January /February 2016 Issue of Pet Me! Magazine by Pet Me! Magazine

January/February 2016

Your Guide To All Things Pets

Introducing Your Dog to a New Baby

PLUS: Dog Park Etiquette Golden State Veterinary Care Willie, Tux, and One-Eyed Jack & Much More!

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Pet Me! Magazine™ JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

Contents 4 Exercising Etiquette at the Dog Park

9 Golden State Veterinary Care

10 Willie, Tux, and One-Eyed Jack

14 Introducing Your Dog to a New Baby

20 Cat Adoptables

23 Directory for All Things Pets

Advertising Information Direct: 661.255.9979 Fax: 866.259.9201 29743 Seco Cyn. Rd. #518, Santa Clarita, CA 91350

email: petadv@petmemag.com Web: www.petmemag.com

PUBLISHER Bridget Alves EDITOR Caroline Squires ART DIRECTOR Doug Conboy PUBLISHED BY Pet Me! Publications Find Us On Facebook and Twitter Pet Me! Magazine

Pet Me! Magazine is celebrating its 6th anniversary! While it is a celebratory time for me, I also have recently suffered a personal loss. Not long ago, I said goodbye to my sweet Blacks. His poor frail little body just couldn’t take anymore.Those who had the pleasure of meeting Blacks knew that he was very special. He was the first kitty to greet you at the door and talk up a storm and make friends with everyone who visited. I rescued him from the shelter 4 years ago. I found him a home, but his chattiness was just too much for them, and he was returned to me.That was Blacks, always chatting it up. I will miss him so much. My little angel ♥. Thank you, Jeanette Yamamoto, for helping him cross over so peacefully. As I look forward to the start of a new year, I also look forward to having the opportunity to provide you with informative, heart-felt, and inspirational articles. Pet Me! magazine also does our best to promote local rescues and shelter animals that are available for adoption throughout the year. Our magazine is present at our local pet stores, veterinarian offices, pet-friendly businesses as well as delivered to many SCV residents. Our circulation means that many pet owners are gaining valuable knowledge and utilizing the services highlighted in the pages of the magazine. The holidays can be a stressful and busy time of year for many of us, and perhaps your pet has been a bit neglected with all the hustle and bustle. However, with the New Year in full swing, it’s time to get back into your routine of making time for your pet and making sure he or she gets a proper amount of exercise. Perhaps you are an owner who has made a resolution to be more active with your dog or you want your dog to be more social. One activity some owners opt for is to go to the dog park to let their dog get their pent up energy out and to allow for socialization?and many dog owners like to socialize with other owners as well. Dog parks can be a fun place to visit, but did you know there are “unwritten rules” that help make the atmosphere merry? Our feature article, “Exercising Etiquette at the Dog Park,” will help you bring the cheer and keep it there all year long. Our other feature article focuses on what to do in order to help your dog adjust to a new baby. For some of our readers, their family might be getting bigger in 2016. If you are expecting a new baby in your household or know of someone who is adding to their family, be sure to read, “Introducing Your Dog to a New Baby.” It outlines lots of tips to help transition your dog to a new member of the family. As always, thank you for your wonderful email and kind support. Please continue sending your input as it assists us in providing you with the information you want. We appreciate the privilege of bringing you Pet Me! Magazine. Looking forward to the New Year!

Bridget Alves Publisher

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Pet Me! Magazine™ JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

Exercising

Etiquette Dog Park

at the

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By Caroline Squires

t seems as though dog owners are on the fence about going to the dog park. For those who venture out to the canine corral, it’s a way to drain their dog’s energy and to keep their dog social with other dogs. However, even with the best intentions, dog owners can run into a variety of challenges especially because dog parks bring all levels of dog owners together. It’s important to remember that not every dog owner follows the rules, knows dog behavior, or is experienced enough to control their dog in an open setting. For many dog owners, they need to see proper etiquette and common sense being displayed in order to determine whether or not the dog park is in fact a safe and enjoyable place to continue visiting. After spending an afternoon at Central Bark in Saugus, I experienced the good and the bad of dog parks. Dog owners spoke with me about the etiquette they follow in order to maintain a safe and fun environment for everyone. However, I also saw firsthand what happens when dog owners don’t follow the rules or follow simple etiquette. Dog Park Tips: • Unleash your dog in the double gate area before entering the park. A dog often feels vulnerable being on leash while other dogs around it are off leash. The leashed dog knows that it cannot maneuver freely and cannot get away if it wants to. This sense of vulnerability may lead to aggression. • Users already inside the park should call their dogs away from the gate until the new arrivals have entered. It’s difficult for a new arrival to enter the park if a wall of dogs is blocking the gate. Dogs are territorial creatures, and the boundaries of a territory are flashpoints for aggression. Once the dog is inside the territory, the chances for conflict are much less. If people are not calling their dogs to

