June 2015 Issue: Pets in The City Magazine by Pets in the City Magazine

June 2015

Pets In The City Magazine

Pets In The City Magazine |

June 2015

Event Calendar June 13

June 4-7

What Pride Weekend Festival Where Washington & Library Squares, Salt Lake City When June 4-7 Info The 2015 Utah Pride Festival Parade will be held on Sunday, June 7 and kicks off at 10 a.m. Dogs welcome.

What Day in the Park Where At the park at The Cove, Herriman Springs (large pavilion) 6979 Rose Canyon Rd. When Saturday, June 13, 5-8 p.m. Info ChingSanctuary.org

June 20

June 6 What Wags & Kisses Picnic Where Wheeler Farm 6351 S. 900 E., Salt Lake City When Saturday, June 6, 5-8 p.m. Info BBQ, pet portraits, live music, kids activities, dog games. For tickets, go to TherapyAnimalsUtah.org

What Wags 2 Wishes 3rd Annual Where Gala The Utah Humane Society 4242 S. 300 W., Murray When Saturday, June 20, 6 p.m. Info Live & silent auctions, dinner & libations, dancing under the stars, and speaker. UtahHumane.org/gala

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR With the warm months upon us, many are heading outdoors with our pets: dining on patios, hiking, hanging at dog parks, and traveling. This issue kicks off summer with pet-friendly destinations and tips to be safe while having fun. This month also marks the one-year anniversary of the No-Kill Utah (NKUT) initiative. Temma Martin shares the

June 27 What

MAX the Movie Premier Party - Best Friend Hero Dog Where Valley Fair Mall Megaplex East Parking Lot 3620 S. 400 W., West Valley City When Saturday, June 27, 12-5 p.m. Info Obedience demonstration, WVC bomb & canine unit demonstrations, food, vendors, music, free fun & more.

June 30 What When Info

Pet-Friendly City Contest Tuesday, June 30 application deadline Is your city pet friendly? How does it compare to other northern Utah towns? Application available at petsinthecitymagazine.com

many strides made in just one year. Utah is on target to become a no-kill state by 2019! Rescue/adoption is a huge part of the formula for success. If considering getting a new pet, check out the Adoption vs Buying article to weigh your decision. We hope your summer is off to a fabulous start. Keep your June issue on hand for ideas to share it with your pets.

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10 10 12

June 2015

EVENT CALENDAR RESCUE ME PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES: A Quick Guide to Summer Traveling with Pets - April A. Northstrom HIKING SAFETY TIPS FOR UTAH TRAILS - Sarah Tyler INVITING WILDLIFE INTO YOUR LIFE - Chanté McCoy HAVING TROUBLE AFFORDING VETERINARY CARE? Sources to Assist in Your Time of Need - Mona Mistric EXPERT ADVICE Canine Inﬂuenza Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention - Lynn McCarron, DVM, Dipl. ABVP NO-KILL UTAH INITIATIVE CELEBRATES ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY - Temma Martin TOO HOT FOR SPOT - Elizabeth Cornwall & Megan Waller

20 ANIMALS IN THE NEWS - Chanté McCoy 22 ADOPTION VS BUYING Do “Breed, Baggage and Bonding” Arguments Hold Water? - Yvonne Harper 23 SAYING GOODBYE 24 GIVING POLLY A DAY JOB Ways to Keep Your Parrot Entertained While You’re at Work - Kim Justen 26 MADAME TABU’S HOROSCOPE 27 ASK STETSON Q & A - Tonya Landon 28 FAMILY FUN - Riley Goes to His Favorite Dog Parks - Book Reviews: As Told By Them - Kira Moody 29 PET PEEVES Call of the Wild: Bringing Home Animals Caught in Nature - Lance Weeks 30 YOUR PETS IN THE CITY PHOTOS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Genevieve Campbell EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Chanté McCoy MANAGING EDITOR Deborah Myers SOCIAL MEDIA & WEB MAINTENANCE Liz Robinson Turningstones Media STAFF WRITERS Kim Justen / Tonya Landon Jennafer Martin / Mona Mistric April A. Northstrom/ Sarah Tyler CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Lynn McCarron, DVM, Dipl. ABVP GUEST WRITERS Elizabeth Cornwall / Yvonne Harper Temma Martin / Kira Moody Megan Waller / Lance Weeks STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Chris Dickinson CIRCULATION Shane Myers, Circulation Manager, 801.455.7032 City Weekly Distribution Smith’s Grocery Store Racks GRAPHIC DESIGNER Michelle Bellinger All illustrations created by Mashiara Graphics. Copyrighted 2015.

TABLE of CONTENTS 4 6 8

PUBLISHER PICM Publishing, LLC

SALES & ADVERTISING Beverly Egleston Deborah Myers 801.702.1171 info@petsinthecitymagazine.com

Cover photo: Chris Dickinson

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

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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 |

June 2015

Rescue Me WALKER

Male / ~10 Years Old Domestic Shorthair Walker’s the name, cool-cat’s my game! I’d love to hang out with you and be your purring companion. I think laps are fantastic, hint hint. When you come home, I will tell you all about my day and listen about yours. My happiest moments are when I’m with you. For more information, visit CAWS.org.

LIZZY

Female / 7 Years Old Boxer I can see you love long walks through the park and snuggling on the couch. Me too! I’d love to be your one and only. With a dog as good looking as me, you’ll be the luckiest human around when you take me home! Visit CAWS.org for more information.

Female/ 9 Years Old Blue and Gold Macaw I’m a friendly, talkative macaw who loves kids and other birds, but I have little experience around other animals. I like to swing and walk up and down stairs. If interested in meeting me, visit Ronie’s for the Love of Birds Store in Sandy or call 801-561-8083.

