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October 2010 Feature Articles 6
Alternative Health Care for Your FourLegged Family Member Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation (VOM) is a technique that works for many pets.
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Candy: The Graduate The remarkable story of Candy and how she earned a second chance at life.
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What to Know About Collies Learn more about this wonderful breed.
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The Cat’s Meow Cats crossing your path may be a good way to make a new friend!
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The Good, the Bad, and the Behaved Using rewards to motivate your pet can help in teaching a new behavior.
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In the “Ring of Life“ These Programs Are a Win-Win This prison dog program has made a huge impact on inmates.
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Food for the Road Taking your dog on a trip? Plan to take food and water.
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Dog Bowl Aggression... and the wonderful resource we waste every day!
In Every Issue 4
Publishers Message Are you ready for Fall and Pet events?
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Dog Horoscopes Do you really know your dog?
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Chip’s Corner — Pawzzle Enjoy this pawzzle!
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Upcoming Events Check out these upcoming events.
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How Cute is Your Pet? The winners of this month’s contest.
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Cat Horoscopes How well do you know your cat? O CTOBER 2010 • MetroPetMag.com
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Publisher’s Message
ENJOY THE SEASON Fall has officially arrived! Leaves are starting to fall and the weather is definitely cooler. I think we are all ready for some changes. The last of the outdoor pet events for this year are in October — so come out and enjoy them!
OCTOBER IS ADOPT A SHELTER DOG MONTH The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) suggests that people looking for “a new best friend” check out the millions of dogs at local shelters. Responsible pet ownership requires more than simply taking home an animal. It means making a commitment and taking responsibility for proper care, feeding and training. And, make sure your plan includes spay or neuter. Visit a local shelter or adoption group — it may change your life!
TERRIFIC ARTICLES As always, this issue includes some terrific articles. There are two articles about puppies and prison programs. These programs give dogs who might not otherwise find a forever home, a second chance. Equally important is the impact on the inmates. Also check out the training articles. If you need training tips, general or specific, these may be the answer.
FACEBOOK, TWEETS AND DEALS! MetroPet magazine has gone social! Join us at metropetmagkc on facebook and check out our tweets on twitter at MetroPetMag! In addition, the new Deals of the Week program begins in October. To receive deals by email, just send us your email address. Register at deals@metropetmag.com; details on page 32.
AMERICAN ROYAL AND BACK IN THE SWING Last but not least, enjoy the many events at the American Royal during October and October. They include horse shows, competitions and a rodeo! Please support the Back in the Swing program. This program raises awareness and funds for cancer survivors. Have a great Fall!
Sincerely,
Staff and Contacts Publisher Barbara Riedel barbara@metropetmag.com
Editor/Production Manager Dan O’Leary editor@metropetmag.com
Magazine Layout ROI Marketing 816.942.1600 • roi@kc.rr.com
Advertising Sales Ad Sales: 913.548.1433
Deals of the Week deals@metropetmag.com
Contributing Authors Ryan Crews Mike Death Dr. Sean Delaney, DVM, MS Pat Hennessy Patty Homer Heddie Leger Dr. K Strouf, DC, CVCP
Photographer Dan O’Leary
Contact MetroPet PO Box 480065 Kansas City, MO 64148 Phone: 913.548.1433
Barbara Riedel, Publisher
P.S. Please remember to support our advertisers. Tell them you saw their ad in MetroPet. It is through their support that we can publish this magazine.
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. © 2010 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.
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Feline Signs Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22)
Aries (Mar. 21 - Apr. 19)
The Copy-Cat The Libra Cat is fidgety, often moving from an owner’s lap, to the radiator and then to the sofa in an effort to find the most comfortable spot.
The Stray Cat This feline will seldom be home, far preferring the freedom of the great open spaces.
Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21)
The Earth Mother Food can prove to be the downfall of this feline, even if the owner is extremely careful and strict with diet.
The Cat’s Pajamas Most owners of Scorpio Cats tend to develop a special telepathic bond with this mysterious feline.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21)
Taurus (Apr. 20 - May 20)
Gemini (May 21 - June 21)
The Stable Cat The Capricorn Cat is a serious and shy creature, rarely taking time out for fun.
Cat On A Hot Tin Roof A highly-strung, hyperactive soul, this feline possesses small features and brightly-eager eyes constantly on the move.
Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 20)
Cancer (June 22 - July 22)
The Cat Burglar This feline will plod through life in a punctilious way, head turned to the skies, falling over his or her own paws.
The Crazy Cat When night arrives, the Cancer Cat truly comes into his or her own...out on the prowl and singing to the neighbors when the Moon is full.
Aquarius (Jan. 21 - Feb. 18)
Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22)
The Hip Cat Prone to poor circulation and cold extremities, in the Winter he or she attempts to snuggle up under the comforter at night.
The Top Cat To a Leo Cat, home is his or her castle...the place where minions are entertained and advisors are consulted.
Pisces (Feb. 19 - Mar. 20)
Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22)
The Ship’s Cat The Pisces Cat would actually prefer a life at sea.
The Kitten Cat The Virgo Cat will suddenly collapse upon the carpet, apparently breathing his or her last.
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Alternative Health Care for Your FourLegged Family Member by Dr. K. Strouf, DC, CVCP Have you ever had a four-legged family member that started to slow down over time and dismissed it as “old dog syndrome?” You’re not alone. Until recently, there has been only one route for treating our pets, veterinary medicine. Just like MD’s are seeing in human medicine, Doctors of Veterinary Medicine (DVM’s) are seeing a need for alternative treatment techniques for their patients. Fortunately, today there are specially trained practitioners who can offer such treatments for your pet. One of these new techniques is Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation or VOM. This technology re-establishes neu-
ronal communication in your pets’ nervous system, thus inducing healing. VOM exists between veterinary medicine and chiropractic care. It has some similarities to chiropractic modalities and functions through restoration of function and motion by the reduction of spinal misalignments.
VOM locates all spinal misalignment present in the animal regardless of clinical findings, and then reduces them and confirms that reduction. 6
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COMPARING VOM AND CHIROPRACTIC CARE The differences between VOM and Chiropractic care are significant and distinct. VOM exists in a gray area between Veterinary and Chiropractic care, and benefits from the positive aspects of both as a hybrid; thus, it is more effective than either alone. VOM utilizes a hand-held device used in popular human chiropractic technique called “Activator Methods” but is not to be confused with that technique. VOM is formally recognized in Washington State, by the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, the Maine Veterinary Medical Association, and the German Shepherd Clubs of America, just to name a few. VOM finds and reduces all spinal misalignments which have a pathological reflex associated with them. A pathological reflex is like a knee jerk response. It is an objective means to determine the presence and reduction of spinal misalignments. VOM is a precisely objective science. It is either there, or it’s not; there is no “partially there,” or “kind of there.”
ulating readjustment interval; again, an easy, objective science. Routinely treated conditions include: 1. Acute and Non-acute Lameness 2. Progressive Lameness 3. Hip Dysplasia-like Syndromes 4. IV Disc Disease 5. Urinary and Fecal Incontinence 6. Wobbler Disease 7. Diseases of the Knee 8. Increased or Decreased GI Mobility Disease 9. Performance Problems or enhancement 10. Agility Dysfunction or enhancement And many more…
WHY NOT JUST USE YOUR HANDS LIKE OTHER VETERINARY CHIROPRACTORS? Our hands are far too slow. Even the quickest manual adjuster can only move a joint under optimum conditions with patient cooperation at 80 milliseconds. An animals’ natural reflexive resistance to adjustment is 20 milliseconds, or 4 times faster than that. This demonstrates a need for patient relaxation and cooperation and is the main reason that an excellent technique is imperative for success using manual adjusting. Conversely, the hand-held device fires at a rate of 2-4 milliseconds which is 5-10 times faster than an animals’ ability to resist adjustment. Using VOM Technology, the patient is always adjusted, whether they want it or not, in any position, attitude or mood, 100% of the time.
