metro pet magazine july/august 2011
DESCRIPTION
Metro Pet Magazine July/August 2011TRANSCRIPT
JULY
/AU
GU
ST2
01
1•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
28
26
6July/August 2011
3
Feature Articles5 Is There Room In Your Heart for a Boxer
The MoKan Boxer Rescue rescues boxers in the states of Kansas and Missouri.
6 The New Age of Our Animal CompanionsAs we evolve, our animal companions take on new roles. Help them to adjust.
10 Love at First Lick!For Nick Griffith, finding the right pet took time and patience.
14 Kitty Kat KornerThe Persian cat is known for its sweet, distinct expression created by a flatface and large round eyes.
18 Some of the Most Common Household Items are Toxic to Your Cat Human drugs are not for cats.
20 Breaking the Cycle of Violence Violence towards animals must be stopped.
24 Help Captain Jack! Vote online for our local hero — help him win!
26 Creating the Perfect Cat Cats can be trained, here are some tips.
28 The Living Room Dog Training is easy in the living room, but when you venture outside...
30 Your Pet Had Died, What Happens to its RemainsNew requirements for the pet cremation industry.
33 Dog Retreat Weekend to Aid Pets Bring your pet and enjoy a relaxing weekend — all in support of local animals.
In Every Issue4 Summertime is Here — Hot days and steamy nights! When will it end.
16 Chip’s Corner — Test your knowledge about the Persian breed.
MetroPet Resources25 Camp Bow Wow29 Broadmore Kennels
Follow us on
18
Summertime...If is truly summertime in Kansas City! Hot days and
steamy nights... it seems like it will go on forever!During then next several weeks, don’t forget to takecare of your pet. Make sure it has enough water anda cool place to stay. Just like children and seniors,pets can be affected by the heat. Take care of yours.
Terrific Cover Story Thanks to Nick Griffith and Riggs for providing our cover photo and
great story about adopting a pure breed from a shelter. His tale of loving,losing, and finding a pet again is an inspiration to all of us who haveloved and lost a pet. He took time to heal. Nick was patient in finding anew best friend; adopting an animal from a shelter. Everyone won in thiswonderful story. Hopefully the rest of us can be that patient. Enjoy thestory and consider adopting your next best friend from a local shelter orrescue group. If you are interested in adopting an animal or supporting arescue, please check out our online listing at www.metropetmag.com.
Please support the MoKan Boxer group, the Excelsior Springs Friendsof Animals and Captain Jack, details in this issue.
Pet of the Week Winners! The winners keep coming! MetroPet has received over 100 terrific photos
of pets in the last month! We are overwhelmed with the wonderful photos andhave had a difficult time choosing winners. Please keep the photos coming.
We will be offering some terrific prizes in the nextfew weeks. While you are at the website, sign up forour weekly e-blast — News ‘n Deals, join us on face-book and on Twitter!
New Pick-up Locations Several readers have said that they can’t find
MetroPet magazine. So we have added new distributionpoints — 21 outside boxes and 6 inside racks. Pleasesee the listing under distribution www.metropet-mag.com for a location near you.
Have You Visited or Called ourAdvertisers? When you need a product or service, please contact
the companies who advertise in MetroPet magazine. Itis with their support that we are able to publish this magazine. Tell them “I sawyour ad in MetroPet magazine.”
Barbara Riedel, Publisher
P.S. REMEMBER — send us your favorite pet photo to beeligible to win Pet of the Week prizes!
Publisher’s Message
Publishing Policy: Articles printed in the MetroPetMagazine express the opinions of the individual authors and donot necessarily represent the formal position of MetroPetMagazine. Acceptance of advertising does not necessarily con-stitute endorsement by MetroPet Magazine.
Articles: Readers are invited to submit articles for considerationfor publication to [email protected]. All materials are sub-ject to editorial review.
© 2011 MetroPet Magazine. All rights reserved. Requestreprint permissions at [email protected].
MetroPet Magazine is owned and published by ROI MarketingServices, all rights reserved.
Staff andContacts
PublisherBarbara Riedel
EditorDan O’Leary
Magazine LayoutROI Marketing
816.942.1600 • [email protected]
Web Masterwww.2Amarketing.com
Advertising [email protected]
Deals of the [email protected]
Contributing AuthorsMike DeathePat HennessyPatty HomerHeddie LegerNancy Piper
Valerie RobinsonCheryl Waterman
Contact MetroPetPO Box 480065
Kansas City, MO 64148Phone: 913.548.1433
Ad Sales: 913.548.1433Fax: 913.387.4313
Photo Credit:Terry Weckbaugh
ImageQuest913.262.4355
Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•JU
LY/A
UG
UST
20
11
4
JULY
/AU
GU
ST2
01
1•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
5
MoKan Boxer Rescue was created in 1998 when KansasCity Boxer Rescue and Sunflower Boxer Rescue merged.Starting with just three original volunteers, the group nowboast of up to 25 volunteers, and the boundaries havespread from Hays, and Wichita, KS, to Jefferson City, MO,and all points in between.
In 2002, boxer rescue groups in the Midwest joinedtogether to form Midwest Boxer Rescues (MWBR). Whilethey operate independently, they share a website, appli-cants, ideas and sometimes boxers! Currently MWBR ismade up of Missouri Valley Boxer Rescue (MVBR),Boxer/Schnauzer Rescue of the Ozarks (BSRO) and MoKanBoxer Rescue.
FOSTER HOMES ARE KEYAll of our rescues are housed in a foster home and they
learn house manners, basic obedience, and any vet needsare tended too. All boxers in our program have been heart-worm tested, and treated if necessary, up to date on vacci-nations, microchipped, and spay or neutered.
We are currently looking for more foster homes. Theyneed to have a fenced yard, preferably boxer experience,be within their pet limit for their city ordinances, be will-ing to absorb daily food expenses; all current pets arespayed/neutered. An application can be completed on ourwebsite.
MOKAN BOXER EVENTSMoKan Boxer Rescue hosts several events throughout the
year on both sides of the state line. Our biggest fundraiserby far is our annual 5K Run/Walk called, “Running of theDogs” which is held this year on July 10. The run is a nicescenic route at Waterfall Park, near the BassPro, inIndependence, MO. It’s a dog friendly event but we alsoattract avid runners as it is a USAT&F certified course.
As a rescue group, we are committed to the dogs in ourcare, even after adoption. If for some reason their adoptivefamily can no longer care for them they always come backto our rescue group. With the economic downturn, we’vehad six boxers returned. These dogs were with their fami-lies for an average of five years. It’s heartbreaking to seethem so lost and out of their element, and also becausenow they are no longer young pups with grey on theirfaces, it much harder to find them adoptive homes.
Is There Room In Your Heart
for a Boxer?
RESCUES OF ALL AGESMoKan receives animals at all stages of their lives. Five days after
being rescued from an urban shelter, Momma E “Edelweiss.” pre-sented us with seven puppies of which five survived. Named forcharacters from The Sound of Music, we had Kurt, Friedrich,Louisa, Marta and Gretl. (We lost Leisl and Rolf.) Momma E wasplagued with hook worms and kennel cough at delivery and twoweeks later, so were all the puppies. Fifteen months later. MommaE and all but one of the puppies has been adopted. Marta remainsin the foster home, where she was born. Marta is happy, healthyand content, but would really like a family of her own.
If you would like more information about fostering for MoKanBoxer Rescue, our 5K run, or our adoptable boxers, please visitour website at www.midwestboxerrescues.com.
by Valerie Robinson
Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•JU
NE/J
ULY
20
11
6
The NewAge of Our
by Pat HennessyThroughout history our culture has shaped the role of humans, from huntersand gatherers to the industrial revolution. As we evolve our society and attitudeschange, and it has been a fairly dramatic transformation since the dawn of the 20thcentury. With that change, the animals on our planet have had to adjust accordingly.For many centuries horses were a mode of transportation and now, in western cul-ture, they are an animal of sport and leisure. Our canine companions partnered withus during our hunting centuries and evolved with us working livestock on our farms.Now they serve a different role as members of the family.
NEW ROLES FOR OUR ANIMAL COMPANIONSToday our roles and population are much more diverse. Much of the population
is away from their homes multiple days per week, leaving their canines alone andwithout a job. Another large portion of the population is married without children,single, or empty-nesters and their animals fill the companionship gap. This is a newrole that has been thrust upon our canines and felines, and one that may be moredifficult for them to fulfill due to the human part of the equation. If we can learn tounderstand our animal companions’ species-related needs and adjust our expecta-tions accordingly, it can be a perfect match — probably exceeding what you wouldfind on an internet dating site: wanted a warm loving companion, someone that will
If we can learn tounderstand our animalcompanions’ species-
related needs andadjust our expectations
accordingly...
