January/February Metro Pet Magazine

J ANUARY /F EBRUARY ‘09

Exciting News for 2009! Pg 34

BRINGING HOME BABY 6 LANDSCAPING FOR PETS 16 GET THE SKINNY ON OBESITY 20

Free to Readers

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2009

8

6

16

20

Feature Articles

In Every Issue

6

4

Bringing Home Baby?

Is your family really ready?

8

12

10

Our responsibility to the environment.

14

Really?

16

New Year’s Resolutions for Your Pet Don’t forget about your furry or feathered companions.

20

Dog Horoscopes Do you really know your dog?

Newshound Sniffing out leads on kids and their pets.

23

Online Photo Contest This month’s winners of the metropetmag.com contest.

Landscaping for Pets Are your four-legged friends making a mud pit out of your backyard?

18

Happy New Year! Read all about our exciting news.

Dog Waste Removal Yoga for Animals...

Welcome Pet Lovers

28

Cat Horoscopes How well do you know your cat?

32

Ad Index

33

Chip’s Corner

Get the Skinny on Obesity

How many dogs does it take to change a light bulb?

How do you deal with your overweight pet?

24

The Love Connection Pets helping people.

30

Scooping is for the Birds A creative new idea for your neighborhood and parks!

34

Exciting News for 2009 Where will you see and hear MetroPet this year?

MetroPet Resources 13 17 22 26

Sydney’s Pet Spa Heart of America Invisible Fence Homestead Pet Resort & Spa, LLC Mariposa Veterinary Center

J AN /F EB 2009 • MetroPetMag.com

3

Publisher’s Message

Happy New Year!

2009 is here!!! I can’t believe we are in a new year!

2009 is starting out with a bang. MetroPet is excited at the places you will hear and see us in 2009. Yes, you read that correctly, you will both hear and see us in unique places in 2009.

On the Radio!

MetroPet has partnered with the Wilks Broadcasting group to provide pet owners with timely information and resources. So you will be hearing us on the radio and in streaming ads. You will hear MetroPet news and events on Mix 93.3, 94.1 KFKF, Star 102 and Q104. We will also be providing content for pet pages at each radio station’s website. On these sites you will find a featured article, pet horoscopes, a link to events and much more. So, if you’re listening to the radio and you hear MetroPet — don’t be surprised! For more details about this partnership, see articles on pages 10 and 29.

At Events!

MetroPet has also partnered with Pat Riha Productions. We will be attending several shows in early 2009. These shows include: • The Metropolitan Lawn and Garden Show at The American Royal Center on February 6 to 8, 2009 • The Mid-America RV Show & The Mid-America Boat Show at Bartle Hall, Kansas City MO Convention Center on February 13 to 15, 2009 and February 20 to 22, 2009.

• The Pet Expo, at the American Royal Center on April 18 to 19, 2009.

But why are these shows important to our readers? Because pet owners will be attending, and we will be able to reach them with our new magazine! In addition, several of these shows have pet related events. Check them out at patrihaproductions.com. For more details about these shows, see article on page 4.

Please continue to support our advertisers! In these financially trying times, it is even more important to spend money wisely The advertisers in MetroPet provide quality services which enhance our lives with our pet companions. Getting this kind of value for your dollar, is money well spent. Please mention MetroPet when you call or visit our advertisers.

Staff and Contacts Publisher Barbara Riedel info@metropetmag.com

Editor/Production Manager Dan O'Leary editor@metropetmag.com

Layout/Graphic Design Alison Fieber info@metropetmag.com

Web Master Jon Dunn info@metropetmag.com

Advertising Sales adsales@metropetmag.com

Contributing Authors Sarah Dixon Pat Hennessy Suezanne Law Barbara Bowen Miller Pat Riha Lori Stiles

Photographer Dan O'Leary

Contact MetroPet PO Box 480065 Kansas City, MO 64148 Phone: 913.548.1433 Fax: 816.941.4655

Have a great new year and enjoy the great articles in this issue!

Barbara Riedel, Publisher

P.S. This magazine is free to you — because of our advertisers support. Please thank them and consider the use of the services and products they provide. Happy New Year!

4

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. © 2008 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.

MetroPet Magazine J AN /F EB 2009

Bringing Home Baby?

Are You Really Ready?

National Dogs&Storks Program Now at Shawnee Mission Medical Center

by Suezanne Law

DOG’S-EYE VIEW I have been replaced. I don’t understand why. Not long ago, we were a happy family, my people and me. Ever since I can remember — my whole life long, and maybe even longer — we played and took sunshine walks and snuggled together on cold winter evenings. They fed me and cared for me and called me friend; and in return I listened to their secrets, shared their joy, and licked away their tears.

Now it’s over, and I am confused and scared. That new wriggling thing in the room I can no longer enter takes my people away from me more and more. Is it a person, too? I don’t think so. It doesn’t look much like a person. It smells strange — though I am not to get too close. And the noise it makes sounds nothing like the sweet, gentle murmurs of my people when they talk to me.

Except they don’t anymore. Now if they notice me, they speak sharply and sometimes they yell. And the way they say my name — I cringe when I hear it, and it used to fill me with such excitement. There are no more games, no more adventures, no more cuddles. Sure, they feed me — mostly on time — but do they really care? The secrets, the joy, the tears — these are shared now with that new wriggling thing in the room I can no longer enter.

I am not their friend.

Was it because I jumped up to see the wriggling thing when they came home? (Usually they share new things with me.) Or because I pawed and nosed and whined when they were resting? (They’ve always invited me to 6

MetroPet Magazine J AN /F EB 2009

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 800,000 Americans seek medical help each year because of dog-bite injuries, and half of those injured are children. Worse, 66% of dog bites in children aged four and younger are to the head and neck. Many expectant couples worry about how they can safely bring their new baby into a family that already includes four-legged ‘kids’. But with a little preparation, mixed-species families can become stronger rather than becoming statistics.

Dogs&Storks is here to help.

The national Dogs&Storks program provides practical education during pregnancy by teaching expectant families to understand canine body language and to cope with their dogs’ sensitivities and attention-seeking behaviors. Dogs&Storks educators, all of whom are professional dog trainers too, are also trained to provide continued support after baby arrives.

Dogs&Storks classes at Shawnee Mission Medical Center begin January 11th and will run throughout 2009. For more information or to register call the ASK-A-NURSE Resource Center at 913.676.7777.

Online registration is also available by visiting www.shawneemission.org. burrow in before.) Was it my commiseration when the new thing was howling? (I couldn’t see the moon — but I’m sure it was there.) Or was it because my curiosity finally got the better of me and I sniffed my way into that room? (I was so close to understanding — wouldn’t you have growled too, with the answers right there, just under your nose?)

I’ll never know why. With no preparation, no reason, and with scarcely a word of regret, you see, I am being sent away.

I used to be their friend. Now I have been replaced.

PEOPLE’S-EYE VIEW — MEGGIN’S STORY But preparation and training In September of 1996 I brought home go a long way towards creating a my first baby. She was 85 pounds, black peaceful coexistence between the and white with ice blue eyes, and two two-legged kids and the fouryears old. I was working as an adoption legged. Introducing dogs earlycounselor at our local shelter when on to all of the new sights, Nikko found me. She was to be euthasmells, and sounds a baby brings nized that day and I couldn’t stand to can help to lessen their intense see that happen to such a beautiful, curiosity and slow their drive to intelligent, loving dog — so I adopted investigate. Living new routines her. I brought her home and after many — from diaper changes to midtrials and tribulations (and much night feedings to naps in the destruction of property) we became afternoon — and teaching the inseparable. She went everywhere with dogs what is expected of them in me, slept with me, was my best friend. the process helps to decrease I met my husband and was married in their insecurity and to short-cir2001. We had our first son in October cuit the trial and error process 2002. When the baby was about 10 by which dogs learn. And pracmonths old and starting to crawl Nikko ticing these new skills before became very territorial. She began Baby arrives helps both parents making me nervous when he would and dogs gain the foresight and crawl near her, sometimes baring her confidence necessary to handle teeth at him. I had no idea what to do most anything to come. and prayed that she would just adjust to “I was lucky enough to have him. We had paid little-to-no attention the option of sending Nikko to to helping her adjust to our new fami“Dogs are members of our families my mother’s,” says Meggin, now ly member. childbirth and parenting educaOne evening while my husband was — not just pets — and they tor for Shawnee Mission Medical at work, my son crawled over by her and grabbed her ear. She turned and deserve to be treated with respect Center. “But looking back I wish I would have worked with her snapped — and barely missed his for all the love they give us.” more. Dogs are members of our face. I immediately knew that somefamilies — not just pets — and thing had to change quickly. I called they deserve to be treated with my mom in tears, as I couldn’t bear the thought of losing Nikko. How can you just respect for all the love they give us.” “give away” your best friend? Nikko had already been abandoned once and landed She continues, “I make it a point on the first at the shelter — how could I abandon her again? But my mom had always referred night of childbirth and parent education classto Nikko as her “grand-dog,” and she agreed to take Nikko for me. The following es to make sure that expecting parents include weekend, I put Nikko in the car and drove the two hours to my mom’s house. Pulling the conditioning of their animals in their out of her driveway and leaving my baby was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had preparations for bringing home Baby. to do.

