MetroPet November09

November 2009November 2009

FrFree to Readersee to Readers

MetroPet_Nov_09.2 Barb 12/10/09 2:39 PM

NOVEMBER 2009 • MetroPetMag.com 3

In Every Issue

4 The Holiday Season Is Here!Giving thanks during this wonderful season!

8 Chip’s Corner We are thankful for our pets.

10 Dog HoroscopesHow well do you really know your dog?

14 Equipment TipsReady to buy a pooper scooper? Here are some tips.

26 Cat HoroscopesHow well do you know your cat?

27 Ask the VetHow to deal with the big “C.”

34 Upcoming Events

34 How Cute is Your Pet?This month’s winners of the metropetmag.com contest.

MetroPet Resource

22 Dressler’s Dog Supplies

Feature Articles6 Giving Thanks to Our Animal

CompanionsTake time to appreciate all your loved ones this holiday.

9 Treats for CatsA low cost way to make treats for your cats.

12 The Benefits of DaycareWill your pet benefits from daycare?

16 The Truth Behind K-9’s andChocolateHow bad is chocolate for your dog?

18 Daycare ChecklistAsk the right questions before you place your pet in daycare.

20 Home for the HolidaysTips on how to prepare for the busy holidays.

24 The Senior CatAging is inevitable — preparing is the key.

28 Crimes and Misdemeanors, or A Dog’s ThanksgivingWhy pets misbehave and how to prevent bad behavior.

31 Pet Food PantryHelping pet owners feed their pets in a difficult economic.

12 16 20

November 2009

6


DEAR READERS:Now is the season to give thanks. So, where do we begin?

First, I want to say thanks to our advertisers. During thepast 18 months, our advertisers have made it possible forus to print and distribute this magazine. Currently, we haveover 60,000 readers!

So a HUGE thank you goes to our advertisers — THANK YOU! Next, we want to thank our loyal readers. Recently we were at Dogtober Fest. A year

ago when we attended many pet parents hadn’t heard of MetroPet. We handed outhundreds magazines. This year, many attendees stopped by just to say “Hello!” Mostsaid “I already have that copy.” or “I just love your magazine!” Wow what a change!I am so proud that we are reaching so many readers. So THANK YOU to our loyalreaders for taking time to read our publication and supporting us!

WHERE CAN I GET A COPY? We are now receiving many calls asking where

they can pick-up a copy of the magazine. MetroPetis available at over 350 locations city-wide. The eas-iest place to find a copy is a local BlockBuster orCVS store. We are also at Sears Grand stores,libraries, and a grocery stores. In addition, themagazine can be found at over 200 doctor officesand salons. Of course, you can always read the mag-azine at metropetmag.com. As we grow, we willcontinue to expand our distribution. Please checkthe website for pick-up locations.

DO YOU KNOW A GREAT STORY? MetroPet magazine is always looking for quality

articles written by local experts and pet enthusiasts.If you know of a great story, please feel free todownload the article guidelines atmetropetmag.com or contact us [email protected].

HELP US GROWMetroPet magazine is ready to grow. To grow, we

need two things — more advertisers and increasedawareness. If you know a potential advertiser, encourage them to contact us aboutadvertising details. If you are looking for a resource, please consider contacting oneof our advertisers. When you do, tell them specifically that you saw their ad inMetroPet. This will help them know their advertising dollars are working.

During the next year, we will be participating in many new venues — we look for-ward to seeing you.

HAPPY FALL!

Barbara Riedel, Editor

Publisher’s Message

Staff &Contacts

PublisherBarbara Riedel

[email protected]

Editor/ProductionManagerDan O'Leary

[email protected]

Layout/GraphicDesign

Alison Fieber

[email protected]

Advertising SalesEric Novak

Ad Sales: [email protected]

Contributing AuthorsAndrea Hunnicutt

Eliza Sundahl, DVM, Diplo ABVPHeddie Leger

Lori StilesMichelle Chappell, DVM, CVA

Pat HennessySuezanne Law

Tina Marie Frawley

PhotographerDan O'Leary

Contact MetroPetPO Box 480065

Kansas City, MO 64148

Phone: 913.548.1433

Ad Sales: 913.579.3815

Fax: 816.941.4655

Publishing Policy: Articles printed in the MetroPetMagazine express the opinions of the individual authors and donot necessarily represent the formal position of MetroPetMagazine. Acceptance of advertising does not necessarilyconstitute endorsement by MetroPet Magazine.

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

© 2009 MetroPet Magazine. All rights reserved. Requestreprint permissions at [email protected].

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

4 MetroPet Magazine • NOVEMBER 2009



You know when you have one of those bad days how frustratedyou get? You spill coffee on your shirt on the way to work. You missan important phone call and play phone tag all day long. You are run-ning a wee bit late for an appointment and get stuck in traffic. And onyour way home you stop for food and realize you forgot the gift cardyou were going to use and have already placed your order. You get

home, tired and discouraged from the day, and you aregreeted by the sweetest face, the deepest soulful eyes,and the warmth and love that flows unconditionally. Thecares of the day seem rather insignificant. You smile,reach out, and embrace the one that has greeted you sojoyfully; and you share the love in return.

TAKE TIME TO RELAX AND UNWINDOften times the hustle and bustle of everyday life,

especially during the holiday season, takes our time andattention away from things that are important. It is vitalto dedicate time for yourself to relax and unwind. It isalso essential to dedicate time to your friends and fam-ily — including the furry and feathered family mem-bers. Often our friends, family and self, take a back seatto the demands of our jobs, community and social com-mitments. November is a good time to look around atyour schedule and priorities. It is traditionally a time forgiving “thanks” for the food on our tables and our free-doms. But it is also a good time to take stock in thosewho support us, reward us, and help us along the way.That would include the companion animals in our lives.

ALWAYS THERE FOR YOUAt this time of thanks giving, don’t forget to recognize

that special dog, cat, bunny, bird, horse, etc., thatbrings you such unbridled joy. They are there for youwhen you are celebrating a victory or recovering froman injury, when you have gained a few pounds or lost ajob, when you come home every night or come backfrom your travels. Your animal companion is the onenoble being you can count on no matter what life bringsyou. What better individual could you express your grat-itude toward? Louis Sabin said it well, “No matter howlittle money and how few possessions you own, having adog makes you rich.” This would apply to any compan-ion animal in your life.

