BerkshireAnimalWorldJuneIssue : simplebooklet.com

2Nassau PharmacyH e a lt H & W e l l n e s s C e n t e r518-766-27073541 US Route 20, Nassau, NYOpen Mon-Fri: 9-6, Saturday: 9-4Does your pet nd it difcult to takemedications? Do you have to struggle with your pet everytime?LEARN MORE ABOUT COMPOUNDING AND HOW IT CAN HELP YOULIQUID, GELS & TREATSfor an easier way to give your pets their medication *Save $5.00 NOW!* $15.00 Mininum Purchase. New Prescriptions OnlyWE TURN YOUR PETS’ MEDS INTO FLAVOREDAsk our Pharmacy about llingall your pets’ prescriptions125 Humane Society Rd, Hudson, NY 12534 • (518) 828-6044Open daily Tuesday - Saturday 11:30 - 4 • https://cghs.org/Boarding and Daycare remain the same and the food bank is open 7 days a week. Please call with any questions.Pictured with CGHS/SPCA Kennel Supervisor Kayla Shea is Jim Halpert (AKA “Jimmy”), a 3-year-old Dachshund mix. He is neutered and fully up to date on his vaccines. Jim-my was transferred about 3 months ago to the Humane Society from a shelter in Florida. He is heartworm positive, however he has undergone treatment for it. Jimmy is a bit re-served at rst, but once he warms up to you, he will let you give him love and attention. After he gets to know someone, he likes being picked up and held. His favorite spot is on the lap of his favorite human. He doesn’t play much with toys, however he does get a little excited with squeaky toys. Due to his reserved approach with people, we are not sending him home with kids or other animals. Contact the shelter for more information!Hoosick Falls, NY 802-282-2232 call/textCockapoo PuppiesCockapoo puppies. Stunningly beautiful. Approx. 18 pounds when full-grown. Hypoallergenic. Family Raised. Love People. Make great companions. First shots, vet exam. Ready to go. $1,900Rhonda’s ReptilesWe Rescue Reptiles in NeedReptile Birthday Parties & EventsRhonda Leavitt • New Lebanon, NY • 518-794-0078RhondasReptiles.com

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Paws to ReectHello Everyone,SPOTLIGHT on Adopt A Shelter Cat Month 4 Dog Barks-Take Your Dog to Work Day 5Chatham Rescue to Freedom 6Grooming Table-Brush it Out! 6Columbia Green Humane Society 7Cat’s Meow-This Side of Purradise 8Adoptables All Around 2, 9, 11 SPOTLIGHT On–Camping with Your Dog 10SPOTLIGHT On–Cat Photo Display 11Animal Websites For Kids! 12Small Critter Hutch-Ferret Training 13Cub’s Den-Hermit Crabs Part I 14Hermit Crabs Fun Facts 14Guide To Our Local Shelters 14Bird Bath-Communication 15Animalectory 16-17Dog Wags-Monthly Breed– Bassett Hound 17Rescue Leagues & Cat Trainers 18Newsbites Near and Far-Big Cat Protection 19Animals Around the World 19Berkshire Mountain Animal World™ 2018-2021. 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 3, Edition 35Founder: Gayle SchechtmanEditor: Jane NicoleWriters: Kendra BakerIris BassMeg CaronLinda ClaytonGordon FontaineHenry LevinKaren B. LondonCharlene Marchand Thom SmithDr. Debra Primovic - DVMMargie WilsonBerkshire Animal WorldBerkshiremountainanimalworld@gmail.comCRATE OF CONTENTS3Front Photo Credit P.O. Box 1842Lenox, MA 01240anlife@aol.comTIMELY ADOPTABLES ALL AROUND!March Issue Adoptables are from:• Columbia Green Humane Society • Berkshire Humane Society • Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter • Mohawk Hudson Humane Society • Second Chance Animal Center • Out of the PitsCheck out our Canine Rescue League DirectoryWelcome Summer!June is here and it’s so exciting that businesses are opening up, people are out and about and traveling. Should I travel with my dog or not? That’s a question I ask myself every year. I have had a wonderful time traveling with my dogs but sometimes I wonder if it is better for them to stay home and stay safe. Especailly if it is very hot. There are many options if you do leave them home. Boarding at a facility, or veterinarian, or a small private home pet sitter. Having friends watch them, or an at-home pet sitter boarding at your house or nding a pet sitter who will take them into their home. Many choices! Need direction? Email us.We are continuing our training series with different animals. It’s Ferrets this month.Take your Dog to Work Day--June 25thAdopt a Shelter Cat MonthHave a great June!Give all your pets an extra hug from me! GayleBark!Bark!Some of CGHS/SPCA staff members and their dogs have completed their American Kennel Club Canine Good Citi-zen (AKC CGC) certications. This is the Assistant Ofce Manager at Columbia Greene Humane Society in Hudson, NY. Katie Prack and her dog Luna! Page 7www.berkshiremountainanimalworld.com

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4Spotlight ADOPT A SHELTER CAT MONTH With the onset of kitten season it’s no surprise that June has been designated as Adopt a Shelter Cat Month. If you’ve been thinking of adopting a cat, now is the time to do it. And even if you can’t adopt, you can still help out by donating your time, cash or supplies. Below are 5 ways you can help during Adopt a Shelter Cat Month (or any time of year).1. Adopt the Truly NeedyAn unfortunate result of kitten season is that non-kittens are often overlooked. Yes, kittens are adorable, but if you can resist their universal appeal, please consider adopting a cat who truly needs a home.• Black cats: The most common kinds of cat in shelters are black, especially shorthairs. Seeing so many “identical” cats, potential adopters often bypass them for something less common — and what they perceive as more unusual and interesting. Superstitions about black cats bringing bad luck don’t help this situation either.• Senior cats: With so many other younger cats available, cats over 10 years old have little chance of being adopted — and if they’re over 15, it gets even worse. Cats can remain happy, healthy, frisky and affectionate well into their double digits.• Adult bonded pairs: Not many things are sadder than an abandoned pair of adult cats who are bonded to each other. Few people are interested in adopting adult cats, let alone a pair of them who love each other deeply. You just know they’re going to be separated.Although city and county shelters usually euthanize cats with treatable chronic conditions like dia-betes or blindness, many rescues and private shelters try to nd them homes.Instead of looking for the “perfect” cat from the get-go, consider adopting a cat who will grow to be not only a companion but probably also your best bud.2. FosterIf you can’t adopt, consider fostering. Many shelters euthanize animals once their facilities have reached capacity, so every time you or a rescue takes a cat from the shelter, another spot is open for another needy animal.• Bottle-feed a litter: When tiny kittens are brought to the shelter without their mothers, they are often euthanized if a rescue or bottle-feeding program doesn’t take them. Bottle feeding is a lot of fun, and it doesn’t take more than a couple of weeks to wean the kittens.• Foster a mom and her kittens: Keeping the mama cat and her kittens together for at least 8 weeks ensures the kittens are healthier, happier and better socialized. Once you or the rescue have placed the kittens, keep fostering the mama cat until she nds a home.• Foster a needy cat: When you contact a rescue about fostering, request one of the needy cats from the list above. Rescues are often limited to taking only the animals they think they can place. If you offer to foster a harder-to-place cat, then you’re giving the cat a much better chance at nding a home.3. VolunteerIf you can’t foster, consider volunteering for an animal shelter. You can pet, groom and play with all the cats!• You can also help with staff events and participate in humane education programs.4. Donate Cash and SuppliesRescues and shelters always need donations of money and pet supplies, such as unopened food, litter, treats, beds, blankets, toys and grooming tools. Plus, when you donate to a nonprot, you get a tax deduction.5. Social Networking• Rescues, shelters and private individuals often post about cats who need homes. Subscribe to/like a few different pages for organizations in your area.• Talk with your children, family, friends and co-workers, and see if any of them are looking for a cat.• If someone posts an adoptable cat on your Facebook page, tag any potential caretakers.• You can also post and tweet reminders that June is Adopt a Shelter Cat Month.• Zue’s Homemade Soups• Private Party Room• Daily Specials• Full Bar• Gluten-Free Menu• Always Family FriendlyRichard & Elizabeth Zucco(413) 443-8112451 Dalton Ave., Pittseld, MA 0120126 Maple St. Hinsdale, MA& Ozzie’s Mobile Catering413-655-8309/413-446-3303Email – ALANOZZIE4@MSN.COMWWW.OZZIESSTEAKANDEGGS.COMFRIENDLY FREDS1173 Route 9Windsor, MA 01270413-684-3371CHESTER VILLAGE MARKET191 ROUTE TWENTYCHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS 01011413-354-7894Visit Our Website: CHESTERVILMARKET@AOL.COMGATEWAY Farm & Pet59 Russell Road • Huntington, MA 01050 • 413.667.2279Hrs: M-F 8am-5pm • Sat 8am-4pm • Sun closedVisit Our Website: gatewayfarmandpet.comLivestock • Poultry Supplies • Home & Garden Supplies • Boots & Clothing •Automotive . . . and so much more!Family Owned& Operated!188 Berkshire Trl W, Goshen, MA(413) 268-3188Spruce Corner RestaurantLike us on Facebook

