Monthly Pets First
October 2019
On the Subject of Masks FEAR, FUN, AND HALLOWEEN TRADITIONS
“As a lifelong fan of scary Halloween masks, I’ve got to applaud the advancements in mask technology.”
With Halloween coming up, it’s a fun time to think about things that scare us. Horror movies and haunted houses are popular in October for a reason. But when I think about the scariest thing I’ve ever done, I don’t picture a dark alley or an old house. I remember a trip to the beach. Six years ago, I got certified for scuba diving. There are quite a few steps in this process tomake sure you’ll be able to scuba dive safely. One of the last tests involves taking your mask off underwater, putting the mask back on, and blowing air into the mask so you can see and breathe again. The idea of being blind underwater was pretty nerve-wracking, so I expected to take this part of the test in a pool or off the beach in 10 feet of water. My instructor had a different plan. He took me out on a boat into the deep sea, brought me 60 feet down, and hadme take offmy masks. That was the scariest thing I’ve ever done. The test only lasted a few seconds, but when you’re that deep underwater and you can’t see or breathe, things get a little intense. Fortunately, it all went well. I passed the test, got my certification, and haven’t been scuba diving since. I enjoy some scares, but taking offmy mask underwater isn’t an experience I’d like to repeat, even on Halloween. Back in the day, I used to do a lot of trick-or-treating on Halloween. My friends and I looked forward to it every year. We were those kids who started trick-or-treating right when we could and kept going until the very last second. In Cedar Rapids, trick-or-treating was between 6–9 p.m. At 6 p.m., my friends and I would be out there with our pillowcases, combing the neighborhood for Snickers and little Hershey candy bars while avoiding the houses with popcorn balls.
Most years, my Halloween costume involved whatever scary, cool mask I could find at the store. That said, good costumes always scoredmore candy, so one year, my best friend and I were James “Sonny”Crockett and Rico Tubbs from the TV show“Miami Vice.” We looked great and brought home a massive haul that year.
Thoughmy trick-or-treating nights are long behindme, I still look forward to Halloween. These days, I like to
dress up in a scary costume andmask, set myself up in a chair in the middle of our driveway, and sit completely still. In order to get to the door, trick-or- treaters have to walk by me, though some years, I have
the bowl of candy inmy lap. The kids can’t tell if I’m a real person or a prop, but even the kids who are extra cautious freak out when I move or jump up suddenly. It’s all in good fun, and the kids still walk away with extra candy.
As a lifelong fan of scary Halloweenmasks, I’ve got to applaud the advancements in mask technology. I remember the old heavy rubber masks that wouldmake you sweaty and
uncomfortable the moment you put themon. Nowadays, a lot of creepy masks are attached to a fabric sock that fits over your head. These masks are far more comfortable and allow you to scare trick-or-treaters all night long.
I always look forward to Halloween. It’s fun to eat candy and be scared when there’s no real danger to worry about. Besides, I’dmuch rather be scared in a Halloweenmask on dry land than scared without a scuba mask 60 feet under the ocean.
–Dr. Brad Petersen
www.PetersenPetHospital.com
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Howl-O-Ween Cos WILL YOUR PET TAKE HOME THE GRAND
Giving Back
The scariest night of the year is right around the corner. At Petersen Pet Hospital, we’re celebrating with our annual Howl-O-Ween Costume Contest!
Canines and felines of all ages are invited to enter and win some great prizes:
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1st Place - $50 gift card to Petersen Pet Hospital
PETERSEN PET HOSPITAL IN THE COMMUNITY
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2nd Place - $25 gift card to Petersen Pet Hospital
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3rd Place - $15 gift card to Petersen Pet Hospital
How to Enter
At Petersen Pet Hospital, we aim to make a difference in our community. We’re able to do this by keeping local pets healthy and by getting involved in community events. Here are two amazing events we were proud to be a part of.
1. Dress your pet in their scariest, coolest, or most creative costume.
Volley for Charity: Pets for Vets Our team recently competed in the 4th Annual Volley for Charity, a volleyball tournament that raised money for Pets for Vets. This nonprofit organization works with veterans and matches them with a shelter pet. They look at a veteran’s individual needs and find an animal with the right personality to match. Pets for Vets aims to help veterans and their animals form a strong, lasting relationship. Dogs, cats, and even rabbits are rescued from animal shelters and connected with a veteran who can benefit from their support. With Pets for Vets, shelter animals are given a second chance at life and our veterans get a second chance at health and happiness.
2. Bring your costumed pet by Petersen Pet Hospital between Oct. 1 and Halloween to get their picture taken. Each entry will receive a gift.
How to Win
On Friday, Nov. 1, we will upload all entries to a Howl-O- Ween photo album on our Facebook page. From Nov. 1 to Nov. 3, everyone is invited to vote
on their favorites. The photos with the most positive reactions (“like,”“love,” or
Leftover Candy Snack Mix
Learn more about Pets for Vets at PetsForVets.com .
Dogs 4 Dystonia Dog Walk Dystonia is a neurological muscle-movement disorder that affects 250,000 people in the United States. Despite being the third-most common movement disorder — behind essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease — dystonia is often misdiagnosed. The Dogs 4 Dystonia Dog Walk is an annual event that aims to raise awareness about dystonia and to help individuals living with it find local support groups.
