Metropet julyaug2013 web by ROI Marketing

3K Walk

Pet Festival

5K Run July/August 2013

Articles

Want To Be A Hero?

A Baby? And A Dog? Now What?

12 Top 3 Things To Know About Changing Your Pets Food 14 Matching Pets To Your Lifestyle 17 Grooming â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Why and How Often? 18 Great Plains SPCA

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Melcher Investments

23 Banana Mutt Cookies 24 Lessons From Fur

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27 Dog-n-Jog Recap 28 Pawzzle

30 Chips Next Adventure 33 General Rides For Veterans

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34 Pet Services Directory

Dear Readers: Welcome to the 5th anniversary issue of MetroPet magazine! I can’t believe it has been five years. We have much to be thankful for during the past five years

Advertisers — I must first say thank you to our advertisers. Without their support, MetroPet magazine would not exist. It is through their support that we are able to publish, print and distribute this magazine. Thank You – we very much appreciate your support. Readers — without the support

of our readers, MetroPet would not exist. Every month you go out of your way to pick up copies of the magazine, read the articles and support our advertisers. When we hear positive feedback about the magazine – it makes it all worthwhile. Thank you so very much.

Writers — the time and energy

Publisher Barbara Riedel barbara@metropetmag.com Editor/Production Manager Dan O’Leary editor@metropetmag.com Magazine Layout ROI Marketing 816.942.1600 • roi@kc.rr.com

spent by the individuals who have written articles for MetroPet is overwhelming. Without these great articles, MetroPet would simply not have the value it offers to readers. Because of these articles we have been able to impact thousands of pets and their families. Thank You — Thank You! I look forward to many fabulous more issues. In this issue, we introduce a new layout. In the next few months, we will offer some exciting new surprises. We vow to continue to provide quality articles to our readers and support for our advertisers.

In this Issue We are pleased to showcase Great Plains SPCA. This incredible shelter was created thru a merger between Animal Haven and No More Homeless Pets because together they believed they could do so much more. Read all about the good work they accomplish.

Advertising Sales Ad Sales: 913.548.1433 Deals of the Week deals@metropetmag.com Contact MetroPet PO Box 480065 Kansas City, MO 64148 Phone: 913.548.1433 Ad Sales: 913.548.1433 Fax: 913.387.4313

We also have an important article about changing the food your pet eats. Take a minute to read Top Three Things to Know before you change your pet’s food. For those of you adding a new two-legged baby to your family, take a minute to read the A Baby and a Dog? Article. And for those of you adding a four-legged baby pet, read the article about Matching Pets to Your Lifestyle. This issue also includes a heartwarming Lessons from the Fur and General Rides for Veterans. Finally check out the quality story about grooming and fostering. Once again, our writers have provided us with valuable tips about living happier lives with our pets. Thank you to everyone who has provided support to us in the past five years – let’s go create another five wonderful years! Barbara

Contributing Authors Amy Cox Mike Deathe Pat Hennessy Mike Jones Pawlean Journe Heddie Leger Mary Sellaro Belle Wead

Publishing Policy: Articles printed in the MetroPet Magazine express the opinions of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the formal position of MetroPet Magazine. Acceptance of advertising does not necessarily constitute endorsement by MetroPet Magazine. Articles: Readers are invited to submit articles for consideration for publication to editor@metropetmag.com. All materials are subject to editorial review. © 2013 MetroPet Magazine. All rights reserved. Request reprint permissions at info@metropetmag.com. MetroPet Magazine is owned and published by ROI Marketing Services, all rights reserved.

by Amy Cox

It may be as easy at fostering an animal from a local pet shelter! Animal foster care programs can have deep impact on adoption rates and foster parents’ hearts.

The Responsibility of Fostering a Pet

Have you ever considered fostering a dog, cat or other animal from your local animal shelter? Not sure how fostering works or why it is important? Fostering is full of rewards, but does have some pitfalls. It is an important part of the animal rescue “pipeline” and something you may want to consider. There are many reasons why individuals consider fostering an animal. Some individuals have schedules that don’t allow them to have a permanent pet in their home but they enjoy the companionship of an animal at times when their schedule allows for it. Others may be considering adopting a pet of their own, but are not sure which breed or which specific dog would work best for them. Still others foster as a community service to help more animals survive and find their forever homes, even when shelters are full.

How it Helps Shelters

Rescues and animal shelters use

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fostering for several reasons. Studies have shown that some individuals have an aversion to visiting animal shelters to adopt a pet. Often, this aversion comes from the fact that they see so many animals and the sense of not being able to choose just one, or not being able to save them all becomes unsettling. Still others don’t believe they will find the pet of their choice at an animal shelter and are unaware of how a shelter pet might meet their needs. By placing animals from a shelter or rescue in the community through a foster program, animals are more accessible to the general public and each animal has its own

“marketing outlet.” Secondly, shelters and rescues are often bursting at the seams with animals that need more space than their facilities will allow. Fostering programs allow shelters to keep animals that are “required” to be held a certain amount of time before

adoption because they are strays. Or to keep animals that require ongoing or constant medical attention without having to euthanize animals due to space limitations. Fostering programs have saved hundreds of thousands of animal lives by increasing shelter capacity. Thirdly, fostering may reduce costs. In some cases, foster families cover the expenses of sheltering and food for the animals while most shelters and rescues cover the costs of medical care and spaying or neutering the pet. The shelter or rescue will advertise the

MetroPet Magazine | July/August 2013

pet is available for adoption, but the foster parents also share information on the pet with friends, neighbors, and coworkers. Ask the shelter about the costs before agreeing to foster. Finally, animals cannot always be fully assessed for temperament or the right home environment in the shelter setting. Shelters tend to be very loud, animals are kenneled, and animals are often at the end of their stress threshold in these environments. This may result in withdrawal or aggression that would never normally be exhibited by these animals.

Allowing the adoptive pet to become settled into a home environment allows the foster family to observe and report on the personality and behaviors of the animal. Fostering also allows for teaching animals skills that are needed in order for them to be successfully placed in a family such as housetraining, sitting for treats, and how to settle down in a home environment. Fostering also allows for exercise on a regular basis. Sometimes shelters only have time to provide the basics — food, shelter, and medical care to the animals, with little time left for walking, playing and exercising the animals, unless provided for by a volunteer program.