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5Dog Bark––SPOTLIGHTMoonshine Package & VarietyIn the Berkshires(413) 637 2477521 Walker StLenox Dale MA 01242• Fashion Jewelry• Scarves• Special Occasion & Bridal• Inspirational GuftsAmazing Selection& Value107 Elm St., Pittseld 413-442-1588 M-F 9-5, Sat. 10-220% Off of Your Total Purchase!• 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 bowmeowregency@yahoo.comTake Your Dog To Work DayFri June 25th, 2021 If your employer is keen on this day, then this article is for you. There are many places where it is dangerous or inappropriate to bring your dog to your job but for those of you who are lucky enough to have this opportunity, this article is for you. The rest of us can dream of the perfect job where we can do this or work from home! Dogs have been man’s best friend far back into pre-histo-ry when they became domesticated by choosing to live and work alongside mankind. From the very beginning, they worked along-side us, hunting and tracking and even keeping us safe at night by growling and barking when danger reared its ugly head. In modern day, this relationship has been forgotten, and the poor pooch is now left to sit at home while we go about our daily busi-ness. Take Your Dog To Work Day is set to change this old policy back again, and bring the happy puppy back into our daily work lives.History of Take Your Dog To Work DayPet Sitters International decided, in 1996, that there were far too many instances of people leaving their animals at home while they went about their workday. These amazing people are dedicated to saving an-imals from local shelters and humane shelters, and helping them nd good homes with people who will love and respect them. As part of this, they developed Take Your Dog To Work Day as an attempt to help restore puppies to the workplace and help people understand the human-animal bond. Pets.com acquired Take Your Dog to Work Day for a while. While they were still standing up and promoting the day, it was promoted by their poster dog Ernie, and then followed him with Sandy. 5000 companies were participat-ing in this event by the end of 2003, and it’s just growing more with every single year. So take the time on Take Your Dog To Work Day to bring your puppy to work and help educate others on the importance of saving these amazing critters from a rescue shelter and the streets.How to celebrate Take Your Dog To Work DayWell, that leaves us with a bit of a no-brainer now doesn’t it? Take your dog to work with you! This doesn’t mean you leave them in the car in the midmorning sun – the puppy should spend the whole day with you by your side. If your work doesn’t have a Take Your Dog To Work Day organized, you can be the one to spearhead this idea and help bring some doggie goodness to your ofce. Who knows, you may nd some more dog fans in your co-workers, and maybe every day will become Take Your Dog To Work Day!The Dos & Don’tsWhile many people will be excited about the prospect of Take Your Dog To Work Day, employers may not be very welcoming. For the businesses who aren’t keen on the idea, it’s important to be polite and not rufe any feathers, your parrot’s excluded.You do need to follow a few golden rules.Reference the company’s policyIt’s management’s job to cross the T and dot the I, so there’s a chance a policy regarding pets in the workplace already exists. With that in mind, ick through the terms and conditions and see what you can nd. It may say that pets are allowed in the workplace because the company is pet-friendly, in which case, you’re ready to rock and roll.Broach the TopicTalk to the top brass in advance. There are nearly a billion owners of cats and dogs around the world, so there’s a good chance they un-derstand the plight of animal-lovers. Leave it to them and let them get around the red tape and bureaucracy. After all, they created it! Collect Signatures Not to rock the boat or anything, but it’s important to show the desire for Take Your Dog To Work Day. A handful of colleagues’ signatures will act as undeniable proof that people merely want to show off in front of their pooches. Dogs aren’t the only ones that experience a boost in catharsis. Take Your Dog To Work Day is a powerful way to boost an owner’s mental health, too. Studies show that pets in the workplace reduce stress and anxiety quite dramatically and that this has an effect on productivity. In short, a dog keeps people calm and focused on the job at hand.What You Should Take to WorkFor those whose employers are happy for dogs to ood the ofce, it’s vital to think about their wellbeing. You may feel as if a dog is safer and more secure in the workplace than at home alone, yet they still need a few essentials:• Water bowl: chasing a career instead of trafc is thirsty work.• Leash: walkies at lunchtime, anyone?• Bathroom: you don’t want your dog to ush your job down the toilet. www.petplace.com

