Pet Gazette 2010_01_11

Pet Gazette

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Volume 13 No. 11

Covering Southeastern, Mass and Cape Cod Published by Clipper Press E-MAIL: [email protected] AdvErtISIng: 781-934-2811 x23 or [email protected]

NoVemBeR 2010

SS SETM

“Animals are such agreeable friends — they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.” ~ George Elliot

1014 Pearl Street, Brockton, MA jmpetresort.com • Phone:508.588.5661

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 6 AM-9 PMCONVENIENTLY LOCATED MINUTES FROM RT. 24

Where your pet is part of our family

Holiday Shopping Guidesee page 12

2 November 2010Pet Gazette

516 Washington StreetHanover, MA 02339

STAFF VETERINARIANS

Charlie Patterson, DVM

Brad Moses, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology)

Mary Reynolds-Callahan, DVM

Pamela Martin, DVM

Laura Fong, DVM

Joseph Martinez, DVM

Alice Hadden, DVM, DACVIM (Internal Medicine)

Mary Clark, VMD

Maria Tehrany, DVM . . . . . . . . . . . .

www.VCARoberts.com

VCA ROBERTS IS LOCATED

2.5 MILES SOUTH OF THE

HANOVER MALL ON RTE. 53TAKE EXIT 13 OFF RTE. 3

HOURS OF OPERATION

URGENT CARE/EMERGENCYMonday thru Sunday 8AM-10PM

SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS Monday thru Friday8:30 AM until 8:30 PM

Saturdays & Sundays8:30 AM until 4:30 PM

WALK-INS WELCOME

Call 781/826-2306or 781/749-4551

Fax 781/829-927024 HOUR NURSING CARE

. . . . . . . . . . . .

.. . . . . . . . . . . .“A Lifetime of Veterinary

Care”

Sunday Appointment Hours Available!

Full surgical and diagnostic services, including ultrasound

and specialty services by our Board Certified

Cardiologist and Internist

Pet Gazette StaffPublisher: Josh Cutler Editor: lindsey gardner Advertising: robin nudd

Contributors: becca manning, Justin graeber, george Sommers, danielle Hennessey, diane donovan, rick larsen, dr. bruce indek, dr. gregory mertz, Sarah bruno

DELIVERY ADDRESS: 11 So. Station Street, duxburyMAILING ADDRESS: Pet gazette, P.o. box 1656, duxbury, ma 02331

CoNtACt US:781-934-2811, ext. 23 • [email protected]

The Pet Gazette is published by Clipper Press, a family-owned company based on the South Shore since 1950.The Pet Gazette covers all of

southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod. the Pet gazette is a registered trademark.

This MonTh’s Cover

The PeT GazeTTe

Currently an illustration student at MassArt, Linda Stevens’ experi-

ence in volunteer work overseas brings added dimension to her work. Besides studying illustra-tion, Linda’s secondary passion is singing and playing guitar. Her imaginative and playful artwork is strongly narrative with images usually featuring lovable animals or characters.

This acrylic painting was in-spired by the idea of wondering what our pets are doing at home while we are away.

Check out more artwork at LindaStevensArt.com.

‘Helping Paws for the Holidays’ featuring Santa Paws and The Grinch’ fundraiser

Dave Carlson, manager of The Pet Food Shoppe on Route 44 in Lakeville, announces that Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. will be the recipient of the “Helping Paws for the Holidays” fund-

raiser, which will begin Saturday, Nov. 27 and run through Sunday, Dec. 19. Carlson is confident that the proceeds will vest all 20 Massachusetts police dogs presently awaiting a bullet-protective vest.

Santa will be visiting The Pet Food Shoppe on Route 44 in Lakeville, across from Muckey’s Liquors, to welcome all companion animals and their family members. As an added attraction, “The Grinch” will be join-ing the festivities on weekends and participating in the holiday photos. A holiday photo package will be offered for children, families and their pets each Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Each holiday package includes multiple photos on an 8x10 sheet, an abundantly stuffed pet/person goodie bag and an e-mail of your photo directly to you, which would make a wonderful holiday card for only $20.

Other attractions: Police dog demonstrations scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 27, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 4, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 11, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Party of Gold will offer competitive rates to turn your unwanted gold into cash Sunday, Dec. 5 and Sunday, Dec.12 from noon to 3 p.m. and Saturday, Dec.18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pat the giant angora rabbits, enjoy Hilliard’s Candy bars and more. Go by and join the festivities! Scheduled times are subject to change. Please call 508-824-6978 to confirm or e-mail: [email protected].

Please note that outside cameras or camera phone usage is not per-mitted throughout the fundraiser.

Vested Interest in K9s President, Sandy Marcal, who will be photo-graphing the pets, is hoping to provide at least 10 police dogs with bullet protective vests with the proceeds. For more information about Vested Interest in K9s Inc., visit vik9s.org or call 508-824-6978.

The event is being sponsored by: The Pet Food Shoppe, Lakeville, Nestle/Purina, Canidae Corporation, Royal Canin, Merrick Pet Care, Taste of the Wild, Wellpet, Natura Pet Products, Simple Solutions, Avon Products Inc., Boston Costume, Cambridge, Business Incentives, Taun-ton and Crutchfield Signs of Middleboro

Can’t make the fundraiser, but would love to support helping provide bullet-protective vests for Massachusetts police dogs? Tax-deductible donations are welcome via the Web site at vik9s.org or at Vested Interest in K9s Inc., P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.

3November 2010 Pet Gazette 3

HE A LTH Y VETERINARY A LT E R NAT IVE S

Acupuncture and other natural & holistic treatments to promote healing,

wellness and longevity

DogsCats

& Horses

Serving the South Shore

and Cape Cod

Dr. Mark E. Russo, V.M.D.KINGSTON ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.

192 Main St. Kingston, MA 02364781-585-6525

www.healthyveterinaryalternatives.com

The Pet Gazette is looking for freelance contributors

WriTers

WanTedBone Apétit!

Do you have a great pet-friendly recipe? We will feature a new recipe each month! Send your recipe to [email protected]

“Who You Calling Turkey?” PattyIngredients

Recipe courtesy of Rachel Ray, rachelraymag.com

1 cup shredded roasted turkey meat

1/4 cup bread crumbs

1 large egg, beaten

1/2 sweet potato—baked, skin dis-carded and potato coarsely chopped

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 tablespoons cranberry sauce

In a medium bowl, combine the turkey and bread crumbs. Mix gently with your hands, then mix in the egg and sweet potato. Shape into two 1/2-inch-thick patties.

In a medium skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the patties and cook, turning once, until golden-brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Top with the cranberry sauce and let your canine enjoy!

Elliott ClarkToP doG of The MonTh

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On Aug. 9, 1990, a very special dog was born in Warren,

R.I. Elliot celebrated his 20th birthday on March 9 and was honored with his own Facebook page and article in the New Bedford Standard Times. Elliot currently has 1,150 friends on Facebook. My wife and I adopt-ed him after his previous own-ers gave up on him. When we bought our house in 2002, I had my heart set on getting a Jack Russell. I wanted a Frisbee kind of dog I could take to the beach. I started searching the Internet for a Jack Russell, and a rescue group informed me that a Rhode Island family was searching for a new home for their dog. That’s when we visited Elliot.

We learned that he was born deaf. He had no problem adjusting to playing in a fenced-in yard and being taken for long walks around a local park and car rides. I took him every-where. I just drove in the car and made up for all the time that he never got to do that with his previous family. He’s very intelligent and be-came popular with all of our friends as well as my family cat. When we took him home, right

away he started chasing our cat. I believe Elliott is probably one of the old-

est dogs in the area. I admit that while he has slowed down a bit, he still has a great appe-tite. When my wife gets home he follows her around the kitchen begging for whatever she’s cooking. The biggest challenge we face with Elliot is remembering to close the front gate or else he’ll escape and explore the neighborhood but he can’t hear approaching vehicles. It’s like an old goat.

A veterinarian once told me when I brought him for a checkup that his days were num-bered but he has proved everybody wrong and

is still in good health minus a couple missing teeth. All of his brown markings with old age have turned white. He still has elasticity in his muscles. He will take the occasional swim in the family pool, which also helps to keep him in good shape. He has lived a long and colorful life and I hope Elliott will stay around for a couple more years and break a record or two. Someone told me on Facebook that the Guinness Book of World Records’ oldest dog was 21 years old. Elliott can beat that record!

Andy Clark

Habitat for Cats Adoption Day

Habitat for Cats is holding a Cat/Kitten Adoption Day on Saturday, Nov. 13 and Saturday, Dec. 11 from 12 - 3 p.m. at 1322 Ashley Blvd., New Bed-

ford, Mass. (at the Dartmouth Dental, Sun Kissed Tanning & Honeydew Donuts Business Center).

All cats and kittens are spayed/neutered, inoculated and have tested negative for feline leukemia. Cats have received medical and foster care valued at $200 or greater. Adoption fee is $100 for adult cats and $120 for kittens five months and younger. (Price increase due to the rising cost of vet care).

Adoption application and contract are required. Pets must travel in a pet carrier. Bring a carrier or buy one at adoption day. Call 508-961-2287 or visit HabitatforCats.org for more information.

Method


Send itemS for the Petpourri page to

[email protected]

the deadline is the 12th of each month.

Pe t p o u r r i

KINGSTON ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.

781-585-6525

A half century of hospitality and caring for the pets of the South Shore

Mon - Thurs 7 am - 9 pmFriday 7 am - 6 pmSaturday 7 am - 5 pm

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Hours: Monday-Friday 10am-6pm / Saturday 9am-4pm

(and a generally fun place to go for pets and their people)

Rawdiets & Natural Pet DietsVitamin & Herbal Supplements

Pet Shampoo

Dewey Readmore Books may be the most famous cat

since Garfield. When his story, told by his “mom,” librarian Vicki Myron, hit bookstores in 2008, it became an instant best-seller. “Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World” sold more than a million copies in hardcover, spawned three children’s books and became the basis for a film adaptation that is currently in

development. This fall, Dewey’s story continues with “Dewey’s Nine Lives: The Legacy of the Small-Town Library Cat Who Inspired Millions” ($19.95), by Vicki Myron and co-writer Bret Witter, released in October in hardcover. The book contains two new stories about Dewey as well as seven other tales of amazing true-life cats of fans who were inspired to share their ex-periences with the author. Find the book and read more about Dewey at deweyreadmorebooks.com.

More chapters in a famous life

Every dog appreciates a good nap. A new line of indoor and outdoor beds by Kiss My Mutt

provides a new option for that place of rest that is both com-fortable and environmentally friendly. The luxury beds, which start at $68 and come in a range of sizes and colors, are made with recycled plas-tic bottle filler and organic fibers, helping pet owners reduce their carbon footprint. The outdoor eco dog beds are made from durable, water-resistant material, designed to withstand the toughest of elements. The covers zip off for convenience and are ma-

chine-washable. The indoor beds are made with durable, luxury cottons in a variety of subtle

patterns that go with almost any home. Shop for the beds online at kissmymutt.com or learn more by calling 805-259-6352.

Also available from Kiss My Mutt is a line of white dog T-shirts ($14-$16) fea-turing images such as an anchor, horseshoe and the Kiss My Mutt logo, braided adjustable leashes and col-

lars ($22-32) in blue, pink and mixed tones, and reversible, machine-washable bandanas in vari-ous patterns ($10).

New place to nap

In 2002, when he was just four months old, Oogy has been used as bait as part

of a dogfighting ring. He had been thrown in a cage and left to die un-til the police rescued him and left him at the after-hours services of an animal hospital outside Phila-delphia. When the hospital admin-istrator found him in the morning, he was so bloodied and battered she knew he had a slim chance of survival. But determined not to let this dog die, she convinced her vet-erinarian boss to perform a series of surgeries, and after some time he was ready for adoption. Author Larry Levin and his 10-year-old sons

were bringing their dying cat into the animal hospital when what be-gan as a terrible day suddenly got brighter. The ugliest dog they had ever seen, one who was missing an ear and had half his face covered in scar tissue, bounded into the waiting room and into their arms. They were unable to resist Oogy’s charm and decided to take him home. “Oogy” ($19.99), released in hardcover in November, is the heartwarming story of a dog who got a second chance at life and of

the family who took him home and made him one of their own. Find it at local bookstores or online retailers.

