Paradise Pets Magazine, Ketchikan, AK Jan-Mar 2018 by Publish in Paradise

Jody & Hela

Outward Signs of Aging in Your Pet

5 Tips for Introducing Unique Pets to Your Dog

Training Your FourLegged Friend Volume 3 Issue 1 | Jan-Feb-Mar 2018

Paradise Pets Magazine is published by Publish In Paradise for the purpose of uniting and supporting our pet communities. For advertising inquiries, please visit us online or email ads@publishinparadise.com © 2018 Publish in Paradise Paradise Pets Magazine ParadisePetsMag.com Publisher: Angela J. Willard publisher@publishinparadise.com

On the Cover: Jody Ramsey with her dog, Hela, pose in front of the deli case Old Town Liquor & Corner Store in Ketchikan, Alaska. Read her interview on page 9.

It is hard to believe we are starting our third year of Paradise Pets Magazine here in Ketchikan. This year I am taking things in a different direction, one that I hope will help us get to know one another a little better, not only in Ketchikan but throughout Southeast Alaska, with more personal interviews of pet parents who are also business owners. It’s hard to stay “connected” in the islands sometimes. We can easily go off in our own little world, enjoying our Alaskan island life and all the comforts of home in our small towns and villages. Let’s not forget to take time to connect with our neighbors, our fellow pet parents, and be sure to stop in to our local pet friendly establishments and say hello. My hope is that Paradise Pets Magazine will help unite us a little more, throughout Southeast. Here’s to making new connections in 2018!

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If you have a story you would like to share of how your rescued pet has rescued you, please email it to the editor at paradisepets@publishinparadise.com

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Features Pet Parents 4

5 Tips for Introducing Unique Pets to Your Dog

Tips to Maintain a Beautiful, Pet Friendly Home

9 Pet Parent Interview: Jody & Hela 13 Training Your Four-Legged Friend 16

Pets Help Seniors Stay Healthier and Happier

Pet Health 14

Outward Signs of Aging in Your

Pet

7 Pet Resource Guide

@ParadisePetsMag PARADISE PETS MAGAZINE DISCLAIMER: This information is for educational and interest purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your own veterinarian. Veterinarians cannot answer specific questions about your pet's medical issues or make medical recommendations for your pet without first establishing a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Your pet's medical protocol should be given by your local holistic veterinarian.

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Photo credit: @in_stride_ride

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ou're an animal lover, and you've dreamed about your dog running through a field alongside a horse or watching your pup play with a pet goat. But how will your companions respond when they meet their new unique sibling?

Also consider interactions your pet has had with other dogs to indicate how a future meeting with an unfamiliar animal might go.

To make sure your pets start their relationship out right, the experts at Tractor Supply Company, a nationwide rural lifestyle retailer, have five tips to make the introduction as seamless as possible.

2. Let the New Pet Get Comfortable

Taking the appropriate steps to properly introduce your dog to another animalâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; such as a horse, pig, goat or rabbitâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; will drastically improve the chances of the two becoming friends.

1. Consider Your Pet's Personality Dogs are instinctively pack animals and tend to get along well with others, especially ones that roam in a pack or herd such as horses, goats and sheep.

Your dog isn't the only animal dealing with a change. Remember your new flock, pet goat or rabbit may need a few days to get used to their surroundings. Giving animals some time to learn their environment can alleviate some initial skittish behavior.

3. Set up a Controlled Introduction Whether introducing a small rabbit or big horse, start with a meeting where you have the control. Prior to orchestrating the first sniff, place your new animal inside a fenced enclosure that allows both your dog and the new friend enough space to observe each other.

But teaching your dog to live with respect for members of another species will depend on several factors, including its age, breed and temperament.

Once your dog has taken in all of the initial sights and smells, it still may take several weeks for comfort to set in. Take it slow, be persistent, and remember that peaceful coexistence starts with familiarity.

While breed doesn't always predict an animal's personality, it can be insightful in determining likely traits. For instance, labs, retrievers and terriers are natural hunters and might be better friends with a goat or pig rather than a rabbit.

4. Reward Calm Behavior Chances are your dog will be suspicious of something new in its backyard domain.

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If your dog starts wiggling with excitement or whining, that's normal!

