December 2016 Issue by Pets in the City Magazine

December 2016

Pets In The City Magazine

Pets In The City Magazine |

December 2016

TABLE of CONTENTS 6 8

BREED ALL ABOUT IT: POODLES – Sarah Tyler

EXPERT ADVICE:

HEALTH CONCERNS OF BRACHYCEPHALIC CATS – Rachel Watson, DVM

12 18 22 26 28

BENEFITS OF RAW PET FOOD – Aspen Anderson IS FOOD FROM THE TABLE OKAY? – Mona Mistric MADAME TABU’S PET HOROSCOPE

EXPERT ADVICE:

WINTER SAFETY FOR OUR PETS – Avery Young, DVM

14 20

RESCUE ME

– Mona Mistric

GIVING A COMPANION ANIMAL A FOREVER HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS? – Sarah Tyler

ASK STETSON Q & A – Tonya Landon

– 2016 Cover Photo Contest – Dot-to-dot – Christmas Ornament – Book Reviews – Kim Justen – Matching Game

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PET FOR YOUR STAGE IN LIFE – Temma Martin

HOW CHILDREN CAN HELP ANIMALS DURING THE HOLIDAYS – Mona Mistric FAMILY FUN

ANIMALS IN THE NEWS

YOUR COVER CONTEST PHOTOS

PUBLISHER PICM Publishing, LLC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Genevieve Campbell EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Kim Justen MANAGING EDITOR Deborah Myers STAFF WRITERS Tonya Landon Jennafer Martin Mona Mistric April A. Northstrom Sarah Tyler CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Aspen Anderson Temma Martin Avery Young, DVM COVER PHOTO CREDIT

CIRCULATION Deborah Myers, Circulation Manager City Weekly Distribution Smith’s Grocery Store Racks GRAPHIC DESIGNER / SOCIAL MEDIA / WEB MAINTENANCE Michelle Bellinger

Here, at Pets in the City, we get lots of letters from readers, and they’re all special. It’s great to hear from you. But every once in a while, we get a letter of thanks that touches our hearts… In honor of the holidays, as we all gather together with loved ones, we wanted to share this reader letter: I can’t thank you enough for the fabulous cover photo for October of my fabulous rescue Golden Retriever, Gus da (silly) Goose. I have had him since 2010. I rescued him between losing Sam (a rescue) to hemangiosarcoma over a 4-day period (rescued Gus in April 2010) and when I lost Dylan, a Golden from a very excellent breeder in NY (where we are from and lived at the time) to old age at 15 years and 29 days in June 2010. Gus is my "mender of broken hearts" and has been a therapy dog with Therapy Animals of Utah, visiting mentally ill teens and geriatric patients since August of 2013. He also has elbow dysplasia, which is why he was an owner turn in to Companion Golden Retriever Rescue. The best part of this cover is that right before you chose him, Gus was diagnosed with lymphoma and is currently having chemotherapy treatments. He’s has had one serious episode and we had to postpone therapy for 2 weeks but he is now doing fabulous. I get to look at this cover photo and think of him as "normal" every time I see it. I can’t begin to tell you how much Gus means to us and what an incredibly special dog he is. We feel so lucky that we caught his cancer before he had any signs (we caught it with a very serious seizure that is not at all related to any brain cancer) of lymphoma. He was eating, drinking and playing all at normal levels and had just had a senior blood panel and urine test one month before the diagnosis. Again, thank you for this fabulous cover photo by Elaina ReNae Photography. I get to see him all over Salt Lake City and it is extra special to us!

– Maureen Kilgour

SALES & ADVERTISING Sharon Stephenson Deborah Myers 801.702.1171 info@petsinthecitymagazine.com

www.petsinthecitymagazine.com PICM Disclaimer: All reader submissions and photos are voluntarily submitted without expectation of compensation. All opinions of the authors in this Magazine are those of the writer or contributor and are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher. The publisher has not confirmed the accuracy of information contained in the articles. PICM reserves the right to edit, alter, or modify the submitted article to the extent in which we deem necessary. A RESCUE PLEA: Pets In The City Magazine is dedicated to and encourages rescuing companion animals of all types. There are thousands of animals in Utah and across our nation needing a forever home. If you are interested in rescuing a companion animal, there are over 100 animal rescues in Utah. A good resource is petfinder.com, a nationwide database for companion animals of all types. A rescued animal can be rewarding and lead to a forever grateful love. Pets In The City Magazine © 2015 is an independent, free monthly magazine published by PICM Publishing. For information regarding Pets in the City Magazine, visit www.petsinthecitymagazine.com Any and all articles in Pets in the City Magazine are submitted for reading enjoyment only. Please consult a professional and make wise personal decisions regarding health and safety issues of pets and family.

Pets In The City Magazine |

December 2016

Breed All About It: Poodles Sarah Tyler When a person thinks of hunting, the traditional dogs come to mind – Labrador, Pointer, Setter, various hound dogs and probably a few mutts. But a little known fact is the Poodle was originally a water retriever, possibly dating back to the time of the Egyptians. Paintings of Poodle-like dogs bringing in nets and water fowl adorn the inside walls of pyramids dating back to the first century B.C. Though the artworks have shown the possibility of Poodles dating back to the time of the pyramids, it’s generally accepted the Poodle is derived from a German water-dog that came into its breed distinction in France. The name “Poodle” has German origins, based off of the word pudel or pudelin which means to splash in water. In France, they are referred to as Caniche, referencing a chien canard, which directly translated means “duck dog.” It wasn’t until the 1400s that the poodle began to change from a working, hunting dog to a more luxurious breed intended for the French bourgeoisie. That’s when breeders first began to produce the miniature and later toy varieties by breeding smaller poodles together over time. The Poodle is the only dog that comes in three sizes with all of the same breeding standards: toy, miniature, and standard. It also comes in 10 color varieties recognized by the American Kennel Club. Poodles are known for their curls. They do not have standard dog fur,

