Spot Magazine Winter 2019/20

FREE TAKE ME HOME! Magazine

An Unrelenting Need

Golden Ears

Tips for Aging Well

Holiday Gift Ideas

E v e r y t h i n g P e t I n T h e N o r t h w e s t • WINT E R 2 0 1 9 / 2 0 2 0

Seasons of Change Magazine Vol. 13 • No. 5

Winter 2019/2020

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jennifer Beedle, DVM, Beaverton, OR Lisa Campbell, DVM, Tumalo, OR Julie Furnas, Bend, OR Ute Luppertz, MA, Portland, OR Janice McConnell, DVM, CVMA, CCRT, Bend, OR Wendy Merideth, DVM, Sunriver, OR Megan Noes, New York, NY Bianca Shaw, DVM, Portland, OR Rubi Sullivan, CSAMP, Portland, OR

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY: Kathi Lamm

OUR TEAM Kim Kehoe

Publisher Publisher@SpotMagazine.net

Michelle Blake

Managing Editor and Writer Editor@SpotMagazine.net

Rebecca Zinkgraf

Graphic Design minepress@gmail.com

ADVERTISING

Kim • 503-261-1162 • Publisher@SpotMagazine.net

OUR MISSION

Spot serves to educate, entertain, connect and support pet parents, professionals and organizations committed to the health, happiness, safety and welfare of animals.

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Spot Magazine welcomes opinions and letters to the Editor. To be considered for publication, letters should be signed and include the writer’s full name, address, and daytime telephone (for internal use only). Spot reserves the right to edit letters for length and clarity. Mail to: Spot Magazine, 527 NW Elm Ave, Ste 3, PMB 221, Redmond, OR 97756; Email to: Publisher@SpotMagazine.net.

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527 NW Elm Ave, Ste 3, PMB 221 Redmond, OR 97756 Voice 503-261-1162 Published bi-monthly. Distributed in Portland Metro, Willamette Valley, Central Oregon and surrounding areas. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part prohibited without the express permission of One Dog Too Many, LLC.

© 2019 One Dog Too Many, LLC www.SpotMagazine.net

T

his will likely seem cliché, however, it is so invariably true.

There will always be a season that leads to change. Whether a season of life, or the more literal division based on weather and the solar calendar, there will always be transition. In this issue we transition from the last drop of colorful, crunchy leaves and fresh-air forest hikes with our pups to the season of comfort food and cozying up with a favorite furkid in the warmth and comfort of home — at least for this fur parent!

Whether you fall on the spectrum of the “bah humbug” Scrooge of the holidays, or fashion yourself more like Will Ferrell’s exuberant Buddy the Elf, we have some fantastic holiday gift ideas for you on the pages inside. Spot searched far and wide to find you a nice variety of quality items to gift any fur-parent on your list! BE SURE TO LOOK CAREFULLY, AS SOME HAVE OFFERED YOU A DISCOUNT CODE! Along the lines of life seasons, Spot has reached out to several experts to offer tips, tricks, techniques, and guidance to help you help your pets age gracefully.

“If only it was so easy for the two-legged variety” …said this old person (yours truly) who is relegated to the confines of a full leg brace and no weight-bearing for at least six weeks. “How did you break your knee?” you ask. Playing with a dog, of course! I digress. Our Golden Ears Feature has a wealth of knowledge and information we know will be useful.

Ushering in what we hope is this year’s end to kitten season, we have a fantastic feature by Spot’s own Michelle Blake on TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) and its importance in every community. Some of your neighbors are out doing very important community work and we hope you might be inspired too! You’ll also find a wealth of information and resources to find help if your community is overrun with cats.

As you settle into this season of gathering with family and friends — or friends who are family — be sure to check out our new feature on the Northwest’s petfluencers in #SpotSocialClub. Visit our Furry FunPlanner (now strictly online) for fun pet-centric events to do together, shop the pages of Spot for furtastic holiday gift ideas, snuggle up with the furkids, and have a safe, magical holiday season!

Cover Model 411 NAME: Tuppy FAVORITE TOY: His little blue ball. Who said cats don’t retrieve?

STOMPING GROUNDS: Milwaukie, OR LOVES: Exploring cabinets and leaving the doors open. Sitting on the counter watching the other cats’ antics and howling like a wolf.

DOESN’T LOVE: There isn’t anything he doesn’t love!

Spot Magazine | spotmagazine.net | 3

FEATURES 5

Adding Shine to Golden Years

November is National Senior Pet Month

6 Introducing SPEAK!

Regional experts speak directly to you, offering advice and insight on pressing pet-related issues.

10 The Final Farewell

It’s the most painful part of living with and loving pets, but with some planning and forethought, you can make it a less stressful and even sacred time.

departments 11 Rescue Me Sweet pets who need a little extra support finding their forever families.  Brought to you by PNW Visiting Vet

18 Introducing #SpotSocialClub

12 Gift Guide

We talk to the new 4-legged media stars.

20 Fetch •

Just in time for your holiday gift-buying decisions, we offer a variety of pet-related gifts for anyone on your list.

21 TNR

Meet the people and nonprofits saving cats’ lives — and they’re likely in your own neighborhood.

Runchy

little newsbits to chew on

• Central Oregon gets hospice care with more • Local designer turns found items into meaningful gifts that help animals • Dogspots: coming to a sidewalk near you • The newest kind of crowd-funding for vet expenses

Compassionate Care There’s no place like home

Portland & Vancouver’s Most Trusted In-Home Pet Euthanasia Service 24/7 since 2009 Eco-friendly cremation including transport also available Lori Gibson, D.V.M. & Associates Care@DrLoriGibson.com • 4 Spot Magazine | Winter 2019 / 2020

503.880.1172 • www.Dr.LoriGibson.com

Golden Ears

It

happens to all of us, assuming we’re given the gift of a long life. We’ll all grow slower in our later years. We’ll all find it a bit harder to get the old bones moving when we first stand up. Our eyes might get cloudier, our hair turns silver, our walks are shorter while our naps get longer.

Pets — the companions who often teach us the most about living in the moment and treasuring the simple things — also bring life’s fleeting nature into full focus. Their aging process is so similar to ours, except for the heartbreakingly shorter arc of their lifespans. They remind us that all life is shorter than we think.

