Paws December 2016

PAWS mopolitan Celebrating Our 4-Legged Friends in the Golden Isles

CELEBRATING The Holidays With Our Pets

Volume 1 - Issue 3

Dear Santa, You remember those Nike sneakers with green trim you brought my Mom? When we find the other one, I can show you what they look like, “cause she needs a new pair, well really just a left shoe will be fine. The hole I dug to put it in wasn’t that big, I just didn’t know the sewer department liked to dig there, too, and we haven’t seen that shoe since the backhoe filled up a huge red dump truck with my smoothly patted-down dirt. The dump truck was red, but nothing like your sleigh.

A few stocking stuffers would go a long way toward soothing my Dad about his lightly chewed boonie hat- especially when he gets the cast off his ankle from our recent trip. “We” had a “trip” over the leash and down the stairs, so he just tells people the cast is from our recent “trip”, and that “No”, he doesn’t have any vacation pictures from it (guess he ‘d be embarrassed to show off pictures since they are all in black and white, sort of like big slides).

That was the day our cat got scared , but she was only in the tree a couple of hours. The nicest firemen came with a really tall ladder, right after the ambulance left with Dad. They got our cat down.

By Charley Bland

And, Santa... I can explain why the new sofa used to be rectangular, but it’s now more “rounded off” in places. How did I know that wasn’t the bestever chew toy in the whole world, well, my whole world anyway? I just thought Mom and Dad loved me so much they got it just as a surprise for me. It seemed like all mine, ‘cause they left me alone with it to play with all day.

I really am sorry I didn’t leave all of it for them to play with.

Then... I found out they really do love me so much. Mom just put her new blue shoes and keys and stuff way up high, then she put my toys where I could find them. Dad just put on his ragged boonie hat, and he limped along for a shorter walk with me. Then.. guess what... they let me snuggle in the warm bed with them. Santa, Sir, you really don’t need to bring

me anything ‘cause you already gave me the best gift, my own family. I have learned what “No” means, so don’t worry, I will do my best to love them always.

Thank you, Santa.

Your friend,

Fuzzy ps: Thank you also for bringing me and my family together on the day AFTER last Christmas. That way all the cooking, and company and noisy stuff was over, and we had time to learn about loving each other. pps: I didn’t tell you EVERYTHING that happened in the past year, ’cause we all make mistakes. I forgave them, and they forgave me.

I hope you will, too, since the cookie crumbs on that plate by the Christmas tree were peanut butter with itty bitty red and green sprinkles.

Publisher’s Letter When I was 6 years old, we went to Buffalo,

You know how sometimes when you meet a

more poodles from a puppy mill. There is no

New York, for Christmas. This was my first

dog or cat, and you instantly connect? That’s

end to the joy that these creatures bring into

time traveling far from home. It was destined

how it was with this timid puppy. Don’t get

your heart. Their unconditional love and un-

to be a trip for the ages with all the snow that

me wrong, the other two puppies would have

waving loyalty make for great companions.

we were not accustom to seeing. The day

made wonderful companions, but there was

after my birthday (just before Christmas), we

something curious about this little ball of fir.

Please, if you are in the market to add a plus

were looking to add a new family member to

After a little time of letting her inspect us, she

one to the family this holiday season, we

our home. (And poodles are a family favorite

made herself at home, nestled in our arms. We

ask that you do your homework first before

around these stomping grounds.) They hardly

brought her back to the house that we were

adopting, rescuing, or buying a pet. Too often,

ever shed, they are GREAT guard dogs, and

staying at; and she quickly made herself home

pets are returned to shelters in January because

they either live in your lap, on top of your

in our family. We named her Buffy (from

someone either did not want the pet, couldn’t

pillow, or under the sheets of your bed- in

Buffalo). Come to find out, it wasn’t the snow

handle the cost incurred, or they don’t have the

between your legs. Did I happen to mention

that made the trip memorable – it was the

time and energy to give the pet the attention

that they rule the roost? If not, just know that

bundle of joy that would continue to brighten

that it needs in a loving home.

they do!

our days for years to come.

In the paper, there was an advertisement for

She was everything anyone could ever want

– she ate, drank, slept, and played with me;

8-week old AKC toy poodles. My mother

in a dog. She was playful, protective, and the

saw me off to school in the mornings; and

called the breeder and we were quickly on our

sweetest angel we could have ever been blessed

stood on the doorstep waiting for me to return

way to see the 3 furry little kids that she had not

with. Buffy lived to be 21 years old. She grew

in the afternoons for 12 years of my life. She

yet sold. “One black and two apricots is what I

up with me - she was my best friend. You know,

was even there standing at the door when

have,” she said. She had the cutest black poodle

to me, pets are like receiving kisses from God.

I would come home on college breaks and

and an apricot that would make your heart melt.

With every kiss that they give us, it’s His way

graduation. 21 years of mine and my family’s

Of course, they would make anyone exhausted

of showing us how much He loves us. He knew

life was dedicated to protecting and nurturing

– watching how long they played with each

that I would not have another sibling growing

this sweet little apricot poodle. Having Buffy

other. I’m pretty sure that it lasted from the time

up, so He put her in my life - and I thank Him

was very rewarding, and with that, came great

we walked in the door till the time we left. The

for that.

responsibility that we were prepared to commit

Just think, Buffy for me, was my little sister

to. We were so very fortunate to have her as

other apricot, we saw very little of because she hid from everyone. Maybe it was because she

Since the days of Buffy, we have adopted and

long as we did! Thank you all for allowing me

was the runt of the bunch.

rescued both dogs and cats – including two

to share this with you.

May you have a safe and happy holiday from our family to yours! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Stephanie Maeger

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Pawsmopolitan 5

Find Your Best Friend at a Local Shelter or Rescue

Bowl of Pawtents Dear Santa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Bark About Town . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Pets as Presents . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 New Year’s Resolutions . . . . . . . . . . . . ......14 The Many Ways of Cats . . . . . . . . . . . ...16 The Dog that Saved Christmas . . .............19 An Ounce of Prevention . . . . . . . . . . . ....2 3 The No Kill Movement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 6 Health . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Tips and Tricks .............3 2 The Scratching Post ...... ............34 Silly Pet Stories ............. .36 Rescue ...............38

Save Lives Adopt / Spay / Neuter

PAWS mopolitan

Publisher Stephanie Maeger Editor Charley Bland Contributing Writers Charley Bland, Rene Knapp, Jeff Lane, Jackie Luckstone, DVM, Lyn Mettler, Kathryn Strickland, DVM, Lynn Stephens, Sharon Torso, Kimberly Williams Contributing Photographers Jackie Luckstone, Stephanie Maeger, Mark McDonald, Chase Morrow, Sharon Torso Cover Photo Crystal Mixon Rescue Liaison Kimberly Williams Digital Specialist Brannen Morton About the Cover Addie is a 3-legged Boykin spaniel that’s not defined by her handicap! She celebrated 12 yrs on the 20th of Nov. She enjoys being the toast of the town, visiting with old friends and always game to meet new ones! Most are amazed at her zest for life. Her resilience to never stop playing & enjoying life is true testimony that life is for the living!

Addie enjoys dressing up each year for her annual Christmas card photo shoot!

