Berkshireanimalworldaprilissue : simplebooklet.com

Paws to ReectSpotlight On–Allergies & Spring Cleaning 4Spotlight On-Hidden Health Benets of Pets 5Cat’s Meow-This Side of Purradise 6 CGHS-Legal Requirements for Dog Owners 7Horse Corral-Prevention of Equine Cruelty 8 Adoptables 2, 8, 9Pet Safe Garden 10Spotlight on . . .Hilltown Sled Dogs 11 Natural Fun Facts 12Guide To Our Local Shelters 12Small Animal Hutch-Caring for a Bearded Dragon 13Cat’s Meow--Arthritis In Cats 14Spotlight on . . .The Dangers of Anti-freeze 14Dog Barks-Attention Seeking Behaviors 15Animalectory 16-17Chatham Animal Haven-Rescue to Freedom 17Rescue Leagues 18Dog Wags-Monthly Breed– The Chow Chow 19Berkshire Mountain Animal World™ 2018-2024. All rights reserved. Berkshire Mountain Animal World™ is copyrighted and cannot be reproduced, rewritten, or pho-tocopied without permission of the publisher. Distribution is FREE in all of Berkshire County and areas in Pioneer Valley, Massa-chusetts, Northwest Hills, Connecticut, Co-lumbia/Rensselaer Counties in New York and the border towns of Vermont. Advertising rates are based on monthly dis-tribution. Berkshire Mountain Animal World Publication™ is not responsible for adver-tising claims. The advertiser is SOLELY re-sponsible for content. Berkshire Mountain Animal World™ re-serves the right to refuse any advertising for any reason. Berkshire Mountain Animal World™ is not responsible for errors in content made by any writers. Berkshire Mountain Animal World™ does not endorse what is printed.Year 6, Edition 68 Founder: Gayle SchechtmanEditor: Jane NicoleWriters: Iris BassColleen CarpenterLinda ClaytonDr. Melody R. Conklin Dr. Debra PrimovicBerkshire Animal WorldBerkshiremountainanimalworld@gmail.comCRATE OF CONTENTS3Front Photo Credit P.O. Box 1842Lenox, MA 01240anlife@aol.com• Columbia Green Humane Society • Berkshire Humane Society• Mohawk Hudson Humane Society • Out of the Pits and so much more!Check out our Canine Rescue League DirectoryBark!Bark!www.berkshiremountainanimalworld.comTIMELY ADOPTABLES ALL AROUND!Give your pets a hug for me!! Gayle Animal Howlidays for AprilAdopt a Ferret Month National Frog MonthNational Pest Management MonthPrevention of Cruelty to Animals Month2024 Week Long Animal Cruelty / Human Violence Awareness Week - April 21-27, 2024 (Third Week in April) Bat Appreciation Week - April 7-13, 2024 Be Kind to Spiders Week - April 7-13, 2024 Bedbug Awareness Week - April 21-27, 2024 International Wildlife Film Week - April 20-25, 2024 Mule Day - March 20 - April 7, 2023 (2024 TBA) National Animal Control Ofcer Appreciation Week - April 14-20, 2024 National Wildlife Week - April 1-7, 2024 World Laboratory Animal Liberation Week These are the beautfful dogs from Hilltown Sleddogs still has space in their Summer SLED DOG CAMPS 2024 offering 8 weeks of Day Camp from June 24 - August 28 for Ages 8-15. www.hilltownsleddogs.com/camps

Page 4

4SPOTLIGHTKeep the Allergies Out With These Spring Dog Cleaning Tips Spring is here, and the inevitable cleaning is well underway in many households nationwide. Part of that is spring dog cleaning — a chance for you to give your furry friend a refreshing makeover as well as an opportuni-ty to clear out a winter’s worth of dander, shed fur, and other unwanted things your pet may have dragged in or dropped off in your home over the colder months.Here are a few tips to get your home and pup ready for the warmer season ahead.Help Your Dog Out with Keeping Her Coat Clean First on our list of spring dog cleaning tips is a good, old-fashioned brushing. And we don’t mean the normal 1-2 minute brushing you might give her just to keep her coat neat and tidy. We mean a real brushing. Consider a product that will remove excess hair from her undercoat. This will help prevent shedding and also keep your dog cooler. Remember that certain dog breeds will need to be brushed more frequently than others. Learn more about properly grooming your dog. Remember to bathe your dog frequently as well. A spring dog bath will not only help keep your dog’s coat clean and fresh but will also help to clean the skin further down. This is important, as the winter months can be hard on pets’ skin just as it can on humans. Be sure to use a shampoo that won’t dry your dog’s skin out with each bathing — dry skin will result in more dander and more issues with allergies. Learn more about keeping your dog’s coat clean during the spring months.Medications Can Help with an Allergen-Inducing Spring Dog Whether you already have a dog or have been considering adding one to your family, it’s important to take proper precautions for anyone with an existing allergy to dogs. Certain medications and immunotherapy can help members of your household will help alleviate any allergy symptoms you or your family members may have.Clean Your Home — and Its Air — Thoroughly As the weather begins to warm up, your pet will start to shed. Even if you have a breed that doesn’t typically shed much, some shedding is expected, so it’s important to keep your living space as clean as possible. In addition to your normal routine cleaning, deep cleaning under couches and chairs, appliances, rugs, and tables should be performed to clear any hair or dan-der that may have accumulated there over the colder months. Also remember to clean your dog’s bedding as this can be a signicant source of hair accumulation. Hair removal throughout your home is important, but just as important is ensuring the air inside your home is clean, too. Don’t rely on your furnace lter to catch everything, even if you have a higher-end allergen-catching lter. Consider an air purier to help catch dander, hair, and other pet-related allergens and cycle the air more rapidly. And remember that if you open the windows for fresh air, you’re also letting more allergens inside — so an air purier will be very helpful in catching pet allergens and natural allergens from outside.A Clean Spring Dog is a Happy Spring DogWith warmer weather comes more opportunities for outdoor fun and adventure — as well as mud, water, and other grime. As you start to take your dog outdoors for walks and other fun, remember to keep her clean when you return home. Not only will this help keep your home fresh this spring, but it will also keep your pet feeling fresh as well.While you won’t need to give your dog a full bath after just one walk around the neighbor-hood, if it’s sprinkling or if your dog gets into some muddy mischief, consider rinsing her off. The last thing you need is a dirty home and a dirty spring dog scratching herself all over your rugs and furniture.Remember that spring is also a time when ticks and eas start to show up, so frequent bath-ing and protective medications or applications are important to keep her free from disease, insect bites, and irritating itching. Bathe her frequently to remove any unwanted guests, keep up on your treatments and medications, and brush her frequently. www.petplace.com

Page 5

5SPOTLIGHT on For Immediate ReleaseColumbia-Greene Humane SocietyPresents Paws & ReectHidden Health Benets of Pet Ownership We’ve all heard that pets are man’s best friend, but did you know that they can also provide health benets beyond just being your side kick?The Benets of Companionship Pet ownership can be both emotionally and physically rewarding. Emotionally, pets can provide a constant source of unwavering love and nonjudgmental companionship. This devotion has been proven to provide physical benets to human health. A recent study published in Circulation, an American Heart Association journal, outlined the bevy of health benets related to owning a pet. Pet ownership has been shown to help with systemic hy-pertension. An Australian study noted that pet owners had signicantly lower systolic blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) than non-pet owners. A similar study from 2012 showed that married couples with pets had lower dia-stolic and systolic blood pressure than those without a furry friend in their lives.Lower Cholesterol Being a pet parent can also help to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It’s been proven that men who own pets are more likely to have lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels than non-pet owners in the same age group. On the other hand, a second study showed that those without dogs were more likely to have elevated serum cholesterol levels and diabetes mellitus than dog owners who regularly partic-ipated in physical activity with their pets. Owning a dog has been shown to increase physical activ-ity levels in owners as well. An Australian study showed that dog owners were 57% more likely to meet the recom-mended level of physical activity compared to nonowners. A Canadian study showed that dog owners walked an aver-age of 300 minutes per week, as opposed to the 168 min-utes walked by nonowners. No signicant association of increased physical activity was noted with cat ownership, which isn’t particularly surprising.Weight Loss and a Healthy Heart Your faithful companion can also help with weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight. Pet owners who walk their dogs had a lower BMI when compared with dog own-ers who didn’t walk their pet and non-pet owners. Young children had a lower risk of being overweight or obese if their family had a dog. People with pets had signicantly lower baseline heart rate and blood pressure with small increases associated with stress compared to non-pet owners. Similar cardiovas-cular reactivity was seen with dog, cat, goat, sh, chimpan-zee, and snake ownership.Calling all cat-ladies and cat lovers alike!Be prepared to reap the benets of increased exibility and strength while enjoying the companionship of our furry felines here!Sunday, April 7th at the Columbia-Greene Humane Society111 Humane Society RoadHudson NY 1253411 a.m. – 12 p.m.$25 Requested donationPlease call ahead to reserve your spot:(518) 828-6044 ext. 100Instructor: Nicole Lang, RYT 200 HourExperienced in teaching all levels and ages.**We do ask that you bring your own mats**...but, we provide the cats The Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA was honored to have Congressman Marc Molinaro (19th District) stop by for a tour and some discussion about current challenges facing the shelter, as well as some short- and long-term goals. Accompanying Congressman Molinaro and CGHS/SPCA President/CEO Ron Perez during the tour were Marc’s two sons, Theo and Eli. The boys tried to convince their dad to adopt all of CGHS/SPCA’s animals. Right Photo:Theo Molinaro, Eli Molinaro, Congressman Marc Molinaro, and CGHS/SPCA President/CEO Ron Perez.Left Photo: CGHS/SPCA President/CEO Ron Perez and Congressman Marc Molinaro.Visit From A Local Congressman

