Precious pets Vol 3, Issue 8 by PreciousPets

Precious Pets www.preciouspets.ca VOLUME 3

ISSUE 8 u APRIL 29, 2016

3 PET-HUMAN BONDING

10 DOGS LOVE MUD

13 BIRDS OF PREY SAVE US EVERY DAY, THANKS TO GRAY (AND CO.) Story page 4

SUMMER CAN BE DANGEROUS FOR DOGS

WORDS FROM THE EDITOR

Birds of a feather... don’t necessarily flock together.... Barking Bram

pixabay.com photo

with Bram Eisenthal

Birds of a feather... don’t necessarily flock together.... So, our cover story this issue gelled from a story I wrote for MTL magazine a long time ago, circa early 1990s. For that small piece, I interviewed then-Gazette avian columnist Dr. David Bird, who had his own aviary at MacDonald College of McGill University at the time. He was also involved in the project that saw Peregrine Falcons being bred and raised on an upper ledge of Montreal’s Sun Life Building, with cameras watching their every move. How cool was that? I actually caught up with Dr. Bird, who is now retired and lives on Vancouver Island, for a cover story for this paper. So, when Tina told me that she was friends with Gray Wilson and that he was involved with raptors, this garnered my rapt attention. It also led to the interesting feature on our cover.

Read the piece if you wish to learn the invaluable services these birds, such as Peregrine Falcons and Harris Hawks, perform for our benefit. If this isn’t nature, I don’t know what is, really. God only knows Our/my review of the recent book God, An Autobiography is not the start of a religious slant to our paper. I am very spiritual, but not at all religious. I believe, however, in the right of everyone to express their own religious views. When it comes to animals, however, I am a diehard believer that they have souls. And ain’t anyone going to convince me otherwise, no matter who he or she is. I found philosopher James L. Martin’s book highly thought-provoking, which is why I give it a hefty thumbs-up. It’s a good read... pick up a copy.... and

check out the author’s info at www. godanautobiography.com, or connect with him on FB. Why are Montreal radio deejays so ignorant? There are a handful of Montreal English radio deejays I highly respect... okay, less than 10, perhaps, including Terry Dimonte, Mitch Melnick, Aaron Rand, Sharon Hyland, Ronny Mack, Jason Rockman and Bob “TooTall” Wagner (you can easily guess my favourite station, I think). But many of the rest are either supremely ignorant, uneducated or just idiots who cannot speak properly and know nothing about anything. Radio execs are even more idiotic. Unprofessional radio hacks with their own shows? For the most part... don’t get me started.... I don’t get it. Is it because the scholastic system failed them? Because the younger ones are even dumber (for the most part) than is believable. Even the news-readers, most of whom write their own copy, are clueless. Again, the older veterans are generally good, You know, it takes more than having a “radio voice” to make it, as late CJAD news guru Gord Sinclair once told me in a letter. I know this. I apparently have The Voice, but that

doesn’t mean I’d “make it” in radio. It may be time for the industry to wake up, because there is a reason there is no longer a BBM (Bulletin of Broadcast Measurement) book out, for radio sales execs to use when determining their ridiculous rates. I believe English radio has become irrelevant and with talent like this bunch of Cretans to rely on, it’s no wonder. Luckily, the good guys are THAT good! Here’s a chance to also mention some of the greats of the past, so let’s also raise a glass to: Chucky (Charles P. Rodney) Chandler and Marc “Mais-Oui” Denis (both with defunct CFOX, the latter also with defunct 940 A.M..... curse you, hatchet man Mark Dickie), Ralph Lockwood, Mark Burns and the late Ted Blackman, George Balcan and, yes, even “bandleader” Ted Tevan, who sounded just like the amazing-but-abrasive Pat Burns. We’re late... for a very important date! You will no doubt note that our paper is out in May, but dated in April. This is not an error. Due to a technical hold-up, we are delivering a bit late. These things happen, sorry! This IS, however, our April 2016 issue. Thanks for your understanding, readers.

LIKE US ON: pixabay.com photo

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

http://twitter.com/PreciousPetNews

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 8, April 2016. Copyright 2016. 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 Media Group Inc.

VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 8 • FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016

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 PROOFREADER: ................................................................................................ Murray W. Schwartz

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 8 • FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016 • www.preciouspets.ca

BONDING

Perspectives I uses pet-human

bonding to improve communication Animal behaviour consultant Gaby Dufresne (right) giving instructions to student Kofi Asiedu (left) and Cas the boxer.

