Precious Pets Vol 3, Issue 4 by PreciousPets

Precious Pets www.preciouspets.ca VOLUME 3

ISSUE 4 u DECEMBER 4, 2015

Photo Bram Eisenthal

3 PIT BULLS ARE FRIENDS

4 ELEPHANTS REVIEWED

6 THE SECOND-TO-NONE STAFF OF PET FRIENDS (L-R): CHANTAL CHEVRIER; KEVIN O’FARRELLZ; FERNAND MOREAU (REAR); AVERIL ROBINSON; YVES TURCOTTE AND GAIL BEST. Story, page 4

WE WERE THERE! OTTAWA PET EXPO 2015

WORDS FROM THE EDITOR

NO ONE PUTS ON PET SHOWS LIKE OTTAWA DOES Barking Bram with Bram Eisenthal

This past weekend, November 14-15, Tina and I drove to Ottawa to attend the best pet show we have ever been to (twice now), the fourth annual Ottawa Pet Expo. And true to form, the event did not disappoint. This show, which puts the one in Montreal to shame, in my opinion, is filled with interesting exhibitors and ALSO allows you to bring your pets, something the Montreal show does not. Sure, it can get a bit messy sometimes, as not every pet is properly housetrained and/or may have the occasional accident now and then. But, hey, that’s what having a pet is all about. One of the highlights of the show for us was meeting Michel Ferraro, manager of the Quebec territory of Champion Petfoods. Tina feeds her puppy Simba this quality food and he apparently loves it, though I admittedly have not tried it yet myself. If you wish to learn more, such as where you can buy this food like our sponsor s Little Bear of Westmount and Global Pet Foods in Pointe Claire, as well as Pampered Pets at their new address on Sherbrooke St. W. near Claremont in Westmount... see the large ad in our last issue), go to the Champion Petfoods website, at www.championpetfoods.com. And check out the video interview I did with Ferraro, which is found on our FB page, at Precious Pets Media Group Inc. It’s good, if you can get past the loud background chatter. Sorry, but the

place was packed. Check out the Ottawa Pet Expo, as well, on-line. Next year’s event will be held on November 12-13 and they are also organizing the Ottawa Dog Festival, to be held next year on June 11 – 12, 2016. You will find some pictures we took in this issue of Precious Pets. My challenge to Bell Media’s English radio properties So this is where I borch and tell you what makes me unhappy. I claim creative license and I promise you that this column will not always be solely about animals. In this case, it is about the Bell-owned monopoly of Montreal English radio, something I take very personally and view very negatively. In fact, I e-mail program director Chris Bury, who is in charge of more Bell radio stations here than I can wag a stick at, to inform him of my displeasure... on a regular basis. Feel free to praise or condemn his stations via e-mail at chris.bury@bellmedia.ca. In this instance, I found CHOM’s aired commercial for the ultimately cancelled Saturday U2 rock concert in Paris, a commercial which ran mere hours after the horrific shootings there two Fridays ago, to be in extremely bad taste. I also complained about one of his regular radio personalities on the sports-themed The Team 690, who crosses the Rene Levesque St. corridor to present the sports reports on CJAD weekend mornings. And

Precious Pets The ultimate monthly paper for pets and their companions Precious Pets is a publication of Precious Pets Media Group Inc. Volume 3, Issue 4, December 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 3 • ISSUE 4 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4 2015

I find this individual to be a total incompetent. But Bury is chicken, basically, and never admits that his stations are anything BUT excellent. The problem is that since being acquired by Bell from Astral, their stations are worse than ever. So I got up my gumption and challenged Bury to a little contest. I was and am willing to present this untalented person’s sportscasts on the air for a weekend if he/she would in turn edit an issue of this paper from A-Z. It is not difficult to do the latter, but you need at least SOME talent, and i know for a certainty that I can do a better job than he/she does as a sports news presenter. At least I have a terrific command of the English language, while he/she does not. The gloves are off. We will see if Bury is man enough to pick up the gauntlet! My tour of Rosemere, Quebec I had the chance to visit my long time buddy Cherif Farag at his new home in Rosemere, Quebec, one of the prettiest communities I have ever seen in this neck-of-the-woods. Cherif is the one whom you see on these pages now and again with his 13-year-old Bichon Fluffy, a character pet companion if ever there was one. It turns out that Rosemere is also a huge pet community and a voracious Precious Pets community, too, thanks to my friend. He took Fluffy to his vet, Dr. Sitoan Phan, of Clinique Veterinaire de Lorraine (Rosemere is next door to the communities of Lorraine and Boisbriand) and I got to meet the good doctor and his staff. I also learned of one of THE very best uses for Precious Pets, as the clinic staff was us-

