Reporter Herald — All About Pets 2017

ALL ABOUT Otto & Ava

May 28, 2017 May 29, 2016

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ALL ABOUT PETS 1

When our pets leave those little surprises, rain washes all that pet waste and bacteria into our storm drains.

And then pollutes our waterways. So what to do? Simple. Dispose of it properly (preferably in the toilet).

Then that little surprise gets treated like it should.

Scoop the POOP

There is no poop fairy. Pet waste washes into our storm drains and pollutes our rivers. When it rains, the potential exists for abandoned pet waste to wash down storm drains and into our streams, rivers and lakes without being treated at our wastewater treatment facility. Pet waste can contain bacteria that threaten the health of animals and people, especially children. Pet waste contains nutrients that encourage excess algae growth making water cloudy and green and unattractive for swimming, fishing, and recreation. When pet waste is washed into lakes and streams, the waste decays, using up oxygen. Low oxygen combined with warm temperatures can kill fish and other aquatic life.

Why do we need clean water?

Having clean water is of primary importance for our health and economy.

Clean water provides recreation, commercial opportunities, fish habitat, drinking water and adds beauty to our landscape. All of us benefit from clean water—and all of us have a role in getting and keeping our lakes, rivers and ground waters clean.

What’s the problem with pet waste?

It’s a health risk to pets and people, especially children. It’s a nuisance in our neighborhoods. Pet waste is full of bacteria that can make people sick. If it’s washed into the storm drain and ends up in a lake, stream, the bacteria ends up in fish. People who eat those fish can get very sick. The waste produced by Seattle’s dogs and cats is about what a city the size of Renton or Kennewick—about 50,000 people—would produce. Unless people take care of it, the waste enters our water with no treatment.

CLEAN WATER TIP: How can you get rid of pet waste and help keep our waters clean?

Here are some options.

Scoop it up and flush it down the toilet. That’s best because then your community sewage treatment plant or your septic system treats the pet waste.

Seal the waste in a plastic bag and throw it in the garbage.

Bury small quantities in your yard where it can decompose slowly. Dig a hole one foot deep. Put three to four inches of waste at the bottom of the hole. Cover the waste with at least eight inches of soil. Bury the waste in several different locations in your yard and keep it away from vegetable gardens.

FREE GIFT! ** Print coupon and bring or mail to the Stormwater Engineering Division at 2525 West 1st Street, Loveland for your free “Scoop the Poop” container.

CONTACT INFORMATION: Name: Address:

Phone Number: Email Address:

Public Works Administration Building (PWA) 2525 West 1st Street (970) 962-2772 http://www.cityofloveland.org/stormwater 2

ALL ABOUT PETS

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May 28, 2017

Fort Collins Cat Rescue & Spay/Neuter Clinic

Fort Collins Cat Rescue & Spay/Neuter Clinic competing to win $50,000 in nationwide Saving Pets Challenge Online fundraising competition for pets in need runs through June 1 Fort Colline— For the fourth consecutive year, Fort Collins Cat Rescue & Spay/Neuter Clinic is purr-ticipating in a nationwide competition to help fund lifesaving programs and services for pets in Northern Colorado. Currently in the top four on the Saving Pets Challenge leaderboard, Fort Col-

May 28, 2017

lins Cat Rescue & Spay/Neuter Clinic is competing against rescues in Illinois, Texas, Wisconsin and elsewhere to win up to $50,000 in cash prizes.

In just under 11 years, Fort Collins Cat Rescue & Spay/Neuter Clinic has found loving homes for 12,833 cats and kittens, prevented pet homelessness by spaying or neutering more than 46,700 dogs and cats, and distributed 160,000 lbs. of kibble to low-income pet owners in Larimer and Weld counties.

The Saving Pets Challenge is Fort Collins Cat Rescue & Spay/ Neuter Clinic’s single biggest donation drive of the year, and the funds raised will directly benefit the thousands of dogs and cats that will be welcomed through the nonprofit shelter and clinic’s doors this year. Sponsored by Michelson Found Animals to support charitable organizations focused on reducing shelter euthanasia, the online fundraising contest on CrowdRise launched on May 2 and ends at 11:59 a.m. MT June 1.

“We think we can win but we definitely need the support of the community,” said Sarah Swanty, executive director of Fort Collins Cat Rescue & Spay/Neuter Clinic.

“It’s a crowd-funding competition, so we’re asking individuals and businesses to join our online fundraising team and reach out to their

own circle of friends or clients for donations. There are incentive prizes to our top fundraisers, like logo apparel, and special incentives for business teams.”

The animal welfare organization that raises the most during the Challenge wins a $50,000 prize grant; second place earns $30,000, third gets $20,000, fourth wins $10,000 and fifth place earns $5,000. There are also Weekly Bonus Challenges that enable Fort Collins Cat Rescue & Spay/Neuter Clinic to win additional funds for its mission to prevent pet homelessness.