Pitfalls of Fostering

What are the potential pitfalls of fostering? Most people that have

considered fostering fear they will become too attached to their foster pet and will never be able to give them up when the time for adoption arrives. In order to prevent this, here are some steps to help you prepare for fostering. Have a set of goals in mind and review these goals from time to time. If your goal is to determine which breed and age is right for your family while helping the shelter at the same time, keep that in mind and try to select the animal that is right for your family on an ongoing basis, not out of sympathy for the animal. Be prepared to host several animals in your home that may not work out for the longterm. Be solid in your commitment to hosting pets for a short term. If your goal is to reduce the number of pets euthanized at your shelter, remember you have a finite number of pets you can keep. Review your goals before committing to each new foster. Make sure everyone in the household is agreeable to fostering and in agreement with the goals. Decide the length of time you are willing to foster — is short- or long-term best? Short-term foster means the animal is already slated for adoption or a move to another rescue, facility, or location by a certain date. New foster families often do better with a pre-set time frame for the animal. Long term foster can be a long or a short term commitment from you. It simply means you are agreeing to foster the animal until an appropriate “forever home” is identified. Make sure you find out the foster timeframe from the shelter or rescue. Also ask about the success rate in placing animals that have been fostered. Make sure you have the time and the temperament to be a foster www.metropetmag.com | July/August 2013

parent. Animals that come out of the shelter environment or are rescued from less than desirable situations may have additional needs. Be sure you have the ability to be patient with a number of different behaviors and are willing to develop the skills to help alleviate behaviors that would prohibit successful adoption. Be clear about the animal’s needs and behaviors before you agree to foster and be sure to ask questions. Also confirm if the animal is a short term or long term foster before you commit.

A Rewarding Experience!

Fostering can be a very rewarding experience for all involved and an important way to help reduce the number of animals euthanized in our society. However, it is a big decision. Be sure to consider your time, temperament, and resources before committing to a foster program. Check out a number of programs available in your community and ask to speak to other foster families. Once you have made the choice, enjoy it. Having hosted a multitude of breeds ranging from puppy to older adult dog, I love every one of them and enjoy getting to know their

personalities. I often receive photos from adoptive families from years past and love catching up on where the dogs are and how they are flourishing. There is nothing like the satisfaction in knowing you have saved a life, and enriched your own at the same time. Amy Cox is the Outreach Director for the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation. From childhood, her family was involved in animal rescue efforts that provided a foundation for future work in the field. Cox is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia. She began her career in the political arena and then moved into marketing and public relations. Since 1998, Cox has worked in the field of animal welfare bringing awareness to puppy mills and working to end abuse and neglect through education and legislation.

A Baby? And a Dog?

Now What?!

by Mary Sellaro Finding out you are expecting a baby produces a myriad of emotions and sets into action the urge to plan every moment of life for the next nine months. However, once the news has had time to soak in, life gets back to normal and the wait begins. While the preparations get underway for the new arrival, it will be very important to include the dog in the plans, as their life is about to change as well. he or she will become. Consider walks; around family members and Where to Start? working with a trainer in a private company. First things first, back to basics; and/or a group setting to refresh The dog’s “baby preparedness reliable obedience training is a commands, refine basic skills and program” will be enhanced by must. The time to start is as early solve behaviors like barking, jumping including baby specific as possible to reconnect with your up and mouthing. items: dog and build a solid foundation. It tends to be a common Consider buying The goal is to give the dog every occurrence in training, for the dog or borrowing a baby opportunity to be ready for the to respond best when the human is doll to assist with coming baby and the future toddler standing up, treats in hand and no familiarizing the dog distractions. with a tiny person both This scenario in your arms and around would be the house. perfect if The purchase of a CD life could be with baby noises is useful counted on to to introduce and create play out this a positive experience way. However, prior to the baby’s arrival. life with a Begin immediately and baby added is play the CD on low anything but and slowly increase predictable. the volume as the For this reason, dog becomes practice familiar and training in comfortable with various the sounds. Play with positions, the dog and feed treats to build a sitting or lying positive association with the noise. down on a Begin to expose the dog to the couch and on baby gear, for example, stroller, crib, the floor; in swing, car seat, diaper bag and play different areas pen. of the house, Practice the behaviors you would outside in the like the dog to demonstrate around yard and on the baby paraphernalia. Start early to 8

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insure and maintain success. The family needs to be involved in the dog’s training and the best results will come with daily practice and consistency.

The Next Step-Time Management

Have you ever had to ask your dog to wait before attending to a need? How does he or she react, for example, if there is a delay before being let out to go to the bathroom, to eat or be petted? When the baby comes, the reality of the situation is the dog may be required to wait a little longer than normal to be accommodated. Notice how your dog seeks attention from you, does he bark, whine or paw? This could be problematic with a baby on your lap. Avoid giving your dog attention if he is using any of these methods. Consistently ask your dog to sit whenever he approaches and then he may receive attention. If the negative behavior continues, ignore the dog by standing up or walking away, do not approach him after he has been corrected. Wait for the dog to approach you again and then require a sit. Consistent practice will teach him to solicit attention politely. Plan ahead and remember once the baby arrives, the ability to spend time with your dog and maintain his needs will be less and divided with the baby’s. The time to change any feeding and exercise routines is now so your dog can acclimate by the time the baby comes. Are there going to be any changes in the household rules? (For example, being allowed on the furniture or bed, barking at the doorbell or having limited access to any rooms or areas in the www.metropetmag.com | July/August 2013

house.) Implement a schedule for the dog, with the baby being home in mind-vary exercise and feeding routines, designate quiet time for your dog daily in a crate or a safe zone with a favorite, safe chew item. Life is going to be hectic, teach your dog to cope with a schedule which may vary day to day.

Socialize, Socialize and

Socialize

The best way for a dog to become familiar with babies is to slowly expose them in a controlled environment, such as a friend with a baby or small child that is willing to work with you and your dog. Begin at a distance so your dog can observe the baby’s sounds, smells and movements. Bring treats and reward the dog for quiet curiosity, practice

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simple obedience commands and reward. This will help the dog to establish a positive association for the baby. If at any time the dog becomes uncomfortable or fearful, move away and create a longer distance, do not correct. As the dog becomes more comfortable and responds readily to commands move closer to the baby

or child. Continue this method until the dog and child can be in close proximity and the baby has become an ordinary event. If your dog is not tolerant of small children or babies, is fearful in nature or becomes overly excited and hard to control or easily distracted seek the help of a trainer before attempting any of the above.