Her family, fans & friends await her card each year! She and her Mommy Crystal Mixon with Sea Palms Coastal Realty select the perfect pic to share! Addie is loved by all & she loves all! Happy Holidays!

To Advertise in Pawsmopolitan Magazine, Please call (386) 679-8415 or email us at pawsmag@gmail.com Pawsmopolitan is published bi-monthy. reproduction of any photographs, artwork, or copy prepared by pawsmopolitan is strictly prohibited without prior written permission of the publisher. all advertised properties are subject to prior sale or withdrawal without notice. the advertisers and publisher are not responsible or liable for misinformation, misprints, or typographical errors. all electronic files submitted to pawsmopolitan become property of the magazine. ©2017 pawsmopolitan. all rights reserved.

Walkin’ in A Doggie Wonderland Dog tags ring, are you listenin’?

In the lane, snow is glistenin’.

It’s yellow, NOT white - I’ve been there tonight, Marking up my winter wonderland.

Smell that tree? That’s my fragrance.

It’s a sign, for wand’ring vagrants; Avoid where I pee, it’s MY pro-per-ty!

Marked up as my winter wonderland.

In the meadow dad will build a snowman, following the classical design.

Then I’ll lift my leg and let it go Man, So all the world will know it’s mine-mine-mine!

Straight from me, to the fencepost, flows my natural incense boast; Stay off of my TURF, this small piece of earth, I mark it as my winter wonderland.

The

Bark About Town...

December 10th and 17th - Coastal Animal Rescue Society Adoption and Donation drive 10 am to 2 pm, Sea Island Market on St. Simons Island.

10th - No Kill Glynn County Pet Photo’s with Santa 2 pm to 4 pm at Copper Pig, Brunswick.

10th and 11th - No Kill Glynn County Jekyll Island Comic Con 10 am to 10 pm Saturday, 12 pm to 7 pm Sunday.

10th and 31st - Castaways Pet Rescue Adoption and Donation drive 11 am to 4 pm, PetSmart in Brunswick.

12th - Paws For a Cause Holiday Pet Walk-A-Thon & Festival 11 am.

Walk begins at 4 pm. Howard Gilman Memorial Park Waterfront in Downtown St. Marys.

14th - River City Community Animal Hospital Low Cost Mobile Unit By appointment only, 904.733.8123, Kingsland 8 Pawsmopolitan

16th - 18th - No Kill Glynn County Mega Adoption Event at Jacksonville Fairgrounds, Sponsored

by Petco & First Coast No more Homeless Pets.

17th - Glynn County Animal Control Mobile Pet Adoption and Donation drive 10 am to 2 pm, Pet Supplies Plus.

Every Saturday - No Kill Glynn County Adoptions at Pet Supplies Plus in Brunswick from 11 am to 3 pm.

January 6th - Coastal Animal Rescue Society / No Kill Glynn County Adoption and Donation drive 5 pm to 8 pm. First Friday, Downtown Brunswick.

7th - Glynn County Animal Control Mobile Pet Adoption and Donation drive 10 am to 2 pm, Pet Supplies Plus.

7th and 21st - Low Cost PetVet Vaccine Clinic 1 pm to 2:30 pm, Tractor Supply Company in Brunswick.

14th and 28th - Coastal Animal Rescue Society Adoption and Donation drive 12 pm to 4 pm, Sea Island Market on St. Simons Island.

Every Saturday in JanuaryCastaways Pet Rescue Adoption and Donation drive 11 am to 4 pm, PetSmart in Brunswick.

February 4th - Low Cost PetVet Vaccine Clinic 1 pm to 2:30 pm, Tractor Supply Company in Brunswick.

9th - Puppy Love Party to benefit Cause for Paws presented by Certified Burgers and Pawsmopolitan Magazine, 5 pm to 7 pm, Certified Burgers, St. Simons Island.

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GOLDEN ISLES PETS

PETS AS PRESENTS Planning Makes all the difference By: Lyn Mettler, Iparenting.com You’ve seen it in the movies – sweet little Suzy toddles down on Christmas morning to find her new puppy sitting patiently under the tree with a big red bow around his neck. Suzy squeals, runs to hug the puppy, who gives her a big lick on the cheek, and the two live happily ever after.

But according to American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Senior Vice President Stephen Zawistowski, it doesn’t have to go this way. With some forethought and a sincere commitment, pets can be a wonderful gift to give your family.

While it would be great if such holiday surprises always worked out so well, that’s often not the case. More frequently, 3-year-old Suzy, who is too young to know what caring for a pet really means, cries the first time Puppy bites her on the hand while the two are playing. Mom and Dad then pile him up in the car and drop him off at the local animal shelter along with the three to five million other dogs and cats returned to shelters each year.

Are You Ready for a Pet? Before you decide to surprise your family with a new pet for the holidays, take into consideration the following to determine if your family is ready to take on the responsibility of caring for a pet: 1. How old are your kids? Different pets are appropriate for different ages. For example, your 4-year-old who is pleading for a cat is not capable of taking on the

responsibility. “Just because a child begs for a cat or kitten does not mean that they are ready to have one,” says Barb Wills, who operates Cats Haven, a no-kill shelter for cats in Indianapolis, Ind. Instead, says Zawistowski, you might consider a guinea pig, which is easy to care for, likes to be held and rarely bites.

2. Do your kids really want a pet?

“Children like animals, but not all children really want to have them around the house,” says Zawistowski. Contrary to popular belief, every little boy does not want or need a dog. Just because your little one enjoys playing with Grandma’s poodle does not mean he’s ready or even wants to take on full-time care of a poodle himself.

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Meet Beatty We met Beatty for the first time at Mellow Mushroom for the Barkin’ Howl-O-Ween event that raised vetting funds for Coastal Animal Rescue Society. As we began talking with his friends, we found that Beatty was a rescue from Glynn County Animal Control. His story was curious, as he had been adopted out not once, but twice, and returned.

How could this be? Beatty, offered his cheek when we reached out to pet him for the first time that day. There was something about this dog that was so very humble. A sweetness and innocence that could steal anyone’s heart. His owner (and fur-ever mother) Emily, a volunteer at GCAC, she said that she met Beatty while walking dogs during her spare time a few days a week. There were several encounters of Emily coming out to spend time with the animals - but there was something about Beatty that drew her to him. She, like us, fell in love with this sweet baby boy. After great consideration, Emily adopted Beatty and brought him home for his final time. We don’t exactly know why Beatty was returned to Animal Control two times. Maybe it was character differences. Maybe the family who adopted him did not consider the costs inccured in taking on a new pet. We will never know. But what we do know, is that Beatty is where he was meant to be all along - with Emily!

Beatty, we believe to be a lab mix that is close to being 3 years old. We were delighted to have him in our Holiday issue!

3. Have you thought about the cost?

“That’s one of the things people often fail to anticipate,” says Zawistowski. Many people don’t think past the initial fee required to adopt. But, he says, a cat costs about $350 to $400/year and a small or medium dog costs about $400 to $500/ year, with larger dogs even more.