Page 6

6This Side of Purradiseby Iris Bass • SALON – 75 YEARS COMBINED EXPERIENCE 2 CERTIFIED PET AESTHETICIANS ON STAFF COMFORT GROOMS A SPECIALTY CAT GROOMING AVAILABLE• PLAYCARE – STAFFED WITH CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALS OPEN 5 DAYS/WEEK TO APPROVED DOGS• TRAINING – 6 WEEK SESSIONS RUN CONTINUOUSLY THROUGH THE YEAR EARLY PUPPY; BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE &ADVANCED OBEDIENCE AND MORE!Offering Salon Services, Playcare and Training for THE TRI-STATE AREA’S PETSFor more information on our services, please see our website: www.bowmeowregency.comCheck us out on FacebookContact us at 413-229-0035 or by email at honor@bowmeowregency.com Fella and Nico. Copyright © 2024 Berkshire Humane SocietyFARM SANCTUARIES (In our region)• Chatham Animal HavenP.O. Box 49, Chatham , NY 12037518-218-6885Chathamanimalhaven@gmail.comhttp://chathamanimalhaven.org/• Berkshire Farm Sanctuary34 West Main Rd., Peru, MA 01235413-344-7433info@berkshirefarmsanctuary.orghttps://berkshirefarmsanctuary.org• Farm Sanctuary3150 Aikens Rd, Watkins Glen, NY 14891607-583-2225, experience@farmsanctuary.orghttps://www.farmsanctuary.org• Safe Haven Farm Sanctuary254 Gardner Hollow Rd, Poughquag, NY 12570845-724-5138 to schedule a visitsafehavenfarmsanctuary@gmail.comhttps://safehavenfarmsanctuary.org• Woodstock Farm Sanctuary2 Rescue Rd, High Falls, NY 12440845-247-5700 info@woodstocksanctuary.orghttps://woodstocksanctuary.org/Best Friends 4 Ever Housemates from a home that had too many other pets, ve-year old Fella is the mega-stripey kitty and Nico, a little more than one year old, is the boy with the adorable dotted nose. They are close pals, but a bit shy with people—perhaps deprived in their past envi-ronment from enough one-on-one with their humans amid the competition, or just unsettled by suddenly being in a new place. But I bet that, once able to relax in each other’s compa-ny—and yours—they’ll open up quickly to play and cuddles: “Hurrah! We’ve got you all to ourselves now!” That said, Berkshire Humane Society’s staff thinks that they should also be ne with respectful older children . . . who might well join in with the play and cuddles. And if you’ve already got another cat (not lots, though) who is agreeable to sharing its space with two youngsters of its own species, the more may be the merrier! And it gets even better: If you adopt these pals together—as the shelter’s staff hopes you shall—Berkshire Humane’s Buddy Program kicks in, to give you a discount price for welcoming the pair into your life. Think about it for a moment: The shelter’s goal is to nd good homes for cats (and dogs, and other critters, too) that have been surrendered to them for any variety of reasons. The Buddy Program isn’t a gimmick to get more animals out the door; it’s a way to give sincere pet lovers a nancial incentive to bring home siblings, or a parent and their young, or simply two friends, like these two cuties, so that they can stay to-gether. Some years ago, I even proled a pair of unrelated felines—one very large, the oth-er, tiny, then awaiting adoption at Purradise, Berkshire Humane Society’s Great Barrington annex. Snuggled tightly together on a carpeted kitty tree, they had bonded after meeting each other in that building’s enclosed porch, a.k.a. the Sunshine Spa, where amenable cats were allowed to comingle. After that interview, they were indeed adopted out together, a sweet deal made that much sweeter by the Buddy Program that shaved off a few bucks. It’s not about the bargain, it’s about sustaining kitties’ existing loving relationship . . . as you open your home for them to forge a new one with you! Are you ready to befriend these two boys?Iris Bass, coauthor of the Cat Lover’s Daily Companion, shares her Lee home with four shelter cats. Please contact Berkshire Humane Society’s main shelter at 214 Barker Road, Pittseld, MA, 413-447-7878. Conrm its hours before heading over, or check out https//:berkshirehumane.org to read more about Nico and Fella or the other cats currently available for adoption there or at Purradise, 301 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA, 413-717-4244. Purradise is open for both adoptions and boarding. Please respect any COVID-19 protocols that may be in place at either shelter.

Page 7

7125 Humane Society Rd, Hudson, NY 12534 (518) 828-6044Open daily Tuesday - Saturday 11:30 - 4 Boarding and Daycare remain the same and the food bank is open 7 days a week. Please call with any questions.https://cghs.org/Open 7 daysa week440 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA 440 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA 413-528-8020413-528-8020www.vcaallcaring.comwww.vcaallcaring.comHouse Calls onTuesdays!!Conventional & Holistic Veterinary Medicine & AcupunctureConventional & Holistic Veterinary Medicine & AcupunctureClass 4 Laser for Healing Class 4 Laser for Healing VCa all Caring animal HospitalYour NeighborhoodPet Supply Store featuring:• Made in the USA Foods & Treats• Toys • Essentials • Gifts• Natural and Organic Products• Lots of Fun Stuff!Monday - Friday 10 - 5, Saturday 10-4Closed SundaysLenox Commons • 55 Pittseld Road, Lenox, MA413-637-0800 www.chezpet.comSoft PawsBy Guest Columnist Aaron Clause As summertime brings around another dose of runaway dogs, it won’t hurt to see it again. Dog ownership is regu-lated by the laws of New York State’s Department of Ag-riculture and Markets. This column will review some facts in Article 7 of the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law (Licensing, Identication, and Control of Dogs) that are of use to dog owners and non-owners alike. If you desire further information on Article 7 or any State regula-tions on dog ownership, you can call the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets at (518) 457-2728.• Your dog MUST be LICENSED and RABIES VACCI-NATED!If your dog is at least four months old, then you will be in violation of law if he or she is not licensed. To obtain a license, you must simply have your dog rabies vaccinated, then apply for the license at your Town Hall for a small fee (usually around $10-$15 for unaltered dogs, $5.00 for spayed and neutered dogs). You will be issued a paper copy for your records, and a metal tag that MUST be perma-nently afxed to your dog by a collar. There are NO other tags considered as valid identication by State Law. If you are in violation of this law, you can receive nes for both failure to license and failure to place New York State iden-tication on your dog. Also, your dog may be seized by a Dog Control Ofcer (DCO) and in danger of accruing other nes and/or charges, as described below.• Dog Seizure by Dog Control OfcerNYS DCOs and local police ofcers are required by law to seize dogs that carry no NYS License Tag. If your dog is unlicensed and running free, a DCO or police ofcer MUST take the dog – even right off your property! The consequences of this happening can include nes as de-scribed above, as well as impoundment (pick-up and hous-ing) fees. Impoundment fees are set by individual towns – check with your Town Clerk to nd out what your Town charges. Currently in Columbia and Greene Counties, this amount can be up to $650.00 – and even more for a sec-ond offense. Point being – license and tag your dog like you’re supposed to, and don’t let him or her run free!• Biting DogsOwners of dogs that bite can be brought up on criminal charges, ned, and forced to pay civil penalties for de-struction and injury their dogs cause to people, property, domestic animals, and livestock. Victims of biting and property destruction should notify their DCO and the County Sheriff, who will begin a prompt investigation and inform you of your rights. Should you have any questions as to your rights as a dangerous dog victim, please consult the Department of Agriculture and Markets Law and your DCO. Following up on dog bites can be a trying process and may even require court appearances for the victim; however, it is important to hold to the standard that hu-mans should never have to be hurt by dogs, especially due to owner irresponsibility.• Licensing and Money DistributionMoney received through licensing and impoundments are distributed between the Town in which they were collect-ed and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets in order to uphold and maintain the provisions of Article 7 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, and to subsidize public humane education programs, spay/neuter programs, and the prevention of cruelty to animals. CGHS Spay/neuter clinics for cats are $100.00 male or female, including a rabies vaccination and a 5-in-1 feline distemper combination vaccination!

