November/December 2015
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Articles 5 Creature Feature 6 How to Take the Best Photos of Your Cat 10 Responsible Dog Ownership 15
12 STL Chip’s Adventure 15 Common Household Hazards 20 All About Barking
22 Creating Holiday Traditions 24 Meet the Breed 26 Have Yourself a Furry Little Christmahannukwanzaka 20
28 KC Chip’s Adventure 30 Pawzzle 32 KC Pet Services Directory 34 STL Pet Services Directory
Dear Readers: This is the last issue of 2015. So, we want to wish everyone and their pets, Happy Holidays! and Happy New Year! Chip — Our Founder
Speaking of the holidays, this issue has two articles about pets and the holidays. One is about creating holiday traditions, and the other has the catchy title, “Have Yourself a Furry Little Christmahannukwanzaka.”
author provides several tips on what to do and what not to do to get a cat to cooperate in a photo session. The Creature Feature in this issue talks about the Guinea pig as a pet. Some great information about these animals and how to care for , feed, and nurture them. This issue is rounded out with the Pawzzle, Meet the Breed (Westie), and the Chip’s Adventures features.
If you are considering getting a dog, or giving one as a gift during the holiday season, be sure to read the article on responsible dog ownership. There are many things in and around your hose that are hazardous to pets. Dr. Quigley’s article about common household hazards points out some the foods, cleaning products, poisons, and choking hazards that we need to keep away from our furry friends. Dogs bark for different reasons, or for no reason we can discern. Mike Deathe’s article about barking is very educational, and could be helpful to anyone who is frustrated with their dog’s barking.
Wishing you the best holiday season ever! P.S. Can you help us grow? Yes. Please support the advertisers in this issue and tell them “I saw your ad in MetroPet magazine.” Kansas City readers – please like us at https://www.facebook.com/metropetmag - St. Louis readers – please like us at https://www.facebook. com/stlmetropetmag
If you would like some great tips for taking great photos of cats (a project that could be very interesting, to say the least), read the article starting on page 6. The
Publisher MetroPet Magazine info@metropetmag.com Editor/Production Manager Dan O’Leary editor@metropetmag.com Magazine Layout ROI Marketing 816.942.1600 • roi@kc.rr.com
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Contributing Authors Aneeta Brown Mike Deathe Jon Nauss, DVM Geoff Hall Pat Hennessy Pauline Journe Suezanne M. Law Heddie Leger Erin Quigley, DVM
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. © 2015 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.
Creature Feature Guinea Pig Cavia sp. by Geoff Hall Summary: Guinea pigs can make great first pets and their relative ease of care and delightful whistles earn them many fans. Sex Differences/Size/Lifespan: Males tend to be bigger than females and can weigh up to 2 ½ pounds. The guinea pig’s life expectancy is between 5-7 years but some may live as old as ten years. Natural Habitat: Guinea pigs are a human created hybrid of three species of wild cavies that are native to the Andes Mountains of Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Columbia. Evidence suggests they were domesticated as early as 5000 BCE.
Diet: Feed guinea pigs a high quality pelleted food formulated specifically for guinea pigs. Your pet would also appreciate an occasional treat of carrots, kale, apple or pear.
Costs/Where to Buy: Although they are frequently encountered in pet stores, please consider adopting your pet guinea pig from a local animal shelter.
Fun Fact: Guinea pigs are still highly regarded as a food source to many people living high in the Andes Mountains of South America.
Medical Care: Guinea pigs tend to be very healthy and present few health-related problems for their owners. Issues from overgrown teeth and obesity are most frequently reported. Visit you local veterinarian with experience in small mammal veterinary medicine when concerned. Care: They are among the easiest species of rodents to keep as pets provided they are kept warm and dry in a spacious enclosure. Keep them on a safe substrate to absorb their urine like aspen shavings. Have clean water and hay available to them at all times. Provide a block of wood or a small tree branch for your pet to gnaw on to maintain their ever-growing incisor teeth. Guinea pigs seem to enjoy gentle handling as long as they are not around dogs or cats that may cause them fear.
Geoff Hall is President of Wayside Waifs, KC’s largest no kill pet adoption campus. Geoff brings to Wayside more than 20 years of experience in the animal welfare community. This includes serving as Chief Operating Officer of the Kansas City Zoo, General Curator of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and as Executive Vice President/General Curator of the Phoenix Zoo. He is the proud owner of dogs, cats, birds and other pets! You may contact Geoff via email at CreatureFeature@WaysideWaifs.org.
How To Take the Best Photos of Your Cat in Four Easy Steps Story & photos by Aneeta Brown
For about 50 years I have been photographing the cats in my family. That doesn’t make me an expert. It means I have never grown weary of observing cats, and I always think my next picture will be better than the last one. Through reading and experimenting, I’ve learned some techniques that have made cat photography a very satisfying pursuit. Occasionally, an editor even pays me for a photo I have taken. It’s a double privilege to own one of the world’s loveliest creatures, and to preserve its image through photography. If you’d like your cat photos to look more like the ones on commercial cat calendars, here are my suggestions. #1: Position your camera at the level of the cat’s eyes. The most common mistake of novice photographers is the actual body position of the photographer. If your cat is on the floor and you are standing to take its picture, your camera lens will be “looking down” on the subject. “Looking down” is a perfect position if you’re photographing flowers or insects, but it’s generally not a good angle for getting the most interesting shot of your cat’s face. Visit a bookstore toward the end of the year and browse at the cat calendars for sale. Regardless of the calendar theme, the calendars all have something in common: the photos show faces of cats. People buy cat calendars to see cat faces. That’s why you won’t find a calendar showing only cats’ tails, or only cats’ feet, or only the cats’ perfectly engineered hind legs. Buyers want to see cats’ expressive eyes, their triangular noses, and their distinctive whiskers.
on a chair, or lying on the floor to take the photo. The exception to this recommendation is when you photograph your cat as part of the landscape or when your cat might be on bed, for example. When you are close to eye level with your subject, the cat is very appealing and looks as though she could walk off the page. I sat on a chair to take these two pictures.
For these two photos, I was seated on the floor. With practice and patience, you can achieve satisfying closeup photos that will illustrate some of your technical skill with the camera.
If your cat is positioned below your waist level when you are standing, consider bending your knees, sitting 6
MetroPet Magazine | Kansas City/St. Louis - November/December 2015
#2: Pay attention to the background. A cluttered, busy, or unsuitable colored background has destroyed many a fine cat photo. Generally speaking, you want to viewer to see the cat first, not the wallpaper, the furniture, or the wastebasket. If you cat’s fur is a solid color, she will probably look fine on a plaid couch, a multi-colored quilt, or a patterned rug. Striped cats and cats with large patches of color look better against solid or lightly patterned backgrounds. I’ve taken thousands of photos of cats at our humane society. Over the years, the walls in some rooms have been painted lime, bright yellow, or turquoise. In my opinion, none of these colors is an ideal background for cat, regardless of fur color. I have improvised by sometimes taping a neutral colored blanket or sheet on the wall, or arranging a sheet or blanket in the cat’s basket. Most often, I have learned to ruthlessly crop my finished photo so that very little wall surface shows. This photo has three major flaws. I was “shooting down” on the cat, so his rump is closer to me than his head. Light and shadows can be effective in photography, but they don’t work well here because the cat’s face is shaded and featureless. Finally, the flowers are a huge distraction and compete with the cat for the viewer’s attention. The cat looks listless and the foreground and background clutter are disastrous to the photo’s composition. Nothing can be salvaged here. Learn from your mistakes and keep shooting.
In this photo, everything is in focus and the cat’s bright eyes are truly the center of attention. Note that the polkadotted fabric does not compete with the cat’s fur pattern. I was not at eye level with this cat, but my camera position was intentional because I wanted to show him occupying the basket. #3: Experiment with the settings on your camera. If you are interested in improving your photography skills, you probably have a digital camera. It has an automatic setting but probably also allows you to choose your own speed and/or aperture (lens opening) setting.
