It’s not just humans who live the good life in Central Oregon! The pets of the region like to have a good time, too.
Aquick glance at this page and you can clearly see that the staff of Central Oregon Pets (aka the Source Weekly and our wonderful contributors) are parents to a pet or few. Our furry and usually* fourlegged friends mean the world to us, and we know that feeling extends to so many in our high desert community. Inside this edition of Central Oregon Pets, we have confessions from our own cat junkie, Richard Sitts, who just couldn’t resist adopting a pair of brothers. Sally Compton takes us on a trip to meet the sled dogs of the Eagle Cap Extreme. Julianna LaFollette visits Bend’s Aquatopia to learn about starting and maintaining an aquarium. LeeAnn Kriegh shares where you can bird watch in your backyard, and dog trainer Rachelle Hein offers tips for dealing with off-leash dogs. Turn the page to peep the winners of this year’s Pet Photo Contest and more!
*I say “usually” as my sweet bub Phil was born with three legs! Many a trip to a new vet has caused the whole staff to gather around admiring his smooth, seamless, armless belly. I’m sure he doesn’t mind the extra rubs that come with these medical examinations.
—Editor Chris Young
by
On the Cover:
Roo was voted Best Face for Radio by you, our readers. “Roo is the most outgoing pup in her class! She loves spreading happiness and being her true, silly self!”
Photo by Desiree Seay
EDITOR
CO Pets Staff
Chris Young Phil’s Dad
PAGE DESIGN
Kelli Carter Oso’s Mom
AD DESIGN
Benjamin Irish Tucker and Scout’s Dad
SALES DIRECTOR
Ashley Sarvis
Tucker and Mikko’s Mom
ADVERTISING
Ban Tat Gracie’s Dad
ADVERTISING
Chad Barnes
Louis and Morty’s Dad
REPORTER
Julianna LaFollette Finn’s Mom
REPORTER
Savannah Mendoza Rosie and Sunny’s Mom
REPORTER
Sally Compton Wiley and Disco’s Mom
REPORTER
LeeAnn Kriegh Benny’s Mom
COPY EDITOR
Richard Sitts Mo and Mack’s Dad
PUBLISHER
Aaron Switzer Kashi’s Dad
CONTROLLER
Angela Switzer Poppy’s Mom
CONTRIBUTOR
Rachelle Hein, CVT, ABCDT The Kind Canine Pet Services
Powered
Meet Central Oregon’s Cutest Pets
We love our pets and it’s clear y’all do too! This year, our Central Oregon Pets Photo Contest had over 450 photos submitted and then almost 2,000 votes in 15 categories. Thank you to everyone who submitted photos of your pets and to everyone who took the time to vote for this year’s winners. We would like to give a special shout-out to our friends at High Desert Frameworks for their generous sponsorship of this year’s photo contest and for awarding each winning pet (and their owner) with a free print. Without further ado, enjoy these cuties!
Cutest Charlie
AGE: 7
BREED: Mixed breed (shelter rescue)
FAVORITE TREAT: Peanut butter and sockeye salmon
FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Trail runs along the Deschutes, paddle boarding and backpacking in the Cascades
Charlie is a world traveler and has been to 18 countries! She lived out of a van in Europe last year (with her parents). She knows the word “treat” in six different languages.
Biggest Gentle Giant Kit
AGE: 6
BREED: Bernese mountain dog
FAVORITE TOY: Trixie’s Mad Scientist puzzle game
FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Running errands with mom
Kit makes extremely intense eye contact and will pet you back when you pet her. She must be the leader on any hike and absolutely loves to roll in the dirt and be told she’s pretty.
Most
Photogenic Tucker
AGE: 4
BREED: Long-haired German Shepherd
FAVORITE TREAT: Cheese but he won’t turn down a hamburger patty
FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Going on hikes where he can a play in the river or roll in the snow
He’s such a handsome guy with all that hair and has a sweet temperament to match.