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6CHatHam animal HavenRescue to Freedom Spotlight True rescues and sanctuaries do NOT intentionally breed animals! End of story. If they do, they are simply con-tributing to a problem they are supposed to be helping solve. There are many mini pig breeders that take in a couple pigs and then claim they “rescue.” But how are you rescuing when you are pumping out babies for money and adding to the huge number of pigs that are being dumped or surrendered? This continues as long as people continue to pay money for “teacup” pigs-which by the way do NOT exist. A teacup pig is a starved mini /potbelly pig. These pigs usually grow larger than was expected and start to get bored from being kept indoors and get destructive. Some, never neutered or spayed become aggressive as they are slaves to their hormones. But this article is really about babies. Not breeding does not mean that rescues do not have babies born at their place. Many intakes come in pregnant – such as Snowake the goat we took in in December. Sometimes females are accidentally bred when they or a male are thought to be xed but aren’t. And sometimes, SOMETIMES, there are sneaky little hens. That despite your best efforts at collecting all the eggs daily, they are able to hide that one little egg. And despite shing around in the pile of hemp in which they nest-one single solitary egg gets missed. Yes, Chatham Animal Haven has an “oops” baby. Welcome, Moon Pie, the little bantam baby. You were for sure a surprise and may you be one of a kind here. We aren’t sure if Moon Pie is a male or female yet. We are hoping for a female to help even out our numbers but we will love him/her no matter what. Just look at that face! To follow Moon Pie and all the other Haven animals, check out our Facebook and Instagram pages. Donations are tax deductible and can be made thru PayPal using our email address-- chathamanimalhaven@gmail.com or to PO Box 49 Chatham NY 12037. See you in July with a Babies update!Brush it Out! Don’t Shave it Off!By Kendra Baker Most dog owners regularly deal with furry situations, we be-come accustomed to fur speckled houses or tufts of fur clinging to someone as they get off the couch. We clean our houses rou-tinely (or try) and still the “dog without legs” that drifts around as we walk through the hall keeps returning. How we handle our furry friends’ fuzz depends on the type of coat your dog has. I’ve mentioned in previous articles that there are three coat types: Short, Medium and Long. This article mainly addresses the Medium Coated, or Rough Coated breeds but also the Short Coated as they provide endless shedding fur as well. Generally, all coat types follow basic skin science and proper hygiene is always going to provide the largest benet because healthy, clean skin produces and maintains a healthy coat. So bathing your dog with breed appropriate products every 4 - 6 weeks and thorough-ly brushing out the coat weekly will aid the natural process of the skin cycles and prevent excess shedding. If your dog has a Short Coat you will need a boar bristle brush. Weekly brushing with boar bristles will help distribute the natural oils along the coat and aid in the release of dead fur and skin cells, and most dogs enjoy the soft touch and attention. Medium coats will require a varied set of tools. You will need a slicker brush, but they are not all created equal. Some slickers have short tines (the metal pins) while others have longer tines. The length of fur determines the tine length needed, usually 3” or more of fur will need a long tine slicker. Some slickers are made cheaply by simply mechan-ically clipping the ends of the tines during manufacturing, while higher end slickers are buffed to a smooth tip after the tines are clipped. I would caution any dog owner away from cheaply made brushes as they can scratch the skin and cause little nicks in the coat which can encourage matting. If a brush is well made, it will be pricey but the invest-ment will save you money on dematting services at the groomers, and can save your pup from brush burn (a rash that mimics a burn, caused by the brush scraping the skin repetitively). You will also need a comb to check for tangles. You may also wish to get a good pin brush, but it is optional. A pin brush is for quick, light brush-outs in between major brushouts and can make the challenge of a major brushout a lot easier. When you are doing a major brushout, the best technique to use is called Line Brushing. A good resource is The Leading Edge Dog Show Academy’s “Line Brushing Tutorial: Double Coated Breeds” video on Youtube. There you can see how a professional would set about thoroughly brushing a Medium Coated breed. There can be a lot of work involved in deshedding a Medium Coat, and a lot of dog owners are understandably overwhelmed. Start with one small section and focus your efforts until you feel condent you have done a thorough job. Sometimes in my salon I will be presented with the request, “Can you give my dog a haircut?” Usually they have a Pomeranian, Australian Shepherd, or Border Collie. “He’s full of hair and I want him to be cool for the warm weather.” It used to be a common practice to cut the hair of these dog breeds not that long ago, before professional groomers had access to education based on valid scientic research. However, now we are able to better understand how our canine companions’ bodies work. Did you know there are some dog breeds that you should not shave? Short and Medium Coated breeds have a coat that protects them from the elements, including heat and will not grow past a predetermined length. If we shorten the coat, in an attempt to make them more comfortable, we undermine their natural thermal regulatory system and expose them to the heat we are trying to save them from. We also expose them to harmful elements such as UV light, allergens, irritants, parasites and potential trauma to the skin. Our dog’s skin is 6 - 8 times thinner than ours, and without their fur they have very little to no protection, but when paired with their fur it functions with amazing efcacy. Shaving a Short or Medium Coated breed disables their ability to regulate their tempera-ture. It can also be detrimental to the structure of the coat, which is very difcult to restore once lost. We must work WITH their bodies to keep them comfortable. As much as they are members of our family and we love them like family, we must remember their bodies are very different from ours, and what works for us does not work for them. If ever you have questions about your dog’s specic needs, please call me to learn more. Kendra Baker is the owner and operator of Give a Dog a Bath Dog Grooming in North Adams, MA. (413) 663-4819 Established in Jan of 2020. Before opening her own Salon, she was a manager and groomer at Barks N Bubbles Dog Grooming in Woodland, WA. She is Certied in The Science of Skin by Iv San Bernard, AKC S.A.F.E., and IPG’s PPGSA Standards of Care, Safety and Sanitation, among others. Visit Give a Dog a Bath Online at www.giveadogabath.com for more information about her career.

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7Soft Paws-By Charlene MarchandGray Raven Farm & Country Store(413) 496-3300 • grayravenfarm@verizon.net • www.grayravenfarm.netFEATURE: CBD LIVING PET PRODUCTSHandmade Goats Milk Soap & LotionsLocated at: 65 North Main StreetLanesborough, MA 01237 Visit them on:www.grayravenfarm.netGreat Dane, LUNA. We’re so proud of these young women and their dogs!I have listed the requirements for AKC CGC certication, which has many benets for travel, housing, insurance, and more: The CGC TEST consists of 10 skills needed by all well-mannered dogs. All of the exercises are done on a leash. Test 1 - Accepting a friendly stranger: The dog will allow a friendly stranger to ap-proach it and speak to the handler in a natural, everyday situation. Test 2 - Sitting politely for petting: The dog will allow a friendly stranger to pet it while it is out with its handler.· Test 3 - Appearance and grooming: The dog will welcome being groomed and exam-ined and will permit some-one, such as a veterinarian, groomer or friend of the owner, to do so. Test 4 - Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead): The handler/dog team will take a short “walk” to show that the dog is in your control while walking on a leash. Test 5 - Walking through a crowd: The dog and handler walk around and pass close to several people (at least three) to demonstrate that the dog can move about politely in pe-destrian trafc and is under control in public places. Test 6 - Sit and down on command and staying in place: The dog will respond to the handler’s commands to 1) sit, 2) down and will 3) remain in the place commanded by the handler (sit or down position, whichever the handler pre-fers). Test 7 - Coming when called: The dog will come when called by the handler. The handler will walk 10 feet from the dog, turn to face the dog, and call the dog. Test 8 - Reaction to another dog: To demonstrate that the dog can behave politely around other dogs, two handlers and their dogs approach each other from a distance of about 20 feet, stop, shake hands and exchange pleasantries, and continue on for about 10 feet. Test 9 - Reaction to distraction: To demonstrate the dog is condent when faced with common distracting situa-tions, the evaluator will select and present two distractions. Examples of distractions include dropping a chair, rolling a crate dolly past the dog, having a jogger run in front of the dog, or dropping a crutch or cane. Test 10 - Supervised separation: This test demonstrates that a dog can be left with a trusted person, if necessary, and will maintain training and good manners. Evaluators are encouraged to say something like, “Would you like me to watch your dog?” and then take hold of the dog’s leash. The owner will go out of sight for three minutes. Feel free to call us with any questions at (518) 828-6044 or visit our website at www.cghs.org. Our Food Bank is open to any from the public in need of pet food or for those wishing to donate food from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. Spay/neuter clinics for cats are $86.00 male or female, including a rabies vaccination and a 5-in-1 feline distemper combination vaccination. Nail clipping services are available every Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the shelter for a donation of $10 for cats and $15 for dogs (currently prepaid only). Charlene Marchand is the Chairperson of the Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA Board of Direc-tors. She may be contacted at cghsaaron@gmail.com. 650 ROUTE 295, OLD CHATHAM WOODHILLVETCLINIC.COMWood HillVeterinary ClinicOPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK518-392-6224Like us on Facebook!Grooming Specialist Julie Blenner and her dog Yeti (on the left), and Animal Care Technician Taylor Jackson and her dog Maya (on the right)