THEY ENHANCE OUR HEALTHThere are many stories about a pet saving their family

members’ lives by waking them when smelling smoke,or helping to alert someone when their guardian is sickor incapacitated. There are also accounts of dogs orcats indicating a health condition in their companion— detecting cancer, seizures, or even warning of deathand staying by their guardian’s side. For most of us, ouranimal companion’s job will be to ease our pain orstress during every day life and to bring us joy. What aheroic feat that is, for it brings us enhanced health andself-worth. In a world full of greed and mayhem whereelse can you find loyalty and solace, but in the sweetface and soulful eyes of your furry companion?

Giving Thanksto Our AnimalCompanions

by Pat Hennessy


REWARD THEMAs we go about our daily lives with our busy schedules, fre-

quently tied to technology, we should take time out for at least afew moments eachday to reward ourcompanion animalswith some undividedattention and somemindful touching.That is the least wecan do for them,since they give us somuch. Our compan-ion animals arethere for us any timewe need to reach outto them, to touchthem for our com-fort, vent about ourday, cry on theirshoulder, or just talk

out loud to someone who will listen. They never judge usregardless of the way we look, the car we drive, the politicalparty we support, etc. They stick by our sides through thick andthin. You see that with natural disasters, the homeless, and thedying.

HONOR THEMDuring this holiday season offer thanks to your animal family

members — give them a special treat, a new toy, a massage, aride in the car, a walk in the park, or something you know theywould enjoy. To really honor them make it your goal to recog-nize your animal companion throughout the year. Set aside a fewminutes each day to give your furry or feathered friend undivid-ed attention; and set aside a day each week to do somethingnew, different, or fun with them. One way to honor their dedica-tion to you is to provide a commitment to them.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!The turkey is carved, your belly is full and before you get those

decorations out, take pause this holiday season and gather youranimal family together. Look at them and think about whatmakes you love them and tell them how much they mean to you.Thank them for all the love and devotion they give you. They maynot understand your words, but they will translate your feelings.Martin Buxbaum once said, “A dog wags its tail with its heart.”You can certainly respond from your heart. Let this Novemberbring a day of thanks where we honor our animal friends.

Pat Hennessy, is the founder of N2paws, LLC, anorganization that provides companion animal carethrough behavior education, energy work, and WholePet Positive Training methods. Pat is a certified Level2 TTouch Practitioner, CPDT, and member of theIAABC, IAATH, and AWA. You may contact N2Paws viaemail [email protected], phone 816-522-7005, orvisit the website www.n2paws.com. NOVEMBER 2009 • MetroPetMag.com 7



Across:I - It is never a good idea to _____ a dog6 - Dogs are known for their _____10 - Insect that has beautiful wings11 - A pet can provide _____ someone who is alone12 - People are attracted to these sweet, quiet pets with soft cuddly fur13 - A group of birds is called a _____14 - This farm animal is known to be very smart15 - Bears do this in the winter19 - These are what help birds fly20 - Active, cheerful, beautiful bird with a

delightful song22 - Another word for turtle

Down:1 - Item used to control a horse3 - The foot of the horse is called the

_____4 - Container for keeping live fish5 - A person who takes care of pets7 - Item used to ride a horse8 - Dog used to find lost people

or items9 - Bird that makes a humming

sound when it flies10 - The mouth of a bird is

called the _____16 - Cats can be _____17 - Item used to keep dogs

teeth clean18 - A dog has four of these

We are thankful for our pets

Chip’s CornerPawzzle by Heddie Leger



HAM IT UP CATHomemade Cat Treat Recipe

Ingredients:1 jar (2-1/2ounces) strained ham baby food

5/8 cup wheat germ

5/8 cup non-fat milk powder

1 egg, beaten

Directions:Preheat oven to 350º. Spray cookie sheetwith vegetable oil spray. Mix baby food, wheat germ,milk powder, and egg in medium bowl. Drop by 1/2teaspoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet. Bake 12 to15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on wirerack. Store baked treats in airtight container orplastic bag and place in refrigerator or freezer.

Note: Beef or chicken baby food may be substitutedfor ham baby food.

Reprinted from i-love-cats.com: www.i-love-cats.com/cat-food-recipes/Ham-It-Up-Cat-Treats.html

Makes 2-3 dozen



Taurus (Apr. 20 - May 20) The Strong Silent Type The Taurus Dog is a lethar-gic and sometimes lazy soul, this canine wouldmuch rather sleep than run around.

Gemini (May 21 - June 21) The Yapper The Gemini Dog is difficult to train,firmly believing that he or she knows what is best.

Cancer (June 22 - July 22)The Home-Lover Cancer Dog requires constantpatting and reassurance and any owner is likely tobe saying, “Good boy” or “Good girl” until thethroat is sore.

Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22)The Boss-Dog This canine will need to be putfirmly in their place when just a puppy, or there willbe the expectation that an owner will fetch andcarry for this dog for the rest of their life.

Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) The Helper The Virgo Dog will never be foundsleeping on a hard floor and is sensitive to discom-fort in much the same way as the fairytale Princesswas to the irritating pea.

Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22)The Shop-Steward If an owner should ask thiscanine to do anything during the evening hours,then double biscuits are in order or there will be noresponse.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21)The Paragon On the outside, it will be necessaryto watch out for the tail, which is capable ofexpressing much more feeling that that of anyother canine.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21)The Problem Dog This will be a restless dog...ver-satile, easily bored and totally unfathomable.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 20)The Social Climber “Walkies” with a Capricorn Dogcan be infuriating as he or she forever lags behind.

Aquarius (Jan. 21 - Feb. 18)The Friend This canine makes for a good housedog, being steady and calm, not given to rushingaround and creating havoc or chaos.

Pisces (Feb. 19 - Mar. 20)The Interpreter It is not unusual to see him or herpacing between the fire, the basket and the bowl.

Aries (Mar. 21 - Apr. 19) Leader of the Pack The Aries Dog will never bea “yes-dog,” not even after months of training.The battle for independence begins the momentthis little pup arrives in the home.

Canine Signs



The Holidaysare Coming!!!

While my children are excited about family visits and pres-ents, I don’t know how I am going to get it all done. Businessreports, business meetings, doctor’s appointments, driving toGrandmas, bills... oh, and did I mention, I am still scared todeath about the economy.

HOW DO WE DO IT ALL? First, I have to remind myself to relax. The best thing I can

do for myself, my spouse and children (step or grand) and myanimal companions is to be calm. If I remain calm, then I canhelp others remain calm.

Second, take stock of what has to be accomplished. Am I try-ing to do to much? If yes, what doesn’t have to be done rightnow? Maybe it can be done in a quieter moment after the hol-idays, or maybe, just maybe, someone else can do it!

