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December 2025 surfacecreekveterinarycenter.com 970-856-4474
SCVC Pawprint
Resolutions to Share With Your Pet This Year Paws and Reflect
The New Year is a great time for a fresh start, and a national survey shows roughly 30% of Americans make at least one New Year’s resolution. If you’re among them, have you thought about including your pet in any of your upbeat plans for the New Year?
your needs in advance. Pack an emergency kit for yourself, your family, and your pets, including food, water, leashes, litter, carriers, and other pet supplies. Place secure collars with identification tags on your pets, and have them microchipped for identification in case you’re separated.
Some of the same healthy goals we set for ourselves can benefit our pets, too. As we head into 2026, here are three ways to extend those good intentions to your furry friend. Get Moving Exercising more and losing weight are the top two most popular resolutions among Americans. As you create your own exercise plans, consider ways to add your pet. If your goal is to walk more, take your dog along. A 30- to 60-minute walk is good for most dogs. High-energy dogs, such as border collies, may require more exercise, while older pets and puppies often benefit from shorter sessions. Consider exploring new ways to exercise your cat as well. In addition to providing a variety of indoor toys for your kitty to chase, taking your cat outside to a catio or in a harness is a great way for them to release pent-up energy. For tips on harness training your
Animal welfare groups provide stickers for the door or window of your home to let emergency workers know pets are inside. Additionally, consider discussing with your
neighbors the possibility of agreeing in advance to check on each other’s pets during an emergency. Details on disaster preparedness planning can be found on the Red Cross website. Get Preventive Care When was the last time you had your annual physical exam or visited your dentist for a cleaning? These routines are also important for your dog or cat. We recommend that young dogs and cats receive a dental
checkup and cleaning at least once a year, and twice a year for small dogs, older pets, or those with existing dental problems. Just as your annual physical can help you get up to date on important immunizations and medical tests, a visit to your vet can ensure that your dog or cat stays healthy too. Regular dental cleanings and medication to prevent parasites, such as
heartworms, can save you money in the long term.
cat, visit the Anti-Cruelty Society’s website at anticruelty.org . If your dog or cat has a health condition that may affect their reaction to exercise, consult your veterinarian for advice. Get Organized Many people vow to get organized this time of year. A critically important way to do this is to make disaster-preparedness plans. Protect yourself from a last-minute scramble for safety during a storm or wildfire by thinking through
As New Year’s Eve approaches, share your resolutions with others, and enjoy the rewards as both you and your furry friend enjoy an improved quality of life!
–Dr. Jeff
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Helping Kids Understand Boundaries With Pets PROTECT YOUR PETS FROM HOLIDAY HAZARDS PETS AREN’T TOYS Tinsel, Lights, and Trouble
If you’ve ever watched your child light up around a dog or cat, you know how special that connection can be. Pets bring joy, comfort, and plenty of laughter into a home. But as sweet as those moments are, kids don’t always know how to handle animals safely. With these six tips, children can learn how to be safe and caring friends to the animals in their lives. Ask before you pet. Always ask first. This is one of the most important lessons to teach a kid. Whether it’s a family pet or a dog at the park, kids should get permission from an adult before approaching. This habit prevents unwanted surprises and teaches children that animals deserve the same respect as people when it comes to personal boundaries. Create calm introductions. Excited little hands often want to rush in for hugs, but that can overwhelm an animal. Encourage your child to let the pet sniff their closed hand before petting. Start with gentle strokes along the back or shoulders, steering clear of tails, ears, or paws. Showing kids how to move slowly and softly makes the experience safer for everyone. Recognize animal body language. Children may not realize when a pet is uncomfortable. Teach them to notice cues like a tucked tail, growling, or a dog pulling away. These signs mean “I need space.” By framing it as listening to what the animal is “saying,” kids learn to pay attention and respond with empathy. Respect quiet time. Pets need rest just like kids. If a dog is eating, chewing on a toy, or curled up in their bed, that’s their private time. Explain that interrupting can make a pet feel protective or grumpy. A simple rule of “if the pet is busy, give them their space” can keep everyone safe. Avoid excitement around pets. Running, yelling, or rough play can trigger a pet’s instincts and cause accidents. Encourage your child to move calmly and use an indoor voice when interacting with animals. If they feel nervous, teach them to stand still, fold their arms, and wait for the adult to step in. Always supervise young children. No matter how well-behaved your pet is, children younger than 5 should never be left alone with animals. Supervision allows you to step in quickly if things get too rowdy and to model the right way to show care.
