Southern Paws & Tails Fall 2023

Paws Tails Southern

Publisher

Deron Chisolm

Editor Ramona Chisolm

Contributors

Karen Fitch

Romana Gould

Emily Hoppmann, DVM

Jennifer Marthers

Contact Information 803-240-5091 or email: pawsandtails@aol.com

Southern Paws & Tails magazine strives to be the local resource for pet lovers in South Carolina encouraging responsible pet care and promoting the rescue and adoption of pets.

The magazine offers accurate, interesting information about the health and well-being of cats and dogs from reputable sources, organizations and animal specialists.

Southern Paws & Tails is published quarterly in Columbia, South Carolina.

If you would like to contact the editor, Ramona Chisolm, please send an e-mail to

Fall In Love

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month

"Rescue animals aren't broken, they've simply experienced more life than other animals. If they were human, we would call them wise. They would be the ones with the tales to tell and the stories to write, the ones dealt a bad hand who responded with courage. Don't pity them. Do something. But most of all be proud you have their greatness by your side."

About Paws for Elee

Eleanor Bassett (Elee), the daughter of Hilary and Erick Bassett, was diagnosed with refractory epilepsy at 9 months old after she was found unresponsive in her car seat. She spent the next 39 days inpatient at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) and Medical University of SC (MUSC). Despite Elee being on 6 medications twice a day and a strict ketogenic diet for Epilepsy, she continues to have clustered seizures in her sleep. This puts her at greater risk for SUDEP and prolonged seizures that can cause permanent damage. She has spent close to half of her life battling seizures now yet remains so happy and resilient. The medical community does not expect Elee to grow out of her seizures so her family is raising money for a seizure alert service dog.

This dog will alert her parents when she is having a seizure so they can wake up and react quickly, giving Elee the best chance of full recovery. If her seizures evolve to wake times, the dog will protect her by laying her down safely to protect from injury and provide comfort during and after episodes while alerting an adult.

Seizure alert dogs cost $20,000 to the family. There is also a 2-2.5 year waiting list once it is paid in full for the dog so this is just the beginning of their journey. They have chosen to work with a reputable company, 4 Paws for Ability, they were featured in the Netflix series Dogs in episode one. While they know this won’t cure Elee’s seizures, they hope it will give her the best chance and offer her comfort post seizures.

If you are interested in making a donation or sponsoring the 5k please reach out to Hilary Bassett at 803-

Saturday, October 21 10am to 11:30am

260-7581.

by Romana Gould

Savor Dream

Many moments of life come and go, seemingly ordinary- a tick on the clock. When you think back, the details are blurry. When something special happens and you pause long enough to savor the moment, you capture it and hold onto it forever. Later on you look back and remember every detail with a smile. When you stop long enough to savor everyday moments, life comes alive with new glimmer and possibility. What used to seem ordinary is beautiful, exciting, and fun.

When your list of things to do is finally done for the day, take a moment just for you.As you wind down, your body relaxes and so does your mind. Slowly your mind opens into a daydream. You smile with hope and your heart warms with possibility. New ideas bubble up and you write them down. Tomorrow you will take the first step towards that big dream of yours. Never underestimate the power of rest and renewal because in the silence, big things are born.

Play

Take time to connect with your inner child. Do you remember how it felt to imagine great, big worlds? Can you feel the power you felt as a tiny superhero, running through fields with an imaginary cape? There is magic in thinking big and letting your imagination run wild. Go on an adventure, make a discovery, create something new. Let go and allow yourself to indulge in the sheer pleasure of the moment.

Author Romana Gould shares her inspiring writings and eye-catching photos of her furry friends with an everyday purrspective of gratitude and appreciation. Her gentle observations of joy and love in our lives will appeal to the cat lover in us all.

Vet’s View

Tips for Weight Loss in Cats

By Emily Hoppmann, DVM Elgin Veterinary Hospital, Elgin, SC

Obesity in pets is at an alltime high and this extra weight decreases the life-span of pets and causes a multitude of health problems (such as diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, and joint disease).

Smaller pets seem to become overweight more easily and have a harder time shedding the weight. This is most often due to overfeeding and lack of exercise. There also can be underlying medical reasons so it is best to rule out any medical causes before starting a weight loss plan.

It is very easy to overfeed your cat because the correct amount of food they should be receiving seems like such a small amount to us, but you have to keep in mind how small they really are and how few calories they burn. A pet’s metabolism also starts to slow down much earlier in life than humans, so by the time they are a year old the number of calories they require is much lower than when they were kittens.

