February 2015
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Articles 5 Pet Dental Month is February! 6 10 Days in the Life of a Rescue Team
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9 MetroPet Resource 10 Preserve Memories 12 The Silent but Stinky Disease 26
16 Local Sled Dog Team!
20 To Foster? To Adopt? 23 Look in the Mirror 25 Fire and Pets 29
26 Jazz Up & Settle Down 28 Breed of the Month 29 The Next Adventures of Chip 32 Pawzzle 34 Pet Services Directory
Dear Readers:
Happy Month of Love! I think everyone is glad to welcome February — the month where we celebrate love! For many people, their pet is the only being who gives them unconditional love. If you are one of these individuals, this is your month to give back some love to your favorite furry little friend! While it is fun to buy Fluffy or Fido a special treat – what our companion animals really want from us is our TIME. This is our most precious gift to them. And, it doesn’t cost us a dime! Stop on a Saturday afternoon and go out for walk – it is good for you and them. Sit down next to them on a Wednesday night and brush their coat. While you are at it, take this opportunity to communicate with them. Did you know that February is Pet Dental Month? Did you know that just like pets, dental care can cause major health issues and be expensive? Check out the article on tips to keep your pet’s teeth clean on page ?? and the article about the stinky disease that can really affect your pet on page 5. Something we don’t want to think about – losing our furry friends. This is a sad thought and one most people
don’t want to address. But, a little planning ahead can eliminate anxiety and stress at the end. Please take a moment and read the article on page 10 to help you know your options and plan ahead. Pet Oxygen Masks — With the dry weather, we are going to see more fires this spring. How can we protect our pets in the event of a house fire? First, put a sticker on your window to alert firefights of pets in the home. Second, help your local station with pet oxygen masks. See the article on page 25 for more details. Dog Sledding — have you ever wondered what is was like to be pulled by a team of sled dogs? Enjoy the great article on page 16 about this team located right here in St. Louis. Finally, don’t forget the Know the Breed, Pawzelle, and Chip’s Adventure articles. Great information! Enjoy your month of love and share some with your pets!
Thanks and Happy Valentine’s Day!
Barbara Riedel, Publisher P.S. Please support our advertisers. They make this magazine possible. Please 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
Editor/Production Manager Dan O’Leary editor@metropetmag.com
Contact MetroPet PO Box 480065 Kansas City, MO 64148 Phone: 913.548.1433 Fax: 913.387.4313
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Contributing Authors Richie Cameron Mike Deathe Diana Engeszer Heddie Leger Pawlene Journe David Remkus Mary Sellaro Tracy Turner Erin Quigley, DVM
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.
Brush Up on Your Pet’s Oral Care February is National Pet Dental Month ~P lease Join your Local Vet in Protecting Your Pets’ Teeth! February is pet dental health awareness month. When was the last time you checked Max or Fluffy’s pearly (or not-so-pearly) whites, or took them to the veterinarian for a dental exam? Many pet owners do not realize that oral care is very important. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), an organization dedicated to advancing the science and art of veterinary medicine, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of oral disease by the age of three. The good news: more pets are getting the care they need. Preventive dental care can help prevent severe pet health problems. Dental Disease Can Be Deadly
Signs Of Dental Disease What are some indicators that your cat or dog may have dental disease? Here are a few signs to look for in your pet. • Bad breath • Loose or discolored teeth or teeth covered in tartar • Your pet is not comfortable with you touching the mouth area, including teeth, gums, and lips • Drooling or dropping food from the mouth • Bleeding from the mouth • Loss of appetite or loss of weight If your pet shows any of these signs, you should schedule an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Just as with humans, dental care is key in maintaining a pet’s overall health. Bacteria in an animal’s mouth can get into a pet’s bloodstream and infuse different organs, causing infections that can potentially cause death. The AVMA reports the organs most often affected by oral diseases are the lungs, heart, kidneys and liver, and even the nervous system.
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Three Simple Steps to Dental Care
Enter for a chance to win a years supply of PetzLife products. Plus, your pet will be in a full page ad in Modern Dog Magazine!
Pet owners can brush up on their four-legged friends’ teeth. Oral care has simple guidelines. •P et owners can take their pet to get a dental exam. Your pet should have a routine veterinarian examination, including a careful examination of his teeth and gums, at least once a year. •S tart an at-home regimen. Ask your veterinarian to suggest nutritional supplements, and a regular teeth brushing schedule or a specially formulated food proven to help remove plaque and tarter from your pet’s teeth. www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - February 2015
BEFORE
AFTER 30 DAYS
Naturally Removes Plaque & Tartar, Controls Bacteria and Freshens Breath.
TL METROS 5
10 Days in the Life of a Rescue Team
What do they really do and where does the money go? by Diana Engeszer
“Rescue” is more than meets the eye. Here is an abbreviated 10-day account of activities that St. Louis English Bulldog Rescue (miraculously!) pulls off.
Sunday:
Get a call about three Bulldogs running free. Make several phone calls to find someone who can take them until we locate the owners. Try to set up a foster home for two surrendered Bulldogs. Field call from the woman who bought a Bulldog from a pet store and realized it was going to be bigger than her late Boston terrier. Try to set up a foster home and transportation for the Bulldog from Joplin to Springfield so a volunteer can drive him to St. Louis. Arrange to pick up a (6, 9, 10?) year-old girl dog and get her to her foster home. Arrange to meet with a four-year-old girl dog, set up a foster home and vet appointment. Tell two other callers that we don’t rescue American Bulldogs. Get the action plan together to contact Animal Control, area vets, police departments, 6
MetroPet Magazine | St. Louis - February 2015
and Craigslist ads about the three Bulldogs found earlier in the day. Drive to a foster home to do a training session with a two-year-old in foster that is nervous being around other dogs. Walk two miles with her and her foster and work on confidence skills. Drive home.
Monday:
Finalize foster home for the four-year-old girl dog. Set pick up for Sunday. Try to get transportation for the Joplin Bulldog. Finalize Saturday transportation for the two boys to the foster home. Finalize a meeting with the (6, 9 or 10?) year-old girl dog at the vet’s office 25 miles away. Call from vet’s office on four-year-old male. Contact the owner, get her the paperwork and find a foster home. Field four calls from scammers wanting the lost Bulldogs. Field four calls and emails from people who had lost/stolen Bulldogs that were not the ones we found.
Cancel transport for Saturday. Confirm pick up of the four-year-old girl for Sunday. Follow up on the postsurgical girl.
Sunday:
Tuesday:
Drive 25 miles to pick up six-year-old Bulldog and take her to the vet. Drive back to a foster home. Set up a vet appointment for spay, tooth check, and possible tail amputation for Thursday. Pick up dog food, stop by foster home and remove stitches from bladder stone surgery from two weeks ago. Follow up on three Bulldogs and transportation for the Joplin Bulldog.