Santa Paws Stops Here! ming groo ble la avai
Toys, gifts, treats for cats and dogs
www.metropetmag.com | Kansas City/St. Louis - November/December 2015
www.treats-unleashed.com Chesterfield • Columbia • Creve Coeur • Des Peres Ladue • Leawood • Mid Rivers • Oakville
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Using only the automatic setting for all of your cat photos is a little like using only the putter to play golf. If you are shooting outdoors, your camera “reads” the available light sources and can do a respectable job of setting the right speed and aperture for you. But indoors, the photography experience is very different. Your built-in flash might result in overexposing or adversely altering the eye color of your cat. The automatic indoor setting does not consider the amount of the cat’s motion. Your photo might be partially or completely out of focus. If your camera didn’t come with an owner’s manual, look up the camera brand on the Internet and download the owner’s manual or at least look at the table of contents and print the pages that are of interest to you. The owner’s manual for my camera (a Canon Powershot G12) did not come with the purchase price. I printed about 80 pages of it and took them to a local copy center, which printed the material and bound it in book format for about $10. After ruining dozens of photos due to of exposure problems, I forced myself to learn some basic settings on my camera. Now, most of my indoor flash photos are taken at 320ths of a second and with an external mounted flash attachment. I choose the speed and the camera’s aperture is automatically adjusted for it. Sometime when you cat is sleeping, take several photos of him at different speeds and or apertures, with and without flash. Record your settings on paper. When you upload the photos to your computer you will have visual “proof ” of
what works well and what doesn’t. These two cats above are mine. Each photo required a flash and neither was taken with an automatic setting. The postures of the cats were entirely unexpected. Tony, at left, seldom hisses but on this day was startled by a visiting dog. When both cats climbed onto the window 8
sill on a snowy afternoon, their position was one I had never seen. (They are cordial toward each other, but not this cordial.) If you enjoy photographing the cat who lives with you, keep your camera handy and properly charged so you won’t miss your cat’s various actions. The color correction software tool, along with some careful cropping and straightening, turns an ordinary photo into a dramatic one.
#4: Learn how to crop your photos. If your computer has photo editing software, learn how to use it. The cropping tool is often the easiest way to improve and enhance a photo. Other useful software tools allow you to adjust a photo’s exposure and color. A cat with all black fur or all white fur can be very challenging to photograph, and knowing how to slightly lighten or darken the photo is the difference between keeping it or trashing it.
I wanted to use a photo of this kitten in our humane society newsletter, but she was so wiggly—and had such sharp little claws—that I couldn’t keep her still enough for a picture. So a staff member quickly wrapped her in a blanket and held her while I took some photos.
MetroPet Magazine | Kansas City/St. Louis - November/December 2015
Sept/Oct Pawzzle Answers
Cat photos shouldn’t give you a headache, but the picture on the left qualifies. Not everyone likes to see a cat’s tongue, but if you do, the cropped version makes a far better photo than the original.
Aneeta Brown of Washington, Missouri, is a widely published freelance writer whose feature articles have been published in dozens of magazines and newspapers, including The Washington Post, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Family Circle, Presbyterians Today, Elks Magazine, Writer’s Digest, and Missouri Life. Her cat photos have been published in Cat Fancy, Cats Magazine, I Love Cats MagazIne, Small Business Opportunities, the 2015 Cat Naps Daily Calendar, and the 1996, 1998, and 2000 “365 Kittens a Year” calendars (Workman Publishing). Aneeta is currently the newsletter editor at the Franklin County Humane Society in Union, Missouri, where her cat photos regularly appear. www.metropetmag.com | Kansas City/St. Louis - November/December 2015
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RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERSHIP
by Jon Nauss
I get a lot of people telling me that they are thinking about getting a dog. I know it’s a loaded statement, because I know that they know that I am a veterinarian. And because I know that they know that I’m a veterinarian, I share my honest opinions and thoughts. These are some of those thoughts, guidelines and recommendations for you or anyone you know who may be considering adopting a dog. Proper and responsible care for a dog requires time, money, patience and commitment and should not be entered into lightly. However, dogs can be amazing companions and friends who you can share so many memories with. My own dog, Gabe, went to college with me, was there when I got married, went through Veterinary School with me and has seen the birth of both of my daughters. I love dogs, like so many other people, and we want them well cared for.
Am I ready for a dog?
A tremendous amount of love for dogs is not enough to indicate one is ready for dog ownership. Ask yourself, do I have the time to take on a dog, or another dog, if this is not your first dog? Do you have time for daily walks, playing, training, feeding, cleaning up after and so forth? To properly look after a dog requires a considerable amount of time. Do you have the patience for a dog? This can be even more relevant if you are considering adopting a puppy. Dogs don’t instinctively understand what you say, or where their food is, or what ‘pee outside’ means. They can, if taught and worked with regularly, but initially, patience is essential. Next, do you have the money to care for a pet? A dog costs much more than the initial adoption fee. There are vaccines, the price of spaying or neutering, annual appointments and vaccines, food, beds, toys, and medical bills when they get sick or 10
injured. The value dogs add to our life will almost always exceed their cost, but it’s important to remember all of the expenses involved.
So you’re ready...what kind of dog should you get?
After you’ve determined that you have the time, patience, money and will to adopt a dog, then comes the task of determining which one is best for you. This should be a serious consideration and deserves a lot of thought. Evaluate your lifestyle to start determining which dog may be best for you. Are you active and want a companion for that? Are you neat and need a dog to match? Do you have a small apartment or a large house and yard? Are there multiple people in your home or do you have children? After these questions, and others, have been asked and addressed, I recommend making a list of attributes you’d like to see in a dog that also coincide with your lifestyle. Things to consider include size, energy level, grooming needs, trainability and temperament. Once you have your lists, visit your local shelter or rescue, or even consider speaking with the staff at a veterinary hospital about which breed of dog would be best for you; or perhaps, what type of dog would you be the best human for.
So you want to be a responsible dog owner...
As I alluded to before, responsible dog ownership entails a myriad of obligations. Not the least of which are the responsibilities you have to your dog. Most of these are centered on providing a safe, caring and healthy environment. This starts with establishing a relationship with your veterinarian. He or she and their staff will help determine which vaccinations your dog may need and get them started out on a healthy life. Other things to discuss with your veterinarian include spaying or
MetroPet Magazine | Kansas City/St. Louis - November/December 2015
neutering your dog, microchipping your dog, heartworm testing and prevention, flea and tick prevention and an appropriate and nutritious diet for all life stages. As dog owners, we are also responsible for providing opportunity for exercise, enrichment and socialization. Speak with your veterinarian about what exercise is best for your dog and find out about dog parks, classes and events in your community, your dog will thank you for it.
to clean up after our pets; especially in other people’s yard, parks or public places.
Enjoy your new dog...
I love dogs, and I love my dog. If caring for a dog fits with your lifestlye, I’m sure you’ll love your dog too. Please consider all of the responsibilities of caring for a dog. The responsibility to yourself, the dog and to others.
We also have responsibility to others...