Happy Trails Horse Rescue, located in Tumalo is dedicated to the protection of horses and their quality of life. We rescue horses in need and we also provide community outreach and educational resources such as our SURRENDER PREVENTION PROGRAM medical/farrier or temporary shelter) in an effort to alleviate an owner’s difficult choices of relinquishment or euthanasia. We believe that every equine deserves respect, love, compassion and dignity, regardless of age, health, or behavior.
RESCUE
RESCUE
Happy Trails Horse Rescue, located in Tumalo is dedicated to the protection of horses and their quality of life.
Happy Trails Horse Rescue, located in Tumalo is dedicated to the protection of horses and their quality of life. We rescue horses in need and we also provide community outreach and educational resources such as our SURRENDER PREVENTION PROGRAM (food, medical/farrier or temporary shelter) in an effort to alleviate an owner’s difficult choices of relinquishment or euthanasia. We believe that every equine deserves respect, love, compassion and dignity, regardless of age,
Happy Trails Horse Rescue, located in Tumalo is dedicated the protection of horses and their quality of life.
provide community outreach and educational resources SURRENDER PREVENTION PROGRAM medical/farrier or temporary shelter) in an effort alleviate an owner’s difficult choices of relinquishment or euthanasia. We believe that every equine deserves respect, love, compassion and dignity, regardless of
We rescue horses in need and we also provide community outreach and educational resources such as our SURRENDER PREVENTION PROGRAM (food, medical/farrier or temporary shelter) in an effort to alleviate an owner’s difficult choices of relinquishment or euthanasia. We believe that every equine deserves respect, love, compassion and dignity, regardless of age, health, or behavior.
DONATE OR VOLUNTEER TODAY!
OR VOLUNTEER TODAY!
Best Smile Stanley
AGE: 5
BREED: Yellow Labrador
FAVORITE TREAT: Salmon skin from the neighbors
FAVORITE TOY: Yellow banana toy
Stanley loves to bring his stuffed animals on walks/to friends’ houses. He wants to make sure everyone knows he has a toy to share!
Super Senior Wyatt
AGE: 14ish
BREED: Shepherd mix
FAVORITE TREAT: Salmon
FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Protecting the backyard and his sisters
He jumped out a second story window once (he was fine) and also slipped down a waterfall years ago — what a thrill seeker!
Goofiest
Scruggs
AGE: 4
BREED: Bichon mix (?)
FAVORITE TREAT: Small, medium and large carrots
FAVORITE TOY: Tennis ball, which we can’t say around him or else he’ll flip out
He loves to sleep on our windowsill during the day with his face smushed against the glass. Also, his paws turn outward like a little duck, so when he runs he has a cute little waddle.
Most Catitude
Brad
AGE: 2
BREED: American Shorthair cat
FAVORITE TREAT: Catnip-flavored Greenies
FAVORITE TOY: It’s on a wand and is called “corn guy”
FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Listening to music in front of the fireplace
He enjoys bird watching and makes different sounds for different birds.
Living the Bend Life Otis
AGE: 4
BREED: Golden Retriever
FAVORITE TREAT:
The cookies that the beertenders at On Tap throw across the counter to him
FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Fetching in the forest, wallowing in mud puddles or doing whatever his pawrents are up to
Otis comfort snores. He snores loudly when he’s sleeping, but also when he’s relaxed and wide-awake while being pet.
Friendliest Farm Friend Luke
AGE: 6
BREED: Thoroughbred ex-racehorse
FAVORITE TOY: Red ball
FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Being turned out in the huge pasture with his best horse friends Baby Girl and Charlie
I adopted him off the racetrack, giving him a chance at a second career/life after the track. Many racehorses end up in quite unfortunate situations and he is one Lucky Luke!
Tiniest Treasure Leo
AGE: 1
BREED: Lionhead
FAVORITE TREAT: Carrots
FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Chasing his girlfriend
He stands up tall like a prairie dog and sniffs the air!