The type of food you are feeding is also very important since most cat foods sold commercially are just a dog food base with some extra protein and the carbohydrates found in dog food result in weight gain since cats are true carnivores.

I recommend the Hill’s M/D diet since it was specifically designed for cats and does not have these unnecessary carbohydrates, but instead was formulated based on the nutrition found in mice (what a cat’s body is used to digesting and using as a fuel source for the body). This helps to keep the weight off and not have all those carbohydrates turned into fat stores by the body. Knowing that having just an extra 10% higher level of body weight can decrease the life span of your cat by years, we are committed to helping your cat successfully achieve and maintain a healthier, more ideal weight and body condition.

www.southernpawsandtails.com

We love our pets and want them to have the best quality of life possible which sometimes takes some tough love in the form of not overfeeding them (even when they beg with their adorable eyes or follow you around loudly protesting after starting to decrease their food). Just remind yourself that feeding them appropriately is the best way to show your love and being at the ideal weight is what is best for them!

You can also find other ways to show your affection, such as dedicated play time each day (which has the added bonus of helping burn more calories) – I recommend at least 20 minutes of activity a day. You will find most cats love to chase a laser pointer! The following are some helpful tips for getting those unwanted pounds off your furry friend!

Get everybody on board!

It is important that every member of the family knows how dangerous being overweight is for the health of your cat so that everyone will stay focused during the process. Helping your cat lose weight takes time and dedication and can be very frustrating since it is a life-long process to get the weight off and keep it off. If someone is sneaking treats on the side, adding a little extra to the food bowl, or feeding people food, the chances of a success are slim. This is why you want to sit down and have a serious talk about why it is so important for your cat to lose weight. The reality is that it is a huge commitment for the entire family and to avoid having unrealistic expectations.

Factor in the food

There are many different changes to the way you feed your pet that can help your cat lose weight. These include feeding less food overall (which means that you have

About Dr. Emily Hoppmann

Dr. Emily Hoppmann completed her undergraduate studies at the University of South Carolina and graduated from the University of Georgia School of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. She works with preveterinary and pharmacy students to further their educations. She has many informative articlesforpetowners

She is the proud owner of the Elgin Veterinary Hospital in Elgin, South Carolina, which she bought in 2011. Since high school, Emily has volunteered with Homeworks, a program like Habitat for Humanity. She enjoys fitness, reading, going to the beach, and rescuing animals.

to measure out how much food your cat is receiving each day), changing the way you feed your cat (such as switching to meals versus free feeding) or changing your cat’s diet altogether to a food that is less likely to be stored as fat. If you do change the diet, you want to do this gradually over 5-7 days, slowly removing more and more of the old type of food and replacing it with the new diet. Cats do not like change and will let you know that they are unhappy with a disruption to what they have been used to, but they will adjust as long as you do not give in. Every time you give in, it makes your cat that much more determined to bug you until you cave because they know it worked before.

by Jennifer Marthers

As you all know I have not

been not feeling well since last November when Dr. Rosemary felt for sure I had adrenal cancer.Afterwards IÕve had some rough times on and off; but lately IÕm not doing well. I feel like my days are numbered with my wonderful Jennifer and my wonderful family.

Lately IÕve even missed writinÕ a couple of articles for the magazine. Totally unlike little me. IÕve been writing to yÕall for 13 years ‘cos I wanted yÕall to know what life was like for a poor extremely sickly shelter dog! I was desperately sick, ugly with no hair and dirty. I didnÕt even come to the fence to greet people anymore ‘cos people turned away in disgust and pity. I was losing hope in there and then Jennifer came into my life…! She saw “ME”…who I was!Weweremeant for each other. My new life started…

IÕve been tremendously cared for and loved. She took me with her everywhere possible and always had me looking gorgeous on our outinÕs. Jennifer has done everything possible could to enrich my life and to make me feel like a trillion dollars. SheÕs always made me feel like she was proud to have me by her side and I felt the same! In the 13 ½ years weÕve been together, she never left me home when she went to the beach. I looove the beach as you know… She loved havinÕ me with her. All I ever wanted was to be with her!!!

