Precious Pets Vol 1, Issue 8 by PreciousPets

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VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 8 • MARCH 28, 2014 • www.preciouspets.ca #33ccff logo (web color)

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In this issue:

4 Down the rabbit hole at the SPCA

Hot Dog! PHOTO BY BRAM D. EISENTHAL

Meow, meow: Time for cats to take centre stage

o, it appears I have been quite remiss about our attention to cats, this seemingly being a world where dog owners are a lot more proactive in publicizing their pooch’s propensities. Please take notice, cat companions, that we are endeavouring to change this, in the months ahead. We are not only shortly publishing a cover story on cats and dogs, how they manage to mingle successfully in the same household, but we are asking you to please not be shy when it comes to sending us images and details about your feline’s achievements. Where, for instance, did they go to school? I’m not kidding. IS there even a scholastic/training venue for cats? If so, we want to hear about it. By the way, Precious Pets is not only about dogs and cats. Rabbits appear to be up there on the popularity scale and other animals are favourites, too, I am certain. More on rabbits this issue, starting with our cute cover. You will note that this issue also features a Columbian Boa on our “In honour of, in memory of… (page 8) and please remember that his owner is quite fond of this young snakeling. It may gross you out, but someone considers it a precious pet. And why not? Are not all living creatures here for a purpose? I think so. My visit to the Montreal branch of the SPCA recently was an eye-opener, as I saw all sorts of animal life there. A vivid reminder of the sanctity of all animal life is also exhibited there, in the framed quote by the late, legend-

ary pacifist Mahatma Gandhi: The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. I am also quite pleased to report that the debut of our Precious Pets Grief Group (starting Wednesday, March 26, at 7 p.m…. details on our website at www.preciouspets.ca and in these pages, as well) has been attracting a lot of attention, especially in media circles. The Gazette and The Canadian Jewish News have both seen fit to write about both Precious Pets and the new group. If you have had a cherished pet pass away recently or otherwise and you wish to discuss it in a group setting, please join us. A lot of effort has gone into creating this new group. Much thanks to Averil Robinson of Pet Friends in Vaudreuil for her support and to one of our charter members, Chantale (a rabbit aficionado) for asking if she could bring some of her famous mini-muffins. Her request was met with a resounding yes. We wish to acknowledge Charles (Chuck) Altman, owner of Westmount’s popular Little Bear pet product store, for coming on board as sponsor of our new Grief Group, which will hereafter be known as the Little Bear Pet Grief Group, co-created with Pet Friends of Vaudreuil. Thanks, as well, to reader and avid cat companion Gail Goldstein, for sending us the following link for other feline buffs: http://studio.me/ andmycat/ Enjoy… I certainly did! We are also on the verge of land-

Barking Bram with Bram D. Eisenthal ing another sales rep here in Montreal. Gee, so many great things are happening my head is spinning!

Finally, to put a political period on this I had to comment before we closed, as next issue will find us all with a different political entity ruling here in Quebec. All I wanted to say is that it is MY hope that this disgusting, hating, racist Parti Quebecois government is banished, hopefully forever. You know, publishing a pet paper, IN ENGLISH ONLY, no less, makes me realize how fortunate we are to have animals to learn from. They are all different species-wise, they act differently, they learn to get along with one another and their masters… Essentially, for the most part, they receive better treatment from their masters than we do from our pequiste leaders. We who are different are abused, humiliated, downtrodden and vilified. And it is my wish that we end this, once and for all, with a simple X in a circle, one that does not have a PQ candidate’s name next to it. I don’t hate the people behind the PQ, but they certainly hate me. For what reason? Because I speak English? Because I am a Jew? That was not a major problem when my parents came here from Roumania, but it is certainly one now. I swear, I can see a time when these grotesque, egotisically-inflated maniacs set up camps and throw people like me into them, merely for uttering a word of English on the streets. I don’t have a problem with those Canadians who choose to speak

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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. Copyright 2014. Precious Pets does not accept responsibility for errors, misprints or inaccuracies published within. The opinions and statements of our columnists are not presumed to be the opinions and statements of Precious Pets Group Inc.

VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 8 • FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014

French as their langue maternelle. All I ask is that you treat me with the same respect. It’s decent and the right to free speech is the law of both Canada AND Quebec. Our forefathers agreed to this, the French ones as well as the English. And if you want to fight to take our rights away from us, Pauline Marois, Bernard Landry, Jacques Parizeau, Louise Beaudoin and you other political miscreants, you are going to have a huge battle on your hands. The difference between us and animals? We can vote. And with any degree of decency, we are going to vote you out of existence. Vote… and vote smartly, everyone. We don’t spend our stressed-out lives slaving to pay taxes, just to have the exercise amount to nothing in the end.

