HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
DOGS LEFT IN HOT CARS MAY
RESULT IN CITATIONS, FINES AND PRISON TIME
Heartworm Disease in Dogs
Dog Hiking Services in Utah
A Preventable Disease
PHOENIX RISES FROM THE ASHES
© Paw Prints by Fox FREE
AQUATIC THERAPY for pets
SLEEPING
with the Dogs... And Cats
Mister Wilson
June 2016 | Vol 4 No 10 | PetsintheCityMagazine.com
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
CALENDAR of Events
Growing up in northern California, I’m no stranger to wildfires. I’ve seen the hills glow red and wondered if my family would have to evacuate. Luckily, we never did.
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When I was about ten, my father took me backpacking in the Sierra Nevada mountains. I remember being excited because this was my first “real” backpacking trip. Until that point, we’d done what I fondly refer to as car camping. Load the car, go to the campsite, unload the car five feet away. This trip we were actually backpacking.
When Where
I have lots of vivid memories of that trip with our Doberman, Max. (Yes, the love of Dobies runs deep in my family!) He carried his own food and water. If you’ve never tried doggy backpacks, I strongly recommend them! But one of my strongest memories happened hours before we got to the Nevada side of the mountains. It was the middle of the night, and as happens in high summer, there was a wildfire. Our route to Nevada carried us right past an area this fire had decimated. Looking out the window, I saw and smelled the acrid smoke. In the distance, I could see where the fire was now, a red and yellow outline of the hills. That night I wondered, what happened to the animals? Did they know which way to run to avoid the fire? Being a kid, and having seen Bambi, I was worried about the deer and bunnies. All the cute things. It never occurred to me to worry about things like snakes and spiders. And I never worried about the birds, because birds can fly, right? So they can always get away, right? Turns out, that’s not always the case. All those years ago, I developed a healthy respect for campfires, matches and all things flammable (that fire had been a campfire that jumped its fire circle, if I recall correctly).
Pets In The City Magazine
As we enter summer, with fireflies, roasting hot dogs and marshmallows, and staying up late to enjoy the stars, please take the appropriate safety precautions. Not just for your safety, but for the wildlife around you. For the critters like Phoenix, who we’re introducing to you in this issue. His story is an amazing tale of resilience, but also a cautionary reminder of what happens when we don’t pay attention to our surroundings.
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And as summer temps start to rise, a gentle reminder to not leave pets in the cars. In the summer, even with the windows cracked, the internal temperature in your car can quickly reach 123 degrees. That’s too hot for us, and too hot for our pets. When in doubt, take them to doggy daycare, or leave them in your air conditioned home. They’ll thank you for it!
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Cover Photo: Gina Fox
Last Month’s Issue
GRAND OPENING OF DESERT RAW HOLISTIC PET Saturday, June 11 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Foothill Village, 1330 Foothill Drive, SLC, UT 84108 Pawtographer, a puppy mural (Bring your pets so we can get their Pawtographs!) face painting, samples, giveaways, Tinker’s Cat Cafe, educational nutrition sessions, and more!
June 18 What When Where Info
WAGS TO WISHES 4TH ANNUAL GALA Saturday, June 18. 2016 beginning at 6 p.m. Humane Society of Utah 4242 S. 300 W., Murray UT 84107 Tickets available at UtahHumane.org
What When Where Info
PUBLISHER PICM Publishing, LLC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Genevieve Campbell EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Kim Justen MANAGING EDITOR Deborah Myers STAFF WRITERS Tonya Landon | Jennafer Martin Mona Mistric | April A. Northstrom Sarah Tyler CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Lynn McCarron, DVM Avery Young, DVM Buz Marthaler STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Chris Dickinson
July 30 FLY FREE PET MEMORIAL CELEBRATION Saturday, July 30 at 4 p.m. 6466 N. Highview Rd., Peoa, Utah 84061 https://nuzzlesandco.ejoinme.org/flyfree See ad on page 29.
CIRCULATION Deb Myers, Circulation Manager City Weekly Distribution Smith’s Grocery Store Racks GRAPHIC DESIGNER Michelle Bellinger
TABLE of CONTENTS 6 8 10 12 14
16 18 20 22 24 26 28
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EXPERT ADVICE Aquatic Therapy for Pets – Lynn McCarron, DVM EXPERT ADVICE Heartworm Disease in Dogs – Avery Young, DVM THE CATAHOULA CUR – Mona Mistric ASK STETSON Q&A – Tonya Landon DOGS LEFT IN HOT CARS MAY RESULT IN CITATIONS, FINES AND PRISON TIME – Deborah Myers PHOENIX RISES – Buz Marthaler ANIMALS IN THE NEWS – Mona Mistric RESCUE ME SLEEPING WITH THE DOGS... AND CATS – Kim Justen JASPER TYLER, A PORTRAIT – Sarah Tyler MADAME TABU’S PET HOROSCOPE DOG HIKING SERVICES IN UTAH – Sarah Tyler YOUR PETS IN THE CITY PHOTOS
SALES & ADVERTISING Beverly Egleston Sharon Stephenson Deborah Myers 801.702.1171 info@petsinthecitymagazine.com
www.petsinthecitymagazine.com PICM Disclaimer: All reader submissions and photos are voluntarily submitted without expectation of compensation. All opinions of the authors in this Magazine are those of the writer or contributor and are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher. The publisher has not confirmed the accuracy of information contained in the articles. PICM reserves the right to edit, alter, or modify the submitted article to the extent in which we deem necessary. A RESCUE PLEA: Pets In The City Magazine is dedicated to and encourages rescuing companion animals of all types. There are thousands of animals in Utah and across our nation needing a forever home. If you are interested in rescuing a companion animal, there are over 100 animal rescues in Utah. A good resource is petfinder.com, a nationwide database for companion animals of all types. A rescued animal can be rewarding and lead to a forever grateful love. Pets In The City Magazine © 2015 is an independent, free monthly magazine published by PICM Publishing. For information regarding Pets in the City Magazine, visit www.petsinthecitymagazine.com Any and all articles in Pets in the City Magazine are submitted for reading enjoyment only. Please consult a professional and make wise personal decisions regarding health and safety issues of pets and family.
