May 2015
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Articles 5 Benefits of a Dog Wash 6 Congratulations! 10 May is National Arthritis Month 13 Creature Feature 14 Puppy Socialization - Part 2 18 Raising a Service Dog 18 22
22 Any Day Can Be a Memorial Day 25 Found a Wandering Dog 26 Gateway Guardian Pets 28 Breed of the Month 29 MetroPet Resource Column 30 The Next Adventures of Chip 32 Pawzzle 34 Pet Services Directory
Dear Readers: It is May, so be sure to keep an eye out for the May flowers that those April showers brought us. And, don’t forget to pause and smell them Chip-Our Founder when walking with your best friend. This issue is filled with interesting and informative articles. Read about the benefits of a dog bath on page 5 and then find a do-it-yourself doggy wash near you.
If you have ever wondered what to do about a lost dog that might wander into your life, the article on page 25 should provide some insight. Memorial Day is a holiday at the end of the month so it is appropriate that the article on page 22 tells us about ways to remember our departed best friends all year round. Our May issue is rounded out with an article on Arthritis on page 10, the Breed of the Month (page 28), the Pawzzle (page 32), Chip’s Adventure (page 30), the Creature Feature (page 13), and the Pet Services Directory on page 34. Enjoy the warmer weather!
If you recently added a new human to your family and you have pets, the article on page 8 called Congratulations! provides some information that may be as welcome as the new arrival. On page 12 you can read about the symptoms and some tips for relief of arthritis.
MetroPet Magazine P.S. Please remember to support our advertisers — Tell them , “I saw your ad in MetroPet magazine.”
Our series on puppy socialization continues on page 14, and the trials and joys of raising a service dog are recounted in the article on page 18.
Editor/Production Manager Dan O’Leary editor@metropetmag.com
Advertising Sales Nancy Hayes 314-650-7959 Dan O’Leary 913.548.1433
Magazine Layout ROI Marketing 816.942.1600 • roi@kc.rr.com
Contact MetroPet PO Box 480065 Kansas City, MO 64148 Phone: 913.548.1433 Fax: 913.387.4313
Contributing Authors Nancy Bush Piper Jamie Case Jessica Cooke Mike Deathe Becky Flannagan Geoff Hall Pawlean Journe Heddie Leger Jon Nauss, DVM Mary Sellaro
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.
Benefits of a Dog Wash by Jessica Cooke
A do-it-yourself dog wash has become an extremely popular way to bathe the family pet. There are a number of benefits associated with a do-it-yourself dog wash that include the following. • Eliminates a huge mess in your home • Easier to get all dog breeds bathed • Most dogs are not as fearful • Prevents back strain for the owner • Cost efficient Although most dog wash stations are designed with raised tubs and they feature easy access. In addition, this type of tub has a tie-down to keep the animal secure while being bathed unlike a home shower. But the unique part is the professional grooming equipment in a professional atmosphere while you accompany your pet. Although every do-it-yourself is unique, most also provide 100% natural shampoo and conditioners formulated specifically for dogs, an apron for the owner to stay dry during the bathing process, plenty of towels and even air dryers. These things combined make using this type of washing station worthwhile. However, the one aspect of this service that pet owners like most is that all the mess is cleaned up by staff members. This means no matter the type of dog or the degree of filth involved, once the wash is over the owner simply places a clean animal in the car without worrying about the mess left behind, and you have bonded with your pet. Although the cost to use a do-it-yourself dog wash might be a little more than what it would cost a person to bathe a dog at home, considering the level of convenience this is actually a cost efficient solution. This is a great alternative to washing outside or waiting for the groomer to have an opening. Even for the smallest breed, keeping up with regular maintenance and grooming can be costly. Self serve dog grooming and dog wash stations, known to some as DIY dog washes offer the perfect solution for keeping beloved animals clean and happy… and at a price everyone can afford! Self serve dog wash systems are more than a great value. In fact, to most dog owners, self service pet wash is a convenience they simply can’t live without. No wet towels, no furballs lining the bathtub, no mess to worry about at all. Millions of people have dogs that are a huge part of www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - May 2015
the family, with many of these animals living indoors and even sleeping in bed with their owners. However, dogs get dirty, which means bath time and when a quick wash is all that is needed until a full grooming from your groomer it’s a perfect solution! Jessica Cooke is the owner and lead stylist of Yuppy Puppy Pet spa. Yuppy Puppy is a full service luxury grooming spa, playcamp and boarding facility with all the comforts of home. We also offer in home pet sitting, pick up and delivery and self wash. Our professionally trained staff is kept up to date with the latest pet care knowledge. Yuppy Puppy accepts all breeds of dogs and cats. Yuppy Puppy takes caring for your fur babies as an honor and takes each individual pets needs into consideration. Yuppy Puppy is celebrating 12 years in business. Now with two locations to serve you.
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Congratulations! by Mary Sellaro
I remember when we found out I was pregnant. It was exciting, scary and actually, the news produced a myriad of emotions resembling nothing like I had felt before, or since. I became completely caught up in the moment and all I wanted to do was plan every minute of life for the next nine months and beyond. Reality hit when I thought about the 6 dogs at home, who were pretty much the center of our lives, and had no idea how their world was about to change. There was a moment of panic on my part, but then I quickly pulled it together; we can do this, has been part of the plan and I was committed to our dogs to prepare them for the changes which were about to happen. It would be so much easier if we could just sit down and explain to the dogs about the baby and the impact he or she would have on our family and routine. There were some family and friends who presumed we would either be “getting rid” of our dogs or at the very least, reducing the numbers. Imagine the surprise when we did not plan to carry out either assumption; it was never an option. The plan was simple; we had a life and a family prior to the arrival of a child. A new baby would be a welcome addition to the existence we had created.
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Once the news has had time to soak in, life gets back to semi-normal and the wait begins.
Where to start?
First things first, back to basics; reliable obedience training is a must. The time to start is as early as possible to reconnect with your dog and build a solid foundation. The goal is to give the dog every opportunity to be ready for the coming baby and the future toddler he or she will become. Consider working with a trainer in a private and/or a group setting to refresh commands, refine basic skills and solve behaviors like barking, jumping up and mouthing. It tends to be a common occurrence in training, for the dog to respond best when the human is standing up, treats in hand and no distractions. This scenario would be perfect if life could be counted on to play out this way. However, life with a baby added is anything but predictable. For this reason, practice training in various positions, sitting or lying down on a couch and on the floor; in different areas of the house, outside in the yard and on walks; around family members and company. The dog’s “baby preparedness program” will be enhanced by including baby specific items:
Consider buying or borrowing a baby doll to assist with familiarizing the dog with a tiny person both in your arms and around the house.
when the baby is with you. 7. Come-in from the yard while barking, because you have to leave, you can’t chase the dog around the yard or the neighborhood and leave the baby alone. Call the dog frequently and reward with a treat, start in the house and move outside, using a long leash even in a fenced in yard to insure the dog will return to you. Run backwards as the dog is coming to turn the exercise into a chase, have the dog sit and then treat. Slowly increase the distractions and use the long leash and continue to food reward.