A second chance

Since the publication of his bestsell-ing book, “Merle’s Door,” author Ted Kerasote has received thousands

of e-mails asking whether he got new dog and whether he had plans to write another book. “Pukka: The Pup After Merle” is Kerasote’s response. Told in the charming voice of Ted’s new puppy and illustrated with more than 200 color photos, “Pukka” tells the story of how Ted met the yellow lab, recounting the early days of their bonding as they explore Kelly, Wyo. and the wider world. Their adventures culminate in a rugged wilderness journey that teaches both Pukka and Ted something new about the dog-human partnership. Pukka learns how to interact

with other canines, with wildlife, and with a person who believes that train-ing involves part-nership as well as rules. And Ted learns to embrace a new dog. Released in October in hard-cover, “Pukka” ($18.95) is avail-able at local book-stores and online.

The pup after Merle

5November 2010 Pet Gazette

Pet Photo of the Month!

Rosie, a recently adopted puppy from the

SPCA, sees nothing wrong with sharing her

“brother” Liam’s pacifier.

Do you have an interesting or funny picture of your pet? Submit it to us! Email [email protected] holidays bring gatherings, and that means putting the extra leaf in the table, dusting off the good china

and making sure everything is clean. But amid all the hubbub of final preparations, it can be easy to forget about a certain member of the family who may be less than fresh when that first guest walks through the door. Here are several products that will help make a pet fresh and clean so the host can get back to more important things.

With cool weather mov-ing in, the idea of giving a pet a bath, either inside or outside, may seem even less fun than usual. But a new salon-quality product, John Paul Pet’s Wa-terless Foam Shampoo ($15.99), provides a way to wash without getting wet. The shampoo has a thick foam that cleans a pet’s coat and soothes its skin without water. Apply it, then brush or towel dry the pet. Learn more about the shampoo and other John Paul pet products and where to buy them at johnpaulpet.com or by calling 888-588-1119.

Concerned that the first kiss from your pup will turn away even the friendliest of guests? Pet Kiss offers three products to keep pets in op-timal health and also curb that problematic dog or cat breath. Pet Kiss Plaque & Tartar Con-trol ($10.99 for an 8-ounce bottle) is a natural, healthy solution for any dog or cat’s oral care program. Add this odorless, tasteless liquid to a pet’s water daily to gently dissolve plaque and tartar, whiten teeth and promote healthy gums. For a brighter smile, try Pet Kiss Brighter Bite Dental Spray ($8.99 for four 4-ounce bottles), an easy-to-use antibacterial formula that con-tains no alcohol or harmful chemicals. Spray it onto the pet’s teeth to help break down the plaque and tartar that cause periodontal symp-toms and bad breath. For stinky dog breath, sweeten it naturally with Pet Kiss Breath Freshener ($7.99 for a 1-ounce bottle). This blend of parsley seed and sunflower oils starts

to work instantly in a pet’s mouth and through-out its digestive system, leaving breath kissing fresh for hours. Find Pet Kiss products online at petkiss.com or call 800-684-2600.

Just as it does for humans, winter weather and indoor heating can wreak havoc

on skin and hair and cause old prob-lems to flare up. The DERMagic

Lemongrass Spearmint Skin Rescue Shampoo Bar ($7.95) is designed to prevent and treat skin is-sues in dogs such as hot spots, mange, alopecia X, and fungal infections. For pets, this means relief from itchy and painful skin and for pet parents this means less visits to the veterinary’s office (and a healthier looking dog). The sham-poo bar is all-natural

and made from certified organic coconut, castor, sunflower, jojoba and olive oils, also drawing on the healing power of sulfur and Neem oil to naturally kill mites, bacteria and fungus. These bars will outlast a 16-ounce bottle of liquid shampoo and offer a luxurious lather that makes bathing enjoyable for both people and pets. Check it out, along with other products such as the DERMagic Anti-Dandruff Dead Sea Salt Scrub ($12.50) at dermagic.com or by calling 877-814-7497.

For a quick, last minute cleanup, try a new line of pet wipes by La Fresh Group. W.A.G. (Wash & Go) Doggie Wipes ($7.99-$12.99) are pre-treated wipes with formulas designed for everyday cleaning of pets’ ears, eyes, teeth or bodies. The Divas & Studs Canine Care fin-ger mitts and wet wipes are designed to clean the ears, eyes, teeth and bodies of smaller pets ($5.99-$9.99). Packages are made to be porta-ble so they can fit into a pet carrier or purse for on-the-go touch-ups. Shop for them online at lafreshgroup.com or call 888-552-3737 to find a nearby retailer.

Ready for company

Draw the Dog

Imagine that you own two Great Danes. One is very smart and curious, the other follows her big brother everywhere.

One day, Dusty decides to open a second story window and walk out onto the roof of the porch below. Dusty follows. The fire department comes. What do you do next?

Take a photo and send it to DrawtheDog.com, in the hope that your dogs’ adventure will inspire former Disney animator Jim George to create a cartoon seen ’round the world.

Every cartoon on the site is inspired by photos and stories dog owners submit, and the result is one of the funniest, most heartfelt sites on the Web. There are yellow Labs who dive to the bottom of swimming pools, a border collie who plots to steal the tennis balls off an elderly woman’s walker, and even a pit bull so vicious he carries around his stuffed animal for com-fort.

In a nice twist, every cartoon draws itself before your eyes. Half the fun is guessing what will happen next.

Jim George started the site last September, along with Bruce Kasanoff. As it says on the site, “Jim draws, and Bruce does everything else. This is because Bruce can’t draw, and Jim doesn’t want to do anything else.”

The pair are passionate supporters of dog rescue groups, and DrawtheDog.com allows rescues to use their cartoons free of charge to print and sell T-shirts for fundraising purposes.

“The best part of each day,” Kasanoff said, “is when I get to send an owner an e-mail say-ing that her dog inspired today’s cartoon.”

Jim added, “Actually, the best part of my day is when the owner writes us back. They

are so excited, and that positive energy inspires me.”

DrawtheDog.com posts a cartoon every day but Sunday. Kasanoff said this is not for religious reasons but simply because they are really tired by then.

If you love dogs, be sure to stop by Draw-theDog.com.

Cynthia Baker wrote, “Maggie May loves to dive to the bottom of the pool to retrieve her toy submarine. I am in a photogra-phy club and for a recent assignment I combined a shot of her diving in the pool with a shot of a previous (human) underwater dive in Cozumel…”


SPoTliGhT oN VETERiNARiANS

Dr. Grace StrakeBy Danielle Hennessey

Pet Gazette ContriButor

Why did you de-cide to become a veterinari-

an? I always had an interest in the field and an obsessive love for our pets. It wasn’t actu-ally my first career, but it was always something I thought I would love doing, and when the opportunity came along to

change careers I decided to follow my intincts and try it. I’m so glad I did!

For those readers who are considering working in the veterinary field, what advice would you share with them? Study hard in school and do your very best — it’s a very competitive field. Try to get some experience working at a local veterinary clinic to make sure it’s a fit for you. It’s not the glamorous job some people think it is.

Is there any specific ac-complishment that has stuck out in your veterinary ca-reer thus far as something you are especially proud of? Opening my own hospital and building up a successful prac-tice. I started SCAH in 2006 and have built up a clientele of over 6,000 clients and a team of four doctors and 20 suport staff. I’m very proud of them — they’re the best. Last year we opened our new building which is truly state-of-the- art. We recently received our American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) certifi-cation, which is a big honor.

Something that would surprise readers about you is .... I was a professional vio-linist in a full-time symphony

orchestra before switching to veterinary medicine. I still try to play when I can.

Do you have a favorite new product on the mar-ket? Probably Convenia — I love giving cats an injection that will clear most infections

without having to fight them twice daily.

What do you love about being a veterinarian? The variety and the challenges that are presented each day. You never know what will walk in the door; it’s constant problem solving. I love the fact that I follow the patients through the whole process, unlike in the human field. Veterinarians examine the patient, review the bloodwork and x-ray, do their own ultrasounds and per-form the surgery. It’s so var-ied. There are a lot of routine procedures, but I see a lot of very interesting and challeng-ing cases as well.

What misconception do many pet owners have about veterinarians that you would like to help dispel? That veterinary care should be inexpensive if not free. We offer animal medical care that

is very comparable to human medical care, and it’s very costly to do so. The costs of equipment, supplies and our highly trained support staff are immense, and we try very hard to keep costs affordable for pet owners.

If you could own any type of animal you haven't so far, what animal would you choose? Probably a ferret — they’re really fun and cute. I work on them frequently and find they have great personali-ties.

What is a common mis-conception that patients’ owners make? That the “dis-temper vaccine” will improve their temperament. It’s to pro-tect their pets against danger-ous diseases and will not help with their attitudes.

What is it that makes South Coastal Animal Hos-pital so special? Our amazing staff. They are great — incred-ibly caring and committed. We develop one-on-one relation-ships with our clients and we really do care about their ani-mals.

I noticed in an article on-line that you were one of sev-eral veterinarians to donate oxygen masks for animals to a local fire department. Can you tell me more about why these specific masks are important and what led you to get involved? The MVMA started the program to try and get correctly sized oxygen masks to fire depart-ments across the state. Getting oxygen to pets suffering from smoke inhalation is critical to their survival. The MVMA asked us to present the masks to a local fire department and we chose Hull as we have a close working relationship with the dog officer there, Deni Goldman. They were very grateful and excited to use the new equipment.

vet of the monthThE STRAkE FilE

Veterinary Degree: Free University of Berlin, GermanyYears in field: 16Pets you own: bronson, golden lab cross, Spencer, golden, Tessie, yellow lab. Cats – Joey, alina, mietzie and Pi. 2 aquatic turtles – rex and tex now live in the waiting room at SCAH. Practice: South Coastal animal Health, route 18 WeymouthPhone: 781-340-0800Website: southcoastalah.com

Charity Drive

Wishbones for Pets and three local professional pet sitters will be hosting a charity drive to as-sist FairyDog Parents and NOAH now through

Nov. 30. Pam Ranheim of Just Around the Corner Pet Sitting, Janet

Depathy of Under My Wings and Carol Shapiro of Paws in Paradise are asking for your assistance to help support these wonderful organizations in the form of monetary donations, pet food and other pet supplies, cleaning supplies, postage stamps and copy paper. Drop off items at these locations: Pilgrim Animal Hospital, The Cat Clinic, Plymouth Animal Hospital, Court Street Animal Hospital, Manomet Animal Hospital, Mayflower Veterinary Clinic, Adam & Eve Salon, Inc., RoverMakeover, Plymouth Tire & Alignment, Cedarville House of Pizza and Rock Bottom Seafood.

The program runs annually from Oct. 15 to Nov. 30 and is in its seventh year. This Thanksgiving, remember the pets in need. For more information, visit the Web site at wishbones-forpets.com.

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You may not know my breed very well and you may confuse me with my cousin, the Bernese mountain dog, as we both come

from Switzerland and have similar coloring. We were bred for many of the same jobs. I am Juno, a greater Swiss mountain dog. I do not have the long silky coat like a Bernese, my double coat is short and smooth, but we both proudly carry the white Swiss cross on our chest. At one time, we were the most popular breed in Switzerland. The Swissy, as we are known, is the oldest and the largest of the four Sen-nenhund breeds. The Senn were dairy farmers and herders that lived in the Swiss Alps. We were bred to herd cattle on the dairy farms in the mountainous ter-rain of the Alps. We were known as the “poor man’s horse.” We were relied on as a draft dog — to pull heavy carts throughout the farm, helping the farmers with their daily work. We worked closely with the farmers and soon became a favorite companion.

As machines took over many of our jobs in the late 19th century, our breed became obsolete. Then Dr. Albert Heim, a famous dog expert from Zurich, was judging a Swiss dog show in 1908. An owner

thought he had an unusual looking Bernese mountain dog, Bello, and entered him in the show as a Ber-

nese. Little did he know; Bello was a greater Swiss mountain dog. Dr. Heim identified

him as a rare greater Swiss mountain dog and began work on restoring the

breed. He wrote the first standard for our breed based on Bello. Heim located other examples of the Swissy in the Alps and brought

the breed back before it became ex-tinct. During World War II, we were

used as draft dogs in the Swiss Army. As we were shown in European dog

shows, we caught the attention of two Americans, who eventually imported us to the United States in the late 1960s. We were officially recog-nized by the AKC in 1995 and were placed in the working group, along with the rottweiler and the Saint Bernard. We were the foundation for the development of both those breeds.

