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Pet Press KALISPELL JULY 2022
406.755.6886 WWW.KALISPELLVET.COM
OLD AND NEW LESSONS IN PARENTING AS DAYS GO BY
We talk a lot here about pet parents but much less about the parents raising our next generation of children. July is Purposeful Parenting Month, and I know I’m not the same person I was before becoming a father. I was also blessed to grow up in a loving family, and they taught me so much of what I needed to know.
you don’t give it to them, they’ll find their own, and there’s a good chance you won’t like it. Whether you have a dog or a small child, when they start acting out and making dumb decisions, it’s a cry for you to tell them where the limits are and enforce them. They need that guidance to feel safe — and it’s a lot harder to unlearn negative behaviors once they’ve begun.
We didn’t have a lot of money when I was growing up, and I’m so grateful for the opportunities my parents managed to give us in a household without a lot of cash. I’m not sure how they kept it all together, let alone found a way to eke out a vacation for us. We learned to be excellent stewards of what we had and be thankful for it. As a kid, I don’t think I ever imagined other people lived differently than we did, and my family never felt compelled to live up to what the Joneses were doing. I hope I’ve instilled that same way of life in my children.
Parenting has always been challenging, and I do not envy people with young children right now with all of the economic, social, and time pressures they’re facing. Watching my employees with kids, I can see it’s not for the faint of heart. There are so many decisions to make, and each one of them feels particularly fraught. I feel like I barely noticed how difficult it all was when I was in the middle of it, but now I look back in amazement. Did I used to do all that?
It’s a good thing I had such great parents because when my first son was born, I had no idea what to do with him. I couldn’t have even begun to tell you how to interact with a baby. When Daniel was about a month old, my wife decided to go out to eat with her friends, and it was our first time alone together. I remember feeling incredibly anxious. “What do I do with him?” I thought. “What if he cries? What if he needs to eat?” One moment you’re not a parent, and the next moment you are — then the hospital kicks you out the door and leaves you responsible for this whole new life. I could barely believe we didn’t need a permit to take him home! But I must have unconsciously picked up something about children along the way from my parents, aunts, and uncles. Those instincts kicked in, and like every other parent, I made do the best I could until I figured it out. In my experience as a dad and veterinarian, kids and dogs are more alike than many people think. Raising a 2-year-old is not that different from raising a dog. The same techniques tend to work, and they both need constant direction. If
Then many of us eventually shift from parenting our kids to parenting our parents. My wife’s dad is 93, and he has been under our wings for a while now. Meanwhile, my
parents are approaching 80, and I’m considering the future in a whole new way. It’s a strange stage of life when your kids are fresh out of the house and need you a lot less, and at the same time, your parents are starting to need more care. It feels like it only takes a blink of an eye for you to go from wishing your kids didn’t need to rely on you for so much to preferring if they would depend on you a little more. To be a purposeful parent, you need to learn to appreciate each moment as it comes, because they all go by so quickly. What we have today will be gone tomorrow, so all we can do is our best to enjoy the here and now.
– Dr. Jevon Clark
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Hello, my name is Abigail, and I’m almost 7 years old. I live with my Mama, Papa, and this other dog they brought home for some reason. Marley is about my age, but he has only lived with us since November. I guess you could say I’m still getting used to him. He’s easier to get along with than my sister Whitney was. I thought she was a pain, but Mama and Papa miss her a lot. I stay busy supervising Mama and Papa around the house. I like to know what’s going on — and I need to make sure they don’t mess up my stuff. My great hearing helps me keep track of everything. I can even hear the humans peeling a banana in the other room! That’s my favorite snack, so it pays to stay alert. Marley, however, is a big lazy lump! He doesn’t do much of anything. The only activity he gets is pacing around, waiting for Mama to come home. I don’t mind as long as he stays out of my way. But I have to put Marley in his place when he gets anywhere near me, my bed, or the dog toys! He doesn’t seem to understand yet that everything belongs to me. Hopefully, he’ll get it soon. Other dogs aren’t for me, but I love people. No matter where I am, there are always tons of humans there just to see me. I try to make it worth their time by giving all of them a chance to pet me. I especially love Dr. Ball at the veterinary office. She fixed my teeth last year. So, now I let her clip my nails without even complaining. I hope she appreciates it! Queen of the Castle
Ready to Succeed
3 IMPORTANT LIFE SKILLS TO TEACH YOUR TEEN
Leaving the nest can be tough for young adults. There are so many things to remember, like making sure they have all the right supplies and remembering to keep important paperwork. So, before your child heads off to college, help them strengthen these three skills. How to Ask for Help Being capable starts with understanding what you need and asking for it. By having your child order their own food at a restaurant, make medical and dental appointments for themselves, and check out at the supermarket alone, you’ll be helping your child develop independence while encouraging them to take the lead. How to Seamlessly Get From Point A to Point B When your teen leaves the house, they’ll be traveling on their own on a bus, on a plane, by car, and by foot, so they’ll need to understand how to navigate airports, subway stations, bus hubs, and roads. Ask your child to give you directions when describing how to get to the mall or have them even drive you there if they are licensed. This will reduce stress during solo travels, and they’re less likely to feel overwhelmed if plans unexpectedly change. How to Handle Emergencies When children are fairly young, they learn how to call 911 in the event of life- threatening and serious emergencies. But other emergencies tend to pop up in life that don’t necessarily warrant a call to the police. Show your child how to put on a spare tire, turn off utilities, patch a hole in clothing, and other basic but necessary skills so they don’t panic when something goes wrong in their dorm room or on the road.