4. Are you committed? Pets are not something that you can take home, try out and return if they don’t suit you. You’re taking on a commitment to care for that animal for the rest of its life. If your child is a teen, remember that the animal will be with you when your son or daughter heads off to college. “A cat can live to be at least 15 years – we have one here who is 21 years old,” says Wills. “The family has to realize that it is a lifetime commitment with vet visits, supplies needed for its care, with time and love to be spent on the pet.”

5. Are you educated about what caring for an animal entails? Don’t forget that an animal’s an animal. That means cleaning up bathroom accidents and vomit, picked at furniture if you want a cat and dealing with other typical animal behaviors. “There are going to be bumps in the road,” says Zawistowski. “Be ready and committed to work through those bumps.”

6. Don’t get a pet to teach your child responsibility. If your child fails to be responsible, the animal may be harmed.

Instead, says Zawistowski, “It’s a great way of rewarding responsibility.”

Planning the Surprise OK, so you’ve thought it through, and you feel that everyone is ready and committed. Now what? It’s probably not the best idea to have Fido or Socks waiting under the tree on Christmas

morning – and of course, don’t EVER wrap them up, as we’ve all seen done on TV a million times.

Belinda Clarke, a mom living in Evanston, Ill., decided to surprise her mom with a new cat on Thanksgiving.

“She was slightly apprehensive at first, since it was sprung on her, but since we had had a cat before (which had died several months before), I knew she would love it,” she says. “And she did – after about two minutes. Now both my parents absolutely love her.”

While Clarke’s holiday surprise did work out, many times the apprehension she describes doesn’t go away. So rather than have to take Kitty back to the shelter or find her a new home, Wills recommends purchasing a gift certificate from the shelter to give to your loved one. (You can also give a Pet Promise Certificate.) That way you still keep the element of surprise, but in case it’s unwanted, no animals are affected.

Another idea, according to Zawistowski – which may be more fun for kids – is to buy a stuffed dog or cat and have it sitting with the gifts. You can purchase some of the equipment for the pet like a carrier, leash or bed and have the stuffed animal all decked out in gear. Then you attach a note (or Pet Promise Certificate) saying everyone will go together to pick out their new pet after the holidays.

Bringing Home Your New Family Member

Once you’ve got an idea what you’re looking for, where should you go? An animal shelter. According to the ASPCA, each year millions of dogs enter shelters, yet of the approximately 59 million owned dogs in this country, less than 20 percent are shelter adoptees. By adopting at a shelter, you’re giving a homeless pet a new chance at life.

But there are other great reasons for going to a shelter. The cost is low, and there are often discounts on spaying and neutering.

“They’re in the business to help animals have good homes, not to make money,” says Zawistowski. They also have a good selection of pets and knowledgeable staff to make sure you’re getting the right animal for your family.

Zawistowski also suggests logging on to PetFinder.com, either at home or at the library, which allows you to search more than 4000 different shelters by breed, location, size and more for animals up for adoption. The whole family can get involved, looking at pictures and profiles to find the perfect pet.

“You can turn this whole experience into an extraordinary experience for the kids,” says Zawistowski. “It’s fun to surprise, but it’s as much fun to have kids be a part of the process.”

When you’ve done it right, your child will likely end up with a longtime friend and companion. Says Zawistowski, “A child who can have a pet, it can be one of the most magnificent parts of their life.”

Before you go pick up your new pet, get your family involved in deciding what type, size and breed of animal you’d consider. Take a trip to the bookstore or library, and read up on which breed’s characteristics might fit in best with your family.

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2017

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS to Make for Your Pet

Take Vet Annually Your Pet to the Vet Routine exams save lives. Not only can your vet ensure that your animal is up to date on vaccines and parasite treatments, she can also catch early signs of serious conditions, such as cancer. Don’t wait until your pet is sick—schedule a checkup right away.

Keep Your Cat Busier Although each has a different personality, cats all share one thing: the need for regular mental and physical stimulation, especially since many felines are understimulated and can misbehave as a result. What should you do? You know your cat best, so find activities that give her exercise and play games that allow her to receive a tasty reward.

Make Exercise Part of Daily Playtime Obesity among pets is a, well, growing problem. Currently, 53% of adult dogs and 55% of cats are overweight or obese, according to a survey by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. And just as with people, upping the amount of exercise your pet gets can help him maintain or lose weight. How much exercise your pet needs, though, depends on his age, breed and degree of fitness. Some suggestions: If you have a dog, walk him or play Frisbee or fetch. While you can train cats to walk on a leash, there’s plenty of heart-pumping fun you can have at home. Toss catnip filled toys for them or drag a feather-tipped toy they can chase.

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Boost Your Pet’s Diet Not all pet food is created equally. But your pet’s health depends on getting good-for-him eats.

The easiest way to find quality food? Look for the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) statement on the food packaging or ask your vet for a recommendation.

Turn Your Pooch into a Therapy Pet If your dog is outgoing, loves meeting people and does well in new environments, he may be a candidate for therapy work.

Therapy dogs volunteer in numerous different capacities, including at nursing homes, libraries, and hospitals The benefits for you and your dog are endless.

Improve Your Dog’s Social Life Pets need to be socialized as much as possible. Unsocialized dogs may cower and urinate submissively, some will bite, others will hide. And behavior issues rank among the top reasons pets are surrendered to shelters. To socialize your pup, take him to a dog park where he can explore and interact. The bonus: He’ll also get exercise.

While cats don’t need to be socialized with other kitties, encourage yours to “be a cat” by providing toys and treats.

Consider Giving Your Pet a Pal Dogs and cats often act out because they’re stressed, lonely or bored. If this is the case, you may want to adopt a second dog or cat. Another pet might perk up your first one and add more stimulation and security to his life. Of course, your family’s needs should come into play before you welcome a new critter. Think, too, about how your current pet might respond to another animal in the house. If possible, expose your pet to the type of animal you want to adopt and gauge your pet’s response.

Treat Your Pet to a Monthly Mani/Pedi At least once a month, trim your pet’s nails. Overgrown nails can cause pain when walking, torn or split nails can hurt and long or sharp nails can injure people. Your local groomer or vet can help you with this and you can be in and out in minutes!

Start an Emergency Fund or Buy Pet Insurance A pet-health crisis can strike at any time, which is why it’s wise to stash money for your pet. Having this can often mean the difference between life and death. You can take it a step further and buy pet health insurance. Just do your homework and read the fine print, as every insurance policy differs.

In general, look for a program that covers emergencies, wellness care and medications and won’t discontinue service if your pet ages or suffers a major illness or injury.

Pawsmopolitan 15

Manyof WAYS Cats The

By Rene Knapp, Judge The International Cat Association, Inc.

There are so many ways our feline friends communicate with us. Knowing why they do what they do and what it means is an important step in creating harmony between the cat and the human.

The obvious form of communication is the meow. There are different types of meows and you need to learn your cats tone of voice! The meow may say they want to eat, or play, or be petted, or for you to open the closed bedroom door for them. If you listen closely, you will be able to understand exactly what your cat 16 Pawsmopolitan

is asking for. Once your pet gets your attention and you figure out what to give them, they will know how to ask for it again, and again and, yet, again.