Of Mice (and other animal species) and Men with Stuart Nulman

There is an oft-used saying that dog lovers like to cite, stating that “a dog is man’s best friend.” At Perspectives I High School in the Villeray district, a 10-week dog training program that is currently underway, which involves 10 of the school’s atrisk students that helps them with their social skills and how to build better relationships, you can easily rephrase that saying as “a dog is a student’s best friend.” The dog training program is run by animal behaviour consultant Gaby Dufresne, who did her internship at Perspectives two years ago, and takes place once a week in the school’s art room for up to 90 minutes. The 10 students who are involved in the program are teamed up with four different breeds of rescued dogs – along with their respective trained human handlers, many of whom are stagi-

aires from the EMSB’s work-oriented programs – and are given different exercises to do. Here, students and dogs will learn how to solve different problems and situations through communication between each other. “The program teaches the students how to build a relationship through the dog they work with every week. Together, they learn how to communicate and solve problems,” said Dufresne. “A sense of trust is developed between the dogs and the students and the dogs act as a guide for them, so that they can work through these problems with a great deal of self-control.” Dufresne added that the bonds that are created between student and dog help establish this one-onone relationship much faster because there are many parallels between both the canine and the human

Student Maria Tzevelekos (left) training Ivy to go through a pair of hoops.

Photo - Stuart Nulman

worlds. “In the home, when there is a pet dog present, it can be the most non-judgmental member of the family and is always happy to see their owner when they come home,” she said. “Also, dogs can aid humans to build their self-confidence. They are able to help manifest the student in question to say what their needs are, because some of them can’t speak for themselves.” And since the dog training program began at Perspectives I back in mid-March, Dufresne has seen positive results and an impact on the participating students quite rapidly. “The kids are happy to come to class now: They participate more in the classroom and now like to talk about it. And since they began working with the dogs, they have become happier, appear calmer and have become more grounded,” she said. At the session I attended earlier this month, the students who were present worked with their matched dogs – Gene the poodle, Cas the Boxer, and Jasmine and Ivy, the latter two both mixed breeds – on their respective exercises using clickers and treats to coax and reward the dogs. The exercises include going through hoops, retrieving mail envelopes and pressing a sound-emitting button. Throughout the 90-minute session, I notice how the strong bonds between dog and human were established as if they were hanging out with their best friends on a weekly basis, and an atmosphere of calm and trust became quite prevalent as the student-dog teams were going through their exercises for the week.

“I have a lot of fun training the dogs, chilling with them and teaching them new things,” said

BOND

Continues Page 10

Student Alexandro Lombardi with Jasmine.

Photo - Stuart Nulman

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 8 • FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016 • www.preciouspets.ca

COVER STORY

Birds of prey save us every day, thanks to Gray (and co.) Story and Photos by Bram Eisenthal u Exclusive to Precious Pets I first became fascinated with birds of prey about 25 years ago, at the renowned Equinox Hotel in New Hampshire. I took a very introductory class in flying raptors (no, not veloceraptors, the murderous dinosaurs you see in the Jurassic Park films), which are birds of prey, like Peregrine Falcons. My Harris Hawk was called Miss Piggy and as I held up a gloved hand with some meat (they are carnivores) tucked between my thumb and palm, she used her exquisite eyesight to fly from a perch in a tree about 275 meters away and land on my gloved hand to enjoy her meal. Without the glove, she would have inadvertently ripped my hand apart with her razor-sharp talons. Falconing was once considered the “sport of kings,” by the way and the ancient Chinese left behind many original paintings of their emperors enjoying this lofty pursuit, their hands enrobed in protective gloves. Robert Kennedy Jr., the son of the assassinated American Senator, is an enthusiastic falconer, as are many others who enjoy this natural sport. To learn more, we will turn our attention to Gray Wilson, a local man who is a bit of an expert on birds of prey himself, to say the least. This will make you very happy the next time you fly,

Tony, a 2-year-old Peregrine Falcon

Photo - Bram Eisenthal

because raptors frighten off birds like seagulls that are routinely sucked into airplane engines, causing the planes to stall and often crash. First-off, I asked Gray, a partner and VP in GPF Wildlife Management (the other partners are president Marc-Andre Fortin and VP Marie-Eve Castonguay), how he got into this field. We spoke as he introduced me to two of his raptors, a mixed-breed Falcon named Tony, 2-years old, and Harris Hawk Stella, 11-years old and easily double Tony’s size. “When I was a boy I loved dogs and did not really consider birds at all,” Wilson, a Falconer for four years now, admitted. “My friend Marc-Andre, the founder of our company, introduced me to his raptors about eight years ago and I found them scary! With their talons and curved beaks, as well as their piercing glares, I was sure to keep my distance. Over time I became more familiar with them and developed a appreciation for their skills. I helped out by creating some unique enclosures and even converted a camping trailer into a portable aviary.” Then, of course, there was the business concept. How did that come about? “The business was growing and Marc-Andre found it was time to bring in some management help to continue its development. My sales and people