Page 8

8Horse Corral Berkshire Humane Society214 Barker Rd, Pittseld, MA 01201Phone: (413) 447-7878, Berkshirehumane.orgAt our sanctuary. Joey, a Registered Thoroughbred who was rescued from a New York farm after he was discovered emaciated and suffering from severe neglect.Recognizing the need to prevent equine crueltyBy Alex Valverde, Equine Advocates Communications Manager April is Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month, a cause that’s close to our hearts at Equine Advocates Rescue & Sanctuary. Animal cruelty, by New York State law, is dened as “every act, omission or neglect whereby unjustiable physical pain, suffering or death is caused or permitted.” Our organization is one of countless groups that work to protect ani-mals and shield them from cruelty. As an equine rescue and protection organization, we’ve seen animal cruelty displayed in many horric forms - neglect, physical abuse, overwork, malnutrition, and horses being sent to kill pens. We also see the lasting impact abuse has on these animals. Physically, many have injuries and ailments that need to be treated and monitored, often for the rest of their lives. Many also suffer emotional scars. Some of the rescued equines that come to the sanctuary take years to adjust to their new life and being around humans. It’s imperative to hold offenders accountable for the long-lasting pain they inict on these animals. “Informing the public and students about how to recognize and ofcially report any inci-dents of equine cruelty are points that we emphasize regularly during our humane educa-tion classes,” said Equine Advocates President Susan Wagner. “We also have a brochure, ‘How to Report Equine Cruelty Cases’ that one can download on our website under Re-sources and Links.” In New York State, Buster’s Law (New York Agriculture & Markets Law § 353-a. Aggra-vated cruelty to animals) makes it a felony to abuse any “companion” animal in New York State. The legislation was named after a cat who was set on re in the city of Schenectady. Animal cruelty is considered a bridge crime, and this law helps to put many dangerous people behind bars. In 2007, a horrible case of animal cruelty affecting horses occurred in Rensselaer Coun-ty. At that time, the county had an Animal Cruelty Task Force. We accompanied the Task Force on a rescue where two horses were seized. The Task Force consisted of several indi-viduals, including a licensed equine veterinarian, police, animal control, humane ofcers, and a member of the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Ofce. The equine veterinarian did a thorough evaluation and examination of the two horses at the time that they were seized by police. Enough evidence was gathered to where the owner was charged with an-imal cruelty. The owner eventually surrendered the horses to authorities and Equine Advo-cates. We named them Nick and Jeremy and they had many happy and healthy years at the sanctuary until their passing. “This situation proves that if handled correctly, abusers can be brought to justice,” said Sue McDonough, a 30-year veteran with the New York State Police Force and a former President of the NYS Humane Association. “These horses were mistreated, but thanks to the efforts of people with a specialized focus on animal cruelty, further abuse was prevent-ed. Several New York counties have established Animal Cruelty Task Forces, but more can be done. We believe there should be a Special Task Force focused on animal cruelty formed in every county. We also work toward the passage of bill A1844 (Introduced by Assembly Member Rosenthal), which would transfer the laws that apply to animal cruelty from the Ag. & Mkts Law to the Penal Law. This would assure that the police receive proper train-ing.” All living creatures deserve respect and freedom from abuse. We need to speak up for those without a voice and that’s why we’ll continue our mission to protect equines from abuse, neglect, and slaughter for years to come.Harvey is a one-year-old guinea pig who was surrendered to Berkshire Humane Society because his previous owner was allergic to him. He looks like a banded wooly bear caterpillar, the larval form of the Isabella tiger moth. He’s a very sweet and calm little man who enjoys being held. Harvey is more than happy to snuggle up with you and snack on some veggies! If you’d like to learn more about guinea pigs and their care, please reach out to the Berkshire Humane Society staff at (413)-447-7878 ext. 124. They are more than happy to help explain their needs, as they make great pets if you’re willing to provide them with the time and care they need!This handsome 2-year-old harlequin bunny is Howie! Howie arrived at Berkshire Humane Society because his owners were moving. Now, this friendly guy is hoping for a new home where he can remain forever. Howie loves to greet people at the front of his enclosures seeking atten-tion. He loves head rubs and “scritch-es” and you’ll often nd him playing and tossing about his interactive toys. He’s working on his litterbox training and doesn’t mind sitting quietly in your lap. If you’d like to learn more about Howie, please reach out to the Berkshire Humane Society staff at (413)-447-7878 ext. 124

Page 9

9Berkshire Humane Society214 Barker Rd, , Pittseld, MA 01201Phone: (413) 447-7878, Berkshirehumane.org650 ROUTE 295, OLD CHATHAM WOODHILLVETCLINIC.COMWood HillVeterinary ClinicOPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK518-392-6224Like us on Facebook!Meet Daytona!! This beautiful girl is such a gem! She would do well with a male dog (meet required as she is picky about companions). She has lived in a home her entire life. Unfortunate-ly her family fell on hard times and had to move out of state and couldn’t take her with them. So she is a little confused right now!Daytona is a little unsure in new settings but just needs a little help gaining condence! She is eager to please and a quick learn-er! She is house trained and crate trained. Did we mention she loves kids!! When she saw the small human in her foster home she came alive! She would love to have a small human in her life everyday.If you are looking for a beautiful girl who is just waiting for a place to call her home, Daytona is the girl for you!Out of the Pits, Inc.P.O. Box 2311Albany, NY 12220Info@outofthepits.orghttp://www.taizeshepherdkennel.com/Meet Freya, who true to her name, is the goddess of love! Freya is a 1-year-old American pit bull terrier mix who arrived at the shelter because she and the other resident female dog in the home were getting into scufes. Since arriving at Berkshire Humane Society, she has made many human friends, but will require a home without another female dog. Socializing with people and going outside for walks and romps in the pen are just a few of her favorite activities. Freya can be a bit weary of men to start, but she does warm up quickly and has no issues with women at all. She settles nicely in her kennel with an occupier, but can be a tad vocal when she sees people from her kennel. What can we say, she just wants to be with her human friends as much as possible! If you think Freya may be a good t for your family, please call the Berkshire Humane Society kennel staff at (413)-447-7878 ext. 126 to learn more about her and potentially meet her!This handsome 6-year-old American pit bull is King! He’s a very sweet gentleman who is looking for his forever home, and he’s so excited to meet you! King was brought to Berkshire Humane Society when his owner could no longer care for him or his best friend, Sophie. He has been extremely friendly to staff and volunteers and walks beauti-fully on leash. He doesn’t even mind the rain! Sometime he gets a bit excited, and he tries to rush through doors to see what adventures await him on the other side. But the staff are working with King on learning to “wait”, so he doesn’t get himself into any trouble blasting into the unknown. King behaves wonderfully for bathing and handling, and will love a home where someone will snuggle with him on the couch after a nice long walk or some exercise. He can be a bit vocal, so a home environment would be best for him.Could King be the guy you’ve been looking for? If so, please reach out to the Berkshire Hu-mane kennel staff at (413)-447-7878 ext. 126 to learn more about him and how to meet him!

