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October 2014
Pets In The City Magazine
Pets In The City Magazine
October 2014
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Event Calendar
October 25
October 10 & 11 What Where When Info
NKUT Animal Adoption Weekend Utah State Fair Park Friday 12 noon – 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Free admission and parking, nkut.org/events
What Where When Info
A.A. Callister Pet Costume Contest 3615 S. Redwood Road Saturday 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. See ad on page 23. Win Purina Pet Food for a Year! All Species Welcome. Submit your photos online: facebook.com/callisters or email before October 30th tlittledike@callisters.com
October 11 What Where When Info
Draper Animal Hospital Open House 783 E. 12300 S., Ste. A Draper, Utah 84020 Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Ribbon cutting @ 11 a.m. with the Draper Chamber of Commence “Dress Your Pet” Halloween Costume Contest. Food, Drinks and Prizes! 801-553-2104
October 25 What Where When Info
Utah Dog Park Open House & Halloween Party 1977 W. North Temple, SLC 84116 Saturday 10/25 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Celebrate their airport facility’s 1st anniversary. Visit utahdogpark.com for more info.
October 13 What Where When Info
Bark-tober Fest Howl’Oween Parade Wheeler Farm- Pumpkin Patch 6351 S. 900 E. SLC 84121 Monday, October 13 6 - 8 p.m. CCost $15. Includes parade and doggie goodie bag. All proceeds benefit Wheeler Historic Farm Registration: Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. or online www.wheelerfarm.com. Deadline Friday October 10 at 6 p.m. or until spaces are full.
October 31 What Where When Info
Annual Park City Howl-o-Ween Dog Parade on Main Street Meet at the Egyptian Theatre and 9th Street October 31 at 5 p.m. The parade is free, but if you want to compete for prizes and awards, there is a $10 fee to enter the costume contest. For more information or to register, visit www.foautah.org. Sponsored by Friends of Animals Utah.
Send in your upcoming events now! Email details to info@petsinthecitymagazine.com.
TABLE of CONTENTS
Pets In The City Magazine
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October 2014
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS LETTER FROM THE STAFF BREED ALL ABOUT IT Hairless Kitty: An Amazingly Warm Companion - Mona Mistric EXPERT ADVICE Solving Feline Inappropriate Urination Issues - Alyssa Hughes, DVM MADAME TABU’S PET HOROSCOPE EXPERT ADVICE Sedation vs. Anesthesia - Jess Anderson, DVM ASK STETSON - Tonya Landon BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Utah Dog Park - Kim Justen TRICK-OR-TREATS FOR YOUR PET - Sarah Tyler ANIMALS IN THE NEWS - Chanté McCoy TEAMING UP FOR MAX Three people help a horse recover — and thrive - April A. Northstrom SPOTLIGHT ON WASATCH AVIAN EDUCATION SOCIETY Learn more about proper parrot care - Chase Kimball ANIMAL IDIOMS A Little Bird Told Me - Chanté McCoy
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PETS FOR YOUR HEALTH Peace and Calm - Chanté McCoy SAYING GOODBYE For the Love of a Dog: A Tribute to Daisy - Jennifer Hughes FAMILY FUN - Bat Word Search - Draw Your Own Jack-o-lanterns HANGING ABOUT & GOING BATTY! - Vickee Lucero RESCUE ME YOUR PETS IN THE CITY PHOTOS (CONTEST DETAILS!)
LETTER FROM THE STAFF We want to remind everyone about the COVER MODEL CONTEST, deadline, and rules. Go to www.petsinthecitymagazine.com for details. All pets entered will appear in a future issue of Pets In The City Magazine’s Pet Page. The winner will be selected by our readers on our PICM Facebook page and receive a professional photo shoot by Chris Dickinson Photography, as well as their photo on a cover of Pets in the City Magazine!
CALLING ALL LOCAL FILMMAKERS, professional and amateur! Submit your short pet videos (in 3 minutes or less) by December 10 for our first annual PICM Film Festival. We also need film buffs to volunteer on our PICM Film Festival committee.The event will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2015, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the west wing of the Kafeneio Coffee House meeting room. Please go to www.petsinthecitymagazine.com for details.
PUBLISHER PICM Publishing, LLC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Genevieve Campbell EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Chanté McCoy MANAGING EDITOR Deborah Myers COPY EDITOR Jennafer Martin PUBLIC RELATIONS / SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Jennafer Martin STAFF WRITERS April A. Northstrom Jennafer Martin / Kim Justen Mona Mistric / Sarah Tyler / Tonya Landon CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jess Anderson, DVM Alyssa Hughes, DVM GUEST WRITERS Chase Kimball Lance Weeks / Vickee Lucero READER SUBMISSION Jennifer Hughes STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Chris Dickinson CIRCULATION Shane Myers, Circulation Manager 801-455-7032 City Weekly Distribution Smith’s Grocery Store Racks
SALES & ADVERTISING Beverly Egleston 801.661.7142 bevsbest86@gmail.com Deborah Myers 801.702.1171 debbiepetsinthecitymagazine@gmail.com
www.petsinthecitymagazine.com
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 © 2014 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.
October 2014
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.
Pets In The City Magazine
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Michelle Bellinger All illustrations created by Mashiara Graphics. Copyrighted 2014.
BREED ALL ABOUT IT Mona Mistric Cathy Cameron’s boss gave her an unusual Christmas bonus five years ago: a hairless kitty named Bubba Suede Beatty, affectionately called Bubba. Bubba is a Peterbald, a Russian Hairless (Donskoy) bred to an Oriental Shorthair. He was raised with dogs at a day care, so he thinks he is a dog. Cathy (aka Cat) had two dogs: Pinky and Bruce Wayne, both male. Bubba immediately became best friends with both of them. Bubba is very gentle, loving, and affectionate with a regal look about him. He has a sweetly expressive, interesting face, making him appear highly intelligent, which he is. He purrs and cuddles; however, he does NOT behave like the furry cats. He is an extrovert. He has a vibrant personality, greets Cat when she comes home, and enjoys lots of attention. He is especially fond of people and gets along and plays well with others, including other cats and dogs.
