MetroPet June2010

JUNE 2010 • MetroPetMag.com 3

28 Dog Waste RemovalTake care of the presents your dog leaves behind.

In Every Issue4 Publishers Message

Take time to enjoy your animal companion.

17 Cat HoroscopesCheck out your cat’s horoscope!

21 Dog HoroscopesHow well do you really know your dog?

24 Chip’s Corner Have some fun and complete this pawzlle!

30 Ask the VetMy cat doesn’t use the litter box. What now?

33 Upcoming EventsCheck out these upcoming events.

34 How Cute is Your Pet?The winners of this month’s contest.

Feature Articles

5 Music: The Effects on DogsThe type of music played can impact how dogs react.

6 The Truth About Dogs and SeizuresLearn more so you can protect your pet.

9 Hike StoryRaising awareness for veterans is this soldier’s reason for hiking.

10 Training Tips: Watch Me!Getting Fido to watch you is the first step in training.

12 Local Pet EventsJoin us at Dog-n-Jog and Pets in the Park and Lake.

14 Celebrate Independence with CalmFourth of July may be fun for us, but not for your animal companion.

18 April Showers, May Flowers, June Bugs! Protect your pets from bugs with these tips.

20 Learn More About a Breed: DachshundLearn more about this special breed.

22 Finding a Stray: What do you do?Did you find a stray? Help reunite strays with their owners.

26 When Pets Go MissingBe prepared with a first response protocol.

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22 26

June 2010

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4 MetroPet Magazine • JUNE 2010

TAKE TIME TO ENJOY...your animal companion — it’s important. Sometimes it

can be as simple as taking a walk, playing in the house, orjust petting your furry friend. It all counts. Just a little bitof attention can sometimes prevent unwanted behavior. Sotake the time, and enjoy your friend.

THE ENVIRONMENT AND OUR PETSIn this issue of MetroPet, you will find an article about pests and how to prevent

them from getting to your furry friends. There is a new product for tick removalcalled the tick key. Just a few dollars spent to purchase this product might saveyou and your pet needless agony.

There are several noteworthy articles in this issue: Hike for Heroes — Troy iswalking 7,000 miles across America and coming to the Kansas City for severaldays, see page 9. Summer is a peak time for lost pets, take time to read the arti-cles about lost pets found on pages 22 and 26. Planning ahead could prevent aloss, or help you find a pet.

Take time to read the articles about how pets react to music and fireworks onpages 5 and 14. Being aware of how pets react to music, noise and fireworks canhelp you enjoy a healthier lifestyle.

Cat lovers take note of the Ask a Vet article on page 30. And dog lovers, learn lifecoaching and training tips in the article on page 10.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT OF METROPETIn this issue you will many valuable coupons. Use them to save money and show

your support of our advertisers. Please remember to tell them, “I saw your adin MetroPet.” This will help them grow and, in turn, will support our growth.

We continually hear from readers about how much they love the magazine.Thank You! We greatly appreciate your support.

Sincerely

Barbara Riedel, Publisher

P.S. Need a new resource — groomer, trainer, pet foodstore, day care/boarding facility, veterinarian, etc.Look no further than the advertisers in MetroPet —there are some great resources!

Publisher’s MessageStaff &

ContactsPublisherBarbara Riedel

[email protected]

Editor/ProductionManagerDan O’Leary

[email protected]

Magazine LayoutROI Marketing

816.942.1600 • [email protected]

Advertising SalesEric Novak

Ad Sales: [email protected]

WebmasterMichael Justice

[email protected]

Contributing AuthorsMike Deathe

Shelia Dodson, DVMPat HennessyHeddie Leger

Sarah Estlund-MullallyLori Stiles

Karin TarQwyn

PhotographersEric Novak

Dan O’Leary

Contact MetroPetPO Box 480065

Kansas City, MO 64148Phone: 913.548.1433

Ad Sales: 913.579.3815Fax: 816.941.4655

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 necessarilyconstitute endorsement by MetroPet Magazine.

Articles: Readers are invited to submit articles for considerationfor publication to [email protected]. All materials aresubject to editorial review.

© 2010 MetroPet Magazine. All rights reserved. Requestreprint permissions at [email protected].

MetroPet Magazine is owned and published by ROI MarketingServices, all rights reserved.

MUSIC CAN SOOTHE OR IRRITATEHave you considered playing music for your dog when you

leave home? According to the Universities Federation for AnimalWelfare, music is proven to have a positive effect on our dogs.

Listening to certain types of music may actually help with thewelfare of dogs in animal shelters, as there are types of musicthat have soothing qualities. On the other hand, there are alsocertain types ofmusic which agi-tate dogs andshould not beplayed arounddogs in kennels orthe shelter envi-ronment.

HEAVY METALDogs become agitated and nervous when listening to heavy

metal. The effects of heavy metal music on dogs can also makethe dogs bark. In the same study, it was found that when exposedto heavy metal music, dogs of all breeds, sizes and ages becamequite agitated

CLASSICALClassical music soothes and calms dogs. In fact, the Arizona

Animal Welfare League plays classical music in the shelter to calmtheir resident dogs. A study in Northern Ireland found music fromVivaldi’s “Four Seasons,” among other classical pieces, calmeddogs to such a point that many of them lay down and slept.Classical music appears to be a great tool to use in an owner’sabsence to help decrease the symptoms of separation anxiety formany dogs.

Music:The Effects

on Dogs


Did you know Clair deLune may soothe yourdog while Halestorm

will agitate her?

May 5, 2010, we lost our beloved dog, Tyler. Tyler was approx-imately 13 years old but, as with every rescue dog we couldn’tbe sure. Two days before his death Tyler had a seizure. Then, 15hours after his first seizure, he had a second.

It started on Monday, May 3rd at 4 a.m. My husband and Iwere awakened by Stella, another rescue dog we have adopted,barking. Stella was standing over Tyler barking incessantly —her effort to let us know something was very wrong. Tyler washaving a seizure. His first, as far as we knew. He had his secondseizure at 7 pm that evening. We lost him 48 hours after his firstseizure. It turns out, Tyler had a brain tumor which is one of themost common underlying causes of a seizure.

Watching our beloved Tyler seize was unbearable. Through

6 MetroPet Magazine • JUNE 20106 MetroPet Magazine • JUNE 2010

by Sarah Estlund-Mullally

the research I conducted in an attempt tounderstand the situation, I found very valu-able information for any dog owner.

CAUSESThere are two main causes of seizures in

dogs: epilepsy and the presence of a braintumor. (Our Tyler, it turns out had the lat-ter.) However, these two —epilepsy andbrain tumor — aren’t the only causes ofseizures in dogs. Did you know that toxicchemicals and substances are also a largecause of seizures in dogs?

Lead based paint — which is found innearly all homes built between 1960 and1978 — is one of the biggest causes ofseizures in dogs. Does your dog scratch onthe door when he hears your car in thedrive? Or maybe you have a dog with anxietyissues that licks the walls? Whether he isscratching the door causing the paint tochip and fall to the floor or licking the

walls, he is ingesting lead based paint and thus, exposinghimself to lead poisoning.

It was actually my husband who brought this to my atten-tion. We used to keep the dogs upstairs, in our loft area. Wehave a door to our upstairs loft that the dogs would scratchwhen they heard us come home. Granted it was never imme-diately obvious but over time the paint chips on the hard-

There are two main causes ofseizures in dogs: epilepsy and

presence of a brain tumor

The Truth about Dogsand Seizures

wood floor collected and the scratches on the door becamemuch more obvious. Luckily we don’t think the dogs ingest-ed any of this paint but had they, it could have proved fatal.