I am 13 months old and I am still growing,

so I still have lots of puppy qualities. My body is still developing into the strong, muscular draft dog of my

ancestors, so sometimes I can be a little clum-

sy if I try to run too fast. I have a little

way to go to grow into my feet. It can take up to three years for me to fully mature both in body and mind. That means I get to be a big puppy for a long time. It’s so fun to be a puppy; I like to do all the things puppies do like steal toys and eat shoes and follow you all around. Lucky for me, my family has lots of patience and did their homework to be prepared for this extended puppy time. That also means I may need extra help in training, as I can be puppy stubborn and may not be able to focus on all that work for a long time. It took nine months for me to be fully trusted with housetraining, but I tried really hard. Right now I am pretty energetic and go for walks about 45 minutes each day, but I am not super high energy. I will have bursts of energy and then take a timeout. Playing with my friends at school is great exercise for me and I love other dogs. As I age, the amount of activity I’ll require will dimin-ish. I have the classic Swissy markings,

with black being the ground color and rust and white as the marking colors. A white marking on our chest will typically form an inverted cross. Mine is kind of hard to see, but I am still growing. I weigh 85 pounds and will probably get to be 110-120 pounds when I am full grown.

I live with a family with three young kids that I love to hang around with. We Swissys are very much an active part of our family. I have a big backyard that I get to play around in, but I much prefer to be with my family. I always make sure they know when someone is arriving at the house. I don’t want them to be surprised so sometimes I will alert them a cou-ple of times, or more. I am a good watchdog and will stand my ground if threatened, but I’m not aggres-sive in any way. I am friendly and enthusiastic when I meet new people. I am a pretty mellow girl and a big sweetheart according to my teachers at school. When I finally lay down for a rest, get your earplugs, because I can snore pretty loud.

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BUSiNESS oF ThE MoNTh

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Backyard BirdwatchersBy linDsey GarDner Pet Gazette eDitor

Lisa Fitzsimmons is the own-er of Backyard Birdwatchers.

How did Backyard B i r dw a t c h e r s come to be? Tell

us about the history behind Backyard Birdwatchers. I opened Backyard Birdwatch-ers with my business partner, Kathy Schneider. Both of us wanted to escape the rat race and start our own business. We were both into birding and were hoping to turn a hobby into something fun and hope-fully profitable. After much re-search, we decided there was

a real need for such a store on the South Shore. Our goal was to have a nature-oriented, edu-cational type of atmosphere. We officially opened Backyard Birdwatchers in May 1998.

Starting the store was hard work, but business caught on and we built up a great cus-tomer base. Sadly, just two years in business, my partner Kathy became ill with cancer and passed away in 2001.

I have continued to oper-ate the store on my own, with the help of family and friends. My customer base continues to grow. I am very fortunate to have a great clientele.

What kinds of products does Backyard Birdwatch-ers sell? Backyard Birdwatch-ers sells just about everything you could ever want or need for your backyard birds (of-ten referred to as your “out-door pets.” I strive to stock the store with effective, quality products that you won’t find at discount and big box stores. I specialize in quality bird feed-ers, unique birdhouses, bird-baths, specialty hardware and nature-oriented gifts.

I also carry a variety of suet and bird-specific foods. All of the seed mixes that I sell are high quality and con-tain no fillers or waste. Re-member: use great seed, get great birds! Whether you need a bird-specific mix or a waste-free, mess-free mix, you have

lots of choices here.Backyard Bird-

watchers also has a great selection of field guides, how-to books, bird-specific books and a children’s book section. The children’s section also offers build-it-yourself bird house kits and educational toys and games.

I test drive most of the products that I sell. I carry items that are long-lasting and durable. This includes the lat-est in birding technology, such as the easy clean feeders from Droll Yankee and Aspects.

What is the most com-

mon question you receive from customers? Most cus-tomers ask “Is there any way to keep the squirrels from eating all my birdseed?” Fortunately, the answer is yes, there are several options available. One option is a pole with a baffle on it. When setting up a pole system, the poles must be 8-10 feet away from anything so

the squirrel can’t jump to the feeder, and the baffle should be approximately 4-5 feet up the pole to prevent the squir-rel from climbing up the pole. Another option is a weight activated squirrel feeder such as the Squirrel Buster. As the squirrel lands on the feeder it automatically shuts down, cut-ting off the food supply. The Squirrel Buster comes in three different sizes and can actually be hung in a tree.

What is your best selling item? Besides selling tons of seed and suet, probably squir-rel-proof feeders are my most requested and popular items. The Squirrel Buster feeders are my favorite and by far the best sellers in feeders.

What is your favorite product to suggest to cus-tomers? At this time of year, I would have to say heated birdbaths. Most people don’t realize how vital fresh water is to the birds, especially in the bitter cold when most water sources are freezing up. Birds need water not only for drink-ing but also to help keep their feathers clean. I have stand-alone heated birdbaths, as well as heated birdbaths that will clamp right onto your deck. Just plug them in and they will keep the water ice-free up to -20 degrees. If you have an existing birdbath, I also sell heaters that you can use in them. You will be amazed at the number of birds you will have flocking to your yard by simply adding a fresh water supply.

Tell us about the differ-ent unique birdhouses you sell. Birdhouses are a great addition to any yard. Not only will birds use them in spring and summer to nest in, but they will also use them in the winter months to roost in dur-ing storms.

I carry both decorative and functional birdhouses. Func-tional houses provide venti-lation, drainage and an easy cleanout. (Most of the decora-tive houses I sell are also func-tional.)

Different types of houses are available from natural gourd birdhouses to basic, long-lasting cedar boxes, cy-prus boxes and handsome PVC palaces. I also offer bird specific houses, designed to attract and house bluebirds, wrens, chickadees, woodpeck-ers, bats, owls, etc.

Is there anything else you

would like to add? Backyard Birdwatchers is now in its 13th year. As an independent shop owner, I appreciate my customers’ loyalty and con-tinued support. The compe-tition has increased through the years, primarily from the Internet and big box outlets. I feel I have kept my prices competitive in this age of on-line consumerism while still providing quality items.

Ideally I want Backyard Birdwatchers to be a fun place to visit, and a great place to shop. My new Web site will be kicking off this month (No-vember) offering e-newsletter specials and lots of birding tips. Please feel free to sign up at backyardbirdwatchers.com.

Business of the month

BACKYARD BIRDWAtCHERS

ADDRESS: Stop & Shop Plaza, 164 Summer St., Kingston, MAPHoNE NUMBER: 781-582-2473WEB SItE: backyardbirdwatchers.comHoURS oF oPERAtIoN: Tuesday- Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (closed Sundays and Mondays)

Backyard Birdwatchers sells just about everything you could ever want or need for your backyard birds (often referred to as your “outdoor pets.”


Seems like whenever you’re talkin’ animals, eventually the subject of their bathroom habits, or lack thereof, rears its ugly... rear.

Turd seems to repulse and yet fascinate us. Either way, it must be dealt with. Or maybe this article is just to re-fute critics who say this corre-spondent doesn’t know... stuff.

For birds, No. 1 plus No. 2 equals one compact pack-age. Droppings can range in size and consistency from the relatively inoffensive dry, tiny flick-it-away budgie variety through the nasty, messy offer-ings of the otherwise beautiful lorikeets due to their largely liquid diet and the massive mudsplats of macaws and large cockatoos.

On the other hand, drop-pings can offer vital clues to a bird’s health. Drastic changes in the amount or volume, color change, increase in water, pres-ence of blood, increase in the urine portion or decrease in the feces volume may be indicative of a sick bird.

In addition, DNA testing of droppings is a foolproof method of sexing – significant as very few parrot species can be visually sexed.

When you’re walking down

the beach boardwalk with a bird on your shoul-der, and you hear snickering behind you, it usu-ally means one thing — your bird has deposited said DNA sample on your back. There are ways of dealing — an old towel draped around your shoulders (simultaneously improving the Polly

grip) — or a stylish bird bib — like one from Australia’s tweetyenterprises.

Parrots can be trained to hold it and “go” on command, but they

do have their limits. The Con-necticut Association for

Aviculture suggests taking the bird out

of the cage, re-turning it to an

appropriate “bathroom area” ev-ery 10 minutes, repeating a com-

mand like “Go potty,” waiting for Polly to deliver and then lav-ishing praise and returning to the play area.

A macaw on “Pet Star” demonstrated how he

could flush a parrot-sized potty. Viewers were spared the first part of the act!

Like most birds, parrots are rather indiscrimi-nate about letting the bomb drop, including, to the owner’s dismay, their food and water dishes. Noting where the bird’s most frequent “line of fire” is and/or placing dishes high will alleviate this problem. A grate above the cage bottom is standard equipment to keep your bird from rooting around for food among the debris.

Of course, frequent cage cleanings are an un-pleasant but necessary part of bird ownership. Some professionals advise cleaning thoroughly every two days — and you’ll still be doing a lot in between for junk the bird manages to toss outside the cage.

Pine shavings or or corn cob litter make the task a little easier, absorb a lot of the mess and give the cage a better appearance between cleaning. It’s also rec-ommended that the cage be thoroughly disinfected once a month with Lysol or diluted chlorine bleach, after washing with soap and water — and thorough-ly rinsed off afterwards. Vinegar diluted with water from a spray bottle is a “green” alternative. Eventu-ally, it all comes out in the end.

Photo: This Mass. Cage Bird Association mem-ber loves her feathered friends, but maybe not so much a certain end result.

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On Sunday, Oct. 10, the Animal Protection Cen-ter of Southeastern Massachusetts had a great time hosting “Paws in the Park” at Borderland

State Park in Easton. This fun-filled day allowed family, friends and their dogs to enjoy the spectacular weather, the natural beauty of the park and many activities including canine agility competitions, raffles and a birthday celebra-tion — October 2010 marks the first anniversary of the APCSM.

The APCSM formed from local community members who achieved nonprofit status during the summer of 2009 and created an independent and local board of directors. They officially opened their doors on Oct. 3, 2009 at 1300 West Elm Street Extension in Brockton with four staff members and a large team of trained volunteers. These animal care professionals focus on preventing cruelty to ani-mals while performing education and outreach throughout the towns and cities in this region and offering low-cost spay/neuter options for pet owners struggling with financial restrictions. Since opening last year, the APCSM has been able to match more than 1,000 homeless pets with their new forever families and they look forward to continuing the trend as they enter their second year.

Almost 200 people and countless dogs joined the Animal Protection Center and their many sponsors, including Brockton Animal Hospital, Classie Canines, Lloyd’s Animal Medical Center and the Red Dog Inn, on a walk to raise funds so that the APCSM can continue providing care for homeless pets. Those who were not able to join the fun at Paws in the Park can learn more about the Animal Protection Center and help support them by visiting the adoption center on the Brockton/Easton line and by checking out the Web site at apcsm.org.

Paws in the Park

Under all that hair, did you ever won-der what your dog’s

skin is really like? Is it just like your skin? Yes and no. There are similarities, and there are also some major differences that may surprise you.

WHAT’S unDer All THAT Fur?

For both dogs and people, the skin is the largest and one of the most complex organs of the body. It’s a natural barrier that prevents dehydration and protects us from the environ-ment. The outermost skin lay-er is often compared to bricks and mortar. Skin cells are like bricks, and the lipid complex between cells is like mortar.

Your dog’s skin, which is just three to five cells thick, is actually much more delicate

than yours, which is at least 10 to 15 cells thick. Your dog’s skin depends on the coat of hair and oils to help keep it in healthy condition.

WHy Do DogS HAve So muCH HAIr?

About 95 percent of a dog’s body is covered by hair. Besides making your dog soft and huggable, this coat of hair helps to protect the skin and keep it healthy. For most dogs, the hair coat grows on a cycle of two changes every year. That’s why most dogs shed in the spring as a new coat grows in, and the same process hap-pens in the fall.

HoW CAn you keep A Dog’S SkIn HeAlTHy?

If you remember that skin is like bricks and mortar, there

are some basic steps you can take to help keep it strong and solid. These include proper diet, parasite protection, regu-lar bathing and grooming.

HoW oFTen SHoulD you WASH your Dog?

Opinions vary, although many experts agree that how often to bathe a dog depends on a variety of factors, such as age, breed, lifestyle, medi-cal conditions and overall health.

