Paradise Pets Magazine, Ketchikan, AK Vol. 1 Issue 2 by Publish in Paradise

Volume 1 Issue 2 | Apr-May-June 2016

Paradise Pets Magazine is published by Publish In Paradise for the purpose of uniting and supporting our communities. 10% of all net advertising revenue is donated to local animal rescue organizations. For advertising inquiries, please visit us online or email ads@publishinparadise.com © 2016 Publish in Paradise Paradise Pets Magazine ParadisePetsMag.com Publisher: Angela J. Richards publisher@publishinparadise.com Contributors: Gretchen Moore Angela J. Richards Karen Thomas Timothy Weesner

On the Cover: Gretchen Moore, founder of BARK Alaska Rescue Ketchikan, holding a wild animal that she rehabilitated.

Welcome to the official launch issue of Paradise Pets Magazine, Ketchikan, AK! I am so happy to be home with family and friends here in the First City. I have enjoyed venturing out and exploring our land here in K-town, seeing what is new and saying hello to what I’ve always known here at home. I am looking forward to summer and sunshine, and even on these drizzly, rainy days, I still see committed pet parents outside walking their beloved dogs. I will say, I have also seen many who do not bother to clean up after their pet—so may I remind you to please remember to scoop up after your pet, the rain does not wash it away as fast as you may hope. ☺ April is Autism Awareness Month, so I have included an article out of the “norm” to help create awareness of how pets can be therapy for children who struggle with anxiety, and many autistic children experience anxiety due to sensory overload, and with trying to fit in where they don’t feel they belong. Then with the overload, they can react by having a “meltdown” that people do not understand. The reaction can look like a tantrum and as they grow older they can be labeled with some damaging terms like “psycho” or “freak” or one that I heard so often, “space cadet”. As an Autistic, I know too well what it feels like to try to be put into a box labeled “normal and acceptable”, a box I have never fit into. Sure we need help seeing the tree in front of us because we are focused on the entire forest, but we also need the freedom to be who we are without judgement, without limitations and with understanding. Freedom is a good thing! I have always felt loved and accepted by animals more so than by humans. I have always had a deep connection to animals, and when I was young I would spend my time nurturing injured wildlife back to health, naming them and loving on them until they were able to return to their natural habitation, and my dogs and other personal pets were my best friends. When I was a child, my pets were my “therapy” and they gave me the connection I needed in a world where I felt like an alien. If you have a child who struggles with anxiety or an autistic child, a pet may just be the therapy they really need.

Features 6

Rescue Tails: Eska, The Creek Street Kitten

Interview with Gretchen Moore

Departments Pet Parents 12

Helping Your Newly Adopted Pet Adjust to Your Home

17 B.A.R.K. Pets Awaiting Parents

Pet Health 18 Pets May Help Reduce Childhood Anxiety

5 Resource Guide

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.

Personalized Keepsake Pet Magazines are a great way to showcase your beloved pet to friends, family and colleagues. Whether your pet is a professional show pet or a cuddly lap dog, your fur baby is a member of your family. A Keepsake Pet Magazine is also a great way to remember and honor a beloved pet who is no longer with you.

4 | Paradise Pets Magazine, Ketchikan, AK Vol. 1 Issue 2 ÂŠ 2016 Publish In Paradise | ParadisePetsMag.com

Resource Guide Ketchikan, AK 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 Ketchikan Humane Society 907-821-0274 www.ketchikanhumanesociety.org Southeast Alaska Organization for Animals 907-254-7632 - Ketchikan 907-957-9059 - Juneau www.aksofa.org Keepsake Magazines Custom Keepsake Pet Magazines Ketchikan, AK www.KeepsakeMags.com

Juneau, AK Gastineau Humane Society 7705 Glacier Highway Juneau, Alaska 99801 907-789-0260

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, POW and vicinity. ParadisePetsMag.com

Ketchikan Dog Park (KDP) is a non-profit organization that formed for the purpose of developing a Dog Park for the Ketchikan-Gateway Borough. They meet the second Tuesday of each month and welcome public input. For more information visit www.ketchikandogpark.org Like KDP on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ketchikandogpark

