A HAPPY HALLOWEEN FOR PETS

NINE WAYS TO KEEP A DOG OR CAT SAFE

by Karen Shaw Becker

Halloween is celebrated on October 31, and as always on this fun holiday for humans, it’s important to take precautions to ensure furry family members wake up healthy, happy and safe on November 1. Here are some potential hazards to avoid.

CHOCOLATE:

All chocolate is toxic to both cats and dogs, and and can cause kidney failure even in very small amounts. Chocolate-covered raisins pose a double-barrelled risk.

CANDY WRAPPERS: Halloween candy isn’t the only health threat for dogs and cats. Empty candy wrappers smell like what was in them, enticing a pet. The ingestion of foil and cellophane wrappers can cause a life-threatening bowel obstruction. It’s very important to stress to children, in particular, the need to keep all candy wrappers out of the reach of pets.

CANDLES AND GLOW STICKS:

Candles, including the small ones inside Jack-o’-lanterns, are fire hazards. Make sure they are well beyond a pet’s reach, so that a kitty doesn’t wander across a table or shelf decorated with lit candles or a dog doesn’t get too frisky with a carved pumpkin with a candle inside. Glow sticks and jewelry have become very popular, and pets (especially cats) have been known to chew on them. The substance that creates the glow is phenol, which can leak out and burn a pet’s fur and tongue. Choking on small pieces is another hazard.

SCARY HUMAN COSTUMES: Some pets can become very fearful or aggressive at the sight of certain Halloween costumes,

the darker it is, the more toxic. It contains a caffeine-like stimulant that when ingested by a pet, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, racing pulse and seizures. Make sure all family members and guests, including children, understand the importance of keeping chocolate away from the dog or cat.

SUGAR-FREE GOODIES CONTAINING

XYLITOL: This is a popular sugar substitute added to an increasing number of consumer products, including sugar-free candy, gum, mints and baked goods. A small amount of xylitol can cause a rapid and dangerous blood sugar drop in dogs, as well as acute liver failure. Xylitol’s effect on cats is unknown, but keep it far away from the kitties, as well.

RAISINS AND TRAIL MIX: Instead of candy, some well-meaning people hand out tiny boxes of raisins or small bags of trail mix containing raisins and/or chocolate candy such as M&Ms. Unfortunately, raisins are toxic to dogs and cats,

including those that may resemble a dog or cat. In such instances, take precautions to keep both a pet and trick-or-treaters safe.

ELABORATE PET COSTUMES: Even if a pet isn’t costume-averse (many dogs and most cats are), make sure whatever is put on her is lightweight to avoid overheating, doesn’t confi ne or restrain their movement in any way and is free of any adornments they might be tempted to chew off and swallow. If they are frightened or annoyed by the puppy princess gown or the Grumpy Cat mask, be a pal and don’t force the issue. Let them enjoy the holiday, too.

TRICK-OR-TREATERS AND

OTHER VISITORS: If lots of costumed kids or adults show up at the house on Halloween, be aware that a constantly ringing doorbell, knocks and strangers at the door and a general mood of excitement can create an overstimulating environment for a pet. Some pets become anxious, fearful and aggressive when their normally quiet, predictable evening is anything but. If a pet tends to fi nd commotion at the front door or visitors stressful, it’s best to secure them in a quiet, safe spot before the action starts.

OPEN DOORS: Animal shelters and rescue organizations typically experience an increase in lost pets in the days following Halloween. Opening and closing the front door for trick-or-treaters, coupled with the event’s high level of excitement, can create an opportunity for a frightened or adventurous pet to run off . Make sure a pet’s ID tag and/or microchip database information, if applicable, are up to date and take precautions to prevent them from slipping out the door and into the night.

Common sense and a little preparation will ensure a four-legged family member is none the worse for wear the next morning.

Veterinarian Karen Shaw Becker has spent her career empowering animal guardians to make knowledgeable decisions to extend the life and improve well-being of their animals.

by Linda T. Stern

Halloween can be a fun, scary and dangerous time for our pets. Candy is not healthy for our pets nor us. Artifi cial sweeteners, especially xylitol, is toxic to animals, specifi cally dogs and cats. Chocolate is also toxic. Some pets enjoy the socializing and excitement of having visitors or going outside in the weather, but being overheated or too cold can be equally detrimental. Make sure any pet costumes are comfortable. Some people also look to hurt animals, especially black cats, on Halloween. Dangerous rituals do exist. At home, the constant noise of the doorbells and excitable children can be scary for most furry friends, especially birds, cats and small dogs. Some are even scared at the sight of someone wearing a hat. Th e safest policy is to keep pets safe at home in a back room with white noise and sit outside for the trick-or-treaters to reduce the chaos. Another solution is to attend a safe Halloween celebration at the location of a friend or community gathering. Halloween can be fun and safe in a controlled environment away from our furry and feather friends. Please be mindful of what is best for them.