WHY VOM IS SO SUCCESSFUL? VOM locates all spinal misalignment present in the animal regardless of clinical findings, and then reduces them and confirms that reduction. Inherent in VOM Technology is a built-in rescheduling protocol that inserts the patient on a self-regO CTOBER 2010 • MetroPetMag.com
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WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO MY PET? 1. The Certified Veterinary Chiropractioner (CVCP) will do a “diagnostic pass” by running the device down the pet’s spine, searching for, and recording, pathological reads indicative of spinal misalignment. 2. If significant spinal misalignments which correspond to clinical disease are found, then a course of VOM treatment is recommended. 3. A treatment plan is generated which may include other recommended procedures, blood work, x-ray, and other diagnostic tests. 4. A second VOM pass is made (therapeutic pass) and any changes are noted. The amount of device thrust is
Once the body is re-introduced to functioning correctly, that system wins for a period until the pseudo-memory of the adaptation re-expresses itself and the body slips “out of adjustment.” adjusted based on your pets’ response or signs of improvement. 5. A third VOM pass may be made (second therapeutic pass), and that data evaluated. Most, if not all, pathological reads are reduced by this point. 6. Your pet is then either sent home, or observed overnight by the clinician. 7. An appointment to return for readjustment is made upon release and post-adjustment instructions given for activity and general response that evening. 8. A total of 3-5 readjustments may be needed to reach a point at which the subluxation pattern is “cured.” This may not be the course followed in geriatric cases, where we are trying to keep your pet comfortable. 9. Maintenance appointments may be recommended to watch for reoccurrence.
THE NEED FOR FOLLOW UP TREATMENTS Your pet’s body has gotten used to functioning in an out-of-communication state and the nervous system has thrown up an adaptation that allows some level of function. The body develops a pseudo-memory of how it has “adapted.” You may have heard the term “muscles have memory.” Once the body is re-introduced to functioning correctly, that system wins for a period until the pseudo-memory of the adaptation re-expresses itself and the body slips “out of adjustment.” Readjustments on a regular schedule win over the pseudo-adaptive memory until no further adjustments are necessary. 8
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TREATMENT FAILURE Treatment failure falls into two categories: 1. Neurological damage is extensive, significant and permanent (serious injury for too long); or 2. VOM treatment schedule not kept (most common cause of VOM failure and easiest to prevent).
RESULTS TO EXPECT FROM VOM TREATMENTS The average patient will show a positive response within the first week and often the primary clinical complaint is gone within the first three adjustments, giving the client false security that the case is completed. You may see a response while your pet is on the examination table. It can happen that fast. An experienced CVCP may treat a pet that hasn’t walked for weeks, and with one adjustment thrust, the pet stands and walks about the exam room. Cases with paralysis or lack of function for months or years may not always respond immediately to VOM; however, one does not know until one tries. Keep your pet happy and healthy from the inside out. VOM is the best gift you can give your fourlegged family member. Dr. Kristine Strouf, D.C. has been in the private practice of chiropractic since 2001, specializing in Activator Methods Chiropractic Technique as well as Veterinarian Orthopedic Manipulation (VOM). As an Advanced Proficiency Rated doctor in Activator Methods Chiropractic Technique chiropractor, Dr. Strouf is able to share her passion for health, wholeness and human interactions through her practice. She can be reached at Healing Well Chiropractic, (816) 4367500 or at www.healingwellchiro.com. O CTOBER 2010 • MetroPetMag.com
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Candy:
The Graduate
by Ryan Crews
Candy This is the remarkable story of Candy, a three year-old Beagle, who overcame several obstacles to become “The Graduate.” Earlier this summer, Candy was found running loose through traffic in Saint Joseph, Missouri. A conscientious citizen saved her and brought her to the Saint Joseph Animal Control and Rescue Shelter. When no owner came forward, Candy became available for adoption; however, no one showed interest in adopting her. After weeks of being a shelter dog, staff began to worry the stress of being there was taking a toll on Candy’s health. After several weeks, shelter staff tried to transfer Candy to a no-kill shelter in Kansas City, Missouri but a lack of space prevented her from being accepted. As is sometimes the case, when the health of the dog becomes a concern, the shelter is faced with a difficult decision. Last year in Missouri, 46,000 homeless canines were euthanized. Fortunately, Candy’s story does not end there.
Candy is representative of the Puppies for Parole mission because the program saved her life and kept her from becoming a statistic.
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WRDCC At the same time, the shelter entered into a collaborative partnership with the Western Reception Diagnostic and Correctional Center (WRDCC) to begin the Puppies for Parole Program. Puppies for Parole is a prison program that provides a safe, clean, and humane environment for the care and training of rescue dogs with the hope of making them for adoptable. The dogs live with offender trainers and received obedience and house training skills, a proper diet, health monitoring, and nurturing. The shelter staff selected Candy to be one of the first five dogs to enter this new program. They realized that Candy did not require as much training as other dogs, but believed that the trainers and Candy could both benefit from this experience. Candy entered the program in July 2010. While in the program, she came out of her shell and quickly became a favorite of both the staff and offenders. With her friendly and loving demeanor she received all the attention she required. In August 2010, Candy and another program dog, Junior, became the first two graduates of the WRDCC Puppies for Parole Program and were sent back out to the shelter for adoption. A mere two days after returning to the shelter, Candy was adopted. The family
that adopted Candy was moved by what her trainers had written about her and decided to make her a part of their family.
PUPPIES FOR PAROLE PROGRAM Candy is representative of the Puppies for Parole mission because the program saved her life and kept her from becoming a statistic. It has been shown that dogs who complete the program have a greater chance of adoption based on the fact that they have been socialized, house trained, and taught basic commands. Without this opportunity, Candy would not have been given the second chance that she so desperately deserved. Ryan Crews, is the Deputy Warden of the Western Reception Diagnostic and Correctional Center. He works at the Western Reception Diagnostic and Correction Center with the Puppies for Parole Program. This program offers offenders an opportunity to provide socialization to shelter dogs. This program helps dogs to become more adoptable and to avoid euthanasia.
