metro pet magazine may 2012 issue
DESCRIPTION
Metro Pet Magazine May 2012 IssueTRANSCRIPT
MA
Y2
01
2•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
Feature Articles
5 NEW Online Pet Contest!Check out the new online pet contest!
6 Separation Anxiety — NoLaughing Matter Leaving your pet at home shouldn’t mean coming home to
a mess. Here are some tips to stop disruptive behavior.
9 Bark at the ParkHere is your chance to take your dog to a Royals’ game at
Kauffman Stadium!
10 Digestive Health for the ModernPet A daily digestive supplement with a probiotic can help keep
your pet healthier.
12 Memorializing Your PetIf you have lost a special pet, here are some ideas to help you
memorialize the memories.
14 Spring Has Sprung! Enjoy spring and keep your furry friends safe!
16 Loves of My Life!Facing cancer was tough. But my four-legged companions
helped me through difficult days.
18 Putting Pure Back into Purebred How do want a purebred? Here is an explanation of some of the
terms. In your search, don’t forget to check out the shelters.
22 Doggie Day CareBefore you take your pet to a day care, ask lots of questions.
26 Does Your Cat Have HeartDisease? What are the signs of cat heart disease?
28 The Adventures of ChipChip enjoys the feeling of having a home.
30 Miniature Horses as PetsWhat defines a miniature horse? How do you
care for them?
30 Cure or CrutchWhat type of leash will work best for my pet?
32 Blue Blue Berry Berry Bun BunsBlueberry muffins for your pets!
In Every Issue
4 Happy Spring! Spring is truly here!
20 Chip’s Corner — Use your knowledge
about Miniature horses to complete this pawzzle!
May 2012
3
10 266 16
SPRING HAS SPRUNG!While the calendar says Spring — there is no doubt that
Summer is here. Now it the time to protect your pets fromsummer pests, including allergies, fleas, ticks, etc. Take amoment to review the article “Spring Has Sprung!” foundon page 14.
Do you work during the day? Thinking of taking your petto a doggie day care? Check out the article “Doggie DayCare — Asking All The Right Questions” on page 22. Thisarticle provides a great list of questions to ask the ownersand staff at day care facilities. Another great article “Separation Anxiety — NoLaughing Matter” can be found on page 6. This can help you to decrease the anxietyyour pet feels when left at home.
Finally, does your pet have trouble digesting food? Learn more about probiotics,an enzyme that can help his digestive track. Details in the article “Digestive Healthfor the Modern Pet” found on page 10.
BARK FOR LIFE IN MAY!For people who have cancer, pets can make life bearable. The cancer survivor
Cindy Price Svehla tells us how her furry friends helped her make it through thisdifficult time. See her story “Loves of My Life” on page 16.
Please join us for the May 19, Bark For Life event. The money raised during thisevents supports the American Cancer Society. Pet parents and their dogs are invitedto walk and raise money for human cancer research.
Not interested in walking? Consider purchasing a bag of Earthborn pet food. Thead on the back cover offers a $3 coupon. You save $3 and the American CancerSociety receives a donation of $3, for each coupon redeemed. There are now tenlocal retailers participating in this wonderful program.
ONLINE PET CONTESTIt’s Back!!! Enter your photo today. The winner of this new contest will receive a
ticket to Bark at the Park on May 20, a bag of Earthborn pet food, treats from ThreeDog Bakery and a photo in MetroPet magazine. See details in the article on page 5.
SUMMER EVENTS! May and June are filled with great events. Join us for: Pooches on the Parkway,
May 6 in Blue Springs; Hawaii Fi-Do on May 12 in support of Wayside Waifs; BarkFor Life on May 19; Bark at the Park on May 20; Rolling Acres Memorial DayWeekend on May 26-28; and Dog N’ Jog on June 10 in support of the HumaneSociety of Greater Kansas City. See you next month!
HAPPY SPRING!
Barbara Riedel, Editor
Publisher’s Message
Staff &Contacts
PublisherBarbara Riedel
Editor/ProductionManagerDan O’Leary
Magazine LayoutROI Marketing
816.942.1600 • [email protected]
Advertising SalesAd Sales: 913.548.1433
Deals of the [email protected]
Contributing Authors Mike DeathePat HennessyPatty Homer
Pawlean JourneHeddie Leger
Joan Polifka
Cindy Pugh
Cindy Price Svehla
Shannon Venegas
Cheryl Waterman, CVPM
Contact MetroPetPO Box 480065
Kansas City, MO 64148Phone: 913.548.1433
Ad Sales: 913.548.1433Fax: 913.387.4313
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 consti-tute 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.
© 2012 MetroPet Magazine. All rights reserved. Requestreprint permissions at [email protected].
MetroPet Magazine is owned and published by ROI MarketingServices, all rights reserved.
Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•M
AY
20
12
4
P.S. Remember to continue to support our advertisers— they make this magazine possible. Tell themyou saw their ad in MetroPet magazine.
MA
Y2
01
2•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
5
Who willbe the
Winner?
1The new contest starts Monday, April 30, 2012. Photos enteredwill be shown in a gallery on the MetroPet Magazine Facebookpage. The last day to enter photos is May 7.
2Once you “LIKE” MetroPet magazine, then you can vote or“LIKE” the photo. Voting will begin May 8 and end May 17.MetroPet Facebook fans will pick the winner.
3The winner will receive a terrific prize package, includingthe following.
Online Pet Contest
Your Vote Counts
To enter this contest go to metropetmag.comor www.facebook.com/metropetmag
Ticket to the Bark at the Parkon May 20 — a $25 value
Treats from Three Dog Bakeryup to a $30 value
A bag of Earthborn pet food from American Midwest Distributors
up to a $45 value
A photo of your pet in theJune issue MetroPet Magazine!
By now, you’ve probably seen all the funny posters circulating on facebookand twitter displaying a dog sitting in the middle of a room,completely destroyedand a funny caption about why the dog was the guilty party. Although we all get agiggle out of those posts, separation anxiety is no laughing matter. Does yourdog’s anxiety make you want to pull your hair out? Anxiety in animals is a realproblem. Not only does it traumatize them, it does the same to you.
HOW IT STARTSHowever, more often then not, we create many of these problems ourselves.
Unintentionally, but we do. It starts out with an innocent pat on the head beforewe leave. Then those sad, droopy eyes beg for another pat and maybe a rub on thebelly. Then the excitement picks up and his entire body gets involved. A “you willnot ignore me” body slam sets the stage for a little fun wrestling match and sud-denly, you realize, your late for work. You gather your things and head out thedoor, leaving “Buster” very stimulated and wanting more. In his frustration, hegrabs the rug, your shoe, the cushion on your sofa, and the destruction begins.That playful few minutes prior to your departure actually did more harm thangood.
LEAVE QUIETLYIn your attempt to compensate for
leaving your dog by giving him all theextra attention, it created the frustra-tion leading to the damage to yourhome and belongings. Your bestoption is to make your departuresuneventful. In fact, boring. Simplygrab your belongings and go. Don’tlook back. Don’t talk to him with theapprehension in your voice. They maynot know the words you say, but theysure “feel” the words you use. Not tomention that tone in your voice. Sometimes it’s better to say nothing at all.That way, you do nothing to trigger theresponse.M
etr
oP
et
Mag
azin
e •
MA
Y2
01
2
6
SSSSeeeeppppaaaarrrraaaatttt iiii oooonnnnAAAAnnnnxxxx iiii eeeettttyyyy
...No Laughing Matterby Cindy Pugh
TOYS — FOR WHEN YOU LEAVEYou might try to practice this by gathering your things and
step outside, saying nothing. Do this frequently in an attemptto desensitize the situation. Hiding treats throughout thehouse keeps them busy and distracted. Offering toys that theyonly get when you leave is good too. Chew toys you stashtreats or peanut butter in are a great option. Leaving a radioor television ontones down theloudness ofsilence. Someanimals don’tlike suddennoises so back-ground noisecan be veryc o m f o r t i n g .Still, even with trying all these options, some dogs do notrespond well to the freedom of the home.
KENNEL-UP!Some animals need to be kenneled. It is not a punishment
and should not be viewed as one. It is for their safety. Not tomention to prevent the destruction in the home. To help thetransition from free range to kenneling, offer treats in theircage, special cage only toys as mentioned above, feed them inthe cage. These tips help them to view their cage as a comfort-ing place, their happy place. Give them a simple command tokennel up, using a firm yet gentle tone in your voice. No babytalk. No apology in your tone either. You are in charge. Asmuch as we love to think of our dogs as furry little people, thetruth is they’re not.
They are treasuredmembers of our fam-ily in need of properguidance. Expectresistance at first, butdon’t give in. Theyreally do becomeaccustomed to theirkennels and actuallylearn to willingly andhappily enter them.
