Pet Gazette October-November 2012

PetGazetteAsheville Area October-November 2012 Volume 1 - Issue 3

BehaviorCan People Be Trained?Black Cat Lore and Allure

HealthCombating Canine CorpulenceWinterizing for Chickens

Calendar Of Events

Adoption DaysCharity FundraisersEducational Events

Finny Feature Salty Ideas, Fresh Suggestions

Feathered Friends The Parrot Said What?!?Small Birds, Big Pleasure

Pet People Arden’s Aviating Vet

Small Furry Creatures

Rabbits Right For You?

Remembrance Memorial to Dodger

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

2 • October/November 2012 • Pet Gazette

Regularly Scheduled EventsEvery Wed., Sat., Sun. –10am. BW. The Outward Hounds Hiking Club meets at the shelter to take dogs to great hiking spots. Great 1½ hour enrichment activity. Contact volunteer@bwar. org for details.Every Wed., Sat. – BW. PetSmart Adoption Events with many cats and kittens, some dogs and puppies. Times vary. Call.Every Sat. – 1pm. PAPC Small Dog Play Party at its dog park. Small breed dogs under 30 lbs welcome to frolic with others of similar size. Every Sun. – 1pm. PAPC Puppy Play Party at its dog park. All vaccinated puppies under I year

A=ASPCA ACN=Animal Compassion Network AHS = Asheville Humane Society AKC=Asheville Kennel Club BW=Brother Wolf FF=FurEver Friends HFH=Hope for Horses PAPC=Patton Avenue Pet Company WNCBR=WNC Boxer Rescue Red type indicates rescue organization major fundraiser.

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OctoberMon., 10/1 – Sun., 10/7 – National Walk Your Dog Week; Animal Welfare WeekTues., 10/2 – 7pm. AKC monthly meeting at Humane Alliance of WNCTues., 10/2 – 4pm. Awkward Pet Halloween Photo Shoot, Patton Avenue Pet Company, 1388 Patton Avenue, 828 505-8299Fri., 10/5 – Drs. Steen and Snyder perform specific dental services on people who donate $100 to BW. Call 828 689-4311 for details. Fri., 10/5 – Free wine-tasting at Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store to benefit BW. 5% sales go to BW. Adopted dogs go to new homes. Details at maggiebswine.com.Sat., 10/6 – 10am-4pm. 36th Annual Hey Day Fall Family Festival at WNC Nature Center. Live music, crafts, games, animal encounters. Adults $8, seniors $7, kids 3-15 $4, 2 and under, free. Thurs. 10/11 – 5pm Free Mini Private Training Session with Master Trainer David Kabler of Kabler School for Dogs. Patton Avenue Pet Company, 1388 Patton Avenue, 828 505-8299.Sat., 10/13 – 6-10pm. AHN Trivia Night B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Brain). Crowne Plaza, 1 Resort Drive. West Asheville. Sat., 10/13 – 11am-1pm. Ask the Trainer free consultation at Weaverville Pet Pantry with animal behavior specialist Cindy WaseleskSun., 10/14 – Sat., 10/20 – National Veterinary Technician WeekTues., 10/16 – National Feral Cat DayThur., 10/18 – 6:30-8:30pm. Energy Healing Workshop for Pets at the Tailgate Market, Leicester Highway. Presented by Animal Reiki Asheville. For details, call 828 398-4701Sat., 10/20 – 8:30am-5pm. Wellness retreat for parrot lovers at Reuters Center, UNC Asheville led by Phoenix Landing Parrot Rescue. $75 for both days, $15 for lunch each day. Details at phoenixlanding.org/wellness retreat.Sun., 10/21 – 9am-5pm. Parrot wellness retreat run by Phoenix Landing Parrot Rescue continues at Reuters Center, UNC Asheville. See above.

Sun., 10/21 – 2pm. Bark-O-Ween dog parade in downtown Asheville at Wall Street Coffee House. Enjoy a puppachino, parade Wall Street to Battery Park and back. Treats for all participants, extra treats for prizewinners. Call 648-3908 for details.Sat., 10/27 – 11am-1pm. Prestige Subaru Adoption Day at Pet Harmony, 803 Fairview St., AshevilleSat., 10/27 – 11am-1pm. Ask the Trainer free consultation at Weaverville Pet Pantry with animal behavior specialist Cindy WaseleskSat., 10/27 – 1-3pm. Raw pet food workshop at Moon Doggies Natural Pet Foods, Candler. $15 per person. Call 828 633-0900 for details.Sat., 10/27 – 10am-5pm. Animal Reiki Level 1 Certification Workshop of Animal Reiki Asheville. Call 828 398-4701 for details. Sun., 10/28 – 11am. Prestige Subaru Adoption Day at Pet Harmony

NovemberThur., 11/8 – 5:30-9pm. Annual ACN “Taste of Compassion” gala at The Venue. Huge silent auction, wine tasting, live music.Sat., 11/10 – 11am-1pm. Ask the Trainer free consultation at Weaverville Pet Pantry with animal behaviorist Cindy Waselesk. Sun., 11/11 – Mon., 11/12 – All-Breed Obedience Trial, organized and run by the Obedience Club of Asheville with AKC licensed judges.Sat., 11/17 – National Black Cat Day. Good luck!Thur., 11/22 – Thanksgiving Day. Be thankful for your pets, and be careful what you feed them.Thur., 11/22 – BW. Drawing for 2013 Subaru Outback or $10,000. Tickets $100, only 500 will be sold. Call 828 505-3440 for details. Sat., 11/24 – 11am-1pm. Ask the Trainer free consultation at Weaverville Pet Pantry with animal behavior specialist Cindy Waselesk.

old welcome to socialize in a safe place. Every Sun. – 3pm. PAPC Pit Bull/Pit Mix Play Party. All healthy and friendly pitties and pit mixes welcome to gambol with their own kind. Every First Sat. – 11am-2pm. WNCBR Adoption Day at Pet Supplies Plus, Hendersonville Rd., South Asheville.Every Third Sat. – 11am-3pm. WNCBR Adoption Day at PetSmartSundays – 10:30am-6pm. FF Adoption Days at Petco on Brevard Road.

