The Pet Lover's Guide Spring 2018

THE

guide

SPRING 2018 | FREE

www.thepetloversguide.com

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TAX BREAKS for Pet Owners You Can Actually Get

10 TRAITS OF

RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERS What's Your States Find us. Like us.

Flea-and-Tick Season?

Welcome Pet Lo ers!

W

elcome Spring.....this beautiful time of year gives us so many holidays to spend with family, friends and pets. In this season, we’re often reminded by pet lovers to focus together on specific pet issues. In this issue we have a great article on Responsible Pet ownership and the 6 Tax Breaks you could be taking advantage of. It’s also the time to beware of those pesky little black bugs, called Ticks that lead to Lyme disease.

A little about our Cover Dogs, Bonnie & Clyde: They were both rescued off of Highway 12 in Suisun the night of the fires. They had no microchip, so the foster listed them with the shelter and put up found flyers around Solano County. After 30 days, the foster began the task of trying to find them new homes. Her Veterinarian, Nancy Ramsey, DVM, neutered Clyde microchip and vaccinated them both.

Dr Ramsey works at the county shelter and has helped out a great deal with these two adorable dogs. But the perfect home for both of them never came along. They’re not familiar with cats, but seem to be pretty good with other dogs. The foster is unsure of their behavior around young children because she doesn’t know their background. Although they both seem extremely sweet and show no signs of aggression. Currently, Clyde is with a new home that is working out wonderful. He’s an only child and getting lots of love and is in dog heaven. His adopters are debating on taking Bonnie, but they really think they’re better

with just Clyde. So Bonnie is still looking for a great home. If you’re interested in learning more about Bonnie, please contact her foster, Jennifer at: Jennifer53@aol.com.

We can’t thank Jennifer enough for doing the right thing. Stopping to help the dogs, getting them safely off the streets and caring for them while she tried to find their owners, now looking for their forever homes. As well, we thank Pet Prints Photography for taking the time to photograph these beautiful pups.

We hope you enjoy this issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together. As always, our passion, our purpose is to provide educational articles that inform, inspire and encourage you. We hope they also serve as a reminder of what is truly important to all of us - celebrating and cultivating the incredible bond that exists between pets and people.

Please feel free to send comments, suggestions, criticisms or praises to my email: thepetloversguide@comcast.net For advertising, please contact me at 707-731-9775 or thepetloversguide@comcast.net

The Pet Lovers Guide is free and published quarterly. The purpose of the magazine is to provide people with information pertaining to pet-related services, products and organizations in our local area. We also promote health, wellness and prevention by educating the public in all aspects of raising a pet. This is a complete guide to pet-related business in Solano, Napa and Yolo County.

As always, we are humbled by the kindness of your attention and your mention to our advertisers that your visit has sprung from seeing them here.

Thank you for your continued support and readership!

Sincerely,

Michelle Morris-Adams Owner/Publisher

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PeT L VeRS

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OWNER/PUBLISHER Michelle Morris-Adams

ADVERTISING SALES

Bob Leppert, Sales Director

EDITOR

Lauren Silva

DESIGNER Crystal Scott

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Rob Warren, UC Davis Lynn Stacy-Smith, Pet Blogger

COVER PHOTO

Jean Walker, Pet Prints Photography

The Pet Lovers Guide is free and published quarterly.

The purpose of the magazine is to provide people with information pertaining to pet-related services, products and organizations in our local area. We also promote health, wellness and prevention by educating the public in all aspects of raising a pet.

This is a complete guide to pet-related business in Solano, Napa and Yolo County.

If you would like to contribute letters, stories or advertising, please contact Michelle at: PHONE 707-207-3031 or 707-731-9775 EMAIL thepetloversguide@comcast.net ONLINE www.thepetloversguide.com

5 6 Tax Breaks for Pet Owners You Can Actually Get 10 Abused Dog has Biggest Heart of All, By Rob Warren, UC Davis 14 Ten Traits of Responsible Dog Owners, By Lynn StacySmith 18 Lyme Disease in Dogs

22 What's Your States Flea-and-Tick Season?

24 Is Your Dog's Breath in Mint Condition?

25 Tuna Heart Cat Treats MORE...

27 Resource Directory If you would like the Pet Lovers Guide to be mailed to you directly, the cost is $1200 for 6 issues.

Please email your address to: thepetloversguide@comcast.net.

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TAX BREAKS for Pet Owners

You Can Actually Get

By GoBankingrates.com

You love your pet. He’s like your child after all. But the IRS doesn’t quite see it that way. The IRS takes the position that the money you spend on Fido or Fluffy is generally a personal expense. Your pet gives you pleasure like that latte you bought on your way to work this morning. But just like your cup of coffee isn’t tax deductible, neither is your pet.

There are a few loopholes, however. You might be able to deduct costs related to your pet if he serves another purpose in addition to accepting your undying devotion — and if you can prove it.

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Guard Dogs

Generally, it’s difficult to claim your pet as a business expense. But if your pet guards your business location, you might be able to deduct the costs of keeping him fed and healthy.

“The IRS has taken a fairly hard-nosed stance when it comes to deducting the cost of animals as business expenses — and the courts have agreed with them,” said Micah Fraim, a CPA in Roanoke,

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Va., and author of “The Little Big Small Business Book.”“But one area that has been consistently upheld is when you own a guard dog. In fact, in Raleigh Cox and Brenda J. Cox v. Commissioner, the IRS didn’t even attempt to disallow deductions for a guard dog. The business was in a bad part of town, and the IRS felt that it was a legitimate expense.”