While these recom-mendations helpmany dogs with their
anxiety problems, still, some need additional help. There areother alternatives that have been proven to help as well. Vetri-Science makes an excellent supplement called Composure. Itis a natural product that gives a calming effect to the pet.Some pets need it for short term use, others may need a con-sistent daily dose. It’s not a drug. It doesn’t sedate them ormake them groggy. Bach makes a natural product calledRescue Remedy that some have reported to have good resultswith as well.
7
Leaving a radio or televisionon tones down the loudnessof silence. Some animalsdon’t like sudden noises sobackground noise can bevery comforting.
MA
Y2
01
2•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
EXERCISE, EXERCISE, EXERCISE!It is important to remember that even supple-
menting the pet with these natural products or evendrug therapy, you stillmust adjust your wayof doing things inorder for you to have asuccessful transitionfrom anxious anddestructive to calm andcontent. Exercise isalso ideal for your dogfor burning off some ofthat nervous energy. It’s good for us as well so laceup the sneakers, grab the leash and make it fun towear out your nervous Nellie.
ASK FOR HELPDon’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian if you
continue to have problems or questions. Your petmay need more in depth help including a physicalexam, lab testing or even drug therapy. We want tohelp you enjoy your pet and keep them in yourhome for the duration of their life. Rescue organi-zations and shelters are frequently the end result foranimals with behavior problems. Many of theseproblems could have been handled at home withproper guidance and support. There are many dogtraining companies and individuals that have greatsuccess in most of the problems owners are frus-trated with. It will require some effort on your part,
but, each time you look into the eyesof that adoring dog, you will beassured, it’s worth it. Don’t give up,or give in. You are the authority, youjust need a little guidance.
Cindy Pugh isthe Office Managerat Aid AnimalHospital and trulyloves her job.During her 17years at the hospi-tal, she hasenjoyed the lives ofmany pets, from the first visit through thegolden years. Aid Animal Hospital has beenaround for over 50 years and currently offersa wide array of traditional and holistic vet-erinary care for dogs, cats, bunnies, etc. Thehospital also offers boarding and dentalcare. The hospital is located at 8343 WornallRoad and Cindy can be reached at 816-363-4922.
Exercise is alsoideal for yourdog for burningoff some of thatnervous energy.
Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•M
AY
20
12
8
Bark at The Park presented by Bayer K9 Advantix is back! Reserve seats for Sunday, May 20,and sit alongside your canine in a designated section of the ballpark (Sec. 209-206 and 109-107). Prior to the game, check out the Outfield Experience with a number of vendors andactivities set up beginning at 11:30 a.m. Please enter at Gate A.
Additional tickets can be purchased for $15. Seating is limited and subject to availability.Fans with 2 or more dogs must have an additional adult “owner” accompany the canine.
Note: Tickets will be available for pick-up 90 minutes before the game and until the endof the 3rd inning outside of Gate A at a designated table. No tickets will be mailed or avail-able for pick-up in advance. For questions, please contact Britt Gardner [email protected].
MA
Y2
01
2•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
9
Here’s YourChance to
Bring Your Dogto the Ballpark!
Barkat the Park!
$25 PACKAGE DEAL• Human and Canine Game
Ticket• Canine Bag Dispenser cour-
tesy of Bayer K9 Advantix• $3.00 from each package
purchased is donated toWayside Waifs
Photos courtesy of the Kansas City Royals.
Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•M
AY
20
12
10
Digestive Healthfor the Modern Pet
KEY INGREDIENTThe key ingredient to a beneficial digestive supple-
ment is a good probiotic. Probiotics are livemicroorganisms that project a health benefit on thehost. In other words, probiotics are bacteria that arebeneficial for the digestive system.
One example of a probiotic is lactobacillus aci-dophilus, which is able to create lactic acid from fer-menting milk sugars. This aids in digestion and helpsencourage the absorption of minerals and calcium.
Lactobacillus also has immunity boosting attributes.Prebiotics are also good for the digestive system.According to Bessent, a prebiotic is a long chain
sugar that feeds good bacteria,encouraging the
growth of ben-eficial bacte-
ria in thedigestive tract.
Enzymes arealso a must in
boostingyour pet’s
digestive system.Digestive enzymes
break downthe nutri-ents yourpet eats.
Pet lovers occasionally find themselves wishing their pets couldtalk. It would make our lives much easier (and much more interest-ing). But since humans are still unable to figure out what the commonbark stands for, we have to do our best in preventative care to ensurethe comfort of our pets, starting with their tummy health.
There are options available for pet owners to maintain their animal’sdigestive health, according to Dr. Chris Bessent, Wisconsin veterinar-ian and founder of Herbsmith, an herbal supplement company foranimals.
“We live in such a toxic world,” Bessent said. “They pick up toxinsin their food, from the grass, from the ground, in their water source.”These toxins, along with a dog’s diet and stress level, have a strongimpact on its digestive system.
According to Bessent, a daily digestive supplement with a probiotichelps to keep gut flora and minimize the amount of challenge on theimmune system from bad bacteria (gut flora refers to the microorgan-isms that live in the digestive tract).
GOOD BACTERIA“We always want to keep good bacteria in their gut,”
Bessent said. “Bad bacteria changes the bowel flora in thegut and can produce a lot of gas.”
Dogs are stressed in general from toxicity load, envi-ronmental stress or being fed high grain or high carbohy-drate diets. Those sorts of things change the good to badratio of bacteria in the gut, Bessent said.
In addition to just the everyday need for a supplement, somedogs require a digestive boost. For example, a dog who is recover-ing from surgery or who is on an antibiotic or a daily non-steroidalanti-inflammatory drug will need a good probiotic and prebioticto help keep the balance of bacteria in the gut healthy.
Dr. Gretchen Jaeger, owner of Prairie Animal Hospital in NorthPrairie, Wisconsin, said “Pets that have been on medication for awhile especially need a probiotic in their diet because the antibi-otics kill off the normal bacteria level.”
Jaeger said a dog in need of a digestive supplement will exhibit signssuch as soft stool, mild diarrhea, vomiting, chronic infection, andlong-term antibiotic use. According to Bessent, the best digestive sup-plement is one that is all-encompassing and includes probiotics, pre-biotics, digestive enzymes and herbs.
by Shannon Venegas
MA
Y2
01
2•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
“For dogs that have any GI upset at all, adding a digestiveenzyme will help them to maximally utilize the food they takein,” Bessent said.
Examples of enzymes include protease which breaks down pro-tein and amylase which breaks down carbohydrates. Lipase isanother important enzyme that breaks down fats to be absorbedby the intestines. It also helps in reducing gas and bloating.
HERBS FOR DIGESTIONIn addition, there are certain herbs that can be beneficial for
the digestive system. According to Bessent, cinnamon, ginger,and licorice balance sugar metabolism and balance the gut whilepromoting bowel health.
Cinnamon is known to relieve nausea and vomiting. It also hasbeen known to warm and stimu-late the digestive system. Gingeris also helpful for discomfortafter eating and has been usedto treat gastrointestinal issues.Licorice is especially helpful inincreasing the flow of bile. Itcan be used for heartburn andirritation in the digestive tract.Overall, these safe herbs arehelpful to maintain G.I. health.
Another important factor toremember when choosing theright digestive supplement is thenumber of colony forming units(CFUs) per serving in the prod-uct. CFUs are determined by tak-ing a sample of the powder andobserving how many colonies oflive bacteria are formed pergram in one day. Ideally, oneserving of a supplement shouldcontain at least ten billion CFUs.
SUPPLEMENT OPTIONSThe other thing to consider
when shopping for a digestivesupplement is the way it isstored. Moisture activates thegrowth of good bacteria.According to Bessent, digestivesupplements packaged in pow-der form in a container hold livebacteria when they are opened,but lose their affect by the timethey are half gone. Digestivesupplements containingmicroorganisms that are blister-packed in a capsule keep theformula safe and alive until itenters the pet’s system.
11
Even though our animals cannot tell us when their tummiesare upset, pet owners can do their best to prevent discomfort.A dog’s stomachs can be upset just as often as a human’s, andit is important to pay attention to the warning signs to preventa problem before it occurs. A good probiotic and prebioticalong with beneficial herbs and enzymes are essential to pro-moting digestive health.
Herbsmith, inc. offers herbal formulas based on traditional Chinesetheories of health and wellness. Dr. Chris Bessent, practicing holistic vet-erinarian and founder of Herbsmith, developed these formulas as a nat-ural option for everything from allergies and aches to calming and jointsupport.
