SOUTHERN ARIZONA
Pet Friends A PUBLICATION OF THE
Animal communication
Equine Voices
Green Valley News
2021
Beekeeping
Southern AZ style
Meet Tito the tortoise Tingle horses Advice from local veterinarians
Your pets!
SOUTHERN ARIZONA
Pet Friends A PUBLICATION OF THE
Green Valley News
2021
3 4 8 10 14 16 18 20
So you want to adopt?................................... The Animal League of Green Valley has some advice Sweet rewards................................................. Beekeeping a lifelong pursuit ABOVE: Ezra and Carlos taking a nap. EVELINE EATON PHOTO OUR COVER PHOTO IS BEAR, who was rescued as a puppy and taken home six years ago the day baseball great Yogi Berra died. That's how he got his name, according to Steve Evans. He's a bichon/poodle/terrier mix "and is quite frankly the happiest dog we have ever had." This photo was taken about three years ago at the Grand Canyon.
SOUTHERN ARIZONA
Pet Friends A PUBLICATION OF THE
Animal communication
Equine Voices
Green Valley News
2021
Beekeeping
Southern AZ style
Q & A................................................................... Advice from local veterinarians Let’s talk about it...................................... A conversation with animal communicators Out of the desert...................................... Meet Tito the tortoise!
Meet a pet desert tortoise Tingle horses Advice from local veterinarians
Your pets!
Mounts & Mares........................................ The Tingles and their horses It’s all in the name.................................... Shelters name pets to show off their unique personalities They’re in the family................................ Your pets!
SOUTHERN ARIZONA Pet Friends is produced by the staff of the Green Valley News & Sahuarita Sun
We love these photos! Nearly all of them were submitted through NABUR, our online community town square built and operated by Wick Communications/Green Valley News. Come on over to NABUR and join the conversation! Find it at www.gvnews.com/nabur.
DRU SANCHEZ, PUBLISHER 101 S. La Cañada Rd., Suite 24 Green Valley, AZ 85614 520-625-5511 | gvnews.com | sahuaritasun.com
Entire contents copyright © Green Valley News 2021. No portion
Edited by DAN SHEARER Design & layout by GRAHAM HARRINGTON
2
SOUTHERN ARIZONA Pet
Friends
may be reproduced or reprinted, in whole or in part, by any means, without the written permission of the publisher.
2021
gvnews.com | sahuaritasun.com
So you want to adopt? Questions to consider first By Animal League of Green Valley
A
re you considering adopting a furry friend? Many adopters from The Animal League of Green Valley (TALGV) have joked that it would have been easier to adopt a child than to adopt a cat or dog. Yes, of course it is fun and exciting, but whether you are a first-time pet owner or a seasoned pet parent, be prepared to answer an array of questions. Initially you will be asked about your current household. Who lives with you…two-legged and four-legged? Are all the two leggeds in agreement with adding a new pet to the family? Are the current four-leggeds spayed or neutered? Are they up to date on their vaccinations? Let’s talk first about adopting a cat. If you desire a feline, keep in mind that cats must be kept indoors. Think carefully about your furniture. Do you mind if it is clawed? If you do, what alternatives will you have for your kitty? Do you have space for a cat tree? Do you know how to trim cat nails? If not, volunteers at TALGV will be happy to teach you. Where will you keep your cat? Will your kitty have free run of the house? How will it get exercise? Just like a dog, a cat needs exercise. Maybe not in the form of a walk, but cats love to play. Do you have time to play with your cat? Do you mind if your cat sleeps in your bed with you? Is there any chance you or someone in your household could be allergic to the feline? You would be amazed at how often an
animal is returned because it turns out someone is allergic to the new resident. How about veterinarian bills? Whether you adopt a cat or dog, there are always medical bills. Pets need annual check-ups and vaccinations at the very least. As they get older, they may need blood work, medications, dentals and more. Can your bank account sustain an emergency visit to an after-hours vet clinic if something untoward happens? Adopting a dog brings up a plethora of other questions. First, what age dog are you thinking about adopting? Puppy, adult, senior? To begin with, most puppies are not housebroken. Do you have the time and patience to deal with training your new dog not to potty in your house? How will you conduct obedience training with your new puppy? A professional trainer? TALGV will reimburse $100 for professional obedience training. What breed of dog are you contemplating? Have you researched the breed you are interested in? Are they diggers or jumpers? Long hair or short? Do they need to be groomed? Your backyard may play into your decision. The height of your yard wall may have an impact on the dog you choose, as you do not want your new canine escaping from your yard. Also, you may love large dogs, but will you have the strength to walk one? Regardless of the size, the dog will need to be exercised. Do you have the time and energy to walk a dog daily? Also, you need to think about how long the dog may be left alone. Do you work? Unlike cats, some dogs do not react well when separated from its owner. What will you do if you discover your new canine suffers from separation anxiety? Adopting a cat or dog is an enormous commitment of time, energy and money. At TALGV we aim for our pets to find their forever homes, whether it is for five, 10, 15 or more years. Please adopt responsibly.
THE ANIMAL LEAGUE OF GREEN VALLEY is a private, notfor-profit, donation-funded organization whose vision is “A Home for Every Pet.” Find them online at talgv.org.
Scooters.Ramps.Lifts WE HAVE MOBILITY FOR YOUR BEST FRIEND AS WELL! 101 S La Canada Dr Suite #60 Phone: 520-333-2599 Located in the Green Valley Village West of Ace Hardware!
gvnews.com | sahuaritasun.com
2021
SOUTHERN ARIZONA Pet
Friends
3
He knew at 10 that beekeeping would be lifelong pursuit By Mary Glen Hatcher
G
rowing up between California and Southern Arizona, Greg Denker was addicted to the outdoors. And with five active siblings, it was an obsession his parents were happy to fuel. “Things generally ran much smoother inside the house when I was outside,” Denker says with a laugh. So at age 10, when Denker announced his intent to become a beekeeper and produce his own honey, his whole family enthusiastically supported him. After earning enough to cover the cost of his first hive, Denker began building his own boxes and capturing unwanted bee colonies to build out his apiaries. Through the years, he enlisted the help of friends and siblings to work the beehives, and eventually shared his love of beekeeping with his own children.