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October 2014
Pets In The City Magazine
Cat owns and operates The Lapdog Lounge and is well loved by her clientele and highly respected in the community. She has a big heart and has provided many hours of service to companion animals. Bubba is the greeter at the Lapdog Lounge, as he likes to meet everyone and is well known and liked by the clientele. You’d think it was his business, not Cat’s.
In 2013, Cat was diagnosed with advanced carcinoma cancer and, her insurance company denied coverage, claiming it was a pre-existing condition. Bubba wants to raise money for his human mother. Please donate to help Bubba save Cat. Any donation would be helpful. Call the Lapdog Lounge at (801) 953-1046 to donate.
Man has been breeding felines for eons: long hair, short hair, different colors, short legs, and so on. Although hairless cats have been reported throughout history, as far back as the time of the Aztecs, it wasn’t until the 1960’s when two different sets of hairless felines were born in nature in North America, which inspired many committed, competent individuals to continue the breed, so we can enjoy them today. There are six breeds of hairless cats: Elf Cat, Bambino, Peterbald, Ukrainian Levkoy, Donskoy, and the most famous one, Sphynx. Some have adorable floppy ears or ears that curl back into points; some have short, stumpy legs, or a narrow, long head; some have webbed feet and a long, rat-like tail. They appear to be bald; however, they are actually covered in light fuzz. All are very loving, affectionate, and extremely sociable, and enjoy the company of other animals, people, and children.
Pets In The City Magazine
October 2014
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EXPERT ADVICE
Solving Feline Inappropriate Urination Issues
Note: 20 percent of cats (usually males) can develop a life-threatening obstruction in which they cannot urinate. As time passes without being able to urinate, these kitties will become lethargic, stop eating, may hide, and often start vomiting. If you observe any of these signs, please take your cat to your veterinarian immediately! Cats with FLUTD are more likely to be male and overweight, but females may also be affected. Some of these cats will have associated medical problems, such as bladder stones (20%), urethral blockage (20%), cancer in the urinary tract (<5%), and trauma (<5%). However, more than 50 percent of cases have an unknown cause despite extensive testing!
FLUTD can be a frustrating condition to treat and prevent because of several features: 1. So many cases have no known underlying cause.
2. It tends to be a chronic recurring condition; signs will wax and wane. 3. Most medications prescribed for the condition are no more effective than a placebo.
4. Very few cats have a true infection, so antibiotics are largely ineffective.
Alyssa Hughes, DVM
Many cat owners will agree that one of the most frustrating feline
medical problems is inappropriate urination. In fact, it is the #1 reason that cats are surrendered to animal shelters, and it is estimated that up to 24 percent of cats will have an inappropriate urination problem during their lifetimes.
Pets In The City Magazine
Contrary to popular belief, cats don’t urinate outside the box because they are feeling angry or spiteful. While some inappropriate urination is due to a purely behavioral problem, it is often due to a medical condition known as feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). While the signs of FLUTD mimic a urinary tract infection, in fact, fewer than 5 percent of cats will have a true infection. FLUTD (also called cystitis, or FUS) is actually a sterile inflammatory response in the bladder and lower urinary tract that can be quite uncomfortable. Although symptoms usually resolve on their own within 5-7 days, without medical intervention they will inevitably recur, leading to painful kitties and frustrated owners down the road.
October 2014
What are the signs?
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FLUTD is characterized by some or all of the following signs: • urinating outside the litter box (i.e., in the bathtub, laundry basket, or the potted plant) • blood in the urine • frequent visits to the litter box • straining to urinate and producing very little
Bladder Stone
What helps to prevent recurrence of urinary signs? There is no proven preventative medication for FLUTD. Clinical trials suggest that canned prescription diets (for instance Hill’s c/d or Royal Canin s/o), may reduce the incidence of recurrent FLUTD episodes and urethral obstruction. Adding water to the diet and/or feeding canned diets has also been shown to reduce recurrence of cystitis. Acute episodes are often managed with pain medication, and glucosamine supplements may help protect the bladder from inflammation as well. Finally, extra body fat in cats is known to release inflammatory chemicals which can make this syndrome worse, so keeping our pets at a healthy weight is important.
Dr. Hughes is a 2008 graduate of Cornell University and recently moved to Utah from Vermont. She is an associate veterinarian at University Veterinary Hospital and Diagnostic Center in Salt Lake City.
Madame Tabu’s
PET HOROSCOPE
FOR YOU AND YOUR PETS
October 2014
Libra (Sept 23 – Oct 22) Enjoy being in your element — air — this month as the wind kicks up and the weather turns cool, fueling your artistic side.
Scorpio (Oct 23 – Nov 21) Your ability to focus gets stronger this month, so tackle those projects you’ve been putting off— especially any areas of your pet’s grooming that need attention.
Sagittarius (Nov 22 – Dec 21) Take advantage of your adventurous nature and explore a new part of town with your pet for discoveries as fresh as Columbus’.
Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 19) The new moon on October 23 gives you a great opportunity to check in with yourself to start any projects you’ve been putting on the back burner.
Aquarius (Jan 20 – Feb 18) Your passion for a cause dear to your heart gains passion when Venus enters Scorpio on October 23, so grab your pet and contribute!