Aging also has its joys, as many of us with senior pets well know. They become like four-footed Zen masters. And if our little Buddhas have achy bones or leaky bladders or failing ears, there’s much we can do to help them stay active and comfortable through their later years.

But when those years narrow to final months or weeks, we pet guardians face the most trying phase.

End-of-life care often involves an increased need for medical care, sometimes intensive caregiving, and — almost inevitably — painful decisions that, in the moment, feel nearly impossible.

It is taxing — physically, emotionally, financially, mentally — and it can also be a bittersweet and deeply soulful time with our beloved companions.

But to navigate it skillfully, the irony is that we need to plan ahead. We need to make a plan for the day, the week, the decision we hope never arrives.

In this issue, Spot reaches out to experts on the medical, spiritual, and very practical aspects of caring for aging pets until their last day.

Ability. Strength. Recovery.

Back on Track has 20 years experience helping to o o o o o

improve daily function provide multi-modal pain relief address soft-tissue trauma perform pre-hab & rehab after surgery achieve & maintain fitness

No referr needeal d

Back on Track Veterinary Rehabilitation Center, LLC 9045 SW Barbur Blvd Suite 130, Portland o 503-546-8995 www.botvrc.com Spot Magazine | spotmagazine.net | 5

INTRODUCING

Speak!

F

or those burning questions, nagging curiosities, and the most current headline-grabbing issues of the day, we know there’s plenty of information to be found with a simple search. What’s trickier is knowing how trustworthy that information is.

At SPOT, it’s our mission to keep pet parents informed and entertained with the highest-quality and most thoughtful information available. That’s why we’re introducing a new feature. We’re calling it Speak! On these pages, we pose timely questions and then we hand the microphone to the top experts. It’s their chance to speak directly to you, sharing their knowledge on the top questions of the day.

For our first round, we’re reaching out to area experts on the topics of aging pets, healthy supplements, and the controversy and mystery surrounding CBD.

Ready. Set. Speak!

Providing mobile veterinary services in Central Oregon focusing on equine wellness, acupuncture, laser therapy, end of life care, and hospice & palliative care.

aroundthebendvet.com | 458-202-4434 6 Spot Magazine | Winter 2019 / 2020

In-Home Pet Nursing Care

by Licensed Vet Tech Kailyn Neil

Serving Bend Oregon

Medication Administration, Post Surgical Care, Nutrition/Oral Health Consults, and more

(541) 706-1133 | thetravelingpetnurse.com

What do you think is the best way to keep pets healthy as they age?

Keeping pets healthy as they age involves a combination of exercise, love, good food, annual exams with their veterinarians, and supplements.

Exercise improves circulation, reduces stress, and helps keep pets at a healthy weight. Many studies have shown that pets with ideal body conditions live longer than their overweight counterparts. Maintaining a healthy weight also reduces pain as pets get older by decreasing the amount of weight on their arthritic joints. There have been several studies out of Japan in collaboration with Stanford that have shown the phytoncides emitted by trees have a positive effect on the immune system.

A walk in the woods with your dog has many health benefits for both you and them.

Love. That’s easy. Good food…that’s tricky. UC Davis is currently studying the possible connection between grain free diets and dilated cardiomyopathy. Unless your pet has a food allergy, I recommend feeding traditionally formulated diets.

Talk with your veterinarian regarding what diets are best for your dog or cat.

Which pet supplement do you think has made the most impact on quality of life improvement for our animals?

One medication that I feel has helped with quality of life for our senior pet population is Adequan. Adequan is an FDA approved, injectable medication (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan) that helps to slow the effects of osteoarthritis. This medication decreases the loss of cartilage, reduces inflammation within joints, and improves joint fluid quality.

We often teach owners how to give these injections at home, and the injections are typically well tolerated by their pet. The best part is the long-term maintenance dose, which is once a month injections.

I have seen many patients with improved mobility and comfort after starting Adequan. Along with studies from the company, the anecdotal stories from clients have led me to recommend this medication as part of a multimodal approach to osteoarthritis pain in pets.

Dr. Jennifer Beedle, DVM Dr. Beedle’s interests include dentistry, dermatology, helping pets with chronic allergies, and internal medicine. She shares her home with two crazy cats; Coconut and Ziggy.

 Love. That’s easy.

Good food…that’s tricky.  Annual exams with your veterinarian are extremely important. Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical examination and identify any problem areas. Senior wellness blood panels can pick up diseases early, therefore we can help maintain health before things get serious. Your veterinarian can also help you manage osteoarthritis, dental disease, and cognitive dysfunction, all common in senior pets.

My 14-yr old shepherd cross takes a few supplements to keep her healthy. Dasuquin Advanced is a joint health supplement that contains glucosamine, chondroitin, ASU (natural anti-inflammatory derived from avocados), Curcumin (natural anti-inflammatory) and Boswellia serrata (natural antiinflammatory). She also takes omega-3 fatty acids. Research in both humans and animals shows that omega-3 fatty acids decrease inflammation associated with osteoarthritis.

It is an honor to care for my pets in their golden years. For all the love, loyalty, and friendship they have given me, it is only right to make their final years gentle and joyful.

Dr. Merideth incorporates both traditional and alternative veterinary medicine in the care of pets at her Sunriver Veterinary Clinic in Central Oregon. She especially likes helping older pets feel better through acupuncture.

Spot Magazine | spotmagazine.net | 7

What are some of your tips for our aging best friends?

We can help our furry family members live a happy and healthy life throughout their golden years. From my personal experience as a Certified Animal Massage Therapist, I would highly recommend hands-on body work. Massage is a great tool to check for changes, whether they be musculoskeletal, behavioral and/or coat and skin changes. Our elder best friends suffer from arthritis, gait compensations, cognition changes, vestibular disease, muscle weakness, chronic health concerns/diseases, and decreased immune function (just to name a few.)

Hardwood floors and stairs become trickier to navigate as they get arthritis, lose muscle strength, or become visually impaired. Their behavior may change as they age, which could be a sign of pain or anxiety. Some simple home remedies for assisting our aging pets include; cooling mats for laying on when their joints ache or if it’s hot outside, putting down yoga mats on slippery floors, ramps instead of stairs for getting in/out of automobiles, harnesses designed for ample support of both canine and human (I like the Help ‘Em Up Harness), and raised feeding bowls. For those less-mobile dogs that crave mental stimulation, consider playing a game of hide and seek inside the house with biscuits hidden in different rooms, or offer them a treat puzzle.

