4 Legs & a Tail LK Fall 2021

FR

EE

Celebrate National Cat Day When Your Pet Goes Missing The Blessing of a Horse Almost Feral The Joy of Pet Sitting

Fall 2021

Inside this issue of 4 Legs & a Tail

®

3. National Cat Day

Here are some ideas for a special day with your favorite feline

Pg. 8

6. Massachusetts Woman's Lost Cat Turns Up Six Years Later Ben Hooper 8. The Art of Lucy Mackenzie

Mark Stanley

A tribute to long time supporter and artist Barbara Kaufman

10. Establishing a Relationship with a Vet BEFORE You Need One Susan Tarczewski Sage advice for new pet owners

12. From Almost Feral to Always Loved – The Story of Norman Marina Kinney

How one Upper Valley Humane Society staffer stepped in to rescue a cat in need

14. What to Do When Your Pet Goes Missing

Pg. 14

Dorothea Hasselmann

18. Join Pet Food Warehouse in the Continuing Wag It Forward Mission September 26th, 2021 at the Champlain Valley Exposition! Don't miss a full day of family fun at the region's best pet show

21. New Hampshire Law Changes Help Wild Critters, Cats, Canines

Know the laws that could affect you and animals around you

22. The Ping-Pong Ball

Lisa Vear

Is it a ping-pong ball or a turtle egg?

23. What’s a Nuisance? Scott Borthwick What to do when wildlife is no longer a friendly neighbor

24. The Chimney Swift: Amazing Acrobat of the Skies Catherine Greenleaf

Pg. 28

Fall is the perfect time for birdwatcher to say goodbye (for now)

26. Visions of a Veterinarian

Robin Truelove Stronk, DVM

How one professional went from canines to canvass

28. Does Your Pup Have the COVID CRINGE? (and what to do if they do.) Paula Bergeron

Learn how walking your dog with social distancing in mind has impacted your pup

30. It’s Off to Work YOU Go But…

Ingrid Braulini

We might be ready to head back to work and school, but is your dog?

Fall 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 1

Inside this issue of 4 Legs & a Tail

®

Pg. 38

34. "I'm Afraid of Anesthesia for My Pet" Sandra Waugh, VMD, MS

It's a fear many of us have, but is it really warranted?

36. Aging Changes in Dogs & Cats

Catherine MacLean, DVM

38. Alternatively Speaking: The Veterinarian/ Client Relationship Dr. Anne Carroll DVM, CVA A behind-the-scene look at a veterinary office during the pandemic

41. Safe Trail Riding and Hiking in the Fall

44. My One Word

Pg. 48

Susan Miller

What makes horses such a blessing

46. “It’s So Hard…”

Dorothy Crosby

What it takes to be a better rider

48. The Four-Legged Friends Behind the Co-op’s Products: The Dog of Saxy Chef Jen Risley 50. Joys and Challenges of Pet Sitting

Karen Sturtevant

Fuel for thought if you ever considered a career as a pet sitter

Pg. 54

54. Isabelle Cindy Chaffee and Felicia Welton The tale of one Retriever and her adventures in Vermont 56. Consider Foster Care

Pat Jauch

How even short-term love can make a huge difference

57. Daisy Delight

Susann King RN

59. Pets Need Clean Air Too!

Heather Brouillard

60. How Dalmatians Became Known as Firehouse Dogs Kate Kelly

4 Legs & a Tail Volume L.321 P.O. Box 841 Lebanon, NH 03766 603-727-9214 TimH.4LT@gmail.com 2 4 Legs & a Tail

Publishers: Tim Goodwin, Tim Hoehn Graphic Design: Kristin Wolff Sales: Karyn Swett, Scott Palzer

If you have a tale about a tail or a photo that will make us smile, we’d like to hear from you. 4 Legs & a Tail is published quarterly and distributed free of charge throughout Central & Southern VT & NH. 4 Legs & a Tail, Inc. is locally owned and operated and acts as a moderator without approving, disapproving or guaranteeing the validity or accuracy of any data or claim.

Any reproduction in whole or part is prohibited.

Fall 2021

October 29, 2021 NATIONAL CAT DAY TIMELINE 4000 B.C.

CATS WORSHIPPED

BY EGYPTIANS

Considered sacred by the ancient Egyptians, many pictures and statues of cats have been passed down through the millennia.

N

ational Cat Day is celebrated on October 29. It was created by Colleen Paige to bring awareness to the number of cats that need to be rescued each year.

Cats remind us that just when you think they’ve lost interest in you, they’ll turn around and melt your hearts. When it appears they’re too busy staring out at passing cars, chasing nylon mice, and sending tiny multi-colored balls to their under-the-refrigerator graves, they’ll somehow let you know that their very world revolves around you. Just wait.

It’ll happen when you least expect it.

Cats have their own timetable.

WHEN IS NATIONAL CAT DAY 2021?

National Cat Day is obser ved on October 29 each year with the same holiday being celebrated in Canada on August 8.

HISTORY OF NATIONAL CAT DAY Lifestyle writer Colleen Paige has taken credit for establishing National Cat Day in 2005. Her stated mission: “To help galvanize the public to recognize the number of cats that need to be rescued each year and also to encourage cat lovers to celebrate the cat(s) in their Fall 2021

500 B.C.

CATS REVERED BY THE SONG DYNASTY

The first cat is given to the emperor of China and quickly becomes a popular pet among the rich.

lives for the unconditional love and companionship they bestow upon us.”

We cat-egorically believe her. She appears to love all cats — domestic and feral — and we’re certainly in favor of that.

Science magazine reports that cat domestication goes back 12,000 years.

That encompasses a lot of toys and even more naps. The process appears to have taken place in the Middle East — think Israel, Iraq, and Lebanon. Domestication did not happen overnight. Cats did not go from wild beasts to softly purring pets — just, sort of, one day.

Per National Geographic: “DNA analysis suggests that cats lived for thousands of years alongside humans before they were domesticated. During that time, their genes have changed little from those of wildcats, apart from picking up one recent tweak: the distinctive stripes and dots of the tabby cat.”

Another study from University of Rome scholar Claudio Ottoni reveals that ancient sailors would bring cats along to “help protect food storages on board by killing rodents. This allowed cats to spread across the world.”

We’re glad they spread. Like dogs,

100 A.D.

CATS TAKE A PERMANENT EUROPEAN VACATION

Egyptian traders introduce cats to Europeans, specifically the Greeks and Romans, who use them as pest control.

who get all the credit for being lovable, cats feel everything we do. They can gauge our moods and emotions — and act accordingly. They have also given up a lot of their natural cravings to live in homes and apartments. (Especially indoor cats.)

Take a moment on National Cat Day to appreciate all the love they bring.

Yes, they’re on the aloof side, but they’ve come a long way.

Continued Next Page

www.4LegsAndATail.com 3

THE NUMBERS 34.9% 14.2%

Cats Are Easy to Maintain

They can clean themselves, use a litter box, and don't need outdoor exercise.

Cats can somehow adapt seamlessly to any home environment, from a small one-bedroom apartment in the city to a spacious cottage in the country.

5.10%

Cats are so chatty

Although cats are primarily nonverbal communicators, they will talk to you — if you talk to them. The more you talk to your cat, the more she will respond back to you. You may both be talking about totally different things, but there's definitely a conversation going on there.

45.8%

ARE YOU A CAT OR A DOG PERSON?

WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL CAT DAY

A Schnoz That's One of a Kind “I’m a cat person”

“I love dogs & cats equally”

“I’m a dog person”

“I don’t like animals”

Have you ever closely examined a cat's nose? Those bumps and ridges are exclusive to each individual cat and can be used as an identifier— just like a fingerprint can be used to identify a human.

Sylvia and her cuddle buddy Tiger

4 4 Legs & a Tail

Fall 2021

WHICH FOOD BRAND DO YOU FEED YOUR CAT? Meow Mix Natural Balance Royal Canin IAMS Taste of Wild Hill’s Science Diet Purina Blue Buffalo Fancy Feast 9Lives WholeHearted Nature’s Recipe Friskies Other 0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

NATIONAL CAT DAY "Time spent with cats is never wasted."

- Sigmund Freud: Neurologist, Psychoanalyst

THE FACTS 44% More than four-in-ten people surveyed own at least one cat! 57% of these cat owners have just one.

NATIONAL CAT DAY ACTIVITIES Adopt a Cat

National Cat Day is all about raising awareness of shelter cats and reducing the number of unwanted cats that flood shelters every day. What better way to celebrate National Cat Day than by adopting a cat from your local shelter?

Donate to Your Local Shelter

Can't adopt a cat? You can still improve the lives of your local shelter cats.

Consider donating food, blankets, or toys to your local shelter or other animal welfare organization. Those kitties living in shelters will feel a bit more comfortable while they're waiting for their forever homes.

Volunteer at Your Local Shelter

Shelter cats need love too. Stop by your local shelter and volunteer to play with the kittens, clean their spaces, scoop their litter boxes, and help with any other chores. Your visit is sure to be a bright spot in any shelter cat's day.

46% Just under half of people surveyed responded say that they tell their cats "I love you."

25% A quarter of people surveyed stated that their cat is their best friend.

NATIONAL CAT DAY - SURVEY RESULTS Info gathered by one of the top Boston PR Firms

Fall 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 5

Massachusetts Woman’s Lost Cat Turns Up Six Years Later Ben Hooper

A

Massachusetts woman whose cat escaped from her third-floor condo through a loose window screen was reunited with her pet six years later.

Margaret Kudzma said the cat, named Mini Max, slipped out of her downtown Peabody condo through a loose window screen in 2015, and she used posters, online posts, and newspaper ads to try to locate the wayward feline.

Kudzma even ended up founding her own nonprofit rescue group, The Rescue Business, in 2016 when the search for Mini Max led her to discover a large colony of feral cats living in her neighborhood.

6 4 Legs & a Tail

Margaret Kudzma of Peabody, Mass., received word that her cat, Mini Max, was brought into a veterinarian six years after he escaped through a third-story window.

Kudzma said she was shocked last week when she received a phone call from Dr. Samantha Simonelli, a Wakefield veterinarian who had found her information on the microchip of a cat that had been brought in with ear mites.

“All I heard was ‘gray and white’ and I had to put the phone down,” Kud zma told The Eagle-Tribune newspaper.

Kudzma learned Mini Max had been spotted in Revere, where a family fed the feline for several months before moving him into their house. They brought him to the vet when they noticed his ear mites, and that’s when Simonelli found the microchip.

“A tr ue miracle has occurred,” Kudzma said in a Facebook post.

“Thank you everyone who participated in this search!”

Kudzma said she is having Mini Max thoroughly examined to ensure he does not have any other health issues or lingering injuries from his jump out of her third-floor window.

She said she is preparing her condo so Mini Max will have his own space away from the kittens she fosters.

Fall 2021

Fall 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 7

f o t r A e h T e i z n e k c a Lucy M Mark Stanley

T

his past July, Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society held its first-ever online Art & Animals Auction, featuring over 40 animal-themed works of art donated from artists both near and afar. The connection between art and animals is at the core of Lucy Mackenzie, which is obvious from the moment you step into their lobby. The organization was thrilled to celebrate this bond throughout the auction and even transformed their shelter into a “gallery” weaving throughout their building, exhibiting all the donated works of art in fine fashion.

One of the biggest inspirations for the auction came from Vermont artist and animal advocate, Barbara Kaufman.

Barbara, who previously sat as Board President at Lucy Mackenzie, created the distinct cat and dog logo for the

8 4 Legs & a Tail

shelter and was later recognized as an emeritus trustee for her ongoing support and philanthropic commitment towards the organization. Her artwork can also be seen gracing Lucy Mackenzie’s lobby, where several of her animal sketches and studies are framed and displayed alongside a portrait of Lucy Collamer Mackenzie, for whom the shelter was established and named after when she passed away in 1915.

As an artist, Barbara was best known for her sculptures. Her creations are exceptional, graceful, and grounded, most often displaying figures in motion. They exhibit a deep understanding of the world and humanity at large. Barbara herself was exceptional, graceful, and grounded, too. Her sketches of cats and dogs appear, at times, to be deep in conversation. It’s easy to become lost in wonder at what they may be saying to one another, a true indicator of Barbara’s unique talent.

Barbara passed away on September 13, 2015. Her commitment and dedication to animal welfare and Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society was exceptional. Both her direct and indirect involvement helped shape Lucy Mackenzie into the organization it is today.

Upon Lucy Mackenzie’s grounds, next to the pond beside a willow tree, “Barbara’s Garden” sits humbly in honor of her. Each day, dogs are walked beside it. To know Lucy Mackenzie is to know the heart and giving spirit of Barbara Kaufman. Her dedication and altruism will never be forgotten and her legacy inspires Lucy Mackenzie to persevere each and every day.

Fall 2021

Established in 1915, Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society is dedicated to enhancing the bond between animals and people by providing shelter and care for homeless animals and educating people about the care and training of animals in a humane community.

Lucy Mackenzie’s shelter is located at 4832 Route 44 in West Windsor, VT, a ¼ mile away from the intersection of Route 106 and Route 44. Visit Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society online at www.lucymac.org .

Fall 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 9

Establishing a Relationship with a Vet Before You Need One Susan Tarczewski Claremont, NH

O

ne of the most stressful times in the life of a pet owner is when a medical emergency happens. For those who don’t have a regular veterinarian, that stress is multiplied. They are forced to call around searching for a vet to see them, or traveling to an emergency vet at great expense. The delay can be painful and scary for the animal, distressing for the

10 4 Legs & a Tail

owner, and may even have life-threatening consequences. At Sullivan County Humane Society, we recommend establishing a relationship with a veterinarian when you get a new pet. This simple step can save so much time and difficulty in the event of a sudden illness or injury.