Page 10

10Keep a Pet-Safe Garden This Spring For folks with green thumbs, the arrival of spring means it’s high time to get outdoors and get their hands dirty. While the garden is a great place to spend quality time with dogs and outdoor cats, warm spring weather also means a host of potential poisoning risks. Many spring plants and com-mon gardening chemicals are toxic to pets in even minute quantities. Keep pets safe this spring by watching out for hazards like these.9 Spring Plants That Could Poison Your PetsThese owers make for an eye-catching garden, but keep an eye on pets around them.LiliesCat owners should be wary of just about any type of lily. Members of both the day lily and true lily families are known to cause kidney failure in cats. A poisoned feline will generally begin vomiting within hours of ingesting lily leaves or pollen and show additional symptoms including lethargy and loss of appetite. Lily of the valley does not affect the kidneys, but contains compounds called carde-nolides which can damage a cat’s heart. If you’re displaying a bouquet of lilies indoors, make sure your cat isn’t tempted to lap water from the vase. Lethal poisoning is comparatively rare in dogs.AzaleasA few azalea leaves alone can leave dogs and cats suffering from excessive drooling, as well as intestinal symptoms. Without intervention from a veterinarian, pets can quickly fall into comas and die.DaffodilsOne of the spring’s rst owers is also a danger to dogs and cats alike due to toxins like lycorine. Small amounts can cause excessive salivation, vomiting, and diarrhea. Larger doses can lead to seizures, irregular heartbeat, and cause a dog or cat’s blood pressure to drop to dangerous levels.CrocusesBoth the spring and autumn varieties of the crocus are potentially dangerous to cats and dogs. Side effects from ingesting autumn crocuses tend to be more severe, including damage to the livers, kidney, and bone marrow. Pets who eat springtime crocuses may experience comparatively mild symptoms like gastrointestinal distress.Sago PalmsA favorite warm-weather plant, the sago palm is often grown indoors in cooler climates. All parts of the plant are toxic, with the seeds packing the highest concentration of toxins. Two seeds are enough to kill a dog or cat after causing depression and seizures.TulipsTip-toeing through the tulips is risky for both dogs and cats. With high amounts of toxic alkaloids, they cause irritation of the mouth and throat. Especially large amounts of these toxins can affect a pet’s heart rate and breathing. If you’re planting tulips this spring, ensure that your pets always keep their distance.BegoniasA popular and easy-to-grow ower, the begonia’s appealing petals belie the deadly toxins hiding in its underground stem. These can irritate your pet’s mouth, lips, and esophagus, and cause swelling of the tongue.HyacinthsThe toxic alkaloids in hyacinths cause symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and tremors in both dogs and cats. In more extreme cases, your pet’s heart rate may rise exponentially and breathing may become labored.ButtercupsJust a small taste of a buttercup can cause lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and an unsteady gait in pets.More Toxic Plants to AvoidCat and dog owners should keep the following plants and owers out of their gardens or at least exercise care when pets are joining in on the springtime fun.• Foxglove• Japanese Yew• Jerusalem Cherry• Morning Glory• Nightshade• Oleander• Trumpet vinePoisonous Gardening ChemicalsIt’s not just plants that spell trouble for pets when springtime comes around.FertilizersMany of the ingredients that make fertilizer effective also make it dangerous to pets. Dog owners should exercise particular care around products including blood and bone meal. Flash-frozen blood and bone make for excellent plant food and they’re often enticing to hungry pups. High quantities of blood meal can lead to vomiting and diarrhea in small doses and pancreatic inamma-tion in larger amounts. The high levels of iron found in fortied blood meal could even lead to poisoning through iron toxicity.Bone meal may please your dog’s palate, but farther down the digestive tract, it can harden to form an indigestible, cement-like ball. These balls often need to be removed surgically.Other fertilizers — particularly those used to grow roses — may contain poisonous compounds known as organophosphates. Just a teaspoon of certain organophosphates could kill a mid-sized dog or cat.Pesticides and InsecticidesAnti-pest chemicals aren’t just hazardous to pests. Large quan-tities can sicken and kill pets too, particularly if your brand of choice includes organophosphates. Pet owners can maintain a garden that’s safe for both pets and the environment by opt-ing for all-natural alternatives to chemical repellents. A simple solution of soap and water may be sufcient to keep bugs at bay without introducing potential health hazards to your pet’s envi-ronment.5 Flowers for a Pet-Safe GardenPet owners have plenty of options for planting a picturesque and pet-safe spring garden. Liven up your front or backyard with one of these plants this year.MarigoldsBeautiful marigolds have natural pest-ghting powers to keep your garden free from pesky insects. Don’t worry about your hungry pet taking a bite. The marigold’s colorful buds are not toxic to cats or dogs.SnapdragonsAdding a pop of color to any garden, snapdragons stand up to cool temperatures. Its petals, stems, and seeds are all safe for canine and feline consumption.African VioletsGrown indoors, African violets can bloom all year round. The colorful, fuzzy petals are appealing to look at and don’t present any pet health hazards.Grape HyacinthsUnlike other members of the lily family, pretty grape hyacinths aren’t hazardous to curious cats and dogs who might sneak a bite or dig in ower beds.NasturtiumPossessing a distinct spicy avor, nasturtium is safe to eat and generally simple to grow in poor soil. Gardeners who are wary of using expensive or potentially toxic fertilizer will especially appreciate how quickly and easily they can plant these owers.Planting a Pet-Safe GardenIf you’re especially passionate about any toxic spring plants, take care to fence off potential dangers to keep them far from prying paws. After gardening, make sure to carefully and thoroughly wash your hands to avoid exposing pets to any lingering toxins. In the event that your dog or cat ingests something poisonous, decisive action could make the difference in saving their life. Watch out for warning signs like drooling, vomiting, and behav-ioral changes and be ready to contact your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center. www.petplace

Page 11

11SCOUT Hilltown Sleddogs still has space in their Summer SLED DOG CAMPS 2024 offer-ing 8 weeks of Day Camp from June 24 - August 28 for Ages 8-15. www.hilltowns-leddogs.com/camps Marla BB, owner of Hilltown Sleddogs, former Blues Singer, Martial Arts/Self De-fense Teacher, Mama & Musher will be re-leasing her rst Children’s Book, “The T’s, U’s, V’s & me! Our Serum Run Story”. Join us on Thursday, June 6th, 6:30-8pm at BOMBYX in Florence, Mass. Marla will read her book, show video & photos from her mush across Alaska, host ques-tions & answer, sign & sell print books & audio books & invite you to meet & greet the serum run nishers themselves, the Hilltown Sleddogs Team! This is the tale of the Hilltown Sled-dogs’ journey across North America to the motherland of mushing, Alaska. They traveled by truck and trailer for 7 days. They trained in temperatures from 35 to 55 degrees below zero for 7 weeks. Finally on a frigid day in February 2020 this team of 12 Alaskan Huskies and their sled dog driver set out to mush 750 miles across the frozen Yukon River and Bering Sea, camping outside for 3 weeks on their way to Nome. From the eyes & ears of the Hilltown Sleddogs & Mama BB we bring you, “Our Serum Run Story by the T’s, U’s, V’s & me!” Marla & her Hilltown Sleddogs will read her Serum Run Story at your school or library. Present Educational Sled Dog Demonstrations at your festival or fair & Motivational Speaking at your corporate events on how to make your decades long dream real...www.hilltownsleddogs.com413-320-8287 cellHILLTOWN SLED DOGSHILLTOWN SLED DOGS

Page 12

12ReliableReliablePet Sitting Pet Sitting CompanyCompanyServing Berkshire County since 1997PET SITTING DOG WALKINGVeterinarian RecommendedP.O. Box 232, Pittseld, MA 01202413.329.5127mhyattreliablepetsitting@gmail.com25Natural Fun FactsDid you know that . . .Bearded Dragons are . . .Bold, healthy, well adjusted Goldendoodle and German Kleinpudel pups available now.Call or text Susan at (413) 717- 9317 BridleWoofgb.com Susan@BridleWoofgb.com535 Egremont RoadGreat Barrington, Massachusetts 01230MARIDAY GEYER• Daily and Overnight Pet Sitting• Dog Walking• Other Services413-446-3336shakerpaws@gmail.comwww.shakerpaws.com• Puppy Skills• Manners Training• Loose Leash Skills• Connection Cooperation & ControlCertied CCC InstructorCertied Pet SitterBonded & InsuredPaw-fessional Pet CareRelationship Focused Dog TrainingRhonda’s ReptilesWe Rescue Reptiles in NeedReptile Birthday Parties & EventsRhonda Leavitt • New Lebanon, NY • 413-446-1059RhondasReptiles.comAnimalkind, Inc.721 Warren StreetHudson, NY 12546518-822-8643Berkhire Humane Society214 Baker RoadPittseld, MA 01201413-447-7878Columbia Greene Humane111 Humane Society RoadHudson, New York518-828-6044Dakin Humane Society171 Union StreetSpringeld, MA 413-781-4000Everybunny Counts Rabbit Rescue618 Matthews St.Bristol, CT 06010Facebook@Everybunnycountseverybunnycounts@yahoo.comGeminis Pampered Greyhounds145 N. Whitney StreetAmherst, MA 01002413-253-4894Greyhound Options43 Sczgiel RoadWare Ma413-967-9088Hop On Home info@hoponhome.orgSaratoga, New YorkHouse Rabbit ConnectionPO Box 2602Woburn, MA 01888781-431-1211OUR LOCAL SHELTERSIn Honey’s Memory Cat ShelterPO Box 147Huntington, MA 01050413-667-0049Kanes KrusadeP.O. Box 1085East Longmeadow, MA 01028Lttle Guild of St. Francis285 Sharon-Goshen TurnpikeWest Cornwall, CT860-672-6346Mohawk Hudson Humane Society3 Oakland AveMenands, New York 12204518 434-8128Mutt Rescue102 Grove StreetChicopee, MA 01020413-594-8144Northeast Avian Rescue East Greenbush, NY OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY HOTLINE: 518-708-6091Second Chance Animal Center1779 VT-7AArlington, Vermont 05250802-375-2898Thomas J. O’Conner Animal Control & Adoption Center627 Cottage StreetSpringeld, MA 01104413-781-1484Westeld Homeless Cat Project1124 East Mountain RoadWesteld, MA 01085413-568-6964• They are named for the scales on the underside of their head that when puffed out resemble a beard.• Bearded dragons are 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) in size depending on species, gender, environ-ment and diet.• Native to the Australian deserts, they have also been known to inhabit woodlands and savannas.• With proper care, beardies can live into their early teenage years as pets.