Then there is the hiss. If your cat feels scared, they will let out a big hiss to make themselves seem as if they are big and bad. Or, it could mean they are really mad. Either way, a hiss is not a good thing. Sometimes your cat will puff out all of its fur like a Halloween cat, and that means they are really agitated and will need some calming

down. Don’t grab at them though, because even if they are not mad at you, they may lash out because of their fear.

What about when your cat pushes at you with his paws? He is trying to tell you that he loves you and that he considers you like his mom. As newborn kittens, felines will knead on their mother while they drink their milk. So when your cat does this to you, it means he feels safe and calm and very relaxed.

What about the cat that wags his tale?

Well, it could mean that something is bothering him and you are expected to figure out what it is and fix it. If the tail wagging is fast and fierce, it can also be a sign that he is mad, but if the tail quivers, it means he is excited. You can see the excitement when your kitten sees a bug and he hunches down on the floor and his tail twitches. Of course, if you have a Manx, this won’t happen (but his little butt will wiggle back and forth).

Why does your cat rub up against your legs, or your couch, or your pillow?

Again, it is because he loves you! Cats like their people better when you smell like them, so they want to leave their scent on you. When they leave their scent on your personal items, they are telling you that everything belongs to them!

Southern SophisTICAts THE INTERNATIONAL CAT ASSOCIATION CAT SHOW Jekyll Island, October 1-2, 2016

Have you ever seen two of your cats rub noses together – they are telling each other that they are friends! And when they bring you dead mice or other small animals, they are bringing you presents to show that they like you, and also because they know you are not smart enough to catch your own prey. After all, why would you eat a TV dinner when you could have fresh mouse or mole?

Cats seem to always land on their feet because when they fall from up high, their body rotates in the air before they touch the ground. This is why they almost all of the time land on their feet.

This is also how the myth of a cat’s nine lives came to be. Since cats are known to survive pretty tricky situations that other animals might not get out of, they have become “supercats” to us mere mortals.

And last, but certainly not least, here is the all mysterious purr. A rumbling sound that cats make deep down in their throats that no other cat can imitate.

Usually it’s to tell their owners how very happy and content they are. Petting your cat is a great way to get him to purr. And if they roll on their backs while you are petting them, that means they trust you totally. I think a purr is the most relaxing sound to me, and I love it when one of my cats curls up next to my head at night and sings me to sleep with his soft, sweet purr.

Pawsmopolitan 17

The

Dog that

Saved

Christmas It was the day before Christmas, and I felt like a louse, For I had yet to find a gift for my beautiful spouse.

Candy? Flowers? Jewelry? Nah, none of that would work, But, I had to get something soon or else I’d feel like a jerk!

As my level of frustration continued to soar, I snatched up my truck keys and walked towards the door.

And to no one’s surprise, following right by my side Was my faithful dog, Ella, joining me for the ride.

So we jumped in my truck, and off we both went, As we began our quest for a last-minute Christmas present.

We drove to the mall and the parking lot was packed.

All of the stores in the place looked like they were ransacked.

“This is hopeless!”, I thought as I got back in my truck.

And I said to my girl Ella, “Puppy, your daddy’s a schmuck!”

I rolled down her window to give her some air And she let out a “WOOF” jumping out of her chair!

She leapt out the window and started to run.

My heart almost stopped as I yelled, “Ella, what have you done?”

I kept calling her name, but it was doing no good.

She was determined to flee as she headed straight towards the woods.

I drove to the spot where she ran into the trees.

I screamed at the top of my lungs, “Come back, Ella… please!”

As I was wandering around through the thick wall of brush, I heard a few whimpers, and then it went hush.

I raced like a reindeer toward the source of the cries, And when I finally arrived there, I couldn’t believe my eyes.

What the holiday season is said to be about Is having a desire to help others out.

My precious girl Ella was lying on the ground, But it wasn’t my dog that was making that sound.

And whoever said that the help we display Can’t be offered to an animal, especially a stray!

Ella had found a stray kitten; it was no bigger than a cup, And she was giving it a bath, just licking it up!

Ella saved my Christmas, and she saved a kitty’s life, too!

I walked slowly toward them and gently reached down

But there’s nothing shocking about that; don’t our

To pick up the baby feline; its coat was tabby-like brown.

pets ALWAYS come through?

Ella moved out of the way so I could examine the kitty.

So from our critters to yours, please allow me to say,

It was oh so tiny, but strikingly pretty.

“Merry Christmas to all, and have a GREAT Holiday.”

It cried at first while I gave it some love,

With my apologies to all of the actual poets out

But within a few seconds it was cooing like a dove.

there, thanks for your indulgence as I good-naturedly attempted to pay tribute to both my wife, Karen, and

While holding this furball, I realized what this was about…

my dog (actually named Ella) who are the greatest gifts

Ella wasn’t being defiant when she ran; she was helping me

a man could ask for, whether it’s Christmas or any time

out!

of the year for that matter.

I was searching for a Christmas gift, and being headstrong About buying “material things” – but I had it all wrong!

My wife’s present need not come from a store.

It’s this precious gift of “life” that I know she’ll adore.

Merry Christmas From

PHOTO’S FROM OUR READERS

Our Family To Yours!

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By Kathryn Strickland DVM, Brunswick PetER

AN OUNCE OF

Prevention Veterinary care can be

costly, but even more so if your pet experiences an emergency.

Surprisingly many of the emergencies that we see that deal with preventable diseases or accidents. We want your pet to stay happy and healthy, so this article will provide some tips on ways to help prevent some of these emergencies by staying on top of their health care.

Vaccinations are still a very important part of keeping your pets healthy, especially in puppies and kittens. Although many of the infectious diseases we vaccinate

for are seen much less than before the vaccines were available, the diseases are still present and some can be fatal if contracted.

Canine Parvovirus is a devastating GI disease that is prevalent in our environment and if a puppy contracts it, requires a significant amount of intensive care to survive.

Feline viral rhinotracheitis can be contracted at any age, and while the symptoms may be treated initially, it is a virus that they will carry the rest of their lives and may periodically cause illness throughout their lifetime. Rabies had previously been limited to wildlife after the beginning of the Rabies vaccine

Photography Elle Smith

law enforcement, but we are seeing more owned pets that have not had their vaccines maintained becoming exposed and infected in our area.

Spaying or neutering your pet when they are young provides the best opportunity to prevent multiple types of cancers. In addition to the high cancer risk associated with an intact (unspayed) female, it is common for them to develop a life threatening uterus infection known as a pyometra. This requires emergency surgery and additional intensive care to provide the opportunity to recover. Large and giant breed dogs are at risk for Pawsmopolitan 23

becomes even more important as your pet ages. Yearly blood work may be recommended in an effort to catch diseases early in their course to treat or slow the progression of the disease.

Yearly heartworm tests and monthly heartworm prevention is extremely important. In our area, Heartworms are a concern the entire year, since they are transmitted by mosquitoes. While there are treatment options should your dog contract heartworms, it is not inexpensive to treat, and the heartworms will likely do permanent damage to the vessels and lungs before they are completely killed.

In cats, heartworms are not as easily treated. It takes a much smaller amount of heartworms to be fatal in cats than we typically see in dogs. We do still see pets die in our area from heartworms on an unfortunately regular basis.