AnimalCompanions
listen to me without judgment, not be toodemanding, and love me just the way I am!
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDERSo, you want to know if you are compatible
with your animal companion? Let’s get started.Here are some questions to consider.
JULY
/AU
GU
ST2
01
1•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
7
1Do you agree to love, honor and cherishyour animal companion until death doyou part? Since the animal lifespan isshorter, that means you make a commit-ment to take care of them through illnessand old age. It also means that you needto make arrangements for their care inthe event of your untimely death.
2Do you agree to provide food, shelter,health care, environment enrichment(e.g. toys, activity, exercise), and com-panionship? This is no different than thecommitment you make to your humanlittle ones.
3Do you have adequate funds to care foryour animal companion? Remember, allcosts are higher on a larger breeds —not just food. Boarding is higher, veteri-nary services are higher, crates and bed-ding cost more, etc.
4Do you have adequate space and anappropriate lifestyle for the breed youhave chosen (pure or mixed)? You willneed to do some homework on thebreed (and it will be a bit more researchon a mixed breed based on some edu-cated guessing and temperament assess-ment).
DIFFERENT NEEDS TO CONSIDER• While some medium-to-large breeds are less
active and may do well in a townhouse orapartment, there are also some mediumsized breeds, such as a Border Collie, thatmay appear to be the right size for an apart-ment but will go stir crazy if not given a highenergy work-out or activity.
• If you want a dog to be active with you andgo running, hiking, or camping you mightwant to consider a sporting breed or specif-ic hounds, such as a Rhodesian Ridgebackvs. non-sporting or miniature dog.
• If you have children, you may want toconsider a larger dog with an eventemperament, one that won’t beinjured easily if stepped on and won’tbe intimidated by fast movement orloud noise. Temperament will have tobe assessed and cannot be “assumed”based on breed.
• Do you have any health issues that you needto consider (and this one is a high priority toensure you can make the lifetime commit-ment – which can be up to 20 years for somebreeds)? You may want a less active dog (or
a cat) if you have, for example, a bad knee. If dander is a problem, you would want toconsider the type of coat and may not want a densely coated or longer haired dog or cat.
• What are your goals for the relationship? Is this dog going to be an additional member ofa 4-member family (mom, dad and two children)? Is this dog going to be an only com-panion (if you are single)? Is this dog going to replace an empty nest (for you and yourspouse)?
• If the dog is an addition to the 4-member family, everyone must be in favor of the addition.Someone must be designated as the primary care-giver. Rules must be established for allthe family members. Everyone must be consistent in giving the dog direction (cues suchas come, sit, stay, etc.). If the direction is not consistent, then the dog’s behavior will notbe consistent. Consistency in training is the key to compliance and family harmony. The
dog must learn to follow rules, but so must all the family members.• If the dog is a single companion, he may be a great foot warmer on a cold
night and the best snuggler to watch a movie, but if you like to cuddle orhug him don’t keep that death grip for too long, as he may feel a bit claus-trophobic and his preferred show of affection would be a big sloppy kissvs. a hug. If he is a little guy, then you must be mindful to provide as much(if not more) “floor” time as lap time (this makes for a balanced and“grounded” companion). He is probably the greatest listener when youhave had a bad day at work and that is one attribute that sets him apartfrom all your human relationships. Another aspect of listening that he willneed is to learn at least a minimum set of cues (e.g. come, sit, stay), so thatyou can have two-way communication. These cues will give you a varietyof options when the need arises for him to respond with a behavior. Lastbut not least, to provide harmony in your human-canine bond, he willneed to have some “doggie” time – which would mean walks or play timein a location away from his regular yard and an activity or two that allowshim to use his doggie skills (retrieving, digging, sniffing, etc.), and somesupervised socialization around other dogs.
• If the dog is filling the empty nest, she will certainly enrich your lives byproviding the companionship you miss from children without allowing herto take on the role of a child. You will have the teaching and leadershiprole (to set the rules and give her the positive guidance to learn the rules).She will have the role of providing you the wonder and absolute delight thatyour children did when they were young — giggling, acting silly, or look-
8
ing in amazement when you gave them something colorful andnew. What we have to remember is that even though our dogs are“like” our children, they are still canine and need to process infor-mation like a canine, need to read their environment like a canine,need nutrition formulated for a canine, etc. Dogs learn visually andtake in a lot of information from scent. They will watch you put onyour shoes and know it means you are going out the door. Forthem, sniffing a fire hydrant is like reading a newspaper. Whileyour dog might beg for a bite of your grandchild’s peanut butterand jelly sandwich, it is more appropriate to let him enjoy a freeze-dried liver treat. Understanding our companion’s species, helps usin building a better relationship.
A PART OF OUR LIVESCompanion animals have been a part of our lives for thou-
sands of years. Their roles have changed with ours as time goesby. Their service and dedication to us sets them apart from allof the animal kingdom. The best way to honor that service is torecognize who they are, treat them with love and respect,knowing that they will return the favor. We are their ambassa-dors and should do our duty to earn that trust and respect.
Pat Hennessy is the founder of N2paws,LLC, an organization that provides a holistic
approach to companionanimal care throughbehavior education,energy work, and posi-tive training methods.Pat is a Level 2 TTouch®
practitioner, CPDT and member of the IAABC,IAATH and AWA. You may contact N2Paws via [email protected], phone 816-522-7005, or visitthe website www.n2paws.com.
Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•JU
NE/J
ULY
20
11
June Pawzzle Answers
JULY
/AU
GU
ST2
01
1•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
9Submit your photo at metropetmag.com.
Pet ofthe
Week Winners
Won FREEtreats from
This is my precious, spoiled 2 lbprincess. She has the best per-sonality! Her hobbies are getting puppy pawdicures,dressing up, shopping at her 2 favorite dog boutiques,playing fetch and visiting her friends at doggie daycare.She is so much fun! I love her so much!!!Submitted by Deanna D
Rocco had 5 homes before ours. I was told hewas hyper and extremely smart. He proved it on hisfirst ride home... he jumped in the front seat androlled down the window. We’ve had our hands fullever since! Submitted by Erika W
www.jjsnack.com
Coconut
Rocco
Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•JU
NE/J
ULY
20
11
10
MIDWEST UPBRINGINGGrowing up in historic Madison, IN, Nick was
surrounded by family, animals and lots of greengrass and fresh air. With a population of just 12,000, Nick knew almost everyone.
Growing up, Nick had many dogs — hisfavorite though, was a Great Dane by thename of Harley. Harley was a wonderfulcompanion. A special bond formed betweenthem. “He was just another member of thefamily,” Nick recounts with a smile, “Thekind of dog that told you exactly what hewas thinking just by looking at you.”
Unfortunately, like many large dogs,Harley died of bloat after just four shortyears. Nick took it hard. Losing a pet isdifficult. Nick knew it would take timeto recover. He didn’t want another pet.He wasn’t sure he would ever wantanother pet.
Life went on, and Nick went on. Hewas involved in high school sports,and played on his college baseballteam as well. As he puts it, “When Irealized I wasn’t good enough tomake a living at it, I chose broad-casting — talking about sports wasthe next best thing to playingthem.”
BUILDING A CAREERNick went to college at Miami of Ohio
University, Oxford, Ohio. After completingdegrees in broadcast journalism and politicalscience, Nick accepted his first job as a broad-caster. He loaded up the U-haul and headed forthe town of Idaho Falls, ID. He was on the air atKIDK!
First Lick!Loveat
L ife in Kansas City has been good to sportscaster and pet parentNick Griffith. First he found his dream job, then his dream girl, andnow his dream dog. Life doesn’t get any better than that!
When we see successful people, it may seem that their life has alwaysbeen easy. But that isn’t true for Nick Griffith. His life, just like the restof us, has had many ups and downs.
Working became his focus. Soon, he moved on to sports director at KTKAin Topeka, Kansas. After a little more experience under his belt, Nick wasinvited to join the team at KMBC, Channel 9.
His daily duties at KMBC encompass a wide variety of jobs, including report-ing, producing, editing and also anchoring the evening and late night sports.Working many hours, Nick chose to live downtown. He knew his lifestylewouldn’t work for a dog. But that didn’t stop the yearning inside.
As part of his commitment to Kansas City, Nick became involved with sev-eral different charities. With a strong appreciation for the work done byWayside Waif’s, Nick stopped by from time to time. He became friends withAshlee Parker, Communications Relations Manager. During one conversa-tion he mentioned his love for Great Danes and his childhood pet. He men-tioned that if the shelter ever received a pure bred Great Dane, he might beinterested in adopting it.