To help Fort Collins Cat Rescue & Spay/Neuter Clinic win the 2017 Saving Pets Challenge head to crowdrise.com/fort-collinscat-rescue-savingpets. For more information about the challenge, contact Director of Development Jane Barber at (970) 658-1226 or Jane@fccrsnc.org

About Fort Collins Cat Rescue & Spay/Neuter Clinic Fort Collins Cat Rescue & Spay/ Neuter Clinic is an adoption guarantee, nonprofit cat shelter and low-cost sterilization clinic for both dogs and cats. The organization is dedicated to the well-being of all cats and dogs in our community with emphasis on preventing pet overpopulation and on the sheltering and place-

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ment of surrendered or abandoned cats into loving, permanent homes.

To further reduce pet overpopulation, our organization also provides spay/neuter assistance to low-income pet owners, and has a Community Cat Program that traps and sterilizes feral felines. Since its inception, the shelter has found homes for more than 12,000 cats, and the clinic has performed over 46,000 surgeries.

More information can be found atFCCRSNC.org.

About Michelson Found Animals The Michelson Found Animals Foundation is a non-profit supporting pet owners and animal welfare organizations; our mission is Saving Pets, Enriching Lives. After celebrating a decade of service to animals, we continue to grow as we find new and innovative ways to help pets and the people who care for them.

In addition to creating the first free microchip registry, we now have our own adoption centers, research next generation spay/neuter technology, and sell affordable high-quality products—all in the service of pets. Our unique perspective into all aspects of animal welfare allows us to better support pet owners and pet professionals alike. All of this is possible thanks to generous funding from Dr. Gary Michelson and Alya Michelson.

ALL ABOUT PETS 3

Training your dog goes beyond basic obedience

Northern Colorado veterinary clinics, training facilities offer variety of training opportunities

By Shelley Widhalm, All About Pets A few Northern Colorado veterinary clinics and training facilities offer training beyond

getting a dog to sit, stay and obey.

Specialty training options range from short lessons on rattlesnake aversion that take 15 minutes to rescue dog rehabilitation programs offered over several weeks.

“No dog problems are unfixable. It takes the right training and motivation to achieve the

training results that you desire,” said Chris Pelle, owner of Kelvera K9 Personal Dog Training, a home-based business in Loveland.

Kelvera K9, which opened in October 2015, offers classes in basic and advanced dog obedience, rehabilitation training for rescue and other dogs, and protection training for guard

and K9 dogs.

Dogs trained to become personal protection dogs learn when and how to protect their handlers in threatening situations. The timeframe for the training varies depending on the dog’s age, temperament and drive, but it could take a year or longer, Pelle said.

“It’s really a family dog 99 percent of the time and training the other 1 percent,” Pelle said.

“Hopefully, you never have to put the dog to work in a real-life situation.”

Pelle works with various clients, including operators of self-storage facilities, business owners and those living in the country, and has trained more than 100 dogs since he opened his business. The clients train alongside the dogs, meeting two to three times a week, and can earn a handler protection certificate for the dog and handler team. Pelle also works with dogs individually to source out to clients, he said.

Before the training begins, the dogs need to successfully have gone through obedience training, Pelle said.

“Obedience is the number one

In collaboration with

petsmartcharities.o org

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May 28, 2017

priority,” Pelle said. “I won’t train a dog for protection if it doesn’t have a solid baseline.”

Pelle teaches the dogs to identify threats and attacks and to know when it is okay to respond with continual barking or biting.

The dogs learn to stop when a response is called off for things that are not real threats. Nonthreats include bumping into the handler or when an assailant is retreating and the law prohibits ensuing in a chase.

“We’re very specialized in training scenarios that are reallife that you can run into any day,” Pelle said. “They’re really fine details, but they encompass a lot of work to get those details refined.”

The training is an investment in both the dog and the handler, Pelle said.

“We teach handler skills, as the owner needs to know how to control the dog and handle them

in different situations they’re put in,” he said.

Pelle also provides rescue dog rehabilitation training for dogs with a variety of issues, such as aggression, separation anxiety, timidity and not being housebroken. Rescue dogs, in particular, can develop the issues as the result of improper training, lack of obedience, and abuse and neglect.

The training typically is offered twice a week over four to five weeks and in supplemental programs to prevent the dog from reverting to old behaviors.

Pelle pinpoints the issues and then rehabilitates and eliminates the problem behaviors.

“They are not going to get any better by letting them continue that behavior,” Pelle said. “The trainer can identify the root cause of the problem, try to eliminate that problem and not take on any additional prob-

lems.”