One of my favorite things is climbing in my wagon and letting Mama or Papa pull me around. It’s so much fun! I also love to play with my stuffed dog, splash around in the kiddie pool, go camping, and play like I’m charging at people. I’m a bit of a daddy’s girl, and I love lying on Papa’s lap and letting him scratch my chest. Don’t feel bad for Mom — Marley is a mama’s boy, so she gets plenty of (inferior) cuddles. Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Dog Treats Combine taste with good nutrition by giving your dog these simple, healthy dog treats that will keep them coming back for more. Inspired by AllRecipes.com
As a parent, it’s your job to teach your children the right skills to set them up for success and independence so they can take care of themselves when they finally go off on their own.
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MEET ABIGAIL (AND MARLEY, TOO)
EVEN IF IT’S NOT YOUR DOG’S FIRST TIME PANCREATITIS CAN’T WAIT
That’s about all there is to know about me. If I see you, I’ll be sure to let you give me a scratch. You’re welcome!
It’s probably no surprise that we enjoy our wellness visits most. We love seeing our patients and pet parents when everyone is happy and healthy. But our primary job is to help animals when the bad stuff happens, and we see some conditions more than others. A dog with pancreatitis comes through our doors about once a week, and they’re usually very ill. Pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed, and it usually results in symptoms of nausea, abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. “Sometimes people bring their dogs in because they think their back hurts,” Dr. Clark says. “They’re actually hunching up their back because their stomach is sore.” Whatever symptoms your dog starts experiencing, it’s crucial to seek veterinary care as soon as possible. “Treating pancreatitis is usually very successful,” Dr. Clark says. “But the complication rate is unpredictable. It’s a bit like COVID-19. Most people have no complications whatsoever, but some people have such an inflammatory response that it kills them.” Worse, pancreatitis can come back, and pet owners can get complacent. “Sometimes we get nonchalant with animals who have a successful treatment, and people assume it will be a good outcome every single time,” Dr. Clark notes. The condition can also recur quickly, and many people don’t want to bring their dog back after only a few weeks. This choice can sadly be deadly. “Even when it’s a recurrent matter, the disease does not have the same presentation every time,” Dr. Clark explains. Cats can get pancreatitis, too, and the condition can become severe if left for too long. But the situation is generally less emergent than dog cases. While dogs with pancreatitis usually become acutely ill very quickly, the condition is harder to notice in cats, who are more likely to experience general malaise, fatigue, or lack of appetite. If your pet loses interest in food, it could be a sign of something serious, so we always recommend bringing them in as soon as possible. We understand that veterinary care can get expensive, and it can be challenging to find the time to bring your pet to our office. But we wouldn’t tell you to do it if it wasn’t in their best interest. A lack of action can result in an outcome none of us wants. “Don’t make assumptions that everything will be fine,” Dr. Clark says. “Time is usually of the essence.”
Ingredients
• • • • • •
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 eggs
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
2 tbsp peanut butter
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together all ingredients. If needed, add water to make the dough workable, but ensure it remains dry and stiff. 3. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a 1/2-inch-thick sheet. Cut into 1/2-inch square pieces or use a cookie cutter to make individual treats. 4. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper, and place cookies an inch apart. Bake for 40 minutes, or until hard, and let cool before serving.
– Dr. Jevon Clark
406.755.6886
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406.755.6886 WWW.KALISPELLVET.COM 1408 AIRPORT ROAD KALISPELL, MT 59901
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
Inside
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What It Means to Purposefully Parent
2 Teen Life Skills
2 Meet Abigail and Marley!
2 Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Dog Treats
3 Pancreatitis Info Every Dog Owner Needs
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A True Canine Hero
A Round of A-Paws THIS AMAZING PUP SAVES THE DAY — TWICE!
Heroes don’t always wear capes or stand on two legs — and in a specific case with a German shepherd, this is exceptionally true! A dog noticed that one of his favorite tiny humans was in some serious danger, so he saved the day, two times!
A little boy and girl enjoyed the day, tossing a ball back and forth in their backyard. When the girl overthrew the ball, it unfortunately fell into a small pond behind the boy. The girl rushed inside the house to get help, but the boy stayed outside and even ended up leaning over the edge of the pond as he tried to retrieve the ball on his own. This is when a protective German shepherd, lying nearby in the grass, saw everything and immediately sprung into action. The dog first looked into the pond to locate the ball. Then, knowing the boy was in danger as he teetered on the edge, the dog tugged on the little boy’s vest with his teeth, pulling him backward to safety near the back patio of the home. Once the little boy was in a safe location, the dog located a pole net that had been leaning against the house and brought it over to the pond. While his tail wagged with pride, the dog fished the ball out of the pond.
The dog then put the net down on the ground near the pond and brought the ball over to the boy, who petted him with appreciation. This German shepherd saved the day for this little boy and girl — and also saved the boy from injury and needing a dry set of clothes! What an amazing canine. He deserves a treat and a round of a-paws!
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