A SAD SURRENDERIn a different world, a pure-breed Great
Dane puppy had found a new home with afamily. But the joy was short lived. Somehow,his leg was broken. The family had just spentseveral hundred dollars to purchase thepuppy. They simply couldn’t afford to pay forthe necessary surgery. So the puppy was sur-rendered to Wayside Waif’s.
The puppy would not only need expen-sive surgery, but special tender loving careto recover. While this might have beenthe end of the road for some animals,Riggs was given a second chance. WaysideWaif’s put him on the road to recovery.
Surgery was performed. After surgery, hewas placed in a foster home with a specialvolunteer. Foster care takes on a wholenew meaning when you are taking care ofan animal that has recently had surgery. In
FOSTER CAREEach year area shelters receive hundreds
of animals that are not ready for adoptionwhen they enter the shelter. Foster careprograms help animals who are injured orsick, moms with litters, single babies whoare too young to be on their own, animalsthat need training or behavior modification,or an animal who just needs some quiettime out of the shelter to feel good again.Last year there were over 900 animals fos-tered in Wayside Waif’s foster care pro-gram.
Foster families must complete a trainingprogram and then agree to provide in-homecare for 2-4 weeks. Foster families are realheroes. They give animals individual care.With this special care, many are ready for asecond chance — a permanent home witha family.
Fostering can be a fun and educationalactivity for the whole family. Many fosterfamilies report they are completelyenriched by their experiences. They feelsignificant gratitude knowing they made adirect impact in an animal’s life. In somecases the time spent fostering an animalcan be used as community volunteer hours.
11
JULY
/AU
GU
ST2
01
1•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
this case, Riggs needed 24-hour care. A special volunteer, a former nurse, took onthe challenge and gave Riggs the care he needed to recover.
A PERMANENT HOMEAs Riggs’ health progressed, the need to find him the right permanent home was
important. He needed a special place where he would be nurtured. Ashlee called Nick. Was he interested in a Great Dane puppy? She explained his
situation. He thought about it. He thought about it for a long time. Then, he dis-cussed it with his girlfriend at the time, now fiancée, Sara Gooch.
On his day off, he went to the shelter to meet Riggs. He was hooked. But he want-ed his girl friend to meet Riggs before he took him home. So on a separate day, shemet Nick at the shelter and was introduced to Riggs. It was suggested they take himhome for a night. Sara already owned a Siberian Husky. It was important to see ifthe two dogs could coexist. They agreed — they would try it for a night.
Riggs got into Sara’s car. Excitement was high. After just a few blocks she pulledover. Riggs had pooped in her back seat. “It was a lot of poop,” Nick chuckles.
At the time though, he was worried; this didn’t bode well for him or Riggs. Butthey proceeded home. In just one night, Nick, his fiancée Sara, Kody, the Husky, andRiggs the Great Dane bonded into one big happy family. Riggs had found a fur-everhome.
PLAYING, TRAINING, BONDING AND MOREIn the early months, when Nick wasn’t working, Riggs was like a shadow, wanting
attention and needing direction. Nick spent lots of time with him. Playing, running,training, snuggling, it was all part of getting to know one another.
To anyone who has ever had a puppy, it is extremely important to spend time early inthe pet’s life bonding and training. Nick had time to spare, and he spent it with Riggs.
The bond grew. And so did Riggs. After 18 months, Riggs now tops the scale at 111pounds. Riggs is a one big dog. He is actually taller than Nick, when he stands onhis hind legs!
Nick understands Rigg’s needs — and Riggs loves Nick. They still spend lots timewith each other. Playing, running, training. It doesn’t stop. Each day is a new one.Each day, their relationship grows stronger and deeper.
PURE BREEDS IN SHELTERSMany people don’t know that on average 25-30% of the animals at Wayside Waif’s
are purebred or designer hybrid animals. In addition, there are many mixed breedsthat are wonderful caring animals — just without the pedigree!
Animals come to shelters and rescue groups from many sources, puppy mills, fam-ilies who simply can’t handle an animal after purchasing it, too many puppies in a lit-ter, and other situations. In all cases, the animals are not there because they are bador have done something wrong, they were just in the wrong situation. In each case theanimal now needs a fur-ever home.
Depending on the age and type of animal, the time at the shelter can vary, fromdays to weeks, to months. Groups realize it is important to showcase each animalsso potential adoptees can select the right one for them.
Many people don’t know that on average25-30% of the animals at Wayside Waif’sare purebred or designer hybrid animals
2011 STRUTT WITH YOUR MUTT
FOR WAYSIDE WAIFS
PRESENTED BY BAYER ANIMAL HEALTH
Want to meet Nick and Riggs? Join themat Strutt Your Mutt where they willbe the emcees!Supports:Wayside Waif’sWhen:Saturday, September 24Where:KC’s BrooksideNeighborhoodEvents: 7:00 am Registration 7:30 am Biscuits & Grrr-
avy breakfast by Sharp’s Bar& Grill
8:00 am 5K Race10:00 am 3K Strutt 11:00 am Pet Contests
Flealess MarketVisit with pet vendors in the Flealess
Market, enjoy live entertainment & food andhave FUN!
Having FunFetch your best friend, form a Dog Pack, and
Strutt to save animal’s lives! Register online athttp://www.waysidewaifs.org/strutt
ADOPTION — FIND THE RIGHT PET FOR YOUBut how do you connect animals in shelters with people wanting to adopt? Many
ways. Low-tech ways include adoption events and word of mouth; high-tech waysinclude online photos and videos.
Online research is reaching new levels. People google the breed or type of pet theywant. Then, they watch and wait for one to become available. Once they find one thatinterests them, potential families watch the animal online and learn about them,before they ever visit a shelter or rescue group.
What seals the deal? It might be a special photo. It might be the way the animal movesin a video. Something will connect you and that special animal. New statistics shows75% of potential adopters pick out an animal online and then decide it is time to go gethim.
PLANNING AND BUDGETINGWhy is this research and planning so critical? Because adding a pet to your home
is an important decision. Once you bring the animal home, you want to keep himthere. While Nick wanted a pet, the timing had to be right. He had to have the time,money, the right home, and equally importantly a place in his heart.
When Nick adopted Riggs, he was ready in all aspects. His career was at a place wherehe could spend time with his pet. He was on the verge of moving out of his downtownapartment and into a house that had a backyard with lots of grass — Riggs loves to runin his fenced back yard! Nick was also needed to be ready to make a commitment —for years to come. His heart was healed from his childhood loss. He was ready.
Don’t forget the financial details. Like most shelters and rescue groups, animalsadopted from Wayside Waif’s are spayed or neutered, receive age appropriate vacci-nations and are chipped. But, families need to budget for food, veterinarian care,training and much more.
TRAINING, BONDING AND MORENick continues to focus on his career. In addition to his normal broadcasts, he
covers high-profile events such as KU’s National Championship win, the OrangeBowl, and the recent Chief’s playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium.
In his personal life, he and his fiancée are planning a wedding for July 2012. Andnow there is his relationship with Riggs.His world is complete.
Nick can’t help but smile when he playswith Riggs. They understand each other.And, it was love at first lick!
Wayside is committed to findinghomes for all adoptable pets.Wayside Waifs is the largest petadoption center in Kansas City,placing over 5,000 animals eachyear in loving forever homes.Wayside does not euthanize adopt-able animals, and there are no timelimits for animals in our care. Onlyanimals suffering from significantmedical issues or those that pose adanger are humanely euthanized.Wayside Waifs is proud to be a partof Kansas City's no-kill community.
JULY
/AU
GU
ST2
01
1•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
13
Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•JU
LY/A
UG
UST
20
11
14
The Persian CatKitty Kat Korner
The Persian cat is well known and recognized for its long, luxurious furand distinct, sweet expression created by a flat face and large round eyes.The head is round and large, and the ears smalland round at the tip. The body type of thePersian is thick and stocky. They come ina variety of colors and patterns, includ-ing solid, silver, golden, shaded, smoke,tabby, parti-color, bicolor andHimalayan.
The Persian is recognized byThe Cat Fanciers Association,The International CatAssociation (TICA) and theAmerican Cat FanciersAssociation (ACFA). Thislong-haired cat is report-edly discovered by anItalian traveler in theearly 1600s while inthe MiddleEast. Theywere even-t u a l l ybrought toEurope, and became popular in England during the 19th century. QueenVictoria owned two blue Persians. Persian cats came to America in thelate 1800s. The breed was officially recognized by the Cat FanciersAssociation in 1914, and quickly became the most popular cat breed inAmerica. The American Persian has a slightly different look among theworld’s Persian cats due to U.S. breeders developing their own breed stan-dard for this cat.