Linda T. Stern, DVM, MS, CVA, is the owner of Healing Creatures Animal Hospital, located at 3300 Hartzdale Dr., Ste. 108, in Camp Hill. For more information, call 717-730-3755 or visit HealingCreatures.com. See ad, page 30.

coming in the november issue

MENTAL HEALTH & WELL-BEING

Fall Reading Challenge – Oct 1-31. Earn badges and virtual tickets for the grand prize drawings by reading and logging whatever you like and doing autumn-related activities. Free. Fredricksen Library, 100 N 19th St, Camp Hill. 717-761-3900. FredricksenLibrary.org.

Shamanic Usui Reiki Level 2 Training & Trans-

formational Retreat – Oct 1 & 2. 9am-9pm, Sat; 10am-6pm, Sun. Learn reiki with Jaque Hanson. Embrace emotional, spiritual and/or physical healing. Experience a serious empowerment moment and initiation to the healing energies of reiki. $355 early bird till 9/22. 310 Bridge St, New Cumberland. 717448-1281. Pre-register: BeePresentWellness.com Intuitive Tarot Readings – 10am-4:30pm. Also Oct 22. With Judy Winfrey. Receive messages that offer clarity and guidance which can help you with everyday life as well as help open you to your own potential. $80/hr. Gracefull Heart, 1953 W Trindle Rd, Carlisle. Pre-register: 717-240-0400 or Info@ Gracefull-Heart.com. Spirit of Oneness Holistic Expo – Oct 1-2. 10am6pm, Sat; 10am-5pm, Sun. A 2-day holistic expo that brings together holistic practitioners/vendors. 2022’s theme: “We are All Connected.” $7/day; $12/weekend. Scottish Rite Cathedral, 2701 N 3rd St, Harrisburg. 717-221-0133. SpiritOfOnenessEvent.com.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 3

Intro to Healing Touch and Aromatherapy – 6:30-8:30pm. With Alanna Berger. Healing touch and aromatherapy together can deepen and enhance one’s healing experience. Learn how to use them to improve your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. $20. Reiki by Rickie, ReikiSpace & Learning Place, 2793 Old Post Rd, Ste 10, Harrisburg. 717-599-2299. ReikiByRickie.com.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5

Spiritual Steep Monthly Book Club – 6:308:30pm. Steep your soul into a good book, heartfelt discussion, some laughs and a good cup of tea with us. Bi-weekly book club where we get to enjoy inspirational and uplifting books each month. $15. Firefly Hollow Holistic Wellness, 200 Farm Ln, York. 717-814-9136. FireflyHollowWellness.com.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8

Archangel Michael, Mother Mary, Padre Pio

Channeling – 10am-4pm. With Pat Cassel. Messages from Archangel Michael and the Angels, and potent healing energies from Mother Mary and Padre Pio are awaiting you. $100/hr, $60/30 mins. Gracefull Heart, 1953 W Trindle Rd, Carlisle. Pre-register: 717-240-0400 or Info@Gracefull-Heart.com. Walk-In Acupuncture – 10:30am-12:30pm. 2nd Sat. A seated ear (auricular) and scalp acupuncture treatment. Sit in comfy zero-gravity chairs and experience acupuncture to de-stress your weekend. Donation. Blue Mountain Acupuncture, 5521 Carlisle Pk, Ste B, Mechanicsburg. 717-516-1080. BlueMtnAcupuncture.com.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10

Fall and Holiday Shopping at Hope Hill Laven-

der Farm – 10am-3pm. Enjoy visiting our lavender farm store, which contains quality, made-onpremises lavender products and other unique items specially selected for your shopping enjoyment. Free admission. 2375 Panther Valley Rd, Pottsville. 570-617-0851. HopeHillLavenderFarm.com.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11

Reflexology and Ion Foot Cleanse – Oct 11-13. 9am-6pm. Lynn Diehl offers private reflexology sessions and ion cleanse foot baths. $75/reflexology; $40/foot bath. Alta View Wellness Center, 4814 Jonestown Rd, Harrisburg. For appt: 717-221-0133. AltaViewWellness.com. Group Sound Meditation – 6-8pm. Also Oct 25. With Matt Kramer. Allow mind, body and soul to relax with intention, gentle breath work and vocalizing, followed by a relaxing journey of various overtone emitting instruments such as chimes, drums, rainsticks, rattles, handpan and singing bowls. $25. 310 Bridge St, New Cumberland. 717448-1281. Pre-register: BeePresentWellness.com. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13