Living the Bend LifeLouie
AGE: 4
BREED: Golden Retriever
FAVORITE TREAT: Natural salmon treats
FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Playing with a stuffed fish with his brother, Finn
FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Being set free on trails
He’s just the sweetest boy. A little anxious, but a true “people dog.” He just wants to do whatever you’re doing and be where you are.
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Miss Congeniality
Chola
AGE: 7.5
BREED: Petit Brabançon (Brussels Griffon)
FAVORITE TREAT: She’s a CHEESE-hound
FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Meeting new pet friends, hiking Misery Ridge at Smith Rock and cuddling
She’s so generous with her love that she makes every human and pet feel like the most special being on the planet. She’s also got a real thing for getting her little booty spanked (lovingly).
PuppyBestEyes Chewbacca
AGE: 3
BREED: Cairland terrier (Cairn terrier x West Highland terrier)
FAVORITE TREAT: Prefers affection over treats (unless you have bacon)
FAVORITE TOY: Whatever toy his sister has
He thrives on attention and social interaction (visibly saddened when people don’t acknowledge him) yet he also enjoys moments of solitude to reflect on life’s mysteries.
Best Face for RadioRoo
AGE: ?
BREED: Mini-Australian Shepherd
FAVORITE TREAT: Prayer’s Dog Biscuits
FAVORITE TOY: Miss Piggy
FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Playing with her friends at Woof To Wow and doing her job as a therapy dog at the Ronald McDonald House
She has a huge overbite and so her tongue is always hanging out when she smiles, which is all the time!
Cuddliest Pickle
AGE: 13.5
BREED: Samoyed
FAVORITE TOY: Hedgehog
FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Going on walks in our neighborhood and saying hi to all the kids, plus getting treats from the neighbors
Pickle was a champion show dog her first few years. When I got her from the breeder at three, she had a chance to become a sled dog. We participated in a number of local races in the skijor category, pulling me on cross-country skis.
A Winter Road Trip to Experience the EAGLE CAP Extreme
For one week each winter, the small town of Joseph swells to host mushers and spectators for Oregon’s Iditarod qualifier sled dog race
Story and Photos by Sally Compton
Asix-and-one-half-hour drive from Bend to the northeast corner of Oregon in the dead of winter is not for the faint of heart. But those willing to make the journey out to the remote, mountain town of Joseph — nestled right at the foot of the towering Wallowa Mountains — will be greatly rewarded. Because once a year, in late January, the small town swells to nearly summertime levels (OK, this might be a slight exaggeration) to host mushers, their friends and families, veterinarians, spectators, school groups and a lot of dogs… for the Eagle Cap Extreme.
The Eagle Cap Extreme is Oregon’s only Iditarod qualifier, and one of three sled dog races in the Rocky Mountain Triple Crown, which also includes the Idaho Sled Dog Challenge and Race to the Sky in Montana. The sled dog teams can enter in the Eagle Cap Extreme’s 31-mile, twoday, six-dog, mid-distance race, the 100-mile, eight-dog race or the Iditarod and Yukon Quest qualifier, the 200-mile, 12-dog race. And, as I learned throughout the week, the Eagle Cap Extreme is known by experienced mushers to be one of the most well-organized, community-supported and beautiful races in North America.
The race week begins on Wednesday with veterinary checks that are right on Main Street and open to the public. This was a huge highlight, as I’d come into the event thinking that sled dogs were purely rugged, working dogs — meant for admiring and not petting or coddling. But I was wrong: The mushers encouraged the dozens of school groups, young families and husky fanatics (me!) to get up
close and personal with their athletes to say hello and wish them luck, which the dogs delighted in. Each team has their own flair: The dogs of Connie Starr of Cle Elum, Washington, are all exclusively rescues or re-homes, while a musher from Bend, Jane Devlin, shared that most of the huskies on her team are between the ages of 8 to 10 — which, having an aging, lazy Siberian husky myself, really motivates me to get him off the couch!