Once you become comfortable caring for and being around dogs, its easy to forget about what you didn’t know about before. Caring for a dog means being responsible for their actions. The biggest thing is keeping your dog on a leash or ensuring well maintained fencing for your yard. Even the sweetest dogs can misbehave when off leash; or they can become scared and run away or bite someone. Some dogs make a lot of noise, and some people don’t like that. If you have a dog who can’t keep his voice down, please consider your neighbors and keep him quiet or inside when appropriate. Lastly, is waste control. It’s gross, but we all have the responsibility
Jon Nauss, DVM, is the newest member of the team at the Animal Medical Center of Wentzville. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Biology at Benedictine College in Atchison Kansas. He went on to earn his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University. Upon graduation, Dr. Nauss went on to serve as a veterinarian for the United States Army until returning to his wife’s hometown of St. Louis. He and his wife, Havalyn, have two daughters, three cats and two dogs.
www.metropetmag.com | Kansas City/St. Louis - November/December 2015
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is u o L . t S
The Next Adventures of Chip
TEAMWORK
by Heddie Leger
Yesterday, everything worked together like clockwork. But today was a totally different story. The Event Must Go On It stormed all night and was still raining. Lure Coursing is not a team sport, but does take team effort. Everyone needs to know his job. Even though only one athlete will be competing on the field, there is a prep team, field team, catch team at the end, and a clean-up team. Without each of these teams working together a lure coursing (steeplechase) event could not take place. We watched as the prep team worked feverishly after the pelting rain to create a safe running track for the dogs, plus they had to put all the jumps back in place as it had rained so hard and the wind had blown them all out of place. It looked like a tornado had gone through the course, but we knew it was not a tornado. They called it straight-line winds, which can be quite damaging. I was very nervous, storms make me very nervous, and I did not sleep at all, so I was also VERY tired. I had heard talk of canceling the event. But dog people are very tenacious; they decided the event must go on. They had not announced the Overall Champion Dog Competitor yet. There are three levels and the dogs that won their heats got to compete in the last winners’ race for a chance at the Championship. In order to achieve Overall Champion, you have to win at least one other event. While the Prep Team worked hard to get ready, the field team was busily trying to line the course again with bales of straw to keep dogs from running off. They also had to fill in muddy areas with straw as people were getting stuck in the mud. The two teams had to coordinate their activities in order to get ready for the lure-coursing race at noon. They did not have much time as it was already 12
Recap Sept/Oct 2015 - Episode 8 —We won, and Penelope and Allen were carrying us on their shoulders. They were being very good sports, shaking the hands of all the people in the race, some of the people were smiling and happy, but some were not, they walked off mad and pouting. I learned today what it meant to be a good sport and what sportsmanship was all about. Some people were mad because they practiced, and practiced, and practiced, and did not win. They were mad because they were beat by a team that was new and no one knew, we were called “dark horse” winners, but it had nothing to do with horses, and everything to do with something they called natural talent. All I knew was that it was a really good feeling to win. I had never won anything. But I learned that it was also even better to be a good sport and be nice to everyone, whether you won or not. Learning something new all the time. Teamwork: working together for a common cause by coordinating, cooperating and collaborating to reach a particular goal
10:00 am and people with their dogs were beginning to sign up for the first race. It was best out of three races! The Steeplechase I was beginning to feel that I could not do this, when Stormy said to me, “Chip, you have survived much worse, you can do this.” That is all I needed to hear. It was like my entire body was alive with electricity. I was ready to go. The clean-up crew gave the signal that they were done and the race crew put our muzzles on and our handlers put us in place. This was something that I loved to do, chase and catch things. Best out of three, and I would be the winner of the Overall Champion Award. My prep team had prepared everything I needed, the set up crew was ready and the announcer was setting the tone, the crowd was hushed, One your marks, Set, Bang, Go as the starter gun went off. We were off like a bullet. Chasing after the lure that we all so badly wanted. Dogs kept banging into me and knocking me off course, then the dreaded thing happened, a dog knocked me over. I rolled and rolled, landing on my feet and dashed off again, but I was too late, a close third place, but no trophy. The second heat was a bit better, I ran in front right away, as the starter gun went off. I could feel the breath of the dogs chasing on my tail, I kept my eye on the lure and the end, and remembered Stormy’s words, “You can do this, you can do this, you can do this, you can do this,” and then, I did! I won the second heat! I could hear the roar of the crowd, but I was breathing so hard, and was so tired, it was all a blur. Someone gave me a drink, and sprayed me off. We had a thirty minute rest before the third and last heat. My heart felt like it was going to burst. I had to win. For my MawMaw, my sister, my new family and all the lost dogs that don’t come from fancy
MetroPet Magazine | Kansas City/St. Louis - November/December 2015
“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.“ ~ Henry Ford TEAM = Together Everyone Achieves More
breeding and training farms. I just had to find a way to win. Besides, I wanted that trophy, and, I wanted the hot air balloon ride for the winner. The time had come. This was the test of Champions. The third and final heat. It was not for the faint of heart. We were all tired from the past two races. Lure coursing is hard work. It takes speed, strength, agility, endurance and willpower that never gives up. The ground was muddy and it started to rain again. All the other dog’s owners were complaining that they wanted the race cancelled, but my family said, you can do this. The judges and race officials decided to keep with the schedule and the last heat went as planned for the day. On your marks; Set; Starting gun; BANG; GO! Everyone was intent on winning, but I had the best chance of the other three top winners, I had the inside track and could just run straight. It was muddy, but they had put straw down for traction. The other dogs were slipping and sliding, one rolled into me, but I was so intent on the finish, I barely noticed. My mind was like a steel trap, get to the lure first, get there first, get there first. One of the dogs passed me, and I took one final deep breath, and lunged forward with all my might, and got through the end a nose before the dog that had just passed me. I WON! Everyone came running over, cheering, and again, I was on their shoulders and they were carrying me to the winner’s circle. This time to collect the Overall Champion of the Event Award and fly in a hot air balloon. After all the festivities, they showed us to the hot air balloon that we were going to ride in. I could take one person/dog with me and I asked MawMaw to go with me. After all she had been through, I felt this could be something wonderful we could share together. We both got in, and the person who flies the balloon told us how to stay safe and where to sit. He turned on the engine and the blowers and up we started to go. Up, up, up and away. We floated through some clouds and felt like we were in heaven. But, then something strange happened, the driver of the balloon fell over and grabbed his chest and was moaning. We were very afraid, no one was driving the balloon and we were floating higher and higher and going faster and faster out of control. We did not know where we were going or where we would land. The driver laid on his back, barely breathing and still moaning. Then I remembered he had a phone and we dialed for emergency. Thank goodness I have a very smart MawMaw, she knew the numbers 911, someone answered and we started to bark. We barked and barked
Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results. ~ Andrew Carnegie
hoping they would somehow track the phone and realize we were in trouble and connect with the emergency crews and somehow track us down, even though we were way up in the air. It was getting dark and we were getting cold. We did have a blanket and some treats on board, so we huddled on the floor of the hot air balloon basket, ate a snack, closed our eyes, and hoped for the best. We had acted in a team effort to try to get help for the man; we kept licking his face, and pawing at his chest, like trying to keep him awake and massage his chest, as that seemed to be what was bothering him. All we could do was hope for the best, and hope he would wake up and we would get down safely. Stay tuned for Chip’s next chapter to find out where the hot air balloon landed, what happened to the man, and where Chip’s next adventure will take him.
Humane Education Activity:
Is teamwork always about winning? Why or why not? In this story, how did Chip act as a team with his MawMaw?
www.metropetmag.com | Kansas City/St. Louis - November/December 2015
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Common Household
HAZARDS by Erin Quigley, DVM
As pet parents we want to protect our pets from harm. Commonly we think about protecting them from various diseases by providing them with vaccinations, yearly screening tests and wellness exams. We are aware of the many dangers there are in the outdoors, such as wildlife, vehicles and parasites. But we also need to be aware of the many items in our homes that can threaten the health of our beloved pets. In this article I will list some of the most common items that you may or may not be aware of that can cause life threatening harm and expensive medical treatment.
Garlic /Onion: Food items from the Allium species of plants such as garlic, onions, leeks, scallions, chives and shallots causes damage to your pets red blood cells. Cats seem to be more susceptible than dogs. When red blood cell damage occurs it causes anemia and decreased oxygen. This can lead to organ damage/failure or even death. Symptoms you may notice are drooling, weakness, pale gums, dark red or brown colored urine and trouble breathing.