Persian cats enjoy spending time with their families and like to sleepcurled up on a lap. They are not demanding for attention, but neither arethey very independent, as they do like to be with their families and desirecompanionship. If they are to be left alone all day they often prefer anoth-er pet for some company. They need a lot of grooming to prevent hair-balls and mats. The owner should be prepared to spend at least 20 min-utes a week grooming your Persian. They are not particularly active, butdo like to play with interactive toys as well as with other cats and also dogsthat they know well and are comfortable with.
Join us next month and learn more about Chip’s Kitty-Cat Corner friends
Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•JU
NE/J
ULY
20
11
by Heddie Leger
CHOOSE THE RIGHT ANIMALChip’s Kitty Kat Korner continues to intro-
duce different cat breeds. But before bringingan animal home, consider what age will workbest for you, a kitten or older more mature cat.Kittens, while more entertaining, are veryinquisitive and can get into everything. Are youprepared to “kitten-proof” your home? Thiswould include removing or securing valuables,removing plants that are toxic to pets, andclosely monitoring your kitten’s living spaceremoving items such as paperclips, safety pins,securing electrical wiring and making suremedications are safely and securely stored incabinets out of reach. No matter the age, catsare curious and mischievous by nature; remov-ing items that can cause potential problemswill help ensure a safe and happy relationshipwith your cat or kitten.
The Persian cat is well known andrecognized for itslong, luxurious fur
and distinct,sweet expressioncreated by a flatface and large
round eyes.
JULY
/AU
GU
ST2
01
1•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
15
Pet of the Week
Right when I saw this cute,adorable, chubby puppy Iknew Duchess was the one! She has been the joy of my lifesince then. She loves kisses, hugs, and her favorite “toy” ischildren. She gives you a pleading smile and tilts her headbegging for a kiss. I have caught her many times sniffing wildflowers in our yard! Submitted by Emily P
Lucy is loving dog she loves swimming, walking andpeople. She loves our mail carrier Debbie because sheleaves she treats in our mail box for her.Submitted by Sandra C
LucyDuchess
Submit your photo at metropetmag.comwww.hsgkc.org
Received Ticketsto Dog-n-Jog
Winners
Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•JU
NE/J
ULY
20
11
16
Chip’s Corner
Pawzzleby Heddie Leger
17
Across:
1. Known for this color pattern.4. An unusual coat color.9. They are not particularly
_________________.10. They adapt well to ____________
pet households.14. Comes in a _______________ of
colors.15. Frequent grooming will prevent
this from happening.16. Known for its long
________________ fur.17. Beautiful color with contrasting
tipping color.19. They make very good
__________________.20. Persians need alot of this.21. Reportedly came from this part of
the world.
Down:
1. Persians are more______________ and forgivingthan other cats.
2. Persians are not demanding ofyour _________________.
3. Persians enjoy spending timewith their _____________.
5. They like to curl up in your_____ and sleep.
6. One organization that recog-nizes this breed is the Cat________ Association.
7. Body type is thick and______________.
8. The face is _______.11. Persians are known for their
sweet ___________________.12. Persians are not very
________________________.13. Size of ears18. Shape of head
JULY
/AU
GU
ST2
01
1•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
Finneas decided to adoptour family one eveningaround midnight. He says hehad been out on "thestreets" for quite a while,and saw our friendly lookinghouse and decided he want-ed to live with us. And he'svery happy he did!
Submitted by Denny M
Pet of the Week Winner
Submit your photo at metropetmag.com
www.threedog.com
Basket of Treatsa $100 Value Finneas
As you might suspect, the large majority of callsto the Pet Poison Helpline concern dogs. However, in2010 almost 9% of the calls were concerning potential-ly poisoned cats. The top culprits are things you maynot realize can harm your cat(s).
HUMAN DRUGS — NOT FOR CATSAlmost 40% of the feline cases at the Helpline
involved cats that had ingested human or veterinarydrugs. The worst offenders tend to be over-the-countermedications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibupro-fen (Advil, Motrin, etc.), naproxen (Aleve) and chew-able veterinary NSAIDS (carprofen, deracoxib, etc.)
The issue is that cats have difficulty metabolizing cer-tain drugs, especially compared to humans. Commondrugs such as NSAIDS are some of the most deadly tocats. Once ingested by a cat, NSAIDS result in kidneyfailure and/or stomach ulcers. Just one acetaminophentablet can be fatal to your cat, because it causes damageto red blood cells. Other toxic drugs, which you mayfind surprising, are antidepressants. Cats seem to likethe taste of certain antidepressants (e.g. Effexor) whichmay contain an attractive smell or flavor in the coating.
With NSAID toxicity, vomiting (sometimes bloody),lethargy, increased urination and thirst, and halitosismay be noticed. With acetaminophen you may notice aswollen face, difficulty breathing, weakness and paleness. Death may resultvery quickly. With the antidepressants, severe agitation, aggression, tremors,tail twitching and seizures will usually be noticeable. If you notice any ofthese symptoms, it is critical that you get your cat to your veterinarian imme-diately. Any delay may cause death. The prognosis is good if the cat istreated BEFORE any of these symptoms develop.
PLANTS CAN BE POISONOUSThe second most common feline toxin, representing almost 14 percent of
calls to the poison helpline, are poisonous plants. The worst offenders areTrue lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis spp.), including Tiger lilies, Day lilies,Asiatic, Easter and Japanese Show lilies. These are among the most deadlyand will cause kidney failure in cats. This can be dangerous because theseflowers are fragrant, inexpensive and long-lasting, many florists include themM
etr
oP
et
Mag
azin
e •
JULY
/AU
GU
ST2
01
1
18
Did You Know?Some of the Most Common Household
Items Are Toxic to Your Cat!
Prompt treatment from a veterinarianand calling the Poison Helpline is
critical in these cases.
by Cheryl Waterman
in flower arrangements. Even a small inges-tion of two or three petals or leaves (even thepollen) can result in severe poisoning to cats.You may notice vomiting, lethargy, increasedthirst and urination. Eventually, decreasedthirst and urination, difficulty breathing, anddeath may occur before end-stage kidney fail-ure. These symptoms must be treated imme-diately and aggressively. Be sure to waste notime getting your cat to your veterinarianshould you discover he/she has ingested anyof these. Usually, if cats are given IV fluidswithin 18 hours of ingestion the outcome canbe excellent.
There are some plants that are called “lilies,” however,that are not true lilies. These are the Peace, Peruvian andCalla lily. These do not cause kidney failure. They maycause minor symptoms such as irritation in the mouth,tongue, pharynx and esophagus. You may notice exces-sive drooling, licking or oral swelling. With these symp-toms, flushing the mouth, anti-vomiting medicationand/or subcutaneous fluids may be necessary. The out-come is usually excellent.
ANOTHER KILLER — INSECTICIDESNine percent of feline related calls in 2010 were for
cats exposed to insecticides or inappropriately treatedwith a topical flea and tick medication meant for dogs.The worst offenders are insecticides such as lawn andgarden products, sprays, granules or powders used onyour lawn. Poisoning may occur when a cat walksthrough the treated area and then licks the poison offhis/her feet; however, serious poisoning is rare.Symptoms are usually somewhat mild, such as mild vom-iting and diarrhea, or loss of appetite. Still, a trip to yourveterinarian is warranted just to make certain everythingwill be okay.
The most serious poisonings are seen in cats exposedto concentrated topical flea and tick medications meantfor dogs. The issue here is that dog-specific parasiticidesusually contain pyrethrins or pyrethroids, which arehighly toxic to cats. Poisoning occurs when pet ownersunknowingly apply these products directly to cats OR thecats lick the medication off the dogs that live with them.The symptoms with these medications designed for dogs,are severe drooling, tremors and life-threateningseizures. The outcome may be good, IF the cats are treat-ed immediately and aggressively.
READ THE LABEL CAREFULLYOwners should always read labels carefully before
using any type of insecticide AND consult their veterinar-ian BEFORE using any topical flea and tick medicationon their cats. There are many good choices of appropri-ate flea and tick medications for cats exclusively.
Household cleaners accounted for approximately 6percent of poison helpline calls. The worst offenders arefloor and surface cleaners and glass cleaners that arepresent in many homes. Even more dangerous chemicalsinclude oven cleaners, rust removal agents, lime-removal and certain toilet bowl cleaning agents. Themain issue here is that many owners don’t realize thatsome of the most common cleaners are toxic to theircats. The signs include profuse drooling, difficultybreathing, vomiting and even organ damage. There mayeven be oral ulcerations and burns to mouth, skin andeyes. Some of the more dangerous chemicals must becarefully and copiously flushed. Prompt treatment froma veterinarian and calling the Poison Helpline is criticalin these cases.
