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December 2024 www.surfacecreekveterinarycenter.com 970-856-4474
SCVC Pawprint Holiday Rewind JOIN US ON THE ISLAND OF MISFIT CATS TOYS
It’s the season when many families gather around their TVs to watch holiday movies like “Elf” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”
and everyone in Christmastown realizes they were too hard on the misfits. Even Santa sees his mistake and promises to find homes for all those misfit toys.
The movie characters we enjoy at our house every Christmas are just as entertaining as Will Ferrell and Chevy Chase — in a painfully old-fashioned way. Our perennial favorite is the 1964 classic, “Rudolph the Red- Nosed Reindeer.” Burl Ives narrates the story as the voice of Sam the Snowman, and we love the implicit lessons and subplots in this tale. Susie and I feel right at home when Rudolph and his friends travel by a boat that won’t float, with an elephant that has spots, and have a water pistol that shoots jelly. We always joke that we live on the Island of Misfit Cats. Susie takes in a lot of stray, injured felines, and all our cats are one-eyed, one-legged, or mentally handicapped. We don’t have any normal cats! They are all disabled in some way. One little elf in the movie, Hermey, is supposed to be an elf and build toys like all the other elves. But he doesn’t want to build toys. He wants to be a dentist, and everyone gives him a hard time for that. But as it turns out, if it weren’t for Hermey, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster — a mean, nasty, white-furred yeti who hates everything about Christmas — would have ruined the holiday for everybody. Fans of the film believe Bumble was grouchy because he had a chronic toothache. Hermey cures Bumble’s toothache, transforming his personality for the better. Remember, dental health is important for all animals, even Bumble. So, Hermey saves the North Pole, and finally gets to open a dental office. What a good example of how you shouldn’t listen to what everybody tells you to become. Do what you want to do in life. The film is a lesson about embracing your imperfections. Although Hermey and Rudolph run away together early in the film, singing, “We’re a couple o’ misfits,” Rudolph realizes as he grows up that you can’t run away from your troubles. He returns home with his friends,
I started watching “Rudolph” when I was a kid in the 1960s. Since Susie and I were married, I don’t think there has been a Christmas that we haven’t watched “Rudolph” together — on the VCR, then on DVD. To some viewers today, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” might look stupid. The producer used stop-motion animation — moving puppet characters and photographing them one frame at a time to create the illusion of movement. Today’s computer animation makes stop-motion look archaic. But “Rudolph” is still a cool movie, and if you’re looking for a consensus in our house, “Rudolph” is pretty much it. Our kids made fun of it, but they still liked it. We would all sit down and watch it. Our oldest child is now a mom herself, and she’ll probably show the movie to her newborn baby when he’s old enough. He’ll be brought up with Rudolph, Hermey, and Bumble, too. Christmas is a great time to reflect on the timeless themes of our favorite old movies and enjoy watching them again. As the holidays approach, we hope you can enjoy some of your favorite flicks from the past, too!
– Dr. Jeff
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Golden retriever Samson takes his job as a medical service response dog very seriously, maybe even too seriously. For owner Lea Hendy, it became apparent quickly that the loveable giant didn’t know how to dog. On their days off at the dog park, Samson was the odd man out, sitting alone in the corner while the other pups played. It seemed like he couldn’t turn off work mode or form bonds with other dogs. Samson joined Lea’s family to train as a service dog. When she noticed his seeming lack of social skills with other dogs, she was determined to find a way to bring him out of his shell. Little did she know that a chance encounter with a cat would change everything. While they were out traveling, Samson spotted a kitten in the window of a building and immediately wanted to play. It was an “aha!” moment that Samson could indeed make deep bonds; it just had to be with the right animal. A couple of months later, they brought home a tiny kitten named Cleo, and the instant friendship surprised everyone. They gently placed the backpack with the little kitten inside in the middle of the room, and Samson immediately sprung into excited barks and tail wags. Lea said they were never expecting him to be so excited about his new friend, and the two have been inseparable since. How a Kitten Helped Samson Unleash His Inner Pup A PURR-FECT MATCH
We have always believed in shopping locally, and we are grateful to all of our friends and neighbors in the community who support our Veterinary Center. In this newsletter last month, we thanked many of them for helping us prepare to open our new location in Hotchkiss. But we forgot to mention one very important contributor: Our local hardware store, Big John’s Ace Hardware & Building Supply in Cedaredge! All of the great people at Big John’s helped us reach our goal, and we want to shout out a big “thank you” to each of them — Susan, Scott, Paul, Robert, Jason, Eric, Lee, Kyle, Asa, Sharon, Sarah, Tracy, Mike, Dave, Eli, John, Hope, Vickie, Bob, and Pat. We appreciate each THANK YOU, BIG JOHN’S! Project Success
“It was so heartwarming to see him come out of his shell and immediately form a connection with Cleo,” Lea said.
Now, the pair spend every moment they can together, playing, napping, and enjoying each other’s company. Cleo has become an avid adventurer since the family started taking her on hikes. When the kitty tires out, she takes a ride on her older brother Samson, who looks so proud to be transporting his sister. Cleo, a tiny kitten with a big heart, allowed Samson, a workaholic looking for a friend, to break out of his shell and explore his world in ways his family never thought possible. Now, thousands of people worldwide watch their friendship and adventures on the animal-odd couple’s Instagram page @calvin.andco.
of you for your terrific service throughout our work improving the site for our new clinic.