Wednesday:
Talk to insurance guy about insurance for rescue. Talk to accountant about annual audit and review of Bulldog rescue stuff (I pay for that). The inspector from the Missouri Department of Agriculture shows up (unscheduled) for my yearly inspection. Provide her with the piles of paper and files and a cup of coffee. Do the walk through. Pass the inspection. Telephone call to remind the foster about no food or water prior to surgery tomorrow.
Follow up on adoption applications. Tell the owner of a 10-year-old Bulldog that bit her daughter that rescue cannot take the dog because of the bite. Talk to volunteers handling upcoming events. Talk to two volunteers that are having a procedural disagreement. Pick up four-yearold girl with a severely infected internal tail, bad cherry eyes, and can barely walk. Take to foster home and get her settled. Try to register microchips. American Kennel Club (AKC) changed the website. Put on list for tomorrow.
Thursday:
Pick up foster at 8:00 am and drive 45 miles to vet for surgery. Four teeth are removed, remaining teeth are cleaned, and spay and tail amputation completed. Return Bulldog to foster home and review post-operative care.
Friday:
Pick up four-year-old boy and drive to foster home. Finally lock down transportation for Joplin Bulldog. At that moment, the owner calls and says she “just can’t give him up.” Cancel all transportation plans. Confirm pick up and transport of the two boys for tomorrow. Get a call back that the owner is giving them to a co-worker. www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - February 2015
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Monday:
Call AKC and find out how to do the microchip registration. Call vet to schedule appointment for a fouryear-old girl for tomorrow. Field two more calls about American Bulldogs. Field one more scam call on the lost Bulldogs.
Tuesday:
Get up at 4:30 a.m. and drive 25 miles to the foster to pick up four-yearold girl. Drive 45 miles to vet for surgery (spay, eyes and tail). Transport her back to her foster. Go home. Total miles for the day: 200 and I pay for gas.
Wednesday:
Set up transport for three girls to St. Louis, make vet appointments, and confirm foster homes for next Tuesday. Arrange to pick up and foster for 4½-year-old girl. Receive a call from the lady in Joplin who canceled on Friday asking if we can we take the Bulldog. Set up transportation chain again.
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And, so it goes. Bottom line, in 10 days we spent:
• $ 1,646.00 on vet bills and supplies (generously discounted) • $40.00 on microchips • $103.11 gas (volunteer paid) • About 60 volunteer man hours
Adoptions:
• Th e 6 year old Bulldog with the teeth, tail amputation and spay will be adopted for $400.00 • Th e 4 year old Bulldog with the eyes, spay and internal tail amputation will be adopted for $400.00. • Th e 4½ year old male will be adopted for $500.00. •T otal potential adoption fees: $1,300.00 for a ten day negative cash flow of $386.00.
Rescue is an act of love. Rescue Volunteers have jobs, families and their own pets too! Thank you to everyone who steps up to help Bulldogs in need! Diana Engeszer St. Louis English Bulldog Rescue, Bulldog Club of America Rescue Network, Artemis Bulldogs, AKC Judge and Breed Advocate
RESOURCE
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Carol House is a huge supporter of animal groups in the St. Louis area. Please shop Carol House if you need furniture or household items. Thank you!
Join Us As We Celebrate 25 Years of Lobbying for Animal Welfare Laws Sponsored by:
Event Details:
Sunday, February 22, 2015 5:30 - 9:00 pm at
Fundraiser Benefits:
Reserve tickets online at maal.org OR call 314-361-3944 Silver and Black Cocktail attire suggested • Complimentary valet parking
www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - February 2015
Photography by Bentley Studio, Ltd.
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by David Remkus, CPLP
Preserve Memories by Planning Ahead 10
When faced with the prospect of losing a pet, having clear and organized thoughts can be quite challenging, and for many impossible to do. This is complicated by the fact that you and your family will have to make a number of difficult decisions relating to the harsh realities of end of life care. To further complicate this process, one also must consider what they would like to have done with the earthly remains of the pet. It’s not easy, and for many who have been in this situation, an indecisive paralysis results, as they wait for the pet’s suffering to reach an intolerable (for both pet and family) level. At this point, many families will euthanize the pet as an act of compassion, and to relieve the stresses that all parties are feeling as a result of the decline in the pet’s health. At this point, some people know exactly what it is they are going to do with the pet’s remains, and have a plan in place. For many though, only minimal thought has been given to exactly what options there are, before being presented with overly simplified and inadequately explained service options at a veterinary hospital following the death of the pet. Going into these types of scenarios armed with knowledge can make a huge difference, and can help families obtain the closure they deserve. The following is a guide to planning ahead, and includes a checklist you can keep for end of life care, that will ensure you and your family are able to memorialize your pet the way you see fit.
Understanding Your Options
Thinking about pet funeral options before they are needed is not always the most pleasant thing to do. It is important, however, to have some sort of idea what it is that you are going to want to do. It is critical to note that, many purported “cremation” companies are nothing more than disposal companies with cute sounding names. So, it is absolutely crucial to be aware of the differences in quality and dignity that are available to you through your veterinary hospital or your community. A sad fact nationwide is that in most instances where pet owners do not want remains returned, the pets incinerated remains end up in a landfill. Furthermore, due to an appalling lack of regulation and legal standards, when return ash cremations are performed many providers do so by cremating several pets together in a group at one time. Often times they claim to have a partition of some sort between the pets, but keep in mind space is “technically” a partition.
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Contrary to popular belief, an overwhelming majority of veterinary providers have never seen the facilities that they are currently partnered with for crematory services, and in most cases are going off of the same sort of blind trust that you are placing in them to do the right thing.
Unfortunately, many veterinary hospitals across the country make their decision to partner with cremation providers based on price, and price alone. Make sure to investigate any crematory that is working with your veterinarian, to make sure they are worthy of your business. Be sure that they adhere to standards that go above and beyond what is required by the state, and that you are given a detailed description of the services in writing beforehand. If something doesn’t sound right, you most likely aren’t talking to someone who is well informed, or worse, something may not actually be true. If your gut tells you something is not right, and then find a service provider that you are more comfortable with. Remember: ask questions and don’t assume anything. You have a right to know everything. It is your pet.
A Quick Checklist
The following checklist includes questions to ask your veterinarian, and includes a list of things to do make sure to do before you say your final goodbye.
David Remkus, CPLP, graduated from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and International Business. In 2011, he was one of the recipients of the Pet Loss Professionals Alliance’s inaugural Certified Pet Loss Professional certifications. In addition to his Certified Pet Loss Professional credential, David holds a certification in Pet Loss Companioning from The Center for Loss in Fort Collins, Colorado and has undergone the International Cemetery Cremation and Funeral Association’s Certified Crematory Operator training. David is a board member for Loving Hearts Pet Memorial Services in Eureka, Missouri. David’s family consists of a wife (Michelle), daughter (Hannah), two dogs (Leo and Maverick), and a cat (Maple).