Other toxic substances that may harm and cause seizureactivity in your dog are champagne bottle foil, golf ball cov-erings, batteries and linoleum.

Epilepsy is another cause of seizures in dogs and is mostcommon in younger dogs: usually ages three and under.Tumors of the brain are more common in older dogs.

TREATMENTThe cause of the seizures in your dog will determine the

treatment plan. If it is determined your dog has epilepsy yourveterinarian may prescribe an anticonvulsant medicationsuch as Phenobarbital. There are many others as well, butPhenobarbital is the most popular. Other drugs used to treatseizures in dogs are Dilantin or Valium.

Your veterinarian may prescribe anticonvulsants to stopthe seizures regardless of the cause of the seizure activity. Itis important to keep in mind there are underlying causes. Inthe case that your elderly dog has a brain tumor, as our Tylerdid, there is usually no course of treatment for the braintumor itself. Therefore, keeping the seizures under controlis the only treatment option. After time, the brain tumor itselfwill cause problems, pain and a lesser quality of life for yourdog.

DURING THE SEIZURE

Watching your beloved dog have a seizure can be terrifyingand heartbreaking. There is nothing you can do except try tokeep calm. If you have other dogs in your home rememberthey may react in strange ways. One of our dogs, Stella,mothered Tyler and protected him during his seizures whileour other dog Max, attacked Tyler. This, according to manyveterinarians, is common. When the alpha dog is in a weak-ened state it may be common for a non-alpha to try to stepup and take advantage.

Dogs may act more aggressively while seizing and immedi-ately after a seizure. It is recommended by vets to keep yourhands away from your dog’s mouth. They will not swallowtheir tongue, however they may become scared and bite you.Dogs will also foam at the mouth and a lot of saliva and liq-uids will be released as a result of the seizure.

You can hold your dog: lay over your dog, or anything youare comfortable doing to keep them comfortable and safeduring the seizure.

During a seizure your dog may or may not have the follow-ing symptoms: twitching, muscle spasms, foaming at themouth, kicking of their legs, barking, crying and involuntarybowel movements or urination.


AFTER THE SEIZUREExpect odd behavior after your dog has a

seizure. This period is heartbreaking, as well,because she will not be herself. She will bescared and feel confused. Some possiblebehaviors might be “wall pressing,” blind-ness, and loss of control of bowels, kidneysand legs.

“Wall pressing” occurs when she walks intoa wall and will continue pressing her noseand head against the wall. There are many dif-ferent reasons she might wall press includingrelieving pressure in her head, trying to makeher way along the wall because she cannot seepost-seizure and staying near something sta-ble to feel secure.

It is common for dogs to experience tempo-rary blindness after a seizure. Tyler lost hissight entirely for nearly an hour after his firstseizure.

During and immediately after your dog has aseizure he may lose control of his bowels orkidney. This is hard to watch, yet normal inthese circumstances. Many dogs’ legs willbuckle underneath them as well. Tyler stoodnext to me 30 minutes after his seizure andthen one or more of his legs would buckle.

While having one seizure is not necessarilyanything to be concerned about you shouldtake your dog to the vet afterward. The causeof the seizure and potential underlying issuesare important to discover and treat.

Sarah Estlund-Mullally is a free-lance journalist and has worked inanimal rescue for more than halfher life. She supports animalactivist organizations in KansasCity including; Northland AnimalWelfare Society, Chain of Hope,SNKC, FOPAS and Northland PetPantry. She is very active with the Missouri Alliance forAnimal Legislature and has a special place in herheart for bully breeds. Sarah and her husband, Kurt,have three rescue dogs ranging from 40 to 95 pounds!


Expect odd behavior afteryour dog has a seizure. Thisperiod is heartbreaking, aswell, because she will not

be herself. She will bescared and feel confused.


SPC Troy Yocum, backed by a team, is taking onthe challenge of raising the needed $5 million forveterans and their families by hik-ing 7,000 miles across Americawhile drumming. The journey willtake 15 months passing through30 states, and 38 large cities. Troywill have to average over 20 mileseach day. The idea for the hike hasbeen evolving since 2001, but it isnow when our economy is strug-gling and military families are inmost need that he will put one footin front of another — Stepping up to Help!

Troy is hiking across America to “drum up” support for our strugglingveterans and families. He will be accompanied by Emmie (Emerson ElaineEskridge) the Superdog. is a Shiba Inuthe, a distinct breed from Japan. Asmall, agile dog, Emmie copes very well with mountainous terrain and

Hike for Heroes t r a i l s .

Emmie hasan abun-dance ofenergy. Sheloves torun, playcatch, and

hunt small animals. Emmie has a thick coat, especially dur-

ing the winter. Her safety is a main con-cern from the crew during very hot days. Iftemperatures rise then Emmie will take itnice and easy by riding in the RV that fol-lows SPC Yocum. Of course she can’t stand

this. She always wants to be out front to lead the hike.We sometimes think that she was born for the purposeof hiking across America!

Emmie has a special role as she walks acrossAmerica: to help spread joy to many soldiers and theirfamilies and she is ready for the challenge!

For more information, or to make a donation, visitdrumhike.com.

Kansas City ScheduleJune 22 IndependenceJune 23, Kansas CityJune 24, 980 AM LiveJune 25, KC RoyalsJune 26, Bonner SpringsJune 27, Lawrence


Watch Me should be the first command people teachtheir dogs! Let’s face it, if you don’t have a dog’s attention,teaching them anything else is pretty much futile.

WHAT IS WATCH ME?When I want to teach a dog that, with either a hand signal or

a verbal cue (“Watch me!”), FIDO will stop what he is doingand look me in the face and wait for the next command. Watchme can be used for a variety of reasons, but for me it’s the firststep in stopping problem behaviors. Put simply, dogs rarely canwalk and chew bubble gum at the same time, so if Fido isengaging in a behavior I don’t like, the first thing I will dois ask for a watch me.

For that split second when the dog stops the inappropri-ate behavior, I have, in essence, won the battle, but not the war!The war is teaching the dog an alternative behavior to replace the badbehavior. For example, if my dog is chewing on my prize pair of shoes, I willfirst negatively mark the behavior (make the EGGHH! noise), then ask fora watch me (to gain attention) and finally ask for a sit (alternative behav-ior) to take the place of the chewing of shoes.

As many of you know, I truly believe that the smartest trait a dog trainercan have is the ability of IGNORING THE BAD AND REWARDING THEGOOD. This becomes the first tenet for winning the war of bad behavior,and watch me becomes the first line of defense for your campaign! So howdo I teach my dog this wonderful little trick???

HOW TO EFFECTIVELY USE TREATSStart with a high value treat, and place it right on the end of your dog’s

nose, but don’t let him have it yet. Once you have the dog’s attention, moveyour hand up towards your face. When your dog looks at you (at this pointreally looking at the treat) Click, and reward. As the dog becomes morecomfortable looking up at your face, begin to shape your verbal and handsignals. I use my index finger pointing at my nose for my hand signal andsimply say the words, “Watch me,” as my verbal cue.

by Mike Deathe

Training Tips:

WatchMe

As your dog builds stronger duration and dis-tance capability, you will be able to continue yourwork in more distracting environments. Thiscommand not only works for chewing on shoes,but can also be used for barking, jumping up,rushing the door and even aggression with dogsand people! In all situations “watch me” becomesyour main way to refocus your dog’s attentionfrom something you don’t like back to you, sothat you can then ask for and build the habit of abehavior you do like.