with an undercoat and upper coat. They have hair, just like we do. It requires a vigorous grooming regimen with recommended baths bi-weekly. On the plus side, their hair has almost zero dander and makes the Poodle a hypoallergenic breed that is often bred with other popular dog breeds, like the Labrador to make new varieties like the Labradoodle. These dogs require regular trimming as their hair continues to grow in length as it does not fall out the way fur does. The eighth most popular breed as ranked by the American Kennel Club, the Poodle was first recognized as a breed in 1887. Being one of the most intelligent dog breeds, Poodles are very easy to train, and make great therapy dogs and working dogs. But their intense need to please and their affectionate and loyal temperaments also lend the Poodle to being great for companionship and families. Poodles have lots of energy, but are happy to live in apartments or houses as they are quite adaptable. The breed simply requires intentional exercise and brain stimulation through training and interaction to stay happy. If you’re not home a lot, the Poodle is not the dog for you, as they can be destructive when they become bored or are left alone too often. While overall a healthy breed that can live up to twelve years, there are a few health conditions that can be problematic or even fatal for Poodles, including Addison’s disease, and gastric dilationvolvulus (bloat). Other more minor health concerns can still be pervasive in the breed like, Cushing’s disease, epilepsy, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, patellar luxation, and sebaceous adenitis which is either diagnosed – or carried by – roughly fifty percent of standard Poodles. But don’t let those health hazards scare you off from the breed – most Poodles are in general quite healthy, and make great pets for whatever your needs may be.

Pets In The City Magazine |

December 2016

Health Concerns for Brachycephalic Cats Rachel Watson, DVM The term brachycephalic means “short head.” Many people are familiar with dog breeds, such as Pugs and Bulldogs, that fit this classification, but several breeds of cats are also considered brachycephalic. These include Persians, Himalayans, Burmese, Exotic and British Shorthairs. The skull bones of these cats are short, giving the face and nose a pushed-in appearance. While this squished face may be cute, the variation from a longer nose can be problematic for the cat. As the nose is shortened, the amount of space available for other structures is restricted. The shorter the nose, the more likely the cat is to experience problems from their anatomy. Owners of these breeds should be aware of the potential health concerns of these cats.

Pets In The City Magazine

Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome is a significant concern for short nosed cats. This syndrome refers to a set of upper airway abnormalities: 1. Stenotic nares – small, narrow nostrils; 2. Elongated soft palate – the soft part of the roof of the mouth is too long for the space available, which blocks the back of the throat;

December 2016

3. Hypoplastic trachea – narrow windpipe diameter; 4. Everted laryngeal saccules – these are pouches of tissue near the voicebox that can be sucked into the airway as the cat breathes.

The net effect of these changes is increased airway resistance, which

increases the work of breathing. Affected cats can have one or more of these changes, but the more changes present, the more severe the symptoms, which can include breathing through the mouth, noisy breathing or snoring, tiring easily with exercise, or, in severe cases, fainting. Cats may also cough, gag, or vomit. Over time, the increased work of breathing can put increased strain on the heart. A veterinarian can diagnose this syndrome via a physical exam, although anesthesia is required to view the soft palate and larynx. Surgery is recommended to correct stenotic nares, elongated soft palate, and everted laryngeal saccules if they are present and interfering with breathing. The earlier the changes are corrected, the better the outcome. Obesity worsens the symptoms, so maintaining a healthy body weight for these cats is especially important.

The eyes of brachycephalic cats are also subject to changes. Increased or persistent tearing occurs because the tear ducts draining tears from the eyes through the nose are deformed by the shorter nose. These cats will need regular cleaning of the area around the eyes and may have staining of the hair on their face from the tears. Severely affected cats will have large, protruding eyes and may be unable to blink fully. This increased exposure of the eye leads to inflammation.

Excess skin on the shortened nose creates structures called nasal folds. These folds are prone to secondary infection and should be regularly cleaned. They also have the potential to irritate the eyes. A short nose also results in a short jaw, which causes crowding of the teeth due to lack of space. Dental crowding means more places for plaque and tartar to accumulate leading to periodontal disease. Brachycephalic cats will require regular professional dental care with a veterinarian. As with any pet, it is important to take your brachycephalic cat to the vet for annual examinations. Your veterinarian will be able to evaluate your cat for these concerns and tailor management of your cat’s individual needs.

Rachel Walton received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Colorado State University in 2007. She is currently an associate veterinarian at University Veterinary Hospital and Diagnostic Center. Dr. Walton has 2 human children, 2 dogs, 2 cats, and 1 amazing husband.

Pets In The City Magazine |

December 2016

Winter Safety For Our Pets Avery Young, DVM December brings even colder outdoor temperatures, and we need to be aware of our furry friends as they go outside this winter. Did you know that the cold weather could pose serious health risks to your pets’ health?