Pisces (Feb 19 – Mar 20) Your pet may beg for treats as persistently as a trick-or-treater this month, but make sure to table the treats and use them only to encourage desired behavior.
Aries (March 21 – April 19) Since Mars rules your sign, try dressing you and your pet in matching warrior costumes for Halloween this year.
Saturn in your relationship sector may have made it difficult to connect to your pet lately, but this month things shift and you experience a strong connection. Enjoy!
Gemini (May 21 – Jun 21) Variety is the spice of life, so switch up your Halloween treat by giving away pet treats for those who bring their pets in costume to trick or treat!
Cancer (Jun 22 – July 22) If the last half of September made you work overtime, take extra time this month to play with your pet for extra rest & relaxation.
Pets In The City Magazine
Taurus (Apr 20 – May 20)
Leo (July 23 – Aug 22)
Virgo (Aug 23 – Sept 22) Your strong communication skills may seem to short circuit when Mercury goes retrograde October 4, so have extra patience with yourself and your pet this month.
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Madam Tabu’s horoscopes are translated through the human pet psychic Jennafer Martin, www.PetInsightsbyJennafer.com.
October 2014
Mars is in your true love sector until October 26, so get out there and find a fabulous fellow pet lover to date.
EXPERT ADVICE
SEDATION VS. ANESTHESIA
FOR PETS Jess Anderson, DVM In a veterinary hospital, some commonly performed procedures, such as removal of a foxtail from the ear or getting certain x-rays, require that a pet be somewhat or completely relaxed. Pets often need a little help with this and require sedation. Other procedures, such as spaying and neutering, require that a pet be anesthetized. I have found that the meaning of these terms can sometimes be confusing to owners and are easily mixed up. Knowing the difference between different levels of sedation and anesthesia can help you as an owner be more informed for the health and well-being of your pet.
ANESTHESIA
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October 2014
Pets In The City Magazine
The term anesthesia literally means ‘without feeling’ and describes the state where a stimulus, such as a surgical incision or a wound being sutured, is not perceived by the patient. General anesthesia occurs when a substance is given that affects how the brain processes sensory information, so that the stimulus is not felt. During general anesthesia, a patient is unconscious and does not process any stimulus — light, sound, pain, etc. — normally. There can be, however, various planes or depths of general anesthesia. A light plane of anesthesia may be adequate to prevent a patient from feeling something that is mildly painful, such as a superficial wound being sutured, whereas a much deeper plane of anesthesia may be needed to prevent a patient from feeling something extremely painful, such as the manipulation and repair of a broken bone. Most often, general anesthesia in dogs and cats is given as a gas that the animal breathes through a tube placed in his/her trachea. The depth of anesthesia can be adjusted by administering a higher or lower concentration of gas as needed. To be able to place a tube in a pet’s airway, a patient is first given an induction agent, usually a short-acting medication that is given intravenously and that briefly anesthetizes a pet, so that the tube can be placed and anesthesia can be administered with gas. Often times, several minutes prior to induction and general anesthesia, sedatives of some type are given to help keep the patient relaxed, make the process go smoother, and reduce the amount of anesthetic gas that is needed to maintain an appropriate anesthetic depth.
usually stings. Local anesthetics are often used in combination with sedation to remove a small growth or suture a small laceration. With regional anesthesia, an injection is given around a nerve or the spinal cord and results in decreased sensation to a large area of the body. An epidural is an example of regional anesthesia. Regional anesthesia is often used in pets in combination with general anesthesia in order to be able to keep a patient in a relatively light plane of anesthesia where otherwise a deeper plane would be needed. Regional anesthesia can also dramatically reduce discomfort when a patient wakes up from a painful procedure, such as knee surgery or fractured bone repair.
SEDATION
Sedation refers to a state of increased relaxation and decreased excitability. Just like with general anesthesia, sedation has different planes or levels. Very light sedation may be used to reduce anxiety and help keep a patient calm for a procedure such as an ultrasound. Moderate sedation may be needed for especially nervous dogs or cats to perform such procedures as nail trims or positioning for certain x-ray views that require muscle relaxation. For some procedures, deep sedation is necessary. With all but the deepest sedation, patients retain some level of consciousness and will respond to certain stimuli. There are a great number of sedatives used in veterinary medicine. Some sedatives are very mild and can induce only a light level of sedation; others can be potent at high doses and can even induce general anesthesia. Many sedatives have some pain-relieving properties, and conversely, many strong pain relievers have some sedating properties and can be used for sedation. The effects of some sedatives can be reversed by giving another injection, while the effects of others must wear off with time. Within the clinic, I frequently use injectable sedatives. I give them at low levels to help keep anxious patients calm for taking x-rays or performing an ultrasound. I give them at moderate doses for minor surgical procedures, such as wound repair, where I can combine the sedative with a local block to prevent the patient from feeling pain associated with the procedure. For procedures that may be moderately painful, such as manipulating a joint to check for a torn ligament, I will select a sedative that has good pain-relieving effects. For these purposes, injectable sedatives generally work quickly and predictably.
When an anesthetic procedure is over, the anesthetic gas is shut off, and the patient wakes up by breathing out through the lungs the gas that was absorbed in through the lungs.
Sedatives can also be given orally. They can be prescribed for pets with noise-phobias around the Fourth of July. They can be very helpful for pets during travel or when visiting the groomer. Oral sedatives generally take a little while to have an effect. They work best when given prior to a pet’s expected excitement. With many oral sedatives, each pet’s responsiveness to the sedative is variable, and the dose may have to be adjusted based on that response. Most sedatives that are prescribed for oral use will only result in a light or moderate level of sedation.