All cats adopted out at Sullivan County Humane Society are spayed or neutered, up-to-date on shots, and have been treated for any health problems. Despite that, when I recently adopted Birdie, one of the first things I did was schedule an appointment with our vet’s office. When Birdie arrived at SCHS she had mammary cysts, a condition arising most frequently in unspayed female cats. These cysts frequently become cancerous especially in cats who are not “fixed.” After her spay surgery, Birdie’s cysts were expected to gradually disappear, but needed careful observation. I brought the medical records provided by SCHS, and she had a quick and simple examination by the vet, who carefully recorded her observations so that we’ll be able to monitor the cysts Fall 2021

lumps and bumps, crying or whining, or discharge from eyes and nose. More subtle concerns could include a change in appetite or activity level, increased shedding of hair, or hiding in a normally social animal. If an animal is unable to stand or to urinate, is having seizures or significant vomiting or diarrhea, call a vet without delay. A dog with bloat, a painful and life-threatening emergency, may pant, pace or act restless, retch or cough, or have a swollen belly. When in doubt, a call to a vet who knows you and your pet can go a long way toward easing your mind or leading to further action.

If you have any questions about this or other issues to do with your pets, please call the Sullivan County Human Society. Our mission is to preserve, protect, and provide for stray, neglected, and abused animals in Sullivan County, NH. Donations to the shelter are always needed, always welcome, and can be mailed to PO Box 111, Claremont NH 03743. SCHS is a no-kill shelter, and provides many services to the public, including regular low-cost spay and neuter clinics, and a pet food bank.

Ciroc

for changes. Equally important, should Birdie become ill or get hurt, help is just a call and a short drive away!

Much like humans may (and should) go for yearly checkups, pets should, too!

Animals are notorious for “masking,” or hiding, their pain and discomfort.

A veterinarian knows how to check for signs of illness that an owner might not have any idea about. For example, For more information about SCHS, please “dog breath” might be simply be from visit our website at https://sullivancountyhua buildup of tartar, but can also be an manesociety.org/, or our Facebook page, Sullivan County Humane Society of NH. indication of gastric problems, kidney disease, an infection, or even diabetes.

Also important is allowing your vet to get to know your pet while he or she is feeling well, to provide a baseline from which any changes can be measured.

You, however, know your pets better than anyone. Pay attention to their behavior, so that you can talk with your vet about any unusual observations. Some more obvious concerns might be vomiting or diarrhea,

Birdie & Jezebel

Fall 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 11

From Almost Feral to Always Loved

THE STORY OF NORMAN Marina Kinney - Enfield, NH

T

he Upper Valley Humane Society has a small team of dedicated employees who care for the animals 365 days a year.

Alyssa is a shelter supervisor and has been with UVHS for 5 years. She truly embodies UVHS’ mission to help animals and people in the community and takes great pride in the resources that the organization provides, such as the pet food pantry, spay/ neuter clinics, and the trap-neuter-return program for community cats. Love for animals and passion for helping people are two of the main reasons she works at the humane society.

Of the many animals that Alyssa has crossed paths with at the shelter, an adorable black cat named Norman made the most lasting impression on her.

Norman belonged to a woman who was struggling to care for herself while caring for many other cats. When police went to her home for a medical emergency, it became clear that she was overwhelmed by the situation. Norman was one of 25-30 cats brought into the shelter that day.

12 4 Legs & a Tail

He was undersocialized and unwilling to engage with Alyssa or any of the other staff. Alyssa tried every tactic she could think of to get him to warm up to her, but he refused to let her into his world. One day, after about a month, Alyssa was sitting on the floor in the cat room singing to him and feeding him treats like she did every day. Suddenly and unexpectedly Norman strolled right up to her and gave her hand a nudge for the first time!

To quote Alyssa on that breakthrough, “It was so hard in the moment to not shriek with excitement as this was something that had never happened before!” That was the start of the special bond Alyssa and Norman shared. The day he went up for adoption, she recalled how excited she was when someone visited the shelter just to see him. He was adopted that same day by a couple who were a great fit for Norman.

Moments like these become highlights in her career because they show that her hard work makes it possible for deserving animals like Norman to find a good home.

This experience helped change Alyssa’s perspective. She reflects on how it could be easy for people to criticize those that they see in the news involved in situations similar to the woman who owned Norman.

She points out that the problem, oftentimes, is the lack of a support system or adequate resources to help them out. It’s not that these people don’t love or care for the animals.

The team at UVHS recognizes this and the organization offers programs to help those who need the support - programs such as the pet food pantry, emergency pet boarding for families facing a crisis, and affordable spay/neuter clinics.

If you, or someone you know, needs assistance caring for their animals, please visit our website at www.uvhs.org or give us a call at 603-448-6888.

The Upper Valley Humane Society is here to help keep pets with the families that love them.

Fall 2021

Fall 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 13

What To Do When Your Pet Goes Missing Dorothea Hasselmann, MHS Shelter Tech

H

as Fluffy or Fido suddenly gone missing? You’re worried and don’t know what to do next. But, as hard as it might be when your family pet runs off, it’s important to try to remain calm.

Last year, Monadnock Humane Society had a reunification rate of approximately 78% for our stray canine friends and almost 11% for our stray feline friends.

These are positive statistics, but how can we increase these rates? Here are some guidelines using a recent cat recovery story with many important lessons and a very happy ending.

Where do you begin? Start your search by contacting neighbors, ask them to be on the lookout, and notify you immediately if they see your pet. Then, contact your local animal control officer, your local veterinary hospitals, and animal shelters as well. If your pet is lost somewhere within Cheshire county, call Monadnock Humane Society and submit a lost pet report. Granite State Dog Recovery is another wonderful resource for your missing pooch, and of course, if your animal is microchipped, contact the microchip company. Additionally, social media outlets such as Facebook can also play a big role because lost pet posts can be easily shared throughout the community and beyond. After

completing the items on this list, post the information regarding your lost pet on local “lost and found” websites.

Tenthousandeyes.org is one of these tools and can also be of great assistance. It allows you to post a picture of your pet and other detailed information (type of pet, name, color, weight, location lost, etc.) where it can be easily viewed by all visitors to the website.

It’s important to know that many animals will remain close to where they’ve gone missing. Cats will usually stay within a 200-yard radius of their home during the first 48-72 hours of getting lost. Most house cats, who have never been outside, will often be scared and confused. They’ll try to find a quiet location, such as under a shed or deck, to crawl into or huddle under. Along with checking small spaces, check nearby trees as the feline may have climbed up to find safety. It is also a best practice to leave their litter box outside as well as some of their favorite food (but make sure that a wild animal cannot get to it!)

If you have access to a trail cam, you can set it up in the area. This will allow you to see your pet if they visit for food or use of the litter box...even at night. If you notice that your pet is returning to the same spot, at the same time every night,

Check out our online database for missing pets: www.tenthousandeyes.org 14 4 Legs & a Tail

Fall 2021

Django

you could set up a “Have-a-Heart” trap to safely lure it inside and secure him/her until you can get there and recover them.

Here is the story of Django, an indoor/ outdoor cat, who has lived with his family for 17 years but still ran off. He knew his territory well and would usually stay close to home. But, when a family member came to visit with their active dog, they noticed that Django was not around like he usually was. They assumed he was staying clear of the home because of the dog, but after he was missing for a few days, they began to worry. The owners checked with their neighbors about any sightings and they also went looking in the woods where Django would sometimes roam. They checked MHS’s website but didn’t see him listed there. After three weeks, they began to give up hope and thought that because

Fall 2021

of his age, he had wandered away to find a quiet spot to pass away. Little did they know, a Good Samaritan spotted Django, picked him up, and brought him to MHS. When he was not reclaimed quickly, the MHS veterinary staff gave him a medical exam and treated him for a fatty lump on his chin. After his mass was surgically removed and he had healed, he was put up for adoption. Once again, the family was browsing the MHS adoption page for a new cat and that’s when they saw him…

Django, their missing cat!!! They came to MHS that same day and reclaimed him, happy to know he was still alive, and happy to see his lump had been removed!

The lesson here is to never give up your search or assume that your pet has wandered away to die or even something worse-- like being attacked by a wild animal. Most of the stray cats that come into MHS are never reclaimed by their owners. Remember to always check (and keep checking) with any animal welfare organizations in your area to see if your pet is eventually brought in.

In the case of a missing dog, it’s important not to chase them. Even a casual walk during the search can push them further away from home. Lost pets usually stay pretty close to where they’ve gone missing, however, they can Continued Next Page

www.4LegsAndATail.com 15

Check out our online database for missing pets:

www.tenthousandeyes.org potentially end up at great distances due to well-intended people attempting to catch them. When loose, even the besttrained dog can become highly excitable and very distracted. Their fight or flight instinct takes over and that is when their pursuer can be viewed as a predator. This behavior is hard for an owner, in this situation, to understand. When an owner is trying to catch their loose dog, work from a distance, don’t move abruptly, approach quickly, nor have your back turned; and don’t speak until the dog is interested in approaching on their own terms. Social, confident dogs are easier to recover versus those that are shy, anxious, and frightened.

Another, somewhat unknown challenge that exists is when a dog has not been crate trained. This is because they do not recognize the trap (which closely resembles a crate) as a safe space. Crate training is recommended for this (and other) reasons…even if, under normal conditions in your home, they will never

use it. Dogs tend to build routines very quickly, they will try to find shelter and water, and then food as needed. They often travel between dusk and dawn because there are fewer people around. Remember to respect their space and monitor for new, emerging routines. Once a routine is established and identified, a feeding station can be set and a camera can be added to the area. If you are unfamiliar or uncomfortable handling this on your own, seek the help of a professional pet tracker.

To assist with recovering your pet, it is important to make sure to document as much information as you can. Remember to note the day and time they went missing, what caused the animal to run off, and how they were acting at that moment.

Other tips to use as you work to bring your pet home include leaving a piece of bedding outside in the area where your pet was last seen and keeping a shed or garage door open wide enough for your pet to access. Especially during

colder months, providing a warm area for them to retreat to will help them get out of the elements and retain body heat.

Always listen for random barking; some disoriented dogs will bark to try and get housemate dogs to bark back. Housemate dogs can also help in recovering a lost pet by spreading scent around.

Lastly, microchip your cat or dog.

Microchips don’t operate like a GPS and can’t tell you your pet’s whereabouts but if a Good Samaritan brings a stray animal to a shelter or a vet hospital, they will scan for a microchip. This increases the chances of being quickly reunited with your missing pet. If your animal is microchipped, make sure to keep your registration information current and accessible in case they do get lost.

Let’s all work together to increase our reunification statistics! Some of us are very familiar with that anxious feeling we get when a pet goes missing and then conversely, the tremendous relief we feel when they are back home with family!

OUR KITTY For Jazz

By Vesna Dye What shall we do with our kitty?

He jumps on the table, knocks down our food; But what can we do—he is so pretty We have to be nice, we cannot be rude To this little bundle of joy Who keeps us awake all night.

What can we do but buy him a toy— A catnip mouse, a stuffed bunny; a plastic Turkish delight.

What shall we do with our kitty?

His ears are big, his eyes are sparkling blue.

He jumps and rolls, he is vivacious and witty— Watch him now—he fell into potato stew!

How can we train our kitty?

He thinks he is King Richard or Alexander the Great.

I guess we can’t. And we won’t feel guilty Because we love our Jazz to death!

16 4 Legs & a Tail

Fall 2021

Fall 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 17

R: Pictured L to ton, Lucinda Ea ci, to Courtney An Eva Anders

IF YOU THOUGHT THEY LOOKED GOOD BEFORE...

J

oin Pet Food Warehouse in the continuing Wag It Forward mission on September 26th, 2021 at the Champlain Valley Exposition!

Put on your futuristic shades, leash up your pets, and join Pet Food Warehouse for a nonprofit party of epic proportions!

PFW is excited to bring back the biggest dog-centric event in Vermont at the Champlain Valley Exposition from 10am to 4 pm on Sunday, September 26th.

Tickets are only $5 each and kids under 12 (and pets) are free. All profits are split equally between the 28 participating local animal nonprofit groups. Plan on having a blast for a great cause! (Shorten your wait at the gate by buying tickets in advance at either location of Pet Food Warehouse.)

Last year, Covid had us pivot back into an in-store Wag It Forward fundraiser.

Over a long weekend in October, 10% of sales at both Pet Food Warehouse stores were donated to the WIF Fund. We also had generous sponsorships from local Rock Star Real Estate/Keller Williams, the Pets Global Family of Brands, and Wellness Pet Food. Our amazing customer base donated over $8,000 in the month preceding the event. All told, despite Covid-19, we were able to donate $20,959 to Continued ON Page 20

18 4 Legs & a Tail

Fall 2021

Pictured L to R: Olivia Fahr, Katelyn Blades, Alexis, Hannah Richard, Joel Dumas, Travis Germain, Andy Collins

Fall 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 19

Pictured L to R: Chris Hadden, Stef Lash, Tony Lewis, Katelyn Blades

32 local animal nonprofit groups! We are amazed by what is possible when you “Keep Calm and WIF On”. The generosity of our pet community is humbling, and we cannot wait to see everyone safely together again this fall.

For 2021, we are getting back on board with an outer spacethemed Wag It Forward Festival while we stay safe and spaced out!

As in years past, Wag It Forward 2021 will launch off with the Chase Away Canine Cancer 5K fun run before the event; dog dock diving will be provided by Ultimate Air Dogs; live music will keep the atmosphere danceable with The Dog Catchers; local food vendors will provide rations and potent potables; and the Fun Zone showcases family-friendly activities for young, old, and furry voyagers alike… including a gravity-defying bounce course!

Come early to run in the 5K (register ahead of time at runsignup.com) at 9am and your bib gains you free entry to the festival activities that begin at 10am!

More of a catwalker than a runner? Checkin for the space-themed costume contest by 11:30am and strut your look and your pet’s look in the fashion show at noon for a chance to win one of 3 prize packages valued at $100 each!

Outfitted in theme, or not, swing by the free photo booth to get a souvenir of the day with your two and four-legged (or tentacled) friends. Plus, share pics of the day on social media with the hashtag #PFWWIF for a chance to win a $50 gift card to spend at Pet Food Warehouse.

Greet all 28 nonprofit groups that work tirelessly every day for animals in Vermont and explore the many pet-related vendors with a wide variety of premium pet products and foods, including some of our generous sponsors. We’d like to specifically thank these top sponsors for powering this mission with their support: Rocketeer Level: Pets Global Family of Brands (Essence, Fussie Cat, Inception, and Zignature) Sun Level: PLB International (Canadian manufacturer of Pronature Life and Pronature Holistic); Wellpet family of brands (Wellness, Whimzees, Sojos, Old Mother Hubbard, Holistic Select, and Eagle Pack); Oh my DOG daycare and boarding facility Jupiter Level: Andy & Audies natural pet chews; American Natural Premium; Fetch The Leash! Dog Behavior and Training; Identity Pet Nutrition; Triumph Pet Foods Saturn Level: Darford; Dominion Tech; Fido Biotics; Healthy Hemp Pet; Island Memorial; Koha; OC Raw; Oma’s Pride; Petmate; PetSafe; The Honest Kitchen; our friends at The Pour House; Vital Essentials; and the Windjammer Inn and Conference Center.

