Precious Pets Vol 1, Issue 12 by PreciousPets

Precious Pets The ultimate monthly paper for pets and their owners LIKE US ON

VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 12 • JULY 25, 2014 • www.preciouspets.ca #33ccff logo (web color)

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In this issue:

2 Barking Bram on our first anniversary

Dr. W on allergies

Crow atop Masada, Israel (2002)

The bird man Credit Bram D. Eisenthal

One year and counting… As the ads say, it’s true – at Precious Pets, we count very well. And as August marks our 13th issue, we can officially announce that we have been in business for one year!

Editorial Board Michael J. Cohen, Councilor, City of Cote Saint-Luc (Quebec) and founder of its Cats Committee Averil Robinson, owner of Pet Friends (Vaudreuil, Quebec) Gerdy Gouron, owner of Gerdy’s Rescues and Adoptions (Quebec) Dr. Wojciech Wybranowski – Veterinarian (Montreal’s West Island) Gaby Dufresne-St. Cyr – Owner of Dogueshop (Montreal)

Happy (almost) Anniversary to us! I am very proud of this little paper and what we have accomplished so far… and I promise with Bram D. Elsenthal you that the best is yet to come. This issue is To my partner Tina DiSalvia, I smaller-sized, by congratulate you on your hard work the way, due to a slow summer as Sales Manager and thank you period where many of our readers for the fine job you have done since and columnists are away. We will Day One. Really, your talents are be back in August with all our usual much, much admired and apprecifeatures, columns, etc. We are also ated. not holding our next pet grief group until the third week in August, for IMPORTANT - 24-hour Numthe same logical reason. bers for Reporting Animal CruOn Wednesday, September 10, 7 elty p.m., we invite you all to attend our We have just learned that Quebec first anniversary party at Dollar Cinhas a 24-hour number to call, for ema in Montreal’s Decarie Square reporting animal cruelty:1-844-ANmall. We will have food, entertainIMAUX (1-844-264-6289). This ment, and literature provided by our system is, however, guaranteed loyal advertisers, as well as door in French only. When I called from prizes. Please join us and bring my Montreal residence, I was told your spouses and friends (although “you are in Quebec” (which was a your pet friends are, sadly, not pergood thing, because I was unsure mitted inside a privately-owned where I lived at that moment) but mall). There is no charge, but any that if you call before 4:30 p.m. donations would be much appreciweekdays, you will be able to report ated, as we wish to make Gerdy’s abuse in English, as well. If you call Rescues and Adoptions our benefioutside of these hours, it appears ciary. If you do not know who Gerdy that your problem had better be Gouron is – and that would make a French-language issue. Gotta you one of very few – she has done LOVE these linguistic bureaucrats, more for pets in this community huh? than anyone else. Gerdy, we salute you! Ontario’s number is: 310-SPCA (310-7722)... in either language, apparently...

Barking Bram

Coming Up: FRIDAY. AUGUST 22 DEADLINE WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13 info@preciouspetscanada.com

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Precious Pets The ultimate monthly paper for pets and their owners Precious Pets is a publication of Precious Pets Media Group Inc. Volume 1, Issue 12, July 2014. Copyright 2014. Precious Pets does not accept responsibility for errors, misprints or inaccuracies published within. The opinions and statements of our columnists are not presumed to be the opinions and statements of Precious Pets Group Inc.

VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 12 • FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

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ADVERTISING AND CLASSIFIEDS: ........................................................438 E-MAIL: ......info@preciouspetscanada.com EDITORIAL:................. 514

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MAILING ADDRESS: ..............................................P.O. Box 66521, Cavendish Mall, Côte Saint-Luc, QC H4W 3J6 PUBLISHER AND EDITOR:.....................................................................................................Bram D. Eisenthal SALES MANAGER:........................................................................................................................ Tina Di Salvia CREATIVE DESIGN:. .............................................................................................................James McCafferty ONTARIO DIRECTOR & DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA:...........................................................Janet Boiangiu PROOFREADER:............................................................................................................... Elysya Scerbo-Pasta

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 12 • FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014 • www.preciouspets.ca

They Call Me Dr. W.