We need to be aware of our pet’s tolerance for the colder weather, and plan accordingly. You may need to shorten you dog’s daily walks in very cold weather. Arthritic and older animals might have a harder time adjusting to the cold weather as well since the cold can worsen their arthritis and sore joints. Long and thick-coated dogs tend to be more cold tolerant, whereas our short-coated dogs feel the cold faster. Know your pet’s limits, as each pet is different! Cats and dogs should be kept inside during cold weather. Like humans, they are susceptible to frostbite and

to risk of fire or burns. Heated pet mats are also capable of burns if dogs lay directly on the mat. It is advisable to the check your dog’s paws frequently after a walk. Cracked paw pads can occur commonly during the winter as snow and ice can accumulate in between the toes. Ice melt and salt can also be particularly caustic for paw pads. Some dogs might beneﬁt from booties if their paw pads are especially sensitive to the outdoor elements. Consider keeping a towel handy to wipe off your dog’s paws, legs, and belly when coming in for a walk. Chemicals like road salt and antifreeze can build up on their paws and legs and become hazardous if ingested when they lick. Make sure to never leave your pet alone in the car during the winter. The car can act like a refrigerator or freezer, holding in the cold and making your pet at risk for life threatening hypothermia in a matter of minutes! The most important aspect of the winter weather is to keep your pets inside with you and your family as much as possible! Enjoy the winter, and keep your furry friends safe this winter.

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Pets In The City Magazine

hypothermia, even with the protection of their fur. Even longhaired dogs should not be left outside for long periods of time. If you are unable to keep your dog inside during the cold weather, make sure to provide a warm, solid shelter against the wind. They must have access to fresh, unfrozen water at all times. The floor of the shelter should be off the ground to minimize heat loss and the bedding should be thick and dry.

Space heater and heat lamps should be avoided due

Dr. Avery Young is the new associate veterinarian at Salt Lake Veterinary Services and the newly owned Mountain Vale Veterinary Clinic in Taylorsville. When not in the clinic, she enjoys biking and hiking in the mountains with her two dogs, Nutmeg and the three-legged Suki. Dr. Young is excited to be back in Utah serving the Salt Lake valley pet population.

Pets In The City Magazine |

December 2016

Benefits of Raw Pet Food Aspen Anderson In September, April Northstrom’s article, "Raw Food for Dogs. Is it Safe?" did a great job introducing the raw food diet, and confirming raw food for dogs is safe. Basic food safety rules eliminate most risk to humans. Her article also touched on the concern of a raw diet being unbalanced, which is a much more concerning question. It’s best to go with a commercially prepared raw diet that meets or surpasses AAFCO standards unless you are ready to read several books to make sure you are balancing everything from calcium to essential amino acids properly for each life stage of your pet. Many people who switch their dog to a raw diet quickly see their pet enjoys a better quality of life, for a few key reasons. A raw diet of uncooked meat, vegetables, and supplements varies from kibble in three important ways: Moisture: Before kibble was invented (a necessity brought on by a tin shortage in WWII), dogs ate canned meats, table scraps, and whatever they could hunt. There was no such thing as an indoor cat as they served the important function of keeping rodents away. For thousands of years, dogs and cats received the vast majority of the moisture their bodies required from what they could hunt. With the move to kibble as the only socially acceptable form of pet food, dogs and cats moved from food that was 60 – 90% moisture to food that is only 10% moisture. Their bodies aren’t designed to

digest this. To make the food soft enough for them to process, the moisture is pulled from their bodies, leaving them in a chronic state of dehydration and taxing their internal organs in the long term. This lack of moisture is why the top cause of death in cats is renal failure, a disease unheard of in the feral cat world. I always tell my students and customers that even if you change nothing else, adding water to kibble and letting it soak for a few minutes to soften the food is a great start to better health for your pet. Digestive Enzymes: Digestive enzymes are a crucial part of the digestive process. The more you or your pet has, the more efficiently your body is going to be able to digest food. For humans, we eat a mixture of cooked and raw food, allowing our bodies to replenish these digestive enzymes. For dogs or cats on a kibble diet, this simply isn’t possible without supplementation. Digestive enzymes are fragile and can only exist up to 117° F. Kibble is cooked to at least 350°; canned food is cooked to well over 500° degrees in many cases. Without digestive enzymes helping things digest quickly, the body begins to slow down around 6 – 8 years old, leading to inflammation, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), weight gain, diabetes, and more. As the body is continually taxed, it becomes harder and harder to digest food. Meat: Imagine feeding someone with a gluten intolerance a bagel for each meal for the first twenty years of their life. This is what we are doing to our pets, and the chronic diseases that are more and more common are evidence of that. Almost all kibbles on the market are loaded with corn, soy, and other fillers – mostly

carbs. Even grain-free kibbles are loaded with peas, potatoes and other cheap fillers. These foods were designed to make profits; they were never designed for the longterm health of your pet. Dogs don’t chew their food, and they don’t have the digestive enzymes humans have in their mouths that start to break down carbs before they reach the stomach. They were designed to eat meat, plain and simple. Raw diets provide at least 80% meat, including muscle meat, organs, and other essential nutrients, usually of the highest quality, that promote the health of your pet. It is these fundamental differences that make raw food work with your pet’s natural biological needs, not against them. That is why it is often called a species-appropriate diet. Many raw brands are family companies with less than ten employees, who have devoted their careers to providing good health to pets. They provide your pet hormone- and antibiotic-free grass-feed beef and free-range poultry, and non-GMO, organic and pesticide-free vegetables so you can feed your pet right. By feeding the clean, satisfying food that makes a raw diet so healthy for your pet, you can save yourself a lot of vet bills in the long run, and help them feel good at the same time!

Aspen Anderson holds a Master’s Degree in History and is a professional writer. She has worked in the raw pet food industry for two years and recently opened an all-natural pet store with her husband. Desert Raw Holistic Pet is located in Foothill Village and provides raw, canned, and kibble options as well as a vast array of supplements, treats, pet supplies and boutique items.

Pets In The City Magazine |

December 2016

~RESCUE ME~ WYN

Male / Adult / Mixed Breed When I was a puppy my family moved away and left me locked in a crate without food or water. I was severely malnourished and had a long road to recovery. Now, I’m just so excited to be alive and thrilled to meet new people and dogs! I’m house trained, crate trained and know several basic commands. Apply at www.rescuerovers.org.