Coming Home

For a low stress homecoming, send dad or a familiar person home before mom and the baby arrive, to take the dog for a walk to look no release some further than energy and The PawZone! get some one on one attention before the baby comes home. Every baby like every person has a different smell. Prior to coming home, bring in a nursing blanket, hat Pawzitively Passionate About Your Pet or something the baby

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has worn or has been wrapped in and allow the dog to sniff and be somewhat familiar with the baby’s scent before coming home. When Mom comes home, have someone else carry the baby in and spend time greeting your dog. He has missed you and a little attention will go a long way. The best introductions are calm ones. When doing your introduction, remember your dog will feed off of your emotions. Acting nervous or excited will cause him to respond in the same way. Talk to him in a low-keyed, soothing voice, stay calm and remember everything you have worked on the last few months to help make this moment is special one. Visitors are excited to see the baby and the environment may seem chaotic to the dog, have a special chew toy on hand and a quiet spot to help him relieve any stress. If your dog thrives around company, remember to implement all the manners and behaviors which you have worked so hard on. Keep in mind, the most social dog will need a break.

Keep Moving Forward

Spend as much time with your dog as possible. Maintain the dog’s needed outlet for exercise. A lack of time does not mean he needs less activity to remain calm and well behaved. If someone offers to help out, take them up on it and have them walk the dog. Give your dog down time every day. Remember, it is perfectly natural for your dog to feel a little left out when there’s a new arrival, but you can easily reassure your dog that she hasn’t been displaced in your affections.

Situational Obedience Exercises Sit and Down-before feeding, at your side when you stop walking, before greeting and in front of you after coming when called. Controlled Walking — without pulling, on a walk, going to the car, with the doll in your arms, with the car seat in your hand, and beside the stroller with the doll. Wait — before getting in and out of the car, down or up a flight of stairs, going through doors or gates. Leave It — when food falls on the floor, to redirect interest in socks, diapers, trash, toys, to deter interest in or chasing objects or other animals. Give It or Drop It — to release contraband items into your hand or to be dropped on the ground. Down Stay — during feeding/ meal times, while baby is on the floor, beside baby equipment, while changing diapers, to deter hyper activity around baby, around guests, particularly small children, in the vet’s office. Come — in from the yard while barking, because you have to leave, you can’t chase the dog around the yard or the neighborhood and leave the baby alone. Call the dog frequently and reward with a treat, start in the house and move outside, using a long leash even in a fenced in yard to insure the dog will return to you. Run backwards as the dog is coming to turn the exercise into a chase, have the dog sit and then treat. Slowly increase the distractions and use the long leash and continue to food reward.

Mary Sellaro has been training dogs since 1990. She has taught group and private lessons from puppy through advanced. Mary has also worked with dog owners on behavioral issues, including aggression. She developed and implemented a training class program for Retired Greyhounds as Pets. Mary has been the temperament test evacuator for the Children’s Mercy Hospital’s Pet Pal Program since 1997. Mary is now the Director of Training for Pooches Paradise Daycare and Resort in the Waldo area of Kansas City. Mary is a certified American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen evacuator.

www.metropetmag.com | July/August 2013

Top3

Things to Know About Changing Your Pet’s Food by Teresa Miller

As pet parents, sometimes we need to change our pet’s food. The reasons vary, but include nutritional or caloric reasons, a change in health, or just because we want to introduce a new brand of food. Transition Time

Most pets can transition successfully to a new dry or canned food within 7-10 days. If your pet has a sensitive system, consider increasing the transition time to as much as four weeks to reduce the chance of digestive upset. If at any time your pet experiences loose stool, upset stomach or constipation, return to the last balance at which your pet’s stool was normal and increase length of transition.

Follow these day-by-day steps for an easy transition. DAY 1: Without reducing the amount of food

are feeding to your pet to avoid over- or underfeeding. Pet obesity is a huge problem, so attention to portion size is critical. One cup of Brand Z may have just as many calories as two cups of Brand X, so it is very important to feed only what is needed. Your pet will “feel” just as full on a smaller quantity of nutrient/calorie dense food.

Check the Return Policy Protect your pocketbook by checking the return policy on the new food you purchase. Quality pet foods have a 100% satisfaction/money back guarantee that will allow you to try a new food risk free. If your pet is really picky, ask your local pet supply shop for a sample of the food. The sample will allow your pet to try the food before you buy it. Eliminating the concerns about whether your pet will like the food and if you can get your money back if it doesn’t like it, will allow you to focus on making the transition easy for you and your pet!

Teresa Miller is founder and president of Treats Unleashed, a natural pet supplies store with a focus of providing healthy choices for pets. While living in New York City, Teresa had grown accustomed to feeding high-quality, all-natural pet food to their two dachshunds, Max and Mickey. After moving back to her hometown of St. Louis Teresa was unable to find the health-centric products that she knew had contributed to her pets’ good health. Teresa and her husband, Ian, started Treats Unleashed, the natural place for pets, a brick-and-mortar shop for pet parents to learn about holistic choices and alternatives. Started in 2001, Treats Unleashed has grown from a small kiosk in a local mall to a thriving company with seven retail locations and more than 45 employees and an active wholesale and online treat business. She and Ian recently adopted a new dashound, Cooper.

you feed your pet, add a small amount of the new food to the current food; a teaspoon to a tablespoon at most.

DAY 2: I f your pet had no difficulty

with the first day’s portion, reduce current food by 25% and replace with new food.

DAYS 3-4: Gradually increase new food to 50% of diet.

Banta2006

DAYS 5-6: Gradually increase new food to 75% of diet.

DAYS 7-10: Gradually increase new food to 100% of diet.

Recognize the Differences The nutritional and calorie content of pet food differs from brand to brand, and recipe to recipe. Be sure to adjust the amount of food you

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Matching Pets To Your

Lifestyle

by Mike Deathe Talking with people through the years, I have learned they love the opportunity to pick the brain of a dog trainer. One thing I have learned, people are just plain unprepared to

own a dog! This is not an insult, but simply a suggestion that there is a difference in the outcome for families who are proactive. Those families who take time to research and select a pet based on their lifestyles are better prepared than those who adopt or buy a dog on a whim. The second group of people end up having to react to unwanted behaviors that are simply the lifestyle of the breed they chose to adopt.