Petersen Pet Hospital had a booth at this year’s Dogs 4 Dystonia event. All proceeds from this event went to the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation, an organization dedicated to finding a cure for dystonia.
This recipe fromMomofuku Milk Bar chef and “Master Chef” judge Christina Tosi makes great use of those extra Halloween goodies. It’s a quick and easy way to both elevate and get rid of unwanted leftovers.
Contact us! 319-743-0554
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ume Contest RIZE?
Tails From the Past
Mythical Cats of theWorld
“wow”) will be named the winners!
Most owners will tell you their cats act like ancient deities. Majestic, scrupulous, and utterly unpredictable, these fascinating creatures have long captured our imaginations. Even before cat videos took the internet by storm, humans have been idolizing felines, placing them alongside some of their most important mythological figures. Bastet — Egypt Of course, a list of mythical cats has to start with Egypt. While many people know the pharaohs and their followers thought cats were sacred, you may be surprised by how deep the connection goes. The earliest depiction of Bastet, the feline deity of protection, is a lion-headed woman in battle. But, over the course of 2,000 years, Bastet evolved to resemble the domesticated, pointy-eared cats we know and love today. 招き猫 (Maneki-Neko) — Japan Legend has it that in the 17th century, a monk living in a small temple in Edo (now Tokyo) was struggling to survive, but he still split his meals with his cat, Tama. One day, Lord Nakaota Ii got caught in a rainstorm while hunting and took shelter under a tree near the temple. Nakaota spotted Tama near the temple, and the cat raised its leg, beckoning the noble to come toward him. Curious, Nakaota complied, stepping out from beneath the tree just before a bolt of lightning struck it down. The lord’s life was saved, and to this day, the Maneki-Neko (the beckoning cat) is a symbol of wealth and good fortune. Freya’s Skogkatts —Norway In Norse folklore, the goddess Freya had a unique means of travel: a chariot pulled by two cats. These were skogkatts, or Norwegian Forest cats, that were only a little larger than your average house cat. Still, these small felines towed Freya around battlefields as she gathered warriors to send to Valhalla. On top of being the goddess of war, love affairs, and magic, Freya may well have been Midgard’s first cat lady.
Be sure to “like” Petersen Pet Hospital on Facebook at Facebook.com/ PetersenPetHospital to vote on your favorites and see who this year’s big
winners are.
We always have a ton of great entries, and we look forward to seeing what fun, frightening, or funny costumes come through the door this year.
Have a happy Howl-O-Ween!
INGREDIENTS:
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2 cups mini pretzels, coarsely broken
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6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
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1/4 cup light brown sugar
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12 oz mini candy bars, such as Snickers, chopped into 1/2- inch pieces
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2 tbsp granulated sugar 1/3 cup dry milk powder
DIRECTIONS:
1.
Heat oven to 275 F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, fold together pretzels, sugars, milk powder, and butter.
3. Spread mixture on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20 minutes.
4. Let cool for at least 30 minutes and mix in candy bar pieces before serving.
www.PetersenPetHospital.com
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1031 Kacena Road, Hiawatha, IA 52233 www.PetersenPetHospital.com 319-743-0554
Mon–Fri: 8 a.m.–6 p.m. (closed Fridays from 12:30–2:10 p.m. for teammeetings) Sat: 8 a.m.–12 p.m. Sun: Closed
Inside This Issue
PRIMARY
The Scariest Mask
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HowWe Can Give Back
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BLACK
50% BLACK
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The Best Costume Contest in Town
Leftover Candy Snack Mix
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SECONDARY
Amazing Cat Tales
Reasons to Adopt Dogs From Shelters
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Where Should I Get a Dog? 3 REASONS TO ADOPT FROM YOUR LOCAL SHELTER
So, you’ve decided to get a dog. Maybe you think your kids could use a new playmate, or maybe you and your spouse want someone to join you on morning walks. Whatever the reason, the next question is where to get them. Instead of paying exorbitant amounts of money to a breeder for a purebred puppy, why not check the local shelter or humane society? October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, and, if you’re looking to get a dog, here are a few reasons to check the shelters first. It’s Cheaper to Adopt Adoption prices include the upfront expenses, such as spaying, neutering, and vaccinations, that you wouldn’t get from a breeder or pet store. Some shelters even include the cost of microchipping in their fee. If you adopt from a shelter, you’re ensured a healthy, happy dog. With some shelter dogs, you may also save on housebreaking and training costs. Lots of Choices Is there a specific breed you’re looking for? Chances are you will find it at the shelter. Shelter dogs come in all shapes, sizes, and ages. Some organizations rescue specific breeds, and with a little research, you may find one near you. Even if you don’t find the breed you’re looking for, you may find an
indispensable companion in a breed you weren’t looking for — and you never would have found them if you didn’t check the shelters.
Great for Your Kids Having a dog can be great for your kids, and getting it from a shelter can be even better for them. Dogs encourage kids to play outside and be more active,
and kids gain a friend who loves them unconditionally. Plus, if you adopt, the act of giving an unwanted animal a new home can teach your kids empathy.
If you still haven’t checked your local shelter for the newest member of your family, what are you waiting for? Find a furry friend you and your kids will love today!
Contact us! 319-743-0554
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