JULY
/AU
GU
ST2
01
1•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
19
Remember to make sure all excess residue is wiped up or eliminat-ed after using any household cleaners. Pets should only be allowedback in the area after the products are completely dry. And, alwaysstore these products out of reach.
The remainder of the feline-related calls during 2010 involved suchthings as glow sticks and liquid potpourri. There isn’t enough space tocover everything in one article, however, please make certain that youkeep the Pet Poison Helpline’s number 1-800-213-6680 and website(www.petpoisonhelpline.com) handy. They are a division of SafetyCallInternational and the service is available 24 hours, seven days a week forpet owners and veterinary professionals who require assistance in treat-ing a potentially poisoned pet.
Cheryl Waterman is the Hospital Administrator at the CatClinic of Johnson County and a long-time cat lover. She hasbeen with the Clinic for the past 13 years, and in 2007received Certification in Veterinary Practice Management(CVPM) designation. She is a member of the VeterinaryHospital Managers Association and the American AnimalHospital Association. You can contact her directed at the CatClinic of Johnson County, (913) 541-0478.
Call Us With Questions
If you have any questions regarding poison and cats, please call the CatClinic of Johnson County, 913-541-0478, and talk to one of our veterinar-ians or technicians. We are always happy to help.
Unfortunately recent news has displayed a rash of cruel and vio-lent acts towards animals. This is very unpleasant to hear and see, andit is not something that can be swept under the rug. Cruelty to an ani-mal has proven to be the first step towards cruelty towards anotherhuman being. In this modern day and age, there is still much room forus to learn about the human/animal bond and how it relates to how wetreat each other.
Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•JU
NE/J
ULY
20
11
20
Breaking theCycle of Violence
by Heddie Leger
There is increasing attention being given tothe relationship between animal cruelty andother forms of violence, most notably domesticviolence. This issue has been studied longenough by psychologists and law enforcementagencies to provide ample documentation thatpeople who harm animals are capable of harm-ing other people as well. Incidents of animalabuse, spousal abuse and child abuse regularlyoccur in the same household, or one may leadto the other over time. Either way, society has avested interest in not just punishing such behav-ior but reversing it as well.
THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCEBecause of this “cycle of violence,” more than
half of our nation’s state animal cruelty lawsallow judges to include psychological assess-ment and treatment as part of sentencing. InKansas, counseling is mandatory for felony cru-elty offenders; in Missouri, counseling is discre-tionary for those convicted of certain types ofabuse, but not all forms of abuse.
Educated judges are utilizing this provision aspart of a more comprehensive approach to notonly punish abusers, but to stop violence beforeit repeats or escalates. Just last month a judge inCalifornia ordered AniCare treatment for a manconvicted of tying up a small dog, taping hermouth shut, pouring bleach in her eyes and hit-ting her in the face with a golf club. It would bewonderful for judges across the country to takesimilar actions in requiring such treatment forabusers that are convicted.
There is increasing attentionbeing given to the relationship
between animal cruelty and otherforms of violence, most notably
domestic violence...
ANICARE TREATMENTThe nonprofit Animals and Society Institute, based in Ann
Arbor, Michigan, is the leading advocate for a specialcounseling program called AniCare. Developed in 1999, itis a unique model that aims to get to the root of violentbehavior. It uses a cognitive behavioral approach toaddress personal issues of accountability, respect/free-dom, reciprocity, accommodation, empathy, attachmentand nurturance. There are separate AniCare programs foradults and for children under 17 carried out by speciallytrained counselors across the country.
COMMUNITY AWARENESSBecause our society values the role companion animals
play in our daily lives, public awareness of the seriousnessof animal cruelty is more apparent. Instead of makingexcuses for cruel behavior (“boys will be boys”) or mar-ginalizing the victims as “just animals,” more people aredemanding that animal abusers be brought to justice.
When news headlines describe cats being set on fire ordogs being beaten, there is a greater expectation that thelaw will deal with such perpetrators seriously. Reportingincidents of animal fighting, hoarding or severe neglect isone way anyone can speak up for animal victims. Acts thatwere once misdemeanors are often now classified asfelonies prompting stricter law enforcement and morestringent penalties for violations.
Adding psychological counseling to themix acknowledges that there is indeedsomething lacking in individuals whocare so little about the welfare of others.Juveniles, especially, can be taught tobreak the cycle even if they’ve witnessedor experienced abuse and considered it“normal.” Adults who threaten or harmanimals, their partners and/or their part-ner’s animals need to understand theimpact and consequences of theiractions.
PROFESSIONAL OUTREACHAs more offenders are required to par-
ticipate in counseling, the need fortrained counselors becomes greater. TheASI regularly holds training workshops inAniCare and AniCare Child programs togive therapists the tools necessary toaddress animal abusers. Conferences andseminars related to social work, psychol-ogy and law enforcement are all appro-priate places for lessons about the vio-lence link. Humane societies, policedepartments and prosecutors’ offices aremore closely coordinating the handlingand prosecution of cases.
JULY
/AU
GU
ST2
01
1•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
21
Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•JU
NE/J
ULY
20
11
22
A SAFER COMMUNITYKansas City is among three metropolitan areas to which the ASI is devoting special
resources this year. Thanks to a grant from the Kansas-based Shumaker FamilyFoundation, the ASIis conducting train-ing workshops andother education andoutreach efforts tobuild awareness andpromote a more uni-fied approach toaddressing animal abuse crimes. By working with social service agencies, humanesocieties, law enforcement offices and the judicial system, the goal is to make theKansas City community safer for its four-legged and two-legged citizens.
For more information about AniCare and upcoming workshops go to www.animal-sandsociety.org.
Heddie is a Certified Humane Educator. She is recipient of the2011 Excellence Award from the International Association ofAnimal Behavior Consultants. She is a Community TrainingPartner for Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and the local KansasCity Area Representative for the Animals and Society Institute.Her compassion for animals extends to all species. You canreach her at the PawZone In-Home PetSitting (www.thepaw-zone) and The DogSpot Training Center.
ANICARE TRAINING
SESSION IN KANSAS CITYAniCare — Interrupting the
Cycle Between Animal Abuse andViolence Towards Humans.
AniCare is coming to the KansasCity area with training workshopson Thursday, August 18 andFriday, August 19, 2011.
These sessions will be held atthe Sunflower House, 15440 West65th STreet, Shawnee, KS 66217You must reserve a space andspace is limited.
For more information visitwww.animalsandsociety.org/kcanicare or contact ASI’s KansasCity representative, Heddie Legerat 816-820-5829.
Kansas City is among threemetropolitan areas to whichthe ASI is devoting special
resources this year.
JULY
/AU
GU
ST2
01
1•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
23
July/August PrizesPet of
theWeekWinner
Submit your photo at metropetmag.com
www.kissdogtraining.comwww.broadmorekennels.com
Dog TrainingSessions,
a $200 value
Tickets to ArtUnleashed
Boarding & Daycare2 nights & 2 days,
an $80 value
Pet Food - up to a $40 value
www.americanmidwestkc.comwww.hsgkc.org
Help Captain JackCaptain Jack came from an abusive situation, he was run over by a vehi-
cle and left for dead. No one knows if it was on purpose or not. Someonecalled animal services to pick up his carcass and the shelter worker foundhe had a breath of life left in him.
HOPE — WHERE THERE WAS NO HOPEShe took pity on him and took Captain Jack to the vet, the
vet did not give him ANY hope. The shelter worker decid-ed to take him home anyway (followed her intuition)Captain Jack was paralyzed due to his back being broken(fractured vertebrae), his eyeball popped out (it had to beremoved) from the pressure of the weight of the vehiclerunning over him, and his ear drums burst leaving him deaf. Captain Jackwas on IV fluids and could not move for three months. He was hand feda mash. The vet still said “no hope.”
The shelter worker did not give up on Captain Jack, in spite of the oddsagainst him. Then one day he wiggled a toe, then a foot, the moved his leg,then wagged his little stubby tail and lifted his head. Eventually, she helpedhim stand up and he began to slowly walk with her help. Captain Jackgained his mobility, strength and was given a clean bill of health aftermonths of loving care. Jack was admitted back into the shelter for adop-tion, but everyone walked past the one-eyed dog. Then a stroke of luck...he was admitted into the Missouri Department of Corrections Puppies forParole Program. Jack made such fast progress he passed the CGC and first
level of CLASS (Canine Life and SocialSkills) test, and ultimately moved to leveltwo (Masters Level) and then level three(Doctoral Level).