Later that evening, the Eagle Cap Extreme organizers hosted a potluck at the Joseph Community Center, where participants drew bib numbers and visitors could view a map of the course, not to mention very cute sled dog posters made by the local schools. While a drive through town — where most stores and restaurants shut up shop for the winter or had limited, weekend-only hours — might suggest the town was closed, the community center buzzed, and the parking lot overflowed with locals, mushers and visitors sharing a hot meal before the big start.
The sled dogs, mostly Alaskan and Siberian huskies, were surprisingly friendly and loved meeting their fans during the veterinary checks.
The Eagle Cap Extreme is well known among the musher community for its clear organization, dedicated volunteers and scenic mountain vistas.
On Thursday morning, I loaded my cross-country skis and headed out to catch the race start at the Ferguson Ridge Ski Area before meeting the teams again at the second checkpoint at Salt Creek Summit SnoPark. The race start was full of energy as mushers lined up their dogs and prepared their sleds, while all the students, who got a field trip out of the day, crowded along the starting line fence and waved signs for their favorite mushers. As the announcer called out facts about each team, two things stuck out to me as someone who had long revered the sport of sled dog racing from a distance: 1) More than half of the mushers were women; and 2) Some had their start in mushing similar to my own experience (or lack thereof) by simply tying their dog up to a sled or some skis and yelling, “MUSH!”
For the next couple days while the teams endured the crisp, 15-degree temps and crossed the finish line at all hours, I explored the quiet yet breathtaking wintertime beauty of Joseph and the surrounding mountains. I walked from town to the crystal-clear Wallowa Lake, popping into the rare open storefronts, including Blue Mountain Donut Company (yum), along the way. I hiked — as far as I could until it became too icy and treacherous — along Hurricane Creek Trail and spotted a multitude of wildlife tracks in the snow. And of course, I took my husky cross-country skiing and tested if “gee” and “haw” might be instinctual commands. (They’re not.)
At the final awards ceremony on Saturday night, every team that finished was recognized, while the top three of each race distance received a trophy and a cash prize. For some, the Eagle Cap Extreme was their first race and for others, one of their last. The secondplace winner of the 200-mile race, Charmayne Morrison of Bozeman, Montana, qualified for the nearly 1,000-mile Iditarod, which she competed in earlier this month.
I encourage anyone who has an interest in dog sledding — either as a spectator or a future participant — to make the trip out to Joseph to experience the community, excitement and remote beauty of the Eagle Cap Extreme. Due to varying conditions like lack of snow, it’s not guaranteed that this special event can happen every year; it was canceled in 2024 and just barely had enough snow coverage this time around. But when it does, it’s worth the drive. Just make sure to pack warm clothes and dog treats.
Local students display posters at the Joseph Community Center to support the sled dog teams, including “Advice from a Sled Dog: Pull your weight.”
As someone who had long revered the sport of sled dog racing from a distance, I was amazed to see that more than half of the mushers were women.
The entire community came out to support the sled dog teams at the race start, cheering and waving signs for their favorite mushers.
For information on BPRD’s nine off-leash areas, visit bendparksandrec.org/dogs Here’s
When describing the two rambunctious, one-year-old cats that we recently adopted, I’ll borrow the best of Faces album title: “Good Boys…
When They’re Asleep”
Story and
Photos
by Richard Sitts
The two brother cats, formerly known as “Fluffy” and “Mousecatcher 2000,” are now named Mack and Mo. We brought them home in early February. They had been residing in one of the exam rooms at our veterinarian’s practice, relocated from a horse ranch in the Los Angeles area (before the fires). They were the last two of the litter, and with no space available at no-kill shelters, the pair were driven up to Bend in search of a forever home.
Though being in a somewhat cramped space, they’d had plenty of love and human contact with the vet staff so they were well socialized. They’re still learning their new names but have settled in nicely, bringing new love, joy, amusement and havoc into our lives. They’re also learning which surfaces they can jump up on, and which ones are off limits.