Aspenwing Bird & Animal Hospital, 3904 W. Eisenhower Blvd. in Loveland, will offer the facility’s first-ever rattlesnake aversion class June 4, teaching dogs how to avoid snakes and alert handlers to their presence.

Handlers can sign up online for a lesson at aspenwing.com that typically lasts 5-20 minutes and is individualized to each dog.

“They are to move away from the snake; they are not to take the snake on,” said Jolynn Chappell, who holds a doctorate of veterinary medicine and is the owner of Aspenwing.

“If a dog gets bit by a rattlesnake, it’s an emergency situation. You have to grab that dog up and get to the closest emergency clinic.”

Dogs are taught to recognize snakes through sight, sound and smell and to avoid them upon detection, instead of responding

by barking or attacking, Chappell said. They learn to carefully walk around the snake, staying clear without disturbing it, she said.

Snakes can be found in backyards and locally in the foothills and places like Devil’s Backbone, Namaqua Hills, Bobcat Ridge and Coyote Ridge.

Chappell uses electric dog collars with multiple settings to do the training, the most effective way to encourage the dogs to stay away from the snake, she said, adding that the collars are not harmful to the dogs.

“We want the dog to think the snake did it to them,” Chappell said. “The dog gets it if the shock collar goes off the second they see the snake. It’s very fast and effective. It’s the only way to make the training … stick.”

LAPP connects therapy dogs with schools, nursing homes Once therapy dogs earn their vests, owners typically want to get them involved in their communities.

The Larimer Animal People Partnership, founded 25 years ago in Fort Collins, is a membership organization of about 40 animal therapy teams certified through Pet Partners and the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. New members can work with mentors to learn about the organization, set up therapy visits and get advice on any situations that might arise, as well as observe more experienced therapy teams at work and engage in practice recertification evaluations.

“We help them find settings they and their animals would like to go to,” said Amy Fristoe of Wellington, steering committee member for LAPP. “Being an advocate for your dog is really important.”

May 28, 2017

LAPP serves as a source of education and information, bringing the therapy teams to libraries, schools, hospitals and care facilities. The nonprofit hosts the Doggie Olympics, the organization’s annual fundraiser, and shares the animals at booths at community events, workshops and educational seminars.

Members promote awareness of the importance of the humananimal bond and serve as ambassadors for responsible pet care.

The therapy teams make regular visits out in the community, such as at Poudre River Libraries three times a month, where children are invited to read to the dogs, and can also schedule visits. The visits can feature demonstrations of tricks and directly engage audiences in reading to and interacting with the dogs.

“We try to come and support whatever people in the community might need for the dogs to do,” Fristoe said.

The dogs are certified based on a demonstration of basic obedience and other skills and an aptitude for wanting to interact with and be around people.

“As handlers, we know we have special animals. We like sharing them with people who might not have pets,” Fristoe said.

“They can feel like they have a pet experience even for a short amount of time.”

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ALL ABOUT PETS 5

Our O u Pets!

W

e v o el Stinkeyy

Lil Abner

Swiffer ff

Ava & Otto

Big & sassy with a good sense of humor like owner. ~ Bruce Torres

Abner is a registered therapy dog. He has more than 400 visits to the Nursing Home. He has a costume for every holiday and all the residents in the nursing home love to see him. ~ Patricia Brueckner

Lives life with exuberance. ~ Teri Olson

Life is just SIMPLY better with dogs!

Everyone thinks they have the best dog(s) & NONE of them is wrong. (unknown) ~Maria Chacon

Harleyy Have you seen her?

Bouncer

We miss her and want her home and I’m sure she wants to come home. If you know where she is, please call 970690-7122. ~ Jackie Tuck

We lost a family dog to cancer at a young age and this little white puff of fur mended our hearts for seven strong years now. ~Derek Ott

Sigourney g y

Stuart

Anna & Al

She comes when called; she fetches!

Loves birds and squirrels. ~Roger Sether

Despite having 6 toes on his front paws, and the nickname “Bearcat”, Stuart can pack quite the wallop in his paws when he plays. He, also, tolerates quite a bit when we put his Christmas tie on or his flannel shirt. ~ Joel Schreiner

This is not a “Siamese” cat – it is Anna and Alfred snuggling in the chair after their daily tussle. They bring a lot of joy to us with their antics. ~Norma Crosby

Charlie & Barleyy

Good company and they are willing to Pose!

Curie

It has been said that when certain people enter a room, the whole place lights up. When Curie comes in, the same thing happens and everyone is all smiles! She loves everyone, and her curiosity is insatiable. She defininately is joy personified! ~Jessica Boysen 6

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~Joan R. MacGilvray

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May 28, 2017

Our O u Pets!