Decorating your home and covering a holiday tree with lights, tinsel, and ornaments are among the most joyful rituals of the season. For pet owners, however, the fun comes with a holiday hazard: the risk of injury to their dog or cat. Ornaments, electrical cords, tinsel, ribbons, mistletoe, and holly all pose safety and health risks for your dog or cat. That doesn’t mean you have to shelve all those festive decorations, but it does call for vigilance on pet parents’ part to keep the holidays happy. Here are four precautions to keep in mind. Ornaments
Cats love to knock ornaments off trees, and dogs enjoy chewing them up. Fragments of broken glass ornaments can get stuck in pets’ paws or mouths. Use shatterproof ornaments whenever possible, and pick up any that fall immediately. Also, keep a watchful eye on puppies and dogs to prevent them from swallowing anything they shouldn’t. Electrical Cords
Puppies love chewing just about anything, and electrical cords are no exception. Biting them hard can cause electric shock, burn the inside of the puppy’s mouth, injure internal organs, and induce muscle tremors or seizures. To avoid this risk, re-route the electrical cords under rugs or above your puppy’s reach, or cover them with cord protectors or PVC piping. Tinsel and Ribbons
Cats tend to chew and swallow these baubles, at significant cost to their health. These decorations can ball up and block your pet’s digestive tract, requiring surgery to remove them. Supervising your kitty 24/7 is impossible for most pet owners, so the best solution may be to omit these items from your decorations. Holiday Plants Many people enjoy brightening their homes with traditional holiday plants. Many of them are toxic to dogs and cats, including mistletoe, holly, amaryllis, and paperwhite narcissus, which can potentially cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and a drop in blood pressure. The glossy, dark green foliage of the yew tree is often used in wreaths and garlands, but it is also toxic to your pets, potentially causing shortness of breath, seizures, and heart failure.
To avoid emergency trips to the vet during the holidays, plan ahead to make all your decorations pet-friendly.
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FETCH THIS LIST! Gift Ideas Your Cat or Dog Will Love
As families gather to exchange gifts for the holidays, certain presents always spark extra fun: the ones for the family dog or cat. If you’d like to include your furry friends in this year’s celebrations, here are a few ideas for gifts they might enjoy. Active Toys Many of the creative new toys for pets these days are both entertaining and stimulating. For active dogs, toys that encourage them to lick and chew engage them in healthy ways. Rubber Kong toys filled with kibble can be endlessly entertaining, and Pupsicle toys, with two halves that can be separated, enable you to insert pre-made or homemade treats. Toy designers have also created motion-activated cat toys, which use sensors to mimic the movements of prey. Wand and teaser toys can hold cats’ attention; some wands attach to windows or walls with suction cups, keeping your cat engaged. And mouse or banana toys filled with high-quality catnip are always popular. Many novel choices
of cat trees, condos, and scratching posts are available, too, from sisal-wrapped cacti to wicker giraffes. For healthy snacking, an indoor grass garden is a winner for most cats, offering on-demand access to fresh veggies. Baby Gifts
That new puppy or recently weaned kitten may have a tough time adapting to life without Mom. For anxious pups or kittens, consider a heartbeat pillow: a plush toy with a simulator that replicates a mother’s heartbeat. If your puppy is teething, a basket of tough, squeaking rubber chew toys or pull toys with a rope attached can stimulate healing in those painful gums. Outdoor Fun Don’t let cold temperatures keep you and your pets indoors. If temps fall much below 45 degrees, small, short-haired, or older dogs can benefit from a soft, snug pet sweater. And dog boots can prevent a painful buildup of snow and ice between the pads of your dog’s paws. Among top-rated brands are Canada Pooch, Kurgo, and Ruffwear. Your indoor cat may appreciate more access to the great outdoors, too! Consider gifting your kitty a window perch for gazing outdoors. These can be mounted on a wall or attached directly to a window. Your cat will love a catio, and budget-friendly DIY catio plans are available online.