ing our paper to line the litter box of a kitty due for surgery shortly. Good one! Cherif also took me to his favourite cafe, Resto Bistro de la Gare, which is part of the train station there and serves delectable coffees and meals. Finally, we also visited a very welcoming and inexpensive spa, the Finlandais Spa Hotel, which looked amazing. I actually had the urge to yank off my dungarees and hop into the heated, steamy outdoor pool on a very cool and rainy day! Just $35 for a day there, with usage of their facilities and for an additional cost you can board and dine there overnight, as well, including a relaxing Swedish Massage. Prices for the latter are surprisingly inexpensive, just $115 for 60 minutes and $160 for 90 minutes! Private-plan receiptable, too. The community is about 60 percent Anglo, too, apparently, so English is not an issue here, not at all. I like that. Taking an issue off We wanted you to know that it is by design, not need, that we have decided to take the month of December off. We usually come out near the end of a month and it made zero sense to produce an issue of this paper in late December, in light of the many people who leave for vacation. Also, who wants to deliver in one of the worst months of winter? See you again the third week or so of January 2016 and know that the staff of Precious Pets wishes you all a happy and SAFE holiday season!

LIKE US ON:

http://www.facebook.com/PreciousPetsMediaGroupInc http://www.facebook.com/PreciousPetsGriefGroup

http://twitter.com/PreciousPetNews

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 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 3 • ISSUE 4 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015 • www.preciouspets.ca

PIT BULL

THE PIT BULL: HARDLY A BREED OF DEMONS, STATES LOCAL EXPERT STORY BY BRAM EISENTHAL u EXCLUSIVE TO PRECIOUS PETS

morguefile.com photo

With Pit Bulls in the news so much recently, we thought we’d ask an expert what he thinks. John Truss, owner of Bark Avenue of Montreal, is also the owner of five happy, healthy Pit Bulls AND is father to a young son who lives in an atmosphere of safety. John certainly had a lot to say on the subject: “The sensational attacks are the ones that make the paper and the words ‘pit bull attack’ sell more papers. The media is more concerned with sensationalism these days rather than actually reporting facts. Many times it was not even a pit bull but they will say that to make a headline. They then never retract the statement. Dog attacks of all kinds occur because of poor owners. Pit Bulls are big strong dogs, just like many other breeds of big strong dogs, and are not for first time dog owners. They are also easy to find for sale. Look through Kijiji and you’ll find all kinds for sale or to give away. This is because people are not taking the responsibility of spaying and neutering and often think they can make a quick buck with a litter of puppies. These puppies have poor genetics (good breeders follow up

on the puppies they sell to ensure a good genetic quality) and are not raised properly. “They are also often taken from their mother way too young, resulting in potential aggression issues and poor socialization. They often never get to a vet for an initial checkup because it’s all about making a quick buck. The longer the dog stays with the mother and the less vetting that is done means the backyard breeder doesn’t have to spend as much money. John admitted that children are often the victims of attacks. “It is not always a child, but children are often not able to defend themselves. They also panic and run away, putting the dog into a more prey- drive mode. The fact is that the only two deaths by dog in the province of Quebec in the last 10 years were from Huskies, but that doesn’t seem to get everyone all stirred up and want to ban Huskies. The recent mauling was due to a terrible owner. He let his dogs out off- leash to pee in an unfenced yard just a block from a children’s playground. That is a disaster waiting to happen regardless of breed. Those dogs probably listened to the high pitched squeals of children every day and were getting more and more frustrated. Children have high pitched voices and move quickly and erratically meaning the dog may not even recog-

nize them as humans. This can trigger any dog with high prey-drive to go into hunting mode. I could name 10 breeds off the top of my head that would get triggered by this kind of activity. Although we had to cut this down significantly for space con-

siderations (contact John at Bark for more information) we really

BREED

Continues Page 11

Prize winners! Please note that we have two prize winners for recent contests that we ran in Precious Pets. Reader Gail Goldstein wins a signed copy of Dr. Joe Schwarcz’s latest book, while Susan Regan wins the classic DVD Brother Sun Sister Moon. Thanks for entering, ladies, and remember: You don’t try, you don’t win. Enjoy your gifts, courtesy of Judah and Santa!