If you don’t want remains returned: What happens to the remains of my pet? If they are cremated, where do the cremated remains end up? How does the service provider ensure that my pet receives dignified care? If you are receiving remains back: How is the cremation procedure performed? Is my pet the only pet in the cremation unit during cremation? Is it guaranteed in writing that I will be receiving my pet and only my pet? Are human model cremation units used, or garbage incineration equipment? What urn options are available to me? If cremation is not an option: Are there any burial options available to me? Many times people are not aware of cemetery options, and or/ the legality of burying a pet at home, so burial often requires more research. www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - February 2015
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The silent, but stinky disease that is affecting your pet by Erin Quigley, DVM
If you asked most pet owners what the most common disease in dogs and cats is, they would probably say allergies, cancer, diabetes etc. They are surprised to learn the most common disease afflicting our pets is dental disease, also called periodontal disease. Most people would see their pet’s bad breath as an annoyance, but a disease? Yes, the bad breath you smell when your dog is giving you slobbery kisses can be a sign of serious problems to come. 12
Dental Disease
Dogs and cats build a film on their teeth, just as people do, called plaque. Plaque is actually a film of bacteria that sticks to the surface of the teeth over time from normal daily eating without daily brushing. At first it’s invisible and you may not notice, except a little stinky breath. Over time the plaque calcifies and thickens into a hard, dark colored substance called tarter. This you may notice if your pet allows you to look at his/her teeth or you may notice an increased potency in your pet’s breath.
MetroPet Magazine | St. Louis - February 2015
This is usually the stage when pet owners notice a problem and may head to their favorite pet store in desperation to improve the breath by popular treats or even sprays that claim to dissolve the tarter on your dog and cats teeth. Although these products may help slow down the progression of the dental disease and help temporarily with your pet’s breath, it often leaves pet owners dissatisfied. What you can’t realize, because your pet doesn’t talk, is that dental
sprays and chew bones can make a big difference in preventing this yucky tarter and bad breath, but they needed to be started when the invisible plaque was there. Unfair, I know. Don’t feel guilty, remember your pet wasn’t talking and the bacteria film was invisible. And most dogs and cats aren’t opening up and saying “ahh” so you can look at their teeth.
Who can help?
Your caring and knowledgeable veterinarian. Your pet’s doctor will during your pet’s routine yearly or bi-yearly exam evaluate your pet’s dental stage. And advise you on whether it is just time to increase those dental treats, or time for a dental procedure/cleaning. What about teeth brushing? My groomer brushes my dog’s teeth every 6 weeks? Do I really need my dog’s teeth cleaned at the vet, it doesn’t sound very important? So what, my pet has tarter, it doesn’t seem to be bothering them? But, I give my dog chew bones? I know you have more questions, let’s address the common questions, myths and concerns and give you more insight on how keeping up with your pets’ dental health can help them live longer healthier lives.
Teeth brushing
Brushing your dog’s or cat’s teeth can be possible and commendable. Everyone will agree that is the best method to prevent your pet’s teeth from accumulating tarter and helping prevent bad breath. There are many types of tooth brushes (hand held, or finger brushes) and toothpaste flavors specific to your dog or cat
www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - February 2015
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that can aid to help you in this challenging task. Your veterinarian or pet nurse can aid you in where to start. What you need to know ahead of time….this practice will be most successful if you start when they are young puppies and kittens. That way they get used to you sticking your fingers in their mouths. Your 7 year old dog or cat may look at you like you’re crazy if you are coming at them with a foreign object, not to mention they probably already have inflamed and painful gums they are not telling you about, so it may not be a successful venture. The other more important fact is, brushing your dog or cat’s teeth a few times a year, is probably not going to do too much. Think about it, if we humans brushed our teeth every other month…ok, stop thinking, that’s gross. Let’s just say, not too many smiling faces. So although I commend your efforts or your groomer’s efforts, unless it’s a daily routine, we are most likely not going to make much difference in the progression of tooth decay. All joking aside, there have been scientific studies that proved if the tooth brushing wasn’t done daily it did not make a significant difference to your pet’s health. Don’t feel bad, the vast majority of pets especially if started later in life are not going to tolerate this. Let’s be honest. I as a veterinarian would never condemn you if you don’t brush your pet’s teeth daily. Good news is we can still prevent the disease.
Chew bones
Chew bones can be a helpful aid in preventing dental tarter accumulation. And, yes, dry food accumulates tarter at a lot slower rate than canned/wet food. Just remember not all chew bones are the same. Be very cautious in choosing one for your pet because they can lead to more serious problems, such as intestinal obstructions and gastrointestinal upset. Not worth it. Ask your veterinarian for their recommendation. Again, they are only effective if you start early when you are only at the invisible plaque stage, and unfortunately not an option for our furry feline friends. 14
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Dental disease and the progression
So why is preventing this disease important other than stinking breath? I know I left you in suspense. So what happens after this stinking brown thick tarter is on my pet’s teeth….First step, infection of the gum tissue adjacent to the tarter, called gingivitis. Yes, infection. Gingivitis may sound like a catchy word we hear on toothpaste commercials, but the reality is there are harmful bacteria residing in your pets’ mouths. The gums are red and inflamed and painful. My dog or cat doesn’t seem painful? He is not yelping? I believe you. But here is the thing about dogs and cats. We baby them, and make them part of the family, guilty as charged here. But in reality they are instinctual survival driven animals. What does that mean? They hide pain. They are not going to tell you, they are not going to show you, or let you look. Most will not yelp. But you may see other behaviors such as a hesitancy to drink colder water, or chewing their dry kibble slower. But, if they eat can food or they inhale their food, you may not notice any pain… yet. Just remember, if you have ever had a sore tooth or inflamed gums, it feels the same for them. Next step, tooth decay. Not far after the gingivitis, or gum infection begins, the tooth starts to decay. This leads to more pain when it reaches the nerve of the tooth and could lead to bone loss where the jaw meets the tooth roots. No one wants their pet’s teeth pulled. Unfortunately what we are seeing in veterinary hospitals is, by the time we are performing dental procedures on your pet’s, tooth extractions are necessarily due to decay and to prevent pain. On the bright side, once the tarter is removed by ultrasonic scaling and decayed teeth are removed by extraction under sedation, the infection can be eliminated. This is important not only to prevent further tooth decay and pain, but to prevent the bacteria in your pet’s mouth from traveling through the blood stream and causing disease in heart valves, kidney, and liver tissue which have been clinically proven. The truth is these diseases
not only shorten and decrease quality of life in our pets, but at these advanced stages of periodontal disease and organ involvement, the risk of complications from anesthesia to eliminate the primary cause is high. Take home message: Don’t wait that long. Schedule a dental procedure/prophy at the onset of plaque/gingivitis so the procedure is short, simple and extractions aren’t necessary and the risk of anesthesia is very minimal due to healthy heart, liver and kidneys. So now that you are informed of how important your pet’s dental health is to the longevity and quality of his/her life feel empowered not overwhelmed. Your veterinarian is your partner to help give you reassurance and your pet comfort and the proper individualized dental care for your family pet. Schedule a dental exam today so you can prevent bad breath from becoming a bad heart, and enjoy a long healthy life with your beloved furry family member.