GettingFido to look at

me is the first step


Many times I hear “My dog does not want to look at my face.” Let’s face it, watch mecan be a pretty strange idea to a dog. Think about it, what does it mean when two dogslock eyes and don’t “blink”? That’s right, it’s a challenge; and some anxious, shy or Iguess even aggressive and fearful dogs may not want to participate in this cue. Let mebe clear… if you’re dealing with aggression I don’t recommend you trying this byyourself; call a trainer or behaviorist. Do not risk challenging an aggressive dog.

TEACHING DOGS OF ALL AGESThat being said, the best time to teach watch me is as a puppy.

The tabula rasa or blank slate will make this much easier. Allcommands and cues are easier to teach before bad habits start,and if all owners did this I would be out of a job, but business isstill good. Don’t worry though, even an older dog or one withbaggage can learn watch me. But let me warn you, it won’t behard on the dog…but it may be more difficult for you! Let meclarify, it really isn’t harder, but it will require patience; and manydog owners seem to think patience and difficult are the samething. Remember to relax and go slow. If the dog will only glanceat you with the treat, start there, and work towards a more reli-able watch me. It might take a lot of time, but trust me, it will beworth it. A quick hint on clickers…if your dog is scared of theclicking noise, don’t worry! Use a click style pen which is a muchsofter noise, and then gradually move to a clicker. And if youalways have to use a pen, who cares? Chances are, you always havea pen with you so it’s an easy substitute.

TIPS TO REMEMBERSo what have we learned?• “Watch me” should be one of the first commands taught.• Simply getting your dog’s attention away from a bad behavior

is the start to fixing that behavior.• Watch me is a great way to teach your dog to keep attention on you• You cannot stop with the cue alone, you must replace the bad

behavior with an alternate one. REMEMBER… Ignore thebad and reward the good!

• As with all dog training, go slow,be patient and relax. This com-mand should be the cornerstone toyou and your dog having a betterrelationship!

Mike Deathe is a stay-at-home dad who found hispassion as a dog trainer in 2008.He enjoys identifying unique anduseful “muttz” related products.He is the author of Keep ItSimple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) PetBlog. Mike has had dogs since hewas four years old! As an avid petlover, he regularly sees the num-

ber of dogs and cats that never find a home. In 2009,he and his wife Kate founded Muttz “R” Us, a t-shirtcompany with a philanthropic motto of “Adopt a Pet,Save a Life.” Visit them at www.muttzrus.com, onfacebook, twitter or follow the blog, muttzmem-bers.blogspot.com.

DOG-N-JOGJoin us for the 23rd Annual Dog-n-Jog. The Master

Emcees for the 2010 Dog-n-Jog event are NBC ActionNews Chief Meteorologist Gary Lezak, with his weatherdog, Stormy, and KFKF Radio’s Debbie Erikson.

As in the past, this year’s race is being held on the Country ClubPlaza beginning at 7:00 am. The event will be held at the intersectionof Central and Ward Parkway, and cover Ward Parkway, Pennsylvania,and Nichols Road. Plenty of Plaza parking will be available for youand your pooch at the Starbuck’s parking lot off Central and the Hall’sparking lot off Wyandotte.

EVENT DETAILSWhen: Sunday, June 13, 2010Schedule: 7:00 am: Late registration and fun

8:00 am: One & two mile runs, awards to follow8:30 am: Two mile walk8:15-9:45 am Agility performances, cutest dog cos-

tume contest, random prize drawingsand more!

9:30 am One mile walk10 am Top pledge collectors honored

Registration: Register by June 12 for $25or on June 13 for $35


Registration Options:1. Online: the preferred method2. Download an entry form (as a pdf format) and

mail completed forms by June 7 to Dog-n-Jog,5445 Parallel Parkway, KCK 66104.

3. Register early, at one of the following locations:Brookside Barkery and Bath, Brookside; Petco,Overland Park; PetSmart - Banfield, Shawnee;PetSmart - Banfield, Liberty.

4. Register on the day of the event. Please arrive 30minutes prior to your event when registering onJune 13.

All registrants receive a free Dog-n-Jog shirt and funpack, while supplies last.Fun Pack Pick Up: Pick up your event Fun Pack earlyor register in person on Saturday, June 12, 10 am to 4pm, call for locations, or packet pick up and registrationtables also open the day of the event from 7 - 9 am.

LOCAL PET EVENTS

PAWS IN THE PARKPaws in the Park was established in 2004 by a 50-Plus staff mem-

ber, Michelle Alexander who was a dog enthusiast. She wanted to addan event to Johnson County Parks and Recreation Department thatwas for all ages and involved all family members… even the furryones with tails! The off leash area of Heritage Park was the perfectvenue to start this event.

The first year was small but successful with 30 to 40 dogs andeight vendors promoting their dog services. At that event, dogs &dog owners participated in the following events: Fashion Race,Cutest Dog, Best Kisser, Best Dog Trick. Michelle said “I was soexcited to see how much fun the dogs and their owners had at theevent. I felt we were really onto something.”

Over the next three years the event grew through the support oflocal dog related businesses. Each year has brought new contests,demonstrations and new trends, doga-doggie-yoga, Micro-Chipping, etc. In 2006, Rescue Alley was added, local rescuegroups were invited to bring dogs and/or photos of animals seek-ing forever homes.

NEW LOCATIONIn 2008, the event was moved to Shawnee Mission Park Beach

and it is now called Paws in the Park & Lake! The unique twist isthat for this one event, Shawnee Mission Park Beach is opened todogs and their owners. This location also provides a dog walk onone of the many paved trails. The open beach allows everyone easyaccess to vendors, restrooms, tables to enjoy lunch, rescue alley,and more, all while watching dogs have the time of their lives!

NEW EVENTS ADDEDNew events include Police K-9 demonstrations, bone scavenger hunt,

bobbing for hot dogs, and an open agility course for any dog to try. Karen Driskill, long-time attendee says, “This is

the perfect event for me and my grandchildren tospend a morning swimming, playing games andparticipating in fun contests with our dogs. Welook forward to this day every summer!”

The 7th Annual Paws in the Park and is scheduledfor Saturday, June 19, 2010. All the excitementbegins at 9 am. Our line-up includes a dog walk,demo by Kansas City Disc Dogs, dog-owner relayrace, Ask-a-Vet, ball & Frisbee challenge, funniestdog trick and on-going events such as bobbing forhot dogs, dog-photo contest, name that breed andmuch more.

DISCOUNT — MENTION METROPETAll of this is included in the $15 per dog fee, each

additional dog is $10. Register by June 11, andmention this article to receive $5 off.

To sign up call Kari Baesel at 913-236-1269 orcheck out our website at www.jcprd.com, key-word: Paws in the Park.



Horray for the red, white and blue!!!! But, while you’re waving your flag isBuster hiding under the sofa? You may be enjoying your bratwurst and potatosalad, while Molly is miserable and trembling in the closet. To them it soundslike we have just been invaded by the enemy.

It is very important that you keep your animals secure over this noisy holiday,as more animals are lost over the 4th of July than other times during the year.You can certainly still show your patriotic spirit while ensuring that your animalcompanions are protected by following these guidelines.