Food items
Chocolate: Many people have heard of the dangers of our pets ingesting chocolate. And I am sure many have had their pets ingest chocolate and do fine. What you need to know is not all chocolate is the same and the amount ingested plays a big role in the possible effects to your pet. The toxic component of chocolate is the Theobromine, which can cause side effects as mild as hyperactivity and diarrhea and as severe as heart arrhythmias and kidney failure. The concentration of theobromine is highest in baker’s chocolate, less in Dark chocolate but still significant, and the least in milk chocolate. Although milk chocolate is the safest it doesn’t take a large amount to cause serious harm to a small dog, so avoidance is key. Grapes/Raisins: You may be surprise to learn grapes and raisins are toxic to our pets. But with the small quantity of ¼ to ½ of an ounce per pound for raisins, and ½ ounce per pound for grapes it can cause kidney failure. Early signs are vomiting and drinking and urinating large quantities starting at a few hours after ingestion. Kidney failure can take one to three days. There is no specific treatment so you need to contact your veterinarian early to see if effects can be minimized. www.metropetmag.com | Kansas City/St. Louis - November/December 2015
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Sugar free food items (xylitol)Xylitol is an artificial sweetener common in sugar free gum, mouthwash, and toothpaste but also now popular in certain brands of peanut butter which is a commonly used treat for dogs. Xylitol is highly toxic, even small amounts can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar, seizures, liver failure or even death in dogs. Hypoglycemia can occur as soon as 10 to 60 minutes after ingesting at a low dose of 50 mg of xylitol per lb, the higher the dose the more likely to cause liver failure. Relatively speaking xylitol is 100 times more toxic than chocolate. Fatty table foods: While fatty table foods such as bacon and other high fat meats are not directly toxic they can cause a serious condition called pancreatitis. This is inflammation of the pancreas that causes severe
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abdominal pain, vomiting, lethargy and diarrhea. Hospitalization is almost always required for treatment and in severe cases death can occur. There are certain breeds that tend to be more susceptible such as Schnauzers, miniature poodles and other small breed dogs. No matter what breed of dog you have it is worth thinking twice before giving treats from the table.
Non-food item toxins
Household cleaners: Many household cleaning products can cause problems in pets if ingested, inhaled or with direct contact. If ingested depending on the dose can cause gastrointestinal irritation leading to hyper salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort and lethargy or with a large amount of ingestion potential kidney or liver failure. Respiratory irritation is possible with direct aerosolized contact of a harsh cleaning product. Direct skin contact of cleaners or carpet powder may cause some local skin irritation or rash. Medications: It is important to be aware of ingestion of our (human) medications in regards to our family pets. It is easy for pills to be dropped on the floor, left on counters or in purses where dogs can gain access. Cats are known to be curious and drop items on to the floor in play which either they or their canine
MetroPet Magazine | Kansas City/St. Louis - November/December 2015
counterparts can swallow. The list of medications and side effects are endless (gastrointestinal, seizures, weakness, pale gums/bleeding etc). Common culprits such as human pain medications, heart medications, blood thinners, antidepressants and chemotherapy drugs can be easy fatal depending on type of medication and dosage. Make sure you are diligent and very conscientious when taking your own medicine and then placing it safely out of reach of your pets. Antifreeze/coolant: It is easy for our pets to gain access to our garage and be exposed to various automotive products such as the always tempting antifreeze/coolant. Antifreeze has a very sweet taste that is enticing to dogs and cats. The ethylene glycol component is extremely toxic in that it produces crystals in urine that cause serious kidney damage
within days of ingestion. It can take as little as 3 ounces for a medium size dog to cause damage. Side effects you may see are drunken behavior, vomiting, lethargy, weakness, seizures, and coma. Some of these side effects you can see as early as 30 minutes after ingestion. It is imperative to get to your veterinarian immediately if ingestion is suspected. Rat/mouse poison: Dogs and cats seem to be drawn to the various types of rat and mouse poisons used in homes. There are many types of poisons that all react differently in the body but can all lead to the same result, death. 1. Anticoagulant Rodenticide: This common type of rat poison has been around for a long time and cause problems in the normal ability to clot blood. This leads to severe bleeding/hemorrhaging in your pet. Unfortunately it can take 3-5 days before signs are noticed, which include difficulty breathing, pale/ bleeding gums, severe lethargy. If intoxication is caught early an antidote of Vitamin K1 can be given to prevent internal bleeding. If not treatment could include several days of hospitalization with blood transfusion and supportive care.
includes withholding food in order to keep the stomach empty to stop production of toxic gas. Also supportive care that includes fluids and antinausea medications. It is also unsafe for people to inhale the toxic gases emitting from the intoxicated animal.
PlantsÂ
The list of toxic plants that are toxic to our pets is long. The most common plants according to the ASCPA poison hotline that can be found in our area are listed below: Lily (kidney failure) , Marijuana (gastrointestinal and neurologic signs) , Tulips (Nausea), Azalea (nausea, low
2. Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3): Only a small amount of this toxin results in severe poisoning in dogs and cats. There is no antidote and it is difficult to treat. It is unique in that it increases the amount of calcium in the body which leads to kidney failure. Pets are treated by supportive care in the hospital for several days that include expensive medication to decrease calcium levels and aggressive fluid therapy and monitoring. Symptoms can include lack of appetite, lethargy, increase thirst/urination, bad breath and tremors. 3. Bromethalin rodenticide: This rodenticide works by causing the brain to swell. Clinical signs include muscle tremors, trouble walking, vomiting, seizures, coma and death. Intensive care is required to control the swelling of the brain and control seizures and trying to eliminate the toxin from the body. 4. Phosphides Phosphides are less common and used to kill larger rodents such as moles and gopher. They produce a toxic gas in the stomach after ingested called phosphine gas that will cause drooling, stomach/abdominal bloating, lack of appetite, lethargy, and difficulty breathing. The treatment www.metropetmag.com | Kansas City/St. Louis - November/December 2015
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blood pressure), Oleander (serious heart effects), Daffodil (Gastrointestinal and heart), Dieffenbachia/Dumb Cane ( Oral, nausea), Chrysanthemum (gastrointestinal and coordination), Amaryllis (Gastrointestinal and tremors), English Ivy (gastrointestinal). Avoid exposure. If ingestion suspected call your veterinarian immediately.
Obstructive materials
Not only can ingesting toxins cause harm to our pet’s well being, but so can ingesting various items that cause intestinal blockage. Intestinal blockage is a serious condition that causes the gastrointestinal tract from functioning normal and is an emergent condition. Symptoms include vomiting, lack of appetite, abdominal pain and lack of bowel movements. Surgery is required to remove the object from the stomach or small intestines. If not found early, the bowel can rupture causing leaking of fecal material into the abdomen and serious infection causing sepsis and possible death. The most common causes of bowel obstruction include various bones (chicken, steak, rib, rawhides), fabric (towels, underwear, socks), feminine products (tampons, feminine napkins), ribbons/strings/hair ties, and toys. Bowel obstruction can be difficult to diagnose due to the fact that X-ray diagnostics vary based on what was eaten, how much, and when the film was taken. Also there is a wide variation in how an individual cat or dog may act. Another factor is that most of the time the pet parent is not confident as to whether an item was ingested or not, how much, or when. And the pet in question typically has a history of ‘getting into everything’ so it is difficult to know if this was an occasion where the item ingested was a highly obstructive material. So diagnostics can be expensive and not always very informative and an exploratory surgery to find out if there is an obstruction present or not is many times needed. So as you can see there are many items that can cause serious life threatening medical conditions in our pets. These conditions can add up to much expense and grief and sometimes treatment is unsuccessful to save the beloved pet. AVOIDANCE is key! Other than being aware of harmful substances 18
and limiting these items in your house; when that is not possible I recommend these tips: • • • • • •
No table food unless pre approved by your veterinarian No medications unless prescribed for your pet by your veterinarian Keep pets out of the garage and store cleaning and automotive products in cabinets Covered trashcans and hampers throughout the house Never leave your medications out and always count pills and then secure in cabinets Don’t leave food on countertops or tables unattended
When ingestion of any of the above items is suspected, or anything you are unsure is safe, it is important to contact your veterinarian immediately. It is also imperative for your pets diagnosis and treatment to provide them with all label information, maximum quantity ingested, and the weight of your pet.