“To keep your dog’s skin in healthy condition, don’t al-low any dirt or debris to build up on the skin because these can lead to troubles such as dry skin, itchiness, infections and other problems,” said Stepha-nie Arnold, DVM, MPH. “If the coat’s not dirty or smelly, it’s best to bathe no more than once every two weeks.

DoeS my Dog reAlly neeD A SpeCIAl SHAmpoo?

Unfortunately, many pet owners aren’t aware it can be harmful to use their made-for- people shampoo, cream rinse or body lotion on their dog. The pH levels of human skin and canine skin are quite dif-ferent. Products made to pro-tect more acidic human skin can be troublesome for a dog’s more alkaline skin.

“If a shampoo formulated for human skin is used on a dog, it disrupts the dog’s skin pH. This can create ideal con-ditions for bacteria, fungi and parasites to get out of control,” Arnold said. “As the shampoo dries out the skin, the dog scratches. They can nick or cut their skin, which can allow mi-croorganisms to enter and start a problematic skin cycle.”

WHAT’S BeST For my Dog?

Be sure to bathe your dog with a pH-balanced, moistur-izing shampoo made specifi-cally for dogs, such as AL-LERGROOM Shampoo from Virbac Animal Health. If your pet has itchy skin, ask your veterinarian about soothing options, such as EPI-SOOTHE Shampoo and EPI-SOOTHE Cream Rinse that are made to help restore a pet’s natural skin oils. An easy-to-use topi-cal therapy, ALLERDERM. Spot-On is also available to help repair and restore a dam-aged skin barrier.

Questions lead to better answers.

For more details about how to keep your pet’s skin healthy, visit virbacvet.com.

is your dog’s skin the same as yours?


Cataracts in dogs

Cataract development is one of the most common causes of vision problems in dogs. By definition, a cataract is any

opacity of the lens within the eye. The normally transparent lens focuses light rays onto the retina in the back of the eye. Within the retina, the light is trans-formed to electrical energy and then carried by the op-tic nerve to the brain where vision actually takes place. Cataracts are recognized as an inherited disease in more than 75 breeds of dogs (poodles, Labrador retrievers and cocker spaniels, are a few). They also occur in more than 80 percent of dogs that have dia-betes mellitus. Other causes of cataracts include age, trauma and intraocular inflammation.

Cataracts may be classified by numerous meth-ods including age of onset, location within the lens and stage of development. Incipi-ent cataracts are small opaci-ties that generally do not in-terfere with vision. Immature cataracts involve more of the lens and usually cause some degree of vision impairment. Mature cataracts result in blindness. Many dogs over the age of six years have cloudy eyes that can be mistaken for cataracts. A complete, detailed

eye examination by a veterinary ophthalmologist will determine if there is a cataract and help to de-cide whether or not the patient is a good candidate for surgery to remove the cataract.

There are currently no medications that are ef-fective for preventing or treating cataracts. Surgery is the only way to remove a cataract. Prior to surgery,

a veterinary ophthalmologist will perform an elec-troretinogram and ocular ultrasound to ensure that the retina is healthy; the retina is the nerve tissue

in the back of the eye that acts much like film in a camera. If the retina is not healthy, removing

the cataract will not restore vision.Cataract surgery is successful

in approximately 90 percent of cases. Lasers are not used to

remove cataracts; the sur-gery to remove cataracts uses phacoemulsifica-tion, the same procedure that is used in people. Phacoemulsification is performed through a

small, two-millime-ter wide incision and uti-

lizes ultrasonic energy to shatter the cata-ract and “vacuum” it out of the eye. Once the cataract has been removed, it is replaced with an artificial lens. Following cataract

surgery, antibi-otic eye drops are used to pre-vent infection. Steroid drops are also used to pre-vent inflamma-tion within the eye that could cause retinal detachment or glaucoma. In un-

complicated cases, vision will be restored immediately after surgery and continue to improve over the ensuing days. During the first two weeks after surgery it is of utmost importance to prevent injury to the eye; an

Elizabethan collar is worn to prevent rub-bing at the eyes and vigorous activity is curtailed. Weekly re-evaluations are performed to moni-tor progress and to deal with any com-plications. After two weeks, the Elizabe-than collar can gener-ally be removed and the dog can resume normal activity.

In summary, sur-gery to remove cata-racts in dogs is very rewarding, as this procedure can result in restoration of vi-sion in the vast ma-jority of cases.

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Dr. William Greentree is a board certified veterinary ophthalmologist and a mem-ber of the veterinary staff at VCA South Shore Animal Hospital in South Weymouth. His practice is limited to oph-thalmology.

There are currently no medications that are effective for preventing or treating cataracts. Surgery is the only way to remove a cataract.

Prior to surgery, a veterinary ophthalmologist will perform an electroretinogram and ocular ultra-

sound to ensure that the retina is healthy; the retina is the nerve tissue in the back of

the eye that acts much like film in a camera. If the retina is not healthy, removing the

cataract will not restore vision.


It’s getting colder …This holiday season, try borrowing some advice

from local and online pet fashion gurus.We’ll start with jackets. Is your best friend pre-

pared for the harsh New England winter ahead? If not, swing by a local retailer to check out the wide variety of winter attire available close to home. Car-ol Brown, the owner of Pawsitively Natural at 10 Marshfield Ave. in Humarock, recommends Doggie Safe n’ Dry rain jackets. They are water-repellent, re-flective, reversible and sturdy enough to withstand a mid-February storm. “Doggie Safe n’ Dry jackets are particularly nice for the driving rain and snow down

here,” Brown said. Besides, they are handmade with

adorable patterns. They range in size from peewee to large and are sold at Pawsitively Natu-ral for $32.95-$41.95.

If your main priority is warmth, Brown recom-mends Fido Fleece coats, which have a high neck to cover the chest. They are machine-washable and are sold at Pawsitively Natu-ral for $26.99-$32.99.

To keep your dog’s feet warm and protect his paws, Kyle Shaf-fer of The Healthy Animal at 808 Washington St. in Pembroke suggests Power Paws non-skid boo-ties, which are sold for $20.99 at The Healthy Animal. When your dog wears his booties, he will be among celebrity pooches — Power Paws were given away in goodie bags at the Oscars this year.

As you unpack your Rudolph sweater and Christ-mas tree tie from the holiday boxes in the attic, think about ordering a stylish sweater from Pet Flys. Dress a dog up in festive Christmas or Hanukkah attire or even get him ready for a big night out in a tuxedo-patterned sweater. All sweaters are $22.95 plus ship-ping and handling and can be ordered online at pet-flys.com.

If the jackets and sweaters aren’t extravagant enough for your little prince or princess, fear not. Browse the Bitch New York Web site (bitchnewyork.com) and I guarantee you’ll find something to fall in love with. From the $24 Good Girl Ruffle T Dog T-shirt to a crystal cream lace gown by Chien Coature for over $1,500, you’ll find everything you need to doll up your super-pampered pup. Still looking for more bling? Add in the Bitchi Bling Swarovski crys-tal set for $216. Enjoy!

The fun stuffGive the gift of entertainment. Keep

an eye out for holiday-themed toys that local retailers bring in. For a

cat, pick up a festively patterned catnip toy at The Healthy

Animal for as low as $3.19 made by Maine-based company The Cat’s Meow. It’s

sure to provide hours of entertainment.

For a dog, try picking up deer or elk antlers for as low as $8.

“They don’t split and last forev-er. They’re fantastic for heavy chewers,” said Diane Dew-berry, owner of The

Healthy Animal.Dazzle Dog Delight, a California-based com-

pany, offers unique plush toys with recycled plastic bottles inside. Dogs enjoy crunching the replaceable bottle. You can buy Bottle Buddies Dog Plush Toys for as low as $9.99 and even feel good about your purchase, because 5 percent of all Dazzle Dog De-light profits are donated to the SPCA. Order online at dazzledogdelight.com.

Another unique gift option is the Christmas Cat-nip Fortune Cookie Box made by Up Country. These “cookies” contain 100 percent organic catnip and hold a fortune for the lucky recipient. Browse Up Country products at local retailers or order online at upcountryinc.com/index.cfm.

Relax, rejuvenate and revive

If you’re looking to pamper a pet this holiday sea-son, consider choosing spa products from local pet supply stores. For example, J.M. Pet Resort at 1014 Pearl St. in Brockton carries a variety of health and beauty products. Owner Jeni Mather recommends Angels’ Glow product to eliminate tear stains from a

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TOUGH BEGINNINGS.

Holiday Shopping GuideBy saraH Bruno

Pet Gazette ContriButor

Walmart and PETCO can only get you so far. To make this holiday season special for all of the pets

and pet lovers on your shopping list, consider the suggestions of retailers in southeastern Massa-chusetts and unique pet product Web sites. This guide will shed some light on your options and may help you find the perfect gifts for everyone on your list.

Bitch New York has everything from Good Girl Ruffle t Dog t-shirts to crystal cream lace gowns by Chien Coature for over $1,500. You’ll find everything you need to doll up your super-pam-pered pup. Still looking for more bling? Add in the Bitchi Bling Swarovski crystal set for $216.

Carol Brown, the owner of Pawsitively Natural at 10 Marshfield Ave. in Humarock, recommends Doggie Safe n’ Dry rain jackets. they are water-repellent, reflective, reversible and sturdy enough to with-stand a mid-February storm. “Doggie Safe n’ Dry jackets are particularly nice for the driving rain and snow down here,” Brown said.

Fido Fleece coats, which have a high neck to cover the chest are machine-washable and are sold at Pawsitively Natural for $26.99-$32.99.


dog’s coat. It is sold at J.M. Pet Resort for $20.99. As a gift, Mather also suggests the Spa Lavish pet line, which offers shampoos, conditioners, colognes, paw treatments and facial scrubs in a variety of scents. Products range from $9.70-$11. J.M. Pet Resort also offers a variety of in-house services to give your dog the ultimate spa day. Information on rates and pack-ages are available online at jmpetresort.com/home.

Don’t forget about the teeth. Trick your dog into having a brighter smile by playing tug with Fleecy Cleans by Dazzle Dog Delight. These specially made soft fabric wipes clean gums and teeth to reduce plaque build-up. You can buy Fleecy Cleans for as low as $4.99. Terrabone, also made by Dazzle Dog

Delight, is another teeth cleaning option. Terrabone is a healthy, edible dental chew bone made from easily digestible ingredi-ents. Both products are available for or-der online at upcountryinc.com.

Worth a thousand wordsIf you’re looking to do something special this

holiday season, think about bringing your pet in for a professional photography session. You can book a studio or natural setting session with Duxbury-based Tracy Sheehan for as low as $150. She offers a variety of unique options, including a canvas gallery “woof wrap.” In addition, for a group party you can book Sheehan’s portable boutique, which offers a choice of four different backdrops (down by the seaside, se-cret garden, wild west and holiday). She’ll bring the equipment for up to three hours of photography fun.

A truly thoughtful present for a pet-owning friend would be a membership card to Tracy Shee-han Photography. For $225, you receive discounts on Sheehan’s products and also receive discounts at local businesses such as the Lamb and Lion Inn, a pet-friendly Bed and Breakfast in Barnstable, and A Fox and Hounds Pet Care in Hingham. Interested? Call Sheehan to book a session or discuss options at 781-585-7363.

Another local photographer is Duxbury-based Deni Johnson. You can book a sitting for the whole family either in the studio or a natural setting for as low as $125.

“I enjoy photographing kids and animals togeth-er because the kids are more relaxed. They giggle at what the dog is doing, so we get natural expressions,” Johnson said.

After the session, Johnson can turn your pho-tographs into Christmas cards, canvases and even pocketbooks. Call her at 781-934-5316 to book a sit-ting.

Duxbury-based photographer Deni Johnson can turn your photographs into Christmas cards, canvases and even pocketbooks.

A truly thoughtful present for a pet-owning friend would be a membership card to tracy Sheehan Photography. You receive discounts on Sheehan’s products and also receive discounts at local businesses.

Stop into the Healthy Animal and check out their Christmas display. the top left of the display is from Dandy Design: All breed wooden, hand painted x-mas ornaments. they will be doing special orders and prices range from $16.95 to $20.99. the top right of the display features Poochie Bells: A popular tool to train puppies and adult dogs to ding the bell to let mom and dad know it is time go out! Fresh Wave is featured on the bottom left of the display. this line is an essential oil gel crystal that absorbs animal odors, works great and comes in two sizes. the display of Sherpa pet toys for the holiday are also featured and assorted locally made dishes for dogs and cats.