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PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 8 • FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 • www.preciouspets.ca

Pet Facts: COOL PET FACTS 1. Here’s looking at you. Dogs have three eyelids, an upper lid, a lower lid and the third lid, called a nictitating membrane or “haw,” which helps keep the eye moist and protected. 2. Americans love dogs! 62% of U.S. households own a pet, which equates to 72.9 million homes. 3. Move over Rover! 45% of dogs sleep in their owner’s bed (we’re pretty sure a large percentage also hogs the blankets!) 4. Why are dogs’ noses so wet? Dogs’ noses secrete a thin layer of mucous that helps them absorb scent. They then lick their noses to sample the scent through their mouth. 5. Yummy! Dogs have about 1,700 taste buds. Humans have approximately 9,000 and cats have around 473. 6. Watch that plate of cookies! A dog’s sense of smell is 10,000 – 100,000 times more acute as that of humans. 7. It’s not so black and white. It’s a myth that dogs only see in black and white. In fact, it’s believed that dogs see primarily in blue, greenish-yellow, yellow and various shades of grey. 8. Did you hear that? Sound frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz). The higher the Hertz, the higher-pitched the sound. Dogs hear best at 8,000 Hz, while humans hear best at around 2,000 Hz. 9. Express yourself. Dogs’ ears are extremely expressive. It’s no wonder! There are more than a dozen separate muscles that control a dog’s ear movements. 10. Growing up. While the Chow Chow dogs are well known for their distinctive blue-black tongues, they’re actually born with pink tongues. They turn blue-black at 8-10 weeks of age. 11. Why do they do that? When dogs kick after going to the bathroom, they are using the scent glands on their paws to further mark their territory. 12. No, it’s not just to make themselves look adorable. Dogs curl up in a ball when they sleep due to an age-old instinct to keep themselves warm and protect their abdomen and vital organs from predators.

Dream a little dream H Dogged uffing. HUFFING! And puffing. Yes, when Artie sleeps, he sometimes makes huffing sounds. Loud huffing sounds. And his jowls puff out before he expels those huffs. It’s amusing and alarming at the same time. Is he dreaming? Studies suggest that dogs DO have dreams. Matthew Wilson of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology further theorizes that dogs might be reliving recent events from the day. As she’s pumping her legs in her sleep, your pup could be dreaming about the squirrels that she was chasing that morning. If he’s whimpering, he could be having a bothersome dream about the anxiety of the mani/pedi that you made him endure that afternoon. Whenever Artie huffs and puffs, I always think that he’s having a nightmare, especially when he’s also twitching. That may or not be the case, but I’m always tempted to wake him to “help him out of the situation”. Even if your dog is having

Pursuits with Dawn Mirsky

a bad dream, waking him might not be the best idea, though – you might startle him and cause him to react defensively. Although it may not be the wisest choice, because it might be the same as waking him, I can’t help but gently rub Artie in hopes that the caresses will soothe his slumber. Does the huffing, puffing and twitching end sooner than it would if I didn’t pet him? I’ll never know, but it makes me feel better to think that I’m calming him. I’d like to think that, whether or not

they are accompanied by sound and movement, their dreams are always sweet. If dogs could speak, this would likely be the conversation with my sarcastic monster: “Artie, were you having a nice dream about me just before?” “Yes.” “Awwww.” “I was dreaming about you making me chicken for dinner.”

Animal medicine I t is no secret that pets are our best friends and confidants. They are the sounding boards for our emotions and handkerchiefs for our tears. What many may not know, however, is that the unique talents and gifts of animals are being used on a larger scale to assist psychologists, social workers and physical and occupational therapists with patients who do not readily respond to their therapies. This somewhat new discipline is known as “Animal – Assisted Therapy” and the animals chosen for the task become an integral part of the treatment and healing process. Working alongside a variety of health service professionals, llamas, dogs, cats, and even dolphins, become the catalysts for change and improvement in the social, emotional and/or cognitive functioning of the patient. AAT is done in both private and group settings and has been effective in working with both the young and the old from all walks of life. The long-forgotten lyrics of a favourite song spring to memory in an elderly woman coping with Alzheimer’s when she interacts with a llama brought to her chronic care facility. A man recovering from a stroke, with limited capacity to stand and walk, is helped when the physiotherapist has him stand to groom a dog. A child whose motor skills are chal-

Pet Healer with Barbara Etcovitch

lenged opens packages of cat treats and feeds small pieces to a purring feline in order to improve fine motor skills. Autistic children who do not interact with other children respond with ease to an alpaca brought to visit them. And animals used in the rehabilitation of prisoners have created astounding results by contributing to the reduction of suicide, violence and drugs in prisons. The visit alone, with the animals used in AAT Programs, helps to increase the patient’s responsiveness, accord pleasure and often reduces the need for psychotropic medications. “Visitation” helps decrease aggression and hyperactive behaviour and increases the ability to deal with feelings of loneliness and isolation. There are numerous Animal – Assisted Therapy and Visitation Programs available across the country.

Programs are run by profit and notfor-profit companies, animal ministries, churches and synagogues, schools, hospitals, nursing homes and prisons. And all facilities welcome four-legged volunteers who just love to help. Barbara Etcovitch is a Classical Homeopath, Interfaith Minister, freelance writer, and lecturer. She has a BA from Sir George Williams University, a MA in Literature from the University of Ottawa, and a diploma in Classical Homeopathy from the School of Homeopathy in Devon, England. She was ordained by the All Faiths Seminary International in New York City in 2004. She offers naming and funeral services for animals, grief counseling for guardians, and includes the treatment of animals in her homeopathic practices in Quebec and Ontario.