How to Get the Deduction You might have a hard time convincing the IRS that your Yorkie or teacup Chihuahua serves in this capacity. “Size and breed do matter here,” said Fraim. “A mastiff, pit bull or other large breed would be believable. A Maltese or Chihuahua would not.”

Kristina Grasso, master tax advisor with H&R Block, said you might be able to deduct guard dogrelated expenses — dog food, training and veterinary bills — on Schedule C if he guards your work premise. So, make sure you “keep records about the dog’s hours and work-related purpose,” she said.

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Offsetting Hobby Income

If you make money showing your pet — which the IRS might consider hobby income — you might be able to claim a tax break for related expenses.

“Pets used in hobbies, such as show dogs, might be deductible,” said Grasso. “If the dog wins prize money in the endeavor, then the expenses incurred to train, show, etc., are deductible up to the winnings.”

Cats Used for Pest Control

You might also be able to deduct costs associated with your kitty who keeps your business property free of mice, rats and other vermin. “Cats or other animals that are kept primarily for pest control are also deductible,” said Fraim.

Fraim noted that in Samuel T. Seawright, et ux. v. Commissioner, the petitioners were entitled to a $300 business expense deduction for cat food. “The couple owned a junkyard and put the food out to attract feral cats,” he said. “The court upheld the deduction as cats were there ‘to deter snakes and rats.’”

How to Get the Deduction Remember that if you’re trying to claim your working pets to deduct business expenses, you’ll likely have to convince the IRS that keeping the animal is “ordinary and necessary.” In other words, “hiring” a cat or dog must be “common and accepted in your trade or business.” And, it must be “helpful and appropriate.”

You can expect to receive a 1099 at the end of the year if you earn hobby income.

“You can also deduct related expenses up to the amount of income earned on Schedule A of the 1040,” said Fraim.

How to Get the Deduction But the process to deduct these expenses can get tricky. “You must itemize to take the deduction at all, which many taxpayers do not,” said Fraim. And, some restrictions apply that might not result in substantial tax savings.

“These deductions are subject to a threshold of 2 percent of your adjusted gross income or AGI,” said Fraim. “For easy math, let’s say you made $1,000 from pet shows, had $3,000 in expenses and your AGI is $100,000 ... You can deduct $1,000 of expenses — not the full $3,000 — because you’re only allowed to take a deduction up to the amount of income earned. But even then, you don’t actually get any tax break.”

That $1,000 is less than 2 percent of your AGI, so you actually lose $2,000 from the pet shows — and you still have to pay taxes on the $1,000 in income you earned.

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“Two percent of a lower AGI is an easier threshold to execute,” said Grasso. So, the lower your AGI, the more likely it becomes that this tax deduction for hobbyrelated expenses will result in more tax savings.

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Foster Pet Parent Deductions

If you foster animals, you might be able to take advantage of tax benefits for charitable contributions.

“Any expenses you incur caring for foster animals from a qualified nonprofit are deductible on Schedule A as charitable donations,” said Fraim. These must be unreimbursed expenses if you want to get the deduction, though, Grasso added.

And, the expenses should go toward caring for these animals, such as pet food, supplies and veterinary bills. “Thankfully, most of these organizations provide the medical care and food for these animals,” said Fraim. “But any expenses paid out of pocket that are necessary for their care that are not provided for or reimbursed are deductible.”

What about if you volunteer at a shelter or rescue organization? “Keep track of mileage for trips made to further the organization’s work because this is deductible at 14 cents per mile,” said Grasso.

How to Get the Deduction When it comes to fostering animals from municipal shelters, both Fraim and Grasso said to be careful. According to Fraim, most are not 501(c)(3)s and do not qualify for these types of tax deductions — unless they’re somehow tied to a charity.

“Some private agencies take on responsibility for animal control [law enforcement] functions or handle sheltering for a municipal animal control department by contracting with one or more municipalities,” said Grasso. “Thus, if the private agency is set up as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, the volunteers should qualify for any applicable deductions.”

Still, “people should foster animals because it increases the animal’s chances of being placed in permanent, forever homes and the animals get needed socialization — not because it potentially gets them a tax deduction,” she added.

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Guide Dogs and Service Animals

Medical expenses are tax deductible if you itemize. Let’s say your pet helps you in a health-related capacity — if so, you’ll likely get a tax break.

You can also include the costs of purchasing and training guide dogs for the blind or hearing impaired. This also includes veterinary, food and grooming expenses.

Pets are also used in therapy, such as in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. These animals are covered as well, said Fraim and Grasso.

How to Get the Deduction “Make sure to get a prescription from your doctor — or some other documentation that shows your medical necessity — prior to obtaining any pet that you claim,” said Grasso. Otherwise, “the IRS may conclude that your pet does not meet the requirements to deduct these pet expenses. Keep any documentation that shows how the animal was specially trained to help you with THE PET LOVERS GUIDE | SPRING 2018

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your medical condition, too.”

Also, the IRS doesn’t consider Fido to be a therapy dog unless he’s been trained and certified. “The animal must be trained or certified as treatment for a diagnosed illness or condition for the IRS to approve the deduction,” said Grasso.

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You don’t actually have to use the dog yourself to get a deduction, though. If you raise dogs for a charitable organization such as Guide Dogs for the Blind, costs associated with providing for them qualify as a charitable deduction as well.

For Those Who Care

Taking advantage of these types of medical and charitable deductions related to animals can help you save a lot of money on your taxes this year.

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Moving Expenses

The IRS won’t let you claim your pet as a dependent — but it’s not so heartless as to make you leave him behind if you’re forced to move due to work.