APPLE

Female / 8 Years Old Domestic Shorthair I am an attention-loving sweetheart who is looking for a warm lap to call my own. I’m a petite, gentle girl who would enjoy spending my days bird-watching from a sunny window sill or comfy chair. Call 435-649-5441 for more information about me.

June 2015

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TIKI

TRIDENT

Male / 3 Years Old Pit Bull Terrier I am a shy and quiet dog who needs a loving forever home where I can feel safe enough to come out of my shell and let my sweet personality shine. I would love a peaceful home with no cats or young children. Please call 435-649-5441 for more information!

Pets In The City Magazine |

June 2015

Pets In The City Magazine

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June 2015

SAFETY TIPS FOR UTAH TRAILS G N I HIK Sarah Tyler

It was a beautiful, sunny day when Shannon and Zoey went for a hike up Ferguson Canyon, near the base of Big Cottonwood Canyon. Used to hiking off-leash, Zoey ran about unleashed but collared, loving her adventure up the mountain. Shannon, trusting in her pup’s obedient nature and seasoned hiking experience, had no worries for Zoey’s safety. As the two companions approached the lookout, the trail through the rocks began to narrow precariously, so Shannon decided that she and Zoey should take the long way around to avoid any issue. Though Shannon’s instincts were spot-on, the choice to turn back didn’t come soon enough. When called to her side, Zoey turned immediately but lost her footing on the rocks and slipped off backwards down the cliff after clawing desperately to regain some ground. She plummeted forty feet to the rocks below. Fortunately, she survived the fall but, unable to walk out of the canyon, she had to be carried. A passerby and his dog helped get Zoey back to the car.

Though Zoey’s accident is unlikely, it’s not unprecedented. A dog can slip and fall on hiking trails, just like humans. To have a safe hike, take the following precautions:

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• Train your dog. If you choose to enjoy the freedom of an off-leash hike, make sure that your pup is extremely compliant. She must respond to your call reliably, as hikes can offer an array of exciting distractions that lead to disobedience. • Keep your pet’s vaccinations up to date. Surprises are sure to pop up occasionally on hikes, and keeping your dog current can come in handy in many cases. • Bag your pup’s poops! Contrary to what you might think, unprocessed dog poop makes a terrible fertilizer, not to mention being horribly inconvenient when smeared on a shoe. Properly dispose of the bag. Be responsible. Seriously.

• Bring plenty of water for the both of you. Dogs dehydrate too! • Keep her calm as strangers and other dogs pass. Anxiety and nervousness can stress a dog and cause her to tire quickly. • Outfit your dog with booties. Dog booties are a great add-on for hiking gear. They keep her pads from getting cracked in the cold from snow and ice, while keeping her from getting burned or cut in the hotter months. The booties also add traction. • Bring a basic canine first aid kit. A first aid kit is invaluable to deal with any on-the-go injuries. • Apply appropriate insect repellant. Insect repellant can also be used on pets as long as it’s DEET free. It should only be applied to areas where the dog can’t lick it (behind the ears, in between the shoulder blades along the upper back, etc.).

June 2015

Nothing guarantees a safe hike. It is the wilderness, after all. But, if you take the time to prepare for your hike and follow the above tips, you’ve got a better chance than most. DOG-FRIENDLY TRAILS IN NORTHERN UTAH

Davis & Weber Counties Antelope Island – Syracuse Elephant Rock Trail – Bountiful Holmes Creek and Adams Canyon – Kaysville Waterfall Canyon – Ogden

Salt Lake County Bonneville Shoreline Trail - SLC Dimple Dell Equestrian Park - Sandy

Ferguson Canyon – Cottonwood Heights Mill Creek Canyon - SLC Neff ’s Canyon – SLC Parley’s Historic Nature Park - SLC Porter Rockwell Trail (Sandy Rail Trail) – Sandy Utah County American Fork Canyon – Highland Fifth Water Hot Springs – Spanish Fork Provo River Parkway – Orem Springville Canyon – Springville Squaw Peak – Provo

Chanté McCoy Enjoy bird song? The brilliant flash of butterfly wings? Or practical considerations like natural insect control? Then invite wildlife into your backyard. Birds: Bird seed and suet will entice a surprising variety of birds to your yard. Provide a mixed seed collection to appeal to different palettes, and the birds will flock. Don’t worry about seed falling on the dirt. Ground feeders, like California quail and juncos, will gladly “clean up” after the messy eaters. Birdbaths, bird houses, and trees will also lure the feathered creatures, providing water and shelter.

Zoey suffered a fractured pelvis and required stitches. No operation was necessary, but she received laser treatments to speed up the recovery time. For the first few weeks, Shannon carried her up and down the apartment stairs for her to use the bathroom. Thanks to Dr. Bagley at the Cottonwood Animal Hospital, she is fully recovered and back to her old self.

• Use short leashes. Long extendable leashes can get easily tangled, and the danger might not be recognizable at many feet ahead. Short leashes help owners to keep dogs away from ledges and dangerous wildlife like rattlesnakes.

INVITING WILDLIFE INTO YOUR LIFE

Summit & Wasatch Counties Ant Knolls Loop – Midway Bloods Lake – Park City Center Canyon – Heber High Uinta Wilderness – Kamas Mormon Pioneer Trail – Wanship *****

For a longer list of dog-friendly trails in northern Utah, go to www.petsinthecitymagazine.com.