PHOTOS BY MARY GLEN HATCHER GREG DENKER, head beekeeper and manager of Wagon Wheel Ranch in Tucson, surveys the beehives – also called apiaries – on his property.
Sweetrewards Now, more than 50 years later, Denker’s fascination with bees has landed him at Tucson’s Wagon Wheel Ranch, where he manages countless hives of naturally hearty bees on more than 3,000 acres. But through the years, Denker said the joy of learning from the bees and encouraging others to take up beekeeping continues to be his primary motivator. “I just find it absolutely amazing how smart, how cooperative and how clever they are,” he said. “And to be able to have the biology of the hive tell me everything I need to know to be good at
4
SOUTHERN ARIZONA Pet
Friends
my animal husbandry, it’s fascinating.” Whether it’s the increasing popularity of homesteading, a reaction to the plight of pollinators or the desire to reconnect with the natural world, beekeeping has flourished in popularity in recent years. It’s a rewarding hobby and fascinating hobby, Denker says, but one that also requires planning, knowledge and a modest investment of time and money to be successful.
2021
GETTING STARTED
With more than 40 years of experience providing hives to others and mentoring new beekeepers, Denker has found that the best beekeeping experiences start with an intentional look at what you want to get out of it – your goals and motivations for beekeeping – before jumping in. “Lots of people, when they say they want bees, they’re kind of like a kid in a candy store. You can get a little in over your head if you’re not careful
gvnews.com | sahuaritasun.com
HOT BEESWAX is poured into molds at the Wagon Wheel Ranch headquarters in East Tucson. Greg Denker prides himself on the Ranch’s pristine honey and beeswax, which they sell to locals in bulk.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR OUR FOREVER HOME.
Riley
Randy
Blue
Emmett
Foxy
Risky
Yeller
Lila
gvnews.com | sahuaritasun.com
2021
SOUTHERN ARIZONA Pet
Friends
5
GREG DENKER CUTS honeycomb from his hives straight from the frame. and may need to walk before you run,” Denker said. Whether you want to provide better pollination for plants, produce honey or hive products for consumption or raise bees for original research can determine what supplies and strain of bees you need. Regardless of the goal, Denker recommends any beekeeper maintain a minimum of two colonies to ensure the well-being of the bees. If something happens to one hive – for example, they lose their queen – they can be saved using resources from the other. Denker also recommends consulting with a local, seasoned beekeeper who can coach you through the process and teach you about the nuances of beekeeping in your region. For example, due to the Southern Arizona heat, beekeepers in the region should be aware that the window to harvest honey is short, typically spanning just a few weeks in April, Denker said. “It’s not obvious, but a lot of beekeeping comes down to timing – when to take things off, when to check on your hives and how you step through that process. Timing can really be the difference between keeping a hive and losing one,” Denker said. “So having someone who can mentor you through that, and all the other things that come up, is everything,” he said. Taking a class or contacting a beekeeping group, like the Southern Arizona Beekeepers Association or the American Beekeeping Federation, can provide a solid knowledge base and support system for beekeepers just starting out.
6
SOUTHERN ARIZONA Pet
Friends
HONEY SAMPLES from Denker’s bees at the Wagon Wheel Ranch headquarters. And reading books or blogs – Denker recommends “Beekeeper’s Handbook” by Diana Sammataro – will also go a long way in understanding bee habits, which can affect how you manage your hive.
ZONING LAWS There are no state statutes in Arizona that prevent residents from keeping bees, though local ordinances vary across the state. In unincorporated Pima County, beekeeping is permitted in all zoning districts, with some restrictions on the number of bee colonies you can operate depending on the size of the property and where the boundaries are located. Beekeeping is also permitted throughout the Town of Sahuarita with similar restrictions on the number of colonies per acre, but requires beekeepers to register their operation with the Arizona Commission of Agriculture and Horticulture. In addition, Arizona requires beekeepers to notify and get permission from nearby landowners engaged in commercial agriculture if your bees may forage on their property. After receiving the notice, the commercial farmer is required to inform the beekeeper before applying bee-sensitive pesticides in the area. Another important part of beekeeping, Denker says, is educating people on their importance, habits and instincts. If you have nearby neighbors, check in with them, be considerate of
2021
their fears, and inquire if anyone has a true bee allergy.
HIVE PRODUCTS While bees and their pollinating services help maintain a biological balance in nature, they also provide bee products that can be harvested. In addition to honey – which is the most widespread and well-known bee product – beeswax, bee pollen, royal jelly and propolis can be harvested from the hive and transformed for a variety of medicinal, cosmetic or culinary purposes. Still, for Denker, nothing beats the feeling of cutting into and eating honeycomb from one of his own hives. “I get the shivers just thinking about enjoying the real honey that my bees made,” Denker said, slicing into a sheet of honeycomb. “It was my dream for so long, and it’s just still so cool to be able to do this.” For those interested in taking up beekeeping, Denker can confirm the rewards, just like his bees, are countless. “It’s been very therapeutic for me. As my kids get older, sometimes when times are rough, they come home to harvest some honey and you can just hear the sighs of relief when they fire up the smoker. There’s only so many things in life that are unequivocally good, and it’s kind of cool that beekeeping is one of those things,” he said. “Plus, if someone has a real sweet tooth, it might just be worth it for the honey alone.” — Pet Friends 2021
gvnews.com | sahuaritasun.com
GREG DENKER LOADS beehive frames into an extractor, a machine he uses to separate the honey from the beeswax and frame, at the Wagon Wheel Ranch headquarters in East Tucson.
- All-natural ingredients for a healthy, flavorful snack your pets can’t resist! - Switch your store-bought nibbles for our handmade treats. - Decadent flavors and healthy options.
