The Kansas City Pet Telethon! benefiting
The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City
Thank you for another
successful Pet Telethon, helping us save and improve the lives of animals in 2015!
March 2015
10
Articles 5 Creature Feature 6 Puppy Socialization - How & Why!
14
9 Blue Blue Berry Berry Bun Buns 10 Celebrate the Green by Going Green with Your Pets 14 Is Having Company Causing Chaos? 20
18 11 Tips to Housetrain Your Puppy in Record Time 20 Hug-A-Tree and Survive 24 Care of Rabbits
24
26 Losing a Pet - What are your Options? 28 Post Surgical Care 30 The Next Adventures of Chip 32 Pawzzle 34 Pet Services Directory
Dear Readers Happy Spring! The first day of Spring is just around the corner on March 20. While January seemed mild, February has seen bitterly cold temperatures and slick roads. March brings hope of tulips, daffodils and time outside. It will also bring Easter and bunny season! If you are thinking about adding a bunny to your family, please read Care of Rabbits on page 24. It provides some important facts about bunnies, including how to feed and care for bunnies, the amount of exercise they need, healthcare and more. Please consider all the facts about bunnies before you add one to your family. Go Green this Spring! Now is a good time to think about using green products in your household and with your pet. Take just a minute to check out the article on page 10 - Celebrate the Green by GOING GREEN with your Pets! This issue also has a great article about Puppy Socialization – How and Why! If you are adding a puppy to your family, taking time to socialize it can help you reduce problems down the road. This article
provides lots of tips about when and how to do this. The article Eleven Tips to Housetrain Your Puppy in Record Time on page 18 provides some further puppy training tips. When the doorbell rings at your house, does it cause problems? For many people with dogs, the ringing doorbell causes chaos and disaster. The article Is Having Company Causing Chaos? on page 14 provides some insight from the dog’s point of view and how to change the behavior. This issue includes two other great articles – Hug-ATree and Survive and Losing a Pet — What Are Your Options? provides good information to anyone who has a child or a pet. And as with every issue, please enjoy the breed of the month, Chip’s Adventure and the Pawzlle! In this issue, we are introducing our first Creature Feature column. This first column features the Inland Bearded Dragon. It includes some valuable facts about this creature and what to expect if you choose it as a pet.
Have a Great Spring!
Barbara Riedel, Publisher P.S. Please support our advertisers – tell them you saw their ad in MetroPet magazine.
Publisher Barbara Riedel barbara@metropetmag.com
Advertising Sales Mike Deathe 913.269.7595 Barbara Riedel 913.548.1433
Editor/Production Manager Dan O’Leary editor@metropetmag.com
Contact MetroPet PO Box 480065 Kansas City, MO 64148 Phone: 913.548.1433 Fax: 913.387.4313
Magazine Layout ROI Marketing 816.942.1600 • roi@kc.rr.com
Contributing Authors Kevin Clark Mike Deathe Geoff Hall Pat Hennessy Pawleen Journe Heddie Leger Tyler Schoenfelder Mary Sellaro Stephanie Syberg
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 This month we have a new spot in MetroPet called “Creature Feature.” These features will be articles written by experts providing information about unusual pets. This first edition is written by Geoff Hall, president of Wayside Waifs, and former Chief Operating Officer of the KC Zoo.
Inland Bearded Dragon Pogona vitticeps by Geoff Hall Summary: Bearded dragons are a medium sized lizard native to Australia and are well suited as a pet. Size: Adults can grow to an overall body length of up to 22 inches. Natural Habitat: They are native to the hot and arid deserts of the Australian interior. Costs: Several color and scale variants have been developed by herpetoculturists (reptile breeders) and prices vary accordingly from $50 to over $200. Medical Care: Locate a local veterinarian experienced in reptiles and amphibians prior to acquisition of your pet and seek their expertise if you are concerned about the health of your bearded dragon. Care: Ensuring an excellent living environment and consistent quality of care is absolutely necessary to prevent illness. Bearded dragons require a spacious terrarium with both a basking spot reaching approximately 100 degrees Fahrenheit and a fullspectrum light source with both UVA and UVB. Diet: Young bearded dragon will feed largely on insect prey (crickets and mealworms) while adult bearded dragons need additional dark leafy greens such as kale and collard greens supplemented with carrots in their diet.
www.metropetmag.com | Kansas City - March 2015
Where to Buy: This species is readily available through reputable private breeders and many pet stores. Other: Bearded dragons can make an excellent first pet reptile for those who invest appropriately to ensure their environmental needs are met. As with all pets, make sure you actively research the specific needs of any species of animal prior to acquiring a specimen. Fun Fact: Bearded dragons received their common name due to their behavior of expanding their throats exposing a “beard” of spiny scales as a threat against a potential predator. 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. 5
Puppy Socialization How and Why! Part 1 of 3
by Mike Deathe
Why should we socialize our puppies, and more importantly how should we do it? Let’s jump right on in “the deep end” and talk about the difference between Personality and Behavior, because this is the most crucial point in this discussion. All animals (puppies included) have a critical social development period. If the puppy is introduced and socialized correctly, we can mold the puppy into just about anything we want. However, if we wait too long, or do it wrong we can end up with an adult dog with severe behavioral issues.
Areas and Timeframes
Below are the areas to address and the rough time frames, give or take a week or so. People
By the age of 12 weeks
Soft mouth/Other places or things
By the age of 18 weeks
Rules and Routines (ie. Avoiding Problem Behaviors)
By the age of 5-6 months
People
We all want a dog that likes people, but we also need to keep our furry friends safe from the world. So it is imperative that until your pooch has had at least three rounds of boosters/shots, he/she should not be allowed in a place where other non-vaccinated dogs are or have been. Note: even sniffing those areas could infect your puppy, if it has not been vaccinated. This rule however makes it easy for you and your pup to work on people socialization! But be safe, when outside the home, the best place for your puppy is in your arms! You have the opportunity to affect change on your puppy’s personality at this age. You can teach your pup that the world is safe, fun and explorable, if you pair all associations with people with something awesome! Let’s say a human has a tasty treat, like cheese or boiled chicken. If said human gives this treat to your puppy as a reward, after the puppy has followed a specific command, the puppy will remember this reward and
6
MetroPet Magazine | Kansas City - March 2015
be more likely to associate this group with a positive association and will want to earn rewards in the future. The challenge is that if you wait till 18-20 weeks to teach your pup about manners and rewards, this window will have closed and their personality will be set and more difficult to change. This might sound a tad bit simplistic, but it really is just that simple. If you do it right you can make all the critical encounters with people positive and have a dog that loves people (because they bring presents).