Attending a dog massage for owners class can be beneficial in keeping an eye on your pet’s ever-changing body, especially as they enter their golden years. After all, they deserve the very best we are able to give them...they give so much to us.

Rubi Sullivan, CSAMP has been taking care of Portland’s pets as the owner of Heal Animal Massage since November of 2006. Her expertise is in massage including pre and post-operative, geriatric, hospice, and maintenance massage.

We hear so much about CBD products. What do you think about CBD for pets?

Miracle or myth?

Cannabidiol oil (CBD) is being promoted as a miracle product that can cure everything. That claim has extended from the human realm to the veterinary world. And it’s not all hype.

It can help things like osteoarthritis, epilepsy, anxiety and noise phobias. However, most of this evidence is anecdotal.

A handful of legitimate studies have examined the use of CBD in pets. The results are promising, depending on which study you read. The source of the CBD is important. Studies have shown a wide variation between what the label claims and the actual amount of CBD in the product.

In states where marijuana is legal (like Oregon and Washington) owners are purchasing product from their local dispensaries. This is dangerous because owners can mistakenly use cannabis oil. Cannabis oil contains THC and is toxic to dogs and cats.

My advice to pet parents who want to try CBD is to talk to your veterinarian so we can guide you in using a quality product. Never take your dog off his regular medication and start a CBD product without consulting your veterinarian. CBD can interfere with the metabolism of some drugs.

There are many opinions on the use of CBD. Some support its use, and some don’t. Have an open conversation with your veterinarian about your desire to use CBD. If your veterinarian isn’t on board, you can go to veterinarycannabis.org for help.

Lisa Campbell is a veterinarian with over 20 years’ experience. She is certified in veterinary acupuncture and enjoys life on her farm with her ducks, chickens, goats, dogs and cats.

We have been offering private cremation for beloved pets in Central Oregon for over a decade.

Mobile: 541-408-6925 Office: 541-416-8300

8 Spot Magazine | Winter 2019 / 2020

info@annieshealinghearts.com www.annieshealinghearts.com

What role does water therapy play for age-related conditions?

When I prescribe hydrotherapy, I consider the pros and cons for each case. Water-based therapy achieves wonderful benefits for a nimals, although some pets are afraid of water. With careful planning and lots of praise, almost every animal can learn to participate. Like every part of rehabilitation, we work to make it safe and enjoyable. Animals with balance problems need support and weakened pets tire quickly, so I work on strengthening in other ways when starting therapy.

 Like every part of rehabilitation, we work to make it safe and enjoyable. 

between 80-100 degrees, depending on the effort or condition of the pet. Normally, dogs exhale extra heat, but the water is a heat sink, drawing heat from the body and preventing overheating.

Another benefit of exercise in water is the compression along the limbs which helps blood return to the heart, reducing the workload in cases of heart disease. This benefit is truer in a water treadmill than independent swimming, mostly because the treadmill helps control or moderate the activity intensity. The compression of water also helps flush waste products out of the muscles so there is less likelihood of muscle fatigue and cramping.

Water has several great features that help focus our efforts. It provides buoyancy, which reduces the weight that the limbs carry and provides resistance against the legs which help balance the animal. Therapeutic water temperature is warm and soothing,

Bianca Shaw, DVM, has almost 20 years of experience and a proven track record in traditional veterinary medicine and animal physical therapy.

Looking for a new vet on the West Side?

Now with two locations to serve you, let your pet give us a sniff!

Cats ~ Dogs ~ Birds

Cats ~ Dogs ~ Rabbits New Clients get

your cat or dog's first exam!

Spot Magazine | spotmagazine.net | 9

The Final Farewell Ute Luppertz • Spot Magazine

S

aying goodbye to a beloved animal is one of the hardest things to go through in life.

When we receive a terminal diagnosis for our pet, many of us, at least initially, experience shock, trepidation, depression, and an anticipation of pain.

All of these emotions need to be acknowledged. The process of dying can be a roller coaster for both you and your pet.

So, what can you do before things get tough?

Consider having logistics in place before the active phase of dying. You might want to have phone numbers and references ready ahead of time, such as pricing of euthanasia, cremation, after-hour services, and in-home veterinary services.

You might also consider having extra pain relief, comfortable beds, and heating pads on hand and setting aside a quiet space for your pet if you have a busy household.

While they’re hard under any circumstances, decisions on best modes of treatment, palliative care, pain options, euthanasia, natural death, cremation or burial can be an absolute nightmare if you are unprepared. Get questions answered and details handled before the active hospice phase.

Talk to your veterinarian — often. Look for pet loss support or pet hospice groups in your area. Make a bucket list for your pet. Also ask yourself what kind of support you need from your family and friends to prevent burnout, as this level of caregiving is often emotionally and physically demanding. It’s also important to pay attention to your own emotional state and avoid projecting your fear of pain and dying onto your pet.

The biggest question many of us face is this: How do I know when it is time? Remember, first of all, to trust yourself! You know your pets better than anyone else; you’ve lived with them for a long time.

With that said, sometimes it’s clear when the end is near, but sometimes it’s not. The common saying, you will know, applies often but not always. For instance, you may spend a good deal of energy pondering whether to delay euthanasia until things get unbearable or to choose a day when life forces are diminished but your pet is in a peaceful state.

Pet’s Point of View Animal Communication Behavior & Wellness

Pet Hospice Support Pet Death Doula Reiki & TTouch

Ute Luppertz | 503.953.0335 | www.pets-point-of-view.com 10 Spot Magazine | Winter 2019 / 2020

Remember that not every pet will stop eating altogether as their death draws nearer. Some will get quieter and sleep more, while others get restless. Some will withdraw and be less willing to engage with you, and you might see other behavioral changes such as defensive behavior, increased vocalization, or mental confusion known as sundowning.

End-of-life behaviors can be confusing. For instance, when you schedule a euthanasia time, you might see your pet suddenly be lively again. This is not only emotionally trying, but you might second-guess yourself and cancel the dreaded appointment only to find your pet collapses again soon after.

In Tibetan Buddhism, there is a beautiful description for this: “the last bloom,” the last thank-you from our pet, a final reaching out towards us, gratitude.

Here are some other pointers that might be helpful.

