoughtful insight on how to help your canine companions. Cats, cats and more cats. They seem to be everywhere. But with a TNR program the population explosion can be controlled. Learn more with the informative article beginning on page 10, Trapped Neutered, Returned (TNR). This issue includes two other great articles - The Importance of Micro Chipping Your Pet, and Moving to a New Apartment of Home. And as with every issue, please enjoy the breed of the month, Chip’s Adventure and the Pawzlle! In this issue, we are introducing our first Creature Feature column. This first column features the Inland Bearded Dragon. It includes some valuable facts about this creature and what to expect if you choose it as a pet.
Have a Great Spring!
Barbara Riedel, Publisher P.S. P lease support our advertisers – tell them you saw their ad in MetroPet magazine.
Publisher Barbara Riedel barbara@metropetmag.com
Advertising Sales Nancy Hayes 314-650-7959 Barbara Riedel 913.548.1433
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Contact MetroPet PO Box 480065 Kansas City, MO 64148 Phone: 913.548.1433 Fax: 913.387.4313
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Contributing Authors Joy Gioia Geoff Hall Pat Hennessy Pawleen Journe Heddie Leger Dr. Dani McVety Dr. Jon Nauss Jackie Schneiderman Mary Sellaro Dr. Dawnetta Woodruff
Publishing Policy: Articles printed in the MetroPet Magazine express the opinions of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the formal position of MetroPet Magazine. Acceptance of advertising does not necessarily constitute endorsement by MetroPet Magazine. Articles: Readers are invited to submit articles for consideration for publication to editor@metropetmag.com. All materials are subject to editorial review. © 2014 MetroPet Magazine. All rights reserved. Request reprint permissions at info@metropetmag.com. MetroPet Magazine is owned and published by ROI Marketing Services, all rights reserved.
Celebrate the Green by Going Green with Your Pets by Pat Hennessy
It’s time to put on that green sweater or shamrock pin and become Irish for a day in celebration of the patron saint who brought Christianity to Ireland (even though most people think it’s about leprechauns with pots of gold or sending the snakes out to sea). While we are wearing our green with pride we can actually become green and take pride in caring for our planet. And our companion animals can come along for the ride. We know using environmentally friendly products is better for the Earth, but it is also better for us and our furry and feathered friends as well. You can start your green journey by taking a look inside your home for healthy improvements. Take a good look at the cleaning products you use. Are the ingredients safe for the environment and are they safe for you and your pets? Many products have harsh chemicals that produce strong fumes, are hard on our skin, and not as effective as natural products at reducing bacteria and deodorizing. You may like your carpet or tile cleaners, but are the ingredients safe? Remember that
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your pets are on the floor and they are absorbing, or even licking, those chemicals. Other products that you want to look at for pet friendly (and environmentally friendly) ingredients are pet shampoos and flea repellants. There are safe and natural products available that are effective and reduce your pet’s exposure to harmful chemicals that can cause skin irritation or contribute to other health issues. Another aspect of your in-home environment is the air you breathe. Air pollution is not just an outdoor issue. There are many harmful pollutants in your home (bacteria, mold, fungus, radon, etc.), not to mention typical household pollutants (dust, pet dander, smoke, etc.). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has cited that indoor air can be up to 100 times more polluted than outdoor air and it is 1000 times more likely to reach your lungs than outdoor pollution. One way to
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combat those chemicals is to use a good air purifier, one that actually eliminates the pollutants. Remember that your pet’s lungs are much smaller and dealing with the same amount of pollution, so you would not only be helping yourself you would be helping your pets tremendously. An air purifier can be especially helpful if you have cats or birds, due to the dander and dust that accumulates and the associated allergies that follow. After thoroughly going through your home to make environmental improvements, you need to turn your attention outside the home. You must be very cautious when selecting products for your lawn. Many of the products that kill weeds can be harmful to your pets. Ignore the picture on the front of the bag with the children and a dog playing on a
beautiful lawn and read the ingredients or the fine print instead. Some bags will say pet-friendly, but in smaller print it says to keep pets off of areas where the product is used, for several hours up to a couple of days. You may think your pets will be safe by keeping them off the lawn for a bit but remember dogs like to eat grass, especially the early spring sprouts, and grass that has been treated can be harmful. You may think it is good for the lawn to leave pet waste as fertilizer, but it is not a fertilizer. To protect the environment and your companion animals, please pick up dog waste. Feces contain bacteria that create a breeding ground for fleas, so getting rid of it reduces at least one source of flea habitat. The bacteria in feces travels through the rain run-off process and end up in natural (unfiltered) water sources, such as streams and lakes, where it decomposes using oxygen. During the warmer months the low oxygen levels, combined with the ammonia output, can kill fish. We can’t really pick up after wildlife, but we can clean up after our animal companions. Following St. Patrick’s Day, April brings us Earth Day (a day to celebrate cleaning up the planet). If you want to celebrate Earth Day on behalf of companion animals, one way is to take your newspapers and cardboard flats to your local animal shelter. They use the newspapers to line cages and crates and they use the cardboard
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MetroPet Magazine | St. Louis - March 2015
flats for litter trays. If you have unused or slightly used bowls, beds, collars, leashes or toys, you can donate them as well. As an extra gesture, you could save up your aluminum cans for a month, cash them in and donate the money to your local shelter when you take the newspapers. You are not only recycling, but you are helping homeless animals until they can find a new family. If you are still feeling “green” and have a green thumb, do some planting to give back to the Earth. A vegetable garden is very rewarding because not only is it home-grown, but it provides healthy options for you and your pets (but be careful which vegetables they consume). If you have room you can plant a tree. Your dog will enjoy that — if it’s close to the house it could be a lovely shade tree, if it’s close to the street it could be an information gathering spot (like people standing around a water cooler). For your dog, sniffing a tree is like you reading the newspaper; they gather information about every animal that came by and left its mark (and it will prompt your dog to leave his mark for the next guy to read)
Pat Hennessy is the founder of N2paws, LLC, an organization that provides a holistic approach to companion animal care through behavior education, energy work, and positive training methods. Pat is a Level 2 TTouch® practitioner, CPDT, ACDBC, and member of the IAABC, IAATH and AWA. You may contact N2Paws via email pat@n2paws.com, phone 816-522-7005, or visit the website www.n2paws.com.
No
Brush
Last but not least, if you don’t think you’ve done enough with your pets, you can also help wildlife on your quest to be Earth friendly. Next time you have some stale bread or left over pizza crust or biscuits, crumble it up and scatter it around a tree. The birds and squirrels will love it and it’s better than just throwing it in the trash. While you are celebrating the day of the Irish, wearing your green, eating or drinking green, remember to “be” green the rest of the year. When you think of all the ways that our Earth benefits us: the water, the minerals, the air that we breath, and the beauty to take that breath away — it is a bountiful gift. It is a small effort on our part to give back to our Mother Earth. www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - March 2015
Required!