You can deduct costs associated with transferring your pet to your new home. But there are some requirements you have to follow, according to the IRS.

How to Get the Deduction – Your move must be closely related to the start of your work – You have to pass the distance test – You have to pass the time test For example, your new workplace must be at least 50 miles farther from your old home than your old workplace was. So, if your old workplace was only 10 miles away from your old home, your new workplace must be at least 60 miles from your old home. And if you’re an employee, you must work full time for 39 weeks or more during the first year after you relocate.

Once you satisfy the IRS requirements, you can deduct the cost of shipping your household pets to your new home, along with other move-related expenses.

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Abused Dog Has Biggest Heart of All

By Rob Warren, UC Davis VMTH Communications & Marketing Officer

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As the communications officer for the UC Davis veterinary hospital, I write most of the articles about the animals we treat. However, I do so from a third person point of view and never step out from behind the curtain, so to speak. Until now, because of a dog named Harvey who represents so much of what’s great about the people with whom I work.

Harvey, a brindle-colored male boxer, came to us through the Marley’s Mutts Dog Rescue. In short, they save lost, neglected and abandoned dogs and find them loving homes. And sometimes, you can add “abused” to that list of adjectives. Harvey was one of those dogs.

When Harvey was brought to us, it wasn’t clear how he sustained his injury, but it was clear he had a broken jaw, and was also malnourished. Once he was examined and radiographs and a CT scan were performed, it was clear the injury came from abuse.

His body didn’t show signs of any other injuries that would be consistent with being hit by a car or another traumatic event. His jaw was broken on both sides.

I see thousands of animals pass through the hospital every year, but it never gets easier seeing the abused cases. We share their pain, and it takes an emotional toll on the faculty, staff and students. Veterinary medicine has a disproportionately high percentage of suicide amongst its professionals compared to other careers. There’s no putting a direct finger on why that is. Whatever the reason, it’s a matter that needs to be addressed more, and needs to change. The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine goes to great lengths to provide every resource possible for our team to cope with whatever problems we may be facing. That especially goes for our students, who are enduring possibly the most challenging four years of their lives.

One thing that helps us through these times, ironically, is the abused dogs themselves. While no one would blame Harvey for hating every single human on Earth for the rest of his life, he seems to have put the matter behind him and is as loveable a creature as you’ll ever meet. He has nothing but tail wags and kisses for everyone he encounters. We like to think that he knows we’re here to help him feel better, and that’s his way of thanking us. That’s his currency of payment.

Having been to the hospital on multiple occasions, Harvey knows his caretakers well. When Megan Loscar, an RVT in the Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service, came into the room and said his name while he was being examined, his ears perked up and he was having no more of that examination until he had a chance to give Megan some love. Their embrace was something Hollywood movie reunion scenes are made of. This is what our team is all about. The kind of people who remember the names of almost every patient they’ve treated – thousands of them, years later. The kind of people who take time out of their unbelievably busy day to stop and give a dog a minute of affection.

It’s overwhelming to see how loving these abused animals can be through all their pain and turmoil. Besides the broken jaw, Harvey also had a raw neck from a rope being tied around it that had embedded into his skin. It must have hurt every time he moved his head, but that didn’t stop him from nuzzling up to people.

To fix Harvey’s jaw, faculty members Drs. Frank Verstraete and Boaz Arzi, along with resident Dr. Sophie Döring, placed a titanium plate and screws to fuse his right mandibular, which was split in two. The plate and screws are part of a state-of-the-art oral surgery kit that only one other veterinary school in the country has. I was fortunate enough to sit-in on Harvey’s surgery. To see this team at work in the operating room is like watching a fine-tuned machine function. Each surgeon, anesthesiologist, and technician has specific tasks, and they perform them without missing a beat to make the surgery as safe and efficient as possible.

Leaving the OR, Harvey was immediately brought to the dentistry suite where an intraoral splint was placed in his mouth to fix his left mandibular fracture.

Through the entire process, members of the Anesthesia/Critical Patient Care Service monitored Harvey and guided his anesthetic care, as they do for every patient who is under anesthesia.The hospital has nine board-certified veterinary anesthesiologists, as well as four resident veterinarians and several technicians, some of whom have the highest level of veterinary technician certification possible. These unsung heroes are the backbone of every successful surgery.

Harvey recovered well from anesthesia and was monitored overnight with supportive care – intravenous fluids, antibiotics, and pain medication.

He was able to eat the next morning, so veterinarians were comfortable

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discharging him until he needed to revisit us in the coming weeks.

Many at the hospital were enamored with Harvey. As with most rescued dogs, there was much chatter around the hospital about finding him a potential home with one of our own. What better place for these animals to be? So many members of the UC Davis team have joined the long list of veterinary professionals who offer their homes to their “homeless” patients. I’m guilty of it myself. How could I resist that cat two years ago who didn’t have anywhere to go? And he changed my life.

No one gets into veterinary medicine to get rich (cue the laugh track). We get into it because of dogs like Harvey. The 350 people I work with in the hospital want nothing more than to see every animal they treat leave here happy and healthy. They love animals more than you can imagine, and are determined to continue discovering new and innovative ways to help them. I feel fortunate and honored to be able to tell their stories.

Please watch our video: https://youtu.be/BIZOIbUTKFo

About the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital The William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at the University of California, Davis—a unit of the #1 world ranked School of Veterinary Medicine—provides state-of-the-art clinical care while serving as the primary clinical teaching experience for DVM students and post graduate veterinarian residents. The VMTH treats more than 50,000 animals a year, ranging from cats and dogs to horses, cows and exotic species. To learn more about the VMTH, please go to www.vetmed. ucdavis.edu/vmth. Timely news updates can be received on its Facebook (www.facebook.com/ucdavisvetmed) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/ ucdavisvetmed) pages.