Regular Stuff

Most people understand that dogs poop, pee, bark, chew or jump on people. But some people simply fall in love with the idea of having a puppy, regardless of the breed, and that is where the thought process ends. When the newness of having a little ball of

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fur wears off – then it becomes a problem. Owning dog is is a lotaof Owning a adog work. If you and your family are not lot of work. If you ready for that work, you are in for a and your family world of disappointment. This peoplefor call it areis when notmany ready quits and simply return the animal that work, you are to the shelter. Do a little research. inatfor a world ofat Look the adoptable animals thedisappointment. shelters. You will find the most number of animals are between the ages of 9 months and 2 years. This is where the problems start. Most of these animals have solvable problems, but these issues may not be resolved because they are in a shelter.

When to Call A Dog Trainer

The time to call a dog trainer is before you add a pet to your family. Most dog trainers will help you with decisions like what type, size and age of dog fits your family. Or maybe helping your family decide if you are in a place in life where getting a dog is even a good idea? A dog trainer may even come into your house and have an honest discussion with your

Ask the Trainer

• We have been married for 3 months and both work 50+ hours a week. Should we get a puppy? Probably Not. People with your lifestyle do have puppies, not to mention dogs! However, before you add a pet, be prepared to get the help of a good doggy daycare or pet sitter/walker. The most unfair thing you can do is get a pet and not be able to spend time with it. It will also require a commitment from you and your husband to spend a lot of evening and weekend time with your pooch. Have a serious conversation with your hubby before making this jump. You might just decide it is better to wait, at least for now!

• I live alone and am an empty nester. I am thinking of adopting an older dog from the shelter for companionship. What do you think?

Sounds like a Good Idea! You have chosen to bypass the puppy stage and move on to the adult dog stage. I think that is a great idea! There are tons of older dogs waiting for someone to love. You also should be able to avoid some of the problem areas, like potty training, chewing, play biting, etc. Kudos to you for saving a life!!!!

• My husband and I have three children under the age of 7. I am a stay at home mom and he travels up to 2 weeks a month. We are thinking of getting a 9 week old Lab puppy. What do you think?

to the mix might be a more than you want to take on. Call a local trainer and talk about your lifestyle. A ask for help to pick a dog that fits your family and lifestyle. In some cases, trainers will accompany you to the breeder or shelter (my choice) to choose the right pet.

• My husband and I are both career people. We work a ton of hours and we have no kids. We are thinking of getting a new puppy and wondered if taking our vacation time off around the time we get the puppy will be a good idea? We also have lined up a pet sitter/walker for when we have to go back to work. Great idea! You guys rock — you have done all the right homework. I love that you are going in eyes wide open and I will be you are going be great dog owners. I just want to throw out one more possibility. Have you and your husband considered fostering a dog. With all the work you have done planning on how to handle your life along with that of a dog, you might consider fostering a pooch and helping get them ready for their forever home? All of our local shelters desperately need folks to help with fostering dogs when they are full. This might be a great option to work with a pet for the short term, before you add one on a permanent basis.

Probably not. You might want to consider an older dog so that the responsibility of potty training and puppy/socialization training is already done or more complete than with a puppy. You might also want to do some more research on dog breeds and the energy levels of those breeds. It sounds to me like you have a pretty full plate. Adding a very young and energetic Lab puppy

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Grooming – Why and How Often? by Belle Wead

entire family on who is going to be responsible for what tasks and help put together a plan for success, to make everyone’s life a little easier! This article is not meant to help those who are thinking of adopting or buying a pet. I have seen the number of families in heartbreak after they added the pet to the family and then realize they cannot commit the time or effort to owning a dog. The heartbreak comes when the pet is returned to a shelter and everyone feels disappointed and sad.

Start With a Plan

All I really want you to remember from this article is the best time to get a dog trainer is not after you get a dog but rather before you get one. I and all of the other great dog trainers in the world can get you down the right path and choose the perfect pet for you and your family.

We share our comfy home with our fur babies. The ancestors of our pets are wolves. These creatures lived their entire lives outside. When we keep our pets inside, the air plays havoc on our their natural shedding cycle. Mike Deathe is an avid pet lover who found his passion as a dog trainer in 2008. Since then he has trained hundreds of pet parents on how to live with their companion animals. He writes the keep it simple stupid dog blog (K.I.S.S.) and is a resident expert for Petocracy. Deathe authored The Book of Pee and Poop, and Forever Home — Dog 101 and How to be a Better Shelter Volunteer. Deathe is also co-host of the radio show It Happens on CravingTalkRadio.com. Follow Deathe’s blog at @http://muttzmembers.blogspot. com/ or the website @ www.kissdogtraining.com!

The Seasons and Fur

Why do our pets get hot in the summer? Because inside pets are experiencing winter. Their coat is in a full growth stage! Many dogs have allergies, and an allergic reaction to grass is very common. Imagine wearing a parka to go outside and then rolling around in the grass to get cool. In the wintertime, pets grow a coat to protect them from the cold. When they stay inside where it is warm, they shed. Their skin becomes dry from a loss of hair and lack of humidity caused by the heat. This makes them itch and scratch, making them shed even more hair. In addition, cracked skin is a breeding ground for bacteria and possible skin infection. When they go outside to go potty, brrr. Regardless of the season, the end result is the same. Our pet’s bodies are creating excessive oil to counteract all the changes. Oil attracts and holds odor. When your pet lives in your house, your home begins to smell like your pets. Whether it’s a healthy smell or not is up to us.

Other Grooming Areas

A wolf digs out food with its claws. They will deliberately scratch and tear at tree bark to mark their territory. This keeps a wolf ’s feet healthy. Our fur babies need to have their nails trimmed. This will not only protect your floors, especially wood floors, but long untrimmed toenails can cause arthritis. The wolf expresses his anal glands away from his den. Your pet may be expressing his anal glands when it barks at the door. Now your carpet and sofa smells like your pet. Not a good smell! Belle Wead is the owner of Best friends Pet with 2 locations: Peculiar Mo and Leawood KS. She is member of the IPG International Professional Groomers, Inc. Wead has over 30 years grooming experience, including grooming in an Overland Park, KS veterinary practice from eight years. The grooming outgrew the practice so Wead expanded to Leawood. In addition to grooming, Best Friends Pet offers Pet Chiropractic, Pet Photography and the PetCab. For more information or to schedule an appointment call Leawood, KS 913-498-1397 or Peculiar MO 816-984-5481.