Resource Guide

Reinforce positive interactions by offering comfort and rewarding submissive body language, such as relaxed ears and a lowered head. Be patient. Dogs are not trained overnight.

Ketchikan, AK

5. Leashed Meeting

Ketchikan Humane Society 907-821-0274 www.ketchikanhumanesociety.org

Next, using a leash, bring your dog to meet the new pet. Let them check each other out and interact in a safe way. Repeat this process for as long as it takes for your dog to relax. This portion of the interaction will require close observation of your dog's behavior. Any type of tension or aggression needs to result in a firm "no," while good behavior should be verbally praised. In the event that your dog shows signs of fear or aggression, increase your distance until you've reestablished a calm demeanor and then try again. Continue this ritual until your dog and your new pet start to behave like old friends.

For expert advice on raising pets and other animals, visit TractorSupply.com/KnowHow.

Source: BPT

BARK Alaska Rescue Ketchikan Ketchikanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s non-profit, no-kill animal rescue shelter. 12034 N. Tongass Hwy. Ketchikan, AK 99901 907-225-3647

Southeast Alaska Organization for Animals 907-254-7632 - Ketchikan www.aksofa.org

Juneau, AK Gastineau Humane Society 7705 Glacier Highway Juneau, Alaska 99801 907-789-0260 Southeast Alaska Organization for Animals 907-957-9059 - Juneau www.aksofa.org

Do you have a pet business? A pet friendly motel, restaurant or other establishment? Get listed in our resource guide and we will connect you to pet parents in Ketchikan and Southeast Alaska. ParadisePetsMag.com

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Tips to Maintain a Beautiful, Pet Friendly Home

For all the companionship pets provide, it’s fair to admit that they can mess up a clean, tidy home pretty quickly. But rather than sequester furry loved ones to certain rooms of the house or simply submit to the chaos, you can follow a few savvy tips to keep your home fresh with less work.

After walking the dog or letting the cat into the backyard, wipe paws before pets get a chance to track in mud and debris. You can set up a clean-paws station by your home’s entrance to ensure you make this a habit.

Smart Flooring

Pet Grooming

There’s no need to compromise on the quality of your home’s flooring, say experts.

Brushing pets regularly is good for them -and good for flooring and furniture. Do so every couple days in order to keep your pets’ coats healthy and help prevent shedding fur from ending up everywhere.

“As much as we all love our pets, it’s no secret that they can wreak havoc on flooring, especially carpets,” says Jennifer Bertrand, Flooring America design consultant. “But by seeking out products

specifically designed for busy homes with pets, you can maintain the look of your carpets.” Bertrand points to Stainmaster’s PetProtect from Flooring America as a good solution for pet owners for a few reasons. “It resists pet stains. Which means you can worry about other things, like which dog park to visit next. Your pup will love it too, because he won’t get in trouble after his little mess-ups,” she says. When it comes to pet “mess-ups,” the carpeting features a breathable moisture barrier designed to prevent spills and accidents from soaking through the cushion and subfloor, so there are no lingering pet odors after a thorough cleaning. And because the carpeting releases more pet hair when vacuumed, this routine chore is made fast and simple.

Keep cleaning supplies nearby (in a locked cabinet for Fido’s safety) for spot cleans and quick touch-ups after mishaps, and remember to vacuum regularly. Don’t forget corners, where build-up tends to occur. Wipe down surfaces to lift pet dander off baseboards, counters and window sills. With a few tricks, and some smart pet-friendly product selections where carpeting and furniture are concerned, you can have the best of both worlds: a clean and fresh home, and all the members of your family -- including those with four legs -- together when and where you like.

Source: StatePoint

Look for carpeting with extra durability and protection against color fading, which means it will stay newer-looking for longer, with no compromise to your pet’s territory or your daily schedule. More information about pet-friendly carpets and flooring can be found at flooringamerica.com.

Cleaning Habits With smart pet-friendly flooring and furniture choices (think microfiber sofas), cleaning up after your pet and busy lifestyle should be easy. But remember, it’s easier to clean as you go than it is to wait until things get out of hand.

a l e H & Jody

Interview & Photos by Angela J. Willard

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For you, what is the best part of having a fur-baby? Companionship. I never had a pet before in my life because I didn’t want the responsibility. Hela is the only animal I have loved.