Dogs at play at Central Bark in Saugus.

them when you are about to enter, you may ask them to call their dog, or stand there until their dog walks away. • If your dog displays nervous behavior or wants to stick by your side, walk around the park and don’t sit on a bench and console your dog; this is because your dog might try to hide under the bench or become too protective of its space, which could cause aggression. It’s better to walk around and have your dog get used to the park. If your dog doesn’t relax, you might need to keep the trips short and try again, or the dog park might not be a place your dog will ever be comfortable. • Know your dog’s play style. Some dogs like a very roughand-tumble style of play, with lots of growling, grabbing, tackling, and wrestling. Some dogs have a daintier style, with bowing and chasing but not much physical contact. Some dogs like to herd other dogs and may bark or nip at the other dogs. The important thing is to know what is normal for your dog and what the warning signs are that your dog may be getting over-stimulated and may be in danger of crossing the line into aggression. You should always watch your dog closely and be prepared to intervene if the interaction seems to be getting out of hand or becoming too uncomfortable for a particular dog. If your dog seems to be “pestering” another dog who seems to be growing stressed or annoyed, you should intervene and direct your dog’s attention elsewhere. • Understand canine communication. Dogs that enjoy rough play may growl and snap as part of that play. Dogs may also snarl and/or snap to “set their limits” with other dogs. For example, a dog might growl to let another dog know that it is being too rough or too pushy. • Dogs are programmed to be part of a pack. Some dogs are higher in the pack hierarchy (dominant) and others are lower in the hierarchy (submissive). Dogs have various ways by which they communicate their dominance to other dogs. This may include a stiff-legged posture with the head held up and back; raising the hackles on the back; raising the tail, or laying the head across another dog’s shoulders or back. If you see two dogs exchanging dominant gestures with each other, watch carefully and be ready in case a fight is brewing. • Mounting (“humping”) is often a way by which one dog expresses dominance over another. Do not allow your dog to mount another dog, as this behavior is very likely to lead to a fight. Even if your dog means no harm, the other dog is very likely to take offense. Sometimes this can be done in play; watch carefully to see how each dog is feeling.

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dogs, or any aggression toward humans, must be leashed and removed from the park for the day. This is not only for the safety of other park users, it can also help with the dog’s own education. A dog soon realizes that aggressive behavior earns it a one-way ticket out of the park and many dogs quickly learn to mind their manners. • A dog that repeatedly displays aggressive behavior with a variety of dogs is not a good dog park candidate and should stop coming to the park. • It is recommended that dogs be spayed or neutered before coming to the dog park. Be aware that unneutered males in particular are much more likely to get into fights with other male dogs. ** Females in heat may not enter the park.

continued from page 5 • Respond promptly to aggressive behavior. Deciding what constitutes aggressive behavior is sometimes a matter of judgment. It’s important to know your dog and to know what is normal and safe for your dog. • Dogs displaying significant aggression toward other

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Dog Park Etiquette: • Clean up after your dog. • Call your dog away from the gate while other dogs are entering or leaving. • Pay close attention to your dog and keep it out of trouble, which means stay off your phone and don’t get too

Pet Me! Magazine™ JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

wrapped up in conversation with other owners that you aren’t paying attention to your dog. • Always be aware of your dog’s location and the body language of the dogs your dog is interacting with. • Acceptable or unacceptable dog behavior depends on the age and temperament of your dog. Dogs will bark, snarl, and even snap at each other as part of their normal socialization. Interfere and stop the interaction if it appears to be escalating into a fight. • Be responsible for your dog’s behavior. • Do not discipline someone else’s dog. • Do not bring in people food to eat; Do not bring dog treats. • If your dog gets into a fight with another dog, leash them and leave the dog park. • Make sure your dog has a collar on; you need to be able to hang onto your dog if needed. • You should be physically able to control your dog; don’t go to the dog park if you aren’t able to react quickly. • Follow the posted rules. I posted, What do you do when you encounter a problem at the dog park like a dog is being too dominant with your dog, or an owner isn’t paying attention to their dog and it causes concern? on

continued on page 8

Dog park regular and his dog enjoying Central Bark in Saugus.