Important Update

Our location is changing to better serve you. Our spacious new venue will offer you more services, but using our guaranteed quality, provided by our caring, committed staff. We have developed a reputation for quality and excellence and we never allow a client to leave dissatisfied. That includes your pets!

Now Selling!! Holistic raw food for dogs and cats

morguefile.com photo

4937 Sherbrooke Street West Corner Claremont next door to Starbucks - Westmount - H3Z 1H2 Tel: 514-487-9998 Like us on Facebook! TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT, SIMPLY CALL 514 487-9998

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 4 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015 • www.preciouspets.ca

COVER STORY

PET FRIENDS IS MOSTLY ABOUT ITS OUTSTANDING TEAM STORY BY BRAM EISENTHAL u EXCLUSIVE TO PRECIOUS PETS Of all the people and places that Tina and I have gotten to know since starting Precious Pets in August 2013, it is Pet Friends (Nos Copains) of Vaudreauil, Quebec, that has moved us most. Started by British-born owner Averil Robinson (in the late 1990s), a woman who is somewhat of a mentor to Tina and I, the business, which offers end-of-life care and services to untold numbers of people and the beloved pet companions that are ready to cross the Rainbow Bridge, it is undoubtedly Averil’s staff who have so ideally complimented her philosophy that animals deserve the ultimate in respect and caring, no matter what their age. It should be stressed here that Averil herself assists Gerdy’s Rescue’s Golden Retriever division, for dogs that need a forever home. Averil takes older dogs, 8-years and up, that have a harder chance of finding a home. When Averil began operations, she realized immediately she needed life-experienced personnel to help her handle the massive workload. Executive Assistant Gail Best was among the first hired. Gail started her love affair with animals at a young age, as many have. “Growing up we had a couple of cats, then a dog that ’found’ us. She was probably a pet that was dumped and she was with us for about 15 years. Then another two cats remained with my parents until they (the cats) passed away. “When my husband and I bought our house and moved in June, lo and behold, in October there was a cat sitting on our picnic table. Another ‘dump,’ apparently. We had

him for 18 years!! We now have two more cats, a brother and sister who are now 9-years of age. “I should also stress that I grew up in a small town where my grandfather raised ‘sulky horses,’ as did my uncle. My mother grew up on a farm, so I was always exposed to many different kinds of animals. I actually tried to make friends with a bull (that was `nodding` at me), until my grandmother came out and made me stop. Coming to work with Averil had an unfortunate genesis, but it turned out quite well. “I had lost my last job a year previous... they fired me when I found out that I had breast cancer,” Gail revealed. Once I had finished my treatments, I saw an ad that Averil had placed in our local paper. Having lost a child, I understood how painful a loss could be. I am a very compassionate person and enjoy being able to help someone who needs a listening ear. This, to me, can be the most important part of grieving. “I think, however, the most satisfying experience I have had has occurred when a child comes in with their pet and I can get a hug before they leave. I know I have made sure they understand that the body is just a vessel... and the spirit of their pet will always be in their heart.” Chantal Chevrier is Averil’s other Executive Assistant. She has become indispensible, as well. “As a child, I always had pets around, cats, dogs, rabbits and others and I have always been passionate for pets.” She always wanted to help people, too, as much as she could. “Then I came upon the ad and since I was

thinking about applying to a human funeral home at the time, I realized this job was ideal for me.” Chantal’s beliefs have changed since starting to work at Pet Friends. “I always had respect for all animal life, but I had prejudices about Rescue pets, such as thinking they may be problem pets, since that people did not want them anymore. I have learnt that, to the contrary, they make the most wonderful pets and I now highly recommend adopting a Rescue.” As for what gives Chantal the most satisfaction: “It is a daily satisfying experience to see the families come in destroyed but leave at peace... and with a smile.” Technician Fernand Moreau is used to the heat of the action generated at his job... he is a retired, award-winning fire fighter who had a farm for 29 years. When he retired from being a fire fighter, he wanted a job where he could use his technology experience and also indulge his hankering to work with the public. He finds Pet Friends gives him a fulfilling daily experience helping people that are in grief after losing a family pet, bringing them comfort and assurance that their pet is se-

morguefile.com photo curely cared for. Technician Yves Turcotte is a retired police officer, so he has no problem with difficult daily challeng-