Don’t take animals to fireworkdisplays

It will be quieter and safer at home. With the crowds, the smoke, and thenoise, it is not something your dog will enjoy. The sound alone can be unbear-able (your dog can hear up to three times greater than what the human ear canregister).

Never leave your pet in the carThe temperature can become deadly in a matter of a few minutes in a closed

car. Leaving the windows open only provides an opportunity for your dog toescape or be stolen.

Never leave petsunattended in a yard

Ever if your yard has a fence or your pet is ona chain, leaving your pet in the yard can leaveyou with dire consequences. In an anxious stateyour pet may jump a fence or dig out andbecome lost or injured, and on a cable or achain your pet runs the risk of injury or death bychoking or getting tangled.

The best bet is to keep your animal compan-ions indoors.

Provide a quietcomfortable area

Provide a quiet comfortable area for them tostay – a room downstairs (farther from thesound), a closet, or an open crate (offer this

by Pat Hennessy

CelebrateIndependence with Calm


option if they are used to a crate and consider it a “safeplace”). Leave a TV or radio on at a normal volume, whichwill provide some background noise and mask some ofthe distant fireworks. If your dog is not bothered much bythe noise, you may offer an appropriate chew toy as youwould if you were leaving any other time (toys you knoware safe to leave with him). If your dog is bothered by thenoise, then you will want to pick up items that he couldtear up – some dogs get destructive when frightened.

Make sure your pets arewearing identification

It is important to always have a current ID tag on yourcompanion animal, because if an individual or familyfinds your pet, the first thing they will look for is the tagand that is the quickest way they can get your pet back toyou. Animal shelters, and some veterinarians, will be ableto scan for a microchip.

It is important to always have acurrent ID tag on your companion

animal; this is the quickest way to get your pet back


ADDITIONAL SOOTHING OPTIONSAlong with the basic safety tips, if your pet is truly dis-

tressed by loud noises, consider these additional options.• Stay home with your pets. Having a familiar family mem-

ber with them, who is calm, can be the first step in loweringtheir anxiety.

• Try some gentle touchor massage techniques.

• Body wraps are anoth-er great calming option,such as the Anxiety Wrap®

or Thundershirt®. Thesestretchy fabric shirts bringbody awareness and havethe calming effect of swad-dling a baby.

• Add aromatherapy tothe mix – lavender oilworks well for us and ouranimal companions, butformulas specifically forthem include the pheromone versions (DAP for dogs andFeliway for cats).

• Try flower essences, such as Rescue Remedy™ or naturalsupplements which have herbal ingredients, such asCalmazon™ with Chamomile and Passion Flower, orProQuiet™ with L-Tryptophan, Chamomile and Ginger.

• If the noise phobia is severe and you feel you need some-thing strong, be aware that some drugs will relax the mus-cles but not the mind. Consult with your veterinarian.

While July 4th is a day for us to celebrate ourIndependence as a nation, let it be a day that your animalcompanions can celebrate their independence from stress.

Pat Hennessy, is the founder of N2paws, LLC, anorganization that provides companion animalattunement through behavior education, energywork, and positive training methods. Pat is a cer-tified Level 2 TTouch practitioner, CPDT andmember of the IAABC, IAATH and AWA. You maycontact N2Paws via email [email protected],phone 816-522-7005, or visit the websitewww.n2paws.com.

If the noise phobia is severeand you feel you need

something strong, be aware that some drugs will relax

the muscles but not the mind.Consult with your veterinarian.


Gemini (May 21 - June 21) Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. This feline is lively andenthusiastic, but may possess a split personality.

Cancer (June 22 - July 22)The Crazy Cat. An adaptable and variable cat istenacious, unpredictable, true to his or her nocturnalnature and somewhat moody.

Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22)The Top Cat. Occasionally the Leo Cat will chase atail or bite toes, but most of the time, this cat willremains composed.

Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) The Kitten Cat. Most owners soon become accus-tomed to watching tiny, four-legged images of them-selves walk around.

Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22)The Copy-Cat. The Libra Cat will be a truly lovingand devoted feline. It is of dire importance to thisfeline, that it be among people who are sympatheti-cally inclined.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21)The Cat’s Pajamas. Determination is the guidingforce of the Scorpio Cat, and it is indeed a force to bereckoned with.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21)The Stable Cat. A totally positive, energetic, cheerfuland optimistic soul, this cat is a joy to have around.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 20)The Cat Burglar. This feline will plod through life in apunctilious way, head turned to the skies, falling overhis or her own paws.

Aquarius (Jan. 21 - Feb. 18)The Hip Cat. Very independent and, at heart, a loner,this feline is infamous for being more than a littleeccentric.

Pisces (Feb. 19 - Mar. 20)The Ship’s Cat. This cat is the “dupli-cat.” It seesdouble and does everything twice in the eventsomething may have been overlooked the first time.

Aries (Mar. 21 - Apr. 19) The Stray Cat. This intrepid and adventurous cat isconstantly busy and considers the world to be full ofnew horizons.

Taurus (Apr. 20 - May 20) The Earth Mother. The Taurus Cat is steady anddependable...always where the owner expects thiscat to be and doing what is expected of him or her.

Feline Signs


April ShowersBring May Flowers

June Brings Bugs

Spring brings renewed life to ourlandscape and with it longer hours,warmer weather, and pesky bugs.Don’t let a few annoying insects ruinyour spring activities. Get a jump onthem early, be thorough, and get readyfor summer.

The Midwest certainly has its shareof flying, buzzing, and creepy crawlypests, due to our beautiful trees,grasses, and less than pleasant humid-ity. Talk to your veterinarian aboutwhat products he or she has to offer tokeep those pests at bay. If your dog orcat has a history of health issues, besure to discuss all the options (doyour research on ingredients anddon’t hesitate to ask questions). Youare your pet’s advocate. No matterwhat flea & tick method you choosealways be diligent about protectingyour pets. Observe them for any signsof irritation, as you will be checkingthem for fleas and ticks anyway.Products don’t always protect them100% of the time

If you are worried about conventional flea & tick treatments being toxic,you can go natural (especially for the very young, senior, and ailing pets).

KEEP YOUR ANIMAL COMPANIONS PEST FREE❏ Maintain an industrious regime of brushing, bathing and vacuuming.

• If you do find one of those nasty bloodsuckers embedded in yourdog or cat, there is a nice new product that removes them naturallyand safely without the fuss of using tweezers or Vaseline. It’s calleda Tick Key® and it is available through Cabela’s or N2paws. This toolremoves the entire tick - avoiding the trauma of trying to back it out,

which causes it to release toxins into the blood-stream. The Tick Key® surrounds the tick andslides it out perfectly where you can dispose of itproperly.

❏ Keep grass and shrubs trimmed short, whichincreases sunlight exposure and dryness and keepsthe insect population down.

❏ Consider using natural applications, such as(diluted) essential oils or citrus foods diffused inwater.

by Pat Hennessy


• You have to be conscientious about the use of oils as someessential oils can be irritating to human and pet skin and maycause an allergic reaction. One way to use them safely would beto apply them to a bandanna and place it on your dog with the

application sideup (and doublefabric under-neath to preventl e a k i n gthrough). Thebest essentialoils as flearepellents are:c i t r o n e l l a ,cedar, pepper-mint, rosemary,e u c a l y p t u s ,lemongrass, andlavender. If yourpet is not proneto allergies youmay considermaking a spray:put 10-15 dropsof any of theabove oils in a

pint sized (dark colored) glass spray bottle, with spring wateror distilled water.