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 8 • FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 • www.preciouspets.ca

When it comes to these doe-eyed cuties, lots of commitment required Story and photos by Bram D. Eisenthal- Precious Pets Exclusive

hen you think of pets, how many people envision themselves playing ball with a dog… or tossing catnip at a feline? Come on, a show of hands, everyone? I thought so. Dogs first, cats second (only judging from the numbers of animal images that come our way, I stress…. Not based on our personal preferences here at PP Central). Yet there is one very popular pet of the exotic variety that is often missed, other than by the large number of people who buy them, or adopt them from the Montreal branch of the SPCA, which apparently has loads of them for adoption at any given time. The wascally wabbit. Okay, minus the Bugs Bunny inflection: Rabbits. They are cute, cuddly and very

sweet. I know, because Thumpy, a dwarf, was my constant companion in my late twenties and I really loved him. Nothing to do with the vast number of wires he would chew through if given half a chance, mind you… Imagine the world without bunnies? Bye bye, Lewis Caroll’s Through the Looking Glass. Farewell, one of Monty Python’s most memorable skits. See ya, Hugh Hefner! I mean, what would any Playboy Club be like without its enhanced bunny “props”? Of course, we must also then ask “Bugs” Who? As for Easter itself, don’t even go there! Avid Precious Pets reader Chantal Gargano contacted us last fall, asking if she could write something about the pet rabbits belonging to her and her husband, both of which had passed on about six months before. And when we announced the advent of our new Pet Grief Group, they were the first two to sign up. Chantal even brought a batch of her famous mini-muffins for all to enjoy at our first session on March 26th. So, I guess this cover story is officially dedicated to Bun Bun. Rest in peace, little guy. For the final word on bunnies, I hopped over to the SPCA (5215 Jean Talon West in Montreal, 514735-2711) and met with Anita Kapuscinska to discuss the sweet creatures. And I learned a lot. “Rabbits are the third most adopted animal here after dogs and cats”, she told me, then actually ranking their “exotic” animals for us. “Rabbits are first and though we have 100 at any one time, they are very difficult to adopt out. Second are guinea pigs,

third are hamsters, rats and mice and fourth are birds, with budgies being the most common. We also have ferrets, hedgehogs and other similar mammals,” Anita told me. She personally adores hamsters, which “can be really sweet” and also stresses that rabbits can be great with kids, but she also warns that they are not so easy to care for. “They are harder to look after than cats,” she said. “First of all, they can have a lot of energy, so we do not suggest leaving them in their cage all day (a minimum of four hours daily outside the cage is recommended). Larger rabbits tend to be calmer. But all rabbits need to be seen regularly (annually, at least) by a vet.” Anita then took me down to the rabbit area, in order for us to pick our cover model. I fell immediately in love with her, 4-year old Grenouille, French for “frog,” of all things. As we had to bring this little sweetie upstairs to take the picture in the conference room, Anita covered the rabbit’s eyes, “which calms them down…. They cannot be afraid of what they cannot see.” The cost to adopt a rabbit from the SPCA is extremely reasonable, just $80 for females and $60 for males, the greater expense explained due to sterilization being more laborious on girls. That’s right… your rabbit comes home with you pre-sterilized, which saves you a lot of money you can later spend on necessary items like a large cage. And plenty of fresh vegetables and rabbit pellets. As with any animal, a healthy diet is key to their good health and long survival. Rabbits tend to live an average of

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PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 8 • FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 • www.preciouspets.ca

Anita Kapuscinska eight years, with those 12 years of age reaching “old-timer” status. While bunnies do make terrific pets for anyone with the time and incentive to take proper care of them, Anita urges people not to necessarily adopt them at Easter time. “It may make perfect sense – getting a rabbit as a gift for someone special at Easter,” she stated. “But these are often impulsive gifts and we end up getting many returns afterwards. Think about this decision carefully before you act, make sure you are well informed… and then perhaps choose to buy a chocolate bunny instead.” Like dogs and cats, bunnies (and other living beasts, too) deserve a caring, long-term home. But the SPCA also boasts a foster care program, where you can take a bunny home for just a few months if you wish. One final thing I learned that I consider important: The old adage that if you bring an animal to the SPCA, it will be put down immediately, no longer rings true. “It may have been that way once, long ago, but an animal is not put down here based on a schedule,” Anita told me. I later toured the dog room, happy in the knowledge that all the beauties up for adoption would not be euthanized on a whim, but had a serious chance of being taken home eventually. Bunnies brought me here, but I vow to return, departing with an animal companion. To adopt a rabbit or for further information about the SPCA’s program, contact Martine Allard at martineallard6@gmail.com

Companions should be vigilant with their dog walkers

o your dogs love going on their regular walks? I am sure they do. I know that mine love their walks! Most dogs love new adventures, enjoy being outside and enjoy all the new scents, sounds and stimulation. As you’ve probably noticed, there are a lot of professional dog walkers out there today. Perhaps you even use a dog walking service, and hopefully, your dog enjoys it. I know of many great services in the Montreal area, all very professional and prioritizing safety, featuring excellent dog walkers who know a lot about dog behaviour and dog body language. It seems to be a growing trend to walk many dogs, upwards of a dozen or more, together at one time. And this is worrisome to me. While some dogs may enjoy the large crowd, most dogs actually do not. Their body language is often stiff and they

are often packed quite close together. Why am I writing about this, you may ask. Well, this week a friend of mine posted a photo of a large group of dogs being walked by one person in a very busy part of downtown. And I couldn’t help but wonder about safety, and the well being of the dogs. When I am working with dogs, safety is paramount. What would someone do if a squirrel were to run by those dozen leashed dogs? What if there was an unleashed dog running towards them? How can all their poop be scooped? If my dog was being walked like that, I would definitely want to know. Because I know that my two dogs would not enjoy it. Some dogs do though, and if yours do, then that’s great! I do find it important, however, to educate owners as much as possi-