Stylish sweaters from Pet Flys are a great gift for your dog. Dress a dog up in festive Christmas or Hanukkah attire or even get him ready for a big night out in a tuxedo-patterned sweater. All sweaters are $22.95 plus shipping and handling and can be ordered online at petflys.com.

Pet Photography

Christmas Cove Design stockings are a perfect gift. the stockings are handmade in Maine and come in a variety of holiday and pet patterns.


Something for everyoneIf your pet-loving friend doesn’t own a dog or

cat, try shopping at Backyard Birdwatchers at 164 Summer St. in Kingston. They have everything you need to keep your flapping friends around through the cold winter months. Backyard Birdwatchers car-ries heated bird baths for as low as $60 or heaters for existing bird baths for as low as $24.99. Find beauti-ful hand-painted birdhouses for as low as $18.99. Or better yet, entertain both kids and birds with a bird-house kit. Assemble the pieces and paint to create a unique addition to your own backyard.

While you’re shopping for the kids, pick up a bird-themed game such as Bird Bingo. You’ll also find a variety of feeders including the weight-acti-vated Squirrel Buster ($24.99) that keeps unwant-ed creatures out. Before you leave, also be sure to browse through the book section. Backyard Bird-watchers carries a wide range of guides to suit every bird enthusiast.

Finally, think about giving your animal-loving friend a Christmas ornament made of bird seed —

owner Lisa Fitzsimmons says that they are among the biggest holiday sellers.

If you’re looking to give decorations, you can find great products at many local retailers. Backyard Birdwatchers carries painted gourds that are sure to make a thoughtful holiday gift. Both Pawsitively Natural and The Healthy Animal carry and highly recommend Christmas Cove Design stockings. The stockings are handmade in Maine and come in a va-riety of holiday and pet patterns. The Healthy Animal also carries Dandy Dog ornaments.

“[The ornaments] are nice little gifts for under $20,” Dewberry said.

If you’re looking to please a pet-loving child, check out Mix Pups, a new collection from Toys “R” Us. There are 16 toy puppies to collect, along with hundreds of accessories to mix and match. Each pup-py costs $5.99.

Events, deals and stealsStill unsure what to buy this holiday season? Try

visiting local retailers during upcoming events. On Nov. 21, South Paws Doggie Day Care at 196 Oldham St., Pembroke will be hosting pet photos with Santa by Tracy Sheehan. A sitting fee of $10 will be donated to the National Canine Can-cer Foundation. A variety of photo pack-

ages will be available for purchase online. Get more information on this event at southpawsdogs.com/upcoming-events.

Stop by the 13th annual Christmas Stroll in Hu-marock during the weekend of Nov. 26. Local ven-dors will display holiday products outside. Santa will be available for pictures. Get more information on-line at humarock.net (click on the calendar).

As it gets closer to the holiday season, visit The Healthy Animal in Pembroke to view holiday dis-plays. While you’re there, ask about customized gift baskets. Given any price range (on average, custom-ers choose to spend between $25 and $35) and re-quirements (whether it’s for a dog or cat owner), staff will put together a gift basket containing toys, treats, accessories, pet care items, or anything else you may desire.

J.M. Pet Resort in Brockton offers 10 percent off of the entire line of Lupine products for the month of November. Lupine makes collars, harnesses and leashes for cats and dogs, and offers a lifetime guar-antee — even if the product is chewed. J.M. Pet Re-sort also offers rock bottom prices on bully sticks and pig ears. You can buy an individual bully stick for $3.99 or two for $6.50. All pig ears are 99 cents each. J.M. Pet Resort also offers customized gift baskets, so be sure to ask if you are looking to add a personal touch to a pet lover’s present.

Cartoon of the month

Paws for a Cause photo benefit and contest

Award-winning photographer Susan White of “Furryfaceportraits.com” in Norwell is sponsoring a benefit for “Fairy Dog Parents,” a registered nonprofit charity whose mission is to prevent dog owners from having to give up their beloved pets because

of financial hardship in these difficult times. They provide qualified applicants with necessities such as financial assistance for food and medical needs.

For a limited time only (Nov. 9-13), Susan will be taking portraits of pets and their people at a special price of only $59 that includes a studio portrait session, one 7-by-5 matted art print (total value $150) and entry into the “Best Pet Portrait Contest.” Fifty percent of this fee goes directly to the charity.

At least 20 images will be presented at a projected view-ing appointment at the studio from which to choose from. Discounted print packages, wall portraits, photo pocketbooks, Christmas Cards and ornaments will be offered for sale at that time. Sessions are by appointment only and payable in advance to reserve your time.

All purchased portraits will be posted on furryfaceportraits.com/benefit for voting for the “best pet portrait.” Each vote will cost $1, all of which will go to the charity. The winners will receive a grand prize of a photo tote bag by Susan White (value $125), a $100 gift certificate from Mayflower Mobile vet, a free grooming session from Paws in Paradise ($40 value)

and a $50 gift certificate from The Healthy Animal pet store. More prizes to be announced.

Mail entries to: PET GAZETTE, PO BOX 1656, DUXBURY, MA 02331

“MY chOcOlATE lABRADOR RETRiEvER nAMED MOOnsTOnE”

isabella, 9 years old

pet drawing of the month

GUiDElinEsOpen to children 14 and under. Work should be on

a 8.5 x 11 sheet of white paper with no lines. Please use colored pencils or crayons. Entries must include the name and age of child, parent’s name and con-tact information, including phone. Please include a

brief description including your pet’s name.

We are seeking pet fans who can offer some exper-tise in a particular aspect of the pet industry, such as a doctor or veterinarian who can inform our readers about pet health or a wildlife expert who

can write about non-tradi-tional pets and animals. We cannot offer compensation, but we do offer recognition and advertising for your busi-ness or organization. If inter-ested, please e-mail Lindsey Gardner at [email protected] with writing sam-ples, column ideas and/or background materials.

The Pet Gazette is looking for freelance contributors

WriTers

WanTed


Everyone knows in order to have a balanced horse the rider must also be balanced. Recently a friend brought

to my attention another aid (so to speak) that a rider can use to even out the pressure on your sit bones (slang for the part of the pelvis that you sit on) so that the horse gets the proper pressure cues. Welcome to the world of shims for breeches. How this is supposed to work is simple — in theory that is. Shims are placed in the breeches on the side of the rider’s pelvis that does not contact the saddle as well as the opposite sit bone, resulting in even pressure. Well, maybe not.

When you alter the position of the rider’s pelvis artificially with the shims, you cause a

cascade of muscle imbalance and subluxations within the rider that will further cause

imbalances and abnormal pres-sure on the saddle. Your

horse will develop compensation with-

in its pelvis and muscles along with sublux-ations. This en-deavor will only

get worse over time resulting in a

biomechanical mal-function in both rider and horse that will be much worse than when this whole sce-

nario started.If you notice that your

sit bones are uneven in the saddle, it could be an im-balance in you, your horse

or even the saddle. Instead of shims, why not try to de-

t e r m i n e the cause and fix it. Having a sad-dle fitter look at the saddle if that has not been done in a while is a great idea. Contacting an equine chiropractor who works with both rider and horse can often get to the so-called bottom

of the problem (no pun intended). The chiropractor will do a postural eval-uation of you and your horse as well as possibly offer some adjustments

and exercises that will help stem the tide of this imbalance.

You will be amazed at how much your horse will improve in performance once there is an improved interplay between rider and horse.

The balance of both rider and horse

“Horse boarding for the discerning adult owner”

Good Faith Farm

• Quiet private setting with trails

• Unique co-op board structure creates affordability for most budgets

• 150x72 indoor ring with Perma-Flex footing

• Large stonedust/sand outdoor ring

• All new stalls under construction

• 25 years professional experience in the hunter/jumper industry – lessons available

“Our most valued asset is our client’s trust”

Sarah Mellin – 11 Wenham RD Carver (508) 866-4803

New EnglandAnimal Medical Center

www.neamc.com

595 W. Center St., W. BridgewaterRoutes 106 and 24 (Exit 16B from 24)

Veterinarians and technicians on site 24 hours a day.Locally owned and operated since 1975.

24 hour care for sick or injured pets. Chief of Staff Board Certified in Emergency and Critical Care.

IN AN EMERGENCY508-580-2515

Board certified veterinarians in internal medicine, surgery, and cardiology.

WHEN YOU NEED A SPECIALIST508-587-2700

Full service veterinary practice including vaccinations, dentistry, surgery and preventative medicine.

YOUR FAMILY VETERINARIAN508-584-1600

WE ARE HERE WHEN YOU NEED US!

CARING + EXPERIENCED STAFF

FULL-SERVICE VETERINARY HOSPITAL

1389 Main Street(Route 18 South)

Weymouth, MA 02190

COMPLETE DENTAL SERVICES

781-340-0800

When you alter the position of the rider’s pelvis artificially with the shims, you cause a

cascade of muscle imbalance and subluxations within the rider that will further cause imbalances

and abnormal pressure on the saddle.

By Dr. BruCe inDek Pet Gazette ColumniSt

Share some special holiday cheer with a pet currently awaiting a new home and family at the Taunton An-

imal Shelter. This event will run from Nov. 1 to Dec. 25.

Make a donation in honor of a particular pet at the shelter or deliver a special toy, treat or gift for the pet of your choice. This can also be done as a special “gift” for someone or in memory of someone.

Forms will be available at the Taunton Shelter, via the Web site tauntonshelter.pet-finder.com, or Raynham Town Hall, Taunton City Hall, Roma’s Hair Salon, Ventura Grain, Leahy’s Liquors or through shelter personnel.

Your name and the name of the pet of your choice will be noted on the Taunton Shelter Web site and also at the shelter itself. In addi-tion, you will receive a special photo of the pet you have chosen to sponsor.

Second Annual Jingle Paws


Red light, green light

Briggs StableTack Shop & Trailer Sales

623 Hanover StreetHanover, MA 02339

(781) 826-3191fax (781) 829-0091

Instruction • TrainingBoarding • Sales

Full Service Tack ShopKingston Trailer Sales

1089 Main Street • Marshfield

All around Training for the Complete Equestrian

Boarding~Lessons~Sales~LeasingEquine Massage Therapy

www.peakequestrian.com

781-834-6166781-834-6166

School Vacation ProgramsApril, July, and August!

Furnace Brook FarmErin Collins Van Steenburgh

Licensed Instructor

Lessons: beginner toadvanced, dressage,

horsemanship camps,ages 6 and up.

Marshfield, MA(781) 837-2495

With a new Indoor Arena,Offering Lessons

beginner-advanced, Training and Reschooling,Horse showing, Ponies for

lease and for sale.

Geraldine Burnet 271 Main Street Plympton, Ma.

(781) 585-0295

Stonecroft Farm

Indoor & Outdoor RingSmall, friendly atmosphere!

W. Bridgewater, MA

508-588-5576

Year round lesson programs ages 4 and up

Join our Middle/High

School Riding Team

Boarding/TrainingHuntseat, DressageTalk to the guy that actually does the work

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

(Local)781.293.1911(Toll Free) 800.617.9677

www.ridgebros.com

Mare Willow Farm

168 Beaver Dam RoadPlymouth, MA 02360 Barn 508-224-9559

Megan Means Jocelyn Maniglia

Boarding & Lessons

Welcoming two new instructors

Black feather horse rescue508-951-4685 - www.blackfeatherhorserescue.org

CINNAMoN is a small mare in her early teens. Cinnamon gets her name from the unique color of her coat which is Chestnut but is a much brighter color that almost resembles cinnamon. Cinnamon is approximately 14.3 hands.

SASSY is an older Bay Thoroughbred Mare, approxi-mately 15 hands. She is well schooled and possesses the kindest brown eyes. She came from an unfortu-nate situation, but she has now put on some weight and is coming along nicely!

Give Us a Call!Barn: 781-585-1940

Residence: 781-585-6258

Horse back riding lessons

& stalls available

There is no accounting for the hidden pearls within failure. I just spent a few days with my father. During my visit, we reminisced

about the past, both good and bad. He bemoaned the failure of his garden center to be profitable in the early 1970s. He thought it was a waste of his time and money. With high interest rates as well as the high cost of doing business, he had eventually folded and sold.