Legend:

getting started. Our thanks also go to Mayo Eagledove

for helpful hints on how to keep chickens safe and healthy in winter. And to Cindy Berryman-Fink for passing on tips on keeping Fido from getting fat and unhappy. And to Tom Flagg for sharing his memories of Dodger, who has gone to Rainbow Bridge. We didn’t get to know Dodger while he was with us. But we, and everyone who has loved or been loved by a pet, will be able to identify with Tom’s loss.

Finally, our special thanks go to professional dog trainers Cindy Waselesk and Scott Benson for their insights, their expertise, and their important reminders that dog’s aren’t human. They’re probably much more advanced.

Since this issue of PetGazette takes us through Thanksgiving, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention our gratitude for all the gifts our Creator has given us. Among those are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and the privilege of living in a country in which we have the freedom to start business based on an idea and a product that will hopefully provide a place in which Asheville’s pet community can meet.

Since she provided our primary cover photo, we’ll start by thanking Sheryl

Mann of Flying Dogs Photography. She has been as generous in donating her work to us as she is in doing so much to help so many rescue organizations. Yea, Sheryl.

Next we’ll say “thank you”, “gracias” and “merci” to all the veterinarians who so kindly contributed their time and expertise to help make PetGazette informative and useful. There is no special significance to the order in which they are listed because we are sincerely grateful to every one. We thank David Crouch, DVM, who told us a bit about his veterinary surgery practice and a bit more about the wonderful rescue organization Pilots N Paws. We thank Heather Sinclair, DVM, who wrote about rabbits, and why they’re great pets for some, but not for everyone. And we thank Beth Rhyne, DVM, who told us why small birds can make wonderful companions.

We also thank the other professionals and pet enthusiasts who contributed to this issue. Evelyn Konopik, RVT, told our readers and us how to keep their pets safe on Halloween. Entrepreneur and expert Shawn Chase gave us the pros and cons of fresh water versus salt water aquariums. Author and parrot devotee Emily Trimnal gave us expert advice on how to keep parrots from blurting out – ahem – politically incorrect phrases. If the preceding seems like a lot of “thank you’s” to you, you’re right. But we’re just

Good News

Pet Gazette • October/November 2012 • 3

Watch for BARK! The Musical! opening in February at Asheville Community Theater.

This howlingly funny, sometimes poignant, smash hit musical is told entirely from the dogs’ perspective. Lots of opportunities to support your favorite rescue organization, too. Pet Gazette will be helping to sponsor so watch upcoming issues for more info.

Asheville pet businesses are thriving!New Pet Businesses:Shampoodles Salon for Dogs and Cats has just opened at 911 Charlotte Highway in Fairview. Groomer Richard Bohannon has many years experience. He’d love to hear from you at 828-628-9807. Cedar Ridge Animal Hospital and Equine Services is open at 184 Charlotte Highway across from Reynolds High School. With 20 years combined experience, Dr. Ted Wright and Dr. Margaret Mancure’s new venture is a full service small animal hospital and mobile equine service. Reach them at 575-2430 or even on Saturday mornings. New Owners: Barry and Sandy Brown and companions Basil & Bailey are the brand-new owners of Woof Gang Bakery in Biltmore Park. Last we saw her Sandy was up to her eyeballs in new product, so check out the new stuff! Changes have also taken place at Bona-Fide Bakery and Boutique off Cherry Street in Black Mountain, recently acquired by Kim Weeks. 828-669-0706.New Location: Arden TLC Groomers has moved to 1977 Hendersonville Road. Call Jerry at (828) 687-7080 for an appointment, or stop by to see the whole new look.Rescue Fundraisers and Adoption Fairs: Pet Gazette is helping to sponsor the following fundraisers. We encourage your participation and fellow sponsorship. We’ll be there with copies of Pet Gazette for everyone, so please stop by to say hello.Humane Society: Trivia Night! October 13. Join our team, call 828-633-1348.Brother Wolf: Bowhouse! Barkatecture! Architects are building dog houses which will be auctioned off at the Aloft Hotel, 51 Biltmore Avenue, on November

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Design and Layout:Journey Design [email protected] Pet Gazette welcomes and encourages your letters, emails, Facebook posts and editorial ideas.PetGazette is a bimonthly publication focusing on the fun and care of pets. It is written by Asheville experts for Asheville petlovers. Distribution is only in the Asheville area to better connect our readers with their resources: our advertisers & contributors.

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PetGazette covers all areas of the human/pet bond and all pets (except snakes). We support local rescue efforts with subsidized event advertising & sponsorships.

X. Architect Michael Minor arrives Nov. 8, bringing the doghouse he built from Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs, along with a documentary being shown at the Fine Arts Theater.A C N: Halloween Adoptathon at Pet Harmony on Fairview Street off Hendersonville Road. (turn at Juicy Lucy). Nov. 8: Taste of Compassion. Nov.15: Silent Auction.

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dwindle. So lock up your chickens to protect them. Free ranging your chickens won’t provide as much nutrition, so supplements of leafy greens, worms and scratch will help. Scratch feed is a great supplement as it speeds up the metabolism and helps your birds retain body heat. Note: A fun and easy trick for adding greens is to grow your own sprouts! Grab some fava beans, available at most health food stores. Then toss a handful into a gallon jar, soak for a couple of hours, drain but leave damp, then roll the jar around to spread out seed. Keep the jar in a warm place and watch the sprouts grow, and rinse once a day! Your chickens will love them!