Paradise Pets Magazine, Ketchikan, AK Vol. 1 Issue 2 ÂŠ 2016 Publish In Paradise | ParadisePetsMag.com | 5

By Gretchen Moore

It's no secret that Creek Street is always a busy area in the summer and it's easy for us locals to filter out the excessive commotion. By day it's filled with tourists buzzing around, and in the afternoons and evenings people are out on walks or fishing from the bridge. However, one day the commotion was different. A local community member kept hearing Gretchen Moore holding Eska. meowing cries for help. Those frantic meows did not go unanswered, despite the Sitting on top of a dead and rotting humpy, many cats wandering around, and having in the only dry place that the tide hadn't her business to look after. come in, was a soaking wet, shivering kitten. Ayme heard a kitten cry coming from below the Creek Street area. When the cries only Ayme gathered up the kitten in distress intensified, she became a real life ‘Super and brought her right to us at BARK Alaska Woman’ and went to extensive efforts to Rescue Ketchikan, warning us that she had investigate the frantic meows. Ayme a really bad infection and both her eyes assessed the general area of the cries were gooped shut, and that she did not look before finally having to crawl under a well. We worked quickly to warm her up building, scramble over the wet and and assessed this tiny kitten as being slippery rocks layered with September severely dehydrated and rotting fish, and climbed down a rock wall malnourished. How long had she sat on top containing more rotting fish corpses before of the dead fish and how did she come to identifying the kitten in distress. be in the creek?

This little kitten literally didn't move for an entire day, recovering from her near miss. After she was feeling better and we took a better look at her other needs, including her eye infections, a closer examination revealed an even bigger miracle to this kitten’s battle. She has Anopthmalia. This little kitten was born without any eyes! She is completely blind and dependent on her other senses for survival. Somehow finding herself stranded and wet below the creek area, surrounded by noise from above, echoes all around, rushing water, and no way to navigate to safety or higher ground she called for help until Ayme came. Her survival was nothing shy of a miracle, and in honor of her rescue from the creek we decided to name her Eska. The word Eska is Inuit for "creek".

Eska has become a member of our family and identifies herself as just one of the dogs. She enjoys guests at Groomingdales and loves visitors who come to see her. She quickly learned to maneuver through both my home and the store with ease and many are surprised to learn that she cannot see after watching her move about so gracefully. It is hard to consider, that had a local business owner not taken a moment to abandon her store and ask a neighboring business to watch it while she followed the desperate meows for help, how different of an ending this story may have had. It's fortunate this story has such an amazing ending and it is great to know there are still people in this world who are willing to take the time to investigate another creature in distress.

Eska quickly grew fond of me and came home with me each night. She grew attached to Fergie, our dog, very quickly and the two became the best of friends, always tumbling around and playing together. Eska was going to remain with me for fostering while she grew strength from her ordeal, but we quickly decided that foster just wasn't for her: she was already home. She was romping around with the dogs, and each morning waited impatiently and demanded she get to come to Groomingdales where her friends (the dogs) would go. There was nothing as much fun for her as laying in the middle of my des—helping.

Eska, an abandoned, blind kitten, was found under Creek Street.

Gretchen with Mimi. By Angela J. Richards

8 | Paradise Pets Magazine, Ketchikan, AK Vol. 1 Issue 2 ÂŠ 2016 Publish In Paradise | ParadisePetsMag.com

Gretchen Moore

began her life here in Alaska and raised in Ketchikan, along with five generations of her family. She is the owner of Groomingdales Pet Resort and the Founder of BARK Alaska Rescue Ketchikan. In her words: I am lucky that 90% of my family still resides in Ketchikan, including my father, brothers, children and grandchildren. I am over the moon lucky to have a husband that is supportive of my passion for rescuing and rehabilitating any critter that I bring home, including: baby deer, martin, wild injured birds, and too many dogs and cats to count. My pets are my best friends, they are all working animals and take their jobs seriously. Tigger, the Pomeranian, is the treat tester. Loofa, a mutt mix street dog from Hydaburg, is the babysitter. Many locals know Loofa by name as they have seen how hard she works keeping orphaned babies occupied and loved during the day. Fergie, a poodle, is the Groomingdales store model. Callie, the perfect border collie, is our Pet Resorts mascot who helps new guests settle in and fills their stay with extra fun play times. Pooka, a blind poodle, is retired but still goes to work every day. Gepetto, an adorable, mostly blind and deaf, tiny toy poodle with special needs who suffered head trauma from abuse when he a pup. And Eska, a kitten born with no eyes and rescued from a creek is our office manager. Eska has no clue that she is blind and we have not told her that she has any disability. (See Eska’s rescue story on page--.)