Pre-Owned Pets

LOVE OUR

Pre-Owned Vehicles!

We can’t wait to Wag It Forward with you and your pets on a beautiful fall day. For more details about the event, visit www. pfwvt.com/wagitforward. For questions about the day’s events, please email wecare@pfwvt.com.

20 4 Legs & a Tail

Fall 2021

New Hampshire Law Changes Help Wild Critters, Cats, Canines Holly Ramer

G

oing well beyond the dog days of summer, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu signed three bills Wednesday aimed at protecting not just canines but cats and wild critters as well.

Animal equity was the theme for two of the new laws: One will require drivers who injure or kill cats to notify police or the pets’ owners or else face a $1,000 fine, a mandate that has long existed for run-over dogs. Another would expand the state’s animal cruelty laws and make it illegal to beat, whip, torture, or mutilate any wild animal, fish, or bird.

The third bill, however, focuses squarely on dogs, making it a misdemeanor to maliciously remove a tracking collar or microchip from someone else’s dog.

The bill, which also makes stealing a dog a felony for a second offense, was prompted by what supporters described as a growing problem of “dog flipping,” in which people steal dogs to sell for profit.

“Even though it’s not a big-budget item, these things are really, really important,” said Sununu, who signed the bills surrounded by lawmakers and advocates outside the Salem Animal Rescue League shelter. “We’re not gonna just let this stuff pass by; we can really do something about it. Animals are a bipartisan issue.”

Dog theft is a misdemeanor under current law, which is silent on stealing cats. Both Sununu and Rep. Daryl Abbas, sponsor of the bill requiring the reporting of run-over cats, said lawmakers should take a look at that next year.

Abbas drafted his bill after his wife found their 5-year-old cat, Arrow, dead on the street near their Salem home in July 2019.

His other cat, Banshee, waited near the door for his “brother” to return for days, he said, but now enjoys the family’s new cat, Luna.

“Despite this being inspired by a tragic incident, I thought, we can still make New Hampshire better,” he said. “We should always be working for a better New Hampshire and I think by passing this bill, we did.”

The animal cruelty bill makes it a misdemeanor to negligently beat, whip, torture or mutilate any type of wildlife or a felony for doing so purposely.

Fall 2021

Current law applies only to domestic animals, household pets, and captive wildlife, and similar bills had failed in 2017, 2018, and 2020.

In 2019, several high school football players in Moultonborough were suspended from games and required to perform community service after video surfaced of them killing a duck. Fish and Game officials said at the time that they could have cited the boys’ parents for illegal taking of a duck, a violation-level offense.

Jinellet Hobson, director of the Salem Animal Rescue League, said New Hampshire had been one of only four states without such a law.

“Together, these new laws will strengthen the state’s ability to prevent needless suffering for pets and their owners, as well as wild animals,” she said.

All three laws take effect Jan. 1.

www.4LegsAndATail.com 21

The Ping-Pong Ball Lisa Vear - Green Mountain Animal Defenders

M

y brother and I were very excited.

We had found a turtle egg near the pond by our school, and we were going to hatch it and have our own pet turtle!

We very carefully carried the egg home and proudly presented it to our mother.

“It looks just like a ping-pong ball!” she said.

“It feels cold. We need to set it under a light so that it will incubate and hatch.

That’s what they do with chickens,” my brother told us.

“Hmm.” My mother looked skeptical but said, “And then you absolutely CANNOT touch it until it hatches—if it hatches.

I’ll put it up high where it will be safe.”

My brother and I eagerly agreed.

Neither of us wanted to risk the turtle not hatching and jeopardize having our very own pet turtle.

My mother set the egg up on a washcloth right under a light, high up on top of a cabinet where my brother and I could see but not reach it. “Do NOT touch that egg, or it definitely won’t hatch,” she said.

22 4 Legs & a Tail

Photo Courtesy of: Melanie Sestokas

For days my brother and I checked on our turtle egg, but there were no signs of hatching. Finally, my brother ran out of patience. “I’m going to get the stepladder and see if there are any signs of cracks on the side that we can’t see,” he said.

“No! You’ll ruin it!” I yelled.

“No, I won’t. I’m not even going to touch it.”

He dragged a stepladder over and climbed up so that he was face to face with the egg.

“Well?” I asked him, hoping for some good news.

“I’m still not high enough to see the back, so I just have to turn it a little. Hand me a pencil, and I’ll turn it with that so I don’t have to touch it with my finger.”

I ran to the craft drawer and found an unsharpened pencil. I raced back and handed it to my brother. Very slowly he began to maneuver the egg. But it was too round, unlike a bird’s egg, which is more oval, and it started to roll toward the edge of the cabinet…

We watched, frozen, as the egg reached the end of the cabinet and then… rolled off.

I don’t know what my brother pictured, but I imagined a yellow yolk with a turtle in it breaking open on the floor.

Instead, the egg bounced.

We watched as it bounced up and down on the floor, making the unmistakable sound of a ping-pong ball on linoleum, and then rolled to a stop by the refrigerator.

My brother and I could only stare while our jaws hung open. In silence, we looked at each other, then at the egg, and back at each other.

“Do turtle eggs bounce?” I whispered.

“That’s not possible,” my brother said.

“It must have been a ping-pong ball the whole time. But who would have buried it by the pond?”

As we continued to form theories in our heads, my mother came up from the basement with a load of laundry.

“What’s that doing on the floor?” she asked.

“It fell,” my brother and I said in unison.

“Hmm. I suppose it fell on its own and not because you were on the stepladder poking it with that pencil in your hand.”

My brother and I both looked at the pencil still in his hand.

“I…I…” my brother stammered… “We were checking on it because it wasn’t hatching!”

“I thought you might,” my mother said.

“Good thing I swapped it with that pingpong ball the day you brought it home.”

“What?” my brother asked. “Why?” “Because this is no place for a turtle egg. Turtle eggs need to be in a cool, covered place, where they belong, or they won’t ever hatch. They can’t be around lights and small children who will poke them with pencils.”

“So you were never going to let us hatch it?” I asked.

“Nope. It wouldn’t have lived, and I’m sure it’s hatched by now and is safe in the pond where it belongs.”

“So we would have been waiting for it to hatch forever?”

“No, I was going to tell you once I could be sure you wouldn’t be tempted to go back and try to find it again,” my mother said.

“But I wanted a pet turtle,” I whined.

“But what you want isn’t all that matters when what you want affects others, even if those others are animals.

That turtle wanted to live where it will survive and be happy. You shouldn’t ever try to save an animal that doesn’t need to be saved: only help an animal that is injured or orphaned.”

“I guess,” I said, feeling slightly selfish.

“I was going to let it go after it hatched,” my brother lied.

“Well, it’s better it stays and hatches where its mother puts it, and we can enjoy seeing the eggs and feeling the excitement of hoping one day we’ll see it swimming in the pond.” ************ This was my first lesson in respecting and conserving wildlife, and it’s one I always remember. Even as an adult, I’m tempted to pick up adorable newborn animals in the wild, but then I hear my mother: “What you want isn’t all that matters when what you want affects others, even if those others are animals.”

And that is the story of how I tried to hatch a ping-pong ball!

Fall 2021

What ’s a Nuisance?

Scott Borthwick - Canaan, NH

T

he official title of my profession, as designated by the state, is Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator. This title is right to the point. The animals we “control” have to be a nuisance. The reason I decided to write about this is due to the numerous calls we get to the contrary.

For example, an individual calls saying they saw a coyote in their yard. I asked what it was doing. They said nothing it just went through their yard. This sort of call does not qualify as a nuisance.

The animal has to be causing a problem such as killing livestock, being aggressive toward humans, or causing physical damage to the property.

Some examples of nuisance wildlife.

Woodchucks can cause significant damage to older foundations, retaining walls, and septic systems. They also destroy people’s flower and vegetable gardens.

Another issue caused by woodchucks is that their tunnel systems can entice other creatures to move in such as skunks and opossums. Now I know some of you will say opossums are good however they are the only known carrier of Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis which can be extremely bad for horses.

Also, I have caught many an opossum covered in ticks bringing into question their tick elimination capabilities.

We all know the problems caused by skunks and porcupines. Weasels are great mousers but can be devastating Fall 2021

in a chicken coop same goes for foxes, raccoons, fisher, and mink. Some creatures become a nuisance just because they want to live in the same house as you. Bats, squirrels, snakes, and sometimes raccoons fall into this category.

Squirrels and raccoons can cause actual damage to the structure, bats can bring in bat bugs and large amounts of guano that when disturbed can cause histoplasmosis, and well snakes are snakes after all. Creatures either living in chimneys or getting trapped in the chimney is another example of nuisance wildlife.

This summer alone we have removed 2 ducks and multiple squirrels from chimneys. Now we are dealing with chimney swifts that actually nest in chimneys.

Beavers flooding roads and driveways, coyotes and bobcats killing livestock, otter killing fish in private ponds are all examples of nuisance wildlife.

A few years ago I received a call from a local Police Dept. a coyote pup had been spotted lurking about behind a school that was being used for a summer day camp. When I went to investigate I noticed that the field behind the school had recently been brush hogged. When a field gets mowed this way some of the smaller creatures living there get killed in the process which provides a smorgasbord for coyotes, foxes, and such. I told the Police this but they asked if I could

explain it to the kids. We set up a time and went and spoke to the kids. Well at first they could not care less about the coyote they just wanted to tell me their wildlife stories. Which were great. Finally one of them asked, “Why was the coyote pup out in the daytime?” To which I asked in response “How many of you do exactly what your parents tell you to do?”. None of them raised their hand because they all understood.

Scott Borthwick owns Estate Wildlife Control. He lives in Canaan, NH with his wife Donna, two dogs, a couple of horses, and one tough old chicken named Henrietta.

www.4LegsAndATail.com 23

t a b o r c A g n i az m A s e i k S e h of t

THE CHIMNEY SWIFT:

Catherine Greenleaf - Lyme, NH

I

t’s time for a confession. My husband and I are ardent fans of the Chimney Swift. We always look forward to the cooler weather that comes with fall because it’s the time of year we get to watch the southward migration of this mysterious and fascinating bird.

By the end of summer, breeding season has ended and the Chimney Swifts are readying themselves for their long and grueling f light back to the headwaters of the Amazon in Brazil. This is when my husband and I join local birding groups and travel to various locations throughout New England to witness in awe what can only be described as an incredible spectacle.

Against the orange and pink hues of the setting sun at dusk f ly thousands of Chimney Swifts, swirling together in the air like a black tornado. Then, in a magical feat of synchronization, they funnel straight down, single-file into smokestacks, water towers, or abandoned air shafts to roost for the night.

the tops of trees and breaks them in half with its feet – while airborne. This species can swoop down to a pond and scoop water into its beak to drink. It lowers its body into water mid-flight to take a bath and spends the entire day snapping thousands of insects out of the sky with its wide mouth.

Chimney Swifts are ravenous insectivores. A family of five Chimney Swifts can eat up to 12,000 insects a day, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

This bird’s anatomy is quite different from most songbirds. It does not have the leg structure required to perch upright on branches and instead uses its hooked toes to cling to vertical surfaces like the brick and mortar of chimneys.

Chimney Swifts build their nests inside chimneys. For centuries, this species nested in the hollows of dead trees. But due to wide-scale deforestation, most large, dead trees have disappeared, forcing the birds to adapt by using chimneys.

LIFE CYCLE OF THE CHIMNEY SWIFT But let’s go back to where the breeding season begins. By the first of May, Chimney Swifts have migrated thousands of miles from South America and you can hear their happy chatter in the air overhead as they arrive in New England.

These birds are often mistaken for bats because they are small (5-6 inches long), black to dark greyish brown in color, and sport a short and square tail. The Chimney Swift is social and gregarious and prefers to hunt for insects in small packs of up to 12 birds.

A skilled aerial acrobat, the Chimney Swift does everything from the air. When building its nest, the Chimney Swift grabs small twigs off 24 4 Legs & a Tail

Fall 2021

There is no need for alarm should you discover Chimney Swifts nesting in your chimney. Merely refrain from use, close the damper and delay inspection or cleaning until after migration occurs in the fall. Chimney Swifts are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and it is a federal crime to capture, injure or remove the birds or their eggs. If you have concerns, you can always contact your local wildlife rehabilitator for assistance. It is wiser to focus on the benefits, as the lucky homeowner with a nest in their chimney enjoys a mosquito-free yard all summer long.

Chimney Swifts are gracious tenants and do not normally cause any damage, as only one family of 3-7 birds will take up residence in a single chimney, according to the National Audubon Society. The parents build a shallow pocket of sticks inside chimney walls, using their sticky saliva as a glue to keep the nest affixed to the wall. The female lays 3-5 eggs, and fledglings are ready to fly in 30 days. Research by avian scientists is now showing that an unmated female will often help a breeding pair rear its young.

Once the youngsters are grown, the Chimney Swifts begin their migration back to South America, which usually occurs between the end of August and the beginning of October.

Chimney Swift numbers are flagging due to climate change and habitat loss and could use some help. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology recommends the measures below: HOW TO HELP CHIMNEY SWIFTS • Preserve your existing chimney to allow entry by Chimney Swifts.

• Refrain from the use of pesticides on your property, which can poison aerial insectivores.

• Help Chimney Swifts rebuild their populations by building a nesting tower. Contact the Chimney Swift Conservation Association at www. chimneyswifts.org for instructions.

• Start tracking and recording Chimney Swifts in your area and report your findings to eBird and your local birding groups.

Catherine Greenleaf is the director of St. Francis Wild Bird Center in Lyme, N.H. If you find an injured bird or turtle, please call (603) 795-4850.

