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Pet Press KALISPELL DECEMBER 2023
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HOW CRIBBAGE BUILDS LASTING BONDS Some of the most important relationships of my life have involved cribbage games. More Than a Game
I also taught my wife and kids to play. When Rose Ann and I were young and broke, it was a great way to spend time together without spending money. We still play regularly and often hold tournaments as a family. I tend to play a little like my grandfather because I’m highly
Friends and family who can’t think of anything else to get me for Christmas know they can’t go wrong with a deck of cards or a cribbage board. My opinion is that you can never have too many of either. I’ve been hooked on the game for most of my life, ever since my dad taught me to play during our hunting or camping trips in middle school. Cribbage is easy to learn but difficult to master. That’s why so many people first encounter it as kids. Our school system teaches it to fourth graders because the game helps them learn math and problem-solving, while the pegs teach fine motor skills. But people continue playing their whole lives because it’s fun. The game combines strategy and luck with opportunities to play friendly and casual or highly competitive matches. It’s also a deeply social game and, much like bowling, best paired with a drink and good company. Some of the most important relationships of my life have involved cribbage games. My grandfather and I often played when he was alive; he was a skilled and ruthless player. He wouldn’t hesitate to steal points from a child for a second. I rarely won, but I bonded with him enormously over the game. Later, it was the basis of a college friendship. We didn’t have much else in common; I was a microbiology major, and he was a business student. But we both loved cribbage and would stay up until midnight to play most nights. I’m generally not a night owl, but I was willing to make an exception.
competitive, but I’ve learned better than to steal points from my wife. It’s better to be happy than win.
My son’s in-laws are another
story. They host family cribbage tournaments during family gatherings and are out for blood. Before visiting my daughter- in-law’s parents for the first time, he warned me about their games. At that moment, I knew they were my kind of people, and I would get along with his new wife and family just fine! Connecting with them and learning we had this shared love was so much fun. Cribbage never gets old because it’s as much about the company as the gameplay. Once you’ve played enough times, the mechanics become muscle memory and don’t require a lot of thought. Instead, you can sip a beer, nibble a snack, and shoot the breeze with people you like. Since it has been a large part of my life, it also brings back good memories; I associate it with happiness. You’re missing out if you’ve never played, so I encourage you to pick up a board and give it a whirl!
-Dr. Jevon Clark
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Alicia Knight made a big difference for clients and their pets as a veterinary assistant at the Animal Clinic of Kalispell. Now, she has continued that selfless service for others as a Team Trainer with Lorenzo’s Dog Training Team. Her inspiration for starting her career in dog training comes from a beloved rescue dog who was known as Old Man Stan at the clinic. Through her dedicated veterinary work, Alicia developed a passion for helping dogs learn to stay by their owners, keeping them safe from running away or getting hit in traffic. ALICIA KNIGHT MAKES AN IMPACT WITH LORENZO’S DOG TRAINING TEAM A Rewarding Dog Train ST
Anyone robbing a house must know they’re getting into a dangerous situation. But the teenager who burgled NUTS ON A BURGLAR THE GUARD SQUIRREL WHO WENT
“Lorenzo’s Dog Training Team provides schooling in the region, helping people become professional dog trainers. They had given a presentation at the clinic and what they did really appealed to me. I thought that could be a way I could make a difference. In addition to teaching training methods for dogs, they teach you how to become a leader and communicate with clients. “As one of many members of the nationwide team, we work with all breeds of dogs and offer many levels of dog training including basic obedience on and off leash, utility, protection, and service-dog training. We even offer a special for clients of the Animal Clinic of Kalispell: a free at-home evaluation! That’s a $100 value! “During the initial visit, we evaluate the pet, discover their needs, and discuss our program options and what we can do to get them started on their journey to having a better relationship with their dog,” Alicia explains.
Adam Pearl’s Meridian, Idaho, home had no idea what consequences were in store. Many homeowners have a guard dog, but Pearl got his home security from Joey, his pet squirrel. One day in 2017, Pearl came home and saw that something seemed amiss. Joey was excited, and the doors he’d left closed were now open. After finding scratches on the lock of his gun safe, Pearl knew there’d been a robbery and called the police. Officer Ashley Turner couldn’t help but notice Joey’s presence in the house but didn’t believe he was connected with the case — at first. A few hours later, Turner returned to Pearl’s house with his missing belongings and a story to tell. She’d partially identified the perpetrator by the suspicious scratches on his hands. During questioning, Turner said, the burglar confessed to the home invasion and explained why he’d left sooner than intended: Joey attacked while he was attempting to break into the gun safe. Unsurprisingly, the rodent’s violence was frightening. “He wasn’t expecting to have, you know, a squirrel come flying out of nowhere at him,” Officer Turner said. The thief reported that leaving was the only way to stop Joey’s aggression.
Your dog won’t be able to get enough of these bacon-filled treats, and we won’t tell anyone that you tried one for yourself! Tasty and Cheesy Bacon Dog Treats Inspired by Greatist.com
After learning of his bravery, Pearl rewarded Joey with his favorite candy, Whoppers. But he then had a difficult choice ahead. When Joey was still a tiny baby, Pearl and his wife had taken in the abandoned squirrel. They had intended to release Joey back into the wild when spring came, but they were no longer sure. Ultimately, they let Joey decide. After he started playing with other squirrels through the home’s sliding glass door, the Pearls installed a cat door so he could come and go as he pleased. Joey spent several weeks outdoors with other squirrels by day and returned to the Pearls by night. Eventually, he requested one final scratch behind the ears before disappearing into an apple tree and leaving the Pearls’ house behind forever.