Erin Quigley, DVM, Member of AVMA, MVMA, grew up in Florissant, MO, and received a Bachelor’s degree in Biology at Missouri State University. After college I worked as a receptionist at Rock Road Animal Hospital, a zookeeper at the St. Louis Zoo and a veterinary assistant at Howdershell Animal Hospital until attending Veterinary School at University of MissouriColumbia. I graduated with my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and have lived in O’Fallon, Missouri since I graduated. I worked as a veterinarian in Troy, Wentzville, and Florissant, MO, until purchasing Animal Medical Center of Wentzville in 2010. I married in 2011 and live with my husband Ryan and boxer dog Finnegan in Lake St. Louis/ O’Fallon. When my husband and I have free time from the clinic we enjoy spending time with our dog, family and friends. Our hobbies include attending Cardinal baseball and Mizzou football games. We also enjoy the outdoors biking, boating and horseback riding.
MetroPet Magazine | Kansas City/St. Louis - November/December 2015
All About BARKING by Mike Deathe I get calls all of the time about barking and how to stop it… Well I hate to break it to you, but getting a dog to stop barking is about as possible as getting a teenager to be happy all of the time! Barking is a normal dog behavior and thinking you are going to stop it, is well, foolish and on top of that not very nice either! Now that does not mean we cannot improve Fido’s Most people are shocked, but many dogs would rather be barking issues. Even manage it! But, the first thing we inside anyways. Others unfortunately know this but find have to do is figure out why your dog is barking. For this it easier to just keep the dog isolated in the backyard and article we are going to look at two type of barking and two wonder why the dog’s behavior keeps getting worse. ways help improve the behavior. The other type of barking to talk about is at the front First, backyard barking. If you are a person that leaves door or at windows. This usually comes from the dog your dog outside 8-10 hours a day because your dog is not seeing a person, other dog, squirrel, cat, car, bicycle, etc. trustworthy, calm or neat enough for you, then shame on A couple of things here, If you leave your front door open you and you deserve the barking! Dogs are social animals and allow the dog to see all of the things the world has to and want to be with you, not left outside in that “Big offer and expect no reaction, well I would unfortunately Back Yard” that you have convinced yourself is giving the call you crazy (really I am sorry but you are) or, if you dog exercise. This is one of the main reasons your dog is have windows wide open with full view of every evil barking. He/she is bored! Haven’t you ever heard the old squirrel in the neighborhood and expect the dog to not saying, “the grass is greener on the other side?” Well, after react again, crazy. your dog has experienced all of the smells, sights, sounds, Instead, why not shut the front door every time the dog tastes and touches in your back yard, your pooch is now barks or shut the blinds. Not only are you managing your scanning the neighborhood for something new, and yes, it dog’s behavior, you are teaching cause and effect, quiet has led to barking. gains access and barking loses the access. You could even My solution to backyard barking is simple — institute a 2 bark limit. If your pooch barks more than twice then they have to come inside. And I certainly do not allow my dogs to practice barking when I am away from the home either. So when I am gone they are inside. Depending on the time, it might be in a crate, or if I have spent enough time to train my dog they might even be left loose. If yours is not well trained, then think about a good reliable doggy daycare, especially if your day keeps you away from the house for extended periods of time. By using this 2 bark rule, you not only stop your dog from practicing the bad behavior, but you work on the routine that quiet gets more time outside and barking gets more inside time. 20
use a frosted window tint on the bottom half of glass doors and windows to still allow sunshine in while not tempting the dog with seeing all the moving parts of the world that trigger barking.
One last thing to consider. If your dog barks at the mailman (UPS, Fed Ex or any other delivery person) and right after the delivery is made that person leaves… what do you think your dog feels is the reason that person left? Well, duh… your dog is thinking, “because I barked that person left my territory and did what I wanted.” You and I realize the Mail Person simply went next door to deliver the mail, but to Fido he (Fido) is the reason that person left. And, you, the “smart” owner with all that grey matter
MetroPet Magazine | Kansas City/St. Louis - November/December 2015
and opposable thumbs are allowing Fido to practice this barking behavior day after day and wondering why it is getting worse. Please don’t mistake my sarcasm and humor as making light of the barking situation… I do realize it is frustrating, and in some cases hard to get under control but really like most dog problem behaviors it is us the humans that accidentally, for whatever reason, reinforce our dog’s bad behavior. I hope these two examples and their corresponding techniques will help with your barking issues, and, as always, if you have any other questions don’t hesitate to reach out to me for more specific help. Just remember to Keep it Simple Stupid and don’t forget to have a little fun while you are at it!
www.metropetmag.com | Kansas City/St. Louis - November/December 2015
Mike Deathe is an avid pet lover who found his passion as a dog trainer. Since 2008 he has trained thousands of pet parents on how to live with their companion animals. He writes the Keep It Simple Stupid dog blog (K.I.S.S). Deathe authored The Book of Pee and Poop, and Forever Home — Dog 101 and How to be a Better Shelter Volunteer. Follow Deathe’s blog at @http:// muttzmembers.blogspot.com/ or the website @ www.kissdogtraining.com.
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Creating Holiday TRADITIONS by Pat Hennessy
European legend says that at midnight on Christmas Eve, animals are given the gift of speech for a moment or two. This belief dates back to the birth of Jesus, where it was told that the surrounding animals in the manger were given voice to praise the child. Well you may never hear your animals speak, with words, but if you could they would be telling you to be sure and include them in your holiday customs.
Holiday Traditions
Holiday traditions are cultural, religious, or developed within families to make the holiday personal and special. They may have been passed down for generations and some are centuries old. Traditions are a great way to strengthen bonds and build lasting memories. It is easy to create a new one, or embellish an existing one, to embrace your animal companions. If you currently get a family portrait, or a portrait of the children, during the holiday season – why don’t you add in the family pet? If your animal companion won’t sit well for a photo shoot, take pictures with your own camera and build a scrapbook. Getting photos of your beloved furry family member will build a history that you can look back on in the years ahead and something you will dearly treasure when your companion crosses the rainbow bridge. Some customs include opening gifts in a series of celebrations, such as the twelve days of Christmas or eight days of Chanukah. You can incorporate your furry or feathered friend into the holiday spirit of daily giving with gifts such as a toy, a special treat, or an interactive reward from you like playing a game or giving a massage.
Help a Shelter In Need If one of your traditions is to help a family in need (and what a wonderful one that is), you can add one more member to that list – a shelter/rescue animal (and you will definitely earn your wings!). Local shelters have lists of items they can use (each one is a bit different, so call 22
them or check their websites). You might also search for local rescue groups (breed or non-breed specific), to see what items they could use (as their funds are pretty tight, especially around the holidays). It is not recommended to give animals as gifts, because the recipient may not be able to provide a life long commitment to that animal. As an alternative, if you or your friends could foster an animal, it would not only be a gift to the shelter or rescue organization but a wonderful offering to the animal. You would be giving the gift of companionship, love, and a home environment, which is so powerful and more meaningful than toys and treats to a homeless pet. Another lovely tradition is to visit a retirement/care facility, where people may not have the opportunity to get out and visit family (or may not have family). If you have a mild mannered well socialized dog or cat, take her along on the visit (with the facility’s permission). An animal may brighten the day of someone who is shut in, lonely, or incapacitated. If you find that your animal companion has a knack for visiting, you might consider becoming a therapy pet team. As a bonus, while visiting with elders ask them what childhood memories they have of the holidays, and see if it sparks a new tradition that you could add to your family.
Creating New Traditions You might want to consider creating new traditions with your companion animals. Try teaching a new “cue” or new trick each autumn, and then you can ask your furry or feathered companion to show off what he has learned this holiday season. If you start when your pet is young, you could easily end up with at least 12-15 tricks in his lifetime. Your holiday guests will look forward to seeing what Rex has learned since last year. If you have a multi-pet household, get them all in on the act. You could easily have three dogs doing opposite “sits” and “downs” to the tune of Jingle Bells. Remember, even if Rex enjoys hamming it up for visitors, he needs a quiet place to get away when activities increase and require all
MetroPet Magazine | Kansas City/St. Louis - November/December 2015
your attention. That is a great opportunity to give him one of his gifts early – something appropriate to chew on (a bully stick or stuffed Kong), because we all know that many holiday “people” foods are dangerous for our animal companions, such as sweets or cooked meats with bones (cooked bones will splinter). No matter what your cultural background or holiday preferences, you can find ways to include your animal companions in your traditions. They bring us such joy throughout the year and after all, isn’t that what this season is all about? Once the tree is decorated, the gifts have been wrapped, and the candles have been lit, you will sit down to relax for a moment. Take a look out the window and see the snow glistening by the light of the moon. When you hear the clock strike midnight, go sit beside your dog, put the cat in your lap, and tell them that you love them. Open your heart and you will hear their voices. They will tell you that they love you too.