Your life has been blessed with a beloved companion animal. Nowyour pet has died. You arranged for the afterlife care of your precious pet.You may have chosen either burial or cremation. You may have buriedyour pet at home, at a pet cemetery, or on private land. You may have hadyour pet cremated privately with your pet’s cremated remains (ashes)returned to you, cremated in a partitioned cremation with crematedremains returned to you, or cremated with other pets and scattered orburied in a place you can visit.
Now you feel a need to do something in remembrance of your pet. Youmiss him/her and wish to have something that will bring your pet closer toyou again, to bring a smile to your face, instead of tears to your eyes. Youwant to memorialize your beloved pet.
MEMORIALIZATION IDEASCreate an area in your home with picture(s), favorite toys, treats, collar
if you kept it, and/or hair clipping if you have one. If you have your pet’sashes, you can have the urn there, too. I have three of my privately cremat-ed pets’ urns in a basket on my couch. That was their favorite place to lie.Sometimes I sit with them on the couch with my hand and arm on theirurns. I also have one collar in the basket and hair clippings in the urnswith the ashes. • Make a shadow box with your pet’s picture, and mementos such as men-
tioned above. • Buy a Memorial Stone to put in your yard, in a flower bed, where your
pet liked to lay in the yard, orunder a tree close to where heplayed. You can personalize itas you wish, with his name,dates of birth and death,and/or an endearment as wellas perhaps an emblem such asa paw print or a doggie bone. Itdoesn’t matter if your pet isburied there or not, it is thememorial that is important.There are numerous Memorial
Stones to choose from: natural river rock, natural flagstone, cut graniteor marble. There are also Memorials made from man-made materials,such as resin or corian.
• Arrange for a memorial at a pet cemetery that is deeded to be a perma-nent cemetery. Call your local pet cemetery to see what options theyhave.
Memorializing
• Have a t-shirt or sweatshirt made with yourpet’s photo on it, as well as an endearment.
WHAT IS A PRIVATE CREMATION? Many people choose a private cremation for
their pet, so they can get their pet’s ashes back,but are not always sure what to do with the asheslater. It is normally comforting to have the phys-ical remains of your pet back home with you.During the intensely emotional grieving stages, itis common for people to take their pet’s ashes inthe car with them, if the pet usually traveled withthem; to sleep with the pet’s urn; or to place theurn where they can pat it every day as they leavethe house and also return, among other things.The urn is sometimes placed in a memorial areain the house.
A CASKET OR URNI feel that we have a continuing responsibility
to the pet’s ashes. When you die, or all of thepeople who had the pet in their family circle die,then what happens to the pet’s ashes? Ifthe ashes are not placed with you inyour casket or urn, then what? Ifsomeone is going through yourbelongings and have no ideaabout your pets’ ashes, thenthey stand a good chance ofbeing thrown away and endingup in the landfill. Or if they are ina beautiful urn, the urn ends up atGood Will or other Thrift Store,when your belongings are sorted.
I have a friend who was a home organizer. Shetold me it was a common occurrence, when shestarted in on the closet in the bedroom, for peo-ple to say “oh, be careful!” She learned to ask“who is in there? Is it a friend, a relative or apet? Or everybody?” People tend to put cremat-ed remains in their closets because they don’tknow what to do with them.
Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•M
AY
20
12
12
Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•M
AY
20
12
Your Petby Nancy Piper
OTHER SUGGESTIONSHere are some suggestions for memorialization for people who don’t
know what to do with the ashes. Take the urns to a pet cemetery to beburied or the ashes scattered in their scattering garden. You can memo-rialize them there, as well. At home, plant a memorial tree, shrub orplant using some of your pet’s ashes to do that. The cremated remainsby themselves will not nourish a plant. When they are mixed with a spe-cially formulated planting mix, Let Your Love Grow, the beneficial plantnutrients are released from the ashes. You will have a beautiful living
memorial to remember your pet with.You can do this with a planting in your
yard, or in a container. I have friendswho planted a tree with their dog’s ashes,using Let Your Love Grow. The tree is
flourishing and they smile when theysee the tree as they pull in their drive-
way. What better way to honor and memo-rialize your pet than to create new life from the ashes through a livingplant memorial?
BELOVED MEMORIESThe memories of your beloved companion animal and the love you
shared will always be a part of you. Your pets will always be memorial-ized in your heart, which is a joyous thing.
Nancy Bush Piper has owned Rolling Acres Memorial Gardens for Pets, a pet ceme-tery, crematorium, and funeral home in Kansas City for over thirty-three years. Shehas a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and sociology from Northwest MissouriState University. Nancy continued her education in the cemetery industry, attending
MA
Y2
01
2•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
13
the International Cemetery, Cremation andFuneral Association University for twoyears, where she also taught a course oneyear. She was certified as a Grief RecoverySpecialist in 1999 by the Grief RecoveryInstitute, Sherman Oaks, CA. Nancy is acharter Certified Pet Loss Professional bythe International Cemetery, Cremation andFuneral Association. Nancy worked in thehuman cemetery 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. Forfun, she studies horsemanship and plays with her horses andmules.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONFor more information regarding this topic,
please visit the following websites.http://pet-loss.net/quality.shtmlhttp://virtuavet.wordpress.com/petquality-
oflife/h t t p : / / w w w. b l o o d h o r s e . c o m / h o r s e -
racing/articles/56033/indiana-industry-debates-quality-of-racing
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/understand-ing-quality-of-life-issues/page1.aspx
Spring has definitely sprung and with summer on the way, now isas good a time as any to get out and enjoy the weather. However, youwill have to take precaution to keep your furry family members safefrom pesky pests. The early mild weather will bring the bugs out soon-er, as many of them become active with temperatures over 45°. Thismeans you need to ensure that you have your dog or cat protected andthat you remain diligent to keep the insect population down.
PREVENTION OPTIONSThere are many options available for
prevention and treatment of fleas andticks. The parasiticide versions (topi-cal treatments or chewable tablets) areavailable through your veterinarian.Even though some of these productsare obtainable at retail outlets, it is bestto consult your veterinarian regardingthe overall health of your animal com-panion before making your choice.
If you are worried about possible side effects of parasiticide preven-tions/treatments then you can give the natural choices a try first, tosee if you can keep the pests at bay via those options. Some naturalchoices for flea & tick prevention include herbal sprays with neem orcitrus oil, powders with diatomaceous earth (human grade), andchewables with brewer’s yeast and garlic. Use caution with essentialoils as some can irritate the skin — if making your own solutiondiluting it is a must along with close observation. Again, it is best toconsult your veterinarian, keeping in mind any health concerns youmight have about your companion (e.g. being a senior, having achronic illness or allergies, etc.).Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•M
AY
20
12
14
by Pat Hennessy
SpringhasSprung
PREVENTIONOne of the most important things you should consid-
er for your furry family member is heartworm preven-tion! Heartworm is easily preventable and the effects ofthe parasite can not only be deadly, but the treatmentcan be very risky and in some cases can lead to com-plications or become life-threatening. Prevention is
especially important if your dog is at risk,for example if he or she is a senior or hashealth issues that would make treatmentmore risky. Prevention is critical if yourdog (or cat) has ever had heartworms;with the treatment being stressful and com-plicated, multiple treatments are likely todecrease your companion’s lifespan.
GET OUT AND ENJOY IT! Don’t let the bugs get you down and keep you from
enjoying the springtime. Get out and about to take inthe nice days with your animal companion before itgets too hot. The sunlight and fresh air will do youboth good. A few more spring tips to consider.
• Learn what plants, flowers, or lawn & garden itemscan be harmful to your pets, such as fertilizer, cocoamulch, insecticide sprays. For more information goto http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/pet-safe-gardening.aspx, for tips from theASPCA.
• Create or update a first-aid kit for your animalcompanion. With the nicer weather you are more
Even though some of theseproducts are obtainable atretail outlets, it is best toconsult your veterinarianregarding the overall healthof your animal companionbefore making your choice.
SpringhasSprung
“To be happy, use your nose. Every day is rich insmells.” A joyful life lesson taught by Trixie to herguardian Dean Koontz. We can all use that lesson.Thanks, Trixie, for the reminder.