www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - February 2015
Erin Quigley, DVM, Member of AVMA, MVMA, grew up in Florissant, MO, and received a Bachelor’s degree in Biology at Missouri State University. After college I worked as a receptionist at Rock Road Animal Hospital, a zookeeper at the St. Louis Zoo and a veterinary assistant at Howdershell Animal Hospital until attending Veterinary School at University of Missouri-Columbia. I graduated with my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and have lived in O’Fallon, Missouri since I graduated. I have worked as a veterinarian in Troy, Wentzville, and Florissant, MO, until purchasing Animal Medical Center of Wentzville in 2010. I married in 2011 and live with my husband Ryan and boxer dog Finnegan in Lake St. Louis/O’Fallon. When my husband and I have free time from the clinic we enjoy spending time with our dog, family and friends. Our hobbies include attending Cardinal baseball and Mizzou football games. We also enjoy the outdoors biking, boating and horseback riding.
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Local Sled Dogs by Richie Cameron
It’s a cold night in January, my cell phone says it’s in the teens. Inside my truck I have ten sleeping sled dogs, eight of which are mine. My back windows are rolled down since my passengers prefer the cold. The dogs curl up tightly into themselves, using their tails to cover their faces. I drive, and Matt, one of my co-workers from Murphy Animal Hospital, sits in the passenger seat where it’s still somewhat warm. This is the calm before the storm. When we arrive at the trail it’s instant chaos. Before Matt and I can even open our doors we have ten screaming dogs trying to break out of the truck. We quickly grab our headlamps, the GPS unit to keep track of mileage and the last pieces of winter gear that we will be needing for the run. I open up the trailer and start unloading our equipment. The first thing out is a beat up yellow, two seater, go-kart. It doesn’t run, it’s sized for kids to drive, and I’d be lying if I said the brakes worked consistently. Since we don’t get much snow in the St. Louis area we can’t train with a sled. So instead we use a go-kart. Once the go-kart is out of the trailer and safely secured to our truck we attach the shock-lines. These are used to absorb the shock of any sudden stops and starts, it looks like a bunch of bungee cords all wrapped up. After the shock lines, we hook up the gangline. The gangline is the 16
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long center line that connects the team together. Each section of gangline holds two dogs. It has two tuglines and two necklines. The tuglines attach to the ends of each dog’s harness allowing them to pull. The necklines attach to the dogs collars and these help keep the team together and untangled. By the time all the equipment is ready to go the dogs are well on their way to destroying the interior of my truck. Matt stands at the front of the gangline and pulls it tight. While most teams have leaders that will hold their gangline tight, I do not have that luxury. My main leader, Koivu, has an incredibly bad habit of chewing through harnesses when he has to wait to run. So now he comes out last. Mandy, our other leader, can’t hold still to save her life. She would jump and spin in circles until she had everyone on the team looking like they had been hogtied to the gangline. Unlike most teams, we don’t do any kind of breeding and our team is made up almost entirely of rescue dogs. Our philosophy has never been about winning races, it’s about giving dogs a family and allowing them to live an active lifestyle. My finance and I have nine energetic, Siberian Huskies, seven were adopted from various rescue groups around the Midwest. Our team motto is pets first and athletes second. Yes, that means we have nine dogs living
inside of our house, and yes, it is a never ending battle of vacuum versus dog hair. We try to adopt dogs that would have a hard time adjusting to a regular house dog life. Almost all of our dogs have had some kind of behavior problem. But with an active lifestyle and lots of consistency around the house, their undesired behaviors have disappeared. During the day time, all nine dogs travel with me up to Murphy Animal Hospital, in High Ridge, where I work as a dog trainer. Once at work, they get to play in doggie daycare all day and socialize with all of their friends. When the weather is cold enough during the fall and winter seasons, we load back up into the truck and head out to the trails for training runs. Tonight, the first dog out of the car is Roenick. His brown and white coat and chestnut eyes give him a stunning look. I quickly run him over to the gangline and begin to attach him in the wheel position. This is the position nearest to the sled (or in this case, a gokart). The wheel dogs are usually your strongest dogs, and Roenick fits that bill perfectly. As soon as he is on the line he instantly starts barking and lunging into his harness. He’s ready to go.
Jared follows next, he is one of our borrowed dogs and usually attracts the most attention during our races. He is an all black, Gordon Setter and Golden Retriever mix. Definitely not your typical sled dog but he was a complete natural when we took him out for a training run during our very first year, back when I only had four dogs of my own. He’s continued to run ever since and is just as dependable as ever. Once he’s hooked in next to Chara he begins to bark as well. While most of the huskies have a high pitched crying bark, Jared’s is a deep intimidating dog bark. I run Fleury over to the gangline next. Fleury is an all white husky with many talents. He is part of our education program and visits schools with me during sled dog talks, where he gets to perform all kinds of tricks and teach kids how to harness and bootie sled dogs.
Next from the truck comes Backes. Backes is the newest member to join our family and team. He quickly fit in as if he had been with us his whole life. He looks the same size as his running partner, Roenick, but is actually ten pounds lighter. He sports a fluffy black and white coat which makes him look thicker than he really is. But he makes up for it with his incredible strength and speed. I sprint back to the car and bring Chara out next. She’s our biggest female, almost the same size as Roenick. I quickly attach her to the line as she licks my hands. Once she’s all set she starts up with the barking as well. The dogs in the middle of the team are referred to as the team position. www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - February 2015
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Fleury has spent a little time running in just about every position on the team, but tonight he will run smack in the middle of the team. Once he’s on the line the begins to howl, I wuv you! Fleury’s running partner for tonight is Jax. Jax is another borrowed dog, but he blends in with the team a little better since he is Siberian Husky. Jax is incredibly fast and has loads of talent. He has the capability to run as a lead dog, but at just two years of age, he still has some maturing to do. Cookie and Spezza are the next ones on the line. They run together in the swing position. The swing dogs run directly behind the leaders. Cookie and Spezza are full of speed and provide a great boost of energy to the team. They have been running together ever since we adopted Cookie in January of 2013. The last two out of the car are Koivu and Mandy. Koivu is the dog responsible for starting all of this madness. He was my first puppy and his consistent pulling and desire to run lead me to adopting a friend for him. Then things just kind of multiplied. It’s a slippery slope. Koivu’s running partner Mandy is an absolutely incredible sled dog. She was truly born for this job.