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Ten Traits of Responsible Dog Owners

By Lynn Stacy-Smith

T

he month of February has quite a few different awareness events and in the end, all of them fall under the umbrella of being a responsible pet owner. In fact, that is what Love, Laugh, Woof is all about: being a responsible and forever owner from the moment your dog steps their first paw into your life until the last breath that they take by your side. So while every single month is Responsible Pet Owner month in reality, let’s take this opportunity to share ten traits of responsible dog owners:

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Responsible owners spay or neuter their dogs:

Responsible owners leave the breeding up to professional/hobby/show breeders who already have a demand for their dogs before they create the supply. By spaying your females you never have to worry about them going into heat (as messy and miserable as it is for human women) or having unwanted canine suitors lining up outside your fence to get to your female like Scarlett O’Hara at the barbecue. In the same way, neutering your male means that he can focus on being your best friend instead of searching out a mate and acting like a testosterone driven dog.

Let’s face it, there’s a reason we refer to overly promiscuous men as “dogs”, right? Take that desire off your male dog’s mind and let him just be your best friend; he does not need a female dog to be his friend with benefits.

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Responsible dog owners provide good medical care: I once had a vet who told me “thank

you” for choosing to go with more elaborate tests to seek a diagnosis for my now late German Shorthaired Pointer Dutch. “Why are you thanking me?” I asked, legitimately confused.

Dutch was my dog, a part of my heart and soul, why wouldn’t I do everything possible for him?

“Not everyone goes this far to try to keep their dog healthy,” was their answer.

What an eye-opening lesson that was! In my mind proper medical care was a given. A sick dog went to the vet, period. You did everything in your power and budget to help them.

Responsible pet owners provide basic care like annual exams (or even better, twice a year), heartworm pills, and vaccinations. They also know how their dog looks and behaves when healthy, notices changes like acting lethargic or a change in appetite or lumps and bumps that appear, takes them to the vet, pays for testing and treatments and follows the vet’s orders for home care.

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Responsible owners create a comfortable living environment: Today I shared via Facebook

a heart wrenching video of extremely young puppies covered in flea bites, scabs and a horrible skin disease. All they had known was disease, misery, pain, suffering and filth for the few weeks since they had been born, and they were so young that they were not even ready to leave their mother. Luckily they had been rescued after their owner literally dumped them off somewhere.

There was no sign of their mother and my heart breaks even more wondering what her fate is.

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Responsible owners train their dogs what to do: Imagine being hired for a new job. Nobody tells you what to do, what they expect of you, or how to do it. When you try to do it your own way they yell at you for doing it wrong. That is what it is like for a dog who does not receive training. Although we are able to create loving bonds and incredible friendships across our different species, living in a human world does not come automatically to a dog. Training them what to do is responsible and gives them the confidence to go about their day-to-day lives with you with joy and the relaxing knowledge that they are pleasing you.

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Responsible owners are calm, fair, kind and compassionate: Good leaders do not need to yell and

use aggression to motivate and lead people. This is the same with dogs. Your dog needs you to be their leader, establish rules and be firm, but they also need you to be calm, fair, kind and compassionate.

Anything else will just scare and confuse them and break their trust in you. The fact of the matter is that

Responsible owners provide a clean, climate controlled, bug and pest free, safe, comfortable environment for their dog in their residence.

Dogs are pack animals and want to be with their humans. They should live inside the family home with the human family, whether it is a family of one or ten, and be with the humans when they are home or safely in their own secured, climate controlled spot with access to water when the humans are away.

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dogs living in a human world need you. Their entire life revolves around you, for love and companionship, food, water, and every basic need. Any good leader respects her team, and it is quite possible to respect and honor your dog while still being their leader.

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Responsible owners provide quality nutrition: You don’t have to be able to afford the most expensive food on the market for your dog, but providing a good quality food made with safe ingredients is important.

Dogs are like computers: garbage in, garbage out, and the better the food your provide the healthier your dog should be. If you are on a super strict budget, try to avoid anything with the words “animal” or “by-product” and the controversial menadione. Dog Food Advisor is an amazing website that can help you research particular brands of food.

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Responsible owners exercise with their dogs: Whether you participate in an official dog sport like agility, or if long walks are your thing, responsible dog owners make sure their dogs get plenty of exercise and enjoy getting exercise together. There is a mind meld that you get with your dog when you are out exploring the world together.

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full time job and an active social life, I made sure I carved out substantial and frequent blocks of time that were dedicated just to my dog Babe.

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Responsible owners are their dog’s rock solid support system at the end of their life: I have lain on the floor of the vet’s office with four different dogs

at different times in the last twelve years as the veterinarian gave them the two injections to end their lives. All four times I held my own self together, not showing my fear or my grief or pain until they had all passed on to the Rainbow Bridge. It was only after the vet told me that each of them was gone that I let myself howl with grief, finally able to let my own pain out. Why? Because I did not want to stress them, worry them, scare them, or have any sort of negative energy around them during the final moments of their lives.

My job was to be their rock, after all of the times that they had been there for me, it was the most important moment for me to be there for them. There are no excuses to not be there with your best friend, I don’t care how hard it is or how painful. It is an unwritten promise that we give to them the moment we accept them as our dog.