MA
Y2
01
2•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
15
likely to be spending time outside and exposed to things or involved in activitiesthat could result in the need for first aid. It’s a good idea to keep a kit at homeand in your car. Check out pet first aid kits at http://www.petfirstaid.org/(packaged locally by VSI, Inc., a not-for-profit organization specializing inemployment and other services for people with developmental disabilities). Oryou can create your own kit with at least a minimum set of items:
• General items, including rubber gloves, flashlight, blanket, towels• Rectal thermometer (normal body temperature of dogs and cats is 100.5º
to 102.5º F)• Brush/comb (for getting items stuck in fur)• Scissors & disposable razor (for cutting hair/shaving fur)• Sterile and antibacterial wipes (to cleaning skin/wounds), gauze/pads to
cover wounds plus self-adhesive vet wrap• Tweezers & needle (to remove ticks or splinters)• Nail clippers & styptic powder or corn starch (to stop bleeding)• Bulb syringe (to flush a wound), betadine solution (antiseptic to deter
infection) and antibiotic ointment (i.e. Neosporin)• Saline eye solution/artificial tears (to flush eyes)• Bandana/nylon hose/strips of cloth (to use as a muzzle, secure a torn ear,
or tie off a wound) • Peroxide (to induce vomiting if something harmful has been ingested)
• If you have a dog that is subject to bloat or torsion, you may want to consider a“bloat emergency kit” as well (www.naturesfarmacy.com)
• While doing your spring cleaning consider washing pet bedding and toys, replac-ing old and tattered items, and if they are not too worn consider donating themto a local shelter.
• Take advantage of the weather andextra daylight to participate in outdooractivities, such as hiking a new walkingtrail or visiting a different park.Choose an activity that will foster exer-cise for both of you, like tossing aFrisbee, trying an agility class, or test-ing your dog’s nose with some trackingor scent work.
Now that we are in the full swing of springdon’t let it pass you by. Take time to smellthe flowers with Barkley and Cleo by yourside.
Pat Hennessy is thefounder of N2paws, LLC, anorganization that provides aholistic approach to com-panion animal care throughbehavior education, energywork, and positive trainingmethods. Pat is a Level 2 TTouch® practitioner,CPDT, ACDBC, and member of the IAABC, IAATHand 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
•M
AY
20
12
16
My four-leggedchildren
by Cindy Price Svehla
THE GIFT OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVEOne of the greatest gifts that animals give is the gift of
unconditional love. Perhaps their simple, loving hearts makeit impossible for them to separate themselves from us. I con-tinue to talk to them when alone, pray with them, whisper intheir ears, and give kisses. In return, I am blessed with theirunconditional love, kisses in my ears, kisses up my nostrils,kisses on my bald head, and them smelling my breath againnow that the cancer is gone. They, along with my husband,Tom, are the “Loves of my Life”. I feel a spiritual connec-
tion between my girls and myself. They bring a smile to myface on a daily basis.
COME WALK WITH ME! Dogs play a huge part in a person’s recovery. I am excited
to participate in my first Bark for Life. My friend has broughtmy attention to this great event and I am ready to participate.I hope you will too. Cancer affects so many people each year.Please help by supporting the American Cancer Society andBark for Life.
Loves of My Life
EVENT DETAILSWhen: May 19, 2012, Penn Valley Park, KCMORegistration: Begins at 8 amWalk: Begins at 9 amContribution: $25/entryDetails at http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=
44398&pg=entr.
REDEEM THE COUPON! Every pet needs to eat. You can support the Bark For Life
event by purchasing Earthborn dog food and redeeming thecoupon shown on the back page. For each coupon redeemed,you will save $3 and the American Cancer Society will receive$3! It is a great deal for everyone.
My name is Cindy Price Svehla. On August 5, 2011 Iwas diagnosed with breast cancer. Cancer creates a state ofextreme confusion and disorder in one’s life. My life is for-ever changed, and there will always be a part of me thatfeels as if some innocence has been stolen by cancer. Yet somany people that have been through it or are going thoughit now-including myself-swear it was/is the best thing thatever happened to them.
SUPPORT OF FRIENDSIt has taught me to live like I really mean it. With support
from family, friends, and complete strangers, and from mybeloved four-legged children, I have pushed forwardthrough two surgeries and four rounds of chemotherapy. Iam proud to say I am a survivor. I still have six weeks ofradiation, but know I will survive that too.
In July, my three year-old Schnoodle, Roxie, was nothappy with my breath. This was unusual as she alwaysadored smelling even the worst morning breath. At first Ithought she was grieving her sister Tosca (14 year-oldSchnauzer) who passed away in May. Probably she was, butI will always believe she knew I had cancer. Roxie andOaklee (two year-old Schnoodle) were by my side for threemonths when I was so upset and full of anxiety. I spenthours talking to them while they listened intently. Prayingdaily with them by my side was a comfort. Every day, Roxiebrings to me her most treasured bear and lays it on mewhile I rest-an amazing expression of her love.
Hello!
MA
Y2
01
2•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
17
TOYS, TOYS, TOYS
Treats Unleashed has a terrific selection of pettoys. Stop by the newest location in Leawood, KS, inOne Nineteen (next to Trader Joe’s) at 4209 W 119th,Leawood, KS, call 913.451.2000 or visitwww.treats-unleashed.com.
NEW LEASH OPTIONS
New leashes make it easier to train your pet. Checkout the RUN-Devue leashes now offered by KISSDog Training, www.kissdogtraining.com. For aconsult, call Mike Deathe at 913.269.7595.
DOGS’ NIGHT OUT!Take your pup to a Dog’s Night Out on May 22 at
Lidia’s Italian Restaurant. Reserve your spot by callingThree Dog Bakery, at 816.753.3647 or visitingthe Country Club Plaza store, www.threedog.com.
LUXURY DOG BEDS
Is your pet sleeping on the same old bed? It is time fora new luxury bed from Wrigley’s Basket, the onlinestore at www.shop.wrigleysbasket.com!
WELCOME TO HEART!HEART is a group of dog trainers, pet professionals
and dog enthusiasts. The next meeting is on May 23 at6:45 pm at The Dog Spot. For details visit www.trainer-swithheart.com or contact Patty Homer at [email protected].
SUPPORT BARK FOR LIFE
Can’t participate in the Bark For Life? Purchase abag of Earthborn Pet Food. For every couponredeemed, the American Cancer Society willreceive $3. See ad on the back page for retailers.
KEEP YOUR PET SAFE AT HOME
Thousands of pets are killed each year when theywander away from home. An invisible fence cankeep them safe at home. For a FREE consultationcall Heart of America Invisible Fence Companyat 816.941-7700.
PET INSURANCE
Medical insurance for your pet — it is affordable andcan save you thousands. Call Trupanion at1.800.569.7913 for a FREE consultation or visitwww.trupanion.com.
8 Th
ings
You
Nee
d to
Kn
ow!
Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•M
AY
20
12
18
Not long ago my niece bought a registered purebred Pomeranianpuppy from a chain pet store. He had papers and the price that accom-panies a purebred purchase, but with German Shepherd-like facial fea-tures and long legs, neither my niece or anyone else was convinced hewas truly purebred.
It turns out my niece or anyone shopping for a purebred dog couldavoid such surprises, disappointments, or worse, by doing someresearch.
FAMILIARIZE YOURSELFFirst, familiarize yourself with the typical physical
traits and temperament of the breed: facial features,size, fur, calm or animated. Then, learn what wordslike purebred, registered, and pedigree really mean.
A purebred dog is one that closely resembles otherdogs of the same breed with ancestry documented in aregistry and registered with a major dog registry. Thepurebred puppy has registered purebred parentsand these parents, in turn, are of registered pure-bred parents.
A registered dog is a dog for which recordshave been kept. Records which include thedog’s name, breed, color, owner, pedigreeand any titles earned. These records arethe dog’s “papers” and have a registrationnumber. Recording a dog’s lineage giveshim a pedigree, but the pedigree onlyindicates that the dog’s ances-tors are known, not that the dogis purebred.
DOG REGISTRIESBeyond knowing these definitions, a discerning shopper should be
aware of the many dog registries that exist, all of them claiming to bereputable organizations.
A good rule to follow when evaluating the validity and integrity of reg-istries is to examine their mission, standards and practices and then ver-ify the information they provide. For example, the American KennelClub’s (AKC) mission is “…upholding the integrity of its Registry…breeding for type and function.” Its objective is to “advance the study,breeding, exhibition… maintenance of purebred dogs.”
Putting “Pure”Back in Purebred
AKC, CKC, UKC...The AKC, along with the CKC (Canadian Kennel
Club) and the UKC (United Kennel Club) are theoldest and most recognized multi-breed reg-istries in North America. All others, like the APR(American Pet Registry), ACA (American Canine
Association) or CKC (ContinentalKennel Club, not to be confused
with the above cited CanadianKennel Club), should be
approached with caution.And more questionable reg-istries are springing up as the
well-established registries areenforcing stricter rules.
Driven more by profit than thewelfare of dogs these lessrestrictive registries accept
breeders if they have been sus-pended from other registries(usually for records violations)and engage in such practices asaccepting any pedigree or refus-ing responsibility for any fraudu-lent information submitted onregistration applications. Whenall is said and done registries
are not necessarily a guar-antee of quality.
by Joan Polifka
Editors Note: Remember there are manyKansas City area shelters which rescue dogsfrom puppy mills. Many of these animals are“pure bred” animals, just without the papers. Ifyou are looking for a pure bred animal, includea visit to local shelters and specific dog rescuegroups. Visit www.metropetmag.com for a list-ing of these groups.