Latona

Female / 8 Years Old / Rottweiler I have arthritis and mild hip dysplasia, but once I’ve had my medicine, I am good to go! My favorite thing to do is to just chill with my humans and get petted. I’m house, crate and doggy door trained. Apply at www.rescuerovers.org.

STITCH

Male / 4 Years Old / Staffordshire Terrier I’m a great dog looking for a comfortable home. I enjoy short walks and would like to be the only dog. I’m good with older children who won’t lean/hug on me, because my hip displasia can be painful. As I get older, I may need medication on bad days along with some vet visits. Apply at www.rescuerovers.org.

Kitty Kitty

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Pets In The City Magazine

Female / Senior / Orange Tabby Shorthair I was dropped off at the shelter by a family member, who didn’t want me anymore. I was sweet and affectionate when I came into the shelter, but I haven’t adapted well to living in a kennel. You can meet me by contacting Paws for Life at pflu.org.

Spooky

Female / 3 Years Old / Domestic Shorthair I was dropped off at the shelter when my family moved and couldn’t take me with them. I love attention from people, but I’m not really sure about other cats, since I’ve never been around them. You can meet me by contacting Paws for Life at pflu.org.

Mr. Brown & Jimmy

Male / Adult / Mixed Breed & Chihuahua Hi there! Jimmy and I are a unique bonded pair, I’m a 3 year old Pit mix and Jimmy is a 6 year old Chihuahua. We’re really cute together despite our size differences. I would love an active owner; Jimmy is sweet and affectionate. We just want to cohabitate, but we don’t need to do everything together. You can meet us by contacting Paws for Life at pflu.org.

Casper

Male / 4 Years Old / Shepherd/Aussie Breed I was kept as a yard dog, so I need some time to warm up to new situations, but I love to hike and swim. I’m just looking for the right outdoor adventurer to live with! You can meet me by contacting Paws for Life at pflu.org.

Pets In The City Magazine |

December 2016

Animals In The News Mona Mistric

ANIMAL TORTURE CASE Mikah Johnson pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree felony torture and one count of class B misdemeanor assault of a companion animal, resulting in the death of a 3 month-old Border Collie named Moose. According to Utah Code 76-9-301 Cruelty to Animals: “Torture” means intentionally or knowingly causing or inflicting extreme physical pain to an animal in an especially heinous, atrocious, cruel, or exceptionally depraved manner. A class B misdemeanor is an act committed intentionally or knowingly. On November 4, 2016 at the Matheson Courthouse in Salt Lake City, the Honorable Judge Katherine BernardsGoodman sentenced Johnson to one year in county jail, 36 months probation, no contact with animals or children (under the age of 18), 200 hours community service and recommended counseling. A heartfelt thanks goes out to the Humane Society of Utah for being instrumental in passing the felony torture provision of the Utah Cruelty to Animals Law known as Henry’s Law— otherwise this case would NOT have gone to court.

AIRPORT THERAPY DOGS Shortly after 9/11, the Mineta San Jose International Airport in San Jose, Calif. wanted their passengers to be happier and less stressed, so they invited therapy dogs into the airport to calm travelers. Other airports saw videos of

those dogs and decided to start their own therapy dog program. Access to the friendly dogs puts smiles on everyone’s faces – from toddlers to seniors. Passengers are delighted to snuggle with a furry friend while waiting for their flight – especially when flights have been delayed. About 30 airports across the United States now have therapy dogs.

THE TRAGIC KILLING OF CHEWY Chewy, a two-pound Yorkshire Terrier was killed by a neighbor on November 11, 2016 in St. George, Utah, after being struck in the head with long-handled pruning shears – ending his life at the tender age of six. Chewy is survived by his loving family members Nancy Jean Limburg and her 12-year old daughter, who, sadly, witnessed the brutal act. No one understands why the assailant reacted in such an extremely violent manner towards a two-pound dog. The Humane Society of Utah is pleased with St. George Police Department’s investigation in this case and is asking for the maximum charges. The assailant may be charged with aggravated cruelty to an animal, resulting in a Class A, B or C misdemeanor, depending on the intent, with up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $2,500. Chewy’s family will miss his wonderful spirit, joy, and talents. We extend our deepest condolences to the Limburg family in their time of loss.

WILDLIFE AND DRONES Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones, have revolutionized research in the wildest areas. Drones have the ability to instantly identify wildlife, instead of people spending hours setting up cameras, often in remote areas. Drones have revolutionized ecological monitoring of everything from watching baby nesting birds inhaling their first breaths to observing the exhalations of whales. The drone technology provides

biologists, ecologists and ornithologists with the ability to more accurately monitor the earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ecosystems. This is especially important in areas where surveying from the ground is difficult or impossible. Drones have also been useful for catching poachers and stopping illegal logging.

destructive scratching behavior from being euthanized. They also point out the procedure is less invasive today since only the claw bed is removed (they no longer cut bone).

The ASPCA is strongly opposed to declawing cats for the convenience of Unfortunately, there have been a few problems their owners, but is NOT in favor of along the way. Occasionally a bird will fly into a anti-declawing legislation. They fear it drone, a bear and her will result in fewer adoptions, more cats cubs are frightened by the turned into shelters and an increase humming noise, or a herd of sheep in euthanasia. After the cat destroys scatter â&#x20AC;&#x201C; not knowing if the household furniture, many people drone is a predator. who cannot have their cats declawed will most likely take them to a shelter Scientists are working on the where they are 72 percent more likely challenges of mixing wildlife to be euthanized. and drones to improve maneuverability, noise Similar legislation is pending in New reduction, and endurance. York and several cities in California Many wild animals have recently enacted declaw bans. adjusted to strange human gadgets, such as helicopters and radio collars. Scientists believe they will get used to the drones too.