management skills seemed to be the right fit. After six months, we welcomed a former employee back and we both bought into the business as a means to further expand and prepare for the future. Marie-Eve has added a fresh look at our market, as well as providing the company with the next generation in leadership. As for my question about challenges, Wilson uttered one solitary word initial-

ly: “Wow!” “Imagine you start a business where the future employees must learn everything ‘on the fly [so to speak]’ .... as no school offers the required training. We

GRAY

Continues Page 6

Stella, an 11-year old Harris Hawk with Gray Wilson

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 8 • FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016 • www.preciouspets.ca

Photo - Bram Eisenthal

QUEEN WATCH

Queen Elizabeth celebrates the start of her ninth decade with her pets Story by Bram Eisenthal u Exclusive to Precious Pets

pixabay.com photo

I am a proud Monarchist and I am far from shy to admit as much. Ever since I was a young child and would watch TV shows and films on the likes of Ivanhoe – yes, even though the Royals at that time certainly showed their faults – I have been a fan of British Royalty. I was a HUGE Princess Diana fan (and I have the rare purple-coloured “Princess” Beanie Baby bears to prove it) and even though Queen Elizabeth more than disappointed me by hardly ever publicly embracing “The People’s Princess,” she is by FAR the coolest Royal in history, anywhere, as far as I am concerned. So, it is with no lack of sheer pride that Precious Pets congratulates Queen Elizabeth , reigning Matriarch of the House of Windsor, on the occasion of her 90th birthday. We are also quite pleased at her choice of photographer, the esteemed Annie Leibovitz , to take three outstanding photos, including the one below with several of her dog companions. In 2007, the Queen was known to have five Corgies: Monty, Emma, Linnet, Willow and Holly; five Cocker Spaniels: Bisto, Oxo, Flash, Spick and Span; and four Dorgis (Dachsund/ Corgi mixes): Cider, Berry, Vulcan and Candy. It’s good to be the Queen, no doubt! Congratulations My Liege. You get

better with age, like the finest of vintages. May you live to 220! Did you know? : American President Abraham Lincoln, royalty of another kind for sure, had a penchant for talking to goats, which he kept as pets in the White House, and that the cat was his favourite animal?

Coming up NEXT ISSUE

FRIDAY May 27, 2016

DEADLINE WEDNESDAY May 18, 2016 Photo credit Annie Leibovitz

info@preciouspetscanada.com

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 8 • FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016 • www.preciouspets.ca

BUSINESS PROFILE

GRAY

Continued from Page 4 i

do require a background in biology in order to best interpret the unique characteristics of each site. As well, your potential clients do not know you exist or that there is even a viable solution to their dilemma. “This is an emerging market that requires education for staff as well as client partners. Most people are not aware that we offer a soft human approach to unwanted wildlife situations, an approach which respects nature while being highly effective and does not involve noise, chemicals or ineffective gadgets that the wildlife quickly

adapt too. The business is about serving the public good. “We help out using nature’s own solution to scare off unwanted wildlife, in areas such as airports, waste sites, municipal parks, food processing plants, farms, industrial plants etc.,`` Gray said. ``Our solution respects regulations and restrictions, does not contribute noise or harmful chemicals. As an added bonus, we provide education to the general public on the habits and life rituals of falcons and hawks and give them a closer look at these majestic birds.``.

The education is comprised of knowing all the pertinent facts. Yes, there are several key ones,`` Gray told me. ``Raptors are not dangerous to humans. In fact, humans pose the danger for them, as raptors are fragile to environmental changes and pollution. Some species are on the endangered species list and as such are protected by law (such as owls) .People may think that a raptor would be a novel pet, but these creatures are not suited for just anyone. One requires a permit to own a protected raptor, preceded by training by a licensed falconer and the subsequent possession of regulated equipment and enclosures and knowledge of all the practices. They are not, for instance, animals that we pet or snuggle up to. The birds are really fascinating, by the way. They: Are highly intelligent; Learn quickly; Have a second, inner,

eyelid; Fly up to 85 kph; And dine on delicacies like frozen, thawed-out baby chicks, to list a few cool facts. Undigested parts, like the bones, are compacted into a hard pellet about 10 x 2.5 centimetres in size and vomited up afterwards. Sounds gross, I know, but it is highly efficient and I can compare it to your cat coughing up a hairball. You can contact Gray at 514-298-0762 or gwilson@gpf-faune.com. A highly engaging fellow, he is often a vailable to speak to your group about raptors. GPF Wildlife Management is located at: 153 Hubert St Ste Sophie, QC J5J 1R3 Gpf-faune.com