FRIENDS Continues Page 11

TIDBITS Art from

Marta Barnes

Ace Dog Training Montreal AFFIRMATIVE CANINE EDUCATION • Obedience, All Levels • Behavior Consultations • Temperament Evaluations

Jayne DeLuca DOG TRAINER

514-238-6119

C.D.T.A.REGISTERED TRAINER Member of Montreal Dog Trainers Network

acedogtrainingmontreal.com

Francis Bacon, the holiday pig, was overjoyed to discover that he’d be bringing luck to everyone in the new year as 2016’s resident glucksschwein.

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 4 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015 • www.preciouspets.ca

BOOK REVIEW

CRYPTOZOOLOGIST’S BOOK ON ELEPHANTS A MUST-READ FOR LOVERS OF PACHYDERMS WITH

BRAM EISENTHAL u EXCLUSIVE TO PRECIOUS PETS

In the kingdom of animals, late naturist/biologist Ivan T. Sanderson was one of the true monarchs. I first heard of him at a very young age, because I have always been into Cryptozoology (the study of hidden animals... like Sasquatch, the Loch Ness Monster, Mothman and such) and Sanderson had written a book I kept in soft cover well into my adult years, as dog-eared as it was: Abominable Snowman: Legend Come to Life, probably written in the late 1960s). I finally bought an affordable hard-cover later printing several years ago, to add to my library of prized tomes. Sanderson left us for more angelic astral planes a long time ago, but he paved the way for others (like Maine resident Loren Coleman and Vancouver Island-based biologist Dr. John Bindernagel) to search for natural oddities such as Bigfoot. In fact, I doubt you would find any of the ridiculous-yet-strangely-entertaining shows like Bigfoot Hunters on digital TV had it not been for him. As I get older, however, I have come to appreciate Sanderson for his incredible and informative musings on the animal kingdom, including the latest I read recently, on one of my favourite subjects: Elephants. Yes, if you like these pachyderms half as much as I do, please find a copy of The Dynasty of Abu: A History and Natural History of The Elephants and Their Relatives, Past and Present (1960) and devour it voraciously. This scholarly tome deconstructs the world of elephants, their birth, learning patterns, growth, reproductive cycles and also, unfortu-

nately, their very unique deaths and tells us about the various members of the species, such as the olifants and loxodonts. Sanderson starts by stressing that there are two life forms these days (“This is a colossal mass of anything,” he points out, while discussing the largest land animal on Earth, “let alone flesh, to be held above the ground on bones and still to be able to move about and stand on its hind legs....”) that are the largest (weight and size-wise) on our planet: One in the ocean, the Blue Whale, measuring 113 feet and weighing 170 tons, and: Land-wise, the Bush Loxodont, an elephant resident to Africa that stands over 13 feet at the shoulder and weighs a modest 12 tons. This book is fascinating not only as an overview of elephants present and past – Sanderson looks at what is known about the defunct Woolly Mammoth, which was closely related to the Asiatic Elephant, the much earlier Trilophodon, of the prehistoric Micocene Period, and Moeritherium, the elephant’s earliest ancestor

– but he also looks at other animal life, such as various bats, as well as the dugong and manatee, that brings his vast knowledge of such things our way. Truly, anything by the savvy Sanderson is a joy to read. He has also written about UFOs and imparted his notions to that area of interest.... He refers to all elephants past and present as Abu, by the way, hence the title. This is in deference to the ancient Egyptians, who were among the first people to catch, tame and train elephants and who referred to them as Abu. There were three known species of Abu living when Sanderson penned his book: Loxodonta africana and Loxodonta cyclotis, both of Africa, and Elephas indictus, of Asia. After reading this book, I have no doubt that these highly intelligent and resourceful creatures were not abused by ancient peoples like those in Egypt and India, however... That is the way of modern man, which disrespects every other living thing in favour of his own interests.