Including pets and making the transition easy for them is less stress on everyone involved.”

SEEING EYE-TO-EYE For some people, the addition of a new human family-member marks the first time that they see their four-legged “kids” in their true light – as animals. Their claws seem unexpectedly sharper, their teeth more keen, and their demeanor alien and suddenly invasive to our newly human-centric view of life. For, the danger is very real, and that is frightening.

Suezanne M. Law is a canine-human relationship counselor and accredited dog trainer. She opened Sympawtico Dog Training, LLC to better tailor her training curriculum to the needs of her community. Visit her at www.sympawtico.com.

With thanks to Meggin Finkeldei.

J AN /F EB 2009 MetroPetMag.com

7

Dog Waste Removal Our Responsibility to the Environment

by Lori Stiles

HOW DOG WASTE AFFECTS OUR ENVIRONMENT Leaving an accumulation of dog waste on the ground is the main contributor of water pollution. Each time snow melts or it rains the bacteria run-off from dog waste washes into storm drains. This water is untreated and moves directly from storm drains into our rivers, streams, and lakes. The promotion of additional bacteria in our waterways harms the health of wildlife, fish, and humans.

HOW DOG WASTE AFFECTS OUR HEALTH Human contact with harmful bacteria and parasites normally occur with activities such as children playing outside, gardening and dogs walking in their own waste. The chance of coming in contact with harmful bacteria increases when excess dog waste contaminates our yards. The waste and bacteria from your dog’s daily routine can easily be transmitted from their paws onto you and your family. Most common of these bacterial infections promotes illnesses with symptoms very similar to the flu that includes fevers, muscle aches, headache, vomiting and diarrhea.

THE IMPACT OF PET WASTE IN THE KANSAS CITY METRO AREA

In the ever increasing world of environmental issues, we are learning that in order to help our ecosystem there is an increasing need to live like we have to; not like we want to. Deep routed in this mindset is an uncomfortable feeling of change for some people, while others embrace the opportunity to “give back” to the environment that has been available for us to enjoy.

8

MetroPet Magazine J AN /F EB 2009

Unfortunately for the Kansas City Metropolitan area many of our local waterways do not meet state water quality bacteria standards for recreational use. These tests were performed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The USGS is an organization whose mission is to serve the Nation by providing reliable scientific information to understand the earth; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life. The source of this information is located at www.marc.org/water. In a recent study of streams and creeks in the Kansas City region, the USGS determined pet waste was the source of approximately one-quarter of the bacteria in our waterways. A devastating future of increased bacteria could kill fish and wildlife such as birds, dear, etc. that depend on streams and lakes for their natural survival.

CITY ORDINANCES AND HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS National organizations, Cities, and even Homeowner Associations are beginning to enforce rules and ordinances for dog owners to pick up after their pet. The majority of cities in the United States are implementing Ordinances that require regular cleaning of your yard or impose a fine anywhere from $50.00 to $600.00 for offenders. However, one city (Englewood, Colorado) has recently imposed an Ordinance that requires homeowners to pick up waste after 72 hours or face a $1,000.00 fine or a year in jail, or both!

Most individuals believe this would be hard to police, but authorities said they can use this new ordinance to deal with people who don’t pick up after their dog for months “or ever.”

Most offenders are turned in by their neighbors who are

tired of seeing and smelling the offensive waste by undependable pet owners.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP? The obvious is to pick up pet waste from your yard on a regular basis. It’s not fertilizer, and the lawn mower doesn’t make it magically disappear.

There’s no excuse that can validate leaving pet waste in the yard especially when it comes to your health and our environment. If you do not have time for this task, search for a professional pooper scooper. If you choose to clean the yard yourself, professional dog waste removal equipment will make this responsibility much easier.

Lori and Alan Stiles founded Scoopy the PooTM in 2005.

Scoopy the Poo provides professional dog waste removal services. Scoopy the Poo has also designed equipment used

by Professional Pooper Scoopers. This equipment is now available for sale to the public. For additional information about services and this equipment go to www.scoopythepoo.com or contact Lori or Alan at 816-412-9000.

J AN /F EB 2009 • MetroPetMag.com

9

Canine Signs Aquarius (Jan. 21 - Feb. 18) The Friend

The happiest Aquarius Dog is one who has been given as much freedom as possible for this dog adores to be allowed off the leash. Social interaction is where the Aquarius Dog really comes into his or her own.

The home of this dog is likely to be full of his or her friends and acquaintances...not all of whom will necessarily be of the canine persuasion.

Gemini (May 21 - June 21)

Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22)

The Yapper With fleet-footed Mercury as his or her Ruling Planet, the Gemini Dog is one of the Zodiac's fastest runners and, not surprisingly, any Greyhound born under the influence of this sign is likely to enjoy much success at the race track. It is important to note that the only time an owner will be absolutely sure of the whereabouts of the Gemini Dog is when they are attached by a leash.

The Boss-Dog The Leo Dog is a charming and rewarding dog, much easier to live with than might be expected. This is largely due to one exceptional and redeeming quality...the Leo Dog has a deep-set faith in humanity. Dogs which have been praised honored for bravery...or those pampered by royalty...are, more often than not, governed by the Sign of Leo.

Cancer (June 22 - July 22)

The Helper The Virgo Dog will never be found sleeping on a hard floor and is sensitive to discomfort in much the same way as the fairytale Princess was to the irritating pea. The Virgo Dog tends to spend a great deal of time in the garden, communing with nature as he or she weeds, digs and generally makes a mess.

The Home-Lover The Cancer Dog can settle almost anywhere. Taken to a new home, they will immediately view it as the place in which life will be lived out. Possessing a true nesting instinct, this canine will establish their corner and then set about filling it with treasures which will be protected.

10

MetroPet Magazine J AN /F EB 2009

Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22)

Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) The Shop-Steward Usually, other dog owners consider the Libra Dog a pleasant and well-controlled animal who is never connected with any misfortunes that may beset their own pets. The female Libra Dog may not be so easy. She will be so afraid of offending any male that shows an interest in her that she will not know how to say “No.”

Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) The Paragon Moreover, in the midst of a “rant and rave” for any reason, this canine will most probably simply fall asleep. Both genders of this canine will possess a deep interest in mating. Unfortunately, neutering or spaying does not seem to help much...particularly in the female.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) The Social Climber The Friend This canine needs fresh air as other dogs might need constant defleaing. Cooped-up or confined, the Sagittarius Dog (much like the archer which is symbolic of the sign) will know exactly where to aim so that he or she causes the most discomfort to others with the least personal inconvenience.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 20) The Social Climber Many of the world's most handsome dogs have been born under this Sign and almost every Capricorn Dog approaches perfection in

form and build, regardless of breed. The one flaw of this canine might be an overly-long nose coupled with an underslung jaw.

Pisces (Feb. 19 - Mar. 20) The Interpreter If an owner does not live by the sea or have a pond in the garden, then it will be necessary to fill the tub for the Pisces Dog. Ideally, this dog would like to live on a floating home...anything from an ocean liner to a narrow boat. Marooned on dry land in an ordinary house, they will make the most of anything wet that can be found.

Aries (Mar. 21 - Apr. 19) Leader of the Pack This dog will never be a “yesdog,” not even after months of training. The battle for independence begins the moment this little pup arrives in the home. It is futile for an owner to attempt to assert superiority over the Aries Dog...they will stop at nothing to undermine an owner's position.

Taurus (Apr. 20 - May 20) The Strong Silent Type Everything this dog surveys is considered to be a personal possession...from his or her feeding bowl to visitors in the home. It would be best not to allow this canine to actually see any guests depart, since the Taurus Dog perceives new people as personal possessions and may put up quite a fuss before letting them go.

J AN /F EB 2009 • MetroPetMag.com

11

Yoga for Animals

Really?