❏ Another very safe choice is to add 1 cup of raw apple cidervinegar with 2 cups of distilled water. Put this mixture in a spraybottle and spritz it on your dog or cat. An alternative, and equal-ly safe option, would be to cut up 5-6 lemons and boil them ina 1 quart pan of water. Let it cool, then fill a spray bottle with itto mist on your dog or cat.

❏ These sprays may also be used on bedding or around door-ways and baseboards in your home to keep fleas out.

One of the best things you can do for your pets is feed them ahigh quality diet. The more nutrition that can be absorbed byyour pet’s body, the healthier she will be. A better diet makes fora stronger immune system to fight off invaders like disease,fleas, and ticks.

KEEP A CAREFUL EYEDon’t let the pesky bugs of summer get you or your animal

companions down. Maintain a careful eye on your pets andmake sure you are armed with appropriate tools to keep themsafe and having fun this summer.

Pat Hennessy, is the founder of N2paws, LLC, anorganization that provides companion animalattunement through behavior education, energywork, and positive training methods. Pat is a certi-fied Level 2 TTouch practitioner, CPDT and memberof the IAABC, IAATH and AWA. You may contactN2Paws via email [email protected], phone 816-522-7005, or visit the website www.n2paws.com.


The Dachshund, meaning “badger dog” in German, is alively breed with a friendly personality and keen sense ofsmell. Known for their long and low bodies, they are eagerhunters that excel in both above- and below-ground work.One of the most popular breeds according to AKC®

Registration Statistics, they come in three different coatvarieties (Smooth, Wirehaired or Longhaired) and can beminiature or standard size.

HISTORYDachshunds were first bred in the early 1600s in

Germany. The goal was to create a fearless, elongated dogthat could dig the earth from a badger burrow and fight tothe death with the vicious badgers.

The Dachshund (pronounced dacks-hoont, not dash-hound) probably developed in Germany from the St.Hubert Hound about 300 years ago, but similar dogs weredepicted in Egyptian art work more than 1000 years ago.The breed name means “badger hound,” an apt descrip-tion of the dog’s original purpose. Dachshunds “went toground” after the ferocious badger, a weasel cousin con-sidered to be vermin, bravely drawing it from the den to face the hunter’s guns.

The breed became popular in the U.S. during the early 1900’s, but fell out of favorduring World War I. After the war, a few U.S. breeders slowly rebuilt the gene poolby importing German stock, and the breed began to increase in popularity again.

IS THIS THE RIGHT BREED FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY?Dachshunds are lovable, playful companions, and an ideal pet for many homes,

including those with children with appropriate supervision. They require moderateexercise, and can adapt to most living environments. Depending on their coat type,Dachshunds may need regular grooming. Today’s Dachshund is a pet, not a hunter,but still maintains the characteristics of independence, courage, hardiness, andcombativeness that served so well as it challenged the fierce badger in its den. Theother half of the Dachshunds personality moderates its bold attitude with a lovingdemeanor, a heavy dose of charm, and a playful sense of humor.

THREE VARIETIESThe smooth Dachshund probably was the original, with longhairs either a

result of mutation and selective breeding or of crossbreeding, perhaps with aGerman spaniel. The wirehair is thought to be the result of crosses with smoothDachshunds, Schnauzers, and Dandie Dinmont Terriers. The long-coats werethought unsuitable for go-to-ground work so were used as bird dogs. The wire-coats were well-protected against burrs and thorns in the field.


Dachshunds

Although the three varieties share commontemperaments, observers say their personalitiesdiffer somewhat. The smooths are inclined toattach themselves to a particular family memberand to be somewhat aloof with strangers. Thewirehairs are extroverts with a clownish sense ofhumor, and the longhairs manage to maintaintheir dignity while happily playing with anyonewho can be enticed into a game.

If you are considering purchasing aDachshund puppy, learn as much as you canabout the breed.

• Hound Group; AKC recognized in 1885.• Dachshunds can be standard or miniature

size. Standards range from 16-32 pounds,while Miniatures weigh 11 pounds andunder.

• Badger hunter, family companion.

CARE AND TRAININGThe Dachshund is generally long-lived and

healthy but is subject to some genetic diseases,

Learn About a Breed

Gemini (May 21 - June 21) The Yapper. An alert and graceful creature, the nerv-ous energy of the Gemini Dog enables this canine tokeep going all day.

Cancer (June 22 - July 22)The Home-Lover. Superficially a timid and retiringtype of canine, content to be left unnoticed, this dogwill, in fact, be quite the opposite.

Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22)The Boss-Dog. Regal of bearing, erect of stance andcommanding of presence, the Leo Dog will always bethe perfect specimen, no matter the breed.

Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) The Helper. The Libra Dog is also a firm believer in the“closed shop” concept. In other words, onehouse...one dog.

Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22)The Shop-Steward Since the Libra Dog models theirlife on that of the owner, if things go wrong then theowner only has themselves to blame.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21)The Paragon. The life of the Scorpio Dog has but onepurpose...self-mastery, which will occupy this canineas long as he or she lives.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21)The Problem Dog. This canine will be a restlessdog...fliting from one interest to another, unable todecide what he or she actually likes.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 20)The Social Climber. With one glance, the CapricornDog will sum up a person and no amount of elocutionlessons or learned deportment will fool this canine.

Aquarius (Jan. 21 - Feb. 18)The Friend. Thorough, slow, and painstaking deliber-ate, the Aquarius Dog possesses a stubborn streakthat is liable to drive its owners crazy.

Pisces (Feb. 19 - Mar. 20)The Interpreter. An unpredictable soul whose mindchanges from one minute to the next, the life of thePisces Dog is an endless ebb and flow of moods.

Aries (Mar. 21 - Apr. 19) Leader of the Pack. Physically, the Aries Dog is anactive, energetic and urgent type of canine with analmost endless capacity for exercise every day.

Taurus (Apr. 20 - May 20) The Strong Silent Type Being close to its owner, isheaven to this canine. When you leave your Taurusdog behind, leave something which contains theowner’s scent.

Canine Signs

including slipped disc syndrome. Some owners are apt to pam-per their Dachshunds in the hopes of preventing slipped discs.However, rather than being a condition of long-backed, low-slung dogs, the syndrome is probably genetic and pamperinghas no effect on its expression. Boxers, Cocker Spaniels,Beagles, and Pekingese are also affected to some degree, whilethe Basset Hound, another low-slung dog springing from thesame stock as the Dachshund, does not appear to be.

Eye abnormalities, urinary tract stones, and mammary glandcancers can be problems in the breed, and the dapple coat pat-tern (known as merle in other breeds) is connected with eyeand hearing difficulties.

The Dachshund is a low-maintenance breed. 1) smooths needlittle grooming but may need a sweater for cold weather. 2)longhair needs brushing to prevent mats from forming 3)wire-hair care falls somewhere in between; sweater not needed, buthis coat requires some brushing, especially if it is soft. Payclose attention to the Dachshund’s droopy ears, they can holdthe moisture and be a breeding ground for fungus, bacteria,and mites.

Like all dogs, the Dachshund must be trained. Although a small-er sized dog they are muscular and clever mischievous. Trainingshould be done with firm, consistent guidance, not harsh correc-tion.

Compliments AKC and Dachshund Club of America

Find A Stray?What Do You Do?