After reading this, I am more hardened as ever to eschew circuses and zoos that train their animals, elephants included, using brutal tools such as bull hooks. I invite you to read and come to your own conclusions. ED. NOTE: Go to http://www.abucamp.com/ to learn about a really unique elephant experience. Certain Idiot killer dentists need not apply.

Coming Up: NEXT ISSUE

FRIDAY. January 22, 2016

DEADLINE WEDNESDAY, morguefile.com photo

January 13, 2016 info@preciouspetscanada.com

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 4 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015 • www.preciouspets.ca

We Were There

Stories and photos from events for pets!

FOURTH ANNUAL OTTAWA PET EXPO 2015 STORY AND PHOTOS BY BRAM EISENTHAL

EXCLUSIVE TO PRECIOUS PETS

The weekend of November 14 – 15, 2015, Tina and I had the pleasure to attend the Ottawa Pet Expo, which is, as far as we are concerned, the premier pet event in Ontario or Quebec. While we are hoping to rent a booth at this show eventually, perhaps next summer, for now the drive to Ottawa is enjoyable enough – I lived there for five years, so it is somewhat like returning home again – and the event itself, put on by Caneast Shows, is really impressive. Trust us: If you have the desire to meet and greet the people from all manner of pet-related businesses, pick up a ton of material and merch and interact with dogs of all breeds (the Montreal show does not permit animals... much to our dismay), this is as enjoyable a way to spend a few hours as you will find. Next year’s event will be held on November 12 – 13, 2016 and organizers are also planning their first Ottawa Dog Festival, June 11 and 12, 2016 (see ottawadogfestival.ca). See you there! Till then, enjoy a bit o’ the atmosphere of this year’s event through the pictures found here.....

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 4 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015 • www.preciouspets.ca

We Were There

Stories and photos from events for pets!

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 4 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015 • www.preciouspets.ca

PRECIOUS PETS HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2015 Traditionally, we run a pet-oriented gift guide for the winter holiday period every year. So, without further ado... and we’d like to credit Karma, of Karmacreativesolutions.ca and this year’s Ottawa Pet Expo guide for running this first. Thanks, too, to the Geeky Gadgets website and the Signals catalogue (www. signals.com), which is always filled with pet-oriented gifts. Check on-line to see where you can pick up most of these in your area and to obtain pricing.... though none of these are too pricy.

This cool gadget, the Obi Laser (mainly for cats) , can be engaged with a phone app, allowing you to activate it anytime with your phone OR to schedule activation anytime it is most convenient. The goal is to tease your cats with a laser light... and we all know how many hours your cats (dogs, too) can play with these! Go to http://www.geeky-gadgets. com/obi-smartphoneconnected-laser-toy-forcats-24-09-2015/ for more information and to see a cool video.

2 Barn Yarn animals have been sold before, but are very charming and engaging. They’d make great stocking stuffers or be well received by pet aficionados on any of the eight nights of Chanukah (Dec. 6 – 14, 2015).

SEE MORE PAGE 10 8

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 4 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015 • www.preciouspets.ca

ASK THE DOCTOR

They Call Me Dr. W

New puppy or kitten visits: The Check-Up (part two) (BY DR. WYBRANOWSKI, B.SC. DVM CCRT)

In part one of my column on a puppy and/or kitten’s first exam, I started the actual exam, telling readers how I like to ensure that the animal is healthy from the get-go. Here, I continue the exam... Read on, so that you know what I expect when your young pet meets a veterinarian for the first time.... Next I will move to the abdomen, and check for an umbilical hernia. Gently with my hands I will feel the urinary bladder, the colon, the intestines, both kidneys. I will be looking for changes in size or shape, pain or discomfort. Next I will move to the back and check the color of the skin, or for the presence of crusts or dandruff. With a small dense comb I check for fleas or flea dirt. Standing behind the pet, I check both hind legs. I check the knee caps and the hips for looseness. If the pet is a male I will see if I can palpate both testicles. Returning to the front I check both front legs, especially the elbows and shoulders, for good rangeof-motion and no discomfort. This exam description is basic to all cats and dogs, but every breed has its own problems so I will focus on a specific area depending on breed. Once the exam is done, we need to answer all the questions every new owner has. From housebreaking, meal feeding frequency, simple training commands like “sit,” to brushing the teeth and cleaning the ears... all these questions and more are answered. We give handouts that contain a lot of basic information. Toward the end of the visit, after we have explained every-