Armed with this information I visited acouple of pet stores and contacted a breed-er to find out what a person looking for apurebred dog encounters in the real world.
PET STORE OPTIONSAt a chain store I found an entire wall of
sparkling-clean, glassed-in kennels thatheld a wide variety of breeds. There weremixed breeds, but also purebreds, likeminiature Schnauzers. I chose one of theseSchnauzers to ask some questions. Thepuppy certainly looked like a healthy,purebred Schnauzer.
Two sales associates readily answered myquestions about the dog’s origins andhealth. Yes, the dog was purebred and wasregistered with the AKC, APR or APRI, theassociate wasn’t sure which organization.
But when the papers were provided theyrevealed the Schnauzer was AKC registeredand included the names and photos of theparents. The puppy was eight-weeks oldand originated from a breeder in Iowa thatthe store trusted and had been using for30 years. Both associates stressed thehealth of their puppies, stating they werecurrent on vaccinations and wormed andthat veterinarians checked them frequentlybefore they found homes. In the unlikelyevent of a serious health/genetic issuearising during the first three years afterbuying the dog, the chain wouldn’t takeback the dog but would reimburse theowner for the price of the dog.
THE NEXT STOPNext stop was a locally owned pet store
in business since 1976. This store was amuch more casual, homey establishment.Where eager college age salespersons’ hadhelped me at the chain store, here a moremature, laid back gentleman, answered myquestions. He was equally receptive toanswering my questions. Again there werevarious breeds represented, some mixed,some purebred. Each had clean cages.There were also clearly marked, unregis-tered dogs which, when asked, he saidcame from a local breeder who needed tofind them a home. They too, were minia-ture Schnauzers, lively and playful, thoughtheir coats looked dull and scraggly. Hereported that all their dogs came fromKansas City area breeders, some of whomhe’d worked with for years and all
MA
Y2
01
2•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
19
MA
Y2
01
2•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
reviewed for responsible breeding. To ask specific questions I picked out a fuzzyblack Pomeranian.
Immediately, I noted how different his features were from my niece’s Pomeranian.The puppy was purebred, registered with the APR and 12 weeks old. There were nophotos of the parents. But here too, were records of the dog’s shots, deworming andvisits with a veterinarian, plus a 10-year warranty promising replacement of the dogif he would have to be euthanized for any reason.
Finally, though I was unable to visit, I called a breeder of Maltese dogs located out-side of St. Louis, MO, I found on the Internet. The breeder touched me immediatelyas someone who cared deeply about her dogs. Her dogs were AKC registered pure-breds, with champions in their heritage. She charged more for her “champion”puppies than the others. Again, however, beware, a champion doesn’t rule out therisk of health/genetic issues. She knew the names, characteristics and health of eachof her dogs intimately and carefully planned the timing of each litter.
So given that all can seem equal, all the more reason to be an educated, observantshopper of dogs. As you look for a purebred or just a friendly, healthy dog enter themarketplace with familiarity with the breed, knowledge of the workings of the indus-try and its jargon, ask a lot of questions of vendors and other dog owners, and lookand listen carefully before you connect with that ball of fur.
My niece never regretted buying her Pomeranian, she didn’t plan to show or breedher dog, but know what you are buying when you walk into the neighborhood petstore or visit the breeder down the road.
Joan Polifka has been writing for approximately 40 years. She writes articles each month for alegal publication and also writes articles on historical topics.
Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•M
AY
20
12
20
Ch
ip’s
Cor
ner
Pawzzleby Pawlean JourneFor tips on the answers to this pawzzle, read
the story about miniature horses on page 30.
MA
Y2
01
2•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
21
Down:
2. Foals are cute, but require lots of __________________.3. If not trained properly horses can become _____________.4. When in the field a horse must also have _______________
in case of bad weather.8. The miniature horse is a _________________ breed.9. Hoof disease that can render a horse lame.11. Horses do not have the ability to do this.12. This type of horse usually does not make a good pet.13. Miniature horses require the same type of care as what
size horse?14. Colic can cause a severe ___________ in the intestine.17. Miniature horses can be trained to pull a ____________.18. Another name for the horse’s feet.20. Care includes regular _____________ treatments.21. It is important to include a ____________ block in the diet.23. All animals need fresh ____________________.24. Miniature horses are in the _________________ family.25. Careful attention must be paid to the ______________26. Miniature horses can be used as a guide for the
________________.
Across:1. Miniature horses should not
eat ______.
5. Colic is very___________________.
6. Miniature horses have beenused as __________ animals.
7. ________________ make thebest pets.
10. Smaller sized horse usuallyless than 34 inches at theshoulder.
12. It is very important to_____________ your horse.
15. You should be able to touchyour horse’s _________.
16. Intestinal problem that cancause death in a horse.
17. Miniature horses desire andneed ____________________.
19. Any horse must be properly___________________.
22. It is very important to haveproper _______________ tomaintain control of yourhorse.
27. They can be kept________________ as pets.
28. Horses are very smart andcan learn bad ___________, ifnot trained properly.
April Pawzzle Answers
Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•M
AY
20
12
22
Asking all the right questions
Doggie Day Care
by Patty Homer
Dog day care has been around for many years; they are very popular andseem to be popping up all around town. It can be a wonderful outlet for your dogand a great solution to your busy lifestyle…..but is it right for your dog and whatmakes a good day care?
Day care facilities are owned and operated by a wide variety of people from pro-fessional dog trainers or veterinarians to people who (hopefully) like dogs andwant to make money while being self-employed. Before you choose to leave yourfurry family member in someone else’s don’t be shy about interviewing and touringmore than one facility. Location may be optimal in real estate, but should not be
the defining reason you choose a dog daycare.
I visit as many dog day care facilities asI can and have been amazed at the recep-tion I have gotten. Some of the day caresare proud of their facility and eagerlyshow it off while answering all of myquestions. On the other end of the spec-trum, some of the facilities acted asthough I were trying to pry nationalsecrets from them by asking them abouttheir basic safety and security protocols.When you interview a facility, beware ofthe facilities that are not happy to answerall of your questions! Here is a list ofquestions for you to ask a potential daycare.
MAY I TOUR THE FACILITY? Does it look and smell clean? Some
places will let you see the area your dogwill play and some won’t. There are sev-eral reasons that a facility will not allowyou to be in the dog area including thefollowing.
INSURANCE POLICIES
What are their Insurance policies? If youwere to get hurt either by interacting witha dog or slipping and falling, the facilitywould be held liable for any damage.
THE DOGS’ SAFETY
Strangers entering the area can cause excitability that canlead to skirmishes between the dogs.
For facilities that don’t allow you back to the dog area,they should at the very least have web cams you can watchor a viewing area. If they don’t allow you to see the area insome way, it is best not to leave your dog there.
WILL MY DOG GET REST PERIODS? Dogs are typically in a heightened state of arousal/excite-
ment while around many other dogs. Many facilities offerhalf-day visits but if your dog is going to be in day care formore than 4 hours, he/she needs a rest period of at least 2hours either 2 hours at once or two 1 hour rests. Somefacilities will rotate dogs through with rest periods inbetween play sessions and some will put all of the dogs incrates for a rest period.
CAN MY DOG ESCAPE? Security is important, does the facility have a double gate
system at every exit? There should be 2 gates between anyarea that your dog will be off leash and any outside exit -and those gates should ALWAYS be shut - self closing gatesare the best bet. If the dogs will be taken out to potty itshould be in an enclosed area, staff members walking dogson leash to an open area poses too many security risks.
WHAT IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY? Does the facility have a written emergency plan? What
happens if there is a dog fight, fire or building evacuation?Every employee should be able to tell you what they woulddo in case of an emergency - don’t ask the owner, ask atleast 2 employees you meet during your tour. If they canshow you the plan, that is a bonus!
WHAT DO YOU CLEAN WITH? Does the facility use a cleaning agent
that kills Parvo virus and Giardia? Howoften do you clean? There are many clean-ers including a 1:30 bleach solution thatkills bacteria, germs and parasites, makesure the facility uses one that does, everyday. If you ask an employee if their clean-ing agent kills Parvo and Giardia and theysay they don’t know or they aren’t evensure what Parvo or Giardia is — Do NotLeave Your Pet There!
WHAT IS YOUR VACCINATION
PROTOCOL? What vaccines does the facility require
and how do they keep track when dogsare due? All facilities should require dogsto be vaccinated for DHPP, Bordetella andRabies and be on monthly heartworm andflea prevention. Some facilities will
require a fecal exam to be done either every year or every 6months.