Q: Tell us why you decided to start BARK… Gretchen: I opened Groomingdales Pet Resort 25 years ago to provide service to the community and through continued support from the wonderful people of our community, we've grown to be what we are today. After opening Groomingdales, I experienced an increased demand for rescue services and the number of pets needing second chances was apparent to me. What started as a rescue in my own home, taking dogs and cats one by one and finding them homes, was the start of the Ketchikan Humane Society. After serving as Founder, President and board member and for over 15 years, I resigned from KHS and founded BARK Alaska Rescue Ketchikan and shelter in January of 2015. In our first year,

Gretchen bottle feeding Fern the fawn.

almost 80 animals came to us for rehabilitation and placement.

who are in need. During the first year of BARK alone, almost 80 rescues passed through!

Q: What are your goals for BARK for this year?

Q: And your goals for the next five years? Gretchen: Any rescue leader will tell you that we wish our service wasn't needed, and that there were more loving homes available then there are animals in need of homes. It is always desirable to believe that with awareness about animal overpopulation and the importance of preventing unwanted litters would someday bring an end to so many animals in need of rescue. However, there will always be unwanted puppies and kitties needing families to love them and I will diligently remain dedicated to finding each one a special place to call their home. I will continue to take in as many rescues as I can and find them placement.

Gretchen: My goals for BARK this year remain the same goals I have had for my entire life: to give every animal I possibly can the chance to have a loving home and family where they can be a cherished family member. As always, I hope to continue to stress the importance of preventing unwanted litters of animals and I hope to be able to help as many animals as I can

Q: On any given day, how many homeless pets would you say there are in Ketchikan? Gretchen: It really depends on the time of year. In the spring we see a huge influx of kittens as spring heat comes along and female cats have litters of kittens, all in need of homes. There are times during the year that the shelter is at capacity and sometimes they have less than 15 animals. It is also impossible to quantify the feral cat population that free roams, rarely seen. But I imagine on any given day, between the local rescues, there could be as many as 20 animals awaiting adoption. Gretchen’s four-legged family.

Q: On an average, how many pets do you house at BARK? Gretchen: In the past 25 years I have not gone without something in rescue for more than 10 days. We stay very busy. On average we have between 4 and 12 animals in our shelter/foster homes. Q: Any idea of the homeless pet population in Southeast? Gretchen: It widely depends on the community and their accessibility to veterinary care, spay and neuter services, local contacts to help to facilitate rescue work, etc. Some areas have gotten overpopulation under control while other areas are in tremendous need of spay and neuter clinics. Q: What is the number one cause of pet homelessness in Ketchikan? Gretchen: Landlords will not allow pets in their rentals. People are forced to move and landlords won't accept pets they already have. And moving pets out of Ketchikan requires health certificates and tremendous planning to bring pets along on a move and some end up being left behind. Q: What do you need from the Ketchikan community in order to help our homeless pets? Gretchen: BARK is funded by money donations and we also have BARKains inside our Groomingdales retail store. BARKains is gently used or new pet items donated from the community. 100% of all

donations go towards vetting. We are always in need of donations. Just this month we are completing the construction of our new cat sanctuary room. We are finishing up the outside portion of this adorable cat building. We will have a grand opening soon. We will be looking for cat lover volunteers to come spend time with some of Ketchikan’s cats in need. We certainly also warmly welcome cash donations to offset some of the vetting costs. And the most important thing people can do is to make sure they spay and neuter their own pets. If unwanted litters were not born, they wouldn't need to be rescued. Q: Tell us about your Pet Foster program at BARK: Gretchen: Our foster homes are dedicated to each animal that comes through our shelter. They are treated like family. Foster families expose pets to a home life and work on potty-training if needed, house manners—such as not jumping on people or chewing up items, interacting with other pets and human family members, etc. Fostering in homes is a wonderful way for pets who need some extra rehabilitation to prepare for the family life and learn about routines and have constant exposure to people and other animals.