Mark was doing what many of us do every morning,going to Starbucks for his start of the day cup of coffee, whenhe noticed a small terrier mix running around the parking lot!This little dog was going in and out of traffic and running upto everyone he met, saying hi, and looking for help! As Markheaded in to get his coffee, another customer asked “what doyou think we should do about this little guy?” After some dis-cussion it was decided Mark could, while on his way to work,drop the little guy off at the police station!

MICROCHIPPING SAVED THE DAY!But on his way there, Mark had another thought, what if this

dog was microchipped? Mark knew that both of his dogswere…what if this little guy was, as well? Mark knew that tak-ing the dog to the police station was a one way ticket to thepound and a sure fire hefty fine for the owners. So instead ofdropping the dog off at the police station, Mark decided to goto the nearest veterinarian and have the dog checked for amicrochip.

Guess what, this little guy had one (his name is Benji), andin a matter of hours (with the help of the folks at the AnimalHospital) Mark was talking to some very appreciative dogowners that not only had their dog back (without fines), butthree very happy kids who thought they had lost their familyfriend forever!

Dr. Allison C. Bradshaw, D.V.M. stated, “Here at OxfordAnimal Hospital we are strong advocates for the microchipsystem. About once a month we are able to return a lost pet tohis/her owner. Collars and ID tags are very important, but arenot permanent means of identification. Microchips are theonly permanent means of identification that we have available,and they are very reasonably priced. They are easily placedwith an injection and just take a few seconds! We always scanstray or found cats and dogs and have found pets, but manytimes owners forget to update their registry when they move,so this is important as well.”

by Mike Deathe

What should you do if you find a stray dog…microchipping your pets is a must!



IMPORTANT LESSONSThere are two very important lessons to take from this

story:1. If you find a dog, don’t assume the animal shelter or

police department is the best place to take a lost dog. Andfor those who just look on and keep driving, shame on you.Either of these choices just puts more pressure on analready stressed resource! Take the time to help out some-one you have never met. A chilling fact — the HumaneSociety estimates between 3-4 million pets are killed eachyear in shelters! If each person reading this does just whatMark did last week, think of the difference we could make!

2. Microchip Your Dog!!!!! The cost here is minimal,at the high end, it will cost you around $40, and if you goto some of the local pet events in your area, I have seenthem done for as little as $5 per dog.

MORAL OF THE STORYSo the moral of this story is to treat others as you would

hope they would treat you. Thanks to Mark’s decision to goa little out of his way and stop by a Veterinarian instead ofthe city pound or police station, Benji’s owners now havetheir dog back along with some very happy kids. I knowthat if they get the chance to do the same for someone else,they most certainly will. Thanks to the personal phone callfrom the owners, I know Mark would do it again! Now thebig question…how many of you will go out and micro chipyour dogs (if not done already), or will take the extra timeto stop and pick up the next dog or cat you see and head tothe nearest Veterinarian and most likely make someone’sday! I think Mark put it best when I asked him why he didit…“My main objective that morning was to reunite thedog with its family/owner. When I found out that the dogwas micro-chipped I knew that reunion would take placebefore the day ended. Receiving the phone call from theowner showed their gratitude with thanks and praise formy actions, and that was all I needed. My last words wereto pass it forward, meaning that if you encounter a similarsituation make the next person happy and keep the cyclegoing.” I think we could all learn a lot from Mark, andowe him a big thank you for a good deed that we should alldo as well!

Mike Deathe is a stay-at-home dad who foundhis passion as a dog trainer in 2008. He enjoysidentifying unique and useful “muttz” relatedproducts. He is the author of Keep It SimpleStupid (K.I.S.S.) Pet Blog. Mike has had dogssince he was four years old! As an avid pet lover,he regularly sees the number of dogs and catsthat never find a home. In 2009, he and his wife Kate founded Muttz“R” Us, a t-shirt company with a philanthropic motto of “Adopt a Pet,Save a Life.” Visit them at www.muttzrus.com, on facebook, twit-ter or follow the blog, muttzmembers.blogspot.com.

by Heddie Leger


Across:

1. Dogs and cats use ____________language to communicate

4. These pets can make wonderfultherapy animals

5. What you call teaching a dog topotty outside

9. A responsible owner gives theirdog plenty of _______________

11. All animals need food and__________

12. Another name for doggy dancing

14. Dog sport that uses a dock

17. Competition sport showing preci-sion skills

19. Sport using a retriever in the field

20. Proper _________________ cansave your dogs life

22. Type of training that uses a rewardas a basis

Chip’s Corner

Pawzzle

Down:2. It has been medically proven that a per-

son's blood pressure _____________when petting a friendly dog

3. Fun sport showing dog speed and physi-cal versatility

6. It is important to __________ your puppyto many people and situations

7. Item used to secure a dog in a vehicle8. A young dog10. Sport where dog finds items13. Word used to tell a dog not to move

from place15. Keeps your dog clean16. Nothing in life is _______18. Head Halter for a dog19. Used with dogs that cannot use a collar

for restraint21. It is important to brush your dog's

_______

MayPawzlleAnswers


KICKS FOR CANINESCelebrating the importance of the

pets in your life, the Wizards will behosting the Kicks for Canines onSaturday, October 9, at theCommunity America Ballpark.For this special event, you can purchase a ticket foryou and your canine companion. More detailsare at www.kcwizards.com.


When pets go…missing!First Response

Protocol…

Ground ZeroProperty Search:Make sure your pet isreally missing. If you didnot see him or herescape or do not knowof anyone who did, takea few minutes to do aquick sweep of yourproperty and the mostobvious hiding spotsbefore bolting for thefront door to look.

Check your home,yards, garage, outbuild-ings under beds, etc.Sick or injured animalshide much of the time.

PREPARE TO

SEARCHWhat to Bring You

can gather this in 5 min-utes or less. A betteridea is to have some one

else do this while you do the ground zero search or evenbetter… have an emergency kit prepared.

• Photo of pet• 20 cards with 24-hour

phone number & the words LOST DOG or LOST CAT• Treats… even last night’s leftovers• Leash or Carrier Whistle squeaky toy or clicker if pet has been trained to

one or thinks they are fun and will respond.

by Karin TarQwynHere comes summer… the sun, thewater and more time spent outside with thefamily pet. As the days turn long and the tem-peratures travel up the mercury… the inci-dences of dogs and cats gone missing goes onthe rise.

IMMEDIATE RESPONSE IS THE KEYIn my work, the summer months are the

busiest with pets going missing from theirhomes, while on vacation, from boarding facil-ities and the groomers, as well as hundreds ofother situations in which the family pet findshimself… lost…in an unfamiliar place.

All require immediate response… because amissing pet is an emergency.

WHEN A BELOVED PET GOES

MISSINGFrom the beginning… an organized

approach is best.The situation may be brought on by a trip to

the vet or a front door left open, but the worstof nightmares begins when a beloved fourpawed family member escapes or goes miss-ing. If you have never encountered this situa-tion, the experience can be quite a shock. Formany of us it can be paralyzing at a time whenwe need to be on our best game. It is a time foraction when you may feel the need to curl up and just cry. Below is alist of the most immediate activities to pursue when first you realizeyour pet has escaped or is missing.

RELAX AND DON’T PANIC… but also don’t wait to start looking. Statistics prove that pet owners

with the greatest likely hood of recovering their pet start lookingimmediately and have an organized approach. Be one of these pet own-ers.