Butterflies: Plant flowers* in sunny locations to provide nectar and the sun’s heat to warm these beautiful insects. In return, they’ll pollinate your flower garden. Butterflies like bright blooms that are flat-topped, clustered, or short tubed. Sow different plants to provide blooms for the whole of summer. Particular Utah favorites include butterfly bush, milkweed, verbena, clematis, salvia, lavender, and daisies. Rabbits, squirrels, and chipmunks: As you may recall from Peter Rabbit, long-eared rodents like lettuce and French beans. Rabbits also like broad-leaf weeds, berries, clover, and grasses. Squirrels enjoy a delicious blend of corn, sunflower seeds, and peanuts in the shell. Chipmunks are more omnivorous, chowing on bird eggs, worms, and frogs, as well as grains, nuts, and fungi. In addition to food, these skittish creatures need places to hide and nest. Dead wood and brush piles provide such enclaves of safety. Bats: Did you know bats control insect populations? A single little brown bat can eat up to 1,000 insects in one hour. Seventy percent of bats are strictly insectivores. However, because of chemical insecticides and habitat loss, the number of bats is plummeting. Invite bats to your yard with bat houses to provide them safety. Then, come dusk, sit back and watch their aerobatics as they swoop to catch their prey. Bees: Bees are easy to entice: flowers, flowers, and more flowers and NO INSECTIDE. Bees are intricate to the pollination of most of the world’s flowers, herbs, vegetables, and fruits, yet they too are threatened. Plant a flower, if only to help save them. *When planting, native flora is best. Natives are hardy and already adapted to our high desert conditions and soil, requiring less water, fertilizer, and general maintenance. Plus, native animals co-evolved with native plants; it’s their food of choice.

Pets In The City Magazine |

June 2015

Having Trouble Affording Veterinary Care?

SOURCES TO ASSIST IN YOUR TIME OF NEED

Mona Mistric

The sluggish economy affects tens of thousands of pet owners struggling with financial

hardships. A family may be able to cover normal expenses of food, vaccinations, spay and neuter surgeries, and routine veterinary care; however, covering medical costs for accidents or a severe illness may be beyond their current financial ability. Because the costs involved for surgery or other medical treatment is out of their reach, they are forced to make the diﬃcult decision to put down their companion or watch her suffer. Sadly, veterinarians are being forced to euthanize more and more family pets. Medical decisions should NOT be based on the financial burden it poses.

Here are some resources to help with medical expenses, so your companion can receive the necessary care.

Utah organizations that offer assistance:

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CareCredit (carecredit.com/ vetmed/) will ﬁnance 100 percent of vet care with no upfront costs nor interest charges on balances paid in full within a speciﬁed time. Can be used for pet supplies and ongoing or emergency treatment without having to reapply.

• Best Friends Animal Society: Salt Lake City (spay/neuter assistance)

Priority is given to pets with life threatening conditions that can be restored to a good quality of life.

• Cody’s Club (dogdoggiedog.com) helps offset cost related to radiation performed at 501c3 treating institutions.

• The Humane Society of Moab Valley: Moab (spay/neuter assistance) • Humane Society of Utah: Murray (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance) • Pet Samaritan Fund (veterinary care assistance for Salt Lake County residents)

June 2015

The Pet Fund (thepetfund.com) is a national nonproﬁt dedicated to funding veterinary care for those who cannot afford it. They also provide links to other sites offering assistance.

Brown Dog Foundation (browndogfoundation.org) is a nonproﬁt that provides ﬁnancial assistance for families facing the choice of euthanizing or watching their companion suffer.

Special Needs Programs for speciﬁc types of illness or treatment:

• Big Hearts Fund (bigheartsfund.org) provides financial assistance for pets diagnosed with heart disease.

PET INSURANCE Pet insurance allows you to make decisions about your companion’s heath without worrying about the cost. Rates start around $8 per month for cats and $11 per month for dogs.

A few pet insurance companies to check out are:

• Farmers Insurance Agency • Pets Best Insurance • Healthy Paws Pet Insurance • Petplan Pet Insurance • Trupanion Pet Insurance

for chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, holistic therapy, alternative medicine and acupuncture. • Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance (fveap.org) provides financial aid for seniors, people with disabilities, people who have lost their job, and Good Samaritans who rescue a cat for a life-threatening illness or injury.

• Diabetic Cats in Need (http://fdmb-cin.blogspot.com) helps with insulin, diabetic supply, and veterinary care costs for diabetic cats.

• Gracie’s Mission (graciesmission.org) provides financial assistance for ill and injured animals being treated by holistic approaches, such as a raw foods diet, supplemented with herbs, physical therapy, hydrotherapy, specialized body massages and acupuncture.

• Dog and Cat Cancer Fund (dccfund.org) provides treatment grants up to $1,500 per year

• Handicapped Pets Foundation (hpets.org) donates dog wheelchairs.

Pets In The City Magazine |

June 2015

EXPERT ADVICE

Canine

Inﬂuenza SYMPTOMS, TREATMENT AND PREVENTION

Lynn McCarron, DVM, Dipl. ABVP ANINE INFLUENZA is a contagious respiratory disease in dogs. Two canine influenza viruses have been identified worldwide: influenza A H3N8 virus and an influenza A H3N2 virus. Previously, canine influenza A H3N8 virus was identified in U.S. dog populations, although testing suggests the virus responsible for the recent Chicago outbreak is H3N2 similar to the Asian H3N2 virus detected in parts of Asia since 2007.

What are the Signs of Canine Inﬂuenza? Signs of ﬂu infection in dogs include cough, runny nose, and fever, but not all dogs will show signs of illness. The severity of illness can range from no signs, to severe illness resulting in pneumonia and sometimes death. Dogs with mild illness often have nasal discharge and a cough that is typically moist. In most cases, the symptoms last ten to 30 days and usually resolve over time.

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Dogs with more severe illness may have a high fever (above 104 degrees Fahrenheit) and often develop signs quickly. Pneumonia, specifically hemorrhagic pneumonia, can develop. The inﬂuenza virus affects the lung capillaries, so the dog may cough up blood and have trouble breathing, if there is bleeding into the alveoli (air sacs). Patients may also have a secondary bacterial pneumonia, which can further complicate the situation.

Can I Catch Canine Inﬂuenza from My Dog?

June 2015

No known human infections with either canine inﬂuenza virus have ever been reported. There have been some reports in Asia of the H3N2 virus affecting cats.