Personality Doesn’t Change
Think of it this way, if you are married or have a roommate and that person is a slob, you already understand you can’t change their personality. You might be able to change specific behaviors, like getting him/her to do the dishes or pick up dirty socks, but this only deals with a specific problem behavior, not the personality. This is not to say that if your dog is already older than 20 weeks that there is no hope, but you will be stuck working to change behaviors
rather than mold your pup’s personality right out of the box. Here is a checklist of things to complete by the age of 13 weeks. So, if you get your pooch at 10-12 weeks you had better hope that the breeder or shelter where the pup came from has been helping, or you have some serious work to do. That being said working fast can sometimes be as bad as not working at all. Remember that all associations with people must be positive to show the pup that the world is not scary or mean. There is a lot to accomplish in the puppy socialization list. As you proceed, make sure all interactions are positive and not negative. Don’t allow
www.metropetmag.com | Kansas City - March 2015
Meet Men and Women Having These Characteristics — Giving Out Treats • Beards • Hats • Sunglasses • Jewelry • Helmets • Smokers – Cigarettes, Cigars, Pipes • Different ethnic groups and races • Elderly • People of all sizes (short, tall, large, small) – including kids • Loud • Wearing Hoodies • Carrying Backpacks • Runners • Bicyclist • Wearing Costumes • Wearing Uniforms — Police, Fire, EMT, Mail Person, UPS, Military • Kids of all age ranges (from infants to teenagers) • Large and Medium groups of people • People standing, sitting and playing • People loud and quiet
7
Things to Do with Puppy Before 12 Weeks of Age • Holding puppy • Touching paws • Touching face • Touching, looking and cleaning ears • Touching and looking at ears • Touching and tugging the tail, and area under the tail! • Hugging puppy • Touching collar • Touching and clipping nails • Checking and touching between the pads (feet) • Touching rear legs • Brushing and grooming • Passing the puppy to others for other human touch
someone to scare your pup, move too fast or for goodness sake be mean. It may not be easy, but if you do it right your chances to have the perfect pup increase exponentially. All interactions must be positive and associated with super yummy treats. If we allow our dogs to have a scary or bad experience during the under 12 weeks of age period, you risk having a dog that will not accept this group of people as an adult. See sidebar on page 7 for the types of people you should include in this socialization process. At this age dogs should also be carried or in wagon, shopping cart, but not loose on the floor of strange non-clean environments. Always include your vet in this socialization process and accept and listen to their input as well. After and while you are successfully introducing your pup to the people listed in sidebar on this page, you also need to work on interacting with these folks. The message for your dog is that not only do these people give me gifts (treats), they are also kind, gentle and helpful, (still include treats at each activity). With all that being said and judging from the critical timeline of the socialization process, get out there, have fun and make every memory a positive one for your pooch. Yes it is really that important! And, if you need help finding a professional trainer to help is a great idea! Our next socialization article will include training to a soft mouth and introducing to a variety of places!
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. 8
MetroPet Magazine | Kansas City - March 2015
Blue Blue Berry Berry Bun Buns Makes a dozen berry, berry delicious muffins
Ingredients:
1 cup skim milk ¼ cup vegetable oil 1/3 cup honey 1 egg
2 1/3 cups white flour 4 tsp baking powder 1 tsp vanilla 1 ½ cups fresh blueberries
Directions: • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. • In mixing bowl, combine milk, oil and honey. Add egg and blend well. • Combine flour and baking powder in a separate bowl and add to wet ingredients. Stir together thoroughly. • Add vanilla and fold in blueberries. • G rease a muffin tin and fill two thirds full. • Bake for 20 – 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean. Cool before serving and store in a sealed container.
www.metropetmag.com | Kansas City - March 2015
9
Celebrate the Green by Going Green with Your Pets by Pat Hennessy
It’s time to put on that green sweater or shamrock pin and become Irish for a day in celebration of the patron saint who brought Christianity to Ireland (even though most people think it’s about leprechauns with pots of gold or sending the snakes out to sea). While we are wearing our green with pride we can actually become green and take pride in caring for our planet. And our companion animals can come along for the ride. We know using environmentally friendly products is better for the Earth, but it is also better for us and our furry and feathered friends as well. You can start your green journey by taking a look inside your home for healthy improvements. Take a good look at the cleaning products you use. Are the ingredients safe for the environment and are they safe for you and your pets? Many products have harsh chemicals that produce strong fumes, are hard on our 10
MetroPet Magazine | Kansas City - March 2015
skin, and not as effective as natural products at reducing bacteria and deodorizing. You may like your carpet or tile cleaners, but are the ingredients safe? Remember that your pets are on the floor and they are absorbing, or even licking, those chemicals. Other products that you want to look at for pet friendly (and environmentally friendly) ingredients are pet shampoos and flea repellants. There are safe and natural products available that are effective and reduce your pet’s exposure to harmful chemicals that can cause skin irritation or contribute to other health issues. Another aspect of your in-home environment is the air you breathe. Air pollution is not just an outdoor issue. There are many harmful pollutants in your home (bacteria, mold, fungus, radon, etc.), not to mention typical household pollutants (dust, pet dander, smoke, etc.). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
has cited that indoor air can be up to 100 times more polluted than outdoor air and it is 1000 times more likely to reach your lungs than outdoor pollution. One way to combat those chemicals is to use a good air purifier, one that actually eliminates the pollutants. Remember that your pet’s lungs are much smaller and dealing with the same amount of pollution, so you would not only be helping yourself you would be helping your pets tremendously. An air purifier can be especially helpful if you have cats or birds, due to the dander and dust that accumulates and the associated allergies that follow. After thoroughly going through your home to make environmental improvements, you need to turn your attention outside the home.
www.metropetmag.com | Kansas City - March 2015
You must be very cautious when selecting products for your lawn. Many of the products that kill weeds can be harmful to your pets. Ignore the picture on the front of the bag with the children and a dog playing on a beautiful lawn and read the ingredients or the fine print instead. Some bags will say pet-friendly, but in smaller print it says to keep pets off of areas where the product is used, for several hours up to a couple of days. You may think your pets will be safe by keeping them off the lawn for a bit but remember dogs like to eat grass, especially the early spring sprouts, and grass that has been treated can be harmful. You may think it is good for the lawn to leave pet waste as fertilizer, but it is not a fertilizer. To protect the environment and your companion animals, please
11
the warmer months the low oxygen levels, combined with the ammonia output, can kill fish. We can’t really pick up after wildlife, but we can clean up after our animal companions.