NEW JERSEY ANTI-DECLAWING LEGISLATION An anti-declawing bill was approved by a 3-1 vote in the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee in New Jersey. If the bill passes in both houses of the Legislatures and is signed into law by Gov. Christie, New Jersey would be the first state to outlaw declawing cats. Assemblyman Troy Singleton (D-Burlington County) sponsored the legislation, recognizing declawing as a form of animal abuse. Violators would be fined up to $1,000 or six months in jail; plus, an additional civil penalty of $500 to $2,000. Animal rights activists and many animal welfare organizations consider declawing cruel and an unnecessary amputation. For some people, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a requirement before they will adopt a cat. Most veterinarians are not pro-declawing, but they are antieuthanasia. They feel the surgical procedure often saves cats with

IS FOOD FROM THE TABLE OKAY?

Mona Mistric

During the Holiday Season, many dog parents tend to be more generous than usual when it comes to giving table scraps to their dogs. Many foods that are safe for humans to eat are toxic to dogs – some can cause severe illness and even death. In an effort to keep your holiday season merry and bright, we have listed some foods you should never share.

Alcohol

– even in small amounts – can result in intoxication, vomiting, seizures and even death.

Avocados

have persin, a fungicidal toxin, which is poisonous.

Bones can splinter and

block or cause cuts in your dog’s digestive system.

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Pets In The City Magazine

Caffeine can

cause heart problems, tremors, seizures, and even death. Watch out for coffee and tea (even the beans and the grounds), cocoa, chocolate, colas, and energy drinks.

Fat Trimmings,

Cooked or Uncooked, from meat; both can cause pancreatitis.

Grapes and Raisins can

cause kidney failure.

Macadamia Nuts,

raw or roasted, can cause muscle shakes, vomiting, high temperature and weakness in your dog’s back legs.

Milk and Other Dairy Products can

cause diarrhea, digestive problems and trigger food allergies. (No ice cream or eggnog!)

Onions and Garlic, whether

powdered, raw, cooked, or dehydrated, can kill your dog’s red blood cells, causing anemia.

Persimmons, Peaches, and Plum Seeds or Pits can cause problems in your dog’s small intestine. Peach and plum pits also have cyanide, which is poisonous to people and dogs.

Raw Eggs

might cause food poisoning from bacteria like salmonella or E. coli.

Raw Fish can

have a parasite that causes fish or salmon poisoning diseases.

Raw Meat,

like raw eggs, can have a bacterium that causes food poisoning. Unless you’re well versed in raw diets and preparation of the meat, avoid giving this to your pet.

Salty Foods,

like chips, can make your dog seriously thirsty and lead to sodium ion poisoning.

Sugary Foods and Drinks

can make your dog overweight, causing problems with her teeth and lead to diabetes.

Xylitol is in some

candy, gum, toothpaste, baked goods, and some diet foods, which can make her blood sugar drop, causing liver failure.

Yeast Dough

needs to rise and would do just that in your dog’s stomach, causing her abdomen a lot of pain.

Pets In The City Magazine |

December 2016

Giving a Companion Animal a Forever Home for the Holidays? Sarah Tyler The tree is decorated, the presents are all set out, and the only thing left to do is to tie your soon-to-be fiancée’s engagement ring on her new puppy’s neck. She’ll be so excited, she might not even notice the ring. You’ve been planning it for weeks – the things you’ll say, the lighting, what you’ll wear. You’ve never been this nervous. You pace the floor, nervously waiting for her to arrive. Then, you’re startled from your thoughts by the whimpers of your adorable Labrador puppy and before you can get to him, he’s peed all over the carpet. Frantic, you run to the cabinets and start looking for a cleaner that will work, and then it hits you. You don’t have any. Window cleaner really isn’t the right choice. This story is a reality for many people on Christmas morning. You think you’ve prepared by getting a bag of dog food and a bowl – not that those two things aren’t important. I mean, in case it wasn’t clear, those two items are the priority. But when giving a pet as a gift, there are a few more things to consider.

The second consideration is adoption vs. purchasing an animal. A shelter animal is typically older than a puppy (not always), but with the added age comes a history, a clear temperament, and possibly some training. This can make a shelter pet an obvious choice for a first pet. Mixed breeds tend to be easier to train and have less health problems. If a puppy or kitten is desired, checking at the shelters first is a wise move. The animals come already fixed, cost much less than a pet store or breeder, and give you an opportunity to save a life. If you do end up purchasing from a store or breeder, make sure you are working with a reputable option that doesn’t practice inbreeding, inhumane treatment, or sell the babies too young. Adoptable puppies should be no younger than seven weeks old and kittens should ideally wait until twelve weeks. Removing a puppy or kitten from the litter too soon can damage their socialization skills with other animals and people. Once you have made the decision to purchase a pet, go out in advance to pickup the necessary items. That way, when you pick-up the pet, you won’t be caught off guard when their nail scratches you or you have no safe way to transport them home. Now, when you’ve given the gift of a new pet friend to your deserving recipient, they can relax and enjoy her.

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Pets In The City Magazine

Your first consideration should be whether or not the recipient of this gift will be willing and able to care for the animal. Are they allergic? Do they have other pets that need to be taken into account? Will their lease agreement allow it? Do they actually want the responsibility? Are they responsible? Do they have the

needed time to care for a pet? And in most cases, there could be any number of factors that are unique to a specific person and need to be answered first, before any pet purchase is made.

Things to pick up for a

harnesses, leashes, carrying crate or kennel, collar, tags, food and water bowls, toys and treats, safety travel gear for in car travel (seatbelt harness, straps to secure a crate or kennel, etc.), food, bed, nail clippers, toothbrush, carpet cleaner for pet accidents, poop bags for walks, and a hairbrush.