How Do I Know if My Dog Has Been Infected?

If canine inﬂuenza is suspected, your veterinarian will want to perform a physical examination and a complete blood count and clinical chemistry on your dog. Usually, increases are seen in the white blood cells, specifically the neutrophils that are destructive to microorganisms. Radiographs of the dog’s lungs can characterize the type and severity of pneumonia.

A nasal swab and blood tests can support a canine inﬂuenza diagnosis, depending on the stage of disease. In most cases, a blood sample is taken after initial symptoms develop and then again two to three weeks later.

Is it Treatable? The mild form is usually treated with antibiotics (to address any secondary pneumonia) and sometimes cough suppressants. Rest and isolation from other dogs is also important. The severe form needs to be treated aggressively with a broad spectrum of antibiotics, IV ﬂuids, and hospitalization with general supportive care until the dog is stable. The vast majority of dogs recover within two to three weeks.

How Can I Prevent My Dog from Catching Canine Influenza? A vaccine for the H3N8 canine flu is currently available, but it is not yet known whether it offers any protection against the H3N2 strain. Whether to vaccinate your dog is a topic to explore with your veterinarian. To date, the outbreak first seen in Chicago has been limited to mid-western states, so a high degree of worry in our region is probably not warranted. That being said, the American Veterinary Medical Association provides general guidance: Dog owners should be aware that any situation that brings dogs together (e.g., dog parks, shows and sporting events, and boarding) increases the risk of spread of communicable illnesses. When boarding, ask kennel managers whether respiratory disease has been a problem, and whether the facility has a plan for isolating dogs that develop respiratory disease and for notifying owners if their dogs are exposed. Canine influenza virus can be spread via direct contact with respiratory secretions from infected dogs and by contact with contaminated inanimate objects. Therefore, dog exhibiting other symptoms should be isolated, and clothing, equipment, surfaces, and hands should be cleaned and disinfected after exposure to prevent transmission of infection. Clothing can be adequately cleaned by using a detergent at normal laundry temperatures. ***** Canine influenza is an illness that dog owners should be aware of and educated about, but not one that should cause excessive concern. If you have additional questions about the illness or your pet, you should contact your veterinarian. Dr. McCarron is the owner of University Veterinary Hospital & Diagnostic Center in Salt Lake City. She is board certified, specializing in canine and feline practice, and a member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners. Dr. McCarron has enjoyed serving Wasatch Front pets for more than twenty years.

Pets In The City Magazine |

June 2015

NO-KILL UTAH INITIATIVE

Celebrates

ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY Temma Martin Best Friends Animal Society recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of the statewide NoKill Utah (NKUT) initiative as a final push to make Utah a state that no longer kills cats and dogs in shelters. The goal is to make Utah a nokill state by 2019.

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NKUT is an initiative of Best Friends Animal Society and a coalition of 52 other Utah-based animal welfare organizations. Making Utah a no-kill state means that animal shelters will have achieved a combined save rate of 90 percent — that is, 90 percent of the animals entering the shelter system leave alive, through adoption, return-to-owner, or rescue by another animal organization. (The other 10 percent typically are euthanized for severe medical or behavioral issues.) Achieving this goal would make Utah the nation’s second no-kill state, following New Hampshire.

June 2015

At the end of 2014, the collective save rate for all shelters in the state was 77.4 percent, up from 71.5 for 2013. Still, nearly 61,000 animals entered shelters in Utah, and almost 13,800 dogs and cats

were killed. According to Best Friends, more than 8,000 of these dogs and cats died simply because they did not have homes. With a population of 2.94 million, Utah has an adequate population base to support finding homes for those animals needlessly dying in shelters each year. This is a very achievable goal. The 2014 save rate for dogs in Utah has already reached the threshold of no-kill status, at 91.4 percent. For cats, the rate was significantly lower at 61.8. Since NKUT launched in April 2014, the number of pets entering Utah shelters has decreased by about .5 percent, and the number of pets being killed in Utah shelters has been reduced by nearly 20 percent. “Best Friends is proud of the work accomplished by all 50-plus NKUT Coalition members,” says Arlyn Bradshaw, Best Friends–Utah executive director. “Our partnerships among rescue groups, shelters, the kitten nursery and community cat trappers, in addition to responsible decisions by pet owners, will ensure that we will turn Utah into a no-kill state. As a result of our working together, the state of Utah has now positioned itself as the cornerstone state in animal welfare… and leading by example.” Adoptions and spay/neuter are key to achieving NKUT. More than 19,000 pets were adopted through the NKUT Coalition in 2014. Best Friends Spay/Neuter Clinic in Orem performed more than 10,500 spay/neuter surgeries and nearly 16,700 spay/neuter vouchers were distributed in Utah. More than 9,200 spay/

neuter surgeries were performed in Utah for community, or free-roaming cats through our Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) program. More than 5,000 surgeries were performed for pets of lowincome pet owners. Salt Lake County Animal Services, West Valley City Animal Services, and South Salt Lake Animal Services all operated as no-kill facilities in 2014. Public/private partnerships have been instrumental in helping these shelters convert to no-kill by promoting and increasing adoptions, reducing shelter intake through targeted spay/ neuter services, and saving community cats. Much progress has been made since the original coalition (formerly called the No More Homeless Pets in Utah Coalition) was formed in 2000. At that time, more than 46,000 dogs and cats died each year in Utah shelters. No-Kill Utah can be achieved through personal responsibility in multiple areas of pet ownership: spaying and neutering; microchipping and licensing; adopting from shelters or rescue groups instead of buying from pet stores, breeders or online retailers; fostering or volunteering for a shelter or rescue group; donating; and, spreading the word as a community advocate. 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 |

June 2015

too hot for spot

THE LAW

My first experience in a sauna ended in a panic attack. What if I get heat stroke? What if I pass out and nobody comes to find me? Could I suffocate from the heat? And, from my teenage years of watching campy horror movies, what if someone traps me in here and turns up the heat more!? The endless questions kept me from enjoying the experience. I ran from that sauna leaving a trail of steam and a towel flapping in my wake. Little did I know, these questions that led to my panic attack in the sauna were and are the reality for many dogs that don’t have the opportunity to escape. The only difference is my experience was in a sauna and this happens to dogs in cars every day.