Fall 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 25

Robin Truelove Stronk, DVM

I

am happy to report that I have achieved a state where I am now in my “right mind.” Previously, I dwelt primarily in my “left mind” but have been gradually making the migration. I always wanted to be a veterinarian. I also loved to draw, paint, create art. The left side of the brain is the logical, reasoning and organized side and the right brain is creative, the proverbial wild and crazy guy. I have been fortunate in having been able to enjoy both aspects of my interests.

I laughingly call myself “The Artist Formerly Known as Veterinarian.”

I graduated from Cornell Veterinary School in 1975 and during the 30-year course of my career treated animals of all sizes, shapes, and species. After retirement, I was able to spend more time with my artistic endeavors and have used my experiences in practice to inform my art.

Although I paint many subjects, most of them are animals. Whatever catches my eye is fair game for my brushes and pencils. It might be a sleeping cat or a horse galloping across a field or it might be a green glass inkwell. But with animals, it is the story in their eyes that draws me in. And the element of humor is appealing to me. Sometimes it is the painting itself and sometimes it is the title. Sometimes I have a title before I have a mental image of the painting!

"The Complaint Dept."

Training at the R iver Galler y School in Brattleboro, VT, and being guided by Ric Campman was lifechanging. I learned how to look at subjects and really see them. Exposure to career artists at the Windham Art Gallery where I was accepted as a member was also a positive influence. I have been represented by various galleries in VT, NH and as far as Costa Rica. Currently, my work is shown at the Gallery at the VAULT in Springfield, Vt, Walpole Artisans Co-op and I look forward to an upcoming event founded in 2012 (River Valley Artisans Tour) by several of the local artists hoping 26 4 Legs & a Tail

Fall 2021

to expose their work to the public in a new and fun way.

The town of Westmoreland has two wineries. We all got together and decided we could put on an Art and Wine tour like a mini Napa Valley event. For the last 6 years, we have had artists set up in the Summit Winery and Poocham Hill Winery, both indoors and outdoors in tents with wine tastings, art exhibits, and demonstrations, music, and food. It has been a great success and lots of fun (and work!) all around. Patrons get to meet and chat with the artists, make purchases from the makers, see how the work is made in some cases, and make new friends. And taste some great wine! This year we will be there Sept 11 and 12 from 11 - 5 PM. So I have happily transitioned to the art world without totally leaving my veterinary career behind, have been fortunate to meet a lot of wonderful folks, and have had a great deal of fun. www.truelovearts.com www.rivervalleyartisans.com

"Ready for Anything"

Joanna Young of Hanover caught Ike & Alli chilin' at halftime

Yona, Remy and Cooper rockin' to fall

Fall 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 27

Does Your Pup Have the COVID CRINGE? (and what to do if they do.)

Paula Bergeron - Grafton, NH

L

1. Recognize that your dog is uncomfortable, but don’t judge it. Having a dog who does not want to meet does not mean your dog is not a brilliant, wonderful, loving dog, it means your dog is feeling unsafe.

2. If your dog is leashed and someone asks to meet your dog, the answer should be no. You can politely say, my dog is shy please do not approach. I recommend purchasing a lightweight vest and write on the back, “I Am Shy, Please Do Not Pet Me.” This can prevent the awkward moment of telling people NO when they ask to meet and pet your dog.

3. When leashed have your dog walking slightly behind you, yes I know this is a pain but if you practice and get into this habit it will no longer be a struggle.

When you meet someone to chat with, up, turning off the head to the side, or have your dog sit, then slide your leg over so you are a bending of the head and butt towards standing directly in front of your dog. the floor and away from the visitor. This my friends is the Covid Cringe… and if This posture informs your dog that you we do not address it, it could certainly are in charge of their safety, and they do morph into the Covid Lunge… and no not need to take care of you, or themselves and can relax. one wants that.

et’s get right down to it….. What is the Covid Cringe? The Covid Cringe is the onset or resurgence of your dogs’ reluctance to meet new people or dogs when walking on a leash. You may have noticed that as restrictions of the mask mandate and the 6 ft social distancing guides have relaxed your dog has become For some dogs, cringing has been a reticent to meet new people or dogs. You part of their personality since they were could see a tail between the legs, backing young while for others it surfaced as the restrictions began to lift. Why would dogs develop this fear? Well as with most issues it is most probably due to the humans in their lives. As Covid became a reality we humans had to face something we hate, being out of control. Most of us found ourselves feeling less grounded, experiencing low to high anxiety, and for some downright fear. Our dogs, so dialed into our energy and mood, were immediately affected. For many dogs, this meant lots more walks, more cuddling, and the most drastic their pack stayed put at home. These changes caused our dogs to begin to take on a more leadership role.

They must have felt very proud as they kept outsiders at least six feet away from where they belong.

With over a year of keeping their humans safe and at home our dogs have felt they had their pack well in hand…. and then…. restrictions began to lift and now our dogs have been to feel out of control. As the summer of 2021 rolled towards fall more and more dog owners began to reach out for help as their dogs began to show overreactive behaviors towards other dogs and humans.

The most common behavior reported has been this reluctance and cringing away from meeting new people but other behaviors such as aggressive barking, snarling, bearing of teeth, lunging, and biting are also on the rise.

28 4 Legs & a Tail

If your dog is showing the signs of Covid Cringe here are a few tips that can help:

4. Advocate for your dog, do not let someone convince you that they are good with dogs and they will be fine if they come forward to pet. Whether they are good with dogs is not the point, the point is to let your dog learn they can trust you to keep “threats” at bay.

5. It is hard for us as humans to say “no” when someone wants to pet our dog, so it would be wise for you to practice what you are going to say, have a pat answer that rolls off your tongue such as “No” I am sorry my pup is shy. There that wasn’t so hard now was it?

I have a trust pact with my shy dogs, they don’t have to meet people or be petted and they in turn are not allowed to growl, snarl, bark, lunge, or snap at anyone who approaches us. This is the kind of agreement that builds trust and respect with your dog, and deepens your bonds!

Whether your dog has become shy from our Covid conditions or they have always had a shy temperament, learning to show your dog that you have their safety well in hand will go a long way to curing the Covid Cringe….

Paula Bergeron and the gang at Good Dogma embrace a holistic approach to bringing balance to your dog’s behavioral issues. Exercise, training, relaxation, massage, grooming, play, socialization, and energy healing are incorporated into your dog’s routine. www.Goodogma.com Fall 2021

Fall 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 29

It’s Off to Work YOU go but…

W

Ingrid Braulini - Grantham, NH

hat happens to your pets??

Sometimes we overlook the fact that when we leave the house our little ones (pets) go through something that can only be described as a form of “where are you, I AM BORED” syndrome. They look for you, cry, look for you some more, and then in some cases resort to destructive behavior, either to themselves, your house, or your personal belongings.

They don’t see it as destruction, they see it as “keeping the home fires burning” Regardless of whether you always worked away from home until the pandemic and your pet was used to not having you or your kids home, now you

30 4 Legs & a Tail

are about to be faced with some hard realities. Pets of all kinds, even birds, and bearded dragons, will miss the social interaction.

When you are home they hear, feel, and note your presence. You are something they depend on seeing, hearing, smelling, and in some way engaging them. If we are talking about dogs, cats, gliders, parrots, lizards, rabbits, and so on we are talking about animals who need interaction…lots of it.

Here are some ideas to make the transition a bit less heart-wrenching for them. You can ask if you can bring your pet to work. Maybe you have a boss

Fall 2021

who will let you bring Wilma the rabbit in with you if she doesn’t get loose.

Perhaps, you can take turns, bringing in Bob your Bulldog on days that Sylvia doesn’t bring in Fiesta her cat. In many cases it won’t be possible so if you must work from the office find a reliable and knowledgeable pet sitter who will come in and feed your dragon, Greggy, those roaches and take him for his daily walk.

Actually, that works for any animal you may have. Hire someone to go in once or twice while you are gone to entertain, cuddle, feed, talk to, whatever it is YOU would do with your pet.

You could crate your animal if you so wish and give him something to do in his crate. Equally important are the ever-in-demand chew toys for dogs (no rawhide, please!) so you don’t end up with your Kate Spade bag in pieces or your Armani tie in shreds, not to mention your demolished doorjamb and chewedup couch. Cats, too, can be destructive.

My two always find a way to get into trouble and one of them would actually wail lamenting his loneliness. If not crating your dogs, you may want to be sure to have plenty of distractions around the house. Challenging pets, such as hiding treats, toys with tricky (but not TOO tricky) treat access, and cuddle toys are super as are pet TV and the radio for cats, parrots, and dogs; and a ball or mirror for a bearded dragon. These are great diversions. Also, place a towel or old t-shirt with your smell on it near their favorite napping spot. Cruise the net for more toy ideas; there are lots of them out there for your specific pet.

In many cases, we assume that we leave the house, and the animal will do what they always do: entertain themselves - mostly. One of the ways to help a pet achieve a modicum of independence

Fall 2021

is the old tried and true “slow and steady gets the job done.” This means little by little you train your pet to accept everincreasing amounts of solitude. The first day you begin with a five-minute break, This means you walk out the door with a hearty, “See you in a bit,” and walk or drive away far enough so you cannot be detected. Then each day you add time in increments. Until you leave the house for a couple of hours or the time you need to go to work. This should help your pet understand that you will be coming back so they will not feel you are abandoning them.

With dogs, you can also reach out to a daycare but remember that daycares at best are not for every dog and can overstimulate a pet who already has issues.

So now I w ill go back to human interaction being the best we can do for our soon-to-be left alone pets. It would be especially nice if you could provide your pet with enough stimulation to make them feel okay. One of the best ways, as mentioned before, is to hire a qualified professional pet sitter. One who understands and knows all the intricacies of the pet and breed they are caring for and someone who does continuing education whenever they can. In most cases that means someone who is a certified pet sitter for a variety of pets as well as knowledgeable in pet first aid and CPR (at least for mammals).

Is this an expense? It can be, but when we humans commit to an animal it is a commitment for that pet’s life and we want to give them the best we can.

Now is a good time to remember that putting or returning your pet to the animal shelter should never be an option.

Ingrid Braulini is the owner of Pet First Aid & Wellness. She is a certified Pet Tech and Wellness Instructor, a NAPPS Board Member, and NAPPS Certified. For more information, visit www.PetAidClasses.com

www.4LegsAndATail.com 31

e r u t a n g i Z Select Cuts A

well-balanced diet, backed by delicious ingredients and protein rich meats is exactly what your dog craves.

Pets Global Inc., our family-owned company based out of Southern California, is founded on a passion for animal welfare and is dedicated to creating quality pet food that pet owners feel confident putting into their furry friends’ bowls. Our family of brands includes Zignature, Fussie Cat, Essence Pet Foods, and Inception Pet Foods—each made to go the extra mile for both pets and pet parents.

Zignature

Zignature is our brand of dog food made to meet the nutritional needs of your furry friend. We set out to create one of the best dog foods on the market by creating delicious formulas made with quality meat, poultry, or fish protein first, and wholesome ingredients.

Zignature’s menu is jam-packed with a variety of protein options to choose from. Our Zignature Original line is made with our meat-first, limited ingredient philosophy, and is available in 13 unique protein options. While our Zignature Select Cuts line continues with our meat-first philosophy, bound with wholesome grains like oats, millet, and quinoa, and is available in 3 unique protein options to choose from.

Zignature Select Cuts

Zignature continues its solution-based philosophy with the addition of Zignature Select Cuts. Each Zignature Select Cuts Formula is made with quality meat, poultry, or fish protein as the very first ingredient and is bound together with wholesome grains like oats, millet, and quinoa. We round out each Zignature Select Cuts Formula with a variety of wholesome ingredients and essential vitamins made specifically for Pets Global Inc. Within our Zignature Select Cuts line, your canine companion has options!

Among this delicious line of quality, well-balanced dog food is 3 tasty and unique formulas tailored to your dog’s tastebuds: Lamb and Lamb Meal Formula, Trout & Salmon Meal Formula, and Turkey Formula.

Rich in Fiber and Easily Digestible Formulas

Thoughtfully sourced, wholesome grains like oats, millet, and quinoa round out our delicious Zignature Select Cuts Formulas. These healthy grains are rich in fiber and can aid in helping your dog feel full throughout the day. All our oats, millet, quinoa, sunflower meal, flaxseed, and sunflower oil that go into Zignature Select Cuts Formulas are sourced from the United States and Canada.

Zignature Select Cuts Formulas:

Lamb & Lamb Meal Formula Zignature Select Cuts Lamb & Lamb Meal Formula is made with Lamb and Lamb Meal as the very first ingredients. Then, it’s followed up with healthy grains like oats, millet, and quinoa. Finally, it’s rounded out with a variety of wholesome ingredients and essential vitamins made specifically for Pets Global. Our Lamb & Lamb Meal Formula is packed with flavor and truly a canine favorite. Not only is this formula packed with flavor, but it’s also rich in quality protein which can help support your dog on their daily adventures.

Trout & Salmon Meal Formula Zignature Select Cuts Trout & Salmon Meal Formula is made with Trout and Salmon Meal as the very first ingredients. Then, it’s followed up with oats and millet. Finally, it’s rounded out with a variety of wholesome ingredients and essential vitamins made specifically for Pets Global. This seafood medley is perfect for our canine friends who crave all the fish flavors. Trout and salmon meal are also rich in Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids which can help maintaining a healthy skin and coat.

Turkey Formula Zignature Select Cuts Turkey Formula is made with Turkey and Turkey Meal as the very first ingredients. Then, it’s followed up with healthy grains like oats and millet. Finally, it’s rounded out with a variety of wholesome ingredients and essential vitamins made specifically for Pets Global. Turkey is an excellent protein source that is rich in protein and low in saturated fats, making this delicious formula a great option for your dog.

Thoughtfully Sourced Zignature Select Cuts Ingredients

What goes into your dog’s food matters. Each of our Zignature Formulas are made with thoughtfully sourced ingredients from trusted farmers and fishermen around the world to provide your dog with a nutrient packed, protein rich diet.

Turkey.................... Our Turkey comes from the United States Lamb............................ Our Lamb comes from New Zealand Trout........................ Our Trout comes from the United States

Confident Feeding with Zignature Select Cuts

32 4 Legs & a Tail

Each of our Zignature Select Cuts Formulas are carefully crafted so that you can feel confident about what you’re putting in your furry friend’s bowl.