In protest, I reminded him that it was a large part of my upbringing and provided employment for a number of people who went on to do great things — especially Duane, formerly a pig farmer and country band drummer, and now a much beloved high school agriculture teacher. You know not what good you do as a result of trying something new — and suppos-edly failing.

Another business failure in my sphere of influ-ence was called Claybank Stables. Owned and oper-

ated by the former Gail Ela-Larsen, now Gail Mc-Daniel, the farm never actually made money, but it did represent home for a number of gifted riders and wonderful horses. It vaulted me into the world of rid-ing and illustrated to me how a barn full of horses, parents and emotional kids could run smoothly and

provide a myriad of memories for an entire generation of riders and horses alike.

One reason for the spiritual success of Claybank Stables was its guidelines. They were clear, respectful and com-prehensive. I share them with you to-day and invite you to fit them to your barn if you see the value as I did. They were called the “Red Light, Green Lights.”

RED LiGhTS — PLEASE Do NoT …

PLEASE DO NOT — enter an enclo-sure without permission. Parents and/or guardians are responsible for all children’s

activities at the barn. Be careful out there. PLEASE DO NOT — hand-feed a horse with-

out permission. Hand-feeding can be dangerous with some horses and confuses some horses on training programs.

PLEASE DO NOT — allow dogs on the prop-erty. Dogs and horses can be a lethal combination for each other. Be kind. Keep Sparky at home or (if only for a short visit) in a well ventilated, shaded car.

PLEASE DO NOT — allow a guest to visit with-out a signed release. Guests are welcome, but Gail must be notified and we are required to have them sign a release.

PLEASE DO NOT — ride double. Horses backs are long and sensitive. Be courteous. One human per equine, please.

PLEASE DO NOT — put a chain over a horse’s nose. If you feel that you must to be safe, please see

Gail for help to get your horse to lead politely. PLEASE DO NOT — ride alone if possible.

Like Jacques Cousteau did when he was underwater, use the buddy system.

PLEASE DO NOT — consult or read any Clay-bank records without express permission of the Clay-bank staff. This includes release forms, business re-cords, lesson books and other records. Hands off!

PLEASE DO NOT — ever play “he said/she said.” If you have a concern about other people, other horses, feeding, policies, schooling or anything that upsets you, please talk to Gail about it first. Our No.1 purpose is to provide a safe, fun and harmo-nious place for our guests, staff and especially our horses. Let’s keep it that way always.

GREEN LiGhTS— PLEASE Do’S …PLEASE DO – wear a properly adjusted, ap-

proved riding helmet whenever you are riding. We also strongly suggest that you use your helmet during groundwork and other horse-play.

PLEASE DO — supervise children when on the premises. This includes siblings, friends and relatives of any students as well as students after their lesson.

PLEASE DO — use a lead rope at all times when leading a horse… anywhere.

PLEASE DO — pick up after yourself. This in-cludes tools, tack, hair, hoof-pickings, hoses, hay, manure in the aisle, etc.

PLEASE DO — keep all gates closed and latched. We are too close to car and truck traffic to risk a horse going off-property by himself.

PLEASE DO — respect our hours of operation. PLEASE DO — leave the barn neat and tidy.

Turn out the lights, check and fill water, sweep the aisle and latch all doors/gates when you are last out. (Where were you raised — a barn?)

PLEASE DO — accept our thanks. Following these guidelines will help this barn be a wonderful place for people and horses alike.

By riCk larSen Pet Gazette ColumniSt

hoRse faRm diRectoRycall robin at

781-934-2811 for more info


Rats!forGeT The doG and CaT, GeT a rodenT!

Everyone should know a rat. There are few more friendly, entertaining and happy pets than pet rats.

I have kept pet rats off and on for most of my adult life and treated them as a veterinarian for more than 20 years. I am always happy to meet a rat. They are pleasant, clean and curious creatures. They are a lot like really small dogs. But, no bark, no walks, and very little fuss.

The bad news about pet rats is their life span: only two to three years. The oldest one I ever kept was four; the oldest one I ever treated was six.

The people on the South Shore, and everywhere around here, who own pet rats are usually smart, female, independent sorts. That is the major demo-graphic; never will I run into a dumb, henpecked, rat-owning guy.

Most people who have a rat also have another rat. In fact, some people have lots and lots of rats. It seems hard to believe — until you find out that they accidentally mixed a male with a cage of females and — voila! They came up with lots of rats. A pregnant female can give birth to 8, ten or even 12 babies. This all happens in three weeks.

Rats are social, and the males are interested in who is in charge and who is not.

Female rats are easy going and rarely get into squabbles. Males are more assertive and have stronger likes and dislikes about things like foods, companions and being held. If a male gets nippy toward other male rats, a neuter will some-times control the behavior.

One of the great things about rats is that they eat everything that humans do. I have kept rats healthy and hardy for years feeding only leftovers. If you eat healthy,

so do your pet rats. There are formulated

diets on the market made just for rats, too. Unless you want to smell a rat, you need to clean its cage weekly or more

often. Use paper or wood beddings.

Room temperature is great.

Most diseases fall into four major groups:

respiratory distress, tu-mors, skin problems and teeth

issues. Here are the four most common presentations.

Respiratory infections are the great enigma of pet rats. In human medical

parlance, rats suffer from reactive air-way disease. The causes of the reactivity are bac-teria, viruses and aller-gens. The occurrence of

one often triggers another. So if your pet is reacting to a bacteria, the respiratory tissue becomes debilitated

making it easier for a virus to get a foothold. These infections make

an allergen even more likely to trigger a restrictive airway response. Likewise, if your pet rat has an allergy, it is more likely to be affected by viral and bacterial infections.

Treatment options are similarly com-plicated. Antibiotics treat the bacteria, but not viruses or allergens. Anti-inflammato-ry drugs like steroids will treat the inflam-mation of the respiratory tissue whether bacteria, virus or allergen is the cause, but it also lowers the body’s immune response making it possible for the infections to get worse. Sometimes the drugs are given orally; sometimes they are inhaled. Some-times it takes one drug to fix the problem;

other times it takes three and even four drugs. It is a complicated problem with complicated cures and outcomes.

Mammary tumors are another common malady. This is usually a female disease, although it occurs infrequently in male rats. Most mammary tumors are benign, which means that the tumor that occurs on one mammary will not spread to another mam-mary or to another organ in the body. It is rare that a mammary tumor will re-grow in the same spot. The bad news is that there are 12 mammary tumors, and a rat that is prone to developing one tumor is likely to grow even more tumors. I have surgically removed 10 tumors from one female rat.

Teeth problems are usually the result of trauma, decay or aging jaw malformation. Their teeth grow longer every day, and the healthy rat trims them by grinding. When they stop grinding, their teeth can grow so long as to interfere with eating, swallowing and mouth cleanliness. If this happens, see your vet for trimming.

The itchy rat is a common disease. Lice are the most common cause. They are easy to see. They look like miniature (barely visible) grains of rice beetling about the hairs on the back of your rat. These are not the kinds of lice people get. Your dog and cat will not get them either. Lice are easy to treat by using a dog and cat flea spray. Two sprays on the belly and two sprays on the back. Do this once a week for three weeks. If you change bedding between treat-ments, your problem will go away pretty quickly.

If you are interested in getting a rat, check out Andover Rattery at annsrat.com and Mainely Rat Rescue at mainelyratrescue.org. For an entertaining look at rats, try The Dapper Rat at dapper.com. You might find yourself getting a pet rat. You won’t regret it.

Photo: Vinnie DiFazio, Jr., of Abington juggles his three pet rats: Rowdy, Piper and Tippy.

Underwater Treadmill Spa PoolFor Treatment of:

Now offering Chiropractic Services!

PO Box 542 Bryantville, MA 02327

(781) [email protected]

Dr. Debra M. Tranberg Chiropractic CareFor Your Large, Small and Exotic Pets Visit our website for detailed descriptions of all our Pet Health services.

Dr. Tranberg is a certified member of the American Veterinarian Chiropractic Association.

www.drtranberg.com

By GreG mertz, DVm Pet Gazette ContriButor

hoRse faRm diRectoRy


veteRinaRyVCA Roberts

Animal Hospital516 Washington St., Hanover, MA

781-826-2306 • www.VCARoberts.com

“A Lifetimeof Veterinary

Care”

Open 7 Days a Week

SterlingImpression Animal

Rehabilitation Centerof New England

1008 East Street,Walpole, MA 02081508.668.7946 (SWIM) • fax 508.668.7973

Marjorie C. McMillan, DVM, DACVR, CCRPCathy Symons, CVT, CCRP

What we do…Pre-op conditioning – Post-op rehabilitation – Orthotics –

Therapy groupsWeight Management – Conditioning

781-340-08001597 Main Street

(Route 18 South)

Weymouth, MA 02190

CARING + EXPERIENCED STAFFFULL-SERVICE

VETERINARY HOSPITALLASER SURGERYDIGITAL X-RAYULTRASOUND

GRACE STRAKE, DVMLORI HARVEY, DVMLIZ CZAPLICKI, DVM

SOUTHCOASTALAH.COM

Dr. Ann Thompson508.747.5444www.MayflowerVet.com

We also have office hours at 27 Robert J Way

Camelot Industrial ParkPlymouth

508-747-5444 mayflowervet.com

pet sittinG pet sittinG

• Daily Dog Walking• In Home Pet Sitting

• Insured, Bonded & Licensed• Member PSI

• Playdates

www.donovanpetsit.comE-mail: [email protected]

~ Fully Insured ~Playgroups

Leash WalksTransportationHouse Visits

Martha Corcoran5 Trudy's Lane, Scituate

[email protected]

Serving Scituate & Cohasset since 2001

Under My

WingsProfessional Pet Sitting

Serving parts of Plymouth, Carver, Kingston & Plympton

A pet’s first choice in pet care...when you can’t be there!

508-747-4259www.undermywings.com

Wishbones for Pets FounderAmerican Red Cross Certified

Licensed & Insured - Est. 1994

Add A Bite to your Business! Advertise with us!

[email protected]

$70

$80

The Happy HoundPlymouth, MA

DOGGIE DAY CARE & VACATION STAYS

[email protected]

Susan Gallant508-989-9140INSUREDAMERICAN RED CROSS CERTIFIED

www.happyhounddaycare.com


doG tRaininG doG tRaininG doG tRaininG

JosephsObedience Training School

55 Jonathan Bourne Dr. U-4Pocasset, MA 02559

508-563-1122Josephsdogtraining.com

Classes AvailablePuppy, Basic, Level 2, Level 3, Attention,

Adv. Attention, Open, Utility, Agility, Rally-O, Conformation, Canine Good Citizen

Behavior Consultation, Private Lessons & Ring Rentals

Canine EtiquetteAll Stages of Life

WonderDogs & Friends~where training is a positive experience!~

508-542-1512www.wonderdogs-and-friends.com

Group, Private and In-Home Lessons on Cape Cod & the South Shore

Agility Rally Obedience Puppy Behavior Modification

Certified Pet Dog Trainer

- Expert Problem Solving- Experienced Trainers- Group Classes- Private Lessons- Resident-Stay Training

For Affordable Pawsitive Results Call Today1014 Pearl St., Brockton

www.jmpetresort.com • 508.588.5661

Located Minutes from Rt. 24

Open 7 Days a Week 6 AM - 9 PM

All Breeds ~ All Sizes ~ All Ages

pRoducts/seRvices

$16 for one year

$26 for two years

Send a gift subscription, $16 for one year

Send a gift subscription, $26 for two years

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the Pet GazettePO Box 1656, Duxbury, MA 02331

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THE EVERYDAY DOGLessons In Your Home

POSITIVE TRAINING

Learn to read your dog; he already knows how to read you!

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PetGaz2010_4_9x4_DEC.indd 1 10/26/2010 12:24:45 PM

pet health

(781)826-9760

Hours: Monday-Friday 10am-6pm Saturday 9am-4pm

PO Box 542, Bryantville, MA 02327

Chiropractic Care for Large, Small and Exotic Pets

www.drtranberg.com

(781) 789-5999


BoaRdinG BoaRdinG BoaRdinG

An Ad in The Pet Gazette Directory - Your Sign of Success!

name ____________________________________________________

ComPany_________________________________________________

addreSS ________________________________________________

City ______________________ State ________ ZiP _____________

PHone _______________________ Fax ________________________

e-mail _______________________ WebSite ___________________

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Directory ads must be paid for at time of booking

Send ad copy, along with check or money order, to:The Pet Gazette, PO Box 1656, Duxbury, MA 02331

Save time and fax copy: (781) 934-5917

There is a six-month minimum for directory advertising.You may change copy during scheduled run.We will insert your logo at no extra charge.