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EXPERT ADVICE
AQUATIC THERAPY for pets
Lynn McCarron, DVM
Swimming for therapy has long been shown to have good benefits for humans for a variety of health reasons. More recently, our pets have begun to benefit as well. Exercising in water has many advantages over exercising on land, including less pain, increased buoyancy, and increased stamina.
Pets In The City Magazine
The effect of buoyancy allows for gentler exercise by decreasing the loads placed on injured tissues compared to land exercises. This results in less painful movements. Buoyancy also allows for improvement in joint mobility, and the extra support from floatation allows patients with significant muscle weakness to perform actions they could not do on land.
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Interestingly, while the load on joints and muscles is less in water, exercising in water actually increases heart rate and oxygen levels higher than similar activity on land, and also uses more calories. Higher maximum exertion and respiratory rates in water verses on land makes it a good option for exercise in individuals with arthritis.
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As our pets age, it becomes more important to keep them as comfortable and mobile as possible. Just as humans do, pets may develop a combination of arthritis, muscle weakness, or
even nerve weakness. As arthritis pain develops, we find many of our pets are unable or unwilling to get as much exercise as they should, which then results in muscle weakness and loss of stamina. Hydrotherapy and water exercises are a great way to allow animals to maintain their muscle strength. Studies in humans show that benefits of hydrotherapy include not only increased fitness and increased heart strength and stamina, but also psychological well-being and quality of life. Options for hydrotherapy for our pets may include swimming in lakes and streams, backyard swimming pools, canine recreation centers, and underwater treadmills. Underwater treadmills are actually well tolerated by most dogs, and are available through canine physical therapists. The dogs are slowly introduced to the water by the therapists, and are often supported with life-jackets and encouraged by treats. This modality is a great option for animals recovering from surgery or injuries, spinal cord diseases, or arthritis. Many pets who are unable to walk or even stand without help can learn to walk again in water. There are many conditions for which aquatic therapy may be beneficial including broken bones, ACL repair and recovery, tendinitis, neurological conditions such as disk disease or nerve compression, and muscle disease. Cats will
also benefit from hydrotherapy, if we are brave enough to try them. Smaller animals also suffer from arthritis and muscle weakness as much as their larger friends. Hydrotherapy should be avoided in pets with open wounds or sutures. Animals with heart or lung disease should be carefully monitored. Animals who are not comfortable in water may panic and potentially injure themselves or the handler, so allowing them to slowly accommodate is advisable. Life-jackets are highly recommended for pets who may swim in pools or lakes to avoid tiring, and excessively cold water should be avoided with weaker pets. Indoor heated swimming is available at Barley’s Canine Recreation Center, 2827 South 2300 East, Salt Lake City. Underwater treadmill therapy is available with a licensed canine physical therapist at Utah Pet Rehab, 2896 East 3300 South, Salt Lake City. Dr. McCarron is the owner of University Veterinary Hospital & Diagnostic Center in Salt Lake City. She is board certiďŹ ed, specializing in canine and feline practice, and a member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners. Dr. McCarron has enjoyed serving Wasatch Front pets for more than twenty years.
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EXPERT ADVICE
Heartworm Disease
in Dogs – A Preventable Disease Avery Young, DVM
Summer is upon us, and that means the outside temperatures are rising. Higher temperatures result in a rise in the number of mosquitoes seen. These pesky bugs can be a bit of a nuisance, but what you might not realize is how their bites can bring serious risk for your pets. Heartworms can be transmitted with just one bite from an infected mosquito. Fortunately, heartworm disease is both treatable and preventable.
What is a Heartworm?
How do we test a dog for Heartworms? The most common test is called an antigen test. This test detects specific proteins, called antigens, which are released by adult female heartworms into the dog’s bloodstream. These tests do not detect infections that are less than five months old. There are also tests to detect microfilariae in a dog’s bloodstream. Microfilariae in the bloodstream indicate that the dog is infected with adult heartworms. Microfilariae can be detected about six to seven months after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Dogs older than six months of age should be tested for heartworms before starting heartworm prevention. If a heartworm-positive dog is not tested before starting preventative, the dog will remain infected with adult heartworms, as heartworm preventative do not kill adult heartworms. If microfilariae are in the dog’s bloodstream, the preventive may cause the microfilariae to suddenly die, triggering a shock-like reaction and possibly death.
Signs of Heartworm Disease
Pets In The City Magazine
The severity of heartworm disease is related to how many worms are living inside the dog (worm burden), how long he has been infected, and how the A heartworm is a fairly large worm that lives in the heart and pulmonary arteries of an infected dog. It can grow up to 14 inches long! It prefers to live, dog’s body is responding to the presence of the adult heartworms. Depending on the worm burden, some dogs may be asymptomatic in the early stages not in the heart, but in the pulmonary arteries. when there are not many adult worms in the pulmonary arteries. Dogs can acquire this infection through bites from infected mosquitoes. How do mosquitoes become infected? Mosquitoes readily pick up larval Signs of heartworm disease include chronic coughing, tiredness after heartworms (baby/immature heartworm phase) from infected dogs when moderate activity, difficulty breathing, and signs of congestive heart failure. they feast on their blood and carry them to other dogs. The adult heartworms cause damage to the pulmonary arteries, thus making it difficult for the infected dog to breathe. When the arteries are clogged with Heartworm’s Life Cycle adult heartworms, the heart must pump harder thus resulting in eventual heart failure. In an infected dog, adult female heartworms release baby worms called microfilariae into the dog’s bloodstream. They can live up to 2 years within The Best Treatment is Prevention! the host dog. When a mosquito bites an infected dog, that mosquito becomes infected with microfilariae. Heartworm preventative medications are used to periodically kill larval heartworms that have managed to gain access to the dog’s body. These Parasitic worms have five larval stages termed L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5. The medications should be given monthly. There are many topical and oral microfilariae are first stage larvae, L1. Within the mosquito’s body, the choices. All require a veterinarian’s prescription. Some heartworm microfilariae will develop into L2 and to finally L3, the stage capable of preventatives contain other ingredients that are effective against intestinal infecting a new dog. How long this takes depends on the environmental conditions. It usually takes a few weeks. The process can go faster in warmer worms and other parasites such as fleas and ticks.