Zignature Select Cuts is made with quality meat first, paired with healthy grains, and rounded out with wholesome ingredients—which provides your pup with a well-balanced, delicious diet, made to meet their nutritional needs.

Fall 2021

Fall 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 33

I Am Afraid of Anesthesia for My Pet Part IV Sandra L. Waugh VMD, MS - Windsor Pet Dental

O

k, Annabelle, you find this talk about anesthesia a bit, well, sleep inducing. After all, Dr Sandy (your mom) puts you under anesthesia yearly in order to keep your teeth clean and healthy and you have always been just fine. So what’s the big deal?

Well, anesthesia IS a big deal. To make anesthesia as safe as possible requires an investment in equipment, both the anesthesia machine itself and all the various monitoring equipment. It also requires an investment in the necessary medications involved. But most of all it requires an investment in the training of the anesthetists, the people who are in charge of anesthesia, from the first dose of the pre-anesthetic medication all the way to removing the intravenous catheter just before the pet goes home and everything in between. The anesthetists job is to use the information from the monitors to make constant decisions about the state of the patient and what actions need to taken, if any. A good anesthetist does not react to a problem after it arises during a procedure but anticipates potential problems and proactively takes steps to head off any problems. The anesthetist must know how to interpret the readings from the monitors, must know what to do if the readings are not normal and have the medications and equipment at hand in order to intervene.

A busy moment during the day. Two patients under anesthesia having teeth extracted (yellow arrows), two veterinarians performing the dentistry (red arrows) and two people whose sole job is to run the anesthesia (green arrows).

34 4 Legs & a Tail

Fall 2021

Dr. Mike assists Dr. Sandy

Anesthesia is not a passive event where the patient is hooked up to the monitors, the gas anesthesia set at a “maintenance level” and the f luids turned on until the procedure is over.

It is more like a balancing act where the anesthetist tries to minimize the level of anesthetic gas needed to keep the patient still but with enough pain medications to block the pain and keep them comfortable, all the while keeping the heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, exhaled carbon dioxide, oxygen saturation, body temperature and respiratory rate within specific limits. This means keeping attention on every aspect of the anesthesia from beginning to end.

One essential tool is a chart used to write down the readings from the monitors every 5 minutes. This allows the anesthetist to note any trends that are occurring. For instance, a slowly decreasing blood pressure is much easier to identify with the numbers written down than to rely on memory.

As the procedure comes to an end, the anesthetist will start turning the gas anesthesia down so the patient will wake up. This simple sounding job takes experience to do well. The patient should wake up shortly after the procedure is done but needs sufficient time while still asleep to be disconnected from the monitors, cleaned up if soiled and dried if needed before they wake up. We do not want the recovery to be too soon or too prolonged. Ideally the patient is awake 15 minutes after the procedure is over and can walk out the door on their own an hour later even if they were under anesthesia for several hours.

Fall 2021

While no one can make the risk of anesthesia go away entirely, it can be reduced to a very low level though patient evaluation, medication selection, good monitors, good anest hesia equipment and skilled anesthetists who are the single most important part of the puzzle.

As the procedure comes to an end, the anesthetist will start turning the gas anesthesia down so the patient will wake up. This simple sounding job takes experience to do well. The patient should wake up shortly after the procedure is done but needs sufficient time while still asleep to be disconnected from the monitors, cleaned up if soiled and dried if needed before they wake up. We do not want the recovery to be too soon or too prolonged. Ideally the patient is awake 15 minutes after the procedure is over and can walk out the door on their own an hour later even if they were under anesthesia for several hours.

While no one can make the risk of anesthesia go away entirely, it can be reduced to a very low level though patient evaluation, medication selection, good monitors, good anest hesia equipment and skilled anesthetists who are the single most important part of the puzzle.

Dr. Waugh is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. She also holds a Masters Degree from Washington State University of Veterinary Medicine and is owner of Windsor Pet Dental, PLC.

www.4LegsAndATail.com 35

Aging Changes in Dogs & Cats Catherine MacLean, DVM - Grantham, NH

A

36 4 Legs & a Tail

s pets age, they experience a number of physical changes. Some of these changes may seem sudden like hearing loss, and others are more subtle such as arthritic changes. The changes that you may see with your aging pet can often not be cured, but they can often be managed to help your pet feel more comfortable.

Just like people, as pets age their nutritional requirements change due to a decrease in metabolism and decrease in exercise. Most senior pets need their calories cut by about 20% without any change in exercise. Their energy requirements may decrease by another 10% with decreased exercise.

It is important to monitor your pet’s weight as they get older. Increased weight makes it harder for older pets to move around and can lead to other health issues and a shorter life span. Talk to your veterinarian about nutrition and calories that your senior pet may need.

Elbow callouses are another thing commonly seen in dogs as they age.

This is because they are not as active and are laying around more. The elbows are pressure points when a dog is laying down, and that is why the callouses form.

Callouses more commonly form when a dog lays mostly on hard surfaces. Make sure that your dog has a soft place to lay on like an orthopedic dog bed.

You may notice as your pet ages that you will start seeing gray hair. This tends to be more common in dogs than cats and is often seen on their face more than any other part of the body.

Dogs and cats can also start developing more skin tumors. These tumors can Fall 2021

be benign or cancerous. It’s important to have new masses looked at by your veterinarian to determine if they are cancerous or not, and to determine if they need to be removed.

Arthritis is a huge issue that most animals experience as they age. Owners make the mistake and think that their pet will cry or make other sounds of discomfort if they are painful. An animal will rarely do this. Signs of arthritis include not getting on and off of furniture anymore, difficulty getting into a car, not jumping onto things that they normally jumped on to, going up the stairs on a diagonal, limping, and muscle mass loss. You may find that your cat is going to the bathroom outside of the litterbox. This can be a sign of arthritis pain, and it is difficult for your cat to get in and out of the litterbox. You may want to try a different litterbox with lower sides and make sure that your cat doesn’t need to go up or down stairs to get to the litterbox.

You should discuss arthritis with your veterinarian and decide which course of management works best to manage your pet’s pain.

Since senior pets are less active, another change that you may see is that your pet’s nails may become more brittle and become more prone to breaking. The best way to handle this is with frequent nail trimming. Nails will also get longer quicker in senior pets due to walking around less.

You may see changes in bathroom habits as well with your senior pet. Dogs, especially female dogs, may start leaking urine while laying down. This problem can be managed with medication. You may also see fecal incontinence in both cats and dogs. This is typical since it is uncomfortable or even painful for senior pets to posture when defecating.

As a result, they do it less frequently, which can lead to fecal incontinence; or in cats, defecation outside the litterbox.

Cats tend to suffer from constipation more than dogs. If you notice less fecal material in the litterbox, or the feces you find are very dry and hard, your pet may be suffering from constipation and need changes in their diet or medication to help with this.

Hearing loss is a common thing that we see in senior pets. It often seems like a sudden change even though the onset is typically slow. As owners, it seems sudden because we don’t recognize hearing loss until it is advanced. Abnormal barking when you approach your pet may be an early sign of hearing loss. They will bark because they didn’t hear you approaching, and you startled them.

Another sign of hearing loss is when Fall 2021

they don’t listen to commands. There is no great way to test for hearing loss and it’s not reversible, but using a flashlight for signaling your pet or vibrations (i.e. stomping your foot) are ways to try and communicate with them.

Eye changes are another thing we see in senior pets. Your pet should have their eyes checked at their annual exam.

Owners will often notice a haziness in their pet’s eyes which may be cataracts, but can also be another eye condition called nuclear sclerosis which doesn’t affect vision as cataracts do. Your veterinarian can differentiate between the two. Although we can never tell for sure how well an animal can see since they can’t read an eye chart, we can tell if they are visual or not. If you notice your pet is running into things, this could be a sign that your pet is blind. If your pet has sudden blindness, contact your veterinarian right away since many different diseases can contribute to sudden blindness.

These are just a few of the things that you may see as your pet ages. Many health issues can develop as your pet ages. It’s important that your pet sees their veterinarian at least once a year, even if they seem okay. Animals are the masters at hiding issues until they become a big problem. Often if issues are found early, things can be done to make your pet more comfortable.

Dr. MacLean completed her Bachelor of Science from Penn State University, her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Atlantic Veterinary College, and her pet acupuncture certification from Chi Institute. Her areas of special interest include general practice and acupuncture. She opened Sugar River Animal Hospital in 2013, and she has been practicing veterinary medicine since 2010.

Dr. MacLean’s family consists of her husband Matt, her daughter Katarina, son Alexander and their three pets: Jack and Misty, two cats, and Arrow, a dog.

www.4LegsAndATail.com 37

Alternatively Speaking: The Veterinarian/Client Relationship Dr. Anne Carroll DVM, CVA

I

n our last article, we talked about the impact of emotional stress on your cat’s health. What we didn’t discuss was that nothing impacts your pet’s quality of life more than their caregivers’ emotional health, including that of their veterinarian. It is true in all medicine, but especially in holistic medicine, that solid relationships between your family and veterinarian form the cornerstone of their healthcare. Like so many of our personal relationships, COVID has put stress on our doctor-client relationships and that has impacted how we provide health care to pets in ways none of us could have imagined. While some COVID restrictions have eased this past summer, the disconnect between client expectations and the veterinarian’s ability to meet those expectations has 38 4 Legs & a Tail

continued. I am not speaking for all of my colleagues, but from what I can glimpse on social media platforms and talking to other professionals, I hear our situation is almost universal. So I would like to take this opportunity to share our experience and hopefully take a step towards re-building healthy relationships.

For the past year and a half, veterinarians and their staff have been frontline caregivers even though the state has not officially recognized us as such.

Through the entirety of the pandemic, each practice had to constantly re-invent how to do their jobs to care for patients while keeping staff and clients safe. These changes did not improve our efficiency, instead, they created dramatic increases in time for even the most simple of tasks.

In an attempt to handle as much client Fall 2021

care as possible, our workdays became 12-14 hours long without relief.

Some jobs are easy to walk away from at the end of the official workday, but certainly not this one. Veterinarians and their staff are driven by an intense passion to help animals and their people.

It is the relationships built with families and their pets that fuel that passion and is the reward for the demands of this profession. It is certainly not the woeful compensation compared to any other segment of the medical profession, or lack of time for personal self-health.

But COVID put a literal wall between us and our pet’s families. It was a struggle to maintain relationships and certainly impossible to forge solid foundations for new ones. We couldn’t refuel our energy banks via interpersonal connections whether to share the joy in healing or offer consolation for loss. Meanwhile, pet visits that would have reinforced how fun it was to go to the vet with wags and snuggles were now sometimes stressful without guardians present, despite all our efforts. On top of all of this, the veterinary staff was still trying to meet client expectations at a pre-COVID level, and that unrealistic goal exacted a huge emotional toll that sometimes made our day-to-day operations feel too daunting to cope with.

All of these behind-the-scenes stresses hopefully shed light on why you may have seen a change in your health care experience for your pets. No one likes ‘curbside’ health care, or the curtailed personal communication that comes with it. Even with offices opening up for more conventional interactions, I am sure in the past few months you may have called a veterinarians’ office and gotten the answering machine or have been told there will be a wait to be seen, or even been referred elsewhere. Even veterinary ER’s are over-burdened and are turning away less than life-threatening cases. That is the reality of scarcity, and what gives great value to having a standing, current relationship with your veterinarian. COVID has magnified the need for people to decide what veterinary care means to them. Do you want to get your shots at clinics and only see the veterinarian when there is a serious issue, or do you want a life-long partner promoting wellness to maximize your pet’s healthy longevity? Of course, there are many gradations in between these two extremes, but the point is that you have to choose the type of relationship you want for your pets and then have realistic expectations regarding that choice. With schedules pushed beyond capacity, fitting in sick pets comes down to time and staff constraints. In our practice, we have greater flexibility Fall 2021

to ‘squeeze’ someone in when we are current on their baseline info, individual needs, and already have a relationship with their guardian. This relationship allows us to focus on the health issue more efficiently, and that enables us to fit one more patient into our day.

Despite all these hardships, I feel fortunate to still love my job as a veterinarian, especially my ability to specialize in holistic medicine. In its ideal practice, holistic care nurtures longstanding relationships, and it influences the type of relationship we strive to build with our clients. Holistic medicine is about the “whole”. It is all-encompassing, rooted in establishing a foundation of wellness early on with discussions on feeding and supplementation, vaccination, behavior, etc. that all will have the greatest benefit to your pet. Then over the course of a lifetime being able to see patterns of minor changes, perhaps unnoticed by guardians, that we work to ward off future problems. The longer the relationship the more pet, guardian, and veterinarian benefit. This is in contrast to the patients seen only every couple of years when a medical issue crops up. Out of necessity the focus of these visits is diagnosing and managing the acute issue. Time Continued Next Page

www.4LegsAndATail.com 39

constraints and lack of background limit longer discussions regarding what led to this issue and interventions to help prevent it from recurring. Treating the same issues chronically without addressing the root cause is unfulfilling for both vet and guardian. Holistic medicine is not for everyone, but even conventional medicine is more rewarding and successful when there is history with a patient, and a commitment made between guardians and veterinarians to care for this loved animal.

That is the value of the relationship, not only for that pet’s health but for their guardian and veterinarian’s emotional health. That is why in my practice we are

40 4 Legs & a Tail

moving to require a patient to be seen at least once yearly to remain an active patient with us. This should allow us to see more patients, reduce acute issues, and feel fulfilled with the medicine we are practicing.

So how do you establish a good relationship with your vet so you can be there for each other in these trying times? First, commit to a relationship that you and your pet will benefit from. Don’t think of your vet as someone you hire for service on demand. Establish a relationship before vet care is ‘needed’, so your pet’s first visit can focus on wellness and getting to know the place and staff, not when they are ill and in discomfort. Secondly, keep open communications. Call as soon as you suspect an issue, so we have more flexibility if there is a wait to get your pet seen, without jeopardizing their health or overburdening our staff. Next, be an active partner in this relationship. Take the initiative to order refills or schedule wellness or recheck visits in advance.