If you have other pets in your home, it's a good idea if they’re around for the end. Death is a part of life and it is well-documented that cats, dogs, and horses who see the deceased body will spend less time searching and grieving than pets who have not seen a companion’s remains.

If you have children, think about how they can be part of the end of life process in an age-appropriate way. One of my client’s two daughters were five and seven years old when their family dog, Zoe, died. They made a box for Zoe with things she might need: drawings, dog treats, gemstones, and a big key to open the door to Heaven. After Zoe’s passing the little girls received a special golden package in the mail with her ashes and spread it in Zoe‘s favorite places.

Last but not least: every cultural tradition — religious or otherwise — has distinct phases before, during, and after death. I encourage you to look into different rituals to discover the many ways you can honor your pet. From wakes and burial ceremonies to journaling and spiritual work, find the best possible closure for you and your family.

“All the love you created is still there. You live on — in the hearts of everyone you have touched and nurtured while you were here… Death ends a life, not a relationship.” Tuesdays with Morrie

by Mitch Albom.

Ute Luppertz lives in Portland with her dogs Pablo and Meelah, her cat Esme and her little flight-impaired parrot Leila. She is a holistic healing coach for animals, a senior pet specialist, a pet death doula and an animal communicator.

Brought to you by PNW Visiting Vet Max

Remy the Very Good Boy

Max has been in the shelter since May patiently waiting to meet his forever family! He is very good on walks and would love to go on adventures and runs with his family. He is an active guy that loves playing with his toys and running around in the yard. His ears are the cutest and perk up when he gets excited. His shelter friends say “Max is so well-behaved and an absolute angel. He is very respectful and attentive.”

Max is 5 years old, weighs 54 lbs. and would do best as an only dog. He should go to a cat-free home and can get nervous when meeting new people. His forever family should be willing to give him some patience to warm up though, once he does, he is a huge lover.

You can meet Max at Greenhill Humane Society. 541-689-1503 Green-hill.org.

In a departure from our normal shelter and rescue listings, Remy is a very special (and very good) boy looking for his forever home.

Abandoned at the Sniff Dog Hotel, Portland, in July 2018, he is still looking for a place to lay his pibble head. The staff at Sniff Dog worked regularly on his training to keep him busy and help him be the best boy he can possibly be!

Because of this, he has an amazing skill set including all of the standards plus “where’s the money” –he can find dollar bills with his nose — and agility jumps and tunnels. Wow! It’s important that Remy finds the right person and the right home.

Someone with lots of dog experience who can commit to ongoing training and management to set him up for success. As a big, excitable boy, he loves exercise and challenging tasks. **No other animals and no children, please. ** To see much more of Remy’s personality, arrange a visit by emailing Remydogboy@gmail.com or visit his Instagram page @RemyTheVeryGoodBoy

Misha & Ru These 6-year-old brothers want to find a forever home where they can live together. They’re indoor-only cats who are playful and affectionate with each other and with their human friends. They love to entertain people with their funny games and their adorable snuggle sessions. Since they come equipped with their own toys, litter boxes, and carriers, they have everything they need except their forever home. If you think you can make their dream come true, learn more about them at Cat’s Cradle Rescue. 503-320-6079 CatsCradleRescue.com.

Banks

Lenny

Banks aka “Tiger” is a bouncy 4-year young boxer mix. He loves people and is gentle with kids. He’s trained

by Off Leash K9—a 2 week board and train program. Not only is he house and crate trained, Banks walks perfectly on leash too! This jumper’s energy is easily burned off by playing ball. To meet this hunk, email mandy@sevadog.org.

I’m Lenny a 3-year-old male lab mix at the nice slim weight of 50 lbs.

I’m very snuggly and love to play with toys and go on walks to help release some energy and keep us healthy! Despite being a bit snarky when I see other dogs, I am a sucker for redirection and training with treats so bring them on. Of course, I’m also housetrained and know several commands. My perfect home will have a large yard, train with me, and be a place for just me and my adult people. You can learn more about me at GoldenBondRescue.com.

971-712-4974  pnwvisitingvet.com “The veterinary solution to simplify your life” Proudly serving Vancouver and Portland

Holiday

2020 CAT Calendar

Give the purrfect gift and support a great cause!

Adorable 12-month wall calendar features photos of rescue cats and kittens. catadoptionteam.org/calendar

Gift Ideas

Custom, Handmade, Needle-Felted Creations Thatfeltsogoodpdx@gmail.com 503-521-6456

K9 CRACK Custom holiday cake and pupcake orders. No added sugars. Real food ingredients!

High value, healthy training treats/love snacks for dogs. www.K9CRACK.com | K9CRACK@gmail.com

SugahsCookies.com

Mama T’s Pet Products

Pet Therapy CBD Oil: Organically grown Full Spectrum Hemp, Wild Salmon Oil, Avocado Oil, & Vit E. hello@mamatspetproducts.com | 541-728-1356 www.mamatspetproducts.com 12 Spot Magazine | Winter 2019 / 2020

Unique handmade pet products, cuz pets are family too!

Creativecaninedesigns.com

Unique Gifts for Pets and Animal Lovers

Sabyloo celebrates our love for pets with fun and unique breed gifts.

Browse apparel, home goods, books, artwork, and more at MUTTS.com.

Where every purchase helps to rescue animals!

sabyloo.com

Helping donors save furry lives since 1965

Adoption | Behavior & Training | Humane Education | Medical Care

Your support touches over 3,000 animal lives each year.

Leave your mark with a gift today.

whs4pets.org/donate (503) 585-5900 ext 163

Spot Magazine | spotmagazine.net | 13

Holiday Gift Ideas

The Pug Life Harness was specially created to improve the quality of walks with your dog.

www.puglifeharness.com

A joyous gift that celebrates lifesaving work for animals. shop.dovelewis.org/calendar

ORIJEN Freeze Dried Dog Treats

Shop animal slippers for the whole family— dogs, cats, bunnies and more!

Made with 100% natural meats, poultry or fish, all gently freeze dried to lock in flavor, ORIJEN treats offer an indulgent taste experience.

Orijen.ca/us/foods/dog-food

www.BunnySlippers.com

a brand of

pet products

Painted pet portraits with a purpose.