Naturally Remove Plaque & Tartar, Reverse Gum Disease and Freshen Breath Without Brushing.
BEFORE
AFTER 30 DAYS
TL METROS 7
Canine Grief ~
When Our Furry Friends Lose Their Buddy
by Dr. Dawnetta Woodruff & Dr. Dani McVety
The loss of a cherished dog can be quite traumatic, not only on the family as a whole, but also on the other dogs left behind. Dogs cannot voice their feelings to us, but based on outward signs, it certainly appears that they can experience grief when a companion dies. There are several studies that document changes in pets’ behavior after the loss of a loved one (human or non-human). These behaviors may include fluctuations in appetite, vocalization, and changed interactions with housemates. I believe that many of these emotions are compounded by their reaction to their owner’s emotions. Pets handle the Circle of Life so much better than many humans do! They take time to grieve, and then they move on with their lives. We have a difficult time dealing with the ebb and flow of life, but our pets often handle it gracefully as just another normal part of life. Many signs of canine grief are based on the dog’s natural personality. For example, a subordinate dog may become introverted - they may hide and may not interact with the family when a more dominant companion 8
members become angry or upset that their pets do not grieve as they expect them to. It is important to remember that we are each unique and individual... so are our pets, and we can learn a lot from them during the difficult time surrounding our loss.
has been lost. Conversely, some dominant dogs may become very clingy or appear abnormally nervous (panting, pacing, searching for their friend), if their “pack” seems to have been lost. These behaviors are general, however, and can be seen in any dog. Just as every person handles heartache and pain differently, so do our pets. I have seen dogs snuggle up to their companion after death. I have also seen dogs walk out of the room and refuse to re-enter that room until their companion has left the house. Each pet’s way of dealing with loss will be different and unique. I have seen two-year old labs hide behind the couch, but I have also seen 2 year old labs step over the body of their housemate just to give their owner a kiss. Some family
MetroPet Magazine | St. Louis - March 2015
It is normal for behavior changes such as these to be seen in the first 10-14 days after the loss of a companion. You may try to take their mind off of the loss by providing them with extra attention and affection. Long walks, playing, and engaging in favorite activities (especially those done with the companion that passed) can help
build confidence and stimulate mental enjoyment. Environmental enrichment techniques such as puzzle toys (especially Kong-type toys that allow you to hide a treat inside) help keep them busy during the day. If your dog is too depressed, they may not respond right away. Remember, time heals all wounds, and this is true for your pets as well. You may consider using a DAP (dog appeasing pheromone) diffuser, available at most pet stores, to help your pet relax. Give them a few days and then start encouraging them to do more — use their favorite rewards and encourage their more normal behavior. If symptoms do not subside after two weeks, you may consider taking your grieving pet to a veterinarian. There are medical and even holistic approaches to canine grief that can be particularly helpful including antidepressants, acupuncture, and herbal remedies. Some more severe cases may also include stress colitis (diarrhea) and may necessitate a visit to your veterinarian sooner. If your grieving dog is now an “only child,” some owners wonder if they should get it a new companion to prevent loneliness. While this may work for the more sociable and extroverted breeds, it doesn’t work for all (especially highly dominant dogs). It is best to allow your dog a bit of time to heal. Most experts recommend waiting at least 2-4 weeks (sometimes longer) before introducing a new pet into the household. There are
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certainly exceptions to this rule — if you have questions about your particular situation, take your concerns to your veterinarian and ask their opinion. Remember, your dog may miss your lost companion just as much as you do - spending extra time together will help both of you make it through a very difficult time!
Dr. Dawnetta Woodruff is the owner of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice & In Home Euthanasia, in St. Louis. She has been has helping families in the St Louis area since mid-2012. She partners with your regular veterinarian when the time comes to discuss hospice care. We know you are never truly ready to let go and that euthanasia is never an easy decision. However a familiar, comfortable environment can make the process less stressful and more peaceful for everyone. Our hope is that we can provide a listening ear, professional advice, and a compassionate experience for you and your pet when the time comes to say goodbye and allow them move on to a better place. Dr. Dani McVety is the founder of Lap of Love and lives in Florida. Dr. McVety is a speaker, consultant, author, and mother. With a deep love for the human-animal bond, she enjoys just about anything that has to do with pets!
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Trapped Neutered Returned (TNR) Four fluffy Maine Coon mixes frolic in the woods behind a suburban home on a crisp spring day. A child watches them chase one another from his kitchen window. Sam asks his mother if they can bring the cats inside to be pets. His mother chuckles and explains he would have a hard time getting near them. She tells him about how when he was just a baby, she and his father trapped the cats and had them spayed, neutered, and vaccinated. If he looks very closely he can see their left ears have a flattened tip instead of being pointed. This is the universal symbol for a cat that has been Trapped, Neutered, and Returned (TNR).
Sam’s parents are setting a wonderful example for him and the neighborhood by giving their community cats the best life possible. Spayed and neutered cats are less likely to fight and contract feline diseases from one another. Since they are fed and cared for, they are healthier than unfixed felines. Neutered tomcats spray less and spayed females aren’t having kittens and adding to the homeless cat population. They also provide an added benefit to the neighborhood: rodent control. Sam’s family and his neighbors are unlikely to have mice in their basement, thanks to the community cats.
Outdoor Cats
Community cats aren’t just in the suburbs. They are in the city, too. Anywhere there are people, there are cats. Providing TNR to community cats has many benefits. Since cats are territorial, their colonies stay in check, with few to no other cats moving in. Before TNR became mainstream, 100 years of Catch and Kill by animal controls could never successfully eliminate feral cat populations. Removing them creates space for new cats to come in and use the resources that were sustaining the cats who lived there before. This is known as the vacuum effect, and it is exactly why catch and kill has never worked. TNR also significantly reduces the number of cats and kittens entering shelters, as outdoor populations are no longer expanding.
Sam asks his mom why these cats aren’t friendly like their cat, Simba. She explains that the people who lived in their home before them left behind a sweet cat, and not long after that she had kittens. When they moved in, these cats were already grown and the only home they have ever known is outside. Since the cats didn’t grow up with people, they aren’t used to them. These cats are now community cats. She and his father built a winter shelter for the cats and feed them by the shelter every day. When they go out of town, the neighbors help take care of the cats. What happened to the friendly mom cat? They brought her inside, had her spayed, and found her a loving home.
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by Jackie Schneiderman
MetroPet Magazine | St. Louis - March 2015
Not Just the Suburbs
An October 2010 St. Louis Post Dispatch article mentions, “The Humane Society of Missouri, American Veterinary Medical Association, and American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals all recognize managed feral cat colonies as a part of a solution.� The City of St. Louis has been working closely with volunteers who have been performing TNR on colonies in the city that need help. In addition to these volunteers, many local citizens are doing TNR on their own colonies. In the past few years, hundreds of neighborhood cats have been spayed, neutered, and returned to their outdoor homes in the city. St. Louis County has shown interest in beginning a TNR program. Let them know you would support such an effort. Wherever you live, let your alderman or councilman and other elected officials know that you support TNR.