Growing up in our respective families, my wife, Floy, and I were both raised with dogs. As we grew into adulthood, we evolved into cat people. Our two previous cats, Gallup and Hicoo, lived to the ages of 21 and 20, respectively. Afterward, we took a cat break, during which it was always kind of sad to return home and have no one there waiting to greet us. We knew we wanted cats again; we just weren’t sure when. But the time was nigh and things fell into place perfectly — we are happily cat people once again.
Dr. Stephanie Kadasi
All along, we knew we wanted two cats who were bonded. Gallup and Hicoo got along OK, and before them, our two rez cats from Navajoland tolerated each other but never shared that blood bond. Mack and Mo are a different story. They wrestle like crazy, play together, sleep together, groom one another and chase each other through the house like charging buffalo. (They are large cats for their young age.) It’s a pleasure to witness how much they love each other.
The two brother cats, formerly known as “Fluffy” and “Mousecatcher 2000,” are now named Mack and Mo.
As Floy has pointed out to me in the past, we humans tend to anthropomorphize our four-legged companions. In that respect, it seems to me that these two furry brothers feel grateful to have a new fur-ever home. Floy can’t sit on the living room couch without Mack putting down stakes on her lap. Mo will chase around a felt catnip mouse as if it’s alive and will even fetch and return it when thrown. They both love to have their bellies rubbed. Until they don’t.
Dog or cat, our furry pals bring joy and companionship into our homes. Floy and I feel fortunate to now have Mack and Mo in our lives. And they seem genuinely happy to see us every time we return home from being out. We’ve rediscovered the creature comfort of not coming home to an empty house.
love to have their bellies rubbed. Until
Mack, left, and Mo lounge on one of their favorite spots.
There’s no better feeling than watching your dog run free — this freedom is incredibly important to our dogs’ physical and mental well-being.
| Central Oregon Pets
Photos courtesy of The Kind Canine Pet Services
Best Practices for Handling in Central Oregon DOGS Off-Leash
How do you deal with encounters with off-leash dogs in areas where they aren’t supposed to be?
By Rachelle Hein, CVT, ABCDT
As a dog parent, there’s no better feeling than watching your dog run free, doing dog things and living their best life. These small freedoms are incredibly important to our dogs’ physical and mental wellbeing. We’re so privileged to live here in Central Oregon, where ample opportunities to give our dogs this freedom abound.
However, it’s important to realize that, as with everything, there’s an appropriate time and place for these off-leash activities. Dog guardians have a duty to ensure that their dogs’ fun doesn’t cause harm or stress to other people and pets who have just as much right to enjoy all the outdoor opportunities that Central Oregon has to offer.
A particular point of contention, of late, are the posted on-leash parks and trails in and around Bend. These parks and trails are marked with very clear signage designating these areas as on-leash only. The idea behind these designations is to provide both dog owners and non-dog owners a shared space to recreate safely. The reality is that some people are afraid of dogs. Some dogs are afraid
of other dogs. Some people and animals have medical conditions that are exacerbated by dogs getting into their space, especially if that’s in the form of jumping, body slamming or even intensive sniffing and slobbering.
Keeping dogs on leash sends a clear message that there’s no need to worry: Your dog is under control and isn’t going to be a nuisance or trigger a fear response in anyone else sharing public spaces with you. Even if your dog is well-trained and under voice control, there’s no way for anyone you may encounter to know that for sure from a distance. It’s polite and considerate to follow leash laws, and failure to do so frequently results in dogs being prohibited from these areas altogether.
So, what if you are one of those people who would prefer to not be approached by strange dogs, or are a guardian of a dog who values their personal space? How do you handle encounters with off-leash dogs in areas where they aren’t supposed to be?
Firstly, be aware of your surroundings. If you see an off-leash dog in the distance and you don’t want to be approached, make that clear by preemptively making space. Move yourself (and your own dog, if you have one) off the trail or away from the off-leash dog’s trajectory. Make more space than you think you’ll need. Oftentimes, this will be enough to encourage the off-leash dog’s owner to collect or corral their dog, and if they don’t, you’ll be far enough away that the off-leash dog may not notice you, or at least will not be inclined to approach you if they do.