Astral-Herbalism: Libra – 6-8pm. With Kelsey Ramberger. Learn the planetary, anatomical, psychological, spiritual, and herbal correspondences, archetypes, energetics, terminology, the elements associated with Libra. Yarrow is the herb that you will be experiencing. $33 till 10/6. 309 Third St, New Cumberland. 717-448-1281. Pre-register: BeePresentWellness.com

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14

Sound Meditation Concert – 6:30-8:30pm. Mike Tamburo orchestrates his way through 50+ overtone rich instruments including gongs, bells, spinning bell plates, tuned metal instruments and hammered dulcimer. Listeners have described his music as an adventure in listening and a sonic bliss. $33 till 10/7. 310 Bridge St, New Cumberland. 717-448-1281. Pre-register: BeePresentWellness.com.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15

Foot Reflexology Certification Course – 9am. Basic knowledge and understanding in anatomy and physiology is taught so you can work the foot for healing. Entry level course for those wanting more knowledge and skill in foot reflexology. The second part of the class is completely handon. Small class learning environment. $325. Health Quest Holistics, 1517 N 7th St, Lebanon. 717-228-0612. HealthQuest4Life.com.

Reiki II – 9:30am-5:30pm. With Rickie. Empower your reiki and enhance your skills and confidence. Learn to heal on the underlying mental/emotional/ stress level source, and techniques for distance healing. $220. Reiki by Rickie, ReikiSpace & Learning Place, 2793 Old Post Rd, Ste 10, Harrisburg. 717599-2299. ReikiByRickie.com. Beginner’s Glass Fusing – 10am. Learn the basics of fusing glass, the tools used, design techniques and types of glass and types of fusing levels. $20. The Center of Balance LLC, 29 N Jefferson St, Greencastle. 717-643-1404. TheCenterOfBalanceLLC.com. Psychic Readings – 10am. Psychic William Stillman connects to the spirit realm to bring forth messages in private, 1-hr sessions. Bring photo of loved one (living or deceased). $200 cash only. Alta View Wellness Center, 4814 Jonestown Rd, Harrisburg. Pre-registration required: 717-221-0133 or AltaViewWellness.com. A Day with Gongs – 10am-7pm. Mike Tamburo. Learn in a fun and experiential day of gong playing. Explore different playing strokes and techniques, rhythm exercises, listening, musical games and powerful improvisations as a group. Perfect for anyone interested in or already in love with the gong. $125 till 10/8. 310 Bridge St, New Cumberland. 717-4481281. Pre-register: BeePresentWellness.com.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 17

Med Card Mondays – 9am-5pm. Save $25 off our certification services every 3rd Monday of the month. $70Initial Certifications, $50/Annual Renewals. Online only. 717-220-5566. mmj4u. intakeq.com/booking

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18

Language of Light – 6:30-8:30pm. With Linda Gareh-Applegate. Experience the Language of Light in different formats: spoken, sung, using mudras, written and via artwork. Everyone contains light language within. $30. Reiki by Rickie, ReikiSpace

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19

Shamanic Journey and Sound Healing Around

the Stargate – 7-9pm. With Linda Gareh-Applegate, Holly Blyler, Sharon Askey. Relax, rejuvenate and rebalance with potent sound healing. Sound can provide an opportunity to breakdown patterns no longer serving you. $20. Gracefull Heart, 1953 W Trindle Rd, Carlisle. Pre-register: 717-240-0400 or Info@Gracefull-Heart.com.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20

Stone Wire Wrapping – 5-6pm. Learn the basics of stone wrapping, types of tools used and different wrapping techniques. $15. The Center of Balance LLC, 29 N Jefferson St, Greencastle. 717-643-1404. TheCenterOfBalanceLLC.com.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22

Intuitive Mediumship Readings – 10am. Richard La Rocco, Evidential Intuitive Medium, brings forth messages of healing with your loved ones. 1-hr readings. $175 cash only. Alta View Wellness Center, 4814 Jonestown Rd, Harrisburg. Pre-registration required: 717-221-0133 or AltaViewWellness.com.

Fall and Holiday Shopping at Hope Hill Lavender

Farm – 10am-3pm. Enjoy visiting our lavender farm store, which contains quality, made-on-premises lavender products and other unique items specially selected for your shopping enjoyment. Free admission. 2375 Panther Valley Rd, Pottsville. 570-6170851. HopeHillLavenderFarm.com. Intuitive Tarot Readings – 10am-4:30pm. See Oct 1 listing. Gracefull Heart, 1953 W Trindle Rd, Carlisle. Pre-register: 717-240-0400 or Info@ Gracefull-Heart.com.