ARE YOU TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF?If you take care of yourself, get plenty of rest and exercise,

you will be better able to remain calm and help others duringthis stressful time. It is amazing how we are willing to spendtime, money and energy on others, but forget about ourselves.And, taking care of yourself doesn’t mean it has to be expen-sive. During these economic times, there are still ways to cantake care of ourselves, and our pets, and save money.

PLAN AHEADCan you plan ahead? Book your pet’s night stay or grooming

appointment now. Then, just remember to put it in your cal-endar. Your life and your pet’s will be more relaxed. If youreally get stressed and just can’t take any more, stop. Take adeep breath and spend a few moments with your family —human and pets. Remember the holidays are special becauseof them.



Many working parents have to wrestle with the decisionof whether or not to send their children to a daycare provider.Do they really want strangers molding their babies? Is thereenough attention and love given to them by someone else? Forpet owners considering doggie daycare, the answer is yes!

IS YOUR PET LIKE YOUR CHILD?Of course child daycare and doggie daycare is not at all the

same thing. But for a lot of pet owners out there, their pets arevery much like children to them. Concern for their happinessand wellbeing are very important.

TOO BUSY FOR A PET? My first experience with daycare came when I adopted little

Leo, my pitbull mix breed. He was left on the doorstep of theclinic with his seven siblings when he was only about six weeksold. Now, I was in no position to get a puppy. I worked twelve

by Andrea Hunnicutt

The Benefitsof Daycare

hour shifts three days a week and took classes the other two.My boyfriend was a consultant and traveled during the week.But the pleas of, “Please, please can we keep him?” from a 14year old girl can wear you down. Plus he was so cute!

REQUIREMENTS FOR DAYCAREI was lucky to be able to work out an agreement with my job

to allow for potty training the first two months, until he was oldenough to attend daycare. Just like babies, puppies should notbe heavily socialized in the world until they are a little olderand their immunity is stronger. A good daycare facility willhave an age requirement for puppies, typically that they be atleast four months old. At this point they should be fully immu-nized with their puppy series of vaccines and dewormed mul-tiple times.

I cannot begin to tell you what a difference daycare made inthe happiness of our whole family. Instead of sitting in a ken-nel all day and having boundless energy when I got homeexhausted, he was exhausted too! I think everyone knows thatfeeling of just wanting to take your shoes off and sit for a

Just like babies, puppies shouldnot be heavily socialized in the

world until they are a little olderand their immunity is stronger.



minute, without everyone demanding your attention right now! Butwhen you have a puppy there is no such luxury. Now after his day-care days, Leo was content to be a cuddle bug and just hang outfor an hour or so when we got home. Once we both had a littledown time and relaxation, we could go for our walk and play a lit-tle later.

IS YOUR DOG GETTING ENOUGH EXERCISE?Proper exercise of your dog is key to his and your happiness. A

dog with a lot of unspent energy can become unruly or destructivebecause they are bored and frustrated. Most people simply do nothave the time every day to dedicate to truly exercising their dogs.Young, energetic breeds need to run and play for quite awhilebefore they are ready to quit.

The other great benefits I saw right away were Leo’s social skills.As a puppy, he had always been a little on the timid side. Loudnoises frightened him and he was shy of meeting new people. Infact the entire litter shared a lot of these submissive characteris-tics. At daycare he was able to meet new people and doggie friendseveryday and learn how much fun that is. Almost immediately hestarted to come out of his shell.

Overall daycare helped us to bond with Leo. Because he got torun off his energy during the day he was much more attentive andeasy to train. He seemed to understand pretty quickly that roughand tumble playtime had an appropriate time and place, and wasan amazingly mellow puppy at home. He is also very secure whenI leave him alone and suffers none of the separation anxiety myolder dog has, because I spoiled him by taking him everywherewith me. Leo isn’t perfect; he has his issues just like anyone. But Ican imagine what a different dog he would be had he not attendeddaycare.

DAYCARE IS A GREAT INVESTMENTDaycare isn’t the cheapest thing in the world, but for the benefits

you reap I feel it is well worth the investment. You don’t have tosend your dog everyday for it to be worthwhile; Leo only went twodays a week. Most facilities offer daycare packages so that themore you buy at one time, the less each session costs overall.

Daycare is a wonderful option for owners who work long hoursand don’t have all of the time needed to dedicate to owning a dogthat needs a lot of exercise. It lessens the burden and leads to amore rewarding relationship with your pet. Perhaps weekly visitsare not an option for you, but trips once in awhile can still be ben-eficial. Now that I am working shorter hours and I am able tospend a lot more time at home with Leo, he no longer needs to goto daycare. But every once in awhile I take him for the day so hecan see his pals, and let me tell you dogs can smile. On those days,he is grinning!

Andrea Hunnicutt is the head technician at KansasCity Veterinary Care. She graduated from Maple WoodsVeterinary Technology program in1997. Andrea hasbeen with KC Vet Care since 2001. You can contactKansas City Veterinary Care at (816) 333-4330, or visitthem at their website www.kcvetcare.com


ErgonomicNot having to bend over to remove each pile from your yard

is plus. Look for equipment that has an ergonomic handlethat allows you to stand upright to clean your yard. Also lookfor a rake that is height adjustable. This means the equipmentaccommodates you — you don’t have to bend over to use it!

DurableSome equipment is made of thin plastic with movable com-

ponents that can break. Look for a simple design constructedof a durable plastic. Also look for a reliable handle.

Eliminate the Hasslesof ScoopingPoop!Thinking about buying a pooperscooper? Look for these features when buying.

by Lori Stiles



SanitaryThis is the area that normally stops people from wanting to

clean their yard. Most equipment makes you scoop directlyinto a pan that leaves dog waste stuck to the equipment andexposed for you to see the entire time you clean your yard.Look for equipment that allows you to scoop waste into a bagso you can quickly dispose of the waste immediately aftercleaning. A rake that is easy to clean is also a definite plus.Remember, equipment that has waste residue stuck on theproduct is not only disgusting but a health hazard for anyonethat comes in contact with it.

EfficiencyMost important feature of your equipment is to make sure it

allows you to clean your yard quickly. So when you go shop-ping make sure you purchase the right size of equipment.

AffordableDurable equipment that will last for years and can be used

for other tasks around the house such as cleaning up leaves,yard debris, hedge trimmings, etc. is the best buy, even it theinitial investment is a little higher.