As I said, I have been feeling ill since this spring and became severely ill recently with a temperature of 105! With Dr. RosemaryÕs care at Blythewood Animal Hospital, I was back on my little paws in no time. However, she found my red blood cell numbers were extremely low. This was making me tired and she cautioned against me being out in the heat even with the fan on. Jennifer had already started cuttinÕmy outside

time to very early and very late in the day. I missed being free but the heat just zapped me. I went every week for months to have blood monitored only to find I was gettinÕ sicker inside; but, my spirits were still good. However one day I woke up and I knew… I knew my earth time was short. IÕd soon be leavinÕ my Jennifer and I didnÕ want to.

I love her SO MUCH!!! Quickly food didnÕ taste good. Jennifer was buying and cooking anything she and Dr. Rosemary could think of. I ate but sometime I was VERY sick and couldnÕt. Weight dropped off rapidly. Jennifer was sleeping in the Florida room with me. I had been on herbs and medication prescribed by Dr. Rosemary but nothing was workinÕ anymore. Before I got desperately ill, Jennifer and I spent time together and she told me she was NOT going to let me Suffer. She was desperately torn between being selfish holding on to me or letting me have my freedom.

That was when I wish we couldÕve communicated together. I wanted to tell her how much I LOVED her and she was right to let me move on that I‘d be waiting for her in heaven with the rest of her companions, family and friends… that IÕd help her find another best companion like Penelope and God found me. I know Jennifer knows the deep love I have for her. Jennifer just knows Like she knew to let me go.

Taude, my hero, was with us on 8-5-23 when I left earth for a life of freedom in heaven. My Dr. Rosemary wasnÕt able to help me on my heavenly freedom. Wish I couldÕve felt her loving hands on me; but, I went to CVETS where I knew several folks from 1-16-22. Ms. Kitty was there to help comfort Jennifer again. Jennifer was a wreck and I tried to be brave for her. Saying “farewell” is difficult. Jennifer and I locked eyes… her hands were on me and I left

Jennifer and Taude took my little self all wrapped up nicely from CVETS to CamdenÕs Thiel Crematory. It was nice as Sharon Jones, who was the director of the old Walter Crowe Animal Shelter where I was adopted and JenniferÕs friend, was there to receive me. She would later hand me over to Jennifer in the beautiful urn Jennifer selected. Sorta unique how it turned out, I went back to Camden from whence I came to Sharon who kept me safe in the beginning to the very end. I now finally sit inside “the big” house with “my” family on the den mantle in a matching urn next to Ziva, my lovely cat friend.

Thank ya Ramona for lettinÕ little me write my stories for 13 ½ years.

Thank ya all the magnificent instructors at Columbia Obedience Club for guiding us into a polished team. I enjoyed making yÕall laugh and smile all those years!

Thank ya Dr. Rosemary and her staff for caring for me all my life. Ya did fine.Thank ya CVETÕs staff

for caring for me in the tree crash 1-16-22 and my last day here on earth.

Thank you God for making me and giving me Jennifer the “Best Gift” in the world!!

Please remember the poor little shelter/rescue animals… Happy Trails ~KassiVeda, CGC, CGCA, TKN, TKI, TKA

The Rainbow Bridge: A place where love never ends, where furry friends live forever.”

Until we meet again, may you rest in peace on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.”

CatWeightLosscontinuedfrompage9

This is just like a gambler at a slot machine – if it took 1000 pulls to get a payout the first time they played the slots, a gambler is not going to think twice about pulling that lever even longer the next time since it did finally pay off for them before!

Getting physical

Most cats spend at least 16 hours asleep each day, so they are not expending very many calories at all. The activity level for cats in single pet homes (or in homes where the pets do not get along) is even less since they do not have that additional stimulation. That is why it is so important to incorporate more activity and enrichment into your cat’s lifestyle. You want to be sure to spend a minimum of 20 minutes a day encouraging your cat to be more active. Some of the ways to stimulate your cat’s normal instinct to hunt and stalk is to encourage play with moving toys or laser pointers – some cats will even play fetch with a balled-up piece of paper! Other ways to get your cat moving is to make them work for their meals by placing your cat’s food at the top of a climbing tree or putting it in a food puzzle that they have to manipulate in order to get their kibble to come out. These small changes in your daily

routine will help your cat get back to and stay at a healthy weight. These are also excellent opportunities to bond with your cat and form lifelong attachments between you and your cat.