BUSINESS PROFILE

Ace Dog Training Montreal with

Bram Eisenthal u Exclusive to Precious Pets

In this zany pet business, you have all kinds. You have serious entrepreneurs and you also have people who have no business catering to animals, those who manage to coerce animal lovers into buying the garbage they sell. Jayne Deluca of Ace Dog Training belongs to the former group and we know this by experience: Tina has used her services for her Golden Doodle Simba several times and has been completely satisfied. Just ask her! I discussed dog training with Ms. Deluca and the experience was totally enlightening. “Having grown up in Northern Ontario, I was blessed to live in a household full of domestic animals (and some not so

domestic). My grandmother and mother were always cleaning up a stray animal, caring for a bird, or feeding a three-legged fox that would come for breakfast and chin scratch every morning. So, whether it was canine, feline, reptile, fish, avian, or the occasional wild animal, no critter was ever turned away. “I love all animals, but dogs have always been my favourite and I even have a house full of them. Still, this was never really enough for me. If there was a dog show at a local arena, I was there. I must have driven some of those poor breeders and handlers insane with my questions and my time lingering

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

around. Thinking back, I must have come across to them as a stray! Jayne’s entrepreneurial spirit turned up quite early. “When I was 10, I started my first dog walking business. What better way than to be around different breeds and learn their specific characteristics? Also, walking dogs always gave me the opportunity to teach them to walk well on a leash, sit, stay and shake a paw. “As I got older my education took me in the direction of business management. After 17 years of climbing the corporate ladder (in heels no less!) I came to the conclusion that life is short and I was not meant to be tethered to a desk. It was time for a change. So, back to school I went to become a certified dog trainer. Jayne’s life philosophy is simple: “I truly believe dogs teach us to live life to the fullest,” she stated. What techniques does Jayne use most, I wanted to know? “I think that understanding a dog’s body language and seeing what triggers a dog to behave in a certain manner definitely helps me get into the dogs head,” she revealed. “Watching a dog behave in its own surroundings is so important when trying to figure out why the dog is acting out of the norm. Dogs thrive on a consistent routine. The slight-

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 8 • FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016 • www.preciouspets.ca

est change to the routine or to a dog’s daily environment can cause some confusion. “Most often, these issues can be modified by making small simple adjustments or reverting back to how things were before the behaviour arose. I believe that all dogs need a job, regardless of their size, breed, ancestry or age. Consequently, creating a job or jobs for your dog to perform is a wonderful outlet for their physical and mental energy. It also keeps them happy and helps to create a bond. “The behaviours of their human companions are also extremely important to pets. “As human beings we tend to anthropomorphize our pets,” Jayne said. “I believe we do this because we see that our pets really do have emotions. Some people would disagree with me. Pets give us signals when they are trying to communicate with us. Our job as responsible pet owners is to learn how to understand these signals.” So, if you want your pets to thrive in your households, happily living their lives superbly trained, give Jayne a call. Ace Dog Training Montreal can be reached at: 514238-6119. Or peruse their website at acedogtrainingmontreal.com

ADVICE

Aggressive behaviour is often a simple matter to sort out

Good Grooming with Anna Maria

of Pampered Pets of Westmount

Looking back, it’s been a fast 13 years in the grooming business. I guess time really does fly when you’re having fun. And even after all this time I still feel so rewarded when working with new clients. Whether it’s a young puppy or a newly rescued dog with a checkered past, it presents an opportunity to bond with a new animal and to see how they take to grooming. And it’s perfectly normal that not all dogs will like it their first time. And some, sad to say, may come to see us with some bad previous experiences. This is the part that becomes rewarding: Helping these animals overcome their fears so that we can turn a negative into a positive. When a client tells us that their dog is or has been “aggressive” towards previous groomers and that we are their dog’s last resort, you can’t help but wonder “Whats wrong with this dog?” And it’s usually the most adorable little ball of fluff that has the major attitude problem. It is very rare for me to get any “aggressive” dogs over

