Precious Pets Vol 2, Issue 9 by PreciousPets

Precious Pets www.preciouspets.ca VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 9 • APRIL 24, 2015 Photo Credit - Bram Eisenthal

WORDS ABOUT WILDLIFE

PP WAS THERE....

VISIT THE SPCA

WEST ISLAND

Above, SPCA West Island Board member Michael Tustin with Daisy,1 year of age. Michelle Montminy with Monkey, 14, and Willow, 12; Dominic Cadieux with Taz, 3; and Lisa Robinson. Daisy, Willow and Taz have all been adopted. Story by Bram Eisenthal, page 3.

12 ADOPT A GREYHOUND

WORDS FROM THE EDITOR

Wildlife appears to recognize the sanctity of life much more than we do In this case, squirrels, pigeons and seagulls were patrolling the grounds, quite close together and all searching for tidbits of nourishment to help them survive following a really frigid, blustery winter season. We humans can’t seem to get along with one another at the best of times and are we also not in a conatant fight to survive? Yet somehow, animals seems to inherently recognize the relative “sameness” of all life on Earth and they will not strive to maim or kill one another unless there is a defensive reason for such desperate action. So, to the squirrels, pigeons and seagulls (and indeed, all animals life) of this world, more power to you. Image - morguefile.com

This time of year always fascinates me where wild animals are concerned. For instance, while strolling on the magnificent, historic landscape we refer to as the downtown Montreal campus of McGill University recently, I saw something I have seen in previous years in other public places: Animals of differing species getting along while doing something like-minded.

This issue is dedicated to: Just as I was hoping the depression of these winter months, vis-a-vis the deaths of some people I cared deeply about, was over, came one more truly shocking and sad death on Easter Sunday that I had to mention. Giulietta “Julie” Michetti of Montreal was not merely blind and handicapped, she was one of the most unique people I have ever known. She taught me a lot about the human condition and I loved her very much. This issue of Precious Pets is dedicated to Julie, who

Barking Bram with Bram D. Elsenthal

lived with two cats and a dog and who was all about hope and compassion during her all-too-brief lifetime. My sincerest condolences to her family. Her niece, Amanda, helped a lot by giving birth to her first child, son Griffin. So to you and Matt, Amanda, this one’s for you, too! Regarding our cover story The West Island SPCA was first introduced to us late in 2013, when three of their members appeared at a West Island memorial for dogs that perished in an accidental fire at a shelter in the area. Since that time, we tried several times to contact the leadership of this fledgling SPCA to offer them some badly-needed publicity and we only succeeded in reaching them after their recent emergency fundraising drive. This is my personal appeal to our readers to, at the very least, consider visiting this new SPCA, as well as the other committed shelters and organizations in your areas, when looking to adopt an animal that needs a good home. And please continue reading our pages for upcoming coverage on some fine organizations in the nearby Ontario region, as well. Like the iconic squirrel, pigeon and seagull discussed earlier, there is no reason we cannot all learn

to get along. We ARE in this for the same reasons, notwithstanding which languages we speak, which religions we adhere to, etc... are we not? This is about our animal life, not us. Happy Spring, everyone. Better weather appears to be here at last!

Image - morguefile.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 2, Issue 9, April 2015. Copyright 2015. 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 2 • ISSUE 9 • FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

This issue in memory of Giulietta Michetti

OUR CONTACT INFORMATION:

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

www.preciouspets.ca

821-6769 975-7745

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 ART DIRECTOR: .............................................................................................................. ..............Marta Barnes ONTARIO DIRECTOR & DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA:...........................................................Janet Boiangiu

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 9 • FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015 • www.preciouspets.ca

TOP STORY

West Island SPCA:

Take a drive and save animals at no-kill shelter Story and pictures by Bram Eisenthal

Precious Pets Exclusive

Photo - Bram Eisenthal

I remember going into the SPCA in Montreal as a child, seeing all the doggies in their cages for the first time and begging to take one home with me. My parents said no then, but when mixed-breed Casey followed me home from school one day, they finally caved. And until he was hit by a car three years later, I had my first