Mayo Eagledove and husband Ajani run Eagledove Greenhouse, which offers organic feeds, custom coops and other products for chickens. Mayo also offers chicken care classes, and leads monthly chicken club meetings.

Most backyard chickens being kept for eggs are very well equipped for

cold weather, as are most fowl. (Picture the tiny sparrow hopping in the snow). Chickens are happily pecking around in backyards from Maine to Miami. Some of the exotics may have issues... but for the sake of this topic we will stick to the most common chicken breeds.

We do not recommend providing heat for chickens as they are cold hardy to temperatures well below freezing. Heating a coop may actually interrupt the natural feathering process the chicken would normally develop to protect themselves. What we do recommend for your chickens in the winter is a dry coop!

Protection from the elements - ice/rain/snow/wind is the number one concern. Number two would be waterers that limit the ability for your chickens to sling water around and wetting themselves and the other chickens. All involved could then freeze and suffer frost bitten wattles and combs and also feather loss. As always, the risk from predators increases in the winter as food supplies

by Mayo Eagledove

You’ve always wanted a fish tank, so you head to the local fish store and are asked the question,

“Do you want to do saltwater or freshwater?” “Planted, aggressive, fish only or maybe a reef tank?” All of a sudden it seems easier to download a fish tank screen saver. Nowhere near the fun though! So let’s start with the basics.

Saltwater or freshwater? Both are easy, involve patience and a little bit of education to be successful. The first question to ask your self is what do I ultimately want to look at? Both are beautiful in their own way. A freshwater planted tank can have a very calming effect. A saltwater reef tank is one of the most beautiful and interesting creations that you can imagine. Go online and pull up some pictures of different tanks so you have an idea of what you like.

Next is lifestyle. How much time do you have to do routine maintenance, do you frequently take vacations a week or longer? Freshwater can be left alone longer than a saltwater tank can. However, if you already have a house sitter or pet sitter, saltwater will be just fine. Both require water changes and basic care; with saltwater you will need to either purchase pre-mixed saltwater or you will need to mix your own. If you do a planted tank, just like houseplants, they will need to be trimmed and cared for.

Budget is another factor. Freshwater has, for the most part, inexpensive fish and most of the equipment for a basic fish tank can be very affordable. Along with fewer additives needed. However, this can also become as complicated and expensive as you choose to make it. Along with most community fish that school, you will need to purchase an appropriate


amount of fish of the same species, suitable for your tank size.

Saltwater tanks are not cheap. The equipment is expensive and the fish are expensive in comparison to freshwater. There’s a good reason for that. Depending on the type of tank you do, some of that equipment is necessary to sustain their life and growth. The good news is just like anything else in life, there is always a way to work within a budget. Have a plan, start with the basics and look for quality, used equipment. Keep in mind there are several different types of tanks to start and some would use the same equipment as freshwater.

In my book, any aquarium is a good aquarium. I personally am partial to saltwater. To me, saltwater is much easier and far more rewarding than a freshwater tank. The colors and personality of the fish are unequaled by most anything in freshwater, and there is not enough room to explain my love of corals! To have a piece of the ocean in my home keeps me from wanting to watch television, due to the constant life, changes and growth that occur in a properly set up tank. Despite my bias, an aquarium is a commitment to the inhabitants care and saltwater is not for everyone. A good local fish store is going to help you decide what will be the best for your life and home, along with offering education and support to keep you successful!

So go ahead and jump in, the water is great!

Shawn Chase has been the sole proprietor of Mountains to Sea Aquariums in Asheville for 31/2 years. She describes her business as a boutique fish store dedicated to doing the right thing for both fish and customers. Reach her at [email protected]

Winterizing for Chickensby Shawn Chase

Making a Splash!

“Heating a coop may actually interrupt the natural

feathering process.”

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Mental exercise for dogsIn addition to providing challenges

to help keep your dog alert and happy, mental activities are a great way to bond with your pet.

Turn mealtime into a treasure hunt. Surprise him by putting his food bowl in an unexpected place and creating a kibble trail. Just be sure to account for the kibble trail in his overall daily food amount so he doesn’t gain unwanted weight.

Teach your dog tricks like sitting, shaking hands, rolling over etc. Dogs love this mental stimulation and will want to please you when you call for a certain trick. Realize that it takes patience and rewards when teaching tricks. And the rewards can be a hug or pat on the head rather than a treat.

Another fun and mentally stimulating activity is to teach your dog the names of her toys and then ask her to retrieve a certain toy from the pile. She will need to focus and concentrate in order to bring you her “bunny” rather than her “ball.”

Enjoy playing these games with your dog or cat and providing plenty of stimulation when you are not there. You will be rewarded with a healthy pet that is both physically and mentally fit.

Cindy Berryman-Fink is owner of Pet Care Extraordinaire (www.petcareextra.com) and a member of the Asheville Area Professional Pet Sitters Association (www.ashevilleareapetsitters.com).

Just like humans, dogs need exercise and stimulation. Exercise tones

muscles, boosts circulation, strengthens bones, and helps prevent obesity. Your pet’s brain needs exercise too, to prevent boredom and depression. A lazy pet will have health problems and a bored pet will cause problems.

Here aresome easy exercises that won’t cost a lot of money but will help you keep your dog physically fit and mentally stimulated. And as a bonus, you will have plenty of fun too!

Physical exerciseExperts estimate that nearly 35 percent

of dogs today are overweight, which increases their risk for many serious conditions, such as arthritis, diabetes, breathing problems, and heart disease. Blame the pudgy pet problem on too many treats and not enough exercise. Different pets need different amounts of exercise, so you’ll want to talk to your veterinarian before starting your pet’s workout program.