We offer treats for cats, dogs, and horses 520-225-9543 www.prancingpetbakery.com
gvnews.com | sahuaritasun.com
2021
SOUTHERN ARIZONA Pet
Friends
7
Q&A Advice from three local veterinarians By Kitty Bottemiller
L
ocal veterinarians haven’t just studied animals to graduate from college -- they see a plethora of pet conditions in their practices daily. Three share their knowledge here: Shelley Humphrey, veterinarian/owner of Animal Care Center of Green Valley; Stacy Nolasco, DVM/owner of Valley Verde Veterinarians, Green Valley; and Lucy Schroth, veterinarian/Medical Director at VCA Valley Animal Hospital, Sahuarita.
Q
Your advice for prospective pet owners on finding a good and lasting fit, especially for first-timers, multiage households or senior citizens, and key considerations. “Not all dogs and cats are created equal,” Humphrey said. Some have specific needs that may not fit with certain lifestyles, families or environments. Kibble for thought: • Be prepped: Learn about the type of pet you’re considering, Nolasco suggests. Decide whether to adopt a young or mature pet instead. Pups and kittens
8
SOUTHERN ARIZONA Pet
can require large time commitments. However, work that you put in on a young one likely pays off for a more well-trained, socialized companion. Adult pets are generally calmer; often they come with training, though may also have bad habits or anxieties to overcome. • Cost: Medical care is a huge consideration, and costs are rising, noted Humphrey. Estimate yearly expenses (food, vaccinations, grooming and initially, training). There are numerous coverage choices from pet insurance providers, and third-party financing options in case of emergency. • Energy level: Some breeds require multiple walks/runs daily. Are you a couch potato, or don’t take routine walks? Consider a cat. Want a running/hiking partner? Maybe a dachshund or cat isn’t best. • Pups and kittens: Consider their life span. Will you have the energy to care for this pet for the next 10 to 20 years? (Some parrots can live more than 50 years, a cat, 20; smaller-breed dogs, 18 years; larger breeds, 8.) • Older pet? Are you financially set to deal with predictable issues? Emotionally prepared for a short
Friends
Shelley Humphrey, DVM
Stacy Nolasco, DVM
time to enjoy their company? • Busy lifestyle? It’s inadvisable to routinely leave a dog alone or kenneled more than six hours; cats are happy alone.. • Tight quarters? It’s unwise to get a large dog unless they’re exercised often. “A walk to the mailbox for a 70-pound dog living in an 800-foot dwelling won’t likely suffice,” Humphrey said. • Have or expecting children? Look for a pet that can tolerate the behavior of children at different ages. A dog protective of toys or food can be a serious hazard to a child,” Schroth said. • Never expect to buy a good, well-balanced purebred puppy, adult dog,kitten or cat from a pet shop. Reputable breeders never sell to them, Schroth said. • Seeking a purebred? Research its personality traits, good and bad, common health tendencies, grooming requirements and environmental needs. Find a trustworthy breeder knowledgeable about your potential breed, who breeds primarily for improving the breed, and offers a legally binding agreement that includes addressing what to do if problems arise after purchase.
• Mixed/designer breed? Advantages: possibly fewer genetic, physical and psychological problems, although they may also have missed personality traits. • Adoption help available: One advantage of adopting an adult pet is that you can see what its personality is like. Rescue organizations, veterinarians, books and articles (check out library listings) on raising pets can help choose wisely.. • Are you a senior and/ or have balance issues? A small pet can be a tripping hazard; a large one may knock you over. Have difficulty lifting? Could you lift a large dog if it gets sick or can’t walk? If not, consider a smaller pet. • Already have pets? Some are so used to being alone or with established buddies, they resent (and may act aggressively toward) a newcomer. Big dogs can injure small pets, sometimes unintentionally. Assess individual temperament before introducing them. • New to pets and not skilled at assessing personality/behavior? Take an expert along or arrange an evaluation from an outside expert before adopting. It’s heartbreaking to have a pet
2021
gvnews.com | sahuaritasun.com
Lucy Schroth, DVM not work out and potentially harmful to pets or people in the home, Schroth said.
Q
What vaccinations and other wellness care are essential for a pet’s well-being in our desert climate? Yearly wellness exams for dogs and cats are imperative, the vets said. A trained professional can spot conditions not readily apparent; establishing normal parameters is essential for thorough evaluation. • Vaccines: Discuss with a veterinarian your pet’s lifestyle including travel, to determine what’s advisable and have vaccine protocols tailored to particular needs/ risks. • Dogs: Most common: rabies, distemper/parvo combo, and Bordetella (a respiratory bacterial infection) Parvo is rampant here and heartworm, seeing a recent increase, Schroth said. Regular fecal testing for intestinal parasites is key, especially for puppies. • Cats: Most common: rabies and upper respiratory vaccine; also ask about protection against most common contagions (FVRCP), given every three years. • Traveling with pets:
gvnews.com | sahuaritasun.com
Carry pet ID including a microchip in case of escape. Be aware of infectious diseases in areas you travel. Take your pet’s own food (and their own water if recommended), “poop bags;” vaccine documentation and other local requirements (ask vet what health certificates are indeed). Never leave your pet alone in a car. Beware of automatic window openers that can be stepped on and allow escape. Consult your vet if your pet experiences anxiety or motion sickness. Medication can help but may require dose adjustments, so address this before travel day. • Desert dangers: Rabies is prevalent in Arizona and deadly. All dogs and even indoor-only cats should be vaccinated to protect them and their owners, Humphrey said. Pets are always at risk if left unaccompanied outdoors from cactus spines and predators including hawks, owls, coyotes, bobcats, snakes, javelinas, stray dogs, valley fever and Colorado River toads.
Q
What do you see owners bringing their pets to your office for most that could be avoided through prevention/routine care? What are the top 3 concerns?