When animals experience these types of temperatures in a car, they suffer. This is considered a form of animal abuse. In Utah, law makers have taken action against those who leave their dogs and companion animals in a car unattended. The Utah law states, “It is unlawful for any person to carry or confine any animal in or upon any vehicle in a cruel or inhumane manner, including but not limited to carrying or confining such animal without adequate ventilation or for an unusual length of time.” A person in violation of this law could be charged with a crime, face fines or prison time, and expect possible damage to their car in order to release the animal. If you see a dog or animal confined in a car, contact the local police or animal control.

HOT CARS

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Elizabeth Cornwall & Megan Waller

Each year, thousands of dogs across the United States die from being left in hot cars. Unfortunately, a portion of those deaths take place in Utah. We may have bitter cold winters, but we have brutally hot summers. The average Salt Lake valley high summer temperatures are:

Because dogs are less adept at cooling off than their caretakers, they are prone to overheating. Heat exhaustion of a dog can lead to heart failure, brain and organ damage, and death. Watch for signs of overheating, such as lethargy, restlessness, heavy panting, excessive thirst, lack of appetite, rapid shallow breathing, dark red or purple tongue, extremely high body temperature, lack June 82.2°F July 90.6°F August 88.7°F of coordination, and vomiting. If you see any of these symptoms, immediately get the dog into a cooler area and gradually lower his body temperature by However, on an average of five days per year, the temperature will exceed providing drinking water and applying cool compresses to the head, neck, 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This combined with the direct rays of the sun can and belly or soak him in cool (not cold) water. Due to the seriousness of heat create an extremely hot car. In order to find out what the blazing sun of Utah exhaustion, immediately seek professional veterinarian care for the dog. can truly do to the temperature of a car, Pets in the City conducted our own experiment. Here are the results: Here are some useful tips to help your dog beat the summer heat:

Car with Windows Closed

Car with Windows Open

Temperature in °F

3:00 P.M. Outside Temperature = 88° F 120 100

100

Temperature in °F

Pets In The City Magazine

9:30 A.M. Outside Temperature = 74° F 120

Car with Windows Closed

Car with Windows Open

40 20

Initial Car Temperature

After 15 Minutes

0 Initial Car Temperature

After 15 Minutes

After 1 Hour

June 2015

The experiment was conducted on June 27, 2012 in Salt Lake City. The high temperature for that day was 88 degrees Fahrenheit, which is in range of the average high summer temperatures in the Salt Lake valley. Where your car is parked and how the sun’s rays are hitting your car can affect the temperature, but you can expect similar results.

• When taking your dog out for a walk or hike, go during the cooler hours of the day, like the early morning or late evening. • Whether you’re being active or just lounging in the backyard with your dog, always have plenty of fresh cold water available. • When outdoors, make sure to have a shady spot for your dog to cool off. Adding a kiddie pool for your dog to play in or a cool damp towel for your dog to lay on while in the shade is a fun and effective way to keep your dog cool. • Dogs can get sunburned, especially pale and shorthaired dogs. Keeping your dog appropriately groomed will help protect him from the sun and also help keep him cool. It can be beneficial to use a sunscreen specifically for animals on your dog’s nose and tips of his ears. • A dog’s paws are easily burned on outside surfaces, like asphalt and cement. Test outside surfaces with your hand. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dog. • Never leave your dog unattended in a car or small enclosure that can lead to heat exhaustion and suffering.

Having the windows open made little difference in the interior temperature of the car. It’s not enough to leave the windows open because the temperature will still rapidly rise even with a source of ventilation. Another point to consider is the temperature under which this experiment was conducted. The temperature was 88 degrees Fahrenheit at the hottest part of the day. The Keeping your dog safe and cool in the summer heat will help both Salt Lake valley can and does get much hotter, which can easily increase the you and your companion fully enjoy the summer months. Just remember, if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for Spot. temperature of the interior of a car in excess of 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pets In The City Magazine |

June 2015

Animals In The News Chanté McCoy

“People will learn about and come to a new understanding of their best friends.”

On May 14, Lady Antebellum, a six-year-old registered thoroughbred mare, was found dead in her Syracuse pasture. She appears to have died from an arrow wound. If the arrow wound is confirmed as the cause of death, the perpetrator may be guilty of aggravated cruelty and criminal mischief or wanton destruction of livestock.

After disappearing two years ago in Lexington, KY, a dog has been reunited with its family in Utah. Tilly, a Beagle mix, was recently found in Lexington and identified by her microchip. A GoFundMe page raised $1,500 for travel expenses, and Christine Stoops of the Facebook group “Lost and Found Pets of Lexington, KY” drove Tilly to Utah to return her to the Lowe family of Ogden.

The Humane Society of Utah is offering a $3,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible.

Tilly was a gift to a daughter after her father’s return from Afghanistan. A few months after Tilly’s disappearance, the military relocated the family to Utah.

Yet another dog in Ogden suffocated after her owner tightly bound her muzzle with rubber bands for at least 12 hours. The bands were so tight, the necropsy indicated that her tongue was indented.