OUR NAME IS OUR MISSION! Promoting joyful, healthy and proactive living after breast cancer. The mission of Back in the Swing is now the subject of a groundbreaking book on cancer survivorship, published by the National Academy of Sciences in 2006, titled From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor…Lost in Transition. The authors of this book, as well as the leaders of Back in the Swing, hope to forge a “new era in cancer survivorship by raising awareness of the many concerns of cancer survivors” and “to improve the care and quality of life of individuals with a history of cancer.”
Back in the Swing Retail Therapy® Here’s how it works: • Individuals purchase Back in the Swing ® Shopping Cards. This money is used to programs for local breast cancer survivors and their families • Cardholders receive up to a 20% discount during the week of October 11-17 at hundreds of participating retailers and restaurants! Look for the Back in the Swing logo. • Details at backintheswing.org.
Join Back in the Swing O CTOBER 2010 • MetroPetMag.com
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What to know before acquiring a
Collie BREED HISTORY The Collie’s exact origins are shrouded in obscurity. It has been the subject of much research and speculation. The word “Collie” is as obscure as the breed itself. The name has been spelled many different ways: Coll, Colley, Coally and Coaly. Generally, the most accepted origin of the word is “Coll” — the Anglo-Saxon word for black. In the 18th century, the Collie's natural home was in the highlands of Scotland, where he had been used for centuries as a sheepdog. The dogs were bred with great care in order to assist their masters in the herding and guarding of their flock. While the breed as we know it may have originated in Scotland, invariably we think of England as the true home of the breed. Without a doubt, it is to the English fancy of the late 1800s that the breed owes its development as a popular show dog. Collies were first exhibited in 1860 at the Birmingham, England dog show, in the generic class “Scotch Sheep-Dogs.” In 1879 the first English Collie was imported to this country. It is from England that we find the famous pillars of the breed, from which the American fanciers sought not only their next big winner, but also their foundation stock. By the turn of the century, the American Collie was in a state of continued development. The breed continued to flourish in England. American show prizes were dominated by the British imports. As a result of the imports, the breed made rapid progress between 1900 to 1920. These dogs built the foundations upon which the present day Collie is based and paved the way for the emergence of the great American kennels of the 1920s and 1930s. Names such as Alstead, Arken, Arrowhill, Tazewell, Tokalon, Hertzville, Lodestone, Noranda, Sterling, Bellhaven and Honeybrook began to dominate the American dog scene. This signaled the true emergence of the golden age of the American Collie. Our Collie legacy since that time has been rich and varied. For more detailed information regarding the history of the Collie, contact the Collie Club of America, Inc., for various books and publications. 12
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THE STANDARD General Character The Collie is a lithe, strong, responsive, active dog, carrying no useless timber, standing naturally straight and firm. The deep, moderately wide chest shows strength, the sloping shoulders and wellbent hocks indicate speed and grace, and the face shows high intelligence. The Collie presents an impressive, proud picture of true balance, each part being in harmonious proportion to every other part and to the whole. Except for the technical description that is essential to this Standard and without which no Standard for the guidance of breeders and judges is adequate, it could be stated simply that no part of the Collie ever seems to be out of proportion to any other part. Timidity, frailness, sullenness, viciousness, lack of animation, cumbersome appearance and lack of over-all balance impair the general character.
The Collie is a lithe, strong, responsive, active dog, carrying no useless timber, standing naturally straight and firm
Smooth The Smooth Variety of Collie is judged by the same Standard as the Rough Variety, except that the references to the quantity and distribution of the coat are not applicable to the Smooth Variety, which has a short, hard, dense, flat coat of good texture, with an abundance of undercoat.
Color The four recognized colors are "Sable and White," "Tri-color," "Blue Merle" and "White." There is no preference among them. The "Sable and White" is predominantly sable (a fawn sable color of varying shades from light gold to dark mahogany) with white markings usually on the chest, neck, legs, feet and the tip of the tail. A blaze may appear on the foreface or backskull or both. The “Tri-color” is predominantly black, carrying white markings as in a “Sable and White” and has tan shadings on and about the head and legs. The “Blue Merle” is a mottled or “marbled” color predominantly blue-grey and black with white markings as in the “Sable and White” and usually has tan shadings as in the “Tri-color.” The “White” is predominantly white, preferably with sable, tricolor or blue merle markings. Compliments of the Collie Club of America 2010 O CTOBER 2010 • MetroPetMag.com
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Chip’s Corner
Pawzzle Down: 1. The eyes of the Collie are ________________ shaped. 2. Coat type with short hair 3. The Collie is loyal and _____________________. 4. Well known and admired for being a _______________ dog. 7. Famous Collie on television. 8. Coat type with long hair 10. Showing ability and skill in many areas. 12. Item used to groom a dog with a long coat. 13. The collie is very _____________ to training. 17. Should be _______________ every day. 20. The Collie is a natural when it comes to ___________________. 22. Tool used to trim dogs nails.
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by Heddie Leger
Across: 5. 6.
The collie is highly ___________________. The Collie makes a great _____________ dog. 9. Collies were first exhibited in 1860 in a dog show in England as ____________ sheep-dogs. 11. Predominantly black with while and tan markings 14. Number of recognized colors. 15. Originally used as a ____________________. 16. The Collie is known for its ___________ expression. 18. 18th Century natural home in the highlands of _______________. 19. The Collie has a natural love of __________________. 21. In addition to herding, the Collie excels at _________________. 23. Job the collie loves to do. 24. The Collie is of ____________ size.
September Pawzzle Answers
O CTOBER 2010 • MetroPetMag.com
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The Cat’s I
t was a long hot summer, but the weather is finally transcending into autumn. The leaves are starting to turn and you feel the chill in the air. You can taste the apple cider and may find yourself in the pumpkin carving spirit. Soon the ghosts and goblins will be out and about. If the season drums up images of witches and black cats, keep this in mind — if you see a cat cross your path, no matter what the color, put out a bowl of food and you will make a new friend. If cats are not your cup of tea you can still help a cat in need by befriending it and contacting low cost spay/neuter clinics such as No More Homeless Pets KC, www.nmhpkc.com (who will help with trap/neuter/release) or Spay and Neuter Kansas City, www.snkc.net. If you are able to build an interactive relationship with a stray or neighborhood kitty, you can take her in as your new family member or work with a local animal shelter for re-homing (through a local shelter or www.petfinders.com).
Meow by Pat Hennessy
Even if you are not a “cat person,” you can’t deny the impact cats have had on our society, everything from one of the longest running plays on Broadway to cartoon characters such as Felix, Sylvester, and Garfield, to every day catch phrases. The 1920s was an era that influenced U.S. culture and coined many phrases some of which are still used today. The characteristics of the cat represented what was pleasing or fashionable. It was either “the cat’s meow” or “the cat’s pajamas” that symbolized the best thing ever. And if you were really somebody, then you were a “cool cat” and a trendsetter.