Is your pet’s scratching driving you crazy? (by Dr. Wybranowski, B.SC. DVM CCRT) Both pets and people suffer from Environmental (i.e. - Hay Fever) and Food Allergies (such as peanut allergies). People with allergies sneeze, have itchy eyes and difficulty breathing (as in asthma). Pets with allergies mostly scratch. In pets, there are a number of possible underlying causes for excessive scratching, including fleas, skin mites or skin infections but the most common reason is ALLERGIES. Both food and environmental allergies in pets look the same: The pet scratches excessively because his immune system is over stimulated by protein molecules that he either imbibes with his food, or breathes in with every breath or comes into contact with through his skin. The problem lies with his over stimulated immune system that, by error, recognizes these proteins as dangerous and starts producing anti-bodies against them to defend the body from “attack”… which leads to the release of a whole cascade of histamine-like substances produced by the body, which cause severe inflammation and thus itchiness. This cascade in people occurs mostly in the respiratory system, hence the asthma, while in pets this cascade occurs in the skin. Although they share the same clinical signs and a similar disease process – itching and an over stimulated immune system - we will explore Environmental Allergies and Food Allergies in two separate instances:

our house dust. There is, however, a lot of overlap, so it may be difficult to determine what the most likely allergen is – and once the immune system has become stimulated and hyperactive, it is more likely that your pet will develop other allergies as well. Desensitization Treatment is the only way to diminish and potentially cure an Environmental Allergy. The first step is to test for allergies by identifying what your pet is allergic to. The gold standard has been the intradermal allergy test,done by injecting small amounts of allergens under the skin and observing for an exaggerated reaction. This test is now being replaced by a simple painlessblood test which can, in addition, test for many other allergens at the same time. Treatment consists of desensitization or giving injections of these allergens in increasing doses every week or two until the immune system learns to tolerate the allergens. Usually, in-

jections need to be continued once a month for life. Secondary treatments are also available to relieve some of the symptoms, but they do not provide a long-term solution. These include: - antihistamines and steroids, which do work fairly well, but unfortunately have undesirable side effects that can sometimes be life threatening with prolonged use. -antibiotics and sometimes anti-fungals, which should be used for secondary infections - shampoos and conditioners, which keep the skin clean by removing the allergens, dead skin cells and excess skin secretions caused by irritation -topical natural oils, which also moisturize the skin and increase its resistance to allergen penetration - natural treatments, like foods containing large quantities of essen-

Part 1 - Environmental Allergies are the most common problem Environmental allergies (ATOPY), like Hay Fever in people, can be seasonal or year-round, depending on what the pet is allergic to. Your pet may inhale the offending substance or ALLERGEN from the air, or may come into direct contact with it via the skin, both leading to repetitive licking, chewing and scratching, sometimes even to the point of causing bleeding. If the pet scratches only in the spring, he is likely to be allergic to tree pollen; In the summer and fall, to grasses and weeds; In the winter, to house dust mites, or molds such as

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PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 12 • FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014 • www.preciouspets.ca

tial fatty acids, can significantly reduce the itch. The Hills Pet Nutrition line features a diet called Prescription Diet d/d, which has a clinically proven benefit in reducing itchiness by incorporating very large quantities of Omega 3 fatty acids from fish oils (Note: This should not be confused with a hypo-allergenic diet, which will have no effect whatsoever on environmental allergies). The treatment of allergies is not a quick fix - the problem is long-term and will usually require some lifelong treatments. This requires dedication and perseverance on the owner`s part. It is, however, the only hope for an itchy pet in distress. At Animal 911, we are experienced in diagnosing and treating your pet`s allergies and we will be there to support you through the treatment process. Next month: Part 2 - Food Allergies

Aptly-named Bird prime advocate for avian species worldwide Story and cover photo by Bram D. Eisenthal - Exclusive to Precious Pets