Carrying crate, collar, tags, food and water bowls, cat pan, cat litter, cat pan scooper, toys and treats, safety travel gear for in car travel (seatbelt harness, straps to secure a crate or kennel, etc.), food, bed, nail clippers, toothbrush, carpet cleaner for pet accidents, and a brush.

Two sun lamps (one with a daylight bulb and one infared night bulb – using the correct bulbs is extremely important to reptile health and function), heat rock for basking, aquarium tank with a lid of an appropriate size for the adult size of the reptile, water bowl, food, and vitamins.

NEW DOG:

NEW CAT:

Things to pick up for a

NEW BIRD:

Bird seed, cage (double check that the cage has a mirror, food bowl, and water bowl), cage decorations/toys for the bird, and a blanket to cover the cage at night.

NEW REPTILE:

Pets In The City Magazine |

December 2016

Madame Tabu’s Horoscope * *

FOR YOU AND YOUR PETS

DECEMBER 2016

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Make preparing for winter your main goal this month – get your pet a new bed or sweater, get your car checked and get yourself some warm gloves.

CANCER (Jun 22 – July 22)

Experiment with your creativity in the kitchen this month, trying out homemade recipes for human and pet treats to give out for the holidays.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Capitalize on your pragmatic nature to plan contingency plans for the holidays, as Mercury turning retrograde on the 19th can cause unexpected travel delays for you and your pet. AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Curb unnecessary spending and watch your budget this month, as unexpected expenses with your home and pet are likely.

December 2016

Pets In The City Magazine

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Music plays a key part in keeping your spirits – especially holiday spirits – up this month, so crank up the tunes and enjoy them with your pet at home, in the car, in the office and everywhere.

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

Your social schedule can impede your relationships with your human and animal companions this month, so make sure to keep the holiday parties to a minimum.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

Get your social side going this month – plan a party for the holidays or New Year’s Eve to gather friends and their pets for a festive time.

ARIES (March 21 – April 19)

Preserving traditions becomes important to you and your pets this month, so dust off the family ornaments and try some family recipes to keep tradition alive. TAURUS (Apr 20 – May 20)

Take a break from holiday prep to celebrate your mixed breed pet with a treat or a special trip to the pet store on December 2, National Mutt Day.

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 22)

Plan plenty of downtime and relaxation for you and your pets this month to ensure the holiday fervor doesn’t add too much stress to your lives.

GEMINI (May 21 – Jun 21)

SCORPIO (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Emotions run high around the middle of the month, especially around the full moon on December 13, so plan to be patient with yourself and your pet.

The new moon in Capricorn on the 29th starts you pondering – and planning – more long-term goals for you and your pet to work towards in 2017.

Madam Tabu’s horoscopes are translated through the human pet psychic Jennafer Martin, www.PetInsightsbyJennafer.com.

n o s t e t S

Tonya Landon

Q. I want to do something with my family this holiday season that involves animals. We were thinking about fostering a dog or cat. How do I go about doing that and what questions should I ask? - Daniel A. Congrats on wanting to help homeless animals. Many animal shelters and rescue groups have fostering programs. Fostering is a great way to help animals and teach your family about sacrifice, responsibility and love. Your pets. It is important to make sure your pets are current on their vaccinations before fostering. Also, only foster if your pets won’t mind the company of a foster animal. Family. It is important to sit down with your family and get everyone’s opinion on what type of animal they want to foster, what breed, gender, hair length, age and personality. Make sure every family member has time to commit to helping with the foster animal so one person doesn’t get stuck with all the responsibility. Questions to ask. Some questions to ask the animal shelter or animal rescue about fostering include: • Is this animal healthy, current on vaccinations, spayed or neutered? • How does she get along with other pets and people? • Are there any behavioral issues I need to know about? If so, do I have access to a trainer for help? • Is she housebroken, crate trained or litter boxed trained? • What type of food is the animal on? Whose responsibility is it to purchase food? Is there a certain brand or type of food that needs to be fed? • How long should I expect to foster her? What happens if I can no longer take care of the animal or I have to leave town? • Who pays for medical issues for the foster animal? Who pays for medical treatment if my current pet catches an illness from the foster? • What do I do if there is a medical emergency? • Who do I contact if I have questions or a problem? • Can I adopt the animal that I am fostering? Be prepared. It is going to be hard to look at all the animals to choose from to foster. Remember to pick an animal your family has decided is best to foster. Know your limits and only pick an animal you are prepared to take care of. If you don’t have time for a puppy or a kitten, then foster an adult dog or an adult cat. Happy fostering! Tonya Landon is a professional dog trainer with Diamonds in the Ruff. She rescued and trained Stetson, a small terrier with aggression issues, to be cast in the title role of the 2012 Stetson, Street Dog of Park City, a short ﬁlm adapted from the children’s book written by Jeanine Heil. If you have questions for Stetson, please send them to askstetson@gmail.com.