Dog Waste Piles Up!Did you know dogs eliminate waste up to two times per day?

This means that dog waste adds up quickly on a weekly, month-ly and yearly basis. Three dogs can generate up to 168 dogpiles in just four weeks!

Referring to the following table…how much waste is collect-ing in your yard?

Dog Waste Facts 1. Dog waste does not decompose in your yard. It can take

up to a year to completely decompose.2. The lawn mower does not remove it3. Dog poop it is not fertilizer.4. Dog poop is a health hazard to you, your family and your

pet.

Lori and Alan Stiles founded Scoopy the PooTM in 2005. Scoopy the Pooprovides professional dog waste removal services and is the leader in theUnited States that designs equipment used by Professional PooperScoopers and is now available for sale to the public. For additional infor-mation about services and equipment go to www.scoopythepoo.comor contact Lori or Alan at 816-412-9000.


Dog Waste Piles Up!1 wk 2 wks 3 wks 4 wks 1 yr

1 Dog 14 28 42 56 728

2 Dog 28 56 84 112 1456

3 Dog 42 84 126 168 2184


We have all heard peoplesay things such as “Don’t give yourdog chocolate, it will kill him!” or

“Even a small amount of chocolatewill kill a dog.” Fortunately for all cab-

inet opening dogs out there, the truth tothe chocolate rumors lies somewhere

between the chilling truth in the refrigera-tor and the trash. Let’s explore the truthbehind chocolate and dogs, and what to do if

you find your dog has a sweet tooth.Chocolate is usually associatedwith being bad for just dogs,

but it can be bad for any pet?It is important to know that itis not the actual chocolate

that will harm your pet, but aningredient known as“Theobromine” which is toxic topets. The amount ofTheobromine varies fromchocolate to chocolate. Thisingredient increases urinationand affects the central nervoussystem in pets.

What to do if yourpet gets into yoursecret stash?

Assess the situation.It might not be necessary to run out to

by Tina Marie Frawley

Did You Know?The National Animal Poison Control Center

Hotline phone number is 1-800-548-2423.16 MetroPet Magazine • NOVEMBER 2009

The Truth behind

K-9’s and Chocolate



the emergency veterinary clinic on Christmas or Thanksgiving ifyour pet decides on a new snack. As soon as you realize your petgot into the goodies, asses the situation. If your pet snatched astray M&M that the children dropped on their way through thehouse, you can relax and move on. If the entire box of chocolatecandy bars is gone, start gathering information to give to the vetor veterinary technician you speak with.

Look at the packaging and see how muchchocolate your pet ate. Packaging must include the con-tents weight. Hopefully you will know if the package was alreadyopen and about how much was left inside.

Examine the type of chocolate.Unsweetened bakers chocolate is consideredTheobromine dense. Milk chocolate has the leastamount of Theobromine, while semi-sweetchocolate falls in the middle of the chocolateroad.

Consider your pet’s weight. A largeGreat Dane will not be as affected by theTheobromine as a small Maltese dog.

Assess how your pet is reacting.Did you notice the chocolate had been eatenbecause they acted funny? Are they vomiting, dothey have diarrhea? Increased urination is anoth-er side effect. Go ahead and give your veterinar-ian a call if your pet experiences any of thesesymptoms.

DOGS CRAVE IT TOOUnderstand that just like humans, dogs who

have tasted chocolate can actually crave more ofit. Never give in to your pet that keeps eyeballingthat chocolate chip cookie from under the table.Letting your pet have a taste of chocolate willleave them looking for more and more.

SIZE DOES MATTERRemember, if your 100 pound Newfoundland

eats a chocolate chip or two that falls on thefloor, you do not need to panic. If your Maltesegets into a bar of bakers chocolate, you shouldbring your pet right in to see your veterinarian.

If less than two hours has passed since yourdog ate chocolate, we can induce vomiting to getthe Theobromine containing chocolate out oftheir system. If it has been more than two hourssince ingestion (or you are unsure) bring yourpet in to see your veterinarian for an evaluation.

CONTAIN YOUR CHOCOLATEPlacing chocolate of any kind in a plastic con-

tainer with a sealable lid will help keep fourlegged family members out of the chocolate.

Take precautions one step further and placethese containers high in a cabinet with a child-proof latch. Some dogs are not phased by a lit-tle plastic container and will eat right through.

Tina Marie Frawley is a freelance writer fromCharlotte, NC where she lives with her husband Jay,also a freelance writer, their yellow Lab, Buck, andblack cat, McCabe. Her website is wwwwww..TTiinnaaMMaarriieeFFrraawwlleeyy..ccoomm.


When considering a daycare facility, do your home-work. Be sure to ask a lot of questions so you know what youare getting. Not all are created equal! Besides price and loca-tion convenient to you, here is a list of things to find out:

Q How long do the dogs actually

play?

Although drop off and pick up times may cover a twelve-hour span, typically playtime is more like six or eight hoursof the day.

Q Is there adequate supervision of the

dogs by trained personnel?

For instance, is one teenager in charge of watching 40 dogs?Accidents and fights do happen at daycare, it is the nature ofthe business. But having enough people who are trained tointervene and/or recognize illness or injury is crucial to run-ning a good facility.

DaycareChecklist

by Andrea Hunnicutt




Q Are the dogs separated by size or

gregariousness?

A Chihuahua and a Labrador should not be in the same playgroup.

Q Are there indoor and outdoor facilities

for inclement weather?

Too hot, cold or wet conditions need to be avoided.

Q Are proper vaccination and preventative

medication required by the facility?

Rabies, DA2PP and kennel cough vaccines should be requiredwith proof from a veterinarian. Also proper flea/tick controland heartworm prevention for internal parasites (round-worms, hookworms, whipworms) are important to reduce therisk of spreading these parasites. You may be a responsiblepet owner, but someone else who brings their dog may not be.If the facility does not require these things, your pet is at addi-tional risk for contagions.

Q In the event of an injury occurring,

what is the course of action?

Is there a nearby veterinarian the facility uses to assess andtreat injuries if needed? Who is responsible for the cost?Typically as the owner of the pet, you are responsible for any

charges associated with injury. There should be paperworkthat you sign initially starting daycare about this. Be sure thata veterinarian is accessible to your pet should something hap-pen. Also be sure that the facility has emergency contact num-bers where you can be reached if needed.

Q Is a temperament test done on all

dogs attending daycare?

Some dogs can be aggressive towards others, and theseshould not be allowed. Some dogs are very shy and do notenjoy this much stimulation, and owners should be told if itjust isn’t right for their pet.