SIGN UP FOR DOGA CLASSES! Jan 19 - Feb 9 At Tails R' Waggin in Overland Park, KS Call 816-522-7005 to register — space is limited

After all, where do you think the Downward Facing Dog pose came from?

by Pat Hennessy

YOGA BENEFITS Yoga provides many benefits for people — stress relief, cardiovascular and respiratory support, pain relief, immunity building, etc. Our animals get many of the same benefits from practicing yoga and they are naturals at it. Yoga is designed to improve balance through physical stimulation and integrate the functions of the body. The word “yoga” is derived from Sanskrit and means to join together and direct one’s attention.

When we are young we are able to do somersaults and kick our heels up over our heads.

Later in life our mobility becomes limited due to injury, heredity and the inevitable aging process. Caroline Myss once said, “Our biography becomes our biology.” So, true it is. But what we can do to improve ourselves, be it our posture, circulation, metabolism, etc., is to practice the ancient art of yoga. And we can include our beloved animal companions.

Our animals can actually serve as our teachers. They have had centuries of practice and it is part of their nature to bend, stretch and relax. After all, where do you think the Downward Facing Dog pose came from? Not only will we learn by example, when following our canines or felines in yoga, but we will learn a lot about them in the process as well.

Felines, you say — you mean cats can do yoga? There is a pose named after them too, called the Cat Pose (or Bidalasana).

Yoga for dogs, called Doga (or sometimes Ruff Yoga), has been around for a while and started on the east coast. Many Doga instructors run classes similar to basic (human) yoga with people performing poses with their dogs beside them. Some Doga classes incorporate stretching for the dogs. Use caution because the canine anatomy doesn’t bend like the human anatomy and you don’t want to cause injury to your companion. Our dogs are natu12

MetroPet Magazine J AN /F EB 2009

rals at many of the poses and some have been modified for them. They will easily perform these poses with positive reinforcement — did you say treats? They will only bend as far as they are capable when doing it on their own. This will give you an idea as to their balance and give you something to work toward (becoming progressively better at each pose). In some cases you may get an indication of an area that could be affecting them and want to keep an eye on it.

MEOWOGA Yoga for cats, which I like to call Meowoga, can be an interesting experience. Who better than a feline knows how to stretch and relax? How did the “cat nap” get its name? They even have an internal mechanism for calming themselves (double jeopardy — what is purring?). If your cat doesn’t like to travel, you are not alone. You can learn Meowoga by working with shelter cats and take that knowledge home to try it on your own cat.

...You can begin to teach them the names of the poses as they learn to do them. It is fun and easy to play “the yoga game.”

GET COMFORTABLE

Contact N2paws for more information about classes and locations. Doga is currently being offered at Tails R’ Waggin, in Overland Park, KS. Meowoga and Doga are offered at Pet Connection, in Mission, KS.

It all starts with finding a peacePat Hennessy, is the founder of ful place and getting into a comN2paws, LLC, an organization that fortable position with your animal provides companion animal care companion. Take a deep breath in, through behavior education, energy hold it, and then let it go (clear work, and positive training methods. your mind). Now you are on your Pat is a certified TTouch Practitioner, way. After some meditation you CPDT, and member of the IAABC, begin to slowly move into a pose, IAATH, and AWA. You may contact hold it yourself to experience it, N2Paws via email pat@n2paws.com, then invite your companion to give phone 816-522-7005, or visit the website www.n2paws.com it a try (treats are a great motivator). Work for a few minutes on each ETRO ET ESOURCE pose and observe how she does with it (that will be useful WHO? Sydney’s Pet information going Spa forward). You can move on to other WHERE? poses, always observing, and finish up with some additional 13656 Roe Ave Leawood, KS relaxing techniques for balancing body, mind and spirit.

66224 • 913.239.0110 If you want your dog to work his way to becoming an expert www.sydneyspetspa.com • e-mail: info@sydneyspetspa.com “Dogi,” or your cat to become and expert “Meowogi,” then you can begin to teach them the names of the poses as they learn to HOW LONG IN BUSINESS? do them. It is fun and easy to play “the yoga game,” and you 2 years never know, they may teach you a few new poses along the way.

WHY ARE YOU DIFFERENT? Some day you may be able to do them in harmony.

Sydney’s is advertised as one of the finest all-inclusive pet service ENHANCE YOUR EXPERIENCE facilities in the area. Sydney’s offers a multitude of services, including daycare, dog and cat boarding, grooming, wash your own, vetTo enhance the experience you may add a candle or mister for erinary care (by appointment only) and boutique. Each pet at aromatherapy, however, be mindful that our animal companions Sydney’s is pampered and given structured opportunities to socialdon’t prefer the same scents that we do so avoid sweet smelling fragrances and go for more “earthy” ones. If your dog or cat is ize with other pets. stressed, you may want to include pheromones (a chemical that BENEFITS OF SYDNEY’S PET SPA triggers a natural response, usually for pets it reminds them of Sydney’s strives to provide such an enjoyable, restorative, enertheir mother at birth) or flower essences (the diffusion of a getic day for your pets that they are ready to curl up and veg out flower’s essence in liquid creating an appeasing effect from the when you get home as you are. plant’s properties). An additional enrichment to the experience is soft and soothing music in the background during a Doga or REASONS CUSTOMERS COME BACK! Meowoga session.

Every pet and client that comes through the door is greeted with a smile and a name. Each pet is treated like family. Returning dogs RELAX AND GET BALANCED can hardly wait to get through the doors to start playing with their Clear your mind and learn, with your animal companion, how pals. Owners feel relieved seeing their dog run through the doors to relax and tune your mental and physical well-being. I don’t in excitement to be back. The folks at Sydney’s are fond of saying, know who the richer of the two will be, while you are both “If your pet could talk, they would be begging you to come back!” becoming balanced and connected. What a dance!

See our ad on page 31.

Doga and Meowoga are available in the KC metro area.

M

P

R

J AN /F EB 2009 • MetroPetMag.com

13

Newshound Sniffing out leads on kids and their pets Newshound searches the area, sniffing out leads on kids living well with their pets. Here’s this month’s top story!

by Suezanne Law

Who: Riley Toombs, 13, and Piper, a 7year-old Cockatiel

Where: Riley reports that Cockatiels originated in Australia and are miniature Cockatoos. Piper was hatched at a breeder’s home in the United States, however.

When: 6 years ago, Riley’s mom, Linda, picked out Piper for him because of the wonderful experiences she had as a child raising a Cockatiel of her own. “I’m glad that she picked him because he has been so fun to be around,” says Riley.

What: Riley likes to spend time teaching Piper to talk and whistle. “He says, ‘Who’s the pretty, pretty, pretty bird?’ and ‘Piper’s pretty!’” says Riley, “and he whistles a cat-call when my mom comes into the room.” Then he grins and adds, “She taught him to do that.”

Riley also enjoys letting Piper out of his cage to fly around and explore in the house a bit.

Why: “Cockatiels are usually sweet birds who like to interact with their human families,” Riley says. “It’s good to give him time out of the cage as long as the dogs aren’t around.”

The family keeps Piper in a large, cozy cage 14

MetroPet Magazine J AN /F EB 2009

that they cover at night with a sheet. Sometimes he stays in Riley’s room, sometimes in the living room, and sometimes in the computer room. “We like to move him around so that he doesn’t get bored,” reports Riley.

“We also like to let him look out the window to see the birds outside — as long as the sun doesn’t shine directly on him.”

Cockatiels like Piper can live for 15-20 years, so his family is committed to taking good care of him.

They keep his cage very clean, and they clean his mirrors, too. “Cockatiels love to look at themselves in the mirror,” Riley reports.

And they hand-feed Piper because, Riley says, “Hand-fed cockatiels are usually friendlier than those who don’t have human contact early on.” And what bird wouldn’t be friendly with a family like Piper’s?

How: “Cockatiels do best when they are around the company of their human family,” says Riley. And being with humans is one of the ways birds like Piper can learn to talk and whistle. But if you would like for your bird to be able to practice learning words and phrases even when you’re not around, Riley says that’s possible, too!

“One way to teach them words or phrases is to get a mirror with a special recording device that repeats words to them. After awhile, they will catch on and start speaking or singing the phrase.” Riley says that male Cockatiels are more vocal than females. As for Piper, Newshound suspects that the phrase Piper most wants to learn to say is, “Thanks, Riley, for being such a great friend!”

Hey, Kids! If you have a good lead for Newshound, send an e-mail to: newshound@metropetmag.com Keeping a mixture of bird seeds (crushed or small), lentils and calcium powder in the cage is a good idea to keep them healthy. Other than that, feed them once a day with between a teaspoon and a tablespoon of fresh vegetables (bok choy works particularly well) and DO NOT give them a water dish. Uros usually won’t drink standing water unless they are extremely dehydrated and a water dish will raise the humidity of the tank and cause breathing problems and tail-rot. They get all the moisture they need from their food.