Art by Missy Scott. mischiefspetportraits.com 14 Spot Magazine | Winter 2019 / 2020

Use promo SPOT20 for 20% OFF an entire order of nutritious goodies for your dog, now through 12/31/19. wildchewz.com/discount/SPOT20

2020 Retired Racers

Greyt gift —features greyhounds exploring Oregon and helps support our adoption program. tinyurl.com/yybpqnjs

Pawbo+ Pet Camera —Treat/ Talk/Play with Pets Anytime Anywhere FurZapper

removes pet hair from your clothing in the washer and dryer.

Shop at Chewy & Amazon—Search “Pawbo” or visit www.pawbo.com

www.furzapper.com

Lizzie & Josie

For the ranch.

For life.

Steel bumpers, flatbeds, and ATV trailers for the Northwest.

Prineville, OR 541-447-4555 ProlineFab.com Spot Magazine | spotmagazine.net | 15

Holiday Gift Ideas

Cozy Portland Cat Mysteries

by Mollie Hunt.

A great gift!

Buy link: Amazon.com/ Mollie-Hunt/e/B00HHLEUG0

Your purchase of a t-shirt, sweatshirt, or any apparel from our Bonfire campaign helps raise funds to free dogs from lifelong chaining outside. Order yours and make a difference. bonfire.com/fences-for-fido-winter-campaign

For more information, about our mission, visit: www.FencesForFido.org

CAN’T STOP SCRATCHING. I SHOULD BE A DJ.

Challenge your pet with a new treatdispensing puzzle!

Adjustable to a variety of pets.

MyIntelligentPets.com

WE MAKE A

FOOD FOR THAT™ Visit PetcureanGO.com

For the fancy floofs and the woodland woofs, fun, durable, handmade dog gear!

DogPackCollars.com

16 Spot Magazine | Winter 2019 / 2020

Holistic food, treats, and supplies.

Unique apparel, toys, and gifts.

HipHoundShop.com

PHOTO OPS WITH SANTA Nov 23rd from 11a-2p

Dec 7th 11a-2p

@ Salty's Pet Supply 4039 N Mississippi Ave, Portland*

@ Three Paws Neighborhood Pet Supply, 3147 SW Moody Ave, Portland*

Nov 24th from 11a -2p @ Fang! Pet & Garden Supply 3131 N Lombard St, Portland*

*$20 suggested donation per pet will be donated to The Pongo Fund

Dec 1st from 4p-6p

for Greenhill Humane Society at 5th Street Public Market, Eugene

Visit Sunriver for a magical holiday

season full of events! Find details at benningtonproperties.com/sunriver-blog

Spot Magazine | spotmagazine.net | 17

#SpotSocialClub We noticed something about many of the top influencers contributing the most adorable and heartwarming content online today: they have feathers or they walk on four legs. These pet influencers often outperform humans in terms of comments, likes, and viral appeal. Luckily for us, they have something else in common: they want to make people happy!

In this new regular feature, SPOT will wiggle all the way through the Internet channels for a front-row seat with some of these social media stars. Come along as we learn more about some of these phenoms of the Pacific Northwest.

The first in our series:

Parker Pup

Megan Noes • Spot Magazine

W

ith close to a million followers on Facebook and over 40k on Instagram, Parker has a lot of fans out there, and for good reason! Aside from being positively swoon-worthy, Parker is a professional model and animal actor, a registered therapy dog, AKC agility competitor, cancer awareness advocate, non-profit volunteer, and a crisis responder.

SPOT reached out to Parker at his home in Beaverton, Oregon, to hear more about his extraordinary life of stardom and kind deeds: SPOT: You know over 100 commands! Do you enjoy learning them? And about how long does it take until you know a new one?

Parker Pup: I absolutely love learning new things!

Training for me has always been fun, second only to eating! Of course, training comes along with a lot of treats. I love interacting with my humans. I have some great foundation skills so learning new things can typically be done very quickly.

What was your favorite training class to take and why?

I loved learning tricks (and still do), but ultimately my favorite was agility! It was such a good place to learn how to bond with my dad. We learned how to communicate with each other. He learned to read my body language and I learned to read his. I had many years of fun with agility. When my brothers started learning agility, I was always eager to show them what they were supposed to do!

Do you sleep on the human bed or a doggie bed?

I am always welcome on the bed, but I much prefer the floor or my Zen Den pet bed! Getting up on a human bed is too difficult for me now unless I have help from my dad.

18 Spot Magazine | Winter 2019 / 2020

What are the nicknames your pawrents call you (& any special reason)?

I am frequently called Mr. P at home. Also Bubba, Bud, Parker-boy, P.B. and Peanut Butter. Humans are silly and don’t always make sense (but I love them anyway!)

What’s the best thing about having doggie brothers? Do they ever annoy you as little brothers are wont to do?

I have 2 brothers — Reser is 6 and Gill just turned 3. They are good company and I enjoy watching them play, but sometimes they go a little crazy and play pretty hard. That’s when I’ve got to get out of the way so they don’t knock me over! That’s probably the only thing that really annoys me about them.

I used to be able to stand my ground, or get right in there and play with them!! I guess that’s just part of getting older!

What are some of your favorite spots in the Pacific Northwest?

One of my favorite places is just to go to the coast. I love to run, smell the salty sea air, and roll around in the sand. It doesn’t get much better than that! I also recently did a visit to the Columbia Gorge and got to explore our beautiful waterfalls.

We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful area!

Is there a favorite vacation you’ve gone on with your family?

I love anywhere in the Pacific Northwest, especially Sunriver! But I think my very favorite trips would have to be going down to California to do important work, like walking for Morris Animal Foundation, going to black tie galas, or meeting with fans. I love interacting with people and helping make their hearts feel good.

What has been your most memorable experience as a doggie influencer? Meeting Betty White?! Being in Legally Blonde the Musical or Annie?

Meeting Betty White was pretty amazing! She is so wonderful and just like you’d expect her to be. But doing live theater is pretty awesome! It’s challenging in a different way than shooting commercials because you only get one take, and your normal trainers/handlers aren’t on stage with you (they’re in the wings.) In my most recent theatrical production, I had to overcome some issues on stage that were unexpected. It was challenging, but fun!

What is it like being a therapy dog? Where’s your favorite place to do therapy visits and why?

So much fun! I’ve slowed down at doing therapy work, but I still get out from time to time.

I always love going to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and Kaiser Westside Medical Center.

Seeing the kids smile and helping them get through procedures makes me feel so good. And I love when I get on the bed and snuggle!