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 www.n2paws. com.
www.metropetmag.com | Kansas City/St. Louis - November/December 2015
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Meet the Breed Nov/Dec Pet of the Month
West Highland White Terrier Vital Statistics of the Breed: • • • • •
Male dogs approximately 10-12 inches at the shoulder (withers). Weight – 15-22 pounds. Females approximately 9-11 inches at the shoulder (withers). Weight – 13-16 pounds. Life Span – 15 years Coat – short wirehaired, about 2 inches, with a double coat, wiry outer coat, soft dense undercoat Color – White
The West Highland White Terrier originated in Scotland. The breed was actually developed in the mid-19th century when a Scottish breeder of the Cairn Terrier whelped some white pups in his litters. Recognizing the value of those white pups they were bred selectively to obtain the West Highland White Terrier, which in reality is a white Cairn. First shown in the USA in 1906 this breed was first recognized by the AKC in 1908. The Westie’s originally job was that of controlling the population of rats, fox, badger, otter and other vermin. This small, sturdy dog is better known and nicknamed the Westie. Known as being a gamey and hardy little terrier they are relatively easy to train. The Westie is generally friendly toward strangers and is known to get along well with children, and tolerate them well. This is a very easy dog to travel with. Energetic, lively and very self-assured, they get along with other dogs, if they are socialized properly. They generally do not pick fights if their owners know how to interact utilizing proper leadership skills. Robust, friendly and spirited, Westies just love companionship. They do find it fun and games to chase a cat, so must be taught to ignore a cat. Even thought they are little, they are mighty and despite their size, make a very good watchdog. 24
MetroPet Magazine | Kansas City/St. Louis - November/December 2015
Owner beware, as the Westie does like to dig and barks freely. They do not make good pack leaders, as allowed to become the pack leader, may snap when irritated and be combative with other dogs. A lack of leadership on the owner’s part can cause many behavior problems, such as biting, guarding food and furniture. A Westie owner will not experience behavioral issues if they learn to be the leader of the pack. One must be consistent, and confident, in living with a Westie, so they do not develop Small Dog Syndrome. All dogs need a daily walk. Play can alleviate much of their exercise needs. Dogs that do not go on daily walks are more likely to develop behavior problems, due to boredom and/or lack of exercise. They definitely enjoy a good romp in a safe, open area off lead, such as a large, fenced-in yard. The West Highland White Terriers is suitable for people living in apartments, in towns and cities. They are equally as happy in the country. They are very active indoors and can do fine without a yard to run and exercise. There are a few health concerns to be aware of as they are prone to liver disease Legg-Cavé-Perthes syndrome (hip problems), jawbone calcification, hernias, cherry eye and skin problems. This Intelligent breed has a personality that is spunky, bold, independent, with lots of self-esteem-and can be stubborn at times. They need to learn to accept grooming at an early age as their coat calls for regular grooming. They are a joy to own and can provide hours of entertainment if socialized and trained properly. www.metropetmag.com | Kansas City/St. Louis - November/December 2015
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Have Yourself a Furry Little Christmahannukwanzaka by Suezanne M. Law
No matter their denomination or tradition, many people suffer emotional distress during the winter holidays. Financial concerns, changes in routine, and the pressures of living up to Norman Rockwell’s ideal place a burden on all of our relationships. But none suffers as deeply or as silently as the bond we have with our pets when, fed up to our two-front teeth with festive fun, we are holly and jolly no more. Here then, is a multi-cultural look at how we might live well with our pets and enjoy a new perspective on our holiday traditions at the same time.
The Lights of Hanukkah
“Hanukkah commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian-Greek rulers of Jerusalem and the subsequent rededication of the Temple... It also celebrates a miracle that accompanied this event: …God miraculously made the one day’s worth of oil burn brightly for eight days.” From www.religionfacts.com/judaism/
holidays/hanukkah.htm
Though traditionally a minor 26
holiday on the Jewish calendar, Hanukkah has become, like its Christian counterpart, a bright-andshiny behemoth of commercialism throughout the Western world. At its heart, though, the lessons of Hanukkah are simple: of dedication to tradition and of how a little faith can go a long way.
interconnection and to rededicate ourselves to this flame of friendship to which we have given so little fuel but which burns so brightly still.
For mankind’s relationship to our animal brothers is a long one. Dogs, for instance, have lived among mankind perhaps as long as 15,000 years. And though traditionally animals have been treated as chattel, as we have evolved, so our relationships with others — both the two-legged others and the four- — have evolved, until now many of us see our bond with animals as one of kinship rather than ownership. For the more we learn about our world and the way we live in it, the more we realize that our fates are as interdependent now as they were when we were hunting elk together on the plain. Hanukkah is a wonderful time to remember that
The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa
MetroPet Magazine | Kansas City/St. Louis - November/December 2015
Shelter animals need light and warmth: for each candle you light during Hanukkah, set aside $5 to donate to a local shelter’s for utility bills. “Kwanzaa is a non-religious African American holiday which celebrates family, community, and culture. The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase “matunda ya kwanza” which means “first fruits” in Swahili.” From
http://www.history.com/minisites/kwanzaa/
A relative newcomer on the winter holiday calendar, Kwanzaa is gaining in importance year by year. And as cultural awareness of Kwanzaa grows, so too does awareness within the retail sector. Well, with an increase of 18 million celebrants in only its first 20 years of existence, of course Kwanzaa can play with the big boys. But Kwanzaa isn’t afraid of a little
commerce. In fact, at the heart of Kwanzaa’s Seven Principles lie Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), and Ujamaa (cooperative economics). It is no coincidence, however, that these three pseudo-capitalistic principles find their balance in four other principles: Umoja (unity), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith). This is a holiday that encourages and celebrates the success of a culture through reverence for the past. Animals have cultures, too: ways of living which are unique to each species and each social group. As their caretakers humans must help animals maintain their cultural identities while still living well within our homes. After all, part of what we love about them is their difference from us, even as we search out commonalities. The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa can guide us in our interactions with our animal kin: Umoja: to acknowledge our unity with all of the creatures with whom we share this earth, for our well-being is directly linked with theirs. Kujichagulia and Kuumba: to recognize our animal companions’ natural desire for self-determination; to live with animals in ways that encourage thought, creativity, and independence.
Stress isn’t the only thing that can harm your pet during the holidays. Be aware of the following holiday dangers: • Christmas decorations, including tinsel; ornaments and the ribbons or metal hangers from which they dangle; garlands made of popcorn, raisins or cranberries; candy canes and gingerbread men; artificial snow; and electrical cords, batteries, and candles; • Plants and plant byproducts, including poinsettia, holly, and mistletoe; holly berries, water from the base of the Christmas tree, and the tree’s needles (both real and artificial); • Holiday foods, including rich, fatty cuisine; bones; alcohol; chocolate, coffee and tea; and treats — whether for two-legged family members or four- — which are wrapped and placed under the tree; and • Antifreeze – not specifically holiday-related, but a wintertime threat nonetheless.
Ujima and Nia: to work with our animal companions to create homes where each individual’s autonomy is balanced by a responsibility to the family as a whole. Ujamaa and Imani: to be faithful to the relationships we have chosen and to create interactions with our animal friends in which their benefit is as much in the forefront of our minds as our own. As you celebrate the Kwanzaa Karamu (Feast) remember the feathered, scaled, and furry animals in the care of rescue organizations; choose your favorite organization and share the bounty of your table – every morsel helps.