What To Do for Community Cats
If you notice community cats in your area, look for an ear tip to indicate if they are spayed and neutered. If not, plan to do TNR. Talk to your neighbors and coordinate feeding so the cats will remain healthy and happy. Please keep in mind that local animal controls and humane societies are not equipped to take in feral or unsocialized cats, and if turned in they will very likely be euthanized. Not every community cat is feral or unsocialized. Some may be friendly and some may be lost cats. Search local lost pet listings to see if a cat is missing her family. If the cat is friendly, consider bringing the cat inside and fostering for a local rescue. www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - March 2015
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If you have cats you would like to TNR, there are several low-cost veterinarians that will spay and neuter feral cats. You can rent or borrow traps, or go online and buy your own. If you are feeding a colony or know someone who is, start planning to Trap, Neuter, and Return these cats right away, before the next kitten season is upon us.
Check out these local and national resources that have a wealth of information for those wanting to learn more and actively help community cats:
• St. Louis City Kitties — Helping reduce pet homelessness through outreach, education, and assistance. www.stlouiscitykitties.org/ • St. Louis Feral Cat Outreach — A Trap-NeuterReturn (TNR) nonprofit and Resource Group for St. Louis, MO and surrounding areas. Borrow traps, ask for advice about TNR and local spay and neuter resources. www.facebook.com/STLFCO
• Alley Cat Allies — A national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats. www. alleycat.org
• St. Louis Missouri, Lost and Found Paws — Resources and listings for lost and found pets in St. Louis and surrounding areas. www.facebook.com/ groups/STLMOlostfoundpaws/
•P ound Pals — Provides low-cost or free spay and neuter assistance through Nooterville. Provides medical assistance to sick and injured homeless cats through the CAT-AID fund. www. poundpals.org
• STL Lost Pets — Search for lost pets in the St. Louis Area, and submit a lost pet report. www.stllostpets. org/
Jackie Schneiderman is an advocate for cats and all animals. She has been on the City of St. Louis TNR Task Force for over 3 years. In 2014, she helped establish the Pound Pals CAT-AID fund for sick and injured homeless cats so medical care can be provided for un-owned cats. Keep up with CAT-AID and read about the cats they help: https://www.facebook. com/PoundPalsofSt. Louis
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MetroPet Magazine | St. Louis - March 2015
Creature Feature This month we have a new spot in MetroPet called “Creature Feature.” These features will be articles written by experts providing information about unusual pets. This first edition is written by Geoff Hall, president of Wayside Waifs, and former Chief Operating Officer of the KC Zoo.
Inland Bearded Dragon Pogona vitticeps by Geoff Hall Summary: Bearded dragons are a medium sized lizard native to Australia and are well suited as a pet. Size: Adults can grow to an overall body length of up to 22 inches. Natural Habitat: They are native to the hot and arid deserts of the Australian interior. Costs: Several color and scale variants have been developed by herpetoculturists (reptile breeders) and prices vary accordingly from $50 to over $200. Medical Care: Locate a local veterinarian experienced in reptiles and amphibians prior to acquisition of your pet and seek their expertise if you are concerned about the health of your bearded dragon. Care: Ensuring an excellent living environment and consistent quality of care is absolutely necessary to prevent illness. Bearded dragons require a spacious terrarium with both a basking spot reaching approximately 100 degrees Fahrenheit and a fullspectrum light source with both UVA and UVB. Diet: Young bearded dragon will feed largely on insect prey (crickets and mealworms) while adult bearded dragons need additional dark leafy greens such as kale and collard greens supplemented with carrots in their diet.
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Where to Buy: This species is readily available through reputable private breeders and many pet stores. Other: Bearded dragons can make an excellent first pet reptile for those who invest appropriately to ensure their environmental needs are met. As with all pets, make sure you actively research the specific needs of any species of animal prior to acquiring a specimen. Fun Fact: Bearded dragons received their common name due to their behavior of expanding their throats exposing a “beard” of spiny scales as a threat against a potential predator. Geoff Hall is President of Wayside Waifs, KC’s largest no kill pet adoption campus. Geoff brings to Wayside more than 20 years of experience in the animal welfare community. This includes serving as Chief Operating Officer of the Kansas City Zoo, General Curator of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and as Executive Vice President/General Curator of the Phoenix Zoo. He is the proud owner of dogs, cats, birds and other pets! You may contact Geoff via email at CreatureFeature@ WaysideWaifs.org. 13
A lot of veterinary appointments start the same way by Jon Nauss, DVM
“Hi, I’m Dr. Healthypet. I am going to help you out with your pet today. Tell me a little about what’s going on.” “Hi, we are just here to get her shots that she needs.” The only problem with this is that each patient has different needs. That may seem obvious when you’re talking about a young animal versus a geriatric patient, or a well animal versus an ill patient. But it is less obvious when you are talking about vaccines. Simply put, not all patients have the same need for vaccinations. So, what does your pet need? Lucky for you, you don’t need to know. You just need to communicate with your veterinarian and their team of healthcare providers. The rest of this article will hopefully answer some common questions and give you the platform from which to discuss similar issues with your veterinarian.
I just got a puppy or kitten, which vaccines do they need?
When dealing with puppies or kittens, or older animals with no known vaccination history, we typically discuss packages or programs. These usually include a few visits spaced a few weeks apart. In these young animals, passive immunity from nursing is waning and they must now build up their own immunity. This, largely, is the reason for multiple visits and repeating vaccines. It is important to expose young animals to multiple doses spaced a few weeks apart in order to get a strong and lasting response. Your veterinarian may advise you to reduce the amount of exposure to other animals until the series of vaccines are complete.
After your pet finishes their puppy or kitten shots, how often do you need to re-vaccinate?
Traditionally, pets have been re-vaccinated each year at their regular check-up. We are finding out more and more that some vaccines provide coverage longer than a year and some may provide coverage for less than a year. It is important to re-vaccinate for everything at your pet’s first annual check-up. After that, it is important to discuss the vaccination schedule with your veterinarian.
Which vaccines does my pet need?
All animals need what we call the core vaccines. These are rabies and what is collectively referred to as the 14
MetroPet Magazine | St. Louis - March 2015
distemper shot. For cats, this includes Panleukopenia (feline distemper), Herpes virus and Calici virus. For dogs, this includes Distemper, Parvovirus and Adenovirus. After that, a vaccine protocol can be customized for your pet. Some questions to consider would be the age of the patient, where you live, potential exposure to other animals and wildlife and other factors. It is important to be honest and communicate with your veterinarian to create the ideal vaccination program for your pet.
Are there risks to vaccinating my pet?