Box of treats or food that you can rattle if pet responds to thistype of item

BRING IN THE TROOPSThis is the time to call in your friends, family and neighbors. If

possible, recruit those who will be supportive in your efforts andunderstand your concern and attachment for your pet. Call inyour supportive friends and not the naysayers. You need to keepyourself focused in your efforts.

MAKE IT EASY FOR THE ANIMAL TO RETURNLeave someone at the point of escape or your home in case your

pet returns. If no one is available leave a gate open, car door orcrate or something that pet is familiar with and may want to staynear. In the worst case and with nothing else to leave, take off apiece of your clothing and leave it at the frond door, near the gateor on the front porch.

HEAD FOR THE DOOR! Choose a Direction If you know in which direction the pet

went, go that way, (and forget the ground zero search as youknow he’s out). If you are not sure of the direction and your pethas done this before, go in the direction he went the last time hegot out. If you have no idea what so ever, go to the spot where youthink the animal escaped and assume he went right. This is a per-centage call because dogs turn to the right more often than theyturn to the left. If however, there is something scary to the rightor something is blocking the way then choose another direction.Cats bolt in straight lines and tend to stay up against bushes,fences and other areas that will provide cover.

Neighborhood QUICK Search Calling for your pet. One ofthe most difficult parts of the search is trying to remain calm. Asyou call your pet it is important to use your inside, affectionatevoice. When we are stressed or trying to project our voice, we puttension in our voice which most pets perceive as somethingwrong. So if the animal is already shy or afraid, low soft voicesand affectionate clicks and noises you use regularly are muchmore effective than screaming his or her name at the top of yourlungs. Most of us have funny, affectionate or maybe even goofy petnames we call our beloved pet, as embarrassing as it is, this is thevoice and words to use. It is quite a sight to see a big footballplayer walking down the sidewalk, calling “Pookie wookie, Daddyloves you.” But it works! Explain it to the neighbors later. Findyour pet now.

Call pet’s name but stop to listen…Call… listen Pauseto count of 10. Call and pause to count of 10, then listen. Repeatthis pattern. Remember use your indoor, happy affectionate voicelike you want to play or give affection. If you have trained your petto a whistle, squeaky toy, shaking a box of food or treats, or anyother welcoming response use this now.

If you drive for more than an hour with no sightings or leadsreturn to the point of escape to figure out the direction of travelthe fleeing pet went in. Knock on doors and talk to everyone out-side: Ask anyone you see as you are searching out direction and


sightings, “Have you seen this dog or cat?” Show the pictureand leave LOST PET card with them. If someone has seenyour pet; go in the direction they direct you and use theabove protocols while continuing to gather sightings, evi-dence and direction.

Follow your leads and sightings Repeat until youeither find your pet or run out of clues and sightings. If yougo over one hour with no sightings or clues, head back to thepoint of escape to update and design a more formal searchstrategy with public awareness, development of witnessesand effective activities that will lead you to a reunion withyour pet.

After her own dog went missing, PrivateInvestigator Karin TarQwyn channeled herefforts from humans to animals. She hasappeared on CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS, PBS AnimalAttractions, People magazine Pet’s Hero andmany major metropolitan newspapers. TarQwynworks with pet owners all over North Americaassisting in the location and recovery of theirmissing four-pawed family members. She andher pack of tracking dogs live in south eastern Nebraska. Her web site iswww.k9pi.com


Dog WasteThe Presents YourDog Leaves Behind

by Lori Stiles

No matter how you look at it, dog waste is the “gift” thatkeeps on giving. We love our dogs, but are not so thrilledwith the deposits left in our yard. Until dogs learn how touse the bathroom facilities inside the home, we need toeducate ourselves on the importance of cleaning up dogwaste.

DECISIONS TO MAKE RELATING TO DOG WASTEWinter sometimes brings on a different mind set for dog

owners. Some individuals will hire a professional pooperscooper service during this time period so they do not haveto deal with the cold weather. Others will leave the waste inthe yard since technically no one in the family (except forthe dogs) are interested in going outside. Before youchoose to leave the waste in the yard, there are severalpoints of interest regarding accumulation you may want toconsider.

DOG WASTE ACCUMULATES QUICKLYDogs eliminate waste up to two times per day, and the

average household has two dogs. With this scenario, if dogwaste is not collected within a month, there will be a totalof 112 piles in your yard. Consider how much will accumu-late over the winter (November through February) with twodogs. This would add up to an average of 448 piles bySpring and will take countless hours to clean up.

The American Pet Association released an interesting sta-tistic. There are approximately 71 million dogs in theUnited States that eliminate approximately 4.4 billionpounds of dog waste each year. This is enough to cover 900football fields 12” thick of dog waste!

BENEFITS OF CLEANING UP DOG WASTE ON A

REGULAR BASISFirst, consider your time management. If you clean your

yard weekly, you can reduce the 112 pile scenario to a man-ageable 28 pile yard. This will take you approximately 10 to15 minutes to clean if you have an average size yard and areusing appropriate dog waste removal equipment. Mostimportant, cleaning your yard weekly will allow you todetect any abnormalities in the dog waste such as loosestool, worms or foreign objects that may be harmful to yourpet. This information can be helpful to your veterinarian if


it becomes necessary to seek help regardingany illness or digestive track problems. If youhire a professional pooper scooper companyplease ask if they communicate these issueswhen they are detected. If not, search foranother company. Your dog’s health shouldbe their number one priority.

IT’S A MYTH. DOG WASTE IS NOT FERTILIZERNow, before you think dog waste decomposes quickly, the

truth is dogwaste can takeup to a year tocompletely dis-integrate. Thereason for thisslow decomposi-tion is becausedog waste is ap r o t e i n - b a s e doutput that has ahigh nitrogencontent which isharmful to yourgrass and plants.Unlike horse orcow manure thatis a vegetationbased output,the nitrogen islow and can beused as fertilizer.Most important,dog waste

should not be composted for fertilizer. Ifused in a garden it can transfer illnessesto humans.

Lori and Alan Stiles founded Scoopy the PooTM

in 2005. Scoopy the Poo provides professionaldog waste removal services and is the leader inthe United States that designs equipment used byProfessional Pooper Scoopers and is now avail-able for sale to the public. For additional infor-mation about services and equipment go towww.scoopythepoo.com or contact Lori orAlan at 816-412-9000.

...the truth is dog waste cantake up to a year to

completely disintegrate

HOW TO AFFORD APROFESSIONAL POOPER

SCOOPER

How do you budget for a profes-sional pooper scooper during atight recession? There are severalways to negotiate pricing.

The first option is to talk withyour neighbors or homeownerassociation and see if anyonewould like to have their yardcleaned by a professional pooperscooper. If several yards are closetogether you may collectively beable to negotiate a lower rate.This will allow the company toclean several yards in a closeproximity.

The second option is a referralprogram most companies offer.This applies when you send oneor more clients to your profes-sional pooper scooper; in turnmost companies provide a dis-count for service.

Don’t be afraid to call and askfor a deal. You will never knowwhat will work until you call.

This is one of the most common concerns ownershave regarding their cats; and the most commonreason that cats are relinquished to shelters andrescue groups. The first thing you should do isschedule a visit to your veterinarian so they can giveyour cat a thorough physical exam along with somediagnostic testing to rule out illness or other condi-tions like arthritis.

Once we know there are no physical reasons forthe problem, there are some basic things I like tostart with when evaluating behavioral reasons forwhat we call inappropriate urination. Ask yourselfthe following questions.