thing, the pet gets his necessary vaccinations. We will give the pet a de-wormer and send the owner home with a pot to collect a sample of its poop. We will also discuss the importance of good nutrition and when the pet needs to come back for his booster vaccination. A free six-week trial for pet insurance is offered to make owners aware of its existence and benefits. Just recently, I introduced breed-specific handouts for dogs that spell out all the problems that a particular breed is prone to, in which we include a “road map to heath” – a breakdown of what kind of care we can provide for this pet throughout his whole life. This lets the owner know what to expect and what to watch out for over the years. Making sure your pet is healthy, happy and has a long life is our primary goal and how we measure our success. ED. NOTE: Thanks, Dr. W. for this insight. Thanks, too, to Simba, for letting us photograph you.

A healthy Simba today

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 4 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015 • www.preciouspets.ca

GIFT GUIDE

PRECIOUS PETS HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2015 CONTINUED

Kong has built its reputation on good-quality and enduring toys that have a purpose, but a new one is all about pure play! It’s called the Glide ‘N Seek and also appears to be more of a cat toy. Magnets in the base move yellow feathered toys under multiple holes that attract your pet’s rapt attention. This is where smaller, agile paws come in handy the most.

Nope, Fabreze doesn’t make a deodorizer for bad pet breath yet, but the Orapup dog pet brush should do the trick. Your buddy simply licks the safe liquid off the large brush and it cleans his tongue, helping to eliminate germs and stinky breath.

If your dog (or cat... if they can feasibly snuggle with a doggie) craves companionship, the Snuggle Puppy is not only soft and cuddly, but features a “Real Feel” pulsating “heartbeat” to simulate that of its mommy, thus helping your pet feel more connected and less anxious. Hey, it’s a big, scary world out there!

The Mechanical Singing Bird in a Cage chirps, trills bobs back and forth on its perch and, best of all, doesn’t cost a fortune. Very unique and a winner for any bird lover. The cage is made of bamboo and is 4” in diameter and 7” high.

450-458-5382

450-458-4391

www.hudsonvet .ca 5412 Harwood Vaudreuil-Dorion (QC) J7V 0K2

Paws and Whiskers Tote Bag: American artist Robert McClintock features gorgeous and lifelike cat paintings on bags that are printed in colour and are 17-inches square. Signals’s Sterling Silver Cat Ring curls around your finger so perfectly you can almost hear it purr. This ½-inch ring is polished and highly-detailed.

Manon Flynn, DVM Amanda Cockburn, DVM Isabelle Foisy, DVM

The Pudge Braidz Indestructable Dog Toy is braided, long-lasting and will actually floss your canine’s teeth during tug-of-war matches. Fun!

Signals’ Lucky Elephent Paperwight is handblown in solid glass and would look great in a curio cabinet or on a desk. It’s just 4” high and comes packaged in a box that also contains the good luck background story (See our elephant book review in this issue!).

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 4 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015 • www.preciouspets.ca

The late writer/artist Edward Gorey, who was awarded a Tony for his stage design for Dracula, the Broadway production starring Frank Langella in the title role in the late 1970s, was a brilliant creator and also a renowned cat lover. Gorey designed some jewelry and other items that were cat-themed. The on-line Gorey Store, at GoreyStore. com, can be accessed for some marvelous gifts. Gorey was one of Bram’s favourite creative talents (he passed away in 2000), so he has no problem inviting you to take a gander....