To learn more about how you can foster or adopt a pet, contact BARK Alaska Rescue Ketchikan at 907-225-3647.

Karen working with a special girl, “Tuka”.

By Karen Thomas There is nothing more gratifying than adopting a pet from a shelter or rescue organization. You will be saving a life. Even if you adopt from an organization that has a no-kill policy, you will be helping to rescue another animal by making space available at the shelter. By adopting rather than buying a new companion animal, you will reduce the demand that drives the commercial breeding of puppies and kittens. Each year millions of healthy and well-behaved animals are destroyed in shelters simply because there are not enough homes for all of them. If you adopt a young adult or senior pet, you can avoid much of the diligent work related to house-training and teething. Puppies and kittens are cute, but they require lots of attention, training and patience. An older dog might fit in better with your laid back adult Labrador than a rambunctious puppy. Kittens are easier than puppies, but you may also want to consider the benefits of an adult cat who has already gone through the high-spirited kitten stage.

Health Before bringing home your new pet (whether a puppy, kitten, dog or cat), do your best to make sure they are as healthy as possible. Obtain copies of all medical

records from the rescue organization for yourself and your veterinarian. If your new companion hasn’t been examined recently, make an appointment with your vet for a complete physical exam. You’ll want to make sure your newcomer has a clean bill of health before exposing other animals in the home to any risk. Keep in mind that any change, even a positive thing like moving to a home, can be stressful for animals. Stress, travel and transport can aggravate underlying disease and may even cause physical ailments. Ask what food your new companion has been eating. If you’ll be feeding the animal something different, you’ll want to make a gradual transition to the new diet to avoid gastrointestinal upset. So, the goal is to minimize stress as much as possible.

Cat or dog proof the home Along with the basic medical needs being assessed, take some time to inspect your surroundings. Are your home and yard appropriately dog and cat proof? Some common safety concerns include toilet seats, electrical cords and outlets, house plants (some are toxic to pets), garbage cans, and unsecured kitchen food storage. You may want to move valuable or fragile items from common areas. We use baby

gates in our home to help keep curious puppies out of trouble. How can we help our new pet feel safe and loved in their new environment? Designate A Safe Place I find it’s so important to designate a safe place where your pet can be away from the action — by his choice or by yours. He should be able to access the place himself whenever he feels he needs a “time-out”. You can also put him in there and close the door. It might be a crate, or even an entire room. This safe place should feel like a safe haven at all times. We use our ‘healing room’ as our safe place for the dogs. I like to diffuse essential oils to promote relaxation such as lavender or a favorite blend called ‘Peace and Calming’. I also created an organic essential oil spray blend called ‘Serenity’ which contains lavender, ylang ylang and frankincense. I always keep a bottle handy to spray inside crates, bedding, inside the car or directly on their coats to promote a feeling of relaxation.

A group training session.

pictures of the animal and how they can help ‘show him the ropes’ while interacting harmoniously. Since animals love to have ‘jobs’ I would assign each one a different job for the integration process to go smoothly. For example, I would assign the role of ‘peace ambassador’ to one and to another the job of being in charge of ‘toy sharing’. Spending lots of quality bonding time with each animal individually and collectively is very important during the first weeks that a pet is in a new home as well.