Most dog breeds were originally created to perform a specific job — retrieving, herding, tracking, hunting, guarding, rescuing, and pulling carts or sleds. So they need and want to have physical activity, especially activity of the kind for which they were bred. Most dogs are under stimulated. That’s why some of them resort to activities like excessive barking, chewing and hyperactivity. Remember that “a tired dog is a good dog.”

Just like people who aren’t used to exercise, dogs should start slowly. Moderately paced walking and swimming are a good way to start--they let canine athletes build their cardiovascular and muscle strength without putting undue stress on their joints. A daily ten- to 15-minute walking or swimming session is a good start.

If your dog is getting bored with running or walking, try a 15-minute game of fetch with a tennis ball, soccer ball, Frisbee or even a large stick. Supervised

play with other dogs is a good option too. While many dogs love to tug, tug-of-war is not a good game because it can damage his teeth and may increase aggressive behavior.

Indoor exercise for dogsThere are many good indoor activities

that your dog will enjoy. Using the stairs is a great way to tire out your dog. Stand at the top of the stairs and throw a toy down to your dog. When your dog grabs the toy, call her name and have her bring the toy to you. After several rounds of this, she will be tired.

Take a variety of your dog’s favorite treats and hide them around the house – behind doors, under tables, underneath rugs, etc. Your dog will be so busy tracking down her treats that she will physically tire out. Toys that dispense treats are another great way to keep your dog busy and physically engaged. Be sure to adjust your dog’s food quantity on a day when you have played the “find the treat” game.

Try playing hide and seek with your dog: Position yourself and a pal at two different points in your home, preferably with something like a staircase between you. Then take turns calling your dog and rewarding him with a treat when he finds you. Each time your dog goes to one person, the other person changes location so your dog has to search for you again.

Be careful to avoid exercising your dog immediately before or after he’s eaten. A full stomach may cause digestive upsets. Provide only small amounts of water before and directly after exercise. Keep a close watch on excessive panting or breathing difficulties. Some dogs will continue to play beyond their limits.

Keeping your dog mentally and physically fit


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Trivia Night

Saturday, October 13, 2012

B.Y.O.B.Exercise your brain for homeless animals at this fun-�lled evening of trivia! Each table competes for the coveted bragging rights of being the smartest team helping homeless pets (well, and a cash prize!)

Crowne Plaza Tennis and Golf Resort1 Resort Drive, Asheville, NC 28806Doors Open at 6 p.m. Trivia Starts at 7 p.m. $120 for a Table of Eight ($15 Per Person) Mulligans for Sale Cash Prizes for 1st & 2nd Place 50/50 Drawings Wine Grab & Silent Auction Complimentary Popcorn Vegetarian Pizza Buffet Available for $10 Per Person Cash Bar

Live music by Asheville’s own Mountain Fiest. Bring cash to buy beverages, mulligans, raf�e tickets, and to play other fun games!

You MUST pre-register at www.ashevillehumane.org or by phone at 828-761-2001 x 310

100% of proceeds bene�t Asheville Humane Society’s Foster Program.

TrTrTriiviavia NightExercise your brain for homeless animals at this Exercise your brain for homeless animals at this Exercise your brain for homeless animals at this

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Halloween is one of the most “fun” holidays of the year for adults and kids

alike, but your pet may not enjoy it as much as you do. Here are some tips to keep your pets safe and happy on Halloween:Keep candy and chocolate out of reach.

Chocolate contains theobromine, a cardiac stimulant and diuretic. After chocolate ingestion, your pet may drink and urinate a lot more than normal and suffer from an increased heart rate or irregular heartbeat, both of which can be fatal, especially in combination with exercise and excitement. Candy may contain xylitol, a sweetener that triggers insulin release, resulting in a dramatic blood sugar drop, followed by shock and liver failure.Keep your pet away from fall decorations.

Ingestion of decorations, such as corncobs, may result in a range of conditions from diarrhea to gastrointestinal obstruction requiring emergency surgery. Place burning candles out of reach for your pet, especially if he/she has a wagging tail. Be aware that pets can get tangled in electrical cords and suffocate or lose a limb due to constriction of blood flow. Chewing electrical cords causes nasty burns in the mouth and possibly a deadly electrical shock.Keep your pet indoors.

If you host a party or get a lot of trick-or-treaters, make sure you pet does not dart out of the door. Keep your pet in a separate room if necessary, away from crowds, noise, strangers, and the frequently opening front door. Be especially careful if you own a black cat, as there are sadistic individuals looking

Halloween Pet Safety Tipsfor animals to harm. If you decide to take your dog trick-or-treating, keep him leashed and make him visible with a reflective safety vest or collar. Spare your pet the costumes.

Many of us think it’s cute to put a costume on our pets. Your pet may have a different opinion! In dogs, watch out for stress signals like lip licking, heavy panting, whale eyes (the white sclera of the eye is visible), and spare your dog the costume if you notice any of these signs. Also, be aware that many dogs are reactive to people carrying strange objects, wearing large hats, etc. Your dog may be scared and/or react aggressively to these unfamiliar sights, even if he knows the person in the costume well and is usually friendly.

Cats are especially sensitive to sudden changes of their familiar territory (your living room filled with strangers). Your cat may try to hide, crouch down, wrap her tail closely around her body, and flatten hear ears. You may also notice excessive drooling. Don’t expect your guests to recognize stress signals in your pets.

Guests may force interaction, resulting in bites and scratches. Keep both pets and guests safe by letting your pets stay in a separate room away from the main entrance and party action.