HOW MUCH SPACE FOR MY DOG?How many square feet is the play area and how many dogs are
allowed in that area? Unfortunately, the popularity of dog day careand greed sometimes make a bad combination. There should be
MA
Y2
01
2•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
23
a minimum of 75 square feet of space for every mediumto large dog - so a 500 square foot play area should holdno more than7 medium sized dogs at a time. Thereshould be a minimum of 50 square feet of space for everysmall dog. Too many day cares are crowding as manydogs into a space as possible which can create increasednumber of fights and a safety hazard for the staff and theother dogs when a fight does break out. Each dog shouldhave room to break into a run and to move away if thereis too much activity, he/she feels threatened or if there isa fight. Every day care should have a maximum number ofdogs allowed in any area and the staff should know whatthat maximum is.
WHAT IS YOUR STAFF TO DOG RATIO
How many dogs are there per staff member? For medium tolarge dogs there should be 10-12 dogs per staff member, forsmall dogs 12-15 is a safe number. Any more than that and itbecomes a safety hazard for the dogs. There needs to be suffi-cient staffing to watch the dogs, break up any unacceptableplay, clean up after the dogs and move dogs in and out of theplay area.
HOW DO YOU INTRODUCE NEW DOGS? One dog at a time or very slow introductions should be the
Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•M
AY
20
12
24
only way they introduce a new dog. The perfect way tointroduce a new dog is to require the new dog to be thefirst dog of the day. A staff member dedicated to that dogwhile all the other dogs arrive one at a time with enoughtime in between each incoming dog for the new dog to becomfortable with the dogs he/she has already met.
HOW DO YOU SEPARATE PLAY GROUPS?There should be separation based not only on size, but
on temperament. A 12 year old 80 pound Lab may do bet-ter with the small dogs, a 20 pound Jack Russell Terriermay do better with the large dogs.
WHAT TRAINING DOES YOUR STAFF HAVE? The staff should have a formal training plan on dog com-
munication (body language), breed and play styles, how tobreak up a fight, what the emergency plan is and be certi-fied in pet first aid & CPR.
WHAT RULES DO YOU ENFORCE?Staff members should always enforce no jumping on peo-
ple and not bolting through any door as well as know whento interrupt play that is becoming too intense. What aboutbarking? I would not recommend any day care that allowsshock or citronella bark collars. If your dog is an extremebarker, teach them to stop barking on command andinform the staff how to enforce it.
DO YOU HAVE FOOD IN THE PLAY AREA? It is best not to allow any food or treats in the play area.
If your dog gets a mid-day snack or meal, it should begiven during rest periods when they are isolated.
IS YOUR DOG A GOOD CANDIDATE?Not all dogs are good candidates for day care. Many dogs
are social with people but would prefer not to be aroundother dogs. Dogs that are resource guarders, incessantherders or easily over stimulated may not be right for daycare. Dogs with health concerns like diabetes, hip dysplasiaor arthritis may be fine in day care, may need a quieter playgroup or not be a good candidate at all.
The Barn Junior section of The BarnPlayers will present Disney’s 101Dalmations — Kids this summer at theconclusion of theatre workshops for chil-dren aged 8 to 12. Performances will be
June 21-23 and July 24-26 at the BarnPlayers Theatre, 6219 Martway inMission, KS.
FREE PRE-SHOW
FESTIVITIESSpecial pre-show free festivities
for 101 Dalmations — Kids willbe held on Saturday, June 16, at the Barn Players Theatre parking area,from 10:00 a.m. until Noon. The show’s cast members, in costume, willhost the Heartland Dalmatian Club members, who will be bringingmany Dalmations, puppies to adults. In addition, the Mission FireDepartment will send fire trucks so that parents can take pictures ofchildren. Mayor Laura L. McConwell will issue an official Proclamationdesignating June 16 as Barn Players / Barn Junior. 101 Dalmations Dayin Mission, KS. For details go to www.thebarnplayers.org.
MA
Y2
01
2•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
25
SHOULD YOU CONTINUE GOING? If you dog does not want to get out of the car after
the third or fourth visit to the day care, that is a signthat your dog does not like it. If your dog starts tohave undesirable behaviors at home, that is a signyou should not like the day care. All day cares aredifferent and have a different set of rules and dogs.Try more than one day care before giving up on daycare completely.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD MY DOG GO? There are some dogs that benefit from day care
five days a week, but those dogs are rare. Over stim-ulation and too much social pressure can causemany dogs to develop inappropriate behaviorsand/or anxiety issues. Most dogs benefit from one-three days of day care per week with days off inbetween for rest and recuperation.
PAY ATTENTION TO CUSTOMER SERVICE
How does the staff treat you on the phone and inperson? How they treat you is a good indicator ofhow they will treat your dog. Do they pay attentionto you, answer your questions, look you in the eyeor are they too busy, not interested or just don’tseem to care.
Make a checklist with all the questions you want toask and take that with you when you check out afacility (be sure to leave your dog at home while youare interviewing). The day care you choose will becaring for an important part of your family and youwill most likely be spending a fair amount of moneythere, so don’t be shy! Expect good customer serv-ice and knowledgeable, professional and skillfulcare from the staff as well as the owner. The bene-fits of day care are vast and well worth the effort ittakes to find a good facility — if your dog is a goodcandidate. There is nothing like coming home aftera long tiring day to a tired, satisfied and happy dog!
Patty Homer has worked as a vettech for 10 years and has been train-ing pets for over 20 years. She offersin home training, behavior consultingand private obedience classes for dogsand cats as well as Pet First Aid andCPR classes. Patty is certified throughthe Certification Counsel ofProfessional Dog Trainers (CPDT-KA)and is the founder and president ofHEARTland Positive Dog Training Alliance. Her experience inthe veterinary field as well as training gives her a uniqueapproach to dog training, considering the mind, body andspirit of each pet. You can find her atwww.goodpupkc.com, [email protected],816.699.2260 and follow her on facebook.
Going tothe dogs!
Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•M
AY
20
12
26
S tudies have shown that 1 in 6 cats have heart disease, even thoughmost of these look perfectly healthy.1 Some cats have heart disease foryears before showing any clinical signs, and that is why, until recently,heart disease in cats has been difficult to diagnose.
WHICH CATS GET HEART DISEASE?This disease affects all types of cats; however, pure breeds such as the
American shorthair, Maine coon, Persian, Siamese, Sphinx and the Ragdoll are especially prone to heart disease. The age of diagnosis mayrange anywhere from 3 months to 19 years. Younger cats tend to devel-op a more aggressive form of the disease than adult or geriatric cats.
WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON FORM OF HEART DISEASE?The most commonly diagnosed type of heart disease is called
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy or HCM. HCM causes the heart’s muscle tothicken, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood through the cat’sbody. This thickening of the heart muscle can also be a natural responseto other diseases, such as hyperthyroidism, kidney disease and hyperten-sion. It’s always important to work closely with your veterinarian to ruleout these other diseases.
1. Paige CF, Abbott JA, Elvinger F., Pyle RL Prevalance of cardiomyopathy in apparentlyhealthy cats. JAVMA, 2009; 234(11): 1398-1403)
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS?Heart disease is often labeled as a “silent” dis-
ease in cats. This is due to the fact that cats maynot show any signs of the disease until too late.Watch for any of the following signs in your cat,and call your veterinarian if your cat demonstratesany of them.
• Doesn’t want to exercise or play• Seems overly tired or lethargic• Is breathless or has difficulty breathing• Collapses or faintsOther signs of heart disease can be detected only
by your veterinarian during a complete, thoroughexamination, including:
• Audible sounds between heartbeats (murmur)• Gallop rhythm• Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
HOW CAN MY VETERINARIAN DIAGNOSE
HEART DISEASE?Your veterinarian will perform a complete phys-
ical examination with a stethoscope. This will pro-vide clues as to whether or not your cat has anyheart-related problems and, if so, he/she will helpguide you with the next steps for your cat.
HOW DO I PROTECT MY CAT’S HEART?Although there is no cure for heart disease, early
detection can make a significant difference in yourcat’s quality of life. So, what can you do?
• Watch for any changes in your cat’s activitylevel or appetite.
by Cheryl Waterman, CVPM
Does YourCat HaveHeartDisease?
• Maintain your cat’s proper body weight. (Differentthan humans, fat cats are not necessarily pre-disposedto heart disease; in fact, thinner cats may be moreprone.)
• Know your cat’s breed.• If your veterinarian hears a murmur, ask about heart
disease.
HEART DISEASE IS DIFFERENT FOR EVERY CATYour veterinarian will prescribe further testing, such as
x-rays or ultrasound, if he/she feels it is necessary.Depending on your cat’s individual needs, he/she may pre-scribe medications as appropriate.