Photo - Bram Eisenthal

canine playmate. Still, I never forgot that first visit to the SPCA. So, it was with no lack of nostalgia that I walked into another, newer SPCA, this time in Vaudreuil-Dorion, for the first time two weekends ago. The West Island SPCA has been around over a year now and, to be quite honest with our readers, it is not easy to find. Located in a historic area landmark of sorts, a former Surrete de Quebec (SQ) police station, it takes some navigational skills to find, which may be one of the reasons they were financially-challenged prior to a successful fundraising drive recently that raised enough to keep them churning away, rescuing animals and housing them in their stated “No-Kill” shelter. When we visited, we found a very clean, bright and modern shelter staffed by some extremely committed volunteers and inhabited by a menagerie of bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and quite healthy dogs, cats and rabbits of varying ages and breeds, available

for adoption as soon as possible. I was really curious about the need for an SPCA in this area, so I discussed this with Remi Brazeau, the organization’s Director. “First of all, this region has never had an SPCA of its own serving the public,” he told me. “The Montreal SPCA did serve some of the West Island towns to some degree, until a few years ago when they stopped. A big gap was then created between Montreal and the Ontario border and the region was left on its own, with very limited resources. And with the need to help our animals ever increasing, we realized that a large scale centre was the answer.” After many months of research, however, the principles were turned away from all the cities in the West Island, Brazeau asserted, except for Vaudreuil, “which understood and accepted the need and benefit of a shelter like the SPCA Ouest and

welcomed us onto their territory. The Vaudreuil region being in a constant state of evolution and growing at an incredible rate, we were pressed to make sure abandoned pets found the ideal place to migrate... until new families could be found. We were finally home.” I asked Brazeau about the backgrounds of everyone involved and he assured me that everyone at the SPCA West Island boasts an impressive past involving the love and caring of animals. “Our people all want to make a difference, in a society where animals are still viewed as disposable and have absolutely no legal rights.”

SPCA

Continues Page 12

For Pets And People In Motion

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 9 • FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015 • www.preciouspets.ca

COLUMNS FROM CONTRIBUTORS

Dear Frends Buffie’s BLog with Donna Deskin

It’s my FAVRIT time of the year – it’s April and you know what that means – YES April is Adopt A Greyhound Month!! There are plenty of houndies in adoption kennels and foster homes awaiting their forever sofas! As a matter of fact I will even put my very own sisser Ester up for adoption this month. Wot Momma?? I cannot put Ester up for adoption? Drat and dang nabbit. I will however tell you that the greyhound kennel that we (or more pacifically Momma) works with has 4 houndies currently up for adoption

and they are expecting another 8 next weekend. That will make an even dozen hounds waiting to choose YOU to go home with. “Wot” you say? “Buffy can this be true – the adopters are not allowed to choose their own houndies?” Nope this is correct. When you go to the kennel - once all the applications and interviews are completed and Momma has given her “Commandant Stamp of Approval” – you see each hound one by one in the big yard and the houndie will pick YOU, not vice versa. You may think you want a petite brin-

dle female and you will probably end up going home with the biggest male there. That’s how it works. We mesmerize you with our big liquid eyes – full of love and trust - and you melt into a puddle of goo and before you know it you are signing the adoption papers and stuffing us into you car! Try it – you’ll love it (and us!). If you are not 100% sold on greyhounds and want to meet a few in the fur before you decide to adopt contact us at greyhounds@t-legs.com and Momma will arrange a meeting. No strings attached! (Well the only string is that you cannot adopt me, but I know you will find your own perfect houndie to love and pamper.) Love and licks, Buffy Oh and PS Here is my famous adoption poster (Bottom left):

Image - morguefile.com

TIDBITS Art from

Marta Barnes Marta Barnes is a graduate from the creative writing program at Concordia University and studied abroad in Australia for six months in 2011. At the moment she is an ESL teacher at an elementary school in South Korea, from whence her inky illustrations currently propagate. She loves food, tea, and most other things that a Hobbit might - including the occasional adventure. Follow her travel blog at www.downfromthedoor.com

“Mr. Sprinkles always loved when he was able to help out with the mending.”

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 9 • FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015 • www.preciouspets.ca

COLUMNS FROM CONTRIBUTORS

Editorial Have you played with your Board dog today? The Editorial Board of Precious Pets is comprised of individuals connected to the pet field in some manner, who are ready to advise the partners and/or staff when

asked for their opinions. They are:

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) Suzanne VIlleneuve – President: Suzanne Villeneuve Associates Inc. & SVbiz Inc.

People often ask me “what is the best thing I can do to ensure that I have happy, healthy dogs?” Many expect me to mention training, vet visits or food. But my answer is always “play.” Have you played with your dog today? Play is sadly a very hectic activity, yet one that is very much enjoyed by both owners and dogs. Not only is it fun, but it also provides much needed mental stimulation for our furry friends. And while physical exercise is very important, mental enrichment may be even more so. Dogs actually exert as much energy with physical exercise as they do while being mentally stimulated. Our best friends are highly intelligent. We have fostered this trait while breeding dogs for certain tasks or jobs. Ironically though, most dogs that live in our homes today aren’t doing what they were bred for and are pretty much on unemployment, doing much less than they used to do. When we fail to engage a dog mentally, or neglect to give him tasks, he’ll find his own things to do. And he’ll never choose something that we like. He won’t clean the dishes or pay a bill. What he may do, though, is become destructive, engage in problem barking, or develop neurotic behaviours. This is where play can really come in handy, in ensuring your dog’s mental well-being, along with the safety of

