Take a look at this month's edition of Pets First Monthly!
Monthly Pets First
November 2020
It’s a Quiet Thanksgiving BUT THERE’S STILL PLENTY TO BE THANKFUL FOR Can you believe November is already here? Wasn’t it just yesterday that we were all going about our 2020 as planned when things suddenly started to get a little strange? It would seem that so much has changed in the blink of an eye, and yet, if I take the time to slow down and look at all the wonderful things in my life that have remained the same, I find I still have a lot to be thankful for as we get closer to one of my favorite holidays. This year, Thanksgiving is certainly going to look a little different than it normally does, but the same sentiments will still be there. We’re going to keep things small and safe this year — Stacey, Sam, and I will be a quiet party of three and enjoy each other’s company, much like we do every day, just with heaps of food involved. We love the classics like turkey, mashed potatoes, warm rolls, and stuffing, but we’ll still be sure to sneak some vegetables into the meal, too. And I have a feeling I’m going to indulge my sweet tooth that weekend and take on a few varieties of pie, with apple and cherry prominently featured. After a year of carefully watching what we eat, I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m excited to consume as many slices of pie as I can muster. We’ll be cooking Sam her own little Thanksgiving feast, too. We give her vegetables with her dry dog food every day, but we’ll make sure to find a way to make her Thanksgiving dinner a little more festive while still keeping it healthy. It’s a holiday to celebrate with family after all, and Sam is just as much a part of the family as anyone else. We’ll definitely miss visiting the rest of our family in person this year, but thanks to Zoom, we’ll all still be in touch and spend some time together reminiscing about what a year it’s been and sharing our thanks for having one another through it all, no matter how far apart we might be physically.
to share those things they’re most thankful for in their lives. That’s really what this holiday is all about. So, I’ll start by saying that I’m incredibly thankful for all my family. They’ve always been so supportive and lent a hand in anything I’ve needed. I’m so thankful that Petersen Pet Hospital has been able to remain open, and we’ve continued to be there for our patients when they need us most. I’m thankful for my incredible team that stuck with me through those first few weeks when we weren’t exactly sure what was going to happen, but we worked together and found a way through. I’m thankful for my own health and that those I love have also managed to stay healthy. Thanksgiving may be small and quiet this year, but with so much to be thankful for, I’m looking forward to it just the same. We’ll break up our feasting and family Zoom calls with watching football, playing a few board games, and enjoying a nice long walk with Sam, if the weather cooperates. It’s my first time taking the Friday after Thanksgiving off in many years, and I know I’ll welcome the extra day of relaxation. I’ve certainly got nothing to complain about his year, and that’s just another thing I’m thankful for.
Even though food and football are a close second, my favorite part of Thanksgiving is when we go around the room and each person takes a moment
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Border Col CANINE LYMPHOMA AWARENESS
Hey everyone!
Did you know that Nov. 7 is National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day? Just like humans, dogs can develop lymphoma, which is cancer in our lymph nodes. If it’s not caught and treated, it can spread throughout the rest of our
body. That’s why having a day of awareness for it is so important!
As of last spring, Sarah Brown has been with Petersen Pet Hospital for 10 years, and she’s achieved so many incredible milestones along the way! When we first brought Sarah onto our team as an intern a decade ago, we always saw great things in her future, but we never imagined we’d be privileged enough to join her on her journey to becoming a certified veterinarian technician. Sarah has spent the last several years working as our veterinary assistant, but she’s always wanted to provide more for the animals we help every day. “It feels like I’ve been in school for forever, but it was so worth it!” Sarah says. “Getting more education was always important to me, but I couldn’t bring myself to stop working at Petersen Pet Hospital at the same time.” As an assistant, Sarah’s work has always been invaluable to us, and now as a board-registered technician, she’ll be able to help with even more clinical duties, health care, lab work, and many other tasks. We can’t wait to put our patients in her knowledgeable and experienced hands. “Petersen Pet Hospital isn’t just a great place for pets,” Sarah says. “It’s an incredible place to work. That’s why I’ve been here for 10 years. Our entire team has a collective attitude of positivity, welcomeness, and care that makes us more than coworkers. We really are a family here, and we treat our patients and their pet‑parents like family, too.” And Sarah knows a thing or two about family. She and Kevin, her husband of two years (though they’ve been together for over 12 years!), are expecting their first child in early December. “This baby is going to be our little Christmas present,” Sarah says. “I’ve always wanted to be a mom, but it was important to me to finish school and get my certifications first. Now we can focus on growing our family, and Kevin is so excited to finally be a dad.”They grew their pet-family this past summer in the meantime by adopting Whiskey, a 3-year-old Labrador/husky/German shepherd mix. “He’s my not-so-little shadow everywhere I go,” Sarah says. “He’s so mellow and such a good listener.”We’re crossing our fingers that their new bundle of joy will be just as easygoing. CONGRATULATIONS TO SARAH BROWN Our Newest Certified Veterinary Technician
Luckily, checking for signs of lymphoma is something that our owners can (and should) do at home about once a month. The easiest way to check us out is to palpate the lymph nodes found under our jaw where it meets our upper neck. You can also check the nodes in our armpits, back legs, and groin area, but the neck nodes are the easiest to reach.
Just like humans when they get a sore throat, if we have an issue, these nodes will often get
swollen and sore. In dogs, nodes are normally about the size of a quarter, but they can sometimes swell to the size of a tennis ball
Turkey and Oatmeal Dog Treats 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!
Inspired by DogTipper.com
Congratulations to Sarah for all of your exciting achievements! We’re so proud of you and can’t wait for another incredible 10 years together.
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llie Corner
Is ‘Glamping’ the Perfect Winter Getaway? Cabin Fever Has Never Been so Stylish
when something is wrong. Often when just one node is swollen, it’s not too much cause for concern. However, if more than one is swollen and you notice signs of pain or
discomfort, minimal activity, decreased appetite, or weight loss, it’s definitely time to see the veterinarian. At Petersen Pet Hospital, Dr. McGinty is the expert we turn to when it comes to canine
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.
lymphoma. He can determine whether it’s just an infection or something more serious, and dogs are in great hands when they have to go
through his chemotherapy treatments.
Remember, dogs under the age of about 8 are fine visiting the vet once a year, but after that, they should visit twice a year so that any issues like lymphoma can be caught quickly. It’s something the veterinarians always check for, especially in breeds that are predisposed to it like golden retrievers, boxers, and bulldogs. But there really are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to getting sick, so always be sure to keep a close eye on your dog so you can recognize what’s normal and what isn’t. That’s the best way to keep us healthy!
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 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.
INGREDIENTS
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1 3/4 cups whole-wheat flour
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2 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
Step 1: Decide which kind of lodging you want.
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1 tsp baking powder
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.
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1 cup turkey or chicken broth
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1 1/2 cups shredded turkey
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!
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.
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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
The Most Thankful Time of Year
PRIMARY
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Sarah Brown’s 10 Years of Achievement
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PMS4655
BLACK
50% BLACK
Checking Your Dog for Canine Lymphoma
Leftover Turkey Dog Treats
SECONDARY
Is ‘Glamping’ the Perfect Winter Getaway?
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PMS292 The Stories Behind 2 Iconic Animal Heroes in Video Games PMS5635 PMS1215
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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 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!
Yoshi
Sonic
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.
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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