Doggie Do with Meira Frankl ble when it comes to their dogs, their behavior and their well being. The bottom line is to ensure that your dogs are getting the best care possible. There are some amazing dog walking groups, people and companies out there, who do a great job and provide a much needed service. What are your thoughts about dogs being walked in very large groups? (ED. Note: Our new Ontario Sales Rep, Jennifer Vink, is an experienced

dog walker in the Vankleek Hill area. And one of our on-line advertisers, Walkadog Services, is a certified business located in Laval, Quebec. More from these two businesses in the issues to come.) Meira Frankl is a dog trainer with Perfect Pet Training and also writes for the Montreal Dog Blog. She is owned by two dogs, two cats and two sons. She is pictured above with one of her dogs, Bullet, her rescued Staffordshire Terrier. You can reach her at 514-209-0271.

The staff and administration of

Precious Pets and

Precious Pets Media Group Inc. Wish to extend to our readers sincere wishes for

A Happy and Healthy Passover and Easter 5775 / 2014

May you and your families enjoy and prosper! PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 8 • FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 • www.preciouspets.ca

A PRECIOUS PETS SERVICE...

Adopt-an-Angel

(If you are looking to earn Karma points, this is the place!)

Each issue, we will endeavour to bring you images and information about some of the animals up for adoption by various organizations both local and elsewhere. If you know of any animals looking for homes, please let us know. We successfully helped an emergency stray find a home thanks to Gerdy’s Rescue recently and we have our

ways, so please keep us in mind. Also, remember that the adorable bunny on this month’s cover, Grenouille, is a 4-year old spayed female looking for a home. She is indeed very sweet. If you don’t take her, we will!

Hi my name is Lillie! I was dropped off at Animal 911 a little over four months ago at the tender age of 3 months. I had a rough start and didn’t feel well when I first got here but I’m all better now. Now I’m with the other adoptable cats just waiting for my new home. Since I didn’t get the chance to grow up with my siblings, I never really learned how to play with other cats and while I can get along with them, I am mostly a take-charge kind of gal. Dogs on the other hand don’t seem to faze me and I’m quite happy to be friends with them. I’m also the type that loves to explore my surroundings but I will never say no to a good cuddle! So come and visit and we can get to know one another. My adoption is $156, which includes the surgery to have me spayed and my vaccines. Please call Animal 911 at 514-685-8387 to inquire about me.

Coby I am a 5-month old Shepherd/Husky mix of 38 pounds… so far. My owner rescued me, but he couldn’t keep me: He had two other dogs and wasn’t allowed any more by the landlord. So I came to Gerdy’s. But hen he dropped me off, he told them I was “a great boy.” I will be sterilized through Gerdy’s when I am 6-months old, but in the meantime I have my puppy vaccinations and I am de-wormed. I am a dear boy, social and playful. I need someone home with me as I am too young to be left alone for hours on end. Puppy training classes are something I would excel in, as I am VERY intelligent and observant! I have a head start on my house-training, but I might need some reminding in my new home, until I catch on regarding where to go when I want to be let out. I love playing with a Kong ball that I can chew on safely. Older kids teethe, as do pups, and young dogs need to be trained not to chew on hands, but rather on a plaything instead. I am going to be one handsome boy when grown up, don’t you agree? Will you say yes to Coby? Contact: Gerdy (pager) at 514-203-9180 or by e-mail at info@gerdysrescue.org

Meet & Greet Greyt Success at Brossard’s Hot Dog Cafe

PHOTOS BY LORRAINE DUGUAY

The League of Extraordinary Greyhounds kicked off their 2014 “Meet & Greet” season with a meetup for coffee and brunch, on Sunday, February 23, at Hot Dog Café in Brossard. With over 30 hounds and their people in attendance we can say that everybody had a “greyt” time talking about greyhounds and, especially, showing them off!

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 8 • FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 • www.preciouspets.ca

Invest in your future,

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PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 8 • FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 • www.preciouspets.ca

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

Precious Pets Demon

Demon the Columbian Boa is still a baby and owner Alessandro is in awe of the fascinating cold-blooded mammal that his girlfriend Vanessa bought him…. Just because….. Demon could grow to six-feet eventually and recently shed his skin.

Bun Bun

Bun Bun is already in Bunny Heaven, but we dedicate this issue to him because his owners, Chantal and her husband, loved him so very much. He passed away last year and we featured a story about him in our Halloween issue, Pernicious Pests.

Here’s a Contest to Howl About! To thank you, our friends and loyal readers, please Like and share this photo on our Facebook page as soon as possible. facebook.com/PreciousPetsPaper We will be drawing three lucky random winners of some cool prizes. The first, second and third place winners will receive from Precious Pets: 1st Prize: A grooming certificate from Pampered Pets of Westmount 2nd Prize: A Habs-themed dog gift basket courtesy of Westmount’s Little Bear animal store

1. LIKE this image on our Facebook page. 2. SHARE this image from our Facebook page. 3. Please LIKE and SHARE before midnight, April 9th, 2014 to be entered in the draw.

3rd Prize: A DVD of the humorous and poignant family film Marley & Me and a Kong toy for large dogs.

Chikis

Chikis the black cat has been with the Treminio family of NDG since daughter Jacqueline pleaded for her about a decade ago. She was our official mascot at The Local Herald and reprises that lofty role at Precious Pets, as well. She’s got a feline sister, Juliana, and canine brother, Chico, and the three have finally learned to get along quite famously.