PERSEVERANCEHe now possesses a PhD in Life and Social
Skills. He did all this by learning hand sig-nals. He is very attentive to looking at youto see what you want him to do.
By winning this contest, this little dogwould demonstrate perseverance in the faceof adversity, never giving up and faith inwhat is possible in the face of impossibleodds and obstacles. He is a living, breathingtestimony to what is possible when we don’tgive up and when we believe in finding
opportunity even when none seemsto exist.
This little dog was mentored byHero in the Puppies for Parole pro-gram with Hero by his side. So in vot-ing for Captain Jack we are honoringthe memory of a dog that lived tohelp others with every single fiber ofhis being.
LET’S BE A WINNERThe winning dog will receive a
Hallmark video of his life. CaptainJack’s life would truly make a won-derful story to help others learnfrom his past life experiences andhis hope for the future.
Thank you for your Captain Jackand honoring of Hero.
You can vote for CaptainJack every day through
August 1. Your support isgreatly appreciated!
Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•JU
LY/A
UG
UST
20
11
24
JULY
/AU
GU
ST2
01
1•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
25
WHO? CAMP BOW WOW, LEE’S SUMMIT &CAMP BOW WOW, OLATHE
WHERE? CAMP BOW WOW, LEE’S SUMMIT, 1010 SE HAMBLEN RD, LEE’S SUMMIT,MISSOURI 64081 • www.campbowwow.com/us/mo/leessummit
CAMP BOW WOW, OLATHE, 1150 W. 151ST STREET SUITE D OLATHE,KANSAS 66061 • www.campbowwow.com/us/ks/olathe/
HOW LONG IN BUSINESS? Approximately three years
WHY ARE YOU DIFFERENT?Camp Bow Wow, is North America's Premier Doggy Day
and Overnight Camp! Our campers play all day in ourindoor/outdoor play yards, and you can view them onlineanytime with our Camper Cams. Most importantly, ourCertified Camp Counselors® are expertly trained in dogbehavior, safety and health management and are there toensure your pup has a great time!
• All Day Play, Snooze The Night Away®
• Large Indoor & Outdoor Play Areas• Spacious Cabins with Comfy Cots• Live Camper CamsSM
• Bedtime Campfire Tasty Treats
• Certified Camp Counselors®
• Camp Buddies is our in-home pet sitting
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF YOUR BUSINESS? Our certified Camp Counselors spend all day taking care of
your dogs. Each dog is given ample time to play during the day.At nighttime, our camp counselors give out tasty “Campfire”treats before lights-out for boarding dogs. Campers are tuckedinto their own spacious, comfy and clean Camp Bow Wow cabin.Each cabin has a comfy bed to curl up on in a climate-controlledatmosphere (sorry, no mint on the pillow)! Campers from thesame household can even stay together in the same cabin.
Our clients enjoy a web cam monitoring system so they canthat make sure their Campers is happy. Our professional secu-rity system makes sure they are safe. For those campers whoprefer to stay at home, Camp Bow Wow offers Home Buddies— our in home pet sitting.
REASONS YOUR CUSTOMERS COME BACK? We pay attention to the details. We are more than happy to
take care of those special requests for your Camper, frommedicines and extra treats, to special care for older pups. Nodetail to too small. We pay attention to them all.
See our ad on page 7
METROPET RESOURCE
Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•JU
NE/J
ULY
20
11
26
Most every cat owner has heard “dogs have masters, catshave staff.” They seem to have a royal yet sometimes disdainful out-look on all things non-cat. But we sure do love them! Their purr isso comforting we can fall asleep to it. They are comical, sweet,stand-offish, playful and lazy. Lazy? Well maybe during the day, butjust wait until we try to sleep — that is when the activity begins.
Life is great with a cat until there is a behavior issue, then what?Unfortunately, some people believe that cats are disposable. The cat startsacting out and it ends up in a shelter, euthanized or even worse dropped atthe side of a road somewhere. This thinking is (hopefully) outdated anddefinitely incomprehensible to me. When you bring a pet into the home,whether it is a gold fish, guinea pig, cat or dog — it is then your responsi-bility to care for it for the rest of its life.
Options are limited, however when your cat starts having behavior prob-lems. There are lots of dog trainers who deal with canine behavior issues, butvery few who deal with cat behavior issues, but there are some out there.Until recently, the only option most cat owners had was to see a board certi-fied veterinary behaviorist (the closest one in this area is in St. Louis) or aveterinarian that specializes in behavior. However, many dog trainers arewidening their horizons and working with cats and their owners.
There are 2 things you can easily do that can change some behaviorissues including play aggression, destroying or shredding paper, scratching
When you bring a pet intothe home, whether it is a
gold fish, guinea pig, cat ordog, it is then your
responsibility to care for itfor the rest of its life.
Creating the
Perfect Cat
on furniture and excessive nocturnal activi-ty. Those 2 things are — change the wayyou feed your cat and increase your cat’sexercise.
CHANGE HOW YOU FEED YOUR CATCats are predators, it is in their DNA to hunt,
kill and eat their prey. In order to fulfill thisneed without setting unsuspecting mice orbirds free in your home, you can offer food bymaking them work to eat. There are severalproducts on the market that make your catwork to eat including the Stimulo Cat FeedingStation, Slim Cat Interactive Toy, Pavlov’s Cat
by Patty Homer
JULY
/AU
GU
ST2
01
1•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
27
Scratch Feeder and the “puppy” size Kong filled with yourcat’s favorite wet food.
You can also be creative and make your own “work toeat” toy by taking a small plastic container (like yogurt)and cut holes in it that are big enough for your cat’s kibbleto fall through. At first, you want to make it easy for yourcat, so cut larger holes and more of them and then slowlyadjust to smaller and less holes to make it harder to get thefood out. After your cat is used to the idea of working toeat, start hiding the container in a paper bag, a box or leavea couple of them in different rooms for him to find.
EXERCISEHave you ever seen an overweight feral cat? I haven’t!
Work to eat is the first step to getting your cat more exer-cise. Step 2 is — play with your cat! Given the choice, mostcats will lie around during the day and then start wonder-ing through the house at night while you try to sleep. Catslove to chase — you will see many toys designed for this asyou walk down the cat aisle of any pet store — differentitems on the end of a string attached to a stick. There arealso some great toys like the Flying Fun Interactive cat toy,laser lights, Mouse in the House cat toy and the Peek andPlay cat toy (you can search for these products on-line). Irecommend having several different toys on hand and rotat-ing them through so your cat doesn’t get bored with them.
Indoor cats can be taken outside safely on a leash and har-ness. Harnesses are much safer than neck collars — if yourcat gets scared or starts chasing something and gets to the endof the leash, a harness will stop their body — a collar will stoptheir neck possibly causing spinal injuries. You can use a longleash made of clothes line with a hook on the end and make itas long as you want; this way your cat can explore, chase andcapture bugs to eat (YUM!), roll in the grass and lie in the sun-shine. I have even seen people walking their cats like peoplewalk their dogs! Be cautious, though – indoor cats should notbe outside unattended, they do not have the skills that outdoorcats have practiced and perfected.
Enriching your cat’s environment is the first step tochanging unwanted behavior and will make your cat ahappy kitty. If your cat exhibits any unwanted or abnormalbehavior that it has never shown before, ruling out anymedical causes should be your first priority – a visit to thevet is in order, then a call to the trainer.
Patty Homer is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer anda Pet First Aid instructor. She has been trainingdogs for 20 years. She owns Good Pup dog train-ing and boarding in South Kansas City. Her certi-fications include CPDT-KA (certified through theCertification Counsel of Professional DogTrainers); CDT certified through theInternational Association of CanineProfessionals. She is the Founder and Presidentof HEARTland Positive Dog Training Alliance.For more information, visit her website at www.goodpupkc.com.
Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•JU
LY/A
UG
UST
20
11
28
Tonight at class, one of my students gave me inspiration for this arti-cle with one simple question. Why is it that my dog does all the exercisesand behaves so well at home, yet completely falls apart when we try thesame stuff on his walk? “Simple,” I said, “You have a Living Room Dog!”
3DS OF DOG TRAININGOkay, let me try to make sense out that last statement. Let’s start with the
fact that there are 3 Ds in dog training: Duration, Distance and Distraction.And you have to do them in that order to be successful. For example, I mustfirst teach Fido a solid 30 second duration stay and only then do I add, let’ssay, 6 feet of distance. Only when I have both duration and distance undermy belt and working well will I dream of adding the last and toughest “D”,DISTRACTION. Now, how and why we use and adapt the 3 Ds in trainingcould be its own separate article, but, suffice it to say, that Distractions are
by Mike Deathe
The
Dog“Living Room”
the hardest thing any person will ever have todeal with when training their dog…not to men-tion that it is the starting point in creating a“Living Room” Dog.