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continued from page 7 an SCV Facebook pet page and waited for responses. Here are a few that I received: Chris Dunne of SCV replied, “Dog parks are a complex system of social interaction and personality... and that’s just the owners.” Tori Pulkka of SCV posted, “When somebody is being a problem I leave, I rarely try to talk to them. Every rare once in a while I see somebody that is clearly a new dog owner who is just trying to do right, but doesn’t understand dogs well yet, and I then engage and see if they are receptive to some ideas. I don’t usually find it worth my time and effort to engage.” Haley Faerber of SCV posted, “If a dog is being too dominant or controlling towards my dog, I myself will body block the dog and then I will walk towards the other side of the park. If it continues, or I feel it will escalate, I will leave. I should add I rarely go to dog parks; I don’t trust other people’s dogs to be polite.” If you decide dog parks aren’t for you, like some owners mentioned, another option is to schedule play dates with owners whose dogs are social with your dog. If you want to try a dog park because you want to see if you dog is good with other dogs, you might want to first try testing your dog with a dog trainer who has dogs he/she knows well and can properly introduce your dog to in order to assess your dog’s behavior.

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After you know how your dog is with other dogs, a dog park could be an option to keep your dog socialized. Overall, dog parks can be an excellent way to help keep your pup active and social, but it really takes everyone being vigilant, following etiquette, and using common sense to help keep it enjoyable and safe.

Pet Me! Magazineâ&#x201E;˘ JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

GOLDEN STATE VETERINARY CARE

olden State Veterinary Care opened its doors to the community of Castaic on October 6, 2015. We are conveniently located in the Hasley Canyon Village Shopping Center situated across from Ralphs between H&R block and the nail salon. We offer veterinary services to dogs and cats including vaccinations, well care, illness or injury, general surgery and dentistry. Golden State is a full service veterinary hospital with state of the art facilities and diagnostic capabilities including comprehensive physical examinations, in house laboratory testing, radiology, and out sourced ultrasound. Dr. Lisa Pope, owner and medical director, is currently working at Golden State Veterinary Care on Wednesdays and Saturdays while she maintains her hours at our sister clinic Stevenson Ranch Veterinary Center. Her associate, Dr. Jeanette Yamamoto, is scheduled on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Our fabulous staff includes Rebekah, client service specialist, Kyra and Summer our experienced veterinary assistants. The clinic is currently closed on Sunday and Monday . We are holding a grand opening on January the 24th 2016 from 11am-3pm. Please stop by to meet the doctors and staff, take a tour, and enter raffles for free goodies. We hope to see you then.

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Willie, Tux, and One-Eyed Jack The Tuxedo Trio By Dr. Kari Walsh

uddled in the corner of a dark box with my mother and four siblings, I tried to keep my grip on the cardboard as we were shuffled from side to side. It was too smooth of a surface for my little claws to grip, but my cries were ignored by my mother. She always ignored us; just like the humans did. When the box suddenly went still, I sensed my mother’s anxiety increasing. We exchanged a cardboard box for a metal one. I couldn’t hear the cries of the scores of cats like she could, my hearing wasn’t developed yet, but I could smell the fear that permeated the Lancaster Animal Shelter. Fear that caused so