Koby

Koby is a 13-year old Portuguese Water Dog that my good friend and his family, the Greenbergs of Ville St. Laurent, have been loving like mad since they acquired him as a puppy. He’s doing quite well so far, for an old man. Koby has a younger sister, Lily, and the two have bonded, as evidenced by their both begging for human treats at the exact same time during Super Bowl Sunday’s lopsided game and accompanying food-fest.

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 8 • FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 • www.preciouspets.ca

JUST CALL ME DR. W

A spring tune-up for your pet (by Dr. Wybranowski, B.SC. DVM CCRT)

he winter has been long and arduous but March is here and spring is right around the corner. As the beautiful, warm weather arrives, our pets will be outside a lot more and this means they need extra care to protect them. Cats and dogs are more exposed to the environment than people. Animals don’t wear protective clothing or shoes, they lick the ground, eat grass and often anything else they find. Animals don’t wash their hands before eating when they return home – they lick themselves clean. They lick off and swallow all the dirt from their paws and coat. Pets are just more exposed to infectious and toxic agents, so we need to protect them a little more. First of all, pets can be protected from infectious diseases, by vaccinations. There are two types of vaccines: CORE and NON CORE. Core vaccines are given every three years, but NON CORE vaccines need to be given every year - the exception being Rabies, which is given on the CORE schedule. At Animal 911, we believe that you do not need to vaccinate your pet for every disease, but every pet should be vaccinated against the CORE diseases every three years. You need to discuss the risks with your vet, for many of these diseases, and then decide if your pet should be vaccinated against them. We also need to protect our pets from heartworm disease and intestinal parasites. Heartworm disease is spread by mosquito bites. An infected mosquito, while sucking blood from the pet, injects microscopic larvae. These larvae travel to the pet’s heart and become foot-long worms.

When cats and dogs chew the grass or eat insects, they swallow tiny eggs of intestinal parasites. These eggs hatch into worms that live in the pet’s gut. Also, some people also choose to protect their pet from nuisances like fleas. Fortunately, all these risks

can be reduced simply by giving a once-a-month topical or oral medication. Think of your vet visit like a spring tune-up for your pet, similar to what you do with your car. Your vet provides a complete examination of your

pet from head-to-tail to make sure everything is okay and ensures that early detection of small problems will guarantee good outcomes. So enjoy the great outdoors with your pet… but give him the protection he or she will need.

Dr. Wybranowski and Willow

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 8 • FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 • www.preciouspets.ca

PART 2, continued from last month...

Pays-d’en-Haut au COEUR des Laurentides: For the LOVE of SNOW by Louise Chenevert, Special to Precious Pets

inter began with unpleasantly cold temperatures and icy snow conditions discouraging outdoor activities. Hopefully, there will be some awesome winter days ahead. Taking your dog out in Quebec is a challenge as ALL Nature Parks and SEPAQs have a “Pas De CHIENS” policy. So if you are the adventurous type, as I am, leaving your companion in the City is a non-option as it is guilt ridden choice. Beside the benefits of clean fresh powder for healthy exercise, dogs need sensory stimulus. New scents and sounds bring out their wild scouting nature. A happy dog is a healthy dog. Well, there is good news! There are some wonderful DOG Friendly places to explore. Here are some of our finds in the HEART of the Laurentians, les Pays d’en Haut. The trails listed are for snow shoeing as most walking trails are closed in this season and walking on groomed ski trails is forbidden. Morin Heights in the past few years has expanded its trail network to accommodate the non-skier, the snow shoer, the hiker and dog lover. It has over 27 kilometers where dogs are permitted; 15 in the Municipality. Please be courteous for cross country skiers where trails intersect especially around the Aerobic Corridor as they have priority. Morin Heights is the cross country ski capital of Quebec and they are proud of their well-groomed ski trails so

please do not walk on them. Maps, day passes of $9 and seasonal passes of $40 for non-residents can be procured at l’Accueil du Corridor Aerobique, 50 chemin du Lac-Echo which is (KM 0), where the main parking and washrooms are. For peace of mind, if you are alone even with your dog, you can sign the register and patrollers will look for you if your estimate time of arrival has passed. This service would be most beneficial if you plan to explore the new 10 or so kilometers of difficult snow shoe trails travelling on Public Lands* (well managed by municipality, low risk) . They are said to be beautiful as they lead you to a lookout. www.morinheights.com. (450)-226-1220. Snowshoe rentals can be had across the street at Simon River Sports, 43 chemin Lac Echo (450) 226 – 7821 call for prices. Or at Ski Morin Heights, 227 rue Bennett (450) 227-2020, where 12 kms of the 27 kms are located. Price for 24 hours including poles and taxes is $17.25. St Adolphe d’Howard proudly welcomes dogs on their 21kms of snow shoe trails, which range from easy to very difficult which are rewarded by awesome views. You can also rent a refuge for winter camping. Day passes are $9 and seasonal are $75 for non-residents. Snow shoes and poles can be rented for $15 for 4 hours and $20 for 24 hours taxes in. Le Centre de Plein Air is located at 1672 chemin du Village. www.stadolphedhoward.qc.ca. 1 (866) ADOL-