Routines and Rules Communication If there are existing animals in the home, communication is very important during this entire process. From the moment you’ve made the decision to adopt a new pack member, start letting the other animals in the house know this so that there are no surprises. Since they read our thoughts, I would show them mental

Dogs, especially, crave routines, boundaries and rules. Cats like to know what to expect too. When pets don’t understand, they feel uncertain and may hide out under a bed or behind a chair until they feel a little more comfortable. Sensible rules and structure help pets feel secure in their environment. Being

consistent with training, helping pets understand what behavior you want and providing a solid routine is very appreciated from a pet’s point of view. They become more confident when they know their role and what you want them to do. All too often animals are told ‘no’ as in what not to do, but then not shown an acceptable alternative behavior. When we first adopted Merlin, our Catahoula mix puppy, we established a daily routine which included pack walks and short training sessions a few times per day. He was eager to learn, and the other dogs loved the opportunity to model appropriate behaviors during the training sessions. ‘Group training’ is a great way to keep everyone involved in the integration process.

Karen sharing love with “Oliver” in Key West.

giving them the love and respect they deserve is true compassion. May your hearts and homes always be filled with such love!

Practice Patience The most important thing to remember when integrating a new pet into the household is to practice patience and enjoy the process. Things won’t be perfect overnight as it takes time to learn each other. Having high expectations can turn into feelings of disappointment quickly if the expectations are not met. Any negative emotion (fear, anger, anxiety) will be sensed by your new companion and may delay the learning curve. This would be a great time to start a spiritual or mindful meditation practice if you don’t already have one. Within a few weeks everyone will be more balanced. Feeling the unconditional love of a pet fill our home and heart is a gift, and

Karen Thomas, R.N., is a certified Healing Touch for Animals (HTA) Practitioner in the Florida Keys. Healing Touch for Animals is a holistic approach influencing the health and well-being of animals through energy medicine and intention. HTA techniques restore harmony and balance to the energy system while providing physical, emotional, mental and instinctual stability, thus supporting the body to self-heal. This work can be done in person or distantly.

Karen can be contacted through her website www.pawsitivetouch.org or email her directly at karen@pawsitivetouch.org Karen’s organic, therapeutic-grade essential oil sprays can be purchased through squareup.com/market/pawsitivetouch

If anyone is interested in adopting from BARK Alaska Rescue Ketchikan, they ask that you come to the shelter to meet their available animals at anytime. Come and visit your potential new pet at 12034 N. Tongass Hwy., Ketchikan, AK 99901 or give them a call at (907) 225-3647.

225-3647 BARK Alaska has a mini-size cutie named Rooney but this guy is all Alaskan! He looks like a pocket size husky mix and is simply just the sweetest little guy, he is bit shy when being around new people. He needs a chance to warm up to you and then once he does his heart is yours. Rooney is about 5 months old but looks much bigger than he is. He's about 9 pounds and maybe will grow to be 12 pounds or so. Rooney is recovering from mange, and will be available for adoption end of April. Rooney is sweet but his initial shyness leaves him seeking a dedicated home to dote on him. He is very loving and is looking for a gentle home and would he an amazing companion dog. If you're interested stop by BARK Alaska and grab an app. He has a big heart to give if you have a big heart to offer him return.

Fudge has become quite fond of some of his volunteer staff and we think he would grow very fond of his own adoptive family. Fudge was taken into Ketchikan's first feral cat rehabilitation program and we're honored to share that the volunteers extensive dedication in working with him has helped him become an affectionet, loving cat. He wonders if you have a home he would be comfortable in. Because he was once feral, he is shy around new people and does take time to warm up. He is timid about commotion. He has, however, become good pals with Eska and is very respectful to other cats. Fudge would like a very calm home to live in. One with a mellow atmosphere and he would probably prefer there not be dogs or children. He asks you in advance to be patient with him as he warms up to you and learns to trust each person one at a time. If you'd like to meet him, please consider visiting BARK and asking for some quiet visiting time. We're so amazed at his progress through rehabilitation and it would be wonderful to see him join a forever home.

Paradise Pets Magazine, Ketchikan, AK Vol. 1 Issue 2 ÂŠ 2016 Publish In Paradise | ParadisePetsMag.com | 17

By Timothy Weesner

Anxiety in children is a normal reaction to stress and can actually be beneficial in some situations, but if it interferes with their day-to-day living, it is time to seek an expertâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s help. Anxiety disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessivecompulsive disorder and phobias, to name a few, are among the most common mental disorders experienced by kids and adults.