Pets In The City Magazine |

December 2016

CHOOSING the Right Pet for Your Stage in Life

students to want to celebrate their first taste of living independently by getting a dog, but this is an especially important time to look at the big picture and imagine life over the next ten to twenty years. Given how often students move during those years, they will likely find themselves in and out of apartments that allow (and don’t allow) pets. Many college students choose to volunteer at shelters or rescue groups to get their “pet fix,” but make the educated decision to wait until they are more settled before they adopt their own. For many people, their lifestyle is the greatest consideration in choosing the dog. How busy are you? How much are you home? How active are you? How do you feel about a dog that sheds a lot or requires professional grooming? Both breed and individual personality are factors, and that’s why shelter staff and volunteers are especially helpful matchmakers. They know the dogs and often their histories and personalities, so they can help place active dogs with active people and mellower dogs in less active homes. Dogs who were bred to have a job to do, like Heelers, Border Collies and Australian Shepherds, can become bored if they’re not entertained and stimulated, and their frustration can lead to behavior problems. People who run, walk and hike, do great with active dog breeds. Seniors need to choose their canine companion carefully. Numerous studies have shown pets have all kinds of positive benefits in the lives of seniors, but a wild, young dog is probably not the best place to start. Likewise, a large mellow obedience-trained dog can be a wonderful furry friend, but a large dog who pulls hard on the leash or jumps up can possibly cause injuries to her owner. Many seniors prefer small dogs to be their companions, but small in size does not always equate to low energy level. A very busy, active dog like a Jack Russell Terrier can prove to be too much for a senior owner. Many shelters have special “Seniors for Seniors” programs where people over age 55 can adopt dogs or cats over age five for free.

Temma Martin Few can argue that welcoming a new dog into your home is a very exciting time, and many people choose to do it around the holidays. Since dogs generally live for ten to twenty years, making that choice carefully – and making a lifetime commitment to your pet – are very important.

When it’s time to adopt a new four-footed family member, doing a little online homework first, checking www.perfinder.com, and then visiting a shelter or rescue group is a good way to go. Those in animal welfare are dedicated to finding fantastic forever homes for the animal in their care, so they’re experienced at helping people find their perfect match.

Pets In The City Magazine

With dogs of every variety available for adoption, there are many things to consider, and it’s a good idea to do some homework before you set out to visit your local shelter or rescue group. A dog’s breed, age, size, activity level and hair length will all be important factors in selecting a canine companion who will fit well into your family and lifestyle. Another especially important thing to consider is a dog whose personality, exercise needs, size and behavior match your stage in life, and those of your family members.

December 2016

For example, many people with young children say they want to get a puppy, so the puppy and the children can grow up together. Although this sounds good on paper, the truth is, puppies are a lot of work and can to be overwhelming. Puppies, until they’re old enough to be trained and learn the rules, are goofy and wild, and are likely to bite, scratch, chase and knock over the children in the family for months. Puppies who behave this way are just being puppies, but it can be very scary and painful for children. Puppies are often given up to shelters when the family reaches its limit on managing puppy behavior with young children, which is heartbreaking for everyone.

Many families have discovered that choosing a dog breed known for being friendly and patient with children, and having shelter or rescue staff and volunteers help them select an individual adult dog who has a positive history of living with children, results in less stress and a better relationship within the family.

People without kids in the home especially appreciate their pets for the unconditional love and companionship they provide. It’s common for college

Temma Martin is a public relations specialist for Best Friends Animal Society, a national animal welfare organization dedicated exclusively to ending the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters. Best Friends runs the nation’s largest no-kill sanctuary for companion animals, as well as programs in partnership with rescue groups and shelters.

Pets In The City Magazine |

December 2016

HOW CHILDREN CAN HELP ANIMALS DURING THE HOLIDAYS Mona Mistric

WALK OR RUN FOR ANIMALS: Get your friends involved and find

sponsors to give a certain amount of money per mile covered. Are you looking for something your children can do during the holiday break, besides play on their iPads and phones? Most children have a HOLD A RAFFLE: Ask stores to donate items so you can have first, natural love for animals and make awesome ambassadors for animals and second, and third place prizes. Use online templates to make the tickets. their causes. Go door-to-door to businesses and neighbors, selling tickets (always accompanied by an adult when going door-to-door). For some children, just the idea of helping animals gets them charged up. Others might want to visit the cats, bunnies, guinea pigs and dogs at BE AN ENTREPRENEUR: A lemonade stand, bake sale, car wash, dog a rescue or shelter to see for themselves how wonderful the animals are wash or book sale are possibilities. Children can learn how to run a business and how much they need help. Children can do a lot to help the helpless while helping animals. animals and have a meaningful, joyous holiday.

Some Ideas to Get Children Started GO CAROLING: Invite classmates, friends, family, or club members

TRASH FOR CASH: Collect empty inkjet and laser printer cartridges and old cell phones from family, friends, and your community. Check with your rescue or shelter to see if they have a recycle program. You can help them start one or provide them with new a drop-off location near you.

Pets In The City Magazine

– Girl or Boy Scouts or some other group – to sing Christmas songs in neighborhoods or outside businesses. Have one person hold a sign asking for VOLUNTEER AT A RESCUE OR SHELTER: Check for age donations to support your favorite rescue or shelter. requirements, as it varies from 13 – 18 years old. Children can walk dogs, fill water bowls, feed cats, clean up, organize supplies, or cuddle a lonely animal. CHRISTMAS DRIVE: Get a Wish List from your rescue or shelter. Invite your FOSTER AN ANIMAL: Fostering is a good way to neighbors, church members and businesses to introduce children to the joy of animals, helps an animal get involved by donating toys, food, blankets in need, and teaches children about proper animal – whatever items are on the Wish List. care.

BE CREATIVE: Make items for the animals,

like cat houses out of cardboard, or whip-up some tasty treats – the animals will love it. Decorate signs with a message to hang on the cages, such as Pick Me!, Looking for Love!, or something else. You can find more crafty projects for animals online.

December 2016

READ-A-THON: Invite your friends to

read animal-related books. Ask family and neighbors to pick an amount to donate for each book you read. Have your friends do the same.

CHANGE FOR CRITTERS: Decorate canisters with

a picture of an animal and the name of the rescue or shelter you are supporting. Place it at businesses to bring awareness to your cause and raise funds.