pick up dog waste. Feces contain bacteria that create a breeding ground for fleas, so getting rid of it reduces at least one source of flea habitat. The bacteria in feces travels through the rain run-off process and end up in natural (unfiltered) water sources, such as streams and lakes, where it decomposes using oxygen. During
Following St. Patrick’s Day, April brings us Earth Day (a day to celebrate cleaning up the planet). If you want to celebrate Earth Day on behalf of companion animals, one way is to take your newspapers and cardboard flats to your local animal shelter. They use the newspapers to line cages and crates and they use the cardboard flats for litter trays. If you have unused or slightly used bowls, beds, collars, leashes or toys, you can donate them as well. As an extra gesture, you could save up your aluminum cans for a month, cash them in and donate the money to your local shelter when you take the newspapers. You are not only recycling, but you are helping homeless animals until they can find a new family. If you are still feeling “green” and have a green thumb, do some planting to give back to the Earth. A vegetable garden is very rewarding because not only is it home-grown, but it provides healthy options for you and your pets (but be careful which vegetables they consume). If you have room you can plant a tree. Your dog will enjoy that — if it’s close to the house it could be a lovely shade tree, if it’s close to the street it could be an information gathering spot (like people standing around a water cooler). For your dog, sniffing a tree is like you reading the newspaper; they gather information about every animal that came by and left its mark (and it will prompt your dog to leave his mark for the next guy to read) Last but not least, if you don’t think you’ve done
12
MetroPet Magazine | Kansas City - March 2015
enough with your pets, you can also help wildlife on your quest to be Earth friendly. Next time you have some stale bread or left over pizza crust or biscuits, crumble it up and scatter it around a tree. The birds and squirrels will love it and it’s better than just throwing it in the trash. While you are celebrating the day of the Irish, wearing your green, eating or drinking green, remember to “be” green the rest of the year. When you think of all the ways that our Earth benefits us: the water, the minerals, the air that we breath, and the beauty to take that breath away — it is a bountiful gift. It is a small effort on our part to give back to our Mother Earth.
www.metropetmag.com | Kansas City - March 2015
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.
13
Is Having Company Causing
Chaos? by Mary Sellaro
Normally, the sound of the doorbell is synonymous with looking forward to the arrival of family and friends or the delivery of a pizza or package. The key word here is “normally.” However in some households a ringing doorbell is a precursor for disaster. When there are dogs involved, unfortunately, sometimes it doesn’t matter which side of the door a person is on, harm can be caused by over exuberance on the dog’s part and/or a lack of control and direction from the owner. A dog’s response to the doorbell or knocking at the door often sets free a wide range of reactions, barking, running back and forth, pawing and/or scratching at the door and jumping up or on visitors. And, the problem doesn’t end there. Very often, in these situations, it seems as if the owner becomes invisible to the dog. The dog doesn’t respond to any verbal directions and it will take at least several minutes for the dog to calm down and seemingly regain any sense of composure. It is very common for a dog which normally listens in a calm manner, to pay no attention to their person when they are very stimulated.
Behavioral Management: Prevent, Control, Change and Resolve Ordinarily, what the owner considers intolerable behavior is natural dog behavior. The crisis begins when 14
MetroPet Magazine | Kansas City - March 2015
humans try to stop normal dog reactions without trying to understand why the dog is behaving in a certain manner. For example: the natural way for dogs to greet one another is to lick the mouth of the dog being greeted. Since most dogs can’t reach their owner’s mouth, the smart thing to do would be to jump up and aim, simple dog logic. However, owners (understandably) do not like to be jumped up on, and try to stop the behavior in a variety of ways. The attempts at stopping the behavior usually fail. The owner soon becomes frustrated and most dogs interpret owner’s frustration as a lack of control. The dog’s behavior can spiral out of control and what started as a simple problem can become a battle. The owner, at this point, has two choices: learn how to take control, or not. Remember, over 50% of the dogs found in shelters are placed there because of behavioral problems their owners would not, or could not solve. A replacement behavior teaches the dog a positive alternative to jumping up or any unwanted behavior. The focus is to teach the dog that calm behavior gets praised. The first step to most behavioral concerns is through a training program, in which the owner will prevent the problem from happening. The second step is to control the dog’s environment and limit his exposure to the problem. The use of a crate, safe area or leash and collar is part of the prevention for the control of the problem. The third step is to change the dog’s behavior through obedience training by teaching the dog to control his impulses, listen to the owner, and learn a replacement behavior and to display reliable responses.
Scenario Solutions
Scenario 1
Your dog, friends and unfamiliar people It will be very important to be consistent with a reliable pattern for the dog to follow regardless if he or she meets people at home or in public. When meeting someone outside of your home, as the person approaches, verbally give the cue “off ” or (something similar) step on the leash and give just enough length so the dog can stand comfortably. The leash pressure will prevent the dog from jumping up and will help keep all four feet on the ground. The dog will most likely try several times to jump up and will realize he is unable to due to the leash. When the “aha” moment comes and the dog stops trying to jump, reward quietly to help maintain the dog’s calmer frame of mind and
www.metropetmag.com | Kansas City - March 2015
reinforce attention to you. The praise from you should be the dog’s desired reward, not the attention from the person being greeted. As the dog becomes more predictable in greeting politely, integrate a “sit” into the plan. This situation will have to be practiced multiple times before it will become reliable. This scenario can become difficult when a friend, family member or a stranger says they don’t mind if your dog jumps on them or might even encourage the very behavior you are trying to stop. Speak up for your dog — do not allow your dog to rehearse behavior simply because someone either won’t listen or because
15
you are hesitant to take control of the situation.
Remember, it is important at this point to understand the treat is acting as a lure to entice your dog over to the bed — this will eventually change.
Scenario 2
Your dog and visitors at the door The doorbell rings. The first step is to put a leash on the dog and prevent any of the behavior discussed in the first part of this article. (A good piece of advice is to keep a leash in a handy location by the door.) • Do not open the door until the dog is calm. • Step on the leash and follow the protocol as advised in Scenario 1. This exercise must be practiced on a daily basis and in repetition for the dog to make the connection for the expected etiquette. (Enlist the help of friends and family members and remind them they will also enjoy the future benefits of your well behaved dog.) Another option is to teach your dog to go to a designated area or “place” and stay when visitors come over. Place is a very valuable command and may be used in a variety of situations, for example, at mealtimes or to control access to certain rooms or areas.
Place To begin the exercise, choose a spot for your dog (the more comfortable the better!) Put a leash on your dog and stand with your dog about 1 foot away from the chosen spot. Say “Place” while pointing towards the bed or mat, and throw a treat on the bed. The goal is for the dog to go to the bed and eat the treat. When this happens, praise. Repeat the previous step until your dog is willingly running to the spot for the treat — this is to reinforce the behavior and also builds an association in your dog’s mind between you saying “Place” and pointing. 16
MetroPet Magazine | Kansas City - March 2015
Gradually increase the distance between where you and your dog are standing and the bed. Continue to practice “Place,” point, and throw the treat and praise. The treat now becomes a reward for the desired behavior as opposed to a lure to get on the bed. Begin in the same manner, give a verbal “Place” while pointing towards the bed, but do not throw the treat. At this point, the dog should understand the verbal command and pointing is a directive to go to the spot. If he/she responds to the command by going to the bed, give the treat (rewarding the behavior) and praise. If the dog doesn’t “respond” or gives an incorrect response, go back and begin using the treat as a lure again. Continue and repeat the above step. Add sit, down and stay to the process. Practice this at random times and change up the place you request the dog to “Place”. Begin the exercise close to the bed, and then gradually increase the distance from the spot. When the dog is responding consistently from a distance, execute the exercise from a different room. Distractions may be added to proof the exercise, by adding a food bowl or another person in the room. When the dog becomes accomplished with the previous steps, gradually phase out the treat and use as an intermittent reward.