With a little forethought, you can ensure that the holidays are just as much fun for pets as humans!
UnNtiloFtiucrether Due to a staffing shortage, SCVC will be closed on Saturdays until further notice. SURFACECREEKVETERINARYCENTER.COM 3 We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
N ePwo lSi cCi eVs C
Clients Spreading the Word
Ross Carter Tracey Murdock Michael Leavins Dean Barger Kameal Clark
• At the time of scheduling a
dental or surgery appointment, a $250 deposit will be required. This deposit will be applied to the procedure bill. If you need to cancel the appointment, and you give us at least a 24-hour notice, the deposit will be refunded.
• Due to the increasing cost of
credit card processing, there is now a 3% service charge added to all clinic services and products. If paying with cash, check, or PIN debit, there is no charge.
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1 inside this issue
Start the Year on the Right Paw: Resolutions for You and Your Pet
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The Do’s and Don’ts of Kids Interacting With Pets
Fa-La-La-La-Ouch! Shield Your Pets Against Holiday Decor Disasters
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Fur the Holidays: Gift Ideas Your Pet Will Love!
New SCVC Policies
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Pancho Becomes Lifesaver in Wilderness Rescue
TINY PUP, BIG HERO Trailblazing Chihuahua Led Searchers to Lost Owner NC aenwc eAl l aptpi ooni nPt mo leinc yt When you cancel with less than 24-hour notice, we now require a prepaid $50 deposit to reschedule. If you keep your rescheduled appointment, we will apply the deposit to your veterinary bill. If you miss your rescheduled appointment, the fee is nonrefundable.
When 85-year-old Barbara Crosby went missing in the California wilderness, no one expected her travel companion, her loyal dog Pancho, would become her savior. Spotted by residents in the area, the adventurous pup led rescuers straight to his owner, navigating a steep embankment that could have spelled disaster. The pair went missing on an early Saturday morning when Barbara, who has dementia, wandered away from her senior living home with the Chihuahua mix. Search and rescue teams immediately began to look for the at-risk adult but saw no sign of her throughout the day. As they were about to pack up for the night, multiple residents reported that they had spotted Pancho in the area.
Due to the rugged terrain, the team had to utilize a litter and rope system to lift Barbara to safety and promptly take her to a nearby hospital. Though she was no longer in harm’s way, the crews couldn’t stop to celebrate too long. Pancho pulled a hound-ini act and ran off before rescuers could lift him out.
Residents spotted the runaway dog the next day, just a short distance away. Dehydrated and exhausted from the ordeal, Pancho was taken to a veterinarian for treatment and is back to his old self. The county sheriff’s office recognized Pancho’s life-saving act in a special thank-you online, stating that his “loyalty and presence near Barbara’s location helped lead us to her, truly the unsung hero of this rescue.” They also thanked the search and rescue crews and the community members who shared their Pancho sightings. This Chihuahua’s keen instincts guided rescuers through tricky terrain, proving heroes come in all sizes. Thankfully, this duo’s adventure ended in tail wags and plenty of treats.
Thanks to details from these glimpses of the would-be hero, rescue crews could pinpoint Pancho’s travel path,
which led down a 70-foot steep embankment off the road. After hiking to the bottom, they found him hiding under some brush and followed him to where Barbara lay sleeping nearby.
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