The purchase of a CD with baby noises is useful to introduce and create a positive experience prior to the baby’s arrival. Begin immediately and play the CD on low and slowly increase the volume as the dog becomes familiar and comfortable with the sounds. Play with the dog and feed treats to build a positive association with the noise.
The Next Step-Time Management
Begin to expose the dog to the baby gear, for example, stroller, crib, swing, car seat, diaper bag and play pen. Practice the behaviors you would like the dog to demonstrate around the baby paraphernalia. Start early to insure and maintain success.
Have you ever had to ask your dog to wait before attending to a need? How does he or she react, for example, if there is a delay before being let out to go to the bathroom, to eat or be petted? When the baby comes, the reality of the situation is the dog may be required to wait a little longer than normal to be accommodated.
The family needs to be involved in the dog’s training and the best results will come with daily practice and consistency.
Situational Obedience Exercises
1. Sit and Down-before feeding, at your side when you stop walking, before greeting and in front of you after coming when called. 2. Controlled Walking-without pulling, on a walk, going to the car, with the doll in your arms, with the car seat in your hand, and beside the stroller with the doll. 3. Wait-before getting in and out of the car, down or up a flight of stairs, going through doors or gates. 4. Leave It-when food falls on the floor, to redirect interest in socks, diapers, trash, toys, to deter interest in or chasing objects or other animals. 5. Give It or Drop It-to release contraband items into your hand or to be dropped on the ground. 6. Down Stay-during feeding/meal times, while baby is on the floor, beside baby equipment, while changing diapers, to deter hyper activity around baby, around guests, particularly small children, in the vet’s office
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Notice how your dog seeks attention from you, does he bark, whine or paw? This could be problematic with a baby on your lap. Avoid giving your dog attention if he is using any of these methods. Consistently ask your dog to sit whenever he approaches and then he may receive attention. If the negative behavior continues, ignore the dog by standing up or walking away, do not approach him after he has been corrected. Wait for the dog to approach you again and then require a sit. Consistent practice will teach him to solicit attention politely. Plan ahead and remember once the baby arrives, the ability to spend time with your dog and maintain his needs will be less and divided with the baby’s. The time to change any feeding and exercise routines is now so your dog can acclimate by the time the baby comes.
uncomfortable or fearful, move away and create a longer distance, do not correct. •A s the dog becomes more comfortable and responds readily to commands move closer to the baby or child. •C ontinue this method until the dog and child can be in close proximity and the baby has become an ordinary event. • I f your dog is not tolerant of small children or babies, is fearful in nature or becomes overly excited and hard to control or easily distracted seek the help of a trainer before attempting any of the above.
Coming Home
For a low stress homecoming, send dad or a familiar person home before mom and the baby arrive, to take the dog for a walk to release some energy and get some one on one attention before the baby comes home.
Are there going to be any changes in the household rules? (For example, being allowed on the furniture or bed, barking at the doorbell or having limited access to any rooms or areas in the house.) Implement a schedule for the dog, with the baby being home in mind-vary exercise and feeding routines, designate quiet time for your dog daily in a crate or a safe zone with a favorite, safe chew item.
Every baby like every person has a different smell. Prior to coming home, bring in a nursing blanket, hat or something the baby has worn or has been wrapped in and allow the dog to sniff and be somewhat familiar with the baby’s scent before coming home.
Life is going to be hectic, teach your dog to cope with a schedule which will vary day to day.
The best introductions are calm ones. When doing your introduction, remember your dog will feed off of your emotions. Acting nervous or excited will cause him to respond in the same way. Talk to him in a low-keyed, soothing voice, stay calm and remember everything you have worked on the last few months to help make this moment is special one.
Socialize, Socialize and Socialize
The best way for a dog to become familiar with babies is to slowly expose them in a controlled environment, such as a friend with a baby or small child that is willing to work with you and your dog. • Begin at a distance so your dog can observe the baby’s sounds, smells and movements. • Bring treats and reward the dog for quiet curiosity, practice simple obedience commands and reward. This will help the dog to establish a positive association for the baby. If at any time the dog becomes 8
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When Mom comes home, have someone else carry the baby in and spend time greeting your dog. He has missed you and a little attention will go a long way.
Visitors are excited to see the baby and the environment may seem chaotic to the dog, have a special chew toy on hand and a quiet spot to help him relieve any stress. If your dog thrives around company, remember to implement all the manners and behaviors which you have worked so hard on. Keep in mind, the most social dog will need a break.
Keep Moving Forward
• Spend as much time with your dog as possible. • Maintain the dog’s needed outlet for exercise. A lack of time does not mean he needs less activity to remain calm and well behaved. • If someone offers to help out, take them up on it and have them walk the dog. • Give your dog down time every day. • Remember, it is perfectly natural for your dog to feel a little left out when there’s a new arrival, but you can easily reassure your dog that she hasn’t been displaced in your affections.
For consideration
If you have recently found out you are having a baby and do not currently have a dog in the home-now is NOT the time to add a dog to your family. As discussed in this article, life is going to change and it isn’t fair to take on the added responsibility of a pet only to find out that a baby and dog is too much work. The best time to add a dog can vary; however I suggest waiting until your child is at least 5 years old and will be able to understand how to be respectful and share in the care of the dog.
hand from the adults in the family.
In conclusion
In the end, my husband, our dogs and I all managed to get through our son’s growing up years in one piece. It wasn’t always easy and there were definitely more than a few stressful moments, however, we worked hard to prepare and the final outcome has been worth all of the effort put forth.
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.