Scenario 3
While your visitors are in the house Whenever possible, exercise your dog prior to the arrival of the company. Keep the dog on a leash if necessary to maintain calm behavior.
Use the place command and give the dog something “extra special” to chew on that they only receive when “company comes.” This will keep the dog’s interest on the chew longer, as it is not a boring, everyday toy. Once you are satisfied your dog will engage politely with your guests, the leash may be kept on for quick reminders to behave. Safety is key when your dog is dragging a leash-he must stay in the same room as you and be supervised at all times. In conclusion, train smart and stay consistent. Be prepared with the leash , but if for some reason you are unable to focus on your dog completely — it is better to put your dog in a crate or behind a barrier than to let the dog be unsuccessful, even for a few minutes, and practice the very behavior you are working hard to change.
www.metropetmag.com | Kansas City - March 2015
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 evaluator 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 Evaluator. She can be reached at 816-361-3388.
17
Eleven Tips to Housetrain Your Puppy in Record Time by Kevin Clark and Tyler Schoenfelder
You creep through the dark in your robe and bare feet. The scent of fresh coffee rises up the staircase. As your foot steps down onto the landing…squish. No one likes discovering a new puppy’s accidents, especially by accident. And if you have a lot of people in your family, you might also experience SomeoneElseWillCleanItUpItis, making it much more important to get that puppy trained quickly. It takes some effort from all the humans in the family, but the more you invest now, the faster it will happen.
FOR THE HUMANS Manage expectations.
You’re an adult. He’s a puppy. It’s easy to get upset when you find the latest surprise, but think of him as you would a potty-training toddler — there are bound to be a few accidents. Also, consider your dog’s breed, size, and age. Small breeds have small bladders, so they just need to go more often. And very young dogs, especially ones weaned early, simply might not be ready.
Prepare for accidents.
If you are surprised by a squish, the common reaction is anger (and general gross-out). Puppies can sense your emotions, though, and your negative reaction to his natural behavior will confuse him. If he associates your anger with what he did rather than where he did it, he might try to hide it better in the future rather than learn to go outside. 18
MetroPet Magazine | Kansas City - March 2015
Clean accidents quickly and thoroughly.
If smells linger, he’ll be attracted back to the same spot. And do NOT clean up with ammonia-based cleaners. Ammonia smells like urine to him, and it might inspire your puppy to mark his territory against the “intruder.”
Make it a family affair.
Everyone in your family should participate in the training, so your puppy learns to go for everyone. If you have a neighbor, or petsitter, or anyone else who’s likely to have a lot of contact with him, include them in the training, too.
FOR THE CANINE Focus on the positives.
Reward him with a treat after he potties outside, and ignore the inside accidents. The only time to focus on the incorrect behavior: when you catch him while he’s doing it. Startle him enough to stop (do not scare him), move him quickly outside, and praise him when he goes in the right spot.
Set a schedule.
Remember: what goes in, must come out! Structure his time for pottying AND for eating and drinking, and be sure to connect the two. And it might seem like common sense, but many people forget it’s not wise to feed him or let him drink within the last couple hours before bedtime.
Tip: If you use the laundry room to train your pet, put absorbent pads in front of the washer and dryer so when he pees it doesn’t run under the machines! If you put him in a space with ceramic tile, make sure you seal your grout! The goal here is to make cleanup super-easy and less stressful.
Take him out OFTEN.
Take him out first thing in the morning (BEFORE you get your coffee), after he eats and drinks, and every 1-2 hours when he’s first home (yes, even at night). As he gets a little older and able to hold it longer, you can extend the time between trips outside, but never stretch it longer than his little bladder can handle. Hint: it’s smaller
you’re going out to potty, and gradually teach your dog to tap the bell with his paw each time he goes out.
Contain him.
If you’re containing him for short periods of time where he should physically be able to hold it, keep him in a very small area, such as a crate. It should be just big enough for him to comfortably stand up, turn around, and lie down, but not big enough for him to soil an area and get away from it. If you need to leave him longer than he can hold it, put him in a larger area with easy to clean floors*. Use a litter pan or absorbent puppy pads to show him where it’s OK to go.
than yours.
Focus when you’re outside.
Potty time is not play time. While you’re training him, take him out, wait for him to do his business, reward him, and take him back in. Of course this doesn’t mean he can’t potty while he’s out to play…he probably will. But intentional house-training time needs to be intentional.
Teach him to use one spot.
Preferably not right next to your prized azalea. Take him to the right spot every time and reward him when he goes there. If necessary to have an indoor spot (if you have to be away longer than he can hold it, and you can’t arrange outdoor breaks for him), you can litter or pad train him, too.
Teach him a signal.
Many people have had success with hanging a bell or a baby’s rattle near the door. Ring the bell every time as
Bonus Tip: In the end, remember consistency is more important than any special tricks. If you always make sure your new puppy has opportunities to go outside and he knows it makes you happy, he’ll learn quickly and work hard to please you! www.metropetmag.com | Kansas City - March 2015
Kevin and Kim Clark are the new owners of Invisible Fence of Kansas City. Kevin has 25 years of sales experience and Kim has 20 years of accounting experience. They purchased an Invisible Fence system six years ago for their dog Buddy, and so strongly believe in the system, that they purchased the dealership last Fall. They both love pets and are excited to help other pet owners keep their pets safe at home. Kevin services Buchannan, Clay, Douglas and Platte County, MO. Kevin can be reached at 816.522.2195. Tyler Schoenfelder, along with his parents Tim and Ann Schoenfelder, purchased the Heart of America Invisible Fence dealership in February, 2014. They have been in the Invisible Fence business for 12 years, with dealerships in Huntsville and Knoxville, TN. Tyler was the Rookie Dealer of the Year for Invisible Fence Corporate and number one in the country for growth in 2014. He grew up with Brittanys and Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers. Tyler serves the Johnson County, KS and Jackson County, MO areas. The new office is located at 13342 Pawnee Lane Leawood, KS 66209, 816.941.7700.
19
Hug-A-Tree and Survive by Heddie Leger Summer is fast approaching and children will be out and about with scout groups, camp sessions, and vacationing with their families. The chances for lost children increase during summer months more than any other time of year. Children can also become lost walking their pets in the woods or chasing a pet that gets loose. The Hug-A-Tree program teaches children how to survive in the woods should they become lost. Keeping children and pets safe is a very important.