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weather, but if the temperature drops below 57 degrees, the mosquitoes will die and no heartworms can be transmitted.
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When an infected mosquito bites a dog, the L3 larvae are deposited in a tiny drop of mosquito spit adjacent to the mosquito bite. Once safely inside the new host, the L3 stage will spend the next week or so developing into the L4 stage in the host’s skin. It matures there until it is ready to enter the blood stream. The L5, which is actually the young adult, migrates to the heart and out into the pulmonary arteries where it will reside and mate with other adult heartworms.
Year-round prevention is best! Talk to your veterinarian to decide which heartworm preventative is best for your dog.
Dr. Avery Young is the new associate veterinarian at Salt Lake Veterinary Services and the newly owned Mountain Vale Veterinary Clinic in Taylorsville. When not in the clinic, she enjoys biking and hiking in the mountains with her two dogs, Nutmeg and the three-legged Suki. Dr. Young is excited to be back in Utah serving the Salt Lake valley pet population.
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THE CATAHOULA CUR Mona Mistric The Catahoula Cur is an American dog breed, named after Catahoula Parish in Louisiana. Governor Edwin Edwards signed a bill making the Catahoula Cur the official state dog of Louisiana in 1979 and changed the breed name to Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog. They are often called Catahoula Hog Dogs, since they were originally used for hunting wild boar. They are sometimes called Catahoula Hounds or Catahoula Leopard Hounds, although they are not true hounds, but curs – meaning a mixed-breed.
A Mystery It was believed the Catahoulas were bred from red wolves, but this was disproved by modern DNA analysis. One theory suggests they are the result of Native Americans breeding their own dogs with molossers and greyhounds brought to Louisiana by Hernando de Soto in the 16th century. Another theory suggests the breed originated in the 19th century, after French settlers introduced the Beauceron (guard and herding dogs) to the North American continent. And stories from old-timers say the Choctaw people had dogs with weird colored eyes and used them to hunt game in the swamps.
example of different catahoula fur colors
Personality Catahoulas are highly intelligent, energetic, and assertive, but not aggressive. They are a hardy breed with a strong work ethic. They are outstanding for baying, tracking, and hunting, and have been used for hunting feral pigs, squirrel, deer, raccoon, mountain lion, and black bear.
A Family Dog
My personal experience was with a Black and Tan 100-pound Catahoula Cur Although Catahoulas have been around for hundreds of years, they were with a white chest and a question mark tail we named Bullet. He was big on only recognized as an official breed in 1995 and became part of the American personality to match his big size. He wanted to be a part of whatever we were Kennel Club’s Foundation Stock Services in 1996. doing and became involved in our daily activities – doing whatever he could to help.
Physical Characteristics Pets In The City Magazine
Catahoulas are well-muscled, broad-chested, dedicated, working dogs; consequently, breeding more of them was only natural. Since they were bred primarily as working dogs, rather than for appearance, their physical characteristics are quite unique. They can be Black, Brown, Red, Red Leopard, Blue Leopard, Black Leopard, Gray or Silver Leopard, Tri-colored, Quad-colored, Five-colored, and Patchwork. They have varying trim colors, such as shades of brown and tan or shades of dark greys. Some also have white, generally on their feet and chests. They have a slick, thick coat of fur that is very short and lies close to the body, making it easy to shake off the water after coming out of the swamp, river, or a bath.
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Catahoulas have varying eye color too. They can be baby blue, brown, green, gray, or amber. They may be of the same color or each one a different color. They may have cracked glass eyes or marbled glass eyes with both colored and glass portions present in the same eye. Cracked eyes can be half of one color, or half of another, or just a streak or spot of another color. If they have two cracked or marbled glass eyes it’s called double glass eyes.
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The most common tail trait is the question mark whip-like tail, often with a white tip. The bobtail is rare, but still a natural part of their heritage. They have webbed feet, with webbing extending almost to the ends of their toes, great for swimming and trudging through the Louisiana marshlands.
One day I was trying to catch one of the juvenile roosters running lose in the yard and I was having a little trouble. Bullet was just a puppy, but he understood what I was trying to do and began driving the rooster to me. I kept missing my chance to catch the rooster, but Bullet never tired of driving him in my direction. The rooster finally got tired and jumped up on a pen and I was able to easily pick him up. After that, when I needed to catch a chicken, I’d just point and Bullet would gently pin it down with his foot. When a bitty would lose its mom, Bullet would herd her back to the flock. He ran off chicken hawks, opossums, raccoons, snakes, and alerted us to anything out of the ordinary. He took it upon himself to protect our farm animals. When the neighbor’s cows came through the fence and entered our field, Bullet used the Catahoula’s distinctive baying bark, made eye-to-eye contact with the cows, causing them to stop, and then held this position without touching them. And then, unlike other herding dogs, he didn’t nip at their heels; instead, he continually ran circles around the cows, basically irritating them into moving in the desired direction. It was quite a dance to watch. Continued on Page 12...
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This technique was great for herding horses too. Whenever I said, “Time to bring the horses up,” he would dash off to the back field and march the horses straight into their stalls. One time, one of the horses kicked him in the side and knocked him off the trail and into the pond. He quickly scrambled out of the pond and eagerly finished his work. Did I mention Catahoulas are a rugged, gritty breed? On the flip side, this tough, beautiful dog was amazingly gentle with me and my two young daughters. He was extremely playful, shaking the rope, fetching the ball, and dancing with his paws on the girls’ shoulders. He was careful not to knock us over or accidently scratch us with a paw or a tooth. He believed it was his responsibility to protect us from strangers. Catahoulas are intelligent, protective, calm, dedicated, and highly entertaining. There is nothing more satisfying than forming a family bond with a loving, loyal Catahoula.
n o s t e t S
Tonya Landon
Q. My dog becomes very hot when I exercise her during the summer. How can I keep her cool? – Patricia A. Dogs only release body heat by panting through their mouths and sweating through the pads on their feet. Heat related problems, such as heat stroke or heat stress, are among the most common summer canine ailments. It is very important to listen to what your dog’s body is telling you. A dog that slows down, tries to lie down or seeks shade during a jog or hike is hot and needs to be cooled off. It is important to bring plenty of water for yourself and your dog. Wet them down. Before being active with your dog wet them down with some water. Heavy coated breeds or breeds with a lot of oil on their coats will need the water rubbed down to their skin. If you are going to be outside with the sun hitting your dog it is important to only wet down your dog’s chest and bottom half. If you wet the top half of the dog you can create a sauna effect and actually cause your dog to become hotter. This is because when the sun shines on your dog’s fur the trapped water in the fur warms up, causing heat. Keep in mind that when dogs are hot and there is a body of water around, most will go lie down or wade just up to their belly in the water.