Evelyn is a Registered Veterinary Technician at Beacon Veterinary Hospital in Swannanoa. Jenny is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT). She owns and operates Dog-Ed, a business offering services from training classes and doggie socials to custom designed day training and behavior modification.

by Evelyn Konopik and Jenny White

There is probably no animal that is the subject of more conflicting beliefs and

superstitions than the black cat. You have probably heard that having a black

cat cross your path is bad luck. But that’s only because you live in the good old USA. In Japan, or much of Great Britain, having a black cat cross your path is considered good luck. And if you can speak to the cat for a bit, or manage to stroke it three times, you will supposedly have even greater good fortune. Lottery winner, anyone?

The variations on the black cat theme seem almost infinite and go back millennia, to ancient Egypt and beyond. The Egyptians worshipped and valued black cats to the point that they made killing one a crime punishable by death. Deceased cats were mummified, to insure their reunification with their owners in the afterlife, and mourned as if they had been a human member of the family. The Romans continued the positive view of black cats until the demise of the empire and the start of the Middle Ages. Then the European view of black cats changed completely.

Starting about the 15th century, black cats became perceived as companions for witches, perhaps even acting as their “familiars”, or contacts with the dark side. Many people believed that witches could turn themselves into black cats, the better to prowl the night and work their evil magic. One sad result was that

Black Cat Tales

many a poor widow, and the black cat that was her only companion, was killed by frightened villagers seeking to rid their town of witchcraft. Another sad result was that the reduction of the cat population led to the increase of the rat population and the spreading of the Black Plague the rodents carried.

Today, most people are probably not aware that black cats are not a separate breed, such as Siamese or Abyssinian, but are always a product of several gene pools. Many people, too, mistakenly associate black cats with bad luck, witchcraft, and the Wicca religion. That’s why rescue organizations often have a harder time placing black cats than other-colored felines. Lianna Costantino, High Priestess of the Sylvan Hearth Pagan Temple and self-described “chief toilet scrubber”, says the negative associations are totally inaccurate. “Wiccans are not witches,” she says, and black cats are not used in Wicca ritual. “They are pets of priestesses, used in healing and meditating. And stroking them can lower blood pressure. That’s a good thing.”


get along, or at least to tolerate each other. She has cats herself, and cat owners will not be surprised to hear her explain, “the dog must be taught to accept the cat as the alpha pet.” Even her constant companion Mack II, a beautiful German shepherd who is far better behaved in public than

most members of Occupy Wall Street, accepts cats.

Whatever the training assignment – from correcting negative behavior to teaching basic obedience - trainers agree that patience, frequent short sessions and positive reinforcement are the keys to success. That is especially true if the dog is given lots of exercise in the form of play. “Dogs want you to play with them,” Waselesk says. That mutual play will create a bond that will make them more receptive to your teaching.

Benson has his own way of describing an ideal human/dog relationship. “Basically, you should be a benevolent dictator.” The emphasis is on “benevolent”.

Cindy Waselesk can be found on Facebook at Good Dog

Better Dog.com, or called at 828 484-9840. Scott Benson can be emailed at [email protected], or called at 828 331-1364.

pack leaders,” Benson says. He thinks of himself as something of a dog psychologist who knows how to communicate with them in ways that they can understand. He realizes, too, that some bad behavior can have physical causes, and recommends that problem dogs have a veterinary exam

before he is called in. Once involved, he works to teach all two-legged and four-legged family members how to get along.

Waselesk, who has trained thousands of dogs, likes to remind owners that family life will change drastically when a new pet is introduced into the home, whether it’s a first pet or an addition to a family menagerie. This is especially true when there are children in the family. “Dogs know that the child is not the boss,” she says. That is why she always tries to integrate children into the dog’s training, and recommends involving them with the short, frequent sessions all trainers recommend that owners follow between the sessions with professionals. Dogs have short attention spans, and will probably lose interest in training sessions that are too long, all work and no play, and do not provide constant reinforcement.

Asked if dogs should be rewarded with snacks, Waselesk said, “OMG, yes! You should have meat in your pocket at all times.” It doesn’t have to be a prime steak. A hot dog cut into little pieces will do just fine in her opinion, as will little snacks made primarily for use as training rewards. She added that some people seem to think that praise alone will be sufficient reward for a dog, but they are mistaken. To make her point, she asked, “If your boss gave you nothing but an ‘Attagirl’on payday, would you keep working?” The answer is obvious, for dogs as well as people.

Dog parks are not considered good venues for training. Dogs there are too focused on meeting other dogs, or running from other dogs, or checking all the “pee mail” left by other dogs. There are simply too many distractions.

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Obedience: Can Owners Be Trained?


Dogs are not people. That may seem obvious as you’re sitting reading

this, but is often forgotten in the midst of trying to train your new puppy or recently adopted adult dog.

Dogs are not people, twenty-four seven, three sixty-five. They have different attitudes, different abilities. In some ways, their amazing hearing and smelling senses put them in a whole different universe than ours. They also are incredibly intuitive, and can pick up signals any human would miss. And all of that has to be kept in mind when training a dog if the training is to work quickly and effectively. That’s probably why Scott Benson of Asheville Dog Rehabilitation tells potential customers he has to train them as well as their pets.

Benson and Cindy Waselesk of Good Dog, Better Dog are quick to remind owners that dogs are not people and can’t be approached in the same way. Waselesk points out that “English is not a dog’s first language.” Therefore, words alone won’t get the job done. A dog doesn’t understand “Sit” any more than “Urp” unless the word, or sound, is accompanied by an action and followed by a reward if the dog obeys. Benson points out that dogs don’t understand their human’s frustration, and that the best way to approach a dog is in an emotionally detached manner. “Star Trek’s Mr. Spock would be a perfect pack leader,” he says.