Q Most importantly, does the staff

seem to truly care about your pet?

Is any feedback provided from the staff? A report card of dailyactivities and friends is a nice touch that some facilities pro-vide. Recognition of your pet by staff and reports of any illnessare good indicators of caring employees of a facility.

Andrea Hunnicutt is the head technician atKansas City Veterinary Care. She graduated fromMaple Woods Veterinary Technology programin1997. Andrea has been with KC Vet Care since2001. You can contact Kansas City Veterinary Careat (816) 333-4330, or visit them at their websitewww.kcvetcare.com



by Pat Hennessy

Tips on how to prepare for the busy holidays

HHome fome for theor theHHoolidalidayys s



Whether you are planning on traveling“home” for the holidays or having a gatheringat your home, it is not too early to be makingplans for Toby and Snuggles. It would be nodifferent if you had to travel for your job; youwould need to make arrangements. But comeholiday time pet sitters, dog spas, kennels andvet’s offices get booked, some pretty far inadvance.

PLAN AHEAD FOR THE BUSY HOLIDAY

SEASONIf you normally count on a friend or neigh-

bor you may want to check with them now, tomake sure they will be available. You shouldalso establish a back-up plan, just in case yoursitter’s schedule changes. If you are consider-ing using a professional pet sitter, start makingcalls now to determine availability and inter-view the person to find out about style andexperience. You will want to ensure that theyunderstand your pet’s breed, age, and anyhealth or behavior issues that need to beaddressed, as well as any preferences you haveabout your pet or your household environ-ment, separating dogs when they eat or scoop-ing multiple litter boxes. Having someonedependable and trustworthy come to yourhome to care for your pets can be a veryrewarding and worry-free experience for bothyou and your furry or feathered companions.

IS YOUR PET UP-TO-DATE ON HIS

SHOTS? If you are going to be boarding your furry

family member, you will also need to ensurethat vaccinations are up-to-date. That meansyou may need to set aside time to get yourcanine or feline buddy in to the vet prior toyour travels. You also want to call as far inadvance as possible to reserve a space for yourcompanion. Even if Toby is a regular for dog-gie daycare that doesn’t mean he will have aspot over the holiday weekends.

STOCK UP ON FOOD AND SUPPLIESWhether you board or hire a pet sitter, you

will also need to make sure that Toby has plen-ty of his food on hand. You definitely don’twant him to make a diet change at a time when



he will be a bit stressed anyway. You also want to makesure he has plenty of toys or special treats while you areaway. Keeping him occupied with things to do and tastyrewards will allow for a more pleasant time for him whileyou are gone.

TRAVELING WITH YOUR PETIf you take your pets with you when you travel, you need

to make sure they are welcome on the receiving end or thatyou have a separate place to stay. You also need to makesure you have plenty of their food, and some toys or itemsto keep them occupied. Take some extra time during yourholiday visit to give undivided attention to your furry com-panion. A little massage, meditation, or an extra walk willdo you both good. It will not only help relieve his stress, itwill help you too.

STAYING HOME FOR THE FESTIVITIESNow…if you are planning on having the holiday celebra-

tion at your home, there are several aspects you shouldconsider to get Toby and Snuggles prepared for guests.

Provide a “safe” place to get away, be it a room or a crateoff in a quiet part of the house, so they are not over-whelmed with the excitement or the stress.

If your dog doesn’t have the best manners, start workingwith him now. You can’t train away from a behavior thatyou don’t want, but you can train toward a behavior thatyou do want. If your dog jumps on people when they comein start now by having him practice sitting quietly, or go toa mat or rug, and wait for guests to come in and sit down.

If your dog does have pretty good manners, you couldtrain him to do a few tricks — making it fun for yourguests to interact with him during his social holiday time.

If your dog enjoys being with people, include him insome of the activities, then give him a special chew item toenjoy away from the guests. That way you can focus on yourguests and not have to monitor if he is getting into some-thing or being offered something inappropriate. By givinghim something to chew on when you take him to a quietspot, you are letting him know he is being rewarded andnot punished.

DO YOU HAVE A CAT?If you have a very social cat that would enjoy guests, it is

still best to isolate her to an area or room with a few tastytreats, toys, or some soft music and a place to curl up (notthe same room where you place the guests coats). Oftenyou will have someone who doesn’t like cats or is allergicand it is better to be safe than sorry. If your cat is antiso-cial, then it goes without saying that you would contain herin a safe place and might even put up a “do not disturb”sign to avoid someone accidentally letting her out.

WHO? DRESSLER’S DOG SUPPLIES

WHERE? 1708 STEELE RD KC, KS • 913-722-2430 www.dresslersdog.com

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS?40 years

WHAT MAKES YOUR BUSINESS DIFFERENT?We are a family owned business, and our knowledge of the careand training of animals has been passed on through the yearsalong with our outstanding customer service.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF YOUR BUSINESS?Dressler’s has now become wholesale to the public making ourprices lower than even the large discount chains. We carry awide selection of products from hunting and show items to petitems. We also cater to groomers and handle each customerwith care. We have daily specials throughout the whole week.

REASONS YOUR CUSTOMERS COME BACK?We always greet our customers with a smile and treats for thepets. Our outstanding customer service and our low, low prices.

See our ad on page 7.

METROPET RESOURCE



PETS AND SMALL CHILDRENIf your pets will be around small children (especially if not accustomed to

it), ensure that they are always supervised in the presence of children andhave a “safe” place for them to go when they need to get away. Monitoringyour cat or dog with children is for the safety and benefit of your pets andthe children. If they both (the animal and thechild) have a good experience, they are likely tohave a better experience the next time.

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY!Before the turkey is cooked, decorations

come out, names are drawn and lists are made,our furry and feathered companions should resteasy knowing that everything is set for them tohave a safe and happy holiday season.

Pat Hennessy, is the founderof N2paws, LLC, an organiza-tion that provides companionanimal care through behavioreducation, energy work, andWhole Pet Positive Trainingmethods. Pat is a certified Level2 TTouch Practitioner, CPDT,and member of the IAABC, IAATH, and AWA. You maycontact N2Paws via email [email protected], phone 816-522-7005, or visit the website www.n2paws.com.



Our cats are lucky that they livein a time where people are thinking ofold age as a condition to be managedrather than just tolerated. Thank good-ness we don’t just accept the infirmitiesof age any more, but go out and demandmedicines and services that are going tomake us more comfortable.