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many of my kind to fall ill with upper respiratory infections. Fear that caused my mother to reject me and my siblings. Fear that contributed to the death of two of my siblings. Furever Purr Rescue knew that my family was doomed if we remained at Lancaster, so they saved us. They showed us how kind humans can be. We were brought to a comfortable home and a kind woman called Nancy welcomed us with fuzzy blankets and lullabies. This was how it was supposed to be! We snuggled into mama for food, but each time she would get up and walk away…my mother would never show interest in us again. We were moved from our mom to a new house. A gentle woman called Linda fed me and my brothers by bottle. How we all loved that bottle! We fought being weaned until we were 8 weeks old! Linda named me Jack. She took equally good care of my brothers, whom she named Willie and Tux. With Linda’s help, Willie, Tux, and I were strong enough to meet the rest of her family that included dogs and cats. Dogs were fun to play with, but the adventures my brothers and I took together were much better. One of our (new kitty) friends had a coat that wasn’t as nice as mine, but my brothers and I didn’t care. We played and played. After a short time together our coats started falling out! We were so itchy! I thought baths were something humans did to make us smell better, but Linda bathed us in the foulest smelling liquid. She called it Lime Sul-

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fur. We didn’t itch as much, but we stunk like rotten eggs. My brothers and I were thriving once again, but our happy times wouldn’t last. I remember sneaking in and hearing Linda on the phone. She was talking about us! I listened very closely and heard that she couldn’t continue to foster us. I was heartbroken, but Linda’s voice sounded sad too. Her husband wasn’t doing well and needed an operation. She explained to the rescue that we could make her husband sicker because our skin disease, ringworm, was contagious to people so I told my brothers to gather their courage and place our trust in new humans. We moved from foster to foster. We met so many different humans: old ones, young ones, and miniature ones. All these moves began to take their toll on my family even though our brotherly bond remained as strong as ever. We didn’t handle change well. Willie sneezed and had a stuffy nose. Each human tried to put a different disgusting liquid in his mouth to make him feel better, but as soon as he started improving, our home would be taken away again. I was affectionately called “One-Eyed Jack.” I noticed I could never see when my brothers snuck up on me from one side, but I didn’t know how unusual I was until I was taken to

continued on page 12

Tux.

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ter how much I tried. Now we are all five months old and my brothers and I have settled into life at the founder of Furever Purr Rescue, Bridget’s, home. She has taken such good care of us! Just the other day, she had a vet come out to her house to examine us. Willie may be allergic to something in the environment. Tux is in great health. And I, I need my eye removed. It keeps bulging out further and further and it is starting to bother me. I’ll be so much more comfortable once I have surgery! Bridget reassures my brothers and I that our next home will be our forever home. She is hoping that at least two of us will get to stay together. She sees how much we love each other. We also see how much she loves us! Furever Purr Rescue has helped 300 kittens and cats just like me find loving homes after healing from illness and neglect. She hopes to help even more cats in 2016, and she needs help from as many humans as possible! Jack and Tux.

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the veterinarian. This wasn’t any old veterinarian either—they called this human a specialist. He didn’t seem to have much hope for my eye but said to give me more time. My third eyelid was stuck to the top layer of my eye and wouldn’t move no mat-

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If you find it in your heart to help me have surgery, help Willie get allergy medications, or help more cats and kittens with special needs be rescued from the animal shelter, please make your tax deductible donation at www.FureverPurrRescue. org. If you have any interest in being my or my brother’s forever home, please contact Bridget through her website. We are ready to be loved! Tux.

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Introducing Your Dog to a New Baby

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By Caroline Squires

ringing home a new baby to a household with an existing dog (or dogs) should be done with great care to help your pet cope with this big change. It’s not unlike how parents help children understand that a new brother or sister will be joining the family. Your dog was your first “baby,” but your dog is no longer an “only child.” Often times new parents are so busy preparing for the arrival of their baby that they can overlook how much of an impact a baby will have on their dog. To get a better sense of how your dog will cope with the new arrival, it is important to understand how your dog perceives the surrounding environment. Dogs are extremely sensitive to environmental change both physically and mentally. Things like people walking in and out of a room, strangers coming to the front door, and the crying of a baby will naturally illicit an emotional and physical response. How your dog deals with the new family member may vary greatly. By following the tips below, you can ease your pet’s stress, help your dog welcome your new baby, and ensure that your dog stays where it belongs?with you and your growing family. The Baby’s Smell A dog’s sense of smell is immeasurably superior to ours. Your baby is going to smell fascinating to your dog, so you should introduce baby smells well ahead of the baby’s actual arrival. • Allow your dog to explore the smells of the baby products that you will be using when your baby is born. For example, sprinkle baby powder or baby oil on your skin so your pet becomes familiar with the new smells.