DOGS • Dental disease, which is hard to spot for lack of clinical signs. Even with abscessed teeth and severe gum infections, pets continue to eat, play and seem normal. Routine exams can easily pinpoint these. Daily brushing, dental chews and pet diets help but once calculus builds, a dental procedure
under anesthesia is the only way to return to/maintain oral health and avoid costly extractions, Schroth said. • Endocrine and metabolic diseases, also spotted via routine exams, and senior wellness blood and urine analysis, looking for diabetes, kidney disease and Cushing’s (which occurs naturally and is either pituitary- or adrenal-dependent) and other conditions). Waiting for your dog to “act sick” is inadvisable to fight and defeat early-stage problems, the vets said.
CATS • Kidney disease • Unexplained weight loss • Dental disease. Cats are experts at hiding disease.
Q
When should a petowner (or sitter) not hesitate to call/ visit a veterinary clinic? Never, if there’s a concern. Many variables can contribute to a true emergency. When in doubt, ask. Life-threatening emergencies include urinary blockage in male cats; distended abdomens and non-productive vomiting in dogs: overheating/heat stroke; poisonings including human medications or people food; unexplained weakness and breathing difficulties. “I’d rather advise an owner about a minor issue than have them try at-home remedies that could make a problem much worse,” Nolasco said. As pet owners who’ve been spending more time at home during COVID resume work/ activities outside home, how can you help your pet transition to being
2021
alone again? • Dogs: There’s no one answer, but suggestions include leaving for a few hours vs. several hours during the day to slowly adjust them your absence, or a few hours of daycare. Offer plenty of exercise or activity when you are home, leave the radio on while out, and provide safe, interactive toys. When coming and going, be as calm as possible. “Getting excited with your pet at these times can teach them your absence is ‘bad’ and further reinforces their anxiety,” Nolasco said. Determine what “triggers” alert your pet to you leaving, and avoid them. When you go, pretend you’re coming right back; body language says a lot, Schroth said. • No transition is needed for most cats; many prefer being alone.
Q
What do you advise for animal lovers whose income levels sometimes shift and find themselves on a limited budget, but don’t want to give up their pet? Relinquishing a pet due to finances can be very difficult and should be a last option, Humphrey said. If the situation is dire and you find a loving home to care for them as you would, it may be best. Inquire at rescue organizations, local shelters and animal-assistance groups; they can often be empathetic and generous in special situations and may find creative ways to help. Plan ahead for essentials and don’t be afraid to ask for help deciding what’s most important – what’s “ideal” may not be most vital.
SOUTHERN ARIZONA Pet
Friends
9
Let’s talk about it Animal communicators bring peace, comfort to pets and owners By Mary Glen Hatcher
A
fter a four-hour search for her beloved dog, Jack, on her Amado ranch came up empty-handed, Karen Pomroy was in a panic, and turned to the only person who could help. She called Jane Heath, an animal communicator in Montana, and asked her to speak with him.
10
SOUTHERN ARIZONA Pet
Friends
JANE HEATH, an animal communicator and equine therapist based in Montana, plays with her dog, Bob. Heath said she’s been communicating with animals since about 10 years old, when she had her first telepathic experience with her childhood pet. Sitting more than 1,200 miles away at the Montana Horse Sanctuary, Heath, who’s turned her telepathic ability to
2021
commune with animals into a 26-year career, began to tune in and translate. “Through Jane, Jack kept showing and describing these images of tall pine trees and that led us to a neighbor’s yard,” Pomroy said. “That neighbor was able to lead us right to the person who had actually taken him, and that’s how I got my dog back. I would never have found him if it wasn’t for her.”
gvnews.com | sahuaritasun.com
EQUINE VOICES RESCUE AND SANCTUARY, in Amado, is a haven for a number of horses and mules, rescued primarily from use in the manufacturing of the drug, Premarin. Karen Pomroy, who founded the sanctuary in 2004, has begun to use animal communication to connect with the horses on a deeper level. But for Pomroy, finding Jack was just the beginning. Under Heath’s guidance, Pomroy is honing her own animal communication skills, and takes the messages she receives to heart when managing her growing herd at Equine Voices Rescue and Sanctuary – a haven for rescued
gvnews.com | sahuaritasun.com
KAREN POMROY, founder of Equine Voices Rescue and Sanctuary, poses with Gulliver, the sanctuary’s mascot and first horse Pomroy brought to the rescue. mares and foals from the Premarin industry. Tuning in to her animals, Pomroy said, has offered healing through the passing of a beloved horse and helped identify the roots of behavioral and medical issues among her other animals. “I’ve seen so many miracles happen here, and I just feel like if you’re open to it, it’s amazing what animals can teach you,” Pomroy said. She’s just one of a growing number of animal lovers casting doubt aside and turning to the art of animal com-
2021
munication – with the help of “pet psychics,” as they’re sometimes called – to deepen the relationship with their beloved animals, and try to figure out what’s on their minds. “They do communicate with us in so many ways. We just have to be open to listening,” she said.
ANIMAL COMMUNICATION AT WORK An animal communicator specializes in telepathically connecting with all manner of beings, alive or in spir-
SOUTHERN ARIZONA Pet
Friends
11
it, from cats and dogs to horses, geckos and plants. Oftentimes, Heath said people contact her when the relationship with their animal starts to suffer – a dog that’s starting to bite, a cat that’s peeing outside the litter box or a horse that’s starting to buck. But in addition to unraveling behavioral quirks, communicators like Heath also aid pet owners in locating lost animals, communicating medical decisions – particularly end-of-life decisions – and bringing closure to a relationship with a pet in a past life. “We’re able to fix so many things when we actually are able to talk and listen to one other, and that’s ultimately the reason I teach others how to do this with their animals,” Heath said. “It’s really so important because it can change the relationship between humans and their animals profoundly,” she said. So, how does this all work? For Heath, connecting with animals is a simple matter of relaxing the mind and tuning in. It’s similar to having a conversation with a friend, she says, only the messages coming through can be in the form of thoughts, images or physical sensations. “It’s a meeting of two souls, or two spirits, and we’re hearing each other with our minds,” Heath said. “I introduce myself, I say hello, and then I just ask permission to translate for their person. And it feels lovely,” she said. Once connected with the animal, the communicator usually asks questions of the animal, like: How do you feel? Do you like your food? Where does it hurt? Would you like to return to your family? Charles Peden, a psychic medium and animal communicator in Tucson, compares his telepathic ability to using a smartphone or other internet-connected device that can wirelessly send data in a variety of formats, like texts, images or sounds. “It’s like using your body as a tuning fork, and absorbing all these pulses of energy,” Peden said. “They’re rearranged inside my mind and I can see what they (the animals)
12
SOUTHERN ARIZONA Pet
Friends
ABOVE: A group of mules enjoys the Southern Arizona sunshine. RIGHT: Charles Peden, an animal communicator based in Tucson, has been practicing interspecies telepathy professionally for more than 15 years, and is a firm believer that with practice, anyone can learn to communicate with their pet. are sending me.” Because the exchanges are energybased, both Peden and Heath regularly perform a lot of their work remotely, using some basic information and sometimes a photo of the animal looking into the camera. And, yes, both Peden and Heath say with proper training and an open mind, anyone can learn to do it. “There is certainly some aptitude or natural ability employed to harness the skills, but just like taking swimming or singing lessons, it all boils down to just setting that intention and practicing,” Peden said.