AGING HAPPENS TO US ALLIf your knees hurt when you go down

to the basement to do laundry, your catwho has arthritis probably hurts too if ithas to goes to an out of the way placefor the litter box.

A lot of my clients say, “Oh I don’tthink there’s any problem because theystill get there,” even if they are hob-bling. But I reply by discussing howmuch we do in discomfort and howmuch we must hurt or feel bad beforewe just flat out give up on an activity.

Your quality of life is greatly impactedwhen you have a mild to moderateamount of illness or pain. Your near anddear probably wouldn’t even know youwere having trouble unless you actuallyverbalized that you felt bad. We get onthe phone to our doctors PDQ to getsomething to help. But people generallydon’t recognize that a cat is sick untilshe has moved through mild to moder-ate illness and is already into significant“feel bad” territory. So we need to

by Eliza Sundahl, DVM, Diplo ABVP(Feline)

The Senior CatStarting The Discussion

But people don’t recognize that a cat is sick untilshe has moved through mild to moderate illness andis already into significant “feel bad” territory.


depend on other ways to find out when trouble isbrewing.

BETTER VETERINARY CAREOur cats have been receiving better veterinary

care over the last 30 years and we are able to seethat there are some diseases that have a reallyhigh incidence in older animals. Just about everyolder cat is going to develop kidney disease, it’sjust a matter of when you find it and how bad isit going to be. About one-fourth will develop abenign tumor on their thyroid that will causehyperthyroidism. With the exception of our kindof heart disease, cats can pretty much developanything humans can. Now, we can’t tell you thatwe can cure these problems, but we can go a longway to manage them and keep your kitty interact-ing with you, and enjoying life to a very accept-able level. And not just a few weeks or months,we’re talking years of additional quality life.

THE FIRST STEP IN MANAGING AGEThe first step in managing age is to find out

what’s happening in the body. Once you seewhat’s there, then you look at treatment optionsand develop strategies. Since a cat is pro-grammed to hide any illness, you need to be

proactive about looking for problems. The American Association of FelinePractitioners has developed guidelines on Senior Care (catvets.com). Theseguidelines have recommendations from expects in the field on what to look forand how to manage some of the more common problems. You should startscreening for kidney and thyroid problems as early as seven years of age and beactively evaluating your cat’s lab work twice a year by the time they are in doubledigits. Every older cat should be getting regular blood pressures, bloodchemistries, CBCs, thyroid testing and urinalysis. Once a problem is identified,you may need to check more often.

DON’T WAIT TO TAKE ACTIONDon’t wait for acute onset blindness to find out that your cat is hypertensive.

Don’t wait for your cat to need hospitalization for kidney failure because it was-n’t diagnosed for years after it started. Something as simple as giving a fourth ofa pill a day, feeding a therapeutic diet, or giving fluids could make the differencein how long you can keep your companion well. Ask your veterinarian if theyhave read the AAFP (American Association of Feline Practitioners) Senior CareGuidelines and if they have integrated their recommendationsinto the recommendations they give to you. Work together tomake your cat’s golden years as happy and comfortable aspossible.

Dr. Eliza Sundahl is a board certified feline practitioner. She owns theKC Cat Clinic in Kansas City. You can reach her at 816-361-4888 or visither website at wwwwww..kkccccaattcclliinniicc..ccoomm..




Taurus (Apr. 20 - May 20) The Earth Mother Lack of sustenance may be theonly thing that will motivate the Taurus Cat to getup, go out and complain to the neighbors about thecruelty of his or her owner.

Gemini (May 21 - June 21) Cat On A Hot Tin Roof The Gemini Cat is sleekand long-limbed, possessed with probably themost acute eyesight of its species.

Cancer (June 22 - July 22)The Crazy Cat Indeed, these felines do so love thesound of their own voices.

Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22)The Top Cat Home is where this feline performs tolarge audiences and even hosts state banquets...allat the expense of their owner and, usually, incon-venience.

Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) The Kitten Cat This feline is also a victim to allergiesin many instances and the tender skin of the VirgoCat often reacts adversely to flea powder.

Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22)The Copy-Cat In comfortable surroundings, theLibra Cat will project an atmosphere of well-beingwhich is pleasant to be around.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21)The Cat’s Pajamas The Scorpio Cat always seemsto know just what his or her human is thinking, eas-ily senses danger, and will arrive for dinner justmoments before being called.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21)The Stable Cat A prudent soul from the start, thiscat will work calmly and deliberately toward theachievement of their life’s ambition.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 20)The Cat Burglar This cat is constantly working outways to improve his or her lot, and devising schemes toeliminate the owner’s shortcomings.

Aquarius (Jan. 21 - Feb. 18)The Hip Cat The Aquarius Cat is reliable, good-natured and intelligent enough to recognize theadvantages of sharing life with humans.

Pisces (Feb. 19 - Mar. 20)The Ship’s Cat Demands that the faucets beturned on in the tub so that he or she can play inthe water.

Aries (Mar. 21 - Apr. 19) The Stray Cat Indeed, the occasional empty feed-ing bowl may well be the most anyone will see ofthe Aries Cat.

Feline Signs



Question: My pet has cancer. What can be

done to help her?

Answer:

Much depends on the type of cancer and the health of your petalready. Conventional treat-ments include surgery,chemotherapy and radiation.Sometimes the patient isn’tstrong enough for some ofthese procedures, or theowner would like otheroptions. We have found somecases where surgery wouldnot have removed all the can-cer cells without an amputa-tion, and radiation was tooexpensive for the family. Inthese cases, we used a topi-cal paste called Neoplaseneto dissolve the cancerous tis-sue and have saved the legand are out over a year onsome without recurrence.Another case of advanced

(Grade 3) mast cell cancer all over the skin of an older Sharpei hasbeen completely in remission for a year also with the use of Chineseherbs and oral Neoplasene. We also stress proper nutrition for allof these patients to strengthen their immune system and “starve”the cancer cells at the same time. The sooner these changes aremade, the better the outcome for the pet tolead a full, healthy life.

You can reach Dr. Michelle Chappell, at MariposaVeterinary Center, by calling 913-825-3330, or by vis-iting mariposavet.com.

Dealing with the “Big C”Ask the Vet

by Michelle Chappell, DVM, CVA

Sooner, a dog, had a cancer tumor on her leg. Weapplied the topical Neoplasene paste and it com-pletely disolved the tumor. These are actual photos.



