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Pet Press KALISPELL OCTOBER 2021
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IT’S ADOPT A SHELTER DOG MONTH! Choosing Your New Best Friend
October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. Some of you may have celebrated early by getting yourselves a “pandemic puppy” in 2020, but pet adoption rates have remained high in 2021. In Kalispell, we’ve recently had an unusual (though fantastic!) problem: There aren’t enough dogs to adopt! While spending more time at home, people have really realized the value of having a pet, and many dogs who would have been abandoned for a long time have found new homes. If you’re still in the market for a new pooch, there’s a lot to consider. It’s easy to visit a shelter and fall in love with the first adorable dog you see, but a new pet isn’t something you want to impulsively buy. Different dog breeds have different characteristics and needs, so it’s important to do your research. If you’re older and have limited mobility, a border collie probably isn’t for you. If you live in an apartment, a smaller dog that needs less exercise is probably a good fit, and people with kids may not want a super rambunctious dog that will take up a lot of their time. You should also take the dog’s temperament into account if you have other pets or children, or everyone can end up in an unhappy situation.
You should also make sure you’re adopting for the right reason. Often, people get a new dog because they think their current dog needs a friend. That might be true, but some people mistakenly believe that the second dog will make caring for the first dog easier. In reality, the new dog won’t take the place of human companionship. Your existing dog will still need the attention they’ve always received, and your new dog will need attention, too. By getting a second dog, you’re doubling your commitment. Once you’ve found your perfect companion and brought them home, the first thing you want to do is schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to establish a relationship and have your questions answered. Most of our local shelters sponsor wellness checks or provide vouchers for senior pet care. It’s also important to establish a routine. When you adopt a new dog, you’re understandably excited about it and have big plans for all of the things you’ll do together. Then life happens, and if you haven’t built a habit, it’s easy to not spend as much time with your pet as you’d intended. To ensure everyone gets the attention they need, especially if you have other pets or children in the home, sticking to a routine is vital. Before I close, let me also put in a good word for our feline friends. Cats have higher populations and generally have a harder time getting out of a shelter than dogs do. If you’re looking for a new pet that’s a little bit lower maintenance, cats make a great choice — call your shelter of choice to meet some today.
Unfortunately, many dogs at shelters have behavioral problems. Sometimes, smart dogs just aren’t given enough to do, so they get themselves into trouble. Other times, the energy level of the dog is much too high for the owner. Always
look into the history of a dog before adopting; if they’ve been in and out of the shelter several times, you need to know why before bringing them home. Any time you adopt, there’s the potential that you’ll have to help your new pet unlearn old behaviors.
– Dr. Jevon Clark
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STAN THE M Meet Alicia’s Dog
Self-Help Books Can’t Do It All HOW READING FICTION CAN BENEFIT YOU Many CEOs and other successful individuals continually espouse the benefits of regular reading. Many times, leaders read self-help books to improve their leadership skills and become more successful. This is all well and good, but even the most successful people in the world could be missing out on the unique benefits that come specifically from reading fiction. But what are those benefits exactly?
Hello, humans, my name is Stan. People tell me that I’m a pit bull mix, but I just think of myself as a dog. No one knows quite how old I am, and I never learned how to count. I’ve got more important things to worry about, like when my dinner will be ready. A few years ago, I was found on the road with some scars on my body, but I don’t like to talk about it. People brought me to a shelter, but then I stayed there for almost a year — which is seven years in dog years. I guess I was a little too shy, but my mama, Alicia, showed up and took the time to get to know me.
Now I live with her, a dog named Gracie, two cats named Olaf and Elsa, one
other adult human, and some small humans. When I first got here, I really wanted to eat Olaf and Elsa, but Mama wouldn’t let me, even when I explained that they look really tasty. Now, I mostly hang out with Gracie
Greater Empathy When a psychologist analyzed 86 functioning MRI (fMRI) studies, he found that the same parts of the brain that fire up when reading fictional stories also fire up when we’re seeking to understand the thoughts and feelings of others. That’s because when the characters in the book we’re reading are thinking or feeling a certain way, we tend to think or feel that way with them. Less Stress and Better Sleep When we read fiction specifically, we tend to disengage from the world — and that’s a good thing! Our brains can’t always be functioning at their peak capacity. We need breaks, or else we’ll stress ourselves out and negatively affect other areas of our lives. Stress tends to keep us from sound sleep, but reading fiction before bed engages the imagination, taking us away from the stresses of everyday life before we drift off. More Comfort With Uncertainty Even though many stories (particularly those portrayed in popular movies) have nice happy endings, most people would agree that life sometimes leaves things a little more open-ended. While this fact might stress out some people, researchers have discovered that fiction readers don’t need “cognitive closure” as much as nonfiction readers. Greater Happiness Even if none of the benefits of fiction interest you, everyone wants to find ways to make themselves happy — and for many, that is reading fiction. According to one survey, 76% of participants said that reading makes them feel good and improves their lives. So, what are you waiting for? Dust off that novel you’ve been meaning to read and crack it open!
because we’re best friends. I also really like the small humans — they’re lots of fun.
Apple and Carr
Fall is harvest season, and with this recipe, even your loyal mutt can partake in some of its greatest flavors.