Both trainers work with the Humane Society to help make dogs more adoptable – Waselesk in Asheville, Benson in Hendersonville. And while they might employ different specific techniques in approaching a given dog in a given situation, they agree that there is no magic, one-size-fits-all approach. Dogs, like people, are all different. They have different DNA, different experiences, and will react differently to similar stimuli. That’s why owners, or trainers, must not expect the dog to change to accommodate their teaching style. They must, instead, change to fit the dog.

Benson gets a lot of his calls from people who may well have made the mistake of picking a dog with the wrong energy level for their lifestyle. A low-energy dog will not be all that happy with a fitness-mad owner who wants to take him on a daily two mile run. And an energetic sporting or working dog bred to be active will probably not be happy as the pet of an elderly person in a small apartment, or left alone all day without mental or physical stimulation. “A smart dog will find ways to amuse himself,” Benson says. And just his tone of voice makes it clear that the dog’s owner will not always appreciate those ways.

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Today marks four weeks since Barbara and I had our 14-year-old Lab, Dodger, put

down. No need to explain how that felt. But as good dogs do, Dodger let us know it was his time to pass on. Our decision to make the call to the traveling vet was much more difficult than the actual event. Dodger was ready and so were we. The vet, Dr. Beth Marchitelli, was so helpful, caring and consoling. Dodger was always terrified of vet visits so we knew a traveling vet was required. No need to add to the stress of the situation.

Dodger stories abound. Dodger was my constant companion for 12 1/2 years. Dodger was a “second hand dog.” His original owner chained him in the garage for his first 1 1/2 years. Dogs that go from uncaring owners to those who love them are infinitely thankful. Dodger and I live adjacent to the Blue Ridge parkway at Balsam, and we roamed the surrounding mountains daily for many years. Like most good dogs, Dodger was always ready and willing to take a hike. I chose hikes that included water so Dodger could drink and play. Dodger was what we called a “rock hound.” He almost always brought home a rock from our hikes. We have a pile of those rocks that will be part of Dodger’s memorial.

Dodger was a traveling dog. I have been a volunteer in the Florida State park system for 14 years. Dodger loved going to St. Joseph Peninsula State Park each February. Barbara and I also took Dodger on long camping

Listen With Your Heart


trips. Three months to the Pacific Northwest and all the Canadian Rockies national parks in 2008, three months to Colorado and Utah in 2011, countless shorter trips. Travel will now include a large hole in our enjoyment. Memories will abound; tears will come, as they are now.

Loving a dog is so easy. Dodger’s name came from the baseball team. His nickname was “the black hole of love.” He enthusiastically absorbed all we could give him. Two years ago when Dodger started showing his age, I would lay on the floor with him nightly. He would place his paw on my shoulder as I petted him. The look in his eyes said it all. They were full of love and thanks. And we always felt the same toward him.

The reciprocity of love and thanks was infinite. Lessons learned between us are in our long-term memory. Mental pictures blend with digital. The mixed emotions bring smiles and tears at the same time. As I’ve said for years, dogs are the best people. Hear this with your heart. Dogs teach us how to love unconditionally, how to comfort others and how to gleefully participate when asked. Our love for Dodger will live forever. His lessons changed our lives.

Tom Flagg and wife Barbara have lived in Waynesville for 14 years, ever since he retired from teaching in Orlando. They are not now involved in rescue organizations, but have decided that, if and when the time comes to replace Dodger, they will adopt a rescue dog.

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Local author Jeanne Webster’s novel opens with a Biblical verse: “But now ask the

beasts, and they will teach you;” Job 12:7. And they do, in this wise book.

Jane Morgan, suffering a sense of failure, flees Atlanta for a WNC cabin. After regaining consciousness from a fall, she discovers she can hear and speak with animals. Grandmother Spider tells her that God will answer her prayers and send a guide to the natural world she has lost. “The next one you speak with”, she says, will be your permanent escort.”

Jane expects an angel. But the “next one” is a scruffy, dirty dog. “Our kind has always served as guides for humans”, he says. Max leads Jane

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to one guide after another: Grandfather Oak, Grandmother Willow, etc. Each has a story to tell, stories handed down in WNC.

Finally Max leads Jane to a dangerous and unlikely guide, who reveals “God spoke the world into being”. God said, let the earth bring forth living creatures. Jane realizes: Could it be that I create or destroy my own life with the language I use?

Then Max is injured, and Jane must use everything she has learned from the natural world, to speak her power to save him – and herself.

Strays can be purchased at www.straysthebook.com, or call 828-349-1475.

Sympathy to contributor Michelle Mallonee on the loss of her beloved Adora, 2002-2012. In loving memory.

small parrots often require less mental exercise than larger parrots. The smaller birds can often be content singing to others or pretending to build nests and foraging for food. By contrast, larger birds will often need several hours a day of personal attention, foraging, and interactive exercises, much as a young child needs to have such attention from a parent or teacher. Some smaller birds, however, can still be taught some amazing tricks, such as dunking a basketball or using other toys, and some can even speak or whistle long songs. They are by no means boring or dull!

In this economy, it is also worthwhile considering the monetary advantage of a smaller bird versus larger parrot. Everything costs less! Smaller amounts of food consumed and bought, smaller toys, smaller cage- even smaller veterinary bills can occur due to lower concentration medications or anesthesia expenses! As a side advantage, smaller birds also make much smaller messes to clean - a major consideration since pet birds really will only thrive in very clean environments!

I would recommend everyone wanting to own a large parrot to first either foster or own a small bird. The experience will help you learn bird language and bird needs with a smaller commitment, and quite possibly you may find that your bird is a better companion than you ever would have imagined!