MetroPet Magazine | July/August 2013

www.metropetmag.com | July/August 2013

Keeping Your Pet Healthy

Grooming your pet isn’t just a nicety; it makes your pet healthier. The first inch of hair on your pet is what buffers and helps protect your pet year round. Pet hair grows about 1 inch a month. So a regular schedule is important. Your pet should be bathed with a PH balanced pet shampoo. A leave-in humectant conditioner should be applied following the bath. Since hair dryers are bad for their skin, pets should be allowed to air dry or dried with a gentle breeze from a fan. Heat makes your pets’ oil glands shift into overdrive and an oily skin is not healthy.

Depending on You!

Your pet should have a bath, toe nail trim, anal glands expressed, ears cleaned and haircut every month, year round. Your pet will feel so much better with a regular maintenance. Whether you opt to do this yourself, utilize your local grooming salon or call in a mobile groomer, it is important. Cheers to a healthier pet and a clean home environment!

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Great Plains SPCA Reaching Across the State Line to Impact Pets

Fourth in a Series

This month we are pleased to feature Great Plains SPCA. This comprehensive animal welfare agency has grown and changed an incredible amount in the last two years. It now has four facilities between its two campuses in Merriam, KS and Independence, MO. Although the name and logo of Great Plains SPCA are new, the organization has strong roots in Kansas City. It was created from a merger of Animal Haven, which provided pet adoptions, intake, and lost pet reunions for more than 48 years, and No More Homeless Pets KC which provided high-volume spay/neuter services, affordable veterinary care, feral cat support and more. Together, they felt they could accomplish more so the two organizations merged in June 2011. The original name of Heartland SPCA was changed to Great Plains SPCA in June 2012. In December 2012, Great Plains SPCA opened Baxter’s Pet Adoption Center in Merriam. This facility was made possible through the generosity of a donor family who wanted to honor their beloved pets. That same month, Great Plains SPCA was awarded the contract to operate the new regional shelter in Independence, MO, which was built and funded through Jackson County. In April 2013, Great Plains SPCA celebrated the opening of this facility and it was quickly filled with adoptable pets. This story provides an example of the contributions Great Plains SPCA is making to our community and how you can get involved to support it. 18

MetroPet Magazine | July/August 2013

Every pet has a story, and Great Plains SPCA is committed to making each one a success story. Great Plains SPCA believes that all pets deserve a long, happy, healthy life. Pets like London... Cold, hungry and feeling unloved, London was one of 30 dogs living in a trailer being fed just once a week. There was never enough food or water for all of them, and the smaller ones like London suffered. A rescue group discovered their plight, and all the pets were saved. London, a two-and-a-half year old dog, and one other dog were brought to Great Plains SPCA in January. London received medical care and much needed love from a foster family who taught her how to trust again. May 22nd London found her forever home — it was a day of celebration. Great Plains SPCA celebrates great things every day!

Who We Are Today

Great Plains SPCA is the Kansas City Metro’s most comprehensive nonprofit for pets — a no-kill animal welfare agency serving needy pets AND a true destination for you and your family. Great Plains SPCA is a temporary home for more than

500 homeless pets daily. This year, it is on target to serve more than 30,000 animals — more than any other agency in the area. It proudly maintains a 96% live-release rate. These animals count on Great Plains SPCA to provide safe shelter, nourishing food, lifesaving medical care and help to find a loving forever home. At the Merriam, KS, campus, Great Plains SPCA has a Pet Adoption Center, Veterinary Care Center and Lost Pet & Intake Center. At the Independence, MO, campus it has a Pet Adoption & Intake Center, Community Training Center and more. With paws on both sides of the state line, Great Plains SPCA is the region’s only animal welfare organization with a bi-state presence. Many individuals believe Great Plains SPCA receives national or state funding and financial support from organizations like HSUS (The Humane Society of the United States) or the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). However, Great Plains SPCA is primarily funded through the benevolence of private donors in our community, with just 9% from government funding through www.metropetmag.com | July/August 2013

contracts with local municipalities to house stray animals.

A Three-Pronged Approach

Great Plains SPCA has a threepronged approach to animal welfare in the community: prevention, adoption and retention. It believes there is no way to simply “adopt ourselves out” of the problem of pet homelessness. Instead, it has to get

to the root of the issue by providing low-cost spay/neuter, finding families

for homeless pets through adoption, and working hard to keep families together. Additionally, Great Plains SPCA, believes that collaboration is key to improving animal welfare, and it is always looking for lifesaving partners. Great Plains SPCA provides a collection of programs and services to every corner of the community. A quick overview of the programs includes: Adoptions, Intake, Lost

Pet Reunions, Affordable Veterinary Care, Low-Cost Spay/Neuter, Dog 19

a 20% return-to-owner rate, one of the highest in the area.

Behavior & Training, SASSY, TNR, HERO, Legislative Initiatives, Volunteering, Fostering, Pet Food Bank, MetroPAWlitan Pet Supply and more.

you to complete your family with a new furry friend. All available pets can be seen on the website, www. GreatPlainsSPCA.org, which is updated real time.

Multiple Programs

With two state-of-the-art Pet Adoption Centers, Great Plains SPCA is creating new families every day. Each adopter receives personalized attention to ensure that the personality and needs of the pet fit the expectations and lifestyle of the new adopters. It welcomes potential adopters into a warm, friendly environment where they interact with happy and healthy pets. Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ready to adopt a mutt, a custom mix, or a purebred (who make up about a one-fourth of their pets), Great Plains SPCA invites

Homeless pets are brought to the bi-state Intake Centers every day. Pets come to it through animal control, owner surrender, and shelter transfers. At the Merriam Campus, pets come through contracts with five municipalities, all in Johnson County. At the Independence Campus, Great Plains SPCA serves as the housing agent for all pets impounded in the field by Independence Animal Services, as well as strays from Unincorporated Jackson County. When a lost pet enters the intake program, Great Plains SPCA works hard to reunite it with its family. It proudly reports 20

MetroPet Magazine | July/August 2013

It also accepts strays found by good Samaritans. When people from the public bring in pets, they are asked for a contribution to help care for the pet. This financial support helps Great Plains SPCA provide care to the pet, but in no way covers the costs incurred. At the state-of-theart Veterinary Care Center in Merriam, Great Plains SPCA provides high quality, low cost veterinary care. This facility, which was launched in January 2011, provides affordable options to improve a petâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health. Local veterinarians often refer clients to the center as a way to keep the family together. Half of the clients served have an average annual household income of $20,000 or lower; another 33% earn between $20,000 and $40,000.