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8Tails to Tell™ This Side of Purradiseby Iris Bass BREEZY NOOK PET CREMATORIUM, LTD.“Where your feelings are understood and your presence is always welcome.”452 Presbyterian Hill RoadStephentown, New York 12168Georgi Beebe 518-733-9896Established in 1997289 Dalton AvenuePittseld, MA 01201Phone:413-443-4949Fax:413-443-8500www.allenheights.comElizabeth TullettDVMCertied inVeterinary Acupuncture You may wonder how Berkshire Humane Society acquires its feline adoptees. Some-times, it is by surrender from people who can no longer keep them due to a variety of circumstances, from a new baby to a new home; sometimes, they were pets that were abandoned or slipped out, and had to learn how to survive on their own (see the May Ani-mal World for an article by the Berkshire Humane Society on how to distinguish a cat that is allowed outdoors from one that is homeless). Dubbed semiferal cats, sometimes these latter are the offspring of strays that once had a home, and so unlike their parents, need to learn from scratch that people can be kind and that an indoor life can represent security, not connement. The Berkshires-based nonprot Animal DREAMS humanely traps, neuters, and returns fully feral cats—who are generally too afraid of humans to place successfully in a home—back to their preferred environment and then checks in to make sure they are healthy and fed, but its volunteers are always on the lookout for semiferal/strays that might be amena-ble to adoption, after the organization’s volunteers mitigate issues such cats may have with trust, touch, or territoriality. As described to me by its staffer Jane on May 22, Berkshire Humane Society is currently offering a young feline mother and son, who, thanks to intermediate foster care by Animal DREAMS, are slowly becoming sufciently condent around people to make for a suc-cessful adoption as a pair. Mimi, a white and orange/black tabby tuxedo cat with a beautifully striped face, is esti-mated to be about two years old. Clued by her friendliness, Animal DREAMS believes she once had a home and so she understands all the good things such a life can offer. She was found outdoors by a volunteer not long after having produced a fresh litter of kittens, after previously having borne their older brother, Vinnie, predominantly white with some orang-ey patches, aged about 11 months…making Mimi, in effect, his teenaged mother at the time of his birth. She is a good mom and her babies were not only healthy but easy to socialize and place. For the time being, though, dedicated volunteers are still striving to earn the trust of the more adoption-resistant, adolescent Vinnie, who has only known the semiferal life and is very shy of people. Mimi and Vinnie are closely bonded, and due to their youth and closeness in age, even play together. In a quiet and loving home with someone experienced with the patience and slow progress that it can take to warm up a semiferal cat—with the help of Vinnie’s more people-accustomed mom nearby to model good interspecies behavior!—the two should be able to enjoy a long, rewarding life together, safe from the uncertainties and dangers of a life in the wild. Iris Bass, coauthor of the Cat Lover’s Daily Companion, shares her Lee home with four shelter cats. Her articles follow the special human-feline bond at Purradise, the Berkshire Humane Society Cat Adoption Center. Lo-cated at 301 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA, Purradise has just reopened for adoptions or boarding, Sun 10–4 and Mon–Sat 9–4. Please contact Purradise at (413) 447-7878, to conrm its hours before heading over, or check out https//:berkshirehumane.org to view Mimi and Vinnie or other cats currently available for adoption from the Berkshire Humane Society’s main shelter at 214 Barker Road, Pittseld, MA, (413) 447-7878. After missing last year due to COVID-19, we are again hosting Camp Humane again this year. Camp Humane is Berkshire Humane Society’s popular summer day camp from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday through Friday offering kids a life-enriching experience through hands-on work with animals. Our camp focuses on a variety of animal topics such as local wildlife, farming, pet and shelter animal care, agility training and mi-cro-chipping. Activities include visits by animal experts, eld trips and crafts. Each curriculum is tailored for age and maturity level of students. Session dates are based upon the grade the student is entering in the Fall of 2021.July 19-23 (Grades 3&4), July 26-30 (Grades 4&5)August 2-6 (Grades 5&6), Each session is limited to 12 campers and registration is on a rst-come, rst-served basis. If you’d like to reserve a spot for your child, please send your rst name, last name, contact information and child’s name to aking@berkshirehumane.org. For more information and pirces, please call Alexis at 413-447-7878 extension 137 or visit https://berkshirehumane.org/education/.Jim Wendling Painting & More• Interior & Exterior Painting• Power Washing• Deck Staining, Renishing & Repair• Log Home Staining• Small Carpentry• Vinyl/Aluminum Siding PaintingFree Estimates413-442-3751Free Basic Dog Groomingwith any purchaseExperienced professional painters specializing in: Mother and Son

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9BERKSHIRE HUMANE SOCIETYOur main shelter is now open 10 to 4 Tuesday through Saturday Timely Adoptables All Around3 Oakland Ave. Menands, New York 12204(518) 434-8128 • www.mohawkhumane.orgBerkshire Humane Society214 Barker Rd, Pittseld, MA 01201Phone: (413) 447-7878Berkshirehumane.orgAt this time, all cat and small animal adoptions are being con-ducted by appointment only. Please click the link on our Adopt page (by species) to make an adoption appointment.Hi! I'm PIPER and I sure am charmed! I'm part of the dynamic duo of Piper and Logo, and we need to go home together. I'm a friendly girl that likes to be with people. I enjoy lots of pets, but I get nervous when people reach over my head. I am food motivated, which makes training me a breeze. I don't seem to like other canines, with the exception of Logo.Hi. I’m LOGO. My buddies here don't know much about my life before I got to the shelter, but they are working hard with me to see that the world is not such a scary place. I need to nd that loving, patient owner with a quiet, adult only home.info@outofthepits.orgLogoPiperBJORN is a 3.5-year-old neutered American Bully terrier who is built like a house and has a heart of gold. This handsome grey and white dog is a returned adoption because he didn’t get along with the other dog in the home. Because he doesn’t like cats ei-ther, he should go to a home with no other animals. The rst time he was surrendered was because he’s a bit of an escape artist, sneaking out and running through the neighborhood, so a home with a secure fence is also preferred. Bjorn is friendly, but doesn’t know his own size and strength. He may jump when he’s excit-ed and because he’s a big boy, he is unsuitable for families with small children, because he could unwittingly knock the little ones down in his gooness. This happy-go-lucky boy walks well in his harness and likes to go for rides in the car. Please call Berkshire Humane Society’s Kennel at 413-447-7878, extension 126 if you are interested in Bjorn.Hi I’m Milo a super smart, athletic and playful, 6-month old pup! I enjoy time with my humans, and am also independent enough to do my own thing like lounging in the sun, chewing my Bully Sticks or squeaky toys.I’m already neutered, currently weigh about 60 lbs and I’m a Cane Corso/ Pit-bull/Stafforshire mix so I’m probably still growing. I’m early to bed and early to rise. I sleep about 9-10 hours straight in my crate every night. I DO love to lay on my bed with my people. I enjoy going for walks and am pretty good on a leash. I denitely need exercise and mental stimulation every day because I am a “worker.” I am great riding in the car! I also love meeting new people and my family laughs at how excited I get when I do because I wag my whole butt back and forth – not just my tail!Because I’m so smart and went through puppy training, I know many basic commands like “sit”, “turn around”, “down”, “drop it”. We’re still working on “place/stay” and my trainer says I’m improving every day! I go to the door and ring the bell when I need to go outside. I am 98% potty trained (as long as my family makes sure I go out after drinking lots of water).My rst family loved me a lot, but unfortunately I did not get along with my doggy sister so I need a new home. I was a GREAT companion to my human mom and loved my (older school age) human brother and sister too! They are very sad that I need to nd a new family but they know it’s the best thing. They tell me that my next family will be very lucky to adopt me! To apply for Milo, visit our website: www.outofthepits.orgTo celebrate June being Adopt a Cat Month, we’re announcing our Picky Kitty program. Picky Kitty is a collaboration between Berkshire Humane Society and our partner Animal DREAMS and was created to help cats who, for one reason or another, aren’t suited for shel-ter life. Here are our two rst Picky Kitties available for adoption. Because they’re in foster care, potential adopt-ers must make an appointment to meet them by calling our feline department at 413-447-7878, extension 124. Help us nd these persnickety kitties a home!KUMA is a six-year-old neutered black and brown tiger do- mestic longhaired cat. For fans of polydactyl cats, Kuma is your boy as he has a extra toe on each foot. He was found as a stray and is currently in foster care be- cause. he doesn’t like to use an indoor litter box. He prefers to go outside, so unlike all other shelter cats whom we recommend stay indoors, he needs to be an indoor/outdoor cat.In the past, Kuma has given himself a urinary tract infection by trying to “hold it” too long while indoors. He will use an indoor litter box sometimes, espe-cially if it’s raining or too cold (he’s a Picky Kitty), but having access to the outdoors is a must for him, made easier because he already knows how to use a cat door.RANDALL was a stray found in a residential neighbor- hood where a couple of folks noticed him after a few houses had been sold. He may have been left behind, but there were no missing-cat reports near where he was found.The scared kitty wouldn’t approach people and began acting feral. Fortunately, he found a nice woman who fed him after she realized he was living under her deck. The woman called Berkshire Humane Society and Animal DREAMS for help. He was trapped soon after and brought to the shelter, but he didn’t like the cramped quarters there and didn’t respond well to human interaction. Randall went to live in foster care for Animal DREAMS Working Cat program. After about a month of hissing and telling people to stay away from him, he nally caved in. On Easter Sunday he approached his foster Mom for head rubs. Before she knew Berkshirehumane.org