HOUSEGUEST ABUSES LOCAL CAT

SAN FRANCISCO BANS EXOTIC ANIMAL PERFORMANCES

June 2015

Pets In The City Magazine

SYRACUSE HORSE MYSTERIOUSLY DIES

DOG REUNITES WITH FAMILY AFTER TWO YEARS

After taking a family cat to a veterinarian for injuries, a Saratoga Springs woman began to suspect abuse. In April, Colleen Cloward installed a nanny camera and suspicions were confirmed as video captured a houseguest repeatedly punching the feline, slamming it against the ﬂoor, and violently shaking it. The houseguest, 19-year-old Jordan Lindquist, has been charged with one count of animal cruelty, a third-degree felony. IS YOUR DOG AN EINSTEIN? Think your dog is a genius? You can measure your dog’s intelligence with the Dognition Assessment (dognition.com) that involves 20 games to determine a canine’s level of empathy, communication, cunning, memory, and reasoning. For additional insights, you can also view “Is Your Dog a Genius,” a three-part series produced by Nat Geo Wild (channel. nationalgeographic.com/wild/). According to Brian Hare, host of the program and a Duke University associate professor who helped development the assessment,

LOCAL DOG KILLED WITH HAMMER, ANOTHER BY RUBBER BANDS In May, a 23-year-old Ogden man was charged with third-degree felony torture of a family dog. The man struck the dog with a hammer. Animal control oﬃcers took the injured dog to a veterinarian, but dog died shortly thereafter. The autopsy showed severe brain bleeding and multiple broken bones.

San Francisco joins a growing list of cities to ban performances of exotic animals, such as tigers and elephants. The ban applies to circuses, party entertainment, and television and movie filming. In an Associate Press article, Bruce Wagman, a San Francisco attorney who specializes in animal law, says “When you tell somebody that what they think is a smile on a chimp is actually a ‘fear grimace,’ then they’re not as happy seeing that on TV.” According to the Performing Animal Welfare Society, circus animals suffer from confined spaces, extended hours inside vehicles, lack of free exercise and restriction of natural behaviors, stress from abnormal conditions, and physical coercion. “The tricks these animals are forced to perform require extreme physical coercion and violence, including the restriction of food and/or water, use of bull hooks, stun guns and other electric shock devices, as well as metal bars, whips, and intimidation.”

Pets In The City Magazine |

June 2015

ADOPTION VS BUYING

DO “BREED, BAGGAGE AND BONDING” ARGUMENTS HOLD WATER? Yvonne Harper I am a huge adoption advocate, so, when I meet someone who chooses to buy their dog rather that adopt, I am always curious as to why. Up to now, three main reasons are given. I refer to them as the Three B’s: breed, baggage, and bonding. Are they suﬃcient reason to buy instead of adopt?

LET’S BEGIN WITH THE EASY ONE, BREED. I

understand and agree that this can be a valid concern. Too many of us have heard stories of people who bring home a cute puppy only to find it grows into a dog that does not fit their lifestyle. If you like to spend your days off on the couch watching movies, a herding dog is probably not ideal for you, unless you actually have sheep in your back yard. Sadly, this is how some dogs find themselves in shelters and rescues.

June 2015

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So, yes, it is wise to research breed characteristics, although no guarantees warranty that all dogs fall neatly into these. Once you have decided what breed will work for you, the next step is finding the actual dog. However, you don’t necessarily need to buy to get a desired breed. Did you know many breed-specific rescues are out there, like Utah Doberman Rescue or Utah Friends of Basset Hounds? Why not consider giving one of them a try? Or visit a local shelter; approximately 25 percent of dogs in shelters are purebreds.

NOW TO BAGGAGE AND BONDING. I’d like to tackle these together as I believe they are often connected. Do some rescue dogs come with emotional baggage? Absolutely. Some of them have never known stability; they have been passed around since they were puppies. Others come from a background of abuse or neglect. Could these circumstances make bonding challenging? Possibly.

I say put yourself in their paws for a moment. Do you remember your first love? How you gave your heart without reservation?

Then something happened and your heart broke. Next time you met someone who piqued your interest, you were likely less quick to give your heart. Trust wasn’t just given, it needed to be earned, and so is the life of many rescue dogs. They suddenly find themselves in another home with strangers. Can you imagine what must go through their minds? “Will they be kind to me; will they feed me; will they keep me?” I have adopted three dogs, and my experience with each has been different. Even after suffering horrendous abuse, my first dog, Twinkle, bonded with me immediately. He held no grudges and loved unconditionally. My second dog, Kizmit, was more complicated; he too experienced a diﬃcult past but did not trust so readily. The bonding took longer. However, once he gave himself over, he was a loyal, loving, incredible little man. The extra effort was well worth having him as part of my family. Bramble, my new little pup, made herself at home straight away, loving me like she had known me forever. She is joy and love rolled up into a crazy haired, long legged, tiny six pound package of energy.

ALL DOGS ARE UNIQUE. They will all present you with challenges, adopted or not. But, once you have bonded with a rescue dog, it’s special, an accomplishment for you both. Some people will always go to breeders. It’s a personal decision, and I totally respect that. My one hope is they seek out reputable breeders and avoid backyard breeders and puppy mills. Nevertheless, I am also confident that there are others who will always adopt. Some have witnessed shy, scared, insecure dogs blossom into confident, happy, loving companions. They understand the power of patience, love, and commitment. Dogs that were once unwanted become treasures to those who welcome them into their lives. Rescue dogs may not come from generations of champions or with papers, yet, to those of us who love them, they are precious, priceless pups that brighten our world and help make our houses homes. Yvonne Harper is a Washington-based author who, through her books, Blind Faith and Blind Faith Expanded, helps raise awareness and celebrate the lives of special need rescue animals. Her books contain photographs and stories of special need rescue dogs and cats.