Responsible owners make time for their dogs: Obviously life happens and

sometimes you have to work long hours or go to human only events, but spending time with your dog is the whole reason you got them. One of the cruelest things you can do to a dog is to ignore them or stick them in a kennel or room away from their humans. Dogs are fun, they are comforting, and they are some of the best friends I know I’ve ever had, and all they ask in return is for our companionship. Even when I was a single dog owner with a

501(c)(3) non-profit

Our Mission: To educate the public on the importance of spaying and neutering of their animals and how we as the public can help stop the overflow of unwanted pets in the shelters throughout California

Our adoption events will now be held on every 1st and 3rd weekend of the month. Adoption will be held at our ranch by appointments. 1st and 3rd Saturday will be at the Vacaville Petsmart, 11-3:30 and the 1st and 3rd Sunday will be at the Fairfield Petco from 11-3:30.

We hope this helps those that are wanting to visit our adoptable dogs and see the farm animals tinytimspals@yahoo.com

https://www.facebook.com/tinytimspalsallpetrescue

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Responsible owners are forever owners: From the moment your dog

steps their first paw into your life until the final breath that they take with you by their side. Forever. Responsible owners do not surrender their dogs to kill shelters, let them loose in the woods and drive off to let them fend for themselves, list them on Craigslist or anywhere else “free to a good home,” tie them to trees, tape their muzzles, or any of the other truly evil things that have been done to innocent dogs to “get rid” of them. They do not give up on them or harm them in any way. Period. And if extenuating circumstances happen, they reach out to every rescue group until they can find a no-kill option, pay the surrender fees, and make sure that their dog will find a new, loving, forever home.

Please share this with anyone you know who is considering getting a dog or who is a new dog owner. Irresponsible pet ownership is, in my opinion, the primary reason for the massive pet overpopulation problem in this country.

It is my mission to help educate owners to become forever owners to help reduce the number of innocent dogs who are surrendered and euthanized each year.

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Lyme Disease in Dogs Lyme disease is caused by a spiral-shaped microscopic organism, or spirochete, called Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacterium lives in the gut of the eastern black-legged tick, previously referred to as the deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) and the Western black-legged tick (Ixodes pacificus), and can be transmitted when an infected tick feeds on a dog, person, or other mammal.

These ticks are extremely small, ranging from the size of a grain of sand to the size of a sesame seed. Black-legged ticks prefer to hide in shady, moist ground litter, but they can be found above ground, clinging to tall grass, brush, shrubs, and low tree branches. They also inhabit gardens and lawns, particularly at the edges of woodlands and around old stone walls, where deer and white-footed mice, the ticks’ preferred hosts, thrive.

Dogs are significantly more likely to be exposed to B. burgdorferi from the bite of an infected tick than are people, but are less likely to become sick with Lyme disease.1 2

RISK Lyme can affect dogs of all ages, breeds, and sizes. The more time a dog spends outside in areas where ticks are prevalent, the greater the risk! In addition to Lyme disease, dogs are at risk for many other different tickborne infections. To learn more about other tick-borne diseases, visit www. dogsandticks.com.

There are several scary things about Lyme disease:

Lyme disease has been found in every state in the U.S. and some provinces in Canada, because pets and animals travel. It is however regionally important where the tick vectors live: • Northeast and mid-Atlantic, from northeastern Virginia to Maine; • North central states, mostly in Wisconsin and Minnesota; • West Coast, particularly northern California

People can also be infected by the same ticks that infect our dogs. If your dog is a tick magnet, make sure you talk to your veterinarian about proper protection.

Ticks are not always easy to spot, and it is almost impossible to identify a tick bite—especially if your dog has a thick coat.

Symptoms of Lyme disease vary and can be difficult to detect, with warning signs that may not appear until several months after infection.

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SIGNS Lyme disease can affect different organs and systems within the body. The most common symptoms you might spot are:

Recurrent painful joints that lasts 3–4 days, sometimes accompanied by loss of appetite and depression

Reluctance to move, or a stiff, painful gait

Swollen joints that are warm to the touch

Leg pain or pain throughout the body

Fever, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes Symptoms of Lyme disease may come and go, vary from mild to severe, and mimic other conditions. In many dogs, the signs may not appear for several months after infection. In severe cases, dogs may also develop heart disease, central nervous system disorders, or fatal kidney disease.

Lyme can affect dogs of all ages, breeds, and sizes.

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CARES: Center for Animal Rescue and Education in Benicia & Solano Cty, is dedicated to providing loving, humane care, and support that includes foster and adoption services for animals, while also educating current and future pet owners in animal care. For donations, please visit our website below.

(707) 319-7345 http://www.caresforanimals.org/ THE PET LOVERS GUIDE | SPRING 2018

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DIAGNOSIS/TREATMENT

PREVENTION

So let’s talk about the good news. Tests are now available to accurately diagnose your dog for Lyme and other tick-borne infections. If your veterinarian suspects your pooch may have Lyme disease, they will take a thorough history of your dog’s symptoms and activities and recommend testing your dog for Lyme disease, as well as other common tick-borne infections. In some cases, dogs can be coinfected with more than one type of tick-borne organism causing canine ehrlichiosis, canine anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

There are several steps you can take to prevent your dog from getting Lyme or other tick-borne diseases:

Your veterinarian may recommend additional tests based on your dog’s symptoms.