After sick visits, follow up with us so we are in the loop and able to continue to support your pet’s recovery. In this new reality, veterinary staff’s time is almost exclusively focused on giving care, which means convenience communications and reminders become secondary. Lastly, and most importantly, be patient and

kind. We know that concern for pets can make emotions run high. Trust in our commitment to you and together we will do the very best we can in these trying circumstances, as always.

Dr. Anne Carroll is the owner of the Chelsea Animal Hospital where she and her associates practice conventional medicine and surgery as well as several alternative modalities including traditional Chinese acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. For more information on alternative veterinary medicine visit their website at www.chelseaanimalhospital.com .

Fall 2021

Safe Trail Riding and Hiking in the Fall The Cheshire Horse

W

hen the leaves change and the temperatures start to drop, many equestrians and outdoor enthusiasts find themselves spending even more time outside enjoying everything that nature has to offer. For equestrians and those of us who hike with our dogs, this means that we have additional considerations to make when heading out into the woods or onto the hiking trails. In this blog, we explore how to safely navigate and share the woods with hunters, hikers, and wildlife.

Be Seen Because fall is also hunting season, it is imperative that you make yourself easily seen in the woods. Generally, we recommend nylon yellow or blaze orange (also known as “hunter’s orange”) so that you and your horse and/or dog will be clearly visible to hunters and other sportsmen in the woods. Look for tack and apparel that makes you visible from every angle, such as the Horseware Amigo Reflective Competition Sheet for horses or the Ruffwear Track Jacket for your canine companion.

Continued Next Page

The Horseware Amigo Reflective Competition Sheet features a contoured competition cut that wraps around the saddle and allows your leg to work effectively.

Fall 2021

The Ruffwear Track Jacket is easy to put on your dog and will make them easy to see on adventures in low-light conditions.

www.4LegsAndATail.com 41

Hunters are also encouraged to wear orange, making them easier to spot so that you can announce your presence to them. In fact, the New Hampshire State Guidelines state, “Any person hunting with a firearm or bow and arrow during New Hampshire hunting seasons, except for a person legally hunting waterfowl, should wear a hat, vest, or another suitable article of clothing of material in the color of hunter orange visible from all sides at a minimum distance of 200 feet.”

It is also important to realize that in the fall, the days are shorter and dusk may come more quickly than you anticipate. When you integrate clothing and tack with reflective pieces into your attire, you can be assured that you are more visible in low-light situations.

For equestrians, this may mean a pair of Horze Reflective Leg Straps. For dog owners, consider the Alcott Adventure Retractable Leash paired with the Alcott Visibility Bandana For Dogs.

Make Some Noise Wildlife and hunters alike are highly tuned in to the sounds of the forest.

To alert both animal and human populations, try to make a low level of noise to let them know that you are on the way. For groups of trail riders, this may mean carrying on a conversation as you meander through the woods. For solo rid-

ers and hikers, many prefer utilizing a hiking bell or a bear bell, such as the Weaver Leather Hiker Bell. These easily clip to your belt, saddle, leash, etc., and jingle with every step that you take.

This safely announces to the others in the woods that you are headed their way.

Be Courteous When riding or hiking, it is important to remember Weaver Leather that other sportsmen are out Hiker Bell enjoying the woods as well.

This bell In fact, hunters and ATV ridfeatures a ers are equestrians’ greatest convenient allies when it comes to presnap and serving woods and public helps others trail systems. Treat everyhear you one you meet with respect, as you regardless of their sporting approach. preferences.

If your horse or dog is afraid of ATVs, dirt bikes, or bicycles, announce it loudly and motion with your hand when you meet up with them on the trail. This will keep both you and the other rider safe. If possible, try to move to the far side of the trail to allow ample room for passing. For everyone’s safety, consider dismounting if you foresee your horse becoming erratic or dangerous.

When utilizing public trailheads, make sure that you properly clean up after your horse and trailer. In addition to removing any manure, consider quickly sweeping or raking the parking lot where any hay or shavings may have scattered. By utilizing proper trail etiquette, we can ensure that horses and dogs are invited back onto public land for years to come.

With a bit of planning and proper equipment, enjoying the wilderness in the fall is one of life’s greatest pleasures, especially when you are accompanied by your favorite four-legged companion(s).

Whether you are an avid trail runner or look forward to leisurely trail rides through the woods, proper preparation makes for a safer and more enjoyable time.

At The Cheshire Horse, we carry everything that you need to keep you, your horse, and your dog safe in the woods this fall. If you have any questions regarding the quality equine or canine reflective wear that we carry or would like assistance choosing the best safety gear for your dog or horse, we encourage you to speak with a member of our friendly and knowledgeable sales staff. We hope that this fall you can get outside and enjoy the incredible New England foliage, either by horseback or on foot.

42 4 Legs & a Tail

Fall 2021

Fall 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 43

T

Susan Miller - Sharon, VT

his question was posed to me during a clinic I attended a few years ago, the clinician asked, “What one word would you use to describe what you experience from the horse and why you continue to work with them?”

There were several people in attendance and many auditors. Each shared a word or two of what they felt compelled to share as their word. Some of the words I heard were, Love, companionship, spirituality, friendship, bonded, majestic, beauty, kinship, partnership, and many other words in that vein…

On my drive home, I started to ponder this question again as I was last to

44 4 Legs & a Tail

be asked and felt like I couldn’t really find the word or words to describe how I feel about horses and why I continue to work with them. Love and spirituality were the closest words to what I feel.

So, were the words I repeated. However, on the ride home the word I think best describes how I feel popped into my head, and it is, Blessing.

After 40 years of experience as a horse owner, many more than that as a rider, and a lifetime of loving them & wanting to learn about them. Amazingly, my passion hasn’t waned at all. It has maybe even grown stronger, much to my husband’s chagrin. I am not only drawn

Horses are a Blessing

Horses are a Blessing

My One Word

to the animal itself but any knowledge about them, their care, and training.

Every time I am around horses, I realize what a blessing it is. How the horses bless me with their presence.

What a blessing it is for each and every lesson that horses impart.

Some of which take me quite a while to process and interpret. But it’s lovely when I feel I’ve gotten the message.

It’s a blessing that they let me work with them in a therapeutic setting and share in the magic that they offer to those less able than me.

It’s a blessing that I get to see the smiles that are created because of them, and often for them.

Horses are a blessing.

Sometimes horses have a soft and gentle way of imparting great insights into our daily interactions with people. The horses mirror our moods or react because of them in ways that can bring about behavior change.

To anthropomorphize, or attribute human characteristics or behavior to animals is a way many people process their experiences with animals. I think it is often a good way to interpret animal posture, facial expressions, and body language. The better you are at reading the silent signals that animals present the safer you will be in any given situation with them. The silence in body language is often what will tell you the most. Horses communicate in a language without words. Pay close attention to their facial expressions, body posture, and head & tail shakes, the horses will tell you much if you take the time to listen. Interpret what you intuit and act accordingly for the good of the horse. See if you can read the air as they do.

Soon you will learn your horses, quirks, and what triggers them. It’s often those odd quirks that endear them the most to us and help us learn and grow. Sometimes the things we think are most annoying from the horses we interact with, are the very things that teach us the most.

There is no doubt that horses have an uncanny knack for helping people with introspective reflections in a gentle breath or liquid glint in their eye. Horses bring a feeling of spirituality when there are setbacks in life and in riding.

Imparting equine wisdom for transformational changes for the humans that listen to them, there is always a life lesson to be learned.

Susan Miller is a PATH Advanced instructor and ESMHL. Program Director at High Horses Therapeutic Riding Program and serve on the boards of the Vermont Horse Council and Vermont Horse Shows Association.

Fall 2021

Fall 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 45

“I t’ s So H a r d. . .”

Dorothy Crosby - Stoddard, NH

S

always private, semi-private & group lessons & clinics available

46 4 Legs & a Tail

ome things I hear repeatedly from my students are: It’s so constant/so many things at once!

Why can’t I: keep my heels down, make my hands still, use my legs better, stay in balance, keep my horse from (choose one) or make my horse do (pick again)??

Will I ever get better at this? It’s so hard!

What’s the one thing I need to do – read: shortcut – to become a good rider???

I am reminded of an anecdote Denny Emerson, friend of Sally Swift, US Eventing gold medalist, trainer, breeder, US Eventing Association President, and USET Vice President repeatedly tells

about his friend and mentor Jack Le Goff.

Apparently, Jack would ask the question, somewhat paraphrased from my students above, “What three things do you have to have in order to be a good rider?” Before his students could reply, he would tell them: “1. A good seat. 2. A good seat. 3.

A good seat.”

I have borrowed this story many times during my teaching, using the phrase “develop an independent seat” instead… because it is hard work, constant focus on many things at once, and there is no shortcut!

As an instructor, I have great patience when someone doesn’t know how is having difficulty, doesn’t quite understand…but not so much when I feel they are ignoring me, refusing to try, or are disrespectful/ unkind/insensitive to their horse!

As a rider, I identify with all of the above and continue to work at those things that will help my partnership with whatever horse I might ride as well as those equines and humans I have the privilege of teaching.

Riders need to acknowledge that balance and an independent seat are key to everything else working correctly.

Karen Irland, Senior Level 4 Centered Riding® Instructor, called this “one-stop shopping.” Balance and use the pelvis correctly, and all else falls into place.

Only when my conversation with my horse comes from my balanced center will I quietly use the necessary aids so we can fly!

Sally Swift designated Centering, Soft Eyes, Building Blocks, and Breathing as the 4 Basics; all of these Basics enable my body to be soft, fluid, and in balance so that my horse can also be soft, fluid, and in balance. They are each independent things, but also simultaneous realities.

When we - my horse and I - communicate and move together, it truly is a dance!

An independent seat means that my fine motor skills and body parts are capable, effective, and subtle - and operate separately from each other (can you pat your head and rub your tummy simultaneously?).

In other words, when I develop these skills after my gross motor skills have created muscle memory, I am able to do less visibly, communicating more efficiently and effectively with a whisper instead of a shout. Then my hands stay quiet, my leg moves purposefully, my reins communicate only the slightest, most necessary information; each part of my body can work on its own without huge movements, unintended instructions, and the many distractions and imbalances that might otherwise happen. Jostling is minimized, movements of horse and rider are more in sync, and the ability to communicate and “read” each other is maximized!

Fall 2021

Dorothy Crosby

Some of you have heard my analogy about the radio: we are driving along, listening to music, when my favorite song of all time comes on. I can easily sing it, even without the music, but I turn up the volume - only to find there is lots of static and it’s difficult to hear! Of course, I keep singing and find I am at the right place in the song each time the music tunes back in... But, because I can’t hear it consistently, my understanding and recognition – and my enjoyment - are frustrated, to say the least… you get the idea! I am convinced our horses feel like this when we don’t take the time to develop our skills and communicate softly with clear intent and teamwork as a priority. This can only happen when I hone my fine motor skills to a point that I am in control, calm, poised, and effective. Different disciplines involve their own precise skills, but in all types of riding both the communication and the relationship between horse and rider are enhanced and gratifying.

The good and bad news is that this can be consistently improved - it is a process - but there are no shortcuts!

I must put in the effort; then my sensitivity, feel and communication, along with those in my horse, improve our teamwork and performance together.

How long does it take to (what’s your goal)? It takes as long as it takes, and the process is enlightening, delightful, and extremely gratifying!

Put in the work and you will never be sorry!

Owner of Equi-librium and based in Stoddard NH, Dorothy Crosby is certified as both a Level III Centered Riding®Clinician/Instructor and CHA English and Western Instructor. Director of the Riding Program and Barn Manager at Southmowing Stables in Guilford VT, she loves working with riders and horses of all ages and abilities.

Recently certified with Conformation Balancing, a program for fascia release in horses, Dorothy loves the softening and changes in the horses. Dorothy offers clinics, lessons, workshops, and fascia release bodywork sessions both on and off the farm.

Fall 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 47

The Four-Legged Friends Behind the Co-op’s Products:

The Dog of Saxy Chef Jen Risley - Keene, NH

I

love shining a light on all the farmers and producers who provide a bounty of local food and other locally made products to our community. In this article, however, I move the spotlight over and down, from the businessperson to their four-legged friends -- the working dogs, cats, and other animals who also make these local products possible. This Four-Legged Farm Friend Feature highlights the dog at Saxy Chef in Antrim, NH. Owner Aubrey Saxton of Saxy Chef makes uniquely delicious pies and other baked goods in Antrim, NH. The bakery’s team includes Cerveza, a five-year-old Rottweiler mix. She holds a remote yet critical job at Saxy Chef (since dogs are not allowed in the bakery). That role is especially needed during the holiday months when Saxy Chef bakes over 2,400 Thanksgiving pies.

“Her role at Saxy Chef is to keep me sane and relaxed,” explained Aubrey. “It is hard to stay stressed looking at that face!”

Cerveza also works occasionally at Brewtopia in Keene as the greeter. A fitting role since her name is Spanish for beer. “She got her name because I am a beer enthusiast,” shared Aubrey. “And when brainstorming possible ideas, Cerveza sounded like a good name -- and it was beer related! I often think it’s the best name ever!”

Aubrey adopted Cerveza, born in Puerto Rico, from For the Love of Dog Rottweiler Rescue in Hillsborough, NH. She’s not sure about Cerveza’s exact breed, though. “I just sent in her DNA test to get the details of her breed,” said Aubrey.

“But the things I really like are her puppy-like features. She looks like a baby even though she is five -- and she has webbed feet, which is fun!”

While Aubrey’s at the bakery, Cerveza enjoys her fenced-in yard accessible to her anytime via a doggie door. “She is excellent at protecting the house and patrolling for varmints,” Aubrey continued. “Sometimes she brings a bone outside and buries it, and then digs it up again, and brings it back in the house.”

Aubrey and Cerveza enjoy fun adventures together. “We are working on fixing up a canoe so we can go out on the water together,” Aubrey added. “We’re always on the lookout for new dog-friendly places to hike, new treat f lavors, and work on new tricks. Right now, we are learning to juggle tennis balls!”

Aubrey finished with, “I love her more than anything. Everything she does brings me joy. She makes me happy, and it makes me happy to make her happy.”

Discover more about For the Love of Dog at 4theloveofdog.org and learn more about Saxy Chef at saxychef.com.

Know of an animal I should highlight in a future article?

We want to hear from you!

Please email me at marketing@monadnockfood.coop.