Suezanne M. Law is a canine-human relationship counselor and accredited dog trainer.

She opened Sympawtico Dog Training, LLC to better tailor her training curriculum to the needs of her community. Visit her at www.sympawtico.com.

Join us on Saturday, January 17th to get your Valentine’s photos by Lil Pals Pet Photography.

• All Day Play, Snooze The Night Away® • Large Indoor & Outdoor Play Areas • Spacious Cabins with Comfy Cots

Camp Bow Wow® Olathe

(913) 322-2267

1150 W. 151st Street, Suite D, Olathe, KS 66061

olathe@campbowwow.com J AN /F EB 2009 • MetroPetMag.com

15

Landscaping for Pets It’s so cute, until they get bigger!

by Pat Riha t seems simple enough. Let your new puppy or kitty out the backdoor of your house into your beautiful and often expensively landscaped backyard. At first they stumble around, rolling in the grass and sniffing at everything with an air of discovery. It’s so cute, until they get bigger.

I

THE BACKYARD MUD PIT Many a homeowner has seen their lush lawn turned into a mud pit by an excitable dog, racing back and forth along a fence line or digging holes faster and deeper than a groundhog. Loveable kitties may revert to their natural hunting instincts, dragging the carcasses of songbirds and baby bunnies onto the porch. In these and many other instances, a little pre-planning will help you minimize your pet’s damage to your backyard oasis.

Most dogs love to run, especially if there is a neighbor dog in the next yard. In a matter of days, dogs can strip grass to the roots by constantly running back and forth over it, resulting in a muddy mess the next time it rains or the sprinkler system comes on. To prevent this, Scott Hulen of R & S Lawn Service recommends putting in a “dry creek bed” of up to 2’ or more in width along the fence line. Using river rock setting in a shallow trench on top of weed preventing fabric, dogs can still “run the fence” without tearing 16

MetroPet Magazine J AN /F EB 2009

Many a homeowner has seen their lush lawn turned into a mud pit by an excitable dog, racing back and forth along a fence line or digging holes faster and deeper than a groundhog. up the grass. The dry creek bed offers an attractive base for the fence and further prevents hard to reach weeds from growing up under the fence.

THE POUNCING CAT If you have an outdoor cat that love birds and rabbits, plan a yard that does not offer cats perches from which they can pounce on ground-feeding birds or reach bird feeders. Vegetable garden-

ers should fence off their plants to prevent your pets from sampling the fare. We once had a Basset Hound that successfully kept the squirrels from eating our tomatoes by hitting the plants with her head (until it turned green) and eating the tomatoes.

BACKYARD HAZARDS The use of lawn fertilizers, insecticides and weed killers can also pose hazards for your pets. While most of these chemicals designed for home use are safe if used properly, read the application instructions closely to understand the drying time needed before your pets our children can safely use the yard. Some ant baits or slug baits may entice dogs to eat them, so be careful with their placement and use. Professional lawn maintenance companies should be questioned about the chemicals they apply, and once again, the drying time before you and your family can safely use the yard.

THE JUMPER The alternative to putting up fencing for landscaping is underground pet containment fencing. Some dogs like to jump fences while others can actually climb them. This can be curtailed by using “invisible fencing.” These solutions include a wire that is installed several inches underground around the perimeter of the area you would like to keep your pet in or out of. This wire works like a radio antenna carrying a frequency signal through it. A receiver collar is placed on your pet that picks up the signal and gives a correction when they cross over the fence boundary.

Training includes the owner and a cerETRO ET ESOURCE tified trainer. This training teaches the Heart of America pet the boundaries. After a few attempts to cross the fence line, the Invisible Fence WHO? Heart of America Invisible Fence pet quickly learns its invisible boundaries. Items such as a doghouse, rack WHERE? 11133 Locust Street Kansas City, Missouri 64123 • e-mail: hoaifkc@aol.com of wood or storage items are strategically placed so the pet can not use HOW LONG IN BUSINESS? 23 years them to climb on and use as a means of escape.

WHY ARE YOU DIFFERENT? With a little planning, your backWe have more experience than any other Invisible Fence dealer in the Kansas City yard can be a garden paradise for Metropolitan area. We have more certified trainers, designers and technicians than anyone both you, your family and your pet. else. Our head trainer has 23 years experience training dogs and cats on the Invisible Fence Pat Riha owns Pat Riha Productions, a system. Employees are trained in “Perfect Start” dog and cat training, system design and marketing and production company. His installation. Heart of America Invisible Fence is the only company that has a convenient store company produces a wide variety of events front office for walk in business and emergency warranty service.

M

including the Metropolitan Lawn and Garden Show, the Mid-America RV Show, the Mid-America Boat Show and the KC Pet Expo. Pat Riha Productions was selected by EXPO Magazine as the producer of the Best New Show, Consumer Show category for the production of the 2005 Kansas City Pet Expo. The show, held at the American Royal Center, celebrates the joy pets bring to our lives and our responsibilities to our pets.

P

R

BENEFITS OF HEART OF AMERICA INVISIBLE FENCE 99.5% success rate! Money back performance guarantee. Lifetime nationwide electronics warranty. Keeping dogs and cats safe at home. Peace of mind. No unsightly physical boundaries. Can be used in communities where standard fences are not allowed. Turn-key service.

REASONS CUSTOMERS COME BACK! Superior service, technology, training and support, that gives you superior results. 70% of our business is the result of “satisfied” customer referrals.

See our ad on page 5.

J AN /F EB 2009 • MetroPetMag.com

17

New Year’s Resolutions for Your Pet or cleaning out clutter. While we make lists for ourselves, we must not forget our furry or feathered companions. You may think, “Well, I just got them several new toys for the holiday,” but that is very short term. They do love their toys, but if asked what they would like to have more of (besides food); the answer would be “time with you.” If you were planning on saving more money, wouldn’t you put aside a little bit each week in a savings account? Then you need to consider some things you could do with your animal companions each week. Not only will it be supporting their mental and physical well-being, but it will be good for you too!

PLAN ACTIVITIES WITH YOUR PET

While we make lists for ourselves, we must not forget our furry or feathered companions.

by Pat Hennessy he celebration of a new year has been going on for centuries dating back to Babylonian times. The notion of resolutions is loosely based on Janus, a mythical Roman figure, who is depicted with two faces: one for looking back at past events and one for looking toward the future. The month of January was actually named after Janus. The New Year begins at different times for different civilizations: western societies, like the U.S., recognize the solar calendar based on 365 days around the sun and eastern societies, like China, recognize the lunar calendar where the New Year is based on the first full moon after the sun enters Aquarius. Regardless of when the New Year is recognized, the custom of celebrating the passing of time crosses cultures. It is an occasion to reflect on your accomplishments for the year ending, bid it good riddance, and set goals for what you want your new year to bring.

T

COMMON RESOLUTIONS It is common for us to make resolutions about saving money, losing weight, 18

MetroPet Magazine J AN /F EB 2009

When you sit down to fill out your calendar for the year with birthdays, anniversaries and appointments that would be a good time to write down a day each week for a special activity with your animal family member. Make sure that you commit individual time to each animal in a multi-pet household. Some ideas include: • Do more active things • Take a long leisurely walk (or try a new location if you currently walk in your neighborhood). Dogs assess their environment with their noses and this would really allow them to indulge by checking out new scents. You can even take your cat on a walk around a small area (using a cat harness).

• Play games (fetch a ball with your dog, chase the string with your cat, hide a nut or treat inside a toy for your bird).

• Train your dog or bird to do a trick (this gives you interaction time with them and gives them an opportunity to earn rewards — always use a special treat for training, one that you don’t give any other time).

• Spend more time bonding.

• Meditate (listen to some soft music and relax with your animal next to you, in your lap, or on your shoulder) • Practice yoga (you can actually do this with your animal companion!)

• Do some mindful touching on your dog or cat (gentle massage or TTouch ®, a light touch method), it will relax you both.

• Learn one new skill — just for fun (with the added benefit of exercise).

• Agility (following an obstacle course with speed & accuracy).

• Freestyle (dancing with your dog).

• Rally (following a course where each station designates an exercise to perform with unlimited communication and varying skill levels).

• Tracking (following your dog as she tracks a scent to find an article).

• If you prefer a low key activity, try one of the “bonding” ideas above.