Sometimes a form of anesthesia other than general anesthesia is used. With local anesthesia, for example, a small area can be made numb so that the patient cannot feel anything in this area. This is done by injecting lidocaine or another local anesthetic agent directly into the tissue that needs to be numbed. Local anesthesia has no effect on a patient’s consciousness, so its effects are limited to the area in which it is injected. The injection itself
Dr. Anderson is a veterinarian at Timpanogos Animal Hospital in Pleasant Grove, Utah. His professional interests include dentistry, surgery, and internal medicine. Besides dogs, cats, horses and cattle, Dr. Anderson has worked with sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, and pigs and even had one run-in with a water buffalo.
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Pets In The City Magazine
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Stetson
Tonya Landon
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October 2014
Pets In The City Magazine
I have an 8-month-old puppy that loves kids. My little boy came running into the house dressed in his Halloween costume (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle), and our dog growled and barked at him. Our dog was fine with him after he removed his mask. Is my dog becoming kid aggressive? – Amber Halloween is a favorite for many people but can be scary to us dogs. We don’t recognize that there are kids behind the masks and paint. When your son came running into the house all dressed up, your dog didn’t recognize your son and probably thought the house was being invaded by little green men. She reacted by barking and growling but calmed down when she realized the masked creature was your son. Keep in mind that most of us dogs use our sense of smell first before our hearing or sight. The costumes can smell like paint, plastic, and chemicals. It can take our noses a little time to sift through those smells before we smell a human. HUMAN OR INVADER? Dogs need to become aware that people dress up in silly things. It will be important that you show your dog that there is a person or child behind the costume or mask. Have your child and his friends show up to your house for a mock party night. Lay out the costumes and encourage your dog to smell them. Have the kids dress in their costumes, minus their masks. Encourage your dog to investigate the kids as they dress up and reward her with calm praise and treats. Once your dog is comfortable with the kids in their costumes, have each kid take turns putting on their masks. As each child puts on a mask, have them offer the dog a treat. After all the children are fully dressed in their costumes, have them move around the house. Do not allow the children to purposely scare your dog. Once your dog is fine with the ghosts and goblins moving around the house, have them go outside and ring the doorbell. Have each child ring the doorbell one by one and offer your dog a treat every time you open the door. Your dog will soon learn that children dressed in costumes equal a yummy treat. Just to be on the safe side, plan on keeping your dog secured on Halloween night.
Tonya Landon is a professional dog trainer with Diamonds in the Ruff. She recused 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
October 2014
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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Kim Justen The holidays are just around the corner, and with them comes the need to board pets. But handing your pets over to a stranger for care can be hard. Luckily, there are places like Utah Dog Park that will treat your pet like a member of their family.
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October 2014
Pets In The City Magazine
“Here, the dogs have free run of the place all day,” says Julie Yunk, general manager. “During the day, we only lock them up if they have lunch.” Active dogs can be in large or small play areas while couches, dog beds, and even TV sets are available for rest times. Best of all, there are people who want to pamper the dogs. “The staff is working with them all day,” says Yunk. “We entertain them…we play with them, pet them. We make sure they’re playing safely and playing nicely, and they’re happy and healthy.”
says Yunk. The standard size is 4 x 6 feet, but there are larger suites if you want additional space, or if you want your whole crew to be able to sleep together. Have a cat? No problem. Utah Dog Park boards all types of pets. Cats are boarded at the Woods Cross facility, but you can drop all your pets off at the North Temple facility just before you board your flight, and they’ll transport your cat to and from Woods Cross. One of the nicest features of the Dog Park is that it’s got a vet onsite. “Dr. Pam Nichols also owns the Animal Care Center,” says Yunk. “It’s really convenient because if there’s ever an emergency, or your dog’s vaccines need to be updated, it can be done right here.” They also have a Pet Protection Plan, which provides pet insurance for their guests. Dogs play, and sometimes accidents happen. With the protection plan, if your pet gets hurt while at the Utah Dog Park, her care is covered.
Utah Dog Park requires your pet go through a preliminary interview process, which helps Traveling over the holidays is stressful enough them assess how to best meet your pet’s needs. without worrying about your pets as well. Make your reservations now, and your pets “We test out dog personalities off leash, will be ready to visit their home away from and see if they play well with others,” says home, so the only thing you have to worry Yunk. Assuming she passes the test, your dog about is lump-less gravy! is invited back for a free visit. In order to participate in group play, dogs must be up to date on their vaccines, and spayed or neutered Check out Utah Dog Park and help if they are eight months or older. The free celebrate their airport facility’s first visit helps your dog acclimate to the park, anniversary at their Open House and and helps relive any stress from a new place Halloween Party on October 25, from because it’s just a day visit. If they find she isn’t noon - 4:00 p.m. There will be food, ready for group time, Utah Dog Park offers traditional boarding as well. But the kennels games for pets and kids, and a costume aren’t typical. They have solid walls on the contest. Visit UtahDogPark.com sides and glass fronts, so they look more like for more info. rooms. “They’re less stressful for the dogs,”
Pets In The City Magazine
October 2014
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Trick-or-Treats for Your Pet Follow these tips to keep your pets safe this Halloween.
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October 2014
Pets In The City Magazine
Sarah Tyler
My dog, Leonidas, was super excited to see his Halloween costumes pulled out of storage. By “super excited,” I mean that he ran for it. So yeah, not all pets are into the whole “celebrate the season and get dressed up” thing. But there are a few pastimes that pets seem to love being a part of that we, as pet owners, need to take extra precautions regarding. Follow these tips to make your Halloween a pet-safe one. Halloween candy is definitely something to be cautious about. Chocolate contains two key elements that are bad for pets: theobromine and caffeine. Theobromine is the main killer, a stimulant to the central nervous system and heart, with its side effects exacerbated by caffeine. On the flip side, it relaxes smooth muscle like the bronchials and increases kidney excretions. When it hits your pet’s system, effects can range from light nausea and increased body temperature to excessive diarrhea or even death. But don’t panic if Fido’s gotten ahold of the candy bowl — it might not be as bad as you think. To be fatal for pets, chocolate consumption has to be a lot more than a single miniature candy bar, but just because it doesn’t kill them, doesn’t mean it won’t make them horribly sick. So be diligent and keep those treats out of your pet’s reach in sealable containers. And if you have any concerns at all, call your vet.