The good news is that with early detection and interven-tion, many cats can be helped to live long and comfortablelives.
Cheryl Waterman is the HospitalAdministrator at the Cat Clinic of JohnsonCounty and a long-time cat lover. She has beenwith the Clinic for the past 13 years, and in2007 received Certification in VeterinaryPractice Management (CVPM) designation.She is a member of the Veterinary HospitalManagers Association and the AmericanAnimal Hospital Association. You can contact her at the Cat Clinic ofJohnson County, 913.541.0478.
MA
Y2
01
2•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
27
Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•M
AY
20
12
28
CHAPTER 4Oh my Goodness, Good Golly Miss
Molly, I sat there shaking so hard myteeth were chattering, I could feel thislittle grumbling in my chest, that Icould not stop and my hair started tostand up on end like a million littlepins sticking out. The big black andbrown dog kept sniffing me. My headwas soaked with his drool. It seemedlike forever, and then I felt him nudgeme gently. I opened one eye just a slitso I could see what he was doing, Iwas sure he was going to eat me, butthen he wiggled his whole butt, like hewas trying to wag his tail (he did nothave one which was odd) and hebowed down to me like I was somesort of prince or something. I did notknow what to do, and then I remem-bered my sister had done this whenshe wanted to play. BUT……he wassooooooo big. I was petrified!!! I keptwhispering to myself “Don’t be afraid.Have courage. Don’t be afraid.”
RECAP FROMCHAPTER 3
The police have taken Allen andPenelope away in a police car. I amworried I might not see them again.There was a BIG black and brown dog.I did not know if he was friendly andwould want to share his yard with me,but I was about to find out as theyopened the door to let the BIG dog in.I closed my eyes and turned my headaway as I did not know what was goingto happen next. I could feel his hotbreath all over my body, he was panti-ng and drooling all over me, but Idared not move.
HAVE COURAGE — DON’T BE
AFRAID!I wanted to run away, but there was no
place to run. Then he did the most amazingthing, he made himself very, very small bylying down next to me and rolled over onhis back and looked at me with a big oldsmile, eye ball to eye ball, I could see thecloudiness in his eyes and that he couldnot see me, but knew I was there. Herolled over on his back and did not moveuntil I slowly sniffed him all over and hestill was laying there without moving. Iremembered my mom also doing this andthought, hmmmm maybe he wants me to justnuzzle up to him, so I did.I sniffed his earsand then laid my head on his big oldneck and fell asleep. In fact, we both fellasleep, just like that. I made my firstfriend that day. I was no longer afraid.
NEW FRIENDS!I dreamed of my mom, brothers and sisters warm. Safe in our barn filled with
sweet smelling hay. But then I noticed other smells in my dream. They smelled likebacon and other yummy things, I could hear muffled voices talking and could nottell if I was dreaming or if this was real. Then the big dog got up, and shook him-self off and my head dropped to floor with a thud! Waking me suddenly, I jumpedup and yelped. What I found was that he had gone into the room where there real-ly was bacon cooking and people talking. This was not a dream, it was real. He satall nice and pretty by the feet of the lady cooking and she smiled at him. I wantedher to smile at me also, so I went over next to him and imitated what he was doingby sitting nice and pretty. The lady said, “Well, look at that, this puppy is trained.”I did not know what she meant, but I sure liked the way she looked at me all warm,happy and smiley. Right then and there, I decided to do whatever it took for her tolook at me like that again. She then reached over and stroked me on the side ofthe face, shoulder and back and said, “What a good pup you are. I wonder if youhave a name? I think I will call you Chip as you are a chip off the ole block likeHorace here.” She looked over at the big black and brown dog and at that momentI realized what it must feel like to belong to a family and be loved and so wished
for that. So the big guy had a name, Horace.The next day, the lady took me to visit Allen and Penelope
at their new home. It was called a foster home and there
Courage — Mental or moral strength to persevere,and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.
ChipThe Adventures of
by Heddie Leger
View this video and discuss with fam-ily or friends: http://www.ehow.com/video_4435931_teaching-courage-kids.html
MA
Y2
01
2•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
were tons of children there jumping all over the place andmaking a mess. Allen and Penelope sat in the corner look-ing very scared and sad. We all went outside and they start-ed talking about finding their parents. I wished someonewould help me find my mom and brothers and sisters, butsomehow deep inside I knew it was not going to happen. Ifigured that most people would spend more time trying tohelp a human child than a missing pup. Besides, I had itpretty good right now.
Allen and Penelope started to cry. They missed their homeand parents (I knew how they felt). I snuggled up next tothem and it seemed to help them. All of them were pettingme and talking about what their next steps would be to findAllen and Penelope’s parents. They got permission to takephotos and they included me in the photo with them to helpthem feel better. The lady told Allen and Penelope to bebrave and have courage. But, it seems to me they alreadyhad been as they had survived a horrible storm, found away to stay safe and also save me in the process. Then theyall talked again with the police, and were told that therewere people out in our neighborhood helping people findtheir belongings and look for loved ones. Surely someonewould find Allen and Penelope’s parents. They allexchanged phone numbers and filled out some forms forwhat they called permission, whatever that means, and thenthe police left. Allen and Penelope started to cry again asthey did not want to go back into the home with all the kidsthat were noisy, crazy and disrespectful, but they were toldthey had to go back inside. Then the lady started to cry alsoas she walked away and got into the car to go home, but atleast she took me with her. She hugged me as she sat therecrying. Then put me in my seatbelt and started the car todrive home. I could hear her whisper to herself, “I amgoing to help those children, no matter what.” I thoughtshe was the nicest, most beautiful lady I had ever met atthat moment. She looked like an angel to me.
STORY DISCUSSION TIPS1) How did the pup show courage in this episode?2) Have you ever been so scared you wanted to run away,
but could not? Share this experience with someone.3) How do you calm yourself when you are very scared?
ACTIVITYRead a book with courage as a virtue. Suggested books: The
Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper; Wizard of Oz by L.Frank Baum, Jack and the Beanstalk, “Little Polar Bear andthe Brave Little Hare, by Hans de Beer. Pretend to be theCowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz story, or the engine in theLittle Engine That Could. Discuss with someone how it wouldfeel and why we need courage.
Create your own book about courage by writing and/or illus-trating your own story about demonstrating courage, such aswhen faced by a bully in school. Search through magazinesand newspapers for stories and pictures of men, women andchildren who exhibit courage.
29
MINIATURE HORSES
Many people think they would liketo keep a miniature horse as a pet, but donot realize they required all the same careas a full sized horse. In order to keep aminiature horse healthy and well caredfor they need plenty of room to runaround, regular veterinary care, a healthydiet, lots of attention and affection andcare and grooming. Caring for a minia-ture horse is nothing like caring for adog. They can be kept successfully aspets; however it is important to remem-ber that they are still in the horse orequine family and need all the care andattention that a full-sized horse will need.The purchase price can vary, however, itcan cost quite a bit to care for them ade-quately.
HEALTH CARE AND FEEDINGHealth care for miniature horses includes: regular dental care by a
veterinarian, care of hooves and careful attention to diet. Just likeany horse a major health issue for miniature horses is colic. Horsesdo not have the ability to vomit. Food or any item that is lodged in thedigestive tract more than likely will remain there. Colic is very seri-ous and painful condition. It can cause such severe blockage in theintestines that can lead to death of the animal. Any indication or sus-picion of abdominal pain in a miniature or any horse requires thatveterinary help be provided immediately.
The feeding of miniature horses should not include any oats or toomuch access to lush grass as they are prone to founder. It is veryimportant to provide a mineral block and salt lick. Like all animalsthey require fresh water. Miniature horses can be special compan-ions being friendly, wonderful creatures, but if not trained properlythey can become spoiled and snotty. They are very smart, which leadsthem to learn bad behavior just like any other living being. You mustbe willing and able to spend a good deal of time with your horse, asthey are social creatures that thrive on attention.
by Heddie Leger
Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•M
AY
20
12
30
In order to keep aminiature horsehealthy and wellcared for they need
plenty of room to runaround, regular
veterinary care, ahealthy diet, lots ofattention and affectionand care and grooming.
as Pets
HOUSINGThe housing of the miniature horse is very important.
It is no different than that needed for the larger version,but only on a smaller scale. Shelter from the heat andcold in temperature extremes is required. There shouldalways be a shady place for the horse to go. If introducedproperly they may be kept in pens with larger horses andother animals, the only concern being around feedingtimes. Proper fencing is a must. Smaller minis can sneakout under fences made for larger animals. It is not rec-ommended to keep more than three miniatures per acreof pasture. Like most “herd” animals they are happiestwhen kept with at least one friend.