Scooby Mabey

July 16, 2004 - April 19, 2015

Rachel Mabey On April 19, my Scooby took his last breath while I was by his side. He was almost 11 years old, and his body had worn down. He passed peacefully with his family around him in the back yard of my father’s home. My German Shepherd is one of the most important things in my life. He has been the only consistent thing for the past eight years and was always by my side, even when I didn’t deserve it. Anyone who ever met him loved him. It was hard not to. No dog will ever replace my boy because of how special he is. Although he was afraid of the kitchen tile, I know he would do anything to protect me and the ones he loved. One of his favorite pastimes was playing fetch, especially with his ball. He also loved any kind of stuffed animal, especially the ones that made squeaky noises. I will miss the jingle of his collar and his excited prance when I walked through the door, the kisses and hugs he gave, and the happiness he brought everywhere. Never have I ever met a more gentle and loving soul than that of my Scooby. His big paws were nothing compared to his big heart. Scooby, I’m only able to say good-bye because I know, when it’s my time, you will be at the front gates waiting for me, just like you always have in this life. You have given me something that I will hold dear forever. My gift to you is the release from your pain in this life and the promise that you will always be mine, because I love you.

SAYING GOODBYE

Pets In The City Magazine | June 2015 | 23

Kim Justen

HEN GETTING A PARROT AS A PET, you know you’re

making a life-long commitment. If you think about spending the next fifty years of your life in a cage, you can see the need to keep your parrot busy instead of bored. That can be easy when you’re around the house and available to teach her new tricks and socialize with her, but what do you do while you’re at work to keep her mentally stimulated? The first step to keeping your bird entertained is to OFFER HER A WIDE VARIETY OF TOYS, but not all at once. Have a toy stash and switch a toy out every few days. This way, your parrot has a constantly changing collection of a few toys in her cage from which to choose.

Pets In The City Magazine

In their natural environment, parrots have to forage for their meals, evade predators, and build a home. Try giving your bird some of those same opportunities in her cage.

CREATE FORAGING SITUATIONS FOR YOUR PARROT. Wrap a foot toy or small food treat in

some butcher paper. Your feathered friend gets the stimulation of foraging and then opening and finding her treat. If her treat is a toy that needs to be further manipulated to get a goodie, so much the better. Just make sure it’s not so hard that your parrot gets bored or frustrated.

June 2015

Parrots like visual and auditory stimulation. Putting her cage in a place that allows for A VIEW OF AN ACTIVE STREET OR YARD can give her something to watch. Just make sure that spot also has a regulated temperature and a shady spot in the cage all day, so your friend can get out of the sun when needed. If an active outdoor view isn’t possible, CONSIDER AN

AQUARIUM OR LEAVING THE TELEVISION ON FOR HER. If you

remember that your bird has the attention span of a small child, you can find great viewing for her on most children’s stations not

likely to frighten her in the same way a show about predators on Animal Planet might. Also remember that birds communicate through their calls, so GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO LISTEN TO, but provide a variety. Just like you and I can’t sit through the same music every day, neither can your bird. And consider what your parrot is listening to, since there’s a fair chance she may repeat it later. In front of your in-laws. Finally, make sure you SPEND SOME QUALITY TIME WITH YOUR PARROT EVERY DAY. Give her some time in the morning to fly around her approved space while you get ready. Talk to her while you prepare for work, so she feels like part of the action. Like most pets, parrots like a set routine. If your bird gets daily social time with you, she’s going to be much more happy and well-adjusted than if she’s left to her own devices in her cage all the time.

Pets In The City Magazine |

June 2015

Madame Tabu’s Horoscope * *

FOR YOU AND YOUR PETS JUNE 2015 Gemini (May 21 – Jun 21) If you’ve been putting off your pet’s regular vaccines, don’t delay any longer. Make an appointment with the vet this month to ensure his health stays strong.

Cancer (Jun 22 – July 22) Let your spontaneous nature guide you and your pet on an afternoon adventure one day this month. You’ll return rejuvenated!

Leo (July 23 – Aug 22) Celebrate the summer solstice (June 21) by hosting a pet-friendly block party or BBQ to let your social side shine.

Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 19) Don’t worry that you’re going soft as you find yourself opening up more emotionally after June 12. It’s just Neptune retrograde, and it’ll pass.

Aquarius (Jan 20 – Feb 18) As you plan your summer vacations this month, be sure to check out petfriendly establishments to bring your animal companion along.

Virgo (Aug 23 – Sept 22) You and your pet have been feeling restless, so take advantage of the good weather to get outside for a nature walk or hike.

If you’ve been tongue-tied heading into June, don’t sweat it. When Mercury, which rules communication, turns direct on June 11, you’ll be back to your sweet talking self.

Scorpio (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Sagittarius (Nov 22 – Dec 21) Celebrate the father in your life with a creative gift you make yourself for Father’s Day on June 21 (which is also the summer solstice).

The new moon on June 16 fires your pet’s bravery, so keep an extra close watch that his bravery doesn’t turn into recklessness.

June 2015

Pets In The City Magazine

Libra (Sept 23 – Oct 22)

Pisces (Feb 19 – Mar 20) Things have been pretty serious lately, so take some time this month to lighten up by increasing play time with your pet.

Aries (March 21 – April 19) You’ve been busy lately, so take some time this month to stop and smell the roses. Take a cue from your pet and live in the NOW.

Taurus (Apr 20 – May 20) Your pet’s passive nature may turn a bit more stubborn this month as Mars enters Cancer, so exercise a little more patience till it passes.

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

Stetson

Tonya Landon

I am a new pet owner and am wondering what I can do to prepare my pets for a disaster. – Chris

It is very important to think about your pets and prepare for an emergency. An emergency could be a loss of income for the family, a natural disaster, an illness or injury of a pet or its owner. Stock up. I would recommend that you store at least a one-month supply of pet food, medications, and daily necessities for each animal. Pet stores and online merchants, such as wag.com, chewy.com, and pet360.com frequently have sales on pet foods. These online stores offer free shipping to your door for orders over $50. Pet insurance. This type of insurance is becoming popular as it helps the owner of an injured or ill pet to make life or death decisions based on veterinary advice, not the price of care. Once accepted into a program, a waiting period of around three months is usually stipulated before you can file a claim. Upon payment of services, you send in your claim and veterinary bills, and the insurance company reimburses you a certain percentage of the bill. This reimbursement can be anywhere from 50-90 percent of the treatment cost after the deductible. It is important to check how much the deductible is, if there are preexisting condition limits, or if certain breeds, ages, or conditions are not covered.