MORE PETS

BREED

Continued from Page 3 i

wanted to know whether Pit Bulls are more vicious than the average dog... and how can we ensure that they are not vicious, period? “You can never ensure 100 percent that a dog will not be vicious under certain circumstances. Pit Bulls are no more vicious towards

people than any other dogs are. They can have some dog-to-dog issues but from my experience they are extremely friendly towards people. The best thing you can do to ensure your dog does not become dangerous is to socialize and train them early. This does not

mean you are out of the woods. At about 1 year of age, there will be a little rebellious stage. I equate dogs at this age to being like a rebellious teenager of 14 testing boundaries. You have to stand firm with them and stay vigilant and strict with their training. This will pass until about 18 months when it will occur again, but this time they are more like a 17 year old… a little bigger and stronger. This will also pass. Around 2-years ,they are heading into adulthood and tend to be a little easier to deal with – IF you have been following your training regimens but

Editorial Board

FRIENDS

THE EDITORIAL BOARD OF PRECIOUS PETS IS COM-

i sanctuary with my wife, which is what we are currently pursuing. I am also a certified wildlife rehabilitator. How did Kevin come to Pet Friends? “Our dog passed away last January and we had used the services of Pet Friends. I was so impressed with how professionally the place was run and the amount of dignity and respect that was given to our pet that I remember telling myself how I could really get involved with a place like this. I told Averil that if ever she was looking for some extra help to let me know. Sure enough, she needed someone and the rest, as they say, is history.”

CONNECTED TO THE PET FIELD IN SOME MANNER,

WHO ARE READY TO AD-

VISE 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

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.

To get more information on dogs of any breed, contact John Truss at Bark Avenue, Phone: 514-747-2275, or by e-mail at info@barkavemtl.com

Continued from Page 4

PRISED OF INDIVIDUALS

AVERIL ROBINSON, OWNER OF PET FRIENDS (VAUDREUIL, QUEBEC)

if you have been slacking off, they can be a problem here too. Once a dog reaches 3 years of age, they are pretty much an adult and should be set in their ways. “This doesn’t mean poor behaviours can’t be modified at this point, but they will take a little longer to correct.” Having any dog “put down,” stressed John, is certainly not the answer.

es. He has been a pet aficionado “as long as I can remember..... we always had dogs and cats at our home when I was growing up. My parents transferred their love of animals to me and my brother. So it is only normal that once I purchased my own home, I had lots of dogs and cats who shared their lives with us.” His experiences at Pet Friends are not always the happiest, he admitted: “I’ve had many heart breaking experiences, mostly with seniors who lost their pets and they no longer wanted to live. I gave them comfort and assured them that their pets were loved, telling them that ‘they had the most incredible lives because of you.’ Recent hire Kevin O’Farrell has “been involved with animal care giving and rescue for many years. I have done a lot of volunteer and

paid work with various sanctuaries, rescue groups and zoos as an animal caregiver, including a 13year stretch at a farm sanctuary for abused and neglected farm animals. “That experience gave me the inspiration to open up my own farm

Pet Friends/Nos Copains is located at 196 Valois, Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC, J7V 1T4. You can also reach them at 514-9470168 and by e-mail at petfriends. noscopains@gmail.com. Their website is at www.petfriemnds.ca

Holiday Publishing Schedule Please note that we will NOT be publishing an issue in late December, due to the holiday vacation period when many people are away. We will return on Friday, January 22, 2016 and our deadline for that issue is Wednesday, January 13, 2016. Till then, Happy New Year, everyone!

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 4 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015 • www.preciouspets.ca

BOYHOOD

Happy Holidays!

AQUATIC PETS MAKE

GREAT HOLIDAY GIFTS

Boyhood Buddy with Jovan Rohac

The management and staff of Precious Pets wishes you, your families and your other loved ones, including your pet companions, a safe, happy and healthy holiday season, filled with all of the good things life has to offer. Please remember that the best holiday gift for your pet is a good home and a lot of love... not much different from us, actually... Bram and Tina, James, Janet, Marta and Kelly

morguefile.com photo

If I had to choose a pet to purchase for somebody, I would chose an aquarium animal. For example, a frog, a fish or a turtle. I would also buy the people a huge aquarium and food to last for months, as well as aquarium decorations, like rocks at the bottom. It would help the person I am buying the pet for care for their pet. Having an aquarium pet also has great responsibilities. You have to do a bunch of harder stuff, like changing the water in the aquarium, making sure the water temperature inside