GDV - commonly known as bloat. This condition is fatal within hours without emergency surgery. There is a preventative surgery known as a gastropexy that can be performed to minimize the risk of this emergency situation as well.

In addition to seeing your family veterinarian yearly to maintain their vaccinations, the importance of the physical exam cannot be overemphasized. The physical exam by your regular veterinarian can catch diseases early in development to allow early treatment or monitoring before they become worse, and life threatening. This 24 Pawsmopolitan

Other simple precautions can be taken at home to prevent some of the more devastating emergencies we see. Keeping your pet in a confined area or under your immediate control on a leash, can prevent motor vehicle accidents and most attacks by other animals. If you have a fenced yard, check regularly to make sure the fence hasn’t become damaged and to make sure there are no toxic plants, such mushrooms or sago palms growing, that your dog may get into. While many cats may enjoy going outside, we know that being outside exposes them to many traumas and infections that greatly shorten their life expectancy. Also, our area is very hot and humid from spring until fall, so being midful of your pet’s activity outside is important to prevent heatstroke.

Keeping medications, known toxins, as well as things your pet may chew on or ingest out of their reach is also important.

If you have a pet that is prone to get into

blockage or may indicate bladder stones. If your pet has a known a chronic illness, regular check ups and blood work may allow your veterinarian to make any medication adjustments before the condition worsens and can significantly prolong their lives as well as ensure they are maintaining a good quality of life.

These are just some of the things you can do to help your pet live a longer happy and healthy life. However, even if you take every precaution possible, there are still diseases that come on suddenly and severely, and pets may still have accidents where they experience a trauma or exposure requiring immediate veterinary care. The medical advancements we’ve experienced in veterinary medicine over the last 30 years has given us the knowledge to help our pets live longer and healthier lives, but there is also an increased cost associated with this technology.

Taking these few measures to prevent as much as we can will not only let us spend more quality time with them, but can also help in saving resources to allow for the care they need.

things, training them to stay in a crate when you are not home to monitor them is important. Keeping your pet from ingesting dangerous materials such as bones, strings, stuffed toys or blankets, and metal objects are especially important to avoid requiring emergency surgery. And although your pet may enjoy human food and/or bones, these can lead to multiple emergency illnesses requiring hospitalization and /or surgery.

In addition to the preventative measures that can be taken, another important step is having your pet seen when it becomes ill. Even if you think it may be a minor illness, if the symptoms persist more than 24 hours, have them seen by your regular veterinarian. In many cases, your regular veterinarian may be able to treat early in the course of a disease with much less treatment than will be required if they remain sick for days. For some breeds, such as snub nosed breeds, any change in respiration can indicate a serious illness and should be seen as soon as possible. In cats, a change in their urination habits may indicate an infection that if not addressed can become a life threatening urethral Pawsmopolitan 25

By Kimberly Williams

The No Kill Movement

You may be asking what it means to be a “No Kill� community. Each year, close to three million dogs and cats are killed in shelters and this is sadly the leading cause of death for healthy dogs and cats in our country. In some cities, more than 70 percent of the animals in shelters lose their lives simply for lack of space or because of illness caused by unclean conditions. A shelter or community can be described as No Kill when it ends the killing of all animals, except those who are physically suffering with a condition with a grave prognosis for ever being able to live without severe pain, animals considered vicious and whose placement would constitute a danger to the public, or an animal which poses a public health hazard which is incurable, contagious and life-threatening to humans or other species in which there are no other reasonable remedies to protect the lives and safety of others. With innovative and life-affirming methods, any community can begin saving more lives!

26 Pawsmopolitan

A shelter which commits itself to the No Kill Equation responds to every animal that enters its doors by eagerly meeting every need that animal may have in the most humane and life-affirming means possible. At traditional shelters, often motherless puppies and kittens are killed as soon as they enter the shelter’s doors. At a No Kill shelter, these babies are sent into a foster home which provides around-the-clock care until they are eating on their own and old enough to be made available for adoption. At traditional shelters, when an animal comes in with an easily treatable medical condition, such as round-worm, the animal is immediately killed upon intake.

At a No Kill shelter, they are provided with the medical care they need and then adopted. At a traditional shelter, feral and unsocialized cats are killed. But at a No Kill shelter, these cats are spayed and neutered, have their ears notched, and are released back to their colonies. Also, at traditional shelters, many animals are killed based upon color, age, or perceived

“A shelter which commits itself to the No Kill Equation responds to every animal that enters its doors by eagerly meeting every need that animal may have in the most humane and life-affirming means possible.�

20 Pawsmopolitan

breed, for instance, a bulldog mix. A No Kill shelter instead implements methods and protocols to preserve the lives of every animal that enters its doors.

Groups advocating for animal welfare were created in the United States as early as 1866. From there, through the late 1930’s, a movement towards animal welfare promoted the first focus on preventing unwanted births combined with lifesaving efforts to end animal suffering and secure safe homes for our nation’s animals. Out of these efforts, the no kill movement began.

Nathan J. Winograd, of the No Kill Advocacy Center, Lynda Foro, founder and president of Doing Things for Animals, and many others have pioneered the No Kill initiative, spending years researching and teaching lifesaving methods based on humane, creative, and nonlethal programs and services.

Their research has proven the killing in our shelters can be brought to an end. Twenty years ago, the concept of a No Kill community seemed to be a mere dream. Today, No Kill is a reality in many cities and counties nationwide and the numbers grow each year. These ideas and processes can be applied in any amenable community!

Communities that have successfully obtained a No Kill status have formed a commitment and partnership between their elected officials, their shelter’s leadership, and the public to explore and adopt innovative methods that save lives.

Members of the public and local rescues are the center of every successful No Kill shelter in our nation. These are the very people who readily foster, transport, volunteer for offsite adoption events, provide medical attention, bottle feed, and socialize animals.

It is exciting to know that there are organizations who are enthusiastic about helping communities reach this goal!

Target Zero, is a nonprofit initiative that specifically mentors local leaders and shelter managers in cities all over the United States, at no cost, to assist in helping them achieve zero killing of all healthy and treatable shelter animals. They define a shelter as being “at zero” when it demonstrates the ability to save 90 percent or more of the animals that enters the facility.

The other 10 percent, or less, accounts for animals that have untreatable medical issues or have aggression issues which cannot be rehabilitated.

There are cities all over the United States who have readily 28 Pawsmopolitan

accepted Target Zero’s assistance and have seen remarkable results. For example, in just four years’ time, San Jose, California went from saving 30 percent of the cats in its shelter to saving 86 percent of them! The city of Waco, Texas was killing almost two-thirds of its shelter animals and killed close to 6,000 dogs and cats in 2012. Malcolm Duncan, Jr., Waco’s mayor, stated “It was deplorable. People were showing up at city council meetings lining the walls just to tell us how atrocious things were.” The local leaders and shelter management recognized the slaughter and eagerly accepted the help and mentorship of Target Zero. Because of the bold decision and commitment of these leaders, this year the figure will be around 900! Even more surprisingly, the largest city by population in the United States, Jacksonville, Florida, made the commitment and began efforts to become No Kill. In five short years, Jacksonville’s shelter went from saving less than 30 percent of its animals to saving 90 percent!