30 pounds. Larger dogs do tend to be more easygoing and less fearful. I am so proud to say I groom some of the most gentle giants you will ever meet. But for the few “aggressive” dogs I do encounter I have to take caution.... I still wonder, however, whether the dog is truly aggressive. Unless the dog tries to bite without warning, I give it the benefit of the doubt. I believe they are all innocent until proven guilty. After all, like most so called “aggressive” cases those that I do take on are just simply dogs that have had bad experiences in the past, often from inexperienced people. Aggression is most often mistaken for fear... fear of the unknown, of new surroundings, new people, new sounds etc….. Most groomers are afraid of getting bitten and are often too quick to put a muzzle on a dog. In my experience over the years when you slap a muzzle on a dog you are only making matters worse. By doing this you are not helping the animal, you

pixabay.com photo

are stressing it further, and the dog quickly learns that you are not to be trusted. Instead I try to build confidence in the dog, gain their trust and work with the animal to overcome the fear of the unknown. I’ve taken on many “aggressive” dogs during my grooming career and today they are some of my best dogs to groom. When you take the time to work with a fearful animal, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing that you made a difference for an animal that others have given up on. For those of you who may have a so called “aggressive” dog, talk

to your groomer and just ask them how their dog is during grooming. A good groomer is always happy to take the time to talk to their client about their dog. Positive feedback is always great. So always feel free to ask - After all, they are your little furbabies! Anna-Maria Ranieri’s popular grooming business is located at 4937B Sherbrooke W., on the north side of the street close to Claremont in Westmount. Reservations are recommended, as the place is always busy. The number is 514-487-9998.

TIDBITS Art from

Marta Barnes

pixabay.com photo

“ Time to shovel out the nest again, dear.”

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 8 • FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016 • www.preciouspets.ca

ASK THE DOCTOR

They Call Me Dr. W

Parasites in the spring? (by Dr. Wybranowski, B.SC. DVM CCRT)

Our long cold winters protect us from many viruses, bacteria and parasites, but that protection is gone once the warmer weather returns. Every gram of soil contains millions of live organisms and some of these organisms can be harmful. Humans and pets share the same environment, so you would think that we are both equally at risk. This is only partially true, because our behaviour as humans decreases our risk. What do I mean? Humans have developed standards of hygiene. We wash our hands frequently, we shower and we wear clothes, even different clothes outside and inside the house. Pets, on the other hand, do not wear clothes, they lick themselves clean, they roll around on the grass if given a chance and they may even chew on grass or lick the soil. For all these reasons pets are more at risk of “catching” something. What do you think would happen to us if we licked our hands and shoes after coming back into the house from outside three or four times a day? I think you get the picture. There are other risks as well. Mosquitoes can spread heartworm disease and ticks can spread Lyme disease. Lyme disease is becoming an important issue for both pets and humans. All the regions along the St-Lawrence from the Great Lakes to Montreal have become areas considered endemic for Lyme disease. Lyme disease is caused by bacteria, but requires ticks to spread the illness to pets and humans. Ticks require 2 - 3 years to complete their cycle and three different hosts to feed on between each life stage. Migratory birds have become the main way Lyme disease spreads north to Southeastern Canada: In fact, between 50 - 175 million ticks hitch a ride on birds to Canada every spring. This is just one of the reasons Lyme disease has grown exponentially in the last few years. According to the experts it is going to get much worse. Dogs are more likely to catch ticks, but people are 10 (!) times more sensitive to Lyme disease. So, every spring as soon as the snow melts, we veterinarians talk about parasitic diseases. Fear not, however, as a few basic

steps will effectively protect your pet and your family. i Have your pet tested for intestinal parasites at least once a year. i Test your dog yearly with the 4Dx test, a simple test that detects heartworm and Lyme disease

along with two other tick-spread diseases. i De-worm your pet every month - today’s once a month de-wormers protect against a whole slew of parasites and they are easy to administer. i If your pet is at risk vaccinate

him against Lyme disease and/or prevent tick infestation with medication given every three months. i Clean up and dispose of your pet’s feces right away. i Check your pet for ticks after they are outdoors.