What caused you to get Hela? My husband always wanted an Old English Bull Dog—he had them growing up. His brother gave Hela to him as a gift, but I fell in love with her. She’s my dog now (laughs)!

If you could change one thing about Hela, what would it be? She doesn’t like loud noises, for example my husband’s voice can get loud and it makes her jumpy.

Hela, a female, 2-year-old English Bulldog, heads to work every day at the Old Town Liquor & Corner Store on 420 Mission St. In Ketchikan, Alaska.

Jody Ramsey opened Old Town Liquor & Corner Store (420 Mission St.) in May 2017, along with her husband, Beau, who spends most of his time running their other business, Stone Deck Pizza. Jody & Beau have been married almost 20 years and have also owned businesses in California, including a bar and a day care center. Besides being entrepreneurs, Jody is a licensed dental assistant and Beau is a marine engineer. They moved to Ketchikan in August 2012 from Montreal, Quebec Canada. Their “child” is an Old English Bulldog, Hela, who just turned two on December 25.

What is Hela’s favorite foods and treats? Hela loves to eat! When we first got her we would put green beans and other fruits and vegetables in her food and she would pick them out. She eats meats, chicken, pizza crust—she eats a lot of pizza crust (laughs).

Do you have any special routines you enjoy with her? Bringing her to work with me; and if daddy is gone somewhere, then she gets to sleep in the bedroom. I enjoy snuggling with her. She’s very affectionate and loves to snuggle.

Have you made any special accommodations for Hela? She’s a snorer—she has her own room in our home so we can shut the door. We keep Beau’s slippers or shoes in the bedroom and keep the door closed so she doesn’t get them. We have this thing called “the pit” outside—a very large area completely fenced in, and when we first potty trained her she would potty in the house, so she had to start staying out in the pit. She loves the pit! She loves fishing buoys and will drag them from the pit into the house; she rolls rocks up the hill, she loves being in there.

Why did you relocate to Ketchikan? Beau came here for work with a local shipyard and I followed a week later. I worked as a dental assistant then also worked for Stone Deck Pizza part-time as needed, and then we bought Stone Deck Pizza when it became available for sale. We became the official owners in April 2016.

What do you like most about Ketchikan? The beauty of this area. I love looking out the window and seeing the ocean.

Here at Old Town Liquor & Corner Store, does Hela come to work with you every day? Yes, but she stays upstairs in her special room in our office. She has her bed up there and her food, water and toys. Some people know she is here and will go visit her in her room. (We had Hela down in the store for a bit for her photo shoot and people would come in and pet Hela. She’s very people friendly!)

Would you consider Old Town Liquor & Corner Store to be pet-friendly? Yes. As long as you are holding your pet and not around the food preparation or deli areas. Service pets are always welcome.

Do you offer pet products? We are working on making homemade dog treats that are healthy and grain free, as well as offering pet products made by locals.

Have you experienced Ketchikan to be a pet-friendly city? Yes. It seems like everyone has a pet, especially dogs. I’m always seeing people walking their dogs. The fact that people come here just to visit Hela shows Ketchikan to be very pet friendly.

Fun Fact: “Hela has a foot fetish—she loves anything to do with people’s feet!”

What would you say is the best part of living in Ketchikan with a dog? There are a lot places to walk Hela and mostly it’s safe to walk around without fear of another person’s dog because most are on a leash.

What do you wish was different to make life in Ketchikan with dogs more enjoyable? More sunshine! More out side play! Hela can swim a little and has a life vest, but she doesn’t like to get her head wet.

Training Your Four-Legged Friend Obedience brings happiness to the home

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Man's best friend can be counted on for many things - from greeting you after a long day at work to being a loyal walking buddy. But to reap all the benefits of dog ownership, it's important to lay the foundation of training and obedience.

Why Train? An obedient dog is a happy dog, free of restrictions. When a dog acts out, the owner must quickly react either putting the pet away in a kennel or excluding it from outings and other experiences. On the other hand, an obedient pet enjoys more freedom. They are welcome to greet guests when friends visit, go on car rides and enjoy many other opportunities to be around their favorite person - you. According to the ASPCA, working together to learn behavior and social skills

is a good way to make you and your pet happier, thus reinforcing your bond. Formal training helps teach your dog important commands such as "come" and "sit," but it also helps shape your furry friend's manners and teaches you to understand your animal's temperament all important qualities for a housemate.