There are risks for everything we do in medicine. However, vaccinations in large part are safe and help to protect millions of animals. In addition, customizing a vaccination protocol with your veterinarian and their team will help to further minimize and risk of vaccination. Some patients may have reactions to the vaccines. Mild symptoms may include discomfort or swelling at the injection site, fever or decreased activity and appetite. If these persist beyond two to three days, contact your veterinarian’s office. More serious reactions may include hives, vomiting and diarrhea, swelling around the face, difficulty breathing and rarely, collapse. If any of these are noted, contact your veterinarian immediately. If it is after hours, contact and emergency 24 hour hospital.
with your veterinarian to formulate the best plan for your loved one. Jon Nauss, DVM, is the newest member of the team at the Animal Medical Center of Wentzville. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Biology at Benedictine College in Atchison Kansas. He went on to earn his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University. Upon graduation, Dr. Nauss went on to serve as a veterinarian for the United States Army until returning to his wife’s hometown of St. Louis. He and his wife, Havalyn, care for their two daughters, three cats and two dogs.
636-332-4411 Compassionate Care • Friendly Service
My pet had a reaction to a vaccine before, can he still get vaccines?
If you think your pet may have had a reaction to a previous vaccine, it is important to communicate this to the staff at your veterinary office. They may have you arrive early or try to retrieve previous medical records or they may have you wait around longer after the appointment to observe the patient. In some cases, your veterinarian may administer medication before giving vaccines to help reduce the chance of reaction. It may be necessary to stage vaccines, in order to determine which vaccine may be causing the reaction. Your pet is unique and special. Likewise, your pets’ vaccination requirements may be unique and special. It is important to discuss options www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - March 2015
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Is Having Company Causing
Chaos? by Mary Sellaro
Normally, the sound of the doorbell is synonymous with looking forward to the arrival of family and friends or the delivery of a pizza or package. The key word here is “normally.” However in some households a ringing doorbell is a precursor for disaster. When there are dogs involved, unfortunately, sometimes it doesn’t matter which side of the door a person is on, harm can be caused by over exuberance on the dog’s part and/or a lack of control and direction from the owner. A dog’s response to the doorbell or knocking at the door often sets free a wide range of reactions, barking, running back and forth, pawing and/or scratching at the door and jumping up or on visitors. The problem doesn’t end there; very often in these situations it seems as if the dog owner becomes invisible to the dog. The dog doesn’t respond to any verbal directions and it will take at least several minutes for the dog to calm down and seemingly regain any sense of composure. It is very common for a dog which normally listens in a calm environment, to pay no attention to their person when they are very stimulated.
Behavioral Management: Prevent, Control, Change and Resolve Ordinarily, what the owner considers intolerable behavior is natural dog behavior. The crisis begins when humans try to extinguish normal dog reactions without trying to understand why the dog is behaving 16
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in a certain manner. For example: the natural way for dogs to greet one another is to lick the mouth of the dog being greeted. Since most dogs can’t reach their owner’s mouth, the smart thing to do would be to jump up and aim, simple dog logic. However, owners (understandably) do not like to be jumped up on and try to stop the behavior in a variety of ways. The attempts at stopping the behavior usually fail. The owner soon becomes frustrated and most dogs interpret owner’s frustration as a lack of control. The dog’s behavior can spiral out of control and what started as a simple problem can become a battle. The owner, at this point, has two choices: learn how to take control, or not. Remember, over fifty percent of the dogs found in shelters are placed there because of behavioral problems their owners would not, or could not solve. A replacement behavior teaches the dog a positive alternative to jumping up or any unwanted behavior. The focus is to teach the dog that calm behavior gets praised. The answer to most behavioral concerns can be resolved through a training program in which the owner will prevent the problem from happening. The second step is to control the dog’s environment and limit his exposure to the problem. The use of a crate, safe area or leash and collar is part of the prevention for the control of the problem. The third step is to change the dog’s behavior through obedience training by teaching the dog to control his impulses, listen to the owner, and learn a replacement behavior and to display reliable responses.
Scenario Solutions Scenario 1 Your dog, friends and unfamiliar people It will be very important to be consistent with a reliable pattern for the dog to follow regardless if he or she meets people at home or in public. When meeting someone outside
of your home, as the person approaches, verbally give the cue “off ” or (something similar) step on the leash and give just enough length so the dog can stand comfortably. The leash pressure will prevent the dog from jumping up and will help keep all four feet on the ground. The dog will most likely try several times to jump up and will realize he is unable to due to the leash. When the “aha” moment comes and the dog stops trying to jump, reward quietly to help maintain the dog’s calmer frame of mind and reinforce attention to you. The praise from you should be the dog’s desired reward, not the attention from the person being greeted. As the dog becomes more predictable in greeting politely, integrate a “sit” into the plan.
connection for the expected etiquette. (Enlist the help of friends and family members and remind them they will also enjoy the future benefits of your well behaved dog.) Another option is to teach your dog to go to a designated area or “place” and stay when visitors come over. Place is a very valuable command and may be used in a variety of situations, for example, at mealtimes or to control access to certain rooms or areas.
Place To begin the exercise, choose a spot for your dog (the more comfortable the better!)
This situation will have to be practiced multiple times before it will become reliable. This scenario can become difficult when a friend, family member or a stranger says they don’t mind if your dog jumps on them or might even encourage the very behavior you are trying to stop. Speak up for your dog-do not allow your dog to rehearse behavior simply because someone either won’t listen or because you are hesitant to take control of the situation.
Scenario 2
Your dog and visitors at the door The doorbell rings-the first step is to put a leash on the dog and prevent any of the behavior discussed in the first part of this article. (A good piece of advice is to keep a leash in a handy location by the door.) • Do not open the door until the dog is calm. • Step on the leash and follow the protocol as advised in Scenario 1. This exercise must be practiced on a daily basis and in repetition for the dog to make the www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - March 2015
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Put a leash on your dog and stand with your dog about 1 foot away from the chosen spot. Say “Place” while pointing towards the bed or mat, and throw a treat on the bed. The goal is for the dog to go to the bed and eat the treat. When this happens, praise. Repeat the previous step until your dog is willingly running to the spot for the treat-this is to reinforce the behavior and also builds an association in your dog’s mind between you saying “Place” and pointing. Remember, it is important at this point to understand the treat is acting as a lure to entice your dog over to the bed — this will eventually change. Gradually increase the distance between where you and your dog are standing and the bed. Continue to practice “Place,” point, and throw the treat and praise. The treat now becomes a reward for the desired behavior as opposed to a lure to get on the bed. Begin in the same manner, give a verbal “Place” while pointing towards the bed, but do not throw the treat. At this point, the dog should understand the verbal command and pointing is a directive to go to the spot. If he/she responds to the command by going to the bed, give the treat (rewarding the behavior) and praise. If the dog doesn’t “respond” or gives an incorrect response, go back and begin using the treat as a lure again. Continue and repeat the above step. Add sit, down and stay to the process. Practice this at random times and change up the place you request the dog to “Place”. Begin the exercise close to the bed, and then gradually increase the distance from the spot. When the dog is responding consistently from a distance, execute the exercise from a different room. Distractions may be added to proof the exercise, by adding a food bowl or another person in the room. When the dog becomes accomplished with the previous 18
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steps, gradually phase out the treat and use as an intermittent reward.