Although she can’t hold still, she is the most reliable leader I have. She almost always listens to the directions of, Gee, which means go right, and Haw, which means go left. Where as Koivu will go in the direction that Koivu wants to go. Her speed and drive to run push Koivu to keep a faster pace. She also hates being passed during races. It’s as if she takes it personally. She often looks back at the rest of the team and then digs into the snow and pushes herself to run even faster. Once the leaders are all hooked up it turns into all out pandemonium. Every dog is lunging into their harness, howling, barking or in Fleury’s case, screaming like a dying goose. I sprint back to the go-cart, detach the lever on the quick-release, a nifty contraption that holds the sled or go-kart to a non-moving object until you are ready to go. The go-kart instantly shoots forward like an Al MacInnis slapshot. Matt grabs onto the roll cage of the kart and hitches a ride on the back bumper. I smash the brake down but the dogs overpower the go-kart and we rocket down the gravel path leaving a trail of dust behind us. Matt slams his shoes into the ground to help slow the dogs down to a proper pace. If they run at a dead sprint they will be tired within three miles and move at a snails pace for the rest of the run. So we have to do our best to hold them around 9 MPH, which is a pace they can keep for an entire long distance run if it’s cold enough. Tonight is one of those nights. It’s a clear sky, cold, and the dogs have been well rested. The dogs settle into their pace quickly. Watching them run as a team is truly one of the most beautiful things ever. The grace and power of their strides is only matched by their enthusiasm to run. I have been behind the team for literally thousands of miles. When our training first started a few years ago we used to let the
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dogs pull us on rollerblades. That quickly became dangerous once they realized it was almost impossible for us to stop them. As a team, we have all come so far. I have seen pictures taken from the front of the team during races and some training runs and it often looks like each dog is smiling. One of the things I have loved hearing during races is when people say, Wow, you guys have the happiest team on the trail! And it’s true. Each run for them is like a freedom run, and I can tell they appreciate seeing the places we travel to. Too date, they have run through Michigan’s woods and alongside Lake Superior for the 30-mile Jack Pine and the 90-Midnight Run. They have run over the hilly terrain of Northern Wisconsin in the Apostle Island Sled Dog Race. They have seen the mountains and creeks in Montana during the Rodeo Run. And they have raised over $400 for breast
Richie Camden is a dog trainer at Murphy Animal Hospital in High Ridge, Missouri. He also manages the doggie daycare program and does the behavior assessments of each dog entering the play yard. On winter weekends, Richie and his finance’ Leah give sled dog rides on a 1-mile trail at Murphy Animal Hospital. Richie also visits schools, churches and summer camps with Koivu and Fleury to give fun and highly interactive sled dog talks. If you would like to follow the Breakaway Kennels sled dog team “like” them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/breakawaykennels To contact Richie for rates on training, sled dog rides or sled dog presentations please call 314973-2174 or call Murphy Animal Hospital at 636-677-8555. www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - February 2015
cancer leading up to Minnesota’s Mush for a Cure race. When we arrive back in the parking lot hours later it’s easy to tell how happy they are. It’s nothing but smiles and wagging tails as I hand out the grand prize of water mixed with dog kibble and treats (usually fish, duck or deer meat). They devour it in seconds. After we remove their harnesses and dog booties (protective wear on their paws), we load them back up into the truck where they happily cuddle up with one another. Thanks to sponsors Murphy Animal Hospital and Kim Stuckmeyer-Bruce of Berkshire Hathaway Real Estate, the Breakaway Kennels sled dog team will be racing in the 6-dog, 30-mile Jack Pine sled dog race up in Gwynn, Michigan over Valentines day weekend. The following week they will head over to Ely, Minnesota to compete in the 8-dog, 50-mile Wolftrack Classic sled dog race.
Ask about oouurrDD-IIY-Y sweetheart d eal!
For Dogs & Cats
D-I-Y
DOG WASH! professional grooming also available
www.treats-unleashed.com Visit our Mid Rivers & Chesterfield locations. 19
To Foster? To Adopt? Tough Choices, Equally Happy Results! by Tracey Turner The world of rescue has its challenges; at first it’s heartbreaking to see the plight of these animals, but ultimately it’s totally rewarding. When you see the transformation of a scared, battered, hopeless animal into a happy, loving, affectionate pet, it makes it all worth it. Fosters provide a calm home environment, training and solid evaluation – because the animal has been fostered rather than confined at a shelter, potential adopters get the benefit of learning a lot more about the furry friend they are considering adopting, so placement into the home is so much easier and can fit the family’s lifestyle forever! Being a foster can be hard. You get attached to the pets you foster, but the reward in the end is knowing they are moving on to a loving forever home, so another can be saved! Here are a few of our favorite stories that warmed our hearts and hopefully will inspire you to get involved in rescuing animals in need, whether it’s fostering or adopting. We need you both! Phoenix was found in rural Louisiana, MO. Her legs were bound with barbed wire and the tip of her nose sliced off. Even worse, she had been shot and was extremely malnourished. C.A.P.A was able to raise the funds necessary to get her the medical care she needed and her foster family provided her the time, love, and training needed to recover from her injuries. She blossomed into a sweet, spirited, happy-go-lucky girl and was ultimately adopted by an individual who loves her completely.
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Richie is a senior dog who was living in a single-wide trailer with a dozen or more dogs, as well as a dozens of cats. The owner went into hospice care. Due to the conditions the dogs were living in Richie and most of the other dogs were sent to the Humane Society. Most of the other animals were released to rescue, all except Richie. The foster was unable to pick him up immediately because of his medical condition. She waited several days and was finally told she could come get him. She took him home and introduced him to her family. When her father came to meet Richie it was love at first sight — the rest is history — a happily ever after story! Richie celebrated his first Christmas in 2014. This Valentine’s day he will absolutely know what love it all about, thanks to his foster mom and his new dad.
You can help change the world – one tail wag at a time!
Valentine (who has his own Facebook page — https:// www.facebook.com/ValentinesNewJourney) was seen running down Lindbergh near Clayton Road on February 9th, 2014 during a heavy snow. His spotter tried to coax him into the car, but he was too scared and ran off. She posted a video of him on Facebook that evening asking for people to keep an eye out. Five days later, he was spotted being hit by a car in morning traffic and that evening hit a second time on the Boone Bridge near Maryland Heights Expressway, 10 miles away from the initial sighting! Witnesses stopped traffic on the interstate and local Animal Control took him to safety. That evening, through social media, an individual living in Columbia MO received a picture of him from a friend who was one of the witnesses who saw him get hit. She had seen the initial video five days prior and was certain it was the same dog… AND IT WAS!! That same evening, through the power of social media, she was able to get in contact with the poster of the video. After confirming with Animal Control he was alive but not in good condition, those who connected together on Facebook along with C.A.P.A. launched an aggressive and successful campaign to raise the money to save this boy. The very next day, Valentine’s Day, he was taken to VSS where he underwent surgery! Today, a year later, Valentine is still looking for his forever home and while he still has his foster angels watching over him and working with him daily, we are all hoping to find him a perfect www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - February 2015
forever home!! The love we feel for all the dogs that come into rescue and the success stories are what keeps us all going, but it takes fosters and loving adopters to make it happen!! Please consider fostering a dog in need and/or adopting one of our rescues or a rescue from another reputable local rescue!!