While some people keep the very small miniatures intheir homes, this is not advisable. The animals cannotbe fully house trained, but can wear a bag to catchdroppings. Always check your local ordinances andlaws on keeping livestock before acquiring any animalthat is considered livestock regardless of your intendeduse of the animal.
A SPECIALTY BREEDIt is important to remember that Miniature horses are not
ponies. They are a a specialty breed. One registry is the AMHA,or American Miniature Horse Association, which requires thehorses to be no taller than 34 inches at the withers. They comein a variety of colors. They generally resemble a scaled downversion of a larger breed of horse.
When thinking about selection you will want to considerwhether you want a miniature for show, or breeding, or a petcompanion animal. Regardless of the pedigree you will wantto select one that is friendly, allows and accepts you pickingup it’s feet and allowing you to touch its ears and tail. Makesure you view it being walked and trotted so you can study its’gait for signs of lameness. Miniatures often suffer from neg-lected feet, something you should check before purchasingyour horse. It is advisable to have a veterinarian check theminiature horse before spending any money on purchasingthe horse. A small amount paid to a vet in advance can saveyou thousands of dollars later if the horse should have anyhealth issues.
BUYING A MINIATURE HORSEIf purchasing the horse to be a child’s pet you will want to
make sure the horse is quiet and calm. Do not purchase a stal-lion for a pet as stallions can be very aggressive. Geldings areoften thought to make the best for pets, as mares can bemoody. Foals are cute, but require much training and can growup mean if not handled, trained and socialized correctly.
MA
Y2
01
2•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
31
Miniatures are usually kept strictly as companion animals orpets, however, they can be trained to pull carts or for small chil-dren to ride. Some people have found miniatures to be useful astherapy animals, for the elderly, disabled individuals, or even asguide animals for the blind.
Smaller miniatures should not be ridden, their backs are notmade for it, and they will suffer especially in older age from beingover-ridden when young. Due to being are herd animals, they pre-fer to be with other horses. If you do not have the ability to providethis type of companionship for them try to provide your mini witha friend, a miniature donkey, llama, or even sheep.
DELIGHTFUL COMPANIONSOverall, the miniature horse can make a delightful companion ani-
mal with the proper care, housing and health provisions your minia-ture horse can live 35-50 years providing a lifetime of enjoyment.
Heddie is a Certified Humane Educatorand member of APDT, APLB, APHE andNHES sharing a lifelong passion of helpingchildren and the elderly learn mannersreinforcement with their pets through thePawZone In-Home PetSitting and TheDogSpot Training Center. You can reachher at 816.820.5829.
32
by Mike Deathe
Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•M
AY
20
12
Cure
OK I have used them. I have recommended them. And yes Isell them. Ahhh the no pull tools. Whether a head halter, a nopull harness or maybe a bungee type device, they have becomean industry in and of themselves in the pet care world.
So, is that a good or a bad thing? I am going to fall backon one of my favorite quips concerning dog training“there are no bad tools-only bad applications” and thisarticle is all about a common mistake folks make whendealing with dogs that pull on a leash! They buy (or aresold) a “magic” no pull device and figure their job is done; in other wordsthey allow the device to become a crutch that they lean on to gain controlof their dog and as an excuse for no longer having to train their dog!
DESPERATE FOR A CHANGEThe scenario goes a little something like this. Fido’s mom calls a trainer or vis-
its the local pet supply big box store and complains that Fido is yanking hershoulder out of its socket and desperate to have the dog walk nicely on a leash.The trainer or salesperson shows Fido’s Mom several no pull devices and evenallows them to try several on and see which one works best! They head to theregister with their new device, then on home and to Loose Leash Walking.Success. Right? The dog no longer pulls on the leash. Everything seems great .Then, on day Fido’s Mom forgets to put the “wonder device.” She only has theplain old regular leash with her.
Wait for it. Yep you guessed it, that wonderful dog that never pulls with thedevice on is now even worse. She inadvertently took a great teaching tool andtried to make it a cure all! The problem with all of these no pull harnesses isthere is no way to change them or manipulate them into a regular leash so thatwe can proof or test the dog’s success. For that matter, no one bothered to tellFido’s Mom that training had only just begun with the sale of this wonder deviceand that much more work was necessary!
NOT A CURE ALLThese tools are only there to give people temporary control of the situation. So
the dog and owner can begin the process of teaching Fido that staying close toMom or Dad and paying attention to them is way more rewarding than pullingon the leash like a Banshee! The retailers, and sometimes even trainers, have
OR Crutch
BASIC TIPSHow to Teach Not Pulling (no matter
what leash you use)• Teach Watch Me as a way to keep
attention on you and not the envi-ronment.
• If you feel a pull, the walk must stop.You don’t want to reward the pull bycontinuing the walk
• Always reward being near you, keeptreats handy and randomly rewardFido for choosing to be near.
• Remember, if Fido makes it fromPoint A to Point B even if draggingyou the entire way, pulling has beensuccessful, and in the dog’s mindworked which reinforces pulling!
MA
Y2
01
2•
Met
roPe
tMag
.co
m
33
taken a wonderful tool and turned it into acrutch that then can never quit using!
GREAT NEWSNow here is the cool news. There are
solutions on the market that have gonepast the point where plain head haltersand no pull harnesses have taken us. They
are leashes thatact as an every-thing, all in onepackage. They canbe configured intoa head halter orinto a no pull har-ness and yes, eveninto a regularleash, all with just
a twist of the leash. We now have an entiretool kit (in one leash!) for teaching Fidoto quit pulling. We have the no pull ver-sions of the leash that give the owner thenecessary temporary control; thus allow-ing training to occur and to continue. It isalso a regular leash so we can teach ourclients to proof or test their dogs on a reg-
TYPES OF TOOLS AND HOW THEY WORK• Head Halter type: They fit on the dog’s head and like a bridle on a
horse. As the dog pulls, the person simply stops moving, allowing thedog’s pull to turn the dog’s head sideways or downward, stopping thepull. (example “Gentle Leader or Halti”)1. You must take care not to jerk or pull on this leash due to the
increased control of the neck. If not, spinal damage can occur.2. You must allow time for positive conditioning in regards to wearing
the device, otherwise the dog will paw at, rub or “freak out” whilewearing it while connected to the leash.
3. Not recommended on Brachycephalic (smoosh-nosed) dogs.• No Pull Harness type: Harness type apparatus that hooks on the top
or front that either turns the dog sideways or cinches around the mid-section during the pull. (example EZ Walk Harness or Sporn Harness)1. Ideal for the Brachycephalic (smoosh-nosed) dogs2. Less control of head3. Dogs tend to accept better than head halters
• Combination type: This is a leash made with a loop system that allowsthe user to create one of three types of device: head halter, no pull har-ness and regular over the head collar. (example Run-Devue Leashes)1. Allows for testing or proofing progress of the dog.2. Can switch to a regular leash, not just device only.3. Ability to choose between head and body style in one product.
ular basis; thus weaning the dog and the owneraway from the no pull aspect of the leash andmoving to just a regular everyday leash! I guessin the end it is up to you as to what tool youwant and how you plan to use it. But rememberto ask yourself if you are really using the tool orjust allowing it to use you!!!
Mike Deathe is a stay-at-home dad who found hispassion as a dog trainer in2008. The author of the KeepIt Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.)Pet Blog. Mike has had dogssince he was four years old!In 2009, he and his wife Katefounded Muttz “R” Us, a t-shirt and pet product company with a philanthropicmotto of “Adopt a Pet, Save a Life.” In 2011 Muttz “R”Us also launched KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID DOG TRAIN-ING. He is a charter member of Heartland Positive DogTraining Alliance and just earned his CPDT-KA creden-tial! Visit him at facebook or twitter or follow the blog@http://muttzmembers.blogspot.com/ or checkout the website muttzrus.com for details about shirts.
They areleashes thatact as aneverything —all in onepackage.
Me
tro
Pe
t M
agaz
ine
•M
AY
20
12
34
BLUE BLUE
BERRY BERRY
BUN BUNSMakes a dozen berry, berry
delicious muffinsIngredients
1 cup skim milk 1/4 cup vegetable oil1/3 cup honey 1 egg2 1/3 cups white flour 4 tsp baking powder1 tsp vanilla 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
Recipe credit:
Three Dog Bakery Cookbook by Dan Dye & Mark Beckloff
Directions:
• Preheat oven to 375°.• In mixing bowl, combine milk, oil and honey. Add egg and blend well.
• Combine flour and baking powder in a separate bowl and add to wetingredients. Stir together thoroughly.
• Add vanilla and fold in blueberries.
• Grease a muffin tin and fill two thirds full.
• Bake for 20 — 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the centerof a muffin comes out clean. Cool before serving and store in a sealedcontainer.