PHE 236-5743. Montfort has recently created le Circuit de Randonnee la MONTFORTAINE pour marche et raquette - a well marked trail network of over 25 kms on Public Lands* (no known trapping activity, low risk). These are challenging as there are steep climbs. Parking is at the Monfort Church pavilion (km 8 of the Aerobic Corridor) has maps, washrooms, hot beverages and fireplace to welcome you. No rentals are available. No registry thus at your own risk. The access to these trails is free yet, as it is via the Aerobic Corridor please yield to skiers and do not damage their trails. Pavillon recreatif et communautaire de Montfort, 160, route principale, Wentworth-Nord. No web site. (450) 226 2428. The Municipality has partially opened a new park Sentiers des Orphelins. There are 13 kms of mixed usage trails for this year. Trails will eventually be designated. These depart from the same pavilion. For more information call the Municipality (450) 226 - 2416. Please note that the bridge to Newayo has been closed to vehicular traffic. If you would like to do the 2.5 kms trail around the lake you can get there in 2.8 kms by taking rue Principale right from the pavilion, at stop sign turn right across bridge and up hill, take left at stop sign (no street name). You will be on Newago. Follow this down to the lake where you’ll find a parking area to your left. Start your walk on left on chemin de Fer (Aerobic corridor), over closed bridge. The trail sign is on your right. Ste ADELE’s Parc de la Riviere Doncaster, has a network of 12 kms of trails from easy to difficult. www.

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 8 • FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 • www.preciouspets.ca

parcdoncaster.com. (450) 229-6686. They rent equipment. There is a less known spot given to me by a very courteous tourism employee of the Piedmont office. There are trails traced onto Lac Rond, take exit 67 from the 15 onto 117 North, which is blvd St Adelle. Pass 4 traffic lights, turn left onto rue Morin, up hill, and right onto Chanteclerc. Parking is on left. There is a washroom pavilion but she was unsure if it is open in winter. *Public Lands: There are 737 km2 of wooded back country areas to explore in the Laurentians without rules paid for with your taxes. Freedom does come with its risks and challenges. Here, fur trapping is legal. Dogs have been accidentally caught in traps. Keeping your dog on leash greatly reduces such risks. In the Laurentians the dates are as follows: October 25th through April 30th as well as May 15th to the end of June. A flyer entitled Les Terres Publiques: pour une cohabitation harmonieuse et securitaire entre trappeurs et randonneurs, is available at the Tourist office at exit 60 Piedmont, off highway 15. For more information visit www.mddefp.gouv.qc.ca/ faune For more information MRC des Pays-d’en-Haut at www.mrcpdh. org, or www.lespaysdenhauts.com. 1-800-898-2127. For snow and trail conditions, for maps and more visit www.skidefondslaurentides.com. Always travel with a trail map, proper seasonal clothing, and equipment, water and snacks for both you and of course for your loyal companion. Always let someone know your itinerary. Be safe and Happy Trails!

Dogs welcome at Maine’s bunny-friendly Inn By the Sea Story and photos by Bram D. Eisenthal, Exclusive to Precious Pets

ith bunny season upon us – and we bid welcome to a surprising number of bunny companions, including yours truly, who adopted Thumpy a bit less than 30 years ago and plans to adopt another rabbit shortly – it seems fitting to tell you about a hotel that plays host to humans and animals equally. Inn By the Sea appeared in this paper several issues ago, but that was a story taken off the wire. This one is by me, because I was lucky enough to vacation there two years ago, right off Cape Elizabeth in my favourite vacation spots on Earth, the friendly and relaxing state of Maine. Inn By the Sea is a gorgeous Four-Diamond-winning hotel, certainly one of the nicest places I have ever stayed… and as an award-winning travel writer for about a decade, I had the good fortune to lounge in many five-star venues. But there is something undeniably romantic about spending a week in March off a cape, where one can stroll along a beach featuring soft beige sand blending with green grass and white snow, alongside sand dune on one side and frothy blue surf on the other. Postcard perfect, to be sure. That’s Inn By the Sea, all right, where the bedding is heavenly, the

food scrumptiously surpasses anything you have devoured before and dogs are everywhere you look. Yes, Inn By the Sea is dog-friendly and you’ll appreciate the lovely pathways where you and Rover can stroll lazily down to the beach. Though many vacationers would likely appreciate your scooping here, just as you do at home, as some diabolically piggish folk didn’t bother before I walked along, coming close to stepping in the sludge, as I crossed a babbling brook. Aside from welcoming dogs, however, the Inn By the Sea folk have also collaborated with the Maine Department of Conservation and the Bureau of Parks & Lands to create an impressive protective habitat for Cottontail rabbits here, right in the hotel’s backyard, part of Crescent Beach State Park. The move, which has created an area logically referred to as a Rabitat, effectively prevents New England’s Cottontails from vanishing as a Maine breed. The Rabitat also helps preserve varieties of local shrubs, vines, dense thickets and wetland. Restoration work began in November 2011 and Inn By the Sea assumed the responsibility of removing invasive, non-indigenous plant species, including bamboo, from

over two acres of state parkland and private property. The work was completed by the spring and saw new plant life brought to the area, such as raspberry, blackberry, dogwood, alder, winterberry and dewberry, as well as herbs and grasses like goldenrod, dover, plantain, chickweed, wild strawberry and buttercup. Excellent food sources for rabbits, which you can now see here aplenty. Inn By the Sea is often completely sold out during the summer months, but you can reserve for next year OR take advantage of a half-price sale on rooms available April 21 until May 23, 2014. The discount is part of its Habitat for Humanity Fundraiser, a Maine innkeeper initiative that raises funds to build homes for families-in-need throughout the state. For more information or to book your relaxing, pampered vacation: Inn By the Sea 40 Bowery Beach Road, Cape Elizabeth, Maine 04107.