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It seems like just yesterday you brought her home and made her a part of the family. If you own a cat or dog, you have fond memories of your furry family member from day one. Fast forward to today. Just like with people, age sometimes creeps up slowly on pets. Every pet is unique, so changes happen at different times. What's more, age-related changes can be easy to miss because they appear so gradually over time. Being aware and proactive is the best thing pet parents can do to help their pets stay healthy as they age. The American

Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommends that pets have a senior screening at about age 7. This allows the veterinarian to address any current concerns or potential health risks, including nutritional considerations. Aging in pets can potentially impact the relationship you have with them, so being aware of the signs and what to do can help keep your older pet in the game. To help you understand what to look for, Hill's Pet Nutrition has developed the "Tell TAILS" signs of aging in cats and dogs.

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T = Thinking Your pet gets confused by ordinary things, like how to find their bed.

A = Activity Your pet is less active. Naps are now more appealing than playing or exploring.

I = Interactions Your pet doesn't socialize with you as much as before.

L = Loss of control Your pet is well-trained, but has started to have accidents.

S = Sleep-wake cycle Sleeping patterns have changed, with more awake time during the night.

You're the one who spends the most time with your pet, so it's important to note any of these changes and communicate them to your veterinarian. Consistent vet visits and changing your pet's food are just two things that can help older pets to continue to remain healthy in their later years. "As pets grow older, aging occurs inside every cell in their body and Hill's studies these changes down to the gene level," says Kathy Gross, Director of Clinical Nutrition

at Hill's Science Diet. "Our research shows that gene expression and activity are different in pets aged 7 and older compared to their younger counterparts. Through this research we've identified natural ingredients and nutrients that change gene activity and used that knowledge to create pet foods for pets of this age."

When selecting food, consider key nutrients important for pets aged 7 and older. A high-quality food like Hill's Science Diet Youthful Vitality, developed from over a decade of extensive research, includes:

● High-quality protein with balanced levels of essential amino acids to support muscles. ● L-carnitine to help the body convert nutrients into energy to move, run and play. ● Right balance of phosphorus and sodium, not too much and not too little, helps maintain a healthy bladder, kidneys and heart. ● Antioxidant vitamins E and C along with beta-carotene and selenium to protect cells and support healthy immune function.

(Continued on page 18)

Pets Help Seniors Stay Healthier and Happier

rench novelist Sidonie-Gabrielle Collette once said, "Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet." Pets provide meaningful social support for owners, and they can be especially beneficial for seniors. Ample research shows pet ownership delivers physical and mental health benefits for seniors, regardless of whether they're living on their own or in a senior living community.

However, many older Americans still mistakenly believe moving into a senior living community means they'll have to leave their pets behind. In fact, the fear they'll have to give up a beloved pet is among the top emotional reasons seniors don't want to move into senior living, according to author and senior real estate specialist Bruce Nemovitz. In an informal survey by Nemovitz, seniors ranked losing a pet as emotionally jarring as having to leave their familiar homes and possessions.

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"Senior living communities like Brookdale Senior Living are all about supporting the physical health and mental well-being of residents," says Carol Cummings, senior director of Optimum Life. "For many senior citizens, pets are an important part of their lives. It makes sense to preserve the bond between pet and senior owner whenever possible."

Physical Benefits Pet ownership benefits senior citizens in multiple ways, research shows. Older people who own dogs are likely to spend 22 additional minutes walking at a moderately intense pace each day, according to a recent study by The University of Lincoln and Glasgow Caledonian University. Published in BioMed Central, the study also found dog owners took more than 2,700 more steps per day than non-owners. Multiple studies have also concluded that pet ownership can help lower blood pressure, contribute to improved cardiovascular health and reduce cholesterol.

Mental Health Interacting with pets also has many mental health benefits, especially for seniors. Spending time with pets can help relieve anxiety and increase brain levels of the feel-good neurochemicals serotonin and dopamine. Pets can help relieve depression and feelings of loneliness.