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Spotlight 10www.theconnectionpuzzle.net• Positive methods• Small classes• Personalized attention• A Unique ApproachOUR CCC CLASSES CAN HELP!Improve your relationshipEliminate pullingLearn relaxationBuild focusand have FUN!CCC LINSTRUCTORMariday GeyerShaker Paws LLCBerkshire County, MA413-446-3336shakerpaws@gmail.comwww.shakerpaws.comPulling?Distracted?Wish you & your dogunderstood each other better?Join us today fora CCC classor private lessons.See what’spossiblefor you & your dog!• Is the campsite pet friendly? This is especially important for campsites located within national parks as you can face signicant nes for taking your dog with you.• Is your dog up to date with vaccinations? While there may not be other pet dogs at the campsite, many areas are accessible to feral dogs and they may carry unwanted diseases. So it’s important to ensure that your pooch’s immunity is high!• Has your dog had their ea, tick and worming treatment? When camping out in the bush, you’re sharing your space with wildlife, who are the natural hosts of many ticks and eas and worms.• Do you know where the closest vet and emergency vet are? Just in case – hopefully you won’t need this! Bring any medications your pet is on.• Are your pet’s microchip details up to date? This can be checked at your local vet, and will help ensure that if your dog gets lost, they can easily nd their way back to you.• What is the weather going to be like? If you are likely to see extreme cold or heat during your trip it may be better to forgo taking your furry friend along with you.Packing Checklist• Lead and collar (with identication tags). A strong durable lead is a necessity for camping as you will need your dog to be on lead most of the time, and you need a lead that won’t break if your dog were to try to chase after something, e.g. a rabbit or possum. • A long lead and stake or a portable fenced pen, so you can contain your dog.• Food and water bowls with food and clean water. Taking bottles of water for your dog is also advisable so they can rehydrate as you travel/explore.• Bed and blankets. A trampoline bed to get them off the cold ground is ideal.• Poo bags, loooots of poo bags!• Towels• Treats and toys• Doggie sunscreen, especially for white dogs or dogs with thin fur around their bellies and nose• Warm coats. Believe it or not, but not all dogs are bred to withstand a cold night.• Booties- While you may feel a bit weird putting boots on your dogs, this is an excellent way to protect their feet from burning hot sand and ants!• Glow sticks. This may sound unusual, but if you do not have a dog collar that lights up at night, attaching glow sticks is a great way to keep an eye on their location at night (especially if they somehow get off lead).Basic rst-aid supplies• Wound-Gard or analogue – an antiseptic spray that helps prevent infection and discourages licking• Tick twister for those nasty parasites. Make sure you know what to do if you see a tick on your dog.• Pressure bandage• Salty water, to clean any wounds• A sickness kit. Include baby wipes, plastic bags, paper towels and air freshener. Many dogs can suffer from car sickness on long car trips, with these amazingly simple tools you will be prepared.• Sock and masking tape, to put over a leg/paw if they get injured to stop them licking their wound on the way to the vet• Some moisturizing balm, to protect their paw pads in dry and cold weather• Ear and eye cleanerOptions for Camping During the DayMost campers do spend some time relaxing at the campsite, and ideally you don’t always want to be attached to the lead! A long lead and stake is a great and simple way to anchor your dog at the campsite and allows them to explore their surroundings.If you have multiple dogs it’s best to space them out so your relaxation time doesn’t become untan-gle-the-dog time! Alternatively you can take along a portable fenced pen, just make sure your dogs aren’t likely to escape from it. If you choose to keep your dog contained while at the campsite, it is important to ensure they always have access to shade, somewhere to toilet, bedding and water.Safety tip: tents, like cars, can get very hot very quickly no matter what season it is so you should NEVER leave your dog unattended in a tent. If you cannot guarantee that you can take your dog everywhere with you then it is best to organize a pet sitter or boarding.Options for Camping at NightThe easiest, and generally the option that provides most peace of mind for campers, is to let the dog sleep in the tent at night. This also allows you to take advantage of their body heat for warmth! Simply put their bedding in the tent next to your sleeping bag and snuggle up. If you would prefer that your dog is outside, taking along a col-lapsible crate would provide the safest option for your pet. Place it in a secure area that’s preferably shielded from the elements (if you have a tent with a front section this would be a great place). Ideally you want to avoid keeping your dog tied up at night as dogs can easily tangle themselves, and there is a higher risk that they could escape when they see a possum or other nighttime creatures roaming about, or get attacked by a lock predator. Wherever you choose for your dog to sleep it is important that they are warm during the night. A trampoline bed within the crate will allow your dog to be up off the cold ground and extra blankets are always helpful. For dogs which do not have a heavy coat you may want to take a jacket for to sleep in. If it’s going to be super cold at night, or you are traveling in high heat, inside the tent is the ideal place for them to be, If not you may want to consider relocating to dog friendly accommodation like a motel or hotel or Inn, boarding them at a safe facility or cutting your holiday short.Things to Know Before Going on Your Camping Trip