CATS — YOU CAN’T JUST HAVE ONE There are many myths and folk lore about cats. To some they are considered sneaky and aloof. Superstitions and human allergies have given cats a bad name. But the truth is that cats are strong, flexible, and extremely adaptable to many environments. While cats are known to be solitary hunters,
It was either “the cat’s meow” or “the cat’s pajamas” that symbolized the best thing ever.
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they are also very social animals. They are the perfect companions if you live in small quarters. Cats are pretty low maintenance and bring high rewards. You don’t have to get up early to walk them or run home to let them out, and they will curl up next to you in just about any space. For those who love cats we know they are like potato chips, you can’t have just one. An interesting and heartwarming thing about cats is their purr. While it can be a sign of contentment and one of their loving gestures, cats will purr under other circumstances as well. Cats will purr if they are stressed or in pain. The purr is not only thought to be a self-calming mechanism, but has been theorized that the frequency of a cat’s purr can foster healing from illness or injury. There are questions as to the physiology of the purr (whether it is activated by the nervous system or blood vessels), but we all recognize the audible vibration and it is
Cats are agile, athletic, whimsical, amusing, mystical and mythical.
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The human feline bond was established many centuries ago and may go back ten thousand years.
soothing. If nothing else, it is likened to a mantra one might chant to go into a meditative state. Cats are the purr-fect example of a yogi (one who practices yoga – a method of using still or stretching postures to achieve balance). The human feline bond was established many centuries ago and may go back ten thousand years. While dogs were domesticated first for their hunting skills, cats’ hunting skills were just as useful. Cats were appreciated for keeping vermin away from human settlements. That feature is still valuable today. I can tell you that I don’t have mice or chipmunks at my house. Cats were sacred God-like creatures in ancient Egypt. A veterinarian once joked that he thought cats were brought to Earth by aliens because they were not like any other species. For all we know aliens may have built the pyramids and left a few cats behind. Whether or not you are fond of cats, you must recognize the beauty and grace of these wonderful creatures and treat them with respect. Cats are agile, athletic, whimsical, amusing, mystical and mythical. They can be everything from fiercely predatory to downright entertaining. Fernand Mery said it best, “With the qualities of cleanliness, affection, patience, dignity, and courage that cats have, how many of us, I ask you, would be capable of becoming cats?” Pat Hennessy, is the founder of N2paws, LLC, an organization that provides companion animal attunement through behavior education, energy work, and positive training methods. Pat is a certified Level 2 TTouch® Practitioner, CPDT and member of the IAABC, IAATH and AWA. You may contact N2Paws via email pat@n2paws.com, 816-522-7005, or www.n2paws.com. 18
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visit
the
website
TRICKY TREATS FOR DOGS Homemade Dog Treat Recipe Ingredients:
Makes 14 treats
2 cups water 3/4 cup canned applesauce 1/8 teaspoon vanilla 1 egg 3 cups whole-wheat flour 1 cup white flour 1/4 cup chopped nuts 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 cup oats
Directions: • Preheat oven to 350ºF. • In a bowl, mix water, applesauce, vanilla, and egg thoroughly. • In a separate bowl, combine flour, nuts, baking powder, nutmeg, and cinnamon, stirring well. • Add wet ingredients to dry and mix well. • Spoon into greased muffin tins filling each cup completely and bake for about 1 1/4 hours. Cool completely and store in a sealed container.
Note: This recipe is for a special-occasion treat for your pet. It should not replace meals and should be offered sparingly. If your pet has food allergies or special dietary requirements, check with your veterinarian before offering them. If your pet is on a special diet, you may want to consult with your veterinarian and obtain a canned version of the diet. Often the canned formula can be rolled out, cut into shapes and baked. Most treats bake at 350ºF for 12–20 minutes or until firm to the touch.
Reprinted from PetPlace.com: www.petplace.com/dogs/easy-halloween-recipes-for-your-pet/page1.aspx O CTOBER 2010 • MetroPetMag.com
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The Good, The Bad and the Behaved by Patty Homer
Too often dog owners try to train their dogs by only telling them what not to do by giving frequent or constant negative feedback and forgetting to tell the dog what it CAN do. Dogs are much like humans in that, they learn by motivation and being positively reinforced (rewarded) as well as having consequences for their behavior. A reward is something that increases the chance of a behavior being repeated. A consequence is something that decreases the chance of a behavior being repeated.
REWARDS A proper reward should be something that motivates your dog whether it is praise, food, affection or a toy. The majority of dogs are food motivated, so let’s talk about food rewards. I categorize food rewards into 3 different levels: Level 1 — is a something that your dog wants — like their dog food or a dry dog treat
A proper reward should be something that motivates your dog whether it is praise, food, affection or a toy. Level 2 — is a treat that your dog loves — like liver treats or other soft training treats Level 3 — is a treat that your dog will do anything for — like turkey, chicken or cheese When teaching a new cue to your dog, use level 3 treats. Once he is responding to the cue consistently, start rewarding based on performance. Give a level 1 reward for a slower response, level 2 for a better or quicker response and level 3 for a great response. Once your dog is responding at a very good level consistently, start replacing food rewards with life rewards (praise, affection, toys or privileges).
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KEEPING YOUR DOG INTERESTED To continue to keep your dog interested and responsive, give him random rewards for the rest of his life. Giving random rewards is similar to the “Las Vegas” theory that people will sit in front of a slot machine feeding it quarters because they know they will get a reward at some point — and it is a surprise and totally random.
CONSEQUENCES/CORRECTIONS Consequences or corrections are necessary in the learning process. I recommend using as small a consequence as needed to make the dog not want to repeat that behavior. Consequences may include ignoring non harmful behaviors like jumping or barking, giving a verbal correction for a wrong response to a cue or to interrupt behaviors, like chewing or digging. For a consequence to work, it must be given immediately and followed through with. For instance, if you give a verbal correction (EH-EH) when your dog is chewing on a chair leg and he doesn’t stop chewing, you must get up, go to him and interrupt his chewing. The instant he stops chewing on the chair leg, he must be praised and his attention redirected to an appropriate chew toy with more praise for chewing on the chew toy. To decide on an appropriate consequence, first figure out what your pup’s payoff is for that behavior. Dogs will not repeat behaviors that don’t get them some kind of pay off. So, to extinguish an unwanted behavior, you give an appropriate consequence, take the pay off away for the behavior and then give the pay off for a desired behavior.
Patty Homer is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer and a Pet First Aid instructor. She has been training dogs for 20 years. She owns Good Pup dog training and boarding in South Kansas City. Her certifications include CPDTKA (certified through the Certification Counsel of Professional Dog Trainers); CDT certified through the International Association of Canine Professionals. She is the Founder and President of HEARTland Positive Dog Training Alliance. For more information, visit her website at www.goodpupkc.com.