IMPROVED HEALTH Another way to honor our animal companions is to make a resolution to find ways to improve their health. You can become more educated about pet food and treats by learning what makes good ingredients. Things you may want to consider:

• Change their daily diet to a higher nutrient based diet (more meats and vegetables and less grains) • Offer higher quality meat-based treats (and save some really special ones for training opportunities) • Add veggies to your pet’s diet as a treat or with a meal (steaming fresh or frozen vegetables for your dog or cat will help them better absorb the nutrients — good choices are green beans, peas, sweet potato). Rinsed fresh veggies are great for birds.

Health and well-being is what we all strive for and our New Year’s resolutions generally mirror that desire. We owe it to our animals to achieve it for them as well. As we turn the pages of our calendars there should be a paw-minder to do that little something special for them. All of our animals bring us such joy, but there is a wonderful quote about dogs that sum it up best: “He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.” — Author unknown Pat Hennessy, is the founder of N2paws, LLC, an organization that provides companion animal care through behavior education, energy work, and positive training methods. Pat is a certified TTouch Practitioner, CPDT, and member of the IAABC, IAATH, and AWA. Contact N2Paws via email pat@n2paws.com, phone 816-522-7005, or visit the website www.n2paws.com

J AN /F EB 2009 • MetroPetMag.com

19

Get the You and your whole family must acknowledge that your pet is overweight or obese.

SKINNY

on

OBESITY resolve her weight problem. With her weight under control, the physical issues reversed — no more limping and no heavy breathing.

HOW DOES YOUR PET MEASURE UP?

by Sarah Dixon

Is your feline flabby or your pooch plump? Chances are you have an overweight or obese pet. Researchers conservatively estimate that one in four pets is either obese or overweight. More recent statistics report obese or overweight pets at closer to one in every three pets.

Who is responsible for this epidemic? To be frank, we are. We are overfeeding and over-treating our pets. Simply stated, we feed them too much.

Too much food (pet or human), too many treats and snacks, too many table scraps, you name it — we feed our pets too much of it. Though there are some other risk factors for obesity such as genetic or breed predisposition and some medications can increase the risk for obesity, we are ultimately in control of our pet’s diet and exercise.

Eight years ago my Pomeranian, Bonnie, was overweight. She is a thickcoated dog so change in physical appearance is hard to detect. Some other physical cues did surface however, and I still did not connect them to her being overweight. She had developed a limp in her rear hind leg, a sign of joint problem. She also panted hard when she walked, even when not walking briskly.

Bonnie was five pounds overweight. Not too bad you say? Wrong. Bonnie was obese according to the statistical line in the sand (veterinarians qualify an obese dog or cat if they are 20% more than the breed’s ideal weight), and clearly her weight was already causing her some problems. A change of diet and more exercise was a permanent change, not just steps to immediately 20

MetroPet Magazine J AN /F EB 2009

To determine if your pet is overweight or obese, examine the physical attributes of your dog or cat.

For thin-coated dogs and cats at an ideal weight, the ribs should be fairly easy to see and you can easily feel the ribs with your fingers using very little pressure. From the side, you should see an abdominal tuck and from an overhead view, the waist is a slight hourglass shape. For thick-coated dogs or cats, you need to feel for the ribs, abdomen, and waist. I cannot tell if Bonnie is overweight just by looking at her; I have to dive into her thick coat to feel for her ribs, waist, and abdomen.

In addition to your home assessments, it is advisable to take your pet to the vet to establish your pet’s ideal weight and compare to its current weight. It is easy to weigh a small dog or a cat at home using your home scale. Weigh yourself without your pet and then weigh yourself holding your dog or cat; subtract the first weight from the second weight. Tracking your pet’s weight every three to six months can help keep an eye on weight-gains or losses.

MY PET IS OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE — NOW WHAT? Acknowledge the problem. You and your whole family must acknowledge that your pet is overweight or obese. Royal Canin, a pet food manufacturer, discovered that many pet owners are unwilling to acknowledge that their pet is overweight or obese either because the obesity has not yet caused any problems or because the owner is in denial that a few extra pounds is a sign of an unhealthy pet.

Comply with the change. An important success factor in your pet’s weight loss is your compliance to a lasting change in diet and increased exercise.

While it is important to reduce weight as an imme-

diate goal, a successful plan will include the sustainability of maintaining a caloric intake and energy output. Diet and exercise is directly under your control.

Reduce the calories and increase the exercise. Reducing your pet’s daily calories and increasing exercise are the cornerstones of any diet regimen. If you are already feeding the calorie requirement for the weight that your dog or cat should be, simply reducing how much you feed is not advisable since reducing the amount fed also reduces the needed nutrition that your pet receives. Fasting and reduction of food may cause lean muscle loss and from a behavior perspective your pet’s hunger may lead to aggressiveness.

High-protein diets have been used with great success for weight loss. Protein rich foods (named animal protein is best) have several benefits to help your dog or cat reduce weight.

Protein improves satiety, preserves lean tissue mass, and makes it possible to increase the loss of fatty mass. (Diez, 2006) Prescription weight-loss products reduce calories, but this often comes with increased fiber. Fiber is indigestible. Its purpose in these diets is to reduce the caloric value filling up the dog or cat. A decrease in the digestibility of certain nutrients such as proteins and minerals is an inherent disadvantage to this type of diet.

Cats fed a high-protein (named animal protein is best) diet burn more calories and gain less weight than cats fed a high-carbohydrate diet even with the same caloric intake. Many cat foods are full of corn-gluten meals and grains; try to avoid these.

In addition to reducing caloric intake, strictly measure how much you are feeding. Use the standard measuring cup used in cooking to properly divide the portion. For example, I had one client explain to me that he fed his overweight dog a cup of food at night and a cup of food at morning. However, his “cup” was a 32 ounce cup from the QT convenience store.

If you have more than one dog or cat eating from the same bowl at the same time, you should consider separate bowls with scheduled feeding times. It is much easier to manage how much is eaten and by whom when the bowls and the dogs are separated.

Be wise with the type of treats and snacks you give. Some treats can have as many as 100kcals (kilo-calories) per treat. When your dog or cat only requires 400kcals daily, eating one treat with 100kcal is 25% of their total allowance.

Use the food you’re feeding as treats since the calorie information is located on the bag of food.

WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL WITH OBESITY? Scientists are uncovering the complex relationship between obesity and the associated diseases. Among the recent findings, scientists find that obesity is a chronic inflammatory condition that is thought to play a role in chronic diseases like osteoarthritis. Furthermore, tissue damage linked to obesity increases the oxidative stress that obesity causes. One of the most common chronic diseases

J AN /F EB 2009 • MetroPetMag.com

21

M ETRO P ET R ESOURCE WHO? Homestead Pet Resort & Spa, LLC

WHERE? 3233 Chautauqua Road, Holton, KS 66436 Phone: 785-872-3200 • Fax: 785-872-3220 www.homesteadpetresort.com • email: lhenke@homesteadpetresort.com

HOW LONG IN BUSINESS? December, 2008

WHY ARE YOU DIFFERENT? Homestead Pet Resort & Spa is a pet boarding facility like no other. We are your pet’s home away from home, a canine playground set up so your dog has as much fun on vacation as you do; a feline sanctuary where your cat will be as content as if at home.

BENEFITS OF HOMESTEAD PET RESORT & SPA We care for dogs and cats of all sizes, ages, most breeds, and temperaments. Come for a day of play. Boarding stays may be short-term or extended. Homestead Pet Resort & Spa is staffed 24/7 and pets are never left unattended. While you are away, your pet will have a great vacation!

Homestead aspires to create an environment where pet owners have assurance that their loved ones are well cared for, as if they were staying at home. Our staff actually sleeps in the playrooms with your pet to provide round-the-clock supervision. Pets will be crated at night only at the owner’s request. The Homestead facility is stateof-the-art: clean, secure, spacious, and most of all, a healthy environment.

We also offer valet services! We will pick up and drop off dogs and cats within a 100-mile radius of Homestead Pet Resort & Spa.

REASONS CUSTOMERS COME BACK! The special treatment their pets receive at our Home away from Home.

See our ad on page 25.

22

MetroPet Magazine J AN /F EB 2009

affecting our pets is diabetes. Insulin resistance is a common element in obese dogs and cats — an effect of oxidative stress. Reduced insulin sensitivity may provide a direct link to decreased lifespan. (D.P Laflamme, 2007)

PREVENTION IS THE BEST MEDICINE As with most medical matters, prevention is the key when it comes to good health. Obesity leads to several health problems and decreases the lifespan of our pets. Regular monitoring of your pet’s diet and weight is the most effective means to address your pet’s health. Only you have direct control over what and how much your pet eats.