Integrative Veterinary Medicine in Bend
Offering
Providing
For dogs who don’t do well being approached by offleash dogs, there are leash covers, vests and bandanas that contain warnings to give space or not to approach. It’s great to have these messages displayed, but oftentimes they go unnoticed until it’s too late.
Keeping dogs on leash sends a clear message that there’s no need to worry: Your dog is under control.
If the off-leash dog’s guardian is within earshot, you can try calling out to them, politely asking them to please leash their dog. This is rarely effective, as most offending dog guardians tend to be preoccupied with telling you how friendly their off-leash dog is. The fact that the people or animals their off-leash dogs are approaching don’t share those friendly feelings is something that rarely occurs to someone who’s ignoring the leash law in the first place. If you have a dog with you, probably the most effective thing to call out is that your own dog is contagious. People will respond to that more reliably than you trying to tell them that your dog is afraid, or in training.
If an off-leash dog continues an unwanted advance, you have a few options. The simplest (and kindest) strategy is to have some dog treats on you, and as an off-leash dog approaches, toss a handful in front of them. This is likely to distract the dog until either you can move farther away, or their guardian can catch up to them. While it’s true that some dogs have dietary restrictions, it’s even more of a reason for those guardians to keep those dogs leashed and under control. Unleashed, out-of-control dogs are probably eating plenty of goodies off the ground unrelated to your tiny handful of treats.
Another option is to carry an umbrella with you, and pop it open toward the off-leash dog to startle and distract them from continuing their approach. If you have your own dog with you, be sure to acclimate your dog to the sight and sound of the opening umbrella ahead of time, to make sure you don’t startle them as well.
Compressed air and citronella sprays are other annoying deterrents that can be used to halt an unwanted approach. These things are unpleasant to experience, but if safety is a concern, can be useful in avoiding a conflict. Again, if your dog is with you, be careful of how you are using these, to avoid getting your own dog in the crossfire.
Dog guardians have a duty to ensure that their dogs’ fun doesn’t cause harm or stress to other people and pets who have just as much right to enjoy all the outdoor opportunities that Central Oregon has to offer.
Erica and Eric Pashia of The Kind Canine Pet Services.
Emotions tend to run high during these situations, and it’s understandable that if you are dealing with an off-leash dog approaching you in an on-leash area, you might feel a bit annoyed. Expressing this annoyance to the off-leash dog’s guardian rarely works out.
If everyone is calm and safety isn’t a concern, you can try gently educating the off-leash dog’s guardian about why it’s important for their dog to be on-leash where posted. But let’s be real: No one likes being lectured by a stranger, and this isn’t likely to have the desired effect.
All of these strategies are labor intensive and inconvenient on the part of the people who are following the rules. It shouldn’t require so much effort to just enjoy a walk in the park with your leashed dog. Educating the offenders is key, but that education shouldn’t come from a brief encounter with a stranger on a trail. Instead, talk to your friends and relatives. Let them know that it’s not cool to let their dogs off leash where it’s not allowed, and let them know why.
As stated earlier, all dogs benefit from the freedom that comes with being off leash or on a long line. There’s no denying that. Luckily, there are a million other options out there for dogs to enjoy these freedoms. Check out some of our favorites!
Rachelle Hein is a mom to three dogs as well as a certified veterinary technician (CVT) and dog trainer (ABCDT) who works with The Kind Canine Pet Services thekindcaninepetservices.com
Central Oregon’s Best SPOTS Off-Leash
Pine Nursery’s Dog Park has an extralarge fenced in area for dogs to stretch their legs and explore. The setup at Pine Nursery is actually pretty ideal, as you can let your dog get their crazies out in the off-leash area, and then utilize the on-leash walking path for a nice cool down period before heading home.
Good Dog! Dog Park is off-leash dog heaven. There’s an extensive network of trails that include river access, forest and beautiful scenery.