Officer). The TNR program is helping feral and free-roaming cats; this is the most effective and humane way to address cat colonies. Volunteers humanely trap outdoor cats and bring them to the Veterinary Care Center where they are spayed/ neutered, vaccinated, eartipped and then returned to their outdoor habitats. Their dedicated HERO program helps underserved communities by

providing education, along with the basics such as appropriate shelter, food and water to animals. Great Plains SPCA also serves as a food bank for the region, providing pet food to shelters, rescue groups and individuals in need.

The high-volume spay/neuter program has had a tremendous impact on animal welfare in Kansas City. Since 2007, this facility has performed more than 47,000 public spay/neuter surgeries, preventing the births of tens of thousands of unwanted puppies and kittens in the community. Great Plains SPCA also provides community support programs like TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) and HERO (Humane Education Resource www.metropetmag.com | July/August 2013

Generations of Pet Lovers

There are many ways volunteers can get involved at Great Plains SPCA. The SASSY (Saving Animals by Supportive Seniors and others Young-at-heart) program creates and strengthens the relationships between pets and their senior companions. This program distributes pet food to those receiving meal assistance, provides financial assistance to seniors facing unexpected veterinary expenses, connects seniors wanting to adopt a shelter pet, and much more. This summer, children filled the shelter for the first ever summer camp for kids – Young Heroes for Pets. This program is just the beginning of many new and exciting programs that will be offered in the upcoming months and years.

Getting Involved

Great Plains SPCA is serving more needy pets than ever before, but it cannot provide the care and support

needed without your help. Anyone can be a “Hero” for pets by adopting, donating, or volunteering. Adopting not only saves the pet you adopt, it also vacates a spot for another homeless pet in the shelter. Volunteering creates rewarding experiences for both pets and people – the pet who receives exercise and enrichment, and the volunteer who becomes the recipient of the pet’s unconditional affection. You can also shop where it counts at MetroPAWlitan Pet Supply, located inside the Merriam and Independence Pet Adoption Centers. These stores offer the latest in pet supplies, leashes, toys, treats and more. Give your pets what they really want, while knowing that every dollar you spend goes back to support shelter pets.

Learn More

We invite you to learn more about our lifesaving programs and to get involved by visiting www. GreatPlainsSPCA.org. Don’t forget to become a fan on our active Facebook page. We welcome you to contact us at (913) 831-7722 to schedule a tour of our facilities. We are a true pet destination. Let us be a destination for you!

Donations

Both of Great Plains SPCA’s Pet Adoption Centers are filled to capacity and it is seeking financial donations to continue its lifesaving work. This work would not be possible without the support of the community. A gift of any size can truly save lives. If you can’t make a financial contribution, please consider donating needed pet supplies from our online wish list or donate your time as a volunteer.

Banana Mutt Cookies Whew! Cat chasing can be exhausting work. This is truly the paws that refreshes. Use fresh bananas and your dogs will love you a bunch! Prep Time: Cook Time: Total Time:

15 min 15 min 30 min

Makes about 20 mutt pleasers

Ingredients

1 ½ cups mashed banana 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 3 cups oats 1/2 cup chopped peanuts 1/4 cup apple sauce

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. • Mix ingredients together thoroughly. • Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto an ungreased cookie sheet and press flat with a fork. • Bake for approximately 15 minutes. Then cool on a rack before serving, Keep stored in an air tight container. Recipe Credit:

Three Dog Bakery Cookbook Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

Ever wondered why a dog circles before lying down? In the wild, circling was a way of preparing a sleeping area, flattening down tall grasses. It would also serve as a scent barrier, to ensure others know that an area was taken.

Let Them Eat FREE Cake...

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MetroPet Magazine | July/August 2013

www.metropetmag.com | July/August 2013

Lessons from FUR Some of us may have learned everything we needed to know from Kindergarten, while others credit life lessons to the passage of time. Something we could all do that would enrich our lives is to take a lesson from our companions in the animal kingdom.

by Pat Hennessy

What can we learn from them?

We learn patience, perseverance, leadership, love, and loss. Patience is the recognition of our animal companions’ species-specific idiosyncrasies and the quest to find common ground. Perseverance is needed as we try to teach them what behaviors we want from them. Leadership is what we provide while teaching, in the form of guidance and understanding. Love is where we find ourselves, hopelessly captivated, with unconditional devotion in return. Loss is what we experience as we take them down the final road of their journey (which we should do with pride and honor), even in our hour of grief.

Being Good Guardians

companion in activities that use his natural abilities. Your dog may be a herder, puller, digger, hunter, tracker, and there are plenty of ways to get those canine senses connected. Mix it up and make it fun — a good way to get exercise in for both of you.

(and our habits) as an art form. For anyone who has shared their life with a bird, they know they have to be resourceful to outsmart their bird, especially when trying to redirect a behavior.

Freedom for Birds

A less common, but no less fascinating, connection is the one we have with our large companion animal — the horse. They are regal and majestic. They symbolize free spirit and strength. Both the horse and the dog have shown how man can bond with another species in a working relationship. The key word is relationship — which should be based on cooperation and trust. We should be forever grateful to the horse and the dog for being a part of

Think of the freedom and the spectrum of sight, sound, and ability in birds. Man made many attempts to fly before succeeding. You can easily admire a bald eagle soaring across the sky or imagine a flock of brightly colored parrots painting the landscape outside your window. Birds got a bum rap with the phrase “bird brain” due to early 20th century studies of brain development. However, more recent

The Regal and Majestic Horse studies prove it false, as birds have shown their intelligence by making tools out of twigs to forage for food and demonstrating creative problem solving. Crows in Japan have been observed placing walnuts in the street and waiting for cars to run over them, cracking them open to expose the nuts. Birds can not only learn vocabulary, they can show off their sense of humor – imitating us

Along with being good guardians for our animal companions, what else can we learn from them? We can learn to be more like them, by turning off technology and finding our roots through becoming more grounded to Mother Earth. Try looking at things from the simplest of solutions: Can I stalk it? Can I eat it? Can I play with it? Does it involve others? Is it time for a nap? Consider the whimsical nature of cats — their curiosity is endless and they are entertained with the smallest, funniest of things, like paper wads or shoe strings. They have the flexibility of a yoga master, the balance of a gold medal gymnast, and they know how to take a nap better than Sleeping Beauty.