Sarah Dixon is the founder of Pet Food & Nutrition Consulting. PFNC’s mission is to educate pet owners about pet foods, diet, health, and nutrition. Sarah has over seven years of independent research in the pet food industry, including four years of one-on-one consulting. Sarah enjoys working with pet owners and businesses about pet nutrition. She can be reached at PFNC@kc.rr.com or visit her website at www.petfoodnutritionconsulting.com.

Online Photo Contest

Lexi & Cali — Both where rescued from a shelter. We could not be more blessed. Submitted by Candi

E NTER

Mojave — Mojave, a.k.a “Mojo.” He is 12 weeks old in this picture. He may look innocent but looks can be deceiving with this little Bengal! He may be a handful but he is well worth it.

Submitted by Karen.

THE O NLINE P HOTO C ONTEST AT WWW.M ETRO P ET M AG . COM

Oliver — I was riding my bike with my camera in my backpack and he chased me down as if to say, “Hey you with the camera, get a load of this face!” I had to stop and indulge him. Thanks to Olivers’ nice owners for letting him model. Submitted by Lisa.

J AN /F EB 2009 • MetroPetMag.com

23

The

Love Connection

by Suezanne Law Like any good marriage, the relationship between Pets for Life certified therapy teams and those they have helped is best celebrated not for the singular need which brought them together, but for the individual and cherished intimacies that are continually born out of that need. 2009 marks the 25th anniversary of this relationship of compassion, healing, and hope. This is the Pets for Life story.

STARTED IN 1984 …the small boy at Marillac sat hugging Peaches, whispering in her ear the concerns he kept from everyone else…

In 1984 William D. and Harriett Snyder sat watching a 60 Minutes segment about an animal-assisted therapy and activities program in England. At that moment, Kansas City’s Pets for Life, Inc. was born. Within days the Snyders and a few friends began visiting nursing homes with their pets. At first they focused on visits to elderly patients living in nursing homes, but as the Snyders and their volunteers identified further need in the community, the organization grew and expanded. Now Pets for Life has over 150 active pet and volunteer teams. They visit hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, shelters for domestic violence, facilities for troubled youth, corrections centers, and hospice facilities. They are affiliated with the R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) Program which connects pet and volunteer teams with children for the purpose of help24

MetroPet Magazine J AN /F EB 2009

KIP: THAT DAMNED DOG Kip and Jane visit patients in a local Alzheimer’s community. They frequent the area where the residents are living with the more advanced stages of the disease. Most of the people they visit are non-verbal, and the ones who do speak tend to repeat themselves and talk to the pets as if they were acquaintances from the past. It can be quite a challenging place to visit because most of the residents don't invite them over or ask to pet Kip. Jane often takes the initiative, and sometimes the “visit” consists of her simply placing Kip where the patient can see him, and trying to get her to open her eyes or perhaps focus her attention on Kip's soft eyes for a moment or two.

As they got off the elevator to begin a recent visit, Kip and Jane heard a familiar voice. It was Kay, who often sits in a wheelchair in the common area. Kay talks a lot, and she is always very loud and offers graphic descriptions of her pain, discomfort, and anxiety. She often complains that nothing anybody does helps her at all. Her behavior tends to alienate those around her: fellow patients, volunteers, and even the staff. On previous visits Kay had yelled at Jane, “Get that goddamn dog outta here!” Kip and Jane usually tried to steer clear of her.

Upon hearing Kay's voice, Jane automatically headed away from her, but Kip had other ideas. He had stopped and was looking right at Kay. Jane could tell Kip wanted to approach Kay, so she let him. Kay was in the middle of a long and loud complaint, but Kip walked right up and put his head in her lap. Suddenly, the woman looked down at him and said, “The dog is listening! He understands how bad I feel! Look, he cares about what I'm saying!”

Kip and Jane stayed with Kay for a few minutes, and Kay stroked Kip’s head.

Kip seemed content to just stand there with his head on her leg.

Of course, the next time Kip and Jane got off the elevator, a few weeks later, Kay once again didn't want that “goddamn dog” anywhere near her. But for one day, for those few minutes, Kay knew that Kip listened and cared.

ing them improve their reading skills. And they participate in the E.L.L. (English Language Learners) Program, by which they help children whose first language is not English practice reading, too.

WIDE RANGE OF CLIENTS …the stroke patient had not moved her head or limbs for three weeks, but then she saw Beau — and, smiling, reached out to stroke his head…

The Pets for Life organization is unique in the many different types of facilities they serve, the wide age-range of their clients, and the variety of conditions they seek to alleviate. Volunteers work with facility staff to determine the individual needs of that facility and those in their care.

Their work has included comforting and encouraging depressed patients who have not responded to other stimuli, but who may smile happily and speak — often for the first time in months — to their four-legged visitor. The mere presence of an animal has given patients with physical impairments the incentive to move their bodies therapeutically just so that they can stroke that soft fur. And volunteers have witnessed hundreds of instances of demonstrable improvement in clients’ mental, emotional, and physical states due to their pet assisted therapy visits. What’s more, staff at the facilities they serve report that many patients continue to do well — often for days afterward.

The organization’s pet and volunteer teams serve 75 facilities in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area.

They are special animals: these dogs of all breeds and sizes — many from area shelters — and the cats, bunnies, and even guinea pigs or birds who work this therapeutic magic. But they are regular companion animals, too, who live in homes with their families. And when they walk through the doors of the facilities they visit, they are celebrities. Rightly so: residents look forward to the visits all

VOLUNTEERS WORK WITH PATIENTS …the Alzheimer’s patient remembered that every Tuesday was Pets for Life day, and put out a bowl of fresh water for his four-legged friends…

Volunteers work with their own pets in the Pets for Life program. The pet’s veterinarian must certify the health of the animal, who must be current on all necessary vaccinations and other health requirements. Pets must have no prior history of aggression or biting. Human volunteers study a volunteer manual and must pass an open book test on the organization’s policies and procedures. They must also demonstrate a clear understanding of their roles as volunteers in various healthcare settings. And finally, they and their pets must pass the Pets for Life Temperament Test, in which a series of handling, socialization, and obedience skills are measured. The object of this test is to ensure that both pet and human can cope with the sometimes frightening environment of the hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities in which they may volunteer.

J AN /F EB 2009 • MetroPetMag.com

25

Learn More About Pets for Life week. Everyone remembers the pets’ names, and generally the human volunteers fade to the background. But the people are special, too, and fading to the background is okay with them.

They supervise and observe and assist. They know their pets have a way of comforting people who are hurting.

They know their pets “get it” in ways that humans often cannot. And so together, these volunteers, their pets, and their clients celebrate the intimacy of each hopefilled moment and the loving connection that transforms those moments into friendships — for Life!

Photo by Kathy at Fitzke’s Photography www.fitzkephoto.com Cell: 913.638.7681 • Home Studio: 913.837.3586

Who Is Pets for Life?

The purpose of Pets for Life, Inc. is to enhance the care and treatment of people in local hospitals, nursing homes, shelters for domestic violence, mental health programs, treatment centers for youth, and corrections facilities through the use of certified therapy teams of pets and volunteers. The organization’s pet and volunteer teams serve 75 facilities in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, including facilities in Harrisonville, Cameron, Raymore, and Smithville. They serve Clay, Cass, and Jackson counties in Missouri, and Johnson, Miami, and Wyandotte counties in Kansas.

Volunteers Needed The program is very much in demand, and Pets for Life has a waiting list of facilities which have requested their services — but more volunteers are necessary.

If you are interested in working with your pet to become a Pets for Life volunteer team, please plan to attend an open house event sponsored by Personable Pets Inc. Dog Training and Sympawtico Dog Training, LLC and hosted by Tails ‘R Waggin. Meet some of the therapy dogs, talk with volunteers, and watch as these teams demonstrate some of the skills necessary to pass the Pets for Life Temperament Test. Volunteers will also supply information about the types of facilities they visits, and will share stories of some of their therapy experiences.

Date & Time: Sunday, March 8, 2009, 1-3 p.m.

Location: Tails ‘R Waggin, 6976 W. 152nd Terr., Overland Park, KS 66223

This Event for Human Volunteers Only — please leave your pet at home. For more information visit the Pets for Life web site at kcpetsforlife.com or call (816)363-3665.

M ETRO P ET R ESOURCE WHO? Mariposa Veterinary Center

WHERE? 13900 Santa Fe Trail Drive, Lenexa. KS 66215 • Phone: 913-825-3330 www.mariposavet.com email: mariposavet@gmail.com

HOW LONG IN BUSINESS? We celebrated our 1 year anniversary November, 2008!