We are excited to serve your pet in Hotchkiss, which is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Clients are welcome to schedule appointments for checkups,
“It shows that friendship has no bounds,” Lea said. “Anyone can be friends.”
vaccinations, minor illnesses, wound care, and basic spaying and neutering. The clinic is fully equipped with X-ray equipment, a laboratory, a surgery room, and examination rooms. We saw the need for veterinary care in the North Fork area and secured the Hotchkiss site in 2020. Numerous clients, friends, and neighbors pitched in to help, and we are grateful for the extra work and expertise they offered. We never could have reached this goal without their help! A famous educator once said that all progress and stability depend on our confidence in our neighbors. We are lucky to have so many neighbors who inspire confidence and trust! Thank you all.
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TOXIC TREATS
Hide These Holiday Foods From Your Pets
As pet parents enjoy festive holiday meals and treats, they may be tempted to share a few goodies with their pets. Veterinarians have a word of advice for such moments: Don’t do it. A gesture of love can end badly if pets are fed the wrong human foods. The most common cause of pet poisoning is chocolate, one of the holidays’ most prized treats. Dogs and cats should never eat chocolate. Dark chocolate contains methylxanthine which is toxic to dogs, causing seizures, an irregular heartbeat, diarrhea, and vomiting. The same chemical compound can cause irregular heartbeats, muscle tremors, or seizures in cats. Milk chocolate is high in sugar and fat and may cause pancreatitis, which can be difficult to treat. Another popular holiday treat, macadamia nuts, are among the most poisonous foods for dogs, causing vomiting, fever, lethargy, and an inability to walk. These human treats can damage the canine nervous system, and they are toxic to cats as well. Guard against the growing list of products that contain xylitol. The incidence of xylitol poisoning in pets has risen sharply as the sweetener is added to more products. Check your peanut butter label before stuffing your pet’s kong with it. Baked goods, candies, honey, and yogurt also may contain the sweetener.
This sugar substitute can trigger a release of insulin in dogs and cats, causing
tremors, vomiting, and diarrhea and potentially leading to liver failure.
Grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, and, eventually, kidney failure. The reasons for those effects aren’t clear, but the likely cause is that dogs cannot metabolize the flavonoids and tannins from grapes. Similar effects are seen in cats, including abdominal pain and reduced urination. Onions and garlic, popular ingredients in holiday dishes, threaten both species. In dogs, garlic causes pale gums, a speeding heart, weakness, and collapse. In cats, onions and garlic — powdered, raw, or cooked — are toxic, whether consumed in small quantities over time or in large quantities. Symptoms include anemia and other serious problems. Yogurt and milk in small amounts may be OK for your pets, assuming they are xylitol-free. But watch your pet for signs of lactose intolerance. Symptoms typically appear within 30 minutes to two hours, including bloating, diarrhea, and weight loss.
Steve & Steph Hanson Patty Bartlett Kathy Shelby Beverly Kolkman Clients Spreading the Word
N ePwo lSi cCi eVs C
UnNtiloFtiucrether Due to a staffing shortage, SCVC will be closed on the first and third Saturday of the month. We will continue to be open on the second and fourth Saturdays. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
• 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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inside this issue
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Why ‘Rudolph’ Leads Our Holiday Movie Picks
Samson and Cleo’s Tail-Wagging Tale
A Big Thanks to Big John’s Hardware
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Human Foods That Can Poison Your Pets
New SCVC Policies
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Unravel the Myth of the 16th-Century Rocket Cat
CAT-APULTING INTO HISTORY The Feline-Flying Military Tactic That Never Took Off 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.
Throughout military history, you’ll find strategic experiments ranging from the genius to the downright bizarre. But few can top the zany brainchild of Franz Helm, a 16th-century German artillery aficionado whose bright idea left historians — and cat lovers — utterly bewildered. Let’s set the scene with Helm’s magnum opus, the “Feuer Buech,” published in 1584, a treasure trove of ( literally ) explosive innovations in warfare.
was straightforward: kidnap an enemy cat, strap it into a gunpowder-laden backpack, light the fuse, and hope
Mr. Whiskers doesn’t get cold paws about blowing up its evil overlords.
Preserved for posterity at the University of Pennsylvania, the “Feuer Buech” reminds us of the lengths human creativity can go — especially when combined with a profound misunderstanding of cat behavior. As any cat owner will tell you, cats have their own agendas. The chances of a cat completing its fiery mission are about as high as it bringing you the morning newspaper.
Imagine this: a battlefield in the Renaissance, not just filled with the clang of swords and the thunder of cannons, but also — wait for it — flying, flaming cats. Yes, you read that right. Franz Helm’s groundbreaking military tactic involved jetpacks for cats. Picture a kitty, strapped with a sack of gunpowder, zipping through the air like a furry missile aimed at enemy strongholds. The hope? These feline projectiles would scamper back to their homes — presumably in enemy territory — and start a blazing inferno. One can only wonder about how they would train cats to become arsonists. The method
Thankfully, we have no evidence that this pyrotechnic plan ever came to pass. Considering cats’ notorious independence, we can rest assured that no self- respecting felines took part in these explosive escapades.
So, next time you’re cuddling with your cat, be thankful its biggest inclination is to knock pens off your table rather than infiltrate enemy castles with fire.
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