Doggie Doggie DoDo with Meira Frankl

with Meira Frankl your belongings. Play works to strengthen the bonds we have with our dogs and is also an excellent alternative to taking them out for a jog in the rain. Not that I am advocating not walking our dogs, but rather, to use play in conjunction with activity. Play also helps our dogs to develop or hone their impulse con-

trol. Most games have rules and we need to make sure our dogs follow the game rules in order to be allowed

PLAY

Continues Page 14

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 9 • FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015 • www.preciouspets.ca

ASK THE DOCTOR

They Call Me Dr. W

Do our pets pose any risks to us? (by Dr. Wybranowski, B.SC. DVM CCRT)

Many diseases that man suffers u Bring your pet’s fecal sample for from came from animals and are parasite testing at least twice a year called “zoonotic diseases.“ Man was u Bring your dog in for a 4Dx every really an accidental host. We will nevyear, as this will screen him for Lyme er be able to eliminate these zoonotDisease, Heartworm and two other ic diseases as their actual hosts are species of tick spread diseases wild animals. We can, however, do a u Vaccinate your dogs against lot to protect ourselves. Lyme Disease Take, for if they are at instance, risk of catchHuman arm infected by a dog’s intestinal our pets’ exparasites: Hookworms migrating under the skin. ing ticks posure to u Do not let parasites. Inyour cat roam testinal parand poop asites conoutdoors taminate the u Adminsoil and they ister a cominfect more prehensive than one of integrated every four Photo - Courtesy of Dr. Wybranowski parasite condogs and trol program, one of every tailored to five cats, acyour pet’s cording to a s p e c i f i c study done at the Faculty of Veterineeds. A pill (Sentinel) or medication nary Medicine of the U. de M. here (Revolution), administered once a in Quebec. So this means that every month,will protect your pet from intestime your dog or cat goes outside, tinal parasites, Heartworm and fleas. there is an opportunity for your pet Another drug called Bravecto, given to get an intestinal parasitic infection? every three months, will protect your It is not just animals that are at risk... dog from ticks and kill the ticks before many of these parasites can be transthey can reproduce. mitted to people with equally serious consequences. Most of the experts, such as the See Photo, above. Companion Animal Parasite Council Besides intestinal parasitic infec(capcvet.org), agree that only these tions, there are other dangers lurking outside waiting for our pets. I am thinking of ticks that spread Lyme Disease, mosquitoes that spread Heartworm Disease and those pesky fleas – oh, those pesky fleas... Testing dogs for Lyme Disease has become much more important than testing for Heartworm Disease: Case in point - Dogs on the West Island are 16 times more likely to test positive for Lyme Disease, which has even greater implications for human health. Using the 4Dx test, by the way, we can screen simultaneously for all of these diseases. See Photo, top right. Without appropriate measures, it will be impossible to prevent parasitic infections in pets. Here’s how you can protect your pet, your family and your environment:

measures can efficaciously protect your pet, your family and the environment from the dangers of these zoonotic diseases. For more information on zoonotic diseases, go to our blog at www. animal911.ca or give us a call at (514) 6858387.

u Pick -up feces as soon as possible to prevent soil-borne intestinal parasite contamination. u Wash hands frequently after handling pets and gardening, especially the hands of children

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 9 • FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015 • www.preciouspets.ca

A bull’s-eye lesion on a person’s arm after being bitten by a Lyme-infected tick.

Photo - Courtesy of Dr. Wybranowski

St. Patricks Day Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day,

West Island style

On Saturday, March 21, 2015, on what was the official first day of Spring, the 6th Annual Hudson St. Patrick’s Day Parade took place. Precious Pets was on hand to document the fun, festive proceedings and we not only had talented photographer Van Biello there to shoot many compelling images, but contributor Juliana Pavelka and her husband, Keith, also paraded their Irish Wolfhounds. Now what could have been more compelling and fitting than that? Diehard celebrants braved rain and cold to kick St. Patrick’s Day off appropriately, green or not, and longtime CFCF TV news anchor Mutsumi Takahashi became the first female marshal of the popular event. On with the show, y’all. And showing your finest Irish green and your good cheer year-round is hardly a sin, you know. Our thanks to the talented Van Biello and the passionate Juliana Pavelka for helping the readers of Precious Pets get into a most festive frame of mind…. And thanks, as well, to the students and teachers from Westwood Senior High on St. Charles Road, as well as to organizers Jim Beauchamp, Mike Klaiman and others, for their commitment toward putting this event on for their community. - Bram Eisenthal

Photos Van Biello

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 9 • FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015 • www.preciouspets.ca

A cat can look at a king.

