Animal Clinic of Kalispell - January 2021

Bulldog

bifida, which is a fairly common condition found in my breed. With spina bifida, I have a minor deformity in my rear legs, which means they don’t quite line up with the rest of my body. I have to be in a diapering system for the rest of my life, but I don’t mind. I love the suspenders I have to wear, and they always make humans really happy, too! Opie’s English Bulldog Rescue was founded by Julie Hershberger, who has connections with breeders all throughout the country to save puppies just like me. That was how she found me and took me into her care! But, when she started to look for a forever home for me, I had some trouble adapting. When I have a toy, I really like my toy, and when I have Mom’s attention, I really like being center stage! I don’t like sharing toys or attention with other dogs. But that’s why Mom knew I was the perfect fit for her! With her human children all grown, Mom lives alone and can look after me.

WHAT DO BENJAMIN FRANKLIN AND VETERINARIANS HAVE IN COMMON?

Getting to Mom’s house was a really exciting adventure, even though I didn’t know what was happening. The best part about the trip was that I got to meet so many new people! They’d take me in their car and drive me until I met the next person. That was how I traveled all the way from Missouri to Montana until I arrived at Mom’s doorstep. Since I got here in June, I’ve absolutely loved it! I’ve met so many new people and dogs. Whenever Mom takes me to the park, I love meeting new dogs (especially when toys and food aren’t involved!), and Mom gets to talk to their human parents. It’s a great time to be social, and I get to run around to my heart’s content! I also got to meet Dr. Clark, who has taken such good care of Mom’s pets. My doctor and his team are so kind and gentle; I know I’m in great hands whenever I go. Each day is such a blessing, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for us each morning. Oh! One last thing before I let you go: If you want to learn more about Opie’s English Bulldog Rescue, you can find them on that social media site that humans like, Facebook, at Facebook.com/OpieRescue. If you’re hoping to adopt an adorable dog like me, then that is definitely a place to start!

Inventiveness and Creativity At the young age of 11, Benjamin Franklin — who’d always loved swimming — decided that he wanted to propel himself further in the water, so he made himself some fins. He took two pieces of oval wood, 10 inches long and 6 inches wide, and cut a hole into each to slip his thumb into. The fins did allow him to push himself through the water more quickly, and they also became young Franklin’s first invention — the first of many in his lifetime. Franklin’s birthday is Jan. 17, which is a perfect opportunity to marvel at his innovations. In addition to swimming fins, Franklin also invented the Franklin stove, bifocals, and the lightning rod. His constant urging also led to the formation of the first fire department in Philadelphia. While these inventions have left a lasting impact, and still influence our lives today, being an inventor isn’t the only way to be creative.

Often, when someone thinks of inventiveness, they think of inventions like glasses, cellphones, or even air fryers. Not very many people think about scientific professions, such as a veterinarian, as being inventive or creative, but they are. As veterinarians, it’s our job to solve our clients’ and patients’ problems, and that involves quite a bit of creativity. Veterinary medicine is an art: We must learn a vast amount of knowledge in order to do our jobs well. Then to put that knowledge into practice, we have to take the information we have (often in completely different areas) and merge it into one effective treatment. If, for instance, a dog is having a problem with its liver, a veterinarian must consider which medication will help and also how it will affect the dog’s heart. A cat that comes in with an infection will be given an antibiotic, and the veterinarian also has to think about how it will affect the kidneys. Veterinarians have to be systematic thinkers. They are finding the best solution to help their patients get back to full health, and that’s when inventiveness and creativity come into play.

FOR THE HEALTHY PUP

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. In a large bowl, combine pumpkin purée, peanut butter, and eggs. With an electric mixer, beat until smooth. 3. One cup at a time, stir in the almond flour. 4. Stir in the carrots and spinach. 5. When the dough is fully mixed, roll it into a ball. Then, using your hands, split ball into marble-sized pieces and create square, round, or heart-shaped treats. 6. Bake treats on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 25 minutes. 7. Let the treats cool and give your pup a taste!

It’s always important to recognize inventiveness, even if it doesn’t make it into the history books.

Inspired by TheProduceMoms.com

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