Beth Rhyne, DVM, CCRP, AAV (Association of Avian Veterinarians) member, practices at Charlotte Street Animal Hospital, Asheville. She can be reached at 828-232-0440, or at charlottestreetanimalhospital.com.

Birds have long been interesting pets. Parrots, such as macaws, amazons, and

African grey parrots are often fascinating creatures that capture people’s interest. Some have amazing vocabularies and others seem to have the intelligence of a small child, and are able to interact on a very engaging level. Others are simply striking in their appearance. For all these reasons, medium to large parrots have long been bought, sold, adopted, and bred to be human companions.

So why would anyone choose a small bird, such as a parakeet, cockatiel, or even parrotlet? These birds are often overlooked as good companions, and in fact, can be extremely valuable as such! While large parrots are often admired, I would argue that it’s the smaller ones we should be noticing more often!

One major concern with large parrots involves their extremely long life span. A large parrot, such as a macaw, can be expected to live at least 20-40 years - with some reports of birds living 80 years, or more! By contrast, smaller birds generally live 10-20 years, depending on the species. So it would be less likely you would need to make room in your estate planning for a canary or parakeet!

Smaller pet birds in general also tend to have fewer behavioral issues, such as feather destruction and aggression. Such issues are a major concern for all parrot owners. While all animals (including mammals and reptiles!) should have some kind of enrichment and mental stimulation adequate for their species,

by Beth Rhyne, DVM

Rabbits make wonderful pets...for some. They are quiet, can be clean and well

behaved, and are in general low- maintenance and healthy, requiring little veterinary care overall. But rabbits are not for everyone, for some very specific reasons.

Rabbits generally make good pets for adults, not children. They often dislike being picked up or handled extensively, and because many rabbits are so attractive, children sometimes just cannot help themselves! Rabbits who feel threatened will bite or scratch- not desirable traits in a child’s pet. Also, there is real risk of a rabbit injuring itself if improperly handled.

Rabbits are ground loving animals with a highly developed flight instinct, so they should not be grabbed suddenly or chased. This can even cause a sudden bunny heart attack! Keep small children, dogs with a high prey drive, and unpredictable cats from your rabbit if you get one. And incidentally, rabbits DO do better IN the home, not housed outside in a hutch, exposed to the elements. Their sensitive feet prefer firm surfaces with good traction, not wire, and they love some room to run! They can be trained to a litter box, too!

Rabbits also have some strict dietary requirements. Most of their diet should be roughage, such as timothy hay, fresh grass or clover, and vegetables. They also enjoy a small amount of fresh fruit. Pellets are only fed in moderation, as they are a concentrated form of nutrition and therefore more difficult to digest. Rabbits should not be fed seeds, nuts, or bird food, and of course, fresh water should always be available. Many owners add a vitamin mixture to their pet rabbit’s water daily. That doesn’t hurt, but shouldn’t be necessary if the rabbit is getting a variety of the right foods in the right proportions. Fruit is a treat and should be given sparingly. All foods should be fresh, free of mold, debris, or herbicides/pesticides, and changed daily. Pellets should be inspected prior to feeding, and discarded if they appear discolored or moldy. Pellets should be purchased in small bags, so they retain their freshness. Hay must be thoroughly inspected prior to feeding, and it should always be made of timothy. Alfalfa hay, although delectable, can predispose a rabbit to developing a crystal in the urinary bladder, which can then lead to difficulties with urination.

If you are thinking about adding a rabbit to your family, assess your other pets very carefully. Are they gentle and even-tempered, or aggressive? Do they exhibit a high prey drive? Have they ever been exposed to small furry creatures? If so, what was their reaction? Rabbits can look like friends to your dog or cat. Or rabbits can look like lunch, or a not-very-durable toy. You get the picture. Be realistic when deciding to introduce a rabbit into your home. Supervise all interactions between your new rabbit and your current household population. A rabbit should never be left unsupervised around a dog or cat until you are positive there will not be an altercation!

Some rabbits can even be aggressive to cats, dogs, ferrets, and other rabbits! Unspayed and unneutered rabbits are often more aggressive to other pets, and can be aggressive to humans as well! So all pet rabbits should be spayed and neutered to facilitate easier litter box training


and a better temperament. Often, rabbits are altered prior to their adoption, as the rescue groups understand that a spayed or neutered rabbit makes a better pet, and that makes for a happier owner!

Rabbits come in all sizes, colors, and blends! There are high-pedigree purebreds and mixes, the “mutts” of the rabbit world! If you want to know more about the ins-and-outs of rabbit-keeping, check out The House Rabbit Society at www.rabbit.org...and don’t forget to check with your local humane society or favorite rescue group to see if adoption is an option!

About the author: Dr. Heather Sinclair owns Haw Creek Animal Hospital in Asheville, a full-service facility serving dogs, cats, birds, and more unusual pets, including rabbits. She earned her degree from the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, and has been in private practice since 1999. She can be reached at 298-1678 or on the web at www.hawcreekanimalhospital.com.

Small Birds Bring Big Rewardsby Heather Sinclair, DVM

Rabbits: Good Pets For Some

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David Crouch, DVM, doesn’t do surgical house calls. But he does fly

about-to-be-adopted pets toward their new forever homes. Besides being a veterinary surgeon, Crouch is a volunteer pilot with Pilots N Paws.

Crouch has been serving animals in WNC for 12 years, and has been flying for eight. During the week, he operates out of Western Carolina Veterinary Surgery, his custom-designed facility in Arden, NC. He shares it with five nurses, an administrator, and a happy-go-lucky standard poodle. The spacious reception area contains display cabinets filled with a collection of pet figurines that may well include every breed of dog known to man. The exam rooms, too, are spacious, to help make a potentially stressful situation more comfortable for pet and owner alike. There is also ample office space, storage space, and a post-operative recovery room comparable to the best in human hospitals.