Loving Nature of Dogs

Reflect on the loving nature of dogs – greeting us at the door no matter what our mood, loyalty like no other, unconditional love that eludes us even with our own kind. “There is no psychiatrist like a puppy licking your face”, proclaimed Bern Williams. Dogs have certainly mastered the art of companionship and teamwork; they have been working with humans for over ten thousand years, hunting, herding, and guarding livestock. It is useful to take a look at your dog’s lineage (or guess at it), and find ways to engage your canine

MetroPet Magazine | July/August 2013

www.metropetmag.com | July/August 2013

Dog-n-Jog:

our survival and evolution.

Recognized for Inspiration!

All creatures, great and small, should be recognized for inspiration. Not to leave out our little guys — the bunnies, the hamsters/gerbils/guinea pigs, the reptiles, and the fish. From the littlest critters, we can learn to be softer, quieter, blend in or stand out, and to find ourselves. As we work our way through this journey called “life”, we should be ambassadors to the animal kingdom — treating the animals (and the planet) as we would want to be treated. We can all follow the words of Charles Darwin, “The love of all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man”, by acknowledging the attributes we admire in our fellow animals and embracing them.

Pat Hennessy is the founder of N2paws, LLC, an organization that provides a holistic approach to companion animal care through behavior education, energy work, and positive training methods. Pat is a Level 2 TTouch® practitioner, CPDT, ACDBC, and member of the IAABC, IAATH and AWA. You may contact N2Paws via email pat@n2paws. com, phone 816-522-7005, or visit the website www.n2paws.com.

a success for the homeless animals!

The Country Club Plaza became a dog’s play land on Sunday, June 9 for the 26th Annual Dog-n-Jog. Several hundred dogs and their people trekked the Plaza for the 1 and 2-mile run/walk and to enjoy the various dog activities. A grand total of more than $75,508 was raised for the animals!!! Special thanks to our celebrity emcees that kept the dog loving entertained: NBC Chief Meteorologist Gary Lezak, KFKF radio host Debbie Erikson and Q104 radio host TJ McEntire. A big thank you to our top three pledge collectors that went above and beyond to collect donations for the shelter pets from their friends, family, neighbors and co-workers: Crissy McNellis raised $4,582, Stacey Rieckmann raised $2,010 and Patti Levine raised $1,235. These three women single-handedly raised enough money to keep all the shelter pets fed for the next four months!

Our top runners this year included: 1 Mile Run 1st Place Female — Lisa Imgrund, dog- Magnum, 5:40 2nd Place Female— Elizabeth Kelsey, dog- Prada, 5:44 3rd Place Female— Noella Rosher, dog- Splash, 6:05 1st Place Male— John Quinly, dog- Aggie, 5:01 2nd Place Male — Ciro Ortega, dog- Furball, 5:35 3rd Place Male — Matt Curtis, dog- Charlie, 5:50

2 Mile Run 1st Place Female — Krystle Dunn, dog- Tucker, 11:52 2nd Place Female— Jessica Humphrey, dog- Maddie, 12:01 3rd Place Female— Sybil Niccum, dog- Lucy, 12:35 1st Place Male — John Coler, dog- Sage, 10:19 2nd Place Male — Jared Wisner, dog- Herman, 10:35 3rd Place Male — Tim Hodges, dog- Miley, 11:29

The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City would like to thank all event participants and sponsors, including our Presenting Sponsor, Petco Foundation, for making the event such a huge success! 26

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Chip’s Corner

Pawzzle

Across 5. All worms can be harmful, but the _____________ can be deadly if not treated properly. What did the vet have to send out bloodwork to a lab to check for? 7. Something Chip did with his MawMaw when he met her. 8. Robert became like a growling bear when he was ___________. 9. MawMaw was going to need _____________ attention to make sure she was in good health. 10. The family took MawMaw to an animal ___________ league. 12. Chip found out he had two ________________. 13. Chip told his MawMaw how he had remembered her ___________ and they kept him safe. 15. MawMaw’s coloring was ___________ and gray brindling. 17. When someone just leaves others behind without taking care of them. 19. MawMaw needed a good ________________. 21. MawMaw was calm and ____________________. 22. She had told him to always have ____________ that things would work out. 24. His sisters had found a ______________ right before the storm. 25. In order to accomplish a goal one must have a _____________. 26. What really freaked out Chip?

Down

MetroPet Magazine | July/August 2013

Answers to this Pawzelle can be found in the story beginning on page 30

1. Chip began to feel ____________ since he was rescued by a nice family. 2. She also had some _____________ on her. 3. Sometimes veterinarians ____________ at shelters and rescues to help them save money. 4. Chip had set a ____________ of finding his family. 6. Doctor that treats animals is a _____________. 11. The family was ___________ on the beach. 14. To find out answers, Chip first had to ask ____________. 16. Chip’s MawMaw did not know he had a __________. 18. Chip’s MawMaw was a little bit _________ than him. 19. MawMaw’s hair/coat was all dirty and ________. 20. There are always __________ in following a plan. 23. Chip’s _________ were the same color as his MawMaw’s. www.metropetmag.com | July/August 2013

Chip’s

is a little bit bigger than me and had some white hair, but mostly brown and grey brindling in her coat. She is really pretty, where I am mostly white with a few brown/ black splotches. I have never thought I was very cute, but many people think I am. She says my sister’s look nothing like me.