Visit www.innbythesea.com or e-mail info@innbythesea.com for questions about booking. For inquiries, telephone 207-7993134, or call 866.619.2128 for reservations ED. NOTE: When staying here, you MUST visit The International Museum of Cryptozoology in Portland, Maine. Cryptozoology (pronounced Cripto-Zoo-Ology) is the study of hidden animals, such as Bigfoot, The Loch Ness Monster, Mothman, The Jersey Devil and so on. Whether you believe in these creatures or not (I do), this is a fascinating place to spend an hour or two and kids are as fascinated as adults, more so, even. More to come on this museum in a future issue, but since it is not hidden (and inexpensive to tour… $7 for adults and $5 for children under 13), you can find it at: 11 Avon St., Portland, ME, 04101. E-mail: lcoleman@maine.rr.com

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 8 • FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 • www.preciouspets.ca

Great art written in stone Thanks to veteran sculptor Susan Conner

Now, pet lovers, you can buy a fantastic piece of hand-crafted pet art, ideal for Easter, Passover, birthdays, anniversaries or any other occasion. Susan (and her sculptor husband), whose fine work has caught the eye of art collectors for decades, has many animals carved into a variety of beautiful stone… at affordable prices. Other themes are also available. Drop by her booths at Cavendish Mall, on Ste. Catherine Street in front of Ogilvy’s or at Ottawa’s Byward Market and check out her stunning craftwork yourself. Peruse our website at: drawnfromstone.com This is fine art that will truly last a lifetime and longer.

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 8 • FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 • www.preciouspets.ca

First Little Bear Pet Grief Session a big success

modest group of about 13 people met on March 26 at Clinique PsySante on the West Island, to share their feelings about the pets they have lost. Life Coach and facilitator Rose Khoury helped tie emotions together as the participants shared stories about their pets, learning in the process that they are far from alone in their grief. The group will meet again on April 30, 2014, but please check our website at www. preciouspets.ca or our Facebook page, Precious Pets Media Group Inc., to verify the exact date, about one week prior. Please call Bram at 514-975-7745 to RSVP. Cost is $10 per person. The group, organized with Pet Friends of Vaudreuil, is graciously sponsored by Little Bear, a pet business in Westmount.

Cutline: The first pet grief group, with Precious Pets publisher and editor Bram Eisenthal (far left, back row), sales manager Tina Di Salvia (next to him) and Elysya Scerbo Pasta (front centre). Averil Robinson of Pet Friends is second from the left, front row. Facilitator Rose Khoury is far right, back row.

Puzzles

SOLUTIONS FROM LAST MONTH

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 8 • FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 • www.preciouspets.ca

League of Extraordinary Greyhounds 2014 Events & Meet & Greets: April 26, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. “Adopt-A-Pet Day” - Laval

June 7th, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. “Adopt-a-Pet Day” - Brossard

July 20, 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Adopters & Hounds “Piknik”

Order the Hounds of 2014 Calendar! Check out our Store! Martingale collars, hound hats and MORE! Want a chance to meet Greyhound Puppies? Ask us about our Greyt Escape - Kennel to Kouch Event for 2014! The renowned Dr. Couto and the Greyhound Wellness Conference has co-located with Greyt Escape in 2014.

Find out where we’re holding our Events - Join our Meetup Group now! Find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-League-Of-Extraordinary-Greyhounds/141467088645

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 8 • FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 • www.preciouspets.ca

Our Humanz

...because people are precious too

NOSTALGIC ABOUT ELMHURST DAIRY:

When ice-cream was frozen magic By Bram D. Eisenthal, Exclusive to Precious Pets

ED. NOTE: This story is being republished, as it appeared in my paper, The Local Seeker West End Montreal Edition, previously. A Parmalat V.P. in Toronto promised me that the cow heads would be re-installed, but nothing has been done about a year and a half later. Precious Pets demands the re-installation of our precious cows to historic and nostalgic Montreal property. rowing up in NDG at a time when ice-cream was just available at Steinberg’s in very basic vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, Neapolitan, maple walnut, butterscotch ripple and (if I was really lucky), pistachio and orange, you often needed to look around if you wanted that extra special fix. Sure, there were always the Space Bars at the neighbourhood Cantor’s and Dairy Queen on Sherbrooke, just east of Cavendish, wasn’t far when we all hopped into my dad’s Comet. But for authentic Sealtest icecream in a plethora of flavours, 15 or so, we West Enders were also lucky to have a heavenly spot that aficionados flocked to by the thousands, especially during the hot summer months. In Ville St. Laurent, they had St. Aubin, but in the West End, from 1878 on thanks to its founder, Thomas Trenholme, we had Elmhurst Dairy. WOW, thinking back, can’t ya just taste it, that luscious, sweet, creamy cold confection dripping with nostalgia? Remember how you would line up for what seemed like hours outside, awaiting entrance into the hallowed dairy bar where they scooped your treat for you? Sure, you were impatient standing in line, but you were also likely mesmerized by the two large cow heads mounted on the wall outside… Elsie and Elmer, is what their names apparently were. I developed the yearning to write this feature when I heard that those iconic cow heads were stored someplace on the grounds of the new site owner, Parmalat Canada, whose West End Montreal dairy is where Elmhurst Dairy once stood. There is a good urban exploring site on the Web where there are images shot of the two cow heads, stored in the basement of the Eventide Home building that was later taken over by the Salvation Army and now sits abandoned,