Other ideas for a pet-safe holiday include:
October 2014
Halloween is a fun time for pets and people alike. By taking small precautions throughout the night, you’re guaranteed to have a safe and spooktacular time!
Pets In The City Magazine
• Keep your pets distracted from your candy with long lasting, pet-friendly treats, like chew toys or rawhides. • Put your pet in a reflective or light-up collar or harness to increase visibility on the evening walk. • Use a shorter leash to keep your pets close at your side to avoid possible altercations with passersby — your dog may attack a costumed child wearing a confusing or intimidating visage in an effort to protect your family. • Put up a baby- or pet-gate to keep pets from rushing to the front door every time trick-ortreaters ring. Keeping them at a safe distance from the door will decrease the chance that they will escape, show aggression to a stranger, or steal candy.
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Local Animals In The News Chanté McCoy HORSE CARRIAGE BUSINESS CLOSES Carriage for Hire has closed its business a year after the publicized death of Jerry, the carriage-pulling horse, in August 2013. While the owners say the horse died of colic, some — including the Humane Society of Utah (HSU) and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) — voiced concern that the high heat and urban conditions contributed to his death. Earlier this year, the Salt Lake City Council adopted new regulations regarding horse-drawn carriages. With the withdrawal of Carriage for Hire, the city’s only horse carriage business, Councilman Charlie Luke says the council may consider a ban on horse carriages, joining the likes of Paris, London, and Beijing.
Pets In The City Magazine
According to HSU, “Urban areas present dangerous and stressful conditions for horses to work and live in. They stand the very real risk of overheating on hot asphalt while having to endure loud noises and breathe exhaust fumes for several hours a day. In the winter months, they are forced to work in frigid, inclement conditions.” UTAH ENDS PRISON MUSTANG PROGRAM
The Utah Department of Corrections claims that the program is operating at a financial deficit. However, according to the Salt Lake Tribune, an audit conducted by U.S. Office of Inspector General revealed “$2,004,553 in funding from the BLM to the state’s Department of Corrections were found to be either questionable or unsupported — meaning Utah failed to adequately document or justify how such monies were used.” TESTS CONFIRM PIG VIRUS ON UTAH FARM In early September, tests confirmed the presence of the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) at Beaver County’s Circle 4, Utah’s largest hog farm.
DOGS INJURED AND KILLED IN TRAPS
USDA recommends stringent “animal biosecurity practices” that include the slaughter of any pigs at fairs or other livestock shows to prevent the spread of the disease.
According to Etzler, “If you live in a rural area like we live here and you’ve got BLM land contiguous to your property, they can legally put their traps ten inches from your property line.”
Circle 4, owned by Virginia-based Smithfield Farms, is one of the largest pork producers in the country. Annually, it raises and slaughters 1.2 million hogs.
Utah allows for trapping of bobcat, marten, fox, beaver, mink, weasel, ringtail, muskrat, skunk, and coyote. According to the “Furbearer Guidebook” published by the Utah Division of Wildlife Services, “trappers have an ethical obligation not to set traps in areas where they are likely to be encountered by the general public or their pets.”
CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARD AND HSU CALL FOR ADDITIONAL POLICE TRAINING
As of early September, Utah allotted the BLM 30 days to place 1,126 wild horses from the program. The BLM expected most to be placed in out-ofstate facilities.
According to the report, “This case illuminates the need for additional training and tools for the officers to use if they believe they may encounter a dog. PCRB recommends that the Department seek training and advice from other agencies/
October 2014
The Humane Society of Utah (HSU) further recommends that all police departments in the state pursue additional training. According to Gene Baierschmidt, HSU director, “The officer involved in the shooting admitted to the PCRB he has not received any specific training related to adverse encounters with dogs. The Humane Society of Utah finds this to be more than troubling. We regard dogs to be family members and believe law enforcement officers should always be equipped with non-lethal tools, and receive proper training on the use of those tools in situations like this.”
Common in Asia and Europe, the virus was first reported 16 months ago in the United States. According to the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (USDA), PEDv is a pig farming virus only affecting pigs, and poses no risk to other animals, humans, or food safety. However, the highly contagious disease causes a high mortality rate among piglets and affects the growth and health of young swine.
Following a financial dispute with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Utah officials are closing a mustang training program at the Gunnison prison, which has been in place since 2007. In the program, a crew of 11 to 17 inmates work with the wild horses to place about 50 in adoption each year.
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entities who have established such programs in an effort to be more prepared in future canvassing types of incidents.”
In July, the Salt Lake City Police Civilian Review Board (PCRB) issued a report on its findings concerning the police shooting of Geist, a family dog shot in his own backyard.
A Modena, Utah family is trying to raise awareness about animal trapping in the state and the dangers to pets. After the death of one of their dogs and another losing a leg, John Etzler and his family also hope the laws that allow for placement of steel jaw animal traps on public lands will be changed.
UtahPAWS (Pets and Wildland Safety) is a state organization created specifically in response to pets being injured by traps, including dogs on popular hiking spots or cats wandering out of their yards and into traps in rural areas. Its website (utahpaws.org) provides “information about common types of traps, how they work, how to avoid them and how to help your pet if they are caught.”