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 4 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015 • www.preciouspets.ca

your little friends’ aquarium is just right, making sure nothing is growing on the side of the aquarium and feeding your pet. You have a lot more to do then just picking up its poop , walking and feeding it (ED. NOTE: Jovan, that’s a given!). When purchasing a pet for someone you have to make sure they are responsible enough to take care of it! The only thing about having an aquarium pet is you can’t play with it outside of the aquarium…..but that’s ok! You can watch it swim for food when you drop food in the aquarium and, overall, watch it enjoy its environment. I’ve only had animals like dogs…. so I not 100 percent sure how to take care of these amazing aquarium pets. I kind of always wanted one of those mini-turtles because they are so small and cute. I love it when their little mouths drop open as they’re eating. I love looking at their tiny little eyes and wonder what they are thinking. Well... maybe someday.... ED. NOTE: Thanks, Jovan, for giving us some new things to ponder regarding buying an aquatic pet.

MEMORIES

ONLY KIPPY Guest Column with Myra Eder

Although I loved her as only a little girl can, I had not thought about Kippy for decades. Then a look at the compelling Montreal-based “Precious Pets” triggered visions and warm cuddly memories of an adorable black and white terrier mutt that was part of our family in late 1940s Detroit. While the Eder household later was home to a succession of dogs, Kippy was the only one I truly adored, and though only 6 or 7 at the time, I remember how Kippy became an Eder. Almost every Sunday, Daddy would take me “visiting.” He and I would get into our gray 1949 Pontiac to stop by various relatives’ homes -- uninvited and unannounced, but always expected and warmly welcomed. Occasionally we visited one my father’s aunts whose name I don’t remember. She was tante, Yiddish for aunt. “Sammy, I’m so happy to see you,” she’d say. Tante appeared to be very old to this little girl and her living room always seemed dark. She was nice, but for me, the best part of visiting tante was her adorable dog, Kippy. One day, my father announced Kippy was coming to live with us. Tante was moving to California (maybe Florida?) and wasn’t taking Kippy. So, at some point, Kippy came live with us in our little postwar bungalow. I don’t recall details of Kippy’s time with us, but I remember that I adored her as only a little kid can cherish a pet. It never dawned on me that our lovable mutt would not be around forever. Alas, one day I realized Kippy was gone. Where was she? When I asked mom what happened, she said skin tests revealed I was very allergic to dogs, so she and dad gave Kippy away. I cried and cried but knew there was nothing I could do. And yet, after Kippy, a series of canine pets joined our family, all on a fairly short-term basis. Each eventually was given to another family and, eventually, I wondered why we kept getting dogs if in fact I was so allergic. So again I asked my mother why

morguefile.com photo

Kippy had to go. That time she said Kippy suffered from a bad case of “mange” (www.pets.webmd.com) and “had to be put away.” She said she did not want to tell me the truth when I was so very young and attached to the mutt (ED. NOTE-When I was about 9 and my buddy, canine Casy, died after being hit by a car while I was at school, my parents told me for an entire year that he was in the hospital. I caught on eventually, too). While writing this, I had hoped a sister only four years younger than me would have some memory of Kippy. When asked, she said the name sounded familiar but that was about it. Now, so many decades later, while I share this story with “Precious Pets” readers, I’m the only person alive who remembers Kippy, the little mutt that grabbed my little girl’s heart -- and broke it too. Chicago-based Myra Eder is a former staffer at The Chicago Tribune, whom Bram met at a Star Trek event in Las Vegas in the 1990s. She speaks of Kippy often. And her heart still breaks, it seems….

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 4 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015 • www.preciouspets.ca

MORE PETS

PAMPERED PETS RELOCATES IN WESTMOUNT On November 7, 2015, Pampered Pets of Westmount had their grand re-opening to celebrate the expansion and new location of their already-popular and trendy grooming salon. After 11-plus years, owner Anna Maria Ranieri decided it was time to start fresh in this stunning new venue. “We wanted to offer so much more to our amazing clients,” she stated. Pampered Pets offers only the best quality foods for your pets and a newly-enlarged boutique and spa. Ranieri invites clients old and new to stop by and view the new location. Word is that it’s quite something to see!

Puzzles

Solution

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 4 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015 • www.preciouspets.ca