ATTENTION COMES IN THREE FORMS Jumping is an attention seeking behavior, therefore the pay off is attention. Attention comes in 3 forms — look, talk and touch. So to extinguish jumping, remove all attention by ignore him completely (ignoring is the consequence as well as removing the payoff), then when he has 4 on the floor, give him attention (the payoff HE wants for a behavior YOU want – this is called rewarding an alternate behavior). When you figure out what your dog’s pay off is for any given behavior and take it away when he does it, you have a good chance of stopping the behavior. If you can then reward an alternate behavior you can mold your pup’s behavior to fit your desires. Training through physical punishment, pain, domination, intimidation and/or fear will create a dog that may behave temporarily or with the one person the dog is afraid of, but this kind of training creates frustration. Frustration will build to a point that it explodes, sometimes towards the aggressor, but typically the aggression will be redirected towards another member of the family, other animals or children. Set yourself a goal of giving your dog at least 3 atta-boys for every bad-boy, in other words – tell him yes three times more than you tell him no. Teach your dog what to do instead of just what not to do and the whole family will be happier. O CTOBER 2010 • MetroPetMag.com
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In the
“Ring of Life” These Programs Are a Win-Win by Heddie Leger
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large contingency of people train their dogs to win ribbons and awards in the show and obedience rings. There is an entirely different perspective regarding winning when shelter dogs are placed with those who have been incarcerated in a rehabilitation training program where both the dogs and the humans benefit. It is a win-win proposition. The concept of Prison Dog Programs is nothing new. In the early 1980’s, Sister Pauline Quinn developed one of the country’s first prison dog programs. Sister Quinn, a Dominican nun, realized the drawbacks of an overworked prison system that was just barely sustaining itself. She came up with a novel idea to and show inmates they could contribute positively to society and renew their confidence and belief in themselves. Sister Quinn garnered the help of professional dog trainers, and implemented the prison dog program at the Washington State Correctional Center for Women in 1981. Others have recognized the effectiveness and success of her work through the years and the concept has spread to other prisons around the nation and the world.
BOOK SHOWCASES REWARDS The only book available showcasing the untold rewards of these programs is offered in the book Prison Dogs: Hope Behind Bars weaves heart-melting stories and grim realities, vignettes, surprising facts, interesting anecdotes and observations into this seminal documentation of a dog’s most important gift to the best and the worst of us — unconditional love. This is the first book to give real voices to the power of these programs via the prisoners themselves, the prison staff, government officials and the recipients of the dogs.
SIMPLICITY IS THE KEY Programs that enlist dogs to aide people, from guide dogs for the blind to police canines, spend months and sometimes years training animals for service. Such programs require 22
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dedicated workers and volunteers with established training skills. The inmates, who have nothing on their hands but time can keep a dog 24/7 and drill the necessary skills for as long as it takes. They also benefit by learning valuable life skills they can use outside prison such as team buildin advance. Some programs have the dogs live in the offenders’ ing, leadership, collaboration and organization. room, while some use an on-site kennel arrangement. Sister Quinn states, “The reason I started the program MISSOURI DIVISION OF was to help the inmates become “The dogs have a remarkable impact on MDOC other-centered. In the correctional ADULT INSTITUTIONS offenders, improving offender behavior and giving system they don’t have the opportuniMissouri has stepped up to the offenders incentive to maintain excellent conduct ty to do things to help other people. plate in offering these program for records. Offenders not directly involved in the proIn helping others our lives change inmates to participate across the gram are showing responsibility and selflessness and we can see a different perspecstate. Programs currently operate in by donating to support our efforts. Staff morale is tive on life.” Jefferson City, Missouri Eastern, also enhanced by the presence of the dogs.” Those involved in these programs Eastern Reception Diagnostic, South George A. Lombardi, Director must be totally committed to the Central. Recently added facilities on effort. It is not a part-time endeavor. the Western side of the state include Support of the effort must be availWestern Reception Diagnostic and Correctional Center, Crossroads able 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. Correction Center, and Western Missouri Correctional Center. Puppies and dogs can become get ill or injured, prisons are not equipped to handle ‘dog emergencies.’ PUPPIES FOR PAROLE A clear plan must be agreed upon by all parties before the Puppies for Parole is a unique program made possible through our program is initiated. Things like who will pay for the propartnerships with animal shelters and animal advocate groups gram costs — including crates, training equipment, food, statewide. Selected offenders have the opportunity to become trainvet bills, emergency vet bills, medications, transportation, ers to rescue dogs in the program. Offenders work with the dogs trainers, and supplies must be considered and planned for
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teaching them basic obedience skills and properly socializing the animals, making them more adoptable. Once the dogs have successfully completed the program they will be sent back to their original shelter to be placed up for adoption. Last year in Missouri, more than 46,000 homeless canines were euthanized. Puppies for Parole hopes to reduce that number by producing loving, obedient, adoptable dogs. The benefits of this program are three-fold. Puppies for Parole gives offenders the skills necessary to support successful rehabilitation, re-entry, ultimately improving public safety. At the same time, this is an opportunity for the offenders to re-pay Missouri communities and repair some of the debts caused by their crimes. We have seen this program have a profound effect on the inmates and staff, increasing the safety and security of the facility. Finally, Puppies for Parole uses no general revenue and operates solely on private donations and donations from offender organizations.
PROGRAM GOALS The goal of these programs is to have someone train the offenders on how to train the dogs, whether the end goal is service dogs or nice pets. These people must not only be exceptional trainers, able to successfully pass their expertise to others, they must also be exceptional communicators able to read and understand human body language as well as canine. Since these people will not be on-site all the time, they need to be able to read — through the dogs’ body language — what goes on between training visits. Staff and volunteers work in a unique environment. It is not a working environment that will suit everyone. The trainers brought in must be level-headed, able to understand and follow all the rules, and able to interact with the offenders appropriately. They need to be respectful of, and able to work well with prison staff. Common sense is the highest priority along with exceptional training skills of both humans and canines.
PRISON STAFF SUPPORT It is imperative to have full support of the prison staff, from the state-level Department of Corrections Director to the Prison Superintendent to Corrections Officers and Caseworkers. Just like anything else some people will be open to the new ideas this type of program offers and see the win-win possibilities which include staff, the offenders, and the community at large. Others will only see the potential negatives — increased security risks, potential dog bites, wondering if offenders might train the dogs to attack Correction Officers or other offenders, concern about 24
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treating one group of offenders differently than others, more paperwork, extra work, etc. All of these issues are valid, and need to be discussed and addressed in the policies developed by the prison. The program must have the support of administration personnel AND the people who will work with the offender-trainers on a daily basis — the Housing Unit Supervisors, the Caseworkers, the Corrections Officers. These people are critical to the success of the program. The program will impact people’s jobs and responsibilities. It is also important to be prepared to do formal and informal presentations. According to Quinn, one common mistake programs make is to use the inmates as glorified babysitters without attention to their needs. “If the focus is just on the dogs and there is no attention to the inmates, the program won’t work, it just won’t develop. It has to be focused on the inmates,” she says.