These could include:

Chemistry tests to evaluate kidney, liver, and pancreatic function, as well as sugar levels

Blood parasite screening to identify if your pet has been exposed to tick-borne or other infections

Fecal tests to rule out intestinal parasites A complete blood count (CBC) to assess for blood-related conditions

Electrolyte tests to ensure your pet isn’t dehydrated or suffering from an electrolyte imbalance

Urine tests to screen for urinary tract infections or other disease, look for protein, and to evaluate the kidney’s ability to concentrate urine

A thyroid test to determine if the thyroid gland is producing too little thyroid hormone

An ECG to screen for an abnormal heart rhythm, which may indicate underlying heart problems Successful treatment of Lyme disease is dependent upon early detection and the severity of your dog’s symptoms. Antibiotic therapy with doxycyline is most commonly prescribed, although your veterinarian may prescribe a different antibiotic and other treatments depending on your dog’s clinical signs and circumstances. In general, most dogs respond quickly with appropriate treatment, and symptoms improve in as little as 24–48 hours. Follow-up testing to ensure adequate response to treatment is recommended.

Talk to your veterinarian about tick-borne diseases in your area. Wonder about the prevalence in your neck of the woods? Check out these handy prevalence maps.

Use a veterinarian-recommended tick preventive on your dog.

Talk to your veterinarian about vaccinating your dog against Lyme disease.

Ask your veterinarian to conduct a tick screening at each exam.

Watch your dog closely for changes in behavior or appetite.

Check for ticks daily.

If you find a tick on your dog, remove it right away to limit infection.

Here are some tips for safe and effective tick removal:

Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands.

Grasp the tick very close to the skin with a pair of fine-tipped tweezers. With a steady motion, pull the tick’s body away from the skin. To prevent infection, avoid crushing the tick.

After tick removal, clean your dog’s skin with soap and warm water.

Speak with your veterinarian about opportunities to test the tick before disposal.

The tick may be saved in a sealable plastic bag in the freezer If choosing disposal, throw the dead tick away with your household trash or flush it down the toilet.

Never use petroleum jelly, a hot match, nail polish or other products to remove a tick.

If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian – they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.

References: 1) http://www.cdc.gov/lyme 2) Meryl P. Littman, Richard E. Goldstein, Mary A. Labato, Michael R. Lappin, and George E. Moore. ACVIM Small Animal Consensus Statement on Lyme Disease in Dogs: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

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THE PET LOVERS GUIDE | SPRING 2018

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What’s Your State’s Flea-and-Tick Season?

It’s

about that time again. Although fleas and ticks pose a threat to pets year-round, they become most active during the warmer months, starting as early as March in some areas of the United States. Find your state on the map shown here to learn when your pets are most at risk.

As a responsible pet owner, it’s necessary to prevent your pets from being affected by these parasites. Ticks transmit not only Lyme disease, but also other illnesses like babesiosis (a malaria-like disease), ehrlichiosis (a bacterial infection), and even tick paralysis.

There are more than 200 species of fleas affecting dogs, and these can also transmit disease, not to mention lead to a costly and timeconsuming extermination process if your home becomes infested.

The best defense is to keep your pet on a year-round preventive medication as recommended by your veterinarian.

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When fleas are most active Year-round February-December March-December April-December April-November May-November May-October

Looking for a new friend? Napa County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center is just the place for you. We have many wonderful animals up for adoption. Cats, kittens, puppies, dogs, chickens, birds, rabbits and more are all waiting for their new homes. We hope you’ll stop by and meet a new friend today.

Hours open to the public Monday - Saturday 11:00 am to 4:45 pm 942 Hartle Court, Napa, CA 94558 707-253-4382

Microchipping, Dog License, Humane Trap Rental, Volunteer Opportunities

http://www.countyofnapa.org/AnimalShelter/

THE PET LOVERS GUIDE | SPRING 2018

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Is Your Dog’s Breath in Mint Condition?

Did you know mint is also in season in spring? The popular herb is also a great ingredient for dog treats, since it adds flavor while also helping freshen your dog’s often-stinky breath. We found two simple recipes featuring mint that we are looking forward to trying out. This recipe calls for only three things: fresh mint, water and unsalted crushed crackers.

After mixing these ingredients together, pop them in the freezer until frozen and voila, a quick, cool snack for your pup!

INGREDIENTS n 1/4 cup mint leaves n 3-5 salt-free crackers n water

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Crush crackers. You’ll need enough to stick to the mint. Don’t use too many crackers or this will over-power the effect of the mint.

2. Finely chop mint into pieces.

3. Mix with crackers and add enough water to allow mint and crackers stick together and form into small 1⁄4 inch (0.6 cm) balls.

4. Lay each individual ball on top of waxed paper placed on a plate.

5. lace into freezer until frozen.

6. Give to your dogs when needed!

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Baking From the Heart ❤ Homemade Cat Treats

By Pawesome Cats

Tuna Heart Cat Treats — MAKES 30-40 CAT TREATS

Ingredients: n 150g canned tuna, in oil n 1 cup rice or oat flour n 1 egg n 1 tbsp dried catnip n extra olive oil

Instructions: Preheat your oven to 175˚C (350˚F), or 160˚C (320˚F) if you have a fan-forced oven.

so that it leaves an indented heart shape pattern.

Combine drained tuna, rice or oat flour, egg and catnip in a bowl, and mix thoroughly with a fork until combined. The mixture should hold together but not be excessively sticky. If the mixture is too dry, you can add a little extra olive oil as required.

Place the treats into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until they are dry and slightly golden on top.

Roll the dough into ½ teaspoon sized balls and place on a lined biscuit tray, flatten with the back of a spoon.

Allow to cool completely and place in an airtight container. The treats can be stored in the fridge for approximately 7-10 days, although if your cats love them as much as mine do, I doubt they’ll last that long.