boarded up next door to Parmalat. The site is found athttp:// neath.wordpress. com/2008/09/17/elmhurst-dairy-cow-heads/ I then obtained further information regarding Parmalat’s icy relationship with its closest West End neighbour, outside of Montreal. I spoke with Montreal West’s Credit: Gordon Beck, The Gazette, 2008, for (NDG-born and raised) the pic of the cows in their heyday… Mayor Beny Masella, Ville St-Pierre, rather than staying on who recalled some of St-Jacques to Cavendish and heading the problems between his town and right home. I also distinctly remember Parmalat. having to rush to eat the cones be “Things instantly became more cause they would melt so quickly in the heated when Parmalat announced summer sun.” their plans to expand their distribu Renowned jazz pianist Olition centre,” Masella told me. “The ver Jones, who grew up in nearby new centre extends back from the Saint-Henri: “We would head straight Eventide and backs along our homes up St. Jacques and that route took on Brock South, which has increased us right to Elmhurst Dairy,” Jones noise and light pollution for our resirecalled. “If we were lucky, my dad dents. These residents see the lights would take us there. It’s one of sevflooding the Parmalat yard and hear eral places I remember most, along the trucks backing in and out of the with Orange Julep and, since I later loading docks. This has had a hugespent time as a resident of Cartierly detrimental effect on the MoWest ville, Belmont Park, of course. I reresidents’ enjoyment of their homes. member how creamy the Sealtest “Because the site sits entirely in ice-cream there was, compared to the NDG-CDN borough, the Town the others.” of Montreal West has not been able I then cheated a bit and sent an urto intervene effectively to further gent Facebook plea to the alumni of protect our residents. For their part, my Wagar High School graduating Parmalat has installed a high fence class of 1974. Many reside in Toronalong the backyards on Brock, which to or elsewhere now, but here is what I believe most of the residents see as they came up with… the lesser of two evils: a huge wall Marla Gottlieb: “I remember walkin their yards versus the light and ing out of the car, hand-in-hand with noise.” my father and mother, twitching Wishing to convey how special Elwith excitement as I saw the cow in mhurst was to locals, I started quefront of the building. Nothing could rying West End residents regarding have been more exciting. On one of their memories, starting with Mayor those trips, just as I walked outside Masella. the building, my ice-cream fell out “The relationship I had as a kid was of my cone. I cried, as this was the that the Elmhurst Dairy was the treat ultimate tragedy. The nice people my dad lavished upon us on special working there gave me another ice weekends in the summer,” added cream and cone. Ahh, memories of Masella. “I distinctly remember drivchildhood. I sure wish adult problems ing back from our country place on could be solved so easily.” Sunday afternoons. We would always Don Leslie: “We refer to it as the drive back along the 2-20 as it was Sealtest Dairy. I remember their tricalled back then. When my Dad was ple ice cream had three cups sidein the right mood, he would sometimes by-side on one cone, not like today stop at the Dairy Queen on Ile-Perrot. when it is three scoops piled on top If he didn’t stop there, we knew we of each either. I think one of the cows had a chance for Elmhurst Dairy. As on the building was Bessie, but not we got close, you knew things were sure of the other one. Great place to looking up if he got off at 1st Avenue in

go on a hot summer night, usually with a line-up out to the street.” Felice Flegg: “I also remember going to the ‘cow place’ for ice cream and waiting in line. Even when my kids were young and there was no ice cream counter, every time we passed by we had to stop and say hello to Mabel and Bessie. How disappointed we all were when they took the cows down.” Geoffrey Ungar: I remember my parents taking me and my sisters there on warm summer evenings and sitting on top of the back seat (we had a convertible) enjoying our ice creams Debra Merowitz: “I remember driving my bike over the Montreal West tracks to go to Elmhurst Dairy... what an adventure!” Susan Saskin: “The cows, the lines - it was such a treat to go!” Heidi Kaplan remembers it in very succinct detail: “I remember Elmhurst very well, because my parents took us there quite often. I can still recall the two huge cows that graced their billboard - I used to get so excited when I saw them as my dad’s car pulled into the parking spaces underneath them. If only some heritage-enlightened individual would have been able to save the giant bovines and left them to be enjoyed by all of us boomers who still pass by the Ault (Sealtest) dairy location today. “As you can tell, I have very fond memories of that place, and every time I drive past it (which is quite often - since my senior parents still live in CSL). I think about how magical that place was.” Karen Cohen (now a resident of Arizona): “I remember loving the cow on the roof. Was that Elmhurst?” While some people apparently remember it differently, they all still remember it nonetheless. And the cows have a lot to do with Elmhurst’s undeniable charm, a magical spell unbroken to this very day. How about Parmalat’s management liberating those two cow heads, huh? If anything warrants sharing with latter-day West End residents and THEIR children, it’s something that’s a true legacy from our childhood. Let’s get MOO-ving on that, Parmalat! You can reach Parmalat Canada at 7470 St. Jacques W., 514-4848401.

PRECIOUS PETS • VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 8 • FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 • www.preciouspets.ca