Why is it important to you to represent the Morris Animal Foundation?

Morris Animal Foundation does very important work for all types of animals. Did you know that 60% of Golden Retrievers will get cancer? That’s really high. Right now they are doing a study where they follow 3,000+ Golden Retrievers over the course of their life to see what environmental and genetic factors might increase the likelihood of different health issues, including cancer.

My little brother, Reser, is one of the 3,000 dogs in the study. I’m pretty proud of him. Each year he goes in and has an exam where they collect blood, urine, toenail and hair clippings, and my family answers a bunch of questions about the kind of life he leads. All that data will help us learn more and maybe one day figure out what’s causing so many dogs to get a cancer diagnosis.

I lost my big sister, Daisy, to cancer. And I’ve learned about so many animals (and humans) who have fought against this horrible disease. It’s important that we generate awareness so that we can find a cure.

You look terrific for any age, but now that you’re 12, do your mom or dad have any tips for readers about aging dogs?

My family knows they are very lucky. Not all dogs even make it to 12. But I think they would say to keep active, both physically and mentally, and to check your dog monthly for any lumps, bumps or abnormalities. If you find anything, get it checked out by your veterinarian.

My parents give me vegetables like spinach, broccoli, carrots, and zucchini. I’m definitely NOT complaining — I love food! I also take joint and skin supplements that I feel do an amazing job!

Since the holiday season is coming, what is one of your favorite pet gifts to give or receive?

I love Chuck-It Balls and stuffies. My favorite stuffy is the golden doggy from IKEA. I carry mine around the house. He is named WonderPuppy (after my alter ego ‘Wonder’ on KGW for the Great Toy Drive). I love to give those stuffies to kids to snuggle with and to remember me by.

Do you and your family have any special holiday traditions?

My brothers and I always love to visit our good friend, Santa Cle Claus at Sleighbells in Sherwood, OR. We get our picture taken with him every year. How many dogs can say they personally know SANTA?! I know him!

Is there anything else you’d like to share with Spot readers?

Now that I’m 12, my brothers are starting to take over some of my jobs as I slow down. My little brother, Gill, is doing a lot of therapy work and understudied for me in my most recent production of ANNIE. He’s still learning, but he’s still a baby so I think he’ll get there. Reser is also showing potential to do some commercial work. He also enjoys performing tricks and doing agility.

I’ve got myself a really great pack. I’m so lucky!

Follow

Parker’s

adventures at: ParkerPup.com

ď‚‚ /parkerpup

ď…­ @parkerpup

Megan Noes lives in New York City with her husband Jacob, Frenchie Bulldog Nono, and a revolving door of foster kittens. She works for a major animal welfare organization and loves her former home in the Pacific Northwest.

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Fetch Hospice Care with More

As pets go into their senior years, treatments for health-related issues become more frequent and costs get higher. It’s especially common for a pet’s oral care to go forgotten or avoided simply because of the cost.

A Central Oregon nonprofit, Synergy Animal Hospice, is launching a unique hospice care program with a focus on oral health.

“There are many programs established to help animals in our community, but none that target oral health, which has a significant impact on longevity and quality of life for our veterinary patients. Our program is unique in that it is not [free] yet, but a mechanism for families to get care without overextending their individual budget,” says Dr. Byron Maas, veterinarian at Bend Veterinary Clinic and care provider for Synergy Animal Hospice.

Synergy is in the early stages of developing advanced oral care in this first-of-its kind Central Oregon program. Synergy’s hospice care program began in 2008 when founders saw a need for care alternatives in terminal illness and end of life. The focus was unique then, too: the program evolved with an emphasis on providing medical care for at-risk animals with few other options for care. “Not only does the organization provide care for the animals, it provides emotional support for the family,” says Dr. Maas.

Synergy’s care services include: • Care for animals in homes and at home-like facilities where family members can care for their pets in a non-traditional way • Treatment options for at risk animals, especially in the shelter system, who have terminal disease or have run out of care options • Bereavement care, helping families cope with their loss • Diagnosis and treatment for advanced oral issues — Julie E. Furnas

Design With Purpose In the hurry and hustle of holiday gift-buying, few things soothe an animal lover’s heart more than knowing their gift purchases also help animals in some way. Designer Sana Hayes of Sisters, OR, creates unique jewelry from the discarded tags and chains of rescued animals.

Hayes, a lifelong recycler and crafter, has upcycled cast-off items into new designs for nearly a decade. A decade ago, while working at an animal shelter, she saw expired metal license and rabies tags being tossed away.

She asked if the staff could instead set them aside. With the collected metal pieces, she launched her “Licensed To Love” line, which last year raised $1,200 for Three Rivers Humane Society in Madras.

This year’s holiday offering is called “Unchained With Love” in which every piece of jewelry contains a link of chain from a dog set free into a fenced yard by Northwest nonprofit, Fences For Fido. All proceeds from this year’s sales will go to Fences For Fido’s work of building free fenced yards for previously-chained dogs.

20 Spot Magazine | Winter 2019 / 2020

R unchy little newsbits to chew on

Always happy to turn cast-offs into wearable art, Sana says she likes to do custom work with tags from people’s pets as well.

Sana will display her Unchained With Love jewelry at Sisters Cascade, 150 W. Cascade Avenue in Sisters throughout November and at a meet-theartist event Friday, December 6th from 3:00–5:00 p.m. at the same address.

Dogspots: Coming to a Sidewalk Near You Dog-loving designer Chelsea Brownridge says she has a solution to one of her biggest dog-loving problems. Running errands and exploring her Brooklyn, NY, neighborhood with her dog, Winston, left her with a dilemma: where to safely park Winston while she popped into a shop where dogs aren’t allowed?

Behold DogSpots: the climate-controlled sidewalk sanctuaries where pet parents can securely park their pup while grabbing a coffee or picking up groceries. Brownridge co-founded the company with Tom Schechter.

The locking, app-driven sanctuaries grace three Portland-area sidewalks and likely will pop up in more communities in coming months. To use the sanctuaries, pet parents simply download the company’s app to locate a DogSpot, unlock it, and tuck their dog safely inside. The app also allows watchful dog dads and moms to monitor a video feed to make sure Fido is comfortable.

The shelters, which look a bit like high-tech dog houses, are temperaturecontrolled with both heat and a/c. They have non-porous surfaces and self-sanitize with UV light, and the company remotely monitors them around the clock.