DOES IT WORK? While animal communication continues to grow in popularity, not everyone believes it works. Heath, who has a background in journalism and science, understands the doubts. “My left brain tells me 20 times a day that communication isn’t real, but the work I do keeps proving it’s real,” she said. Not every skeptic will be convinced, Heath says, but that’s OK. “People will come around to understanding animals can communicate, or they won’t. But I don’t try to convince them. I leave that to the animals – I’m just the translator.” But whether or not you believe in hu-
2021
man-to-animal telepathy may be less important than what the growing popularity of the service signals – that animals and their feelings are worth considering. “We have such a unique relationship with animals – we eat a lot of them, we raise a lot of them for situations that are basically servitude, and, ultimately, they have very little say in their own lives,” said Peden. “I think a big part of what happens when people start to communicate with their animals on this level is there’s more accountability and responsibility, on both sides, and really a greater understanding of each other,” he said. Pomroy, who eventually plans on offering and teaching animal communication classes at Equine Voices, thinks its growing popularity signals a positive change in how humans view animals: with more love, and more understanding. “I think it’s really getting the message out there that these animals are sentient, feeling, loving beings, and they have something to say,” Pomroy said. “People are ready for something new, that’s healing and that’s positive. We’ve been in such a dark space for so long, and I think this is something that can really help people and animals reconnect,” she said.
gvnews.com | sahuaritasun.com
Affordable Hearing Solutions
KINDRED SPIRITS Pet Services
You’ll Like
Compassionate, Gentle & Respectful
What You Hear!
Peaceful end of life veterinary care provided by Dr. Kellie Barrett in the comfort of your home or the Kindred Spirits comfort room.
“Don’t Miss Out on The Sounds of Life” • Consultations & Hearing Evaluations • Hearing Aid Selection and Fitting • Service and Repair • Hablamos Español
♥ Humane Euthanasia ♥ Veterinary Hospice ♥ Aquamation: the gentle & natural alternative to flame cremation
Honor Your Pet With A Dignified Farewell Visit our Website to Learn More:
Lynn Callaway, BC-HIS
www.kindredspirits.pet
(520) 367-5222
VOTED TED BEST HEARING CENTER 2 YEARS IN A ROW
170 N. La Canada #90, Green Valley, AZ 520-399-3220 • greenvalleyhearing.com gvnews.com | sahuaritasun.com
2021
SOUTHERN ARIZONA Pet
Friends
13
Outof the desert TITO IS 13 YEARS OLD and has lived with Phil and Margie Schilke five years.
Tito the tortoise is adventurous, clever and curious By Karen Walenga
O
nly in Arizona can you share your yard, home and heart with a personable Sonoran Desert Tortoise. Just ask Green Valley residents Phil and Margie Schilke, who adopted Tito — their 13-year-old tortoise — close to five years ago from a licensed breeder. “He is so intelligent,” Phil says, pointing out that Tito likes to play with balls, enjoys neck rubs and being petted on his back with their fingernails. He also loves to explore and is a bit of an escape artist. Margie agrees that Tito can be somewhat stealthy and adventurous, watching and figuring out how to open the backyard screen door by himself. “If only we could get him to close it and keep the flies out,” Phil says. Tito certainly is a constant source of amazement for the couple. He is curious, pretty low maintenance, and gets along with dogs, but not so much with the couple’s gardener. “They do have a personality, likes and dislikes,” Phil says. “He loves neck rubs, but not from strangers.” Tito often spent much time in the backyard with the couple, but last October decided to move into the house for his winter Brumation sleep and stayed there until mid-April. “At this moment, he prefers to be inside with us rather than outside. We take him outside every day at 3 p.m., let him start moving around and feed him a plate of kale followed by a single cut-up strawberry for a treat — his favorite,” Phil says. While wild tortoises dine on desert weeds and grasses, cactus blossoms if reachable and the fallen cactus fruit in the fall, a captive tortoise has a more varied diet. Commercial tortoise food is available, and suitable grocery store veggies include spinach leaves, watermelon and avocado. But be sure to avoid all types of lettuce. “Your tortoise will tell you what treats it likes. Tito does not like spinach and watermelon, for example,” Phil notes. “Folks say they do not have a personality, but this is sim-
14
SOUTHERN ARIZONA Pet
Friends
KAREN WALENGA PHOTO PHIL AND MARGIE in their Green Valley backyard with Tito. ply not true. Tito shows affection by kissing our ankles when he ambles around. He does not like thunder and will seek out Margie and nestle his shell against her foot for comfort. He also likes to join us in the kitchen during dinner prep, parking on his shell by the dishwasher with neck and head extended, just watching the movement.” In their travels with Tito, the Shilkes keep him in Arizona, as required by the state. On a recent vacation in Flagstaff, Tito remembered the campground they'd stayed in two years earlier. “They have a very good short-term, as well as long-term, memory,” Phil points out.