Hug a Tree History A Lost Life
On a Saturday in February 1981, three brothers were together on Palomar Mountain approximately 20
60 miles north east of San Diego, California. They were walking on a popular nature trail a half-mile from the camping site where their parents were preparing lunch. Two of the brothers believed that nine-yearold Jimmy was racing them back to camp, but he never arrived. The family spent one hour searching on their own, then contacted a Park Ranger who contacted the Sheriff ’s Department. As often happens during February in southern California, the weather was unpredictable. The day had been clear, warm and beautiful. As night fell, clouds and fog moved in and the temperature steadily dropped. By Monday, it was raining almost continuously and fog continued
MetroPet Magazine | Kansas City - March 2015
to shroud the mountaintop. The helicopters could fly only when the cloud ceiling retreated enough to permit a safe take off. The wind and rain had neutralized Jimmy’s scent; so tracking dogs were of no use. The only hope was to systematically search the entire area, and pray for a visible sign of the boy. Tuesday morning, the weather broke and the sun came out. There were about 400 searchers on the scene including about 200 Marines. The search was the largest in the history of San Diego County. That afternoon the boy’s jacket and one shoe were recovered and his direction of travel was finally established. Wednesday morning Jimmy’s body was found, curled
Hap
N ew up next to a tree in a ravine, about two miles from the campground. He had died from hypothermia. A great anguish overcame many of the searchers for this lost boy and his family. It was a deep and personal feeling that you could see in many faces, on the mountain and for months afterward. There was grief, for a young boy who had lost his life, and also a feeling of great wrong that had occurred, with nobody to blame. Many people were affected by the tragic loss of Jimmy Beverage’s life when he became lost and had a desire to prevent it from occurring again. The tragedy gnawed at Ab Taylor, a Border Patrol agent and renowned tracker, and Tom Jacobs, a free-lance writer and photographer. Both had been members of the search team looking for Jimmy. It was the first time in Taylor’s 31 years as a tracker that he had failed to find a missing child alive. The experience prompted him to collaborate with Jacobs, Jackie Heet, and Dorothy Taylor in the development of an educational program designed to teach children, ages 5-12, very basic principles for staying safe in the wilderness. The program derives its name from its primary message: If you are lost, stay put, and hug a tree, until help arrives.
py
Yea
r
of individuals to present the Hug A Tree program. Up to this point, the program had enjoyed a significant level of success in the United States. But, in 1999, the program’s concepts were translated into Swedish and the program began to be presented by volunteers in Sweden. In 2001, the right to develop a Canadian version was granted to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and an explosion in the number of children receiving the program in North America occurred.
Follow These Rules Lost Pets
There are a few simple rules to keep your pet safe, if it wanders off your property or become lost. Hopefully, your pets are micro-chipped for easy identification should they become lost. First, make sure your pet is spayed or neutered. One of the leading causes of dogs wandering away from home is due to the female being in season. The females become
In 2005, Ab Taylor donated the rights to the Hug-aTree program and materials to the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR). The intent was that NASAR would modernize the program and continue to get the important Hug-a-Tree message out to children. In 2007, after two years of development and using only private donations of time and money, a new video was distributed for use in the program. In 2008, a new presenter/trainer video was released that shows anyone how to present the program, and numerous new supporting documents were developed and distributed for use with the program (e.g., activity/coloring book, program handout, presenter manual, etc).
A National Program
In the decades that followed, the original developers of the program-along with a number of committed others — including Lillian Taylor, Ab’s wife, trained hundreds www.metropetmag.com | Kansas City - March 2015
21
restless and will wander, the males will chase after a female, even one at a great distance. The only way to keep this from happening is by having your pet spayed or neutered. Second, do not chase your pet. Chasing is often a game to the dog and it will cause him to run faster and farther away. Often a dog will wander around and then meander back home. Although cars are a great danger to a loose dog, most will not wander into traffic unless running away from something.
Should your pet become lost call animal control, local veterinarians and surrounding neighbors immediately. Creating flyers to post around in stores is a good way to let the general public know what your dog looks like and how to get in touch with you should they see or find him.
Lost Children
Lost children and lost pets cause much worry for families and friends. Many children are alive today due to their training in the Hug-a-Tree Program. These simple steps can help save a life.
Third, do not leave your pet outside unattended. Anything can happen: the gate can accidentally be left open, someone can let your dog loose, your dog can jump a fence, or break away from a tether. The best way to keep your dog safe is to keep a watchful eye on him at all times.
• I f you think you are lost, hug a tree. By staying in one place you are easier to find and will not be injured by running or walking around. •A gree on a secret code word in advance for your family to give to searchers who might be looking for you. If anyone else approaches, and does not know the code word, you should not go with them.
No
Brush
Required!
AFTER 30 DAYS
C METROK 22
MetroPet Magazine | Kansas City - March 2015
•P arents should keep a footprint of their child by tracing their shoe on a piece of aluminum foil each year. Trackers can often differentiate tracks and quickly determine the direction of travel. •P arents should not hesitate to call for help immediately. A delay in calling can cause a dangerous situation especially if the weather is bad. •M ake yourself a big sign by using twigs, branches or rocks to write out a big “X” or “SOS” sign on the ground. Wear bright colors that are easily seen.
Naturally Remove Plaque & Tartar, Reverse Gum Disease and Freshen Breath Without Brushing.
BEFORE
• I t is a good idea when hiking to always carry a trash bag (with hole cut out for head) and whistle. The bag can keep you warm and dry, and a whistle can be heard from a long distance, even more than yelling.
• I f it is getting dark and you hear an animal, blow your whistle, or yell as loud as you can. Most likely the animal will run away to protect itself. Do not run as the animal could chase you.
• Remember you have many people out looking for you. Don’t be afraid to let people know where you are. They will not be angry. They will be happy you are found safe and sound. • If search dogs come looking for you remember, most trained search dogs are friendly and like children. It is okay to pet them and be friendly. Search dogs work very hard using their nose to find you. They will be very happy to see you. They are your friends. It is the sincere hope of those who have contributed to this project that all children will someday be exposed to the lifesaving principles of the Hug-a-Tree program. To read more about Hug A Tree go to www.nasar.org org If you want a local presentation, contact Heddie Leger at pawzone@yahoo.com or visit www.thepawzone.com
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.