WHY ARE YOU DIFFERENT? Mariposa Veterinary Hospital brings integrated veterinary medicine to families in a warm and inviting facility. Our building was constructed using a straw bale design, with passive solar and natural lighting throughout the facility. Our digital radiography system eliminates the need for processing chemicals and silver recycling. Non-toxic paint and surfaces were used whenever possible. The outside landscaping uses native 26

MetroPet Magazine J AN /F EB 2009

plants, and rain gardens for water conservation.

BENEFITS OF MARIPOSA VETERINARY CENTER We believe in compassionate medicine, offering the best balance of care of patients and to educate their owners. Mariposa Veterinary Center offers a full-range of services including: Acupuncture, Allergy Treatments, Balanced Immunization Protocols, Chiropractic Care, Critical Care, Dentistry, Diabetes Management, Digital Radiology, General Surgery, Hospice Programs, Microchipping, Nutritional Counseling, Pain Management, Weight Management and Well Care Services.

REASONS CUSTOMERS COME BACK! Our clients tell us they appreciate the feeling of understanding and compassion when they are going through a difficult time. Many feel that Dr Chappell is not only their veterinarian but also one of the most caring people they know. Mariposa’s slogan is “Caring for Pets, People and the Planet.”

See our ad on the Inside back cover.

Red Cross First Aid & CPR American Red Cross First Aid/CPR Training for Dogs and Cats 2009 1st Qtr Schedule (Dates and times subject to change.)

January: 1/11, Sunday, 10:00am to 3:00pm 1/25, Sunday, 10:00am to 3:00pm

February: 2/15, Sunday, 10:00am to 3:00pm

March: 3/8, Sunday, 10:00am to 3:00pm 3/22, Sunday, 10:00am to 3:00pm Location: Barkville Pet Boutique Cost: $40 per person. Please register in advance.

For information contact Sarah Dixon at 816-5278087 or Diana Park at 816-452-6267.

Dog & Cat Nutrition Class Dog and Cat Nutrition Classes February, 2009 These presentations, by pet nutrition specialist Sarah Dixon, focus on nutrition and diets for dogs and cats. They will be held each Tuesday night in February, from 5:30 - 7:30 pm. Classes are free but you must register in advance.

Topics: • Better Nutrition, Better Health — February 3 • What You Need To Know About Home-Prepared Diets — February 10 • A Review of Diet Options: Dry, Wet, and Raw Pet Foods — February 17 • Nutritional Supplements — February 24 Location: Barkville Pet Boutique Cost: Free. Must register in advance.

For details or to register, contact Sarah Dixon at 816-527-8087.

J AN /F EB 2009 • MetroPetMag.com

27

Feline Signs Aquarius (Jan. 21 - Feb. 18) The Hip Cat This cat is driven by such a primitive urge for self-protection beyond the immediate environment that it is not unusual to hardly ever see him or her. The garden next door will always prove to be more exciting and the Sagittarius Cat will launch from one frantic activity into the next glorious adventure...so much so that often the only sign of this feline may well be a glimpse of fur disappearing into the distance.

Gemini (May 21 - June 21)

Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22)

Cat On A Hot Tin Roof The actions of this feline will always be erratic. He or she advances in short, quick flits which stop as suddenly as they started. Then, this feline will be off at a tangent from his or her original direction.

The Top Cat To a Leo Cat, home is his or her castle...the place where minions are entertained and advisors are consulted. Home is where this feline performs to large audiences and even hosts state banquets...all at the expense of his or her owner and, usually, inconvenience. A houseful of other people’s cats can be somewhat distressing (to say nothing of the smell).

Cancer (June 22 - July 22) The Crazy Cat This feline uses the home as a place to sleep away the daylight hours. When night arrives, the Cancer Cat truly comes into their own...out on the prowl and singing to the neighbors when the Moon is full. Indeed, these felines do so love the sound of their own voices.

This cat is no fighter and will usually back away timidly from any confrontation...much like the infamous Cowardly Lion from the “Wizard of Oz.”

28

MetroPet Magazine J AN /F EB 2009

Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) The Kitten Cat It is essential that the Virgo Cat be served their meal in the same place, at the same time every day. They will also react in a negative fashion to any sudden change in diet, and harsh smells (such as air fresheners or cleaning agents) will often bother and offend the Virgo Cat.

Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) The Copy-Cat If the owner is caring and sensible, drastic weight gain can be avoided and the Libra Cat can remain as hale and sylphlike as any of their feline cousins. Libra Cat will invariably blend-in with their surroundings. Therefore, an owner should not be surprised if their tabby Libra Cat appears to match the carpet.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) The Cat’s Pajamas If the owner offers food and not heat then, in the eyes of the Scorpio Cat, that owner has failed. This all comes about because the Scorpio Cat finds it well-night impossible to express true feelings.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) The Stable Cat This cat will never be a very noticeable addition to the family...acting more as a passing guest who drops in occasionally and then drops out again almost before he or she has had time for a meal. The Sagittarius Cat can be a truly sincere cat, capable of bestowing a considerable amount of affection...when they are actually present to do so.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan 20) The Cat Burglar Possessed of a strong maternal/paternal instinct, the Capricorn Cat will view all the world’s inhabitants as their “children.”

This feline often enjoys doing things that are out of the ordinary, such as sleeping in the bathtub on hot days or drinking water directly from the faucet.

Pisces (Feb. 19 - Mar. 20) The Ship’s Cat The Pisces Cat would likely be the first to admit that he or she is not the “be all and end all” of the feline species, but is quite content to assume the position of a small cog in the larger family group...filling in odd corners for people rather than trying to take over as so many other cats are inclined to do.

Aries (Mar. 21 - Apr. 19) The Stray Cat The occasional empty feeding bowl may well be the most anyone will see of the Aries Cat...or perhaps a tail disappearing through the cat-flap. The holidays will be the rare times when this cat chooses to remember they possess an owner and will decide to hang around for a moment or two.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) The Earth Mother If it were not for the fact that this feline will spend most of his or her life dead to the world (rather like an inconveniently-placed ball of fur), the Taurus Cat would be the almost perfect cat.

J AN /F EB 2009 • MetroPetMag.com

29

Scooping is for the Birds’ (Houses)

by Barbara Bowen Miller

IT IS UP TO US Most of us have forgotten a bag for scooping at least once. There are even those days when the one bag you have is not enough. Lately I’ve noticed the city sidewalk easement is becoming a no-scoop zone for some dog owners. Then there are some who just don’t bother. Whether from laziness or ignorance, it just doesn’t happen. Thankfully, that is becoming less common. There is still plenty of guilt to go around. People may complain about dogs, but it’s really the human part of the equation that creates the problem.

Scooping is a human issue, not a canine one. The dog may make the deposit — but it’s the human that shoulders the responsibly of taking care of the dog. As scooping becomes less of a problem, all dogs and their families benefit.

Commercial versions are better suited to high traffic parks.

A NEW SOLUTION

Here is my stab at solving that issue for dog owners. I created my own inexpensive poop bag station for the sidewalk in front of my house. My creation costs around $25, vs. the commercial versions that start at several hundred dollars. I hung a simple wren house on a maple tree next to our sidewalk. The wren house had several things going for it. The hole is the perfect size to pull rolled bags out one at a time. The front latch for cleaning makes it a snap to open to put a new roll in. Local discounters have a ready supply of rolled bags anyway. I just buy them in bulk. Nothing to it!

I like the look of the simple wooden birdhouse. It blends into a garden setting. Why not try it for yourself? The creative possibilities are endless. Get the kids involved! Let them paint or decorate their house. The wren house is small, easy to mount anywhere, and an attractive alternative to other bag dispensers.

It creates a friendly, fun solution to a problem most neighborhoods face. I used 30

MetroPet Magazine J AN /F EB 2009

Front access makes this house a snap to use! these for the city easement, but it would work in a backyard garden as well. Imagine how easy this would be in neighborhood common areas! You don’t need the trashcan that drives up the price of commercial versions. Any public trash will do the trick.

A CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE The commercial pet stations can be expensive and their bag supply can get pricey. They may be sturdy, but hardly blend into an otherwise picturesque neighborhood park. If you have around $500 to install a top of the line dog station and the cash flow for at least 4 cents a bag to refill it, you can have one installed. Or, for around $25, you can use this simple solution for your neighborhood to achieve the same purpose.

WHY PLACE A SCOOP STATION? It’s fun, easy, respectful, and reminds walkers that someone else is depending on them to clean up after their dog. I believe that goes a long way towards solving a problem. It has been a fun experiment in my neck of the woods. I’ve met more neighbors since walkers will actually make a point of walking by to get a bag. Putting the bags out is just half of the solution. Getting people to use them is the critical part. As part of my experiment, I put my birdhouse up with bags at the ready but no sign. No one used it. When I penned, “help yourself” on the roof, traffic began picking up. (Pun intended) Neighbors offered to bring replacement bags. It started sidewalk conversations. Even had a local reporter snap a picture of it. In the peak summer months the record use was 90 bags in a week. In our quiet neighborhood, that was proof that my little birdhouse had been a popular stop.

in a positive manner: “Thanks for scooping!” Nasty signs about dogs don’t work.