2021
gvnews.com | sahuaritasun.com
Desert Tortoise adoptions
KAREN WALENGA PHOTO TITO AND PHIL relax at home in Green Valley on a hot summer afternoon. Tito is the couple's first Sonoran Desert Tortoise, however Phil recalls when, in 1954, his military father and the family were transferred to an Air Force base in the Mojave Desert. “I was allowed to roam the desert on my own … and I found a very small, very young Mojave Desert Tortoise, which is a related species to the Sonoran Tortoise. I had this little tortoise for three and a half years. Named him Fred after our next-door neighbor at the time, Capt. Fred Whipple, the meteorologist for the Air Force base.” When his family was transferred again, Phil took Fred back into the desert exactly where he found him. “Knowing what I know now, his name should have been Fredrica. Yep, it was a female. It is also possible she is still alive today, some 66 years later,” he notes. Phil also has given a presentation in Green Valley on Desert Tortoises as part of a class through the OLLI-UA Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. His goal: for each of the 35 attendees to leave the class with more knowledge of and an increased appreciation for these wonderful creatures. And maybe one or two might start the adoption process for their own Sonoran Desert Tortoise. Attendees learned about Arizona laws on the Sonoran Desert Tortoise; how to distinguish a male from a female; tortoise mating and egg laying; care of hatchlings; a sort of hibernation called Brumation; their life span and more. Fact is that Sonoran Desert Tortoises are solitary animals. Two males together in a yard will fight. Two females will ignore each other. It's illegal to have a male and female unless you're licensed to breed, and few if any more licenses are issued by Arizona Game and Fish, he notes.
gvnews.com | sahuaritasun.com
2021
KAREN WALENGA PHOTO TITO TUCKS INTO A MEAL of kale, one of his favorites. While the Schilke family got Tito from a licensed breeder, who also had Tito’s 42-year-old mother, other adoption sources for in-state folks are the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and Arizona Game and Fish. Typically, these tortoises are adopted from April 1 to Sept. 30, because they hibernate during the cooler months. Arizona residents can adopt captive desert tortoises from those two organizations to keep them from being released in the desert and inadvertently transmitting diseases to Arizona’s wild tortoise population. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum’s Tortoise Adoption Program exclusively addresses desert tortoises in the Tucson area. Private individuals become tortoise custodians, as the animals remain the property of the State of Arizona. Preservation of wild tortoise and turtle populations is emphasized, and information about care and husbandry of captive tortoises and turtles is provided at 520-883-3062, in information pamphlets, and at http:// www.desertmuseum.org/programs/tap.php. Before adopting, be sure to learn all you can about desert tortoises, desert ecology and the necessary proper care. Know that healthy tortoises can live 80 to 100 years, so you’ll need a long-term plan, a will or other succession plans. For more information, contact the Desert Tortoise Adoption Hotline at 844-896-5730 or visit http://www. desertmuseum.org/programs/tap.php
SOUTHERN ARIZONA Pet
Friends
15
Mounts Couple shares equestrian life
&mares
By Karen Walenga
O
nce seasons change in the Santa Cruz Valley, and Arizona's heat becomes more temperate, you just might spy a handsome quartet of horses moseying and munching away in their spacious outdoor environs in an East Sahuarita neighborhood. Horse lovers Burt and Barb Tingle share their 10-acre Sahuarita Heights property with their chickens and four horses: Oreo the two-toned paint horse; a brown and white gelding named Ranger; a dun-colored mare called Sophie; and bay mare Bayley, a registered quarter horse. “They're good horses. I like having them,” Burt says. There's no doubt that 12-year-old gelding Oreo is the alpha horse around here. This beauty has no trouble chasing off the others if he chooses to, and Burt enjoys riding this physically tough horse he's owned for seven or eight years.
16
SOUTHERN ARIZONA Pet
Friends
KAREN WALENGA PHOTOS BARB AND BURT TINGLE outside their hay barn with Oreo, a two-toned paint horse.
Brown-and-white rescue horse Ranger is about 22 years old, loves getting a bath, and could have been a roping horse, Barb says. Her choice when it comes to riding is 11-year-old Sophie, who sports distinctive soft white socks and the same coloring as a Palomino, except for her dark mane versus a Palomino's white one. “She's a sweet, meek and mild girl, friendly and calm and similar to Bayley,” Barb points out. “I try to keep her gentle. Kids can ride her,” Burt says of Sophie, who gets rewarded with treats that include apples. Then there's Bayley, one good-looking horse. This brown beauty with a white blaze on her face is Burt's best handling horse. He can just give her a “click” to go and a “whoa” to stop, with no need to use his spurs. Their pattern together is five walks left and right, followed by five trots, five gallops or five lopes left and right, he says. Burt does use spurs with Oreo because the rider “has to
2021
gvnews.com | sahuaritasun.com
BURT TINGLE with his special pair of engraved silver spurs presented to him by colleagues in 2009, the year the Sahuarita High School football field was named after this assistant coach and longtime math teacher now retired. be boss over the horse. They got to do what you want them to do. You're the alpha,” he says, noting that Oreo handles better without a bit. Bayley is Burt's favorite because she always listens and behaves really well, while Oreo is his favorite to ride because he's fast and likes to run. “I like to ride fast horses,” Burt notes. And while Oreo likes to do things his own way, “when I get on him, he does things my way.”
PART OF THE FAMILY The horses' quarters are a bit west of the couple's two-story home in Sahuarita Heights, and both Burt and Barb are animal lovers and longtime horse people. Burt grew up around horses in rural New Mexico, and one of his brothers is a professional horse trainer in California. Barb also grew up around horses with her family in Sahuarita Heights. She recalls riding bareback on Apache, her pony, when she was 6 or 7. “I enjoy being with the animals,” Barb says. “I cut up cabbage and feed it to the chickens. Being around animals is a good experience,” and she's happy to give the horses as much interaction as they want. “I enjoy being out in the barn caring for them,” she says.
