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Pet Press KALISPELL AUGUST 2020
406.755.6886 WWW.KALISPELLVET.COM
ON THE JOB
Jevon’s Aerating and Power-Raking Service
I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have a job. It feels like I’ve been working all my life. I was working lawn jobs and a paper route when I was 10 years old. My parents told me that if I wanted to drive, I needed to pay for my own gas and insurance. I really wanted to drive, so I made sure I had enough money to pay for the costs. Of course, I wasn’t driving at 10, but I kept those jobs for a long time. I was still mowing lawns in high school — purely motivated by the need to get gasoline for the big ugly Jeep I was driving around. A big chunk of my early jobs involved landscape work. Both of my parents were gardeners growing up, so this isn’t really surprising. When you have a garden, you tend to spend all day every day tending to your garden. Fortunately, I actually liked doing lawn work, even from a young age. Once, my dad brought home an old aerator and a power rake. Neither of them worked, so I fixed them up and was able to really step up my lawn business. I started aerating and power raking people’s lawns, which meant I was dragging those machines all over town. I was 16 at the time, but I was a tiny kid, so I looked a lot younger. When I arrived at someone’s house, I’d sometimes have to convince them that my dad wasn’t coming. They had a hard time believing that a skinny kid was operating a 200-pound aerator all on his own.
This was back in the mid-1980s, so $50 was a ton of money for a teenager!
back in the mid-1980s, so $50 was a ton of money for a teenager! My insurance only cost $120 a year, so I could easily pay that and have enough left over to eat tacos at Taco John’s every day. It’s wild to look back and realize how ridiculous my concept of money was as a kid. For about two years, I worked in the electronics department at LaBelle’s department store. I was working 40 hours a week for $3.20 an hour, selling TVs and
VCRs. When I’d get a paycheck, I remember thinking, “Wow! That’s so much money!” When your only expenses are gas and insurance, the paychecks you make at those early jobs do seem like a lot. Those early jobs really built the foundation of my work ethic. I’m very fortunate that my parents instilled a good work ethic in me. Those experiences helped drive me forward as I pursued my lifelong career as a veterinarian. While I still enjoy doing lawn work at home, I’m a lot happier working with pets at the clinic. And I can’t say that I miss lugging around a 200-pound aerator all over town.
I was aerating lawns after school and for 12 hours a day on Saturdays and Sundays. It was hard work, but for $50 a lawn, it was worth it. This was
– Dr. Jevon Clark
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Gunner photos
QUEEN OF THE HOUSE AND
Hey there.
My name is Murphy Logan, and I’ve been with my human, Ashlee, ever since I was born. She took care of my mom, and I was literally born in Ashlee’s bedroom. I’ve been a patient of The Animal Clinic of Kalispell ever since I moved here with my humans two years ago. I just turned 16 years old, and I’ve been told that is a very impressive age for a cat. It doesn’t faze me. After all, everything I do is impressive.
For example, when people find out that I go camping with Ashlee and her husband Shelby, they always want to hear more about our adventures. Ashlee and Shelby have always enjoyed going camping together, but I didn’t start coming along until we moved to Kalispell. My health isn’t what it used to be, so I need to take medication every day. After we moved here, Ashlee was worried about leaving me at home without medication, while they were camping. I let Ashlee know that if it would make her feel better, I was willing to go camping, too. I’ll admit, I’m still not crazy about riding in the truck, but once we set up camp, I’m good to go.
HOW 1 FATHER IS PASSING ALONG LIFE LESSONS ‘Dad, How Do I?’
Being abandoned by a parent is one of the most devastating things that can happen to a child. Rob Kenney experienced this trauma firsthand when his father said he no longer wanted any of his eight children. Kenney was only 12 years old when his father walked out of his life. In an interview with Q13 News in Seattle, Kenney explained that after that experience, he decided that when he had children of his own, he would raise them into good adults and make sure they didn’t have a fractured childhood. But he didn’t stop there. Now 50, Kenney has a 29-year-old daughter and 27-year-old son who are living successful lives thanks to that decision he made many years before. However, even with an empty nest, Kenney realized he still had life lessons to pass on. After thinking about other young people in the world who have gone through the same unfortunate experience as he did, he decided to do something about it. In early April 2020, Kenney created a YouTube channel called “Dad, how do I?” and uploaded his first video, titled “How to tie a tie.” In the video, he gives a helpful hint for choosing a tie. Then he talks viewers through the process of how to tie a tie while demonstrating it on himself. As April progressed, Kenney uploaded a number of videos on other seemingly simple tasks, including how to unclog a sink, check the oil in a car, install a shelf, and even how to shave. As he continued uploading videos, he started to include dad jokes along the way. “So today I’m going to show you how to use a stud finder,” Kenney begins in one video. “If you came here looking for help finding a boyfriend, that would be a different stud finder.” Kenney hopes that, by uploading these videos, he can be there for someone who doesn’t have a parent around to teach them these things. And in the course of just two months, it looks like he is already doing just that. At the end of May, Kenney’s channel had over 2 million subscribers and thousands of people have reached out to Kenney to share their own similar experiences and express their gratitude and appreciation for everything he’s doing.
Frozen PB&J BITES Inspired by Pawsh-Magazine.com
The dog days of summer are here, which means we’re all looking for ways to cool off. Help your pup stay cool this summer with these easy to make frozen PB&J bites.