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13Small Critter HutchPAW-FESSIONAL PET CARESERVING CENTRAL COUNTYMARIDAY GEYERBonded & Insured Certied Professional Pet Sitter• Dog Walking• Daily and Overnight Pet Sits• Pet Taxi Services• Other Services as Requested413-446-3336shakerpaws@gmail.comwww.shakerpaws.comSpecializing In Your Dog!Services Include:• Day School• Obedience & Canine Education• Day Care & Day Train Options• Board & Train Options• Group Obedience• Agility ClassesAll of Your Canine Needs including Leashes, Collars, Toys, Food Dishes, Foods, Organic Treats, Unique Boutique Items and More!Gift CertifiCates available200 Main Street, Williamstown, MA 413-458-6087 • www.nbk9.comYour 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.comFerret Training Randy Horton, director of Especially Ferrets, the largest ferret shelter in North America, located in suburban Denver, insists he once saw a ferret play “Chop-sticks” on the piano. He has never been able to teach one of his own animals a trick quite so astounding. “I haven’t got any to hold still long enough to play dead,” says Horton, but he says more run-of-the-mill tricks such as “sit,” “come,” “roll over” and “beg” are easily within the average ferret’s training repertoire. In short, if a dog can learn to do something, so can a ferret. Make It FunAs with any sort of training – whether it’s teaching your ferret to dance the macarena or simply to use the litter box – the key is to make it fun for the animal. That means lots of praise, lots of treats and short lessons. “If you make it a chore, they resist learning,” says Horton.As with training a dog, the best place to start is by getting the ferret to recognize her name and respond to it. To do this, say the ferret’s name over and over again. When your ferret nally looks up at you when you say her name, reward her with a treat. Keep saying her name – and rewarding her every time she looks at you in response. Eventually, the ferret will drop what she’s doing and come running whenever she hears you calling – as long as she knows you’ll make it worth her while. Ferrets Expect a PayoffThat may be the chief difference between training a dog and training a ferret. Both animals are bright, say behaviorists, but ferrets are much less motivated to do anything just to please their human companion. With ferrets, this trick business is just that: a business. They expect to receive a payoff. After your ferret learns to respond to her name, the next step on the trick ladder is typically to teach the animal to “sit.” To train your ferret to sit on command, hold a treat above her head high enough so she’ll have to sit up to reach it. While she’s reaching for the treat, say “sit.’’ Each time you repeat this, move the treat a bit higher. Eventually, your ferret will sit up even when she can’t see the treat – though as noted earlier, there had better be a treat at the end or the game is over fast.Teaching Her to “Roll Over”“Roll over” is also simple to teach. Just get your ferret to lie on her belly – then give her a treat. Then roll her over on her back while saying “roll over” and scratching her belly – and give her a treat. Keep rolling her over, giving her bodacious scratches – and plenty of treats. “Next thing you know, she’s rolling over all over the place, trying to get a treat,” Hor-ton says.Riding around on a human shoulder is a popular ferret trick. Trainers ad-vise that it’s best to begin while sitting on a bed or other soft place so no one gets injured in an accidental fall. Gently stroke the ferret, offering her treats for calm, still behavior. The ferret will soon learn that sitting still and riding around up high off the ground is fun.Horton says he’s sometimes been surprised at the tricks that ferrets have learned on their own. He remembers the night Linus, a female ferret at the shelter, got into a pile of toys that had been donated earlier in the day and hadn’t yet been distributed. “We had about 50 toys on the oor,” he says. “She got into them and sorted them all by color. She had them all in a bunch of little piles. There was a little pile of pink rats over here, a pile of yellow birds over there, all stacked nice and neat. That was the most extraordinary thing I ever saw.” Reprinted with permission from petplace.com

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14HERMIT CRABS FUN FACTSCUB’S DENAnimalkind, 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 Animal Shelter171 Union StreetSpringeld, MA 413-781-4000163 Montague RoadLeverett, MA413-548-9898Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter875 Crane Ave.Pittseld, MA413-448-9800Everybunny Counts Rabbit Rescue618 Matthews St.Bristol, CT 06010Facebook@Everybunnycountseverybunnycounts@yahoo.comGeminis Pampered Greyhounds145 N. Whitney StreetAmherst, MA 01002413-253-4894Greyhound Options43 Sczgiel RoadWare Ma413-967-9088OUR LOCAL SHELTERSHop On Home info@hoponhome.orgSaratoga, New YorkHouse Rabbit ConnectionPO Box 2602Woburn, MA 01888781-431-1211Kanes 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 01020413-594-8144Second 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 01085413-568-6964HERMIT CRABS – Land or Sea:Part 1: LANDBy Thom Smith All too often, because of their low price, land hermits are purchased on a whim with little knowledge on keeping one healthy. As crabs go, hermits are not dumb, whether land or marine and should be treated as you would any pet. Both land and marine (ocean) should have a good size tank with a cover. So when getting the enclosure, a glass aquarium, my rule is a 5-gallon tank for one small land hermit. A couple of marine hermits require a minimum of a ten-gallon tank. More or larger speci-mens require larger tanks. Land crabs need branches for climbing and small ceramic or clay ower pots for hiding. For marine crabs, a piece of articial coral is a thoughtful addition. BOTH need an assortment of shells of various sizes. They “enjoy” trying on shells, and as they grow, need a larger home. And a few different ones will allow them to make a choice that suits them. Often you can get larger shells at a craft shop. Get several and rinse, boil for a few minutes, then rinse again before placing in with your crabs. A larger tank will allow more space for both land and sea crabs. And think large, especial-ly for land crabs. If well cared for, they can live ten or more years. Add a secure lid to the tank. Hermit crabs are escape artists. And while on the subject, both animals will benet by having humidity. If you choose a mesh lid, place a piece of plexiglass to hold the moisture in, but have it about an inch short so air can circulate at both ends. For land crabs about dime size, either sand or coconut ber needs to be placed on the bottom; three inches works well at one end, at the other 5 inches. The deep end is for when your crab wants to hide to molt. If your crab is about the size of a ping-pong ball, give it about 7” of a substrate at one end.75 to 80 degrees F is an ideal range to keep your pet. An under-tank heater is acceptable for land hermits; for those that come from the sea, an in-tank heater is best. Have the heat source at either end, not in the middle. Land crabs need a shallow water dish (bottled water is best unless you want to age your water to ensure the chlorine has evaporated). Always make sure there is a way for the crabs to climb out of their water dishes. Put small shells or pebbles in the container to ensure the crabs can climb out. Some keepers suggest two water dishes, one with saltwater the other with fresh water Offer land crabs pieces of apple, banana, blueberries, coconut, papaya, coconut, man-go. Small amounts of pasta (cooked) and offer a little meat that can include chicken, beef, mealworms. And offer commercial crab food a few times a week. Mist your tank daily to ensure humidity, but not so much the bottom doesn’t get soaked. Don’t handle your pet needlessly; some get stressed and will only hide in their shell.Like any other pet, check your pet shop for literature on what you want to get! Thom Smith, now retired, was offered the position of Children’s Department Head at The Berkshire Museum in 1960 and began developing live exhibits before the end of the decade. He helped design, build, and opened the museum’s aquarium/zoo in early 1970 and in 1985 relocated the expanded aquarium and vivarium in 1985 to a larger space. For nearly 50 years continued work with animals at the museum eventually earning the title Natural Science Curator. • Hermit crab can reach 0.5 to 16 inches in length, depending on the species.• Hermit crab is usually reddish, orange or brown-colored, with or without purple spots on the body.• Hermit crab has soft, asymmetrical abdomen, 10 legs and 2 large claws. Left claw is larger and it serves as a weapon against predators such as cuttlesh, squid, octopus and different types of sh.• Hermit crab uses different types of abandoned shells, usually of sea snails, to protect its soft body and provide moist environment for its gills.• Hermit crab has two long ocular stalks with eyes on the top and antennas which serve as sensory organs.• Both marine and land hermit crabs use gills for breathing. Land hermit crabs require very humid air (with at least 70% of humidity) to survive. Despite well-developed gills, land hermit crabs cannot breathe under the water.• Hermit crab is a nocturnal creature.• Hermit crab is an omnivore. Its diet is based on sh and sea inverte-brates. Fruit, vegetables, meat, leaves and bark are often consumed in captivity.• Despite its name, hermit crab is not a solitary creature. It lives in large colonies of 100 or more animals.• Hermit crabs often exchange and occasionally ght with other hermit crabs to conquer better shells.