You can help change the world – one tail wag at a time! Tracy Turner is a C.A.P.A Volunteer/Foster Advocate and Owner of Paws For Play a day play, boarding, and training facility located in St. Charles, MO. Providing a safe caring environment for dogs and simply trying to save dogs in need one (two, maybe three) tails at a time!! Rescue, Advocate, Foster, Adopt or Donate! You can help make a difference! Paws For Play offers a ONE-STOP K9 Day Camp, Overnight Stay & Play, Training and Grooming services. It is located at 1714 Scherer Parkway, St. Charles, MO, 63303. Contact information is: 636.947.3777, info@paws-for-play.com, www.pawsfor-play.com
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Available for Adoption Jionni
American Staffordshire Terrier (short coat) :: Male :: Adult Additional Info: • Good with Cats • House trained • Up-to-date with vaccines A beautiful black brindle AST. He is about 1-1/2-2years old and about 70lbs! He needs a forever home who will love and care for him, but be firm and not let him run the house. He knows many commands and loves to learn.
Lizzy
Boxer / American Pit Bull Terrier / Mixed :: Female :: Baby Additional Info: • Good with Dogs • Good with Cats • Good with Children • House trained • Up-to-date with vaccines • Has Special Needs allergies Lizzy is a 1 year old Boxer/Staffordshire Terrier mix? Very energetic and playful. Loves to cuddle, give kisses and loves belly rubs. All around happy, energetic pup that loves life and loves everyone.
See www.capaanimals.org/adoptables for all adoptable dogs and cats
Contact Information
The Community Animal Protection Association (CAPA) Animal Rescue is a small foster-based rescue. We strive to save the many stray, neglected, & abused animals in our region! We have a small local pound that we assist with daily also. We are a small group but get a lot accomplished! Our website is our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/caparescue Please e-mail us for the fastest response, as we do not have a physical location. All our animals are in foster homes.
Please Spay or Neuter Your Pets!
Every spring the pet population continues to grow. It will never be under control UNTIL owners take proper care of their pets! 22
MetroPet Magazine | St. Louis - February 2015
Look in the Mirror: How Do You Handle Stress? How Does Your Dog Handle Stress? by Mary Sellaro
Stress. Pressure. Anxiety. It really doesn’t matter how you say it; stress is a fact of life. Dogs, like people, experience stress. It is often a very difficult process to successfully learn to cope, recover, and then gain the confidence to face the world all over again. Dogs have very complex and subtle communication skills. A human has the ability to talk about and communicate their feelings through the use of verbal language. A dog, however, does not have the ability to speak and communicates their fears through body language. Unfortunately, humans often either misinterpret their dog’s signals or neglect to monitor their dog’s reactions in certain situations. Since dogs are experts in reading body language, they will quickly learn to read what humans are feeling and will quickly learn to react to you and the environment. If you are tired, sad, worried, frustrated or stressed, a dog will be alert to these emotions. It is very common for a dog to try to help you feel better or calm down. A dog uses calming signals to diffuse a situation in both dog to dog and dog to human situations. The dog might sit with his back to you, approach low-like crawling while wagging tail, coming to you in an arc instead of straight on, freeze-like a statue, paw or sniff. www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - February 2015
How a person deals with stress in their personal life can often predict their ability to help their dog learn to cope. If a person meets life head on and deals with life’s issues, even though it may be difficult for a while, their dog most likely will be comfortable in new situations. A person who can handle a high level of stress learns there are ways to cope. On the other hand, if a person runs from the problems of life and can’t face challenges, their dog most likely will become fearful in new situations. A person, who cannot handle stress, panics and runs away when he is forced to cope. When the person who has no coping skills is finally forced to become accountable, and there are no other options, unpredictable reactions can occur. A dog who doesn’t have the ability to cope, or if their signs of stress are ignored or misinterpreted, can become so fearful an act of aggression can occur or a dog will simply refuse to be in a place, situation or around people which once seemed familiar. Looking at a situation where this occurs, human and dogs are usually at the opposite end of the spectrum in thinking. In the dog’s mind, he has given a sufficient amount of signals to the human which should have been “caught”. To the human, the dog’s reaction either leaves them confused or is considered “out of the blue”.
Recognizing Stress
Can you tell if your dog is experiencing anxiety? Do you watch your dog’s reactions in all situations? If the answer is “no” or “sometimes”, this needs to change immediately. It is your responsibility to understand what is happening in your dog’s head and consistently react before it reaches a critical moment. Body • Stiff-muscles tense • Appears “weary” or tired 23
Obedience Training
• Body low to the ground-as if trying not to be noticed • Tail low-may wag differently • Hackles up • Sound • Whining • Barking
Training provides structure and predictability for a dog. Everyone, both dogs and humans, are more comfortable when rules are clear and expectations are consistent and carried out fairly. Dogs are not humans; they think and react differently than we do. People must take the time to understand how a dog thinks and interprets the human world they live in.
Mouth • Panting with tight or wide open mouth • Lip licking • Yawning • Teeth chattering • Drooling Eyes • Whites exposed • Pupils dilated • Turning head away to avoid eye contact • Squinting • Glazed over • Blinking Face • Worried look-wrinkled brow • Ears back Posture • Scratching, sniffing, stretching • Stops-reluctant or refuses to move • Wants to leave area or situation • Sweating through pads • Continuous jumping up or clawing • Circling-seems to be seeking direction
Resolving the Problem
When signs of stress are observed, having a plan and knowing how to react will help your dog learn to cope and trust your judgment in stressful situations,
While we cannot protect our dogs from ever having a stressful moment, we can teach them there is an alternative. you see the dog visibly relax. A change of environment can help the dog calm down and refocus. If space allows, take a walk or play a low-keyed game to change the dog’s frame of mind. • Make sure you are relaxed yourselfstay calm. Humans can use calming signals back to dogs-take a deep breath, avoid direct eye contact with the dog-look away, yawn, and blink your eyes or stretch. • Redirect the dog with obedience exercises. Training will help keep the dog’s mind busy on working instead of being anxious. • Keep conversation upbeat and light-do not smother with sympathy. Empathy is key-identify with the dog and help him get past his fears. • Seek the advice of a trainer if the dog’s anxiety continues to get worse or does not subside.
• Take a break-move out of the area or situation; far enough away so 24
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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.
Fires and Pets It is a fact of life – nothing is more terrifying than a fire. Every year, there are thousands of fires in homes, vehicles and office buildings. The National Fire Protection Agency, (NFPA) records show that every 25 seconds a fire department responds to a fire. In 2013, approximately 3,200 people died. The NFPA doesn’t keep track of the number of pets who die, but many pet deaths could be eliminated if the proper equipment was available. Pets are more vulnerable to fires for two reasons – they hide, and smoke inhalation. Because pets hide in the home or building, it is difficult for firefighters to find them. Secondly, when the firefighters do find the pets, the “people” oxygen masks don’t fit the animals, so the pets die because they don’t get the much-needed oxygen.