OTHER STATE PROGRAMS By some estimates there are hundreds of programs around the country (the state of Ohio has programs in at least 29 prisons) in both women’s and men’s facilities. With so many programs, undoubtedly thousands of both dogs and inmates have made their way through their own prison dog journey. Most prison dog programs do not cost correction departments any money. Often they are maintained by individual non-profit organizations. Quinn says prisons are usually willing to help in some ways, perhaps provid-
OTHER PRISON DOG TRAINING PROGRAMS • The original program in Washington, http://www.pathwaystohope.org/index.html • Second Chance Canine Program — Arizona • Prison Trained K-9 Companion Program — Colorado • Prison Pet Partnership Program — Washington state • A New Leash On Life — Oklahoma • Prison PUP Program — Massachusetts • Wisconsin Correctional Liberty Dog Program — Wisconsin • Prison Tails — Indiana • Safe Harbor Pridon Dogs — Kansas, www.safeharborprisondogs.com • Champ Dogs — Missouri, http://www.champdogs.org /prison-program/prison-program
ing fenced yards for the dogs to run or establishing a separate area in the prison for the inmates and dogs in the program.
SPECIAL PROGRAM TRAINS GUARD DOGS At Puppies Behind Bars in New York, dogs specially bred for guide service are placed in six prisons in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York. The puppies spend 18 months beginning at eight weeks of age with an inmate. Inmates in the program live separate from the prison’s general population with their dogs, but they must maintain a regular prison job along with their work as a trainer. The constant contact between dog and trainer and the inmates’ dedication means the program often turns out exceptionally well-trained dogs, says Annie Teillon, director of development for the Manhattan-based non-profit. Once dogs finish their training with inmates, they are turned over to either a guide dog school or law enforcement officials for bomb sniffing programs. Now in its eighth year, Puppies Behind Bars has graduated 34 working dogs (23 are guide dogs and 11 work as explosive detection dogs in the United States and abroad). Despite the obstacles, the benefit of prison dog programs for inmates is immeasurable. From the streets New York, prison dog programs have made their way into small town America. Last year, the Kyle Correctional Unit in Kyle, Texas partnered with nearby animal shelter, Public for Animal Welfare Society, Inc., or PAWS. PAWS dog trainer Courtney Fish says the prison’s warden asked shelter officials about developing a
program that would teach inmates some usable job skills. The inmate participants at Kyle are all about to be released, many after serving years on drug or related charges, and are in their final six months of rehab. Each week, Fish goes to the prison and teaches the inmates the basics of dog training. After two weeks of education, each inmate gets a dog he keeps for seven weeks during which time he trains obedience and even a few tricks. The end results are dogs more likely to be adopted. Fish says all of a recent group of dogs that went through training at the prison have found homes. For Fish, prison dog programs are the last word in fair justice. “These guys are pulling their weight and they’ve paid their debt. Now they have to be given a chance.” Heddie Leger’s passion for animals began as a country girl in Pennsylvania. Her first dog came from a dumpster at school. She is a Certified Humane Education Specialist; and member of the Association of Professional Humane Educators; Registered R.E.A.D. Team; a Delta Society Licensed Instructor and Evaluator; AKC Public Education Ambassador/Canine Good Citizen Evaluator; Professional Pet Sitters Association; Pets for Life and HARRT Search; Rescue and Recovery. She and her husband own The PawZone Pet Sitting. She can be reached at pawzone@yahoo.com.
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Food for the Road by Dr. Sean Delaney
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raveling is always a stressful time for anyone. Handling the packing, making the arrangements — the days leading up to the big trip can be overwhelming. But once you hit the open road, all the stress quickly begins to fade away. For pets, it’s a different story. With new sights and smells, travel can be both exciting and overwhelming for your pet. Whether you’re heading out for a weekend road trip or journeying from the air, traveling with your four-legged best friend can be an adventure for everyone. For your peace of mind and your pet’s comfort, preparation is key in traveling. Before you hit the open road, check out these useful tips so you can plan and pack for your pet.
FEEDING A TRAVELING PET Going into “foreign territories” is stressful for even welladjusted pets and can lead to drastic appetite changes. Animals are instinctively cautious about eating in unfamiliar surroundings. This reduced appetite cannot only affect bowel movements and energy levels, but even a pet’s overall health. Maintaining her caloric intake should be a primary focus for you. Make every bite count and travel armed with a tasty diet of foods that are just too good for a pet to pass up. Feeding a highly palatable, highly digestible diet can be helpful in overcoming a reluctance to eat. It is important to introduce your animal to
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any new foods before heading on your trip. Establishing good eating habits at home weeks prior to a vacation will allow ample time for your companion to adjust. Foods that are higher in protein and fat are generally more palatable than foods higher in carbohydrates. Therefore, selecting a high protein, low carbohydrate food is a simple solution. For many brands, carbohydrate levels are not typically listed on packaging, but can be roughly calculated by adding all the percentages for protein, fat, moisture, crude fiber, and ash, and subtracting the total from 100%. The remainder is an approximation of the percent of carbohydrate in the food. Dry foods with less than 18% carbohydrate for dogs and 12% for cats would be considered low in carbohydrate. Canned dog and cat foods with less than 2% carbohydrate would be considered lower in carbohydrate.
NO-SWEAT WAYS TO STAY HYDRATED Hydration is also imperative for pets to avoid overheating when traveling by car or plane. To beat the heat, provide your dog or cat with frequent access to fresh cool water. This can be challenging when pets are physically separated from the rest of their traveling companions, such as on an airplane. Therefore on planes it may be worthwhile to see if the carrier will allow the pet to travel on board with you and if not, to consider using water bottles that can be licked. But remember to train your pet to use them before your trip. A more convenient way to help with hydration is to feed canned food. The greater water content in canned food (up to seven times as much as dry food) can help meet a pet’s water needs and reduce how much water it needs to drink. Plus, higher moisture foods are often more appetizing to pets, encouraging healthy intake.
HASSLE-FREE ADVENTURES During travel most pet parents would like to minimize the amount of pet clean up they need to do. To reduce both the frequency and volume of stools, feed a highly digestible food. Highly digestible foods provide more calories per cup or can which means less waste. Generally, protein from animal sources are more digestible than those from plants so selecting a food with meats and meat meals among the first ingredients listed can be an additional way to identify foods that may be more digestible. When outside your normal sniffing grounds, it is always critical that your pet has proper identification through a collar and tag or microchip. It is also important to pack any necessary medications, bedding, leashes and bowls that your furry friend may need along the way and remember that a health certificate from your veterinarian may be required by some airlines even when you’re travelling domestically.
TREATING WHILE TRAVELING The more comfortable and satisfied a pet is during the trip, the more enjoyable the entire experience will be for everyone. Help your companion understand that traveling is fun. Provide treats at different points in the trip and make plenty of rest stops to stretch and discover new sights and smells. When packing snacks, choose ones from home that are easily stored and that come in a variety of shapes and flavors. These special pleasures will train your pet to enjoy the ride. As responsible pet parents, it’s up to us to select the right pet food for every occasion but it is always good to check with your veterinarian before starting your pet on any new feeding plans. With a little planning, new experiences, sights and friends discovered while traveling can be exciting and fun for both pet owners and their companions. Sean Delaney, DVM, MS, Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition, is a board certified veterinary nutritionist and Chief Nutrition Officer of Natura Pet Products, manufacturer of EVO, California Natural®, Innova®, Karma®, HealthWise®, and Mother Nature® natural pet foods and treats.