Page 13

13Small Animal HutchHow Do I Care for a Bearded Dragon? If you’re looking for a more exotic type pet, you might be considering a bearded dragon. Bearded dragons are unique, fascinating creatures that make great companions. But it’s important to know how to care for them properly before bringing one home. In this post, we’ll give you all the information you need to take care of your bearded dragon and ensure he or she has a long and healthy life. So if you’re ready to learn about beard-ed dragons, keep reading! They’re affectionate, relatively easy to maintain, and you don’t have to take them for walks. With just some basic care, bearded dragons can be great pets for years to come. Bearded dragons can live comfortably in a tank, cage or terrarium. Glass sh aquariums are a popular choice as they come is proper sizes, are see-through and easy to nd. Other possibilities include vision cages, PVC cages, or melamine cages. These cages vary in cost and pros and cons. It’s all about what is best for you and your beardie. Whatever type of cage you choose, make sure that it has a lid that is breathable in order to keep the humidity inside the cage to a minimum. As stated above, the size of bearded dragon can partially be determined by the size of their cage. The bigger the cage, the more opportunity for growth, so the bigger the cage you can manage, the better. Most baby beardies do ne in a 20 gallon tank, while adults need more like a 100 gallon tank or larger. Once you have your tank or cage, it’s time to add the necessary accessories.Lighting, think desert sun. Bearded dragons are used to spending their days basking in the hot, dry desert so the tank lighting needs to closely mimic that sun. Your bearded dragon will need two light sources. The rst is a full spectrum UV light that spans the length of the tank. The second light is a basking light that provides heat. This is a bright white light that is capable of making the basking spot temperature of 95-110 degrees. Bedding for the tank should be a solid type material rather than loose. Easy and available materials include newspaper, butcher paper or a great product called reptile carpet. Don’t forget the furniture. You wouldn’t want a living room without a couch, so don’t leave your beardie without some comforts as well. The barebones for furniture would be a basking platform that allows them to get within 6-8 inches of their basking light in order to warm themselves. Don’t be afraid to look into ham-mocks, branches, and hides to engage your bearded dragon and make it more like home. In the wilds of Australia, bearded dragons eat small insects, fruits and vegetables. Therefore, your bearded dragon’s diet should mimic that. Insects are the foundation, especially for a baby beardie. Growing bodies need more insects than the adults, so feed our baby insects 3 times a day to the adult’s one feeding. For both age groups, feed as many insects as your lizard can consume in 10 minutes and then remove the remaining insects. The best insects to feed include: Black Soldier Fly Larvae, Crickets, Earthworms, Locusts, Butterworms for baby beardies only. Fresh fruits and veggies should be left in the tank at all times for your bearded dragon to snack on as he pleases. Be sure to keep them fresh and replace them as needed. A few good choices of both vegetables and fruits are: Bell peppers, Cucumber, Carrots, Cabbage, Celery, Apples, Blueberries, Pears, Plums, Raisins Bearded dragons can also munch on basil, chives, clover, dandelion greens, oregano, sage, thyme. The list of foods not to feed may be more important and include insects that you capture yourself, lettuce and spinach, and avocados. Bearded dragons exhibit some normal behaviors that may seem fairly abnormal if you are not aware of them. The key to knowing if your reptile is sick is knowing what a healthy one acts like. Brumation is a hibernation cycle that occurs naturally in bearded dragons. It usually occurs in the fall or winter in response to lighting and temperature changes. Bearded dragons are individuals and therefore, will each have a different brumation cycle. Some bearded dragons will sleep for the entirety, while others will take long ‘naps’. The brumation cycle can last anywhere from one week to several months. Bearded drag-ons may or may not eat during this period of time, but should retain their normal weight regardless. If your beardie is one that wakes for brief periods during brumation, you can offer fruits and vegetables to see if he has an appetite. However, if he doesn’t eat, don’t worry about it. Shedding is a process all bearded dragons go through. It’s like spring cleaning, out with the old and in with the new, skin that is. Baby dragons will shed frequently to make room for their growing bodies, while adults will shed just once or twice a year. You can help your beardie by keeping him hydrated with warm baths or spray bottle misting. You should not help him by pulling the skin off yourself. When it’s ready, it will come on its own. Signs your bearded dragon is starting to shed include dullness in color and appearance, puffed out eyes as the skin loosens to shed. There should be no abnormal discharge from the eyes or discomfort in your dragon. Now onto the bad weird stuff. We’ve covered the weird things that your bearded dragon will do normally, so let’s hit on some abnormal behaviors that could be signs of illness. Impaction and paralysis. Feeding your bearded dragon food larger than the space between their eyes can cause impaction or paralysis. This is because as the large food bolus moves through the intestinal tract, it can put pressure on the spine causing loss of the use of their legs. You may also notice that your beardie hasn’t gone to the bathroom in a while. To remedy either or both of these problems start by: Bathing in warm water and gently massaging the belly. This helps warm the lizard and get things moving again. Keep your bearded dragon off his stomach. Maybe easier said than done, but you can make a sort of hammock sling that supports his front and hind legs but lets his belly swing free. This will allow gravity to draw the large food products down, away from the spine and relieve that pressure. Make sure you are feeding your bearded dragon the proper sized diet and offering plenty of fresh water. If none of these at-home measures help, it’s time to visit your veterinarian. Diarrhea, on the other end of the spectrum, bearded dragons can experience diarrhea. Mainly due to stress or eating bad food, diarrhea can also be caused by parasites. So if the diarrhea doesn’t go away with alleviating stress and providing proper food, it would time to see your veterinarian. Dehydration can be a concern. Even desert animals need water, so bearded dragons are no exception. Common signs of dehydration include; sunken eyes, lack of energy and appetite, wrinkled, shriveled skin. If dehydration is suspected, offer your beardie some drinking water additives like Pedialyte or sports drinks. If that doesn’t work, you can eye dropper water into his mouth until he perks up. Metabolic Bone Disease is due to a lack of calcium or vitamin D in the diet that causes weakening of the bones. Remember the vitamin and mineral supplements we talked about earlier? Here’s why your bearded dragon needs them. You also need to make sure your UV light is ade-quate and your lizard is eating a variety of healthy foods. Mites, parasites and other things that suck blood. Fortunately your bearded dragon carries around a thick layer of armor that keeps most mites and parasites out. However, sensitive areas such as the eyes, ears, and GI tract are up for grabs. If your bearded dragon is showing any worrisome behavior, whether abnormal or not, it’s worth seeing your veterinarian. www.vetbabble.com