The online journal Current Gerontology and Geriatrics Research reports multiple studies indicate dementia patients who interact with animals become more social, are less agitated and have fewer behavioral issues.

Pets in Senior Living Settings "For too long, some senior living communities didn't recognize the value of allowing residents to bring their pets with them," Cummings says. "That has definitely changed." For seniors looking for a community that will accept their pets, Cummings suggests a few questions to ask:

● What is your pet policy and what type of animal do you consider a pet? Generally, small dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, rats, hamsters, fish, turtles and other small companion animals qualify for pet policies. Seniors should check to be sure their pet meets the standards of the community. ● What is your pet health policy? Typically, senior living communities that accept small pets will want them to be current on all vaccinations and have regular exams by a licensed veterinarian. Pets will also need to have any required state- or county-issued licenses. ●

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(Continued from page 17)

â&#x2014;? What, if any, kind of training do you require pets to have? Requiring dogs to be house-trained and cats to be littertrained is standard. Communities will also want to know your pet is wellbehaved and not aggressive. They may ask you to have pets obedience trained. â&#x2014;? Do you offer any assistance with petrelated tasks? Most communities will require residents be able to care for pets themselves, including feeding, walking, potty needs and health needs.

"Moving into a senior living community is a big change, one that most residents find positive," Cummings says. "They gain freedom from home maintenance tasks and household chores, a socially rewarding environment, and as-needed support for healthcare and daily care. As long as seniors are still able to care for their pets, there's no reason they shouldn't be allowed to bring their best friends with them to their new homes."

Source: BPT

(Continued from page 15)

In addition to making nutritional adjustments, consider these smart tips for helping your pet get the most out of life and unlock their ageless spirit:

1. Providing regular exercise and opportunities to interact with family members helps keep older pets in shape and their minds actively engaged.

2. Just as with people, maintain a healthy body weight and body proportion (more muscle, strong bones, less body fat) by avoiding overfeeding, doing regular weighins and avoiding unhealthy snacks.

4. Regular veterinary checkups (once per year for middle-aged pets and twice per year for senior pets over the age of 7) are recommended so any concerns or potential health risks can be addressed.

For more information about pet health for cats and dogs, visit www.HillsPet.com. For more information about pet aging and the cutting-edge food science in Science Diet Youthful Vitality, visit www.ScienceDiet.com/YouthfulVitality. Source: BPT

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(Continued from page 13)

To ensure your training sessions are most effective, you can plan ahead with a few simple steps.

Style Matters First you need to determine what style of training will be most effective for you and your dog. Training can include obedience or behavior, or both. What type of class you need depends on whether you're looking to instill (or brush up on) the basics or correct problems. You can find group classes through your veterinarian or local pet store, or you may prefer to have one-on-one sessions with a qualified trainer. Group classes allow your dog to grow comfortable around other people and animals while teaching a standard set of skills. On the other hand, individual sessions can be tailored to specific issues and allow more dedicated attention to your animal.

Genetic Cues It also is helpful to understand your pet's ancestry. Armed with breed insights, you can gain valuable understanding on behavior, establish a better relationship with your dog and have information to take better care of your dog's health. Any questions about your dog's heredity can be answered with a simple test, such as the Wisdom Panel(r) 2.0 Canine DNA Identification Test.

"A DNA test provides valuable information for the well-being of a dog, from weight range predictions to help with nutrition and diet choices to understanding breed behavior for an effective care and wellness plan," said Dr. Neale Fretwell, General Manager of Mars Veterinary. The Wisdom Panel 2.0 tests a dog's DNA to identify the breeds that make up their mixed-breed dog; reveal the parental ancestry of a "designer" dog; or show whether a dog matches the profile of known purebred dogs in the Wisdom Panel database.

Clear the Calendar Beyond the time you'll dedicate to attending training sessions, you also need to be sure your schedule will allow you to practice and refine the new skills you learn at home and in other environments. Successful training requires reinforcement outside the classroom on an ongoing basis. Training lets you and your dog understand one another better, and it's an important step toward ensuring your four-legged friend is a safe, happy member of the house. For more information about the Wisdom Panel 2.0 test or to purchase it, visit www.wisdompanel.com.

Source: Mars Veterinary | Family Features

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