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• Repeat these actions a number of times until your baby comes home.

continued from page 15 • Have a friend or family member bring home a blanket that your baby has been wrapped in at the hospital and allow the dog to smell the blanket and give praise as the dog sniffs it; you can also give the dog a delicious treat and allow the dog to smell again.

The Baby’s Cries If your dog is not used to the sound of a baby’s cries, it is important that you work now to desensitize your dog to baby sounds. • Try buying a CD of a crying baby, which you can play a few times a day for a few weeks at a low setting so that the dog can hardly hear it. • Make sure good things such as play, petting, and treats happen while the CD is playing. • If your dog seems comfortable and shows no adverse reactions, you should increase the volume. • If your dog becomes stressed at any time, the volume must be decreased to the previous comfort level for a couple of days until your dog is relaxed. • This process can be repeated until your dog is comfortable with louder levels. The recording will not be the unique

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cry of your baby, but over a period of weeks your dog will become accustomed to the sound of a baby’s cries even before your baby is born.

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continued from page 17

• Does your dog nip or play bite? If so, make it stop. Your dog simply cannot bite or lay it’s teeth on your child; it’s just too dangerous. • Start reducing the amount of attention you give your dog every day. This does not mean to completely ignore or stop loving your dog; but you need to prepare your dog that you are going to be very busy with your new baby, and the fact is your dog is not going to be able to get as much attention as he/she is used to at first. So by starting ahead of time, you can better prepare your dog. • Start introducing your dog to other babies. Do this safely and pull out all the stops when it comes to rewarding good dog behavior around babies, infants, and toddlers. • Have you ever watched a child interact with a new object? They bite it. Lick it. Slap it. Poke it. Prod it. Fall on it. Cry at it. One day your baby is going to do that to your dog too. Start getting your dog used to having it poked, prodded, nudged, and “messed with.” • Will your baby have its own room? If so, let your dog get used to behaving well in it. Give your dog a special toy and “lie down” spot in the new room. • For praise, learn the art of calm praise. Get your dog used to calm praise and love, so he/she doesn’t get hyper around the baby.

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After the Baby Arrives • Keep the dog’s routine as normal as possible. Dogs are creatures of habit and need the stability they have grown accustomed to. • Make sure to include your dog in your activities with the baby. Your dog needs to learn there is a new pack member and he/she is expected to behave around it. •D o not mix dog toys and baby toys or let your dog play with the baby’s things. • If your dog starts misbehaving, he/she most likely needs more attention and assurance that he/she is still a valued pack member.

continued on page 22

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Furever Purr Rescue To adopt one of these pets, please contact us at (661) 255-9979 or (818) 635-6473. All of our kitties are spayed/neutered, up-to-date on shots, micro-chipped, de-wormed, treated for fleas, and have been tested for FeLV/FIV. Several of our cats and kittens are showcased locally at the Shelter Hope Pet Shop in the Valencia Town Center Mall. Photos courtesy of That Spunky Monkey Photography.

Zack

Playful extrovert seeks loving family Gorgeous short hair Turkish Van mix seeks a family of his own. We rescued Zack, his siblings, and his mom from the shelter when he was only 8 days old. His mother was labeled feral and Zack and his siblings had only one day left. We are so glad we took a chance on this family! This gorgeous short hair Turkish Van is so much fun. He loves to play, he enjoys other kitties at just 5 months old, and he is so full of energy. He would love to go into a house with another kitty or be adopted with one of his litter mates (Zoey and Ziggy).

Dallas

Handsome snuggler seeks human for cuddling this winter Dallas is a little shy until he gets to know you. He enjoys being brushed (when he decides he feels like it) and spending time together playing with toys. He’s very relaxed and low maintenance. Dallas loves to hang out on the couch, enjoys having treats fed to him, and always finds a sunny spot in the sun. Dallas is a finicky eater and needs his diet changed frequently to keep his interest. Dallas is in great health and is only 2 years old. He gets along well with other kitties. Dallas would make a great addition to any home.