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ADULT Bullet
CONSIDERING A CATAHOULA? Low Maintenance: Grooming is only necessary once in a while and shedding is negligible. Easy to Train: easy to train, as long as you are consistent; most content when working. Active: active, but not hyperactive; require mental stimulation and hard physical exercise (1-2 hours/day). Good with Kids: a suitable breed for kids – playful, energetic, affectionate, and protective. Great Watchdog: alert and will bark at anything out of the ordinary, fearless toward any aggressor, and will do whatever it takes to guard and protect the family. Adaptability: This dog needs regular exercise, does best with a large yard, and is able to handle most types of hot and cold weather. Gets Along with Others: when raised with cats and dogs, or if the dog is of the opposite sex.
Bandanas and Jackets. Cooling bandanas and jackets stay cool from 30 minutes up to a few hours depending on the type you purchase. Some of the brands of cooling bandanas on the market include; Kool Collar, MiraCool Dog Cooling Bandana, Kyjen Outward Hound Designer Cool-It Bandana, Cool Dog Collar and Guardian Gear Cool Pup Bandanas. And for cooling jackets; Kumfy Koatz, Thermal Pet Harness, Cool Vest, Ruffwear Swamp Cooler Cooling Vest, Hyper Kewl Evaporating Dog Cooling Vest, Chillybuddy Dog Cooling Vest, Cool K-9 Cooling Vest, ArcTek Canine Cooling Vest, TechKewl Phase Change Cooling Dog Coat and RPCM® ChillyDog Dog Cooling Vest. Paw Protection. Light weight dog boots such as the Ultra Paws Cool Boots are a great way to help keep your dog’s paws cool and safe from the hot ground. There is also a wax product called Mushers Secret that can provide relief for your dog’s feet from the hot ground.
Tonya Landon is a professional dog trainer with Diamonds in the Ruff. She rescued and trained Stetson, a small terrier with aggression issues, to be cast in the title role of the 2012 Stetson, Street Dog of Park City, a short film adapted from the children’s book written by Jeanine Heil. If you have questions for Stetson, please send them to askstetson@gmail.com.
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DOGS LEFT IN HOT CARS MAY RESULT IN CITATIONS , FINES AND PRISON TIME Deborah Myers Last summer, a number of animal vendors found a dog in a parked car at the Valley Fair Mall during the movie premier of MAX, (about a hero dog). The vendors participated in a parking lot event on June 27, a record hot day in Utah. They had wading pools, ice, water hoses, and tents set up for the expected hot day. While enjoying the festivities of the event, a vendor passed a car in the parking lot of the mall with a dog inside. They immediately called Animal Control but it took 20 minutes on that Saturday for help to arrive, which they said, “ seemed like an eternity.” All four windows of the car were cracked about an inch and a half, but no water was available. The animal advocates were prepared to break the windows if necessary which could result in someone going to jail, (considered breaking and entering, it is illegal in Utah). However, this group of animal advocates puts themselves at risk every day to save animals.
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When the animal control officer arrived, she slipped a meter through the car window. 120 degrees Fahrenheit. She then opened the locked door immediately with a slim jim of some kind. She grabbed the dog, rushed it into her truck and took care to check its vitals, all the time not uttering a word. The animal control officer confiscated the dog, left a citation on the dash, and rushed the dog to a veterinarian. Unfortunately, her routine was well practiced. The owners of this companion animal could face cruelty charges, fines and prison time. The family of four eventually walked out of the mall two hours later looking for their dog. They read the citation on the dash and were visibly mad that they had a citation and their dog was gone. Meanwhile, on the same day in another part of town, Margie Wakeham, owner of Brickyard Kennels, and Mike Sperry, Brickyard’s dog trainer, saved a small dog from death in a parking lot near the kennel. The animal control officer metered the heat inside that car at 123 degrees, even with the windows cracked. This resulted in the Brickyard Kennels starting a 123 degrees campaign. From July 11 – September 5, 2015, Brickyard Kennels’ employees volunteered time on Saturdays and patrolled local parking lots looking for dogs in hot cars. They then contacted Salt Lake Animal Control officers to come save the animals. Wakeham then took the campaign one step further, offering local shoppers the opportunity to drop their dog off for one free hour of doggie daycare in Brickyard’s air conditioned facility while owners shopped. For more information about the campaign please go to www. brickyardkennels.com. What should you do if you see an animal locked in a hot car? Call the local animal control office immediately. You may also call the police in that area. While gearing up for summer fun with your pets, please post the following helpful reminders on your car visor.
SUMMER SAFETY TIPS 1. Take your dog along
only if it will go with you outside of the car; do not leave your dog inside.
2. It is never safe in the warm months to assume leaving the windows cracked with the car in the shade is safe for your dog. Shade moves!
3. Do not put your dog
in the car and run inside the house for something. You might get distracted and forget that your dog is in the car with the windows shut. This can happen to anyone! Put your items in the car first and then load the dog.
4. Always take fresh cold
water and a bowl with you during the summer and remember if the asphalt is too hot for your feet it is too hot for your dog.