RANGER THE GELDING, a brown and white rescue horse, enjoys breakfast and shade, along with paint horse Oreo, the Tingle family’s alpha horse. Inside the Tingle family's hay barn there's plenty of feed and room for tack, including a spade bit that Burt is fond of and one very special pair of spurs. They were presented to Burt by colleagues in 2009, the year the Sahuarita High School football field was named after the assistant coach and longtime math teacher at the school. Engraved on those silver spurs are his name and the words “Congrats to you 2009.” Burt is now retired. Feeding and grooming the horses is a lovely way to spend an early summer morning, says Burt. At 77, he reckons he has pretty much been around horses all his life, as has 55-year-old Barb, a kindergarten teacher. “She's an animal person and likes horses, grew up with horses,” Burt says. With morning chores for the quartet completed, Burt heads for the shade of his covered back porch on a warm summer morning. What would he say his four-legged buddies bring to his full life? “Horses bring happiness for one thing, and satisfaction, and fond remembrances of younger years,” he says.
PET SPAW • DOGGIE DAYCARE • BOARDING
520.612.9534 gvnews.com | sahuaritasun.com
2021
SOUTHERN ARIZONA Pet
Friends
17
It’s all in the name
MEET BEAR, Terri Nolte’s 3-year-old, 100-pound Silver Lab. With him is Boo Boo — remember Yogi Bear and his pal, Boo Boo?
Shelters find creative ways to make each animal unique By Jamie Verwys
M
ayberry, Aunt Bea and Barney aren’t just staples of "The Andy Griffith Show," they’re the names of cats awaiting their forever homes. Along with caring for their daily needs and looking for homes, shelter volunteers and staff must christen each animal with a name. It's as challenging as it is fun. Kim Eisele, president of TALGV, said naming the animals is a group effort. “The person who takes in the animal is usually the one who comes up with a name,” she said. “It depends on who is literally in the lobby at the time.” Names depend on whether the animal is part of a litter or an individual. “If we have a litter of puppies or kittens, we give the litter a name — the fruit or nut litter, the Star Wars litter, the Harry Potter litter, the gemstone litter,” Eisele said. “It has to be
Does you favorite furry friend leave hard to clean artwork on your windows?!?
something we can come up with multiple names because a dog can have a litter of 12 puppies, so you need some kind of theme that you come up with that many.” Themes also allow staff to associate a dog or cat to the litter it came from. Paws Patrol, a local cat rescue, also turns to themes when they name their cats and kittens. Cat coordinator Lisa Mills said choosing categories helps keep the naming process fun. “Most recently we did old TV shows, so we had a cat named Mayberry, like in Andy Griffith, it was really cool,” she said. “We might use flower categories, celestial categories, anything that offers a broad, big choice of words.” There isn’t one person assigned as a namer, all the volunteers participate in the process. “It's challenging and that's what makes it fun,” Mills said. “We get really creative.” When naming individual animals, Mills said Paws Patrol tries to find something whimsical and might even assign a traditionally male name, like Wally, to a female if it sticks. Eisele said they may go with an animal’s color or a name based on where they were found. “Sometimes it’s based off the name of the person who brought it in, their first name or last,” she said. “It’s hard to keep coming up with names.”
We clean that!!!
Kat’s Pals In Home Pet Services Sitting, walking, medication & special diets ok. Overnights available.
520-260-8911
ostrichlover58@gmail.com
www.windowcleaningtucsonarizona.com
18
SOUTHERN ARIZONA Pet
Friends
520-400-2353 2021
Kat Drumm Pet/Home Sitter
gvnews.com | sahuaritasun.com
A number of pets coming to the Animal League already have names, which they keep in most cases. Eisele said they will only change a name if it’s offensive or they may modify a name if more than one animal has it. “We do try not to reuse names but I’m sure we’ve got several Jacks in our history,” she said. “If we already have one named THIS IS TOOLBOX. He got his Jack we might name anname because his job was to other that comes in with repair his owner’s heart after the name Jack Jr., things losing their dog of 14 years. like that." Kam Morganti says it’s been a It’s common for new success. owners to rename a pet once adopted. Since the Animal League and Paws Patrol do follow-ups on each animal, they try to update the current names. “They very often change the names so we make sure that when they call back for any reason they try to remember the cat’s original name for our veterinary records,” Mills said. Be consistent Glenn Graves owns On Point Dog Training, a Green Valley business that offers customized training plans on everything from obedience to problem solving. He opened the business three years ago when he retired from law enforcement in California where he was a dog trainer and, eventually, the state's canine evaluator. He said when renaming a dog, or any form of training, “consistency is key.” “For a dog to become familiar with a name or command, it needs to be repeated at least 200 times," he said. "It's just conditioning that dog to the new name and it could be a fun game. Simply saying his name, getting his attention and rewarding that, it will start to stick a lot faster.” Graves said if a dog already has a name it’s helpful to choose a new name that sounds similar. Short, simple names will help a dog learn the name. He also suggested avoiding names that sound similar to commands, like “no,” “down” or “sit.” Graves never likes to use a dog's name in a negative connotation. “If you're scolding him, don't use his name, you already have his attention," he said. "We a lot of times focus on the negative as far as pets and it needs to be balanced with as much praise as discipline.” When training a dog, commitment to the training or a new name is key. “A lot of times we're our own worst enemies and we’re conditioning behaviors into our dogs through repetition," he said. "A phrase I like to tell my clients is, 'What we accept will continue.'”