Stay positive

and be patient

– weight loss is a long process and maintaining a healthy weight is a life-long commitment

You are not alone in your journey to have a cat at a healthy weight, we are here to help! Also, everyone who is dedicated to getting weight off their cat and keeping it off goes through periods of frustration and times where it seems nothing is helping and you want to give up. This is normal and we are happy to give out pep talks! Despite everyone’s best efforts, there will be challenges during this process, and it’s important to stay focused on your cat’s weight loss

goals and reach out for assistance if needed. Regularly scheduled weighins with us will help ensure you are staying on track – or if you have gotten off track, allow us to help you get back on track.

Never forget that this process takes time and you need to have realistic goals. Typically, we want to see a loss of 10% of body weight over 6 months. You do not want to have your pet lose weight too quickly (which can cause liver disease). Also, be sure to celebrate each milestone as you reach it along the road to your goal – you both deserve it!

owning their own veterinary hospital.

For all your pets’ medical needs, trust Battle Animal Care!

Preventative Care Emergency Medicine

Illnesses Dental Care Vaccinations

Boarding Grooming

90 Indoor/Outdoor Spacious Dog Runs

Safe and secure home-away-from-home experience

Enjoy playtimes, naptime, treats, and lots of hugs

Separate boarding for your feline friends!

Hours:

- Friday 8 a.m.- 6 p.m.

8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Sunday

9367 Garners Ferry Rd Hopkins, SC

Follow us at facebook.com/battleanimalcare

Cats are Good For The Soul Animal Rescue www.catsaregoodforthesoul.com

FABORM

Pei Xu - Ph.D., L.AC., DIPL. OM

John Moore - D.A.O.M., L.AC

Kenne Nieves - LMT, Certified in Oncology, Pre-Natal, Swedish, Sports, Deep Tissue, Lymphatic

National Board Certified Pain Management

Fertility

Herbal Medicine Nutrition

1825 Sumter Street Columbia, SC

www.pahhc.com

Palmetto Acupuncture Clinic

We are a small animal rescue organization located in the Columbia area of South Carolina. We started out with two friends who met in a field trapping homeless cats. We have branched out to a small group of cat lovers. We work together to foster, trap, neuter and adopt out cats to good forever homes. We all agree that cats are good for the soul!

Contact us by emailing catsaregoodforthesoul@yahoo.com or follow us on Facebook!

Product PICKS!

Leo’s Loo Too

We want to help connect pet owners with products that are high quality, beneficial and unique. In each issue, we will choose products that will simultaneously satisfy you and your pet!!

Covered Automatic Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box by CasaLeo

CasaLeoPet.com

Say good riddance to scooping and litter box odors and hello to a more modern, convenient way of managing your cat’s litter box needs.

Leo's Loo Too automatically cleans itself after each use by separating waste from clean litter and depositing it in the enclosed waste drawer underneath. The odor is trapped inside the drawer that contains dense bamboo filters. Simply reline drawer, as needed, with waste liner plastic bags (included) or any large plastic bag you choose.

It features safe whisper-quiet sifting technology during cleaning cycles.

You can easily track your feline friend’s health and remotely control the device from the Leo’s Loo Too app.

Accessorize your Leo's Loo Too with custom designed items:

· Replaceable Drawstring Waste Liner Bags

· Replaceable Charcoal Filter Bags

· Replaceable Charcoal Filter Inserts

· Custom Fit Litter Mat

The company offers outstanding customer service if you need assistance or have any questions with set-up or troubleshooting. Your complete satisfaction is very important to them so they will also offer a 30-day return policyPlease save all original packaging as it is required for any customer return.

Remotely monitor and control your Loo from anywhere in the world. You can access and adjust settings and view activity reports anywhere you have an internet connection.

“I am so happy to have Leo’s Loo Too. No more daily cleaning of the litter box! It took a little while for my cat, Princess to adjust, but now she loves it. I highly recommend this litter luxury.”

Paulette, tester and owner of Princess (pictured here using her litter box)

City Loo Dog Potty by The City Loo

As the weather changes, “outside potty” will become more challenging for some dogs. Many of them refuse to “do their business” in the snow, ice or freezing temperatures. Can you blame them?

Finally, a modern indoor & outdoor pet potty solution that is chic and hassle-free way to ensure your pet’s potty needs are taken care of. The City Loo keeps your pets potty area discreet, sanitary, and safe for both you and your pet.

The City Loo Starter Kit Includes: The City Loo

1Custom-KitOdorAbsorbingTray

2 City Loo Artificial Grass Pads

100 City Loo Potty Pads

Original Bakery Biscuits

by Nature’s Animals

naturesanimals.com

Nature’s Animals Original Bakery

Biscuits are made from a simple recipe with a limited number of natural ingredients for healthy snacking. Ovenbaked for crunchy goodness our biscuits are a mouth-watering treat that your furry family member will love.