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PHOENIX RISES Buz Marthaler
Wildfire Season is here, and for most of us it’s little more than a news story and the inconvenience of smoky skies. Some have actually felt the impact of evacuations, property loss, or worse, loss of loved ones. When a wildfire burns in “uninhabited areas,” we hear little of the annoyance unless it shows signs of encroaching on a barn, house, business or neighborhood. Often times — and rightfully so — when a fire starts from an act of nature, we may just monitor it to save money and resources, and allow Mother Nature to renew herself… unless there is the need to step in and prevent loss of human life and property. We rarely think about the pain, suffering and damage wildfires started by humans cause to our wildlife and its habitat. We all hope animals are able to escape the fires, and many do. Then, there are those like Phoenix, who aren’t so lucky. His story would have been very different; if not for the heroic act of a wildlife enthusiast it would have only been reported for its impact on human lives. Through miracles and care, this is the story of an eagle rising from the ashes. PHOENIX RISES FROM THE ASHES On May 16, 2012, Kent Keller, a golden eagle researcher who bands them as a hobby, rappelled down to a nest. Unbeknownst to either Keller or the eaglet, this encounter would forever change the eaglet’s life. Keller’s work provides important information on the longevity and health of the eagle populations in the area, as well as the health of the habitat that supports them. Coming upon the nest, Kent immediately knew this eaglet was too young to be banded, so he took some measurements, jotted down a few notes, took photos and planned to return later to hopefully find a youngster large enough to receive his band.
Pets In The City Magazine
On June 1, Kent arrived back at the nest and found a thriving young eaglet large enough to safely band his right leg with a number unique to only this bird — a band this eagle would wear for the rest of his life. Then came the day that would change the eaglet’s life forever. On June 21 of that year, the young eagle was still in the nest, still too young to fly.
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At times, the young bird might flap so hard he would actually elevate several inches off the nest, giving him that first sense of freedom. These exercises help increase his confidence in his rapidly growing abilities. Just eight weeks earlier, this fast growing eaglet had hatched from an egg three and a half inches long. Now he was preparing himself for the day, two weeks in the future, when he might take his maiden flight off the cliff wall.
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On this June day, the youngster was about 57 days old, and while he exercised his wings — now reaching more than 5 feet across from tip to tip — his parents were likely off hunting for food to feed their ravenous son. Although the normal Utah fire season was still weeks away (after most eagles would have fledged from the nest and were flying with their parents), in the
distance there rose a column of dark smoke. This was not a natural wildfire, it was caused by humans, and the time and place would prove tragic. The smoke was coming from a dump site near Eagle Mountain and Saragossa Springs, Utah. Two men had been target shooting on this hot dry day. The target they setup was of explosive nature, and upon detonation, the explosion overwhelmed the area, resulting in a fire that quickly grew too fast for the men to extinguish. The Eagle Mountain Dump Fire took more than 5,600 acres, caused the evacuation of almost 600 homes and an unknown toll on the native wildlife and habitat. The young eagle would have no understanding of the danger fast approaching on the winds; his first hint of something wrong would be the smoke as it quickly overwhelmed his nest high on the side of the rock cliff. As the heat grew to become an inferno, his instinct turned to fight or fly except he could not yet fly to safety and so all he had left was to fight for his life... the young eagle jumped! With the fire officially extinguished, Keller set out on June 28 to check on the nest site. From a distance, his worst fears were confirmed. He could see the cliff face where the nest once sat; it was blackened by the fire and there was no evidence of a nest, not even a single charred stick.
The nest before the fire.
Remains after the fire.
Keller proceeded to the area and searched for the body of the dead eaglet to recover the band he had placed on the bird just four weeks earlier. Instead, at the base of the cliff, sitting under a juniper, was a young golden eagle. Still alive the charred eaglet displayed “fight and attitude.” Still alive, a Phoenix was born again, and a new life had risen from the ashes. Keller knew he needed to help this youngster, but was in a unique predicament. Eagles are protected under several federal laws which include protection from human involvement in rescues that are not approved and considered necessary. His permit allowing him to do the work he does would be at risk if he did not properly coordinate the rescue. He had to go back, emptyhanded, and request permission to remove this banded eagle from the wild in an attempt to save its life. This wildfire season, do your part to prevent wildfires: obey fire warnings and laws, be responsible around fires and fireworks. Always err Permission came after an excruciatingly long 5-day wait. At this point, the towards safety. If there is any doubt, put it out. Or better yet, eaglet had been on the ground for almost two weeks, dehydrated, hungry, don’t strike the match. burned and exposed to the hot summer sun. By all expectations, he should have been dead, but when Keller arrived back on the Fourth of July, he found the youngster still alive. There was evidence nearby of food brought in by Phoenix’s parents. There wasn’t much they could do, but they did all they could.
Phoenix survived his injuries thanks to the help of Kent Keller and the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Had Phoenix not been targeted by Keller for banding, then like so many other uncounted wildlife victims from the thousands of human-caused fires each year, he would have quietly perished like the tree that falls in a forest when no one is around.
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Phoenix’s story doesn’t end here. He continues to live at WRCNU. Amazingly, he can fly. The goal of any rescue is to release the animal if possible. Unfortunately, the heat from the fire injured his beak, causing it to grow abnormally without manual coping by WRCNU staff. Without this trimming of his beak, in the wild he would eventually not be able to eat and would starve.
Pets In The City Magazine
To coordinate the rescue, Keller called the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah (WRCNU). WRCNU was waiting and ready to do what they could, and now on America’s Independence Day, Keller arrived with a feisty adolescent suffering from second and third degree burns, dehydration, emaciation, and every external covert feather on his body burned or melted to some degree.