BoaRdinG BoaRdinG BoaRdinG

CATS ONLY!

A COUNTRY INN FOR CATS781-585-2150

43 Winnetuxet Rd. Plympton, MA 02367catscradleplympton.com

BetteDavis

THE CAT’S

CRADLE

The Pet Gazette, June 2006 21

Boarding

• Full Grooming Service• Indoor/Outdoor Runs• Large Play Area• Heated & A/C

(781) 834-7675Resident Owners: Spiros and Kim Mallios

1187 Main St. (Rte 3A), Marshfield, MA 02050

DOGS &CATS

Cat Boarding KennelsClean, comfortable, caring & quiet

Visitors always welcome!

1184 Washington St. (Rte 53) Weymouth

• Easy access to Rte. 3 and on Rte. 53!!• Convienent daycare drop off and

pick up hours! 7-9 am & 5-7 pm.• All air conditioned and premium foods!

Cat Boarding also available.

"Your Dog Will Love It!!"

DAYCARE AND BOARDINGCOMPLETE GROOMING, SUPPLIES AND FOOD AVAILABLE!

Call for information, rates and booking781-331-8425

204 Bridge StreetRoute 3ANorth Weymouth, MA 02191www.landofpawz.com

781 335 49601 866 333 pawz

- - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - -MENTION THIS AD FOR A FREE DAY OF DAYCARE

Land of Pawz South Shore's Largest Indoor-Outdoor Boarding & Daycare Facility

A personalized, comfortable boarding experience for your best friendAn exhilarating, structured, therapeutic daycare environmentFlexible drop-off and pickup times to accommodate your busy scheduleOpen 7 days a week, 365 days a year.(Monday through Friday 6:30 am to 7:00 pm,

Saturdays,Sundays & Holidays 7 am to 5 pm, All natural/holistic dog food available

(Wysong, Solid Gold, Life's Abundance, Back to Basics, etc.)

Dog training provided by Jim Agan,Canine Training Associates,The Pet Gazette's "Good Dog!" columnistFull service grooming 7 days a week!TransportationDog Walking/Pet Sitting

Full Service Boarding and Daycare Facility• Individual indoor/outdoor 16 foot long runs• Heated & air-conditioned for your pet’s comfort• Separate, quiet cat room• Daily exercise & affection time available• Play yard for group or individual play sessions• Agility course for your dog’s fun• Tours are welcomed

Under New Management: Wendy Oleksiak, R.N.Call to book your stay!235 Cedar StreetCohasset, MA 02025

Cohasset KennelSafe, Clean and Fun

781-383-1475www.CohassetKennel.com

BIRD BOARDING

120 West Center St.Rt. 106

W. Bridgewater, MA 02379508-580-0032

www.parkavenuebirds.com

• Large private boarding facilities• Clean, modern and climate controlled• Soft music for relaxation• Free nail and wing clipping available

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Her reading’s muchimproved since I started

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Ask about our action-packed Value Packagesof engaging doggy activities!

Board at Best Friends For Love, Fun and Bedtime Stories!

bestfriendspetcare.com

10 Fountain StreetAshland

(508) 881-7557

126 Killam Hill RoadBoxford

(978) 887-5760

1014 Pearl Street Brockton

(508) 583-8555

150 Boston Post RoadSudbury

(978) 443-2351

394 Middlesex RoadTyngsboro

(978) 649-8585/1075

15 Main Street Wakefield

(781) 245-1237

Cageless Boarding

Our facility is designed to make your dog think he is staying atsomeone’s house; thereby greatly reducing his ‘away from home’ stress.

Visit us at happydogtraining.com — “cageless pet care”By Appointment 781-857-1239

-Hingham, Cohasset, Abington, Milton

& Brookline

Private Lessons - Board & Train

Programs

• Cageless/Homestyle Boarding for

friendly, temperament tested dogs

• In-Home Boarding for special needs

dogs or the truly spoiled

• Dog Day Care for day trippers or

when you're at work

• Dog Training Group Classes

Experienced Vet Tech

Small homey facility with owners in residence • Spacious condos • Outdoor views • Pre-boarding

inspection welcome • Cats Only!Plymouth • 508-224-7085

www.pamperedcats.com

Luxury Cat Boarding

Greengate Kennel is truly unique! It is family owned by longtime breeders of world renowned Braeside Golden Retrievers and English Cockers. We have been providing personal, loving care for visiting pets for 35 years.

Resident Owners: The Mason Family 881 Congress St., Duxbury, MA 02332

781-837-5125 www.greengatekennel.com

OUR PETS LOVE IT HERE, SO WILL YOURS!

Please come and visit our charming kennel in this beautiful, tranquil country setting.

– Individual climate controlled indoor/outdoor runs– Large play yard for individual play or family groups– Individual nature walks around our beautiful grounds available– Our staff has been providing superb, gentle care for many years– References upon request from long-term clients

A Country Kennel with Resident Owners and Caring Staff

GRoominG

Cohasset KennelSafe, Clean and Fun

Full Service Boarding and Daycare Facility

• Individual indoor/outdoor 16 foot long runs• Staff reside in cottage on property• 2 large playfields for group or individual play• Daily walks available on our 3 Acre property• Heated & air-conditioned for your pet’s comfort• Separate quiet cattery with individual cat condos• Please visit us on Facebook under Cohasset Kennel or our website CohassetKennel.com• Tours are welcomed

Call to book your stay!235 Cedar StreetCohasset, MA 02025

Wendy Oleksiak, R.N.781-383-1475

www.CohassetKennel.com

Where your pet is part of our family

Open 7 Days a Week6 AM - 9 PM

www.jmpetresort.com1014 Pearl St.Brockton, MA508.588.5661

Just MinutesFrom Rt. 24

DOGGIE DAYCARE & BOARDING

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RETAIL STORE

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OBEDIENCE TRAINING

Our experienced staff can help you choose the right food based on your pet's individual needsIf you don't see it, just ask!


• Adoption notices are published free of charge for all area animal shelters.• The deadline for sub-mitting pets is the 15th of the month. Space will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis.• Please send a photo and brief write-up for each pet seeking adoption to [email protected]• You may send four pets per month. All types of dogs, cats and other domestic pets are welcome. • We encourage shelters to send news of successful adoptions.

Pet Gazette adoPtion Center Guidelines

BUStER is a male Boxer mix, about two years old. Buster is a friendly guy who seems to like almost everyone. We do recom-mend no toddlers and breed knowledge. A fenced yard would be ideal. Buster loves to go for walks and playing in the play yard with the volunteers. He has lots of energy and could benefit from obedience training, but would learn quickly. Buster is a big strong guy on the outside, but inside he is a real “softie” and would love

to just snuggle with you. He would be ideally suited for an active person/family who would include him in lots of activities.

my name is CHELSEA, and I am a female Calico DSH. I was res-cued by the ACO from living on the streets and shelter life has pro-vided me food and safety. But this shelter is not a home and neither is the street. I would love to find a home where I will be special all the time, and not left to the winds of fate. I have a special adoption fee to help me complete my journey home. My medical is scheduled

to be completed soon.

taunton animal shelter508-822-1463

SADIE is a peppery young kitten who had a tough start in life. She is a pretty shorthaired black and white tabby who was abandoned several times at a trailer park near Otis Air Force Base. Sadie is a small kitty who is about two years old. She is very playful and loves to race around with the other cats. Sadie is a little feisty, but once she is in a permanent home she should do fine. The uncertainty of her early life

has left her a little mistrustful, so finding an owner that will show her patience and affection will go a long way to helping her be a great companion and pet.

PEANUt is an orange and white domestic shorthaired medium sized female cat who was surrendered with her brother Ziggy. They were brought to our center because the family was moving and they were not allowed to bring their cats. She has all her

shots, is spayed and litter trained. She loves to be petted and rewards whoever is being so kind with a loud purr. Please come in and make friends with Peanut. She is still a little shy around the other cats, but she does just fine with people!

ZIGGY is a deep orange male tabby with dark stripes and some attractive buff markings on his face, chest and tail. He is Peanut’s brother and a little protective of her. They were both surrendered when their owners had to move to a place where pets were not allowed. Ziggy is a very calm and confident cat

who has quickly become familiar with the center and the volunteers. He is very friendly and likes to rub up against people just in case they might like to pet him a bit. Ziggy has all his shots, is neutered and is interested in finding a comfortable and cozy home with some great owners. Does that sound like your family? Oh, and maybe you might have room for Peanut, too?

tUXXY is a large Tuxedo short hair black and white male who came to People for Cats after spending a couple of years outside fending for himself. The person who was feeding him had to move and was not allowed to bring Tuxxy. When Tuxxy first came he growled and hissed at everyone, both cats and volunteers. He was

scared and trying to keep everyone away from him. After a month of consistent and gentle care, he began to get more comfortable and his scratches and cuts began to heal and fade. He gained weight and his fur became glossy and soft to the touch. Tuxxy has transformed from being an ex-feral tough guy to a big loveable pussycat. He has regained his trust of people and loves to be petted and brushed. Tuxxy has all his shots, is litter trained and is neutered.

people for cats508-540-5654 | www.peopleforcats.org

BUDDY and MINNIE are sweet seven-year-old Jack Russell terriers who recently became victims of the economy.These dogs need to be adopted together as they are lifelong com-panions. Buddy is the more outgoing of the two and happily greets people and animals alike. Minnie is more reserved

and wants to observe things first. They have been around young children without problem. They are house-trained and crate trained and enjoy going for walks. buddy is noted to have some cataracts that decrease his vision slightly and both dogs are currently being treated for a positive Lyme test but show no symptoms. Minnie is spayed and Buddy is neutered.

BRUNo is a handsome American bulldog mix who came to us as a stray. He appears to be 3-5 years old. He is friendly with people and enjoys attention. Because of his large size at over 90 pounds, Bruno will need a family familiar with large dogs, with good leadership skills and no small children. Bruno is playing well in our daycare group with most other dogs. We don’t know if he has ever been around any cats.

MoNtANA is a beautiful adult female pit bull terrier who has been at our shelter for over a year waiting for her forever home. Although she can be somewhat timid, she has become good friends with many of the staff and has a very playful side. Because of her breed and size, Montana needs a family with previous large dog experience, good leadership skills and no small children. Montana likes to play with dogs at our doggie daycare; we do not know if she has any experience with cats.

SARAH is a 6 pound, seven-year-old chihuahua in need of a special home. When Sarah first came to us, she was terrified and hid in her crate for days. With weeks of patience and loving care, Sarah has become a more playful, cute little dog. She is still somewhat nervous and will need a calm, quiet home but does

seek attention and plays happily with toys. She is the perfect size for a small apart-ment or condo. Sarah will not be placed with any children but will be a good com-panion for someone who is at home a lot. Sarah was never trained to potty out-doors and uses “potty pads” in the house.

brockton blue dog shelter508-436-6446 | www.bluedogshelter.com

AdoPtion CenterMade Possible by the Generosity of Mary lou’s news

black and tan KASEY is the perfect companion — a loving atten-tive GSD who seeks to please. Kasey has been diagnosed with hip dysplasia, common to GSDs, and put on Metacam, a medication to help her dysplasia. Kasey is responding to her weight and medication treatment. She loves to go for walks and is happy to return and curl up on her bed. Kasey would do best in a home with

few stairs. While she does have limitations due to her hip dysplasia, her condition is easily managed.

NELA is a black and tan almost two-year-old medium-large size female who gets along well with other dogs. Her energy level is medium.

KILLIAN is a large, gorgeous three-year-old, black and tan male that came to GSRNE from a shelter. Killian was surrendered to the shelter because his original owners had an illness in the family and could no longer care for him. This GSD is young, enthusiastic and loves to play with toys and fetch tennis balls or Jolly balls. He adores toys that squeak and will contentedly toss them around if his people are not ready to play. Killian will benefit from obedience

training that keeps him engaged and challenged.