Most cities typically have similar needs and Target Zero has identified those needs, created efficient practices, and has constructed a program which has been proven to successfully save lives, time and time again. Their free of charge mentorship can assist with data collection, drafting ordinances, and improving shelter management, thus saving county dollars and tax dollars!

There are systematic keys to saving the lives of animals beginning with reducing the number of shelter intakes and moving the animals out as quickly as possible. The most effective practice is the implementation of a subsidized spay and neuter program, like the one pioneered in Jacksonville.

When spays and neuters are affordable, more members of the community take advantage of the service. This causes a drastic drop in the number of unwanted pregnancies which means less animals coming through the doors of the shelter.

Community cat diversion programs enable free-roaming cats to be immediately spayed or neutered and returned to their colony. These practices require leaders, shelters, and the public to rethink traditional ways of thinking but have proven to be highly successful.

When an animal owner comes into the shelter to surrender their pet, it is usually a difficult decision. Oftentimes, they are struggling to afford food or veterinary care. Saving animals requires shelters to embrace strategies for keeping people and their companion animals together. By collaborating with rescues and the public, these needs can often be met, allowing

the owners to keep their beloved pet. Jacksonville found that by reaching out to animal welfare organizations, they were able to help a third of the people who planned to surrender their pets retain them.

Another strategy has proven that when shelters offer more convenient public access hours, there is an immediate increase in visitors which then results in increased adoptions!

Participation in festivals, parades, and other community events, including events that fall on the weekend and in the

and that sick, injured, and traumatized animals receive the care they need. Fosters can also provide short term quarantine for animals expected to be transported. Transport volunteers give their time and use their vehicles to move animals out of the area and into other rescue programs. By working with the public and volunteers, and implementing lifesaving programs, a shelter can transform itself very quickly.

These ideas are not radical concepts but proven and exciting programs to increase adoptions and decrease the killing in our

evenings, also brings public awareness and an increase in adoptions. Social media has also proven to be a great tool!

When a shelter’s website and Facebook page is consistently updated with the pictures of animals upon intake, they can quickly increase the number of lost animals being returned to their families.

shelters. A humane community can embrace more progressive ways of thinking and explore and adopt innovative and lifeaffirming methods. Target Zero and other no kill organizations are readily available to provide mentorship and assistance at no cost. No matter the challenges a community may face, the No Kill Equation provides lifesaving alternatives that replace killing.

Lastly, a solid volunteer and foster program ensures that nursing mothers are in a safe environment with their babies

For more information on Target Zero, please visit their website at www.target-zero.org.

Pawsmopolitan 29

Health

By Jackie Luckstone DVM, Island Animal Hospital

the cure! This is why it’s important to get these checked by your vet

when they are still small – surgery is much easier and more likely to be successful when we catch them early.

Cancer.

The big ‘C’ word. It’s a scary one to hear associated with any family member – including our furry family members! The good news is we can do a lot for pets with cancer and some cancers can be cured or prevented.

Lots of pets have lumps and bumps, but not all of them are cancer. If you find a lump on your pet, make a note of it – even make a drawing of it. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be an artist! Just make a rough sketch – is it on their left or right side? Near the left front leg, the right ear, the middle of the tail? Write down the date you first noticed it. If the lump is bigger than a pea and it has been there for a month or more – have it checked out by your veterinarian.

30 Pawsmopolitan

Your vet will examine the bump and likely use a small needle to take a sample of cells from inside it – this is called a fine needle aspirate.

This sample can be checked under a microscope to determine what type of cells are there and help you and your vet make decisions about what to do next. One downside to this test is the sample will be a very small representation, so sometimes we need more information.

If that’s the case, the next step is a biopsy. What’s a biopsy? Basically, it means removing a bigger sample to determine the presence, cause or extent of disease. Ideally, we do this by removing the entire bump, but if that’s not possible, we can remove a larger piece of the bump instead – enough to get a better idea of what’s really going on. For masses on the skin or just under the skin, removing them completely may be

Unfortunately, sometimes the biopsy confirms that it is cancer.

One thing to remember is that

‘cancer’ is a very general term for many different types of cancers.

Every cancer behaves differently and will respond differently to treatment in each individual pet.

Your vet may recommend visiting a veterinary oncologist (cancer specialist) to review the biopsy results and discuss the best course of action.

Treatment may be aimed at a cure, remission or even just giving your pet more time with good quality of life. So what treatment options are available for pets these days?

Surgery Yes, this may mean a second or even a third surgery after the initial biopsy. It may need to be performed by a special surgeon.

But sometimes it is the best way to be sure we have removed all the cancer cells.

Chemotherapy You may be surprised to find out that pets tolerate chemotherapy far better than humans do! The majority of pets do not lose their hair and side effects are usually minimal, if any.

Some chemotherapy drugs even come in the form of a pill you can give at home.

Radiation Therapy Radiation stops cancer cells from multiplying, so it can be used alone to shrink a tumor or in conjunction with surgery and chemotherapy to destroy any residual cancer cells. The pet must remain completely still to target the area of the tumor, so general anesthesia is used. As with chemo, side effects are often minimal.

Immunotherapy Science and recent research have allowed us to create certain tumor vaccines.

The vaccine stimulates the immune system to attack the cancer cells and destroy them. The melanoma vaccine is one that has recently been used in dogs. Typically, these are only available through veterinary cancer specialists for specific cases.

Clinical Trials There are often clinical studies going on around the country that are investigating new treatment options for different cancers. These may be available through a veterinary school or your regular veterinary clinic – ask your vet or veterinary oncologist if there is an ongoing clinical trial related to your pet’s type of cancer.

Palliative Treatment In some cases, it may be best for your pet and your family to actually not pursue treatment – and that’s okay!

Our goal is for your pet to have the best quality of life possible during the time they are still with you. Palliative care for pets with cancer may include giving fluids, pain medication, anti-nausea medication, a special diet or a number of other things depending on your pet’s condition.

We mentioned earlier that you can actually prevent cancer – how?

Spay and neuter your pets! Spaying a female dog or cat before their first heat cycle reduces their risk of mammary (breast) cancer to nearly zero. You can also prevent ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, and testicular cancer by spaying and neutering. We want to keep them happy and healthy for as long as possible!

Pawsmopolitan 31

Tips and Tricks

By Sharon Torso, Groomer and Reiki Practitioner

And Now He Flies!

Join me on Facebook and check out the website at www.samysdoghouse.com

Ozzy was a rescue that was hit by a car and left in a crate to heal on his own. When he was finally up and around, he held his healed leg high in the air and wouldn’t walk on it. I took him to the vet, where an xray was done, showing that the back left leg had been broken in three places. The xray revealed also that the bones hadn’t been aligned properly. Unable to re-break the bones, the vet suggested removal of the leg. I couldn’t let that happen to this beautiful Bichon.

I turned to a Reiki Master and to a massage therapist for help. Knowing that Reiki is a natural and simple healing method, which allows the body to absorb a powerful and concentrated form of Life Force Energy through the 32 Pawsmopolitan

hands of the Reiki practitioner, I had to try. The purpose of Reiki is to supply the body with additional energy, which can used for healing itself. Reiki can be used safely regardless of whatever illness the receiver is experiencing.

and massages once a week, plus some chiropractic adjustments to keep his spine straight, he is a happy dog. Ozzy also wears a Reiki infused charm on his collar to keep that Life Force Energy flowing.