Scenario 3 While your visitors are in the house Whenever possible, exercise your dog prior to the arrival of the company. Keep the dog on a leash if necessary to maintain calm behavior. Use the place command and give the dog something “extra special” to chew on that they only receive when “company comes.” This will keep the dog’s interest on the chew longer, as it is not a boring, everyday toy. Once you are satisfied your dog will engage politely with your guests, the leash may be kept on for quick reminders to behave. Safety is key when your dog is dragging a leash-he must stay in the same room as you and be supervised at all times. In conclusion, train smart and stay consistent. Be prepared with the leash , but if for some reason you are unable to focus on your dog completely — it is better to put your dog in a crate or behind a barrier than to let the dog be unsuccessful, even for a few minutes, and practice the very behavior you are working hard to change.
Mary Sellaro has been training dogs since 1990. She has taught group and private lessons from puppy through advanced. Mary has also worked with dog owners on behavioral issues, including aggression. She developed and implemented a training class program for Retired Greyhounds as Pets. Mary has been the temperament test evaluator for the Children’s Mercy Hospital’s Pet Pal Program since 1997. Mary is now the Director of Training for Pooches Paradise Daycare and Resort in the Waldo area of Kansas City. Mary is a certified American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. She can be reached at 816-361-3388.
Meet the Breed
March Pet of the Month
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier Yes, this is a real breed. They are often mistaken for a soft Wheaten Terrier mix with short legs and a long back. This breed has a handsome history originating in Scotland and England. They were once used for hunting badgers and otters. This breed is best known for being independent, tough, yet friendly, and is good with children of all ages. As with most dogs, it is preferable for them to be raised with small children if they are expected to be reliable with and tolerant of them. The Dandie is considered to be the most docile of the terrier group. They are not prone to being hyperactive or to have high energy, yet they are always up to a romp in the park. They love to play. They are known to be a great companion dog, and often willingly guard their property. They are feisty little dogs, which can be subject to back ailments due to the length of their frame on short legs. Words to define the Dandie include: independent, determined, reserved, and intelligent. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier combines an affectionate and dignified nature, in a working situation, with tenacity and boldness, according to the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club of America. This breed is particularly known for its deep brown eyes, with an expression of soulful wisdom. The standard calls for one type of coat which is a double coat in colors of mustard (a soft yellow/wheat color) and pepper (much like a grey). The Dandie Dinmont, not very well-known is considered a rare breed. They can make great companion dogs, as they are affectionate and happy-go-lucky. Although due to the terrier-hunting instincts, it is not a good idea to leave them alone with pets such as hamsters, rabbits, mice, rats, or guinea pigs. They are most often okay with cats, if they are raised with them. Dandies are not hard to train www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - March 2015
because they are very intelligent, but you must be patient, firm and consistent. The Dandie Dinmont carefully and lovingly trained can be a wonderful, trustworthy family companion for anywhere between 12 to 15 years. Most live long healthy lives. However, cancer is somewhat common in this breed. The Dandie Dinmont is a good fit for apartment dwellers. A daily walk and romp in the park will keep them happy and healthy. The Dandie likes to chase, so care should be taken to ensure its safety if the dog is to be off leash. The Dandie Dinmont as most dogs, needs to be brushed regularly. Their cute little knot of hair on the top of their heads is very endearing and might need professional grooming. Dead hair should be plucked out once or twice a year. The Dandie Dinmont is a breed that sheds very little to no hair, making them easy keepers. If you are looking for an adventurous companion that is easy to live with, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier might just be the canine companion for you and your family. Use the information in this article to complete the Pawzlle on page 32. 19
Easter & Real Rabbits A BAD CHOICE by Joy Gioia Spring is coming with Easter just around the corner. What is cuter than a little bunny as an Easter or spring gift? Right? Wrong! Rabbits are the third most abandoned pet in the U.S. and when looking at the “reason for surrender” on shelter in-take sheets it appears the number one reason they’re dumped are children. They’ve lost interest. They won’t clean the cage. They’re too old for the bunny now. They’ve become interested in other things. All of it is very typical.
Things to Consider BEFORE You Adopt a Rabbit
Do you want a long-term relationship with a pet? Rabbits can live 10 years or even longer. Don’t get a rabbit if you aren’t willing to make a long-term commitment. Do NOT expect a child to make a 10 year commitment. Rabbits are the third MOST abandoned pet in the U.S. and children are the number one reason when they tire of the bunny. Rabbits are happiest and healthiest as house pets. Summer and winter’s extreme temperatures and spring and fall’s sudden, drastic temperature changes make survival difficult for outdoor rabbits. Natural predators including dogs, cats, raccoons, hawks, owls, fox, coyote, and snakes are also a serious threat to rabbits kept or left outdoors. Even the threat of these predators nearby can cause death to a rabbit from fear. These predators abound even in urban and suburban areas. Flies can also kill them. If someone in your family has allergies, think carefully before adopting a rabbit. Many people who are allergic to dogs and/or cats are not allergic to rabbits. That’s the good part. Be aware, however, that hay, an important part of a rabbit’s diet, can aggravate allergies if you have severe hay fever. If you want a rabbit and are concerned about allergies, check with your doctor or contact The House Rabbit Society and arrange to visit one of our foster homes to see if your allergies are bothered by bunnies or hay. In addition to water in a bowl, special food, and fresh produce, rabbits need daily exercise, affection, and companionship. Check carefully into dietary needs. They should have 3 to 4 hours exercise out of their cage each day. If your rabbit will spend a lot of time in a cage, it must be large enough for hopping and some exercise 20
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inside the cage. (Note: wire floored cages are cruel on a rabbit’s sensitive feet,) Consider a pen rather than a cage or a 42” or 48” metal dog crate with plastic (easy to clean) tray floor.
Size.
All baby rabbits are small but not all breeds stay small. Adult domestic rabbits are larger than the wild rabbits you see outside and some domestic breeds reach 10 pounds or more. The average size is 6 lbs.
Rabbits are NOT “pocket pets” for children.
Rabbits are not the cuddly, easy to pick up and carry type of animal that many believe them to be. Rabbits are ground lovers and fear being picked up. They may struggle drastically resulting in disastrous consequences. Children are not able to hold a struggling bunny and both the child and rabbit could get hurt. However, rabbits do love gentle petting and will beg for such attention. If there are small children, a larger rabbit is a better choice as a family pet for several reasons. A child is less likely to be able to pick up a large rabbit against its will. Many larger breeds have especially gentle, laid-back personalities that make them good with children. A rabbit should NOT be housed in a child’s room away from adult supervision.