48 4 Legs & a Tail

Fall 2021

Fall 2021

www.4LegsAndATail.com 49

Joys and Challenges of Pet Sitting Karen Sturtevant

W

hen a friend asked if I would consider pet sitting for her while she went away for a long weekend, I didn’t have to think twice. My answer came within seconds: a resounding, yes! This household was blessed with three small dogs, two cats, and a fun-loving ferret. What could be better? I would bring my little dog to join in the fun, making the canine count four. As a self-described animal lover (freak), this was my kind of assignment.

Upon first thought, pet sitting is ideal for a person who earns to be around animals. Our sort connect with them on a deep level. Whether covered in fur or adorning webbed feet, this is our kind of heaven. As fun as spending time with animals is, the responsibility is enormous. In order for a person to be successful in a pet sitting situation, precautions, planning, and forethought need to come into play.

Since my initial taste of caring for someone else’s pets in their home, I’ve learned a few things––some unexpected. If you’re considering pet sitting as a way to earn

extra income or make it a profession, I encourage you to research the field, educate yourself on the nature of the business, and affiliate with a professional organization that will offer resources and first-hand knowledge.

What is pet sitting?

According to Pet Sitters International, pet sitting is characterized by in-home care for a pet while the owner is away.

Pet sitters visit their clients’ homes either once per day or multiple times per day to provide exercise, offer fresh food and water, change litter boxes, clean out cages, administer medications and provide companionship. Many times overnight stays are involved. Although dogs and cats are the most popular recipients, birds, fish, turtles, tortoises, and ‘smallies’ like guinea pigs, hamsters and rabbits are also included. Don’t forget farm animals.

Having a trusted person come into your space is often a great option to boarding. Staying in familiar surroundings is less stressful for the animals, their routine is not interrupted and they are most often happiest and comfortable in their own homes.

Hobby or business?

I have a full-time life and consider this a hobby, something I enjoy. It gives me a change of scenery (and gives me my critter fix) while allowing the homeowner peace of mind that their beloved pets are well cared for. For those who are considering making this their livelihood, in-depth questions need to be asked: • Do you have compassion and empathy for all animals?

• Is a license required in your state?

• Are you insured/bonded?

• Do you have a contract/agreement?

• Are you able to provide glowing references?

50 4 Legs & a Tail

• Are you a member or affiliated with a professional association?

Fall 2021

What happens during a typical petsitting visit?

During an overnight or extended stay, the petsitting offers the advantage of giving the home a lived-in look. Simply having a vehicle in the driveway is a deterrent from would-be intruders. Duties may include bringing in the mail or packages, opening and closing shades or drapes, watering plants, and taking out the trash at the end of the visit. A quick sweep of the tile and vacuum of the carpet is always a pleasant sight upon return from a holiday. It’s small acts of extras that make coming back for the homeowner even more welcoming.

Milo

Fall 2021

Daily visits would include feeding the animals, changing the water, providing playtime (either walks and/or exercise in a secure area), cleaning litter boxes/ crates, disposing of pet waste, and providing medications. If you’ve never had the experience of giving liquid medication by way of a syringe to a cat or bird, you don’t know what you’re missing! Milo, an elderly feline, was my first introduction. She (yes, a boy’s name for a girl cat) was a pro taking her meds twice a day.

She’d jump up on her feeding stoop and open wide as I embraced her in a feline hug. The first few times were messy. By the third, she had taught me to skillfully administer every drop. We humans can learn a lot from our animal friends.

Tools for success You don’t need to be a professional trainer to be a successful pet sitter. However, having a general body of knowledge of health, nutrition, behavior, physical needs, and care is important. Knowing basic anatomy and development stages are also valuable insights. Equipment such as leashes, collars, and harnesses are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Different canine breeds require different gear. Keeping an extra leash and treats in the car can come in handy. Bring a fully charged phone when leaving the house. Have emergency numbers pro-

grammed and at the ready. Think ahead for the best outcomes.

When meeting with the owner, having a clear, concise list of questions is vital. If they are opposed to a choke collar, by no means should one be used. If a cat has allergies, best to leave your kitty treats at home. If the turtle always has his heat lamp on like my friend Seymour did leave as is. Always honor the wishes of the pet parent.

Be prepared!

Things are great until they’re not. Be prepared when the best-laid plans go wrong. What happens if a water pipe Continued Next Page

www.4LegsAndATail.com 51

breaks? A storm knocks out power and the medication needs to be refrigerated?

The cat sneaks out an open door? The dog pulls out of her harness when walking on a busy street or when a chicken flies the coop? I admit that I’m an overthinker, an over preparer––not always a deterrent when pet sitting. Prepare for the worse and hope for the best.

Have a plan to answer the ‘What ifs.’ Upon initial interview with the pet parents, go over these and any other possible situations that may arise. Together, formulate a plan of action. When an unexpected event happens, after the initial scare, you’ll have a formulated course of action to follow.

Homeowners are encouraged to notify

52 4 Legs & a Tail

neighbors that a pet sitter will be at the residence. Having an unfamiliar vehicle in the drive is something that is sure to draw attention. A spare key can be left with a trusted neighbor.

Lessons learned.

I arrived one afternoon to an exciting barking dog ready for my arrival. When using the key, the lock wasn’t budging.

As I wiggled the key and prayed for the click, none was to be forthcoming. The owner was out of state and I had no way of entering the home. What to do? After a walk around the yard (remaining calm on the outside, feeling like a squirrel in traffic on the inside) I tried the key again––no luck. I ended up driving to the police station, stating my dilemma, pleading for help. A sympathetic officer drove up in his marked car (oh, what the neighbors must have been thinking!).

With a flustered explanation, I told him of my plight. To save face, I was secretly hoping the officer would have the same outcome as I did (silly out of towner can’t use a key!).

The key was not to work—either for me, a rookie or a seasoned law enforcement official. As the dog continued to bark, the officer gained entry with other means and I was in! The lesson of this story: always try the key before arriving.

Use color-coded tags or wraps to differentiate keys for each household. It’s much

too easy to convince yourself that one key matches one house when indeed, it doesn’t. This has happened, too.

Get to know each animal Animals, like people, are unique. When speaking with the owners, ask questions to encourage a conversation to gain knowledge of personalities and quirks. Andy, a kitty I had the pleasure of caring for, is a master of opening the cabinet door where the trash is kept. He’s been known to help himself to all sorts of delicacies. To ‘Andy proof’ the trash, an elastic is needed to wrap around the handles, securing the door and above the drawer, hindering curious paws. Once known as “Chunky Andy,” Andy also helps himself to any food on the counter. It’s not uncommon to find fruit and kitty treats stored in the microwave. As funny as this is, it’s vital information to keep Andy safe (and fit).

Upon the initial meet and greet, have a candid, honest dialogue. For the safety and well-being, the animal’s triggers and preferences should be disclosed. Has the animal bitten or shown any aggressive or threatening behaviors? What are nutritional guidelines? Medications?

Can you bring your own treats to share?

Are they on a restricted diet? Allergies?

Paperwork Entering into an obligation to care for another’s animal or home is a contractual agreement. As such, each party needs to be protected. A Service Agreement, Emergency Veterinary Care Permission, and Indemnity Agreement are the minimum a pet sitter should have available, reviewed, and signed. Templates can be found online for customizing. Professional pet sitter organizations such as Fall 2021

Pet Sitters International and the National Association of Pet Sitters offer several documents, as well as resources, membership, and courses for continuing education.

Vaccinations are key in keeping animals healthy, especially if you will be bringing your own animal for the duration of the stay. Ask to see veterinarian records or contact the vet’s office (with prior approval from the owner) to verify. Review all medication dosages with the owner before the first visit.

Common Sense Be extra smart when exiting the safety of the house. Know when the weather is too extreme for long walks. If the payment is too hot for your bare feet, the same rule applies to sensitive pads on pup’s feet.

Frostbite can occur quickly—rethink that walk around the neighborhood. Latch the leash to both collar and harness. Think safety first. Minimum risk by planning ahead. Cats are expert stalkers and can zip through an open door in a flash.

Communicate and Document A daily update by way of a text message is a quick, thoughtful way to let the homeowner what’s happening. Add photos. Use this method for informal updates.

For any serious issue, phone immediately.

If the pet parent can’t be reached, get in touch with the secondary contact while continuing to attempt to reach the owner.

Keeping a daily log of activities is helpful—either written or typed. Note any out-of-the-ordinary circumstances or sweet and funny moments. Having a record of your stay is another layer of commitment and one the owners will appreciate.

Declining If you feel the situation is not safe, either with an aggressive animal or questionable neighborhood, declining the assignment is in your best interest. Listen to your instinct. If something doesn’t seem right, it most likely isn’t.

A rogue chicken One of my first chicken-tending assignments had me involved in a situation no one could have forecasted. It was summer, a hot day. I had arrived early in the morning to let the hens (11 of them as I would count and recount numerous times throughout my stead) out of their roost.

Before unhooking their ramp, I refilled the water and scattered a good amount of scratch (that’s chicken-speak for food) and grain around their enclosure. They slowly clucked their way down to enjoy the breakfast and warm sunshine. I left with plans to come back later in the day.

While at the grocery store, I bought them a watermelon. On my way home, I stopped in to say hello and give them the hydrating treat (an entire half in one area, cut into little triangles, of course, Fall 2021

in another). All were accounted for; on my way I went. Later that day, the temperature and humidity rose to create a sweltering July day. The flock’s owners had a small pool set up for their kiddos.

I donned my conservative bathing suit and trekked over to beat the heat. The water was a relief, cool and refreshing.

As I was lounging in the pool, from the corner of my eye I noticed a flurry, a movement. My head turned to see a hen, out of her fenced-in area, prancing on the lawn without a chicken care in the world. My first reaction was panic; my second: I’ve got to get this hen back where she belongs. My solitary zen-moment gone in a second, I, in my fit-for-a-middle-aged-woman bathing suit, jumped out of the pool. My mind told my brain to grab the pool scooper thing.

My next memory is running toward the rebel chicken with the scooper. The closer I got, the quicker she became. Around the lawn we went, me in my wouldn’tbe-caught-dead in public swimsuit, her, happy as a free-spirited chicken could possibly be. I have a vague recollection of traffic slowing to watch the show of a lady attempting to catch a chicken with a pool net.

After what seemed like an eternity, when in reality it was only a few minutes, I caught that clever bird, netted her with a tennis-like swoop. Got her back in the safe zone and told my heart to slow down. Once again, all birdbrains were accounted for.

I later learned this particular girl does this renegade behavior almost every day. She always returns for the safety of bedtime. That would have been nice to know. We do our best to ask all the right questions, but even for the most astute, responsible of us, we’re sure to miss something.

Is pet sitting right for you?

Having empathy and compassion (and a sense of humor––see above chicken memory) for animals are good starts for those interested in pet sitting. Being an educated professional creates an extra

Andy

level of trust. Rates vary depending upon the situation, location, time period, and number and type of animals. Do your own research. Become well-versed.

We love and care for our pets as our own human family members. Deciding to leave them in someone else’s care is not an easy decision. Often suggestions are made by friends and family. This is often the most sincere recommendation as the person has made a connection or has had experience with a certain pet sitter.

Being in the company of animals is a privilege. Caring for them for another’s home is a responsibility. Melding the two is a serious commitment. With forethought, a pet sitting experience can be beneficial and a learning adventure for all participants—just ask that disobedient hen.

www.4LegsAndATail.com 53

Isabelle Cindy Chaffee - Barton, VT and Felicia Welton - Winooski,VT

T

his is the story of a Black Lab / Golden Retriever cross named Isabelle.

When my husband and I lost our Doberman of 10 years, we were devastated. We told ourselves that we would not have any more dogs. But a house is not a home without a dog, and our house felt very lonely after about 6 months. I began to look for a dog online. Every time I did, he would catch me and remind me “No mor e d og s ”.

The n e ve r y once in a while, a funny thing would happen, I would catch him looking.

I was an evening nurse in a long-t er m care facility and was often home around 1:00 am. One mor ning I arrived home t o h ave my husband greet me. I immediately felt that something was wrong. When he told me to sit down, I knew that it had to be something bad. Then, he told me about a dog, this dog was Isabelle. The elderly people who owned her stopped taking care of her.

Their neighbors stepped in and arranged for Isabelle to have a new home, ours.

Not only was I relieved, but I was also over the moon. The next day, we went to the mall and we were greeted by a sweet dog pulling on the end of the woman’s lead trying to get to us. Our lives were never the same.

Isabelle was a medium-sized dog with a soft black coat. She had a spring in her step when went out on walks. She would keep her head up, tail out and prance 54 4 Legs & a Tail

when we went walking in the neighborhood as to say, ‘Here I am, come and pet me.” Her most remarkable feature, however, was her kind brown eyes. Those eyes could melt the strongest of hearts.

I knew Isabelle would make a perfect therapy dog. She had had a warm temperament that could provide love and comfort for those people in need.

When I had her certified with Therapy Dogs of Vermont, she passed with flying colors. To begin her Therapy Dog duties, we visited several nursing homes.

When my father was admitted to the ICU, I didn’t hesitate to bring her along with me to see him.

The staff loved her so much that they gave Isabelle a volunteer badge.

While I was a nurse manager at a long-term care facility, I noticed ot her ad ministrative st af f brought their dogs to work.

When I asked if it was OK to bring Isabelle to work with me, the answer was “sure, if she is a kind dog.” I assured them she was, and everyone immediately fell in love with her. I often would leave my office and return to find Isabelle had been hijacked by other administrative staff who would take her into their offices for a visit. Some purchased a bed and water bowls for her to use. It certainly took Isabelle to care for a village.

Isabelle was not only loved by the staff but by the residents too. She would sit with the dying patients, often without Fall 2021

me at her side. One dementia resident did not know their family but remembered Isabelle. When another resident was being combative and yelling, Isabelle and I decided to try to work with him. While the rest of the staff could not approach him, Isabelle could. He looked down at her and said, “OH my what a big kitty.” She soothed him, and he continued to pet her happily until supper time. She just knew how to calm a resident who could not be calmed.

When I decided to no longer continue as a manager, the administrator still permitted Isabelle to come to the facility.