Alpenglow Park, similar to Pine Nursery, has a fun off-leash area (with areas for both big and small dogs) as well as an on-leash path for a nice walk.
Big Sky Park also has a nice off-leash trail with canal access.
If you’re looking for more solitude for your offleash adventures, check out Sniffspot (sniffspot.com), a network of private dog parks available to rent for very reasonable rates.
Most official hiking trails along the Cascade Lakes highway are designated as off-leash from Sept. 15 to May 15 each year.
It’s important to keep in mind, though, that if you aren’t in a designated dog park area, it’s best to keep your dog close to you if you see other people on the trail, and don’t allow them to greet other hikers or other dogs until given permission. Off-leash doesn’t have to be a free-for-all, and it’s always nice to be courteous to fellow Central Oregonians who also want to enjoy the outdoors. As a bonus, you can impress them with you and your dog’s exemplary manners! And if you need some help with the dog manners part, there are plenty of us trainers in town who’d be happy to provide support.
THE ART OF
KEEPING
Aquatopia, located along Third Street in east Bend, is a family-owned and -run business that offers a large variety of fish, plants, tanks and equipment. Jeffers and her husband, Brad, purchased the store in 2013 and operate it
Afish may not be the most traditional pet, but it can be the ideal option for those wanting a lowmaintenance animal while also looking to dip their toes into a new hobby. The act of fish keeping can be therapeutic, a creative outlet or just an aesthetically pleasing activity.
“It’s one of those hobbies that, if you get into it, it’s something you always fall back on. It’s a great stress reliever, it’s a great way to spend your time,” says Tiffany Jeffers, owner of local aquarium store Aquatopia
On any given day, a variety of people come into the shop to browse — regulars with multiple tanks, people looking to start an aquarium or those simply looking for some entertainment. Families will often come in on rainy or smoky days to walk around and learn about the fish. Jeffers and her family welcome it.
“It’s one of those hobbies that, if you get into it, it’s something you always fall back on. It’s a great stress reliever, it’s a great way to spend your time.”
“Our signage brings a lot of people in, especially if we have seahorses and axolotls. There are a lot of curious people and, a lot of times, those become customers,” she tells the Source Weekly.
What sets Aquatopia apart from other big-box stores is the shop’s selection and attention to its customers.
“We have things you will not find anywhere else. We will spend an unlimited amount of time with you if you need it, discussing what you want to do, how you want to do it or any issues you have.”
The first choice when buying an aquarium is choosing a type: salt water or fresh water. Freshwater tanks are typically easier and less costly to maintain, while saltwater, or marine, aquariums offer an environment for a greater diversity of species, but require more specialized equipment and maintenance.
For beginners, Jeffers recommends a 5-gallon freshwater tank, which can often hold one betta fish, for example. For someone wanting more fish, a 20-gallon tank can fit a community of small fish. For the larger tank sizes, you can pick from a variety of fish, but should consult with store employees to learn which fish can live together.
Common choices for fresh water tanks include dwarf cichlids or tetras, which come in many varieties, such as the very popular GloFish tetras.
Another popular option, Jeffers notes, are axolotls. An axolotl is a form of salamander that lives in fresh water. The unique-looking amphibians are largely extinct in the wild and are raised locally. For a single axolotl, Jeffers recommends at least a 20-gallon tank.
When it comes to tank responsibilities, the time to care for a freshwater or saltwater tank, once it’s established, is about the same — about 20 or 30 minutes per week. Every two weeks, a little extra care is needed for water changes, Jeffers notes.
With all types of tanks, Jeffers says store employees are there to walk people through the responsibilities and maintenance and help however is needed.
“We’re here for all of your questions, and we have handouts that give step-by-step guidelines based on our research and what we think would be the easiest for most people to follow,” she says.
Aquatopia of Bend, 324 NE Third St., Bend 541-613-4599 | facebook.com/aquatopiaisawesome
An axolotl is a form of salamander that lives in fresh water.
This tank features a variety of GloFish, a popular brand at Aquatopia.