TELL FAMILY AND FRIENDS: Or even people you have just met, about your cause and where they can find an extraordinary rescue or shelter pet. USE SOCIAL MEDIA: Find rescues and shelters

on their websites, like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter and other social media sites and share their events, contests, challenges and causes. Sometimes just a vote can help win money and supplies for the animals. Repost pictures of animals available for adoption and prompt everyone in your circle to share.

Once children become ambassadors for animals and start brainstorming, they will most likely come up with other fun ideas. They will learn so much by volunteering and helping animals – and a small amount of love means the world to the animals.

Pets In The City Magazine |

December 2016

FAMILY FUN! ENTER YOUR PHOTO IN OUR 2016 COVER PHOTO CONTEST! RELEVANCE Does your photo have a theme for January or February? Here are some suggestions, but we’d love to see to your ideas too! January: New Year’s Resolution / New Beginnings February: Valentine’s Day / Love / Unusual Pet Friends

Stetson, the street dog from our december 2013 issue

LAYOUT Photo should be taken in vertical format. We’ll need some wiggle room for headlines on the sides, so try not to get too close up. Get creative with your background or use props if you like. Sky’s the limit! CLARITY The subject should be clear and in focus with good lighting (sunlight is best). We love bright colors! iPhone photos are acceptable. DEADLINE Submissions close December 10, 2016. Two winners will be announced on December 15. Send your hi-res photo to info@petsinthecitymagazine.com with “PHOTO CONTEST” in the subject line. Have fun!

Pets In The City Magazine

go to petsinthecitymagazine.com or visit our facebook page for more details.

Connect the dots & Coloring fun!

Draw your pet's picture in the center of the wreath, then cut it out and hang it from your tree! 9

7 12 6 13 5 14

22 25

51 21 20

17 50

December 2016

29 37 36

38 39

41 35

43 34

32 33

1 57 56

44 45

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Great Children’s Books as Gifts When my kids were in elementary school, I got to run the book fairs. As a writer and former library employee, this was right up my alley. Toss in that high school experience working at a book store, building displays, and I was in heaven. Oddly enough, the best part of the fair for me was when I’d hear a child say, “There’s nothing here for me to read.” Oh, the challenge. I’d immediately hunt down the voice – usually attached to a child with five pencils, two posters and no books in hand – and start the conversation. What do you like to do? Do you like learning about real stuff? Pirates? Vampires? And then I’d start pulling books from the lineup for them to look at. On my best days, I’d run into those kids a week or two later and they’d come running up to tell me they’d read the book I’d talked them into and loved it. Today, I continue to give first-time parents advice, and will still point total strangers (usually much shorter and younger than me) to all sorts of good reads they’ve either forgotten about or are unlikely to find on their own.

Here are some of those treasures, all featuring animals, for young readers:

A Birthday for Frances, by Russell Hoban

The Sweet Smells of Christmas, by Patricia Scarry

Tacky the penguin isn’t like the other penguins who live on his iceberg. Helen Lester’s lovable character teaches us it’s okay to be different. In the end, his odd behavior saves the day. Tacky has several books out, but if you ask me, the original is the best.

Click, Clack, Moo Cows that Type by Doreen Cronin Poor Farmer Brown. His cows have discovered a typewriter in the barn, and they’ve taken up typing. He could probably live with that, except they start leaving him notes with requests… and they’re willing to withhold milk to get what they want! Watching both sides reach a compromise is both educational and amusing.

Match the coupon deals to the correct advertiser. Draw a line to the correct answer. Hint: The answers are inside this issue.

Beggar Dog Best Friends Adoption Center

$25 pet adoptions Dec. 1 - 29 (Located in Sugarhouse) $500 OFF your vehicle purchase in the new Layton location

Central Park

$1.00 OFF any box of natural treats. Expires Dec. 29

Desert Raw Holistics

15% OFF all boutique items through Christmas

HVAC

Cool Cash Coupon (up to $1,450 in savings)

Young Kia

15% OFF pet grooming

Make sure to mention Pets in the City Magazine if you take advantage of these discounts.

Out of print, but still easily found on Amazon (and I see it regularly at used book stores), this book shows grumpy Mr. McGratt trying to run off a stray cat, only to realize the cat is, in fact, a great addition to his household, earning his keep patrolling the yard.

Tacky the Penguin, by Helen Lester

December 2016

Mr. McGratt and the Ornery Cat by Marilyn Helmer

We’ve all misunderstood song lyrics, but for Olive, a Jack Russell Terrier, this leads to some major puppy confusion. Olive thinks she’s a reindeer. And where do reindeer go at Christmas? The North Pole. Once there, Santa let’s her join his team. Her special doggy skills help save Christmas.

I started my kids on my copy of this scratch and sniff book from when I was a kid. Since then, we’ve gone through two more copies. Follow Little Bear as he and his family prepare for Christmas, chopping down a Christmas tree, making cocoa, baking gingerbread and more. If you’re looking for a fun picture book for Christmas, this is it.

Olive, the Other Reindeer, by Vivian Walsh

Pets In The City Magazine

This was one of my favorite books as a child, and I passed it on to by children. To this day, we still act out parts of this story about Frances the badger learning that giving is as important as receiving as her family prepares for her little sister’s birthday. One of a small series of books kids love that also teach Frances – and young readers – simple life lessons.

Kim Justen

YOUR COVER CONTEST Thank you to everyone who has entered our 2016 Cover Contest! We are still accepting entries! See details

PHOTOS Jack

on page 28.

Lola & Gunner Chloe Scarlett

Kitsey

Frankie

Bun-Bun Sammi

Chancha Vinnie

Azzie

Dash

December 2016 | 30

Lola Charlie

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Harley

Sylvie

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December 2016