BELLA: Bella’s family reported she had an injury in her right hind leg, and had a diagnosis of a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), and the surgery would be $4,000. The family had decided they really wanted someone else to take over the responsibility for Bella, who is only 1.5 years old. Bella passed the behavior evaluation with no problem. She had already lost two homes. We determined to have the surgery done

and then find her the perfect forever home; she had already been walking around for too long on that painful leg.Tufts Animal Hospital confirmed she needed sur-gery, TPLO, with range of $3800- $4200. We were told that she could not play, do stairs or walk very far after the surgery until she was pronounced fully healed. The surgery went well. Bella endured wearing a cone, being on leash when out of her crate, and is gradually getting more active, able to take short walks.

german shepherd rescue of ne978-443-2202 | www.gsrne.org


AdoPtion CenterMade Possible by the Generosity of Mary lou’s news

Who can resist this adorable white and grey beauty? LUCY has gorgeous light grey swirls mixed in with darker grey. We have had Lucy and her brother, Desi, since they were about four weeks old. Not only does Lucy purr when petted, she’s been known to purr

while watching her brother being petted, too! She loves her toys and is abso-lutely delighted when toys are “hidden” in shoes and flip flops. She is a very affectionate and loving kitty.

DESI is a stunning white and brown tiger with lighter shades of brown swirled into darker brown. Desi was in a foster home with his sister, Lucy, since they were about four weeks old. They are now at our shelter happily playing with the other kit-

tens. Desi is a very sweet and playful boy and will make a purr-fect pet in a loving home. He loves chasing cat wands and laser lights and is a joy to watch because of his playful and happy disposition.

JEMMA could also have been named “Snuggles” because she is really good at that. Jemma is an adorable torti with really short hair that feels like silk. She loves attention and will give nose kisses to show how much she loves you. She’s a playful girl and has a great

time playing with her brother, Jinxie. And we can’t wait to see her when she grows into those ears!

JINXIE is wonderful male tuxedo with no tail (probably because there is Manx in his genes). Jinxie is a total lap kitten, although he also really loves to play and will certainly keep you entertained with his antics. After serious play time he will seek you out for his “lap

nap” time. He even gives hugs to thank you for loving him. He’s a joy!

all paws rescue781-749-0968 | www.allpawsrescue.org

Pretty ELKY was abandoned with a litter of kittens. Her moth-erly duties are done and she is spayed, vaccinated and vet-checked and ready for a forever home of her own. She is a medium-small gray and brown tabby with extra toes on her front feet. She loves attention and will give you loads of affection.

adorable RUStY is a character—full of pep, friendly and vocal. A great choice for a family with children especially if there is another cat or kitten to play with. He is neutered, healthy, and has his shots. Please call foster mom Cathy at 781-963-5500 or e-mail [email protected] to arrange an introduction to this little

orange and white domestic shorthair charmer.

DUNKIN is beautifully-marked, and her soft and shiny tuxedo coat makes her a standout. She is about four months old, spayed, vac-cinated and vet checked. She loves people and playing with other cats. Her sister was recently adopted and she is lonely. Please make

her part of your family.

Named for the factory where she was found, CHASE was obviously abandoned or lost as she was already neutered and very friendly. She is a 4-5 year old black tuxedo with symmetrical markings. She has all her shots. Quiet and a little shy, she would love to be someone’s

adored pet again. Won’t you consider making her yours?

hilltop humane society781-963-7289 | www.hilltophumane.org

PIXIE is a small adult girl with tons of charm — best in adult home. She gets along well with other kitties and doesn’t seem to mind most dogs. She will even greet you at the door.

ASH & GIZ are a sister pair of gorgeous longhair grays. These girls are very calm and well-behaved. They would make great couch potatoes — keeping your lap warm in the winter.

Our bottle babies have surely grown and now are ready for their new home. MoJo and MoXIE are a brother pair — so very gentle and interactive. Lots more kittens will be arriving soon, so check our site.

GI GI is so ready for her new home, she’s even boxed her-self up just waiting for you to come get her.

a helping paw508-291-PAWS | www.ahelpingpaw.org

Hi my name is CHINo. i am a six-year-old neutered male aSt, red-dish in color, UTD on shots, HW and Lyme negative, de worm, de flea, weight is about 60 pounds. I am a lover of a dog; I am a happy guy with a good disposition and have manners. I love to go for walks, play and run around and rides in the car. I should do OK with dogs; at the shel-

ter kennel there are all kinds of dogs and I am OK with that. I would do best as the only pet, but I am a social guy that wants to get out there and meet and greet. No cats or small toddlers, but older adult kids are fine. I was abandoned at the MHS shelter. I did nothing wrong to be forgotten and dumped — I am not a commodity. Moving forward I am now looking for a loving caring family that will keep me for good this time. Come and see me at the MHS shelter — come on down to the shelter to meet me — I am waiting!

GUS is a toy terrier chihuahua mix, two-year-old male, brown color, neutered and Utd on shots, HW- lyme tested negative, de worm and de flea. He weighs about 18-20 pounds and loves to play ball in the yard; he can fly through the air and has lots of fun. He is a loyal dog that loves to be with you and go for leash walks. He is very smart and willing to please you. Gus would do best as

the only pet in the household and no cats or small toddler kids -- he should go to an adult family or person. Gus could use some basic training and socializing and he needs more house training. His former owner had a baby and no longer wants Gus. Unfortunately, the former owner did not do too much with Gus, so he is now learning to be a dog, having fun and trusting people. Gus will be a good member of the family for somebody that wants to give him that big change in life. He is at the shelter now; you can call MHS at 781-335-1300 or e-mail [email protected].

mass humane781-335-1300 | www.masshumane.org

AMANDA: She is a mult-colored tabby with lovely yellow eyes. She seeks affection and enjoys a warm lap and a gentle hand. About one and a half years old, she started life as a stray and has been patiently waiting for her forever home. We think she would do best as an only pet. Come meet Amanda and discover for yourself what a wonderful addition she would make to your life.

At 3 years of age, BENNIE is a big boy. Not all of that is the result of food (although he never says ‘No’ to a treat). He’s part Maine Coon, a handsome long haired black feline. His first owner returned him to the shelter when she moved to a “no pets” apartment. A gentleman loved him for two years and had to recently return him, again for housing reasons. Bennie is a

loveable lug, who enjoys being petted and being treated like a prince. He could be happy as the only pet, but we feel he would do well with a feline friend.

Quincy animal shelter617-376-1349 | www.quincyanimalshelter.org

BoB is a very cute one-year-old boy. the landlord in his last home said he had to go, so he is here to find a new home. He has a lot of personality and is super friendly.

WILLA is a gorgeous one-year-old French lop female rabbit. Her owner was allergic, so this beautiful bun is here waiting for a fam-ily to take her home. She is very friendly.

BENtLY is a handsome nine-month-old neutered male ferret. This young boy is very friendly and playful! He is looking for a home that will give him all the love he deserves.

FLUFF is a very cute male parakeet. He is part of a pair looking for a home to call their own. These cute birds chirp and whistle and are very sweet.

animal protection center of se ma508-586-2053 | www.apcsm.org


1014 Pearl StreetBrockton, MA

Conveniently Located Minutes from Rt. 24

Open 7 Days a Week

6 AM - 9 PM

Phone:508.588.5661www.jmpetresort.com

Where Your Pet Is a Part Of Our Family

FOOD OF THE MONTHEAGLE HOLISTIC

$3 off a medium bag • $4 off a large bag

ANNUAL HOLIDAY PHOTOS THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME

with Professional Photographer Karl Baierlain

Sundays 11/7, 11/21 & 12/5

Proceeds from this event benefi t the Blue Dog Shelter

GET A HEAD START ON YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING!

CUSTOM BASKETS AND GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE!

BULLY STICKS

PIG EARSANGELS' GLOW

SPA LAVISH YOUR PET

$3.99 each • 2 for $6.50!

$0.99 each!

$20.99 and upPermanently eliminates

unsightly tears and saliva stains. Mix it with your pet's

favorite meal.

$9-$11Hair color shampoo made

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Book your appointment today before they're all gone Call 508.588.5661

Watch for the Winners of Our Doggie Daycare Halloween Costume Contest


Internal MedicineMichael Bernstein, DVM,

DACVIM, Medical DirectorAngelyn Cornetta, DVM,

DACVIM, Intern DirectorAlice Hadden, DVM,

DACVIMSusan Morrison, DVM,

DACVIMJerry Perry, DVMBruce Walker, DVM

CardiologySusan Morrison, DVM,

DACVIM (Internal Medicine)

Bradley L. Moses, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology)

NeurologyStephanie Kube, DVM,

DACVIM (Neurology)

DermatologyKlaus Earl Loft, DVM

Emergency/Critical CareAngelyn Cornetta, DVM,

DACVIMAngela Girello, DVMAlison R. Gaynor, DVM,

DACVIM, DACVECC Cindy Lopes, DVM

OphthalmologyBill Greentree, DVM, DACVO

SurgeryDavid Diamond, VMD,

DACVS

Radiology/Diagnostic ImagingLori Hartzband, DVM,

DACVRDiana Rosenstein, DVM,

DACVR

Avian and Exotic Animal Medicine

Stephen Dyer, DVM, DABVP (Avian)

DentistryMichelle Politano, DVMSheri Procious, DVM

VCA South Shore (Weymouth) Animal Hospital595 Columbian St., South Weymouth, MA 02190

(781) 337-6622 www.vcasouthshore.com

If your dog has had two or more ear infections in his or her life, you might have been told that“all dogs gets ear infections,” or “it is normal for dogs with long, hanging ears to get ear infec-tions,” or “all dogs that swim get ear infections,” or even that “it is because your dog is diggingin the dirt that he gets ear infections.” These are common misconceptions that Dr. Klaus EarlLoft, who runs the Dermatology Service at VCA South Shore Animal Hospital in SouthWeymouth, MA, has heard from owners who bring him their pets with chronic ear problems.In reality, a dog that suffers from recurrent ear infections may actually have an underlyingallergic skin condition that, if diagnosed and treated properly, could eliminate or reduce theincidence of future ear infections.

If your dog has had ear problems that began when he or she was younger than 3 to 4 years ofage, it is likely that the ear problem is secondary to allergies. Older animals that develop theirfirst ear infection later in life may have problems other than allergies that are the cause for theear infection.

In veterinary medicine, it is often the dermatologist who deals with chronic ear diseases indogs and cats. This is very understandable, since the ear and the skin are one and the sameorgan, and clinical signs associated with the ears are often part of a generalized dermatologiccondition. Some dogs that present with an ear infection will have other clinical symptoms thatare suggestive of allergies, such as foot licking and chewing, itchy skin, reoccurring skin infec-tions in the groin or elbow area, greasy and scaly hair coat, and/or patchy hair loss. Thesesymptoms can seriously affect the quality of life in these pets, and managing patients afflictedwith chronic allergic ear disease has become a passion for Dr. Loft. Using the videotoscope atVCA South Shore for both the diagnosis and treatment of these frustrating chronic ear prob-lems has increased Dr. Loft’s ability to determine the best therapeutic options for thesepatients, and to help deal with the often severe discomfort associated with ear infections.

If Dr. Loft suspects that allergies are the underlying cause for a patient’s chronic skin or earissues, he can offer either intradermal or serologic testing for both cats and dogs. Once a spe-cific allergic cause is identified, he will treat the patient with Allergen Specific Immunotherapy(commonly known as “allergy shots”). This hypo-sensitization is very similar to what is offeredto humans with atopic dermatitis.

If your dog or cat suffers from reoccurring ear problems or other chronic skin conditions, askyour regular veterinarian for a referral, or feel free to call VCA South Shore Animal Hospital,to schedule a consultation with Dr. Loft. In Dr. Loft’s opinion, “Until proven otherwise, apet with chronic ear disease is an allergic pet.”

Dermatology

Chronic Ear Disease InDogs & Cats

• Full Service Veterinary Hospital

• 24 Hour Emergency Service

• Appointments Available Seven Days a Week

Dedicated team of 29 doctors on staff – including Board Certified specialists in Cardiology, Internal Medicine,

Neurology, Ophthalmology, Radiology, Surgery, Avian Practice, and Emergency/Critical Care.

The Best of Quality Care for Every Stage of Your Pet’s Life!

Documents

Pet Gazette 2010_01_11