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Teaming Up for Max
When an injured horse didn’t want to give up, three people teamed up to help him recover — and thrive. April A. Northstrom American Appendix horses are often referred to as “the best of two breeds” because they’re a combination of the strong build of a thoroughbred horse and the supremely determined nature of a quarter horse. And Max, a 30-year-old Appendix horse, is both of these things plus a little extra. His vibrant spirit and particularly strong will to persevere are what drew Dr. Debbie Hadlock, VMD (Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris), to adopt Max when he was 12 years old — and what continued to impress her during a life-threatening health scare years later.
Pets In The City Magazine
In late fall 2008, Max and Dr. Debbie made the journey from New York to Utah. Max was 24 years old and had lost the vision in his left eye from a condition called “moon blindness”. This was a risky trip for the strongest of horses, but with Debbie’s careful support — which entailed even sleeping on a bale of hay in his trailer — Max made it like a champion. Unfortunately, not long after arriving in Utah, Max was attacked by two younger horses at his new stable and suffered deep cuts to his back and a severely damaged right leg. His poor vision and older age made it impossible to defend himself. Max’s condition deteriorated rapidly, and he struggled to move and sleep. He was not expected to survive.
Verna Nielsen, who helps rehabilitate horses that otherwise would not be given a chance to heal at Fox Meadow Ranch in Park City, did not hesitate to take in Max. Max was in a difficult state when he arrived at Fox Meadow and required constant care. Other veterinarians had refused to help with treatment for Max’s wounds. They considered it cruel to work on a lost cause. Because Drs. Hadlock and Wright, as well as Verna, didn’t agree, “Team Max” was born. “As long as Max wanted to go forward, we did too,” says Dr. Debbie. Team Max created a one-of-a-kind foot/ ankle cast and spent months changing it every few hours, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. They gave Max the chance to rest and put him on a carefully monitored rehabilitation routine. Two years later, Max lives with dark scars on his back and a support boot that is changed every eight weeks. Maintaining a horse with a permanent cast has its challenges, but it does not slow him down. He spends his days eating carrots, greeting visitors, and cantering with the miniatures horses. “It’s a miracle. Not every horse could have come back the way he did,” says Dr. Debbie. “Now he walks around Verna’s property like he owns it. He is very happy and shows his appreciation.”
The fighting spirit of Debbie, Verna, Dr. Wright, and Max has given this Dr. Debbie knows animals and knows horses. She moved to Utah to continue horse a healthy and humane way to live out his golden years. When Dr. Debbie is not tending to Max or caring for patients, she trains for the her pursuits in specialized cardiology for animals and now works with Animal Health Options, based in Park City, providing holistic diagnostic and Iditarod sled race — proving that Max and his team truly are an extra-ordinary match. therapeutic choices to equine and companion animal caretakers. The topquality care that she offers to other people’s animals is no different than what she wanted for Max. Connect to Team Max Find out more about the great work that Fox Meadow Ranch does for Max and other horses by visiting their website at FoxMeadowRanch. com or connecting with them on Facebook.
“There are plenty of horse who are ready to go, but some have plenty of life left and you just do everything you can to support them,” says Dr. Wright.
(For more on Fox Meadow Ranch, see “Healing Horses with Heart & Hope” on page 16 of our September 2014 issue.)
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Dr. Debbie consulted specialists from all over the world to assist with Max’s “battle wounds,” but no one could help. She resigned herself to letting Max go. In the middle of the winter, she dug his grave and was ready to say goodbye to her constant companion. At the eleventh hour, something triggered her instincts and she phoned Dr. Charmian Wright, DVM, of Mountain Horse Medical and asked for help. Dr. Wright knew who to call.
Find out more about the amazing vets on Team Max: • Dr. Debbie Hadlock at AnimalHealthOptionsVet.com • Dr. Charmian Wright at (435) 649 6273
Pets In The City Magazine
October 2014
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Spotlight on Wasatch Avian Education Society
WAES President Chase Kimball with his foster cockatoo, Samson.
Learn more about proper parrot care from this dedicated, long-standing organization in the Salt Lake area. Chase Kimball
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Pets In The City Magazine
Parrots are smart, delightful creatures that make wonderful companion animals. But in her experience as a bird breeder and assistant at the Lakeview Animal Hospital in Bountiful, Utah, Debbie Schlueter noticed a need for education about these wonderful creatures. So in the early 1990s, she began a club for bird owners that met to learn about proper avian care, socialize with other bird owners, and create toys to keep their birds' minds active. In February 1994, this club formally became the Wasatch Avian Education Society (WAES).
What does WAES do?
As a parrot education and rescue organization, WAES makes strong efforts to have the best and most knowledgeable speakers as meeting guests, many of which are right here in Utah. Speakers at their monthly meetings have included renowned biologists from the University of Utah like Dr. Cagan Sekercioglu, and important avian behaviorist and psychologist Dr. Susan Friedman from Utah State University. WAES also operates a robust rescue, taking in otherwise homeless or unwanted birds to find good homes for them. With a well established network of foster families and veterinarians, WAES helps many parrots find new homes each year. On average, WAES takes in 1-3 birds per month, but sometimes many more. In June 2014, they rescued six birds from one home, when the owner's health problems led to a hospital stay. The work they do enables parrots to be healthy and happy.
How can you participate in WAES?
WAES members love to meet other people interested in birds. You can join in the great work WAES does by attending a monthly meeting, becoming a
foster family for a bird, donating time or money to their efforts, and more. Monthly meetings are open to the public and are held the second Saturday of each month at 7 p.m. in room N1100 of the Salt Lake County building. You can also connect to them through their booth at animal fundraising and adoption events, as they work closely with the Humane Society of Utah and Best Friends Animal Society. Their members will be writing future articles on avian care for Pets in the City Magazine, so please visit their website at WasatchAvian.com or join them on Facebook to ask questions that can be answered for future articles or to find out more information on how to get involved.