Page 14

14CAT’S MEOWUnderstanding Antifreeze and Its Dangers Dr. Debra Primovic Antifreeze contains a chemical called ethylene glycol, which can be extremely toxic to cats. It’s usually found in car coolants or other automotive products, and its sweet taste makes it unfortunately attractive to our curious feline friends. However, once consumed, ethylene glycol can lead to severe kidney damage or even death. Knowing about this risk and understanding the urgent need to seek professional veterinary assistance for your pet is critical to preventing and dealing with antifreeze poi-soning. You can deepen your understanding by reading our article about ‘Kidney Disease in Cats’, where we discuss a variety of kidney toxicities, including antifreeze poisoning.The Importance of Vet Care in First Aid Situations When your cat encounters harmful substances like anti-freeze, it’s important to emphasize that home remedies or attempts to handle the situation without professional veteri-nary assistance can often do more harm than good. If your cat has ingested antifreeze, trying to induce vomiting at home or giving milk in an attempt to counteract the poison are not recommended. Cat owners need to remember that time is crucial in these situations, and professional help is needed.Keeping Cats Hydrated Prevention is always the best strategy. Responsibly storing harmful substances where cats can’t access them can prevent incidents like antifreeze poisoning. Drinking enough water is also crucial for maintaining your cat’s kidney health. Dehydration can complicate poisoning situ-ations, so always make sure your cat has access to a supply of fresh, clean drinking water. For further understanding about the importance of hydra-tion in cats, consider reading our article ‘Why Does My Cat Drink More Water?’. Additionally, it’s important to keep in mind that if you ever wonder ‘Does Your Cat Need to Drink More Water?,”a visit to the vet can provide the most accurate answer de-pending on your cat’s specic needs.In conclusion, while it’s natural to want to nd immediate solutions such as milk or other home remedies, these ap-proaches will not counteract the toxic effects of antifreeze in cats. Instead, immediate veterinary intervention is imper-ative. Finally, taking preventive measures around the home and keeping your pet hydrated will signicantly help in keeping them safe and healthy. www.petplaceArthritis in Cats It’s not always easy to tell if your elderly cat is suffering from arthritis because the symp-toms are subtle and slow in onset. He’s not likely to show an obvious limp, so you need to look for other indicators that he’s having trouble with mobility. You may notice that he won’t jump up as much, and he may be less enthusiastic about being stroked or brushed. He may even start to go to the toilet outside his litter box if he nds it hard to climb over the sides.DIAGNOSING ARTHRITIS IN CATS While dogs are quite happy to have their legs manipulated to identify where it hurts, cats are much less so. This can make it harder to identify which joints are painful. X-rays can help but this isn’t always accurate either. Some cats with severe arthritic changes on x-ray are quite comfortable, while those with minimal disease can be very sore. Your vet will diag-nose arthritis in your cat based on your description of his behavior, x-rays and by ruling out any other medical causes of his symptoms.KEEPING YOUR ARTHRITIC CAT COMFORTABLE When it comes to treating arthritis in your cat, you need to be careful. Cats are very sensi-tive to many drugs, and they can cause more harm than good. Any drug that you give your feline best friend must be registered for use in cats, and must be used exactly as prescribed. Never give your cat any medication that has been prescribed for your dog or for yourself.There are other ways you can ease your cat’s pain and make him more comfortable. Weight loss. Obesity can make arthritic symptoms worse, purely because your cat’s sore joints have to carry extra weight. If you are going to put your cat on a diet, make sure his weight loss is slow and steady because rapid weight loss in cats can cause hepatic lipidosis. This is a dangerous condition. Glucosamine, chondroitin and green lipped mussel extract may slow down cartilage degeneration and relieve symptoms of arthritis. There are various studies to show that they can help. There are no side effects associated with using these products so there’s no harm in trying them. Sodium pentosan polysulphate, or Cartrophen, has been used to ease the symptoms of arthritis in both cats and dogs. It is given by injection and is very safe. Talk to your veterinarian about Hills prescription diets like Metabolic or R/D or other diets. Consider acupuncture for your cat. It can help with arthritic pain, and it is safe with no side effects. Essential fatty acids such as those in sh oil can have a natural anti-inammatory effect.Manage your cat’s environment. You can remove part of the side of his litter box so he can walk into it easier. Give him a bed that’s at ground level, or build a ramp or some small steps to his favourite resting spot, so he doesn’t have to jump. If the weather turns cold, he’ll appreciate a heating pad or hot water bottle in his bed. Many people think their cat is less active because they are just getting old, but in fact they may actually be in pain due to arthritis. If your elderly cat is reluctant to jump, is grooming himself less and would rather not move around too much, he may have arthritis. The right treatment could quickly put a spring back in his step.

Page 15

15DOG BARKS!Attention Seeking Behavior of Dogs Both we and our dogs engage in a little attention-getting behavior from time to time, and there’s nothing particularly wrong with that – as long as the behavior stays within reasonable limits. If a dog barks at his owner as if to say, “Hey you! Over here,” – that’s perfectly acceptable communi-cation if your dog has something to convey and is otherwise being ignored. Likewise, if you are engrossed in conversation and your dog paws at your leg to solicit your attention, or to be petted, it’s no big deal to respond if you’re up for it. But what you have to remember is that your dog will quickly learn what works and what doesn’t according to how you respond. If you always (or even worse, sometimes) cave into unreasonable requests, you will get even more of the obnoxious behavior in the future. The principle involved is “positive reinforcement,” which effectively ensures that you reap what you sow. Even telling your dog to stop, or reprimanding him, can be rewarding for some dogs. The principle here is that some attention, even negative attention, is better than no attention at all.When a Dog’s Attention Seeking Behavior Needs to Stop Attention seeking behavior can reach serious proportions. Take, for example, a dog that is always barking in your face to maintain your undivided attention, or one that constantly jumps on you or paws you whenever you are talking with a friend. Some dogs try to attract attention by stealing things and chewing them up or even swallowing them. Your hysterical reaction, yelling and chas-ing the dog to get the object back, can be just what the attention-needy dog wants. The game “keep away” that results is, apparently, a whole lot of fun for the dog – especially if you wave your arms around and scream a lot. Other attention seeking behaviors can be really strange. Some dogs develop pseudo-medical attention-seeking behaviors, like faking lameness, following a visit to a veterinary clinic where they have received much attention for their ailment. A toy poodle patient of mine scratched violently at his face for years despite intense diagnostic workups and assorted medical interventions by her veterinarian owner. The problem resolved when the other dog in the house died and resumed when the owner acquired another dog. In retrospect, the dog was scratching her face because she wanted attention, any attention, including medical attention, from her veterinarian owner when she engaged in the behavior.Types of Attention Seeking Behaviors• Barking• Whining• Vomiting• Feigning lameness• Chasing lights or shadows• Snapping at “imaginary” ies• Strange bodily contortions and posturingWhat to Do About It The main principle behind treating attention-seeking behaviors is to ignore the behavior. But it doesn’t work right away. In fact, the behavior may get worse, even more intense or more demand-ing, before it eventually fades away. It’s as if the dog is thinking, “That’s odd – this used to work. I’d better try even harder to make it work again.”Stages of Treatment for Dogs with Attention Seeking BehaviorsThe treatment stages are as follows:-Owner ignores unwanted behavior, say, stealing objects.-Dogs steal more items, more often and dances around in front of the owner to try to get him to intervene or chase him.-The owner continues to ignore the behavior.-The dog starts to lose condence in this attention-getting technique and performs it less frequently.-The owner continues to ignore the dog’s charades.-Dogs attention seeking behavior eventually peters out.Warning If you give in intermittently or succumb to your dog’s charades after a lengthy period of trying to “tough it out,” you will actually reinforce the behavior even more rmly. The dog learns that if he keeps it up, attention will eventually come his way. This is the same principle that keeps gamblers riveted to “one arm bandit” slot machines.Treatment of Attention Seeking Behavior in Dogs Use of a “bridging stimulus” can help speed up successful treatment. A bridging stimulus is a neutral signal or cue that her-alds a particular consequence. The actual stimulus could be the sound of a duck call or tuning fork or the sound made by striking a key on a piano. The noisemaker is sounded at the time the dog is engaging in the unwanted behavior to signal that the owner is about to withdraw attention, perhaps even leave the room. You must follow through after issuing the cue. It must always signal the immediate withdrawal of your attention or the dog will fail to make an association between its unwanted behavior and the inevitable consequence. What the bridging stimulus does is focus the dog’s attention on that point in time when attention withdrawal is imminent. It is not intended to be aversive but rather to be a consistent herald of what is to follow. Attention behavior will melt away more con-sistently and rapidly if a bridging stimulus is used than if atten-tion withdrawal is employed on its own without such a signal.Philosophical Considerations in Attention Seeking DogsIf a dog is always begging for attention there must be a reason. It may be that the dog is being ignored at home or that he is spend-ing too much time alone or in a crate. It may be that the dog is getting insufcient exercise or mental stimulation and has the excess steam to blow off or has nothing better to do. It is import-ant to address these issues, too, rather than just trying to stop the dog from doing something that annoys you. Attention-seeking behavior may be merely the tip of an iceberg of discontent.So, in addition to preventing the unwanted behavior, it is im-portant to ensure that your dog’s lifestyle is all that it should be. Questions to ask and address are:–Does your dog get enough exercise? The minimum is 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise daily (unless a medical problem precludes this amount).–Is your dog eating a sensible diet? Don’t feed your dog “rocket fuel” (performance rations) if he doesn’t get much exercise and spends much of the day cooped up at home.–Is your level of communication with your dog adequate? You should be striving toward greater than 85 percent responsiveness to one word “commands” (verbal cues) such a SIT, DOWN, COME, and QUIET.–Is your dog being rewarded with your attention, petting, praise, whatever, by doing something that you like? If not, start indicat-ing your approval of desired behaviors using these rewards.–Does your dog have gainful employment (“a job”)? If not, try to engage him in some breed specic activity so that he can perform the function for which he was bred, for example retriev-ing/hunting exercises for sporting breeds, running chasing for herding breeds, or snifng things out for hounds.Conclusion on Canine Attention Seeking BehaviorDogs that display attention-seeking behaviors are needy indi-viduals that are probably under duress or are in some emotional conict. Pretty much, any behavior can be reinforced as an attention seeking behavior: Attention-seeking components may be involved in various other behavior problems, too. The atten-tion-hungry dog will do whatever works best to get you to pay more attention.