Oh, the holiday meals that are, shall we say, enlivened by theantics of a hungry dog! But funny as those stories may be inretrospect, in that moment we are often far from amused. Themeal is ruined, and often our hardest work is yet to come:cleaning up after a very, very sick dog. So, why — why?? —does Fido do it?

Oh, the holiday meals that are, shall we say, enlivened by theantics of a hungry dog! But funny as those stories may be inretrospect, in that moment we are often far from amused. Themeal is ruined, and often our hardest work is yet to come:cleaning up after a very, very sick dog. So, why — why?? —does Fido do it?

REINFORCEMENT = POSITIVE ANIMAL BEHAVIORWhen it comes to animal behavior, reinforcement is the

name of the game: reinforcement makes behavior go! Whenyou want to know why your dog does something (like hangingaround the kitchen while you stuff the turkey, or lying in waitunder the dining room table), it’s usually not helpful to con-struct long drawn out explanations about his emotional stateor what he might be trying to “say” to you with his behavior.

Crimes andMisdemeanors

by Suezanne Law

“Mom, Spot grabbed mydrumstick right off my plate!”

“I walked into the dining roomand found Fifi walking down the

middle of the table, grazing!”

“Buster grabbed the pumpkin pieoff the counter and ate it — and

it was still piping hot!”

or A Dog’s Thanksgiving


The simplest and most effective answer issimply this: your dog does what he doesbecause it works for him. It’s kind of likethe Dr. Phil Show: Dr. Phil asks, “How’s thatworking out for ya?” and Fido says, “Justfine, thanks, and pass the gravy.” With thatin mind, maybe it’s time we define the wordreinforcement.

Reinforcement is anything your dog likesthat, when you give it to him after he com-pletes a behavior, makes him more likely toperform that behavior again.Reinforcement always increases the behav-ior it follows. So, just as gasoline makesyour car go, reinforcement makes yourdog’s behavior go.

NOT AS SIMPLE AS IT SOUNDS!Sounds simple, right? Unfortunately, it’s

not quite as simple as that. To really under-stand how reinforcement can work for —and against — you there are some impor-tant points to consider. First, reinforcementcan come from many, many sources, andyour dog will happily take his reinforce-ment where he can get it.


TOOLS TO HELP YOU!Containment OptionsMany people find the idea of containment distasteful because they liken it to

imprisonment. When used correctly, however, crates, kennels, and dog gates areextremely useful management tools. It is important for Fido to be included in yourholiday activities as much as is possible, (and practical), but for those times youmust devote your attention to something else — or for times when you celebrateaway from home — containing him in his own safe space can keep him out oftrouble and help to prevent bad habits from forming.

LeashesLeashes are for so much more than walking! They can be terrific management

tools for a variety of situations. For instance, when your holiday guests arrive, aleash can prevent Fido from jumping on them and engaging in other inappropri-ate behaviors. Then, since he’s right there by your side, you can train him to sitnicely for greetings instead — and all with very little headache on your part.Sometimes, you can also use your leash to tether Fido to the chair in which youare sitting. That way, you can relax and enjoy your guests, and know that he’s notgoing to scoot around behind a piece of furniture and get into trouble. Give him afun toy to gnaw on where he’s tethered, and soon he will learn that hanging outwhile you chat is an enjoyable way to spend his time. And of course, all the best-dressed pet parents are wearing their dogs today: slip a belt through the loop atthe end of your dog’s leash and put the belt around your waist. Now your dog canbe with you while you go about your business — without any worry that he will dohis business when you’re not looking!


SOURCES OF REINFORCEMENTReinforcement can be external — meaning it can come

from his environment, which can include everything from youto, literally, the kitchen sink (including your holiday feast). Orit can be internal — meaning it comes from within the dog:his body chemistry and how he feels physically or emotional-ly (as he devours the pumpkin pie) are both internal rein-forcements.

Dogs are opportunists, and your dog’s home environmentoffers him many opportunities for reinforcement, often atyour expense. And since reinforcement always increases thebehavior it follows, the turkey carcass Fido dug from thekitchen trash will make it more likely that he will dumpsterdive again in the near future, no matter what you do after thefact to punish him for his naughty behavior: The bones aregone and the reinforcement has happened, so the behaviorwill increase. (Please note that the use of punishment at thispoint is therefore not only ineffective but also cruel, as it gainsnothing and severely damages your relationship with yourdog.)

MANAGE THE ENVIRONMENTLikewise, if your puppy feels a powerful need to relieve her

bladder, and is unable to get your attention away from yourholiday guests, she may potty on your living room carpet. Therelief she feels in the moment she lets go reinforces herbehavior, and she will go there again, even if she is frightenedor even hurt by the rolled up newspaper banging on her back-side after the fact. The need to urinate is gone, the relief isfelt; the behavior will increase. And once again, punishmentonly makes matters worse.

So, what’s a holiday host to do? Well, if stuffing himself withstuffing is going to increase the likelihood that Fido will stuffand stuff again, and nothing you do afterwards can changethat, prevention seems to be the key.

In fact, many problems in dog training can be averted simplyby managing your dog’s environment so that he learns as muchas possible while getting into trouble as little as possible. Thiscan be tricky in our busy human homes, especially during theholidays. But in the long run, an ounce of prevention is worth apound of cure — especially when that pound very likely has theword “dog” in front of it!

Suezanne M. Law is a canine-human relation-ship counselor and accredited dog trainer. Sheopened Sympawtico Dog Training, LLC to bettertailor her training curriculum to the needs of hercommunity. To reach her, call 913-424-5072 orvisit www.sympawtico.com.

To change your dog’s behavior,you have to know where his

reinforcement is coming from....




The safety nets that have formed in a myriad of cities across the nationprove how resourceful Americans can be. One such resource locally, TheNorthland Pet Food Pantry is the result of the efforts of Peg McKee and herfriends in Smithville, Missouri, the Northland Animal Welfare Society, Friendsof the Excelsior Springs Animal Shelter and other animal lovers. Peg hascared for homeless cats and created the KattyShack Cat and Kitten Rescue inSmithville to alleviate the plight of abandoned, neglected, abused and home-less cats in the Northland.