Pet Oxygen Masks
The second problem for pets is the oxygen mask available. Because human oxygen masks don’t fit animals properly, they don’t provide much needed oxygen. Consider the shape of cat or dog’s face and the shape of a human’s face. It is very obvious that the same masks simply won’t work. To solve this problem, a pet oxygen mask was developed by a veterinarian. The plastic part of the mask is a cone. It provides a seal around the muzzle of the animal. These masks help firefighters deliver the right amount of oxygen to the pet. They also protect firefighters from an injured animal who may try to bite out of fear.
Because there are many different sizes of dogs and cats, the masks come in three different sizes – small, Protecting Your Pets medium, and large. Each mask can The first thing pet owners should do be attached to the same hose that is to protect their pets, is to add a sticker used for human oxygen masks. Once to an outside window of their home. the mask is attached to the hose, This is a simple, low-cost step that just about any air breathing animal helps fire fighters know the number species from a tiny bird or reptile and types of pets in your home. There to a St. Bernard can be resuscitated. are many different sizes and options Most masks are economical, of these stickers. Most cost just a few reusable, sturdy and easily cleaned dollars. They easily attach to your and many come with a 2-year windows and can be updated or manufacturer warranty. changed when the number of pets in The masks come individually or in your home changes. a set of three. A homeowner might Remember: if the number of pets in your home changes, update the sticker — you don’t want the fire fighter looking for a pet who no longer lives with you or miss a newly added pet!
want to purchase one mask for home use. Another option is to purchase a set of three masks and donate the set to a local fire station. These sets vary in price, but most can be purchased for under $80. It is important that each fire truck have one set of
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masks. This makes it easy for the fire fighters to have the equipment ready when needed. This could be a simple fundraising event for a local group, book club, bridge club, etc. If you are interested in learning more about stickers or oxygen masks, please contact Yucko’s at 314-291-POOP (7667). Who can you call? Yucko’s Pooper Scooper Service and More! Scooping St. Louis and St. Charles Since 1990. Yucko’s Will Be Celebrating its 25th Anniversary in September, 2015. A Big Heartfelt Thank You to all Who Made it Possible. For Pick-up Services visit www.yuckos.com or call 314-291-POOP (7667). Check out the Got Poop Boutique Too! We sell Dogipot Products, Pet Oxygen Mask Kits, Fire Stickers, Fake Fire Hydrants and More - www. yuckos.com or call 314-770-1500.
Yucko’s Is A Local Family Owned Businesses 25
Jazz Up & Settle Down by Mike Deathe
Let me ask you a few questions… Would you like a command to use when your dog is completely bonkers? If you did not know what black looked like would you understand the color white? How on earth can you teach a dog to calm down if they don’t understand being crazy? OK so some of you are wondering (again), has Mikey lost his marbles for good this time? The answer, (I think) is no…not yet! Instead, we are heading into one of my favorite games to teach dogs, JAZZ UP AND SETTLE DOWN! The goal of this game is to use the idea of opposites to teach Fido to calm down when he is acting crazy. Think about the above question on the colors of black and white. They are opposites, so understanding one is really dependent on understanding the other. It works that way with all opposites. Would you understand noisy without quiet, hot without cold or, for the more philosophical of you out there, ying without yang? Is it making more sense? Good, now back to dog training…
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MetroPet Magazine Magazine || St. St. Louis Louis -- February February 2014 2015 MetroPet
How on earth are we ever going to get a dog to calm down on command without understanding what being crazy is? Simple, we are going to put both on cue and practice, practice, practice. All you are going to need is a kitchen table, your dog and some tennis shoes! The game goes something like this…you get Fido all sorts of crazy by chasing him around the kitchen table. Then all of a sudden you put on the brakes and run the opposite direction, this time letting Fido chase you. Right before he catches you, turn on a dime, face Fido and give the settle down command! Now don’t expect a miracle here! Getting Fido to lie down and relax (to the point of being on his side and getting a tummy rub) is not going to be easy or fast; but with practice and patience the results
will become better and come faster. Now for the kicker…once Fido is calmed down, get up and start the game all over again with you chasing Fido around the table and so on! Not only is this game a lot of fun for you and Fido, but it gives Fido a chance to learn “Jazz Up and Settle Down” which are both sides of the coin that 100% of dog owners desperately want, but in many cases have no idea how to get. We stand there with our human brains, yelling at our dog when they are being crazy, expecting them to understand what we want without even bothering to show them. That, my friends, is the beauty of this game! The only time you are really going to need the dog to “settle down” is in fact when they are crazy; and if we don’t practice the command while the dog is crazy, then can we really expect it to work? Like all things in dog training, common sense smacks us in the face as we realize that a silly game of “Jazz Up and Settle Down” practiced 3-4 times a week, unlocks one of the great mysteries of problem behaviors in dogs. So if you want a dog who truly understands the command of “settle down” go get your tennis shoes and start not only training your dog but also getting some exercise and having some fun with him!
www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - February 2015
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.
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Meet the Breed February Pet of the Month
Catahoula Leopard Dog The Catahoula Leopard Dog is thought to have originated from the Nordic Wolfhound approximately three to five hundred years before the Spanish arrived in Louisiana, but, no one knows the full truth of their origin. Louisiana is thought to be the point of origin, in the area of Catahoula. In 1979, the breed was designated the state dog of Louisiana. The Catahoula is named after a Parish in northeastern Louisiana. Catahoula Leopard Dogs are known to be very independent, protective and territorial. They can be very affectionate and loving with their family and all people they know. They are generally reserved with strangers, including children. They must be well socialized at a very young age to be reliable around people. The Catahoula is not recommended for a beginning dog owner, nor one who does not take the pack leader role seriously. They need structure, discipline, firm, fair treatment in training and clear lines of communication regarding rules. The human must be the one making all decisions. This breed is a herding breed that has a variety of uses including rounding up feral pigs. They were also used on the farm with livestock that had escaped. Hunters sometimes use the Catahoula to trail raccoons. This is generally a dominant breed and very much at home and comfortable putting obstinate boars in their place. They are called the most versatile of all working dog breeds. They make a great candidate for Search and Rescue as well as drug detection, needless to say, the Catahoula Leopard dog is a protective breed that is intelligent and adaptable to nearly every situation. They are known for the mottled spots on their coat. Their coat is one that is short, with no undercoats, called a single coat. The color is generally a merle or black/tan pattern. Some coats can be coarse, but most are short and tight. They need to be protected from the elements, and be kept inside in really cold weather, 28
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since they are a single-coated dog. This breed is known to be prone to hip dysplasia and deafness. Along with deafness, this breed can also have a variety of eye problems. As a breed they are relatively free of a lot of diseases. Protective and loyal with their owners, they can be slightly reserved around strangers. They have a strong sense of territory, but they are more cautious than anything, keeping a watchful eye on strangers and new people until they feel comfortable. The Catahoula makes an excellent watchdog, especially on ranches, farms and other wide-open spaces. The Catahoula can do well in apartments, however, it depends on the breeding of the dog and how much time an owner is willing to spend with the dog. Exercise and attention is a key factor for a successful owner. This is not a dog that can be tied to a doghouse, fed and ignored. Chaining and/or ignoring a Catahoula can make it shy or aggressive. Like most dogs, this breed needs human companionship.