Animals In The News Mona Mistric
ATTENTION CAT LOVERS Thank you, Loraine Adolf from West Valley City Animal Services, for your wonderful phone call. We appreciate Loraine pointing out a concern in the May issue of Animals in the News regarding the article “FIVE TIPS TO HELP KITTENS BY ALLEY CAT ALLIES”. The article mentioned Tip #2: Don’t bring neonatal kittens to animal shelters… as nationally, more than 70 percent of them are killed. Although this is a national statistic generated by Alley Cats Allies, Loraine brought to our attention that it is not necessarily true for shelters in Utah. In fact, West Valley City Animal Services is proud to let everyone know they operate a NO-KILL animal shelter! Also, Best
Friends Animal Society has recently implemented Cat Rooms in the participating no-kill shelters. Kittens brought to the shelters are quickly bottle fed and a plea is put out to the many rescue groups that tirelessly help find the right forever homes for these snuggly little balls of fur. UTAH FACES: GROUP RAISING AWARENESS AND FUNDS Utah Faces, with the help of the community, raised $23,326 in the first quarter of this year to provide programs and services such as spay/ neuter, microchip, vaccinations, and more to save and improve the lives of animals. The Sewing Bee Club made and sold pet bandanas with the Cat Cru and Pit Crew logos. The Dog’s Meow encouraged people to donate bags of soft treats and for two days they donated 5% of their total sales.
Love UT Give UT sponsored a PittieKitty beer fundraiser and sold Pit Crew and Cat Cru t-shirts. Coming July 14 – 17: Teresa Wilhemsen, programs & services chair, and Talia Butler, division director of Salt Lake County Animal Services, will be speaking at the Salt Palace Convention Center – an enlightening conference for everyone wanting to save the lives of animals. For More Information go to http://bestfriends. org/events/best-friends-national-conference/ about.
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Salt Lake County Animal Services featured a Memorial Day Celebration encouraging people to buy a flower in memory of their beloved pet, a celebrated shelter pet, or a stone with a pet’s name to be placed in the Memory Garden.
VETRINARIAN SHOT A CAT IN THE HEAD WITH A BOW AND ARROW April 2015, a Texas veterinarian, Kristen Lindsey, proudly posted a picture of herself smiling on Facebook while holding a male, orange and white tabby cat by an arrow that was piercing through his head.
Lindsey was not charged with animal cruelty due to a lack of evidence. However, the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners responded by moving to revoke Lindsey’s veterinary license in October 2015. Lindsey has been fighting ever since to keep her license. As a veterinarian, Lindsey took an oath to protect and help animals. She violated that oath when she killed a cat so cruelly and took pleasure in it. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association’s policies and guidelines, she breached the veterinary code of ethics, violated professional standards, and disregarded generally accepted conduct. A two-day trial was held in April of this year. Testimony on the identity of the tabby was presented to determine whether the victim was a stray cat or if it was a cat named Tiger, whose owner did not give Lindsey permission to kill the cat. Examiners argued that the cat was in fact Tiger, who was owned, and was killed without his owners’ consent. Lindsey claims the cat was an unneutered male feral cat, and in an effort to justify her cruel act, Lindsey and her attorney vilified feral cats. It should not matter whether or not the cat was Tiger, or whether or not he was feral. His life was important, and precious, and he deserved to live. The testimony demonstrated the cruelty in horrible detail, as the tabby cat was still alive in the picture when Lindsey posted it on Facebook. The information from this hearing reaffirms her veterinary license should be revoked forever. She obviously lacks the compassion and empathy required to care for animals. Attorneys in the case have until June 10 to file closing briefs to the court. Reply briefs will then be due by July 1. If you would like to follow the case, go to alleycat.org . The information and pictures from the hearing are available for your use – just attribute them to Alley Cat Allies, the only national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats.
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~RESCUE ME~ Chatty
Female / 3 Years Old /Brown Tabby Domestic Shorthair I’m the kind of cat who likes to be your constant companion. I would love to spend my days lounging and chit-chatting with my family. I will be sure to fill your home with joy and love! Call Nuzzles & Co (435-6081424) for more information!
Woody
Male / 2 Years Old / Grey and White Domestic Shorthair I’m a big boy with a big personality! I’m a friendly and easygoing cat who enjoys the company of people and gets along well with most other cats. I’m a happy guy who enjoys laying in the sun and relaxing. Call Nuzzles & Co (435-649-5441) for more information!
Gemma
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Pets In The City Magazine
Female / 18 Months Old / Black Domestic Medium Hair I’m a playful and sweet girl, and I know there is a purrfect home waiting for me! I’m spunky and happy, and get along well with everyone I meet. I’m a funloving cat who would be a wonderful addition to any loving home. Call Nuzzles & Co (435-649-5441) for more information!
Missy
Female / 3 Years Old / Patch Tabby Domestic Shorthair I’m a shy and mellow girl, but I’m very affectionate and sweet once I get to know you! I would love to find a quiet, comfortable home where I can relax and cuddle with my people. Call Nuzzles & Co (435-608-1424) for more information!
Tuffy
Male / 7 Years Old / Red Heeler I’m super smart, very loyal, and eager to please. I love playing outdoors, playing catch, and going for long hikes. I need to be an only pet – I want (and deserve!) all the attention for myself! Call Nuzzles & Co (435-608-1424) for more information!
Lady
Female / 5 Years Old / Liver and White Pit Bull Terrier I’m a sweet, sweet girl who loves affection and cuddling. I like playing outdoors, going for walks, playing with my toys and cuddling up with my favorite human friends. I know basic obedience commands and am eager to please. Call Nuzzles & Co (435-608-1424) for more information!
Mavis
Female / 5 Years Old / Terrier Mix I’m a gentle and friendly dog looking for a forever family who will give me lots of love and attention! My favorite way to spend the day is curled up in a cozy bed where I can snooze and relax. Call Nuzzles & Co (435-608-1424) for more information!
Tulip
Female / 2-3 Years Old / Chihuahua Mix I’m an adorable little dog! I love the company of humans, but really need the companionship of another small dog to feel comfortable and let my personality shine! Once I feel comfortable with you, my playful and happy side comes out! Call Nuzzles & Co (435608-1424) for more information!
Zazzles
Female / 1 Year Old / Pit Bull Mix I was born deaf, but still manage to do just fine as a loving and lovable companion. Being deaf doesn’t make me nervous, so you shouldn’t be nervous either. I play, learn, love and do just as much as any hearing dog. I understand a few basic commands, but you’d want to continue working with me to learn new ones using basic sign language. Will you teach me? Apply to meet me today at rescuerovers.org.