When last I interviewed Dr. David Bird, it was likely “20 years ago today, Sergeant Pepper taught the band to play..” and you get the picture. I was doing a story for MTL magazine on this preeminent professor of avian life at McGill University and his legendary attempts to study the peregrine falcons roosting on places like the ledges of Montreal’s Sun Life Building. Today, when we spoke, the 65year old retired Emeritus Professor, who penned a bird column for The (Montreal) Gazette for 28 years, had just departed his current residence on Vancouver Island, BC on the way to speaking engagements in the UK, as well as to Singapore and Tokyo. But given his fascination for, and extreme knowledge of, birds, this was a rare opportunity for me indeed. In fact, we spoke the “trains, planes and automobiles” way, as he was on a ferry to Vancouver, then on a bus and then at the airport... as the crow flies..... David believes sincerely that “crows are the smartest birds in the world,” but his many fascinations virtually span the spectrum of the animal kingdom. Ontario-born (a stone’s throw from the University of Guelph) , he learned to appreciate all birds, however, early in his career, after he attended University of Waterloo, the University of Guelph and then obtained his Masters from McGill. “The Gazette column certainly helped me appreciate all birds,” he told me. “But it was bird-watching in Tempe, Arizona that really got me going. I witnessed the actions of a (certain type of) hummingbird and became even more fascinated with birds.” At McGill’s MacDonald College (Ste. Ann de Bellevue, Quebec, near the end of the West Island), he got involved with the business of seeing many papers published and he became renowned for his work with birds of prey (also known as raptors), such as peregrine falcons. Today, although he is retired, he still keeps close tabs on former

students and what they are up to in the field. David urges us to watch out for Marcel Gahbauer, who currently resides in Ottawa, has had papers on falcons published and is “one of the best birders in Canada,” in David’s estimation. His page at the Migration Research Foundation is interesting for bird aficionados and laypeople alike: http:// www.migrationresearch.org/mbo/ birdathon10report.html (“I often called him Spock, because of his logical mind,” David said of Gahbauer). Those interested in learning more about crows - and why they are so darned smart – should go to a site operated by David’s good friend, Kevin McGowan, over at Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology: http://www.birds.cornell. edu/crows/ What is really of interest regarding David’s post-educational career, however, is what he is up to now. At an age where most people settle down, read a good book and catch up on episodes of Downton Abbey, David has started his own new business that has everything to do with the mechanics of flight. Founded in 2013, it’s a publication called The Journal of Unmanned Vehicle Systems and it examines the latest innovations in the drone field. “Drones were used to look at bird nests on high, the past eight years,” he pointed out. It is also David’s desire to write a novel that is published. “My dream is actually to walk through an airport and see someone reading a pocket book version of my first novel,” he revealed. He has also been nominated to the board of Bird Studies Canada and his fervent goal is to see to it that the Canada Jay becomes Canada’s official bird. “It’s the smartest bird living here,” he stressed. “And we do not yet have an official bird.” Like an avian/human hybrid, Dr. David Bird keeps soaring higher all the time, reaching for the clouds.

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 12 • FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014 • www.preciouspets.ca

In memory of, in honour of and because we love our

Precious Pets

In Memorium - David May The owners and staff of Precious Pets wish to pay tribute to David May, co-owner of NDG’s Dogue de Ville, who passed away recently. Our condolences to David’s family and to his life partner, Elizabeth Abanis. May you know no further sorrow.

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PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 12 • FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014 • www.preciouspets.ca

You love animals, right?

Do the right thing... Celebrate with us On Wednesday, September 10, 2014, 7 p.m., YOU ARE ALL INVITED: Dollar Cinema (at Montreal’s Decarie Square mall, 6900 Decarie Blvd, 2nd floor)

Our First Birthday Bash, featuring Food - Entertainment - Door Prizes - Pet literature table Admission: FREE! Just consider bringing a donation that we will give to Gerdy’s Rescues, one of the city’s most respected, hard-working pet organizations. Please RSVP your attendance by August 15, 2014, at 514-975-7745 OR by e-mailing Bram Eisenthal at info@preciouspetscanada.com. Precious Pets Media Group Inc. Quartier Cavendish P.O. Box 66521 5800 Cavendish Blvd. Cote Saint-Luc, Quebec H4W PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 1 • ISSUE3J6 12 • FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014 • www.preciouspets.ca