Pets In The City Magazine
October 2014
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ANIMAL IDIOMS A LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME
Solomon, the wise king of old, is credited in Ecclesiastes 10:20 with the verse, “Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird in the sky may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.”
Chanté McCoy An idiom is an expression with figurative meaning, understood by common usage. If taken literally, it wouldn’t make sense, like “kick the bucket” or “break a leg.” Animals are often found in everyday idioms, such as “a little bird told me.” Meaning? This idiom is a coy way to avoid revealing a source of one’s information. If you want to keep your source private, you say “a little bird told me” or “I heard it through the grapevine.” This is usually a playful way of dancing around the issue of who gave you a piece of information.
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Pets In The City Magazine
Origins Like many idioms, there is no clear origin as to how this saying came about. I’d like to say that a little bird told me so, but I’ll divulge the possible sources:
The saying may date from the Norse legend of Sigurd, who slew the dragon Fafnir. Sigurd drank some of Fafnir’s blood which gave him the ability to understand the language of the birds. The birds warned him that his life was in danger. A Swedish version of this saying is “a little bird whispered in my ear.” The saying possible refers to messages brought by carrier pigeon or other messenger bird. There are similar sayings in other languages. For example, in Farsi, the saying is “a little crow gave me the news.” In Arabic, “a green bird told me.” Example “It’s beautiful! How did you know I wanted that for my birthday?” “Oh, a little bird told me.” Now inquiring minds want to know: was it a green one?
Pets In The City Magazine
October 2014
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Pets For Your Health
Chanté McCoy
Peace and Calm Pets are good for your well-being. For example, multiple studies have shown that pets reduce stress and depression. When we are stressed, our bodies produce more harmful hormones, such as cortisol and norepinephrine. These lower our immunity, making us more susceptible to illness and disease. By reducing stress and depression, pets thus bolster our immune systems, keeping us healthier. Stress also raises our blood pressure. Again, studies show that pets lower blood pressure readings. In one study, people in stressful situations who also had pets had better blood pressure readings than people without pets. Interactions with our pets also increase “good” hormones like serotonin and dopamine that have calming effects and are associated with happiness.
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Pets In The City Magazine
Remember the adage “an apple a day keeps the doctor a way”? While no one would argue the benefits of fiber, the doctor should add pets to the prescription.
For the Love of a Dog: A Tribute to Daisy Jennifer Hughes Daisy was a purebred golden retriever who was unusually huge (122 pounds), was yellow with white goggles, and had long and silky fur. She started life at a breeding farm and bore scars due to spending her first five years there. The fur on her ankles and elbows was worn off, and she had large calluses due to being confined to a cement floor and a dirt dog run. Her immune system was ravaged due to malnutrition from eating poor quality food. Severe allergies manifested themselves as constant inflammation, rashes, and persistent skin sores. But despite such a rough start to life, she was so friendly and happy. She radiated peace and kindness. We decided to adopt, knowing that we might only have her for a short time. Whatever time we had together would be a gift to her of the loving home she deserved.
SAYING GOODBYE
Life with Daisy was challenging. We nursed her from outbreak to outbreak. But despite her health struggles, Daisy loved life and taught us that an old dog most certainly can learn new tricks. She learned obedience skills for the first time, and the kids were delighted
that they could teach her to jump for a treat. Daisy loved to be near the family and was happiest when someone was home, so she could plop down nearby and take a nap. Daisy wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t steal off the table, but she had no qualms about snitching food from the garden. One year I harvested about 10 ripe tomatoes off three plants, which she swiped while I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t looking. Until then, I had never met a dog that would not turn up her nose at veggies. The two years Daisy was part of our family was not long enough. Eventually her compromised immune system caught up to her. It broke my heart to see her suffer. She bore it all, as always, with infinite patience. Daisy was a great teacher who taught our family about unconditional love, patience, living in the moment, true relaxation, the importance of a good nap, and even the benefits of eating your veggies. I know in my mind that the pain of losing her will pass eventually, but for today, there is a 122-pound hole in my life that can only be filled by my Daisy.
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Fa m i l y Fu n
Hanging About &
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Bat Word Search! P P R H P O N R G Z G J F D D K B V V L W N V S Y R Y
L R N L M Y X C C Z A R N M T Y I J F N A C F U M X E
K K G T O H F R E E T A I L E D U Z W I G N Q C E K T
A J B X L M Z J T A B D E C A F T S O H G W Z K K T A
L M Z A F E W B A L J O D N Z C K D Q T I X M E A A N
J P T P W C L L T T Z D C Z R V A G A O N D A R X B I
V F A D H H R T Z P G F R T R O V S I A Y F H F G D L
R Q B V F O B I F A E R Q A V R D J K N J V A O F I L
C U D T Y L J D R W B P K X E I V M C N T J T O S L O
E N E D W O Q E U F X N T S S N W N J G P M L T U L P
E H L B P C P B I J E H R K P S C H I R O P T E R A Q
U Y I A F A Y Z T Q Q L W T E E B G Z P I F I D D P P
O C A Z P T D Y L F X I T J R C Y T B Q S Y O B W D W
W V T F T I L A W O N C A I B T O A L H I F Y A D B U
V G E D X O Q I T G U H B M A S A B E V D T K T H A O
B Q S J I N B A E O G J E X T V H D A L P A N O D N Q
S P U Z J I B D H D E Y R B W F J E F O B B A Z D F Y
A J O X R Y B U W L L V I W C L Z R N K D A B M N R S
U E M K K A L F K L L W P X U Y X A O W G G T T W E G
Y N R O T Y V D W U E J M M J I G E S R T E O T J M P
I Z M E G U U M K B R S A U I N L L E B I M C C R W T
J S W A U S E A N O T R V P R G H E D Q P H P F S U U
D Z V R Q C Z S Z Q S S C K V F R N B B A X H J Y R P
S Z X S U Y G Y C Y I G W Z K O Q N A Z L N P D F H G
L E M E S R N A N T P W N C Y X W U T K D N K P G N X
V U E Q K D D X M H I I Z I O I P F B Q O Q M T A F Z
A Z B O B M F F S N P R B A W J Y E C C H D P U W P I
Bulldog bat Chiroptera Disk-winged bat Ears Echolocation Flying fox Free-tailed bat Fruit Funnel-eared bat Ghost-faced bat Giant golden-crowned flying fox Insects Kitt’s hog-nosed bat Leaf-nosed bat Megabat Mouse-tailed bat New Zealand shorttailed bat Pallid bat Pipistrelle Pollinate Smoky bat Sucker-footed bat Vampire bat Vesper bat Wings
Draw your own jack-o-lanterns!