The Gift of Christmas
“Christmas is an annual holiday celebrated on December 25th that marks
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and honors the birth of Jesus... According to popular tradition, the birth took place in a “stable”, surrounded by farm animals…” From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas Ringing in over $500-billion in sales last year alone, Christmas is still the biggest-baddest boy on the block when it comes to holiday spending – and stress. But somewhere beneath the tinny jangle of Christmas Present, whispers of The Gift born on a Christmas Day long-past can still be heard as one might hear the snow: the gift of Love freely given to an imperfect world. For we are imperfect, though we hate to admit it; and the imperfection we deny within ourselves is the very imperfection we often despise when mirrored in our four-legged friends. Yet humans are the animals with the larger brains and the freedom to choose how to use them. And so perhaps the biggest holiday gift we can give to our animal companions (and ourselves) is that gift of love – not because they have earned it by thought or deed, but because we ourselves have been blessed with a gift we can only keep by passing on.
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How silently, how silently, The wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of his heaven.
From “O Little Town of Bethlehem”, Brooks, 1868
For each of the Twelve Days of Christmas, give the gift of time – and extension of the gift of love – to your favorite animal friend, or volunteer at a shelter and become a friend to an animal in need. Suezanne M. Law is a canine-human relationship counselor and accredited dog trainer.
MetroPet Magazine | Kansas City/St. Louis - November/December 2015
By Pawlean Journe
PAWZZLE
Chip’s Corner Across
Answers to this Pawzzle can be found in the Breed of the Month story on page 24.
Down
3.
Nickname for the West Highland White Terrier
8.
Can get along with and tolerate ______________ well.
10.
They need lots of exercise due to being ____________.
2.
Male dogs are measured to be 10-12 inches at the ________.
12. Even thought they are small they are mighty and can make a
4.
Selectively bred for this coat color?
good ___________________.
5.
Beware, a bored Westie likes to dig and _______________.
14.
They are relatively easy to ___________.
6.
Originated in what country?
18.
It is important for the owner of this breed to be confident and
7.
Westies love ___________________________.
_____________.
9.
This breed is well suited for ______________ living.
19. A long daily ______________ will keep your Westie happy
1. Original job was to hunt and catch rats, badger, fox, otter and other ____________.
11. Due to their self-assured personality, the owner must be a
and healthy. 22.
Their coat requires regular _____________________.
24. Lively and spunky, this breed can provide hours of
good pack _____________________. 13.
______________. 25. The Westie can be prone to small dog ___________ if not 26.
Relative of this popular terrier breed.
15. If not trained properly and exercised regularly they can develop ________________ issues. 16.
One health issue Westies can be prone to is ___________.
trained and socialized properly.
17.
This breed has a ___________ coat.
They are also prone to ___________ disease.
20.
Undercoat is considered _________________.
21.
This is a very ____________ dog.
23.
Outer coat is known to be ___________________.
www.metropetmag.com | Kansas City/St. Louis - November/December 2015
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y t i C s a Kans
The Next Adventures of Chip
DEDICATED
by Heddie Leger
Recap from Sept/Oct 2015: They put the fire out and we all curled up in our sleeping bags and went to sleep. The sun was just setting, I could see fireflies twinkling in the dusky sky and hear the bullfrogs beginning to sing their night time song and feel fast asleep. I was exhausted and tomorrow morning would come early. They said there were a few little rapids on the next leg of the water race. I am not sure what those are, but just the word makes me cringe. The sun is supposed to be rising. The birds are not even singing. It is still dark, yet it is morning. You can hear rain falling from inside our tent. I want to stay curled up in my sleeping bag, and no one is moving around outside, so I closed my eyes and fell back to sleep. I don’t know how long I slept, but I felt wet and cold inside the tent, even in my sleeping bag. Wait a minute, wet, oh no!!! did I potty in my sleep? I jumped up and looked around, no I did not, the rain has seeped into the tent. I yelped and woke everyone up. It was still raining, now it is lightening and the earth is rumbling. I am getting more scared by the minute, as it is bringing back memories from my puppy hood when I was in the dark box and floating away. I started to whimper and
Dedicated — having very strong support for or loyalty to a person, group, or cause.
shiver and Penelope and Allen, hugged me close, got some dry clothes and towels from their bags and wrapped me up nice and tight. It really helped me feel better, but it was still raining. I heard Robert and Stephanie outside talking to some other people. They were talking about the weather. Apparently, it is not safe for us to get back on the water to finish the race, so they are trying to decide what to do. I could smell bacon and eggs cooking and am really getting hungry. We decided to play a story game. One person starts the story, and each person adds their ideas when it is their turn. Sounds like fun. Stephanie and Robert were inviting people to come to our tent. The organizing team was dedicated to creating a good experience for everyone no matter what the outcome of the race would be. Part of the experience is in the relationships that are developed between the participants. The theme of the story according to the first person is going to be dedicated and dedication. We are each to build our segment about something we are dedicated to doing or being. It is not my turn yet, but I already know what I am going to add in my segment. Never give up on your
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MetroPet Magazine | Kansas City/St. Louis - November/December 2015
Being dedicated is a habit that you create by staying focused on your goal. You can’t be dedicated to something if you feel half-hearted about it. To reach your goal, being focused is the only way. ~ Dr. Anil Kumar Sinha
Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe. ~ Gail Devers
dreams no matter what they might be. Be dedicated in your mind and heart and see the results you want to see. That is how I found my MawMaw and developed such a great life that I am so thankful for. No one was feeling bad about the situation. I am very thankful they are making the best of it and making it fun even though we cannot get on the water right now. Perhaps the race will be over for the year, but we are definitely making some great memories and developing some great relationships with friends, but by sharing time together. I vaguely heard someone holler mudslide, but did not pay much attention, no one seemed too concerned, but I wondered what they meant by yelling mudslide. Heddie is a Certified Humane Educator and member of APDT, APLB, APHE and NHES. She has a lifelong passion of helping children and the elderly learn manners reinforcement with their pets. You can reach her through the PawZone In-Home PetSitting at 816.820.5829.
Story Discussion Tips 1) What is Chip doing at the beginning of the story? 2) What time of day is it? 3) What are the sounds Chip hears? 4) What does Chip smell? 5) Did Chip get back in the boat? 6) What did he get to do? 7) What is Chip going to share? 8) What did Chip hear someone yell at the end of the story? 9) Was Chip having fun? 10) Why or why not?
Humane Education Activity: Consider what your personal interests are. Writing, photography, music, sports? Think of a way you can dedicate yourself to become better at sharing one of your interests with others.
www.metropetmag.com | Kansas City/St. Louis - November/December 2015
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Kansas City Pet Services Directory Adoption
Boarding & Daycare
Great Plains SPCA 913-742-7326
greatplainsspca.org
Great Plains SPCA’s mission is to save, protect and improve the lives of animals, while strengthening the relationship between pets and human companions. Locations in Merriam, KS, and Independence, MO, offer veterinary care, adoption, rescue and education programs.
Second Chance Pet Adoptions SCPAKC
913-814-7471
2ndchancepets.net
Camp Bow Wow, Lee’s Summit 1010 SE Hamblen Road Lee’s Summit, MO 816-246-7833
campbowwow.com/us/mo/leessummit At Camp BowWow Lee’s Summit your pups reap the benefits of exercise and socialization while having lots of fun romping and playing with canine friends. Pooches in Paradise 7200 Wyandotte Kansas City, MO 816-361-3388
poochesparadise.
Second Chance Pet Adoptions com
is a NO-Kill foster home adoption organization dedicated to helping homeless animals find loving, responsible, safe homes. Visit our center for adoptions and unique boutique items. We are open M, W, F, S. 9237 N Oak Kansas City, MO 64155 913-814-7471 • 2ndchancepets.net Wayside Waifs 816-761-8151
waysidewaifs. org
Wayside Waifs is a charitable animal shelter whose purpose is to improve the quality of animal welfare in our community by providing humane treatment and advocating for companion animals. It offers rescue, adoption, education programs, and pet memorial services. 32
Pooches Paradise was created with your dogs needs in mind. We are dedicated to offering the finest in boarding, daycare, obedience training and spa treatments. Visit us at our mid-town location one block off Wornall, on 72nd Street.