Q. How many cats/pet are in the household?

A. Reviewing how all the pets get alongis the first step to identifying inter-pet aggressions andpossible marking behavior to stake out territory. Even out-side activity can cause some cats to get stressed and“mark” their indoor territory around windows and doorswhere they see and hear other cats who roam outside.

Q. Any recent changes in the environment, family activity, new familymembers?

A. Changes are sometimes hard for cats to get used to. Anyadditions to the household, or people and pets that moveout, can cause some stress.

Q. How many litter boxes do you have

A. The rule of thumb is that there should be at least the samenumber of boxes as the number of cats in the household.If you have a large house, have at least one box on any ofthe levels your cat spends their time.


Q. What kind of litter boxes do you have?

A. Cats prefer uncovered boxes. Thinkabout how sensitive their sense ofsmell is, then imagine walking into acovered box. The purpose of thecover is to keep the smell confined;think how bad it smells to them! But,more importantly, the common com-mercial litter boxes are much toosmall for the average cat. The boxshould be at least 1-1/2 times thelength of your cat’s body. Cats needthe room to move around and digcomfortably. I recommend buyinglarge storage containers (the onesthat are about 6” to 8” deep) to useas litter boxes. They work wonder-fully!

Ask the Vet:

by Sheila M. Dodson, DVM

My cat isn’t using the litter box.What do I do?

Q. What kind of litter do you use?

A. Cats generally love very fine-grain types of lit-ter. I find the soft, fine, hard clumping litterworks the best. I know we may want to be envi-ronmentally conscious, but some of the thickertypes of litter (paper, corn, pine, etc.), are notattractive to cats. You will want to use a litterthey enjoy digging in before eliminating. Theobjective is for your cat to like the litterenough that they dig in it for more than 4 sec-onds. It may be messy; but digging in the litteris a very good sign! If you are changing litters,I always recommend you initially keep at leastone box available with their old litter, givingthem a choice between the old litter and thenew one. Once their preference is clear, youcan use the new litter in all their boxes. (Somecats have different preferences than the norm,so don’t be surprised if your cat likes a differ-ent kind).

Q. How often do you scoop/clean the litter box

A. Cats are very clean creatures! They do not liketo use a dirty box. This is oneof the most important things toremember: scoop the boxesdaily (removing all the fecesand urine clumps; another rea-son I like hard clumping lit-ter!). Completely dump the lit-ter and put fresh litter in thebox at least every two weeks orso. Keeping the box clean andscooped daily also helps con-trol odors in your house!

Q. Where are the litter boxes?

A. Location, location, location.The boxes should have easyaccess for your cat. They arebest in quiet spots (usually notin the laundry room where run-ning washers can be loud andscary) and away from wherethey eat or sleep. If you are try-ing to keep your dog from eat-ing some of the cat goodies theyfind in the litter box, try usinga baby gate in the door towhere you keep the box. If youhave a large dog, installing thegate a foot from the floor



allows your cat to walk under the gate. Makesure it isn’t too difficult for your cat to get totheir litter box; if it is a challenge, they mayfind an easier spot on their own (like your bed,clothes on the floor, or rugs).

There are many more factors that may contribute to your catnot using the litter box. A thorough discussion with your vet-erinarian can help you solve the problem. Most problemshave a solution, so don’t give up!This might not seem likemuch, but consider that one (1) pound on a ten (10) poundcat is 10% of its body weight. If an overweight cat loses tooquickly, it may cause some serious and life threatening condi-tions like fatty liver disease. Careful monitoring of weight lossby a veterinarian is advised.

Dr. Sheila Dodson received her Doctor ofVeterinary Medicine degree from Kansas StateUniversity in 1999. She has served as MedicalDirector of No More Homeless Pets KC afterpracticing small animal medicine in Montanaand Shawnee, Kansas. She loves working withcat behavioral issues and currently practices atMariposa Veterinary Center in Lenexa, KS whereshe can be reached at 913-825-3330. Dr. Dodsonalso is the current President of the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association.

Is Your Pet the

Cutest

Submit your photo atmetropetmag.com.

Maya — Our 12 week old Pointer runs to the dryerwhen the timer goes off. She climbs into the dryer andlays on the clothes and allows the clothes to be takenout after a little tug. When the dryer is empty sheclimbs out. Submitted by Lori Austin

in KC?


Sheltie Rescue Adoptions What: Adoption EventsWhere: Petco, 75th and Metcalf, OP, KSWhen: Sat, June 12 & 26 • 10am-2pm

Sun, June 6 & July 4 • 11am-3pmDetails: kcsheltierescue.org

All About Dogs / U-Wash Puppy What: Old Shawnee Days ParadeWhere: Shawnee, KSWhen: Sat, June 5 • 10 am

Go Pet Go Grand OpeningWhere: Liberty, MOWhat: Prizes, pet/owner look-alike contest, prizesWhen: Sat, June 12 • All DayDetails: gopetgokc.com

Rediscover’s Paws for a Cause Where: Downtown Lee’s Summit, MOWhat: Dog parade, fashion show, and more!When: Sat, June 12 • 11 am - 2 pm

Dog-n-JogSun, June 12 • 7 am - 10:30 amBenefits: The Humane Society of Greater KC Details: dognjog.org

Paws in the Park And LakeSat, June 19 • 9 am - 2 pmDetails: jcprd.com

keyword: Paws in the Park

Pets-N-All That Jazz GalaSat, June 26 • 9 am - 4 pmBenefits: Animals Best Friends Details:animalsbestfriends.org

Kitty Cat Connection HugeParking Lot SaleSat, June 26 • 9 am - 4 pmWhere: Animals in Need ThriftStore, Riverside, MOBenefits: Kitty Cat Connection Details: animalsinneed.com

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Here is a short list of these locations.

Blockbuster Stores: All KC area locations

Sears/K-Mart Stores: Most KC area locations

CVS Stores: Most CVS locations

Grocery Stores: See list belowGladstone, MO• Hy-Vee, 71st & N Prospect• Balls Price Chopper,

500 NE Barry Road• Balls Price Chopper,

5820 N. Oak Trafficway• Balls Price Chopper,

6475 N. ProspectKansas City, MO• Hy-Vee, 207 NW EngelwoodParkville, MO• Mckeever’s Price ChopperPlatte City, MO• Price ChopperRiverside, MO• Red X

Kansas City, MO• Hy-Vee at 207 NW

EngelwoodMerriam, KS• Balls Hen House,

5800 AntiochOverland Park, KS• Queens Price Chopper,

86th & Antioch• Queens Price Chopper,

151st StShawnee Mission, KS• Hy-Vee, 13650 W 63rd St• Ball’s Price Chopper, 63rd St• Ball’s Hen House• Costentino’s, W. 66th St


Is Your Pet the

Cutestin KC?

Snap a photo of your pet and submit it at metropetmag.com.

Lady (dog) and AJ (boy) — Lady was adopted fromWayside Waifs 1 yr ago. My son AJ picked her out afterfiling up and down the isles at the 1/2 price adoptionweekend. This is what happens when you give a boy anddog a toad to play with on a lovely Sunday afternoon.

Submitted by Pamela Greenwell

Bailey — Bailey was dumpedat a vet’s office about 2 years ago.She has now become the mascotat Abby Road Farm. She racesaround the barn all day pesteringthe barn cats, then retires to hersofa at night.She also attends allout of town horse shows with me.The barn is definitely where sheis most comfortable

Submitted by Kelly Stewart

Documents

MetroPet June2010