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e v o el

Barneyy Socks

Mindyy

Baileyy

Kodiak & Zipp

Very few people have seen Barney because he likes to hide. 10 years old. ~ Diane McDonald

Very loyal. Loves people! Always doing “funny” things. Wonderful companion. ~ Carl Fritz

She’s a sweet rescue dog who loves to snuggle and ride in her stroller. ~ Julie Dowswell

My dynamic duo – a loveable Lab & a Terror Terrier. They put sunshine in my life and are the best dogs ever!!! ~ Mereda Darnell

Fluffy ffy Quin

Daisyy

Biscuit

Dawson

Fluffy is a special Ragdoll Mint Tip cat.

He is a therapy cat that will stay close to you day and night. He went to the nursing home to see my husband daily and made a lot of patients very happy.

He is 6-years-old. ~ Delores Davilla

Rescue cat Hisser, growler, biter, scratcher.Took two years and Daisy became my best Friend! ~ Louise Byrd

Biscuit reads when no one is looking. ~ Nancy Townsend

Protects and loves his family – including chickens! ~ Mary AnnLaFleur

Sammyy

Zeus

Pax

Darla Sue

She sits, gives “Five”, High “Fives” and shakes with you when told to. ~ Mary Ann LaFleur

Loveable, loyal, faithful friend. BEST DOG EVER! ~ Mary Appling

May 28, 2017

She made everyone happy. She was the kindest, sweetest and most gentle soul.

I miss her so much every single day.

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Three legged therapy dog – nothing but unconditional love given. ~ Francis Hale ALL ABOUT PETS 7

Our O u Pets!

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e v o el

Dori & Garfield fi

Mookie

Willie

Kiwi

Dori, the tortie, and Garfield, our big orange fella, are two of four cats we’ve adopted from Larimer and other shelters. The pair came to us together and are fast friends. They sometimes play-wrestle until Dori works up her “tortitude.” Then with a hiss and a wail she declares she’s had enough. Ten minutes later they can be snuggling on our bed. ~ Chuck and Judy Cegielski

He found his way to Colorado (with a little help from his friends) from Georgia 7 years ago. He brings love to many people. He is also an entertaining rascal. ~ Cheryl Breiner

Willie is a unique lab mix that I adopted when he was about 5 years old.

He is the most laid back and patient dog I have ever seen. He is happy just being in my company and gets excited only when it is time for his walk or to play. When I work from home, he sits and watches me knowing he will soon get his walk or play time. ~ Amy Bowman

Kiwi - our beautiful baby girl has been fighting cancer since December 2015.

SHE IS OUR CHAMPION! ~Shelley Amicone

Swiffer ff

Baileyy

Cooper p

ObiWan & Boba

Swiffer is a rescue dog that has a lot of love that she shares freely. She also lives life exuberantly. Swiffer gives great joy. ~ Steven Olson

Bailey is such a sweetheart. She always runs and jumps in your arms when you get home from work and loves to give kisses. ~Michal Connors

It will be one year May 10th that our beloved Cooper passed away. I was blessed to have him almost 14 years.

Not a day goes by that I don’t miss him terribly. He was the greatest dog ever. ~Natalie A. Kielar

These are two “brothers” who love to play and snuggle. Obi-Wan was just adopted in February, and the two have bonded well. They enjoy going for rides in the car and are always up for a new adventure. ~Sally Whitney

Big Cat

Chipp & Harleyy

Sam

Greysea y & Forrest

Best Outdoor Buddy I Ever Had And He Is Always Happy. ~Mark Caravello

Greysea is an amazing gentle soul, as is her big brogher Forrest the Clydesdale. Anything Forrest eats, Greysea wants to eat – including grazing in the pasture. ~Linda Sioux Stenson

Big Cat is so special because he is a rescue cat from the Fort Collins Cat Rescue. Big Cat was diagnosed with Feline AIDS upon admittance and no one wanted to adopt him. He stole my heart with his little ears and his love to cuddle. He’s so well-behaved that it’s hard to believe he was a stray. ~Amy Kemble 8

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They love life, me and each other. ~Marilyn Most

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May 28, 2017

Talking dogs: Learn to listen Your dog might not love your loving gesture

By Lisa Moore, The Modesto Bee (TNS) Our world is full of dog lovers.

For so many, dogs are much more than just pets; they are companions and partners; they are our friends.

We talk to them as if they understand our language, we train them to behave properly in our human world. But when do we learn to listen?

To truly understand and communicate with a dog, one must learn

to observe and read their body language. Pet owners certainly don’t need to be experts, but with a little understanding of the basics, the relationship between dog and human can be greatly enhanced.

It’s hard to watch a dog owner “loving” on her dog in a way that the dog can barely tolerate, much less enjoy. Dogs don’t appreciate many of our human expressions of affection, and as dog owners, care should be taken to offer our dog affection in a manner that is truly enjoyed.

How can you tell if your dog is enjoying what you are offering in terms of attention and affection?