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15BIRD BATH-NESTINGBy Michael Corral Everyone loves eggs. There is not a predator or omnivore worth its salt that does not seek out these nutritious treats. So birds, who can easily es-cape predators, have a prob-lem, how to protect their eggs. The answer is a nest, but we shall see there are may types of nests. Probably the most primitive is of the megapodes who bury their eggs just like reptiles. They dig a hole, lay eggs, and then cover with vegetation and let the decaying matter warm the clutch. They do frequently return to take the nest’s temperature with their beak; too warm, they clear away some of the mound, to cool, they cover it more. After a long incubation period the chicks emerge fully feath-er and ready to scamper off to the jungle with no help or protection from their parents. Other birds protect their eggs not by making a nest but by putting the eggs in inaccessible places like cliff ledges. Many birds of prey do this, so to many species of sea bird and even a species of goose. The eggs are well protected but the high cliff makes the edg-ing’s rst ight a perilous one. Other birds make a nest in a hole in the ground. There are burrowing owls who associated with prairie dogs and also many sea birds like pufns and penguins that seek the protection from gulls and skuas by nesting underground. In many cases this would be on an island with no land pred-ators. Birds like shearwaters have suffered when rats or foxes are introduced to the island. Holes in trees are also a good place to raise a family. In the tropics there are snakes that specialize on raiding these cavity nests. A species of hornbill chooses a rather large hole for they are large birds, after mating, the female lays a clutch of eggs and then she and her mate seal her in with a mud wall that dries to almost like cement. They leave a small hole and the male passes food to his mate. When the eggs hatch and the cavity gets too crowded, she chisels her way out and then the pair cover it up t again, leaving a small hole to pass fruit, in-sects and an occasional small reptile for food to the hungry young hornbills. Eventually they will break out of their nursery prison and join the rest of the world. Holes in trees might be hard to come by so the most common place to put eggs is in a nest made of natural materials in an inaccessi-ble place. Many nests are like the robins are a grass and mud cup hidden deep in a bush. Wood warblers often build their nest on the forest oor, the most notable of which is the Oven Bird, which covers its cup with a dome to look like and old-fashioned oven and also very hard to nd. Many birds pick a site far out on a slender branch that would be too light for any predator to reach. Some go further and hang the nest from the very end of the branch forming a basket. The weaver nches will pick a tree in a village where many will nest, it is said that humans got the idea of making baskets of palm or ba-nana leaves by watching the weaver nches work. Then there are birds that make no nests at all and do not care for their young. They are collectively called nest parasites and seek out nests to deposit their eggs to be raised by unwitting foster parents. In the Americas cow birds do this and in Europe and Africa, cuckoos, among others. An odd relationship seems to be developing between two tropical species, the oropendola, that makes a hanging basket nest and a tropical species of cow bird. The oropendola’s nestlings frequently suffer from boty infestations, which can kill them, but when the nest has a foster cow bird nestling, the chick will happily eat all the boty larva, protecting the biological parent’s offspring. Michael Corral Master’s Thesis was on Red-winged Blackbird song. He has contriuted to a number of scientic journals, written a text on Ornithology and wrote many articles for Animal Life Publication. He taught in the Berkshires since 1980 and retired in 2011. He now teaches in Cambodia.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 Hospital

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16Food & SuppliesBREEZY NOOK PET CREMATORIUM, LTD452 Presbyterian Hill RoadStephentown, New York 12168518-733-9896bensDotter’s pet940 Main StreetGreat Barrington, MA413-528-4940Mon-Fri 10a-6p, Sat-Sun- 10a-4pQuality foods, Equipment and SuppliesANIMALECTORYCrematoryDoggie Day CareOffering Salon Services, Playcare and Training for THE TRI-STATE AREA’S PETSwww.bowmeowregency.com413-229-0035 bowmeowregency@yahoo.comBOWMEOW 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 StoreMark Newton413-446-8261markspetcare@gmail.comLike Us On Facebook!STONEWOOD GERMAN SHEPHERD KENNELSBreeding for Good TemperamentExcellent Bloodlines, AKC RegisteredDog BreedsTRUE BALANCEAnimal WellnessThe Canine Aquatic Gymwww.truebalanceanimalwellness.comHome visits and swimming for your canine companions Equine Myotherapy413-429-6879Animal WellnessGoat ProductsGray Raven Farm & Country Store(413)496-3300 • grayravenfarm@verizon.net • www.grayravenfarm.netNew Location: 65 North Main StreetLanesborough, MA 01237Handmade Goats Milk Soap & Lotions & Much More!Control • Cooperation • Connectionwww.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.comDog TrainingNorthern Berkshire K-9Services Include:• Day School• Obedience & Canine Education• Day Care & Day Train Options• Board & Train Options• Group Obedience• Agility Classes200 Main Street, Williamstown, MA 413-458-6087 • www.nbk9.com15% OFFAlpha K9 Dog TrainingDog training in the comfort of your homeAll ages, breeds, and behaviors(518) 392-0263 mcaron592@gmail.comStonehill Kennels345 Sharon Turnpike, Goshen, CT 06756860-491-2202, K-9one4u@msn.com• All Breed Dog Training•Dog Boarding• Companion Dogs for Sale • K-9 Professional ServicesGINA’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 CiderCustom Pet CharmsImage transfer to metalPerfect for year-roud gifts for the animal loverdiane.rtell@gmail.comCustom Pet Jewelry and PortraitsLove Us And Leave Us1525 West Housatonic Street, Pittseld, MA 01201and 915 Pleasant Street, Lee, MA 01238Pittseld: 413-394-5823 Lee: 413-464-9200www.loveusandleaveus.comHours: Monday-Friday: 7am-6pmSaturday-Sunday: 9am-6pm*All dogs must be in by 11am*Find us on FACEBOOKwww.thespicypurrito.comHandmade cat toys and cat-themed, accessories and decorThe Schenectady Trading Company Gift Shop609 Union Street, Schenectady, New York • (518) 630-8397spicypurritocrafts@gmail.comCat Toys & Accessories

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17Maryann Hyatt-OwnerINSURED• BONDED413.329.5127mhyattreliablepetsitting@gmail.compittsfielD veterinary Hospital& sHaker Hill pet resortOPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK • www.pittseldvet.com413-499-1580 • 1634 West Housatonic St. (Rt. 20)Pittseld, MA 01201vCa 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!Phone:413-443-4949 • www.allenheights.com289 Dalton Avenue, Pittseld, MA 01201Elizabeth Tullett, DVMCertied in Veterinary AcupunctureALLEN HEIGHTS VETERINARY HOSPITALSHAKER PAWS PET CARESERVING CENTRAL COUNTYMASSACHUSETTSMARIDAY GEYERBonded & Insured Certied Professional Pet Sitter 413-446-3336shakerpaws@gmail.comwww.shakerpaws.comRabbitsWebsites that provide information about people and animals during Covid-19:www.AKC.org • www.avma.org • cdc.gov • www.AAHA.orgwww.americanhumane.org • AKC-CHF: Coronavirus Information for Dog OwnersFOOD HELP FOR PEOPLE WITH ANIMALS:Berkshire Humane Society • Mohawk Hudson Humane SocietyColumbia Green Humane Society • www.petpartnersberkshires.orgCheck with: Your Local Food Pantries: www.foodpantries.org • www.foodbankwma.orgDog Wags-Breeds from A to ZThe Basset Hound The Basset Hound stands no higher than 14 inches at the shoulder but, with his remark-ably heavy bone, powerful little legs, and massive paws, he possesses big-dog strength and stamina. Bassets are famous for a large, domed head that features extremely long, velvety ears, mournful eyes, and a wrinkled brow, which give the breed the look of a sad clown. Built more for endurance than speed, the Basset moves in a deliberate but effortless man-ner. The breed’s scenting ability is uncanny; it’s said that among dogs only the Bloodhounds nose is more accurate. Mild and agreeable at home, the Basset is stubborn on the trail and barks in a loud, ringing voice. Although they may not be wild- ly demonstrative in their affections, they are steadfastly loyal. The Basset Hound is a friendly, outgoing, and playful dog, tolerant of children and other pets.They are extremely vocal and famously de-voted to tracking. They are also widely known for being stubborn. Prospective owners must be prepared to handle bassets rmly and patiently. Bassets are large, short, solid and long, with curved sabre tails held high over their lower backs. An adult dog weighs between 44 and 77 lb. This breed, relative to its size, is heavier-boned than any other. The Basset’s short legs are due to a form of dwarsm. This breed, like its ancestor the Blood-hound, has a hanging skin structure, which causes the face to tend to have a sad look; this, for many people, adds to the breed’s charm. The dewlap, seen as the loose, elastic skin around the neck, and the trailing ears which along with the Bloodhound are the longest of any breed, help trap the scent of what they are tracking. The Basset’s skull is characterised by its large long nose, which is second only to the Bloodhound in scenting ability and number of olfactory receptor cells.In addition to ear problems, basset hounds may be susceptible to eye issues. Because of their droopy eyes the area under the eyeball can collect dirt and become clogged with a mu-cus. Basset Hounds are prone to yeast infections in the folds around the mouth, where drool can collect without thoroughly drying out. Basset Hounds have been featured in popular culture many times. Berkshire 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: @berkshirebunniesrabbitry