57.5 percent had a pet dog, while 42.5 percent did not have any. The study concluded that 21 percent of children without pet dogs scored above 3, indicating a further assessment to diagnose anxiety, while only 12 percent of children with dogs had a score of 3 or higher. Anxiety Disorders

Interestingly, having a pet might greatly reduce kids' chances of developing any of the above symptoms. "There is a very strong bond between children and their pets," Dr. Anne Gadomski, a practicing pediatrician and researcher at Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown, NY, told NBC News, on the basis of a study conducted by her and her colleagues. The study was published in the journal Preventing Chronic Disease. "Animal-assisted therapy with dogs affects children's mental health and developmental disorders by reducing anxiety and arousal or enhancing attachment," says Dr. Gadomski. The study, done in a real-world setting, enrolled 643 children aged four to 10 over the period of July 2012 to December 2013. Prior to the study, a parental survey was done to assess a child's physical and mental health, nutrition, physical activity, apart from difficulties with emotions or social interaction. Among the participants,

The findings revealed that the presence of pet dogs at home was associated with reduced incidences of childhood anxiety. This companion animal improves a child's emotional and mental well-being and may prevent the evolution of behavioral and mental problems into full-blown mental diseases during later life. According to the researchers, "Because this was a crosssectional study of associations, a correlational study, no cause or effect can be inferred." "It may be that less anxious children have pet dogs or pet dogs make children less anxious," they added. What makes dogs so special for kids? Previous studies suggested that children aged 7 or 8 consider pets as providers of comfort and self-assurance. Pet ownership brings a multitude of positive effects on humans and fosters a calm and happy atmosphere at home.

18 | Paradise Pets Magazine, Ketchikan, AK Vol. 1 Issue 2 ÂŠ 2016 Publish In Paradise | ParadisePetsMag.com

According to a group of researchers from the Basset Medical Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and the Dartmouth Medical School, "If exposure to pet dogs during childhood is inversely related to mental health problems, positive child-dog interactions could prevent the evolution of these problems into fullfledged disorders during adolescence or later life." A canine companion drives up levels of oxytocin (a neuropeptide that influences social behavior and emotion) and reduces levels of cortisol (a hormone which controls metabolism), which ultimately reduce childhood mental illness, behavioral problems and obesity. "Social interaction of humans and dogs may also lead to increased oxytocin levels in both the human and the dog. Interacting with a friendly dog also reduces cortisol levels most likely through oxytocin release, which attenuates physiologic responses to stress," the researchers opined in the study. Path to Recovery Although anxiety is a normal part of childhood, it can become a serious problem when children experience fear, nervousness and shyness, and start to avoid places and activities. They may also start enduring these problems with anxious feelings, which can manifest as crying, tantrums, avoidance, headaches and stomachaches as they do not usually recognize that their fear is irrational. For more information or if you suspect that your child is suffering from anxiety, it's

time to act immediately. Please seek help for your child. Editors Note: Many children who suffer from overwhelming anxiety, especially in social situations, may have undiagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder, also known as Asperger’s. They may not know how to cope with their anxiety or fears, such as in overwhelming social situations, and may present as having a “tantrum” when they are actually having a uncontrollable meltdown. If this sounds like your child, please seek a diagnosis from a professional. Autism awareness is essential.

Anxiety is one of the biggest challenges facing individuals on the autism spectrum. Source: http://www.specialneeds.com/products-andservices/autism/anxiety-and-autism

Timothy Weesner is associated with anxiety disorder treatment in Arizona for many years. Anxiety disorder treatment in Arizona provides assistance in finding anxiety disorder treatment recovery centers and anxiety disorder treatment centers in Arizona. For more information or if you suspect that your child is suffering from anxiety, it's time to act immediately. There are some good anxiety disorder treatment centers in Arizona that offer specialized program depending on individual needs. For more information on anxiety disorder treatment in Arizona, call our 24/7 helpline number at 866-4259317. The experts at Anxiety Disorder Treatment Arizona helpline will be happy to assist you in your child's struggle with an anxiety disorder. Source: ArticlesFactory.com