In general, the age of a child and the attitude of the parents are determining factors of whether or not to have a dog is a good choice. It is important to remember a dog is not a pony, a trampoline, a toy or a babysitter. It is not up to the dog to teach a child responsibility-this is the parent’s duty. As the child gets older, they may become busy and lose interest in a dog. If this is the case, the dog will still need love, time, and attention, exercise, to be fed and let out on a daily basis. If the parents aren’t willing to step in as caregivers, the best choice is not to have a dog. When a dog is given up for a lack of time or interest, the parents are giving the child the impression that dogs are disposable. This is an example which is best not learned. The relationship between a dog and child or children should be one of mutual trust and respect. Dogs can provide and teach many positive things to kids as well as being a treasured friend with a helping www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - May 2015
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May is National Arthritis Month by Jon Nauss, DVM
By now, the April showers have brought those May flowers. And the warmer weather and longer days have likely brought more time outside and longer walks or more trips to the dog park for you and your dog. Perhaps the long cold winter has made your friend a little slower and it will take some time to work the kinks out and get back in shape. Or perhaps your friend is starting to show more signs of a common finding in dogs, arthritis. Surely, not every dog that begins to slow down or takes an extra stretch in the morning has developed arthritis, but the following are some common
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questions that might help you frame a discussion with your veterinarian. My dog is a puppy, thankfully I don’t have to worry about arthritis. There are many things a pet owner has to worry about with a puppy. Accidents in the house, chewing on furniture, obedience, regular vaccinations, spaying or neutering and adjusting to a new home are just a few. And, unfortunately, arthritis. Most puppies will not have
arthritis, but they may have the conditions right to develop arthritis as they age. During the puppy exams and the first annual check up, your veterinarian will likely check the conformation and stability of your puppy’s joints. There are certain
conditions like luxating patellas, elbow and hip dysplasia or irregular vertebrae that may be apparent early in life, and, if present, indicate to your veterinarian that early onset of arthritis is likely. Surgical correction is possible for many conditions and early intervention is almost always best. Consult with your veterinarian about early indicators of arthritis and learn what you can do. I’m not sure what the signs of arthritis are, what should I look for? The signs and symptoms of arthritis tend to be straight forward. Animals experiencing arthritis will likely limp, walk stiffly or favor certain legs. You may even notice muscle atrophy if the condition has been going on long enough. Other things to look out for are a hesitancy to go up or down stairs, run, jump, play or do things your pet has always liked to do in the past. Well, now I’m suspicious my dog has arthritis, what do I do now? The first thing you should do is grab a pen and paper and start writing everything down you can remember about your pets’ symptoms. Try to think of which leg has been affected
the most, how long has it been going on, have the symptoms become worse, stayed the same or improved. Next, contact your veterinarian and express your concerns and schedule an office visit or consultation. If your veterinarian has an email or file sharing system, try sending him or her a video of the signs you are observing at home. The more information you can provide, the better. A thorough physical examination with possible bloodwork, x-rays and potentially other tests will likely be able to determine if your pet has arthritis, the potential cause and the severity of the condition.
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I thought arthritis was just and old dog condition, why would my younger dog have it?
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During the visit with your veterinarian, he or she will likely discuss potential causes for arthritis. Some of these include joint instability or injury, infection, autoimmune and even tick bites.
Dr. Nauss Tina, Groomer
Ok, so my dog has arthritis, what pills do I give him? Treatment for arthritis involves a combination of medicines, supplements and lifestyle changes. Your veterinarian may want to start your pet on anti-inflammatories. These medications are not innocuous and your veterinarian may require regular blood tests while your pet is taking them. Your pet may also be started on joint supplements containing compounds aimed at protecting the health of the cartilage in their joints. Other treatments may include supplementation with Omega 3 Fatty Acids and a prescription diet. Often times, giving these supplements will lower the need for anti-inflammatories. Do some research ahead of your appointment and consult with your veterinarian about the best treatment options for your pet. Is there anything else I can do for my pet with arthritis? There are a number of non-medicine treatment www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - May 2015
Full Service Hospital
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options for pets with arthritis. First, is weight control. Arthritis and the pain and inflammation associated with it are only compounded by added weight. Ensure your pet has regular, controlled, low impact exercise to keep the joints active and the weight off. Consult with your veterinarian about a proper weight and exercise routine for your pet. Other ways to help include soft bedding, massages and range of motion exercises. It may be necessary to place food and water bowls in convenient locations or elevated from the floor. Some pets benefit from ramps or stairs to help them navigate onto and off of furniture or beds. This is why I got a cat, they don’t get arthritis, right? While it may be less prevalent in the cat community, arthritis is still something cat owners should be aware of. The signs are much the same, to include an unkempt coat. It can be difficult with arthritis for you cat to reach everywhere she once did for grooming. If your
suspicious your cat may be showing signs of arthritis, consult your veterinarian. As you and your pet are out smelling the flowers, keep an eye out for early signs of arthritis... and bees.
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. 12
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Creature Feature Budgerigar (Budgie) or Parakeet Melopsittacus undulatus by Geoff Hall Summary: Budgerigars are pint-sized parrots that are worthy of your love and attention provided you commit to a lifetime of care for this colorful and charming bird. Sex Differences/Size/Lifespan: The cere (area of skin around the nostrils) of male budgies is blue while females are brownish. They grow to a length of eight inches long with an eight-inch wingspan and can live up to 15 years. Natural Habitat: Budgies are native to the dry interior of Australia and are found wherever suitable food and water is available. Costs: Several color variants from the wild green and yellow parakeet have been selectively bred and prices reflect the rarity of various color mutations, usually from $15-$50. Medical Care: Locate a local veterinarian experienced in avian medicine prior to acquisition of your pet and seek their expertise if you are concerned about the health of your pet budgie. Care: Budgies are social birds in nature and frequently occur in large flocks up to several thousand individuals. Unless you are able to spend much of your day at home interacting with your pet, please consider keeping two together as companions. Provide the largest wire cage or aviary you can afford and keep your birds away from drafts. Offer perches of different sizes and materials and cover their cage at night to prevent night panic. Diet: The dietary needs of budgies can be easily met through a high-quality pellet diet from a good pet store www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - May 2015
supplemented with small seeds and, occasionally, a spray of millet. Where to Buy: Budgerigars are readily available through reputable pet stores and private bird breeders. Please consider adopting a couple of budgies from local bird rescue groups. Other: Unfortunately, some people view parakeets as a “starter” pet bird and more disposable. They are, in fact, a very intelligent and often humorous bird that can make a delightful pet for the dedicated and informed owner. Fun Fact: Budgies can often be trained to mimic human voices and a budgie named Puck holds the record for the largest vocabulary of any bird in the world with an astonishing 1,728 words!
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
Puppy Socialization How and Why! Part 2 of 3
by Mike Deathe If you had an 8-10 week old puppy and you read last month’s article, hopefully you have been diligently working on the people socialization list. Not only have you introduced your pup to all the folks on the list, you have allowed Fido to interact with all those folks and included food and treats as a way to associate everyone with positive, not scary, encounters – and fun! You now have a 13-14 week puppy that loves people, but you cannot stop there! The next stage is to introduce the ideas of a soft mouth and socialization from a places and things viewpoint. This developmental stage lasts until about 18 weeks of age, so you have about one month to get this next level of training and socialization done. Keep in mind if you have an older dog it does not mean you and your dog are lost causes. Rather it means you missed the opportunity to shape personality and will have to work on changing behaviors using replacement behaviors and rewards to see change. Any certified trainer should be able to help you if you need it.
Soft Mouth and Hand Feeding
We want to make sure that Fido understands • That he is not allowed to bite the hand that feeds him. • That he needs you to get the things he wants. 14
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• •
That being patient will get him what he wants. That the first priority is to pay attention.