To add the heart-shaped pattern, you can use a commercial stencil although I improvised and made a heart stencil using a knife and piece of raw potato. Press the heart shape gently into the top of the treat

THE PET LOVERS GUIDE | SPRING 2018

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Monthly Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic for Feral / Domestic Cats Sponsored by

Please Register at: http://hsnb.org/clinics/ Hosted By

Location: HSNB 1121 Sonoma Blvd Vallejo, CA 94590 (707) 645-7905 Tuesday - Sunday

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Feral Cats will receive a mandatory ear tip $15 for Feral Cats; $30 for Domestic Cats. CASH ONLY! All cats must be in separate traps or hard-sided carriers; no soft carriers, no boxes, no more than one cat per carrier, no exceptions.

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CONTACT US TO SCHEDULE YOUR PLANT TOUR 210-804-0390 • Email samplEs@shwEiki for a frEE quotE or call 512-480-0860

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RESOURCE DIRECTORY SOLANO COUNTY Community Animals & Adolescents Together Vallejo, Ca http://caatrescue.webs.com/ kriskitty@comcast.net CAT & DOG RESCUE Cat Tales Rescue Solano County catinfo@catalesrescue.org http://catalesrescue.org/ Cat Rescue Humane Society of the North Bay 1121 Somoma Blvd Vallejo, Ca 707-645-7905 http://hsnb.org Vallejo Animal Control 707-645-7906 Benicia Animal Control 707-745-3412 SCARF 680 Vintage Court Fairfield, CA USA 94534 http://www.scanimalfoundation.org tm2004@comcast.net CAT & DOG RESCUE

International Bird Rescue 4369 Cordelia Road , Fairfield 707-207-0380 http://www.bird-rescue.org Solano County Animal Care Shelter 2510 Clay Bank Road Fairfield, CA 94533 (707) 784-1356 Phone http://www.solanocounty.com The Animal Place Sanctuary and Education 3448 Laguna Creek Trail, Vacaville 707-449-4814 http://animalplace.org SPCA of Solano County 2200 Peabody Rd Vacaville, CA 95687 707-448-7722 http://www.solanospca.com Paws for Healing A Canine Therapy Program Serving Northern Calif 707-258-3486 www.pawsforhealing.org Spirit Horse Therapeautic Riding Center of SF Bay Area 707-720-6360 http://www.spirithorsebayarea.org

Solano Feral Cat Group PO Box 1221, Suisun, Ca 707-421-5515 www.solanoferals.org

Humane Animal Services Serving Vacaville, Fairfield, Suisun City, Dixon, and Rio Vista 707-449-1700 http://www.humaneanimalservices.org

4 Paws Pet Rescue Vacaville, CA 95688 www.4pawspets.petfinder.com fourpawspets08@yahoo.com CAT & DOG RESCUE

Suisun Wildlife Rescue Injured or orphaned wild animal, please call 707-429-HAWK (4295) http://www.suisunwildlife.org

Premier Animal Rescue P. O. Box 6763 Vacaville, CA 95696 707-592-4601 Cat Rescue Dog Works Doberman Rescue 149 Briarwood Drive , Vacaville 707-448-3850 http://www.dogworks.org Joleene: jladyman@castles.com Leanne: lozadobe@juno.com The Dog Spot Rescue Rehabilitation & Rehoming Center P.O. Box 5126 Vacaville, Ca 95688 thedogspotrescue@aol.com Northern California Italian Greyhound Rescue Fairfield, Ca 707-446-1858 (Barb) http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/norcal.html

LAPS P.O. Box 6596 Napa, CA 94581 707-265-6642 http://www.lovinganimalsprovidingsmiles.org A volunteer animal-assisted therapy group serving Northbay counties

SONOMA & LAKE COUNTY Golden Gate Basset Rescue POBox 4958, Petaluma 707-765-2690 http://www.ggbassetrescue.org North Bay Canine Rescue and Placement PO Box 4522, Petaluma 707-763-7736 http://northbaycanine.org Petaluma Animal Services Foundation 840 Hopper St, Petaluma, Ca 94952 707-778-PETS (7387) www.petalumaanimalshelter.org California Animal Rescue Santa Rosa, Ca 707-293-4470 Car.rescuegroups.org Dog Rescue Countryside Rescue 3410 Guerneville Rd., Santa Rosa 707-494-0491 http://www.countrysiderescue.com/ CAT & DOG RESCUE Forgotten Felines of Sonoma County 1814 Empire Industrial Ct Santa Rosa, CA 95403 PO Box 6672, Santa Rosa, Ca 95403 707-576-7999 http://www.forgottenfelines.com

Whiskers, Tails, and Ferals 1370 Trancas Street, #206, Napa 707-942-9066 http://www.whiskerstailsandferals.org CAT & DOG RESCUE

Paws for Love Foundation P.O Box 9004, Santa Rosa, Ca 95405 209-795-4575 Ellyn@pawsforlove.info http://www.pawsforlove.info The Paws for Love Foundation is a resource for shelters and rescue organizations.