All baby bunnies are small, but they don’t all stay small.
specially trained in rabbit care. Many wonderful dog and cat veterinarians know very little about rabbits. They are trained on dogs and cats in veterinary school, not pet rabbits. Some of the normal medications used for cats and dogs can kill a rabbit. Using an experienced rabbit veterinarian with the training, medical and dental equipment and
Rabbits are NOT low maintenance pets.
A rabbit is every bit as much work as a dog. They are not at all like hamsters or guinea pigs. If easy care is a concern, get a stuffed animal. A live animal is a serious commitment.
Rabbits require health care from a veterinarian experienced and www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - March 2015
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ADOPTABLE RABBITS 314-995-1457 • mo_hrs@hotmail.com www.hrsmostl.org https://www.facebook.com/pages/House-RabbitSociety-of-Missouri-St-Louis-Chapter/295747447809
Ebony Jane
Althea
Trevor
Greg 22
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correct medication available is vitally important. Rabbits are considered “exotics” so their health care can be expensive. Medicine, x-rays, surgeries, etc. cost as much for a bunny as they do for a cat or dog. Health exams every six months are recommended. Nails need to be trimmed and scent glands cleaned at least every 3 months.
Adults in the family should plan to be the responsible caregiver for a pet rabbit.
Children are children and cannot be expected to be consistent with food, cleaning, or exercise although they may certainly help with these things. More importantly, they are not likely to observe the subtle signs involved when a rabbit is sick and any delay in noticing these things can result in a quick and untimely death for your pet. Not only should they be housed indoors, but they should be housed where they can interact with the whole family. A rabbit is not a toy to amuse a child and becomes expendable as soon as the child loses interest. Parents would not get a puppy, place in it the child’s room and say, “Now he has to stay in here. He’s your responsibility.” and close the door. A family rabbit housed in a room frequently habited by the family, like the family room, kitchen, etc. is a happy rabbit.
Rabbits can coexist happily with other pets, including many cats and dogs.
However, if you have an aggressive dog or cat, don’t get a rabbit. No matter how gentle your dog or cat is, careful supervision is critical. Rabbits frequently do not get along with ferrets and must be housed away from birds whose droppings may contain salmonella which is deadly to a rabbit. A rabbit should not eat seeds and nuts that may be dropped by a bird. Unless you are willing to tolerate dramatic personality changes at puberty, don’t get a rabbit less than a year old. Adolescent rabbits can be every bit as difficult as teenage children. It is not at all necessary to get a baby for a bunny to be social and even babies given lots of attention may not turn out the way you want. A baby is full grown by around 7 months old so a child is not going to “grow up” with the rabbit. Older rabbits that
have been neutered or spayed are easier to litter box train, are more sociable, and chew less than younger rabbits. Adult , larger breed rabbits are better for children. Consider adopting a pair of rabbits. Single rabbits are more likely to be bored and to get into trouble. However, two rabbits who have not been raised together need to be introduced slowly and should be carefully supervised at first or they will likely fight and cause serious injury to each other. A neutered male and female will normally accept each other more easily than will neutered same-sex pairs, but they, too, must be slowly and properly introduced. However, bonded pairs can be friends for life and will entertain and provide
companionship for each other. The weather. If you decide you cannot easiest thing to do is to adopt a pair keep your rabbit, please take him to already bonded. (Please — NEVER a shelter. put unneutered, unspayed rabbits together.) Joy Gioia Remember that domestic has been the chapter rabbits are completely manager of dependent on humans for the House survival. If you discover you Rabbit can’t care for your rabbit, Society of do not turn him loose — he Missouri will not survive and will in St. Louis likely suffer a horrible death. for over 18 Domestic rabbits do not years. The know how to hunt for food House Rabbit Society of Missouri is a or protect themselves from 501c 3, 100% volunteer organization predators and are subject to dedicated to rescue, education, and many diseases and parasites adoption. For additional information see when left outdoors in www.rabbit.org addition to death by cars or
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The Importance of MicroChipping Your Pet by Heddie Leger
Registered microchips give lost pets the best chance of returning home. The key word here is “registered.” Missing pets rarely make it back home without a MicroChip. Even more important is to make sure your information on the registration is current. According the American Humane Association and other animal welfare organizations an estimated ten million dogs and cats are lost or stolen every year in the United States. One in three pets will become lost at some point during their life. A study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, including over fifty animal shelters across the United States were able to confirm that a high rate of animals that were returned to their owners was due to them being microchipped. Those dogs and cats with microchips were more
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likely to be returned to their families. The importance of microchip registration cannot be emphasized enough. Statistics indicated that: •O nly about 25% of dogs that entered the animal shelters were reunited with their families. However, the return-to-owner rate for dogs with microchips was over fifty-two percent, a major improvement. •L ess than 3% of lost cats that entered the animal shelters were reunited with their families. The return-to-owner rate for cats with microchips was dramatically higher at over thirty-eight percent, again a major improvement.
Micro-Chip for Maximum Return
The pet microchip is a simple product of our highly technological society. The chip itself is no bigger than a grain of rice. The cost is generally no more than a month’s supply
of pet food. A pet microchip and enrollment in a pet recovery database brings lost pets home and provides peace of mind that your beloved companion will never wander unknown. Pet sitters, trainers, shelters, rescues, Veterinarians and groomers encourage microchipping and with very good reason—microchipping substantially increases the likelihood of a pet returning home by offering secure, reliable, unique and permanent identification.
Micro-Chip is Not a Guarantee
There is never any 100% guarantee that a lost pet will be found or returned to the rightful owner, however, with microchipping a responsible owner can greatly increase the likelihood of regaining their pet should it become lost (or stolen) for any reason. The process is simple: A microchip no bigger than a grain of rice, can implanted by a veterinarian or tech under a veterinarian direction. The chip can be implanted into all kinds of pets -- from reptiles and birds to cats and dogs. The device carries a number, and this number is plugged into a database that includes the name and contact information of a pet’s owner. There are two major companies: AVID and HomeAgain are the largest sellers of the microchips. There are other companies, but the most important item is to make sure the number is registered. There are now universal readers as the reading of the chip used to be a challenge. Sometimes the chip can float under the skin, so those looking for a chip should always scan the entire body of the animal, just in case the chip might have moved.
solution. In addition to tags, microchips theoretically provide a surefire, permanent identification method for pets. Also, dog thieves can easily remove dog tags, but it would take a difficult surgical procedure to remove a microchip.
Heddie is a Certified Humane Educator and member of APDT, APLB, APHE and NHES sharing a lifelong passion of helping children and the elderly learn manners reinforcement with their pets through the PawZone In-Home PetSitting. You can reach her at 816.820.5829.
Micro-Chipping is Important
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters, thousands of pets have been left stranded, homeless and separated from owners. These situations highlight the need for a permanent identification system to reunite animal with master. Microchip implants offer such a www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - March 2015
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moving to a New Apartment or Home? Moving to a new apartment or home may be one of the most stressful life events you’ll ever have to tackle. But, if you think it is stressful for you, consider the challenges for your pet!