Nature's Animals Original Bakery

Biscuits combine the wholesome nutrition of nature’s finest ingredients with oven old-fashioned-goodness. The perfect reward for good behavior, or just for being a loyal friend. It is available in three tasty flavors: Lamb & Rice, Peanut Butter and Chicken; and a

The City Loo is designed for pets 20 pounds or under.

Dimensions:

City Loo Door: Width 10” –

Height low 14” – Height High 16”

City Loo: Height 21.25" – Width 29.25" – Depth 21"

City Loo Base: 30.75" – 21.75"

Recommended for pets 11.5"-16" tall at shoulders

The City Loo is made of mediumdensity fiberboard with clear acrylic walls, stainless steel hinges, and an interchangeable dog door entrance.

variety of sizes (10, 24 and 48 count) and shapes! All of the delicious, human-grade ingredients are made and sourced in the USA!

“Tuffy absolutely LOVES these dog biscuits! She gets excited when I open the pack. Once she gets one in her mouth, she shows it off and then goes in her secret place and devours it! I love that it is a healthy treat!”

Cynthia, tester and owner of Tuffy pictured here

Would You Like to Take Me Home?

See someone you like? Check out these pets at South Carolina animal shelters who are looking for good permanent and foster homes.

Eddie, a 9 year old male Miniature Pinscher mix, came to us because his owner died. He was living in the home with other animals and all had to be rehomed. He lost his owner and his friends but he is such a resilient, sweet little guy. His fosters report he settled in so quickly and acts like he's always been there. He is dog and people friendly. Even though he is 9 and has a little grey, he loves to play fetch and run. He is dog and cat friendly, neutered, vaccinated and microchipped.

Eddie

Homeward Bound Pet Rescue Irmo, SC 803-454-9094

homewardboundrescue@hotmail.com

Seuss

Seuss is a one year old Labrador Retriever Mix . Just look at those eyes! He’s a beautiful boy who wants to become a part of your family. Make an appointment to meet Seuss today! Seuss has up-to-date vaccinations, dewormer, and heartworm/flea prevention. Plus, a microchip that is already registered to you!

Pawmetto Lifeline Columbia, SC (803) 465-9150

Maya was found under a house and came to the shelter with 4 babies. She was quite feral and took her sweet time trusting humans. But now she enjoys having her face rubbed and her neck scratched. She will stay close to you, but doesn't like to be held for long periods of time. This could change, once she is comfortable in her forever home. Please consider giving Maya a chance!

ARC Animal Rescue Carolina, Inc. Columbia, SC

animalrescuecarolina@yahoo.com

Maya

Adopting a dog or cat from a humane society, an animal shelter or rescue group saves a life! Contact the organization about shots/ vaccinations, adoption fees, etc. for any animal that you are interested in adopting.

Please keep in mind that the decision to bring a pet into your family should be a family decision, not a surprise gift. Because owning a pet is a huge emotional, financial, and time commitment, any person taking on this responsibility must be fully prepared.

“Paw-some” Product Picks

Continued from page 15

Interactive Laser Toy - Kitty

by CasaLeo casaleopet.com

Laser Toys are fun for pets and pet parents too!

Use the dial selector to switch between five fun laser patterns (dot, mouse, butterfly, star, and smiley face). When you’re done playing recharge the laser with the stylish USB-C charging bracelet, included with purchase. Plus they look great attached to your keychain, purse, or backpack. Collect all three! Smarty Pear, Curious Kitty, Pawsome Paw.

Key Benefits:

· Five fun laser patterns

· Bright, long-range laser

· Stylish USB-C charging bracelet

· Push-and-stay power button

· Extra-soft high-grade silicone cover

· Compact design

You can rest assured that this will be the most comfortable spot in the house for your pet! You won’t be the only one looking forward to cozy and snuggly fall and winter nights!

The calming blanket, not only protects your furniture, but it allows your pets to cuddle up on the couch or on the go.

It is available in small (for cats and small breed dogs) and jumbo (for large breed dogs) sizes.

Available colors include: taupe, frost and dark gray.

The calming blanket is easy to clean and made with high quality materials to improve quality of sleeping and lasting for long time!

Paws & Tails

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Offering Columbia’s Premier Personalized Services to Honor Your Pet

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