We’ve all sinned at some point. Share the solution.

Several years ago, my company was asked to help scoop for the annual Dog ‘N Jog with only 2 weeks notice. The previous scooping crew used a golf cart to zip through the mile route and still struggled to keep up. I knew my fledgling company had little hope to keep up with

A wooden birdhouse can blend into its surroundings.

Commercial varieties may be sturdy, but hardly blend into a neighborhood.

HOW TO ENCOURAGE SCOOPING There are some lingering common myths to battle. Too many people still think that a doggie deposit will simply disintegrate in the dirt or grass. Technically that’s true. Eventually it will.

However, if its winter, those little poopsicles just lay waiting for spring temps. That’s when you’ll find them with your nose. In the summertime, it will likely kill the grass it’s covering. It is a breeding ground for germs and parasites. At the minimum, there is a high probability its will end up decorating someone’s shoes.

The bag station also serves as a gentle reminder: to take the bag is to agree to use it.

Provide the solution (bags) and set expectations J AN /F EB 2009 • MetroPetMag.com

31

It’s fun, easy, respectful, and reminds walkers that someone else is depending on them to clean up after their dog. close to a thousand dogs. We went right to Plan B! The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City kindly provided volunteers to help with scooping. Scoop bags were included in the registration packets and handed out at the event. Pet owners simply dropped off the used bag in the trash bin by the Humane Society’s raffle table to qualify for door prizes. On the race route, the Plaza maintenance crew placed barrels in the middle of the street. There again is the implied “here’s where you put your used bags.”

Engaging the dog owners in the solution dramatically reduced our workload!

TRY IT IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD! Lately I’ve been tinkering with new designs to adapt for the high volume commercial rolls. Try my wren house idea in your neighborhood. If you do use, please share a picture! I’d love to see your own personalized solutions. Sharing our lives with dogs can be such a joy. Anything to make it easier makes it better for all of us. If we want a dog friendly city, we can all make a difference with simple solutions.

Barbara Bowen Miller is the owner of Brookside Pet Concierge.

816-694-9296 • www.brooksidepet.com See ad Inside Front Cover

Subscribe Today!

ADVERTISER INDEX Aussie Pet Mobile aussiepetmobile.com • Pg. 33

Brookside Pet Concierge brooksidepet.com • Inside Front Cover

Camp Bow Wow Olathe campbowwow.com/olathe • Pg. 15

Dog’s World of Fun dogsworldoffun.com • Pg. 27

Heart of America Invisible Fence 816.941.7700 • 913.722.9948 • Pg. 5

Invisible Fence of Kansas City invisiblefence.com • Pg. 23

Homestead Pet Resort and Spa homesteadpetresort.com • Pg. 25

K9-Instincts k9instincts.com • Pg. 15

Mariposa mariposavet.com • Inside Back Cover

N2 Paws N2paws.com • Pg. 11

Pawz at Play pawzatplay.com • Inside Front Cover

PetAutoSafety.com petautosafety.com • Pg. 17

Pet Food and Nutrition Consulting petfoodnutritionconsulting.com • Pg. 21

Pete And Mac’s www.petemac.com • Back Cover

Precious Pets Memorial Center preciouspetsmemorialcenter.com • Inside Back Cover

Scoopy the Poo scoopythepoo.com • Pg. 9

Sydney’s Pet Spa sydneyspetspa.com • Pg. 31

Sympawtico sympawtico.com • Pg. 33

Tails R’ Waggin tailsrwaggin.com • Pg. 28

Woof ’s Play and Stay woofsplaystay.com • Pg. 19

Wilks Radio Group Mail To: MetroPet PO Box 480065 • Kansas City, MO 64148 32

MetroPet Magazine J AN /F EB 2009

KMXV-FM, Mix 93.3 • mix93.com • Pg. 10, 29 KFKF-FM, 94.1 • kfkf.com • Pg. 10, 29 KCKC-FM 102.1 • star102.com • Pg. 10, 29 KBEQ-FM 104.3 • q104kc.com • Pg. 10, 29

Chip’s Corner

What Would Your Dog Do? H OW M ANY D OGS D OES

IT

TAKE

TO

C HANGE

A

L IGHT B ULB ?

See each breeds answer below.

Golden Retriever: The sun is shining, the day is young, we’ve got our whole lives ahead of us, and you’re inside worrying about a stupid burned out bulb?

Border Collie: Just one. And then I’ll replace any wiring that’s not up to code.

Dachshund: You know I can’t reach that stupid lamp!

Rottweiler: Make me.

Boxer: Who cares? I can still play with my squeaky toys in the dark.

Lab: Oh, me, me!!!!! Pleeeeeeeeeze let me change the light bulb! Can I? Can I? Huh? Huh? Huh? Can I? Pleeeeeeeeeze, please, please, please!

German Shepherd: I’ll change it as soon as I’ve led these people from the dark, check to make sure I haven’t missed any, and make just one more perimeter patrol to see that no one has tried to take advantage of the situation.

Jack Russell Terrier: I’ll just pop it in while I’m bouncing off the walls and furniture.

Old English Sheep Dog: Light bulb? I’m sorry, but I don’t see a light bulb!

Cocker Spaniel: Why change it? I can still pee on the carpet in the dark.

Chihuahua: Yo quiero Taco Bulb. Or ‘We don’t need no stinking light bulb.’

Greyhound: It isn’t moving. Who cares?

Australian Shepherd: First, I’ll put all the light bulbs in a little circle...

Poodle: I’ll just blow in the Border Collie’s ear and he’ll do it. By the time he finishes rewiring the house, my nails will be dry.

HOW MANY CATS DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A LIGHT BULB? Cats do not change light bulbs. People change light bulbs.

So, the real question is: “How long will it be before I can expect some light, some dinner, and a massage?”

All of which proves, once again, that while dogs have masters, cats have staff!

J AN /F EB 2009 • MetroPetMag.com

33

Exciting News for

2009

JUMP! to the 2009 Mid-America Boat & RV Show

MetroPet has partnered with the Wilks Broadcasting group to provide pet owners with timely information and resources. So you will be hearing MetroPet on the radio and in streaming ads. Yes, you will hear MetroPet news and events on Mix 93.3, 94.1 KFKF, Star 102 and Q104.

MetroPet will also be providing content for pet pages at each radio station’s website. On these sites you will find a featured article, pet horoscopes, a link to events and much more. So if your listening to the radio and you hear MetroPet — don’t be surprised!

KBEQ-FM 104.3 • www.q104kc.com

KFKF-FM, 94.1 • www.kfkf.com

KMXV-FM, Mix 93.3 • www.mix93.com

KCKC-FM 102.1 • www.star102.com 34

MetroPet Magazine J AN /F EB 2009

Cool Dog Productions presents JUMP! The Ultimate Dog Show. The “cool” dogs are highly conditioned, top-flight athletes skilled in high-flying, high-energy acrobatics, frisbee catching, and dockdiving. It's non-stop entertainment that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Most, if not all of the dogs, have been rescued from shelters across the country. Dogs and other animals end up in shelters for a variety of reasons that they have no control over. They need our help. Remember, shelters are a great place to meet your next best friend.

Cool Dog Productions, is all about the dogs. Every one of them is special.

Be sure to see this amazing exhibition at both the RV and the Boat Show.

The Kansas City Mid-America Boat Show is the BIG ONE and in 2009 it’s two weekends not one — February 13 to 15, 2009 and February 20 to 22, 2009. This is the Midwest consumers’ show for the best deals on cruisers, runabouts, ski & wakeboard boats, fishing boats, pontoons and personal watercraft. This is a SELLING show and the dealers are primed to offer you the best prices on the newest models available this spring.

The Kansas City Mid-America RV Show is the largest consumer show dedicated to the RV'ing lifestyle in the Midwest. The show will be held in conjunction with the Boat show on February 13 to 15, 2009 and February 20 to 22, 2009. With over 200 units spread out over Halls A, B & C in Bartle Hall at the Kansas City Convention Center, the Show offers the RV'ing enthusiast a look at the newest products and services on the market. Whether you are in the market for a popup camper, truck camper, travel trailer, 5th wheel trailer, motor home or custom motor coach, you will find it and the best prices at the Mid-America RV Show.

Visit the MetroPet booth at both shows!