But the critical room is the surgery, where Crouch operates. He prepared for his career in veterinary surgery with eight years of study at Iowa State University, an additional year at the University of Tennessee, and three years of teaching at the University of Missouri. Now pets needing surgery are brought or referred to him from all over the southeast for operations ranging from arthroscopy to orthopedic procedures to neurosurgery.

On weekends, Crouch spends much of his time flying as a volunteer with Pilots N Paws, whose pilots will tell you, “Dog is my copilot.” Like the other 3,000 or so pilots in the organization, he frequently checks pilotsnpaws.org to see what animals need transportation. If he thinks he can help get a pet from its point of origin to its final destination, he enters his information and availability on the web site. On the other end, a volunteer coordinator organizes things and lets all participants, from rescue organizations to foster parents to pilots know what they have to do and when they have to do it. Crouch recognizes the difficulty of organizing a rescue, and said, “the pilots have the easy part.” He also said Subaru and Petmate deserved thanks for their Pilots N Paws sponsorship.

Once he has an assignment and a schedule, Crouch cranks up his single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza and heads for his pick-up point, often accompanied by his 15-year-old son, Mark. The Bonanza can accommodate three large kennels on the floor, plus some smaller ones on top of them, but a plane full of pets is rare. Most of the flights are to take a single pet from the edge of euthanasia to a long happy life in a new home.

When asked if he had one favorite rescued animal, Crouch answered, “They’re all priceless.” Pet lovers everywhere can thankfully agree.

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AKC Lists America’s Most Popular Dogs

According to the registration records of the American Kennel Club, Labrador Retrievers led the list of most popular purebred dogs again last year for the 21st

year in a row. Their friendliness, playfulness, strength and work habits continued to make them the first choice for families, as well as hunters and search and rescue groups.

Beagles moved up the ladder one spot, from fourth in 2010 to third in 2011, while Golden Retrievers moved up from fifth to fourth. Poodles also improved their lot, from ninth in 2010 to eighth last year. And for the first time, the Rottweiler joined the top ten at number ten.

Moving down, but not out, were the Yorkshire Terrier, from third in 2010 to fifth last year, and the Dachshund, which switched spots with the Poodle and dropped from eighth in 2010 to ninth last year. The only breed that dropped out of the top ten was the Shih Tzu*, which was tenth in 2010 but knocked off the list by the upstart Rottweiler.

The German shepherd dog held its position at number two, as did the Bulldog in sixth place and the Boxer in seventh. The complete lists for 2010 and 2011 follow.

* Editor’s Note: While the Rottweiler may have knocked off the Shih Tzu nationally, it would never have knocked off Rosie, the Shih Tzu/terrier mix who is the Vice President of Credits and Collections for PetGazette.

2010Labrador RetrieverGerman shepherd dogYorkshire TerrierBeagleGolden RetrieverBulldogBoxerDachshundPoodleShih Tzu

1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.

2011Labrador RetrieverGerman shepherd dogBeagleGolden RetrieverYorkshire TerrierBulldogBoxerPoodle Dachshund Rottweiler

1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.

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Do you really want to miss this stuff? Of course not. So wherever you are, we can be there too. Send money. We’ll send issues. Three issues (6 months): $12.00. Six issues (12 months): $19.00.Make check payable to Marks Media and mail to: PO Box 151, Candler, NC 28715.

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by By Emily Trimnal

The Parrot Said What?!?“Can it talk?” This question has been asked more times than I can count. It is a common first question when people learn I own birds, or if they meet a bird for the first time. Parrots are revered for their talking ability – they can not only mimic speech, but also arrange sentences and use them in context. All parrots have the ability to talk, but not all parrots choose to talk. The only way to ensure a bird will speak is to adopt one that already does so. Parrots will often pick up bad language after hearing it just once. It only takes a single instance for a bird to hear a word or phrase and seize on it, saying it with delight. Offensive words are often chosen because of the tone of voice and infliction

used. If your bird emits words or sounds that you wish to be rid of, there are several ways you can modify that behavior.

The best way to stop an undesirable phrase or sound is to decrease that behavior with extinction. Or in simpler terms, modify that behavior with the end goal of phasing it out entirely. When your bird utters the offensive sound, do not react. Oftentimes, replacing that sound with something similar can help transition the behavior from negative to positive. As your bird says that negative word, say your replacement phrase. If your bird continues to say the unwanted phrase repeatedly, ignore that behavior. Do not reward your bird for its unwanted language – do not pet, give attention to, or

feed treats to your bird immediately after it speaks offensively. Instead, repeat your desired learned phrase. If the bird then says something – anything - other than the unwanted noise or word, reward it.

At some point, your bird will start to use your replacement phrase. Reward it. And ignore any further use of the unwanted language. By consistently rewarding the positive and ignoring the negative, you can eventually extinguish your parrot’s undesired phrases or noises. This behavior modification is a slow and steady process. Once you start, you must keep up with extinguishing the unwanted noise; otherwise your parrot will continue to utter it.

Parrots are extremely intelligent creatures, and old habits can be broken and new things learned. Consistent training and understanding is a vital part of your relationship with your pet bird. If you love birds and want to learn more, a local rescue group called Phoenix Landing hosts classes right here in Asheville. They offer classes on training, behavior, and caring for your bird. Go to www.phoenixlanding.org to learn more.

Author and behaviorist Emily Trimnal is a parrot owner, a Certified Avian Specialist with the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, and a Level 2 Aviculturist with the American Federation of Aviculture. She also works with several U.S. rescue organizations. Find her online at www.emilysbirds.com.

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Documents

Pet Gazette October-November 2012