Photos Van Biello

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 9 • FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015 • www.preciouspets.ca

The old dog for the hard road and leave the pup on the path.

Wolfhound Princess, Juliana Pavelka

Grand Marshal Mutsumi Grand Takahashi Marshalof Mutsumi CFCF News Takahashi (waving, of CFCF in theNews car)

Photos Van Biello

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 9 • FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015 • www.preciouspets.ca

The person bringing good news knocks boldly on the door.

Photos Van Biello

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 9 • FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015 • www.preciouspets.ca

There are fish in the sea better than have ever been caught.

Photos Van Biello

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 9 • FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015 • www.preciouspets.ca

TOP STORY

SPCA

Continued from Page 3 i

Photo - Bram Eisenthal

That thought always sets my blood boiling, especially when I consider how the Government of Quebec certainly talks the talk, but refuses to walk the walk where the welfare of animals is concerned. To this day, the Liberal Party’s Minister of Agriculture, Pierre Paradis, who also includes animal welfare in his portfolio, has done nothing to better their lot, ignoring repeated attempts to sit down with this paper and talk to us. Under his watch, four gassing pounds still thrive in this province, where unwanted pets are painfully put to death, despite our

demands to dismantle them. Brazeau stated that his organization is also looking to change the status quo. “We are working toward organizing rallies that can change the laws regarding animals, rallies which we see as being the impetus towards a solution. Many other provinces or countries have shown the difference that can be made by having the proper legislation in place. We realize that true change starts at the top.” Brazeau also wanted to immediately dispel any notion that there is some sort of “competition” between various animal shelters, which is a good thing, because no number is too many, as far as protecting animal lives is concerned. “Let’s make this point clear: We are NOT competing with any shelters, but instead we maintain a partnership mentality where we see all and any neighboring shelters as a necessity in making this cause a better one,” he said. He also insisted on enforcing the idea that theirs is a “no kill” shelter. The SPCA West Island does not see the animals as just items, but as lives. “Our mission becomes clearer all the

Photo - Bram Eisenthal

time: All animals deserve the best chance to inhabit a good home, no matter what. We have saved the most adorable kittens and puppies, as well as broken, blind and deaf animals: All old souls, as far as we are concerned.... and all that have found a forever home. Still, a lack of publicity has greatly reduced a lot of the funding that is needed for any shelter to survive and do what it does best... save the lives of animals. “We did not suffer a loss of funding, but rather we encountered a lack of financial support from a community that was not cognizant that we existed to begin with,” Brazeau said. “We are a young shelter and we needed to walk before we could run. Public knowledge that we existed became necessary and the potential for a bright future is based on that.” He added that, since not one dime comes from government at any level, the SPCA West Island is reliant 100 percent on private, public funding. “So, public exposure is the key to our future sustainability.” Having visited this new shelter and met its fine group of people, I can tell you that the future looks bright for SPCA West Island, in our opinion. When you have some time, take a drive and visit. You may just return with a new pet companion in tow and we

FRIDAY. May 22, 2015

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info@preciouspetscanada.com

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The West Island SPCA is located at 3658 Cite des Jeunes, Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC, J7V 8P2 (Tel: 514-566-5678)

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Photo - Bram Eisenthal

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Continued from Page 5

PLAY

i i i i

COLUMNS FROM CONTRIBUTORS to play. You can work on many commands while playing with your dog, without even actually trying to do so. The commands simply become a part of the game. Perhaps a game of Hide and Seek would work? Put your dog in a sit/stay position, or have someone hold the dog while you hide in another room. Then call your dog to find you. Find The Treat is where you use three or four containers, hide a treat under one of them and then ask the dog to choose the right container. Clean Up is great for teaching the dog to put his toys away. Tug is also a great game and one of my favourites. The dog needs to drop the toy when you ask, though and the reward is getting to tug the toy again. Don’t worry about your dog ‘winning’ as long as everyone is having fun... then it’s fine. There are also many food-dispensing toys, food puzzles and intelligence toys on the market to help enrich dogs as well. Kongs, Kong Wobblers, Treat Balls, Buster Cubes: Just a few to list.

Puzzles

Solution

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 9 • FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015 • www.preciouspets.ca

Image - morguefile.com

These toys help to stimulate the dog with minimal work on your part, but is so beneficial to a dog’s mental well being. So, what games are you going to play with your dog today? ED. NOTE: Good advice, Meira. We are proud to count among our fine stable of advertisers Little Bear, where you can not only discuss the best and safest props to use as play objects, but where you can buy many of them, as well. Check them out... they are in Westmount and you will find their ad in this and every issue of Precious Pets.

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 9 • FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015 • www.preciouspets.ca