Cons. Losing money if your pet stays healthy or your veterinary bills don’t reach your deductible. For any veterinary services, you still need money up front to pay for the treatment.

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If you have questions for Stetson, please send them to askstetson@gmail.com.

June 2015

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.

Money saving account. Put money away in an account that is just for your animal emergencies. Even as little as $10 a month can add up to $120 a year of extra funds. You can also put the monthly premiums of pet insurance in your savings account if you decide not to sign up for insurance. The funds will add up quickly.

Pets In The City Magazine

Pros. Not having to make life or death decisions for your pet based on finances. You will pay a lot less money if your pet needs surgery, chemotherapy, or other expensive treatments.

FAMILY FUN AS TOLD BY THEM

Riley Goes to His Favorite Dog Parks

South Dog Ogden

Ogden

Park

Farmington

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO HUMPHREY

Betty G. Birney Easy Chapter Book: Grades 2 to 4

nL HermaPark s k n a r F

Salt Lake City

Park Dog PCity ark

June 2015 |

This humorous tale about animals and school introduces Humphrey, a classroom hamster, and his adventures with new friends.

WOOF

City SandyPark Dog

215

Park City

West Jordan

Pets In The City Magazine

North Salt Lake

MEMOIRS OF A GOLDFISH

Memoirs of a Goldﬁsh follows a pet goldfish whose simple daily routine gets interrupted as his owner puts various kinds of sea creatures in his bowl. A humorous, fun read aloud or read alone for all ages.

Layton

215

Ever wonder what your pet is thinking? This month’s stories are about animal hijinks, new friends, and mysteries told from the pet’s perspective.

Devin Scillian Picture Book: Ages 0 and up

Clearfield

n Jordaark P g o D

Kira Moody

Sandy

Herman L Franks Park 1371 S. 800 E., SLC Jordan Dog Park 5982 New Bingham Hwy, West Jordan Park City Dog Park (at Recreation Complex) Round Valley Dr. & Gilmore Way, Park City Sandy City Dog Park 9980 S. 300 E., Sandy South Ogden Dog Park 4150 S. Palmer Dr, Ogden

Spencer Quinn Middle Grade Chapter Book: Grades 4 to 7 This suspenseful adventure follows Bowser and his girl, Birdie, as they try to uncover who stole Granny’s prized marlin. This is an entertaining book to read aloud or alone.

Kira Moody is a librarian with Salt Lake County Library Services. All books reviewed here are available for checkout through the library.

PET PEEVES

CALL wild OF THE

Bringing Home Animals Caught In Nature Lance Weeks One of my fondest memories of growing up, at the ripe age of nine, is sitting in the middle of a sagebrush field and watching the chipmunks dine on sagebrush seeds. As they became more familiar with me over days, they finally accepted that I did not pose a threat. After a few weeks of this meddling in their business and me continually offering them a dab of peanut butter on the end of my finger, they were curious enough to come close and have a taste. They didn’t stay near my finger long, but that was all I wanted from them. I had gained their trust, and nobody could take that away. My experience is that with enough patience, you can interact with a wild animal on a personal basis. Prior to that little insight, I caught a chipmunk and kept it as a “pet” for about six months through the winter and then, come spring, I released it back where I took it into captivity. Keeping it in a cage — probably terrified — was nowhere near the exciting encounter with a wild animal on its terms and home ground.

I understand the urge to bring home that lizard or spider from southern Utah. However, when someone asks me “what does it need to eat,” I’m tempted to say, “take it back to where you got it.” Unfortunately, that is a long drive, and the animal is probably already stressed to the point that it will not survive captivity or the ride home.

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Lance Weeks is the owner of Living Safari, a pet store in Sandy, UT that specializes in exotics. The store has a nocturnal room where you can see some of their nocturnal animals in a moonlit environment. Roger, his pet Bearded Dragon, greets visitors at the door.

June 2015

Meanwhile, when you encounter a wild animal, consider the sighting a gift. Take a photograph. Give it a little wave. That is the best ways to show your love of the wild.

Please, please, please leave wild animals in the wild. Instead, if you still feel a strong need to get a more exotic creature, get a captive-bred (born in captivity) animal from a reliable pet store or breeder, being sure that it is healthy and well cared for. Besides, animals that are indigenous (native) to Utah cannot be sold in Utah pet stores, or you would see us saving you the trip to Southern Utah for your horny toad.

Pets In The City Magazine

All kids and even some adults desire to catch a lizard, rodent, or insect and take it home. First off, anything in the wild can have disease, parasites, mites, ticks, you name it, and something bad may come along for the ride to your house. Secondly, a wild animal requires specific habitat, food, temperature and lighting, room, etc. to ﬂourish in captivity. Remember: it IS a wild animal, and now you have taken it out of its natural surroundings and confined it to what you think it will need, which most likely will be inadequate, because you can’t compete with the whole of nature to meet its needs, including enclaves for safety or even specific proteins in its diet.

PHOTOS

YOUR PETS IN THE CITY Do you want to share a photo of your pet?

Shilo

Loca

Email your highresolution photo & your petâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name to info@petsinthecitymagazine.com.

Molly & Joe Homer & Rhino

Jenny

Annabelle Chiki

Rama

Mimi

Arnie

June 2015

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Bleau

Penny & Jasmine

Chiki,Gusgus & Tyson

Oreo

Gemma

Pets In The City Magazine |

June 2015