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November 2020 www.surfacecreekveterinarycenter.com 970-856-4474
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GIVING US LOVE AND COMPANIONSHIP THROUGH HARD TIMES Let’s Be Thankful for Our Pets
kids were out of school, they’d often walk Buck around and even bring him down to work. We're very thankful for him because our kids can go anywhere if Buck is with them, and we don’t have to worry. Buck doesn’t put up with anything when it comes to protecting the kids. It’s nice to know that we can rely on him in so many ways.
throughout most of the year. Another thing we’re grateful for, that I’m sure many of our readers can relate to, is our pets. Over these long months, our pets have provided us comfort with snuggles, exercise, and even a few laughs. Many of our clients have told us how grateful they are to have their pets either waiting for them at home after work or providing them some much needed company while staying home. At our house, we’re very grateful for our pets; they give us the chance to relax, even if they demand attention when we walk through the door. After a long day, it’s nice to be able to sit down and snuggle up with your pet. Buck, our Great Pyrenees, is a mostly outdoor dog who doesn’t actually like coming inside. He spends his day outside guarding our sheep and goats, but it’s always comforting when we come home and see him out there. Buck is also a super nice dog and gives our whole family a chance to get out of the house and exercise when we walk him around the neighborhood. When our
November brings us one step closer to winter, as well as Thanksgiving. While it might be harder to do this year, the holiday gives us a chance to be thankful, even for the small things. We believe that in November 2020, it’s vital to be thankful for what you have. Despite it being a difficult year, it’s time to focus on the good that has happened. Quite often, if someone only focuses on the negative, that’s how they end up living their lives. If they focus on the positives, things become far more manageable. Something we’re thankful for this year is the health of our family. Although it hasn’t been perfect — all of us fought a cold at the end of September — we were still very healthy
When it comes to our pets, we’re also very thankful that they have been healthy, too. It’s always important to be thankful for their health, and it’s good to ask ourselves what we’re doing to keep them as healthy as possible. Our family does everything we can to ensure our pets are up to date with all their vaccines and check-ups, are eating all the right food, and have clean and healthy teeth. This Thanksgiving, let’s give thanks for all our pets that have kept us company throughout this pandemic, no matter if they’ve been with us for years or just a few months. From all of us to you, our readers, we hope you have a very thankful and happy holiday. Dr. Susie and Dr. Jeff
“OVER THESE LONG MONTHS, OUR PETS HAVE PROVIDED US COMFORT WITH SNUGGLES, EXERCISE, AND EVEN A FEW LAUGHS.”
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TEAM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: CORA JOHNSTON ALife and Career Helping Animals The Best Companion
THE STORIES BEHIND 2 ICONIC ANIMAL HEROES IN VIDEO GAMES Your family might have had the chance to play more video games lately and interact with some of the most famous animal heroes in video game history, like Yoshi or Sonic. But have you ever wondered about their real- world backstories? Yoshi Or should we say, T. Yoshisaur Munchakoopas? That’s Yoshi’s full name according to Nintendo’s official character guide published in 1993. Ever since the first release of Super Mario Bros, Nintendo wanted Mario to have a dinosaur companion. However, the limitations of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) stalled that idea until Nintendo released Super Mario World for the Super NES. The inspiration for Yoshi traces back to the 1984 video game Devil World, which featured green lizards that hatch from eggs, eat enemies with large mouths, and emit the very same signature Yoshi giggle when they hatch.
Cora Johnston was born and raised in Moab, Utah, but her life’s journeys moved her to Hotchkiss, Colorado. Growing up, Cora was surrounded by animals and family and enjoyed taking care of their dogs, horses, chickens, goats, and more. Having so many animals to interact with at such a young age and learning to care for them all drove Cora to pursue her passion for animals as she grew up and began considering a career.
Cora is still relatively new to the area, but she absolutely loves it here. “I’m so excited to be here,” she says. “It’s a great place to live and work.”
Before joining our team, she previously worked in a veterinarian clinic and loved her work there. So, when she moved to Hotchkiss, she began searching for that same experience, which is when she found us. “I knew some of the clients who came here,” Cora explains. “They had heard that Jeff and Susie were looking for someone and told me that I should apply. I reached out and everything happened from there. I’m really glad to be back working at a veterinary clinic!” For Cora, caring for animals goes deep. “Being in an environment where I can interact with different animals is wonderful. It’s very gratifying to be able to help sick animals and get them back on their feet.” Cora’s time at the clinic is filled with animals, and so is her time at home. In her free time, she loves to hang out with her dog, Indie; her cat, Freddie Mercury; and her and her boyfriend’s Australian Shepherd 1-year-old puppy, Boone. You can often find the group hiking, camping, and, when the warmer weather hits, out on the river.
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Yoshi has received a positive reception since its introduction, making it Japan’s third-favorite video game character in 2008. A few fun facts: Yoshi is often referred to as male, but its gender remains unconfirmed. Also, Yoshi and K.K. Slider (from Animal Crossing) have the same voice actor! Sonic You could say that random New Yorkers chose Sonic’s ultimate design. When Sega sought to create a flagship series to rival Nintendo’s Mario, Naoto Ohshima took character designs with him on a trip to New York. He asked random passersby in Central Park to choose a design, and the spiky blue hedgehog won. That wasn’t the end of Sonic’s design alterations, though. He had a rock band phase! Initially, Sonic had fangs, was in a band, and had a human girlfriend named Madonna. The team at Sega of America, led by Madeline Schroeder (who calls herself “Sonic’s mother”), removed those elements to “soften” the character for American audiences. While this led to heated internal debates, Sonic game designer Yuji Naka admitted it was for the best.