Wouldn’t you be sad if Chip was lost and someone just took him and you never saw him again? Besides, MawMaw will need to be checked for health issues, and given immunizations and worm medicine. She especially needs to be checked for heartworms to make sure she is not infected. You know how heartworms can kill a dog. We would not want anything to happen to MawMaw, The Best Next Step now that she has found her family, or at least part of it.” Penelope and Allen were arguing when Stephanie and “Well, okay. I guess if we have to and it is the best Robert interrupted them. “What are you two arguing thing, I can live with that, but can we get her back? about?” Penelope’s face was Can’t we just take her to our vet?” You covered with sand and could see that Robert was becoming Quote of the Month tears. “Allen said we had impatient. It was getting late and he to take Chip’s MawMaw was hungry. When he was hungry, “A difficult time can be more readily to the shelter and we endured if we retain the conviction that he became like a growling bear. We cannot keep her!” She all agreed. MawMaw can spend the our existence holds a purpose — a cause cried. “Well, Penelope, night with us, and in the morning, to pursue, a person to love, a goal to anytime you find a dog, we will take her for medical care. He achieve.” John Maxwell you are supposed to said it more like it was all decided, report it to the animal but then that was how Robert talked welfare authorities, just all the time. He was the bossy one. in case it is a lost dog and someone is looking for it. We all had a nice picnic dinner. MawMaw ate like it

Next Adventure

Setting Goals Recap Episode 5 – 2013

We finally reached each other and it was my MawMaw! We rolled, and played, and laughed, and hugged. Everyone finally caught up with me and saw we were happy and not in danger and they all started to join in the fun. They did not know it was my MawMaw, but they realized that we knew each other. In time, they would begin to see this was my MawMaw, especially when she got cleaned up. I wondered if we would look alike in any way once she was cleaned up. I guess we will find out.

We had so much catching up to do we just did not know where to start. I had so many questions. Was I abandoned? Was I cared about? Were people looking for me? If yes, who were those people? So many questions, and so few answers. Maybe MawMaw would be able to answer some of these questions. However, first things first. She needed medical attention, a bath, grooming and a good meal. Lord knows when she had last had a good meal. I was beginning to feel more thankful every moment that I had been found by such great children and found such a wonderful loving home.

Telling My Story

Chip told his MawMaw about the box he had been placed in and how scared he was. How he kept remembering her words not to give up and to have hope that things would work out okay. She had been right all along. Even though at times it was difficult for him to keep calm and have faith, especially in that wet black box with the scary sounds all around him. Even when the box disintegrated and he went flying through the air. He told her how he had remembered her words to him and it made her very happy. He also told her he had promised himself that he would never give up trying to find her and his family. He had made up his mind and set a goal to do whatever it took to find them. The trick was sticking to his goal. Chip had found out that just to set a goal was not enough? He had to find ways to plan and make certain he kept taking the right steps to meet it.

MetroPet Magazine | July/August 2013

By Pawlean Journe

MawMaw’s Story

Boy did his MawMaw have a lot to say. “My boy,” that is what she called him. She did not even know he had a name. “I was so worried about you. I saw our owners put you in the box and put it in their car, they told me to stay and wait for them, so I did. They were such nice people. They found homes for your sisters right away, but no one wanted a boy dog, and they had to leave in such a hurry as the police were evacuating people and forcing them to leave. They left most all of the animals behind.” My MawMaw had such a sad look on her face. I could actually see her face; a Stephanie and Robert had cleaned her up a bit and trimmed the hair around her eyes. Suddenly, Penelope laughed and said, “look, little Chip and his MawMaw both have the same eye color.” But that is where the resemblance ended. My MawMaw www.metropetmag.com | July/August 2013

Humane Education Point:

Activity: What goal(s) have you set in your life? How did you go about reaching your goal(s)? Set a goal and discuss with someone that will help you accomplish your goal.

Story Discussion Tips:

• Why is setting a goal a good thing? • How did Chip feel about finding his MawMaw? • Discuss what you would do if you found a dog? •W hy did MawMaw need to get vet right away? • How do you feel about going to the doctor?

was her first and last meal. She did getting tired so decided to wait until not even stop to take a breath she was she earned her name and everyone so hungry. You could actually feel her went to bed in their sleeping bags. bones and ribs. Her hair was kind of Camping on the beach sure was fun. matted together and straggly. I will Word of the Month bet she will be beautiful when she gets cleaned up. Setting Goals - The end toward

What Was My Next Goal?

After everyone ate, they talked about what to name MawMaw. I thought they should keep her name the way it was, but it was a huge family discussion. They were all

MetroPet Magazine | July/August 2013

which effort is directed

I love the sound of the softly rolling waves. I slept great and had very nice dreams. I actually dreamed we found one of my sisters too. A new goal to consider, or should I just be happy that we had at least found MawMaw, or had she found us? The next day everyone got up, had breakfast and called to find out where we could take MawMaw. We found out there was a really nice animal rescue league that offered free checkups that weekend. We were all so excited. We piled into the vehicle and off we went. It was not far.

When we arrived, we all jumped out, took MawMaw inside. We had gotten there early so they were able to help us right away. The woman in the white coat was very nice. The lady at the desk said the doctor was a volunteer. I thought she was a veterinarian, and trusted that she knew what she was doing. She looked official in her white doctor smock, stethoscope and the needles with medicine in them. The first time I saw those needles, I had FREAKED OUT!!!! I was so scared I almost went potty right there. But, MawMaw was so calm and trusting. Almost everything checked out great, except she had round worms and needed medicine. The doctor said that was pretty normal for a dog living on the streets and was not concerned. What she was concerned about was a slight abnormal noise she heard when she listened to MawMaw’s heart. She drew some blood, ewwwww, and more needles!!! And said she had to send the blood work to a laboratory. She was checking for heartworms. That had an awful sound to it. Roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, all those did not sound that scary, but heartworms, now that sounded serious. But it would take a few days to find out. That was a problem, though as we were leaving the next day to go back home. How would we get the results? Would MawMaw have to stay there? We had to make some decisions.

General Rides for Veterans! Last year was the 25th anniversary for the Run for the Wall (RFTW). Generals’ first year was the 20th anniversary. Over the past six years General has been across the USA six times. He has made thousands of friends and two schools await his arrival every year.

By Mike Jones

I consider it a privilege to make sure he gets there. The past two years we had the honor of representing RFTW as Ambassadors. We stopped along the way to Thank our many supporters. Our stops included on top of bridges and alongside the road. We were also blessed with lunch and dinners provided by the local folks. Wherever there is a cause or a need to help our Veterans you may find General there. Editors Note: In the first issue of MetroPet Magazine, we chronicled a ride taken by General and his driver Mike. Five years later, we are providing a recap of the rides he has completed.