NEW ACANA SINGLES
• The First Biologically Appropriate Limited Ingredient Pet Food • Single Source Meat Protein — choose from Pork, Duck or Lamb • 50% Meat + 50% Fruits and Vegetables • Perfect for food sensitive dogs of all breeds and all stages
Distributed by:
913.825.1760 www.metropetmag.com | Kansas City - March 2015
To find a local independent retailer go to championpetfoods.com 23
Care of Rabbits So the children want a pet rabbit and promise to take care of it. The Spring Holiday is coming and pet stores are ramping up their stock and they are so cute. If you are thinking of obliging your children please consider a few things first. Rabbits are not the kind of pets you can just leave in a cage and ignore. They require regular daily care and attention. Make sure and do plenty of research before getting a rabbit as a pet — remember all pets are a responsibility. There are many good books and informational websites on the Internet that will help you learn what you need to know to keep a rabbit for a long time as a healthy pet. Your rabbit will require food and water every day. Your rabbit is depending for you to supply clean, fresh water that is changed every
24
day. Your rabbit should be fed pellet food and have unlimited hay. Rabbits love timothy hay and alfalfa hay. It is a good practice to feed younger rabbits alfalfa hay in the morning, and just pellets at night. When feeding pellets they should be started around 6 months of age and by the weight of the rabbit. Do not free feed your rabbit pellets as this can lead to obesity which is not good for your rabbit’s health. Of course, vegetables should be provided every day starting around 6 months of age according to the weight of the rabbit. It is important that at least one vegetable you feed each day contains Vitamin A. Please consider fruits to be treats They should be fed sparingly due to high sugar content. Rabbits need lots of attention. Sometimes people get rabbits thinking they can leave them outdoors and they won’t take much time. Quite the contrary. Rabbits need to be socialized just like any other pet. They enjoy companionship and are very playful. Please keep in mind that your rabbit will also need something to occupy its time such as things to chew on and toys. Simple cat toys will do, but they must be rabbit safe, as rabbits will chew on items, unlike cats. You don’t need to spend a lot of money, but can get creative as long as the toy is safe for rabbits or chewing animals.
MetroPet Magazine | Kansas City - March 2015
by Heddie Leger
You can supply an outdoor pen for your rabbit to go outside for exercise and fresh air, but never leave your rabbit unattended and never without a safety enclosure. Any loose predator can come along and either scare your rabbit or harm it. Make sure the area where you place the outdoor play area is pesticide free. Also learn about the weeds that can be harmful or poisonous to rabbits. Your rabbit must be supervised at all time while outside to protect it from hazards or getting lost. It is important to make certain to provide enough space for your rabbit. If your rabbit is going to live in a hutch it should be no smaller than 2 feet tall x 2 feet deep x 3 feet wide. If you have more than one rabbit, you should definitely provide more space. Rabbits are generally very clean pets if cared for properly and regularly. To help keep your rabbit healthy you will need to provide a piece of wood for it to gnaw on in order to keep its teeth to a healthy length. Gnawing on wood helps keep their teeth trimmed down and also provides exercise. The wood should always be untreated. Research which woods are rabbit safe as your rabbit can become sick or die if provided the wrong type of wood. You can purchase special gnawing woods for rabbits at the pet store. One thing many people do not realize is that rabbits need
to be vaccinated against Viral Hemorrhagic Disease yearly and myxomatosis every six months. Observe your rabbit on a daily basis to catch any illness that might occur or if its appetite has changed or decreased. A lethargic rabbit may be indicating that something is very wrong. You really do not need to worry about bathing your rabbit. The rabbit is naturally a very clean animal and cleans itself on a regular basis. Rabbits really do not make good pets for young children as they are very fragile. Their backs can break easily. They must be lifted properly and carried gently. To pick up a rabbit properly place one hand under the rabbits chest and the other under its rear-end to support the rabbits weight. It is improper and cruel to grab the rabbit by the scruff of the neck and lift it without supporting the rest of its body. People think this is proper since this is how the mother rabbit sometimes will carry the rabbit, but there is nothing farther from the truth. It is extremely important to be very gentle so your rabbit will not get hurt and be careful not to drop your rabbit as they become seriously injured.
rabbit, please consider adopting a rabbit that needs a home. Many people purchase rabbits without realizing how much work and responsibility is involved. Fortunately, there are several very good rabbit rescue groups including Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah or the Missouri Rabbit House Society, with chapters in both Kansas City and St. Louis. It is entirely possible to find a very nicely socialized rabbit that needs a loving home at one of these fine organizations.
By following these simple tips you can enjoy a rabbit for many years, but first consider whether a rabbit is a suitable pet for your family. Â Finally, instead of purchasing a www.metropetmag.com | Kansas City - March 2015
25
Most of us don’t want to think about what to do when we lose a pet. But unfortunately, most, if not all of us, will encounter this terribly sad day. The real questions are: are you ready and do you know what to do? This article is meant to be a simple guide for those after care decisions, and to point out that many can be made before that day ever arrives. The goal is to help you make an informed choice that best suits your pet, your family and your budget.
Cremation
So let’s start with the options: Burial at Home, Burial at Pet Cemetery, Cremation, and Aquamation. Each has its benefits and limitations, and each can be set up prior
Aquamation
There are two basic types: communal and private. With a communal cremation, you may or may not get ashes back. And if ashes are returned, they may be mingled with other animal ashes. If you have a private cremation, you will have ashes returned and they will only be from your pet. Once you have the ashes, you will need an urn or other container in which to keep the ashes, or you will have to decide how and where you will spread them.
Aquamation is a new option to the Kansas City metro area. It is essentially an accelerated version of what
Losing a Pet What are Your Options? to your pet crossing the “Rainbow Bridge.” Here are just some of the basics.
Burial at Home
The cost of this option is minimal. But first, check with your city! Most cities have laws against the burial of domestic animals within the city limits. And, what if you move or are renting? Burial at home may not be the best option.
Burial at Cemetery
First, you need to find a cemetery that will accept your pet. Second, you need to determine the cost. You will also need to ask about the burial procedures. Depending on the location, procedures and cost, this may or may not be a good option. 26
MetroPet Magazine | Kansas City - March 2015
takes place in natural decomposition. A combination of gentle water flow, temperature, and alkalinity is used to accelerate the natural course of tissue hydrolysis. At the end of the process the body has been returned to its natural form, dissolved in the water. Remember — our bodies are 65% water to begin with! Similar to cremation, the only solid remains are the mineral ash of the bones. At the end of the process, you can receive your pet’s ashes back. In fact you generally get 20%
more of your pets cremains back. You will need a place to keep the ashes, or decide how and where to spread them.
How to Choose the Best Option
The Rainbow Bridge When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine and our friends are warm and comfortable.
You now know the options available to you; the question is which one fits you better? Now it is your turn. Pick up the phone and start calling places. Start with pet cemeteries, companies that offer regular cremation and aquamation, and then contact companies that offer caskets and urns.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams, of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
Ask the companies if they offer preplanning packages, so that you can make all your plans prior to your pet crossing the “Rainbow Bridge.” Make sure you ask the following questions.
You have been spotted and when you and your special friend finally meet you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon you face, your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart.
• What happens when my pet dies late at night or over the weekend? • Do I have to use the company that my vet uses? • What does a “Green” option mean? • What are the extra charges (if any)? • How much does a plot cost? • What options do I have to store the ashes? • What is the cost of a casket or urn?
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together…..