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 8 • FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016 • www.preciouspets.ca

MUDDY DOGS

BOND

Ivy

Continued from Page 3 i

participant Maria Tzevelekos, who was previously the owner of a rare breed of dog called a Dogo Argentino. “Having the chance to work with Ivy has made me a much calmer person and I have become less distracted because of it.” Unlike Maria, Alexandro Lombardi has no previous experience as a dog owner, but really enjoys working with Jasmine every week, because they share a common bond. “Like me, Jasmine has ADHD, so I understand what the dog is going through. Con-

necting with Jasmine is great and I hope to work with dogs professionally in the future,” he said. Barbara White, Head Teacher at Perspectives I, is amazed at how the dog training program has had such a quick positive effect on the students, especially owing to the fact of the harsh realities of their lives inside and outside the classroom. “Most of the kids who attend Perspectives have attended a regular high school, yet have experienced failure there and were asked to

Photo - Stuart Nulman

leave. As a result, they become so angry because they feel removed and abandoned, and on top of that, they lose contact with the friends they have made in that regular high school setting,” she said. “Because of programs that are offered at Perspectives such as the dog training program, it gives these students in

Dogs love muddy waters (not the musician necessarily) at springtime Boyhood Buddy with Jovan Rohac

Spring is the season of love, as well as the one for mud, rain and weird temperatures. I love playing fetch with my dogs outside: When they don’t return the ball it’s like a game of tag... you chase the dog until they drop the ball and you grab

it and then they chase you to get it back. But in the spring, since most of the time it’s muddy outside, it’s less entertaining because sometimes you get your boots stuck in the mud and you may fall in the mud which is really bad if you’re

pixabay.com photo

wearing a yellow jacket. When the dog comes back into the house after the adventure outside, you have to wipe its paws down with a towel (job for Dad) hopefully he doesn’t get away from you while you’re wiping down its paws. Mud will be all over the floor and carpet and this leaves paw prints all over the house. Oh yeah! You know when a dog shakes all the water and mud off of themselves and mud gets all over you like in the movie Beethoven? I think it’s funny to watch but not when it happens to me! I wonder if we’re ever going to invent a machine that will wipe down dogs paws, fur, wash them and groom them all at once. It would be a great invention but it would create less bonding between humans and dogs over time. Walking your dog in spring takes a little longer with all the scents appearing from under the melting snow: An animal with a good sense of smell will want to sniff all the new scents and smells. Which is great fun for your dog. But all in all, aside from having to wipe down your dogs paws when your done playing or walking with them outside, Spring is a great time to be outside enjoying your time with your dog. (ED. NOTE: Great observations, Jovan. By the way, you wouldn’t have a yellow jacket, would you?)

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 8 • FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016 • www.preciouspets.ca

question the opportunity to build up their self-esteem and give them the feeling that they are worthy. This program really works.” For more information about Perspectives I, check out their website at www.perspectives1.ca.

Editorial Board The Editorial Board of Precious Pets is comprised of individuals 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 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) Suzanne Villeneuve – President: Suzanne Villeneuve Associates Inc. & SVbiz Inc.

of Westmount Our location has changed to better serve you. Our spacious new venue will offer you more services, but using our guaranteed quality, provided by our caring, committed staff. At Pampered Pets, we have developed a reputation for quality and excellence regarding how we treat your pets. Whatever aspect of the grooming process you request, we never allow a client to leave dissatisfied. That includes your pets, which always come to us excited, not disheartened.

Now Selling!!

Holistic raw food for dogs and cats

4937 B Sherbrooke Street West

Corner Claremont right 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 8 • FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016 • www.preciouspets.ca

BOOKS

The power of belief Story by Bram Eisenthal u Exclusive to Precious Pets I am far from a religious man, although I am a lifelong member of the Hebraic Clan of Abraham, have a strong Jewish identity and am highly spiritual. In my view, everyone, animals included, are here thanks to a Creator who values all life. This Creative Force, whatever it is, placed us here (with respect to the beliefs of Charles Darwin, of course) and will ultimately decide what to do with our souls when their time on Earth has come to an end. So, it is on this Easter Sunday 2016 that I, infused with spiritual fervour, have chosen to do two constructive things: Praise the City of Beaconsfield, Quebec, for taking concrete steps to protect animal rights and, second, review a very special book sent to me by the publisher for that purpose. Regarding both points, I suppose, I scratch my head regularly that no religious authority (of ANY of our world’s great religions) has responded to my numerous pleas to comment on whether animals - in most cases highly sentient beings – have souls. In fact, one wellknown local spiritual leader, who shall go nameless, retorted when I asked him “do you think animals have souls”: “Are you f -___ g insane?” Nice. I am not sure, however, whether this response is any worse than my being ignored by everyone else I asked, representing other religions. But as far as I am concerned, St. Francis of Assisi, a one-time Catholic priest who believed in the sanctity of all animal life (from insects to whales) got it right. So, when I had the chance to delve deeper into the concept of God and our belief or non-belief in this Creative Force, vis-a-vis the new non-fic novel “God: An autobiography... as told to a philosopher” I could not resist reviewing it myself. The book (Caladium Publishing Company , LLC, Doylsetown, PA, 2016) is by Jerry L. Martin, a self-described “life-long agnostic” who has served as head of the National Endowment for the Humanities and also of the Philosophy department of the University of Colorado at Boulder. In the book, Martin carries on a lengthy conversation with God, essentially, and examines through the replies, how God, in his case Jesus more often than not, is part of every living thing. Just as Genesis opens in The Bible, there was nothingness at first: “The first time God spoke to me, I didn’t believe He existed,” Martin admitted. He had been raised in a Christian home, but nonetheless he was not im-