Sperry
Male / Chihuahua Mix I was a stray, living on the streets, until I got lucky a few months ago. I’ve been living the good life here. I’m house trained, crate trained and dog door trained. I’m great with other dogs and with kids and I’m a first rate cuddler. I’m handsome and loveable and smart. Apply to meet me today at rescuerovers.org.
Radar Love
Male / 2 Years Old / Mixed Breed I’m 50 pounds of all-American mutt. I’m housetrained, dog door trained and have very good house manners. I am very loving and loyal with my people and will always let you know if someone is sneaking up to your front door! I need a strong owner at home, otherwise I start to think I’m the boss! Meet me today at rescuerovers.org.
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Sleeping with the Dogs… and Cats Kim Justen
Several years ago, I spent two weeks dog sitting for my dad. It was interesting to say the least. Each night, I crawled into a king-sized waterbed to try to get some sleep. And was joined by two large Dobermans and a Jack Russell terrier. Inevitably, within minutes, I was pressed between the wood bedframe and one dog adamant on getting the space she deserved. In the middle of the night, I’d wake up to find my face pressed against the terrier. There were many instances I woke up thinking we were having an earthquake because some animal had shifted positions causing waves in the bed. My father always gets up at 6 a.m., so that’s when I’d be the lucky recipient of many doggy kisses. That was the trip I decided I was never having dogs in my bed. At the time, I had a cat who slept peacefully in a small corner of my bed. I – wrongly — assumed all cats slept this way. Now I have two cats, either of whom can take over the whole bed (why do they feel the need to sleep horizontally across the whole thing?) on the rare occasions I let them in at night.
Many people, my parents included, would never consider
banning pets from their beds. Never mind that according to the Mayo Clinic Sleep Disorders Center, 53% of people who let their pets sleep with them say their sleep is disturbed by their pet each night.
Pets In The City Magazine
Then there’s physical intimacy with your significant other. Do you keep the pet on the bed? In the bedroom? Lock her in a kennel to ensure privacy? Actually, people do all of those things. (Whatever you do, make sure it works for both you and your partner.)
If you’re sharing your bed with your pet, it’s important
to train them. In the case of my parents, I’m pretty sure the menagerie trained them, not the other way around. And as you train them, keep in mind there are options that put your pet next to the bed, but not really on it. For instance, you can purchase a smaller, raised bed, to keep at the foot of your bed. This allows your pet to be with you without being with you!
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Whether it’s a pet bed that’s level with yours, a padded bench at the end of your bed, or an area at the bottom of your bed, you need to teach you pet where she’s supposed to go. If she has a favorite toy (not squeaky) or blanket, put it where you want her to sleep. Once you get her settled, give her a treat and some attention to reinforce her good behavior.
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The hardest part of the training process is making it clear that your dog is not the queen of the castle… I mean, bed. If she leaves her spot to crawl up and beg for attention, put her back where she belongs. No special attention (we don’t want to teach her to crawl up to you all night) as you put her back. After a few nights (expect to have to correct throughout the night), your pet should settle down.
What do you do if you find you can’t sleep with your pet on the bed? Hey, it happens. My first cat curled up by my feet. No problem. The current cats fight me for every inch of space on my queen mattress. I simply kicked everyone but the dog out of the room, and now the cats have taken over various couches. They don’t seem perturbed. I’ve held true to my no dogs on the bed rule, and hold my kids to it as well. In fact, the dog is only invited onto the couch if her blanket is spread out for her. No blanket, no couch. The look on her face when we visited friends and she saw dogs on couches and beds, cats walking on any surface. Let’s just say, Cassie looks forward to vacations at Aunt Rochelle’s, where she gets free rein.
If you want to move your pet off your bed – my daughter would love it if she could actually straighten her legs in the middle of the night – then you can start by getting your pet a traditional pet bed to keep on the floor next to your bed. When you bring the bed home, introduce your pet to it, giving her treats and love whenever she lays down on it. Once she’s turned it into her space, you can move it next to your bed, allowing her to be near you without pinning you under the covers all night. This has the benefit of putting her an ear scratch away if there’s a storm and you need to calm her. Everyone at Pets in the City had stories about pets and beds. You’ve heard mine, now we’d love for you to share yours. Email us your best photos of pets taking over your beds at info@petsinthecitymagazine.com.
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Jasper Tyler, A Portrait Sarah Tyler
Jasper
Tyler, often a very lazy fellow, lays around the house all day, every day. Night time however, is a much different story. He prowls the house, looking for adventure. He loves sneaking around. And pouncing. Pouncing is his favorite. So are mice. Oh, did I forget to mention he’s a cat? Were you picturing a full grown man? I hope so, because that would be glorious. But back to Jasper. A large Maine coon, Jasper is the king of his roost. Like many Maine coons, he lives harmoniously in a house with children and other animals. His best friend, a dog named Leonidas, is his constant companion. Sharing beds, food, and grooming, they don’t like to be away from each other for long. A new addition, my daughter Maiverly, came along sixteen months ago. Our Maine coon also loves her. He cleans her hair, licks her fingers, and tries to cuddle with her at all the wrong times (like nap time). His two layers of down-like fur envelop her in insulation and she can’t stay asleep. On the plus side, there’s an additional top coat of fur, called a guard coat, which is also water repellant, so when the baby pours her sippy cup onto the floor, he doesn’t shy away. In fact, most of the time he has no idea what’s happening and often finds himself under a sippy cup waterfall. After which, he simply walks away none the wiser, feeling dry underneath his three layer coat.
Pets In The City Magazine
When he’s not sleeping or sneaking, he’s cuddling. Maine coons are known as gentle giants, coming in at a staggering 25 pound maximum weight. Jasper hits around the average mark, weighing in at roughly 12 pounds. His large size makes him a great companion for the dog. Leonidas often uses Jasper as his pillow, resting his snout across Jasper’s belly. Jasper relishes it. He uses every chance he can get to pour affection on his puppy pal, cleaning his face and chewing on his jowls. Unlike most Maine coons who tend to prefer perching in high locations, Jasper likes low couches and dog beds on the floor. A few years ago, during a checkup, the vet found indications of an old injury to his leg, something from before I adopted him from the Humane Society and brought him to his forever home. Luckily, there weren’t any signs of hip dysplasia, which is a prevailing health issue in Maine coons, as well as peridontal disease, liver problems and heart problems.