For the next 30 days, you need to hand feed your pup. I don’t mean handfuls of food. I mean actually one piece of kibble at a time, from your hand to Fido’s mouth. You will focus on two basic commands or cues: • EZ or Gentle — just teaching Fido to take the food nice and to quit “Land Sharking” fingers. When Fido lunges, simple pull your hand back and quietly and calmly say “EZ” or “Gentle,” and try again. In no time Fido will realize if he approaches the hand, the slower and calmer he is, the more food you will give him! • Wait & Take — this one comes after you get EZ or Gentle working and now you up the ante. You ask Fido to “Wait.” Wait is nothing more than a couple of seconds pause before you tell Fido to go ahead and “Take It.” Mastering this one will teach Fido that he needs to have both patience and impulse control to get what he wants. Now, while you are Hand Feeding (I would split the feeding to half in the morning and half for dinner), you will have to continue the socialization work from Part 1, but, instead of people, we are going to focus on places and things.
To be clear: while we are moving on to places and things, we will not quit working with people. You need to be continuing that work for at least the next several months of your pooche’s life if not forever. Let’s face it we all want happy healthy dogs that love people and that takes work!
Getting Started with Places!
These are the places you are going to need to take Fido as he grows up. We want to start making short, positive trips to these places. Just go and have several people give out treats and interact with your pup. In no time you will have covered all these locations and Fido will love them all. Remember whether it is through you, or people in the environments, give plenty of tasty treats to associate with fun!
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Veterinarian Boarding Kennel Groomer Daycare Pet Shop/Store Schools Playgrounds Parks Suburban Neighborhood Residential Streets Woods High Traffic Area (downtown) Parking lots Inside Dog Friendly Businesses Dog friendly events (trials, dog and jog, pool closings and such)
Remember, if possible, keep your pup in your arms, not on the ground, so he can experience
these places positively. And, remember keep the pup safe until fully vaccinated!
Events
You also need to expose your pup to a number of different events, including the
following. • Dog Training Facilities/ Locations • Sporting Events • Birthday Parties • Holiday celebrations • Church/Civic Center Social Events • School Events • Inside and riding in car • Inside and riding in boat • Drive through at banks and restaurants
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Surfaces
As weird as this sounds, dogs get accustomed to what they experience on a regular basis so if you have a dog who has spent his entire life on grass and you take him somewhere with slippery linoleum, you can about guarantee he is going to freak out! So there are plenty of field trips to places with different surfaces where you can take your pup. Below is a short list of these places. Again, take treats and have your pup interact with fun people! • Dirt • Grass • Gravel • Asphalt • Sand • Tile • Concrete • Granite or Marble • Slick surfaces • Puddles or just wet • Carpet • Metal • Something a dog can see through (glass or grating) • Stairs • Escalators • Elevators • Wood
Visuals and Noises
This next list includes visuals and noises that can freak out dogs. We are going to focus on introducing these things, one at a time, to Fido as a pup with fun (game of fetch, chase) or treats. If Fido learns early on that these things are actually fun, then he won’t freak out later on. Keep your experiences short and positive! If you see a fear reaction, simply allow Fido to move away until he is comfortable and allow him plenty of time to
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adjust. Remember, if you force Fido to experience something he is not ready for, you may make him fearful of that item for his entire life. • Sirens • Car Horns - Traffic • Thunderstorms • Fairs and Festivals • Wheel Chairs • Walkers • Crutches • Bikes • Skateboards • Radios and Music • Cell Phones and Ringers • Cars • Motorcycles • Doorbells • Knocking on doors • Trucks (Big and Small) • Buses • Rollerblades • Garbage cans • Shopping carts • Baby Strollers • Pots and pans • Blankets and sheets (being shaken out, folded, and just the item) • Brooms • Hand and full size power tools • Brooms • Balloons • Umbrellas • Plastic bags shopping and trash (moving and just there) • Barking dogs • Burning wood • Crying babies • Blow up displays • Full wall mirrors • Nerf or water guns • Vacuum • Stairs • Hula hoops
• • • • • • • •
Gym equipment TV Clapping (applause) Yelling and shouting (sporting events) Dropping pots and pans Leaves blowing in the wind Rain, Snow & all other kinds of weather Garage doors and openers
Smells
While this one might seem a little weird, smelling is Fido’s strongest sense and from that standpoint, his biggest distraction. So if we can focus, as a pup, that we need to pay attention to Mom or Dad when these smells are around, your life with a juvenile or adolescent Fido will be way easier. My suggestion is working lots of hand feeding with Fido in the presences of these smells! • Pizza • BBQ/Grilling • Kitchen cooking • Food courts and restaurants (outdoor or allowed) • Car and Truck exhaust • Gasoline and fumes • Paint • Rubbing Alcohol • Dog Food other than yours • Something Rotten • Cleaning Supplies • Deodorizing sprays • Candles • Baby stuff (wipes diapers ointments) • Perfume/cologne
Equipment
Equipment is a commonly forgotten socialization step with dogs. It is important to get them used to all sorts of different apparatus that they might encounter as an adult dog. Simple having these things around while feeding your pup by hand can pay huge dividends. You just never know what kind of stuff your dog might need to use or clothing humans might wear. A pup that is used to being touched and manipulated by humans, and likes it, is a dog with a bright future. • Buckle or quick release collar • Harness • Leash • Crate • Vest • Cooling Coat • Muzzles • Exercise Pen • Tie outs and tethers • Boots if necessary in your neck of the woods
• • • • • •
Birds (wild and pet) Cats Farm Animals Geese and ducks Reptiles Huge dogs
Tiny Dogs
While these steps might seem to be common sense and easy, the socialization process can be frustrating and having a professional to help and ask questions can be a huge. Don’t hesitate to call a professional dog trainer if you need help. Remember you only get one chance to socialize your pup, so do it right! The next and final article will be about how to set Rules and Routines in your home. After that you will be ready for your first Group class.
Mike Deathe is an avid pet lover who found his passion as a dog trainer. Since 2008 he has trained thousands of pet parents on how to live with their companion animals. He writes the Keep It Simple Stupid dog blog (K.I.S.S). Deathe authored The Book of Pee and Poop, and Forever Home — Dog 101 and How to be a Better Shelter Volunteer. Follow Deathe’s blog at @http://muttzmembers. blogspot.com/ or the website @ www. kissdogtraining.com.
Other Animals
Lastly introducing your pup to other animals is critical to having a well-balanced dog. Not only do they need to deal with other animals from a paying attention to you standpoint, but they might some day be asked to live with one of the animals on this list. Introductions need to be short and under control. Ten super short interactions under control are way better than one long interaction that results in over stimulation or not paying attention. • Small critters (squirrels and rabbits) • Small animals, pets (hamsters, gerbils and ferrets) www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - May 2015
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Raising a Service Dog by Becky Flannagan
Have you ever given up something you love? If you’re a parent, you’ve said goodbye to your child. On a diet? You may give up fatty foods. If you’re religious, you may give something up for a holiday. If you’re an employee, you may give your project to the next person on the team. Me? I’m giving up something, too. Poet. Likely, you’ve seen Service Dogs at work; most of us have. But have you ever stopped to think of the behindthe-scenes preparation that goes into the final product of a canine companion? We’ve had Poet 18 months. He came to us as a 9 lb ball of fluff, bred specifically from Canine Companions for Independence to help someone with a disability other than blindness. Now he’s 70 lbs of pure FOCUS. He’s 18
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ready to go onto the next phase of his life: Advanced Training. It wasn’t easy getting to this point. He must walk over man-hole covers in the street, overlook active squirrels, ignore playful children in the mall, disregard thunderstorms while getting into his person’s disabled-equipped van, rest quietly under a restaurant table, endure long flights without rustling, behave on a cruise ship. He’s working. I have trained several dogs for Canine Companions for Independence but Poet was my daughter Faith’s first project. Faith is a sophomore in the Wentzville School District (Liberty H.S.). Faith has a B+ average, is yearbook editor, school photographer and Wrestling manager, is active in Student Council, Key Club, Bully Prevention Club, and Pep Club. We’ve trained Poet to respond to voice commands because his person may have limited strength/mobility. He could be placed with a wounded veteran. Or a child with autism. Or a working adult in a wheelchair. Or a court house dog who can soothe the child who’s been exposed to violent crime or extreme sexual abuse. He must be adaptable to his person. He will be.