Voluntarily moving or remaining close to you. Weight shifted toward

you. A loose, relaxed body. A dog that isn’t enjoying what you are offering will often try to disengage; pull away from you, avoid eye contact, turn their back on you, and once the contact between you has ended — the dog will often shake off.

To “read” what he is saying, it is imperative that your dog have freedom of movement to “speak.”

Dogs don’t like to be hugged, which equals restraint. Some dogs will attempt to get out from under a well-intentioned but uncomfortable hugging embrace; others will simply resign themselves to it, but dogs don’t like hugging — avoid it.

Not every dog enjoys the same thing, but a good starting point when giving him physical affection is to try scratching under the chin, the chest, or along the back. Dogs don’t appreciate a hand on top of the head — even your own — so be respectful, and avoid that area.

Many dogs enjoy a methodical and slow ear rub; use your thumb on

the inside of the ear and slowly rub toward the tip. Deep, slow breathing and squinty dog eyes in this context equals pure satisfaction.

Are you able to engage your dog in play? Fetch and tug are games that many dogs enjoy, but can you play with your dog, without props?

This can be a challenge, to rely on your body language to engage your dog. Try being silly — get on the floor and do an exaggerated playbow, like dogs do with one another when initiating play. Quickly and lightly tap a paw, and then retreat, with eyes wide. Exaggerate your movements. Your dog may be puzzled at first, but keep trying — with some practice you will likely find some new ways to interact with your dog that is enjoyable for both of you. And keep this in mind — numerous studies have shown that dogs enjoy it when we laugh!

The more we understand one another, the more affection we give as well as receive, the stronger the bond.

W Our Pets! e v o el Jasper

He carries in the newspaper every day except Sunday. ~ Chris and Karen Duran May 28, 2017

Zoey

Our precious girl and senior rescue from Izzy’s place after a make-over. ~ Christine Vetter

Greysea

Abbey Sue

Greysea has worked as a Therapy dog for 5 years at Medical Center of the Rockies. She has such an amazing, calm spirit. She rides in a wheel chair, so that the patient has an easy interaction with her from their bed. Here she was visiting with some awesome young men, Hobie and Torin Randal. They were visiting with their Grandpa and were pleased to meet Greysea! ~ Linda Sioux Stenson

Abbey Sue is a Maltese dog who has a special therapy personality to make sure you are being given special care everyday.

During one of her licking sessions on my husband neck, he found a small pea sized bump. Decided to go to the doctor to see what was happening..a week later he had another real P.E.T. Scan and they found he had a golf ball size cancerous squamous cell tumor which needed to be removed. He feels really happy that Abbey Sue found it in time even though he went through surgery and chemo. This little dog holds a special place in our heart and lives. ~ Peggy Kincaid

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ALL ABOUT PETS 9

27th Annual Fire Hydrant 5K

Raises Money For Animals In Need Collins. Because the event continues to grow, organizers needed more space to keep up with demand, says Weingardt.

“We moved it to Promenade Shops at Centerra because we’ve outgrown the event,” she said, adding, this will be the second year at the new venue.

Supporting the Community

Annual event is set for June 3

By Elise Oberliesen, All About Pets It’s that time of year when Coloradoans take to the streets and turn 5K races into goldmines for local charities. Larimer Humane Society is gearing up for the annual Fire Hydrant 5K Paws on the Promenade walk/run, an event that raised $85K in 2016, says Kaylene Weingardt, marketing and community outreach manger.

Funds from the event helped pay for vaccinations, housing and medical interventions of homeless animals, says Weingardt. Those funds helped support just 340 animals.

“On average, it costs about $250 to take a homeless animal 10

ALL ABOUT PETS

[and help them] become adopted,” says Weingardt.

Larimer Humane Society takes in domestic animals, like cats and dogs, plus, pigs, roosters, birds, guinea pigs, anything smaller than a goat.

While they do not operate as a veterinary clinic to the public, compared to say, Humane Society of Boulder Valley, all animals are spayed, neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped at the time of adoption, says Weingardt.

“The role we play in our community, we never turn down an animal in need, whether it’s medical, behavioral, age or breed, because of that, our doors are always open. We are a safety net if animals need us,” says Weingardt.

Last year the event drew about 1,100 participants and 500 dogs. In previous years, the race was held at Edora Park, in Fort

But the humane society cannot do it alone. The top three event sponsors are Poudre Pet and Feed, located throughout Larimer County, Wags Pet Market, in Fort Collins, and Hanks Pet Food, in Loveland.

Hanks Pet Foods is a two-time sponsor of the event, says Teresa DeGuelle, co-owner of the store.

“We sponsor the race because our main mission is to support anyone who rescues pets and gives them a second chance in life,” says DeGuelle.

If you stop by their booth at the event, you can pick up a coupon for your next shopping trip or peruse a few specialty items for

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sale on race day, she said.