She knew her way around the building and made her way to both nurse’s stations and to the administrative offices that she used to frequent. She had her own bed in the nurse station where I was working. Everyone knew that we would have a good night when Isabelle was on duty. While Isabelle was amazing with the elderly, she absolutely loved kids.

Any kid encountered by Isabelle was an immediate friend. We live close to a school on a hill overlooking the playground. Isabelle could often be seen sitting on the hill, watching the kids.

During the summer, she would sit and wait for them to come back to school.

When we purchased another property, also next to a school I knew there would be trouble. Isabelle tried to sneak to the playground to join the kids and when I caught her, she stopped, looked back, then kept on going. My kids were her kids, and though they are adults fully grown, they doted on her just the same.

Once we opened our home to one dog, it was only a matter of time before we got more. First was the black lab rescue Luka. Luka was a high-strung puppy, and Isabelle didn’t get along with her at first. Imagine this soft loving dog growling and snarling! But once Isabelle asserted dominance as the matriarch of the house, the two got along better and could be seen lying side by side.

Next came Emma the Cairn Terrier (also a rescue). Small in stature, but big in personality. Emma didn’t take any nonsense from the big dogs. She would often play with (terrorize) Luka, which gave Isabelle more time to put her head in someone’s lap for pets. Emma also would take Isabelle on an adventure in the back yard and once got her digging into a woodpile after a creature that ran into it for safety.

Isabelle was a seasoned traveler as well.

Her sisters, Luka and Emma compete in nation dock diving competitions. Luka was so energetic with a strong toy drive, that she is the dog that got us started in the sport of dock diving. Emma is a fierce competitor that is often underesFall 2021

timated due to her size. We competed all over New England and New York, and Isabelle traveled with us as the most favored member of the team. She could usually be seen in the crowd supporting her sisters, surrounded by a group of children.

Isabelle’s final years were rough for me. She stopped eating most things and I had to get creative. We searched the internet for different things to try to keep her eating. The dock diving community was also a great asset to me while I struggled to feed her. I would do anything I could think of to feed that

dog. I ended up having to spoon-feed her the meals. What she liked at the end was eggs over easy. But when she collapsed and could not get up again broke my heart. The other two dogs would lie with her to keep her company. She was never left alone until it was time to say goodbye. It was amazing what this dog did for us as a family and in her community. She instinctively pulled people toward her who needed someone to talk to. She never could answer you but she didn’t need to. Her soft brown eyes said all the talking for her. They said, ‘ you are loved’

www.4LegsAndATail.com 55

Consider Foster Care Pat Jauch - Caledonia Animal Rescue, Inc.

S

o you want a dog but cannot commit to being a fulltime owner? In such a case, fostering may be your answer.

Shelters are often full to capacity and depending upon their no-kill vs. euthanizing policies they must reluctantly refuse to add to their borders when there is no more room at the inn. Arrangements can be made to “borrow” an animal that may need socialization, or perhaps some short-term medical care, or simply one that needs more TLC than the workers and volunteers can provide.

Fostering can be short-term – perhaps just a few days or weeks until a permanent adoption can be finalized – or longer term such as when there can be issues (size, breed, temperament) that make the dog less desirable to the general public. Every shelter has its own requirements and if you are interested in pursuing this avenue for canine (or feline) care, a phone call is all you need to get the process underway.

Some time ago, in Massachusetts, our daughter and her husband fostered a beautiful rescued dog from the south.

He came to them due to the owner’s neglect. “Brett” was a mature dog that was woefully underweight (about 50 pounds short of his breed’s norm), covered in skin eruptions due to

56 4 Legs & a Tail

a serious flea allergy, missing much of his formerly fluffy fur from malnutrition, with bilateral eye infections and worms, and was diagnosed with kennel cough. What was originally planned as a “short term” care situation became a visitation for several months. This pitiful creature had the potential to become a gorgeous specimen and he had an amazingly sweet temperament. Surprisingly, he responded to several commands and was eager to please. His appetite was ravenous but calmed down once the worm issue had been resolved. Totally housebroken, Brett did not destroy things and played well with other dogs.

So, why would anyone want to take on the responsibility of rehabilitating such a creature? If you saw him and imagined what he could become, the challenge was worth every effort. As his health steadily improved his sheer devotion and apparent appreciation to his caregivers made all the work worthwhile.

Eventually, he was adopted by a loving owner and found his forever home.

If you love animals and want to do something for one of them, even for a little while, fostering might be the solution for you and definitely for the animal in need. Think about it, but not too long, since many dogs and cats could use a loving, even if temporary, home.

Fall 2021

Daisy Delight Susann King RN (Ret) - Belvidere, VT

H

ave you ever wanted a dog so much it made you cry? Well, in the fall of 2015, that is how I felt. Our rescue dog Niki of 15 years had died, 2 years before. Due to us making a move from NC to VT, my husband was determined that we wait until we were settled. It would be just too stressful on a dog. So in Oct. 2015, we were in FL. for the winter-we are snowbirds. Peter had made me promise that I would not bring a dog home without him 1st meeting it. So, one day I drove to the Sebring, Fl. Humane Society to look at dogs. I first walked to the outside pens and saw so many sad BIG dogs.

A small dog was best for traveling. Then I went into the main building. Oh my, in the middle of this huge room was a plastic pen with 3 tiny Chihuahua mix pups playing. Donna walked over & said that these 3 sisters had been left in a cardboard box at their gate. At that time they were only one month old. She and other gals had raised them and since they had been “fixed”, they were ready to go now at 3 months. The biggest was spoken for by one of the gals that raised her. The smallest was a real runt. The middle pup came running over & wanted me!. Boy, I wanted her. But remembering what I had promised my husband, I said we’d be back at 9 am when they opened.

The next morning we were the first in the door. I walked over to the pen and picked up “middle” pup and handed her to Peter.

He was smitten. He said, “ You did that on purpose, didn’t you?” Then he said, “ what if she doesn’t get any bigger than 4 #s?”. I answered, “ We’re just going to love her!”

So, papers signed off we went to the pet store to get equipped. I decided to sleep with her in the spare bedroom, in case I

Fall 2021

had to get up with her in the night. Well, ‘get up’ was an understatement! About 2 hours after Daisy was tucked into her new round bed, beside me in the bed, I awoke to her scratching furiously. I turned a light on and what did I see--FLEAS!. Lots of them, in the bed with me also. I knew she was too young to take the flea meds, so I picked her up & we made a dash to the shower. We both got a good scrub with Dawn liquid detergent. I had used this trick before with an outside dog. Then I had to strip the bedding & wash it in HOT water.

All the commotion woke Peter up. He just shook his head when I told him the story, and went back to bed.

Now, it’s 2021, Daisy is a delight. Wellbehaved, smart & travels well. Sort of, I must add. I had fixed her a bed on the back seat & had her strapped in, in case of emergency braking. But, she hated it back there.

She cried so much I had to unclip her & sit her on my lap. She loved that--looking out the windows -but not safe. So, I had to buy a padded bike basket that I tied down in front between us & a tie-down strap for her protection. That worked great until she saw a cow near the road. What a commotion !--we had to stop & held her up to meet that cow! As we often take slow drives on the pretty back roads of Vt., now we often have to stop for cows. Ya, she’s spoiled--but so am I.

www.4LegsAndATail.com 57

Pets Need Clean Air Too! Heather Brouillard, Community Self-Management Coordinator - Rutland Regional Medical Center

I

t is well-known that smoking cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) cause damage to nearly every organ in the body. Smoking remains the leading cause of death in the United States and is responsible for 480,000 deaths per year, including 41,000 deaths resulting from secondhand smoke exposure.

But did you know that secondhand and thirdhand smoke has just as detrimental an effect on pets? Each year, 58 million non-smoking Americans are exposed to secondhand smoke. If that many humans are affected, imagine the number of pets

58 4 Legs & a Tail

exposed. Secondhand and thirdhand smoke exposure is unsafe at any level.

Secondhand smoke is from both the burning end of a cigarette and the smoke exhaled from your mouth. The effects of secondhand smoke have been studied for many years and most are aware of the dangers. However, thirdhand smoke is a newer concept that may be unknown to some. Thirdhand smoke is the residue left on surfaces, clothing, and even pet fur by cigarettes and ENDS products. When talking about ENDS products, the content of the chemical residue left

behind is still somewhat unknown. But what is known about the chemical compounds left behind is cause for concern.

The aerosols produced by ENDS products may produce higher levels of nicotine and other toxic chemicals as compared to combustible cigarettes. Additionally, thirdhand smoke is nearly impossible to clean. Studies have shown that thirdhand smoke can still be present in the dust and on surfaces for months.

So how does this affect your pets?

Nicotine and other chemicals from secondhand and thirdhand smoke can have

Fall 2021

serious health consequences for dogs, cats, small pets, and even fish. Dogs that live in smoking households can develop changes in their airways and lungs similar to smokers. Cases of nose and lung cancer are more prevalent in dogs continuously exposed to secondhand and thirdhand smoke. For cats, not only do they breathe in secondhand smoke like dogs, but their natural instinct to groom themselves exposes them to the risk of ingesting thirdhand smoke and chemical residue that collects on their fur. Cats living in smoking households are two to four times more likely to develop aggressive mouth cancer.

Birds are very sensitive to air pollution, including chemicals from secondhand smoke. Birds are also at risk of exposure to thirdhand smoke through preening and absorption of chemicals through the feet. This can cause pneumonia, lung cancer, heart problems, allergies, and feather plucking. When exposed to secondhand and thirdhand smoke, small pets like guinea pigs develop cancer, pulmonary hypertension, and decreased weight gain.

Even fish are not immune to the effects of nicotine exposure through secondhand and thirdhand smoke. Nicotine dissolves easily in water and is highly toxic to fish.

Exposure to secondhand and thirdhand smoke is not the only hazard facing pets living with smokers. Accidental ingestion of cigarettes, cigarette butts, ENDS use capsules, and refill liquid can cause disastrous consequences from nicotine poisoning. Fatal doses of nicotine can be as little as 20 milligrams, while one combustible cigarette can contain 9 to 30 mg of nicotine. Capsules from ENDS products can contain twenty times the amount of nicotine as a cigarette.

With this knowledge, the best way to protect your pet is to eliminate their exposure to these sources of nicotine and carcinogenic chemicals. Even when you smoke or vape outside the home you still carry thirdhand smoke and chemicals in on your clothes and hair. Therefore, the best choice for your health and the health of your pet is to quit smoking and vaping. There are many resources available to help you.

Studies show that quitting with the support of counseling and medication can double or even triple your chances of successfully quitting. In Vermont, there are several different support options to help you quit. The in-person and virtual quit smoking groups offered through Blueprint for Health and facilitated locally through the Community Health Improvement team at Rutland Regional Medical Center offers weekly group counseling and support to help you quit cigarettes and other tobacco products. Enrollment in the Tobacco Treatment workshop qualFall 2021

ifies you for free or reduced-cost nicotine replacement. There are also more selfgoverned quit support options available through 1-800-QUIT-NOW and 802Quits. org, and through these options, you may also qualify for free nicotine replacement.

However you choose to make your quit attempt, there is a support that is right for you. Do it for yourself and for your furry friend.

For more info about the available quit smoking support please reach out to the Tobacco Treatment Program at Rutland Regional Medical Center, 802.747.3768, or email us at smp@rrmc.org.

www.4LegsAndATail.com 59

How Dalmatians Became Known As Firehouse Dogs Kate Kelly

60 4 Legs & a Tail

T

he Dalmatian is a strong, active dog capable of great endurance and considerable speed. Today they remain a symbol of the firehouse, but they are perhaps better known as the breed featured in Disney’s film, 101 Dalmatians.

These handsome, short-haired dogs have always been working dogs. Their original job was serving as sentinels along the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, protecting the borders of Dalmatia and Croatia. They have also been shepherds and hunting dogs. Their strength has permitted them to be used pulling wagons or carts.

Coach Dogs European aristocrats found they made great coach dogs. Some wealthy gentleman probably adopted a regal black-and-white dog to accompany him, and soon others had to have these great-looking dogs.

As a breed, the Dalmatian soon demonstrated an affinity for being with horses. They were happy running alongside them and had no trouble keeping up. Horse and dog seemed well-suited to each other. The movements of the dogs were smooth enough that they didn’t spook the horses. The dogs were happy to bed down in the horse stalls at night.

Coach drivers came to appreciate the dogs for their protective qualities. If a coach driver wanted a good night’s sleep without worrying about theft of his horses, he could leave a Dalmatian on guard in the stable.

Dalmatians and Firefighting In America, the first organized firefighting companies started with all-volunteer groups as early 1678. While many fires still had to be fought with bucket brigades, men began to devise hand pumps for powering the water spray. As pumps became bigger and better, the companies used wagons to transport the pumpers.

Early on, few companies could afford horses so the men pulled the wagons themselves. As some city companies began to gain more funding, they bought horses to pull the fire apparatus. With this development, the dogs became useful. At the sound of the alarm, a good Dalmatian would rouse the horses and then emerge from the firehouse, barking to clear the way. Once en route, the Dalmatian encouraged a fast pace by running alongside the team of horses.

The Dog’s Job Continues When the wagon arrived at the fire, the fire fighters unfastened the horses and moved them away from the fire so that no stray sparks could land on the animals. During winter firefighting, the horses were usually covered with blankets for warmth and fire protection. In summer, blankets were still thrown over them to protect them from stray sparks.

At that point, the Dalmatian assumed a new role: keeping the horses calm and keeping them together until it was time to go back to the firehouse.

Breed experts object to a rumor that people sometimes repeat–that Dalmatians are deaf and therefore the siren doesn’t bother them. While the breed has a slightly higher incidence of deafness than other breeds, that is not what made them well-qualified for working at a firehouse.

Today a few firehouses still keep a Dalmatian as a mascot. Many more have firefighters who will bring their own dogs in for use in parades.

For more info about firefighting, read about NYC’s Firehouse Museum.

This article first appeared on the website, www.Americacomesalive.com.

America Comes Alive publishes more stories about American dogs and other animals. Visit the website and sign up for “American Dogs” to receive the stories in your In Box. Or email Kate Kelly at Kate@AmericaComesAlive.com Fall 2021

FR

EE

Celebrate National Cat Day When Your Pet Goes Missing The Blessing of a Horse Almost Feral The Joy of Pet Sitting

Fall 2021