Curious to try it out? You can learn more and locate sidewalk shelters at HelloDogSpot.com.

Expense-Sharing for Pet Lovers Unexpected vet bills — the reason for countless Go Fund Me campaigns, nonprofit pleas, and specialized consumer credit lines — have a new solution, and it’s grounded in community. A new venture, Eusoh (pronounced you so), borrows its name from the biological term eusociality, which is the highest level of social cooperation in nature.

Eusoh members join self-supporting groups, which keep in touch electronically. Each member makes a monthly contribution of $65 or less per pet, depending on the covered pet’s anticipated needs. The contributions feed a designated fund for members’ future veterinary needs.When the unexpected arises, members pay their vet bills up front and then ask their Eusoh group for reimbursement, according to a predetermined coverage list for procedures and medications.

The company, founded in 2017 by a surgeon and teacher at the Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, seeks to provide an alternative to traditional insurance companies and the perils of trying to self-fund every unexpected expense. Find more information at eusoh.com.

The Relentless Work of Saving Lives Michelle Blake • Spot Magazine

a Sunday in Salem, with the slight tang of early fall in the air, the sun is preparing to turn out the lights on a clear blue day. Lora Meisner’s van is parked in a cul-de-sac in a mid-century residential neighborhood.

The van is empty now, but Meisner hopes to leave with two passengers.

A homeowner named Dorothy sits at her dining-room table. A few feet away, two lanky juvenile cats are on her back deck, pawing at the sliding glass door. The kittens know it’s dinner time, and they know the humans inside will soon deliver their dinner.

Dorothy has established this routine with her neighborhood’s stray cats — first by happenstance, and then deliberately. She originally started feeding a skittish, hungry cat who frequented her back yard. That cat soon had a litter of kittens, and then another.

Enter Lora Meisner and her nonprofit Coalition Advocating for Animals, or CAFA. Tonight, Meisner is trapping the two grey tabby kittens.

They have morning appointments at the Willamette Humane Society’s spay and neuter clinic.

The kittens look as interactive and curious as any pet cat until the glass door glides open. They scurry and duck into the bushes as Meisner steps outside, holding the cans of cat food she’ll use to bait their traps.

Dorothy has fed them every night at the same time, getting them accustomed to coming here on a predictable schedule. For the past week, she’s put their scheduled meals inside the traps, getting them used to walking into the little metal cages to eat. Now, Meisner places the food in the traps and sets the tension-loaded doors so they’ll clap shut when the unsuspecting diners step inside.

Lora Meisner prepares two traps in Salem.

Wearing her CAFA t-shirt emblazoned with the words “Get it done while it’s only one,” she talks in a quiet, soothing voice to the waiting kittens. Anxious for their food, they’re tame enough to venture near, yet wild enough to keep humans at a safe distance.

With the traps set, the humans retreat inside to wait. Within seconds, the first trap snaps shut. The trapped kitten’s eyes grow wild. He paws at the trap, looking for an escape. Meisner quickly slides open the door and lays a bath towel over the trap — a trick of the trade that calms the cats. The kitten hunkers quietly on the trap floor, no longer interested in the dinner, which is still uneaten beside him.

Meisner carries the trap to her van. She has one passenger. She’s going back for the second.

Spot Magazine | spotmagazine.net | 21

volunteers have completed their busiest month to date and they’re preparing to increase their capacity.

The clinic tackled a colony of 123 feral cats in late September, performing 70 of the surgeries at its site and relying on area veterinarians for the rest. Some clinics squeezed 15 cat sterilizations into their weekend schedule to get the job done.

A scene from the massive September operation at Bend Spay & Neuter

Tonight is meant to be the last of several trapping dates Meisner has coordinated at Dorothy’s house.

“We had 6 traps out the first go-round,” Dorothy recalls. Eating their meals from the open traps for a week or so, the cats became comfortable with them. “You’d even see two kittens eating in the same trap.” The mother and her first round of kittens are now sterilized and rehomed, either as pets or barn cats, depending on how tame or wild each one proved to be.

These two remaining kittens will return temporarily to Dorothy’s after they’re neutered. She’ll continue feeding them until they find their own permanent placements.

While Dorothy waits for her tabby friends to walk into their traps in her Salem backyard, similar scenes play out in yards, fields, and parking lots across the region. Every community of any size has active TNR programs working to cap the feral and free-roaming cat population. Studies indicate these programs are successful at managing populations and reducing cat deaths. But to be effective, the TNR programs must be comprehensive, and volunteers must be as relentless as the problem itself.

“We’re struggling with our growth, but we’re growing,” says Leann Garrison, a volunteer with the nonprofit Meow Village. Founded in Aurora, OR, less than a decade ago, the organization works seven days a week to answer requests for help. “We probably have several hundred cats [waiting to be trapped and sterilized]. I think our largest one is 25 cats [at one location], and we have several with 20, 16. Usually somebody in the country gets pregnant cats dumped off and it continues to grow and it gets out of control.”

Demand for services is so great — and homeowners with rapidlymultiplying cats are so desperate to be rid of them — Meow Village board members have ceased listing their last names on the organization’s website. It’s a precaution against people looking them up and dumping cats at their homes. “It happened to our director a couple of years ago. She walked out and there was a box of cats,” Garrison says.

She confirmed she was willing to use her last name here, because her remote address makes her difficult to find.

Over the mountain range in Bend, where the Humane Society of Central Oregon operates the Bend Spay and Neuter Clinic, staff and

22 Spot Magazine | Winter 2019 / 2020

It’s an example of the all-hands-on-deck cooperation that communities employ to get ahead of free-roaming populations. “These cats are out there because of people. They’re domesticated animals that became wild,” says Karen Burns, V.P. of Operations for both the Bend clinic and the shelter. “It’s a community-wide issue, not just a shelter issue.”

The Bend clinic has hired another veterinarian and a veterinary technician with experience in high-volume spay/neuter work, bringing the professional staff up to three doctors and three technicians to cover shelter medicine and the increasing volume at the spay/neuter clinic.

“Eventually we’ll be adding appointments every day for feral cats,” Burns says. “I would say in the next few months we’re going to have a really smooth-running community cat program.”