This doesn’t happen overnight. Training has come in the form of consistent stability whether we’re sick, having a dinner party, tired from work, distracted by circumstances. Sometimes, training has been just inconvenient. We’ve questioned our decision to do this. Training a Service Dog is more tiring than we imagined. Sometimes, when he’s in his comfort zone after a full meal, we jump up from our dinner, and go through commands. We’ll stop in the middle of a movie and ask him to “stand”. We’ve tried to think like his future companion, and acclimate him to every situation he may encounter in the future. One of the bright points to training is when his lightbulb goes off; just when we think we’re ready to call it a day, Poet gets the command. Something clicks and he understands. That gives us the strength to keep going----to go on to the next command.
The road to Poet’s success hasn’t been easy. Last year at Christmas, when Poet was six months old, we went to Mid Rivers Mall for a day of shopping. When we took the glass elevator, Poet was rattled. We realized he could use some repetition, so,we rode the elevator for an hour, riding up and down, exiting and entering, using positive
I suppose that’s like being a parent. Canine Companions for Independence (www. cci.org) was started in 1975 and is the leader in service dog preparation. Their dogs undergo extensive breeding selection, 18 months of Puppy Raising, 6 months of Advanced Training, and then are placed with their graduate after a 2-week, intensive Team Training. Being part of this elite organization has given us the opportunity to look through someone else’s eyes, to walk a mile in their shoes, to step outside ourselves. We’ve been to most all quadrants of St. Louis: O’Fallon and Wentzville, St. Peters and St. Charles, we’ve trained at the Galleria and West County Malls. He’s been on flights to Columbus and Salt Lake City. He’s met thousands of people. And most importantly, he’s been welcomed with open arms at WalMart, Dierberg’s, Shop ‘n’ Save, Wehrenberg Theatre, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Target, Red Robin, the Art Museum and every other retail place we’ve visited. www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - May 2015
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reinforcement, until he realized the elevator wasn’t going to eat him alive. We’ve since visited glass elevators and he handles them like a champ. For a Service Dog to be adaptable to his/her future graduate, she/he must be exposed to as many situations with his Puppy Raiser as possible. This includes church, shopping, umbrellas, elevators, airplanes, fireworks, car rides, other animals, loud concerts, chaotic sports events, airport moving sidewalks, food buffet lines, wedding events, toileting on any surface and in any weather. Poet has seen them all. He’s ready. Now we have to learn to let go. Poet will go to Advanced Training next week. We’ve grown accustomed to having him with us 24/7, to anticipate his moves as if we were his future graduate, to interpreting his mood and help him through uncertainties. Now the question remains…..Are we READY? Poet, you’re ready for greatness. You’re ready to be someone’s arms. You’ll be someone’s independence. We can’t seem to stop `our tears. In a few short days, we’ll watch you walk away for the last time, as you walk into your Advanced Training facility. Please don’t look at our tears. Ignore them just like squirrels and cats and gerbils and birds and energetic children. After six more months, these tears will dry when I get to present you to your forever person. Poet, you’re our boy. This is our goodbye. 20
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But soon, it’ll be someone else’s hello. And you’ll be changing their world, just like you changed ours. Watching someone build their wings then allowing them to fly is one of the greatest gifts. Maybe this is like being a parent. Or being on a diet. Poet, we are very very very proud of you. Goodbye, boy. Do good. Poet is from Canine Companions for Independence, the first/biggest/oldest non-profit Service Dog organization in the world (http:// www.cci.org). He was intentionally bred for this work, and he will go to a person with a disability other than blindness (wounded veteran, autistic child, wheelchair-bound adult, rehab facility, Courthouse Jury dogs, etc). Canine Companions for Independence is the nation’s first and largest non-profit provider of assistance dogs for children, adults and veterans with disabilities. They have an exceptional breeding program utilizing advanced technology. They breed Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers and crosses of the two. Puppies are whelped in breeder caretaker homes where they are given great care and gently introduced to people, sounds, and smells.
At eight weeks of age, the puppies are sent to be with their volunteer puppy raisers where they will stay till they are 15-20 months of age. Puppy raisers give a safe home, take them to obedience classes, feed a healthy diet and provide socialization opportunities while showering the puppy with lots of love. They then turn them in for Advanced Training (in OH, CA, FL, TX, WA, NY). Here, they will learn to open/ close doors, retrieve phones/bottles, turn on/off lights, help with the laundry, pull off socks/jackets, retrieve dropped items, pull a wheelchair, assist in paying for goods, etc. Poet’s Vet was Dr. Marcy Hammerle at The Pet Doctor in Winghaven. Raising a puppy is very costly, as I’m sure you know. CCI does not help us with any of those costs (probably don’t put that in the article, in case that dissuades someone from looking into puppy raising).
www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - May 2015
She was instrumental in our decision to raise him because she did everything for him at her cost. AND she offered to do it again with the next puppy.....before I even asked. The day I took him in for a final picture with him, to say goodbye, she began crying. This woman is amazing. So if I want to publicly thank her.
Becky Flannagan is a Wife, mother of two, owner of Beckys Portraits in O’Fallon (MO), have volunteered for Canine Companions for 25 years, masters degree from THE Ohio State University.
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Any Day Can Be Memorial Day by Nancy Bush Piper CGRS, CPLP
Most of us were brought up with rituals which follow the death of a human – visitations, funeral services or memorial services, perhaps burial in a cemetery. When our beloved pets die, we do not have rituals to fall back on. So often we do nothing. However, rituals help us heal, by helping us accept the reality of death, but acknowledging the loved one’s existence and meaning in our lives. You do not have to wait until Memorial Day or a special day to memorialize your pet. It doesn’t matter when you have a ceremony, a celebration, an event to honor your loved one who has passed. It can be months or even years later. The significant part is to do something to recognize the importance of your pet in your life, to help you in your journey through grief. The ceremony could be something formal in a chapel; 22
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it could be in your living room, on your patio, around a fire pit, or anywhere that is meaningful to you. Gather friends who knew your beloved companion. Tell stories, read poems, play music, do whatever that is right for you to express your grief. It doesn’t matter how long your pet has been gone from you, this is something that will help you with your grief.