Home Organization
Feel happy, centered, and productive in your space! Certified organizer Eliza Cantlay with Simplicana approaches clutter with humor and enthusiasm. Plus, she LOVES pets. The hardest part is getting started… Let Eliza Eliza Cantlay make it easy! www.simplicana.com P: 913-815-0008 • E: eliza@simplicana.com
Insurance
Scott & Sara Coffman
Auto Home Insurance Group is an independent insurance agency specializing in auto, home, business, workers compensation, life and health insurance. Our experienced staff members are always happy to help you with your insurance needs. 913.839.1478 • AutoHomeKC.com
Pet Memorial Options Tails R’ Waggin 6976 W 152nd Terrace Overland Park, KS 913-685-9246
tailsrwaggin.com
Tails R’ Waggin provides the finest daycare, boarding, grooming and training for your pet. We are your pet’s destination of choice to play, stay and be treated like one of the family. Come by for a tour today!
Midwest Pet Aquamation A gentler eco-friendly alternative to pet cremation
23753 W. 83rd Terrace • Shawnee, KS 66227 913-292-0953 • midwestpetaquamation.com
Midwest Pet Aquamation understands that losing a pet companion is difficult. We want to help you through the process by providing professional, dependable, and eco-friendly pet cremation options. Our office is available 24/7 to all KC Metro area families and inhome pickup is available. Let us help you honor your pet with a peaceful cremation process. Please call us today.
Pet Memorial Options
Rolling Acres Memorial Gardens
Serving the Kansas City area since 1973 Rolling Acres Memorial Gardens for Pets is a full service pet cemetery, crematory, and funeral home where our compassionate staff is ready to serve the bereaved families and friends of cherished animal companions. Our mission is to serve those who think of their pet as one of the family by providing compassionate, dignified and ethical cremation or burial services for their pet. Call us. We can help. 12200 N. Crooked Road • Kansas City, MO 816-891-8888 • www.visitrollingacres.com
Pet Sitting
Latchkey Pets In-home Pet Sitting and Dog Walking
816.529.8500 latchkeypets.net facebook.com/LatchkeyPetsKC Latchkey Pets provides daytime dog walking and vacation pet sitting services to Lee’s Summit and the surrounding areas. We have a team of Insured and Bonded professionals ready to assist with your individual pet care needs. Check out our reviews on Angie’s List, Facebook and Yelp. Call today for a free in-home consultation.
Pet Scarves
Pet Fencing Options
New Owners: Tim, Ann and Tyler Schoenfelder
913.345.2999 Established in 1988, Heart of America Invisible Fence is an authorized, full service Invisible Fence® Brand dealership serving Jackson and Johnson counties and surrounding areas. We offer solutions to many problems, both outside and inside. Learn more about how we can customize an Invisible Fence Brand solution for you and your pet. www.heartofamerica.invisiblefence.com New Store 13342 Pawnee Lane Leawood, KS 66209 New Owners: Kevin and Kim Clark 816-522-2195 Invisible Fence of Kansas City Recommended by vets and installed by professionals, our customizable solutions will keep your pet happy and out of harm’s way in your home and yard. Your pets are family to us. That’s why our pet specialists are certified in our renowned Perfect Start™ Plus Pet Training methods. We serve Kansas City north the river, Lawrence and St. Joseph. www.kansascity.invisiblefence.com
Real Estate Martin and Suzie Taggart Team REALExperience 913.667.9789
TeamREALExperience@gmail.com REALExperienceREALEstate.com
Carol’s Dog Scarves`
Kansas City, MO • 816-728-2480
etsy.com/shop/CarolsDogScarves The best dog scarf your dog will ever wear! Can’t be pulled off, torn off, chewed off or rolled off. Stylish, chic or just plain cute — let your dog make its own fashion statement! Order online at our Etsy Shop.
Pet and Garden Supplies
These full-time, pet-friendly real estate professionals (together with Sherman their rescue dog) enjoy helping pet-friendly people with their real estate experience! They understand selling a home with a pet & buying a home that is pet friendly can be challenging. Team REALExperience is here to help you & your pets with your move!
Veterinarians
Arbor Creek Animal Hospital 15971 S. Bradley Rd Olathe, KS • 913-764-9000
acanimalhospital.com
We believe that every pet has a different set of healthcare needs. Utilizing a blend of traditional medicine and holistic veterinary gives everyone options! Aid Animal Hospital 8343 Wornall Rd Kansas City, MO 816-363-4922
aidanimalhospital.com For 37 years, Aid Animal Hospital has provided quality veterinary medical and surgical services to Waldo and entire Kansas City area. We pride ourselves on quality customer service in a family friendly atmosphere, where your family can always feel welcome.
A Directory Listing in the MetroPet Magazine Appears In print and Online for A Full Year! Call us for Details!
913.548.1433
Keller Williams Realty Legacy Partners, Inc.
Keep your pets safe during the holidays.
American Midwest Distributors
1 Design Drive N., Kansas City, MO 64116 • 816-842-1905 • americanmidwestkc.com A local distributor which sells pet food (Earthborn Holistic and ProPac), bird seed and feeders, equine products, farm and feed supplies and fertilizers and garden supplies and many other products.
Don’t let them play with packaging and wrapping.
Pet Hospice Services
St. Louis Pet Services Directory Adoption/Rescue St. Louis English Bulldog Rescue 314-381-2010
www.stlbulldogrescue.org St. Louis Bulldog Rescue, Inc. is a Federal Tax Exempt 501c3 organization that is an all volunteer group of bulldog lovers whose mission is to re-home bulldogs who are surrendered by their owners or find themselves otherwise without homes, landing in animal shelters or wandering the streets as strays.
Pet Health
Pet Food
Earthborn Holistic
www.earthborn
holisticpetfood.com Earthborn Holistic® offers a wholesome approach to nutrition with high-quality ingredients that nourish the whole pet, dogs and cats. Every holistic pet food formula is designed to offer balanced nutrients that support your pet’s overall health and physical well-being. Natural Food for Pets.100% Satisfaction Guaranteed Or Your Money Back.
Pet Cremation Services
Loving Hearts Pet Memorial Services
1631 W. 5th St. Eureka, MO 636-587-8880 www.lovingheartspet.com Pet Friendly Car Dealership Loving Hearts was started by two families to Lou Fusz Subaru of Creve Couer provide the highest level of pet cremation 10329 Old Olive Street Rd St. Louis, MO services possible. The owners bring over 314-994-1500 100 years of assisting grieving pet owners. www.subaru.fusz.com We are committed to treating each pet as if At Lou Fusz Subaru - St Louis, it’s not just it were one of our own. In your time of need, about buying a car. It’s about finding the right we will be there for you. car for YOU. That means, we take the time to Pet Waste Mgmt & Products get to know you — your aesthetic preferences, your hobbies, your driving habits and your pets! Come visit our pet friendly dealership and dog park! www.yuckos.com
Yucko’s
Weekly - Every Other Week - Once A Month One Times Or Just Because..!
314-291-POOP (7667) Service
Ornaments, tinsel, lights, and party favors can look like toys to a pet. But they can be deadly!
Free Estimates - No Contracts - Fully Insured Dogipot Products - Pet Stations - Litter Bags Fake Fire Hydrants And More...!
314-770-1500 Sales
Are The First Responders In Your Area Equipped With Pet Oxygen Recovery Masks?
www.PetOxygenMask.com
Veterinarians
Animal Medical Center of Wentzville 1120 W. Pearce Blvd Wentzville, MO • 636-332-4411
www.animalmedicalcenterofwentzville.com
Keep your pets safe during the holidays.
We provide friendly, honest, compassionate care for your family pet! Service include vaccine packages and parasite prevention, routine surgery, dental care; advanced surgery; full service grooming and much more. Call us or come see us to meet our incredible team.