Fill in the blank pumpkins below with your own jack-o-lantern creations.
Going Batty!
Vickee Lucero Bats not only live in caves but in tunnels, barns, under bridges, and sometimes in rafters of old houses. Bats can be found almost anywhere in the world. They are warm-blooded mammals and usually give birth to one baby. The babies are called pups, and when they are born, they weigh as much as 25 percent of their mother’s body weight. That’s like a human mother giving birth to a 31-pound baby. Ouch! That hurts. About seventy percent of all bats dine on insects, while others eat small lizards, frogs, birds, and fruit. And then there is of, that one infamous bat that comes to life on the movie screen and that is the “Vampire Bat”. Yes, that little bat does suck blood; however,very few humans are bitten by them. Their “victims” are animals, such as pigs, goats, and cows. In the summer, the female bat finds a maternity roost which can be anywhere she wants to have her baby. The babies are born without hair. They are pink and very tiny in size. They are born with strong legs and claws which enables them to hang on to their mother while she is roosting or just hang out in the cave when she’s gone hunting. These baby bats grow up quickly. Within a few months they are able to fly and hunt. Some bats can live up to twenty years. Bats smell, hear, taste, and feel just like people do. They have perfectly good eye sight for seeing in the day time. However, they do most of their hunting at night, in which their eye sight is very limited. That’s where the term “blind as a bat” came from. To navigate at night, the bats make high pitched squeaks that are too high for human ears to hear. The sound waves hit an object, then bounce back like an echo. The bats use their large ears like radar, picking up the echo and thendetermining where objects — including insects — are. There are over 900 species of bats. However, they are grouped into two main groups. The smaller bats eat insects, fish, frogs, birds, and nectar. The bigger bats, called mega bats or flying foxes, eat fruit.
Rescue Me LOIS
Spayed female • 4 years old • Terrier mix I’m a sweet girl who loves big people, kids, cats, and other dogs. I’m mellow and want nothing more than to be by your side and have belly rubs. I am leash and crate trained, and I’ve made great progress in potty training. My fur is low shed, and I have great house manners! I want to be your forever best friend. Call Rescue Rover at 435-565-4031, or fill out an adoption application online at www.rescuerovers.org.
ROSCOE
Neutered male • 3 years old Shepherd/Lab mix I want a forever home! I have been at Furburbia since last November. Even though it has been a long time, I have maintained a happy and loving personality. I want to be the only animal in your home and, if you give me a chance, I will be the one to cheer you up and give you unconditional love. Call Furburbia / Friends of Animals Utah at 435-649-5441 or visit http://www.foautah.org.
Spayed female • 4 years old Bloodhound/Great Dane mix I’m gorgeous and amazing at 101 lbs. My human companion passed away, so I was taken to the animal shelter. I have been in a shelter for the last year of my life. I miss a life with grass and the smell of home cooking. I am not good with kids or cats, but I promise to bring you joy and happiness. Email Paws For Life Utah at cathyboruch@gmail.com, or ginny@pflu.org. Website: pflu.org. Phone: 480-620-9278. Facebook: Paws for Life Utah.
Pets In The City Magazine
LIZZY
VENDOR
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Neutered male • 3 years old Australian Cattle Dog mix I am a handsome, sweet, medium-sized dog. I love to play and make you laugh. I get along with children and other dogs and am crate trained. I am unsure if I like cats because I have never met one. I would love to keep you in shape by taking you for a daily walk. That way we will both live longer! Call Second Chance For Homeless Pets at 801-590-8999.
Does YOUR PET have what it takes to be a COVER MODEL?
! e ! l i e l i m S Sm
Colter
Finnley Casper & Muffin Lucky
Anya
Jake
Machete Archer
Maggie
Nala
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Dax
Nali
Simon
Fatboy
Olive
Mikey
Be sure to enter Pets in the City Magazine’s Cover Model Contest! Send in your pet’s photo with their name to info@petsinthecitymagazine.com by October 10 and get your friends and family members ready to vote the week of October 13-20! The pet with the most Facebook likes wins a professional photo shoot by Chris Dickinson Photography as well as their photo on the cover of Pets in the City Magazine! Go to www.petsinthecitymagazine.com for details. All pets entered will appear in Pets in the City Magazine’s Pet Page.
Nina
Oolong
Sophie, Asher, Mr. H, Ichabod, & Julie
Humphrey Higgins
Shea
Duke
Pets In The City Magazine
Sammy
Angus
Jasmine Cookie Bearry
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Zoey