Other ideas for memorializing your pet:
Plant a tree, bush or flower in one of your pet’s favorite places or where you can see it from a window in your house. Invite friends to attend the planting event. This can be a time to share stories. Have a candle-lighting ceremony. Place a lit candle in the middle of a table. Each person attending would take turns, lighting his/her candle from the center candle and sharing a memory of the departed pet. End with a song,
a prayer or a poem. Set up a memorial area in your home, with pictures, the pet’s urn (if applicable), hair clippings, paw prints, toys, collar and leash, awards won, favorite treats, anything meaningful to you to memorialize your pet.
Create an announcement of your pet’s death to hand to people who inquire about your pet. You can let them read the announcement if you are not up to actually telling them. Donate a book to the local library in honor of your pet.
Create a memory book, shadow box, or wall hanging from special mementos of your pet.
Write your pet’s name on the bookplate inside the front cover of the book.
Make a photo album, scrapbook, or a collage of your pet’s pictures.
Have a professional artist create a painting of your pet from a favorite photo.
Write a story, poem or song about your pet. Write your pet’s name and an endearment or remembrance on a balloon, then release the balloon, perhaps with a favorite song playing. Use your artistic abilities to create something in memory of your pet; a sculpture, a painting or drawing; a piece of handwork like needlepoint or embroidery. If you kept your pet’s tags, use them on your key ring, hang them from your car’s review mirror or your bathroom mirror so your memory of your loved one will be near. Place a bench in your yard, patio, or special place with an inscription dedicated to your pet. www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - May 2015
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If you have a fur clipping or a whisker, place them in a locket to wear.
Use your imagination to come up with other special ways to memorialize your special pet.
Buy a memorial stone to put in your yard or flower bed or under a tree close to where he played. You can personalize it as you wish, with name and dates of birth and death and/or an endearment as well as perhaps an emblem such as a paw print or doggie bone.
Any number of these suggestions can be done as you travel through your grief. The memories of your beloved pet and the love you shared will always be a part of you. Your pet will always be memorialized in your heart.
Have items imprinted with your pet’s photo: a t-shirt, sweatshirt, mug, note cards, pillowcase, or sweater to mention a few.
Why Advertise in Because your customer plus 50,000+ pet lovers are reading MetroPet Magazine each month!
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Barbara 913.548.1433 OR Nancy 314.650.7959 24
MetroPet Magazine | St. Louis - May 2015
Nancy Bush Piper owns Rolling Acres Pet Memorial Center in Kansas City, MO, along with her husband Gary. Nancy and Gary are also co-owners of Loving Hearts Pet Memorial Services in St. Louis County, MO. Nancy has a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and sociology from Northwest Missouri State University. She is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist and a charter Certified Pet Loss Professional as well as having a Pet Loss Companioning Certification. Nancy and Gary are blessed with many animals in their lives. For fun, she studies horsemanship and plays with her horses and mules.
Found A Wandering Dog? Do not leave the dog unattended in your backyard. Article provided by Missouri Lost & Found Paws So, you have found a wandering dog. You feel it is a lost dog, but you’ re in a rush to get to your next appointment. Or, perhaps you can’t keep the pet at your home due to your personal pets who don’t welcome newcomers of the furry kind:) Please take a moment to reconsider leaving the dog in your backyard. Even though your property may be fenced, the dog could be a jumper and escape the confined area. • Call your local animal control. They will be able to come and retrieve the dog. If you’re in a rush, check with a neighbor or friend to see if they can secure the dog on a leash until animal control arrives. • Have a local veterinarian in the area? Drop the dog off with them. Most clinics will gladly help lost animals. If they do not have the means to keep the dog overnight, they will contact animal control to pick up the dog. Animals fare a good chance of being reunited if taken to the closest shelter to where the pet was found. The average owner will check their local shelter for their lost pet. Due to overcrowded shelters, it is not possible for shelter workers to keep up with details of all animals in its care. Please do not rely on verbal descriptions of pets to determine whether your lost loved one is in the shelter or animal control facility. One person may describe a dog as a lab mix. Another might refer to the same dog as a pitbull. www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - May 2015
Lost pets do not travel by sidewalk or roads. They take shortcuts. As a result, they can end up in a neighboring community, which could have a different animal control or shelter associated with it. Check all shelters within your metropolitan community. Be sure to check the stray hold area of shelters and animal control facilities AS WELL AS the adoption floor. Leave a flyer of your lost pet with the facility. For your own pet’s protection make sure your pet has a collar with readable tags and current information. Be sure to put them back on as soon as possible after a bath. Also get your pet microchipped and make sure the microchip is registered and that the contact info is on file with the microchip company. Remenber: • Not all of us are abandoned • Not all of us are neglected • Not all of us are abused • Many of us are just lost, and we need your help to get home!
Missouri Lost & Found Paws
is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused on reuniting lost and found pets Like us and see other resources on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/missourilostfoundpaws 25
Have you heard of Gateway Pet Guardians, a small organization that is Magnolia - adoptable, rescued from making a big impact in the East St. Louis euth. list. (and surrounding) community? If you haven’t, here’s your chance to learn about a group that prides itself on being a voice for the voiceless in a community that most have forgotten. Gateway Pet Guardians (GPG) was founded in 2004 by a group of passionate animal lovers in south St. Louis City. They founded GPG to support the efforts of PJ Hightower. PJ began feeding the stray animals in East St. Louis on the way to her sister’s home in Freeburg, IL. The local dog walker would take Route 15 from St. Louis City through the city on her visits to her sister’s starting in the mid-90’s. Increasingly, she began venturing off of the beaten path and finding more and more wandering dogs. PJ deemed it necessary to care for these dogs daily. They were hungry, afraid and often injured. Since 2001, PJ hasn’t missed a single day of caring for these animals. Snow, ice, illness nor injury keep her from these dogs that count on her each and every day. In late 2008 I joined the organization as a foster parent and volunteer. I was working in the marketing department for a court reporting firm in downtown St. Louis. My husband and I began fostering after learning about the organization from our realtor, Julia Mittelstadt. She sold us our home in the Benton Park neighborhood in south St. Louis City. On Thanksgiving 2008, I went on my first ride along with PJ through East St. Louis to feed the dogs. Being from Belleville originally, the metro east is very near and dear to my heart. Like many folks from Belleville and surrounding areas, I use East St. Louis as a throughway to St. Louis City. We see the dogs running and dodging cars more often than we would like. However on that morning, I saw someone and an organization that didn’t just drive through and think, “Someone should do something about these 26
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by Jamie Case poor dogs.” They were doing something! I was immediately hooked. Cocoa - adoptable It’s all I could think about and talk about, and I wanted to do more to help raise awareness of this small group of dedicated, passionate animal lovers. My first step was a dog food drive. At the time, PJ was buying more than 1,000 pounds of dog food every month herself! Next, MONEY! We needed money! We can only save as many lives as our pocketbook allows. I hosted the first Pasta for Pets fundraiser in April 2009 where we raised over $6,000 for the homeless pets of East St. Louis. (On May 17, 2015, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Syberg’s in O’Fallon, Illinois, we celebrate our seventh year hosting this great event!) Since then, the organization has grown and changed into the live-saving group we are now! Throughout the past seven years, we have steadily grown and impacted the community on more levels than we ever thought. When we started, we were a virtual shelter, meaning we didn’t have a brick-and-mortar facility. In 2012, our gracious vet, Dr. Ed Migneco of Hillside Animal Hospital, donated the usage of his old building to us! We now have a facility that can house animals until an appropriate foster family steps up. Also in 2012, we started two other live-saving efforts, a spay/neuter program and a transfer program from St. Clair County Animal Services (who at the time only had a couple of organizations transferring of their euthanasia Belle - adoptable list). Our spay and neuter program has allowed us to sterilize more than 400 dogs and cats since that time resulting in
THOUSANDS of unwanted lives saved. Our transfer program has not only saved the lives of the animals we have pulled from the list, but it has also built a relationship with the county that is key to our success in the community. Winter 2013 brought another unique program to our organization, community outreach. The winter weather was harsh, and volunteers dedicated long hours delivering doghouses, straw, food and education to the streets of East St. Louis. We knocked on doors, urging residents to bring their pets inside when temperatures dipped below -15 on some nights. Volunteers also discussed spay/neuter and the importance of responsible animal ownership. Now, we were getting to the root of the problem. We were finally tackling it on the ground level. The city took notice! In January 2014, East St. Louis Mayor Alvin Parks brought us to the table to discuss their stray problem. WOW! This has been a problem for more than 30 years, and they wanted us to be a part of the solution! We worked with them to change outdated laws and gained their full support for our efforts.