gvnews.com | sahuaritasun.com
2021
Popular dog names, breeds for 2021 Here are the most popular dog names based on dog licensing data from the Town of Sahuarita. MOST POPULAR DOG NAME: Tie between Charlie (various spellings) and Bella. For males, next on the list are Buddy and Max. For females, Daisy and Molly. MOST POPULAR BREED: Chihuahuas and chihuahua mixes (74), Labradors and lab mixes (72), Poodles and poodle mixes (58). REGISTERED MALES: 383 REGISTERED FEMALES: 405 DOGS WITH MULTIPLE NAMES: Abbey Layne, Ava Rose, Bella Rae, Cain Jack Simons, Daisy Mae, Denali Skye, Emmy Rose Nowell, Harley Tou, Holly Berry, Herbee Riley, Jojo Beans, Koko Julio, Mama Xena, Mei Mei, Miss Blue, Miss Kitty, Mr. Doodles, Ozzy Bradley, Red Jasper, Romeo Rosco, Roxie Jasmine, Shadow Shay, Shiloh Spirit, Sir Tiyo, Suzie Q, Tom Tom Brady, Trippie Dug, Webster Buster Simon, Zoey Mopesy DESERT- OR ARIZONA-THEMED NAMES: Az, Benson, Bisbee, Carmelo, Cholla, Copper, Dusty, Eloy, Horchatta, Sunny, Sedona FAMOUS NAMES: Atticus, Benji, Buffy, Chewbacca, Conan, Costello, Einstein, Linus, Loki, Mork, Obi, Odin, Romeo, Vader, Ziggy, Blondie, Zeus, Tinkerbell, James Franco FOOD AND DRINK NAMES: Beanie, Brownie, Cheerio, Cheeto, Chimi, Chip, Clementine, Coconut, Cookie, Ginger, Guinness, Lambchop, Mocha, Olive, Oreo, Peaches, Peanut, Pepper, Pinto, Saffron, Snickers, Taro JUST PLAIN FUN: Aries, Blitz, Bongo, Bullseye, C-Bar, Danger, Domino, Frugal, Hawkeye, Keeper, Lefty, Magic, Minon, Moomoo, Precious, Pugs, Punchy, Quest, Scrappy, Shogun, Spunky, Tag, Zinger
SOUTHERN ARIZONA Pet
Friends
19
THEY’RE IN THE FAMILY
THIS IS OUR DOG Lucy! Lucy is a 6-year-old boxer mix who enjoys long walks, playing ball and keeping her family safe from delivery people. Although she was adopted, you’d never know it. She’s the perfect addition to our family, Terry Manns says.
BUDDY CROSSED the rainbow bridge last year, and we so miss his goofiness, Deborah Cox says. Buddy had a million babies (stuffed animals are only a dollar at White Elephant!), and always carried around as many as he could stuff in his mouth. All those critters occasionally needed baths, so while they were sloshing around in the water, Bud would patiently wait by the washer and dryer until the babies were clean and fluffy, and then put them back, one by one, in his basket.
EVA THE DIVA, a 6-year-old chihuahua mix. She is meditating for rain this year in the desert, Elizabeth Hayes says.
MILLE (MILLICENT), Moochie and Winston — Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Moochie passed away about a year ago, but his pack is still going strong in Quail Creek. Beth Fauber is their real pack leader but Bill Foraker says he’s around to do dog-related chores, too!
KUMA headed to the park, says Carol Kneisley. BILL OWSLEY calls Maggie May their “cowgirl.”
20
SOUTHERN ARIZONA Pet
Friends
2021
DIETER WAS A RESCUE from The Animal League of Green Valley seven years ago, Joan Caldwell says. gvnews.com | sahuaritasun.com
PALS FOREVER, Max and Oliver, rescues from Wisconsin who found a home with Deborah Wyatt. BEAR is a 13-year-old golden retriever rescue. Bonnie Kirkpatrick said they started fostering him in October and adopted him in February.
ABBY is a joy to our household, Debbie Bougie says. LOKI AND VINNIE, friends of Lisa K.
BERNIE BOND, a fan of the president, says Sondra Blair-Bond
KU LOVES EATING the flowers from our Palo Verde trees, April Hurt says.
gvnews.com | sahuaritasun.com
THIS IS SECOND CHANCE. He is a Russian Arabian in his 20s. Nora Fischbach rescued him when he was abandoned by his owner. She doesn’t ride him, “He’s just a very large pet.”
2021
MY BABY GIRL, Gigi, just turned 4. She is a rescue from a parking lot when she was just 7 weeks old, Nora Fischbach says.
SOUTHERN ARIZONA Pet
Friends
21
THEY’RE IN THE FAMILY
BOB’S TELLING KATHLEEN VISHNER that her computer time is over.
WOODY, age 4, and his bed.
MIMI CAME ALL THE WAY from South Carolina last September to join the family, Patricia D. Reynolds says.
RICK AND KARIE WILLEM’S whippets Zoomer and Maddy love visiting Green Valley a few months every winter from Green Bay, Wisconsin.
MEET LORNA GEORGE’S Welsh Terrier, Jackpot.
22
SOUTHERN ARIZONA Pet
Friends
THIS IS OUR GRACIE, Sandy Lavoi says.
2021
BAILEY AND BOO BOO, who live with Terri Nolte.
SADIE’S BIRTHDAY PARTY in March 2020, was canceled due to COVID-19, Judy Maury says.
gvnews.com | sahuaritasun.com
POOKY and her closest friends.
THIS IS TUCKER, my faithful hiking companion, on the Bog Springs Trail in Madera Canyon, Suzanne Jolley says.
DAISY, who lives with Terry Mclemore.
HERE IS GRACE in pink (our rescue from M.A.S.H’.) and Poquita, our grand dogs, Diana Monk says.
ZORA ON HER MORNING WALK; walking is one of her favorite things to do, Jackie Lemer says.
ARCHIE Schuldmann-Clark
DAISY (Pug and Sunny (Shih-Tzu) are best friends, Mike Millikin says. ASHTON is so happy to be living in Green Valley, Stephen Signore says. BONNIE OLSEN’S Halloween bunny
gvnews.com | sahuaritasun.com
2021
SOUTHERN ARIZONA Pet
Friends
23
One out of every eight La Posada residents has four legs
La Posada is a pet-friendly community, we have over 100 resident pets who enjoy miles of well-groomed walking paths and our four dog parks. La Posada provides a welcoming home for your pet. You can even show off your pet’s fashion flair in our annual pet parade!
Green Valley I Sahuarita PosadaLife.org
Southern Arizona’s premier senior community La Posada is an award-winning, nationally accredited not-for-profit continuing care community.
EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