Fall Open House: Firefly Hollow Wellness Cen-

ter – 10am-5pm. Discounted mini-services, gift certificate sales, Make-n-Take Workshop Stations. Early booking starts Oct 19. Free. Firefly Hollow Holistic Wellness, 200 Farm Ln, York. Register: 717-814-9136 or FireflyHollowWellness.com. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25

Group Sound Meditation – 6-8pm. See Oct 11 listing. 310 Bridge St, New Cumberland. 717-4481281. Pre-register: BeePresentWellness.com. Scorpio Season Celebration – 6-8pm. In this New Moon Emily Scordato will guide you into an exploration through the Tarot Archetype of the Death Card. Clear, meditate and rejuvenate as you surrender the old, to embrace the new. $33 till 10/18. 309 Third St, New Cumberland. 717-448-1281. Preregister: BeePresentWellness.com.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27

Rising Queens Circle – 6-9pm. Addie Helster and Ruthie Lerato. Join healthy and vulnerable women to gain access to your inner strength. Get back in sync with nature + feminine cycles of life and Sacred Feminine Archetypes to create shifts in your life. $33 till 10/20. 309 Third St, New Cumberland. 717-448-1281. Pre-register: BeePresentWellness.com. Exploring the Paranormal – 6:30-8:30pm. Jofa Kauffman shares her paranormal experiences including visual evidence (photo of her pet after she passed) and audio evidence (recordings of disembodied voices). Opportunity to share own paranormal experiences. $30. Reiki by Rickie, ReikiSpace & Learning Place, 2793 Old Post Rd, Ste 10, Harrisburg. 717-599-2299. ReikiByRickie.com. Daughters of the Hollow – 7-9pm. Monthly women’s gathering facilitated by reflexologist and Wild Women Circle Facilitator Tanya Gore. A space where we as women can come together to learn, grow, share and shine our truth. $40. Firefly Hollow Holistic Wellness, 200 Farm Ln, York. 717814-9136. FireflyHollowWellness.com. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30

The Wheel of the Year: A Journey Through the Seasons of Tradition – 1-4pm. Learn about the many traditions associated with the annual feasts/ festivals celebrated as the wheel of the year turns, including traditional crafts and recipes, tips and hints for celebrating. $55. Firefly Hollow Holistic Wellness, 200 Farm Ln, York. 717-814-9136. FireflyHollowWellness.com.

Seasonal Shamanic Healing Circle for Samhain

– 4-6pm. Sharon Muzio guides shamanic journey while Angie Yingst facilitates Shamanic Earth Medicine & Reiki healing in this shamanic healing circle for Samhain. Limited space. $40. Alta View Wellness Center, 4814 Jonestown Rd, Harrisburg. Pre-registration required: 717-221-0133 or AltaViewWellness.com.

plan ahead

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5

Inner Peace Holistic Expo – Nov 5-6. 10am6pm, Sat; 10am-5pm, Sun. Enjoy free lectures and demonstrations, holistic and natural products and services, spiritual readings, crystals and gemstones, jewelry, massage, reiki, CBD products, aura readings, iridology, pet wellness and more. Food and drink available for purchase. Free goodie bag for first 150 guests each day. $10/weekend. Veterans, active service men and women and kids 12 and under free. Hamburg Field House, Pine St, Hamburg. 610-401-1342. InnerPeaceHolisticExpo.com.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12

Full-Body Reflexology Certification Course

– Nov 12-13. 10am. Learn techniques in the Natural Electro-Magnetic Process for headto-toe alignments including hips, tailbone, shoulders, pelvic and more. These techniques help to align the body and, in most cases, offer immediate relief of pain. NCBTMB provider #155. 12 CEUs. $425. Health Quest Holistics, 1517 N 7th St, Lebanon. 717-228-0612. HealthQuest4Life.com.

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12

Cumberland County Women’s Expo – 9am2pm. The Women’s Expo brings together women of all ages for shopping, mini-spa treatments, entertainment and learning about products and services. Exhibitors will represent beauty, home, health and wellness, fashion, shopping, finance and more. Free. Carlisle Expo Center, 100 K St, Carlisle. 717-285-1350. AGreatWayToSpendMyDay.com.

ongoing events

tuesdays

Vintage Kundalini Yoga – 9:15-10:30am. Donna Grimwood. Yoga addresses challenge of aging bodies and minds: loss of bone density, stiffness, hardening of the arteries, hormonal fluctuations, mild depression.Work on flexibility, strength, focus and conscious breathing. $17/drop-in, $75 & $130 with class card. 310 Bridge St, New Cumberland. 717448-1281. Pre-register: BeePresentWellness.com.

wednesdays

Stress Management Kundalini Yoga – 7:158:30pm. Jaque Hanson. All levels. Soul soothing and transformative. A shamanic take on yoga, combines live sounds of crustal bowl, Shruti box, Native American flute and gong. $17/dropin, $75 & $130 with class card. 310 Bridge St, New Cumberland. 717-448-1281. Pre-register: BeePresentWellness.com.

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