Parking Lot Birds
Enjoying the natural world doesn’t have to require a lot of time or effort
By LeeAnn Kriegh
If you want to set the burdens of the world aside for a few minutes by watching beautiful birds, you can hike up a mountain or drive to a remote lake or forest. Or, you can simply head to a parking lot.
Take, for instance, the now-empty parking lot at the former Costco in Bend, where dozens of orange-breasted American robins perch through winter in the nearby ash trees. If you scan the trees — surprise! — you also might spy the pale-yellow breasts of cedar waxwings. No offense to the robins, but waxwings are real lookers, with a slickedback hairdo, robber’s mask and bright yellow tail tips.
Those two bird species are among the many that hang out in parking lot-adjacent ash trees to feed on the reddish berries, a valuable source of winter nourishment. According to local birder Chuck Gates, parking lots are also convenient places to watch birds foraging for many other types of food, including everything from insects to chicken nuggets. (Gulls seem especially fond of McDonald’s parking lots.)
In Sisters, insects are on the menu for handsome whiteheaded woodpeckers, which can be spotted probing the bark of older-growth ponderosa pines that surround the Best Western parking lot. In spring and fall, the parking lot of the Boys & Girls Club in Bend is the best place to watch Vaux’s swifts dashing around at dusk to catch their final insect meals before they swirl like a tornado into the abandoned chimney.
Lewis’ woodpeckers typically arrive at Shevlin Park in late April.
Photo by Kim Elton
It turns out live insects are challenging to catch, so other birds have smartly turned to the, uh, prepared variety. Before their populations declined, you could watch, in horror and delight, as burrowing owls picked dead insects off truck grills at the Brothers Oasis Rest Area. These days, Gates notes that you can head farther afield to see sagebrush sparrows pick at the grill buffet in the parking lot at Fort Rock State Natural Area, or watch sage thrashers do the same at The Narrows store near Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.
Along with feeding at parking lots, birds nest in nearby trees. This spring, head to the Aspen Hall parking lot in Shevlin Park, which abuts a stand of quaking aspens, to see and hear northern flickers and red-breasted sapsuckers drilling holes into the soft trees for nesting. In May and early June, the parking lot provides the perfect vantage point for watching those species feed their young, or to look on as other birds — including big, colorful Lewis’ woodpeckers — move in to raise their chicks in some of the abandoned holes.
It’s important to note that while some gulls, pigeons and other urban species have adapted well to life in and near parking lots, many others have not. For example, at night and in bad weather, waterbirds often mistake parking lots for bodies of water and come in for a hard, sometimes deadly, landing.
Gates, who wrote the “Guide to Common Birds of the Deschutes Canyon Area,” recalls seeing two wood ducks in the remote Fort Rock parking lot, where there’s no water around for miles. “Those ducks were clearly off course, but at least they could escape their predicament,” he says. “Loons, grebes and diving ducks need a running start in water to become airborne, so a mistaken landing for them means certain death if they’re not rescued.”
In Sisters, insects are on the menu for handsome white-headed woodpeckers, which can be spotted probing the bark of older-growth ponderosa pines that surround the Best Western parking lot.
No doubt waterbirds, and every other bird species, would prefer that we not pave paradise and put up parking lots. However, the fact that some have adapted, at least to some degree, gives all of us — including those with limited time and mobility — the opportunity to delight year-round in the beauty of a wide range of birds.
LeeAnn Kriegh is the author of two field guides to common plants and animals found in Central Oregon and the Portland area. A new version of her first book, “Nature of Bend,” will be released by Mountaineers Press on May 1.
This spring, head to the Aspen Hall parking lot in Shevlin Park, which abuts a stand of quaking aspens, to see and hear northern flickers and redbreasted sapsuckers drilling holes into the soft trees for nesting.
Red-breasted sapsuckers excavate cavities in trees at the Aspen Hall parking lot at Shevlin Park.
Photo by John Williams
White-headed woodpeckers can be seen feeding on ponderosa pine trees near the Best Western in Sisters.