Facts:
•D uring the early 1900s, Teddy Roosevelt used the Catahoula when hunting. • I n the Discovery Channel TV show, Alaska: The Last Frontier, Eivin Kiltcher owns a Catahoula. • I n Bones, Season 8, episode 21 “The Maiden in the Mushrooms”, the murder of a court TV show producer was over a “leopard dog”, or Catahoula. • I n 2007, the Catahoula was voted to be the school mascot for Centenary College of Louisiana
The Next Adventures of Chip
KINDNESS
by Heddie Leger
Recap from Chapter 13: “I really did not know where to start, but one thing I do remember is that one day before the storm, I noticed a flag flying on a pole. The flag had a white background with a crimson St. Andrew’s cross, crossing diagonally from corner to corner. I heard someone say onetime that the official gemstone was a Star Blue Quartz, but I don’t know what that is. My old owner used to go hunting for turkey and said that the Eastern Wild Turkey was a sought after prize to hunt, but I did not like guns so never went with her. I never understood what this meant, but learned before the storm that the Official State Mascot & Butterfly is the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. It makes me feel good that some of these memories are coming back. Maybe they will help me find where I came from. I don’t remember it ever being cold, but then I was a very young pup.” Remember Chip has dedicated himself to finding his mother and siblings if possible. Do you know what state he has visited first? If not, please look over the clues. The Shelter
He could hear his mother’s voice whispering in his ear. He did not doubt that her words were true. “Don’t be discouraged. It’s often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock. When the world shouts, “Give up.” Hope whispers, “Try it one more time.” It was as if she were right next to him. The past year had been such a whirlwind of change and opportunity. MawMaw had always said the world will give you exactly what you expect. She said what goes around comes around and that showing kindness was one of the most important things to never forget. Chip learned that to be true through meeting Penelope, Allen, their parents and friends. He dedicated his life to being kind to everyone and kindness had always come back to him. However, www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - February 2015
Chip was about to embark on a path where kindness was not always the rule. “Oh my, I wonder if my MawMaw had been here,” Chip thought to himself. He stood before a large cement block building with graffiti all over it. The smell was something he had never encountered. It burned his nose and made him feel sick to his stomach. Not only that the screams he heard were nothing he had ever heard before. It made him want to run away and run to them to help all at the same time. He was so confused and conflicted. Should he go in and look for his MawMaw, should he turn away and run as far away from this scary place as possible? He just did not know. He decided to run and get as far away as possible. He ran as fast as his little legs would 29
Kindness — Compassionate act: an act that shows consideration and caring carry him until he came upon a park with big trees, swings, people flying kites, children playing and riding bikes. It made him think of Penelope and Allen and how kind they had been to him. He thought that these children would treat him with kindness also, but he was in for quite a shock.
The children had all scattered and Kindness is the language run away, screaming and looking for their parents or a safe place to which the deaf can hear hide. At first he thought they were and the blind can see. playing hide and seek, but they ~Mark Twain~ were not smiling and they did not look or act like they wanted to play. 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 “Why are they running and away and screaming. came circling around. It had a kennel in the back and Bark, bark, stop, wait, come play with me…..can you big letters that said, ANIMAL CARE and CONTROL help me find my MawMaw? Bark, bark, whine, whine, with pictures of animals on the sides. A big burly man cry……” He ran after them thinking they would play with a hat got out and started walking towards him….. with him and help him. Chip sat down bewildered. 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…..” Look for what happens to Chip in the next issue of MetroPet Magazine.
True story:
During my second year of nursing school our professor gave us a quiz. I breezed through the questions until I read the last one: “What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?” Surely this was a joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Before the class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our grade. “Absolutely,” the professor said. “In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello.” I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy. ~Joann C. Jones
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Activity What is the name of the custodian in your building? Each and every day we walk pass nameless faces, never showing them even a smile or greeting. There are people in your life that bring a wealth of support and knowledge that are waiting for a simple kindness.
Humane Education Point Kindness can be shown in the simplest of ways. Stopping to take time to help a friend in need. Smiling, sharing an item with a friend or sibling. Helping an elderly person with their groceries. Volunteering for a local shelter or any other organization that helps people in need. All of these opportunities are ways of showing kindness. Can you think of any others?
Story Discussion Tips • Did anyone show Chip Kindness in this month’s story? • How do you think Chip felt when the children ran away screaming? • What could the children have done differently? • What would you have done? • Do you have someone who has shown you kindness? What did that person say or do to show you a kindness?
Why Advertise in Because your customer plus 50,000+ pet lovers are reading MetroPet Magazine each month!
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.
Meet Nancy Hayes and her loveable adoptees!
For Rates and Options Call
Barbara 913.548.1433 OR Nancy 314.650.7959 www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - February 2015
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Chip’s Corner 32
MetroPet Magazine | St. Louis - February 2015
PAWZZLE
by Pawlean Journe
Answers to this Pawzzle can be found in the Breed of the Month story on page 28.
ACROSS 2.
_________________ must be firm and fair.
6. They are also used to hunt wild _________________. 8. This working dog is known to excel at _________________, 9. This breed needs lots of ________________ and does not do well chained outside. 11. Originated in the State of ________________. 12. Owner must know how to be the _________. 14. They are often ___________________ around strangers.
20. They have a strong sense of ______________. 21. In what show, episode 21, was there a catahoula leopard dog included. 22. Coat coloring is mostly __________________. 24. What health issue is this breed prone to having? 25. They are not a dog for the ________________ dog owner. 26. In the ___________________ Parish. 27. They need clear ___________________ regarding rules.
15. Name of the breed is Catahoula ______________ Dog. 18. Catahoula dogs make an excellent _____________.
DOWN 1.
They are also known to be very ______________.
3. Can make decisions and are very ___________________. 4. What college voted the Cataloula as its mascot in 2007.
January Pawzzle Answers
5. The _________________ must be the one making all the decisions. 7.
They have a ____________ coat.
10. They are known to be very _____________. 13. It is a must that they be very well _________________ at a young age. 16. Hunters sometimes use them to trail ______________. 17. They can be _____________ with family. 19. They are known to herd __________ pigs. 23. This is known to be a _________________ breed.
www.metropetmag.com | St. Louis - February 2015
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Pet Hospice Services
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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.
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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 - February 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.
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