Another thing you need to understand aboutthe “LIVING ROOM” Dog, is the fact that dogs donot, cannot and will not generalize training theway we humans understand the concept of gen-eralization. If I teach my son to hit a baseball ina batting cage, chances are he will be able totake that skill to a new environment, let’s say abaseball diamond. Unfortunately, dogs oftentimes do not have this ability. Teaching a dog askill in one environment and expecting it totranslate into a different situation or place isjust not going to happen in most instances. Agood example is that crazy dog that can fetchand retrieve toys inside the house perfectly, butcould care less about the game in the backyard.Why is that, do you suppose? Maybe it’s not thefact he/she could care less and it’s more the factthey have not learned the game in that particu-lar situation or environment.
PRACTICE, PRACTICE....Each time you go to a training class, you go
home with your head full of great ideas. Youpractice every morning before work; you comehome and practice every night and everythingseems to be going great. Until that one night youdecide to take Fido for a walk (instead of prac-ticing in the living room) and all hell breaksloose! Fido doesn’t listen, won’t sit, barks ateverything and generally acts like the goon youhad before you started training classes. You areembarrassed, not to mention frustrated andprobably more than a little out of sorts. Thisbrings us (full circle) to you or my studentstanding in front of me or any other trainer andpleading to know why your dog falls apart out-side the house. Like it or not, you just met the“living room” dog!
WHO? BROADMORE KENNELS
WHERE? 20614 WEST 47TH STREET, SHAWNEE, KS 66218(913) 441-5026, www.broadmorekennels.com • [email protected]
HOW LONG IN BUSINESS? Established in 2002,owned by Patrick Lais since 2007
WHY ARE YOU DIFFERENT?Broadmore Kennels offers daycare and overnight boarding
for both cats and dogs. Broadmore prides itself on the per-sonalized care each animal receives. Dogs are grouped bysize, age, temperament and personality. Dogs are placed ingroups of six to eight dogs for socialization. They enjoy out-door playtime six to eight times per day.
All boarders receive a free bath after four nights stay ANDthe Frequent Paws Program provides one free night lodgingafter your pet has accumulated ten nights boarding. Whenthey say all-inclusive, they mean it!
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF YOUR BUSINESS? FREE trial days for new customers! This allows our staff to
evaluate the animals to determine which playgroup will best fitthe dog. It also allows the dog to become acquainted with the
kennel environment. We have found that this reduces the sepa-ration anxiety your pet may feel.
Outdoor areas for the dogs at Broadmore Kennels include aquarter-acre exercise pea gravel play yard, an open artificialturf play yard (less mess on rainy days), and a pea-gravel playyard and indoor play area at the small breed boarding facility.
Broadmore is also the home to KISS Dog Training. TrainerMike Deathe conducts obedience training, puppy classes, andmuch more at the new facility.
REASONS YOUR CUSTOMERS COME BACK? Always growing to better serve our clients. An expansion in
2011 means the property includes 10 acres and over 7,300square feet in two buildings. Broadmore’s capacity is nowabout 100 dogs and 16 cats.
The new building was completely remodeled to provide adesignated cattery with individual cages with elevated beds for16 cats plus a feline exercise area. This new building also fea-tures a dedicated small breed kennel for dogs weighing lessthan 15 pounds
We are proud that our “dog” clients are happy — then theycome back to play and/or stay.
See our ad inside front cover.
METROPET RESOURCE
DON’T GET FRUSTRATEDThe problem was not your dog or you. It was the fact that you
forgot, or were not taught, about the two critical aspects oftraining discussed earlier…Distractions and Generalizations.You mistakenly thought your dog would take the things learnedin the living room and translate them to the world outside theirliving room! Remember, the outside world is very distracting.The only way to make a dog reliable in all situations, is to prac-tice in all situations. I hope you take heed of these ideas and areready to begin training in a slightly different way. If not, it is like-ly that you too will complain about having a “living room” dogand be one of the many people who only experience the well-behaved and smart dog in your own living room. Personally, Iwould prefer to experience life with an “EVERYWHERE” Dog!
Mike Deathe is a stay-at-home dad who found hispassion as a dog trainer in 2008. The author of theKeep It Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Pet Blog. Mike hashad dogs since he was four years old! In 2009, he andhis wife Kate founded Muttz “R” Us, a t-shirt and petproduct company with a philanthropic motto of“Adopt a Pet, Save a Life.” In 2010 Muttz “R” Us also
launched KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID DOG TRAINING. He is a charter memberof Heartland Positive Dog Training Alliance and just earned his CPDT — KAcredential! Visit him at facebook or twitter or follow the blog@http://muttzmembers.blogspot.com/ or check out the websitemuttzrus.com for details about shirts.
JULY
/AU
GU
ST2
01
1•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
29
The pet death care industry is changing.Pet death care started out as a disposal serviceusing rendering companies where our largeand small animal companions were made intofertilizer and other commercial products.Later, the method of pet disposal changed tomass cremation.
Finally someone asked, “May I have my pet’sashes back?” And a company thought, yes — Ican put the pet in the corner and sweep it outfirst. Gradually that changed. Several pets werecremated in a separate chamber. The cremat-ed remains were swept out in reverse order inorder to return the pets’ cremated remains totheir right families. However, it is inevitablethat the cremated remains are co-mingled.
When people, who thought of pets as family,started getting involved with pet death care,things changed. Those individuals wanted tomake sure that pets were handled as humansare handled in the cremation procedure. That is, one pet should be cre-mated at a time so the family would receive their own pet back.
One group who taken this process a step farther, or even a giant leapfarther. This group is called the Pet Loss Professionals Alliance
Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•JU
NE/J
ULY
20
11
(PLPA). The PLPA is a group of like-minded pet-losscare providers who are working to foster a high levelof ethics and training within our profession. We arefocused on establishing sound business practices andstandards among our ranks and on promoting thevalue of quality pet-loss care to the public and veteri-narians.
PLPA MISSION STATEMENTThe Pet Loss Professionals Alliance is committed to
being an educational resource to its members. Themembership, including pet loss suppliers and petdeath care facility operators, is dedicated to therespectful and dignified treatment of those petsentrusted to us. We do this through the creation ofprograms to profitably meet the changing needs ofthe pet death care industry and our process partnersin the areas of cemeteries, crematories and pet lossfacilities, as well as the creation of standards to will-fully meet our customers’ expectations.
by Nancy Piper
Your Pet Died...What Happens to its Remains
30
• Cremation process: The heating process thatreduces human or animal remains to bone fragments,followed by the processing that reduces bone frag-ments to unidentifiable dimensions.
• Commingling: Mixing of cremated remains.
STANDARDS FOR CREMATION PROCEDURESSingle Pet — “One at a Time” CremationProcedures• Private Cremation: Any cremation procedure
deemed “Private” must be performed with only onepet’s body or cremated remains in the cremationunit during the cremation process. Only “one pet ata time” will be cremated when a Private Cremationis performed.
All retrievable cremated remains should be collectedfrom each cremation prior to placing the next animal’sbody in the cremation unit.
Operators may not use the word “Private” in the titleor description of any service in which more than oneanimal is cremated in any part of a single cremation unitat the same time. (i.e., “Semi-Private,” “PrivatelyPartitioned,” is not acceptable).
Members of the PLPA recognize that we have special obligations to thepets, families and other businesses that we serve. As guardians of pets indeath, we pledge:• To care for the remains of those entrusted to us with dignity, respect and pro-
fessional skill, whether at a clinic, funeral home, crematory or cemetery• To honor the wishes of the family and to serve all families with respect,
understanding and confidentiality• To protect and preserve all interment sites and relevant historical data
entrusted to us• To be guided by the spirit and letter of all applicable laws and regulations
set by governing bodies with jurisdiction over our activities in the owner-ship, management and operation of a funeral home, crematory, cemeteryor related endeavor
• To be an educational resource and guide in standards relating to final petdeath care options for our client families as well as our process partners
DEFINITIONS/TERMINOLOGY• Private cremation: A cremation procedure during which only one ani-
mal’s body is present in the cremation unit during the cremation process.• Partitioned cremation: A cremation procedure during which more than
one pet's body is present in the cremation chamber and the crematedremains of specific pets are to be returned. Due to a number of factors andby virtue of multiple pets being cremated within the same unit at the sametime, active commingling of cremated remains will occur.