Ingredients
• • • •
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup carrots, shredded
1/2 cup apple, peeled and shredded
1 cup broth of choice
Inspired by CommuniKait.com
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MAN
EAR INFECTIONS CAN BE RUFF
TREATMENT TAKES TIME Chronic ear infections can be frustrating. When your poor pet is itching and in pain, you want to make them feel better as quickly as possible. If your dog recently went through an ear infection and now it’s back, you may think you can just call your veterinarian and ask for a refill of their last prescription. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Ear infections in dogs don’t just happen; they are usually the sign of an underlying problem. Ear infections can result from hormonal issues, environmental allergies, food allergies, autoimmune diseases, and more. If the root cause isn’t discovered, the infection will keep coming back. Finding the underlying cause of an ear infection can be tricky and takes time. For bacterial infections, a culture is needed to determine the best prescription medication. Different medications work on different infections, so trying to guess will be expensive for you and painful for your pooch. Additionally, allergy and blood tests may be needed to find the reason for the infection. Your veterinarian also wants to see your dog for every ear infection because a canine ear canal is much longer than a human’s, and an ear infection can cause a lot of buildup. Before treating an ear infection with drops, the ear needs to be sufficiently cleaned out by a professional. If the ear is not properly cleaned, any topical medication will not contact the dog’s ear tissue and provide the necessary benefits. After treatment is prescribed, a follow-up appointment may be recommended by your veterinarian to make sure that the infection is truly cleared and to gain extra clues about its original cause. It’s important to follow up with your veterinarian as instructed and schedule a visit at the first sign of problems. If you wait too long, your dog will
Some people are scared of me, and Mama thinks it’s since
I’m a pit bull. That doesn’t seem fair. Even though I can be very
serious, I also think I’m pretty nice. I even get scared, too (of fireworks, power tools, and, of course,
puppies). When I get scared, I hide between my mama’s legs, and she puts the weighted blanket on me until I feel better. So, maybe people who are scared of me just need their mamas, too.
My life is pretty good now, except for mealtime. Since I’m missing a few teeth, the peasant who feeds me (Mama) likes
to soak my food. This takes a very long time, so I must bark at her and run back and forth until it is ready — otherwise, I will surely starve.
Even though she takes too long to make my food, I love my mama a lot. Gracie says I’m a “mama’s boy,” and that sounds like a good thing to me. Mama keeps me safe, gives me soccer balls to play with, and rubs my belly — what more could a dog ask for?
rrot Dog Treats 2. In a large bowl, combine flour, carrots, apples, and broth and mix together well. 3. Sprinkle the countertop with flour and, using a rolling pin, roll the dough flat to about 1/2-inch thick. 4. Cut the dough into your favorite shapes. (Cookie cutters are encouraged!) 5. Bake cookies for 8–10 minutes. 6. Cool before serving and refrigerate to store. Directions 1. Preheat oven to 400 F.
be back at square one with full-blown inflammation, and it’s harder for veterinarians to locate the reason for the infection when your dog is in crisis mode. In the end, an ear infection may need a few months of treatments to properly clear. Please be patient with us while we do everything we can to get your dog back to feeling their best.
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406.755.6886 WWW.KALISPELLVET.COM 1408 AIRPORT ROAD KALISPELL, MT 59901
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Inside
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Choosing the Shelter Dog That’s Right For You The Unique Benefits of Reading Fiction
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Stan Gets a Second Chance
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Apple and Carrot Dog Treats
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Treatment for Ear Infections Takes Time
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A Story of Unbreakable Friendship
The Dog Who Rescued Another
When we hear about animals being rescued and adopted, we often picture a family finding their perfect furry companion. THE STORY OF WHOOBIE, JUAN, AND THE FAMILY THEY CREATED
In the case of Whoobie and Juan, it’s a little different.
Whoobie was his owner, Patricia Lane’s, loyal mutt for many years. He mastered all the standard dog commands — sit, stay, and lay down — and he danced when asked and could find his favorite toys by name. Patricia always knew when her guests arrived based on Whoobie’s howl, and his loud-mouth attitude often saw him as the “sheriff” of the local dog park, policing any and all dog fights.
Whoobie followed — and so did the little dog. As Patricia explains to Reader’s Digest, “From then on, he always followed Whoobie.” After no one claimed the dog, Patricia adopted him and named him Juan. Still uncertain about people, Juan latched onto Whoobie, and the pair became an inseparable duo. The new brothers shared a bed, and occasionally, Whoobie placed his arm around Juan. At the dog park, every canine knew not to mess with Juan, lest they had Whoobie to contend with. The pair remained that way for years. Sadly, the worst part about dogs is that they leave us too soon. On the day Whoobie died, Patricia and Juan said their goodbyes together in the veterinarian clinic. “As Whoobie took his last breath,” Patricia recalls,” Juan laid down next to Whoobie. He seemed to know his friend was gone.” Today, Patricia and Juan have bonded, but they still miss their friend — a dog who saved them both and helped create their family.
For years, Whoobie and Patricia were perfect companions, but one day, their family grew by chance. After waking from a nap on their couch, Patricia and Whoobie heard a dog barking outside. A small Chihuahua mix was standing in their backyard, despite the high fence. (Later, Patricia surmised that someone dropped the Chihuahua into her yard.) For an hour, Patricia tried to establish a rapport, pleading with the little dog to eat or come inside so she could find his owners. He wouldn’t move. Giving up, Patricia left her door open and went back inside.
You can read more pet stories in Reader’s Digest’s “America’s Best Pet Pals” series.
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