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Dog Bowl Aggression... and the Wonderful Resource we Waste Everyday! by Mike Deathe I got an email from an old friend of mine about their young Great Dane pup who was showing some nasty habits around the food bowl. Turns out this dog would growl and snarl around the food bowl, and Tracy (friend) has three small kids! This story plays out every day throughout America, and whether you have kids or your dog is a Great Dane or even a Pekinese, it is a very serious issue! No one wants to deal with a social deviant with four legs!
No one wants to deal with a social deviant with four legs! What if I told you that in many cases we cause this behavior ourselves! The ironic part is that we create the problem each and every time we get or fill Rover’s bowl with food! Let’s get started by talking about how we feed our dogs and what can be done about that food bowl or resource guarding grumpiness! First off, let’s take a look at how a dog in the wild would eat, and compare it to how we, as humans, usually feed our dogs. In the wild, a dog left to its own devices would spend roughly 18 hours each day looking for and eating its food. They are scavengers, hunters and opportunists. Since food is the most important resource they have, they would 28
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spend the majority of their time getting it. Now let’s look at how we as humans do it! It’s 7:30 am and you are running late; the kids need to be at school by 8:10; you have a conference call at 8:30; and…oh crap! Fido hasn’t been fed yet! You throw some food into a bowl and slap it on the ground, and Fido goes to it! 60 seconds later, Fido is done eating so you rush out the door and Fido is left to figure out what to do for the next 23 hours and 59 minutes!!!! If you are a “really good” dog owner you might repeat this process 2 to 3 times a day, using up to 2 or 3 total minutes of Fido’s day relating to eating, but really, what does he do with his free time till his next meal? How about… • Eating the couch or some other fun piece of the house? • Barking incessantly at squirrels (garnering complaints from the neighbors)? • Peeing and pooping all over the house? • Looking for, destroying and/or eating, underwear, socks, shoes or any other item that smells like their owner?
And, as my mom always said, “Idle hands are the devils play things”!!! SOUND FAMILIAR??? This list could go on forever, but suffice it to say that the way we feed our dogs leaves them with a lot of “free” time. And, as my mom always said, “Idle hands are the devils play things”!!! For the time being let’s get back to food bowl aggression, and how solving that behavior will circle back to fixing these other problem behaviors! In fact, hopefully by feeding differently you can positively affect all problem behaviors…with just a couple of changes in your dealings with Fido. Okay, why would my loving dog all of a sudden become a social deviant around a food bowl? Well the simple answer is…we are taking a basic survival ritual (hunting, finding and finally eating their food) and making it last roughly a minute! Not to mention we are using a food bowl (inanimate object) to hold the resource they covet the most. And finally, we are not making them work for this resource! In essence, the frustration of only getting 60 seconds of time to eat, in a predetermined place and out of an inanimate object and not having to put in any effort to get the food, leads Fido to believe the bowl and whatever is in it is his property! Now, is it any wonder why Fido growls, snaps or gets grumpy around the food bowl? It is important to recognize that if Fido is behaving this way, you will really want to think twice about using some of the dominance theory you may have seen on TV O CTOBER 2010 • MetroPetMag.com
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To get started, I suggest you feed your dogs at least twice a day and not use a bowl.
last week! Hopefully you can see that yelling, slapping, touching or correcting a dog in this situation is probably not going to be effective, might even escalate the behavior and have you leaving this world with a few less fingers than you entered it with! First off, if you are reading this and are saying “I don’t have that problem,” that’s great! But understand that it’s important to make sure you never do! These techniques are for dogs on both ends of the spectrum…those with problems and those without; with the goal of making sure they never have the problem and maybe fixing a few other “unrelated” problems along the way! So, I really recommend starting these ideas with a puppy before the bad habits form, but since this topic is what to do when the problem is already present, let’s go ahead and get started and see what we can do about it!
BASIC TECHNIQUES There are three basic techniques that you need to be familiar with as you work with Fido to eliminate the dog bowl aggression… 1) Use toys to feed your dogs 2) Feed your dogs from your hand 3) Have your dogs work for their food
Use Toys to Feed your Dogs Why are we wasting feeding time and only giving the dog 60-90 seconds of unsupervised activity time from a bowl? Instead, we could use feeding times to teach, train and mold our furry four legged friends to use proper doggie manners! To get started, I suggest you feed your dogs at least twice a day (three if your schedule allows) and do not use a bowl. I want you to split up the feedings so the dog has their favorite point of the day (meal time) multiple times vs. only once. Toys will give your dogs more mental stimulation, thus helping to wear out the mind, which is much better than just letting them wolf down their food in 60-90 seconds which would leave them bored. (Remember idle hands…?) More importantly, toys make the dogs work for their food instead of just waiting for their human to fill the magic bowl! It is important to remember classical conditioning at this point when you are feeding your dog (Pavlov anyone!) This is a great opportunity to build positive associations with food! Previously, we had just the 60-90 seconds to pair an association with dinner time, but as we use food dispensing toys, we might have upwards of 10-15 minutes to 30
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make those same connections! You can even freeze the toys with food in them and gain additional time while you eat! What do I mean by associations and classical conditioning? Well, if my dog is aggressive around, let’s say kids, while eating; I want kids to be present around the dog while the dog is eating! I always take steps to ensure safety, but with kids, you have to be extra careful! A simple and easy safety measure is to tether the dog when feeding them (remember to use a toy) and simply having the child in the room with the dog (but NOT sitting right next to him!) Tethering is also effective when you have multiple dog households, dogs that don’t really like each other or even with cats. Through use of toys as the means to deliver the food, you are positively reinforcing the association of chewing on toys as an appropriate behavior (rather than chewing on the couch, pillow, shoe, etc…!!!).