• Communal cremation: A cremation procedure where multiple animalsare cremated together without any form of separation. These commin-gled cremated remains are not returned to owners.
JULY
/AU
GU
ST2
01
1•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
31
It is the PLPA’s position that any company using the words “Private”or “Individual” in the definition and/or description of their cremationprocesses be expected to perform the procedure in the same manneras private cremations are performed by PLPA members.
MULTIPLE PET CREMATION PROCEDURES• Partitioned Cremation — PLPA members will be expected to fol-
low strict guidelines when/if performing this sort of cremation proce-dure. Full disclosure is expected from membership. The words “private”and/or “individual” are not to be used in whole or in part in the descrip-tion and/or definition of this typeof procedure.
At the very least, some contigu-ous method of effective physicalseparation—not just space—should be employed in order tokeep co-mingling to a minimum.Co-mingling of cremated remainswill occur with this type of cre-mation and will vary based uponconditions in the cremationchamber, height and type of thepartitioning medium used,amount of space between ani-mals, method of retrievalemployed, and other factors.
• Communal Cremation —While allowing for some practicalconsiderations at the discretionof the PLPA member, PLPA mem-bership will be expected to treat the bodies of pets designated for com-munal cremation with respect and dignity at all times possible. This pri-marily includes, but is not limited to:
1. Completing the cremation expeditiously if cold storage is not avail-able.
2. Minimizing or eliminating any amount of rough-handling of ani-mals.
The final disposition of the cremated remains is to be disclosed toclients, but these cremated remains are not to be returned to clients inwhole or in part. Unless otherwise prohibited in an operator’s jurisdic-tion, the PLPA recommends dignified disposition of the crematedremains, such as scattering or interment in a location that families mayvisit. Cremated remains of companion animals should not be disposedof in the garbage or land fill unless doing so is required by law of thatjurisdiction. Operators should also disclose what the final dispositionarea is for the consumer.
• Family Cremation — A special type of multiple-pet cremationprocedure performed at the request of a single owner or family duringwhich pets from the same family, and only pets from the same family,are cremated together.
ASK QUESTIONSBe aware that there are various options for the cre-
mation or burial of your beloved pet. Ask questionsahead of the time of need, if possible, so you can makean informed decision that is right for you and your pet.If your pet dies unexpectedly, ask for time to make adecision, if you need it. To find the pet cemeteries andcrematories in your area, look in the yellow pagesbook or the yellow pages online under Pet Cemeteriesand Crematories. You can also ask your veterinarianwhom he/she uses. Then make phone calls. Askdetailed questions. You can call the cremation facility
more than once. As you come up withmore questions, call back.
For the utmost peace of mind, visitthe cremation facility that you are con-sidering using. After all, they will behandling your beloved pet. Ask for atour. Ask for an explanation of theirprocedures. Make sure you are com-fortable with the people and the facili-ty. If the staff at the facility won’t showyou everything and explain what theirprocedures are, or if you are offendedby anything you encounter there, thenit probably isn’t the place to use foryour loved one.
For more information regarding thePet Loss Professionals Alliance, go tow w w. i c c f a . c o m / n o d e / 2 5 6 2 /AboutPLPA
The PLPA is a committee of theInternational Cemeteries, Crematories
and Funeral Association, which is the only internation-al trade association representing all segments of thecemetery, funeral service, cremation and memorializa-tion profession.
Nancy Bush Piper has owned RollingAcres Memorial Gardens for Pets, a petcemetery, crematorium, and funeral homein Kansas City for over 31 years. She has aBachelor of Arts degree in psychology andsociology from Northwest Missouri StateUniversity. Nancy continued her educationin the cemetery industry, attending theInternational Cemetery, Cremation andFuneral Association University for two
years, where she also taught a course one year. She was certi-fied as a Grief Recovery Specialist in 1999 by the Grief RecoveryInstitute, Sherman Oaks, CA. Nancy worked in the humancemetery and funeral industry before, as well as after, shebecame involved with the after-life care of pets. Nancy and herhusband, Gary, are blessed with many animals in their lives.www.visitrollingacres.com
32
Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•JU
LY/A
UG
UST
20
11
The 4th annual Dog Retreat at The Elms will beheld August 26, 27, 28 at The Elms in ExcelsiorSprings, just 20 minutes north of Kansas City. TheElms is set on 16 picturesque acres and activitieswill be held inside and outside the pet friendlyhotel. Well-behaved, vaccinated dogs are wel-comed-but they must be on leashes.
Dog Retreat Weekend kicks off Friday eveningAugust 26th at dark — with a $1 movie on thelawn for people and dogs.
On Saturday August 27th The day starts early. A5k Run/1 mile walk is scheduled with an 8:30 amrace start. After the race, a Pet Expo runs from10 am — 4 pm.
PET EXPO FEATURESThe Pet Expo will feature vendors,
demos, dog contests, speakers, artshow, dog spa, an agility course, semi-nars plus a huge pet adoption area.There will also be raffles and plenty offree samples. A free kids corner tent willoffer games and educational opportuni-ties for children.
Dr Wayne Hunthausen, DVM is sched-uled to speak at 11:00 Saturday.Hunthausen is a world renowned animalbehaviorist and the author of manybooks. Peggy Oertwig will teach a petfirst aid class. And Misty Kapitza willspeak on introducing a new furry familymember. All seminars are free.
Dog RetreatWeekendto aid Pets
Go towww.metropetmag.com
for upcoming events
ON-SITE DOGGY DAY CAREOn-site drop in doggy day care will be available from 11 am — 2
pm on Saturday for a $5 an hour donation. Sunday August 28th, a benefit pancake breakfast is scheduled with
other activities to be announced.Dog Retreat is a fundraiser for Excelsior Springs Friends of Animals
(ESFOA). All monies raised benefit’s ESFOA’s animal care fund.
ROOMS AT THE ELMS HOTELRooms are available at the Elms for those who wish to stay the
weekend. Those who stay at the hotel rooms will receive a free goodybag if they ask for a Dog Retreat room when booking.
The non-profit organization based in Excelsior Springs aids home-less pets and pet owners from all over the Kansas City area.
The organization’s website is www.esfoa.org. You can reachESFOA at 816-630-0696 or by email at [email protected].
33
JULY
/AU
GU
ST2
01
1•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
Marilyn Hughes
The Country Club Plaza became a dog’s play land on Sunday, June 12 for the 24thAnnual Dog-n-Jog. More than 1,000 dogs descended up the beautiful Plaza for the 1and 2-mile run/walk to enjoy the various dog activities. Special thanks to our celebri-ty emcees that kept the dog loving entertained: NBC Chief Meteorologist Gary Lezak,KFKF radio host Debbie Erikson and Q104 radio host TJ McEntire.
A SUCCESS!The event raised more than $50,000 for the shelter animals through registrations, spon-
sorships, day-of activities and pledge collectors. A big thank you to our top three pledgecollectors that went above and beyond to collect donations for the shelter pets from theirfriends, family, neighbors and co-workers: Crissy McNellis raised $3,800, StaceyRieckmann raised $2,600 and Patty Levine raised $2,010. These three women single-handedly raised enough money to keep all the shelter pets fed for the next four months!
Our top runners this year included some familiar faces and some new faces:1 Mile Run1st Place Female — Lisa Imgrund, dog McKenzie; 5:202nd Place Female —Julia Rosher, dog Splash; 5:373rd Place Female —Stephanie Mingos, dog Rocky (female); 5:551st Place Male —John Quinly, dog Meg; 5:212nd Place Male — James McCormick, dog Mattie; 5:593rd Place Male —John Rosher, dog Ripley; 6:21
Dog-n-Jog:A Woofing Success!
2 Mile Run1st Place Female — Amy Schmitz,dog Winston; 11:132nd Place Female — Angie Moody,dog Lucy; 11:423rd Place Female — CassieBlankenship, dog Lyla; 13:031st Place Male — KevinMcCormick, dog Saf; 10:432nd Place Male — BruceCampbell, dog Boss; 11:453rd Place Male — JamesMcCormick, dog Mattie; 11:54
Winners of our other contestsinclude:
Dog Costume Contest — Dr.Enrique – Companion Jamie Johnson(from Banfield Pet Hospital), seephoto above
Cutest Dog Contest — Hannathe Mastiff — Companion YurieHeard
To view pictures of the event, visitwww.thomasphotographic.com.(A portion of event photo pur-chased will be donated to theHumane Society.)
Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•JU
LY/A
UG
UST
20
11
Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•JU
NE/J
ULY
20
11
Go towww.metropetmag.com
for upcoming events
34