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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.orgBEAGLEB.O.N.E.S./Beagles of New England States www.bonesbeagles.org ad-min@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.htm CHIHUAHUAYankee 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 www.crlne.org, crlneinfo@aol.com Hotline 802-222-5124 VT DACHSHUNDDachshund 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 Hotline 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.htmlPositive Reinforcement Cat Trainers in Western Mass and Beyond! Paws of Nature Dog and Cat Behavior & Training ServicesServing Northern CT and Western MACall 413-642-5442Pet Behavior ConsultingCertified behavior Consultant for cats and dogsGranby, Ma413-230-9873ForAnimals: Positive Pet Training techniques for dogs and cats(See ad page 12)The MarketplaceFor SaleRabbits For Sale• ANGORA RABBITS FOR SALEGrow your own luxury ber!Our bunnies are handled from birth. Excellent support before and after sale.Visit them at www.llamafanatics.comDiane Droescher, Laurel Ledge Farm413-275-2230

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19CUB’S DENtHe WorlD of animalsNational Animals From Around the WorldMEXICOMEXICO MEXICOAXOLOTLXOLOITZCUINTLEJAQUARNewsbites Near and FarWill Senate Pass this Big Cat Protection Bill? It’s not uncommon to spot stray cats out and about from time to time, no matter where you live. Around ten million pets wander away from home each year, and thanks to microchipping, many ulti-mately nd their way back. Some folks in Houston encountered a decidedly more unusual sight when they spotted India, a nine-month-old male tiger who got loose and evaded capture for nearly a week. Authorities managed to locate the exotic feline with the help of hundreds of calls from concerned citizens. He’s now safe and sound in Murchison, Texas at the Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch, a shelter man-aged by the Humane Society of the United States.Animal advocates are hopeful that India’s story may help restart discussions around H.R. 151, better known as theBig Cat Public Safety Act. The bill, which has bipartisan support, passed in the House of Representatives just before 2020 drew to a close. It’s now up to the Senate to decide what happens next.The Big Cat Public Safety ActWhen the COVID-19 pandemic rst forced people indoors, Netix’s Tiger King became an instant word-of-mouth hit. The miniseries brought renewed attention to the issue of unlawful and unethical exotic cat ownership. It played a direct role in Illinois Representative Mike Quigley’s decision to spearhead authorship of the Big Cat Public Safety Act. He made explicit reference to the series on the oor of the House remarking, “Tiger King showed the world in stark relief how exploitative, dangerous, and inhumane this tiny so-called industry is.”Quigley’s bill would largely prohibit private ownership of wild cats including lions, tigers, leopards, cougars, and jaguars. Exemptions would apply for institutions like sanctuaries, universities, and zoos. Many individuals who already own big cats would also be exempt-ed, though the bill would require them to register their pets with the appropriate authorities. The Big Cat Public Safety Act would also outlaw petting zoos featuring wild cubs and prosecute anyone offering opportunities to feed or take photos with these animals. Current-ly, cubs are often separated from their mothers shortly after birth for these purposes. The process can be a traumatizing one, especially when they suffer abuse at the hands of their owners.Among the bill’s many co-sponsors was Representative Susan Collins of Maine. Collins noted, “Big cats like lions, tigers, and chee-tahs belong in their natural habitats, not in the hands of private owners.” Opponents of the bill, such as Utah Representative Rob Bish-op, maintained that it would have negative ripple effects for small zoo owners. These arguments were greatly outnumbered and the bill passed easily with a 272-114 vote.Advocating for Big CatsChampions of the bill include Carole Baskin, one of the colorful characters made famous by Tiger King. In the wake of India’s journey throughout Houston, Baskin called on the Senate to act. “Tigers are hardwired to roam hundreds of square miles,” she said, “so there’s no cage that’s going to be sufcient for them.”India’s new handlers are also big fans of the bill. Noelle Almrud, the Black Beauty Ranch’s Senior Director, says, “We are staunch supporters of the Big Cat Public Safety Act.” She also assures concerned feline fanciers that India will never have to wear a collar again.MEXICOMEXICOAMERICAN BIRD GRASSHOPPEROCELOTEwww.berkshiremountainanimalworld.com

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20 CCAARRIINNGG FFOORR PPEETTSS SSIINNCCEE 11995577 BBEENNSSDDOOTTTTEERR’’SS PPEETT 940 MAIN STREET, GREAT BARRINGTON MA 413-528-4940 QQuuaalliittyy FFooooddss,, EEqquuiippmmeenntt aanndd SSuupppplliieess CCoonnvveennttiioonnaall aanndd RRaaww FFoooodd DDiieettss ffoorr eevveerryy bbuuddggeett,, ffoorr eevveerryy lliiffeessttyyllee,, ttoo eevveerryy ttaassttee PPeett WWeellllnneessss iiss OOuurr SSppeecciiaallttyy RRaaww FFeeeeddiinngg iiss OOuurr PPaassssiioonn AA LLiittttllee BBiitt CCoonnvveennttiioonnaall.. AA LLiittttllee BBiitt AAlltteerrnnaattiivvee.. AA WWhhoollee LLoott DDiiffffeerreenntt!! Looking for a proven, tried and true dry, kibbled dog food? Try Abady’s corn-free, soy-free, wheat-free, and legume-free dry, kibbled Chicken and Rice or Lamb and Rice formulas. Over 80% of the protein in these foods comes from animal sources. Looking for quality canned foods for all life stages? Check out Abady’s canned formulas that begin with your pup’s weaning and carry through the needs of all life stages, including the special needs of older dogs. In the market for an affordable, complete and balanced raw food diet? Abady brings it home to you in 1lb and 3lb chubs for dogs and cats. And, finally, a pet food formulation such as you’ve never seen before (unless you’ve hung out at the Abady tent sometime in the last 40 years). Abady’s dry “granular” is available in a variety of formulas: Basic, Classic, Puppy, Large Breed Puppy, Giant Breed Puppy, Toy Dog, Older Dog, and other tried and true state-of-the-art options. Feeds well alone, but, unlike dry, kibbled dog foods, Abady granular is also suitable for mixing with raw food diets. Over 90% of the protein in Abady granular formulations is from animal sources. Abady is a family-owned and operated northeast brand, manufactured in Poughkeepsie. Delivered direct to us from (and by) the good folks at the Abady Dog Food Company. YYoouu ccaann ffiinndd uuss oonn RRoouuttee 77 lleessss tthhaann aa mmiinnuuttee ssoouutthh ooff tthhee GGrreeaatt BBaarrrriinnggttoonn GGuuiiddoo’’ss!! MMoonnddaayy -- FFrriiddaayy 1100aa -- 66pp SSaattuurrddaayy 1100aa -- 44pp cclloosseedd SSuunnddaayy ABADY has been manufacturing dog and cat foods for over 40 years, and we at BensDotter’s have been feeding it for over 30, while selling it for over 10. ABADY’S expertise as veterinary nutritionists, coupled with their decades of manufacturing experience has enabled them to make what we think is the best pet food on the market today.