In Salem, where organizers estimate their region is home to 30,000 free-roaming cats, multiple animal welfare agencies cooperate in a comprehensive, community cat program. Meisner’s CAFA and others answer the public’s pleas for help, area rescues and shelters work to find homes for the trapped cats friendly enough to be adopted, and the Willamette Humane Society performs a high volume of cat sterilizations, thanks to a targeted grant.

“They have the grant funding and we do the legwork,” says Meisner, who guesses she has personally trapped a couple thousand cats.

Volunteers work tirelessly. “My first year, I drove over 18,000 miles doing cats,” Leann Garrison recalls. Several years later, she still makes 90-mile round-trips to the nearest vet clinic offering low-cost feral surgeries, and her aging Prius is now a dedicated cat transport because it’s too messy to serve as a family car.

“Trapping is not fun or clean work,” says Karen Burns of HSCO. “It’s really hard work and messy work. There are long hours. It’s a lot of driving.

It takes a big heart and a drive to make a difference.”

There’s plenty of evidence that this work does make a difference. In a recent study published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Medicine, the ASPCA and other wildlife and cat welfare organizations demonstrated the life-saving impact of intensive TNR programs.

Communities with comprehensive programs see fewer overall cat deaths, both in shelters and in the wild, and they control populations more effectively than other approaches.

This and other studies help bolster the TNR advocates who have faced critics and skeptics for decades. Concerns over wild cats preying on songbirds and other wildlife — coupled with possible neighborhood nuisances like cat fights and soiled flower beds — fuel the opponents who would prefer to trap and euthanize feral colonies. But studies often demonstrate that culling operations simply create a vacuum — an open territory where other free-roaming cats can move in and take over. In contrast, TNR creates stable colonies, keeping populations and their possible negative impacts at sustainable levels.

TNR programs continue to grow, both in number and impact.

The movement began in earnest in 1995 with the founding of the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon, which remains among the largest and most comprehensive programs of its kind. Now, with the growing cooperation of large shelters, small rescues, and tireless teams of volunteers armed with traps, towels, and gumption, more communities are nearing the level of intensive TNR work that can stabilize cat populations.

Feral/Stray Cat Programs in Oregon

With high-volume clinics, voucher programs, trapping initiatives, and barn cat placement programs up and running, the TNR programs now need one more component: public participation.

Here, Meisner’s “Get it done while it’s still only one” motto summarizes the public’s ideal role.

Portland and the Valley:

“The worst thing is to trap a cat when you don’t have an appointment,” cautions Karen Burns of HSCO. “They get wise to the trap and you might not get them again. You’re really losing that opportunity.” But property owners and allies who are willing to trap cats can be a welcome asset to any TNR program, assuming they take the steps in the correct order.

Some members of the public are willing and able to catch and sterilize wild cats at their own expense. Few, however, will be able to do much of that. “If your nearest vet charges $225 for the surgery and you have 10 cats to do, are you going to feed your family or spay and neuter those cats?” says Leann Garrison of the Meow Village.

The best approach: if you’re feeding one cat, contact the nearest TNR program and ask for help in getting the cat fixed. Then trap the cat when you have the surgery appointment in place.

After trapping and sterilizing, property owners may need to temporarily care for cats until they can be relocated, but that’s one of the things volunteers like Garrison do best.

“What our program does is it takes cats from where they’re not wanted to where they are wanted and they serve a purpose.

I’ve probably delivered and set up 200-300 cats in barn homes. I love it when I drive through the country and I say, ‘Oh, I have cats there, and there, and there.’”

For the foreseeable future, cat programs will continue to sterilize and place as many cats as humanly possible. Just how long it will take to finally claim widespread success is anyone’s guess. But there are local and regional successes they can already celebrate, at least for a moment.

“Every now and then we feel like we’re getting ahead of it,” Garrison says. “But I was looking at the list earlier and now we have several people on the list from Brooks, Oregon, and I didn’t even know where Brooks was. So suddenly there’s this population.”

And where there are populations, there will be volunteers.

Michelle Blake is a Salem, OR-based freelance writer whose work has appeared in national publications. Her husband wants you to know she's a REALLY crazy dog lady too.

Resources by Region: National: Alley Cat Allies advocates for humane TNR programs and helps people locate services in their community. AlleyCat.org Feral Cat Coalition serves Oregon and SW Washington with a spay/ neuter clinic, trap rentals, and education. FeralCats.com Portland Area Community Cat Caregivers is a private Facebook group for trappers and caregivers to share information and resources.

Facebook.com/groups/PortlandFeralCats Willamette Valley TNR Advocates is a private Facebook group for members south of Portland to share information on trapping, transport, and cat placement. Facebook.com/groups/970453283063549 CAFA (Coalition Advocating for Animals) operates in the Salem area.

CAFA will help people find spay/neuter assistance and coordinate with local rescues/shelters for placement of friendly strays. CAFAOregon.org Salem Friends of Felines offers a low-cost voucher redeemable at several local veterinary clinics for cat spay or neuter surgeries. SFOF.org Spay & Save is a project of the Animal Shelter Alliance of Portland offering spay/neuter assistance to low-income residents and to people who are feeding strays or ferals. 503-797-2606 or contact the Feral Cat Coalition at FeralCats.com Willamette Humane Society has spay/neuter funding available for feral and free-roaming cats and offers spay/neuter services at its on-site clinic. Pricing and qualifications vary. 503-480-SPAY

Central Oregon: Bend Spay & Neuter Program offers low-cost spay and neuter surgeries at its clinic. Get pricing and scheduling information at 541-617-1010 or HSCO.org/Bend-Spay-Neuter-Program

FAST FACT: Feral vs. Stray? Here’s the difference: Strays are free-roaming cats who once lived with humans. Even if they’re skittish, they will accept and enjoy human attention. Feral cats avoid human contact and live as wild animals. Sometimes this happens when a former house kitty has fended for herself too long, but ferals most commonly were born in the wild to stray or feral mothers.

IS THAT WILD CAT ALREADY SPAYED? The ears may hold the answer. TNR programs use an ear tip to help identify spayed and neutered ferals. While the cat is under anesthesia for surgery, the tip of one ear is snipped back to create a visual marker.

•

See an ear tip? The cat is probably fine and has a feral caretaker looking out for her.

•

No ear tip? It’s probably time to work with a local agency and prepare to TNR that kitty.

Spot Magazine | spotmagazine.net | 23

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