Ingredients
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12 medium strawberries
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1/4 cup cold water
4 spoonfuls xylitol-free peanut butter
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Directions
1. Rinse strawberries and remove tops. Transfer strawberries to a blender and purée with water until smooth. 2. Pour mixture into preferred single-serving molds (like an ice cube tray) to 3/4 full.
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D THE CAMPSITE
THE WRONG KIND OF HOT DOGS Why Nice Days Can Be Dangerous for Dogs
A Word From Murphy
On very hot summer days, we rarely see dogs who are suffering from heatstroke at the clinic. This is because when the weather is hot, most dog owners are extra vigilant. Unfortunately, most people don’t realize that the temperature doesn’t
I enjoy sitting in the trailer and watching the forest through the screen door. In the evenings, I like to sit on my humans’ laps and lounge by the fire. It’s good to hang out together as a family. When Ashlee goes somewhere without me, I make a point to wake her up at 4 a.m. so she knows how displeased I am. I don’t like it when the routine is messed with. Ashlee works from home, so I wake her up every morning on time to give me my medication and my treat. Later, I remind Ashlee when it’s time for her lunch and my
have to be usually high for heatstroke to be a problem. Dogs are most at risk for heatstroke when the weather is nice, usually around 80°F.
Heatstroke is usually the result of two factors: warm weather and overexertion. On warm summer days, we spend more time outside, and we love to bring our dogs along for the adventure. A long hike or a trip to the lake sounds like the best way to spend a summer day, but if you aren’t prepared, the outing can turn into a disaster for your dog.
afternoon treat. I also make sure she doesn’t overwork herself by letting her know when it’s time to get off work for the day and give me another treat. Then I make sure I’m by the front door when Shelby comes home so he’s able to pet me as soon as he takes off his shoes. It’s a tough job, running the household, but I’m glad to do it. I know my humans would be lost without me!
When dogs begin to overheat, their internal organs can start to shut down. This is why dog owners need to recognize the signs of heatstroke. Getting help early is important to ensure that your dog recovers. Early warning signs of heatstroke include:
• Glazed eyes •
Excessive drooling
• Dizziness • Lethargy • Fever •
Increased heart rate Loss of consciousness
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3. Carefully place a dollop of peanut butter in each filled mold. Make sure peanut butter sinks into the mixture. 4. Place in the freezer for at least 5 hours or until frozen solid. 5. Serve frozen on a hot summer day!
Dogs cannot control their body temperature by sweating, so they rely on panting. This is why flat-faced dogs, like pugs, boxers, and Boston terriers are more at risk for heatstroke. Overweight dogs and dogs with thick coats or long hair also have a higher risk of heatstroke. Even healthy, athletic dogs can suffer from heatstroke if they push themselves too hard on a warm day. Whatever breed you have, when the weather starts to warm up, make sure you’re not pushing your dog too hard. Allow for plenty of breaks on that hike or while playing fetch in the park, and make sure your dog has a shady place where it can rest and cool off. Additionally, make sure you bring extra water and help your dog stay well hydrated.
If you suspect that your dog may be suffering from heatstroke, call your veterinarian and bring it in right away. The sooner you’re able to get help, the better off your dog may be.
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406.755.6886 WWW.KALISPELLVET.COM 1408 AIRPORT ROAD KALISPELL, MT 59901
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
Inside
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A Paycheck From the ‘80s
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Rob Kenney Is a Father to Many Meet Murphy, the Camping Cat Easy Frozen Dog Treats 7 Signs Your Dog Has Heat Stroke
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Private Wojtek, Heroic Brown Bear of WWII
Private Wojtek, HEROIC BROWN BEAR OF WWII
Many brave soldiers answered the call to bear arms during WWII, but one Polish artillery supply company took things a step further and armed a bear. That’s right — among the countless animal heroes of WWII was a full-grown brown bear from the mountains of Northern Iran named Wojtek.
time, the bear grew to be 6 feet tall and over 400 pounds, but because he had grown up around humans, he was a gentle giant. He learned several mannerisms from his human friends and even took a liking to beer and cigarettes. For the many soldiers who had lost or were separated from their families, Wojtek was a welcome boost to morale. When the soldiers reached the coast of Egypt, where they were to embark by boat to Italy, British soldiers wouldn’t let Wojtek on board because he wasn’t a soldier. So naturally, the Polish soldiers gave Wojtek a service number, and he officially became a private in their company, complete with a rank and a paybook. Private Wojtek’s moment of fame came when his company fought in the Battle of Monte Cassino. The bear saw his human counterparts carrying crates of artillery shells, and he began mirroring their actions. Throughout the entire battle, he calmly carried crates of ammo, which would have required four men to lift, to his comrades. In honor of Wojtek’s service during the battle, the company changed its emblem to an image of a bear carrying an artillery shell, and Wojtek was promoted to the rank of corporal. After the war, Wojtek was moved to a zoo in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he lived until he was 21 years old. There is now a bronze statue of Wojtek in Edinburgh’s West Princes Street Gardens, ensuring that this brave bear will not be forgotten.
Wojtek first joined the Polish soldiers as a cub. A young Iranian boy found him after a hunter most likely shot his mother. Then, when a group of Polish prisoners of war, recently released from Soviet gulags to join the Allied forces, passed through the town where the boy and the bear cub lived, they traded some of their rations for the cub and took him with them. The soldiers loved the cub and named him Wojtek, which means “happy warrior” in Polish. They nursed him with condensed milk from a vodka bottle and fed him some of their limited rations. Over
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