“We’ll have Colorado-made dog and cat collars and harnesses in our booth,” says DeGuelle.

Plus, the Biscuit Barkery of Northern Colorado will be on hand selling their delicious dog treats, says DeGuelle.

Not a runner?

No problem.

No doubt, it’s a family friendly event. Even if you have no intention of lacing up your running shoes, there’s plenty else for you and Fido to enjoy on race day.

“Even if a person is not interested in the 5K, they can still be involved,” says Kelsey Myers, event and development coordinator with Larimer Humane Society.

“Our expo is a newer feature at the event this year,” says Myers, with about 70 vendors.

The expo will include plenty of entertainment for people who simply want to get out and support a good cause. Whether you watch the stunts in the agility demos, where dogs flaunt their talents, or watch the Loveland Police Department K9 Unit give

May 28, 2017

IF YOU GO...

WHAT:

27th Annual Fire Hydrant 5K Paws On The Promanade—to help support Larimer Humane Society

WHEN: Event takes place

you a glimpse into the life of a working dog, there’s plenty of fun to be had.

Don’t forget to look for wacky dog contests too. As in the peanut butter eating contest, treat catching and the game of “sit don’t stay,” where dogs have one minute to continually sit down and stand up as many times as they can, says Myers.

Did someone say they want to add a four-

legged addition to the family? Don’t forget to visit the adoption tent, near the kids’ zone in the grassy area. While kitties will not available that day, there will be some adoptable dogs waiting for a loving home.

“We don’t want to traumatize the felines.

It would be stressful for cats to be at the event,” said Myers.

Saturday, June 3, at Promenade Shops at Centerra in Loveland.

Cost to register is $35, until June 1. On race day, registration opens at 7a.m., race starts at 8:30 a.m.; expo activities last until noon. The race course starts at Chapungu Sculpture Park and loops through The Promenade Shops.

To find out more about the event, visit larimerhumane.org and click on events.

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Located at 2287 W. Eisenhower Blvd, Loveland (970) 685-8621 - hankspetfood.com May 28, 2017

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4835 W 10th St • Greeley 970-378-0240 www.jtfeeds.com

Tues-Fri: 10am-6pm Sat: 8am-5pm • Sun: 10am-5pm Mon: Closed Reporter-Herald – Reporterherald.com

ALL ABOUT PETS 11

Rattlesnake Aversion Class Teaching your dog to avoid snakes will protect both you and your dog.

This training can save your dog’s life and avoid costtly medical bills.

Pet Vet

CAT SCRATCH FEVER

1 hour time sllots available from 8AM to 8PM Monday June 12th, 20117

Limiited sp pace available. For tickets and times: Aspenwing.com/SnakeAversion

Kids & Critters June 10th, 2017 12PM - 4PM Free public event benefiting Search & Rescue Dogs of Colorado. Join us with your pets & family for food, magic, learning, giveaways & more!

Magic Show The Great Loudini

Full Details: Aspenwing.com/KNC/

Caring for all your furry, feathered and scaled friends since 1994.

Aspenwing.com (970) 635-1850

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ALL ABOUT PETS

By Jeff Kahler, The Modesto Bee (TNS) Terry from Modesto takes care of Beemer, a 6-year-old cat that spends most of his time in the house. Terry works from home, spending a lot of time with Beemer, and has noticed over the past couple of weeks that he has developed some hair loss along his back. His skin in the area also feels bumpy when Terry pets Beemer. He is apparently healthy in every other respect with no change in his appetite or activity and he is as playful as ever.

The first thing to determine is whether or not the hair is falling out or being removed.

True hair loss from the hair follicle is much less common than removal of the hair by the patient. The potential causes for actual hair loss are often hormonal and can be difficult to figure out. I suspect Beemer does not have true hair loss.

A good way to determine what’s causing hair loss is to look at the hair. If on close examination you can find broken hairs, the hair is not falling out, it is being chewed or otherwise traumatized. With true hair loss, or alopecia, we usually see very little, if any, hair in the area of concern.

I am going to assume Beemer has broken hairs and thinning as a result of self trauma.

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Support for that comes from Terry’s description of bumps on Beemer’s skin, likely scabbing from his chewing.

Terry does not report seeing Beemer chew himself — frankly, that’s common in these cases.

Cats often hide the behavior until it gets very bad.

Assuming Beemer is chewing himself, what Beemer has is military dermatitis, which is not a diagnosis but a descriptive term. Why is Beemer chewing himself and causing military dermatitis?

In California, the most common cause in cats is allergies.

Since Beemer’s military dermatitis is along his back, it’s most consistent with an allergy to fleas.