I then turned to a massage therapist to get Ozzy to use his leg. After a few months of daily massages, Ozzy was putting the leg down, but still not walking on it. More Reiki and massages paid off when he started walking, using his leg, and soon after, running.

Healing does not always mean cure.

Reiki provides each being with the healing that’s most needed within the frame work of that being’s destiny. As our animals grow older, they become fragile, sometimes losing their sight, or hearing, or having difficulty getting around. Reiki is a great way to reduce your animal’s symptoms, to provide comfort and relief. Reiki always works for the highest good for our pets, even if the result isn’t what we hoped for. Reiki is Love, pure and simple.

Today, five years later, anyone that knows Ozzy’s story cannot believe he has ever had a bad leg. The bones are still out of line, and as he grows older he may have problems. But with Reiki

Pawsmopolitan 33

The Scratching Post

By Kimberly Williams And at the Brunswick Actors’ Theatre, Gus, the rescued cat, is the biggest player!

All

stage

THE WORLD’S A

Photograph Paul Meacham

It was spring of 2014 when Gus first made his debut. You see, Gus found himself alone, lonely, and roaming the historic district in downtown Brunswick. One afternoon, Gus spotted a precious little girl named Lila playing outside with chalk on her driveway.

He decided to boldly walk right up to her and get acquainted!

Despite shooing this strange cat away, Annabelle Gallagher, Lila’s mother, figured out quickly, this fluffy character wouldn’t be exiting stage any time soon.

Annabelle put in a call to her mother, Lynda Dalton-Gallagher, the Artistic Director at Art Downtown, home of the SoGlo Art Gallery and the Brunswick Actors’ Theatre. She knew that Lynda, a lifetime animal rescuer, would ensure that this young cat would get the vetting he needed.

When Lynda picked up Gus, she found a scraggly, unaltered boy walking with a limp. She quickly ran him straight to the vet and found he didn’t have a microchip and that he was sadly suffering from a broken leg. Gus was immediately neutered and then traveled to a specialist to have his leg evaluated. The doctor advised his leg was already beginning to heal and the best treatment was rest and allowing him to heal on his own. At the time, Lynda’s home was full with three other rescue cats. She decided to bring Gus to the SoGlo Art Gallery and the Brunswick Actors’ Theatre where she spends most of her days.

Today, Gus is a permanent fixture around the gallery and theatre and spends his days lounging around the front of the house, greeting visitors who stop in, and yes, even lounging on the set.

If you are out for a stroll in downtown Brunswick, you will often find him snoozing in the window getting his beauty rest. Lynda shares that Gus keeps the cast in check and has a very special relationship with his Godmother, Amy Lovin, an active member of the Brunswick Actors’ Theatre. She is the treat, aka “cookie” girl and he gets excited when she comes around. He also likes to push his limits with Christina Morrow, the Theatre Administrator, and she is his blog editor! Gus also gets goofy when Barbara Dawn Dyche comes to visit him. She whispers sweet nothings in his furry ears. Gus also helps Dee ‘LaRue’ Williams, SoGlo resident artist, with her pupils and daily duties in the gallery.

Gus supervises the SoGlo Art Gallery, located at 1413 Newcastle Street, daily and is always on display and around to welcome

34 Pawsmopolitan

you. Gus is also around for every performance at The Brunswick Actors’ Theatre putting on a show of his own. Sometimes, on special occasions, like opening nights, he dresses up in a special bow tie his Godmother knitted for him! Each year the theatre brings six main productions to their stage and will be raising the curtain on their 2017 season in January! You will often find Gus playing the role of usher as he patrols the aisles of the theater. He has even made a couple of stage appearances mid performance, though never on cue. It doesn’t take much for Gus to upstage the actors!

Lynda, her staff, and members of the theatre share an infectious enthusiasm for the arts and theater and their passion can be felt when you walk through the door. Performances are on Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons and the price of your ticket includes desserts and beverages. Greetings from Gus are included free of charge! Lynda always says, “…laughter is still the best medicine!” Gus agrees with his mom and adds that there is no greater gift than the love of a rescued cat.

For more information and to reserve your 2017 season tickets now, call the reservation hotline at 912-280-0023 or visit www. soglogallery.com.

T HE CREAT ION ST ORY

As T old By th e D o g On the first day of creation, God created the dog.

On the second day, God created man to serve the dog.

On the third day, God created all the animals of the earth to serve as potential food for the dog.

On the fourth day, God created honest toil so that man could labour for the good of the dog.

On the fifth day, God created the tennis ball so that the dog might or might not retrieve it.

On the sixth day, God created veterinary science to keep the dog healthy and the man broke.

On the seventh day, God tried to rest, but He had to walk the dog.

Pawsmopolitan 35

Silly Pet Stories

Clear

large space

on table for wrapping present. Go to closet and collect bag in which present is contained, and shut door. Open door and remove cat from closet. Go to cupboard and retrieve rolls of wrapping paper. Go back and remove cat from cupboard. Go to drawer, and collect transparent sticky tape, ribbons, scissors, labels, etc... Lay out presents and wrapping materials on table, to enable wrapping strategy to be formed. Go back to drawer to get string, remove cat that has been in the drawer since last visit and collect string.

present, remove cat from

while tearing transparent

steps 13-17 in order to

box, replace present.

sticky tape. Spend 20

save time and reduce

Lay out paper to enable

minutes carefully trying

risk of losing last sheet

cutting to size. Try and

to remove transparent

of paper. Retrieve old

smooth out paper, realize

sticky tape from cat

cardboard box that is

cat is underneath and

with pair of nail scissors.

the right size for sheet

remove cat. Cut the

Seal paper with sticky

of paper. Put present in

paper to size, keeping

tape, making corners as

box, and tie down with

the cutting line straight.

neat as possible. Look

string. Remove string,

Throw away first sheet as

for roll of ribbon. Chase

open box and remove cat.

cat chased the scissors,

cat down hall in order to

Put all packing materials

and tore the paper. Cut

retrieve ribbon. Try to

in bag with present and

second sheet of paper to

wrap present with ribbon

head for locked room.

size - by putting cat in

in a two-directional

Once inside lockable

the bag the present came

turn. Re-roll ribbon and

room, lock door and start

in. Place present on paper.

remove paper, which is

to relay out paper and

Lift up edges of paper to

now torn due to cat’s

materials. Remove cat

seal in present. Wonder

enthusiastic ribbon chase.

from box, unlock door,

why edges don’t reach.

Repeat steps 13-20 until

put cat outside door,

Realize cat is between

you reach last sheet of

close and relock. Repeat

present and paper.

paper. Decide to skip

previous step as often as is necessary (until you

on paper, to hold in place

Remove present from bag. Remove cat from bag. Open box to check

W s t ith n e s A e r

Remove cat. Place object

P

CaT

g n i p p a r W

can hear cat from outside door). Lay out last sheet of paper. (This will be difficult in the small area of the toilet, but do your best). Discover cat has already torn paper.