What about a dog park? Is it safe for pets? How much traffic? Are there lots of kids and other dogs? Just taking in the surroundings, before you pick our your next dream apartment, might prevent future problems.
In the chaos of cardboard boxes, packing tape and moving trucks, your pet can sense and feel your stress. This stress will add to his stress and you may see some unusual behavior. Here are some ideas to make the move easier for your pet — and you!
Choosing the Right Layout
Choosing a New Neighborhood First
Start by looking at the neighborhood. Does the area fit your lifestyle? Is it convenient to your work, schools, grocery stores, doctors’ offices, etc.? Is there a place for your dog or cat to get out and exercise?
When it comes to square footage, the needs of cats and dogs differ greatly. For your feline friends, ensure your potential new space allows for plenty of room to build vertically — it’s easy to create vertical space with shelving, such as kitty blocks on top of furniture, or buy a scratching post – saving your furniture and providing interest! For your pooch, it may be a different story. Older dogs, puppies and dogs with house training issues may need to go outside on a regular basis. So look for options with first floor doors, minimal steps and easy in and out access. If you have a dog that needs lots of exercise, look at close by off-leash dog parks or clean, safe walking trails. The last thing you will want to do after a long day of work is drive several miles to exercise your pet.
Regulations
Ask first – not after! If you are moving to a new city or neighborhood, ask about local pet regulations. Ask the complex for breed, weight and size restrictions. Ask about local government or neighborhood rules and requirements. Ask for this information before you sign a contract or lease.
Packing up Your Home
Cats aren’t big fans of change. You can help your cats (and skittish dogs) adjust to the moving process by starting early. Bring home moving boxes and begin the 26
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Pet Magazine | St. Louis - February 2014
packing process in just one room. If possible, keep furry friends in one of their favorite rooms and the room you plan to pack last.
Moving Day
On the actual moving day, keep your pets in a quiet room with the door shut, or at a friend’s house. This will ensure that your cat or dog won’t get scared and try to make a quick getaway while the movers are loading up the truck. The last thing you want to do is be searching for your pet, and trying to move!
Planning Your Road Trip
Some pets love car rides, others don’t like them and will let you know. Before you put your pet in a car for that long road trip, take some short trips first. Using a crate is a good idea for safety reasons. If your pet isn’t comfortable in the crate, start by getting your pet comfortable with the crate. Leave the door open and leave a treat inside. Let your dog or cat grow comfortable with the crate. Eventually, close the crate door and try carrying your pets around the house or taking a short drive. You can help your pets develop a positive association with the crate by providing treats and playtime at the conclusion of crate time.
them to other rooms in the house, while keeping some doors shut. For dogs, make sure the fence is secure or put your dog on a leash and go outside for a potty break. The last thing you want is for your dog or cat to get lost at your new home. Moving to a new home can be stressful, but with a little planning, it can be made easier for you and your four legged friends. Happy Home Hunting! When you go looking for your next apartment, consider the seven pet friendly apartment complexes, six with with dog parks, managed by GEM Property Management, LLC. They are located in various areas around St. Louis and even offer some great people amenities! Visit the website at www.gempm.com to view the properties to find the perfect home for you and Fido! For more information visit www.gempm. com
Settling In To Your New Place
When you arrive at your new home, regardless of whether you have moved from one state to another, or just across town, it will be tempting to set your dog or cat loose in the house to explore. DON’T! A new and unfamiliar space can be overwhelming to your pets. Start by allowing them to adjust to one room — a “home base”— which should include favorite toys, treats, water and food bowls, and litter box for cats. When they seem comfortable, gradually introduce www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - March 2015
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The Next Adventures of Chip
ETHICS/MORALES by Heddie Leger
Recap from Chapter 14: Chip was totally perplexed. It was getting dark, he sat down under a bench and decided to rest a bit when a big pick-up truck came circling around. It had a kennel in the back and big letters that said, ANIMAL CARE and CONTROL with pictures of animals on the sides. A big burly man with a hat got out and started walking towards him….. Chip thought to himself, “Should I run away or stay safely under the bench. Maybe he would not see me……he does not look like a very kind person…..” As the man got closer, Chip tried to make himself small by cowering farther back behind the bench, then Chip realized this was not a man at all, but a very large woman. Her face was weathered and tired looking. Her eyes looked like she had not slept in days. He felt an instant connection when their eyes met. “Here boy,” she said with a kindness to her voice. He was still very confused, but with darkness coming on felt like he had no choice as he did not feel safe outside in the dark with no shelter, so slowly Chip crawled out, thinking, “oh my, I hope this is not a mistake. I am going to have to trust this lady, no matter how scared I am. I wonder if this is how my MawMaw felt that night we got separated? and I wonder if this lady helped my MawMaw? There is no place for me to go, so I guess this is better than nothing. Maybe at least I will get 28
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ETHICS/MORALS: the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation something to eat and drink.” So Chip let her place the collar and leash over his head and let her walk him to the truck. The first thing the lady did was run a wand like thing over his body. “Darn, he could hear her say, No MicroChip. Now how am I going to find this dog’s owners?” She sighed a deep, tired sigh, put him in one of the crates in the back of the pick-up and he could feel the truck begin to move faster and faster. The trees passed by like a blur and he began to feel dizzy and nauseous, he
thought he was going to get sick to his stomach when the truck stopped. The lady got out and lifted the crate from the back of the truck and put it in a wire outside kennel and opened the door. “I am too tired to deal with you tonight,” she said. She set some food and water in the kennel, left the door to the crate open so he could have some shelter, left the kennel and locked the gate. She then got back in the truck and drove off. Chip sat there watching the truck drive away and felt very lonely. He was not so scared anymore as he felt the lady meant him no harm, but he was very hungry, thirsty and tired, so he had something to eat, drink and curled up in the crate on the cushion of blankets she had left and went to sleep. Chip dreamed of his MawMaw and siblings that night. He somehow felt they had been at this place and felt their presence, or perhaps it was their lingering scent.
Moral courage is a rare commodity, even more than bravery in battle or great intelligence ~ Robert F. Kennedy ~ cute collar and scarf. He heard her tell some people that he had to stay at least five days, but there was no danger of euthanasia. “Now that is a new word,” Chip thought to himself. “I wonder what that means?” It was not long before he found out. Chip smelled that awful smell again, and heard some of the dogs crying in a very scared voice, then he saw someone carry a limp body out to another door, and thought to himself, oh my, that dog is not breathing !!!!! He put it together in his little brain and realized that something made the dog limp and not
All night long, Chip could hear dogs barking and a few cats meowing. They did not really sound scared, but the barking kept waking him up. He covered his ears with his paws and fell asleep this way. The next thing he knew it was daylight and the lady was standing at the kennel gate smiling and laughing. She had never seen a dog try to cover it’s ears and he had fallen asleep that way. He was so sound asleep he had not heard the truck drive up. “Well now, little dog, let’s see if we can clean you up and find you a home.” Chip saw the same flag flying with the crimson cross and realized he was in the same state meaning he had not traveled that far, but it seemed like he was a million miles from home. The lady gave him a bath, a clean www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - March 2015
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Humane Education Point Ethics and morals help us live safely with each other. If we did not have rules of conduct, people would go around doing whatever they wanted, even if it hurt others. A world without rules, ethics and morals would be very chaotic. What ethics and morals do you live by? breathe and the smell must be other dogs like that one as he did not see any of them come out of the room. He figured out that they stopped breathing, went limp, got placed in the room where the smell came from and never came out, which means they were not ever coming back.