Penelope

Young attractive tabby seeks loving family to call her own My name is Penelope…I didn’t have a name when I was dumped pregnant at the shelter. It was a very scary time for me. Only one of my babies survived…she was adopted. My friends describe me as a gentle, playful soul who enjoys playtime and snuggle time equally. I get along with everyone. I love cats, dogs, and humans… I like mice too…for dinner ;). I also have a great sense of humor. I’ve been in foster care for a long time, and I’m trying to keep my spirits up. I’m hoping that a special family out there sees my pictures and hears my story and wants to meet me. Please tell your friends about me. You never know who might be looking for a cat just like me!

Dre

Energetic teenager seeks partner in crime Dre was found in a yard at just a few weeks old. He was bottle fed and turned over to our rescue at four weeks of age. He is a firecracker! There are no words to describe this incredible kitten (now 5 mos. old). He is as full of love as he is of energy. He is just as content to snuggle in bed as he is to play non-stop getting into everything! You need to be on your toes with this one. He is everything you dreamed of in a kitten and more….AND he is adorable. Everyone loves Dre! We know there is the perfect family out there who has been saving a special place for him. He has other teenage friends here in foster and would love to have one of his friends come along if there are no other cats in the household. Dre loves to have friends to play with! 20 Pet Me! Magazine™

Pet Me! Magazine™ JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

Because... Every cat deserves to purr forever. www.fureverpurrrescue.org

Missy

Well behaved Diva is tired of spending the night alone and seeks warm body to cuddle with Missy is something else! This short-haired Russian Blue Mix is full of confidence. You won’t mind her demanding that she be allowed to sit on your lap and insist that you brush her. In her world, she deserves your full attention at all times. Missy is a cuddle bug and one of our favorites. She wouldn’t mind being the only feline and stealing all the attention! She is just 5 years old and was dumped by her former owners because they couldn’t afford her. Missy deserves a great forever family and we’re hoping she finds one here. Please tell your friends.

Tabitha

Hand holding senior, full of life, seeks loving human to spend the rest of her life with Sweet Tabitha was abandoned by her family after a decade--discarded like trash at the local shelter. She caught our attention while she sat politely in her kennel cage watching us interact with the other shelter kitties. Her time was up--overlooked because she was a senior. A senior who had known love and was now destined for death. We couldn’t turn our backs. When we brought Tabitha into foster care, we had no idea how truly special she is. Her personality didn’t shine through in the shelter setting. At home she is extremely engaging and demanding of love and attention. She will reach out and grab your hand if you try to ignore her. She is very playful! She is the ultimate lap cat and would prefer sleeping on your pillow to spooning...you don’t have to let her do this! :) Though she is relentless LOL. The lucky person who offers to share their life with Tabitha is in for a treat! She deserves a home of her own with a family to spoil her.

Zoey

Sassy, playful darling seeks welcoming family to shower her with unconditional love We rescued Zoey, her siblings, and her mom from the shelter when she was only 8 days old. Her mother was labeled feral and Zoey and her siblings had only one day left. We are so glad we took a chance on this family! Darling little Zoey is a blast! This gorgeous long hair Turkish Van mix is so playful, fun, and engaging. At just 5 months old, she is full of energy. Zoey would love to go into a house with another kitty or be adopted with one of her featured litter mates (Zack and Ziggy).

Ziggy

Stunning Siamese mix seeks good conversationalist for daily chats We rescued Ziggy, her siblings, and her mom from the shelter when she was only 8 days old. Her mother was labeled feral and Ziggy and her siblings had only one day left. We are so glad we took a chance on this family! This darling little Lynx Point Siamese mix is a such a character! She is so playful, fun, and engaging. Her slightly crossed beautiful blue eyes are guaranteed to melt your heart. At just 5 months old, she is full of energy. Ziggy would love to go into a house with another kitty or be adopted with one of her featured litter mates (Zack and Zoey). Pet Me! Magazine™

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continued from page 19 • If the baby’s room will be off-limits to your pet, install a sturdy barrier such as a removable gate (available at pet or baby supply stores) or, for jumpers, even a screen door. Because these barriers still allow your pet to see and hear what’s happening in the room, your dog will feel less isolated from the family and more comfortable with the new baby noises. Bottom Line No infant or child should ever be left unsupervised even for a short time with a dog, no matter how well mannered and well trained that dog might be. Information gathered from The Humane Society, DogManners.com, and from Victoria Stilwell’s Positively.com.

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