Caretakers often become defensive when I tell them their companion’s condition is likely caused by a flea problem. But I look at it much differently: a flea problem is something to be glad about, especially when looking at other possible allergic conditions. Thanks to medications to kill fleas, a total cure is possible.

With cats like Beemer, it can be hard to find fleas on their bodies because their hyper responsiveness — chewing and scratching — removes a lot of the invaders. Treatment still focuses on flea destruction and prevention and I also treat these cats with anti-inflammatory medication to stop the allergic response, bringing much needed relief.

The message I want to deliver here is that companions having fleas is not something to be ashamed of or in denial about, but instead is something to embrace. We can cure fleas and prevent them from coming back. That my friends, is a good thing.

May 28, 2017

Those Cute Kittens Need Responsible Owners spring you do not intend to keep and for whom you do not have good homes teaches children irresponsibility. Instead, share books and videos that teach them about birth in a responsible manner.

It’s only one litter, so what’s the big deal?

By Judy Finman, All About Pets Animal shelters commonly refer to spring time as “kitten season” because that is when they receive the largest influx of unwanted litters that are difficult to adopt.

Spaying female cats and neutering males to prevent pregnancy is one of the most effective ways to reduce the homeless pet population and is safe for kittens as young as eight weeks old, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Spaying a female cat before its first heat cycle can be beneficial, improving the health of the pet by reducing the risk of certain reproductive cancers and infections.

“Female cats can have as many as three litters a year, and kittens can breed as young as 4 months old,” says Dr. Gloria Matsushita, staff veterinarian for Fort Collins Cat Rescue & Spay/Neuter Clinic.

“By offering low-cost spay/neuter options for local pet parents, Fort Collins Cat Rescue & Spay/Neuter Clinic is taking a proactive approach to preventing unplanned litters and reducing pet homelessness in the area.»

Yet some cat owners reject having their cats undergo these procedures.

Their reasons are varied, ranging from ignorance and apathy to

having misinformation about the procedure. Among the most common misconceptions and excuses regarding spaying/neutering, and their counter-arguments, are:

My cat’s personality will change.

This can happen, but the changes are positive, not negative. A male cat will likely become friendlier and less aggressive. A female cat will be much happier without the undue emotional and physical stress of being in heat.

My cat stays indoors so I am not worried about birth control.

Your indoor cat can accidentally get outside, and the instinct to mate will be strong, and you might find yourself responsible for an unexpected litter of kittens.

Each new litter adds up, and there are plenty of available cats and kittens in shelters looking for a good home. Right now, according to the ASPCA, there are approximately 70 million cats on the streets and in shelters.

Dr. Tara Britt, veterinary surgeon and co-owner of Four Seasons Veterinary Specialists, believes that the biggest benefit of spaying female cats and neutering male cats is that “we are doing our part to prevent pet overpopulation. Even one litter is too many, as each cat will need a good home.”

She addresses three other common reasons owners give for not wanting to spay or neuter their cats.

“If their cat is a pure bred, they may not feel spaying or neutering is appropriate, or they may be planning on breeding. This is a difficult situation because we have an

overpopulation of cats and healthy cats are being euthanized. We urge owners to leave breeding to the professional breeders, and don’t get a cat for this purpose.”

The next most common reason Dr. Britt encounters is that spaying and neutering are too expensive.

But, she points out, “In general, many family veterinarians do the operation at a reasonable cost, and there are low-cost clinics that will do it. Spaying your cat is less expensive than taking care of a litter of kittens or having to deal with a problem like pyometra – an infection of the uterus that is life threatening to your cat and requires surgery.”

Dr. Britt notes that “Some owners are concerned that their spayed or neutered cats will become heavy and lazy. But we can control that with what we feed them.”

The Fort Collins Cat Rescue & Spay/Neuter Clinic advises, “Spaying and neutering helps fight pet overpopulation. Millions of dogs and cats of all ages and breeds are humanely euthanized each year or suffer as strays. These high numbers are the result of unwanted and unplanned litters that could have been prevented through spaying and neutering.”

It is not fair to deprive cats of their right to reproduce.

Severe overpopulation and the fact that the overall health of the cat is significantly improved override any need for a cat to procreate.

Give $10 to help pets in need!

I want my child to witness the miracle of birth at least once.

Letting your pet produce off-

DONATE HERE: www.crowdrise.com/fort-collins-cat-rescue-savingpets

May 28, 2017

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ALL ABOUT PETS 13

Bird Health Can Be Deceiving!

How healthy is your bird? Is he or she eating and hopping around on the perch as usual?

Is your bird vocalizing with the same frequency and volume? Is your bird playing with toys like they usually do, even when you are not in the room? If yes on all of these questions, does that mean your bird is healthy?

These are the subtle signs you need to be looking for to see if your bird is healthy and even then you may be missing the true health status of your bird.