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Chip had a horrible sick feeling in his stomach and got nauseous all over again. He was so scared they were going to do that to him, he was feeling panicky and frantic to get away. He started to howl, scream, scratch, jump and bark. He just did not know what else to do with his fear. A nice young girl came in and calmed him down, gave him a treat and took for a walk. Chip began to feel better. He wanted so badly for this nice person to take him away, find his MawMaw, tell him where he was and where his MawMaw was. He wanted so badly to know she was safe and did not end up in that room. The young girl, found another one of those wand things and ran it over his body again. This time the wand beeped. Not only did it beep once, but it beeped twice. The girl smiled with joy, and called for the older lady to come and look at the wand. They talked for a while and put Chip back in his kennel.
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Chip just did not know what to think. They seemed happy enough, but he did not know why. What he did not know is the lady had made a promise to herself to find him a home. She felt it was not ethical to euthanize healthy dogs, and made a moral commitment to keep him safe and find him a home. He was about to embark on yet another journey. He had a microchip, he heard her
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MetroPet Magazine | St. Louis - March 2015
Learn about how the ethic of the value of life keeps our society safe. Discuss ways we enforce those morals of the value of life.
say, and she made a promise to the young girl to do her best to find out where I came from and how to get me back home. But what was the second beep, two microchips, what could that possibly mean? Chip felt like it was a good thing he had a microchip. They way both of the people were smiling, for the first time he felt like good things were going to happen for him. Heddie is a Certified Humane Educator and member of APDT, APLB, APHE and NHES sharing a lifelong passion of helping children and the elderly learn manners reinforcement with their pets through the PawZone In-Home PetSitting. You can reach her at 816.820.5829.
Pet Easter Egg Hunt Story Discussion Tips • How did Chip feel when he saw the lady was kind? • How do you think Chip felt when he heard the dogs barking in fear? • What did the girl do that made Chip feel better? • What would you have done? • How did the lady in the story indicate her ethics towards the value of life? What did that person say or do to show you ethics or morals?
Saturday, March 28 11 am & 1 pm Treats Unleashed Ladue store 8861-B Ladue Road Register online now! 1,000’s of eggs filled with treats and prizes Check in begins 1 hour before each hunt! $5 registration donation per pet benefits Rescued Racers NO retractable leashes, please. Sponsored by
www.treats-unleashed.com www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - March 2015
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Chip’s Corner 32
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PAWZZLE
by Pawlean Journe
Answers to this Pawzzle can be found in the Breed of the Month story on page 19.
ACROSS 2.
Their personality is known as _______________.
5.
There is a certain ____________ about this breed.
7.
One color this breed comes in?
10. Shape of the eyes? 12. This breed is a good fit for ________________ dwellers. 13. Their coat should be _______________ once or twice
18. The Dandie will willingly _______________ your property. 20. They should be brushed _________________. 21. What is their most distinctive feature? 22. It is best to keep this breed on leash as they are prone to ___________. 23. This breed is ______________ in nature.
a year. 16. Body lenght of this breed. 17. Animal this breed was used to hunt?
DOWN 1.
Color of the eyes?
3. Name one type of pocket pet this breed might not be good with. 4.
The Dandie Dinmont has __________ legs.
6.
What type of coat does this breed have?
8.
Country this breed orignated in?
February Pawzzle Answers
9. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is considered a _________ breed. 11. A good romp in the ________________ will suffice for this little dog. 12. This breed makes an ________________ companion. 14. This trait can make them a bit challenging to train. 15. Their coat is prone to little to no _____________. 19. Expression of the eyes. 22. One ailment that this breed is prone to getting.
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www.gempm.com GEM Property Management, LLC, manages seven apartment complexes in the greater St. Louis area. Each one is pet friendly, and six have dog parks next to the complexes. Please visit the website for complete details.
Pet Food, Supplies, Grooming Treats Unleashed
www.treats-unleashed. com Treats Unleashed is a holistic pet specialty store with an in-store bakery. Treats has five St. Louis locations. Each one offers a full line of holistic pet foods and treats. The stores also offer a full-line of pet products — toys, beds, collars, leashes, etc. Some locations offer a self-serve bath area and/ or grooming services.
www.earthborn
holisticpetfood.com Earthborn Holistic® offers a wholesome approach to nutrition with high-quality ingredients that nourish the whole pet, dogs and cats. Every holistic pet food formula is designed to offer balanced nutrients that support your pet’s overall health and physical well-being. Natural Food for Pets.100% Satisfaction Guaranteed Or Your Money Back.
Loving Hearts Pet Memorial Services
1631 W. 5th St. Eureka, MO 636-587-8880 www.lovingheartspet.com Loving Hearts was started by two families to provide the highest level of pet cremation services possible. The owners bring over 100 years of assisting grieving pet owners. We are committed to treating each pet as if it were one of our own. In your time of need, we will be there for you.
Pet Waste Mgmt & Products
Yucko’s
Pet Friendly Car Dealership
Lou Fusz Subaru of Creve Couer
10329 Old Olive Street Rd St. Louis, MO 314-994-1500 www.subaru.fusz.com
At Lou Fusz Subaru - St Louis, it’s not just about buying a car. It’s about finding the right car for YOU. That means, we take the time to get to know you — your aesthetic preferences, your hobbies, your driving habits and your pets! Come visit our pet friendly dealership and dog park!
Showcase Your Company in the MetroPet Magazine Directory Listing! Your company can be in 12 print issues and online for a full year for about $2/day! Call Nancy 314-650-7959 or 913-548-1433 34
Pet Cremation Services
MetroPet Magazine | St. Louis - March 2015
www.yuckos.com
Weekly - Every Other Week - Once A Month One Times Or Just Because..!
314-291-POOP (7667) Service
Free Estimates - No Contracts - Fully Insured Dogipot Products - Pet Stations - Litter Bags Fake Fire Hydrants And More...!
314-770-1500 Sales
Are The First Responders In Your Area Equipped With Pet Oxygen Recovery Masks?
www.PetOxygenMask.com
Veterinarians
Animal Medical Center of Wentzville 1120 W. Pearce Blvd Wentzville, MO • 636-332-4411
www.animalmedicalcenterofwentzville.com We provide friendly, honest, compassionate care for your family pet! Service include vaccine packages and parasite prevention, routine surgery, dental care; advanced surgery; full service grooming and much more. Call us or come see us to meet our incredible team.
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