pressed with the proffered dogma, even less so when he took “Philosophy 101 ... where arguments for the existence of God were shot down like skeets.” I asked Martin some questions about God and our Creator’s perception of animals. You should be aware that I have been trying for at least a year to get a religious POV on pets from major religious leaders... and have gotten nowhere. On the question of whether animals have souls: “When God first spoke to me, I didn’t have a view on souls at all,“ Martin told me. “I was a life-long agnostic. I didn’t speculate about souls or anything else spiritual. Hearing from God changed all that. After telling me about Creation, and then emerging life, God told me about divine interaction with animals in the earliest days. Here is what God said (ED. NOTE: God’s comments are always in italics here): The creatures that began to stir on the earth are amazing, more amazing than anything that had yet occurred in creation. They move on their own, they have dramatic lives—even the worms and fishes. There is birth, growth, death, mating, offspring, colonies and flocks, emergent social orders—ideality as well. There is telos and purpose, success and failure, standards of perfection and imperfection. And then, after that, I wanted to know? Personality develops — think of your own pets—and intelligence, problem-solving, lives with continuous purpose and plans, individual recognition of one animal by another, life-long mates. Animals do have uniqueness. Each animal is distinct, has its own soul. So, yes, according to God: An Autobiography, animals definitely have souls. Another pressing question I had was why animals were placed on Earth, alongside humans. Did God put animals on Earth as merely a food and clothing source for us, or is there another reason? Additionally, do their souls reincarnate, if indeed they have souls? “Actually, God didn’t say anything about animals being created for our use,” Martin stated. “They were created for a different reason. God was too much alone. God is very much a personal God and needs someone or something to interact with.

“The idea that God needed interaction puzzled and shocked me. I had thought God would self-sufficient. Somewhat skeptically I asked God, ‘You felt alone?’ Yes, I wanted more. In retrospect, the inanimate years feel very lonely. The emergence of life is a delight. With life, spirit comes into play. Wonderful to see amoeba, moss and so forth. The frogs (and other creatures), each with a soul and personality, each in a sense in tune with God. I can play with the animals, walk among them. I love their myriad forms. I am not alone anymore. Reincarnation was another subject I have always been fascinated with, so I asked Martin to explore this further for me. “I had no views on reincarnation during my unspiritual, agnostic years. In fact, if anything, I was hostile to the idea. But God told me that reincarnation is

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 8 • FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016 • www.preciouspets.ca

true and explained why it is necessary that we live many lives. And I was told how we can understand the purpose of each life. I didn’t ask whether animals reincarnate. But, if animals have souls, why wouldn’t they reincarnate? I must be honest with you.... God: An autobiography is not quite my cup of tea. But whether you believe or do not believe, it will make you think. Jerry Martin has taken his inquisitive mind and lifelong experience and has done an excellent job giving us some spiritual food for thought. And for that alone, this book gets a big thumbs up from us. God, An Autobiography, as told to philosopher Jerry L. Martin Caladium Publishing Company, LLC Doylestown, PA

SUMMER FUN

The dangers of summer for dogs Animal Writes with Gregory Caltabanis

With the weather heating up after a cruel winter, barbecues and nights out on the patio shouldn’t be the only thing on Montrealers’ minds, as it also means changes are on the horizon for their beloved dogs. The warmer temperatures force dog owners to take precautions in order to protect their pets from common summer problems. One issue that typically arises in dogs in the summertime is the appearance of ticks. Seeing that ticks need 24 to 48 hours after attachment to transmit a disease, the key is to spot them early. As a result, removal is easier as they haven’t yet multiplied on your pet. Another way to prevent ticks from appearing is by giving your dog medication before it becomes necessary. According to Anne Dube of the Rosie Animal Adoption Centre, this is a good way to prevent disease and can prove extremely beneficial in the long run. By putting your pet on medication, Lyme disease can be easily prevented. Lyme disease is the most commonly tick-transmitted disease but symptoms are only evident in 5 to 10 per cent of dogs. Due to this, it may be difficult to detect. For this reason, Dube believes that dog owners should constantly examine their pets.“ Dog owners need to check their dogs for ticks regularly and keep their grass short,” said Dube on the dangers summer poses to dogs. While it may not seem like much, shorter grass can go a long way to prevent the appearance of ticks in dogs. This is in fact the case, as these ticks flock to wooded areas and places with high grasses. Another issue with the summer is