Unlock door go out and hunt through various cupboards, looking for sheet of last year’s paper. Remember that you haven’t got any left because cat helped with this last year as well. Return to lockable room, lock door, and sit on toilet and try to make torn sheet of paper look presentable. Seal box, wrap with paper and repair by very carefully sealing with sticky tape. Tie up with ribbon and decorate with bows to hide worst areas. Label. Sit back and admire your handiwork, congratulate yourself on completing a difficult job.

Unlock door, and go to kitchen to make drink and feed cat.

Spend 15 minutes looking for cat until coming to obvious conclusion. Unwrap present, untie box and remove cat. Go to store and buy a gift bag.

14 Pawsmopolitan

Pawsmopolitan 37

Rescue

By Lynn Stephens

No Kill Glynn County Wow! What a ride! I never

imagined when I responded to the pleas of Donna Eskanazi, Friends of Glynn Animals, on Wednesday July 2, 2014, regarding a Bully mix named Reebok in Glynn County, that two lives were about to change.

The facility was full... and he had been there the longest. He was out of time. Little did I know, I was about to embark on a journey from which there was no turning back.

Reebok, a handsome one year old hunk of love and energy came home with me and quickly became a beloved family member. We renamed him Sir Chancelot, Chance for short. My desire to dig deeper into the situation at Glynn County Animal Control, and the plight of the homeless animals in our community led me to the Glynn County Animal Control Advisory Board meeting that month. There I met Shelly Bydlinski, co-founder of No Kill Glynn County. I decided this organization, which was formed 38 Pawsmopolitan

in November of 2013 by Shelly and Marci DeSart, was the place I felt I could help the most. Shelly and Marci were convinced there was a way to adopt our way out of killing our healthy, treatable, adoptable, companion animals and feral cats. The need was for space, or because (as in the case of feral cats) there was no place for abandoned animals to go.

No Kill Glynn County (NKGC) obtained our 501c3 Non-Profit status in 2014, with Shelly Bydlinski serving as President and me serving as Vice President. Shelly and her husband Stephen Bydlinski are primarily responsible for our TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) numbers.

The two of them have together accomplished more than seems humanly possible. Shelly and Stephen stayed on St. Simons Island during Hurricane Matthew.

In those days following the storm, when residents could not get home, they spent approximately nine

hours daily walking and riding bikes from one end of the Island to the other, feeding community cats, and checking on residences for worried people. It should be said that Shelly also has a full time, demanding job as K - 12 Mathematics Coordinator for the Glynn County School System.

We have met many wonderful people along the way who continue to guide, assist, and encourage us. Rick DuCharme, Founder and Director at First Coast No More Homeless Pets, is one of our greatest allies. Without him and the dedicated staff at FCNMHP we could not possibly assist all of the animals and human families we are currently able to help.

Rick continues to work with us in finding more efficient ways for us to accomplish our goal of a No Kill Glynn County. He is always just a phone call or email away, as is his wonderful staff. Rick introduced us to Sarah Pizano, DVM MA

(Program Director at Target Zero), and to Cameron Moore (Project Manager at Target Zero). These two dynamic women have been such an inspiration to us as they travel across the country to different cities, where they are mentoring animal control staff, speaking with open minded city and county government officials, teaching them strategic ways to achieve No Kill Status in those communities.

Since the beginning, and still today, we strive to become a No Kill community here in Glynn County.

NKGC is a 100% volunteer organization. We have many fabulous volunteers and foster parents now involved in our endeavor. We could not do any of this without them. We also depend on donations to fund spay / neuter services, medical services, and in some cases food for pets and community cats. We appreciate all who have donated, and who continue to donate to NKGC. You are saving lives and making a difference right along with us.

When we see a need, we do our best to meet that need. Education is important to our purpose, so we have also begun going into our schools, teaching children and young people principles of the No Kill Equation, and about the important compassion for all living things. These are life lessons that make a difference in the way one views the world around them.

For more information on how you can help Glynn County become a No Kill community, email us at NoKillGlynnCounty@gmail.com.

GOLDEN ISLES

&

Greatful Goldens Rescue of the Low Country 24 Bridgewater Way Brunswick, GA 31525 Phone or fax: (912) 264-6975 www.ggrlc.org FB: Grateful Golden Retriever Rescue of the Low Country

Area Shelters Rescue Organizations

Humane Animal Resource Team, Inc. (HART) 14213 GA Hwy 99 Darien, GA 31305 (912) 437-2033 www.hartofmcintosh.com FB: Humane Animal Resource Team, Inc.

Angel’s Helping Hands 13760 Post Road Hortense, GA 31543 (912) 409-7389 angelshelpinghandsorg.weebly.com FB: Angels Helping Hands

Humane Society of So Coastal GA 4627 Hwy 17 North Brunswick, GA 31525 (912) 264-6246 www.hsscg.org FB: Humane Society of South Coastal Georgia

Brantley Animal Rescue Coalition (BARC) Brantleyanimalrescuecoalition.weebly. com Donation link is located on website FB: Brantley Animal Rescue Coalition Castaways Pet Rescue, Inc. 11659 GA Hwy 99 Darien, GA 31305 / (912) 270-0119 FB: Castaways Pet Rescue Cause for Paws, Inc. 2001 Sea Palms West Drive St. Simons Island, GA 31522 www.causeforpawsga.com FB: Cause for Paws, Inc. Coastal Animal Rescue Society, Inc. 117 Shore Rush Circle St. Simons Island, GA 31522 (912) 230-9125 www.carsga.org FB: Coastal Animal Rescue Society Friends of Glynn Animals Brunswick, GA Inc. 114 Fantail Court Brunswick, GA 31525 www.friendsofglynnanimals.org Donation link is www.gofundme.com/ glynnanimals FB: Friends of Glynn Animals Georgia Sea Turtle Center 214 Stable Road Jekyll Island, GA 31527 (912) 635-4444 www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org Glynn County Animal Control 4765 Hwy 17 North Brunswick, GA 31525 (912) 554-7500 www.glynncountyanimals.org

Max’s Animal Rescue, Inc. 2320 Saddle Club Road Hoboken, Georgia 31542 912-816-3776 www.maxsanimalrescue.com FB: Max’s Animal Rescue McIntosh County Animal Control 1184 Animal Shelter Drive Darien, GA 31305 (912) 437-4242 FB: McIntosh County Animal Services Nahunta Kitties www.nahuntakitties.com Paypal: KeepBrantleyBeautiful@gmail. com FB: Nahunta Kitties Group No Kill Glynn County 241 Florida Street St. Simons Island, GA 31522 (912) 223-5997 www.nokillgynncounty.org FB: No Kill Glynn County Safehollow P.O. Box 732 Ludowici, GA 31316 (912) 545-9743 email: safehollow@aol.com www.yourcause.com/safehollow The Farm at Oatland North 3370 Lawrence Road St. Simons Island, GA 31522 (912) 580-6774 FB: The Farm at Oatland North The List - 48 Hours of Hope Networks death row animals at Glynn County Animal Control (912) 258-0058 or (912) 223-7770 Donations accepted via link on FB FB: The List - 48 Hours of Hope