These famous characters make our video games more energetic and fun, and their origin stories are just as unique!
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A THANKSGIVING FEAST Cook Your Pet a Healthy Meal!
E very year, our team at Surface Creek warns people not to give their pets table scraps during the holidays. Our pets' diets are a very important part of their lives, and while dogs and cats are more than happy to eat up any treat passed to them under the table, it can greatly alter their health. Foods with meat drippings, grease, butter, oils, and even meat scraps increase the risk of obesity and pancreatitis, as well. However, there are still plenty of ways pet owners can cook delicious and healthy treats for their pets. Pet owners can find a number of healthy treats at local pet stores, but you can also cook up a treat or meal yourself! In addition to Thanksgiving, November is a host to many other holidays and events, including National Cook for Your Pets Day, which is celebrated on Nov. 1.
By cooking your pet’s food, you have more control over the ingredients that go into their meal, and you can ensure they’re getting the right nutrients. What’s more, you’ll gain valuable insight into your pet’s diet and nutritional needs. If you’re wondering where to find reliable recipes for your pets to enjoy, you don’t have to look far. Our very own Dr. Jeff Hirsch wrote a cookbook that is all about healthy recipes for dogs. Titled “Cooking With Buck” after his Great Pyrenees, this cookbook has plenty of recipes that will get your dog drooling. To learn more about this book and pick up a copy, be sure to ask Dr. Jeff on your next visit or reach out to our clinic.
team which foods are good for them and which you should avoid.
Instead of staring longingly at your dinner this Thanksgiving, your pet can enjoy a healthy feast of their own!
When it comes to cooking for your cat or putting together a meal for another type of pet, ask our
Share those Thanksgiving turkey leftovers with your pup by turning them into crunchy oatmeal cookies. Your dog will be begging for them at breakfast and dinner! Turkey and Oatmeal Dog Treats Inspired by DogTipper.com
lients Spreading the Word Thanks so much to these clients who referred new patients to us last month:
• Kathy Lindley • Sandy Wilt • Pat Hopkins
INGREDIENTS
• •
1 cup turkey or chicken broth 1 1/2 cups shredded turkey
• • •
1 3/4 cups whole-wheat flour 2 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 tsp baking powder
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. In a large bowl, mix flour, oats, and baking powder and set aside. 3. In a blender, add broth and turkey and pulse until it’s the consistency of baby food. 4. Add the meat mixture to the dry ingredients and mix it well. Then, on a lightly floured surface, turn out the dough and knead it. 5. Roll out the dough and cut it into fun shapes, like bones, leaves, or turkeys. 6. Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown. 7. Let cool, then your dog can indulge in the flavors of the season!
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Let’s Be Thankful for Our Pets inside this issue
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The Stories Behind 2 Iconic Animal Heroes in Video Games
Team Member Spotlight: Cora Johnston
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A Thanksgiving Feast for Your Pet!
Clients Spreading the Word!
Turkey and Oatmeal Dog Treats
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Is ‘Glamping’ the Perfect Winter Getaway?
CABIN FEVER HAS NEVER BEEN SO STYLISH Is ‘Glamping’ the Perfect Winter Getaway?
winter camping certainly wouldn’t be a relaxing getaway for most people, glamping during the winter months can give you access to the peace of the outdoors like you’ve never experienced before without so much as a shiver or sniffle. If you’ve decided to make glamping your go-to method of escape from the cabin fever that besets us all during the cold, dark winter days, you might be thinking: How can I make sure I have the best glamping experience possible? Luckily, there are a few tips and tricks you can apply to any glamping location to ensure that your time away from home is just as relaxing as that Caribbean cruise would have been. Step 1: Decide which kind of lodging you want. Glamping shelters come in all shapes and sizes depending on the level of comfort you desire on your trip. The most rugged glamping lodgings
usually still include a wood-burning stove and a nice comfy bed, whether you opt for a log cabin or a specialized glamping tent (sometimes called a yurt). However, some of the more posh options include amenities like fresh linens, private bathrooms and showers, fully stocked kitchenettes, and even TVs. Step 2: Decide how you want to spend your time. Obviously, the point of glamping is to spend time in the great outdoors with winter activities, such as snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and other fun snow activities. However, glamping really shines during the frigid evenings. You can retreat indoors, throw some logs in the stove, prepare some hot cocoa or cider, and just watch the snowfall from your window. There’s no right or wrong way to glamp. All that matters is spending time in the wilderness with all the comforts of home — all while feeling refreshed and at peace.
When COVID-19 struck the U.S., travel restrictions had people canceling their vacation plans left and right. This meant that many would-be vacationers had to find some getaways a little closer to home — namely, camping trips and their fancier cousin, glamping trips. If you haven’t heard of “glamping” before, it’s essentially glamorous camping. You have access to the beautiful, rugged outdoors as well as all the comforts of home. While traditional
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