Author Unknown
While asking these questions are hard and not something you will want to do, asking in advanced will make the passing of your pet easier. It will reduce the stress at a time when that inevitable day comes. www.metropetmag.com | Kansas City - March 2015
27
Post Surgical Care by Stephanie Syberg As a pet owner, one of the most important things is to remember after you bring your pet home from a surgical procedure is their proper care and comfort. Always, pay close attention to your pet daily to make sure your pet is healing properly, looking for any redness, swelling or possible irritation surrounding that area. If this is the case, always contact your veterinarian right away. When giving your pet a prescribed medication such as an oral or topical form directed by your veterinarian, it is most important to give it in a timely fashion for pain or possible serious infection. Antibiotics should always be given until the pet is completely finished, even if he seems to feel much better before his last dose. Keeping the area clean and free of your pet licking or chewing the surgical site is most important. (No bathing at this time until after the sutures are removed) If the incision becomes dirty you can always use saline, even if it is your own contact solution. Just keeping it clean and dry is most important. Sutures generally are removed between 7-14 days. Some sutures are not removed at all only to absorb or dissolve under the skin but still given time to heal as your traditional sutures would be. A decrease in appetite is usually not a concern the first day after surgery. Which most veterinarians will tell you not to feed right away but usually by the next day their appetite should increase and start eating as they normally would have before the procedure. Always offer 28
MetroPet Magazine Magazine || St. Kansas - March2014 2015 MetroPet LouisCity - February
your pet fresh water daily. If your pet is not eating and drinking within 24 hrs please, contact your veterinarian. Some pets may not have a bowel movement for the first 1-2 days following surgery. So don’t be alarmed but after the 2nd day if the pet still has not had a bowel movement contact your veterinarian. Some pups may even have some incontinence after a surgical procedure but this usually does not last long.
Another thing to keep in mind is that pups may or may not always show discomfort. A lot of us pet parents think if their pet is uncomfortable they will cry out but most of the time this is not true. One of the ways we can tell if our pup is uncomfortable and in pain is by them not being able to settle down or relax, while our cat friends my run and hide somewhere quite. In some cases we have to restrict our pups activity, which can be difficult at times, especially in younger
pups or once they start to feel much better but it is most important if your veterinarian has instructed you to restrict them to follow those directions very carefully. The affect it can have on your pup or your pocket book can defiantly be affected by not following the aftercare directions in this instants. With possible surgery once again….
Protecting the surgical site can be difficult at times but we have to do it! We, as the parents of our pets have to make sure our loveable pet cannot get to the sutures because if they do, this can cause not only infection but also another surgery. In most cases you can use a post-surgical pet garment the Cover Me by Tui. This is a perfect way to cover and comfort your pet at the same time for quicker healing but in other cases where the Cover Me by Tui does not cover, like the head or feet, the e-collar known as the “Cone of Shame” although this may cause some distress it may be the next best solution.. Even though this isn’t always the most pleasant solution it does the job.
local department store for a baby onesie but if they were any bigger than a Chihuahua, there was nothing else out there for them. So I knew some day I would have to create my own post-surgical pet garment, called the “Cover Me by Tui” but a whole LOT bigger to fit all sizes of pups from Chihuahua to Great Dane.
While working as a technician in the veterinary field, I was asked by clients is there anything else they could use beside a plastic cone — the “Cone of Shame.” I would send them to the local department store for a baby onesie, but if the dog was any bigger than a Chihuahua, there wasn’t another option. So I created my own post-surgical pet garment, called the “Cover Me by Tui.” It is awhole LOT bigger to fit all sizes of pups from Chihuahua to Great Dane. For details contact Stephanie Syberg, Tulane’s Closet, at 636-4471659 or visit www.tulanescloset.com.
Everyone in the family will sleep and rest more easily, including your pet Fido! After working in the veterinary field as a technician for several years, I had always been asked by clients is there anything else they could use beside a plastic cone in other words the “Cone of Shame” so I would normally send them over to the www.metropetmag.com | Kansas City - March 2015
Purchase online at www.tulanescloset.com 29
The Next Adventures of Chip
TENACITY by Heddie Leger
Recap from Jan/Feb, 2015: “Our dog’s lives are much shorter than our own, let’s help them enjoy their time with us as much as we can.” I will help my dog uphold the Dog Scout motto: “Let us learn all that we can, so that we may become more helpful.” Well now that goes right along with the goals of Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, that of caring about and giving to our communities and becoming more helpful. Now how do you like that !!!! I sure could not give up now, could I, with all the thought they had given this and the intensity of their desire to help me live a life full of adventure with or without the use of all my body. After all I have been through I just cannot give up. The horrible storm, being in a black box, flying through the air, Allen and Penelope finding and helping me, making new friends, adventures of saving people, riding in hot air balloons, ambulances, fire trucks, police cars, traveling across the country
Tenacity - state of holding on to an idea or a thing very strongly and not giving up.
in search of my family, I just had to stay tenacious in this situation and not give up. So many things have happened where it looked to bleak and somehow we found a way to rise above the challenge. There just has to be a light at the end of the tunnel and that light might just be “Dog Scouts.” I know it sounds hokie and some folks will look at us Humane Education Activity: kind of funny, but what they heck what do I have Tenacity is the thing that keeps us going in to loose. I have already the face of adversity. Can you remember a lost everything, been time you were faced with unsurmountable given another chance, odds and refused to give up? Who helped and now have hope of you in your quest to overcome those odds? some new adventures How did you do it? Make a collage showing with Allen and Penelope people overcoming obstacles with tenacity. with Dog Scouts. 30
MetroPet Magazine | Kansas City - March 2015
I realize there is nothing I can do about my past and the things that have happened to me and my family, but there is always hope. We made it down from the Arch elevator just fine and that seemed like a real catastrophy waiting to happen and it turned out fine. It was quite the adventure. Now that Allen and Penelope have decided to do a fundraiser to help me, the sky is the limit. Penelope had laughed at the idea, but Allen was serious. He already had ideas about selling candles and candy bars to raise the money. It was all part of his Boy Scout award project to make the ramps and get a canoe. Besides Allen said, “who knows,
limbs and muscles. Yes, there are physical therapists that specialize in treating animals. My first session is coming up next month, and we will start in the hot tub with bubbly water. The therapist says I will wear a vest that will make me float so I will not drown. I don’t think Allen and Penelope, nor Stephanie or Robert would let me drown anyway and they will be there every step of the way, or should I say every roll of the wheel. Onward and upward…..Dog Scouts here we come….Missouri 360 here we come….look out world.
“ Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity.” Louis Pasteur “ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward.” Amelia Earhart maybe we can compete in the Missouri 360 someday.” So it looks like we have a goal for the coming year the “Goal, goal??? They want me to have a goal. The goal is to become a Dog Scout and get the boating badge and go in the Missouri 360. That is quite ambitious of them, but I know how tenacious they are and I am confident it will happen.
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.