obviously the heat itself. Dog owners must take this into account when planning their day with their pets and act accordingly. One way to ensure your dog doesn’t get heat stroke or similar consequences is to limit their exercise on hotter days. In addition, it is recommended to exercise in the early morning hours or in the evening on these days, as I’ts typically cooler. Before going out to exercise with your dog, be sure to pack a lot of water to make sure your pet gets the hydration it needs. Some pet owners don’t take the heat factor into account when they take their dog out of the house and, at times, will leave their dog in the car as they shop. This has become a real issue in the past and has led to a number of avoidable injuries and death to many dogs. “Under no circumstances should a pet owner leave their dog in the car for any period of time,” said Dube. Even if it is for one minute, leaving a dog in a car alone can have serious effects on its health. On a warm day, temperatures inside a car can rise to dangerous levels and harm your pet. In fact, it is proven that it only takes 10 minutes for the temperature in a car to rise from 85 degrees to 102 degrees. As a result, even a small trip inside the grocery store can prove detrimental to your pet. Dube also recommends that all male dogs should be neutered going into the summer. This is the case as it will stop them from roaming around. Male dogs are able to perceive females in heat even in distance through pheromones and will follow

pixabay.com photo

their senses. By neutering them, they will not respond to these pheromones and won’t wonder. This will reduce the chance of a dog running away in search for a female. By that same token, Dube suggests that all female dogs should be spayed. By taking this step, pet owners are ensuring their female dogs do not undergo heat periods. These periods can be dangerous for dogs due to the fact that it doesn’t take much for other dogs to sense it. If a dog is not spayed, owners must

constantly be on the guard for other dogs who may sense their heat periods or may have to outright cancel their plans with their pet as walking them outside can prove to be a dangerous task. With summer fast approaching and the temperatures rising, dog owners must be wary of the various steps they can take to prevent their pets from having a torrid summer. If not, like their pet, they’ll be in for a long few months.

Still Missing Can you help with a reunion? A cat has been lost someplace and Cote St. Luc is where this sign was posted. If you know anything about this kitty, please contact the owners at the listed number.

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 8 • FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016 • www.preciouspets.ca

PUZZLES

Puzzles

Sudokus from: http://www.puzzles.ca/sudoku.html Crosswords from: http://alberichcrosswords.com/pages/id156.html

Solution

Across

Down

1 See 7 8 Marxist speaking of modern fruit (10) 9 Something of Shane Warne’s encore (4) 11 See 7 12 Funny business with McBain in my grasp (6) 14 Material Chaney linked to the Five Boroughs (5) 15 Race comically needing a starter that’s majestic (5) 16 Muscle-woman’s replaced by one intellectual (5) 17 Blessed 16 with vowel shift (5) 20 Sailor against wearing spectacles from the beginning (2,3) 22 See 7 23 Cater for Germany entering with fifty minutes of the hour gone (6,2) 25 Amanda’s Shakespearean 15 (4) 26 Hoeness’s quiet scheme when entering races – some bloomer! (5,5) 27 “Who shall have a fishie on ---- “ (Miles away, I let Delia Smith loose!) (1,6,6)

1 Oddly got on Ribble bus twice, tragically wrecking airy ambitions? (8,7) 2 US government supporter supplied another 25 (7) 3 Alumni gathering for holy matrimony 9? (7) 4 Dress up twice in Western Australia (5,5) 5 Stubbs’s student splitting bone (4) 6 The St Petersburg Palace: unknown and cold (7) 7,13,21,24, 1ac,10,11,22 Tut-tut, thus a no joy era, OK? Or, “A sad world here.” “Gorblimey! Why be sad?” (The Life of 17) (6,4,2,3,6,4,2,5, 4,6,3,4,4,8,6) 10 See 7 13 See 7 18 Eisenhower’s veto on a Tokyo flower arrangement (7) 19 Number Ten abbreviated memo (4) 20 Terence’s brothers maybe lead one behind the tavern (7) 21 See 7 24 See 7

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 8 • FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016 • www.preciouspets.ca