Napa Humane Society P.O. Box 695, Napa 707-255-8118 http://www.napahumane.org

Wine Country Greyhound Adoption PO Box 6266, Santa Rosa 800-924-7397 http://www.winecountrygreyhounds.com

Napa County Animal Shelter 942 Hartle Ct, Napa, Ca 94558 707-253-4382 http://www.countyofnapa.org/AnimalShelter/

Special Pets Rescue P.O. Box 1247, Lower Lake 707-350-7008 http://www.specialpetsrescue.org Sonoma Humane Society 5345 Hwy 12, Santa Rosa, Ca 95407 707-542-0882 http://sonomahumane.org

NAPA COUNTY

We Care Animal Rescue 1345 Charter Oak Ave., St. Helena 707-963-7044 http://wecareanimalrescue.org CAT & DOG RESCUE

THE PET LOVERS GUIDE | SPRING 2018

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Sonoma County Animal Care and Control 1247 Century Ct Santa Rosa, CA 707-565-7100 http://sonoma-county.org/shelter/index.htm California Animal Rescue PO BOX 2179 Healdsburg, CA 95448 707-293-4470 rescuedcritters@gmail.com http://car.rescuegroups.org/ http://www.californiaanimalrescue.com/ Pet's Lifeline 19686 8th Street East. , Sonoma 707-996-4577 http://www.petslifeline.org CAT & DOG RESCUE A Leg Up Rescue 925 Lakeville Street #265 Petaluma, CA 94952 www.aleguprescue.org aleguprescue@me.com Dog Rescue Big Dog Rescue Penngrove, Ca 707-665-0332 http://www.homelesshounds.us Dog Rescue Chihuahua Club of Northern California, Rescue Renee' Harris, 707-887-0190 P.O. Box 1696 Forestville, CA. 95436 Email: ScooberNoggin@aol.com Golden Gate Gordon Setter Club Rescue P.O. Box 1578 , Middletown 707-987-9463

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

Bay Area Poodle Rescue 1442 A Walnut St #204 Berkeley, CA 94709 www.bayareapoodlerescue.org 510-286-7630 bichons4evr@comcast.net

YOLO & SACRAMENTO Northern California Boxer Rescue Davis, Ca 866-989-NCBR (6227) http://www.ncbr.org Small Dog Rescue Roseville, Ca Serving Placer County, Rocklin, Lincoln, Roseville and Sacramento http://www.smalldogrescue.org NorCal Cocker Rescue, Inc. 1731 Howe Ave., #264 Sacramento, CA 95825 (916) 541-5149 NorCalCockerRescue@gmail.com http://www.norcalcockerrescue.org Russell Rescue Inc, Ca Kerry McAllister, 916-600-7352 norcal@russellrescueca.com http://www.russellrescueca.com Nor Cal Aussie Rescue 10556 Combie Road #6200, Auburn 530-268-1600 http://www.norcalaussierescue.com Rotts of Friends Animal Rescue 34505 County Road 29 Woodland, CA 95695 Phone: (530) 661-0213 RottsOfFriends@gmail.com

ARF- Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation 2890 Mitchell Dr, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 (925) 256-1273 www.arf.net Cat/Dog Rescue and Adoptions

Yolo County Animal Services 2640 E. Gibson Rd, Woodland, CA 95776 (530) 668-5287 http://www.yolocountysheriff.com/services/animal-services/ https://www.facebook.com/YCAS.Shelter

Outcast Cat Help PO Box 963, Martinez, CA 925-231-0639 www.outcastcat.org Cat Rescue

The Yolo County SPCA P.O. Box 510 Davis, CA 95617 (530) 902-6264. M-F 8a-6p http://www.yolospca.org/

Umbrella of Hope 4080 Railroad Ave, Suite C.,Pittsburg, CA 94565 (925) 567-3997 beourpet@gmail.com www.beourpet.org CAT & DOG RESCUE

Small Animal Rescue & Adoptions Rats, Hamsters, Guinea Pigs, Mice, Chinchillas www.northstarrescue.org

Milo Foundation 220 South Garrard Blvd., Point Richmond 415-454-6456 marin@milofoundation.org mpr@milofoundation.org www.milofoundation.org

OTHER

Save A Bunny Mill Valley, Ca 415-388-2790 www.saveabunny.org Dalmatian Club of America Rescue Sherry GuIdager 916-771-0282; MariIyn DromgooIe 510-708-2642 Dalmatian Club of Northern California Rescue 510-886-9258; Janet Langford Gray 408-2574301; Barb & Mike Dwyer 925-672-3980

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Dachsund Rescue Northern California Chico, Ca - Monti Markel, 530 895 3148 San Leandro, Ca - Vicki Ronchette, 510-483-2631 Northern California American Malamute Association 800-399-8155 http://ncama.org NorCal Irish Setter Rescue 208-683-2765 (Paul) or 510-524-2602 (Debra) http://ncisrescue.org/index.html NorCal Golden Retriever Rescue 405 El Camino Real Suite 420, Menlo Park 650-615-6810 http://www.golden-rescue.org NorCal German Shorthair Pointer Rescue P.O. Box 933, Menlo Park 408-402-2092 http://www.norcalgsprescue.com Nor Cal Beagle Rescue Bay Area: 510-770-0208, Sacramento Area: 916691-1817 http://www.norcalbeagles.com NorCal Collie Rescue 650-851-9227 http://www.calcollierescue.org Great Dane Rescue of Northern California 15255 Clydelle Ave, San Jose 916-652-6444 (Colleen) http://www.gdrnc.org Great Pyrenees Rescue of Northern California P O Box 574, Georgetown 1-877-PYRENEES http://www.gprnc.org/index.php German Shephard Rescue of Northern Calif P.O. Box 1930, Cupertino 1-800-728-3473 http://www.savegsd.org/ Golden State German Shepard Rescue PO Box 2956, Alameda , CA 94501 877-447-4717 goldenstategsr@earthlink.net www.gsgsrescue.org Border Collie Rescue of Northern California 831-422-8176 (Ann) http://www.bcrescuenc.org West Coast Mastiff & Large Breed Rescue 39252 Winchester Rd #107-253 Murrieta, CA 92563 http://www.wcmastiffrescue.com/ wcm.rescue@yahoo.com Afghan Hound Rescue Northern California P.O. Box 3508, Redwood City 650-678-9984

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