KEEP YOUR GOAL IN MIND The goal is to create a subconscious mindset in your dog that all the good things in the world (food) happen when this stimulus that makes me nervous (child) is around. Please remember that this is not going to make your dog think “I love kids” just because they are around during meal times; but it is more like that warm fuzzy feeling those of us who love coffee get when we walk into a Starbucks. We associate the smell of coffee with a sense of well being! Once again I want to stress that this does work with dogs with problems, but it is not a quick fix! I find that if I can teach people to use these techniques from puppyhood, these problems will rarely occur. So to those of you that have dogs that already have food bowl aggression, it’s time to get busy; and for those of you who have a puppy…let’s get started young so that you can build a positive association at feeding time from the very beginning! Now we have toys at feeding time working for us…so what’s next? What about making food even more important (as well as your status and relationship with your dog?) Why not feed your dog by hand? For more details about this feeding your dog(s) from your hand (or by hand) see the Dog Bowl Aggression, and the Wonderful Resource We Waste Everyday…Part 3!!! on the web at muttzmembers.blogspot.com. Mike Deathe is a stay-at-home dad who found his passion as a dog trainer in 2008. The author of the Keep It Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Pet Blog. Mike has had dogs since he was four years old! In 2009, he and his wife Kate founded Muttz “R” Us, a t-shirt and pet product company with a philanthropic motto of “Adopt a Pet, Save a Life.” In 2010 Muttz “R” Us also launched KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID DOG TRAINING and became a charter member of Heartland Positive Dog Training Alliance! Visit him at facebook or twitter or follow the blog @http://muttzmembers.blogspot.com/ or check out the website muttzrus.com for details about shirts. O CTOBER 2010 • MetroPetMag.com
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Upcoming Events Kicks for Canines What: Take your dog to a Wizards game Where: Community America Ballpark When: Sat • Oct 9 • 7:30 pm Details: wizards.com
Dogtoberfest What: All day event with your dog Where: Lake Jacomo, Blue Springs When: Sun • Oct 17 • 10 am - 4 pm Details: kansascityevents.org/festivals/ dogtober-fest
KC Sheltie Rescue What: Adoption Events Where: Petco, 75th and Metcalf OP, KS When: Sat, Oct 9 & 23 • 10am-2pm Sat, Nov 13 & 27 • 10am-2pm Sun, Oct 3 & Nov 7 • 11am-3pm Details: kcsheltierescue.org
Animals Best Friends Chili Supper What: Chili Supper/Bingo night Where: St. Mary’s Church • Independence, MO When: Sat • Oct 9 • 7-9 pm Details: animalsbestfriends.org
Humane Society of Greater KC What: Big Martini 10 Where: McCormick & Schmick’s, Country Club Plaza When: Wed • Oct 6 • 5 pm - the well is dry Details: hsgkc.org
Wayside Waifs What: Tivol Doggie Webcam Celebration Where: Tivol, Country Club Plaza When: Saturday • Oct 9 • 10 am-noon Details: waysidewaifs.org/site/Calendar
Back in the Swing When: Mon-Sun • Oct 11 • 17 Details: backintheswing.org
17th Annual
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Tails for Trails Dog-Walk for Parks
Sunday, October 17, 2010 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Kemper Outdoor Education Center Lake Jacomo/Fleming Park FOOD DRIVE: %HQH¿WV ORFDO DQLPDO VKHOWHUV GAMES: 6DFN 5DFHV Â&#x2021; %REELQJ IRU %LVFXLWV Â&#x2021; 0XVLFDO 'LVFV Â&#x2021; 5ROO RYHU 5DFHV Â&#x2021; %LVFXLW 7RVV CONTESTS: %HVW %LVFXLW (DWHU Â&#x2021; %HVW 7DLO :DJJHU Â&#x2021; &RVWXPH &RQWHVW Â&#x2021; 'RJ 2ZQHU /RRN $OLNHV Â&#x2021; %HVW .LVVHU Â&#x2021; %HVW 7ULFN Â&#x2021; 2OGHVW 'RJ Â&#x2021; <RXQJHVW 'RJ DEMONSTRATIONS: 6HDUFK 5HVFXH Â&#x2021; &DUWLQJ Â&#x2021; 3ROLFH'RJV Â&#x2021; 6HUYLFH 'RJV Â&#x2021; +HUGLQJ 'RJV MATCHES/TESTS/WORKSHOPS: $JLOLW\ Â&#x2021; 2EHGLHQFH Â&#x2021; 5DOO\ Â&#x2021; &DQLQH *RRG &LWL]HQ Â&#x2021; 'RFN 'LYLQJ Â&#x2021; :HDYH 3ROH 5DFHV Â&#x2021; )ULVEHH Â&#x2021; 'UDIW BOOTHS: 5HVFXH *URXSV Â&#x2021; %RDUGLQJ Â&#x2021; $GRSW $ 3HW Â&#x2021; 3HW 6XSSOLHV Â&#x2021; 3HW 6LWWHUV
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FREE ADMISSION with dog food donation Jackson County Parks & Recreation
816-229-8980 Â&#x2021; 'RJWREHU)HVW#MDFNVRQJRY RUJ 5HJLVWHU RQOLQH DW ZZZ MDFNVRQJRY RUJ O CTOBER 2010 â&#x20AC;¢ MetroPetMag.com
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Is Your Pet the
Cutest in KC?
Barbi Qu — We got Barbi Qu from a rescue farm. She’s absolutely one of the family, and not one to be reckoned with. If you’re going, she’s going! Submitted by Stan & Nina
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Piper — Piper is a 1 year old papillon who loves taking walks, going to Royals games and dressing up. She is a Kansas City Princess! Submitted by Darcie
Snap a photo of your pet and submit it at metropetmag.com.
Bella — We love our cat Bella. She is mellow and sweet. We got her from the Humane Society. When we brought her home she loved to sleep... with her head upside down! She can also drink out of a little paper cup and she comes to us when call. That’s some of the reasons we love our Bella! Submitted by Allison, age 10
Canine Signs Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) The Shop-Steward The Libra Dog will stand for less obedience, more food and a shorter working week.
Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) The Paragon There is a great strength of character hidden beneath the silky coat of the Scorpio Dog.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) The Problem Dog An alert and graceful creature, the nervous energy of the Gemini Dog enables this canine to keep going all day.
Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 20) The Social Climber The practical, earthy nature of Capricorn makes this canine unafraid of hard work.
Aquarius (Jan. 21 - Feb. 18) The Friend The expression is invariably tranquil and on occasion, the head of this dog appears to droop, as though the thoughts twirling around inside were all too heavy.
Pisces (Feb. 19 - Mar. 20) The Interpreter To be a Pisces Dog is to be a confused creature.
Aries (Mar. 21 - Apr. 19) Leader of the Pack This canine is sure to find a way to escape being anxious to make their mark upon the world.
Taurus (Apr. 20 - May 20) The Strong Silent Type The Taurus Dog is a loyal and faithful creature, relatively easy to train and highly unlikely to ever run away.
Are you looking for “Deals” on pet services or from pet related businesses? Look no further than MetroPet magazine “Deals of the Week!” This new program is starting in October. All you have to do is send us your email address. Send it to deals@metropetmag.com.
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Is Your Pet the
Cutest in KC?
Gemini (May 21 - June 21) The Yapper A Gemini Dog oozes charm and it is not long before they will have the entire family (and most of the neighborhood) wrapped around their dew-claw.
Cancer (June 22 - July 22) The Home-Lover It is important that the Cancer Dog feel he or she is needed.
Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22) The Boss-Dog Most Leo Dogs make for affectionate and cheerful companions, although they can at times be pompous and dogmatic.
Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) The Helper This canine is determined that there life be filled with beauty and nothing but the best will suffice. 34
MetroPet Magazine • O CTOBER 2010
Goldie & Diamond — Two golden retrievers playing pool side intently wanting the tennis ball. Submitted by Janet
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