sure to find the appropriate fit for your home. Worried about falling in love? You will, but there will be another life that needs saved to take its place and that needs you even more. We also need donations: food donations, monetary donations, supplies. Find out what we need by viewing our online wish list. And lastly, we need supporters! Follow us on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and check our website for events. Share with your friends. The more people that know about us, the more lives we can save!
Foster. Adopt. Volunteer. Donate. Jamie Case is the Executive Director of Gateway Pet Guardians, a rescue organization with the mission to end homelessness for animals in the East St. Louis, Illinois metro area through rescue, rehabilitation, education and community outreach. (314) 6647398 • jamie@gatewaypets.com
This brings us to now. Gateway Pet Guardians continues to grow, save precious lives and be the voice for the voiceless! Our volunteers work tirelessly toward our mission of ending homelessness for animals in the metro east through rescue, rehabilitation, education and community outreach. Our fosters continue to take in the battered, scared and abandoned animals. We have our hands full, and we still have a lot of work to do in the community, but seeing that once frightened, confused animal curled up by your feet at night, makes it all worth it. GPG is primarily volunteer based. We rely heavily on passionate individuals that want to help us save lives. We need you! We are looking for volunteers that have any time to spare! No matter your skill set, we can use you! We are looking for foster homes to take in our rescued dogs. Our organization will make www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - May 2015
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Meet the Breed
May Pet of the Month
The Basenji Legends abound regarding this breed. It is said and believed that tribal chiefs made gifts of hunting dogs to the pharaoh. The Basenji breed is an ancient breed known to have lived with Pharaoh in Eqypt. It can actually be traced all the way back to ancient Egypt and nearly did not survive the collapse of that civilization. The breed miraculously thrived and endured and later was revived in Africa as an extremely skilled hunting dog. It became known as the “Congo Dog.” They are directly related to the Dingo. They are known for their characteristic “non-bark” and called the “barkless dog. Rather than bark they create a yodel type sound. The sound they make can be mistaken for a sound like human laughter or crying. This is a very keen and intelligent breed. Their courage makes the Basenji useful in his native land for hunting the reed rat, a vicious, large, long-toothed creature. The Basenji is a proud, alert little dog. His attitude is one of poise and grace. Their body type is one that is lithe and muscular making them very athletic. Folks who would like to work with their dog in agility are attracted to this breed. They are considered small to medium in size. Males should be 17 inches in height and 24 pounds in weight. Females should be 16 inches tall and 22 pounds. Basenji’s have endless energy, and are very playful. While they are curious, they tend to be aloof with strangers. They are affectionate, but very independent. They can be a challenge to train due to their tendency towards independence. This breed is a perfect blend of energy and size for a family with children as they are also very tolerant. As far as care and grooming, the Basenji has a smooth, short coat requires very little grooming. They actually clean themselves - much like a cat. The 28
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Basenji also one of those breeds that may be considered hypoallergenic, as it barely sheds at all. In addition, for some reason the typical “doggy odor” is not usually apparent in this breed. When it comes to health issues the Basenji does have a few things to consider. These health issues include: Fanconi’s Syndrome, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and Hip Dysplasia. However, this breed tends to be very healthy as a whole. Basenjis are without a doubt very loyal, and affectionate towards their owners. Their propensity to be alert and active make them best suited to a home where they can get adequate exercise, and plenty of personal attention. It is extremely important to provide proper socialization and obedience training at a young age. This breed has an independent personality and sometimes has a mischievous nature and/or rebellious streak. Socialization is required, especially when a dog is to be around children or other pets. Due to their hunting nature, small pets are not encouraged to live with this breed unless they are introduced at a young age and raised together. All in all, the Basenji can be the perfect companion animal for an active family that loves outdoor activities that will involve their dog.
RESOURCE Loving Hearts Pet Memorial Services, Inc. 1631 W. 5th St., Eureka, MO 63025, 636-587-8880, www.lovingheartspet.com
How Long Have You Been in Business: Loving
Hearts was opened in the fall of 2013 by two families providing the highest level of service in both Kansas City and Chicago. The Piper family has owned and operated Rolling Acres Memorial Gardens for Pets in Kansas City, MO since 1978. The Remkus family has owned and operated Hinsdale Animal Cemetery and Crematory in Willowbrook, IL since 1950. Between the two families we have over one hundred years assisting grieving pet owners. Our Saint Louis project began with several friends and colleagues in the Saint Louis market telling us that they felt the area would benefit from having after death care services like ours, and that they wished that the services we offer were available at veterinary hospitals, and to the animal loving public. Because we kept hearing this, we decided we would bring our brand of after death care for pets to the Saint Louis area. We strongly believe Saint Louis families deserve the best when their pets pass away. This includes gentle transportation at all times, digital tracking of each and every pet in our custody, pet loss resources, and last but not least, cremation services with the highest possible ethical and professional standards in existence. Â We are committed to making sure that no pets ever end up in the landfill, and those pet owners who want their pet back receive, their pet and only their pet. It is what pet families expect, and most importantly, deserve.
member of the family by providing compassionate, dignified, and ethical after life care for their pet. Loving Hearts has an open door policy. Please visit us anytime – no appointment is necessary. We have a beautiful Pet Memorial Center, of which we will give you a complete tour, if you desire. We perform Private Cremations, which is one pet being cremated at a time, so the family receives their pet back, all of their pet, and only their pet. We also perform Communal Cremations with the cremated remains being scattered on memorial grounds. What Are the Benefits of Your Business? People have the right to grieve for their pet, and have a need to memorialize their pet. We are here to help people with those things. Also, Loving Hearts does things right, the way things should always be done. Reasons Your Customers Come Back? We treat people as well as their pet with compassion, dignity, and respect. People appreciate us for how we help them, in making a hard thing easier. We care.