Page 16

16BREEZY NOOK PET CREMATORIUM, LTD452 Presbyterian Hill RoadStephentown, New York 12168518-733-9896BensDotter’s pet940 Main StreetGreat Barrington, MA413-528-4940Mon-Fri 10a-6p, Sat 10a-4pQuality foods, Equipment and SuppliesANIMALECTORYCrematoryDoggie Day CareOffering Salon Services, Playcare and Training for THE TRI-STATE AREA’S PETSwww.bowmeowregency.com413-229-0035 honor@bowmeowregency.com BOWMEOW REGENCYForanimalsLLC• Behavior Consultations• Private Training• Group ClassesLeea Foran413-445-8843www.trainingforanimals.comLenox Commons • 55 Pittseld Road, Lenox, MA413-637-0800 www.chezpet.comMonday - Friday 10am - 5:00pm, Saturday 10am - 4pmClosed SundaysCHEZ PETYour Neighborhood Pet Supply StoreGroomingShaker Paws, LLCwww.theconnectionpuzzle.netOUR CCC CLASSES CAN HELP!Contact: Mariday GeyerShaker Paws LLC • 413-446-3336shakerpaws@gmail.com • www.shakerpaws.comTaize Shepherd KennelPositive Reinforcement Dog TrainingPrivate and Group ClassesCharlene Marchand • North Chatham, New York(518) 766-3804 • www.taizeshepherdkennel.comGINA’S K-9BED AND BREAKFAST518-329-4675Quality Care Pet Sitting in My Safe, Comfortable HomeCopake, NY 12516Fully insured & member NAPPSPet SittingGINA’S K-9BED AND BREAKFAST518-329-4675Quality Care Pet Sitting in My Safe, Comfortable HomeCopake, NY 12516Fully insured & member NAPPS59 MAIN STREET • LEE, MA • 413-243-1220www.leemeowandgrowl.comMEOW  GROWL P S U SELF SERVEDOG WASH• Fantastic Selection of Dog & Cat Food • Pet Supplies • Leashes, Collars, Grooming Tools • Gifts • Treats• Human Products, Too • Barrington Coffee & Fire Cider(518) 477-7748By Appointment4162 State Route 20, Schodack, NY 12033Becky, Owner & StylistRenee, StylistCritter ClippersDog TrainingFood & SuppliesReliable Pet Siing CompanyVeterinarian Recommended 413.329.5127mhyattreliablepetsitting@gmail.comDog Training411 North Street •• Pittseld, MA, MA 01201(413) 347-8040 •• pampered-pup.comMARIDAY GEYERBonded & Insured Certied Professional Pet Sitter 413-446-3336shakerpaws@gmail.comwww.shakerpaws.comSHAKER PAWS PET CARESERVING CENTRAL COUNTYMASSACHUSETTSGroomingpittsfielD Veterinary Hospital &sHaker Hill pet resort1634 West Housatonic Street (toute 20)Pittseld, MA,, 413-499-1580www.pittseldvet.com, Open 7 Days a Week

Page 17

17VCa all Caring animal Hospital440 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA 413-528-8020www.vcaallcaring.comConventional & Holistic Veterinary Medicine & AcupunctureConventional & Holistic Veterinary Medicine & AcupunctureClass 4 Laser for HealingClass 4 Laser for HealingVeterinariansWood HillVeterinary ClinicOPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK650 ROUTE 295, OLD CHATHAM • 650 ROUTE 295, OLD CHATHAM • 518-392-6224 518-392-6224 WOODHILLVETCLINIC.COMWOODHILLVETCLINIC.COMMichael Delliere, D.V.M.Gwen Hood, D.V.M.Like us on Facebook!ANIMALECTORYWilDlife animal resCueNewhouse Wildlife RescueChelmsford, Massachusetts(978) 413-4085Bluebird Farm SanctuaryCheshire, MA. 413-446-3345 I was driving home one night from work in the beginning of November and rounded a corner on a dark country road. About a dozen pair of eyes shone in my car lights from the middle of the road and then scattered. My rst thought was RACCOONS but I realized with the speed it was a cat with kittens and I stopped. I saw one had stayed on the opposite side of the road as the others. I knew if I kept going it may try and cross and get hit. I got out and followed it down the edge of the road and it suddenly stopped and hunched up. I reached down and picked it up and then looked and said “Well, now what?” I couldn’t in good conscience leave this tiny skinny ball of fur. When you work in rescue and focus on one group of animals (in our case farm animals) you often happen upon other animals and feel the same obligation to care for them. I have picked up a count-less number of animals over the years. It was almost 11 pm when I got home. My husband was asleep so I put the kitten in a carrier and tried to go to bed. The dogs were going nuts. They des-perately wanted to give this strange critter a sniff. I reluctantly put the carrier inside the large clothes closet in the bedroom hoping the dogs would give up. My husband woke up wondering what the commotion was and I just said “Look in the closet” He opened the doors and peered into the carrier. Not sure if it was relief or disappointment in his voice when he said “A kitten! I thought it was going to be a raccoon or something!” He pulled the kitten out to say hi. At this point this beautiful little Siamese was feral. It didn’t take long for him to come around. He had been hungry and cold and now he was being doted on and had a full belly. The dogs love him and having such a tiny baby (approximately 6 weeks old when I found him) around really brought out a side in our older female Siamese we had never seen before. She was suddenly more social! I could have adopted him out to 100 different people. He is gorgeous. But he will stay with us. He has t right in and really adds a little something extra to the craziness here. I went back to where I saw the kittens. I had been told there were constantly kittens around. The farmer would not allow us to trap the female and get her spayed. He considered them his cats and he wanted them. I don’t doubt our baby boy, now named Wayne, would have become fox or sher food had he decided to go in the same direction as his siblings. He was malnourished and probably the runt. Please don’t hesitate to help any animal in need. There are so many voice-less beings out there that are getting the short end of the stick in their lives. Every animal deserves to be living its best life!CHatHam animal HaVen Rescue to Freedom Spotlight