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Jasper is my eldest fur baby. He has welcomed to our family a puppy and a baby, never acting out against them. Although I have strong bias, believing he is the absolute sweetest cat that has ever lived, it’s the general temperament of the breed. Maine coons are affectionate and get along with other animals. Being more intelligent than other cat breeds, they’ve been known – much like Jasper – to come when they’re called and can be easily trained. Not just smart, they’re adorable with a little “M” marking on their forehead and a fluffy tail, reminiscent of a raccoon. Old lore says the only domesticated cat native to North America (specifically Maine) was a hybrid between imported domestic cats and raccoons, hence the name. Maine coons live nine to fifteen years on average. Jasper Tyler has spent seven years with me so far and our family is hoping for many more.
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Madame Tabu’s Horoscope * *
FOR YOU AND YOUR PETS JUNE 2016 Gemini (May 21 – Jun 21) If your creativity has been waning lately, a change of scenery could give it a kickstart. Load your pet in the car for a drive through the canyon to let nature inspire you.
Cancer (Jun 22 – July 22) Exercise patience while emotions run high this month for both people and pets, especially around the full moon and summer solstice on the 20th.
Leo (July 23 – Aug 22) Use your characteristic generosity, fueled by your love for your pets, to donate or raise money to help an animal advocacy group during Animal Rights Week this month.
Virgo (Aug 23 – Sept 22)
Libra (Sept 23 – Oct 22)
Collaboration is on tap for you this month, as you take up the charge to lead a local event or party. Rally friends and family with pets to help.
Pisces (Feb 19 – Mar 20) Life has been pretty serious lately, so counterbalance it this month by dancing around the house or getting more play time in with your pet for fun and relaxation.
With Saturn still in retrograde, it can feel like money is tight even when it’s flowing. Relax and treat you and your pet to a special – yet inexpensive – outing this month to use those funds for fun.
Personal growth comes into focus this month, so take a goal for you or your pet off the back burner and put it into the forefront.
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Aries (March 21 – April 19)
If Mercury in retrograde last month has left some confusion in your romantic life, take heart. Enjoy spending extra quality time with your pet this month to let sleeping dogs lie.
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Aquarius (Jan 20 – Feb 18)
Scorpio (Oct 23 – Nov 21)
Sagittarius (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
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Switch up your work routine this month by taking your pet to work on June 8 for National Best Friends Day or the week of June 24 for Take Your Dog to Work Week.
Your third house of travel is wide open this month, so plan a fun trip to visit friends with your pet.
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Make use of your amazing organizational skills to get your home and family prepared for emergencies in June, which is also National Pet Preparedness Month.
Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
Taurus (Apr 20 – May 20) Use your green thumb to get your garden blooming throughout the month and to plant a tree in honor of World Pet Memorial Day on June 9.
Madam Tabu’s horoscopes are translated through the human pet psychic Jennafer Martin, www.PetInsightsbyJennafer.com.
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Do g Hiking S ervic es In
h a t U
Sarah Tyler
In this day and age, everyone pushes to do more and get more out of their days. The
problem with this lifestyle is it doesn’t lend itself to being a responsible pet owner. Long hours away from home increases the risk of anxiety and attachment issues for pets and leads to physical problems as well, like bladder infections and obesity. As an alternative to the solitude of a lonely house, many pet owners have opted to have multiple pets to keep each other company. This leaves one insurmountable issue – getting the animals significant exercise.
It was out of this necessity that dog walking was born. We’ve all had the neighborhood kids offer to walk our dogs to make some cash after school, but many companies have also started to offer dog walking services. New to the scene are dog hiking services. That’s right, it’s not a typo. You can now pay to have someone take your dog on an afternoon hike… or a morning hike for that matter. Several local companies, including The Dog Hikers of Park City, Merry Pets, and Aarf Pet Care offer this service.
The Dog Hikers of Park City, a member of and insured through Pet
Sttiers Associates. This family run company, owned and operated by Linda and Andre Giebe, offer 1-hour Run-a-Muk mountain hikes twice a day, Monday – Friday. Every dog on their hikes wears a GPS tracker for security. More information about their services can be found at www. thedoghikersofpc.com.
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Merry Speedie, owner of Merry Pets, started her company
in 2010. Inspired by her relationship with her companion dog Morgan, Speedie wanted to embrace her passion for dogs and make it her full time gig. After Morgan’s passing in 2012, Merry vowed to her beloved pet that she would “devote [her] life to living up to the legacy [Morgan] left, one of caring for other animals.” Merry Pets offers dog walking and hiking, pet sitting, grooming and spa treatments, taxis for pets, and deliveries of various pet products. Her gift for nurturing and relating to dogs has made her remarkably successful in creating positive, meaningful relationships with her animal clients and gives typically solitary pets a rare opportunity to be a part of a pack in a safe and fun environment.
Finally, there’s Aarf Pet Care, named Best of Utah 2014 by City Weekly,
and with good reason. Owner Suzie Ellison and her staff lead one hour hikes through local trails. They work to create five-dog packs, taking temperament, size, and activity levels into account. Their service area is from the Avenues to Draper, and they’ll pick up and drop off your dog at your home. They’ll also make sure the water bowl is full before they leave and give your pet snacks if you want. Other services include cat visits, dog sitting, dog walking and overnight stays. Check out aarfpetcare.com for more information.
So the next time you’ve got a long day of travel or a crazy work week on the horizon, consider giving your dog the gift of exercise and socialization. With such creative pet services available, there’s no reason your pets need to be cooped up!
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PHOTOS
YOUR PETS IN THE CITY Do you want to share a photo of your pet?
Shilo
Email your highresolution photo & your pet’s name to info@petsinthecitymagazine.com.
Ellie Tofu
Bellatrix
Runkle
Teddy
Lennie
Cayde & Jaimi
Mila Kunis
Bogart
Buddy
Liza Azula
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Tim
Dinkum
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