So here we go again, this time I will have to have some help from my friends, as I need a wheelchair. The feeling is beginning to come back, but Build a Playhouse for Your Pet Rabbit I will be going to a physical Creating and building a cardboard playhouse for a pet rabbit is an therapist to help strengthen my inexpensive way to keep your rabbit involved in a natural activity. Rabbits
Story Discussion Tips • How are Allen and Penelope going to help Chip move forward in his life? • What is the title of the person that helps animals learn to move their limbs again? • How will Chip gain strength in his limbs? • How will Chip get around? • What boating event are they planning on going in?
naturally enjoy chewing, digging, and shredding. A cardboard playhouse provides a place for your rabbit to hide and feel safe in the hustle and bustle of your home, especially if you have children.
Materials you will need to assemble a playhouse: • Cardboard boxes • Cutting utensils
• Additional flat or long pieces of Cardboard • Cardboard tubes or untreated wood
The ideal box is large enough for your rabbit to move around in, but not so tall that he/she cannot jump onto the top to play as well. Remove any excess tape from the box so your rabbit does not chew or chock on it and/ or get caught in your rabbit’s fur. Cut two or more openings in the box. The openings should be appropriately sized for your rabbit. Lining the playhouse with newspaper, phone books or other shredable items gives your bunny more to dig, shred and chew. You can add a smaller box or paper towel tubes for your bunnies to push and rearrange. Cut additional pieces of cardboard to fit the inner walls. Secure these pieces by pushing untreated sticks of wood through the walls. Different levels and steps can be added with more cardboard boxes to create a larger more elaborate maze to the playhouse and by combining two or more boxes of different shapes and sizes. You can also add ramps for your bunny to climb to the next level. Do not paint your rabbit’s playhouse as the paint is toxic. You are well on your way to providing the perfect rabbit playhouse giving your pet hours of enjoyable play time. The sky is the limit if you use your imagination.
www.metropetmag.com | Kansas City - March 2015
31
Chip’s Corner 32
MetroPet Magazine | Kansas City - March 2015
PAWZZLE
by Pawlean Journe
Answers to this Pawzzle can be found in the Care of Rabbits story on page 24.
ACROSS 2.
Rabbits require ____________ daily care.
5. If your rabbit will be left outdoors for any length of time by itself please provide a __________ enclosure. 7.
One very important item a rabbit must have every day.
8. You can also provide __________ rolls for rabbits to chew on as long as there are no chemicals or paint on them. 9. Rabbits do need specific _____________ for diseases. Read more about them in the article and
15. Rabbits also needs lots of things to __________ on to keep their teeth filed down. 16. Rabbits need lots of ____________________. 17. An outdoor house for a rabbit is called a ________. 19. These should be considered treats and fed sparingly. 21. You can also feed _______ hay. 23. Rabbits do not make good pets for children as they are very _________. 24. They should also have daily fresh __________.
online. 13. Any area that a rabbit will run or play should be free of _______________. 14. Learn the proper procedure to lift and carry a rabbit to support is ______________.
DOWN 1.
What type of hay do rabbits love?
3.
Owning a rabbit is a ________________________.
4. What part of the rabbit can break easily if not handled
Jan/Feb Pawzzle Answers
properly? 6.
How much hay should your rabbit receive.
10. An indication something might be wrong with your rabbit is it will act ____________________. 11. They enjoy __________________. 12. Instead of purchasing a rabbit look to ___________ from rabbit rescue. 13. To entertain your rabbit you can make a ______________. 18. There are certain ____________ than can be poisonous and make your rabbit sick or die. 20. It is important to ____________ your rabbit just like any other animal. 22. Rabbits are naturally _______________. www.metropetmag.com | Kansas City - March 2015
33
New Listing in Blue
Pet Services Directory
Adoption
Boarding & Daycare - Con’t
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.
Pooches in Paradise 7200 Wyandotte Kansas City, MO 816-361-3388
www.poochesparadise.com
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 Second Chance off Wornall, on 72nd Street.
Pet Adoptions SCPAKC
913-814-7471
2ndchancepets.net
Tails R’ Waggin
13008 State Line Road Leawood, KS • 913.498.1397 Peculiar, MO • 816.984.5481 bestfriendspet.us Best Friends Pet is a full service salon with professional, gentle, caring pet stylists. Call us today! Leawood: Tues open at 7:30 am, Wed-Sat open at 9:00. Peculiar: Sat 9-4 20614 W 47th Street Shawnee, KS 913-441-5026
broadmorekennels.com
Tails R’ Waggin provides the finest daycare, boarding, grooming and training for your pet found. 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!
Carpet Cleaning
Best Friends Pet
Broadmore Kennels
6976 W 152nd Terrace Overland Park, KS 913-685-9246
Second Chance Pet Adoptions tailsrwaggin.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
Grooming
Broadmore Kennels now offers grooming! Groomer Cynthia Resig has been grooming for over six years and has extensive experience with different breeds. Call her today for 20% off your first groom! Call for details!
Bock’s Steam Star Insurance
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.
Boarding & Daycare
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. 34
913-438-7767 • steamstar.net
Call today for a Free pet odor removal consultation/inspection. Bock’s Steam Star and their IICRC trained team of cleaning experts specialize in carpet, upholstery, tile/grout, area rugs, hard surface cleaning and pet odor removal.
Distribution - Pet and Garden American Midwest Distributors
110 W. 26th Ave, NKC, MO • americanmidwestkc.com • 816-842-1905 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.
MetroPet Magazine | Kansas City - March 2015
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 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 Services
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.
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
Real Estate Martin and Suzie Taggart Team REALExperience 913.667.9789
TeamREALExperience@gmail.com REALExperienceREALEstate.com
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! Keller Williams Realty Legacy Partners, Inc.
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!
Veterinarians - con’t 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 & 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. Cat Clinic of Johnson County 9421 Pflumm Road Lenexa, KS 913-541-0478
catclinicofjc.com
A feline exclusive clinic! Your cat is an important part of your family and you want the best medical care available. Our team is ready to provide cutting edge care.
Have Your Company Listed in this Directory Barbara 913.548.1433 OR Mike 913.269.7595
Keeping the great outdoors truly great for pets,
for more than 40 years. The only professionally installed pet fence that allows your pets to safely play right up to the yard’s edge. CALL OR LOG ON TODAY FOR A FREE, NO OBLIGATION, IN-HOME CONSULTATION
www.InvisibleFence.com/BP10 (800) 578-3647
Our gift to you! A special limited time offer on our exclusive Boundary Plus® Technology.
10% OFF
Boundary Plus® Pet Fence Discount applied to estimate at time of quoting. Not valid on previous purchases or in combination with other discount offers. Offer valid at participating dealers only. Other restrictions may apply. Offer expires 4/30/15.
Heart of America Invisible Fence 913-722-9948 | 816-941-7700
Invisible Fence of Kansas City 816-522-2195
Serving Johnson County, KS and Jackson County, MO
Serving Platte, Clay, Buchanan, Douglas Counties, MO