Page 18

18CANINE RESCUE LEAGUES WEBBED SIGHTINGSLooking for a dog? Look here or contact us and we can help! 413-496-8188, anlife@aol.comAFFENPINSCHER RESCUE OF AMERICADonna Wolfe, http://www.affenpinscherrescue.org/AIREDALE TERRIERNew England Airedale Rescue www.newenglandairedalerescue.orgAKITAAkita Rescue of Western New York, www.akitarescuewny.comALASKAN MALAMUTEAlaskan Malamute Rescue of New England, www.amrone.org 413-429-7286 MAAMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIERPittieLove Rescue www.pittieloverescue.orgOut of the Pits, www.outofthepits.org, (Albany NY area) info@outoft-hepits.orgThe Simon Foundation Inc, thesimonfoundation.org, 860-519-1516 CT AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERDNortheast Aussie Rescue & Placement Helpline (ARPH) www.arphinc.com 877-ARPH-779BASSET HOUND-New England Basset Hound Rescue Inc nebhr.orgBEAGLE- B.O.N.E.S./Beagles of New England States www.bonesbea-gles.org admin@bonesbeagles.org 508-473-2228 MABERNESE MOUNTAIN DOGBernese Education and Rescue Northeast Region www.bernerinc.orgBICHON FRISEBichon Frise Club of America, www.bichonrescue.org, 866-473-0722Linda Ferrullo, 845-561-7004 NYBLOODHOUNDNorthEast Bloodhound Rescue www.bloodhounds.com/tbn/nebr.htmlBORDER COLLIENew England Border Collie Rescue www.NEBCR.org, (ME/NH/VT/MA/CT/RI/upstate NY/northern NJ), info@nebcr.org, 800-760-1569Nutmeg Border Collie Rescue, Jalyn White 860-742-6349 CTBOXERNortheastern Boxer Rescue www.BoxerRescue.com contact@boxerrescue.com (all New England)The Boxer Rescue www.theboxerrescue.org info@theboxerrescue.org (MA/CT/RI) 800-471-2030Second Chance Boxer Rescue, www.secondchanceboxer.com, (all New England) juliescbr@gmail.com, 877-281-3146 (shelter calls or urgent issues only) BRITTANYNew England Brittany Rescue www.nebrittanyrescue.orgBULLDOGBulldog Club of America Rescue Network (BCARN) www.rescuebulldogs.org/rescueroster/rescueroster.htmCHIHUAHUAYankee Chihuahua Rescue www.YankeeChihuahuaRescue.org yankeech-irescue@gmail.comConnecticut - rescueconnecticut@gmail.comMassachusetts - rescuemassachusetts@gmail.comVermont - ycr.vermont@gmail.com COCKER SPANIELCocker Spaniel Rescue of New England www.csrne.org, info@csrne.org, 603-547-3363 NHCOLLIECollie Rescue League of New England and Eastern NY www.collierescueleague.org 1-800-296-3265DACHSHUNDDachshund Club of America, National Rescue, guiness7@comcast.net, 904-217-7698DALMATIANDal Rescue of Upstate New York, StoneHillDals@aol.comDalmatian Club of America, www.thedca.org DOBERMAN PINSCHERDoberman Rescue Unlimited www.dru.org/ doberman@dru.org (NH/MA/RI/CT/VT/ME) 603-887-1200 NH ENGLISH COCKER SPANIELEnglish Cocker Spaniel Club of America, www.ecsca.org/rescuehome.htmlENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIELNew England English Springer Spaniel Rescue www.essrescue.org/ GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG German Shepherd Rescue of New England www.gsrne.org (all-New En-gland states) info@gsrne.org, hotline 978-443-2202 MA GOLDEN RETRIEVERYankee Golden Retriever Rescue (New England only) www.ygrr.org Ho-tline 978-568-9700 MA GREAT DANEGreat Danes Around New England Rescue, www.gdaner.orgCarrie Loholdt (MA, VT, NH, CT, RI, ME) gdanerescue@aol.com207-321-2771 ME GREAT PYRENEESNortheast Pyr Rescue www.nepyresq.org 877-528-0637GREYHOUNDGreyhound Friends, www.grey-hound.org (New England/NY/NY) 508-435-5969 MAGreyhound Rescue of NE, www.greyhoundrescuene.org, adopt@greyhoundrescuene.org 508-478-1617 MA Greyhound Pets of America/Massachusetts, www.greyhound-petsmass.org, IRISH SETTERIrish Setter Club of New England, www.iscne.orgJACK RUSSELL TERRIERPauline Clark @www.jacksgalore.orgLABRADOR RETRIEVERLabrador Retriever Rescue www.labrescue.com/ (MA, ME, NH, RI, VT) Hotline 978-356-2982 MALabrador Retriever Rescue-CT www.labrescuect.orglabrescuect@gmail.com, 860-767-0381 CTNorthEast All Retriever Rescue www.nearr.com email: nearr@ne-arr.com Hotline 617-824-4278 MA MALTESEAmerican Maltese Association Rescue, www.americanmalteseres-cue.org, MASTIFFFriends of Rescued Mastiffs, www.mastiffrescue.org, 800-200-5287Mastiff Club of America Rescue www.mastiff.org/MCOARESCUE.htm, RydalmMastiffs@aol.comOLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOGNew England Old English Sheep-dog Rescue www.neoesr.org,781-259-8173 MAPEKINGESEPekingese Rescue Network Inc (NJ, NY, CT, MA, NH, RI, ME, VT) www.pekerescue.petnder.comPOMERANIANBay Colony Pomeranian Club Res-cue, baycolonypomeranianclub.orgPOODLEPoodle Rescue of New England www.poodlerescuene.org Poo-dleRescue@poodlerescuene.org 617-628-1425 MAPoodle Rescue of Vermont, www.poodlerescuevt.org, 802-497-4144 VT, info@poodlerescuevt.orgPUGPug Rescue of New England, www.pugrescueofnewengland.orgGreen Mtn Pug Rescue www.greenmtnpugrescue.comCurly Tail Pug Rescue (NY/CT/NJ) www.curlytailpugrescue.orgRAT TERRIERRatbone Rescues www.ratbonerescues.com, ratbonerescue@ratboneres-cues.comROTTWEILERNorth East Rottweiler Rescue www.rottrescue.org, toll free 866-392-0102SAINT BERNARDSaint Bernard Rescue Foundation, www.saintrescue.orgSAMOYEDMinuteman Samoyed Club Rescue, www.doghows.org/ash/mscr/ , info@samoyedrescue.orgSHIBA INUNational Shiba Club of America Rescue, www.shibas.org/rescue.html, rescue@shibas.orgNYC Shiba Rescue, http://nycshibarescue.org, email: shibas@nycshibares-cue.org, 917-591-3408 NYSHIH TZUAmerican Shih Tzu Club Rescue contacts, www.americanshihtzuclub.org./rescue_committeeShih Tzu Rescue of New England, www.petnder.com/shelters/MA304.html, STRNE1@gmail.comWELSH TERRIER-welshterrierrescue.org.YORKSHIRE TERRIERYorkshire Terrier Club of America Rescue Inc, www.ytca.org/rescue.htmlThe MarketplaceFor SaleRabbits For SaleBerkshire BunniesPurebred Holland Lops and Mini RexLovingly home raised for pets, Therapy animals, & show.Socialized and started on litter box training.Our bunnies are so friendly and have the best temperaments!Specializing in rare, beautiful colors & blue eyes.ARBA registered rabbitry.Otis, MA - call/text 413-329-8904 – berkshirebunniesrabbitry@gmail.comFollow us on Facebook, Instagram & TikTok: @berkshirebunniesrabbitryberkshirebunniesrabbitry@gmail.com

Page 19

19Dog Wags-Breeds from A to ZDog of the MonthChow ChowMonthly Dog & Cat PawoscopePawoscoPesHAPPY BIRTHDAYAriesMarch 21–April 20 Aries is the rst of the re signs; it represents the springtime of the zodiac—time for life’s budding renewal. Thus, pets born during this period are full of vim and vigor, anxious to be out and about exploring their world. You can count on these pets to be headstrong, pushy, curious, impulsive, and energetic. Aries pets have leadership traits and will let you know what they want. They may even be in charge! Even if there are training challenge, they are also very loyal to their family.CAT: If you have an Aries cat, you know it! There’s really no denying these traits. An Aries is always going to be strong, even if your cat is also cuddly and lovable. Being an Aries is all about strength, material possessions, and leadership.Your cat is very likely the one that rules the roost. An Aries cat gets the wrong idea and thinks that they run the entire household. The Aries has the attitude that if you don’t do it, they will, and they’ll do it right. Your Aries cat might seem like they’re condemning you for every last little thing that you do, and chances are, they are!Dog: Aries dogs can get out and about this month in the wilds of nature. It is time to explore somewhere new, maybe visit some places you haven’t been to before. They will get to express all of their playful energy; run, jump, and fetch. Afterward, they can cuddle up with the perfect relaxation snack. The Chow Chow is a spitz-type of dog breed originally from Northern China. The Chow Chow is a sturdily built dog, square in prole, with a broad skull and small, triangular, erect ears with rounded tips. The breed is known for a very dense double coat that is either smooth or rough. The fur is particularly thick in the neck area, giving it a distinctive ruff or mane appearance. The coat may be shaded/self-red, black, blue, cinnamon/fawn, or cream A research study has concluded that the Chow Chow dog breed originated from other indigenous dogs in central China about 8,300 years ago. The ancient breed evolved and manifests both morphological and physiological features, for example; the black/purple tongue, coat of fur, and a stronger build. Chow Chows can come in a variety of coat colors. The American Kennel Club (AKC) has classied Chow Chow colors as either standard or non-stan-dard (rare colors). The standard colors for Chow Chows are black, blue, red, cream, and cinnamon. However, colors such as fawn, white, and merle are not considered standard for this breed. Owning a Chow Chow can raise the cost of homeowners insurance because some companies consider them high-risk dogs. Walt Disney and his wife, Lillian Disney, had a Chow Chow named Sunnee. It was the couple’s rst dog. Allegedly, Walt gifted Lilly the Chow Chow inside a hat box, which inspired the scene in Lady and the Tramp where Lady is gifted in the same way. Sigmund Freud had a Chow Chow named Jo-Fi Ling who attended all of his therapy sessions because he felt that dogs had a special sense that allows them to judge a person’s character accurately, and admitted he depended on Jo-Fi for an assessment of a patient’s mental state.

Berkshireanimalworldaprilissue

Page 1

Page 2

Page 3