Though Joey returned to the great outdoors to live with his kind, his legend is a warning to humans. When you break into someone’s home, you never know what you might find.
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WINGS OF HOPE
ning Resource
ALICIA WITH BOLIN
TAN THE OLD MAN
THE ANGEL FUND IS OFF TO A GREAT START
Animal Clinic of Kalispell launched its Angel Fund in September, and the response from our clients has been overwhelmingly positive. The community has helped us raise $1,000 to assist pet parents in need, which is fantastic news for a brand-new, grassroots organization. We want to offer a special thanks to Taylor for getting this initiative off the ground, and everyone at the clinic looks forward to building on that success throughout the holiday season and into the new year. As a reminder, our Angel Fund is a 100% community-supported resource that will provide financial assistance on a discretionary basis for urgent, nonroutine veterinary care. Depending on the circumstances and the available funding level, the fund may pay for some or all of a pet’s treatment. The goal is to help those who typically have the resources to care for their pets but have hit an unexpected hardship or crisis. We want to support those who look after their furry friends but temporarily can’t due to reasons beyond their control. The money we’ve raised so far has been entirely through small donations from people like you. We are not seeking endowments or grants, so your support makes the Angel Fund possible. All money raised will ultimately go directly to care for pets in need. We have not yet selected a first Angel Fund recipient and don’t know when we will, but we’re grateful to have some funds ready and waiting for them. And the more we can collect, the more often we can help!
Alicia grew up in a mainly rural area of central California, and she remembers thinking that professional dog training was primarily limited to larger cities. “I’d like to
open up a market closer to where I grew up so people there have options too. I want to be able to help those people with lower incomes as well. We offer what’s called Team Trainer Rescue Group, where our clients can donate to help provide free dog training to those in need,” she says. As she looks to the future, Alicia has deep gratitude for the steps she has already taken. “I am proud to have been part of the team at the Animal Clinic of Kalispell for two years. I really appreciate my time here and the way they have supported me in my career. I love having the opportunity to provide this dog training service to others so they can have a better relationship with their pets.”
Ingredients
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1 1/2 cups quick oats 3–4 strips bacon, cooked until extra crispy and crumbled
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3/4 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
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1 egg
1/4 cup chicken broth or water (as needed)
Our free toenail trim for a $20 donation to the Angel Fund has proven so popular we’re extending the offer indefinitely though the holidays. Please continue to bring your dogs in for a trim and help us grow the Angel Fund further. If you or your loved ones are considering end-of-year charitable donations, we’d appreciate whatever contribution you can make to the Angel Fund. We can accept cash donations in person, check gifts by mail, and credit or debit card donations by phone.
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2.
Combine all ingredients except broth or water. If the dough is too dry, add liquid a little at a time until dough is moist enough to shape. 3. Roll out dough until it’s 1/2-inch thick. Using a cookie cutter, cut dough into individual treats. 4. On a baking sheet, place treats and bake for 15–20 minutes or until golden brown. Let treats cool before serving! Store in fridge for up to 5 days.
Thank you to everyone for supporting our efforts so far. You’re helping keep Kalispell’s pets healthier and making our town a better place to live!
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Inside
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Dr. Clark, the Cribbage Fanatic
2 Guard Squirrel on Duty: The Rodent Who Sent a Burglar Running
2 From Vet Assistant to Professional Dog Trainer
3 Tasty and Cheesy Bacon Dog Treats
3 An Update on Our Angel Fund
4 Discover the Most Enchanting Christmas Towns in the US
Explore America’s Most Magical Christmas Towns FROM SNOWY VILLAGES TO YEAR-ROUND HOLIDAY CHEER
It may be too late for less spontaneous travelers to start
annual Julefest. Pronounced “Yule-fest,” this month- long festival takes place every December and features picturesque events, including a ballerina-filled tree lighting ceremony, visits from Santa, culinary delights, traditional Danish celebrations, and much more! Woodstock, Vermont During Woodstock’s Wassail Weekend, you’ll find the town in peak Christmas mode, where you can experience parades, horse-drawn carriages, carolers, and the Billings Farm, a local favorite of the season. Stroll down Main Street to witness an idyllic Christmas spot filled with cozy small- town shops and restaurants. North Pole, Alaska If you ever feel like celebrating Christmas in the middle of summer, we know the perfect destination. North Pole, Alaska, offers Christmas decor and festivities year-round! Here, you can get up close and personal with Santa’s reindeer, meet the man himself, and enjoy the snow that covers the entire town. Be sure to check out their ice sculpture competition, which features artists from all over the world! Ready for the Christmas celebration of your dreams? Start planning your next holiday vacation at any of these destinations, and we promise your dreams will most definitely come true!
planning a Christmas vacation. But that shouldn’t stop you from planning next year’s holiday journey! The good news is you don’t need to venture to another continent to find a Christmas wonderland. There are countless picture- perfect Christmas towns across the country. Make your next Christmas trip feel like a Hallmark movie at one of these festive towns!
Leavenworth, Washington Many have dubbed Leavenworth the most Christmas-centric in the U.S., and it’s easy to see why. This Bavarian-style village experiences nearly 96 inches of snowfall every year, and they certainly don’t hold back when it comes to the holidays. The town lights up and decorates almost 21 miles, where you can find reindeer farms, carolers, gingerbread competitions, and Christmas markets. Every step of the way offers an Instagram-worthy photo opportunity!
Solvang, California A slice of Denmark right in sunny California, Solvang brings endless holiday cheer, especially with their
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