Birds are prey animals in the wild so they have to fake it until they can’t! This means they will even PRETEND they are eating when in fact they are just breaking open the seeds and tossing it all down. If they acted sick in the wild they would be ostracized from the flock because they can attract

predators with a sick or weak individual present. This means that in order to make sure your bird is as healthy as possible there are several measures you must take.

Your bird needs at least an annual but better yet a biannual

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visit to a skilled, experienced Avian Veterinarian.

This visit will entail a full physical examination in which the doctor will examine the respiratory tract, body condition, skin and feather condition among many other things. You will also learn about a healthy diet your bird should be on and suggestions to get this accomplished. You may get recommendations on environmental improvements to make such as foraging ideas, enrichment toys and activities and more. You will also be recommended to have laboratory tests done such as blood tests and fecal tests that will give even more information as to the health status of your bird.

A well balanced healthy diet is vitally important to the longevity and health of your bird and this can be accomplished with patience and persistence.

This sometimes is no easy task but even if you have tried before you should never give up.

However, you can never force a bird onto a different diet without the high risk of killing your bird. You need to make sure they are healthy enough to do this and you need to do this so slowly so they don’t stop eating.

You need to have a healthy

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environment for your bird. This means clean air, so no cigarette smoke, candle or incense smoke or other odors such as freshener plug ins, boot sprays etc. Remember the canary in the mine shaft- birds are very sensitive to toxins in the air. Humidity is also important to help keep their respiratory tract healthy.

This means moderate humidity such as 30-40 percent.

Enrichment activities are important for their emotional health. Birds are very intelligent with some having the mental level of a 7 year old child so they need more to do than just sit in a cage and eat!

Birds are amazing animals to have in our homes! They entertain us with their antics and behaviors and sometimes talking abilities as well as their beauty! As their guardians it is our job to keep them happy and healthy as possible so we may enjoy them for many years!

They are not easy to keep; they take a lot of time and effort to accomplish this but they are so worth it! If you do not own birds now, do your research if a bird is right for you and what kind of bird would work out with your home, schedule and situation.

May 28, 2017

PET VET: A dog’s breed matters in the aging process

By Jeff Kahler, The Modesto Bee (TNS) The process of aging is an unfortunate side effect of life. This holds true for all living creatures, but there are mysteries associated with aging — including how fast it all takes place.

Why for instance does a Galapagos tortoise live for 200 years while a field mouse only lives for 3? Even within the same species of animals, there can be wide variations in the rate of the aging process.

Which brings us to this week’s question. Ellen from Modesto takes care of Rondo, a 9-year-old Labrador retriever and Petunia, a 12-year-old silky terrier.

Both of Ellen’s companions are doing just fine, although Ellen does notice a

May 28, 2017

big difference in activity between the two dogs. Rondo, although very eager, is less able to run around and play compared to a few years ago. The same does not seem to be the case for Petunia. Ellen feels age is catching up to Rondo but doesn’t understand why the older Petunia isn’t showing a similar reduction in activity.

First, let’s assume that there are no underlying health problems for Rondo or Petunia and that Ellen’s observances do relate to age changes.

It’s possible that Rondo might have a health problem that could lead to his change in activity, which would need an examination by his vet.

But purely in reference to aging, this is a prime example of the difference in rates within the same species. Rondo is aging, at least in activity, faster than Petunia, which tends to be the case with larger breeds of dogs. It’s a generalization, but one that bares truth.

Many of us have heard that a dog’s

year of life is equivalent to 7 years in a human’s. This is actually not the case. In fact the aging process is not at all linear. A dog’s geriatric years vary widely depending on the breed and the aging process can be dramatic, seeming to occur right before our eyes in some instances. There are simply no generalities to be had here.

While it’s true that we can’t stop the aging process — and as I watched my own companion dealing with multiple age-related issues, I wished we could — there are things we can do as caretakers that might slow it a bit or at the very least make it more tolerable.

Proper nutrition and exercise are, I believe, the most important factors in our companions’ quality of life. There are supplements that can improve life quality and medications formulated to address some of the changes associated with aging, such as arthritis and secondary joint disease.

As our pets age, there are changes

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in their bodies associated with the process. There also are diseases that occur more readily in older patients distinguished from aging. That’s why regular examination and geriatric testing is important. Anytime we can discover a disease before it takes over, the better chance of curtailing and sometimes eliminating it.

Depending on the breed, I recommend basic diagnostic testing in older patients. This includes blood tests to check the kidneys and liver, among other things, as well as radiology (x-rays) of the abdomen and chest.

If your companion is aging, consider having a geriatric work-up. I cannot tell you how many times I have been rewarded after performing these tests and found an illness that was treated before it became serious. Equally rewarding are the times when I could tell a client that their companion’s diagnostic tests revealed no problems.

ALL ABOUT PETS 15

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May 28, 2017