THE NORTHLAND PET FOOD PANTRYPeg McKee noticed a severe increase in the numbers of cats needing homes

and people calling her in desperation for help to find a home for their petdue to economic reasons. She couldn’t help them all so decided to do some-thing about it. She contacted a few of her friends that she knew would cometo the aid of animals and asked them to help her form a Pet Food Pantry. Afterjust a few organizational meetings, the group was up and running. TheNorthland Pet Food Pantry, like others across the country, has taken on a lifeof its own through donations of local citizens. Collections are accepted at avariety of locations listed on the website www.northlandpetpantry.com aswell at the dates, times and locations of monthly distributions. The processis amazingly simple, but relies on the goodness of people to share a little oftheir precious resources of time and money to purchase food for those lessfortunate.

by Heddie Leger

The Pet Food Pantry

Feeding Pets ina Difficult Time

THANKS TO THE VOLUNTEERSLeading the organization, President Jennifer

Fulton, reports that in the first three months theyhelped 188 families and 289 pets by distributing2,346 pounds of dog food and 904 pounds of catfood in the Northland alone. Each distributionfinds President, Jennifer Fulton and Gina Westpfahlspending hours in the garage preparing the foodfor distribution. Melissa McMillen, as theVolunteer Coordinator spends countless hoursorganizing the volunteers who assist. GinaWestpfahl is the site coordinator in Smithville forboth collections and distributions.

ccoonnttiinnuueedd oonn ppaaggee 3322 ---->>

FOR MORE INFORMATION:Call: 816-272-8508 Visit: www.northlandpetpantry.com or

www.pcnaws.com

National registry by state of pet foodpantries: http://sites.google.com/site/nationwide-catrescue/Home/listing-by-state-of-pet-food-pantries



This organization could not exist without all the won-derful volunteers who help in any way they possibly canalong with the support of locally owned businesses in theNorthland community.

TOUGH TIMES CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONEThe concept of “Pet Food Pantries” is relatively new

and becoming more popular with each passing year.Often people are embarrassed at the prospect of need-ing to ask for assistance when they are used to beingself-sufficient. However, tough times can occur at anytime to anyone. People should not have to worry abouttheir pets in addition to the emotional stress of losingtheir income and sometimes their homes. It is at thesevery stressful times that people need their pets themost. Pets have become family members to many peo-ple and are a source of comfort and emotional support,especially to the elderly.

It is becoming more apparent with each passing daythat animals are the innocent victims of the economiccrisis. The Northland Pet Food Pantry provides theopportunity for pet owners to keep their furry familymembers in the home when tough times hit. Many fam-

ilies live on the edge frompaycheck to paycheck.When a family memberbecomes unemployed, thedecrease of income doesnot offer the same opportu-nity to care for their pets.The owner is faced with thedilemma of coming up witha way to care for their petor relinquishing it to a shel-ter. The resources for assis-tance are few and farbetween and sheltersacross the country are fullto capacity due to this

unfortunate turn of events in a person’s life. Many real estate companiesreport that pets are often left behind when the family looses possession oftheir home creating an additional burden for shelters.



DEDICATED EFFORTThe Northland Pet Food Pantry is thriving due to

the dedicated effort of a small group faithful volun-teers that help collect, bag, and distribute the foodeach month, local organizations like the NorthlandAnimal Welfare Society, Friends of Parkville AnimalShelter, Friends of Excelsior Springs Animal Shelter,along with support of local businesses and church-es. The collection process is painstaking in that foodis placed in ten pound sealed and marked bags withthe original expiration date from the manufacturer.

The stories are both heartwarming and heart-breaking. One woman walked away in tears afterreceiving a disbursement of food. The tears weremixed with joy and sadness. She had lost her job andalong with healthcare coverage. Not only was shedealing with the loss of income, but the dilemma ofhealthcare. Her pet was her only source of comfortto her during her duress. She could not bear thethought of having to give her pet up due to financialreasons. Her appreciation was beyond words at theability to be able to feed and keep her beloved cat.

Other local groups such as Spay/Neuter KansasCity, Animal Haven, Pet Connection and others res-cues and humane societies often conduct fooddrives to help nourish the pets in their care and toassist the families that adopt from them. TheNorthland Pet Pantry is the only organizationin the Metropolitan area that is devoted solelyto helping people feed their pets in order tokeep them from relinquishing them to a shel-ter. This in turn helps keep shelter populationsmore manageable. The Northland Pet FoodPantry accepts donations of cat and dog food,kitty litter, toys, bedding if clean and in goodrepair and other pet supplies if in good repair.In order to receive food from the pantry, a petowner must be 18 years of age, have a photoID, agree not to resell the food or breed petsfor profit or sport.

Heddie Leger is a CertifiedHumane Education Specialist,member APHE and NHES,Delta Society International,IAABC, APDT, IACP, NADOI,and PetSit International. Sheis a Clay County 4H ObedienceInstructor, and Registered Dog Tester, PALS for SeniorsProgram, MU College of Veterinary Medicine, ResearchCenter for Human Animal Interaction. She is a memberof MoKan Pet Partners and Pets for Life providing ani-mal assisted visitation and therapy services for a schools,nursing homes, libraries, and hospitals. She and herhusband own The PawZone Pet Sitting pursuing a life-long passion of helping people with their pets.www.thepawzone.com.

October Pawzelle Answers



Paws for the HolidayFood/Donation drive

Nov 1- 30 • Tails R’ WagginDetails: tailsrwaggin.com

Pet Therapy Social HourWed, Nov 11Bolo’s Indoor Dog ParkDetails: 816-584-8111

Photos with Father Christmas Fri, Nov 13 • 6 - 8 pm Leavenworth Animal WelfareDetails: 913-651-5297 • See ad below

Thanks to My Pet Foodraiser Sat, Nov 14 • Rockhill Pet ClinicDetails: 816-333-0973

UPCOMING EVENTS How Cute isYour Pet?

Do you think you have thecutest pet in KC?

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

Addie Mae — Addie’s first trip to see her Grandma andGrandpa in Iowa. As you can tell she loved the car ride!Submitted by Lisa McCurnin

Mr. Muggs — Mr. Muggs is a rescue. Pathetic little guy cameinto our yard in the hot summertime, starving, thirsty, bedrag-gled and terrified. Dirty brown, completely matted (w/fleas)...couldn’t even tell his sex! Boy, have things changed... after 2years, the little “Cock of the Walk” runs the household!Submitted by Peterson

Greyboy — Greyboy came tous 2 years ago. We think he’saround 4 years old. He likes totalk or coo as I call it. When hecame to us he was like a feral cat.I took him to the vet for a bad eyebite and had him fixed. He wasscittish at first but now he is real-ly mellow. He even likes ourBrussels Giffon Rascal. Here he isgetting ready for autumn. Heloves to get into boxes.Submitted by Joy Herdman


MetroPet November09

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