Services your business offers:
pet cremation (either Private or Communal), urns, visitations, memorial services and memorial products.
What Makes Your Business Different? Our mission is to serve those who think of their pet as a
www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - May 2015
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The Next Adventures of Chip
FAITH by Heddie Leger
Recap from Chapter 16: As we drove, I could smell more familiar smells, I could hear more familiar sounds of birds and a roaring water sound……we were getting near the ocean. Memories started to flood back into my mind. I could hear Stephanie, Robert, Allen and Penelope talking about a hurricane like a memory they did not want to remember, but they agreed it was important for Allen and Penelope and me too, to figure out what had happened to us. So we kept traveling South and then I smelled something I could not believe. I could not believe my nose. It was the last smell I had remembered when my MawMaw disappeared and I was placed in the box. I could not place it yet, but my memory was slowly coming back.
We were at the beach, on the shores and all was peaceful now. The sun was out, the birds were flying overhead. Penelope and Allen were making sandcastles, laughing and having fun. I was sitting under an umbrella with Stephanie and Robert. It was quite relaxing, very different than my last memories. The ocean was beautiful and I loved the smells of fish, fresh air, salt water and the sounds of the seagulls flying overhead. Robert pulled out a Frisbee and called out, “come on Chip, let’s play.” He threw the Frisbee in the water and at first I was afraid to run in to get the Frisbee. Robert ran and got it and threw it again. He was laughing so hard at the expression on my face, that I forgot to be afraid and took a leap of faith and ran into the water the next time he threw it. “I got it, I got it,” and ran back to Robert with the Frisbee. He threw it over and over again until I lost all fear of the waves and water. Once I took a drink and YUCK, it was awful. Hurricane.....hurricane......take cover......we could Never, never drink sea salt water. It is the worst tasting hear it everywhere. My memory continued to come stuff ever…..and it makes you more thirsty. We played back. I could sense the fear in people’s voices and see with the Frisbee for a long time and out of the corner my MawMaw in my memory running around, barking, of my eye, I could see a dog sitting watching us. I could crying, and jumping. She had been trying to tell her not tell if it was a friendly dog or not. The wind was loved ones to go to a safe place, but no one was listing. coming from the wrong direction and I could not smell I sensed that we were all in danger, but my MawMaw the dog either, but no doubt it was watching us intently. looked at me with a look in her eyes that said everything Then Stephanie got out hotdogs, and started to grill was going to be fine, not to fear and to have faith that we them. I could see the dog inch closer and it’s nose quiver would be alright, then everything went black and I was as it got a whiff of the hotdogs grilling. I was going to in a box and could only see little slivers of light through go over and invite the dog to come and play and eat with the corners…..then the wind…..then the swooshing us, when it came running full throttle towards us. I was sounds…..then everyone’s voices went away and I could a bit afraid, but was remembering my MawMaw’s words no longer hear my MawMaw. But, I could still her face real loud, have faith, have faith, things will work out and eyes in my mind and could hear her voice. okay, don’t be afraid. FAITH: Confidence or trust in a person or thing: belief that is not based on proof 30
MetroPet Magazine | St. Louis - May 2015
“Faith is a knowledge within the heart, beyond the reach of proof.” As the dog got closer, the wind changed, and I could catch the scent of the dog and it was one I had smelled before. I started to move towards the dog and it stopped, almost like it was not certain what to do and almost ran away. Then all at once, it came back to me with one more big whiff of scent. It was my MawMaw. It did not look like her. She had white hair and this dog was matted and dirty, brown and greasy and looked quite skinny and unkempt. But, I knew that scent anywhere. I ran towards her, she ran towards me and then our eyes connected and we knew. Behind me I could hear everyone yelling, Chip come back, come here, danger, danger….but they did not know. This is the thing I had been looking for all along. We got closer and closer and she started to smile. I could hear the words in my head again louder this time…..always have faith, never give up, don’t be afraid, even if things look really bad. Keep the faith. We finally reached each other and it was my MawMaw….we rolled, and played, and laughed, and hugged. Everyone finally caught up with me and saw we were happy and not in danger and they all started to join in the fun. They did not know, but they realized that we knew each other. In time, they would begin to see this was my MawMaw, especially when she got cleaned up. I wondered if we would look alike in any way once she was cleaned up. I guess we will find out….
ACTIVITY Share a time when things looked bleak and you kept the faith in the face of negative odds. What happened when you did this? What was the outcome? How did it make you feel?
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.
STORY DISCUSSION TIPS • What were MawMaw’s words to Chip that helped him the most? • Did Chip recognize his MawMaw at first? • When did he recognize his MawMaw? • Why was Chip’s family afraid of the other dog? • How did Chip get over his fear of the water?
HUMANE EDUCATION POINT Faith is like electricity. You can’t see it, but you can see the light. www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - May 2015
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Chip’s Corner 32
MetroPet Magazine | St. Louis - May 2015
PAWZZLE v Pawlean Journe
Answers to this Pawzzle can be found in the Breed of the Month story on page 28.
ACROSS 2. While they are very _________________, they can be aloof with strangers. 5.
It is referred to as the __________ dog.
6.
Their body type is very ___________ in nature.
9. This breed is known to clean itself much like a _____________. 10. Tribal chiefs would present this breed as a gift to the __________. 12. What type of vicious Rat are they known for hunting. 14. Although they are very athletic, they are also ____________. 15. This is a very keen and ________________ breed. 16. They can be prone to this syndrome. 17. what abounds regarding this breed? 19. The sound they make is called a ___________. 21. The breed is _________________. 22. They have a ____________, short coat. 23. They barely shed and are often referred to as _____________.
DOWN 1. This is a great dog for a family that loves ________ activities. 3. It is imperative this breed have early _________, especially with children and small animals. 4. They have a tendency towards ______________ which some people mistake for stubborn. 7. After almost going extinct the breed was revived in _________. 8. Their _____________ makes them very useful in hunting. 11. Folks who like to participate in _____________ will enjoy this breed. 13. It became known as the ___________. 18. They have endless _____________. 20. The sound they make can be mistaken for human _______
April Pawzzle Answers
or crying. 24. For some reason, they do not have the typical doggy _____. 25. This breed originated in ancient _______.
www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - May 2015
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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.
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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 - May 2015
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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.